[VHFcontesting] Working K5QE in the ARRL Sept VHF contest....

[Marshall-K5QE]

Hello to all our friends in the VHF / WSJT world from the K5QE contest 
team....K5QE will be operating in the ARRL September VHF Contest and 
would really appreciate any contacts that we can make via MSK144, FT8, 
or EME for that "rare" grid.

The contest  begins 1800 UTC Saturday and ends 0300 UTC Monday (Sept 9th 
- 11th, 2017).  For those of us still on local time, that is 1PM CDST on 
Saturday to 10PM CDST Sunday night.  For those stations that are outside 
our normal range, I invite you to try to work us on 6M, 2M, and/or 222 
using digital meteor scatter(MSK144), FT8, or EME.  If you are EME 
capable, we will be operating EME on 2M, 222, and 432.

The new ARRL rules allow Assistance to all stations.  We will be on 
PingJockey whenever we are running meteor scatter or FT8 and will be on 
the N0UK EME-1 page whenever we are running EME. Please look for us 
there and coordinate with us.  Please note that NO CONTACT INFORMATION 
can be posted.

NOTE:  The new FT8 mode has taken off like wildfire, especially on 6M.  
We can switch between FT8 and MSK easily, but we have to know which mode 
and frequency you want to use.  SO, use PingJockey to coordinate.

If there is Es on 6M, you can easily work a new station on SSB in 10sec, 
so clearly that is where everyone should be.  However, IF 6M is NOT OPEN 
to Es, we will be operating using MSK144 or FT8 beginning at 0000Z 
Sunday morning(=7:00PM CDST Saturday night) on a frequency of 
50.265MHz.  We will follow normal sequencing--i.e. when we are 
westernmost, we we will take First Sequence and when we are easternmost, 
we will take Second Sequence.  Please give us a try on 6M meteor 
scatter.  We run 1KW output on 6M meteor scatter with fairly large 
antennas. Please remember that the contest requires the exchange of 
GRIDS not a number. Be sure to check Contest Mode for MSK144 and FT8 
under Files/Setup/Advanced.  You MUST have version rc2 of WSJT-X to have 
this checkbox for both modes.

On 2M, we will begin MSK144 or FT8 at 0000Z Sunday(=7PM CDST Saturday 
night) on a frequency of 144.142MHz and we will follow normal 
sequencing.  This is a good chance for smaller stations to get some good 
2M DX and a "rare" grid during the contest.  We get one too...a WIN-WIN 
situation!!  We run a stacked pair of 17el M2's at 160ft and 1KW output 
on 2M MSK or FT8.  Remember, GRIDS not a number for the report. Again, 
check the Contest Mode box.  Look for us on the PingJockey page.

On 222, we will run MSK144 or FT8 on 222.085MHz.  Please try us on 
meteor scatter on 222 if you have some power and a reasonable horizontal 
antenna.  With MSK, it is much easier to make a 222 contact than most 
folks believe.  Give us a try!  There is a good chance that FT8 will 
yield some long distance 222 contacts.  Check with us on the PingJockey 
page for MSK or FT8 contacts on 222.

On 2M, we will cease meteor scatter or FT8 operations at our moonrise 
which is 0300Z on Sunday = 10PM Saturday night local. After that, we 
will be on 2M EME on 144.142MHz, taking second sequence.  Again, just 
check to see if we are on the N0UK EME-1 page for coordination.

Remember that stations with a single long yagi and QRO may be able to 
work us on their rising moon using WSJT / JT65b. Stations in the Central 
US and out West get the increased gain from their rising moon, so give 
us a try.  In years past, we easily worked stations in CN87 that just 
had a single yagi pointed at the horizon, so it can be done.  Stations 
to the east of us can be worked on your setting moon.  We run 8 x 
2M18XXX with the custom EME elements and 1250W output(1500W output if it 
is a rare one.....HI). Pictures of the EME antenna are on my web site.  
It is a really FB antenna and we would love to work you in the 
contest.......all new multipliers gratefully appreciated.

On 432, we will be looking for EME contacts after our moonrise. We will 
operate on 432.080MHz Second Sequence.  The antenna is 16 x 28el M2, all 
Horizontal, with 950W output.  If you have a single long yagi and QRO, 
we should be able to work on your rising moon if you are located in the 
Central or Western US. Please look for us on 432 and work us if you 
can.  It will be a new grid for us and a new one for you too.  What a deal!!

The 222 EME station is fully operational as well.  Any station with one 
long yagi and QRO power can work us on your rising or setting moon.  
Find out when your rising or setting moon occurs and get on with us 
about 20-30 min before that.  Use the N0UK EME-1 reflector page...OR if 
you are in range, we can run meteors with MSK or FT8.  In either case, 
we will be on 222.085MHz.

Please spot us on PingJockey if you see us on MSK144 or FT8. Use the 
EME-1 page if you work us on EME.  The ability to coordinate on the 
Internet is very valuable.  USE IT!!

Thank you in advance for spending some time to work us in the contest.

73 Marshall K5QE, EM31cj
Contest station phone is 409-787-3831 if you want to call

k5qe at k5qe.com
www.k5qe.com
East Texas