“Storm Watch”
Newsletter of
NZ1U – The Barnstormers Contest Group
“The
Barnstormers News”
Volume 10 No.2, April 11,2005
Barnstormers
Win YCCC Raffle Prizes
The recent YCCC Raffle was good to two members of our
group. Vic, N4XR, won an Array Solutions “Six-Pak”. This is a nice device for
switching antennas in a SO2R station set-up. Valued at about $400.00. Mark,
NB1U, won a $200.00 gift certificate from HRO. Not too bad considering we had
two winners in our small group. See, it pays to be on a good team!
Congratulations to both of them.
Flea Market Proceeds
Thanks to all your donations (equipment and cash) we raised $430.00 for the station. Our first plan is to buy at least two flat panel monitors for Station 2 & 3. Also Kim went to the VHF conference and made an additional $40.00 so we now have $470.00 for the fund. Again thanks to all for the donations. We are shopping for 15” flat panels and expect to pay around $150.00 per unit.
Recent Work Accomplished
Paul, KE1LI, and I repaired the 40M south antenna
again. We used locktite and added a rope truss to the boom. Hopefully this will
hold better.
Jay, N1GKI, is busy trying to put together some new
computers. We have quite a bone yard and we will probably end up with at least
two PIIIs that will start us on the computer upgrade we want to do. Our goal is
for all PIIIs, full file transfers machine to machine, and switching to N1MM
logging software. We may also set up the network with a server.
Tom. W1TJL, has given us a new wood stove. This one is
much better and will last longer on a stoking. Also it will take a larger piece
of wood. We will be making that switch in the next few weeks.
I am still typing in QSLs. I am up to 1700 with about
600 more to type in. It never ends! Again, an appeal for labels if you have any
partial boxes around or know of a cheap source. The labels, like ribbons, are
becoming fairly expensive and rare.
Chris, WB2VVV, came over with an oscilloscope and we
checked Station 1 MP for keyclicks. Though the rig had been modified we had a
report of clicks. We found everything to be OK. Rise time of the CW waveform
was about 6ms and the fall time was about 5ms. Nice looking waveform.
Dreaded Work to be Done
The list is fairly small. Yes, believe it or not.
The highest priority is the 40M prop pitch system.
There is way too much play in the system and we need to re-pin the pipes with
Grade 8 bolts. We may also have to re-weld the collars as some of them are no
longer welded.
The switching of the two wire beverage is not working
right. It has been bad for some time but the European direction has been OK so
the priority low up to now.
A second short East-West beverage needs to be put up.
Do we want to investigate installing Frank’s listening
loops?
K9AY
I have seen some good reports on the K9AY Listening
Antenna. Basically a four direction listening antenna for 160/80 with the
direction selectable. You only need a 30 foot diameter area and a
non-conducting pole in the center. Check out the thing at http://hometown.aol.com/MarkWA1ION/k9ay_ant.htm
I think this might be a nice addition to the station before October. What are your opinions?
Results from the 2004 NEQP were posted and we got a
nice certificate for coming in Second in the M/S class. We did not miss first
by very much and I think last year it was only Chris, N1XS, and I. We made only
about 60 QSOs less than K1TTT who also had quite a few more multipliers. I say
let’s try to win the M/S this year and get the trophy that K1TTT has won the
last two years. I would like a serious effort. I will organize an operating
schedule. Who wants in?
YCCC Regional Meetings
As most of you know, I was appointed the YCCC
Radio Repaired
Chris’ FT-1000MP has been repaired. No word yet as to
the problem but at least it was done as a warranty repair.
Webcam Project
I want to thank everyone on the webcam project. Jay did yeoman’s work on this and he got allot of help from Tom, Mark, Dave, and Chris. All had good input and I think we had the best webcam as we had up to the minute score update right off the CT window. Also, by no means is the webcam inactive between contests. There has been plenty of sightings of people walking around with cups in hand plus we are trying to change the screen often with pictures of recent awards and scores. Oh yea, there is also an occasional band practice.
CQWW WPX CW – 28-29 May
After going to
Poor Man’s Dayton
Again the CTRI Contest group is holding a picnic
during the
Finally….
It was with great pleasure I heard that Mark, K1RX,
had been elected to the YCCC President position. Not all of you know but I have
had a hard time getting any response from the YCCC President this past year. I
volunteered to be