Topband: Upcoming QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party announcement at the QRP ARCI web site

[James Rodenkirch]

Steve, G4GXL, has the announcement and "rules" for the upcoming QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party posted at the ARCI's web site so you can go here to find it posted 'above the fold': http://www.qrparci.org

Hoping to hear the "regulars" as well new entrants - for those of you who enjoy contesting with lots of categories to choose from, this is a relaxed contest to start getting "tuned up, personally" for the onslaught of contesting events that occur during the fall and winter season!

A reminder that the next ARCI contest will be the 160 meter sprint - just before the ARRL 160 event on 1 December - another great way to get "tuned up, personally" as well as check the gear out, albeit a reduced power levels, in preparation for the 160 meter contest 'season.'  It's a six hour event which works well for a casual yet rewarding contest to be engaged in.

For those of you who have thought about 160 meters but never could take the plunge for an antenna 'cuz of the HUGE space requirements, I used a shortened 160 meter antenna in the past two years for the ARRLl and CQ 160 meter contests as a QRP entry and did quite well (200+ QSOs the first year, 150 or so in the second year).  Go here for the details:  http://www.iw5edi.com/ham-radio/?a-160-meter-antenna-for-small-lot,105   EASY antenna to assemble -- never needed a tuner....put it together, glued the wires at strategic points on the PVC form to keep it all from unraveling, made a stand for it, added about 5 or 6 radials of 50 to 100 feet, hooked up my old ICOM 735 and keyed down....1.3 to 1 SWR on the external SWR meter....life is GOOD!  It was a portable sort of antenna system - put it up and ran the radials for the contests - but it was FUN to finally get on 160 and have fun during the contests....now have a 43 foot vertical and 160 meter loading coil so I'm all excited about our (the QRP ARCI) event.

See you on the bands and during the contests, hopefully!  72, Jim Rodenkirch, K9JWV