“Storm Watch”
Newsletter of
NZ1U – The Barnstormers Contest Group
“The
BarnStormers News”
Volume 10 No.5, December 2 ,2005
First Two of the Big Four
behind us already!
Well we have operated through the two big CQWW contests
and I believe we accomplished one thing for sure, we had fun!
CQWW SSB
Not the favorite mode of most of us but we gave it a
good effort and the guys that like SSB did their best. At the last moment I
decided to go M/M as the list of operators grew large enough to easily operate
three stations. Unfortunately Mr. Murphy made an early visit and we ended up
running Station 3 basically barefoot. This added only about 450 QSOs to our
final score and during the day the big power was sorely missed trying to work
stations on 10 meters. It was quite a
show with three amplifiers sitting in the middle of the floor in various states
of disassembly. In the end the TL-922, Mark’s LK500ZC and Frank’s LK550ZA were
all lying in a heap!
We did the best we could and ended up with 2929 QSOs
for 5,349,473 points.
So we had four weeks to get ready for CW and get
something running….
CQWW CW
The TL-922 went to Beltronics. Kim with the ampulance
took Mark’s amp to K1JCL. Al made the repairs to the vacuum relay T/R and we
now had three amps. The TL-922 was not going to make it back in time for CW
weekend. Al agreed to let us use the Alpha one more time. OK! We are amplified
and ready!
Meanwhile Jay, N1GKI found a fourth PIII for us for
Station 4. All stations now had PIIIs and flat screens. Jay also connected with
WA7BMN and our score was uploaded to his website every 5 minutes and also as
usual to our website. K1TTT was on that site as well so we had a good look at
how we were doing compared to a real M/M with 6 stations. Again we were running
M/M 4 stations.
I also used a spreadsheet program provided by K1TTT to
schedule operators. A neat program and something I played with for many hours
before the contest. I think it worked out well for us.
The usual CW crew operated and we got off to a slow
start with help from some poor conditions on 40 meters as the MUF dropped below
7 Mhz. By morning we were about 150-250 QSOs behind K1TTT.
We did some running (not enough) and some S&Ping.
Both days 15 meters did not stay open long enough for us to make huge per hour
rates. Too bad as usually we kick butt on this band. The operators who stuck it
out on 20 meters need to be commended for getting that band QSO number up
though terrific QRM. With 10 meters not opening and 15 meters not that good
everyone lands on 20 meters. In the end we had 3604 QSOs for 7,264,287 points.
About 2.1M behind K1TTT and about 650 QSOs less. A little less than 2M behind
K1RX who gave K1TTT quite a run for his money.
To be honest, K1TTT has an impressive amount of
antennas in the air and much higher than ours. More options for the band
conditions that exist. He also has finally gathered a more steady crew and they
have grown in operating as well. It will be tough to stay with this group but
it gives us a goal which I think is good. Due to decreasing band conditions I
can’t say that beating our last year’s score is our goal as the scores are
going down due to the lost of 10 meters and good runs on 15 meters.
I was very pleased again with the software and network
operation even though we had to fight the N1MM CW stuttering problem. This
needs to be solved by ARRL CW in February. Good job Jay.
I think we found our 160 meter star. Paul, K1GX,
operated Saturday night and really racked up the QSOs and multipliers. I
operated Friday night and then Saturday after Paul left and believe me I do not
know how he found the stations he did. His comment was that it is like
microwave operating where the signals are really in the mud. Paul, you can
expect your hours scheduled to be at night in February!
It was also nice to see a new face show up and that
was Joe Green, K2VUI. Thanks Vic, N4XR, for recruiting Joe. Though Joe had a
slow start on his stint in the chair as he became more familiar with the radio
and station his rate went up. Joe said he will return and I am sure his
contribution will be bigger next time. Welcome Joe.
Saturday Kim brazed the 40 meter pipes that go up the
tower to the antennas from the prop pitch and we have pictures that will be on
the website proving Kim climbed to about 65 feet! If he learned CW we wouldn’t work him on a
contest weekend! From what I have seen so far, the work he did stopped the
swaying of the 40 meter beam a whole bunch.
If I need to comment on our performance all I can say
is generally it was good but we still need to learn to run! Too much DXing. We
need to try and run a minimum of 45 minutes an hour and if the rate is slow,
S&P for 15 minutes. Also we can not stay on a pileup for 20-30 minutes. Let
it go and come back later. More than likely if we run we will work that
multiplier anyway. We have proven this in the past. Dave also commented that
this was another usual contest (unusual in the past) where he and I spent more
time operating than repairing broken equipment.
Finally, as usual we look at what food is left and
some goes home with the guys and others stay here for my family to finish up.
Well this year there was a strange bag left behind. It contained a package of
bread stuffing and a jar of hot fudge sundae chocolate! I want to know who
planned on having stuffing sundaes during the weekend.
What do we do to
prepare for the next “Big Two”?
There are a few things we can work on.
First the N1MM stuttering problem might need to be
solved by an external device called WinKey. This is a small circuit board
external to the computer and will handle the keying of the rig. The cost can be
as little as $20 and as much as $50 per station depending upon how much you
want to buy from the unit supplier. A box? The components? Just the printed
circuit board? We will decide this in the next few weeks and this might be a
group project we need to do.
I think a big help would be to operate some of the
many smaller contests coming up before February. This way we know the present
condition of the antennas, rotors, auxiliary equipment. If anyone wants to use
the station for any of these contests please do. I plan on the ARRL 160 Contest
this weekend at least part time.
The TL-922 should be back so we will have four amps.
We need a few more operators. Try to recruit some
help.
I have been strict in the past on the need for
operators in CQWW and ARRL DX contests to be YCCC members. Though I have
relaxed on this due to the need for operators I would appreciate it if you are
not a YCCC member think about joining. All you need to do is attend a regional
or main meeting and get voted in. After that no meeting requirements just pay
your annual dues. If you are not a member than your share of the score here
gets deducted from the club score. I am an Area manager so I can hold a
meeting. I am considering this and may have one soon if not before the ARRL CW
contest.
ARRL January VHF
Sweepstakes January 21-23, 2006
Kim has made some big changes in equipment and we are
planning a minimum 4 band Multi/Limited operation for this contest. 6M, 2M,
220, and 432. Last year we had a commitment from K1ZE to come and supply
additional higher bands and we had planned a M/M effort. Then came a blizzard!
No one came after Saturday and we were a weak M/L entry.
We have not talked to K1ZE yet but we will at least be
a M/L entry and we need help with operators. Saturday 4 PM local time until
Sunday 11 PM local time. Please let us know if you want to help. This is
usually a heavy beer drinking contest due to the QSO rates.
So you can plan early….
The 10th Annual Barnstormers
Christmas Party
Yes, the tenth year for this event. It
looks like the best time for the party this year will be January 8th,
That’s a usual Saturday night but this year there is no contest to interfere
with our reveling! Also the date is
closer to the Christmas and New Year Holidays than Valentine’s Day!
ARE THERE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS DATE?
Please let me know ASAP.
Paul. KE1LI, promises some of his homebrewed beer. I
am sure Kim will cook another mystery dish and of course bring your own
favorite dish to share. Also bring your drink of preference as usually Paul’s
beer is only for those with strong beer taste. You are more than welcomed to
help us empty his keg!
Please plan on sleeping over if you are going to party
hearty. We will try to keep the rum and firewater away from the Indians. Though
this is usually a closed party I say this year bring a friend especially if he
can operate and climb towers!
73 for now,
Dick – KB1H