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■ Adapting the Ameritron RCS-4 for Remote-SiteWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO Antenna Switching ■ NCJ Reviews: Up the Tower by Steve Morris, K7LXC ■ Results: Summer 2009 NAQP (CW, SSB, RTTY) ■ Results: Fall 2009 NA Sprint (CW, SSB, RTTY)

Top Photo: Rick, K6VVA, chronicles his lessons learned while building a remote contesting station at “Locust Peak.”

Bottom Photo: NCJ remembers the four members of the C6APR team, who died tragically while en route to the Bahamas for the 2009 CQ WW SSB: (L-R) Ed, K3IXD;

Randy, K4QO; Pete, W2GJ, and Dallas, W3PP.

225 Main Street • Newington, CT 06111-1494 CT Newington, • Street Main 225

American Radio Relay League Relay Radio American

NCJ : The National Contest Journal Contest National The : Array Solutions Your Source for Outstanding Radio Products Count on us for sound, reliable, effi cient and effective equipment. It’s been our passion for over 18 years. Make sure to visit our website to see all that we have to offer. WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.ROFeaturing... Antenna Switches EightPak 8X2 RF Matrix Antenna Switch

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1185 Dolly Parton Pkwy., Sevierville, TN 37862. Sales: (800) 833-7373, [email protected]. Office: (865) 453-7172. FAX: (865) 428-4483. Service: (865) 428-0364, [email protected] M-F 8 AM -5 PM (Eastern Time). We accept Visa, MC, American Express and Discover. The National Contest Journal Table of Contents Volume 38 Number 1  January/February 2010

National Contest Journal (ISSN 0899-0131) is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September and November by the American 3 Editorial Al Dewey, KØAD Radio Relay League, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: National Contest Journal, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111-1494, USA. FEATURES Publisher American Radio Relay League 4 True Remote Control with the Ameritron RCS-4 Antenna Switch 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111 tel: 860-594-0200 Al Yerger, WA2EHI fax: 860-594-0259 (24-hour direct line) Electronic Mail: [email protected] WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO World Wide Web: www.arrl.org/ 8 How Not to Build a Remote SO2R Contest Station — Part 1 Editor Rick Hilding, K6VVA Al Dewey, KØAD [email protected] 11 C6APR Team Tragedy Shocks and Saddens Radio Amateurs Worldwide Managing Editor Rick Lindquist, WW3DE Rick Lindquist, WW3DE [email protected] NCJ WWW Page 18 NCJ Reviews: Up the Tower by Steve Morris, K7LXC Bruce Horn, WA7BNM, Webmaster www.ncjweb.com Doug Grant, K1DG ARRL Officers President: Joel M. Harrison, W5ZN Executive Vice President: David Sumner, K1ZZ Contributing Editors Gary Sutcliffe, W9XT—Contest Tips, Tricks & Techniques COLUMNS Ralph Bellas, K9ZO—Contesting on a Budget Jon Jones, NØJK—VHF-UHFWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO Contesting! 13 NCJ Profiles: Eric Scace, K3NA 21 VHF Contesting! Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA—Propagation Don Hill, AA5AU—RTTY Contesting Tom Menas, K3WT Jon Jones, NØJK Tom Menas, K3WT­—NCJ Profiles Bill Feidt, NG3K—DX Contest Activity Announcements 16 Propagation Bruce Horn, WA7BNM—Contest Calendar 24 Contesting on a Budget Pete Smith, N4ZR—Software for Contesters Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA Ralph Bellas, K9ZO Don Daso, K4ZA—Workshop Chronicles Kirk Pickering, K4RO—Contesting 101 19 Workshop Chronicles ARRL CAC Representative 26 RTTY Contesting Ned Stearns, AA7A Don Daso, K4ZA Don Hill, AA5AU 7038 E Aster Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 [email protected] North American QSO Party, CW 20 Contesting 101 Bruce Horn, WA7BNM Kirk Pickering, K4RO 4225 Farmdale Ave, Studio City, CA 91604 [email protected] North American QSO Party, Phone Bruce Horn, WA7BNM 4225 Farmdale Ave, Studio City, CA 91604 [email protected] North American QSO Party, RTTY CONTESTS Shelby Summerville, K4WW 6500 Lantana Ct, Louisville, KY 40229-1544 28 Rules: North American Sprint (CW/SSB/RTTY) Bruce Horn, WA7BNM [email protected] North American Sprint, CW Boring Amateur Radio Club 29 Rules: North American QSO Party (NAQP) CW/SSB/RTTY Bruce Horn, WA7BNM 15125 Bartell Rd, Boring, OR 97009 [email protected] North American Sprint, Phone 31 Results: North American Sprint, CW — Fall 2009 Boring Amateur Radio Club Jim Stevens, K4MA 6609 Vardon Ct, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 [email protected] 35 Results:: North American Sprint, SSB — Fall 2009 Jim Stevens, K4MA North American Sprint, RTTY Ed Muns, WØYK PO Box 1877, Los Gatos, CA 95031-1877 [email protected] 37 Results: North American Sprint, RTTY — October 2009 Ed Muns, WØYK Advertising Information Contact: Janet Rocco, tel 860-594-0203; fax 860-594-0303; [email protected] 39 Results: North American QSO Party, SSB — August 2009 Bruce Horn, WA7BNM NCJ subscription orders, changes of address, and reports of missing or damaged copies should be addressed to ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 and be marked NCJ Circulation. ARRL members are asked to include their membership control number or their QST mailing label. ADVERTISING INDEX Letters, articles, club newsletters and other editorial material should be submitted to NCJ, 14800 38th Pl N, Plymouth, MN 55446. Alfa Radio Ltd.: 24 Radioware & Radio Bookstore: 30 The NA Sprint and NA QSO Parties are not sponsored by ARRL. Array Solutions: COVER II RF Parts: 15, 17 Yearly Subscription rates: In the US $20 SuperBertha: 25 US by First Class Mail $28 Bencher: 27 International and Canada by airmail $32 Clark Electronics: 15 Ten-Tec: 1 All original material not attributed to another source is copyright DX Engineering: 3 Texas Towers: COVER III © 2009 by The American Radio Relay League, Inc. Materials may be excerpted from the NCJ without prior permission provided Green Heron Engineering LLC: 15 Top Ten Devices: 12 that the original contributor is credited, and the NCJ is identified HamGadgets: 23 Unified Microsystems: 48 as the source. W2IHY Technologies: 7 In order to insure prompt delivery, we ask that you periodically Icom America: COVER IV check the address information on your mailing label. If you find Idiom Press: 45 Writelog for Windows: 43 any inaccuracies, please contact the Circulation Department im- mediately. Thank you for your assistance. International Radio INRAD: 36 XMatch/N4XM: 20 KØXG Systems: 17

ARTICLES.indd 2 12/08/2009 9:19:10 AM Al Dewey, KØAD Editorial QRM power — invade the normally peaceful 75 theme in many of these stories. I believe Over the years much has been said meter phone band calling “CQ Sprint.” Not we all owe a debt of gratitude to those about contesting and QRM — that is, QRM only that, but they QSY all over the place! who assume the risk of reaching these from contesters to casual and net opera- Somehow, this seems worse than a contest sometimes-remote locations so we can tors. Contesters contend that they occupy such as the ARRL November Sweepstakes work those mults. the bands only for a very smallWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO fraction of in which at least loud stations tend to stay NCJ Managing Editor Rick Lindquist, a typical year and that their use of Amateur in one place, and non-contesters can deal WW3DE, knew Dallas, W3PP, and had op- Radio allocations is very efficient — often with this either by QSYing themselves or erated at his multi-multi station for the CQ occupying parts of bands that lie dormant convincing the contester to move. WW CW. He also had joined with Dallas for much of the time. Non-contesters on the In terms of the phone Sprint, one idea and other First State hams to put the semi- other hand are used to having certain fre- that’s popped up from time to time has rare Delaware multiplier on the air during quencies available to them at certain times been to limit the power in the Sprint to 100 other events. A tribute to the C6APR team for nets, schedules, round tables or just W, matching the maximum power level of appears elsewhere in this issue. plain rag chewing. Some frequencies are the North American QSO parties. This used for public service or other specialty won’t eliminate the problem entirely, but it Getting it Right communications (eg, beacons, PSK etc.). might help alleviate the QRM situation a Sharp-eyed NCJ readers brought to When these become unavailable owing little. There are pros and cons to doing this. our attention a few small glitches in the to contest QRM, the traditional occupants What do you think? Share your thoughts. November/December issue. The first was understandably become upset. As ARRL in my own article, “A Simple Plug-and- Contest BranchWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO Manager Sean Kutzko, C6APR Play RTTY Interface for Yaesu and ICOM KX9X, recently pointed out in a CQ-Con- It’s hard to describe the emotions I felt Radios.” Carl, N9NC, and Roger, KØMPH, test reflector posting, the extended period on the Wednesday before the CQ WW noticed that two connections on the DB9 of poor propagation makes the situation SSB when I first learned of the tragic plane connector were reversed in the article. The even worse, as the whole world tries to fit crash that took the lives of the four-member connection from R2 should go to pin 7 of into 20 and 40 meters during the day. team on its way to C6APR for the contest. the DB9 connector. Pin 5 of the DB9 goes There are no magic bullets for this The plane — owned and piloted by Pete to ground on the interface box. problem, of course. Advances in filtering Radding, W2GJ — carried Ed Steeble, A couple of corrections involve the technology have addressed this problem K3IXD, Dallas Carter, W3PP, and Randy article, “March–August 2009 NCCC somewhat. State-of-the-art transceivers Hargenrader, K4QO. It crashed just after Sprint Ladder VI Results” by Bill Haddon, have made it possible for contesters to takeoff in South Carolina. N6ZFO. The article inadvertently omitted coexist within a few hundred Hertz of The contest community was in shock, Jim, N3BB, from the list of those on the each other. In fact, I would love for some and the topic dominated the CQ-Contest NS Board. A second correction had a volunteer to write a solid technical article in reflector for days. Messages from around somewhat humorous twist with the un- NCJ describing the best ways to minimize the world expressing thoughts and prayers fortunate misspelling of the name of Cal the generation of QRM as well as how to were relayed to the families of the four men Darula, KØDXC, winner of the Newcomer’s deal with QRM that exists. killed in this tragedy. Many contesters paid Division. Unfortunately, the error made it Sean suggests that non-contesters tribute by not logging a Q during the first appear that Cal was a descendant of a become aware of when the major contest minute of the contest. well-known horror story vampire. Taking weekends are and to make alternate ar- Although I have never personally been the mix-up in stride, Cal checked in to NS rangements on less-crowded bands when- on a DXpedition or contest operation out- Sprint on the same Thursday his NCJ ar- ever possible. I feel, however, that the most side the US, I have listened to many stories rived using the name “Count” rather than effective solution is plain common courtesy. from those who have. A certain level of his normal “Kid.” Hey, vampires are all the If you are looking for a run frequency, make risk, particularly related to transportation rage these days. Nonetheless, we extend sure to check it once or twice with a quick toDXE and NCJfrom Adthe 09location, 9/24/09 is a fairly 9:52 common AM Pageour 1apologies, not our fangs. “QRL?” before you start transmitting. It’s surprising how many times I hear someone just jump in and start CQing without first checking to see if the frequency is in use. Build a Winning Station with DX Engineering! If you get tied up on a second radio, real- ize that you may lose your run frequency. It happens. If you find you are QRMing a Highest quality antenna systems net 2 kHz up the band and you are politely asked to QSY, give serious thought to mov- and components possible! ing. Don’t start an argument. • 5kW/10kW Baluns Shortly after the NA SSB Sprint last September, I received a number of e-mails • DXE and COMTEK Phased Verticals from amateurs complaining about the QRM • Receiving Antenna Systems this event generated. It dawned on me When You Want that the “perfect storm” for contester-to- • Winning Station Accessories The Best! non-contester QRM perhaps most often Secure Online Ordering: www.DXEngineering.com occurs during the SSB Sprint on 75 meters. Order by Phone: 1-800-777-0703 Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am-4:30 pm ET On two Saturday nights a year at around 8 PM, contesters — most running high Product Support Line: 1-330-572-3200 Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am-4:30 pm ET

ARTICLES.indd 3 12/08/2009 9:19:10 AM Al Yerger, WA2EHI

True Remote Control with the Ameritron RCS-4 Antenna Switch

For several years I have used an Ameri- “A Parallel Port Interface for Your Shack” make changes in its products; be careful to tron RCS-4 remote antennaWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO switch. The (QST, Jul 2009, p 35) covers design and note any differences between your RCS-4 RCS-4 consists of two units — a control construction of such an interface. The next and mine before you proceed. box at the operating position and a remote step is to modify the RCS-4 control box to switch outside — coupled by a single coax accept antenna-selection data via a paral- Adapting the RCS-4 feed line. The unit lets you select one of four lel port interface. All changes to the RCS-4 are done at antennas. As part of an effort to control my the control box, so if your remote switch is station remotely via the Internet, I wanted RCS-4 Basic Operation on your tower or in some other difficult-to- to be able to remotely select antennas. Figure 1 shows the schematic of the reach location, there is no problem. While The RCS-4 seemed to be a logical choice. RCS-4 control box as it comes from the no modifications to the remote switch The RF portion was already complete and factory. The power supply provides dc box are necessary, extensive changes to installed; all that remained would be to as well as low-voltage ac. Relays in the the control box are required. The original rework the control box to interface with the remote box are activated by placing a power supply stays put, but most remain- computer at the remote site. voltage on the transmission line through ing switching circuitry will be isolated, as Ham Radio Deluxe, my control program, an RF choke. When there is no voltage on seen in Figure 2. supports antennaWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO selection via the com- the line, the relays in the remote box are Start by removing the circuit board. You puter’s parallel port. The program can be not energized, and antenna 4 is selected. will have to remove the nuts holding the configured to output specific bit patterns A positive dc voltage selects antenna 3, antenna selector switch to the front panel. for each antenna selection. The antennas a negative dc voltage selects antenna 2 You will also need to unsolder the 120 V then can be chosen either from a list or and the low-voltage ac selects antenna ac power leads and the connections to automatically by the program based upon 1. Switching is accomplished by using the transformer. You then should be able frequency (more on this later). diodes to steer the required voltage to the to (carefully!) remove the board from the The first step is to construct an interface appropriate relays. chassis. that allows connecting external devices It’s worth noting that Ameritron, like most Using a Dremel tool or a knife, carefully to the parallel port. My previous article, other companies, reserves the right to cut the circuit traces leading from the LED

Figure 1 — The RCS-4 control box schematic 4 January/February 2010 NCJ

ARTICLES.indd 4 12/08/2009 9:19:11 AM WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO

WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO

Figure 2 — The new control box relay schematic

cathodes. Isolate the trace that connects of each transistor. I also installed 0.05 µF point of the board to the negative terminal the LED anodes together from the rest of capacitors from the three data input lines of a 12 V dc power supply. Connect the the circuit. Remove the 470 Ω resistor (R1) to ground. Most of these capacitors have positive terminal of the supply to the point and reinstall it between the positive output been omitted from the diagram for clarity. that will ultimately connect to position 4 of the power supply (the + side of C17) and I have run 1500 W through the control box of the selector switch (the emitters of the the LED anodes. This will provide power to with no indication that RF is interfering with transistors). the LED indicators. Removing R1 opens the control circuit or the computer. Turn on the power supply. Nothing should the connection to the common terminal on happen, and the current drain should be 0 one pole of the selector switch. Testing the Relay Board mA. Using a clip lead, apply +12 V to the Solder lengths of small-gauge insulated Once the control board is complete, points that will connect to switch positions hook-up wire to the LED cathodes, the four check it out before installing it in the con- 3, 2 and 1. With 12 V on position 3, only terminals and the selector switch common trol box. It’s a lot harder to troubleshoot relay K1 should energize. On position 2, point, the positive voltage output (the + side after it is in the box. Connect the ground relays K1 and K2 should energize, and on of C17), the negative voltage output, (the – side of C16), the low-voltage ac output, (in- put to rectifier diodes) and ground — nine wires in all. These will connect to the relay board. It’s helpful to use as many different color wires as possible. Figure 3 shows the modified RCS-4 circuit board with all of the traces cut and the additional wires that will go to the new relay board in place. Now construct the relay board. Every- thing in Figure 2 is located on the relay board except for the selector switch, the LEDs and the 470 Ω resistor. This is anoth- er example of non-critical construction. The only caution has to do with RF bypassing. Since the transmission line passes through the control box, the circuit will be in close proximity to potentially high levels of RF, especially if you run high power. I installed a 0.05 µF capacitor across every diode and between the collector-emitter leads Figure 3 — The modified RCS-4 circuit board NCJ January/February 2010 5

ARTICLES.indd 5 12/08/2009 9:19:13 AM position 1, all three relays should energize. Remove the clip lead but leave +12 V on switch position 4. Now ground input D0. Only relay K1 should energize. Grounding D1 should energize only K2 and grounding D2 should energize only K3. At this point you may also want to check out the relay contact wiring with an ohmmeter. If everything checks out, you’re ready to install the board in the control box. I used four 6-32 × 3 screws as standoffs (see Figure 5) to hold the board above the transformer and the other parts in the control box. Connect all wires from the modified original circuit board to the proper points on the relay board. Connect the common terminal of K1A toWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO the RF choke to the transmission line. Make sure that bypass capacitor C8 is still in place. A small four-terminal barrier strip is mounted on the rear panel to allow connection of the data inputs to the parallel port interface. Figure 4 — The completed relay board Testing the Control Box Once the relay board is connected and installed, check out the complete box. Set the selector switch on position 4 and turn on the power switch. LED 4 should come on, but nothing else should happen. Measure the voltage on the center pin of the RF connector labeled “Relay Box.” No voltage should be present. Rotate the selector switch to position 3. You should hear a relay click, and LED 3 should light. There should be –12 V dc on the RF connector. Rotate the selector switch to position 2. LED 2 should illuminate, and WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.ROthere should be +12 V dc on the RF connector. Rotate the selector switch to position 1. LED 1 should come on, and there should be 12 V ac on the RF connector. If the readings are correct, the relays are wired properly. Now, rotate the selector switch to position 4. In addition to selecting antenna 4 this also puts the box into computer-control mode. Using a clip lead, ground D0. LED 3 should light, and there should be –12 V dc on the RF connector. Grounding D0 and D1 together should select antenna 2 and give you +12 V dc on the RF connector. Grounding D0, D1 and D2 should select antenna 1 and give you 12 V ac on the RF connector.

Connecting the RCS-4 to Your Computer If you have already constructed the parallel port interface or have another device that serves the same function, connecting the modified RCS-4 to your computer is easy. Simply wire D0, D1 and D2, and ground to the appropriate connections on the parallel port interface. If you are using a different interface, it must provide a ground when the associated bit in the parallel port output is set to high (logic 1). Figure 5 — The RCS-4, ready for the relay board From there it’s all software. The information I’ve provided is based on using Ham Radio Deluxe. Many other available pro- grams allow you to output specific bit patterns to a computer’s parallel port, including writing your own. When you first connect the RCS-4 and parallel port interface to your computer, note that the unit may immediately switch to any of the four possible antennas. This is because random bit patterns could be left over in the parallel port from the computer’s booting up and checking to see if any devices (eg, printers) are connected. Place the RCS-4 selector switch in position 4 and launch HRD. After it starts, HRD should clear the parallel port, and the RCS-4 LEDs will stay at — or return to — antenna 4. The next few steps do not require selecting and connecting to a radio, but you can if you wish. The HRD main screen is all you need. On the main screen, click on “Tools,” then click on “Parallel Port” and select “Monitor” to test your interface. A dialog box similar to the one in Figure 7 should open. By checking or unchecking the boxes beneath different data bits, you can manually change the outputs on the parallel port. Start with all bits set to 0 (all checkmarks cleared). The RCS 4 should select antenna 4. Checking bit 0 should select antenna 3. Figure 6 — The relay board, installed and ready for testing 6 January/February 2010 NCJ

ARTICLES.indd 6 12/08/2009 9:19:21 AM Figure 8 — The HRD “Parallel Port Manager”

Figure 7 — The HRD “Parallel Port Monitor” WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO

Checking bits 0 and 1 should select anten- na 2, and checking bits 0, 1 and 2 should select antenna 1. The LEDs on the RCS-4 should move to the proper position, and if you measure the voltage on the antenna frequency ranges, but it may require a good remote program such as pcAnywhere or connector marked “relay box,” you should bit of experimentation to get the system to VNC Viewer to select the desired antenna see the appropriate voltages. select the proper antenna every time. It’s via the remote computer. On the station best to start out simple. computer launch HRD but do not connect Automatic Antenna Selection to a radio. When the connect dialog box Assuming that everything checks out Overriding the Computer opens up, cancel it. Now, select the “Paral- and you can selectWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO antennas using the You can override the computer and select lel Port Manager.” You can’t minimize HRD “Parallel Port Monitor,” you are ready to set any antenna you want manually by setting to the task bar, as that will also minimize up HRD for automatic antenna selection. the rotary switch to the desired antenna the “Parallel Port Monitor,” but you can Pull down the “Tools” menu, click on “Paral- number. One minor conflict can occur when make the HRD main screen very small and lel Port” and select “Parallel Port Manager.” trying to manually select antenna 4, how- just tuck it behind the “Parallel Port Moni- This should open a dialog box that’s similar ever. Position 4 enables computer control. tor.” Like the HRD remote server, the HRD to the one in Figure 8. The program will If you want to force the system to antenna main screen will run the in the background. automatically select only one antenna per 4 against the computer’s “wishes,” turn off Now you can access the HRD remote frequency range, but you define the range. the power. The remote relay box defaults to server just as before and operate. For example, within one band, you can antenna 4 when all power is removed. You If you need to change antennas, use Re- have one antenna for the CW segment could install another switch to change from mote Desktop, pcAnywhere or VNC Viewer and another for the phone segment. You manual to automatic, but that would require to access the remote computer and select can also have the choices appear in the drilling a hole in the front panel. the desired antenna using the “Parallel Port “Selection Menu,” but this only works for Monitor.” Remember: The session of HRD local control and is not available via the Remote Operation running on the remote computer cannot be remote server. When using HRD for remote operation, connected to a specific radio, or you’ll be To create a new antenna selection there is no direct access to the parallel unable to connect to the remote server. As- within the “Parallel Port Manager,” pull port on the remote computer from the lo- suming everything checks out, you are now down the “Edit” menu and select “New.” cal computer; this may become a feature operational. With the RCS-4 set to position Enter a name, a frequency range and the in the future. There are some workarounds 4 you should have fully automatic antenna required bit pattern. To change an existing that can solve the problem, however. You selection when operating either local or re- definition, select the antenna you want to can use Remote Desktop or some other mote. Have fun, and think sunspots! modify and highlight it by clicking once anywhere on that line. Then, pull down the “Edit” menu, select “Modify” and make the desired changes. To have HRD automatically output the bit patterns to the parallel port, pull down the “Tools” menu, click on “Parallel Port” and select “Enable.” Whenever HRD is ac- tive and connected to a radio, it will select the antenna specified for the frequency to which the radio is tuned. In this mode HRD will follow the radio’s frequency, regardless of whether the frequency is changed via HRD or directly at the radio’s front panel. You can have as many antenna defini- tions as you like, but be aware that as you change frequency, HRD will select the first definition — from the top down — that contains the new frequency. You can do some creative things with overlapping NCJ January/February 2010 7

ARTICLES.indd 7 12/08/2009 9:19:22 AM Rick Hilding, K6VVA

How Not to Build a Remote SO2R Contest Station — Part 1

If you’ve ever had thoughts ment. This contract should about a building a remoteWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO be prepared by a competent contest station, this article real estate attorney who may provide some additional fully understands your needs, food for thought to guide your your investment of time and decision-making and planning money and your best guessti- — whether for an SO2R or a mates to identify future “what traditional SO1R venue. It’s if” scenarios that may need to my sincere hope to keep you be addressed. from making the sorts of costly You may know an old mistakes I have made to date friend, work associate or in my seemingly never-ending even a relative with a pos- project — the solar/battery sible location with whom you powered Locust Peak SO2R could work out some type of remote contest station.WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO arrangement. Even a remote tri-bander painted stealth Proverbial Questions green to blend in with the To paraphrase Shake- trees and a few wire anten- speare, “To remote or not to nas are much more competi- remote, that is the question.” tive than a single attic dipole Another age old adage also in a condo. applies: “Everything always takes longer and costs more Figure 1 — Welcome to Locust Peak 24/7/52 Paved than expected.” Just how ex- Road Access pansive your new remote sta- Access is one of the most tion setup will be depends upon the size of important aspects, and it’s an even more your dreams, the amount of effort and time critical factor if you are in an area of the you are willing to expend, and of course, the country that experiences severe winter “B” word, budget. If you need any bulldozing weather. If the remote site is in a high fire or tractor work done, I suggest you look into risk area, make sure there is more than the costs now! one means of ingress and egress. You may The $128,000 question is will your re- even want to re-think your interest in such mote station be strictly remote controlled or a property. Unfortunately, I did not, since will you (or do you want to be able to) oper- the Locust Peak property is family-owned ate from the remote site in-person, weather land and my tunnel vision was focused permitting. For me, it was the latter. The upon eventually seeing many antennas new, almost-completed mini-barn shack along the 1400 foot ridgeline. I failed to give has a window over the built-in operating ample consideration to potential (and per- desk offering a scenic view that includes petual) road problems. Indeed, these have the nearby reservoir. hindered my ability to get up there during Thanks to some pretty amazing tech- Figure 2 — A reminder of why one must inclement weather, although the problems nological developments, remote station consider ingress/egress problems should have been obvious from the start. contesting is no longer a pipe dream, and Having only one means of ingress and it’s potentially affordable to all at some egress at Locust Peak does not give me the level. The Internet has facilitated many for me it’s been more like a bad horror warm fuzzies, especially after some close new remote stations. The nasty “L” word movie at times, due to perpetual road repair calls during the last two fire seasons. (latency) still poses some challenges, how- issues). As Figure 2 shows, the historic washout ever, especially for QRQ CW contesters. area on the very lower part of what be- My objective was to realize a 5 ms or less Purchase vs Rent or Lease comes a steep, winding, mile-long dirt road latency factor, so I was exuberant to end Nowhere is it written in stone that one up the mountain should also have been a up with a very low 1 ms (I’ll share in Part must purchase land in order to implement clue to problems ahead. I ended up install- 2 of this article how this was miraculously a remote contest station. Ownership pro- ing a two-foot diameter culvert and deploy- accomplished). vides greater control over circumstances, ing countless sacks of concrete and rebar What follows are some important things however. If purchasing is not in your budget, to reinforce this part of the road. The time to consider before deciding to embark though, consider locating a workable site I spent doing this work alone could have on a remote station adventure (although and entering into a rent or lease agree- been more constructively devoted to putting 8 January/February 2010 NCJ

ARTICLES.indd 8 12/08/2009 9:19:22 AM up more antennas. The road’s condition is additional SO2R automation gear and real crowded once additional batteries and should have been a big red flag prompting antenna switching units. a second radio arrived. The new mini-barn me to run in the opposite direction before shack will be much more comfortable for beginning costly bulldozing and other road Site-Ready vs Site Prep Needed on-site contesting, assuming, of course, repairs just to get to the site. In short, the Locating a suitable turnkey remote site that I can actually get up the road. If you Locust Peak road has been the source of or one requiring minimal or no site prepara- do have to build a shack, factor in all of the never-ending trouble and travail. tion should be a high priority — unless you costs of doing so. The “Locust Peak Shuttlecraft” is my really enjoy clearing brush, cutting down dad’s 1985 Chevy pickup with a rack on trees, bulldozing and expending massive “KB” Terrain Considerations top. Standard must-carry items for each amounts of physical labor and capital (if One possibility for a “kick butt” remote trip include a pick, rake, sledgehammer, also hiring additional equipment and worker contesting station site would be a ridgetop shovels and at least one chainWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO saw, plus bees as I have). location with gentle downhill sloping terrain lots of bottled water and Gatorade (espe- in all directions — unless you are a low cially during the summer). Road problems Existing Tower or Shack band contester who wants to put up a 160 confront us during each trip, such as the A remote station dream site to purchase meter four-square in the middle of a salt “Indiana Jones Territory” portion where or lease might be a now-dark commercial pond. Locust Peak does not offer the most perpetual rockslides have required lots of communication site with a 140 foot self- ideal terrain, since much of the ridgeline shoveling to pass through. supporting tower, 800 square foot concrete drops off sharply. A higher ridgeline ob- Last fall I had to haul more than 200 building and electrical power available, all struction on adjacent property fortunately sacks of concrete, rebar and water in on a 2800 foot high mountain with moder- lies in a noncritical direction. The entire plastic cat litter containers halfway up the ate downhill sloping terrain in all important ridgeline is mostly limestone, and I took mountain to repair another the liberty of dubbing it a “peak,” section of the steep road that because it’s just that. At what I had slid some 700 feet almost refer to as the hub — a lower straight down as a result area between two peaked ridge of 11 inches of WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.ROrain in a 24 tops that resembles two humps hour period. The lower road’s on a camel — the maximum two-foot culvert became com- available semi-flat area is about pletely plugged with part of 60 × 20 feet. Any future installa- the hillside above. But wait, tion of Yagis (mono-banders and there’s more! Several other tri-banders) will require that these areas of the road still need overhang parts of the ridgeline concrete and rebar, and there — not the most ideal situation. will undoubtedly be more to Stacked Yagis appear to be out come. Please do not make of the question at this point, but this same mistake when it I’m still brainstorming. comes to evaluating remote Prior to starting the Locust site accessibility, unless you Peak project, I seriously con- are a complete masochist. sidered relocating to the family wheat farm in Eastern Washing- Existing Power and ton with its gentle rolling terrain. Telephone The county planning director At this point I’d give just there told me I could put up 200 about anything to have start- foot towers without a permit. This ed at a remote station site Figure 3 — The “Indiana Jones Territory” portion of the Locust was very appealing, but I decided with existing ac power and Peak road (straight downhill on one side) I was not ready to deal with snow telephone lines. Unfortu- again. I now believe I should have nately, the rural, rugged Locust Peak site directions. Sound good? Two fellow NCCC moved there and bought a snowmobile. had neither, so I embarked upon solar members and I spent several years trying to In my mind’s eye, I can picture all those panel/battery route, about which I knew buy such a location, but we were frustrated multiple 200 foot towers with stacked absolutely nothing. Part 2 will provide some beyond belief by what turned out to be a Yagis on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters and at technical references to help anyone con- very flip-flop seller. At one point I was on least a 3 element beam on 80 — plus, of sidering a similar approach to avoid more the verge of concluding a lease agreement course, a full-sized four-square on 160. In costly mistakes, such as underestimating with an option to purchase, but that went my dreams! actual power needs as I did. Due to the way- belly up after some months. You need to Your new remote station may involve over-budget costs related to road repair, prepare yourself for some disappointments perfectly flat land, the rooftop of an office I am now exploring diesel and propane along the path to developing your remote building or a friend’s home on a hill with generator options for eventually adding an station. It’s okay to think big out of the gate, room to put up some antennas and a place amplifier or two into the mix, as opposed to but keep in mind that you need to take for your radio equipment. If you are cur- adding more solar/battery capacity. small steps. rently a dipole-in-the-attic contester, then I should point out that I am a technical I had identified a number of possible re- any halfway decent remote location where zip-squat and consider it nothing short of mote sites, but almost all of them required you can put up a tri-bander and wires prob- a miracle that I actually have a functioning pretty much from-the-ground-up infrastruc- ably should work, as long as you are not SO2R remote contesting station that really ture. The initial Locust peak SO1R remote at the base of hills or mountains that might works (albeit still at low power and still lack- station was housed in a small Six-Pac block the RF. ing the other antennas/towers still lying on camper I’d bought used. I was also able the ground at home). Also to be installed to operate from there in person, but it got Geological Observations NCJ January/February 2010 9

ARTICLES.indd 9 12/08/2009 9:19:23 AM Whatever you do, thoroughly check out the geological characteristics of any potential remote station land you consider. Look for evidence of earth or rock slides and washouts. I always did this for my real estate clients, in addition to obtaining formal geological reports, but I failed to do this for myself (duh!). My tunnel vision was on the final prize — Locust Peak — and on the fact that I didn’t have to purchase, rent or lease property for my remote station. Of course, we all know thereWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO ain’t no such thing as a free lunch. All the road repairs and site preparation costs to date could have paid for a nice multi-multi setup with six fully loaded K3s and six Alpha 9500 amps.

Insurance and Security Unfortunately, the criminal element per- sists, and stuff happens. Whatever the size of your remote station setup, do not neglect insurance and security. If you have a good homeowner’s policy, it may cover your away-from-home antenna and radio equip- Figure 4 — The Locust Peak Road upper security gate ment as mine does.WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO The ARRL-sponsored “All-Risk” Ham Radio Equipment Insurance Plan is another option to consider. In terms of security, there was only a ditional wiring was run that lets me make but it’s still a comfort to have it along. single chain gate at the entrance to the modifications to remotely control the vent’s Amazingly my cell phone does work at the Locust Peak road. A multi-panel security operation from home, if desired. camper and new mini-barn, once I find the fence was installed just ahead of the culvert The remote security webcam originally “sweet spot.” Once I turn off the paved road, area with razor wire welded all around the in the camper (I used it to look for mountain however, communication with the outside top and sides. Long, pointed steel rods also lions via the computer at home) still needs world is mostly QRT until I reach the top. were welded on the gates to pierce the to be re-installed. I also plan to install a For a number of reasons (especially my radiator of any vehicle that might try to ram separate alarm mechanism to notify me via age), friends have recommended that I its way through. Once this was installed, I the remote link of any unwanted visitors. always have someone with me on the trek felt much better. Then I realized I had for- Spook demonstrated his carpentry genius to Locust Peak. Generally I do, especially gotten about an old, no-longer-maintained by installing heavy-duty carriage bolts when earth and rock slides or fallen trees fire road that still might give motorcyclists through both sides of the door’s hinges as must be dealt with along the road to the access closer to the top. well as through a second heavy-duty lock top. Since I am a member of the CALSTAR Figure 4 shows the second, heavier- mechanism on the front door for additional emergency medevac helicopter organiza- duty security gate with added razor wire security. For the second door lock, I chose tion, we widened the road part of the way and steel radiator thrashing rods that was a round, keyed lock made of a tough alloy up to create a small helicopter landing installed not far from the Locust Peak hub. that bolt cutters cannot deal with easily. zone, and I plan to finish another small LZ If you look closely at the higher support on the top. I hope it never becomes neces- pole on the left, you can see a security Personal Safety sary to use either of them, however. camera. You also have to consider personal The new mini-barn remote shack is a safety while at a remote station site as well More to Follow Tuff Shed, which has been fully insulated. as on the way to and from it. In my case, The next installment will focus on the A loft was installed for sleeping plus an Locust Peak is in rattlesnake and moun- remote radio-related equipment, includ- interior room with built-in operating desk tain lion territory. The general area is also ing various direct Ethernet remote control and window view. A rear room with over- known to be infested with illegal drug labs devices. I’ll provide a URL to a reference head storage shelves accommodates the and growers of illegal substances. I carry list that you may find useful in your remote solar batteries, miscellaneous remote link at least one pistol on my belt with “snake station project planning. Ethernet and coax switching gear and an shot” as the first loaded rounds, followed honest-to-goodness RV-type Porta-Potti. by jacketed hollow points. Until after I get Rick Hilding, K6VVA (a-k-a “The Locust”), Some things remain to be completed. off the paved county road that’s a bit less is a cofounder of the Northern California Unique internal security shutters also than three miles from the site, the firearm Contest Club, a member of the First were installed to deter possible entry via is kept in a locked case in my must-carry Class CW Operators Club (FOC) and the the window, and a solid-steel bar was backpack. A-1 Operator Club. He’s also an ARES secured across the FanTastic Vent portal. Also in the backpack is a first aid kit, volunteer, a Screen Actors Guild member, musician, songwriter and ventriloquist. His This RV vent has a built-in thermostat and snakebite kit, flashlight, digital camera, favorite contest is the CW Sprint. Rick can can be set to automatically open and ex- water, munchie bars and my Kenwood usually be found getting a TNC (Thursday haust hot air during warm weather. At the TH-F6A hand-held transceiver. Unfortu- Night Contesting) fix in the weekly NCCC flip of a switch, it can provide additional nately, I cannot access the local repeaters NS events remotely. internal cooling. It runs on 12 V, and ad- until I am near the top of the mountain, 10 January/February 2010 NCJ

ARTICLES.indd 10 12/08/2009 9:19:24 AM Rick Lindquist, WW3DE

C6APR Team Tragedy Shocks and Saddens Radio Amateurs Worldwide

The Amateur Radio contesting com- munity lost four prominent andWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO respected (L-R) Ed, K3IXD, members October 21 in a tragic small Dallas, W3PP, plane crash. Dallas Carter, W3PP, Randy Pete, W2GJ, and Hargenrader, K4QO, Pete Radding, W2GJ, Randy, K4QO, in and Ed Steeble, K3IXD, died when a small 2008 on Crooked plane owned and piloted by Radding went Island, the down shortly after a pre-dawn takeoff from Bahamas. the Dorchester County Airport in Jedburg, South Carolina. The four were headed for Fort Pierce, Florida, en route to Crooked Island in the Bahamas to activate C6APR in the multi-two category for the phone por- tion of the CQ World Wide DX Contest. “How quickly can a joyous event — set- ting off with closeWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO friends in anticipation of a weekend of intense radio activity — turn to unfathomable tragedy,” ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, said. “As we mourn the loss of these four well-known members of our global Ama- of silence at the start of the event. aircraft. “He would not fly if there were even teur Radio community, our hearts go out All four men were ARRL members. a question,” Lucy Carter remarked after the to their families.” Carter, Steeble and Radding also belonged mishap. Radding was a volunteer for and Carter, 67, lived near Laurel, Delaware, to the Potomac Valley Radio Club, and the southeastern US president of Angel Radding, 69, grew up in nearby Seaford, Carter and Radding were members of the Flight, which provides free air transport to Delaware, and resided in N Charleston, Frankford Radio Club. Carter split contest medical care for critically ill patients. He South Carolina. Hargenrader, 55, and scores from his multi-multi station between also was active in Young Eagles, a program Steeble, 68 — both Pennsylvania natives the PVRC and the FRC. that introduces young people to flying. — lived nearby in Summerville, South The Trident Amateur Radio Club, to In addition to his ham radio and flying Carolina. which W2GJ, K4QO and K3IXD belonged, activities, Radding was a leading figure in A veteran pilot, Radding had flown the operated N4EE from Summerville, South the development of the Charleston Breast same plane to Delaware two days before Carolina, for the CQ WW phone and Center, which he helped to launch in 2005. the crash to pick up Carter. As this issue planned to issue a special QSL card to “Pete was determined to be behind the of NCJ went to press, the National Trans- memorialize the C6APR team’s accom- scenes,” Charleston surgeon Dr Paul Bar- portation Safety Board was continuing to plishments and tragic loss. The three South on told news media. “Hundreds of women investigate why the twin-engine Piper PA- Carolina hams also belonged to the Low in the Low Country are alive today because 23 veered sharply off course after reaching Country Contest Club. of Pete Radding’s extraordinary gift.” Rad- an altitude of about 90 feet, then crashed Arizona Outlaws Contest Club President ding’s wife Tina, a son and a daughter are and burned in a thickly wooded area not Bob Epstein, K8IA, said his club would among his survivors. far from the end of the runway. mark the passing of the four radio ama- Dallas Carter, formerly K3WUW, and his As the sad news spread, condolences teurs with a minute of silence at the start wife Lucy retired to Delaware in 1996. The and remembrances poured in from around of the CQ WW. “Through the years, many former US Coast Guard electronics and the globe. CQ Amateur Radio Editor Rich of us worked these operators from many communications specialist ran a fishing Moseson, W2VU, says the reaction to the locations and knew them for their contest charter boat out of Rumbley, Maryland, tragedy affirms what hams have under- prowess,” Epstein said in a posting to the when not contesting or DXing. stood for a long time. “The response of CQ-Contest reflector. “Some of us knew Carter honed his operating skills at the contesters around the world shows that them on a more personal basis as well. USCG ham station K4CG and cut his hams, and especially contesters, are such They will be sorely missed.” teeth on multi-op contesting at W3MSK/ a close-knit group that losing fellow con- Pete Radding was retired from Corning, W3AU under the wings of ops that in- testers in this way is like losing members where he pioneered the company’s foray cluded K3EST, N4RV, W3TMZ, W3IN, of your own family.” into fiber optics. More recently Radding W3ZZ, W6ZM, W3AZD and others. Over An estimated 50,000 hams take part in was CEO of Omega One Communications, the course of 37 years of federal govern- the CQ WW phone contest each year. In which manufactured coaxial cable. ment service (he was with the US Infor- the wake of the tragedy, several 2009 par- With a reputation as a meticulously care- mation Service), he mounted numerous ticipants announced intentions to dedicate ful pilot of more than 40 years experience, operations from abroad. These included their CQ WW operations to the memory of Radding held a commercial pilot’s certifica- stints from Saudi Arabia (7Z1AB), Malawi the C6APR team, some inserting a minute tion and ratings for single and multi-engine (7Q7DC), Thailand (HSØZBI), Belgium NCJ January/February 2010 11

ARTICLES.indd 11 12/08/2009 9:19:24 AM (ON8CE) and Germany (DA1DC). NCJ. “He wrote in the April 2007 issue of In a posting on the Summerville Journal A profile” in the March/April 2009 issue CQ about his experiences as a first-time Scene newspaper Web site, Paul Jones, of NCJ (see “NCJ Profile: Dallas Carter, QSL manager, helping to educate the rest NN4F, remembered Hargenrader as his W3PP”) called Carter “an exceptional radio of us about what’s involved at the receiving Elmer who taught him the code, built amateur who has specialized in DXing and end of those stacks and stacks of cards. several antennas for him and, just a few contesting from both sides of the pileups.” QSL managers are among the most im- weeks earlier, had repaired one of his As the article noted, Carter was fortunate portant and least appreciated links in the radios. “Each of these great guys would to have been tutored by one of the titans of ‘chain’ of DXing, and Ed provided a valu- do anything for anybody at the drop of a ham radio (and a former ARRL president), able service by highlighting the work that hat,” Jones commented on the CQ-Contest Vic Clark, W4KFC, who administered his they do and explaining how DXers could reflector. “We will miss them all greatly; they Novice examination. During nearly 47 make their jobs easier.” were all truly an inspiration to us all.” years in ham radio Carter teamed up with McClenny said Steeble once was his Gene Hall, W4TCO, in a posting to the many other notables for contestWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO operations neighbor and had helped him with several Summerville Journal Scene site, recalled and DXpeditions. antenna projects over the years. “I used to meeting K4QO a dozen years earlier when The Daily DX Editor Bernie McClenny, take my kids to his house for Halloween,” both lived in Summerville. “I found in him a W3UR, credits Carter with helping to he recalled. “Ed was also a very enthusias- kindred soul who loved to build a new piece introduce him to multi-multi contesting as tic ham who was a contester and DXer and of radio equipment, then use it enough to a 16-year-old Novice in 1980. McClenny’s a good neighbor.” In addition to his wife, make sure it worked before moving on to dad, Tony, N3ME, was among those on the Steeble’s son and daughter are among the next project. In this endeavor Randy long list of regular W3PP multi-multi opera- his survivors. had “The Knack” needed to be success- tors. In addition to his wife, Carter’s three Randy Hargenrader, also a licensed pilot ful. Randy was always giving and ready to children and three step-children survive. and a US Navy veteran, was the CEO of lend a helping hand whenever someone Ed Steeble retired with his wife Judith Hark Systems Incorporated. He designed needed it.” Among his survivors, Hargen- to South Carolina in 2003 after a 40-year an antenna that became known among rader leaves his wife Shellie and their two career in computer security at the National Low Country South Carolina hams as “The sons. Security Agency in Maryland. For several Randy Special.” In an article, “Vertical Array As the CQ WW phone contest ap- years before heWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO retired, Steeble was the Solutions for Expeditions” (NCJ, Jan/Feb proached, Ward Silver, NØAX, offered an NSA liaison officer to the National Institute 2009), Carter credited K4QO’s contribu- admonishment. “Let’s try to treat each of Science and Technology. tion to the success of the phased vertical other with a little extra respect this coming Steeble also had written for CQ. “Ed was array system the C6APR team employed weekend, as we’ve all just been reminded a pleasure to work with,” Moseson told on Crooked Island for IOTA 2008. of how quickly a log can close.”

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12 January/February 2010 NCJ

ARTICLES.indd 12 12/08/2009 9:19:25 AM Tom Menas, K3WT

NCJ Profile: Eric Scace, K3NA

Read along to learn the intriguing and continued my efforts to improve background of Eric Scace, K3NA, my performance in CD Parties and and his many contributions WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.ROto our Sweepstakes. On weekends my great hobby, especially in the area father dragged home a luggable of contesting and DXpeditions. It Model 33 Teletype, so I could log was obvious early in Eric’s ham onto GE’s timeshare computers. career that planning and building By 1968 I had my own post-contest competitive stations was part of logging software, submitting CD his genetic code, culminating with Party logs straight off the machine the execution of some of the most to ARRL. successful DXpeditions to date. I was in teletype heaven. I ran my But, I’ll let Eric tell the story in his transcontinental traffic schedules own words. on RTTY, much to the consterna- My early years were not unusual tion of CW hotshots in the traffic- for a boy growing up in the suburbs handling world. I joined Navy MARS in the 1950s and 60s, except I was on my 16th birthday, and by the bookish and totallyWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO inept at any- time I entered Cornell University, thing athletic. As a nine-year-old, I was earning pin money servicing I found two intriguing books in my Kleinschmidt, Teletype and Mite father’s bookcase. A Pilot’s Guide machines. to Weather sparked an early career At the end of my freshman year interest in meteorology. The 1947 the university granted permission edition of the Radio Amateur’s for my own station in my tiny dorm Handbook opened the world of Eric Scace, K3NA, believes DXpeditioning and room, with a 1000 foot long wire Amateur Radio. contesting are deeply intertwined, and he’s enjoyed antenna stretched high across a Trains fascinated me, but by the both during his many years as a ham. parking lot to the top of an adja- mid-1960s my model railroad inter- cent high rise. Miles of paper tape ests focused increasingly on electronics: My slipped through the fingers to exchange HO-scale train layout featured lots of track, his inventory. I had no idea what a terminal traffic with Iceland, California, Diego Garcia not a stitch of scenery and a sophisticated unit was, but I knew I would be building and Washington, DC. control tower and transistorized train control one soon. I upgraded from WN2CAL to Cash ran out while I was in grad school, system. Switching and signaling of those WA2CAL, cribbed some more semiconduc- forcing a move in 1975 to the Washington, trains were to play a big role later on. tors and parts from Dad’s lab and built the DC, area. Within weeks Gene Zimmerman, Dad’s development work in General needed terminal unit and an FSK keying W3ZZ, and Art Boyars, K3KU, clapped me Electric’s Semiconductor Products Divi- device for my Knight T-60 transmitter. in irons and escorted me to my first PVRC sion assured a ready supply of the newest My 1967 Novice entry in Sweepstakes meeting. Following the brief formal session, devices, but my radio experience began required the full 24-hours to make a few none other than Vic Clark, W4KFC, walked with bread-boarding a one-tube, battery- dozen QSOs. The certificate from that first over to encourage me to join the fun. How powered receiver from that 1947 Handbook, contest was my only contest certificate for a could one refuse such an offer from a on which I spent hours listening to 20 CW. long, long time. Bud Hippisley, K2KIR (now gracious gentleman so revered within the Fascinated by meteorology, and particu- W2RU), my Western New York contesting contest community? larly by severe storms, I hung out at the nemesis, kept future contesting victories Gene took up my education where Howie Weather Bureau office in Syracuse, New far, far away. left off, filling me in on all manner of contest- York. Glass walls enclosed a complex of I doubt Bud really noticed the kid who ing/DXing stories (true and apocryphal), machines, the likes of which I had never pined away for a higher listing in the contest pointing out ways that I could improve my before seen. Inside, teletype machines col- results. Howie Mann, W2FR — a keen DXer scores and eventually recruiting me into lected weather observations and circulated and CW traffic handler — did, however.Poor the W4BVV multi-multi. Frank Donovan, forecasts. Maybe other boys my age wanted Howie! I called him practically every night W3LPL, invited me to single op his station a car, but what I wanted was a teletype! after the last CW net to chat for hours about for a couple seasons’ of phone DX contests. Finally in early 1967 I sat for my Novice traffic handling, propagation, contesting and He also offered gentle guidance toward ticket with a ham across Lake Skaneateles, DXing. In return Howie regaled me with more efficient and effective operating, along New York, from my home and was thrilled stories of Clipperton Island, rare DX and the with instruction in tower and Yagi construc- to find that he had teletype machines in his adventures of Gus Browning et al. tion techniques. Frank later developed his basement. An Army MARS member, he Soon the basement space occupied by station into a multi-multi, at which I spent made me a deal: If I got my General ticket, the model railroad was converted to a big- many contests over the next two decades. and I built something called a “terminal unit,” ger radio station. After school I participated Multi-op contesting should form part of he would give me a teletype machine from in CW traffic nets, did some nighttime DXing every contester’s resume. No other venue

NCJ January/February 2010 13

COLUMNS.indd 13 12/08/2009 9:16:23 AM provides the contester, through hands-on stations and people out in the field without in Cambridge, Massachusetts, keeps my experience, a faster learning curve on modern infrastructure, and operating for a home station modest. I’ve got an Elecraft propagation, technology and technique. long period of time. Contest operators make K3 and some simple antennas for putzing Jack Reichert, N4RV, invited me to Cu- superior DXpedition operators, although around, and I keep an eye out for college- racao in 1978 for a CQ WW phone PVRC they must respect the teaching of Neville age contesters from the local universities expedition. Bob Cox, K3EST, slyly hinted Cheadle, G3NUG, that DXpeditions are not that I might encourage. My station-building that a “good” phone operator should run “sprints” but more akin to “marathons.” efforts get invested at W1KM, Greg Cronin’s more than 360 an hour. For weeks prior In 1988 I was the co-leader on a DXpe- wonderful contesting site in the salt marsh- to the expedition, I spent commuting time dition to Rotuma (3D2XX), resulting in a es of southeastern Massachusetts. rehearsing running, spitting out phonetics new addition to the DXCC entity list. I’ve I love developing improved or new so- as fast as possible while using car license watched what worked and did not work lutions for the problems contesters and plates for call signs: Alfa julietWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO charlie eight while a participant in AH3C/KH5J, YKØA, DXpeditioners face. My approach tends to zero four, five nine nine . . . Thanks, papa ZA1A, 3B9C, an unsuccessful 3YØ attempt be very heavy on the analytical side, using juliet nine juliet romeo . . . and 3B7C. modern antenna and mechanical modeling The big weekend arrived! I slogged away Good contesters engage in continuous software. I expect the time invested in front on 15, not quite reaching the magic 360/ performance review and improvement. After of the computer to pay off in better results, hour threshold of a “good” op. Lew Gordon, all those expeditions, I had my own thoughts with less time re-working metal and circuit K4VX, stepped away from the adjacent 10 about improving DXpedition performance. boards (not my favorite pastime) and far less meter chair for a break. A few minutes after Carsten Esch, DL6LAU, and I founded Ra- time in maintenance and repair. sitting down at Lew’s position, 10 opened dio Expeditions, a non-profit organization Through the 1980s I designed data to the US, the rate meter zipped up and dedicated to — among other goals — im- networking technologies, negotiating with an hour later an additional 400 QSOs had proving the DXpedition state of the art and other companies and governments the been feverishly scribbled onto the paper log to training others in art of conducting good international standards that govern those sheets. Whee! expeditions. The recent VP6DX Ducie ex- networks (“switching and signaling” having Whenever travelingWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO for work I visited pedition was our proof-of-concept test bed. morphed from model railroads into packets other contesters. That one can telephone Work has begun on our next project. of data and telephone network control mes- a random contester in a distant town or I’m particularly excited by the work Pete, sages). Many of those negotiations occur country with a reasonable assurance that N4ZR, has begun with the online wiki within the International Telecommunications an enthusiastic welcome to the area will en- Contesting Compendium (wiki.contest- Union, the same organization that sets the sue, endures as a wonderful aspect of our ing.com), about which I hope more will international regulations for ham radio and sport. My acquaintance with Rusty, W6OAT, be written here in NCJ. Pete and I have all other radio services. and members of the Northern California incorporated a special concept into this Networking design and standards devel- Contesting Club, triggered a phone call wiki — online “lab notebooks.” Anyone can opment expertise helped me as a member from Rusty in 1985. Would I like to go to create an online lab notebook within the of the ARRL’s Digital Committee, where I Clipperton? Wow! A lifetime of memories of Compendium, where he records his day-to- worked with others to define AX.25 packet DX and adventure! One hot evening on the day development of station improvements radio systems — the network supporting our island, while chipping away at the 40 meter and new ideas. With one’s projects out DX spotting networks from their inception pileup, a familiar call sign came through. It in public view, the author gets immediate until the migration to the Internet. was W2FR, the man who 17 years earlier feedback. This can include suggestions for Those experiences with AX.25 fed back taught me about rare DX and the legends improvements, better ways of doing things, into my professional work. In the late 1980s I of Clipperton. A huge smile crept across the advice on avoiding pitfalls and even offers invented “frame relay,” which included some face of the student while completing that of help. The online notebook is a great tool of the concepts used by AX.25 packet radio QSO with his teacher. for international collaboration too. to share a radio channel among many con- Many international business trips bridged In addition to ham radio, I cycle and oc- nections. My employer put this invention in a contest weekend and, thus, a contest casionally spend some time sailing. During the public domain, contracted with others opportunity: ITU Geneva, Lord Howe, Nor- the 1990s I raced a two-person Tornado to manufacture switching systems to imple- Clark Electronics folk Island, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Israel, catamaran, competing (rather unsuccess- ment this scheme, and rolled out a national www.qsl.net/k1fz Aland Islands, China, Azerbaijan, Russia fully in that first attempt) in the US Olympic frame relay data networking service. From and tagging along with Jacques, F6BEE, Trials in 2000. Sailboat racing shares with the mid-1990s frame relay systems became Beverage and his multi-op team. Each was an edu- radio contesting this intersection of technol- an essential part of commercial Internet Antenna Notes: cation in propagation in different parts of ogy, teamwork, technique and a strategy backbones around the world. During those the world and a wonderful experience with in a battle with fellow competitors and with halcyon years I led the international devel- www.qsl.net/k1fz/beveragenotes.html other contesters. In contrast to my business nature (wind and water or the ionosphere, opment group at UUNet, rolling out the first colleagues stuck in their hotel rooms those respectively). In recent years I’ve reluctantly and largest worldwide commercial Internet Pennant & Flag weekends, fellow contesters taught me made the time management decision to set backbone. Antenna Notes: much more about the place and people I aside Tornado sailing in favor of contesting Ham radio and contesting have redi- www.qsl.net/k1fz/pennantnotes.html was visiting. and the Radio Expeditions project. rected my professional career, connected I don’t consider myself a DXer in the I enjoy the performing arts too, including me to the world and enriched my life in sense of one who prioritizes the acquisi- music from the medieval through jazz, rock ways I could not have anticipated as a Beverage tion of new band-countries and awards. and a very limited subset of hip-hop artists; newly licensed teenager growing up in a Antenna Transformers: DXpeditioning and contesting are deeply classical and modern ballet; and theater. I small town. The mere existence of ham www.qsl.net/k1fz/ intertwined, however. DXpeditioning is an spent a few years learning the basics of per- radio as a hobby was insufficient however; Pennant, Flag Antenna Transformers expression of multi-op station engineering forming improv comedy. That was great fun, this is a complex and intimidating activity and emergency (Field Day style) com- but now I’m focusing on Argentine tango. for the newcomer and for those long-term munication — putting a set of effective Typical urban radio spectrum pollution licensees who are entering contesting for 65 Patterson Hill Rd., Belfast, ME 04915 [email protected] • (207)338-0474 14 January/February 2010 NCJ

COLUMNS.indd 14 12/08/2009 9:16:23 AM From the first time. Without the many mentors about them. When encountering someone MILLIWATTS to KILOWATTSsm and collaborators I’ve mentioned here my new to our game, take an interest in their sm experience would not have been nearly as struggles, confusion, and development. More Watts per Dollar satisfying. Even a few minutes’ conversation may have People unfamiliar with our pastime often a lasting effect. assume we are socially inept geeks more Thank you, Eric, for sharing your story. It’s comfortable with our inanimate toys than always fascinating to learn the background with humans. Anyone who has been to a of successful operators and operations. I’m contesting club meeting or a convention confident that we have not heard the last of knows that impression is false. Nonetheless, Eric’s creativity as we start that climb from when sitting at a club meeting or a conven- the sunspot minimum and a corresponding tion, look around. Do you knowWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO everyone increase in DXpedition/contesting activity in next to you? If not, take the initiative to the years ahead. introduce yourself and find out something

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65 Patterson Hill Rd., Belfast, ME 04915 [email protected] • (207)338-0474 NCJ January/February 2010 15

COLUMNS.indd 15 12/08/2009 9:16:25 AM Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA

Propagation

Propagation for the IARU HF World Championship Contest The 2009 running of the IARU HF World Championship (July 11 andWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO 12) surprised many people with some great openings on 15 and 10 meters, especially considering we’re in a deep solar minimum with few sunspots. Table 1 shows the number of QSOs (SSB and CW) made by several HQ stations on 15 and 10.

Table 1 — HQ-station high-band QSOs

WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO

All of the European HQ stations listed made more than 2000 Qs on 15, and some of them approached 3000 Qs. The number of Qs on 10 meters averaged slightly fewer than 1500 for these same European sta-

tions, with one station (9AØHQ) getting Figure 2 — F2 MUF over Juliusruh and Boulder real close to 2000 Qs. Even the W1AW/KL7 HQ stations in Alaska managed to make over 1000 Qs on 15 and more than 400 Qs on 10. One of the Alaska stations was at the QTH of KL7RA, and Rich commented in his 3830 reflector posting that 15 was open 24 hours, and they were running five bands at the end.

So what happened? Was it F2 propaga- tion or was it Es (sporadic E) propagation? Normally we wouldn’t expect F2 on 15 and 10 during the summer during a deep solar minimum such as the one we’re in. But, there was some good sunspot activity — relatively speaking, of course! — just prior to the contest weekend, due to sunspot

Figure 1 — Sunspot number and Ap Figure 3 — Es MUF over Juliusruh and Boulder 16 January/February 2010 NCJ

COLUMNS.indd 16 12/08/2009 9:16:25 AM region 1024, so perhaps that contributed suggests this sunspot activity may have From to a better-than-expected F2 region. Figure caused brief F2 openings on 15 and even 1 shows the sunspot number and the plan- on 10 in the US. etary A index for July 1 through 15. Now let’s look at sporadic E, which may MILLIWATTS Sunspot region 1024 certainly pushed make more sense, since this was July, sm up the sunspot number starting about typically a good sporadic E month. Figure to KILOWATTS a week before the contest on July 11 3 looks to be the same ionosondes as in sm and 12. The best way to see if it did Figure 2, but for the Es MUF — which as- More Watts per Dollar anything to the ionosphere is to look at sumes each ionosonde is the midpoint of ionosonde data. I did that for the following a 2000 km path. ionosondes: Athens (Greece), Boulder The data of Figure 3 say sporadic E was (Colorado), Juliusruh (Germany),WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO Point occurring, and they suggest that the US Arguello (California), Rome (Italy) and had more opportunities than Europe did

Wallops Island (Virginia). As a side note, on 15 and 10 meters. The European Es these were the only ionosondes in Europe openings, when they occurred, were more and in the continental US that had data toward the end of the contest.

for July 2009. Figure 2 depicts the F2 data In summary, the limited ionosonde data from the Juliusruh ionosonde and the suggest that mostly Es played the role in Boulder ionosonde, and the data are rep- providing good high-band propagation dur-

resentative of the other F2 data for Europe ing the IARU contest last year. There also and the continental US. is a hint that F2 may have played a role in The horizontal axis of Figure 2 is the this in the continental US, due to sunspot time of day on July 11 and 12. The vertical region 1024, which occurred a week prior axis is the maximum usable frequency of to the contest. • Wattmeters the F region, assuming the ionosonde is Let’s hope we see another round of high- 2 WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO the midpoint of a 3000 km path. Although band propagation for this year’s contest, • Transformers Figure 1 shows a burst of sunspot activity which will include WRTC 2010 in Russia. If prior to the contest, it doesn’t look like it we don’t have any sunspots to increase the • TMOS & GASFETS was enough to increase the F2 MUF to ionization of the F2 region, we can always 21 MHz in Europe. But there are data that hope for sporadic E. • RF Power Transistors • Doorknob Capacitors

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NCJ January/February 2010 17

COLUMNS.indd 17 12/08/2009 9:16:26 AM Doug Grant, K1DG

NCJ Reviews: Up the Tower by Steve Morris, K7LXC

Steve Morris, K7LXC, hasWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO more than 25 dition to making life in your neighborhood years of antenna and tower experience. unpleasant. The advice here is practical For many years he wrote a column for and down-to-earth. NCJ, he moderates the “Towertalk” e-mail Chapter 4, “Land Use Regulation of refl ector, he operates Champion Radio — Amateur Radio Towers,” is one of a few a distributor of hard-to-fi nd equipment and chapters dealing with issues beyond a tools for tower work — and has installed layman’s training. This chapter contains Steve Morris, K7LXC, is the hundreds of amateur and commercial sections of an article by attorney Wyland author of Up the Tower — The Complete Guide to Tower Construction. towers. His book, Up the Tower — The Dale Clift, NA1L, that originally appeared Complete Guide to Tower Construction, in CQ Magazine. refl ects Steve’s years of experience in the Chapter 7 addresses the question of While it may be tempting to end such a fi eld and is a much-needed reference for whether you should do the work yourself book at the point where installation is com- contesters. or hire a contractor. It is not a simple ques- plete, Morris wisely continues beyond that It does not takeWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO long for a new contester tion, and there is no universal right answer. point to cover the topics of maintenance, to fi gure out that location and antenna are Time, cost, safety, personal experience repair, insurance (contributed by ND8L, the key factors in a station’s effectiveness. and skills all are factors in this equation. an insurance agent), tower removal and a As K1VR says, “Big antennas, up high, are The next few chapters cover basics, reminder that “everything has a lifespan.” better than small ones, low.” In most cases, such as hardware. A few more photos Two chapters are devoted to non-tower improving an antenna farm eventually in- would have helped here; a text description antenna installations that use trees for an- volves installing a tower. Here’s where this of a clevis is unsatisfying, while a photo or tenna supports. One is a reprint of a 1989 book fi lls a big gap. The ARRL Antenna drawing would have worked. This part of QST article by Doug Brede, W3AS, on the Book has so much other material to cover the book also discusses corrosion preven- proper use of trees. He writes from the that the chapter on tower and antenna tion materials, safety equipment, tools and unique perspective of a ham and former installation is somewhat compromised. even rope and guys. I have done a fair associate professor of horticulture. This is K7LXCs’ book is light on antenna theory amount of tower and antenna work over the very useful information, if you want your and focuses entirely on how to get your years and was expecting to fi nd something trees to remain healthy enough to hold antenna where you want it. missing from the tool list. Steve did a terrifi c up your wire antennas for many years. From the outset — and repeated several job, however, and he included numerous The other chapter deals with mounting times — the book emphasizes that it is photos and drawings of some of the less- antennas — including fairly large Yagis! not an OSHA-approved course in tower common tools and their uses. — in trees. work. The book’s foreword makes this very There is an excellent chapter on the The fi nal chapter is a potpourri of hints clear and includes a suitable disclaimer roles of the tower climber(s) and the ground and kinks that don’t fi t easily into any of and warning. Reading and digesting this crew. This should be reviewed the day the other chapters. Even experienced book will not make you a tower pro. In before attempting any tower or antenna tower and antenna installers will probably fact, the book even points out that some project. Tower work is dangerous, and the learn at least one new trick in this chapter. techniques it discusses do not meet OSHA team must work together to prevent any Many of these tips have been gleaned standards. But, that’s okay. There are lots problems. from Steve’s personal experience, while of do-it-yourself books available on plumb- It is fully halfway through the book before others fi rst appeared on the “Towertalk” ing, wiring, carpentry and on other areas discussion of actual tower erection and an- e-mail refl ector. that won’t make you a licensed plumber or tenna installation begins. Logically, it starts K7LXC is known on the “Towertalk” list electrician or a carpenter, but they do help at the bottom, with a chapter on foundation/ for often invoking his Prime Directive of you get a small job done or decide when base/guy anchor design and construction. antenna work: “Do what the manufacturer you need to call in a professional. Each section includes some reference says to do” — and the corollary, “Don’t do The books 246 pages are broken down tables or charts on the relevant topic (mast what the manufacturer says not to do.” Mor- into 36 chapters, although some chapters materials, coax choices, waterproofi ng, ris restates this several times in his book, are only a page or two long. The fi rst few grounding, tramming methods, etc). and it’s good advice that bears repeating. chapters deal with assessing whether Although most of the book relates to This is a good book, and most contesters you need a tower, and, if so, what kinds installation of fi xed, guyed towers, one will benefi t from owning it. Most radio clubs of towers/supports are available. The next chapter discusses working on crank-up should have a copy in the library as well. few chapters deal with the critical issues of towers. This chapter very clearly (in bold Up the Tower — The Complete Guide to planning, getting permits and even dealing print) advises, “Do not climb a crank-up Tower Construction is published by Cham- with neighbors. These do indeed belong tower unless it is totally nested and locked pion Radio Products, 16541 Redmond Way in the fi rst part of the book, since failure in the lowered position!” The author liberally #281-C, Redmond, WA 98052 USA, www. to address these issues will doom any sprinkles safety advice like this throughout championradio.com, ISBN 978-0-615- tower project before it gets started, in ad- the book. 28514-6. The price is $35. 18 January/February 2010 NCJ

COLUMNS.indd 18 12/08/2009 9:16:30 AM Don Daso, K4ZA

Workshop Chronicles

A Top 10 Workshop List be good to go. It’s available at your favorite — These carryovers Mention the Top 10 List on The Late big box hardware store or through Ama- from mountain and Show with David Letterman, and the audi- zon.com. rock climbing are so ence goes wild. It’s a popularWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO theme, and Number 6: Lug-All comealong — The important, I never do the idea shows up everywhere — from very first time I had one of these in my any work or job without ads to jokes and so on. This time, I’ll offer hands, I knew this was the best comeal- them, no matter how my own Top 10 workshop list, relative to ong in the world! They’re so much better large or small. You can’t the workaday world of antenna and tower made and easier to use (they don’t snag) have enough of them. You projects. than the $20 hardware store variety, I now can’t work as quickly or as Number 10: Rust-Oleum primer — own three of them. I consider them safer, smoothly without them. These are avail- Simply the best paint I’ve ever used! It ad- too, than those garden-variety models. able from numerous suppliers, but I like heres to everything and outlasts anything Pricey but worth it, if you use this sort of www.gearexpress.com for its prices and else I’ve tried. Some folks don’t like its tool a lot. Available factory-direct, www. superior service. rusty-looking shade, but since it’s a primer, lug-all.com. Number 3: Preformed Line products a topcoat will solve that, should clients — An easy choice, once again. If you work prefer. I know the directions say that you with guyed towers, you need to use their should only use it on rusty metal, but I’ve products, www.preformed.com. Guy grips had good resultsWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO painting anything and ev- are better, faster, cheaper and safer than erything with it! It’s available everywhere. the old-fashioned cable clamps. It’s just that Number 9: PB Penetrating Catalyst — simple. Trust me! I’ve written extensively about this product. It works great. It’s far, far better than anything else at helping to remove old hardware. It’s also widely available, even at Walmart. Number 8: Tower Jack — If you’re go- ing to be working with Rohn guyed tower sections — 25G, 45G or 55G — eventually you’ll want and need a Tower Jack tool. For Number 2: Capstan winch — It’s a those difficult-to-install/remove sections, rather expensive, heavy and cumber- this clever device is indispensable. some tool, but oh the work it saves! If you’re putting up lots of tower sections or big antennas, this tool will pay for itself in short order. (This makes rental an obvious choice!) Sooner or later, if you’re serious, you’ll need and use one, and you’ll thank yourself later.

Number 5: Antenna analyzer — Okay, I Number 7: DeWALT portable saw — admit. This is a tough one. I have the AEA- This 18 V, battery-powered saw is perfect CIA and the MFJ-269 for so many tower and antenna-building antenna analyzers. jobs, and I’ve also found it indispensable. Both are excellent From work atop the tower to cutting EHS, tools, saving lots of this tool has saved me some back-breaking time. Each is unique. I Number 1: Google — An odd choice, labor and from uttering innumerable, un- also own a TDR. perhaps, but I use this “tool” (www.google. printable swear words. With a composite What’s critical with com) literally every single day without fail, blade, spare battery and a charger, you’ll these devices is the regardless of the size or scope of the proj- ability to see and ana- ect. It’s the virtual library we all always want- lyze information while ed or imagined, able to provide answers to in the field without questions from the hood of the pickup while having to lug a trans- at the job site. E-mail and images and file mitter outside or up the tower. Portable and saving. It’s simply wonderful. priceless, that’s the key! Available from various vendors. Number 4: Slings and carabiners

NCJ January/February 2010 19

COLUMNS.indd 19 12/08/2009 9:16:31 AM Kirk Pickering, K4RO

Contesting 101

Where to Begin? participating in the contest (when allowed, very good observation. You need to market Many of the questions I receive from of course), how to best leverage spots, yourself. So, how do you do this? Well, beginning contesters essentially boil down when to submit a spot and when not to, by being very active, people will start to to the same thing: “Where did you guys pileup management (on both sides), radio recognize your call sign. Promptly answer learn all of this stuff?” The WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.ROquestion may management (transmit bandwidth, memo- QSLs, and make sure that you answer all take different forms, but it often includes ries, voice recording, etc), and so on.” bureau cards. You don’t want the casual op the desire for some resource that will thinking, ‘That cheap so-and-so. I sent him reveal all the “secrets” of contesting. The Learning from Experience a card, and he never bothered to reply.’ You big secret, however, is that there are no A reply from Tom, VE3CX, follows, and I want to leave everyone — both the big and secrets. Like it or not, we gain contesting believe Tom really hit the nail on the head. the small guys — with a good impression of knowledge through experience, pure and His suggestions apply regardless of your yourself. You don’t need to send everyone simple. I discussed this concept in my first mode preferences, location or goals. a QSL card. Just promptly reply when folks “Contesting 101” column, but it comes up “Hi Rick. I am mentoring a new contester send you one. time and again. A recent post on the CQ- along, and I have a good idea of what you “When the band is open, try to run sta- Contest reflector illustrated the point very are looking for. Basically, it boils down to tions. I hear the big EU stations do this on well. I’d like to thank Rick, ZL2HAM, and one thing — experience. Each of us had to a regular basis. Why? It puts them on the Tom, VE3CX, for allowing me to share their start from zero and work up from there. The other end of a pileup. Then you can see comments. more you operate, the better you get at it. firsthand what works and what does not. I chose Rick’sWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO question because it epito- “What I would suggest is that you make Can you go for a DXpedition to somewhere mizes the kinds of queries an astute new an effort to spend time with your radio — close by (not a huge cash outlay)? Some contester might ask. While I have tried to learn all of the features your radio has to places offer “rent-a-shack” accommoda- address some of these items in previous offer. Do the same with your contesting tions. Again, this puts you on the other end columns, I must confess to a certain feel- software — spend time with it, and learn of a pileup. Before you do that, you want to ing of helplessness in trying to do so. The its features. make sure you have at least some pileup reason is that the answers to these kinds “As much as possible, take part in vari- skills. I am sure you have heard some folks of issues are really best learned through ous QSO parties and in any contests you struggle with a pileup. Try to learn what experience. No amount of reading or study- can find. There is some type of contest they are doing wrong, and learn from their ing will substitute for time spent operating. on most any given weekend. Jump in and mistakes. It’s probably the most important point to make a few QSOs! This way, you can see “Listening to the radio is a great help. make clear to a new contest operator. firsthand what works for you and what does You start to gain a feel for how the band Rick, ZL2HAM, posted the following not work well. sounds, time-of-day conditions, who is question. “In the California QSO Party this past active (makes picking them out in a pileup “Does anyone know of a good source weekend, for example, I participated and easier) etc. of tips for contesting strategies? It’s still found out that I have a few issues with the Last but not least, smile, and have fun! new to me, so I’m trying to work my way station. From my perspective, it was better It shows, and it makes ham radio the truly up the learning curve (on the SSB side). to find out now, rather than during the CQ fun hobby it should be! Tom, VE3CX.” I’m looking for things like details on how to WW. QSO parties are great for working out Thanks to Rick and Tom for their input. best make use of a second VFO, strategies issues in advance of a big contest. I second Tom’s recommendation to get for switching between running and S&P, if/ “I also attended a contest forum earlier in as many contests as you can. Operate how/when to pick up QSOs for stations not this year, and one of the speakers made a the QSO parties, and try different modes. Spend more time on the radio, and less time on the Internet. Find active contest- ers near you, and share your enthusiasm with them. Turn on the radio and put on THE TUNER the headphones. The “secrets” of contest operating are all right there, just waiting to ® be discovered. XMATCH The tragic loss in the contesting commu- nity in October has raised our awareness of Antenna Tuners the fragile nature of life and comradeship. Our hearts go out to the friends and family For info send $3 to: of the C6APR team: W2GJ, K3IXD, K4QO ■ SWR rated at full legal power XMatch Tuners and W3PP. May we all respect the memory ■ 7001 Briscoe Lane Outstanding efficiency Louisville, KY 40228 of our fallen brothers in radio. ■ Innovative patented circuit I welcome your questions or comments, Vacuum Variable whether you are a newcomer or an old ■ Models Available Custom built by Paul Schrader, N4XM timer. Contact me via e-mail, k4ro@k4ro. See http://n4xm.myiglou.com net, or via my “call book” address.

20 January/February 2010 NCJ

COLUMNS.indd 20 12/08/2009 9:16:32 AM Jon Jones, NØJK

VHF Contesting!

How Do We Boost VHF Contest ing in, and he’s confident that over time it all up. This type of promotion can be run in Activity? will improve overall activity. any part of the country. Visit Bruce’s Web This topic ties in with my previous VHF clubs can also help promote activ- site to see how he organized this as well column, which discussed WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO how the Sep- ity. Todd credits three regional VHF/UHF as details on the results, www.w9fz.com/ tember VHF QSO Party is evolving into clubs that have helped him — NLRS (www. midwestmania09/. a de facto UHF/microwave contest. As nlrs.org) from Minneapolis-St Paul, SMC Remember: Activity breeds activity. a consequence, overall activity in this (www.w9smc.com) from Illinois and sur- Perhaps some of these ideas can help event has been declining. Whether the rounding areas, and CVVHF (www.cvvhf. increase VHF contest activity in your September contest should be “fixed” to org) in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin, area. locale. make it more of a VHF contest or left as A new group in the Midwest promoting SVHFS Call for Papers is can be debated, but how can VHF/UHF VHF/UHF weak signal activity is the Kan- contest activity be encouraged overall? In sas City VHF Grid Bandits (www.kcvhf- The Southeastern VHF Society is his December “The World Above 50 MHz” gridbandits.com/). Led by JD, NØIRS, the seeking papers and presentations for its QST column, Gene Zimmerman, W3ZZ, Grid Bandits now number 200 across much 14th annual conference April 23-24 at discussed potential ways to encourage of the Central, Southern and Eastern US Morehead State University in Morehead, activity. Here are some more. and Canada. JD publishes a newsletter, Kentucky. Topics may focus on technical One way to increase contest activity and his detailed Web site includes audio or operational aspects of VHF, UHF and microwave “weak-signal” Amateur Radio. on the VHF/UHF/microwaveWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO bands is to and video recordings from tropo and Es encourage more general activity. Activity openings. There is a great “Welcome to Suggested areas include, but are not nights and nets are one way. In the Upper Weak Signal VHF/UHF” section for the necessarily limited to, transmitters, receiv- Midwest Todd, KC9BQA (www.kc9bqa. newcomer. The site also has videos of ers, transverters, RF power amplifiers, com), has been leading activity nights various VHF stations and their operators, RF low-noise preamplifiers, antennas, and nets for 222 MHz on Tuesdays and for and JD’s portable contest activity in the construction projects, test equipment and 144 MHz on Wednesdays. The 144 MHz September 2009 ARRL VHF QSO Party station accessories, station design and net last November 12 saw check-ins from from EM24. Does this kind of promotion construction, contesting, roving, DXpedi- 19 grids, eight states and one Canadian help VHF contest activity? tions, EME, propagation, digital modes province. KC9BQA and Mark, WB9LYH, Five years ago I rarely heard any VHF and DSP, software defined radio, amateur encourage check-ins to work each other as Contest activity from the Kansas City area. satellites and amateur television. The well. WB9LYH has a great 2 meter signal. I It was like an RF black hole. There were deadline to submit papers and presenta- worked him on tropo from Topeka, Kansas, more contesters on from Harper, Kansas, tions is February 5, 2010. last August on 144 MHz. Todd says his (population approximately 1000) than All submissions for the proceedings next goal is to increase activity over a very from major metropolitan areas. During the should be in Microsoft Word (.doc) format. wide area, so each Wednesday becomes a September 2009 ARRL VHF QSO Party, Submissions for presentation at the confer- “can’t-miss” night for playing on 2 meters. however, I worked more than 25 Kansas ence should be in PowerPoint (.ppt) format “When you know WB9LYH isn’t look- City area VHF ops in the short time I was and delivered on either a USB memory ing your way, turn your beams away from on. Regional activity was great, too. I am stick or CD-ROM or posted for download Wisconsin and see who’s in the opposite sure this was due in part to JD’s Grid on the Web. For papers, pages should be 1 direction,” he suggests. “This extends the Bandits. 8 ⁄2 × 11 inches with 1 inch margins all activity another few hundred miles toward Special contest promotions also can around. All text, drawings, photos and other areas we can’t work directly. If you want juice activity. Bruce Richardson, W9FZ, graphics should be rendered in black and to know what WB9LYH is doing, monitor organized “Midwest Mania” for the Septem- white only (no color). the real-time 144/432 MHz chat at www. ber 2009 VHF QSO Party to counter slack When you submit your paper or pre- on4kst.com.” Todd says he hears Mark 95 activity from by encouraging operators in sentation, indicate if you plan to attend percent of the time and posts immediate the Great Plains to make a concerted effort the conference and present in person or updates of where he’s looking and who to get on for the contest. if you are submitting for publication only. he’s hearing. “What if there were rovers active in Papers and presentations will be published “You don’t miss a thing this way, and the area keeping things more lively?” he in bound proceedings by the ARRL. you also get the benefit of seeing who prompted. “What if stations from surround- Direct all questions, comments and all is logged into the chat, with call signs ing states pointed their antennas to the submissions to the program chair, Robin and grid squares,” he continues. “That’s great expanse of the Midwest and found Midgett, K4IDC, [email protected]. powerful information you can’t get on the stations? Could be fun!” More conference information is on the 144 Prop Logger. That’s why we’ve It worked! As Bruce notes, early reports SVHFS Web site, www.svhfs.org. switched over to the www.on4kst.com were all positive, with the number of fixed, chat.” Todd says new stations keep check- portable and rover stations and active grids

NCJ January/February 2010 21

COLUMNS.indd 21 12/08/2009 9:16:32 AM Gary Sutcliffe, W9XT

Contesting Tips, Tricks & Techniques

Homebrewing — Part 2 WA5VJB “Cheap Yagi” (see www.wa5vjb. On the other hand, the catalog and In Part 1 of this “CTT&T” topic we looked com/yagi-pdf/cheapyagi.pdf). He’s been Internet parts dealers offer an incredible at the reasons contesters are homebrew- so impressed with it that he’s building the array of components. Two of the larger ing some of their shack equipment.WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO The 220 MHz version. component sources have catalogs that two main reasons amateurs gave for are thicker than the phone books in most building their own gear were the inability Other Accessories large cities. Online listings of surplus deal- to buy exactly what they were looking for K2DRH notes that it is necessary to ers and Internet auction sites are other or the fact that they could build it for less homebrew a lot of the equipment for seri- possible options for obtaining parts. money than buying it. ous VHF operation. Transverters must be High-power RF parts might not be as Part 1 covered switching systems — interfaced to IF rigs, preamps sequenced common as they once were, but parts something that can often be put together and audio and keying switched. Bob points availability in other areas has improved. less expensively than commercial equip- out that switching bands can be much You can purchase powerful microproces- ment by using surplus gear or parts can- more complex in a serious VHF station sors for far less than a common receiving nibalized from other no-longer-needed than with a multiband HF rig. He goes on tube would set you back, especially when electronic equipment. The builders also to say that many of the pieces often can you factor in inflation. Microcontroller- optimized their designs to suit their equip- be bought commercially or found on the based accessories can be created using ment and operating styles. Part 2 takes surplus market, but putting it all together software that’s free and development on antennas andWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO other contest-related usually requires making a number of systems that cost less than $100. These station accessories that CT&T readers small boxes. are more powerful than systems that have built. Gary, K9AY, says his most-often-used not long ago cost thousands of dollars. homebrew equipment is test gear. On Powerful PC software for circuit analysis, Antennas the list Gary includes an R-X bridge, re- drawing schematics and designing circuit Pete, N4ZR, has been spending his turn loss bridge, high-power attenuators, boards can be downloaded for free from time on antenna projects. Recent projects signal sources, noise generator, filters, the Internet. include an 80 meter array controller, con- general-purpose amplifiers, power divid- Another lament of old timers is that ham trol and matching for K9AY loops and an ers/combiners and an RF ammeter. radio magazines have fewer technical con- SO2R antenna-switching system. Pete’s In my early years as a ham, homebrew- struction articles. I also feel this is a loss. current project is an array of three K9AY ing amplifiers and antenna tuners was Technology has given us an alternative here loops. You can read about it on the Inter- very common. Only a few readers men- as well — the Internet. You may have noticed net: http://wiki.contesting.com/index. tioned having constructed these, however. a couple of this installment’s contributors php/N4ZR:K9AY_loop_arrays. The list includes HK1KXA, who built his included Web sites that describe projects in ACØDS also has a homebrew K9AY own antenna tuner as well as all of his more detail. I also have been putting pages array with homemade control boxes. antennas and several baluns. on my personal Web site, www.w9xt.com, Craig has a number of switching boxes NG9R built a 200 W solid-state 2 meter for projects and techniques that are too that he has customized with ergonomics amplifier. Danny is currently working on a specialized to be of general interest for a in mind. high-power amplifier and tuner, along with magazine article. Wire antennas are a specialty of a heavy-duty rotor. If you have your own Web site, post VE2MGY. Brian does not have any tow- K4XU is building a water-cooled two- pictures, diagrams and other information ers and relies instead on trees ranging transistor 1500 W broad-band amp! Dick regarding your projects. If you don’t have a from 40 feet to 120 feet. His antenna farm says this project will be showing up as Web site, consider contributing to N4ZR’s consists of 80 meter delta loops, verticals, an article in QEX. He says he started out Contesting Compendium, http://wiki.con- an inverted L, dipoles, an extended double with homebrew equipment, went to com- testing.com/index.php/Main_Page. Of Zepp and a Beverage. In all, Brian has mercial gear for a while and now is back course, don’t forget to consider writing an some five miles of wire strung about on his to building his own. He puts together all article for NCJ! property. The best part is that it cost him of his accessories, including antennas Between electronic catalog and Internet nothing. He got the wire free from various and switching boxes. In addition to saving part vendors carrying a million parts or places that were throwing it out. money, Dick likes to feel “connected” to the more, and information on esoteric technical Just about everything related to anten- hobby, as opposed to just asking where subjects available instantly on the Internet, nas at W9RE’s station is homemade. Only to send a check. this should be the golden age of ham radio two of Mike’s 21 Yagis are commercially Many hams lament the fact that few homebrewing. built. He says he learned a lot by designing hams build their own equipment anymore. Thanks to AA4NU, ACØDS, HK1KXA, and building them himself. For rotators, One common reason given is that you KE1FO, K2DRH, K4XU, K5ZD, K9AY, Mike modified prop pitch motors, because can’t buy parts anymore. It’s true that KIØMB, NØHI, N9ADG, NG9R, VE3MGY, they are cheaper and can handle large there are not many stores where you can VU2PTT, W1UE, W7VE, W7WHY and antennas. He also built his own tuners stop by and pick up parts for your latest W9RE for sharing descriptions of their and switching boxes. project. The old standby, RadioShack, is home-built equipment and antennas. I hope K9GY has been working on rover anten- more geared to selling cell phones than these inspire you to fire up your soldering nas for VHF contests. Eric built a 2 meter capacitors these days. iron.

22 January/February 2010 NCJ

COLUMNS.indd 22 12/08/2009 9:16:32 AM Next Time tactics are best for the SO2R beginner? Share your ideas on these subjects and Our topic for the March/April column What kind of results can they expect? suggestions for future topics. Contact me will be “Getting Started in SO2R.” What When do you do SO2R, and when do you via snail mail to 3310 Bonnie Ln, Slinger, tips can you give to contesters making concentrate on a single radio? How can WI 53086 or via e-mail, [email protected]. the foray into SO2R? What is the mini- a contester improve SO2R skills between Be sure to get them to me by January mum equipment needed? What operating contests? 12, 2010.

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NCJ January/February 2010 23

COLUMNS.indd 23 12/08/2009 9:16:35 AM Ralph Bellas, K9ZO Contesting on a Budget Rudimentary SO2R My earliest implementation of SO2R was would increase my rate, tune the bands didn’t have an amplifier, I really did not have actually just a technique I used when I had more quickly, pick up multipliers and work to worry about using band-pass filters, separate Drake receiver and transmitter stations faster. so my infrastructure was pretty simple. units. I’d put one VFO high in the band and Running low power, I almost never called Eventually, I hooked up the second radio to the other low. Then, I’d tuneWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO in a station CQ and never could run stations anyway, the 40 meter inverted V. This worked well, and try to work it. Since I was running low so my two-VFO technique seemed to pro- because during stateside contests from power, I did not always get through, so I duce better results. You can try this tech- the Midwest it was always good to keep would switch to the other VFO and tune nique today; it’s a good way to learn how an ear on that band. for a station. Then, I would switch back to to handle the confusion of multiple VFOs Using a stereo phone plug and a couple the original VFO and try to work it. If that and to keep track of a couple frequencies phone jacks, I had one radio in the right ear failed, I’d switch VFOs and give another try. at the same time. and the other in the left. I’d just turn down Eventually I would work one of the stations, Sometime later I got another radio and the audio on one radio when I wanted to and then I’d search to find another station kept the first. It wasn’t long before I began concentrate on the other. I put a switch in to work. By trying on two frequencies I to experiment with using two radios. Since I the keying line to let me switch between rigs on CW. This worked pretty well, and I could casually tune 40 meters and even put out an occasional CQ. Eventually I did the same thing with the WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO microphone line, but I recall having some trouble with VOX settings and hum. It worked, though, and it was fun back in the days when multiple bands were open. All of this was good practice for tuning the bands and looking for multipliers. It was really effective when I had to scan an entire band a couple times to find the uncommon multipliers. In retrospect, it was a very cost- AlfaSpid Rotator effective way of tuning two bands. It didn’t Hi torque, self braking double worm gear drive. have the flexibility of today’s SO2R, but Low voltage DC motor. it did provide good practice in the “art” of 12 to 24 V. AC or DC operation. listening on two frequencies at once. Digital controller with one degree of accuracy. Later, when I went to computer logging, I used NA with the Array Solutions SO2R Large easy to read digital readout. box. In those days serial and parallel ports Six presets with mouse controller. were the norm. One of the least expensive Serial computer interface. ways to automate multiple radios today would be to find an older computer and a “vintage” SO2R box. It might cost you a couple hundred bucks, and you wouldn’t necessarily be able to control the radios from the keyboard. As long as you could indicate the desired band, however, it should work well. You could use virtually any radio to hunt multipliers or just to check the bands to see which one might be the most productive for making a band change. Adding multipliers See the new BIG RAK at Dayton is one of the best ways to boost your score Torque > 8000 lb. in. * from a small station. You don’t have to be *Ask about tests able to run a big rate; if you can pick off that last multiplier or two, it will be worth the ef- fort — even if it takes 10 or 20 tries. My advice to the budget-conscious con- Alfa Radio Ltd. tester is to improve your score by making 11211 - 154 St., Edmonton, Alberta T5M 1X8 use of what you already have available, so � � Phone: 780-466-5779 Facsimile: 780-466-4956 e-mail: [email protected] you can have the flexibility to transmit — or URL: www.alfaradio.ca just listen — readily on a second band. See us at Dayton, RADIO AMATEURS SERVING RADIO AMATEURS

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COLUMNS.indd 25 12/08/2009 9:16:37 AM Don Hill, AA5AU [email protected]

RTTY Contesting

Three days before the start of the 2009 contact. Who said you can’t teach an old time. Conversely, I found out that my RTTY CQ World Wide RTTY contest, two new dog new tricks? S&P techniques actually helped me in a Cycle 24 sunspots appeared on the sun, Many say that a good way to improve CW contest. CW was my first love, and I raising the SFI into the upperWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO 70s. By the your CW SO2R operation is to practice used to be an active CW contester until I time the contest started, the solar flux using RTTY SO2R. I believe that’s true, discovered RTTY. I hadn’t operated a CW along with the A and K indices were start- although I’ve only operated SO2R CW one contest for many years until I jumped into ing to decline. This made for good condi- tions on 15 meters, allowing paths we have not experienced in a long time on Saturday. Working EU and JA on 15 meters made the contest more enjoyable for me. As the flux dropped even lower Sunday, conditions were not as good. Unfortunately, three weeks later in JARTS, the sunspots were gone and so was 15 meters — al- though I did manage to work two EU sta- tions. During the WAEDC RTTY contest in mid-November, WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.ROthe flux had risen again. This time it only got into the mid-70s, but that was enough to find spurts of DX on 15 meters and holds promise for better high band conditions in the near future as we slowly move into the new cycle. Figure 1 — The elliptical tuning indicators in MMTTY One of the most important parts of any contest effort is the ability to search and pounce quickly and efficiently. I’m always looking for new ways to improve my S&P techniques. Prior to last year’s CQ WW RTTY contest, I discovered that using the “FIR” profile in MMTTY allowed me to tune signals faster and more accurately. The FIR profile (found under the “Profiles” menu) changes the shape of the X-Y scope tuning indicators from elliptical to straight horizontal and vertical lines (see Figures 1 and 2). I used the FIR profile for the entire con- test, and it greatly improved my ability to tune in signals faster when S&P. Although using the vertical/horizontal bars allows me to tune any signal faster, their real value is Figure 2 — Horizontal/vertical line tuning indicators using the FIR profile inMMTTY when tuning weak signals. During the Makrothen contest in Octo- ber, I took screenshots comparing what the scope patterns look like when tuning in a weak RTTY signal (see Figures 3 and 4). I found Shalva, 4L1BR, with a very weak RTTY signal Sunday morning on 20 me- ters. Figure 3 shows his signal using the elliptical pattern with the standard MMTTY profile. Figure 4 shows the same signal employing the FIR profile. Although there was no real difference in print between the two, there is a better-defined scope pattern using the FIR profile. I now use the FIR profile all the time. The closer you have a signal tuned in while S&Ping, the better chance you have of making a clean Figure 3 — Weak-signal reception using the FIR profile inMMTTY

26 January/February 2010 NCJ

COLUMNS.indd 26 12/08/2009 9:16:37 AM ters and come back when things quieted down. That’s a difficult decision to make. It’s hard to imagine thunderstorms lasting five or six hours, but they did. If you find yourself in the same position, shut down until the noise stops completely. Perhaps many of you would do that anyway. Sometimes an old dog can be stubborn! Studying past logs may reveal a better plan for off times. It’s worth a look. Don’t forget about the other RTTY WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.ROcontests during January and February. The SARTG New Year’s RTTY Contest is January 1. The other January RTTY con- tests are the UK DX RTTY Contest and the BARTG RTTY Sprint. The CQ WPX RTTY Figure 4 — Weak-signal reception using the elliptical tuning indicators in MMTTY Contest is in February, and it generates the second biggest turnout of the year (only behind CQ WW RTTY). The first NAQP last November’s CW Sweepstakes by sheer low band numbers Saturday night. I’m the RTTY contest of year also is in February. accident. Running low power, I didn’t have first to admit that I made a huge mistake The other February RTTY contest is the great success running, but I found that my when I decided to operate through the XE RTTY Contest. So, with seven RTTY ability to quickly S&P on RTTY helped me noise and shut down only when the storm contests slated in the first two months of do the same on CW. It was actually easier was on top of me. In hindsight, I should the year, there’s plenty of fun available. on CW, becauseWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO I didn’t have to tune in the have taken a rest when it was too noisy to “Laissez les bon temps rouler!” signal by sight, only by ear. On CW, you copy through the static on 40 and 80 me- don’t have to be spot-on frequency. I had a blast making 500 contacts; earning my first-ever unassisted clean sweep. It seems CW and RTTY complement each other in many ways. Here it is January already, and we all know that means the ARRL RTTY Round- Up is on everyone’s mind. I’m really stoked, as this is my favorite RTTY contest. For most RTTY operators, no other event generates the kinds of rates that can be achieved than in the Round-Up. For single operators in the Round-Up who plan to run the full 24 hours, some- thing that warrants consideration is your off times. For many years, I subscribed to the theory that taking all six hours of rest at the same time was the best way to go. That way I could get a decent night’s sleep Saturday night and be fresh on Sunday. As I look for ways to improve my Round-Up score, however, I’ve changed my thinking regarding rest times. Having operated full- time in all 21 previous Round-Ups, it has occurred to me that I may be missing the boat when it comes to off times, especially in these low sunspot years. When the rate starts to fall dramatically on the low bands around 0600-0700, I would take my six hour break. A close examination of my logs shows that the rate on Sundays slows dramatically about three to four hours before the end of the contest and then picks up during the last two hours. Working an extra hour on the low bands may be wiser than struggling at 241 Depot Street around 2100 on Sunday. I’m going to give Antioch, IL 60002 it try this year. Last year my off times were dictated by 847-838-3195 thunderstorms and rain static that killed my

NCJ January/February 2010 27

COLUMNS.indd 27 12/08/2009 9:16:38 AM Bruce Horn, WA7BNM [email protected]

Rules: North American Sprint (CW/SSB/RTTY)

1. Eligibility: Any Amateur Radio licensee as Maryland. KH6 is not counted as a state ♦ SSB: [email protected] may enter. and is not a North American country (but ♦ RTTY: [email protected] 2. Object: For North AmericanWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO stations to it does count for QSO credit). The eight c. Mail CD or 3.5-inch floppy disk, contain- contact as many radio amateurs as pos- Canadian multipliers are Maritime (VE1, ing ASCII log file, to the appropriate address sible. For non-North American stations to VE9, VO1, VO2 and VY2), VE2 through listed below. contact as many North American stations VE7, and Yukon-NWT (VYØ, VY1 and VE8). d. Manually convert paper log to Cabrillo log as possible. Non-North American countries do not count using one of the following tools: 3. Entry Classification: High power, low as multipliers but do count for QSO credit for ♦ CW: www.b4h.net/cabforms/nasprint- power (100 W) and QRP (5 W). Single opera- North American stations. cw_cab.php tor only. Use of spotting information obtained 11. Special QSY Rule: If any station solicits ♦ SSB: www.b4h.net/cabforms/nasprint- directly or indirectly from any source other a call (by sending “CQ,” “QRZ?” “going up ssb_cab.php than the station operator, such as from other 5 kHz” or any other means of soliciting a ♦ RTTY: www.b4h.net/cabforms/nasprint- stations or automated tools, is prohibited. response, including completion of a QSO rtty_cab.php 4. Contest periods: where the frequency was inherited), that sta- e. Mail log to the appropriate address February/March 2010 contests: tion is permitted to work only one station in below: ♦ CW: 0000-0400 UTC, February 7, 2010 response to that solicitation. The station must ♦ CW logs: Boring Amateur Radio Club, (Sunday of first full weekend in February) thereafter move at least 1 kHz before calling 15125 Bartell Rd, Boring, OR 97009 USA; ♦ SSB: 0000-0400 UTC, February 14, another station or at least 5 kHz before so- e-mail: [email protected] 2010 WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.ROliciting other calls. Once a station is required ♦ SSB logs: Jim Stevens, K4MA, 6609 ♦ RTTY: 0000-0400 UTC, March 14, 2010 to QSY, that station is not allowed to make Vardon Ct, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 USA; (Sunday of second full weekend in March) another QSO on the vacated frequency until e-mail: [email protected] September/October 2010 contests: or unless at least one subsequent QSO is ♦ RTTY logs: Ed Muns, WØYK, PO Box ♦ CW: 0000-0400 UTC, September 12, made on a new frequency. 1877, Los Gatos, CA 95031-1877 USA; e-mail: 2010 (first Sunday following first Monday in 12. Additional Rules: Simultaneous transmis- [email protected] September) sion on more than one frequency is prohib- 15. Team Competition: Team competition is ♦ SSB: 0000-0400 UTC, September 19, ited. All contacts must be sent and received limited to a maximum of 10 operators as a 2010 (second Sunday following first Monday using means requiring real-time hwuman single entry unit. Groups having more than in September) intervention, detection and initiation. Each 10 team members may submit more than ♦ RTTY: 0000-0400 UTC, October 10, 2010 operator must use only one call sign during one team entry. To qualify as a team entry, (Sunday of second full weekend in October) the contest. the team registration form on the NCJ Web These are entirely separate four-hour Sprints. 13. Log Formatting: All logs must be sub- site must be completed before the contest Note that the CW Sprint now comes be- mitted electronically (Web upload, e-mail, starts. Use one of the following links: fore the SSB Sprint in both February and CD, 3.5-inch floppy, etc.). The file format for ♦ CW team registration: www.ncjweb.com/ September. electronic logs for NCJ-sponsored contests cwsprintteam.html 5. Mode: CW only in CW Sprints, SSB only in is Cabrillo (Version 2.x or 3.x). Entrants who ♦ SSB team registration: www.ncjweb. SSB Sprints, RTTY only in RTTY Sprints. do not use computer logging are encouraged com/ssbsprintteam.html 6. Bands: 80, 40 and 20 meters only. Sug- to use the manual Web-to-Cabrillo online ♦ RTTY team registration: www.ncjweb. gested frequencies are around 3540, 7040 forms available at the links below to enter com/rttysprintteam.html and 14,040 kHz on CW; 3850, 7225 and the QSO info from their paper logs. 16. Penalties and Disqualification: Contacts 14,275 kHz on phone; and 3580, 7080 and 14. Log Submission: Entries must be with incorrect received information will be 14,080 kHz on RTTY. You may work the received no later than 7 days after the removed. Contacts not found in the other same station once per band. Sprint. Methods of log submission in order station’s log will be removed with a one-QSO 7. Exchange: To have a valid exchange, you of preference are: penalty. Entries with score reductions in ex- must send all of the following information: a. Upload Cabrillo-formatted log via Web cess of 5 percent may be disqualified. Any The other station’s call sign, your call sign, form (preferred): All modes: www.ncjweb. entry also may be disqualified for illegibility your serial number, your name and your com/sprintlogsubmit.php or for illegal or unethical operation. location (state, province, or country). You b. E-mail log (ASCII text file): may send this information in any order. For ♦ CW: [email protected] example: N6TR DE K7GM 154 RICK NC K K7GM NR 122 TREE OR DE N6TR K 8. Valid Contact: A valid contact consists of a Mode Times/Dates Logs Due Log Submittal complete, correctly copied and logged two- way exchange between a North American CW 0000-0400 UTC, Feb 7 February 13 NCJ Web site: station and another station. Proper logging requires including the time of each contact. 0000-0400 UTC, Sep 12 September 18 www.ncjweb.com/sprintlogsubmit.php Serial numbers must begin with serial num- ber one and be sequential thereafter. SSB 0000-0400 UTC, Feb 14 February 20 9. North American Station: Defined by the rules of the CQ WW DX contests. Note that 0000-0400 UTC, Sep 19 September 25 Alternative submission methods: KH6 is not in North America. 10. Scoring: Multiply total valid contacts by the RTTY 0000-0400 UTC, Mar 14 March 20 See Rule 14 in text. sum of the US states, Canadian provinces and other North American countries to get 0000-0400 UTC, Oct 10 October 16 final score (do not count US and Canada as countries). District of Columbia counts The 2010 North American Sprint calendar

28 January/February 2010 NCJ

CONTESTS.indd 28 12/08/2009 9:35:24 AM Bruce Horn, WA7BNM [email protected]

Rules: North American QSO Party (NAQP) CW/SSB/RTTY

1. Eligibility: Any Amateur RadioWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO licensee stations. at a fixed geographical location or as a may enter. iii) Each transmitter must have at least 10 mobile/portable station. A station may be 2. Object: To work as many North American minutes between band changes. operated remotely. Use of multiple stations stations as possible during the contest iv) May operate for the entire 12 hours during the contest, whether directly or period. of the contest. remotely operated, is prohibited. 3. North American Station: Defined by 6. Output power must be no more than 10. Exchange: Operator name and station the ARRL DXCC List with the addition 100 W for eligible entries. Use of external location (state, province or country) for of KH6. amplifiers capable of more than 100 W North American stations; operator name 4. Contest periods: output is not allowed. QRP (5 W) entries only for non-North American stations. January/February 2010 Events: will be recognized in the results. If the name sent is changed during the ♦ CW: 1800 UTC January 9 to 0600 UTC 7. Mode: CW only in CW parties. SSB only contest, as sometimes happens with January 10, 2010 (Second full weekend in in phone parties. RTTY only in RTTY multi-operator stations, the name used January) parties. for each QSO must be clearly identified ♦ SSB: 1800WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO UTC January 16 to 0600 8. Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 meters in the log. The use of non-Amateur Radio UTC January 17, 2010 (Third full weekend only, except no 160 meters for the RTTY means of communication or the use of in January) contest. You may work a station once per Amateur Radio modes or bands different ♦ RTTY: 1800 UTC February 27 to 0600 band. Suggested frequencies are 1815, than those specified for the contest to UTC February 28, 2010 (Starts on last 3535, 7035, 14,035, 21,035 and 28,035 solicit contacts during the contest period Saturday in February) kHz (35 kHz up from band edge for Nov- is prohibited. July/August 2010 Events: ice/Tech) on CW; and 1865, 3850, 7225, 11. Multipliers: All US states (including ♦ RTTY: 1800 UTC July 17 to 0600 UTC 14,250, 21,300, and 28,500 kHz (28450 KH6 and KL7), 13 Canadian provinces/ July 18, 2010 (Third full weekend in July) for Novice/Tech) on SSB. When operating territories (British Columbia, Alberta, ♦ CW: 1800 UTC August 7 to 0600 on 160-meters, please respect the DX Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Que- UTC August 8, 2010 (First full weekend in window of 1830 to 1840 kHz and keep bec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, August) SSB operations above 1840 kHz. When Newfoundland/Labrador, Yukon, NWT ♦ SSB: 1800 UTC August 21 to 0600 operating RTTY o 20 meters, please re- and Nunavut) and other North American UTC August 22, 2010 (Third full weekend spect the PSK window, 14,070 to 14,073 countries. District of Columbia counts as in August) kHz, and the NCDXF beacon frequency Maryland. Non-North American countries, 5. Entry Classifications: of 14,100 kHz. maritime mobiles and aeronautical mo- a) Single Operator: 9. Station: All radio transmitters, receivers biles do not count as multipliers but may i) One person performs all transmitting, and antennas used by an entrant must be worked for QSO credit. receiving, spotting, and logging functions be associated with one station, either 12. Valid Contact: A valid contact consists as well as equipment and antenna adjust- ments. ii) Access to spotting information obtained Mode Times/Dates Logs Due Log Submittal directly or indirectly from any source other than the station operator, such as from other CW 1800 UTC Jan 9 to January 23 stations or automated tools, is prohibited 0600 UTC Jan 10 except as follows: Technological methods 1800 UTC Aug 7 to August 21 NCJ Web site: of copying the information in the contest 0600 UTC Aug 8 exchange are permitted as long as they are entirely contained within the station. iii) Only one transmitted signal allowed SSB 1800 UTC Jan 16 to January 30 www.ncjweb.com/naqplogsubmit.php at a time. 0600 UTC Jan 17 iv) May operate 10 out of the 12 hours of www.ncjweb.com/sprintlogsubmit.php the contest. Off times must be at least 30 1800 UTC Aug 21 to September 4 minutes in length. 0600 UTC Aug 22 b) Multi-Operator Two-Transmitter. Alternative submission methods: i) More than one person performs trans- RTTY 1800 UTC Feb 27 to March 13 Alternative submission methods: 0600 UTC Feb 28 mitting, receiving and logging functions, etc. 1800 UTC Jul 17 to July 31 See Rule 16 in text. ii) A maximum of two transmitted signals 0600 UTC Jul 18 at any given time, each on a different band. Both transmitters may work any and all The 2009 NAQP calendar

NCJ January/February 2010 29

CONTESTS.indd 29 12/08/2009 9:35:24 AM of a complete, correctly copied and leg- ibly logged two-way exchange between North American QSO Party Plaques a North American station and any other Mode Category Sponsor station. Proper logging requires including CW Single Op, North America Florida Contest Group the time in UTC and band for each contact. CW Multiop, North America MWA in memory of Dave, KTØR Regardless of the number of licensed call SSB Single Op, North America South East Contest Club signs issued to a given operator, one and SSB Multiop, North America Tennessee Contest Group only one call sign shall be utilized during Combined CW/SSB Single Op, North America Southern California Contest Club the contest by that operator. RTTY Single Op, North America ICOM 13. Scoring: Multiply total valid contacts RTTY Multiop, North America ICOM by the sum of the number of multipliers RTTY Team ICOM worked on each band. WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO 14. Team Competition: You may wish to form a team with fellow NAQP partici- pants. If so, your team must consist of two a) Upload Cabrillo-formatted log via Web ♦ SSB e-mail: ssbnaqpmgr@ncjweb. to five single-operator stations whose form (preferable): All modes: www.ncjweb. com individual scores are combined to produce com/naqplogsubmit.php ♦ RTTY: Shelby Summerville, K4WW, a team score. Although clubs or other b) E-mail Cabrillo log: 6506 Lantana Ct, Louisville, KY 40229- groups having more than five members ♦ CW: [email protected] 1544 USA may form multiple teams, there are no ♦ SSB: [email protected] ♦RTTY e-mail: rttynaqpmgr@ncjweb. distance or meeting requirements for a ♦ RTTY: [email protected] com team entry. c) Mail CD or 3.5-inch floppy disk con- 17. Disqualifications: Entries with score Teams must be registered prior to the start taining Cabrillo log file to the appropriate reductions greater than 5 percent may be of the contest. Use one of the following address listed below. disqualified. Any entry may be disquali- online forms toWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO register your team: d) Manually convert paper or computer fied for illegibility or for illegal or unethical ♦ CW team registration: www.ncjweb. log to Cabrillo log using one of the follow- operation. Such disqualification is at the com/cwnaqpteamreg.php ing tools: discretion of the contest manager. ♦ SSB team registration: www.ncjweb. ♦ CW: www.b4h.net/cabforms/naqp- 18. Awards: Plaques will be awarded for the com/ssbnaqpteamreg.php cw_cab.php high score in each of the categories given ♦ RTTY team registration: www.ncjweb. ♦ SSB: www.b4h.net/cabforms/ below, provided there are a minimum of com/rttynaqpteamreg.php naqpssb_cab.php five entries in the category. If a plaque is These team registration forms automatically ♦ RTTY: www.b4h.net/cabforms/ not sponsored, the winner may purchase provide confirmation of team registration naqprtty_cab.php it. Certificates of merit will be awarded to by return e-mail. e) Mail original paper log to the appropri- the highest scoring entrant with at least 15. Log formatting: All logs containing ate address listed below. 200 QSOs from each state, province, or more than 200 QSOs must be submit- ♦ CW/SSB logs: Bruce Horn, WA7BNM, North American country. Certificates of ted electronically (Web upload, e-mail, 4225 Farmdale Ave, Studio City, CA 91604 merit will also be awarded to the overall CD, 3.5-inch floppy etc). The file format USA second and third-place finishers in the mul- for electronic logs for NCJ-sponsored ♦ CW e-mail: cwnaqpmgr@ncjweb. tioperator category for each mode. contests is Cabrillo (Ver 2.x or 3.x). For com those participants who use paper logging, please use the manual log entry Web-to- Cabrillo online forms available at the links below to submit your logs. Paper log forms Great Products & Books for the are available on the NCJ Web site, www. Radio Hobbyist ncjweb.com/naqpforms.pdf, for the convenience of those who log on paper http://www.radio-ware.com during the contest. Printouts of computer logs will not be accepted, regardless of KD9SV Two Wire Beverage Antenna the number of QSOs. KD9SV has designed an optimized feed and reflection transformers for WD-1A Field Please confirm that your output power is Telephone Wire. Conceptually, the design is similar to other designs using “ladder line” properly stated in the header portion of but is greatly simplified for ease of use and installation. Great for those who can only the Cabrillo log before submission. “LOW” install receiving antennas during the winter season. This new design also offers the indicates the use of 100 W or less, while ultimate in installation simplicity while providing excellent front-to-back ratios and the QRP indicates 5 W or less. Submissions advantage of receiving from two directions from one simple antenna. The Feed Transformer and Reflection Transformer are designed with bi-filar windings for that indicate the use of high power will be extremely good balance utilizing the popular binocular type ferrite cores and optimized used as check logs. impedance matching. The transformers are also encapsulated with polyurethane and Name your files with your call sign (ie, plastic box for complete weather protection. For more information go to .log). Please do not send bi- http://www.radio-ware.com/products/sv2bevsys.htm nary files produced by a contest logging WD1A Transformer Pair: $99.95 program (eg, .bin, . WD1A wire: $0.10/ft @ 1,000' qdf, etc). 16. Log submission: Entries must be Call or email for shipping information postmarked no later than 14 days after the contest. Methods of log submission in order of preference are as follows: Radioware & Radio Bookstore PO Box 209, Rindge, NH 03461-0209, Phone (800) 457-7373 ■ Fax (603) 899 6826 ■ e-mail @ [email protected] 30 January/February 2010 NCJ

CONTESTS.indd 30 12/08/2009 9:35:26 AM North American QSO Party Plaques Boring Amateur Radio Club Mode Category Sponsor CW Single Op, North America Florida Contest Group CW Multiop, North America MWA in memory of Dave, KTØR SSB Single Op, North America South East Contest Club SSB Multiop, North America Tennessee Contest Group Results: North American Sprint, CW Combined CW/SSB Single Op, North America Southern California Contest Club RTTY Single Op, North America ICOM — Fall 2009 RTTY Multiop, North America ICOM RTTY Team ICOM The 65th North American Sprint,WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO CW took in electronic for- place the weekend of September 13, 2009. mat. That’s almost All-Time CW Sprint Records The low number of sunspots (or total lack twice as many as Highest Multiplier 55 K9AA (K9PG) Feb 2000 came in for the Highest QSO Total 428 N6TR/7 Feb 2005 thereof) continues to affect 20 meters, and Highest Score 21,816 K4AAA (W4AN) Sep 2003 only six stations managed to work at least phone Sprint, but Highest Team Score 163,373 SCCC #1 Feb 2002 100 QSOs on that band. Offsetting that it’s also down by Highest Low Power 15,741 K7RI (K7SS) Feb 2003 statistic, however, was better-than-normal about 30 logs from Highest QRP 10,800 K7RI (K7SS) Feb 2002 conditions on 80 meters, with many stations the previous fall. Logs Received 227 Feb 2004 achieving QSO totals in the three digits on The log checker Number Golden Logs 18 Feb 2008 that band. thanks everyone Number Logs 300 52 Feb 2003 While the Southwest dominated the top- who made the ef- score boxes, a few stations in the Northeast fort to send in their managed to break into the Top 10 in both the log electronically. High and Low Power categories. For most of This contest relies heavily on word of to QSY after one QSO and show up on a the country, two bandsWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO were available during mouth to encourage newcomers. It can be different frequency anyway. We at the Boring most of the contest, enabling ops running a rather frightening event for someone who ARC often have joked that we should allow two radios to dominate. has never operated it before, so it’s really packet spotting in this contest, since it would A total of 174 logs were received — all up to us regular participants to encourage do no good. new operators to give it a try. There is simply no other contesting event that is as intense. Next CW Sprint Just Ahead! Once people catch on, they often come The next CW Sprint is coming right up on back for more. February 7 UTC (Saturday, February 6, local Top 10 QSOs Top QRP There has been a lot of debate recently time in North America). For team registra- about whether Internet packet spotting is a tion, use the NCJ Web page, www.NCJweb. W6YI 355 KA9FOX 9061 good thing for contesting or not. Due to the N2IC 353 N8NA 8052 com. Submit logs via e-mail to cwsprint@ K5TR 352 N8EA 7310 Sprint “QSY rule,” packet spotting has not kkn.net or use the log submission form on N5KO 350 KB7Q 6156 had any impact on this event. If you did spot the NCJ Web site. Logs are due seven days K5ZD 342 KEØG 5236 someone in the Sprint, they would have had after the contest! N3BB 342 NA4BW 4788 N6TV 342 WI9WI 4760 N6TR 339 NN7SS 4318 K1KI 336 AA4XX 1708 K6NA 332 N5ER 1035 Top 10 Scores Call Sign Score Bnd Chgs QSOs Lost 00Z 01Z 02Z 03Z Top 10 Mults Top Golden Logs K5TR 16,896 116 0 106 87 86 73 K5TR 48 K5TR 352 W6YI 16,330 114 1 94 95 82 84 KW8N 48 K6NA 332 N2IC 16,238 140 1 102 92 80 79 N2NT 48 K9NW 317 N3BB 16,074 164 3 116 82 79 65 K1KI 47 K4BAI 287 N2NT 15,888 128 7 97 81 92 61 N3BB 47 N9CK 277 K1KI 15,792 2 3 85 91 74 86 N5DX 47 N2GC 268 N5KO 15,750 150 4 100 89 81 80 N6AA 47 KV8Q 192 K5ZD 15,732 78 3 107 86 79 70 Many 46 K8MR 114 N6TV 15,732 24 1 99 92 80 71 N6RT 52 K6NA 14,940 4 0 87 88 72 85 K6III 19 Top Single Radio Top 10 Low Power Top Band N9CK 12,188 Changes Call Sign Score Bnd Chgs QSOs Lost 00Z 01Z 02Z 03Z K5NZ 11,508 N3BB 164 K1KI 15,792 2 3 85 91 74 86 N5DO 11,484 N5KO 150 K6NA 14,940 4 0 87 88 72 85 KØAD 11,176 N2IC 140 N6AA 14,758 2 3 77 77 73 87 K4XU 11,094 N5DX 140 N6TR 14,577 2 2 85 99 75 80 K1HT 10,621 N2NT 128 W7RN 14,536 2 1 79 81 80 76 NØAT 10,578 K5TR 116 N9RV 14,520 4 3 77 95 68 90 W1NN 10,428 W6YI 114 K9NW 14,265 8 0 91 81 85 60 NA4K 10,208 K4RO 106 K6XX 13,545 10 2 74 84 75 68 K9MMS 9976 N6RO 98 NR5M 13,376 12 2 93 87 66 58 N4AF 96 N2NC 13,185 10 1 77 81 67 68

NCJ January/February 2010 31

CONTESTS.indd 31 12/08/2009 9:35:26 AM Final scores typically are posted within Andy, N2NT, had the highest East Coast himself in this category once, due to RFI two weeks of the contest and are announced score and placed fifth, with Tom, K1KI, right problems, and he’s never looked back. Steve on the CQ-Contest reflector. These also on his heels. Former Sprint Editor Trey, finished ahead of the pack with 277 QSOs will be posted on the NCJ Web page at N5KO, placed seventh, followed by Randy, and a Golden Log to boot. In a tight race for that time. K5ZD. Ninth place went to N6TV, and K6NA second place, Mike, K5NZ, squeaked head Check out the Web resources, http:// sneaked into the Top 10 for the first time of Dave, N5DO, both from Texas. Al, KØAD, n6tr.jzap.com/sprint.html, as well as since 1995. in Minnesota came in fourth, just ahead of rules, records and previous results at the It’s interesting to note that it’s still pos- Dick, K4XU/7, operating from Oregon. Dave, NCJ Web page, www.ncjweb.com. The sible to make the Top 10 with only one K1HT, had the best Low Power score from CQ-Contest reflector also is a great place radio. Typically, however, those scores are the East Coast, coming in sixth, followed by to ask questions about this contest. More pushed down into the second half of Top 10. Ron, NØAT. Rounding out the Top 10 were information about this resourceWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO is available When comparing the two-radio box score W1NN, NA4K and K9MMS. on the Contesting.com Web site, http:// to the Top 10 listing, you can see that four lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/ of the next five scores after the Top 10 are QRP CQ-Contest. single-radio efforts. There is no doubt that Twelve brave souls entered the mêlée operating this contest with advanced soft- armed only with 5 W. This assures they will HIGH POWER ware enabling 100-plus band changes is a be squashed almost every time they set their Overview different experience than the rest of us have sights on a station to work. Often, they will For the second time in a row, Ralph with just one radio. It takes a great deal of stay on the same frequency calling whoever Bowen, N5RZ, piloted the K5TR station to concentration to effectively run two radios, inherits it, hoping that nobody else will be victory. This is Ralph’s third victory and his and some people have decided that it is calling the occupant of the new frequency. 29th Top 10 finish. He also had a Golden more fun to just deal with one radio. Once they get through, they are sometimes Log. Coming in second place — also for rewarded with a second QSO, and then it’s the second time in a row — is Dan, N6MJ, Low Power off to find a new frequency. operating at W6YI.WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO Moving up one spot from The Low Power category is very popular One of the interesting advantages in hav- February 2009, Steve, N2IC, posted his 40th in this contest. It offers an opportunity for ing a long call sign in this contest is that if Top 10 victory. Jim, N3BB, came in fourth those who have a fairly decent signal and there is a pileup, you can often end up being place. These top four were the same top four employ aggressive operating techniques to in the clear when sending the last two letters in February. The only difference is that Steve enjoy nearly the success of the High Power of your suffix. Imagine you are hearing three and Jim swapped positions. entrants. Steve Franzen, N9CK, found or four signals but can’t pull out anyone’s call

Team Scores 1. Austin Heat 2. Northern California Contest Club #1 3. Yankee Clipper Contest Club 4. Southern California Contest Club #1

K5TR 16,896 N5KO 15,750 K1KI 15,792 W6YI 16,330 N3BB 16,074 N6TV 15,732 K5ZD 15,732 K6NA 14,940 N5DX 14,711 W7RN 14,536 W1WEF 13,095 N6AA 14,758 N6TR 14,577 K6XX 13,545 K1AR 12,285 N6AN 11,424 N5TJ 14,355 N6RO 13,420 N2GC 11,792 W4EF 10,340 N4AF 13,552 AE6Y 12,466 KM3T 9534 AC6T 10,290 NR5M 13,376 N6XI 12,452 WA1Z 9156 W6TK 8580 K5OT 11,700 WØYK 12,255 W1UE 8471 NE6I 5960 KZ5D 11,256 W6OAT 10,879 K2KQ 7920 K2RP 2128 WØBH 10,868 K6AW 10,414 N6RT 1352 Total 103,777 Total 137,365 Total 131,449 Total 96,102

5. NCCC 2 (K6RB, N3ZZ, AJ6V, W6EU, K9YC, W6SX, K6SRZ, N6PN, NH6P, K6DGW)...... 85,618 6. TNM (W9RE, N9CK, W1NN, K8MM, K9MMS, KV8Q, N8EA, KØDXC, N4ZR)...... 82,978 7. Austin Hot (K5NZ, N5DO, K4XU, K6VVA, WQ5L, N5XU, NO5W, K1TN, KØIO)...... 78,799 8. FRC Last Minute (N2NT, AA3B, N2NC, W2RQ, WW2Y, W3KB)...... 71,968 9. MRRC/NCC (N9RV, K9NW, KW8N, NN3NN, K8MR, K3LR, K3UA, K9TM)...... 56,601 10. Bunch Zeros (WDØT, KØAD, NØAT, NAØN, NØAC, KØTG, KØMD)...... 56,386 11. SSC (K4BAI, W4NZ, K4RO, NA4BW, K0EJ, K2SX, W4AU, KB4KBS)...... 53,183 12. Rockies (KO7X, N5QQ, WØETT, NØSXX, ACØDS, KØUK)...... 41,181 13. YCCC 2 (K1EA, K1HT, K2LE, W1JQ, NP3D)...... 36,866 14. SMC (KØOU, ND9E, K9KM, WI9WI, N9FC, K9ZT, W9IP)...... 36,062 15. Corner Pocket (NØAX, NG7Z, NN7SS, K7WA)...... 22,493 16. CCO (VE3EJ, VE3NE)...... 20,683 17. NCCC 3 (N6ZFO, KZ2V, K6NV, KA3DRR, W6NF)...... 8599

Guest Operators AC6T @W6RFU K6AW @W6NV MØFGA K5GN NN3NN NO3M NR5M K5GA K5OT @K5NA K7ZSD K7GK N1LI K1DG, N5OT NN7SS K6UFO W6YI N6MJ K5TR N5RZ KZ2V @W6YX N5XU N9NB NP3D EW1AR W7RN N7MH

32 January/February 2010 NCJ

CONTESTS.indd 32 12/08/2009 9:35:26 AM sign, but you hear a weak “OX” and know previous best QRP score from Montana, Toughest 200 QSOs I ever made — 100 instantly that KA9FOX is calling you. This and N8EA now has a clean sweep of the W and a multiband dipole at 30 feet. Just advantage paid off for Scott, KA9FOX, as he Michigan records by adding the QRP record bangin’ away and glad to be back on for won the QRP category with an impressive to his portfolio. KA9FOX updated his QRP the Sprints! The homebrew hacksaw-blade dual-lever paddle earned its Sprint battle 221 QSOs and 41 multipliers. score from February, and KEØG set a new ribbon, too. I’m sure the name Beldar and an Coming in second place was Karl, N8NA, QRP record for Minnesota. NØSXX posted unexpected QTH of MO threw some folks for handing out the Delaware multiplier. Being in a new Low Power record for South Dakota, a loop. — NØAX a rare section adds a few dB to your signal, while KM3T took a radio on vacation to VP9 Had a thunderstorm shortly after starting since everyone knows whom to keep an to set a new Low Power record from there. contest that lasted most of the four-hour ear out for. Joe, N8EA, in Michigan, came period. Thanks to those who went QRS to in third, followed by Gene, KB7Q, operat- Soapbox my speed. — NØKM Need more practice! — N5QQ ing from Montana. Dan, KEWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.ROØG, placed All 80 meters. — AA5B fifth from Minnesota. Rounding out four of No whining! Well, just a little. I could never Bad operating cost me a multiplier. I really get a good rhythm going until the the remaining Top 10 slots was a group of worked a barely audible K8MR on 80. After beginning of the first hour on 80, but it didn’t five-character call signs: NA4BW, WI9WI, many repeats, I got the number and name last long. Conditions seemed better than I NN7SS and AA4XX, respectively. Number but left the state as OH, per my database expected. So, either I just didn’t have the 10 was N5ER. from prior contests. Turns out he was in VT! fast-twitch muscles this time or conditions — AE6Y got in the way. Maybe both. — N6AN Team Competition That’s all I have. Hope to have more time Eighty meter conditions were much better by the next one. — DL5AWI The team competition saw some solid last year. Lots of weak East Coast signals. Bands pretty good — I got a good start — N6TV competition for the top spot. The Austin Heat then lost 11 minutes to a phone call and Haven’t been in this one for a while but put together a team with some of the top could never catch back up — KØOU wanted to try it out with my new SDR. The scores in the contest and outdistanced the Slowly getting better but still a way to go. operators in this contest are still the crème Northern California Contest Club. The YCCC See ya in the next CW. — KØUK de la crème! CU in February! — N7EIE managed to accumulate more than 100,000 It was fun to have Dr Beldar visit the FT-1000MP @exactly 5 W. — N8EA points using onlyWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO nine logs and came in third, Sprint. When conditions are mediocre, we Eighty was exceptional. Much fun. — ahead of the Southern California Contest need all the humor we can get. — K1HT N9RV First time to operate more than about an Club. The SCCC avoided being embar- Awful, just awful. I did better than this QRP hour in a Sprint, and first time on a team. in the Thursday and Friday night practices. rassed by the second team from the NCCC That kept me in the chair. — K1TN My new 20 meter antenna was working that posted a respectable fifth place. Twenty wasn’t much but 40 was fantastic! Thursday and Friday night, but for Saturday, The best way to encourage new people — K4XU it was an open connection and no time to to operate this event is to sign them up for a Rain cancelled my social commitment, but troubleshoot, so I used the old low tri-bander. team. Many thanks to those who organized I didn’t have time to go to W5KFT. Got on Also, had electric fence noise bursts. I stuck the teams. These included K8MM, N3BB, from home with my K3, FL-2100 and C-4 at around for 90 minutes because I was getting K3LR, KØAD, KU8E, N6RT, K6UFO, VE3EJ, 40 feet. It was fun! Gotta get up an 80 meter mults, and I knew it would only be worse when I got to 80. I barely topped my QRP K6XX, WØETT, K9GY and K1KI. antenna here for Thursday nights. — K5PI First time with K3s — yeah! Thanks to all score from the February Sprint, and I had for the Qs — N5RZ @ K5TR been hoping for a big increase. Thanks for Golden Logs Personal best first hour — 107 QSOs! All the CW practice, and congrats to the good It takes perfect execution and a little bit downhill after that. — K5ZD ears that worked me. — NN7SS of luck to survive the thorough log check- Sprint — The king of contests. My favorite This was a personal best for me and ing process without any red marks. Fifteen way to get into the fall season! the first time over 200 Qs. I guess all those stations achieved it this time around, and — K7SV Thursday night NCCC NSs are paying off. — NO5W six of them had more than 250 QSOs! If We attended a wedding in Stowe, This was a strange one for me, making you’re interested in seeing how your log Vermont, on Saturday, so I just had to take along a radio. Great fun answering all the more Qs on 80. Spent the day putting up a was scored, you can request a copy of your “VT?” in the affirmative. — K8MR Butternut vertical on top of my barn’s metal log check report via e-mail to tree@kkn. Wheels fell off in the last half hour. roof, and while I got tired out, the antenna net. Reports are available for the past few — K9NW played pretty well. — WØETT years as well. Sprint is tough, its format really pushed Had to do paper log and manually send as my skill set, and that is why I like to operate I had a new PC and no time to install logging Records this event. — KA3DRR program. Antihistamine just prior to contest Wish the SSB Sprint had this much made me very drowsy. Cat kept making a Many records were set this time around, bunch of noise and jumped on the desk mostly in the QRP and Low Power catego- activity! — KA9FOX Oh well! Once again I proved to myself until I finally banished him from the shack. ries. K8MR/1 made lemonade out of having that my station sucks, my ears are stone Enjoyed it all, as usual. — W2RQ to be in Vermont for a wedding and set a new and my brain is incapable of decoding CW Started a bit late to get the most of 20, but Low Power record for the Green Mountain at 35 WPM. When is it going to be Field Day 40 had nice openings into CA and the East. State. N8NA posted a new QRP record for again? — KB4KBS Still can’t used to this QSY business. Gave Delaware. Karl now holds the record for both Had great fun running QRP. QRN was it my best for 30 minutes. can’t imagine how SO2R ops handle it without a cranial short Low Power and QRP for the First State. down, signals were up, the “ears” out there were excellent. — KEØG circuit. — W9IP Elsewhere, NA4BW improved upon his Fun contest, first time I have done a Sprint existing QRP record for Georgia, which he’d Twenty was weak here. No jump balls on that band for me. Forty and 80 were good in a long time, great to work all the familiar set just last February. AA4XX erased the producers, but they both went long rather calls and new ones also. Thanks! — WDØT 11-year-old record for QRP in North Caro- quickly. — KV8Q Twenty continues to be long at the start lina. N5DX set a new High Power record for Still have a long way to go, but still fun! — before it closes. N4CW/1 was the only Arkansas, while N5ER posted the first-ever KW8N northeastern station coming through, and he QRP score from there. KB7Q eclipsed his Thanks for letting me participate. — NØAC was solid 20 over S9. — WW2Y

NCJ January/February 2010 33

CONTESTS.indd 33 12/08/2009 9:35:27 AM Score Summary Call Sign Name QTH 20 40 80 QSO Mult Score Team Call Sign Name QTH 20 40 80 QSO Mult Score Team K1KI TOM CT 100 137 99 336 47 15,792 YCCC 1 AC6T STEVE CA 61 120 64 245 42 10,290 SCCC #1 K5ZD RANDY MA 96 139 107 342 46 15,732 YCCC 1 K9YC JIM CA 69 102 75 246 41 10,086 NCCC 2 W1WEF JACK CT 73 123 95 291 45 13,095 YCCC 1 W6SX HANK CA 45 109 88 242 41 9922 NCCC 2 K1EA KEN MA 61 126 94 281 45 12,645 YCCC 2 K6VVA *RICK CA 66 101 64 231 42 9702 Austin Hot N1LI LONG ME 85 115 77 277 45 12,465 K6SRZ ALAN CA 62 76 86 224 39 8736 NCCC 2 K1AR JOHN NH 65 115 93 273 45 12,285 YCCC 1 W6TK DICK CA 60 91 69 220 39 8580 SCCC #1 K1HT *DAVE MA 76 109 62 247 43 10,621 YCCC 2 N6PN *MATT CA 28 77 75 180 40 7200 NCCC 2 W1FJ AL MA 51 107 89 247 42 10,374 NE6I DENNIS CA 41 108 0 149 40 5960 SCCC #1 WA1Z *BOB NH 49 108 61 218 42 9156 YCCC 1 N6ZFO *BILL CA 48 50 30 128 38 4864 NCCC 3 W1UE *DJ MA 62 94 41 197 43 8471 YCCC 1 K2RP RON CA 7 48 21 76 28 2128 SCCC #1 W1JQ *MIKE CT 42 57 37 136 38 5168 YCCC 2 KZ2V *NICK CA 36 40 0 76 26 1976 NCCC 3 K8MR *JIM VT 0 43 71 114 40 4560 MRRC/NCC K6DGW *SKIP CA 26 31 20 77 24 1848 NCCC 2 KB1NRB *AL CT 0 9 0 9 8 72 N6RT *DOUG CA 29 23 0 52 26 1352 SCCC #1 K6NV BOB CA 17 16 21 54 20 1080 NCCC 3 N2NT ANDY NJ 83 139WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO 109 331 48 15,888 FRC Last K6WSC *BILL CA 4 23 2 29 18 522 Minute KA3DRR *SCOT CA 8 11 9 28 13 364 NCCC 3 N2NC JOHN NJ 71 125 97 293 45 13,185 FRC Last K6III JERRY CA 0 0 19 19 9 171 Minute W2RQ BILL NJ 58 122 105 285 43 12,255 FRC Last N6TR TREE OR 100 130 109 339 43 14,577 Austin Heat Minute W7RN TOM NV 97 114 105 316 46 14,536 NCCC 1 N2GC MIKE NY 56 111 101 268 44 11,792 YCCC 1 N9RV PAT MT 90 132 108 330 44 14,520 MRRC/NCC W2LC SCOTT NY 44 104 103 251 43 10,793 K7ZSD BRAD OR 69 116 78 263 44 11,572 K2KQ *DON NY 39 86 73 198 40 7920 YCCC 1 KO7X WALTER WY 42 116 105 263 43 11,309 Rockies K2LE *ANDY NY 28 73 76 177 40 7080 YCCC 2 K4XU *DICK OR 54 113 91 258 43 11,094 Austin Hot K1TN *JIM NJ 11 88 36 135 38 5130 Austin Hot N5LZ DON UT 44 80 82 206 42 8652 W2LE PAUL NJ 17 49 52 118 38 4484 W7WHY TOM OR 41 83 87 211 39 8229 NP3D ANDY NY 0 31 21 52 26 1352 YCCC 2 NG7Z *PAUL WA 37 86 52 175 39 6825 Corner WB2AA *ALEX NJ 25 0 0 25 11 275 Pocket KB7Q **GENE MT 35 71 56 162 38 6156 AA3B BUD PA 65 134 95 294 45 13,230 FRC Last WS7L CARL OR 29 70 43 142 39 5538 Minute NN7SS **BURT WA 36 75 16 127 34 4318 Corner NN3NN *TY PA 12 88 88 188 43 8084 MRRC/NCC Pocket N8NA **KARL DE 21 98 64 183 44 8052 N7ON *JOHN NV 0 67 45 112 34 3808 WI2E *JOE PA 13 88 72 173 44 7612 K7WA *JIM WA 30 57 29 116 32 3712 Corner W3KB *KEITH PA 29 86 46 161 42 6762 FRC Last Pocket Minute N7EIE *LEROY WA 15 0 11 26 15 390 K3STX *PAUL WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.ROMD 6 53 81 140 41 5740 W6NF *JACK NV 16 5 0 21 15 315 NCCC 3 K3LR TIM PA 0 27 28 55 26 1430 MRRC/NCC K3UA *PHIL PA 3 34 0 37 19 703 MRRC/NCC KW8N BOB OH 54 117 86 257 48 12,336 MRRC/NCC N3SW *SCOTT PA 4 23 0 27 20 540 W1NN *HAL OH 35 97 105 237 44 10,428 TNM K8MM IAN MI 34 98 109 241 43 10,363 TNM N4AF AL NC 65 133 110 308 44 13,552 Austin Heat K8JQ STEVE WV 3 92 93 188 43 8084 K4BAI JOHN GA 43 139 105 287 45 12,915 SSC KV8Q *TOM OH 21 74 97 192 42 8064 TNM W4NZ TED TN 48 125 104 277 46 12,742 SSC N8EA **JOE MI 28 68 74 170 43 7310 TNM K7SV LARRY VA 51 109 114 274 46 12,604 KØDXC *KID OH 4 80 60 144 41 5904 TNM K4RO KIRK TN 66 126 106 298 42 12,516 SSC N4ZR PETE WV 31 97 0 128 35 4480 TNM N1LN BRUCE NC 42 109 94 245 45 11,025 K9TM TIM OH 26 11 0 37 19 703 MRRC/NCC NA4K *STEVE TN 39 116 77 232 44 10,208 AD4EB JIM TN 22 103 102 227 44 9988 K9NW MIKE IN 77 122 118 317 45 14,265 MRRC/NCC NF4A CHAS FL 20 100 73 193 42 8106 W9RE MIKE IN 74 116 127 317 45 14,265 TNM NA4BW **BRIAN GA 6 65 55 126 38 4788 SSC N9CK *STEVE WI 51 113 113 277 44 12,188 TNM KØEJ *MARK TN 13 89 14 116 36 4176 SSC K9MMS *GARY IL 59 89 84 232 43 9976 TNM K2SX DENNIS SC 0 46 49 95 39 3705 SSC ND9E BILL IL 53 74 84 211 45 9495 SMC W4AU JOHN VA 30 45 0 75 31 2325 SSC KA9FOX **SCOTT WI 45 99 77 221 41 9061 N4GG HAL GA 8 54 3 65 30 1950 K9KM *HOWIE IL 21 75 49 145 39 5655 SMC AA4XX **PAUL NC 14 18 29 61 28 1708 WI9WI **JIM WI 30 76 34 140 34 4760 SMC KC4HW *JIM AL 0 52 0 52 25 1300 N9FC JOHN IN 7 61 53 121 36 4356 SMC K9ZT *BUD WI 4 37 8 49 26 1274 SMC K5TR GEO TX 107 143 102 352 48 16,896 Austin Heat W9IP **PETER IN 0 12 0 12 9 108 SMC N2IC STEVE NM 99 144 110 353 46 16,238 W9WLX *CHUCK WI 7 0 0 7 6 42 N3BB JIM TX 92 148 102 342 47 16,074 Austin Heat KG9N **CHUCK IL 0 4 0 4 3 12

N5DX KEVIN AR 61 150 102 313 47 14,711 Austin Heat WDØT TODD SD 48 117 115 280 42 11,760 Bunch Zeros N5TJ JEFF TX 72 146 101 319 45 14,355 Austin Heat KØAD *AL MN 57 122 75 254 44 11,176 Bunch Zeros NR5M GEO TX 93 115 96 304 44 13,376 Austin Heat WØBH BOB KS 49 102 96 247 44 10,868 Austin Heat K5OT LARRY TX 81 114 65 260 45 11,700 Austin Heat WW2Y PETER NE 46 100 96 242 44 10,648 FRC Last K5NZ *MIKE TX 67 113 94 274 42 11,508 Austin Hot Minute N5DO *DAVE TX 56 129 76 261 44 11,484 Austin Hot NØAT *RON MN 47 102 97 246 43 10,578 Bunch Zeros KZ5D ART LA 64 119 85 268 42 11,256 Austin Heat KØOU STEVE MO 47 115 92 254 41 10,414 SMC K5KA KEN OK 46 93 91 230 41 9430 NAØN *PAT MN 35 113 89 237 40 9480 Bunch Zeros WQ5L *RAY MS 47 95 73 215 43 9245 Austin Hot NØAX *BELDAR MO 40 99 62 201 38 7638 Corner N5XU *TED TX 79 97 46 222 40 8880 Austin Hot Pocket K5PI ROB TX 55 134 0 189 44 8316 WØETT *KEN CO 18 80 77 175 39 6825 Rockies N5QQ RON TX 35 91 71 197 39 7683 Rockies NØSXX *GARY SD 19 84 45 148 36 5328 Rockies NO5W *CHUCK TX 50 82 58 190 38 7220 Austin Hot KEØG **DAN MN 44 75 35 154 34 5236 K7IA *DAN NM 42 67 21 130 37 4810 ACØDS *TOM CO 19 72 47 138 37 5106 Rockies AA5B *BRUCE NM 0 0 94 94 37 3478 N5WLA *FRED TX 38 47 27 112 30 3360 N5ER **JOHN AR 14 16 15 45 23 1035 NØAC *BILL CO 6 68 64 138 37 5106 Bunch Zeros KB4KBS *SCOTT TX 1 3 0 4 4 16 SSC KØUK BILL CO 25 76 44 145 34 4930 Rockies KØTG *JOHN MN 23 69 44 136 36 4896 Bunch Zeros W6YI JIM CA 85 154 116 355 46 16,330 SCCC #1 K4IU FRED MN 23 61 54 138 35 4830 N5KO TREY CA 107 142 101 350 45 15,750 NCCC 1 KØIO *JOHN IA 23 66 37 126 36 4536 Austin Hot N6TV BOB CA 102 134 106 342 46 15,732 NCCC 1 KØMD SCOTT MN 41 46 26 113 30 3390 Bunch Zeros K6NA PHIL CA 98 135 99 332 45 14,940 SCCC #1 KØMPH *ROGER MN 10 52 25 87 32 2784 N6AA DICK CA 100 131 83 314 47 14,758 SCCC #1 N9HDE *SCOTT IA 1 54 0 55 23 1265 K6XX BOB CA 79 123 99 301 45 13,545 NCCC 1 ACØE *JIM KS 0 24 6 30 20 600 N6RO KEN CA 92 122 91 305 44 13,420 NCCC 1 NØBK *BRUCE MN 6 20 9 35 17 595 AE6Y ANDY CA 76 113 82 271 46 12,466 NCCC 1 NØKM *DAVE CO 2 0 0 2 2 4 N6XI RICK CA 68 118 97 283 44 12,452 NCCC 1 WØYK ED CA 89 108 88 285 43 12,255 NCCC 1 VE3EJ JOHN VE3 55 103 103 261 43 11,223 CCO K6RB ROB CA 73 96 97 266 43 11,438 NCCC 2 VE3NE *LALI VE3 44 88 83 215 44 9460 CCO N6AN REX CA 81 104 87 272 42 11,424 SCCC #1 VA3NR *CHRIS VE3 27 94 70 191 42 8022 N3ZZ TOM CA 88 103 57 248 45 11,160 NCCC 2 VE3RCN *KEVIN VE3 1 11 15 27 17 459 W6OAT RUSTY CA 78 115 60 253 43 10,879 NCCC 1 KM3T/VP9 *DAVE VP9 84 83 60 227 42 9534 YCCC 1 AJ6V ED CA 88 101 51 240 44 10,560 NCCC 2 NH6P BOB KH6 60 56 0 116 36 4176 NCCC 2 W6EU JIM CA 68 111 65 244 43 10,492 NCCC 2 DL5AWI GERD DL 0 16 0 16 13 208 K6AW STEVE CA 69 109 76 254 41 10,414 NCCC 1 MØFGA DAVE G 7 0 0 7 8 56 W4EF MIKE CA 75 91 69 235 44 10,340 SCCC #1 *Low Power **QRP)

34 January/February 2010 NCJ

CONTESTS.indd 34 12/08/2009 9:35:27 AM Jim Stevens, K4MA [email protected]

Results: North American Sprint, SSB — Fall 2009WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO This phone Sprint could be called “The Power finish). In fifth and sixth respectively First-Timer Sprint,” since many newcomers were WW9R and NA4K. Rounding out the Top 10 QSOs Top QRP made their debuts in either the Top 10 High Top 10 LP were W6MM, WGØM, N7RQ KA9FOX 253 NDØC 954 Power or Top 10 Low Power lists. Some and W4UDX. It was the first time in the Top NR5M 246 KW8N 235 Top 10 Golden overall statistics: 88 logs were received for 10 for W6MM, WGØM and N7RQ. Logs this running of the phone Sprint, up slightly W6YX 231 from February 2009 but still down signifi- QRP W9RE 230 K9BGL 181 K5WA 219 N5DO 170 cantly from the last time we had sunspots. Winning QRP for the first time was K7ZSD 196 NA4BW 116 Despite more logs, scores were down from NDØC. N4OX 193 NA4K 116 February 2009, and the average score in N1LN 184 KV7DX 61 the Top 10 High Power box was among the Golden Logs W6TK 183 WE6Z 56 lowest on record. Some exotic multipliers Logging more than 100 QSOs without NDØC 53 worked includedWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO the Dominican Republic any logging errors were K9BGL, N5DO, Top 10 Mults W4UDX 53 and Honduras. NA4BW and NA4K. Great job! If you want K7ZSD 49 KE7YF 43 a copy of your log checking report, e-mail a W9RE 47 K5ZD 33 High Power request to [email protected]. N4OX 47 Winning for the second time was Scott, NR5M 46 Top 10 Band Changes KA9FOX, from his Wisconsin station. Records KW8N 46 Scott edged out George, NR5M, operating For the first time I can recall, no records W6YX 46 W9RE 66 from Texas. George had single multiplier were broken or newly established. Please N6ML 46 KW8N 49 WØBH 32 advantage, but Scott’s seven additional come back, sunspots! You can view the KA9FOX 45 K5WA 44 N6ML 30 QSOs were enough to make the difference. SSB Sprint records on the NCJ Web site, N1LN 44 N1LN 26 Finishing in a rare tie for third position www.ncjweb.com/ssbsprintrecords. K3TN 44 K9BGL 26 were Mike, W9RE, and Bob, KW8N. Each php. NA4BW 44 W4NZ 12 did it slightly differently, however, as Mike KU5B 12 had 230 × 47 while Bob had 235 × 46. It’s Teams Top 10 Low Power NA4BW 12 interesting to note that Mike and Bob were Posting a four-peat in the team competi- N5DO 7310 K3TD 12 the top two stations in the number of band tion was The Society of Midwest Contest- K3TN 5676 changes during the contest; I suspect the ers Team, which took the top team score. W4IX 5504 two radios were getting a good workout. In They were followed by NCCC Team 1, WØETT 4953 both prior races, logging accuracy helped Southeast Sprint Coalition, Rockies and WW9R 4736 one competitor more than the other, as Arizona Outlaws in the Top Five. Only about NA4K 4524 Scott was more accurate than George, 1000 points separated SMC and NCCC — W6MM 3317 and Mike was more accurate than Bob. very close indeed. WGØM 2449 Finishing in fifth place was Mike, W6YX, Congratulations to all! N7RQ 1794 W4UDX 1696 from California. After Mike, four of the remaining five stations were first-timers in the Top 10. N4OX in eighth place made his second appearance, while K5WA, K7ZSD, N1LN and N6ML all cracked the Top 10 for their first time. Top 10 Scores Low Power Call Sign Score Bnd Chgs Qs Lost 00Z 01Z 02Z 03Z Let’s just start calling him “Dave the KA9FOX 11,385 9 3 87 47 59 60 Dominator.” Dave, N5DO, completed the NR5M 11,316 9 6 68 62 54 62 KW8N 10,810 49 5 79 50 50 56 “four-peat” by winning the LP category W9RE 10,810 66 2 75 45 63 47 again. In a close race of the Johns, K3TN W6YX 10,626 5 2 66 63 51 51 edged out W4IX for second place. It was K5WA 9636 4 7 67 55 52 45 W4IX’s first trip to the Top 10 Low Power K7ZSD 9604 6 6 57 48 48 43 list. Finishing fourth was Ken, WØETT. This N4OX 9071 4 6 65 46 45 37 marked his 14th time in the Top 10, tying him N1LN 8096 26 4 57 36 53 39 for top honors with K7SV (the Dominator N6ML 7820 30 7 55 38 39 39 is on their heels with his 13th Top 10 Low

NCJ January/February 2010 35

CONTESTS.indd 35 12/08/2009 9:35:27 AM Team Scores 1. SMC #1 2. NCCC Team #1 3. Southeast Sprint 4. Rockies Coalition KA9FOX 11,385 W6YX 10,626 WØETT 4953 W9RE 10,810 N6ML 7820 N4OX 9071 KO7X 4403 WW9R 4736 KF6T 7175 K4BAI 5977 Total 9356 K3MD 4510 N6WM 4860 W4NZ 5586 AL9A 3450 K6XX 3565 NA4BW 5104 N9FC 3096 N6EE 2336 Total 25,738 WI9WI 2496 W6OAT 2100 AF9J 315 W6FB 1098 Total 40,798 K6DGW 160 WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.ROTotal 39,740

5. Arizona Outlaws (N7RQ, KV7DX, KE7YF) 4276

Scoring Summary Call Sign Name QTH 20 40 80 QSO Mults Score Team Call Sign Name QTH 20 40 80 QSO Mults Score Team N1SV LES MA 7 54 10 71 29 2059 K6DGW SKIP CA 20 0 0 20 8 160 NCCC Team #1 K5ZD RANDY MA 0 33 0 33 20 660 KG6OJB *TYLER CA 6 2 0 8 6 48 KB1RDL ALEX CT 0 8 9 17 12 204 K6VAR *JIM CA 0 4 3 7 6 42 KB1NRI *JEFF ME 0 4 0 4 5 20 K7ZSD BRAD OR 29 117 50 196 49 9604 K2DSL *DAVID NJ 0 13 37 50 30 1500 KO7X ALAN WY 3 74 42 119 37 4403 Rockies KA2FHN BILL NY 0 15 17 32 20 640 W7RN TOM NV 28 40 40 108 38 4104 WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.ROAL9A GARY AK 39 60 16 115 30 3450 SMC #1 WØBR BOB PA 5 56 72 133 43 5719 W6MM *MIKE ID 11 39 57 107 31 3317 K3TN *JOHN MD 2 52 75 129 44 5676 N5LZ DON UT 12 47 46 105 30 3150 K3MD JOHN PA 0 52 58 110 41 4510 SMC #1 NB7V DAVE MT 14 47 44 105 29 3045 N7RQ *SANDY AZ 16 29 33 78 23 1794 Arizona Outlaws N4OX JAY FL 10 123 60 193 47 9071 SE Sprint KV7DX JOSE AZ 5 56 0 61 28 1708 Arizona Outlaws N1LN BRUCE NC 28 81 75 184 44 8096 NN7SS BURT WA 19 40 7 66 23 1518 K4BAI JOHN GA 15 52 72 139 43 5977 SE Sprint W6NF *JACK NV 0 19 31 50 24 1200 W4NZ TED TN 18 47 68 133 42 5586 SE Sprint AD7XZ JOE OR 10 30 0 40 20 800 W4IX *JOHN SC 0 61 67 128 43 5504 KE7YF *PAUL AZ 10 28 5 43 18 774 Arizona Outlaws NA4BW BRIAN GA 5 57 54 116 44 5104 SE Sprint N7AZ *JON AZ 4 20 6 30 14 420 NA4K *STEVE TN 16 40 60 116 39 4524 WI7J *JIM UT 0 0 8 8 5 40 KC4HW JIM AL 0 66 9 75 37 2775 K7SS *DAN WA 1 2 1 4 1 4 K4FX BILL NC 8 26 49 83 31 2573 W4UDX *MARK KY 0 19 34 53 32 1696 KW8N BOB OH 46 96 93 235 46 10,810 KI4TZU *TOM SC 0 12 31 43 28 1204 K8MR *JIM OH 0 15 37 52 25 1300 K4MCK *KEVIN TN 0 8 23 31 21 651 W1NN *HAL OH 5 9 12 26 15 390 W4ATL SHERMAN GA 18 10 0 28 18 504 KA8NJW *JERRY WV 1 5 0 6 5 30 N4DTF *TRENT TN 0 3 2 5 5 25 K4GOP *DAVE FL 0 4 1 5 5 25 KA9FOX SCOTT WI 50 95 108 253 45 11,385 SMC #1 W9RE MIKE IN 49 91 90 230 47 10,810 SMC #1 NR5M GEORGE TX 53 143 50 246 46 11,316 K9BGL KARL IL 33 67 81 181 42 7602 K5WA BOB TX 52 89 78 219 44 9636 WW9R *PAT WI 18 45 65 128 37 4736 SMC #1 N5DO *DAVE TX 20 85 65 170 43 7310 N9FC JOHN IN 6 38 42 86 36 3096 SMC #1 KU5B BOB TX 18 64 46 128 39 4992 N2BJ BARRY IL 9 33 43 85 36 3060 K3TD *TAD TX 3 35 14 52 23 1196 WI9WI JIM WI 23 18 37 78 32 2496 SMC #1 W4PJP *PAT OK 16 7 0 23 11 253 AF9J ELLEN WI 0 6 15 21 15 315 SMC #1 W9KVR *TROY IL 0 0 5 5 5 25 W6YX MIKE CA 76 95 60 231 46 10,626 NCCC Team #1 N6ML MIKE CA 36 89 45 170 46 7820 NCCC Team #1 W ØBH BOB KS 18 83 79 180 38 6840 W6TK DICK CA 38 91 54 183 40 7320 WØETT *KEN CO 6 83 38 127 39 4953 Rockies KF6T JACK CA 33 82 60 175 41 7175 NCCC Team #1 WGØM *MIKE MN 25 37 17 79 31 2449 N6AN REX CA 0 81 41 122 41 5002 NØIRM GARY MO 3 44 4 51 21 1071 N6WM CHRIS CA 39 66 30 135 36 4860 NCCC Team #1 NDØC **RANDY MN 24 18 11 53 18 954 K6XX BOB CA 44 37 34 115 31 3565 NCCC Team #1 WW2Y PETER NE 0 16 28 44 21 924 W6FA BILL CA 36 47 17 100 33 3300 K6LRN DICK CA 34 0 52 86 31 2666 VA3NR CHRIS VE3 1 46 68 115 37 4255 N6EE RON CA 20 43 10 73 32 2336 NCCC Team #1 VY2LI BILL VE1 0 79 27 106 29 3074 W6OAT RUSTY CA 0 39 36 75 28 2100 NCCC Team #1 VE4EAR *ED VE4 0 1 31 32 20 640 WE6Z *DOUG CA 11 26 19 56 25 1400 W6FB *JACK CA 26 17 18 61 18 1098 NCCC Team #1 KH7Y FRED KH6 29 39 0 68 23 1564 W6SX HANK CA 0 32 8 40 17 680 NU6T *RICH CA 2 12 17 31 15 465 *Low Power N3RC *ROGER CA 0 5 22 27 10 270 **QRP

[email protected] www.inrad.net Kenwood TS-850 PO Box 2110 Roo ng Filter Mod – Now Shipping! Aptos, CA 95001 TEL: 1-831-462-5511 Performance Products for Your Radio! FAX: 1-831-612-1815

36 January/February 2010 NCJ

CONTESTS.indd 36 12/08/2009 9:35:28 AM Ed Muns, WØYK

Results: North American Sprint, RTTY — October 2009 WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO Participation in the 18th North American posted a close third place. weekend draws away some participation, RTTY Sprint didn’t measure up to the Forty-three unique multipliers showed up but a more troubling factor may be at play, record turnout for the March running, but in the log set, including VE8 — a rarity in as evidenced by some of the soapbox it provided some excitement nonetheless. many Sprints, not to mention RTTY. How- comments. A few people indicated that Twenty meters was short-lived at the outset, ever, the top multiplier count in a single log they won’t participate until activity is higher. with most of the contest period spent on 40 was only 40. The high QSO total was 151. Hmmm. That seems self-fulfilling and and 80 where new stations to work soon There were only five SO2R stations counterintuitive. I’d suggest adopting the became sparse. The first three places were among the top 15 logs, mostly due to the opposite position: Each participant helps to virtually tied, with log checking rearrang- absence of many regulars in this contest. raise the activity level! ing the order of claimed scores. This is yet Dave, K7L (K6LL), and Garry, NI6T, took So, I challenge everyone to roust our another example of where logging accuracy top spots with their single-radio, minimum- RTTY friends (and find new ones) for the can make the difference. Dean, NØXR, Jim, band-change operations and also placed March 2010 RTTY Sprint and set some AD4EB, and Iain, N6ML, had a final score fourth and fifth overall. new participation and performance records. variance of only 2.5 percent, with their QSO The number of Golden Logs was gratify- Maybe some increased team rivalry will help counts within one.WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.ROing. Leading that group with 103 QSOs was too. See you all then! While we had no QRP entries this time, Tiny, KT6YL, in her first RTTY Sprint. Right there was plenty of good Low Power com- on her heels was N6EE with 99. Soapbox petition, as always. Chris, VE6APB, took The NCCC put together a full 10-operator Low Power honors, just getting past the last team (plus a smaller second team) to nab A hard contest to operate from my QTH. Sprint’s LP winner, Bill, KE5OG. Ron, N6EE, the team title again. Another contesting From now on I’ll try my best to submit my lesson — showing up with a complete team logs as soon as the contest is over. — Bill, can make the difference, too. In addition to NØAC second-place SWACC, two other teams reg- Sure could use some more call signs to Top 10 QSOs Top 10 Golden istered; unfortunately none of their members work. Seemed pretty slow. — KJ6RA AD4EB 151 Logs turned in logs. Well, another interesting one for the NØXR 150 KT6YL 103 Participation returned to the prior trend books. Was participation down? The crew N6ML 150 N6EE 99 line with 134 unique call signs, 50 submitted seemed to keep marching down to the K7L 146 KW7N 79 logs and 43 unique mults (see Figure 1). lower bands sooner than I thought they N4ZZ 128 K1GU 78 In recent years, the October Sprint has would also. It’s always fun to work all my NI6T 127 VE7UQ 67 seen less activity than the March Sprint. friends, and I really appreciate the Qs, K6RB 126 VE1AOE 37 Another RTTY contest initiated on this same especially those who put up with me while N6CK 120 W6OAT 36 KJ6RA 118 W4HOD 34 N6WM 113 VE3RCN 31 WA7BME 11 Top 10 Mults NØXR 40 Top 10 Band AD4EB 39 Changes N6ML 39 N6ML 80 KJ6RA 35 NØXR 79 NI6T 35 AD4EB 61 N4ZZ 34 W7WW 50 N6CK 33 WØYK 40 K6RB 32 N4ZZ 38 N6EE 32 KE5OG 24 K1GU 31 W6TQG 19 VE4EAR 10 Top 10 Low Power K6RB 8 VA6APB 3441 KE5OG 3248 N6EE 3168 WF7T 2697 K1GU 2418 KW7N 1896 AE5PW 1674 N7ESU 1564 WIØWA 1562 VE7UQ 1474 Figure 1 — Participation in the October 2009 NA RTTY Sprint

NCJ January/February 2010 37

CONTESTS.indd 37 12/08/2009 9:35:28 AM I was struggling with the logger. — Chris, N6WM Top 10 Scores It seemed to be a weird night. Everyone deserted 20 early, and then 40 didn’t last long. I heard a lot of stations, including some Call Sign Score Bnd Chgs Qs Lost 00Z 01Z 02Z 03Z mults I never could work, but it was a sprint . . . always fun. — NØXR 6000 79 8 44 32 46 30 KE5OG AD4EB 5989 61 2 50 39 33 30 Couldn’t get on until the last hour and a half. Fun, but low N6ML 5850 80 12 49 46 38 19 K7L 4526 2 1 48 50 40 8 activity. NI6T 4445 4 9 30 40 32 27 — WØYK N4ZZ 4352 38 3 40 38 36 15 Wasn’t going to be in this one, but Ed, VE4EAR, reminded me KJ6RA 4130 4 2 39 27 34 18 about it during one of our Makrothen Qs earlier in the afternoon. K6RB 4032 8 3 42 35 36 14 Was quite rough here, from opening bell to the close. Twenty N6CK 3960 4 5 32 38 33 18 was really bad and only worthWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO about half an hour of attention. W7WW 3503 50 10 51 35 24 5 Forty was pretty good but not a lot of action, and 80 wasn’t in great shape. Lots of long CQ sessions. Managed to take a Top Single Radio couple of half-hour breaks, and I don’t think I missed much at all. Call Sign Score Bnd Chgs Qs Lost 00Z 01Z 02Z 03Z — Bud, VA7ST K7L 4526 2 1 48 50 40 8 Not great conditions and participation seemed low. Really had NI6T 4445 4 9 30 40 32 27 to hunt for new stations. Forty went long early. What happened to KJ6RA 4130 4 2 39 27 34 18 the East Coast? Fun as always! K6RB 4032 8 3 42 35 36 14 — VE4EAR N6CK 3960 4 5 32 38 33 18 Only one hour to play in this one. Conditions were poor here. VA6APB 3441 4 6 24 40 23 26 Only one station out of WA and CA on 80. N6WM 3390 2 14 26 33 31 24 — W7WHY N6EE 3168 8 0 29 31 15 24 Wow, last hour was rough. Spent most of it CQing into the VE4EAR 3074 10 4 36 26 29 16 wind on both 80 and 40. Not sure if I had a problem or if condx WF7T 2697 8 2 16 23 30 19 and participation were that bad. Good to hear from VE8NSD! — N6ML WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO This was indeed a challenge! Had a pretty good rhythm going except for the occasional out-of-sequence couplets. A few Scoring Breakdown seemed confused by the QSY rules, but everyone seemed to Call Sign Name QTH 20 40 80 QSO Mults Score Team work it out. — WF7T K5ZD RANDY MA 24 27 32 83 25 2075 Had lots of trouble with WriteLog/MMTTY dropping PTT on the N1SXL DEAN CT 0 48 0 48 22 1056

K3. Tried [several possible fixes]. Nothing seemed to work. My AD4EB JIM TN 30 71 51 151 39 5989 apologies to everyone for the double exchanges. Very frustrating N4ZZ DON TN 29 53 46 128 34 4352 and embarrassing. Suggestions appreciated. Pretty good WF7T *BRAD TN 3 44 40 87 31 2697 K1GU *NED TN 26 52 0 78 31 2418 conditions. — N6EE W4HOD *CHER AL 14 20 0 34 16 544 Stopped early to go back to the AZ QSO Party. Mistake — KM4RK *MARK SC 3 18 10 31 16 496 W7WW KE5OG *BILL TX 32 49 32 112 29 3248 SWACC Are we having fun yet? I think I’ll stick to non-Sprint RTTY AE5PW *PAT AR 12 46 4 62 27 1674 W5KI STEVE AR 0 7 0 7 5 35 contests until enough operators are participating to make it a AD5LU *DON TX 4 0 0 4 1 4 sprint instead of a crawl. I was ready to go watch paint dry at the N6ML MIKE CA 27 77 47 150 39 5850 NCCC #1 two-hour point. — K6RB NI6T GARRY CA 31 50 46 127 35 4445 NCCC #1 This contest is the ultimate test of grit. Starts out fast, then KJ6RA RICH CA 27 50 41 118 35 4130 NCCC #1 K6RB ROB CA 28 53 45 126 32 4032 NCCC #1 gets so very slow trying to find new ones to work. — AD4EB N6CK GREG CA 32 52 37 120 33 3960 NCCC #1 RF showed up in the shack, probably due to recent shack N6WM CHRIS CA 27 42 45 113 30 3390 NCCC #1 N6EE *RON CA 32 46 21 99 32 3168 NCCC #1 “improvements.” At times the keyboard was almost inoperable, W6SX HANK CA 17 47 26 90 27 2430 NCCC #1 causing strange additions to my exchanges. — Phil W6TQG K6XX BOB CA 34 38 25 97 24 2328 NCCC #2 Great fun as always. — VE3JI KT6YL TINY CA 29 34 40 103 22 2266 NCCC #1 W6TQG PHIL CA 18 38 19 75 25 1875 NCCC #1 Great contest as usual but no time to work the entire four WØYK ED CA 0 28 28 56 25 1400 NCCC #2 hours. W6OAT RUSTY CA 36 0 0 36 16 576 NCCC #2 — W4HOD W6OR *DREW CA 8 19 0 27 20 540 K7L DAVE AZ 52 54 40 146 31 4526 SWACC W7WW RED AZ 38 48 27 113 31 3503 SWACC KW7N *STEVE WA 17 32 30 79 24 1896 SWACC N7ESU *JIM ID 14 28 26 68 23 1564 SWACC AL9A GARY AK 9 45 17 71 22 1562 WAØWWW *JAY WA 12 28 24 64 22 1408 N7UVH *MURF ID 9 2 21 32 18 576 SWACC Team Scores WA7BME *RON UT 0 11 0 11 10 110 K9QH *MIKE WI 5 27 13 44 18 792 W9OA *GEORGE WI 0 0 21 21 14 294 1. NCCC Team #1 2. SWACC 3. NCCC Team #2 NØXR DEAN IA 25 68 59 150 40 6000 SWACC N6ML 5850 NØXR 6000 K6XX 2328 WIØWA *BILL IA 20 34 17 71 22 1562 NI6T 4445 K7L 4526 WGØM *MIKE MN 21 37 11 69 19 1311 WØYK 1400 KSØM *DICK MO 5 32 10 47 24 1128 KJ6RA 4130 W7WW 3503 W6OAT 576 NØBK *BRUCE MN 0 22 24 46 22 1012 K6RB 4032 KE5OG 3248 Total 4304 KØYQ *JOHN CO 7 27 5 39 13 507 N6CK 3960 KW7N 1896 WØBH *BOB KS 0 4 3 7 3 21 N6WM 3390 N7ESU 1564 VA6APB *CHRIS VE6 23 54 35 111 31 3441 N6EE 3168 N7UVH 576 VE4EAR ED VE4 19 46 42 106 29 3074 VA7ST BUD VE7 13 40 38 91 29 2639 W6SX 2430 Total 21,313 VE7UQ *KEN VE7 14 33 20 67 22 1474 KT6YL 2266 VE3JI *IAN VE3 0 21 29 50 25 1250 W6TQG 1875 VE1AOE *DON VE1 0 37 0 37 23 851 VE3RCN *KEVIN VE3 1 6 24 31 22 682 Total 35,546 VE3MCF *DOUG VE3 0 2 0 2 2 4

38 January/February 2010 NCJ

CONTESTS.indd 38 12/08/2009 9:35:28 AM Bruce Horn, WA7BNM [email protected]

Results: North American QSO Party, SSB — August 2009WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO

NR5M’s superior QSO total was enough and N4ZZ was eighth from Tennessee. W5WMU ops took first place from Louisi- for a first-place finish from Texas in the VE3TA and VE3OI finished ninth and tenth, ana in the Multi-Two category, followed by Single Operator category of the August respectively, from Ontario. Texas multiops NX5M and K5TR in second 2009 NAQP SSB. W9RE, who had the With a huge advantage in both QSOs and third places, respectively. largest multiplier total but the lowest QSO and multipliers, North Carolinian WB4MSG With two team members finishing second total in the top five, finished second from took first place in the Single Operator and sixth in the Single Operator, the Soci- Indiana. N4PN was third from Georgia, QRP category. K3MD came in second ety of Midwest Contesters #1 team placed followed by K4AB in fourth from Alabama. from Pennsylvania, followed closely by first in the team competition. Contest Club W5CW operated K5CM’s Oklahoma station KG4JGQ in North Carolina. N2WN and Ontario Team #1, also aided by two Single to a fifth place finish, while K9NR in Illinois KS4X finished fourth and fifth, respectively, Operator Top 10 finishers, was second, fol- placed sixth. CalifornianWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO W6YI, the only from Tennessee. lowed by the Central Texas DX and Contest West Coaster in the Top 10, was seventh, As a result of their QSO advantage, the Club Jalapenos team in third.

Single Op Top 10 Breakdowns

Call Sign Score QSOs Mults 160 80 40 20 15 10 Team NR5M 226,810 1226 185 14/12 62/24 473/54 588/55 42/24 47/16 CTDXCC Jalapenos W9RE 195,573 973 201 53/27 194/42 317/51 337/45 47/22 25/14 SMC #1 N4PN 192,225 1165 165 32/16 109/29 411/49 568/53 42/15 3/3 K4AB 154,468 1058 146 18/12 117/29 400/49 516/52 5/3 2/1 ACG Huntsville Hamfest Leftovers W5CW 153,760 992 155 3/3 91/30 327/49 539/54 29/16 3/3 K9NR 149,799 897 167 18/12 112/34 268/50 427/44 58/21 14/6 SMC #1 W6YI 135,072 1008 134 15/4 26/6 347/52 587/55 28/14 5/3 SCCC #1 N4ZZ 131,216 944 139 10/8 143/32 425/48 358/45 7/5 1/1 VE3TA 126,920 835 152 17/11 143/33 266/50 363/41 45/16 1/1 CCO Team #1 VE3OI 123,521 829 149 12/10 100/32 390/53 303/43 23/10 1/1 CCO Team #1

Single Op QRP Top Five Breakdowns Call Sign Score QSOs Mults 160 80 40 20 15 10 WB4MSG 21,660 228 95 8/8 21/17 74/31 109/31 14/6 2/2 W4WS Bunch K3MD 8024 136 59 0/0 6/5 38/19 79/27 13/8 0/0 KG4JGQ 7930 130 61 0/0 22/15 37/20 64/23 7/3 0/0 N2WN 6215 113 55 0/0 0/0 69/29 36/21 8/5 0/0 KS4X 3000 75 40 0/0 13/8 11/7 44/22 4/2 3/1

Multi-Two Breakdowns Call Sign Score QSOs Mults 160 80 40 20 15 10 W5WMU 523,980 2460 213 29/16 124/30 668/57 1439/61 187/43 13/6 NX5M 439,560 1998 220 18/11 113/31 526/55 1030/59 241/41 70/23 K5TR 392,842 1907 206 8/4 55/25 388/52 946/58 284/42 226/25

NCJ January/February 2010 39

CONTESTS.indd 39 12/08/2009 9:35:29 AM Team Scores 1. SMC #1 2. CCO Team #1 3. CTDXCC Jalapenos W9RE 195,573 VE3TA 126,920 NR5M 226,810 K9NR 149,799 VE3OI 123,521 N5DO 75,284 KØOU 81,740 VE3XC 81,709 N5AW 39,861 KØDXC 36,288 VE3NB 24,408 K3TD 8710 K9SD 14,162 VE3DZ 1846 Total 350,665 Total 477,562 Total 358,403 WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO 4. SCCC #1 (W6YI, K6AM, N6KI, K6LA, K6GEP)...... 340,460 5. NCCC Team #1 (WC6H, W7RN, N6WM, W1RH, KT6YL)...... 338,323 6. SECC (W4SVO, N4XL, W4IX, KT4ZB)...... 319,350 7. ACG Huntsville Hamfest Leftovers (K4AB, WA1FCN, NF4A)...... 252,518 8. Arizona Outlaws 1 (W7WW, N7RQ, K7WP, WU9B, NQ7R)...... 210,165 9. Summer YCCC SSB (KK1L, N1SV, NP3D, W1JQ)...... 180,358 10. SMC #2 (W9IU, N9FC, AL9A, K9DUR)...... 157,443 11. GM Rockies Starters (WØETT, WWØAL, AD1C, NØKE)...... 128,367 12. Louisiana Contest Club team 1 (W5WZ, K5ER, KA5M, KB5YEG)...... 118,002 13. SMC #4 (WE9V, W9SE, K9CS)...... 117,282 14. NCCC Team #2 (K6VVA, N3ZZ, AA6YX, KD4HXT, K6DGW)...... 99,802 15. MWA (NØAT, WBØN, KØKX, NØKK, KØRC)...... 89,733 16. The Open Mic Gang (AB7R, W7GKF, W9PL, K7RLD)...... 83,211 17. Arizona Outlaws 3 (KK7YL, N7AZ, N7LR, W7KAM, KE7YF)...... 69,370 18. Aurora BustersWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO (VE6CNU, VY2SS, VA7ST, VY2LI, VO1KVT)...... 68,863 19. Arizona Outlaws 2 (N7CW, W3NX, K7IA, K7MY, K7RSM)...... 67,798 20. Low Country Contest Club (AF4OX, K4QO, K4AOC, K4NAU)...... 66,007 21. SMC #6 (WD9CIR, K9NN, AA9DY)...... 64,791 22. CGQ (VE2XAA, VE2DWA, VE2EZD, VE2FXL)...... 52,167 23. CCO Team #2 (VE3RZ, VE3UTT, VA3WR, VA3PC, VE3RCN)...... 49,953 24. SMC #5 (KK9V, ND9E, N9TF, KA6SGT)...... 38,441 25. NCCC Team #5 (N6EE, N6AJR, KI6BEN)...... 37,492 26. Tualatin Valley Contesters (K2PO/7, WS7L, W7TVC, AD7OG)...... 31,564 27. Order of Boiled Owls (N2YBB, N2MUN, KS2G)...... 31,507 28. W4WS Bunch (WB4MSG, KJ4IC, W2DZO)...... 31,406 29. SCCC #2 (KI6VC, N6QQ)...... 31,144 30. GM Rockies Benchers (KO7X, NØEOP)...... 28,367 31. NCCC Team #3 (KE6RAD, K6UM, W6FB, K6III, K6CSL)...... 27,043 32. SMC #3 (NV9X, K9MI, K9XE, K9LA)...... 26,208 33. SMC #7 (N2BJ, AF9J)...... 20,326 34. Louisiana Contest Club Team 2 (W5PEM)...... 16,592 35. The Dream On Team (K7DLX, K6MJB, WI7J)...... 15,762 36. NCCC Team #4 (N6BY, K6RM, KG6OJB)...... 9151 37. Goat Ranch Gang 1 (AB5XZ, KK5LO)...... 7404 38. Allegheny Valley Radio Association (AA2AD, W3RA)...... 5644 39. 90 West DX Association (KB9LIE)...... 800

Top 10 Combined Single Operator Scores for August 2009 NAQPs

Mike, W9RE, won the combined CW/SSB NAQP competition with his second place finishes in both the CW and SSB contests. W5CW and N4ZZ took second and third places, respectively. Congratulations to these great ops!

Operator CW Points SSB Points Total Points W9RE 483 431 914 W5CW 453 339 792 N4ZZ 383 289 672 K9NR 304 330 634 K3WW 466 53 519 N4AF 500 0 500 NR5M 0 500 500 VE3OI 222 272 494 NØAT 330 149 479 WØBH 264 209 473

40 January/February 2010 NCJ

CONTESTS.indd 40 12/08/2009 9:35:29 AM Multi-Two Scores Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Operators W5WMU 523,980 2460 213 LA KI5XP, W5WMU NX5M 439,560 1998 220 TX KJ5T, KU5B, N5XJ, NX5M K5TR 392,842 1907 206 TX K5PI, K5TR, WM5R NC4KW 217,712 1237 176 NC KA1ARB, N1LN, N1YXU, N4YDU, NT4D, W4KAZ N4TP 204,742 1226 167 FL AE4WK, AJ4LU, K4LAW, KD4ACG, KD4FLM, KJ4AEU, KJ4AWM, KJ4MJO, KR4X, N4NHO, W1GUD, W4LT, W4RIR N5YA 177,276 1122 158 TX K5MQ, K5QE, N5NU, N5YA AB4GG 137,788 1036WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO 133 TN AB4GG, N5WR W6YX 135,456 996 136 CA K6TT, KZ2V, N6CCH, W6RK KK7PR 130,152 1122 116 OR AD7XZ, K7ZS, KD7MSC, KE7AUB, KE7NVY, KI7Y, KI7Y, KN7K WØBR 117,810 765 154 PA KO1D, WØBR VE3MIS 83,691 547 153 ON VE3CWU, VE3IMG, VE3XAP K4HTA 66,670 565 118 VA AF4PM, K2HYD, K2VX, K4TCM, KA4YMA, KD4RE, KG4OJT, KJ4CNN, KJ4OCE, NØIMB, N6CY, W4JTP, WB4KLJ K5UA 29,602 361 82 LA K5UA, NA5Q W8BI 26,752 304 88 OH KB8UEY, KC8LNO, KD8ENT, KD8GEF, WC8Z KN4QD 18,414 198 93 SC KN4QD W6KWF 12,988 191 68 CA W6KWF, W6TQG VE7OGO 6672 139 48 BC VA7SDM, VE7FI, VE7KLX NO6X 5460 130 42 CA NO6X KØKU 2288 88 26 KS KDØIKZ, NØRC K6WSC WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO588 28 21 CA K6WSC, WB6UIR Check Logs: CT1ILT, KØSPN, K8THU, KAØLL, KA1IOR, KJ4NJF, KL7AA, KW9L, N5ZK, N6TW, N9WKW, NJ4F, OH1TD, VA3SWG, W6AFA, W6OAT, WA1Z, WA9IVH

Single Operator Scores Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team KK1L 112,320 720 156 VT Summer YCCC SSB N3KUN 1980 55 36 MD N1SV 63,745 671 95 MA Summer YCCC SSB KB3IPZ 56 8 7 PA AE1P 54,692 484 113 NH K3YH 9 3 3 MD W1UJ 19,936 224 89 MA W1HQ (KX9X) 8670 170 51 CT N4PN 192,225 1165 165 GA N1SXL 8556 138 62 CT K4AB 154,468 1058 146 AL ACG Huntsville Hamfest W1FJ 3880 97 40 MA Leftovers KB1PAJ 2135 61 35 CT N4ZZ 131,216 944 139 TN W1JQ 1881 57 33 CT Summer YCCC SSB W4SVO 113,440 709 160 FL SECC N7FYO 850 34 25 MA K4NV 102,912 768 134 GA KB1RDL 816 34 24 CT N4TCP 94,122 747 126 NC N1IMW 805 35 23 NH N4XL 87,296 704 124 SC SECC W1MAW 782 34 23 MA KU4BP 76,517 643 119 NC KK1X 660 30 22 MA AD4EB 71,496 662 108 TN W1KMH 638 29 22 VT WA1FCN 69,250 554 125 AL ACG Huntsville Hamfest AD1L 160 16 10 MA Leftovers AA9DY 40 8 5 MA SMC #6 W4IX 63,840 480 133 SC SECC N1NN 35 7 5 MA KT4ZB 54,774 537 102 GA SECC K4WW 33,900 339 100 KY WA2MCR 20,805 219 95 NY AF4OX 33,463 307 109 SC Low Country Contest N2YBB 13,090 154 85 NY Order of Boiled Owls Club N2MUN 10,017 189 53 NY Order of Boiled Owls NF4A 28,800 300 96 FL ACG Huntsville Hamfest KS2G 8400 175 48 NY Order of Boiled Owls Leftovers WA2LXE 5500 100 55 NJ N4GU 28,300 283 100 NC N4ARO 22,704 258 88 TN N2SQW 3735 83 45 NY K4QO 22,576 272 83 SC Low Country Contest N2CQ 3239 79 41 NJ Club K2SI 3234 77 42 NY *WB4MSG 21,660 228 95 NC W4WS Bunch KV2M 3015 67 45 NJ WF7T 19,888 226 88 TN AB2TC 2720 68 40 NY K5EEE 18,942 246 77 FL N2CU 2460 60 41 NY K3IXD 17,340 204 85 SC NP3D 2412 67 36 NY Summer YCCC SSB KE4KY 13,098 177 74 KY AA2NA 1496 44 34 NY K1GIG 12,935 199 65 TN N2MTG 1320 44 30 NY KB4ZMR 12,456 173 72 SC W2LE 1088 34 32 NJ NE8J 11,934 221 54 FL *KC2JRQ 6 3 2 NY NA4K 10,908 202 54 TN WB2RIS 4 2 2 NJ K4CX 10,833 157 69 TN N4FZ 9672 156 62 KY K3TN 26,361 303 87 MD W4FT 9112 134 68 NC K3WW 24,140 284 85 PA K4AOC 8378 142 59 SC Low Country Contest ND3R 20,320 254 80 PA Club W3NX (N3DXX) 14,186 173 82 DE Arizona Outlaws 2 KJ4IC 8094 142 57 NC W4WS Bunch *K3MD 8024 136 59 PA KJ4CJP 7938 147 54 AL N3ALN 7473 159 47 MD *KG4JGQ 7930 130 61 NC AD8J 5830 106 55 PA AJ4JD 7020 117 60 TN WA2EAJ 3402 81 42 PA AJ4LN 6540 109 60 VA NG3K 3367 91 37 MD *N2WN 6215 113 55 TN AA2AD 2924 68 43 PA Allegheny Valley Radio KI4TZU 6210 115 54 SC Association N4BCD 5684 116 49 AL W3RA (W3WC) 2720 68 40 PA Allegheny Valley Radio WA4JA 5564 107 52 TN Association N4LZ 5408 104 52 FL

NCJ January/February 2010 41

CONTESTS.indd 41 12/08/2009 9:35:29 AM Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team K2DSL/4 5150 103 50 NC W6FB 6096 127 48 CA NCCC Team #3 N1ADY 3960 88 45 FL KI6JJW 5311 113 47 CA N3KKM 3483 81 43 NC K6GEP 4841 103 47 CA SCCC #1 NK4I 3168 72 44 SC KE6SHL 4770 106 45 CA KC4H 3124 71 44 VA ND6S 4480 112 40 CA *KS4X 3000 75 40 TN N6BY 4074 97 42 CA NCCC Team #4 W4NSC 2686 79 34 SC K6RM 3977 97 41 CA NCCC Team #4 KC4EZN 2200 55 40 NC K6RJP 3081 79 39 CA K4MCK 2079 63 33 TN N6VH 2691 69 39 CA K1GU 1802 53 34 TN N6AJR 2442 74 33 CA NCCC Team #5 KJ4ENS 1705 55 31 NC AD7AN 2205 63 35 CA W2DZO 1652 59 28 NC W4WS Bunch KI6BEN 1680 56 30 CA NCCC Team #5 KD4ICT 1652 59 28 GA AE6YB 1560 60 26 CA K4NAU 1590 53 30 SC Low Country Contest K6III 1456 52 28 CA NCCC Team #3 Club N6QZS 1118 43 26 CA NZ6Q 1500 50 30 GA KG6OJB 1100 50 22 CA NCCC Team #4 KI4ITV 1470 49 30 VA WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.ROKD6PQF 1032 43 24 CA N4IOZ 1450 50 29 NC W6RKC 820 41 20 CA WA4ILO 1120 70 16 GA K6CSL 714 34 21 CA NCCC Team #3 N4DXI 882 42 21 FL AD6AF 651 31 21 CA KI4VCT 864 32 27 VA KF6H 576 32 18 CA KE4QIU 609 29 21 NC WA6NHO 504 28 18 CA N4DTF 560 28 20 TN WB6JJJ 468 26 18 CA N3FY 544 32 17 GA N1KR 288 18 16 CA KG4RZH 525 25 21 VA N4YLC 228 19 12 CA K4GOP 418 22 19 FL W4EF 68 17 4 CA KI4YDJ 384 24 16 GA NB4F 374 22 17 GA W7RN (N7MH) 86,800 700 124 NV NCCC Team #1 W4JHU 247 19 13 VA N7VM 73,676 652 113 UT W4BK 140 14 10 TN W7WW 64,584 598 108 AZ Arizona Outlaws 1 NQ4K 16 4 4 VA N7RQ 63,525 605 105 AZ Arizona Outlaws 1 W7ZRC 62,035 653 95 ID NR5M 226,810 1226 185 TX CTDXCC Jalapenos KK7YL 46,096 536 86 AZ Arizona Outlaws 3 W5CW (@K5CM) 153,760 992 155 OK WA7LNW 41,385 445 93 UT W5WZ 75,632 652 116 LA Louisiana Contest Club AB7R 37,980 422 90 WA The Open Mic Gang Team 1 K7WP 36,450 405 90 AZ Arizona Outlaws 1 N5DO 75,284 638 118 TX CTDXCC Jalapenos WAØKDS 33,615 415 81 AZ WA5ZUP 70,870 746 95 NM N7CW 32,513 533 61 AZ Arizona Outlaws 2 N5AW 39,861 387 103 TX CTDXCC Jalapenos WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.ROW7GKF 31,577 347 91 WA The Open Mic Gang AD5XD 37,345 385 97 TX WU9B 28,182 366 77 AZ Arizona Outlaws 1 K5ER 32,865 313 105 LA Louisiana Contest Club K7RL 27,783 441 63 WA Team 1 NB7V 26,781 339 79 MT W ØVX 24,288 264 92 TX KO7X 26,095 307 85 WY GM Rockies Benchers KD5LNO 22,310 230 97 TX WX7P 18,921 357 53 WA KD5J 21,414 258 83 AR NQ7R 17,424 264 66 AZ Arizona Outlaws 1 AE5PW 18,056 244 74 AR W6AEA 17,252 227 76 WA W5PEM 16,592 272 61 LA Louisiana Contest Club AL9A 16,836 276 61 KL7 SMC #2 Team 2 K2PO/7 11,250 250 45 OR Tualatin Valley N5YE 12,654 171 74 LA Contesters K7IA 11,421 243 47 NM Arizona Outlaws 2 N7AZ 10,089 177 57 AZ Arizona Outlaws 3 KD4LCR 10,890 198 55 OK W9PL 10,065 165 61 WA The Open Mic Gang K5JX 10,680 178 60 TX WS7L 9702 154 63 OR Tualatin Valley W5JNP 10,336 152 68 TX Contesters K5ANR 10,106 163 62 TX W7TVC (W8NF) 9666 179 54 OR Tualatin Valley K3TD 8710 130 67 TX CTDXCC Jalapenos Contesters W5KI 6552 117 56 AR K7DLX 7946 137 58 UT The Dream On Team KA5M 4850 97 50 LA Louisiana Contest Club K6UM 7500 150 50 OR NCCC Team #3 Team 1 K7MY 6678 126 53 AZ Arizona Outlaws 2 KB5YEG 4655 95 49 LA Louisiana Contest Club N7LR 5850 117 50 AZ Arizona Outlaws 3 Team 1 K6KR 5562 103 54 WA W5MIC 4416 96 46 MS N7FFL 5346 99 54 AZ AB5XZ 3960 90 44 TX Goat Ranch Gang 1 W7KAM 5031 117 43 AZ Arizona Outlaws 3 AE5MM 3864 92 42 OK W4LSC 3956 92 43 AZ KK5LO 3444 82 42 TX Goat Ranch Gang 1 KE2VB 3948 94 42 AZ KE5QBZ 3120 78 40 TX NO7T 3914 103 38 AZ N5DTT 2360 59 40 TX K7RLD 3589 97 37 WA The Open Mic Gang *N5XE 2030 58 35 OK AD7MQ 3256 88 37 MT N5SPE 1702 74 23 MS N7DRK 3081 79 39 WA KE5QDA 1700 50 34 OK K7RSM 3000 75 40 AZ Arizona Outlaws 2 WA5PFJ 1365 65 21 TX W7YKN 2814 67 42 NV KE5LHC 1248 52 24 TX *K9JWV 2700 90 30 UT W5FIO 780 39 20 TX KC7TA 2625 75 35 NV KA5GIL 490 35 14 TX KF7P 2625 105 25 UT WA5RML 425 25 17 TX WI7F 2415 69 35 WA KD5TIO 234 18 13 TX KE7YF 2304 72 32 AZ Arizona Outlaws 3 KB5DRJ 140 14 10 TX W7CAR 2244 68 33 OR AE5NB 16 4 4 TX KE7NVA 1650 50 33 OR NG7Z 1650 55 30 WA W6YI 135,072 1008 134 CA SCCC #1 WI7J 1250 50 25 UT The Dream On Team WC6H 110,363 869 127 CA NCCC Team #1 KE7TM 1127 49 23 AZ K6AM 101,097 717 141 CA SCCC #1 W6NF 1032 43 24 NV KF6T 98,494 814 121 CA AD7OG 946 43 22 OR Tualatin Valley N6KI 92,355 705 131 CA SCCC #1 Contesters N6WM 70,920 591 120 CA NCCC Team #1 W7WHY 360 24 15 OR N6NF 55,363 719 77 CA W7IJ 270 18 15 WA W1RH 50,784 529 96 CA NCCC Team #1 K7KXE 200 20 10 ID N6IE 33,684 401 84 CA KD7RHI 135 15 9 WA N6EE 33,370 355 94 CA NCCC Team #5 KC7MIQ 104 13 8 WA K6VVA 26,145 315 83 CA NCCC Team #2 KB7QOA 30 6 5 ID KI6VC 24,016 304 79 CA SCCC #2 K7VIT/7 25 5 5 OR N3ZZ 23,040 288 80 CA NCCC Team #2 N7MAL 2 2 1 AZ AA6YX 20,313 333 61 CA NCCC Team #2 KT6YL 19,456 304 64 CA NCCC Team #1 W8TM 39,576 388 102 OH KD4HXT 17,595 255 69 CA NCCC Team #2 KØDXC 36,288 378 96 OH SMC #1 WE6Z 13,002 197 66 CA WA8WV 25,872 336 77 WV K6DGW 12,709 179 71 CA NCCC Team #2 W8PEN 24,651 297 83 OH K6MI 11,288 166 68 CA WB8JUI 21,624 212 102 OH KE6RAD 11,277 179 63 CA NCCC Team #3 K8JQ 18,216 276 66 WV AF6JP 10,176 159 64 CA W8KNO 17,640 210 84 OH W6GS 9438 143 66 CA N8SS 12,200 200 61 MI N6QQ 7128 162 44 CA SCCC #2 NX8G 10,658 146 73 OH K6LA 7095 129 55 CA SCCC #1 K2KW 9600 160 60 OH K6MJB 6566 134 49 CA The Dream On Team K8MR 8911 133 67 OH

42 January/February 2010 NCJ

CONTESTS.indd 42 12/08/2009 9:35:29 AM Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team KD8GOX 6966 129 54 MI VE6CNU 24,276 289 84 AB Aurora Busters NR8U 6264 108 58 OH VE9ZX 23,622 254 93 NB W8AKS 5742 99 58 WV VY2SS 19,992 238 84 PEI Aurora Busters W8TOM 5304 102 52 MI VE3RZ 17,787 231 77 ON CCO Team #2 KD8HNI 4794 102 47 OH VE2DWA 15,752 179 88 PQ CGQ KD8HHG 4650 93 50 OH VE3UTT 15,168 192 79 ON CCO Team #2 N8BJQ 3139 73 43 OH VA7ST 14,245 185 77 BC Aurora Busters KJ8O 2067 53 39 MI VA7BEC 12,726 202 63 BC KD8GRG 1792 56 32 MI VE3JM 11,096 152 73 ON NF8M 1189 41 29 MI VA3WR 9170 131 70 ON CCO Team #2 KC8YHU 805 35 23 MI VY2LI 8040 120 67 PEI Aurora Busters AD8I 675 27 25 MI VE3TU 7125 125 57 ON N8WAV 330 33 10 MI VA3PC 5488 98 56 ON CCO Team #2 K9NW 84 12 7 OH VE2AWR 4420 85 52 PQ *N8PVZ 4 2 2 MI VA7RN 3854 82 47 BC VE7WEB 3608 82 44 BC W9RE 195,573 WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO973 201 IN SMC #1 VE2EZD 3572 76 47 PQ CGQ K9NR 149,799 897 167 IL SMC #1 VE2FXL 3450 75 46 PQ CGQ WE9V 110,371 703 157 WI SMC #4 VA7IR 3300 66 50 BC W9IU 86,802 629 138 IN SMC #2 VE3RCN 2340 65 36 ON CCO Team #2 WD9CIR 54,075 515 105 IL SMC #6 VO1KVT 2310 77 30 LAB Aurora Busters W9QL 43,662 383 114 IL VE3DZ 1846 71 26 ON CCO Team #1 N9FC 41,055 391 105 IN SMC #2 VA7AM 1508 58 26 BC AG3R 28,028 286 98 IL VA1MM 1456 56 26 NS N2BJ 19,558 254 77 IL SMC #7 VA7ALK 1431 53 27 BC K9BTQ 16,274 206 79 WI VE3BK 1176 49 24 ON K9SD 14,162 194 73 IL SMC #1 VA7DXC 1176 49 24 BC KK9V 13,416 156 86 IN SMC #5 VA3KDC 988 38 26 ON K9DUR 12,750 170 75 IN SMC #2 VE7RSV/P 840 40 21 BC ND9E 12,376 182 68 IL SMC #5 VE3AJ 234 18 13 ON KC9ARR 11,660 265 44 IL *VA3RKM 64 8 8 ON KØTQ 11,340 210 54 IN VE1JF 36 6 6 NS N9TF 11,316 164 69 IL SMC #5 K9NN 10,676 157 68 IN SMC #6 *QRP NV9X 10,508 148 71 IL SMC #3 K9QVB/9 10,004 164 61 WI K9MI 7552 118 64 IN SMC #3 K9XE 7378 119 62 IL SMC #3 W9KVR WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO5610 102 55 IL WR9Y 5459 103 53 WI W9SE 3549 91 39 IL SMC #4 K9CS 3362 82 41 IL SMC #4 N9BT 3010 70 43 IL KCØREY 1856 58 32 IL KC9IRQ 1536 64 24 IN *KA6SGT 1333 43 31 IN SMC #5 N9LOH 1305 45 29 WI KB9MIC 1026 38 27 IN *KC9ECI 861 41 21 WI KB9LIE 800 40 20 WI 90 West DX Association K9LA 770 35 22 IN SMC #3 WriteLog for Windows AF9J 768 32 24 WI SMC #7 K9VS 725 29 25 WI with Rttyrite/WinRTTY/AFC K5GBW 608 32 19 WI N9NDP 513 27 19 WI One Package Handles All Your K9TCD 108 12 9 IL CW, SSB, and RTTY Contesting Needs NS9I 54 9 6 WI

KØRH 112,903 889 127 KS NEW VERSION 10 WØBH 94,830 654 145 KS for Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, Vista KØOU 81,740 610 134 MO SMC #1 WØETT 68,770 598 115 CO GM Rockies Starters Operate 2 radios with one sound card on RTTY NØAT 67,473 567 119 MN MWA and SSB & Perfect CW transmission. KØAD 43,898 467 94 MN KCØNOX 28,170 313 90 MO Tired of obsolete DOS logging packages that force you WWØAL 23,716 308 77 CO GM Rockies Starters to use special confi gurations and don’t use all of the AD1C 22,881 263 87 CO GM Rockies Starters power of your computer? WriteLog is the fi rst contest NØAG 19,392 303 64 KS logging software designed to fully deliver the convenience NØXR (@NØNI) 19,380 255 76 IA and ease of use of Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, & Vista. WØAR (KUØDM) 13,601 203 67 KS KØMPH 13,260 170 78 MN WriteLog includes these battle-proven features: NØKE 13,000 200 65 CO GM Rockies Starters • Work RTTY using any 16-bit • Super Check Partial KDØCVZ 12,740 196 65 ND (or better) sound card. No • Click and Go Mouse Support NØUY 12,384 172 72 MN other hardware required! Opt. • Perfect Log Submission WBØN 11,532 186 62 MN MWA 2 sound cards and run 4 radios • Two Radio Support • Full Radio Control • Supports All Major Contests in KØKX 7232 113 64 MN MWA • Helpful Band Map All Modes KØACP 6534 121 54 IA • Packet Interference • Only $30.00 KDØDYO 6105 111 55 KS • Fast Ethernet Networking Ver 9 users upgrade $30. WAØLJM 4770 106 45 MN KDØR 4312 98 44 KS PLUS These NEW Features: NØKK 3003 77 39 MN MWA • RTTY mode AFC – also • CW Reader – print CW on NYØT 2346 51 46 KS known as Autotune. screen like in a RTTY contest. NØEOP 2272 71 32 CO GM Rockies Benchers • Audio Compression – now you We also added multi-channel can save & play back your CW reader capability. With a KØTG 1995 57 35 MN entire log after a contest, fast PC (350MHz Pentium or KDØBJS 1984 62 32 CO contact by contact from WAV faster) WriteLog will decode WØBNW 1590 53 30 IA fi les in your H.D., in CW, SSB, CW at 6 different pitches on 2 KØUH 1581 51 31 MN RTTY & PSK31 modes – Via radios simultaneously. Like WAØVPJ 1224 51 24 MN WAV fi le compression. having a backup operator KØRC 493 29 17 MN MWA looking over your shoulder. NØYAX 345 23 15 KS “I made the fi rst contest (non RTTY) with WriteLog, and it is KIØHA 336 24 14 MO FANTASTIC. It is such an improvement for me over CT...I really NØRHA 170 17 10 CO love it, and from now on anyone who operates from here will WØNFS 165 15 11 MO HAVE to use this program! I will twist their arms.” John, ON4UN VE3TA 126,920 835 152 ON CCO Team #1 http://www.writelog.com VE3OI 123,521 829 149 ON CCO Team #1 VE3CX 82,159 679 121 ON e-mail: [email protected] VE3XD 81,708 619 132 ON CCO Team #1 VE1SKY 34,216 329 104 NS Ron Stailey, K5DJ VE2XAA 29,393 323 91 PQ CGQ 504 Dove Haven Dr. VE7UQ 26,149 331 79 BC Round Rock, TX 78664-5926 VE3NB 24,408 226 108 ON CCO Team #1 Tel/Fax (512) 255-5000

NCJ January/February 2010 43

CONTESTS.indd 43 12/08/2009 9:35:29 AM Bruce Horn, WA7BNM [email protected]

Results: North American QSO Party, CW — August 2009

N4AF in North Carolina tookWWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO first place in Georgia and Tennessee, respectively. Arkansas. Texas’s NR5M again took sec- the Single Op category of the August 2009 In the Single Op QRP category, N2WN ond, while NC4KW in North Carolina was edition of the NAQP CW. W9RE in Indiana in Tennessee took the top spot, moving number three. was second, and K3WW in Pennsylvania up from his second place finish in Janu- Although it had only one member in the placed third. W5CW operated K5CM’s ary 2009. VA3DF in Ontario was second, Top 10 Single Op scores, the Contest Club Oklahoma station for a fourth-place finish, while AA4XX, NA4BW and K3AN cap- Ontario Team 1 won the team competition. while Florida’s N4BP was fifth. AA3B in tured third through fifth places from North The Tennessee Contest Group — Volun- Pennsylvania was sixth, followed by N6RO Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina, teers team edged the Society of Midwest — the only West Coast station in the Top 10. respectively. Contesters #1 team for second place. VE3EJ, N4GG and K4RO took the remain- The K5GO Multi-Two operation repeated ing Top 10 spots operating from Ontario, its January 2009 win in that category from

Single Op Top 10WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO Breakdowns Call Sign Score QSOs Mults 160 80 40 20 15 10 Team N4AF 246,012 1079 228 66/25 158/42 334/51 347/51 139/38 35/21 SECC#1 W9RE 237,474 1002 237 110/39 215/50 264/50 317/53 72/32 24/13 SMC #1 K3WW 229,278 1113 206 77/29 129/34 368/50 333/47 141/27 65/19 FRC#1 K5CM (W5CW) 222,812 1051 212 71/25 166/45 331/48 317/46 121/30 45/18 N4BP 211,562 1027 206 24/15 102/36 307/49 383/53 155/33 56/20 AA3B 209,914 1019 206 51/27 104/35 358/49 301/46 147/30 58/19 FRC#1 N6RO 198,341 949 209 52/19 111/36 218/47 338/52 171/39 59/16 NCCC Team 1 VE3EJ 195,865 911 215 85/31 138/43 271/46 273/48 91/29 53/18 CCO Team 1 N4GG 194,526 963 202 60/26 191/39 308/48 262/46 103/28 39/15 SECC#1 K4RO 193,627 973 199 89/28 235/41 260/49 293/46 70/24 26/11 TCG - Volunteers

Single Op QRP Top Five Breakdowns Call Sign Score QSOs Mults 160 80 40 20 15 10 Team N2WN 71,712 432 166 42/22 80/26 109/37 105/38 65/28 31/15 TCG - Mocs VA3DF 65,411 439 149 20/11 88/29 134/43 146/36 36/19 15/11 CCO Team 2 AA4XX 48,600 360 135 11/10 43/21 128/39 111/37 58/21 9/7 NA4BW 46,280 356 130 3/3 81/31 102/33 117/36 35/18 18/9 SECC#3 K3AN 44,088 334 132 0/0 36/22 127/37 100/39 47/22 24/12

Multi-Two Breakdowns Call Sign Score QSOs Mults 160 80 40 20 15 10 K5GO 429,056 1676 256 145/40 377/52 428/54 443/53 226/40 57/17 NR5M 399,978 1646 243 87/33 277/48 482/54 558/56 204/36 38/16 NC4KW 310,992 1364 228 88/28 223/41 475/50 343/52 181/35 54/22

Multi-Two Scores Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Operators K5GO 429,056 1676 256 AR KØRO, K5GO, K5LG, KM5G, N5DX, W5KI Check Logs: CU2JT, NR5M 399,978 1646 243 TX AD5Q, K5GA, KU5B, NO5W K4DXU, KB0L, KR2AA, NC4KW 310,992 1364 228 NC AA4FU, N1LN, W0UCE N3BM, NS0M, VE3HUR, W6YX 262,290 1249 210 CA K6TT, K6UFO, N7MH, ND2T, W6RK W1FJ, W6SX NC7J 208,972 1174 178 UT NC7J KØKU 92,000 736 125 KS AAØFO, KØOU, KCØBS, KUØDM, KU1CW K4XD 42,752 334 128 NC K4XD K2DSL 29,304 264 111 NJ K2DSL K9ZT 17,800 178 100 WI K9ZT K5MQ 16,632 231 72 LA K5MQ, N5NU N2BJ 5100 102 50 IL N2BJ N3RC 4320 96 45 CA N3RC K4HTA 2940 84 35 VA K2VX, K6BFA, KI4WKY, KI4WKZ, N5SK, W2OR, W4SSY, WB4KLJ NA6G 864 36 24 CA NA6G

44 January/February 2010 NCJ

CONTESTS.indd 44 12/08/2009 9:35:29 AM Team Scores 1. CCO Team 1 2. TCG - Volunteers 3. SMC #1 VE3EJ 195,865 K4RO 193,627 W9RE 237,474 VE3DZ 191,360 N4ZZ 188,254 N9CK 187,935 VE3JM 174,048 KØEJ 163,212 K9NR 149,286 VE3XB 144,673 W4NZ 163,200 K9MMS 121,422 SCAF-1 VE3NE 119,133 K4LTA 89,509 W9IU 97,308 Audio Total 825,079 Total 787,802 Total 793,425 Filter

4. SECC#1 (N4AF, N4GG, W4OC, K1ZZI, KU8E) 778,455 Make your receiver listener friendly! Variable 5. CTDXCC - Jalapenos (N3BB,WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO W5KFT, N5AW, KZ5D, K5TR) 769,815 cut-off audio low-pass filter, 96 db rolloff per 6. FRC#1 (K3WW, AA3B, K3MD, W3KB) 667,835 octave! Cut-off range frequency 450 Hertz to 7. NCCC Team 1 (N6RO, WØYK, K6SRZ, WC6H, K9YC) 635,252 3.5 kHz. Absolutely real time, NO delay— 8. Arizona Outlaws 1 (N3DXX, K8IA, N7CW, KO7AA, K7HP) 559,267 perfect for QRQ CW and no monitor 9. Parker County Posse (WØUO, K5BG, N5PO, N5OE, W8FN) 521,255 problems. Use for CW, Digital modes, and 10. CTDXCC - Serranos (K5WA, K5NZ, VE9DX, W5ZL) 480,029 SSB, with headphones or speakers. Super- 11. NCCC Team 2 (K6RIM, KF6T, W6RGG, K6MM, W4UAT) 428,245 simple operation, yet wonderfully effective. 12. MRRC Team 1 (W1NN, N8SS, WB8JUI, K8GT, K9NW) 394,603 Sample audio files on our web site. Available 13. SECC#2 (K4BAI, NM2L, W4AU, WF4W, K4EA) 372,874 as a kit or preassembled. 14. TCG - Golden Eagles (W9WI, NA4K, K3CQ, W4BCG) 368,795 15. SMC #3 (NØAV, W9LO, N9FC, WW9R, K9XE) 364,618 16. MWA Team 2 (NØAT, KØRC, KØTI, WBØN) 350,504 Keyers: 17. Maritime Contest Club (VE1OP, VY2SS, VE1RGB, VE1DT) 342,299 Logikey 18. SCCC #1 (W6TK, AC6T, XE2MX, K6NR, K6LA) 342,184 K5, 19. Thumb Area Contesters (K8DD, K8MM, N8LJ, W5JAY, KB8TXZ) 339,013 Super 20. Delaware Amateur Radio Association (K8MP, N9AUG, KV8Q, N8BHL) 336,339 CMOS-3, 21. ACG All The WayWWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO (K4IQJ, WA1FCN, W4HOD, K4ZGB) 332,202 22. SMC #2 (K9AY, N9XX, KØDXC, K9DUR, K9SD) 319,306 CMOS-4 23. SMC #4 (WT9U, ND9E, WI9WI, KA6SGT, K9LA) 313,003 Our keyers simply are the best keyers 24. CCO Team 2 (VE3OI, VA3DF, VE3XD, VE3RCN, VE3HG) 297,505 available — Period. More user friendly by 25. NCCC Team 3 (K6VVA, K6LRN, W6CT, K6DGW, K6XX) 292,499 far, more features. Extremely powerful 26. Rockies Starters (FT) (WØETT, NØSXX, ACØDS, AD1C) 279,485 memory functions, yet easy to learn. 27. MWA Team 1 (KØPK, NØBUI, W9LHG, WGØM, KMØO) 274,219 Extended paddle input timing reduces 28. TCG - Commodores (AD4EB, N4ARO, W4BK, KE4OAR) 227,715 errors and increases your speed. Can 29. SECC#4 (K2SX, W4BQF, AA4LR) 223,859 emulate many earlier designs for timing 30. TCG - Mocs (K1GU, N2WN, WO4O, NB4M) 193,768 feel, but with full feature set. Use with both 31. MWA Team 3 (KØHB, KØAD, KEØL, KØKX, K9AIH) 193,170 positive and negative keyed rigs. Built-in 32. SUMMER YCCC 2 CW (W1UE, W1TO, AE1T) 177,612 monitor included. Full beacon capability. 33. TCG - Tigers (N4IR, WF7T, N4DW, NA4C) 175,129 34. Arizona Outlaws 2 (K7IA, N7NT, NQ7R, KE7DX, K7RSM) 174,752 For full details see our web site. 35. LCC Team 1 (W5WMU, K5ER, W5WZ) 159,165 Forget that built-in keyer in your 36. SUMMER YCCC 1 CW (NZ1U, K5ZD) 154,560 transceiver. You deserve far better. 37. NCCC Team 4 (K9JM, WT6K, W1RH, KN6VVH, K6UM) 132,355 We have one waiting for you. 38. SECC#3 (N3ZL, NA4BW, KE4RQ, N4XL) 118,364 39. Arizona Outlaws 4 (KS5A, W9CF, NI7R) 117,165 Antenna Rotor Enhancements: 40. Allegheny Valley Radio Association (AA2AD, K4QO, W3RA) 103,062 41. SMC #5 (W9SE, KJ9C, K9MI, AF9J) 102,398 TailTwister & Ham-M 42. NCCC Team 5 (NO6X, KA6NGR, AF6EV, K6DBG, K6RM) 94,771 Do you own one of these fine rotors? Bring 43. SMC #7 (WA1UJU, N9BOR, KM9M) 92,169 it into the 21st Century! Rotor-EZ adds a 44. Paducah Amateur Radio Association (N4QS, AB4IQ, ND4X, KO4XJ) 89,813 unique “Auto-Point” capability plus brake 45. Rockies Benchers (PT) (KØUK, WØRAA) 84,646 delay, end-point protection, optional 46. SMC #6 (K9CS, KK9V, AA9DY) 78,477 complete computer-control capability for 47. GRVARS Pounders (K9WA, N9BIL, K9AHH, NN9K) 74,925 logging and contesting programs, and more! 48. SCCC #2 (KI6VC, W6SJ, K6GEP) 71,939 See our web site for full details of 49. Arizona Outlaws 3 (N7IR, K7FA, N7MAL, W8AEF) 57,442 this “must have” enhancement. 50. SMC #8 (N9HZ) 29,256 51. CCO team 3 (VA3RJ, VA3RKM, VA3WR) 28,526 52. ACG Part Timers (K4AB) 27,972 53. ACG Part Timers (K4HAL) 21,056 54. NCCC Team 6 (KM6I, KA3DRR, K6CSL, N6WG, N6AJR) 20,913 55. MRRC Team 2 (N8XX, W8RU) 13,185 56. SCCC #3 (K6ZCL, W4EF) 3645

Yaesu DXA and SDX series rotors Add affordable plug-in computer-control capability for far less. See our web site for full details!

NCJ January/February 2010 45

CONTESTS.indd 45 12/08/2009 9:35:30 AM Single Operator Scores Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team *N2WN 71,712 432 166 TN TCG - Mocs N3ZL 69,595 449 155 SC SECC#3 N1LI (K1DG) 183,150 925 198 ME WF4W 68,242 458 149 GA SECC#2 WA1Z 172,928 896 193 NH N4IR 66,712 538 124 TN TCG - Tigers N4CW/1 119,616 712 168 ME K4EU 65,923 461 143 VA NZ1U 79,360 620 128 CT SUMMER YCCC 1 CW K4FJ 65,000 500 130 VA W1UE 75,456 524 144 MA SUMMER YCCC 2 CW K4ZGB 64,860 460 141 AL ACG All The Way K5ZD 75,200 470 160 MA SUMMER YCCC 1 CW K3CQ 62,510 470 133 TN TCG - Golden Eagles W1TO 52,338 366 143 MA SUMMER YCCC 2 CW N4NX 58,519 421 139 GA AE1T 49,818 437 114 NH SUMMER YCCC 2 CW N4ARO 51,408 378 136 TN TCG - Commodores *AA1CA 18,746 206 91 NH WF7T 50,927 401 127 TN TCG - Tigers N1IW 16,296 194 84 NH N4IG 50,908 356 143 FL W1END 12,348 147 84 NH W4CU 50,232 364 138 FL KB1NRB 11,438 133 86 CT *AA4XX 48,600 360 135 NC WO1N 11,403 181 63 MA K4DJ 48,300 350 138 NC *W1IG 10,902 138 79 CT *NA4BW 46,280 356 130 GA SECC#3 K1RO 10,721 151 71 NH *K3AN 44,088 334 132 SC AA9DY 8319 141WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO 59 MA SMC #6 N4AAI 42,920 370 116 TN K3IU 3500 70 50 RI K4EA 42,003 359 117 GA SECC#2 W1MJ 2280 57 40 MA W4BK 40,875 327 125 TN TCG - Commodores K1QW 1590 53 30 MA N4DW 36,784 304 121 TN TCG - Tigers W1RM 1155 55 21 CT N4QS 35,934 318 113 KY Paducah Amateur Radio N1NN 494 26 19 MA Association K4QO 35,793 291 123 SC Allegheny Valley Radio K2TJ 138,775 793 175 NY Association N2MM 131,412 699 188 NJ N4GI 34,489 379 91 FL N2CU 87,039 509 171 NY WO4O 33,152 296 112 TN TCG - Mocs K1TN 61,608 453 136 NJ AA4LR 33,063 309 107 GA SECC#4 W2LE 50,508 366 138 NJ NF4A 31,900 290 110 FL N2ZN 30,371 251 121 NY W4TVG 29,212 268 109 VA K2QMF 23,478 258 91 NY K4GMH 28,967 349 83 VA K2ZC 22,638 231 98 NJ K4AB 27,972 259 108 AL ACG Part Timers W2TB 19,701 199 99 NY W4VIC 23,246 197 118 VA N2CQ 17,064 216 79 NJ AB4IQ 22,736 232 98 KY Paducah Amateur Radio W2LHL 13,904 176 79 NJ Association KD2MX 10,414 127 82 NJ KG4CUY 22,638 231 98 AL AI2N 9792 136 72 NY N4PSE 22,506 242 93 FL AA2NA 9750 130 75 NY K4HAL 21,056 224 94 AL ACG Part Timers *N2JNZ 5355 105 51 NY *WB4MSG 20,972 196 107 NC K2DB WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO4080 102 40 NY NA4C 20,706 203 102 TN TCG - Tigers KR2D 2520 56 45 NJ K4ZW 20,559 231 89 VA *NQ2W 2040 60 34 NY ND4X 19,530 186 105 KY Paducah Amateur Radio WB2ART 63 9 7 NY Association KA2OUO 18,879 217 87 NC K3WW 229,278 1113 206 PA FRC#1 N4AO (WC4E) 18,392 209 88 FL AA3B 209,914 1019 206 PA FRC#1 K4TJD 17,802 207 86 GA N3DXX 159,856 824 194 DE Arizona Outlaws 1 N4LF 17,563 193 91 FL K3MD 136,080 756 180 PA FRC#1 AK4I 17,512 199 88 GA NO3M 103,360 608 170 PA K8NZ 16,008 174 92 FL W3KB 92,563 613 151 PA FRC#1 NB4M 15,792 188 84 TN TCG - Mocs NA3D 70,992 522 136 MD KE4OAR 14,418 162 89 TN TCG - Commodores (@N3HBX) W4SK 13,604 179 76 TN N3QE 55,836 423 132 MD W4BCG 13,321 173 77 TN TCG - Golden Eagles AA2AD 43,197 357 121 PA Allegheny Valley Radio KO4XJ 11,613 147 79 KY Paducah Amateur Radio Association Association WW3DE 39,376 368 107 DE K4WW 11,375 175 65 KY KB3LIX 33,082 278 119 PA W3WW 10,560 165 64 FL K3TN 26,214 257 102 MD *N4UC 10,360 140 74 AL WØBR 26,196 222 118 PA KI4CBN 10,125 135 75 NC W3RA (W3WC) 24,072 236 102 PA Allegheny Valley Radio KM4M (W3BP) 8424 156 54 VA Association KM4JA 6656 104 64 AL *K3WWP 22,372 238 94 PA K4KO 6496 116 56 TN WA3AAN 20,291 197 103 PA KD4ICT 5742 99 58 GA KB3P 17,800 178 100 PA NE8J 5664 96 59 FL ND3R 16,650 185 90 PA *KI4FW 5656 101 56 VA *NG3K 14,525 175 83 MD N4TB 5151 101 51 FL N3UM 14,140 202 70 MD N4DXI 4980 83 60 FL W3MF 10,320 129 80 PA AE4O 3034 82 37 GA N3SW 9176 124 74 PA *AA4SD 2109 57 37 SC K3RMB 4410 98 45 PA KQ4Y 2090 55 38 FL NA3F 2870 70 41 PA *K4OD 1696 53 32 GA N3NZ 2106 54 39 PA *KE4RQ 1505 43 35 GA SECC#3 N3JNX 1947 59 33 PA K2EKM 1333 43 31 VA K3SWZ 1421 49 29 PA N4XL 984 41 24 SC SECC#3 K3JHT 81 9 9 PA K4WI 588 28 21 AL N4XFF 567 27 21 KY N4AF 246,012 1079 228 NC SECC#1 N4FY 504 28 18 FL N4BP 211,562 1027 206 FL KC4FLT 399 21 19 AL N4GG 194,526 963 202 GA SECC#1 KN4Y/M (KN4Y) 0 0 0 FL K4RO 193,627 973 199 TN TCG - Volunteers N4ZZ 188,254 946 199 TN TCG - Volunteers K5CM (W5CW) 222,812 1051 212 OK W4OC 163,728 758 216 SC SECC#1 N3BB 179,292 892 201 TX CTDXCC - Jalapenos KØEJ 163,212 812 201 TN TCG - Volunteers W5KFT (K5PI) 158,453 821 193 TX CTDXCC - Jalapenos W4NZ 163,200 850 192 TN TCG - Volunteers N5AW 157,828 844 187 TX CTDXCC - Jalapenos W9WI 156,812 796 197 TN TCG - Golden Eagles K5WA 153,527 821 187 TX CTDXCC - Serranos NA4K 136,152 744 183 TN TCG - Golden Eagles W5WMU 147,525 843 175 LA LCC Team 1 AD4EB 121,014 747 162 TN TCG - Commodores K5NZ 146,688 764 192 TX CTDXCC - Serranos N6AR 119,228 727 164 FL KZ5D 138,130 727 190 LA CTDXCC - Jalapenos K4BAI 113,344 616 184 GA SECC#2 K5TR (K5OT) 136,112 752 181 TX CTDXCC - Jalapenos K4IQJ 110,772 612 181 AL ACG All The Way W K2SX 104,512 568 184 SC SECC#4 ØUO 124,356 723 172 TX Parker County Posse NJ4M 95,284 581 164 FL K5BG 118,059 667 177 TX Parker County Posse (WD4AHZ) K5MR 113,526 714 159 TX AF4OX 92,746 587 158 SC N5PO 100,426 674 149 TX Parker County Posse K1ZZI 91,355 605 151 GA SECC#1 WQ5L 95,360 640 149 MS K4LTA 89,509 673 133 TN TCG - Volunteers N5OE 91,014 591 154 TX Parker County Posse N4EEB 89,324 548 163 FL W8FN 87,400 575 152 TX Parker County Posse W4BQF 86,284 583 148 GA SECC#4 K7IA 86,450 650 133 NM Arizona Outlaws 2 WA1FCN 83,844 548 153 AL ACG All The Way W5ZL 76,806 502 153 TX CTDXCC - Serranos KU8E 82,834 499 166 GA SECC#1 W5UE 69,778 502 139 MS NM2L 74,665 545 137 GA SECC#2 N5ER 66,300 510 130 AR W4AU 74,620 574 130 VA SECC#2 WØVX 56,580 410 138 TX K1GU 73,112 481 152 TN TCG - Mocs K5SM 41,652 356 117 TX W4HOD 72,726 527 138 AL ACG All The Way N7IC 36,414 357 102 TX (K9MUG) K5UV 30,660 292 105 OK 46 January/February 2010 NCJ

CONTESTS.indd 46 12/08/2009 9:35:30 AM Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team N5DO 30,591 309 99 TX NQ7R 28,764 306 94 AZ Arizona Outlaws 2 W5TA 29,870 290 103 TX W7GVE 28,482 282 101 AZ K5JX 26,481 291 91 TX KE7DX 28,270 257 110 AZ Arizona Outlaws 2 WA5ZUP 24,024 264 91 NM W8NF 26,226 279 94 OR N5YT 20,124 234 86 MS *N7IR 24,346 259 94 AZ Arizona Outlaws 3 AE5PW 19,885 205 97 AR W7KF 21,238 259 82 MT N5YE 19,552 208 94 LA KN6VVH 20,400 204 100 NV NCCC Team 4 W5JAY 17,800 200 89 AR Thumb Area Contesters (W6NF) K5KA 14,940 166 90 OK WA7LNW 20,007 247 81 UT K5ER 11,325 151 75 LA LCC Team 1 N7ON 19,120 239 80 NV N5XE 6954 114 61 OK *W3CP 17,226 198 87 OR NG5NG 6090 105 58 TX K6UM 16,848 208 81 OR NCCC Team 4 AC5K 6039 99 61 TX K7FA 16,732 188 89 AZ Arizona Outlaws 3 KE5C 5400 108 50 TX N6KW 15,800 200 79 WA N5PU 2405 65 37 MS W7VXS 15,111 207 73 WA AE5MM 1595 55 29 OK N7ZN 12,450 166 75 ID WA5PFJ 1404 54WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO 26 TX W9PL 11,286 171 66 WA N5II 792 33 24 LA W7CF 9600 160 60 WA AD5VC 544 32 17 LA N7MAL 9570 165 58 AZ Arizona Outlaws 3 N5KEV 476 28 17 NM *W7YAQ 9180 135 68 OR W5WZ 315 21 15 LA LCC Team 1 WA1PMA 8909 151 59 WA KD5RSS 126 14 9 OK KE7YF 8646 131 66 AZ *WA5RML 28 7 4 TX KD7MSC 8178 141 58 OR WU9B 7830 145 54 AZ N6RO 198,341 949 209 CA NCCC Team 1 WA7YAZ 7632 144 53 UT WØYK 133,488 824 162 CA NCCC Team 1 N7VS 7018 121 58 OR K6RIM 117,588 717 164 CA NCCC Team 2 W8AEF 6794 158 43 AZ Arizona Outlaws 3 K6SRZ 107,727 723 149 CA NCCC Team 1 KB7N 5394 93 58 WA WC6H 105,264 688 153 CA NCCC Team 1 *KX7L 5136 107 48 WA KF6T 104,650 650 161 CA NCCC Team 2 AC7JW 2310 66 35 UT K6VVA 93,536 592 158 CA NCCC Team 3 WG7X 2220 60 37 WA W6TK 91,494 598 153 CA SCCC #1 WA7BME 1820 52 35 UT K9YC 90,432 576 157 CA NCCC Team 1 K7ARJ 1612 52 31 ID AC6T 85,556 586 146 CA SCCC #1 K7CU 1568 56 28 UT (@W6RFU) *N6HI 1404 52 27 AZ W6RGG 80,759 581 139 CA NCCC Team 2 K7RSM 1372 49 28 AZ Arizona Outlaws 2 N6NF 76,125 609 125 CA K7GZP 651 31 21 OR K6NR 72,846 513 142 CA SCCC #1 K7RR 560 35 16 WA K6MM 65,472WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO 496 132 CA NCCC Team 2 KE7GYQ 522 29 18 AZ K6LRN 65,130 501 130 CA NCCC Team 3 W4UAT 59,776 467 128 CA NCCC Team 2 K8MP 149,156 761 196 OH Delaware Amateur Radio W6CT (@K6TD) 59,605 455 131 CA NCCC Team 3 Association N6QQ 50,416 368 137 CA W1NN 137,740 710 194 OH MRRC Team 1 AA6YX 47,035 409 115 CA N8SS 127,627 713 179 MI MRRC Team 1 K6DGW 46,979 431 109 CA NCCC Team 3 K8DD 121,680 676 180 MI Thumb Area Contesters NO6X 40,097 397 101 CA NCCC Team 5 K8MM 119,112 709 168 MI Thumb Area Contesters KI6VC 38,586 354 109 CA SCCC #2 W8TM 91,520 572 160 OH K9JM 37,128 312 119 CA NCCC Team 4 N9AUG 90,319 499 181 OH Delaware Amateur Radio WT6K 34,845 345 101 CA NCCC Team 4 Association K6XX 27,249 293 93 CA NCCC Team 3 KV8Q 89,376 608 147 OH Delaware Amateur Radio K6UW 25,991 329 79 CA Association WA6L 25,010 205 122 CA WB8JUI 77,952 464 168 OH MRRC Team 1 KA6NGR 24,831 267 93 CA NCCC Team 5 N8LJ 72,981 477 153 MI Thumb Area Contesters W1RH 23,134 269 86 CA NCCC Team 4 WA8WV 72,816 492 148 WV W6SJ 22,841 251 91 CA SCCC #2 KØDXC 69,654 494 141 OH SMC #2 W6XK 18,816 196 96 CA WA1UJU 67,950 450 151 MI SMC #7 AF6EV 18,009 207 87 CA NCCC Team 5 W8PEN 57,368 404 142 OH K6LA 17,840 223 80 CA SCCC #1 N8BJQ 52,932 401 132 OH N6YEU 16,247 211 77 CA W9KB 36,800 320 115 MI N6VH 14,499 179 81 CA K8GT 34,568 298 116 MI MRRC Team 1 N6WM 12,474 162 77 CA N8OC 30,744 252 122 MI K6GEP 10,512 144 73 CA SCCC #2 K8JQ 24,768 288 86 WV KM6I 9768 148 66 CA NCCC Team 6 K9NW 16,716 199 84 OH MRRC Team 1 K6DBG 8710 134 65 CA NCCC Team 5 N8XX 11,025 147 75 MI MRRC Team 2 WB6JJJ 7442 122 61 CA NF8M 9825 131 75 MI *K6III 6160 112 55 CA WB8TSD 8040 120 67 OH KA3DRR 5640 120 47 CA NCCC Team 6 N8BHL 7488 117 64 OH Delaware Amateur Radio K6TA 5512 106 52 CA Association WW6D 4848 101 48 CA KB8TXZ 7440 124 60 MI Thumb Area Contesters K6CSL 4698 87 54 CA NCCC Team 6 KC8UR 3978 78 51 OH W6RKC 4692 102 46 CA WB2DFC 2255 55 41 OH N6HE 4510 110 41 CA W8RU 2160 54 40 MI MRRC Team 2 KE6QR 3400 85 40 CA K6RM 3124 71 44 CA NCCC Team 5 W9RE 237,474 1002 237 IN SMC #1 K6ZCL 3015 67 45 CA SCCC #3 N9CK 187,935 935 201 WI SMC #1 ND6S 2052 54 38 CA K9NR 149,286 834 179 IL SMC #1 KK6TV 1972 58 34 CA WT9U 122,496 696 176 IN SMC #4 K6WSC 820 41 20 CA K9MMS 121,422 686 177 IL SMC #1 AF6NI 814 37 22 CA NS9I 112,030 659 170 WI W4EF 630 35 18 CA SCCC #3 K9AY 110,894 623 178 WI SMC #2 WA6BOB 580 29 20 CA W9LO 99,060 635 156 WI SMC #3 *N6WG 429 39 11 CA NCCC Team 6 W9IU 97,308 636 153 IN SMC #1 N6AJR 378 21 18 CA NCCC Team 6 N9XX 91,482 579 158 WI SMC #2 *N6VCW 112 14 8 CA ND9E 90,240 640 141 IL SMC #4 K6ACJ 6 6 1 CA W9SE 80,500 500 161 IL SMC #5 WI9WI 75,047 497 151 WI SMC #4 K8IA 140,777 833 169 AZ Arizona Outlaws 1 N9FC 57,216 384 149 IN SMC #3 K7RL 128,185 827 155 WA K9CS 54,990 423 130 IL SMC #6 N7VM 108,138 807 134 UT W9LHG 54,663 411 133 WI MWA Team 1 N7CW 108,072 684 158 AZ Arizona Outlaws 1 WW9R 53,580 380 141 WI SMC #3 NN7ZZ (N5LZ) 99,681 669 149 UT K9QVB/9 47,415 435 109 WI W7ZRC 93,978 681 138 ID (K9QVB) KO7AA 79,920 592 135 AZ Arizona Outlaws 1 K9WA 42,441 329 129 IL GRVARS Pounders K7ZS 78,302 658 119 OR K9XE 38,646 339 114 IL SMC #3 K7HP 70,642 494 143 AZ Arizona Outlaws 1 K9OZ 36,079 331 109 IL AB7R 68,094 582 117 WA WQ9T 33,394 283 118 IL K7BG 55,245 435 127 MT K9DUR 30,420 260 117 IN SMC #2 KS5A 48,671 409 119 AZ Arizona Outlaws 4 N9HZ 29,256 276 106 IN SMC #8 W7GKF 41,496 399 104 WA K9UQN 27,348 258 106 IL W9CF 37,842 357 106 AZ Arizona Outlaws 4 WA9AQN 25,602 251 102 IL W6AEA 37,248 384 97 WA N9BIL 20,680 220 94 IL GRVARS Pounders W6RLL 30,821 259 119 AZ W9WLX 20,640 215 96 WI NI7R 30,652 316 97 AZ Arizona Outlaws 4 W9ILY 19,710 219 90 IL N7NT 29,896 296 101 AZ Arizona Outlaws 2 W9UX 19,671 237 83 WI

NCJ January/February 2010 47

CONTESTS.indd 47 12/08/2009 9:35:30 AM Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team Call Sign Score QSOs Mults QTH Team N9BOR 17,028 198 86 IL SMC #7 NØAT 162,583 817 199 MN MWA Team 2 K9SD 16,856 172 98 IL SMC #2 WØBH 129,804 746 174 KS WR9Y 15,323 199 77 WI KØRC 123,046 658 187 MN MWA Team 2 KJ9C 15,252 186 82 IN SMC #5 NØAV 116,116 638 182 IA SMC #3 KK9V 15,168 192 79 IN SMC #6 KØHB 96,084 628 153 MN MWA Team 3 *KA6SGT 15,088 184 82 IN SMC #4 KØPK 83,916 518 162 MN MWA Team 1 K9BGL 14,678 179 82 IL KTØK 80,785 535 151 NE W3AG 12,936 168 77 IN WØETT 80,496 516 156 CO Rockies Starters (FT) K9LA 10,132 149 68 IN SMC #4 NØSXX 74,168 508 146 SD Rockies Starters (FT) KM9M 7191 153 47 IL SMC #7 ACØDS 72,498 562 129 CO Rockies Starters (FT) K9AHH 6350 127 50 IL GRVARS Pounders KØJPL 72,384 464 156 MO N9BT 6336 99 64 IL KØUK 70,216 536 131 CO Rockies Benchers (PT) K9MI 5830 106 55 IN SMC #5 NØBUI 67,230 498 135 MN MWA Team 1 NN9K 5454 101 54 IL GRVARS Pounders K4IU 65,790 430 153 MN WB9CHY 4582 79 58 IL KØAD 59,805 443 135 MN MWA Team 3 WA9ZES 2204 58 38 IN KØWA 56,394 482 117 KS *NV9X 2072 56WWW.RADiOSCAMATORUL.Hi2.RO 37 IL KØIR 53,466 402 133 MN W9IL 1682 58 29 IL AD1C 52,323 489 107 CO Rockies Starters (FT) K9AIH 1518 46 33 WI MWA Team 3 WGØM 46,990 370 127 MN MWA Team 1 WB9LPW 1247 43 29 IL NØXR (@NØNI) 38,064 366 104 IA *AF9J 816 34 24 WI SMC #5 *NØLY 36,312 356 102 MO *W9ILF 588 28 21 IN KØTI 35,520 296 120 MN MWA Team 2 KB9MIC 304 19 16 IN WBØN 29,355 285 103 MN MWA Team 2 N9QID 121 11 11 IN KEØL 23,532 222 106 MN MWA Team 3 KMØO 21,420 255 84 MN MWA Team 1 W9TTT 19,832 296 67 IA WØRAA 14,430 195 74 CO Rockies Benchers (PT) KØKX 12,231 151 81 MN MWA Team 3 *WØPQ 11,375 175 65 NE KØXU 8442 126 67 NE KØCF 8060 130 62 IA KØACP 7102 106 67 IA W7KU 4611 87 53 MO WØHBH 4500 90 50 MO KØWHV 4424 79 56 IA W4RK 4183 89 47 MO *W6GMT 2898 69 42 MN N9HDE 2080 65 32 IA WWW.GiURUMELE.Hi2.RO*KDØS 1836 51 36 SD NØBK 880 40 22 MN KEØZ 390 26 15 SD KØLDS 375 25 15 CO NRØL 91 13 7 MN

VE3EJ 195,865 911 215 ON CCO Team 1 VE3DZ 191,360 920 208 ON CCO Team 1 VE3JM 174,048 888 196 ON CCO Team 1 VE1OP 163,154 841 194 NS Maritime Contest Club VE3XB 144,673 727 199 ON CCO Team 1 VE3NE 119,133 651 183 ON CCO Team 1 VE3OI 108,970 641 170 ON CCO Team 2 Unified VE9DX 103,008 592 174 NB CTDXCC - Serranos VE2XAA 89,604 524 171 PQ Microsystems VY2SS 82,082 574 143 PEI Maritime Contest Club UM VA7ST 70,016 547 128 BC *VA3DF 65,411 439 149 ON CCO Team 2 (@VE3CR) VE1RGB 64,815 435 149 NS Maritime Contest Club VE3TA 61,388 412 149 ON VE3XD 61,204 428 143 ON CCO Team 2 VE3RCN 35,880 276 130 ON CCO Team 2 VA3ATT 34,632 296 117 ON VE1DT 32,248 278 116 NS Maritime Contest Club VA7RN 26,496 288 92 BC VE3HG 26,040 248 105 ON CCO Team 2 VE3FJ 22,599 243 93 ON VE3OBU 14,775 197 75 ON VA3EC 14,268 164 87 ON VA3RJ 14,220 180 79 ON CCO team 3 VE4EAR 8732 118 74 MB *VA3RKM 8418 122 69 ON CCO team 3 VA2WDQ 7104 111 64 PQ New! USB Interfaces *VA3WR 5888 92 64 ON CCO team 3 Free your PC serial ports. USB to CW/PTT & USB VA1TT 5684 98 58 NS to VK-64 versions. VE7BGP 3690 82 45 BC VA7CPC 2108 62 34 BC VK-64 Combo Voice/CW Keyer *VE3HLS 1870 55 34 ON Voice keyer and full feature CW memory keyer in a *VE9HF 1150 46 25 NB single package. Front panel operation or control VE3JI 910 35 26 ON through your laptop or PC. VA3HUN 84 12 7 ON VA2SG/M 80 10 8 PQ BCD-10 Band Decoder VE3HNE 56 8 7 ON Use band port signals from selected Yaesu® rigs *VE2EZD 28 7 4 PQ or PC printer port for automatic antenna switching as you change bands. XE2MX 74,448 528 141 XE SCCC #1 XT-4 CW Memory Keyer OK2CQR 1653 57 29 DX Battery powered and small size for VHF rover, FD, JA2XYO 322 23 14 DX DXpeditions and vacations. 4 memories. RK9CWW (UA9CIR) 187 17 11 DX XT-4BEACON - CW Beacon IDer *LU4MHQ 140 14 10 DX Easy to program IDer for VHF beacons. Low power. *QRP Selectable speeds 5-25 WPM. Visit our web site for new products.

Unified Microsystems PO Box 133 Slinger, WI 53086 262-644-9036 www.unifiedmicro.com

48 January/February 2010 NCJ

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