I’m half way through the CQWW 160 Meter CW Contest and if you have not been on, conditions have been VERY good.  I put in a couple of hours at the beginning nof the contest starting at 5 PM Friday using my kluge 160 meter vertical…that is…what’s left of it from Hurricane Sandy…plus some added ground level linear loading + coil + tuner in the shack to make it work.  Operated the first couple of hours with only typical results…USA/VE no problem east of the Mississippi…and heard some of the loud EU’s of which only a few could hear me.  So I hit the hay to get back on fresh at 11 PM so as to work EU during their peak time of 11 PM – 3 AM our local  time,.  Fantastic!  EU signals as loud as stateside.  ….answering my CQs.  Stayed up the rest of the night til SR.  Loooked for VK/ZL…no luck, but did get KH6 and CE1.  So if you’re into Top Band…listen tonight especially around midnight.  Worked W1AN, W1CTN, and I don’t think any other CTRI’ers.  Score so far:  Qs = 477; Dom Mults = 51; DX mults = 33; points = 143K;  time on = approx. 9 hours.  Adios! 

— John, W1XX

Norman, 5B4AIF, is on a one-man DX-pedition to So. Cook Is. with his family signing E51E.  He is on ClubLog and also has a FB website with details.  His mode of choice is RTTY… actually various digital modes.  He apparently has limited CW skills so has not done much if any CW as yet…but has been on SSB a fair amount.  I have been fortunate to have worked him so far on 4 bands SSB.  This morning at SR he came down to his announced SSB frequency (3793) on 80 meter SSB at about 7:30 AM local time and I think I was the first one to get through.  Anyway he was anxious to switch  to RTTY and was posted there after about 9:30 much to late for the East Coast on 3585. 

He indicated he would be back tomorrow morning on 80 meters so I am sure he will be looking for RTTY contacts near our SR…our SR is now about 7:05 AM.  Best to look at least a 1/2 hour earlier.  So you RTTY folks may want to look for him. He may come up on sideband on 3793 first.

If you check the spots during the day on ClubLog he will probably be much easier to work on RTTY on the higher bands as well.

GL & 73!!

— John, W1XX

 

This morning I helped out Jim, N1WWE, check out his Cushcraft R7000 vertical prior to final installation.  This is a 40 -10 antenna that mounts on a mast.  The directions (TNX de K1DM) says if not mounted on a tower or structure, a 10 foot mast on the ground will do.  Well, prior to permanent installation on a mast in his back yard, I checked all the dimensions and propped it up against his deck to check the SWR on each band with my MFJ analyzer. Some of the dimensions were “off” from those given in the instrctions by about an inch…but the top section was over a foot longer than indicated in the instructions.  After making the lengths correct, what were the results? 

Horrible!  It was pretty flat at about 2:1 across 10 meters…just as the directions say.  12 meters the best point was about 2.6:1.  But there was no resonant point anywhere near 17 meters….15 and 20 meters were not much better…and 40 meters was resonant (that is around 2: 1 at best) below the band. I didn’t even attempt to tweak the antenna adjustments since there was really no place to even start on 17, 15, and 20 meters.  

This seemed to coincide with the reviews on eHam that for the most part concluded that this antenna is CRAP!!.  Some indicated that when you tweak it on one band, it then srews up the other bands.  Based on the comments, s-canning this antenna seemed to be the preferred route. Could this antenna be really that bad?  Or could it really make that much of a difference by getting it up in the air and off the ground?

Jim seemed to  remember that when originally set up some time ago at a previous location, that Cushcratf had sent him some addendum of instructions as there was a change made in its configuration….maybe the directions I have are for a different earlier (or later) version? 

Jim’s previous antenna at this location (before Sandy) was a coax fed 135 foot dipole that with a tuner he used successfully on all bands.  It goes from the peak of the house (about 40 feet) to a flagpole.  It seems that we will re-do this antenna with new wire and coax …and leave the R7000 on the garage floor.

Anyone have any thoughts or experience with the R7000 that would explain the results we got? 

— John, W1XX

 

 

     

I recently met Jim, N1WWE, an 88 year young ham in Wakefield recently who I am trying to help with his antenna.  His wrie antenna came down in the storm.  But he has a Cushcraft R7000 vertical that may be a better bet.  Reviews are not very good…but we contemplate ground mounting it to a 10 to 12 ft HD mast section…like maybe 2 in diameter steel.  He could order it…but that’s too big for UPS-shippable.  Anyone got one lying around doing nothing that could be used….sell or donate…or whatever?  Also, he doesn’t have the manual for the R7000..so tuning it could be a problem.  Anyone happen to have the manual for  a R7000?  I know it can be ordered on line…so he may be doing that. He’s in a covenant restricted area…but his house seems to have enough tree/bush cover so that maybe no one will notice enough to complain. Please reply here with comments or e-mail me at w1xx [at]cox [dot] net.  TNX & 73!!

— John, W1XX  401-783-1588

 

As mentioned at a recent meeting by our Contest Manager, W1WBB, there has been a change in the Italian DX Contest (ARI) that runs concurrently with the NEQP. The TIME of ARI now runs through the entire time period of the NEQP.  This is significant. ARI is the source of DX multipliers, especially European.  This could mean more DX multipliers for us in the NEQP. 

ARI requires a serial number.  I find the easiest way to comply is to have a side pre-numbered sheet which I simply cross off as I work stations in the ARI contest.  Remember you still need to send them your COUNTY and STATE for the NEQP. 

In the past I have even called “CQ ARI” with some success in order to build up the multiplier.

So don’t pass up this opportunity to increase your score.

Good luck!

— John, W1M

The preliminary 2011 Phone Sweepstakes Results are now posted on the ARRL website.  Kudos to Bill, W1WBB, who is the New England Division winner for Single Op Unlimited Low Power!!  Nice going!  Rhode Island shows up as one the rarest ARRL sections to work.  73!

— John, W1XX

The ARRL website has the preliminary results for the 2011 November CW Sweepstakes contest.  Check it out.  CU all in the 160 contest this weekend. TNX Bill for the heads up info on stations to be active.   73!

— John, W1XX

At the half-way point in the ARRL 160 Mtere Contest, things are not going well.  Condx are not very good.  Skip is very short.  Making contacts past 9-land and the Mississippi River has been a struggle.  So far I’ve only worked one station in California.  Did manage one WWA, a BC, and did work KH6LC, who was weak.  So far only 53 sections.  Went to bed at two different times last night in the hope it would be better later.  It wasn’t.  Did work a few Europeans early, but they were not on for their sunrise around midnight.  So far only 10 DXCC countires.  I’m way behind last year’s score.  Worked several CTRIers including K3IU who said he was running 10 watts!  Anyone having better luck?  Hope for better condx to the West Coast and EU afater 4 PM today.  Out!

Call:  W1XX

Operator:  W1XX

Station: W1XX

Class:  Single Op HP

QTH:  RI

Operating Time (hrs):  11.5

Summary:

   80:  115

   40:  509

   20:  140

   15:   50

   10:  282

————————————————–

Total:  1096 Sections = 80 Total Score = 175,040

Club:  CTRI Contest Group

Comments:  Operating less than full bore time-wsie was kinda neat as the runs almost never stopped.  After opening up with 5 solid hours, went to sleep as per normal and operated in short burts thereafter.  RI was apparently a tough one this time as the pileups kept the rate-meter burning.  10 meters was a difference maker as I’m sure I worked a lot more west coast LP stations who probably can’t make it as well on 20 or 40.  40 started out slow but came through with the most Qs in the long run as per usual.  Found VY1EI on 10 a half hour before the contest…so set one vfo on him while running elsewhere and called in about an hour into the contest when his pileup had subsided somewhat. Think I only worked one PR…SK was last to fall but got another one later….KL7s were plentiful….KH6 no problem….I think only one VI.  Unlike on CW, plenty of NEs.  Only heard W1WBB and W1CTN from CTRI.  Worked the last hour of the contest on 40 and it was wall-to-wall callers looking for RI right up the end.  I’m usually done by this time…so maybe I’ve been missing a very productive hour.  SS is always fun!!  73!  –John, W1XX    

Low Bands Are Alive and Well

 

With the upswing in 10 meter propagation conditions, I feared that this might not be good for low band DXing.  Fortunately I was wrong. On Top Band for example, it is beginning to look pretty good.  I worked my first JA this season this morning (JA7NI) on 1813 – his favorite frequency – at 6:15 AM local.  His signal came up to 579 by 6:25 and faded out around 6:35.  I also heard Will, K6ND, get him. The 4s have been working JAs for the last couple of weeks.

 

JA signals last about a half hour longer to somewhat after 7:00 AM on 80 meters with Takar, JA7BXS, the easiest to work.  K6ND really gets around, as I heard Will work JA7BXS this morning.   If you are up a bit earlier around 5:55 AM, listen for the outstanding signal of XU7ACY who is workable on 3513 KHz.

 

Just hearing JAs on 80 or 160 can be rather exciting, so get up early and turn on your radios.  GL!

 

— John, W1XX

Wed. 11/16/2011

Please post your ARRL CW Sweepstakes scores here under “Comments.”  Be sure to indicate your category including power (HP, LP, QRP).  TNX and hope you had fun.  73!  — John, W1XX

To keep all the CQWW DX Phone Contest scores in one place, please post your score and comments here under “Comments.”  OK?  Hope you all had fun.  73!

— John, W1XX

Operation ARRL 10-Meter Contest: December 10 – 11, 2011

Attention all CTRI members: “Operation NEQP” last May was very successful in getting the club membership to pull together to meet the 1 million point objective. It has spawned talk of another targeted contest for a super club effort. In response, your club Contest Manager is calling on the membership to focus on the ARRL 10-Meter Contest, December 10 – 11 (starts 0000 UTC Saturday and ends 2359 UTC Sunday).
Why the 10-meter Contest? Lotsa reasons! With the upswing in the sunspot cycle, 10 meters is becoming a very good DX band. It’s open most days to Europe and JA early in the evenings and stateside all day. QSOs are plentiful and easy to make. Ten meters is well known for its ability to support QSOs with low power to a wet noodle. It’s a great band for neophytes to get their feet wet in contesting.
What’s CTRI’s history in this contest? CTRI had 7 entries last year: W1WBB, K3IU, NG1G, KS1J, W1XX, KA1GEU, and W1AN with a club aggregate score of 218,720 points; in 2009 – 7 entries with 129K points; and 2008 – 5 entries with 141K points. Not really great scores in non-optimum conditions. Conditions should be much better this year.
What’s the goal? It’s tempting to again make the goal 1 million points as in NEQP. But with the recent resurgence of 10 meter propagation, that may be very easily met. Our goal should be to get as many club members QRV for the maximum club score possible.
“I don’t operate CW….or….I don’t have a big station….or….I don’t have a 10-meter antenna….or….I don’t have a station….or….I haven’t operated in a contest before.” The 10 Meter Contest is ideal in responding positively to all those excuses. In a nutshell, you can operate categories for phone, CW, or both…low power, high power or QRP. You can work the world with a very modest station. If you are station-less, no doubt CTRI will run one or more multis that will welcome you. It’s the perfect contest to begin or continue to hone your contesting skills. No antenna? Simple, make a quickee 10 meter dipole with 16 ½ feet of wire.
Contest essentials.
[1] Exchange = RS(T) and state. VEs = RS(T) and province. XEs = RS(T) and state. DX = RS(T) and serial # starting with 001.
[2] Operate no more than 36 hours. No spotting assistance for single ops.
[3] CW operation only below 28.3 MHz.
[4] You can work the same station once each on CW and phone.
[5] See the rules for QSO points, multipliers and final score.
Where do I get complete rules? http://www.arrl.org/contests. This will be discussed at
the November 12 meeting with rules’ handouts. This early announcement is intended to help you get fully prepared in advance.
Will you commit to operate? As the club’s Contest Manager, I respectfully request that you let me know that you are committed to this venture with your CTRI brethren. You can do so at the November meeting or e-mail me at: w1xx [at] cox [dot] net. Good luck and have fun! 73!

— John Lindholm, W1XX
CTRI Contest Manager

Seems I didn’t read the “Comments” section of the W1DX report for the RTTY contest and thus missed the following FB scores:  K3IU, KS1J, KI1G.  Sorry, fellas, we’ll update the spread sheet the next time around.  73!

 

— John, W1XX

 

PS:  Small update on the 160 vertical:  Simply tightening up the T wires by pulling the support ropes down only two feet on each side, dropped the resonant frequency by 20 KHz to 1853…closer to the target of about 1825.  I find it surprising that making the T wires  just a tad more horizontal (less droop) made such a significant change.  I may tighten them up just bit more to see what happens.  Bottom line:  it’s a beautiful thing!

No, Ed, that’s three winches not wenches that were used to raise the W1XX 160 Meter Vertical from the dead…SUCCESSFULLY!!  TNX to a great club turnout for the meeting and to assist with the antenna raising in South County.  It was a total group effort with the heavy lifters (NG1G and W1CTN), winch crankers, spotters, rope untanglers, screamers, etc….a fine job indeed.  Top Band conditions were not particularly good this mornming at SR, but the first contact was with T32C who was not hearing anyone very well. But we got through.  SWR is less than 2:1 from below 1800 to 1975 (!)…with the peak resonant frequency of 1:1 at 1880 — a little higher than I would like but will work just fine.  I may do a little adjustment at the base or tighen up the top loading wires a bit to drop the resonant frequency down just a tad.  It seems a good time was had by all.  TNX to CTRI for its usual great effort — which is much appreciated.   Can you post some pix, Ed?  73!!

— John, W1XX