“Storm Watch”
Newsletter of NZ1U – The
Barnstormers Contest Group
“The
Barnstormers News”
Volume 6
No.4, April 2 2001
Contest Season
2000 – 2001 Completed….
Well, the 2000-2001 season finished
with our effort in ARRL SSB. As I look back on the four major contests, I would
say we had a fairly successful year. I believe our scores increased in all the
contests and not all the increase can be said due to better conditions. As I
suspected, our score will increase now by better operating practices and
experience. The rate of increase won’t be as great as when we were adding
aluminum in the air but a continuing upward trend is our goal.
Our Multi/Multi entries in CQWW
always look pale against the likes of KC1XX, W3LPL, and others. I still
consider these two contests training for the ARRL contests where we are
competitive in the Multi/2 category. In the ARRL contests we did fairly well. I
think we proved to ourselves that running is the way we can improve the most.
We had some really fantastic multipliers call in while we were running and soon
I hope to look at the logs to put a number on this point.
I thank everyone for their efforts
this past year and it’s always great to see KB1H or NZ1U high in the results.
We couldn’t achieve this without a team effort.
The Next Few Months….
We
didn’t actually finish the year in too good shape equipment-wise and
antenna-wise. I have a pile of three busted linears that need to be fixed. We
do not have a rotating antenna that does not have a rotor problem!! Yes, all
four rotors (not including the prop pitch) are busted. Some might only need to
be swapped out others need major re-installation.
I
don’t really want to wait until September to start all the work. My plan is now
to get one rotor rebuilt and then work our way through the towers. I will be
sending the first rotor out this week for overhauling. When it returns we need
to get the 15 meter rotor replaced. Then send the removed rotor out, receive it
back, swap another, and so on.
Here is a major problem for me. I have some home projects that have been
lying idle for three years (Mary would probably say more). Rather than list all
those I would rather list the station projects that need to get done. Every
time some work has to get done on the station, I usually get involved. I can
not do that this year. I realize we all have quite a busy schedule so time
is precious. If you can only come one weekend I understand but also understand
if someone comes every weekend or every other weekend, I am here for all. I can
not do that this year. I will help organize the necessary parts and help
but I might not be able to spend the whole day. You all also know that Kim’s
time around here has been less. Believe me, he did a major part of preparation
for most projects. If not on the station then on the house jobs I have to do.
Now I will have to whip JP and Alain to help and I thought you guys were tough!
Other
than Field Day, I do not plan any major operating until most of the repairs are
done. We can not expect to improve in October if we still have bad rotors, poor
listening antennas, blown amps.
Now
to the dreaded list:
Rotors:
10 Meter rotor has a shaky indicating potentiometer.
This has been a longstanding problem.
15 Meter top rotor has stopped turning.
20 Meter rotor needs the thrust bearing and rotor
plate re-aligned. The rotor maybe OK once the realignment is done.
40 Meter Prop Pitch. There is $800 worth of
investment that is sitting on the bench. We need to install the new unit. This
is not a small job as we plan to put the new prop pitch at ground level.
15 Meter Sidearm. A new Yaesu rotor needs to be
installed. This means dropping the sidearm and drilling new mounting holes.
Also the rotor and Stackbox needs to be re-wired.
Antennas:
I hope to finally build the “Dallas” antenna this
year. Until then we have to repair the
KLM 40 which is now 2 ½ elements.
We are planning a
temporary Field Day tower. 30-40 feet of Rohn 25.
Yes Frank, I would like to get the tri-bander back
on the roof. Plans are to use the Ham IV from the sidearm for this antenna.
Beverages. We have the K1FZ devices for termination
and impedance matching. We need to run the two-wire beverages and get these
boxes
installed.
Interior Station Work:
I have purchased two RF Analyst SWR detectors. I hope this will help us protect the amps. The last two failures have been due to problems with the antenna switching, both equipment and man-made error. Hopefully these devices will protect us from our mistakes. These units need to be installed.
I ordered 500 feet of coax. My plan is to tear down
Stations 1 & 2 and re-wire both desks. The “rat’s nest” that exist now only
leads to mistakes and probably additional RFI problems. This includes 12 VDC
circuits as well as computer lines.
We need to install the computer network.
Station #5 (the QSLing position next to the TV)
needs to be re-wired. The 220V and 110V circuits need to be move from under the
large windows to Station #5. A good grounding system needs to be installed.
Kim and I have started re-routing coaxes and
installing feed pipes for each position. This will enable us to seal the holes
better above the stations. We have begun our war against the red squirrels.
Repair the ceiling that is falling down.
You
can see the list is long. We also have talked some of these projects to death.
Let’s get started right away. Look at the list. What can you do? Maybe work as
groups of 2-3 and get something done. I know the tower work is tough to
schedule but we will have to get it done.
I suspect most of the time I can help will have to be on the tower work.
I know Paul and Dave will also help on the towers.
If
we don’t get this work done how can we get excited about the 2001-2002 season?
I hate nothing worse than to start a contest with a disadvantage. So, please
help me out this year. I’ll get my “honeydew” list done and have a much cleaner
plate to start when CQWW SSB comes around.