“Storm Watch”
Newsletter of
NZ1U – The Barnstormers Contest Group
“The
Barnstormer’s News” Volume 12 No.1, January 5, 2007
11th Annual
Barnstormer’s Christmas Party
Well, 2006
zoomed by and we start 2007 with our annual Christmas Party. As earlier
messages have stated, January 13th is
the date. As usual bring a dish and your drink. KE1LI is bringing a homebrew
beer. Most times it is pretty good! Starting time is when you want to get here
and plan on sleeping over if you want to drink and not drive. Best choice for
you due to the police activity around town. After all, it was only 6 miles away
someone got shot for their PS3 money!
I have to
think about the K1GX award again. Who deserves this now coveted award? I hope I
see all of you here.
What’s been going on?
Yes,
things have been pretty quiet around here. Though we finished the new beverage
it didn’t work I hope I can get that fixed before ARRL DX CW. The new computers
are working well. Jay is always tinkering with the software and usually it means an improvement.
The hole
was dug for the 150’ new tower and Kim delivered the form for the base.
We have
decided the NZ1U web site needs an update. Maybe we can discuss this during the
Christmas Party next weekend.
Regarding
operating Yuri has been the only one around. His last effort was in the ARRL 10
Meter contest. I think he did fairly well but placed lower that he had hoped.
The
QSLs, QSLs, QSLs…….
Well I
finished typing in the NZ1U QSLs. All 950+ of those!!! I need to print the
labels and then we need to stick'em. Vic usually does this job and even
provides the total per country! I am sure he will do this again.
I have not
delivered the first batch of KB1H cards to the ARRL yet. That is a box full and
about 1500 cards. I am trying to wait until I make contact with someone there
otherwise it will cost almost $50 to send that many!
I have now
another 1000+ KB1H cards to enter. It never ends!!!
LOTW
Sometime
back Chris, N1XS, did a quick check on the logs he had. He warned me that there
were over 100,000 QSOs and close to 300 countries. Well, Tom, W1TJL, recently
did the exercise again and has prepared the logs for uploading. I am waiting
for my renewal card from the ARRL.
Here's where we stand according to an e-mail I got
from Tom:
KB1H logs that I have received all have been imported. The totals are:
139,034 QSOs total
292 Countries worked (Phone and CW)
273 Countries worked (Phone)
271 Countries worked (CW)
I think I have a few more logs around that I have to send him. This of course does not include any non-contest activity.
Speaking of Operating…..
If you did
not see nor hear, Yuri placed #1
ARRL January VHF
Sweepstakes
In an
earlier e-mail I mentioned that the crew at KW1AM have challenged us to
competition in this contest. Seeing as we only operate 50-432 Mhz. it is these
four bands where we will compete. I guess total QSOs and total grids will be
the yard stick. The prize is a bottle of Crown Royal. Luckily I did not agree
to the “BIG” one. We need operators. We will be CQing on 6M and 2M. We borrowed
a 2M amp from K1GX so we can run both bands with power plus 220 and 432. We
have preamps but have not got them on the tower yet. I should say Kim has been
doing all this work and purchasing. KW1AM will have a full crew including
Sheky, K1ZE, Paul, KE1LI, Larry, N1ROZ, and others. I know Kim and I would like
to give them a run for their “bottle”. Can you help out? CW is allowed! The
contest runs from 1400 local time Jan. 20 through 2300 local time Jan. 21. This
should be fun so come help. Any amount of time would be appreciated.
See
you all on the 13th!!!!
73
– Dick