NATIONAL CONTEST JOURNAL

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September/October 2005
Volume 33 Number 5

Verticals by the SeaPart 2 Antenna InteractionsPart 8 Contest Automation at OH2BH Stealth ContestingPart 2 January 2005 NAQP SSB Results

Where do we go next? For the 2004 CQ Worldwide competition, this contest crew operated CP6CW from Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Read their stories in this issue!

NCJ: The National Contest Journal

American Radio Relay League 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111-1494

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The National Contest Journal

Volume 33 Number 5 September/October 2005
National Contest Journal (ISSN 0899-0131) is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September and November by the American Radio Relay League, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: National Contest Journal, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111-1494, USA.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 Editorial
Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA

Publisher American Radio Relay League 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111 tel: 860-594-0200 fax: 860-594-0259 (24-hour direct line) Electronic Mail: hq@arrl.org World Wide Web: www.arrl.org/ Editor Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA 1227 Pion Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46845 editor@ncjweb.com Managing Editor Joel R. Hallas, W1ZR w1zr@arrl.org NCJ WWW Page Bruce Horn, WA7BNM, Webmaster www.ncjweb.com ARRL Officers President: Jim Haynie, W5JBP Executive Vice President: David Sumner, K1ZZ Contributing Editors Gary Sutcliffe, W9XTContest Tips, Tricks & Techniques Paul Schaffenberger, K5AFContesting on a Budget Paul Gentry, K9PGNCJ Profiles Jon Jones, NJKVHF-UHF Contesting! Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LAPropagation Joe Pontek, K8JPThe Contest Traveler Bill Turner, W6WRTRTTY Contesting Mark Beckwith, N5OTStation Profile Bill Feidt, NG3KDX Contest Activity Announcements Bruce Horn, WA7BNMContest Calendar Pete Smith, N4ZRSoftware for Contesters Don Daso, K4ZAWorkshop Chronicles ARRL CAC Representative Ned Stearns, AA7A 7038 E Aster Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 aa7a@arrl.net North American QSO Party, CW Bob Selbrede, K6ZZ 6200 Natoma Ave, Mojave, CA 93501 cwnaqp@ncjweb.com North American QSO Party, Phone Bruce Horn, WA7BNM 4225 Farmdale Ave, Studio City, CA 91604 ssbnaqp@ncjweb.com North American QSO Party, RTTY Shelby Summerville, K4WW 6500 Lantana Ct, Louisville, KY 40229-1544 rttynaqp@ncjweb.com North American Sprint, CW Boring Amateur Radio Club 15125 Bartell Rd, Boring, OR 97009 cwsprint@ncjweb.com North American Sprint, Phone Jim Stevens, K4MA 6609 Vardon Ct, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 ssbsprint@ncjweb.com North American Sprint, RTTY Doug McDuff, W4OX 10380 SW 112th St, Miami, FL 33176 rttysprint@ncjweb.com Advertising Information Contact: Janet Rocco, tel 860-594-0203; fax 860-594-0303; jrocco@arrl.org NCJ subscription orders, changes of address, and reports of missing or damaged copies should be addressed to ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 and be marked NCJ Circulation. ARRL members are asked to include their membership control number or their QST mailing label. Letters, articles, club newsletters and other editorial material should be submitted to NCJ, 1227 Pion Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46845. The NA Sprint and NA QSO Parties are not sponsored by ARRL. Yearly Subscription rates: In the US $20 US by First Class Mail $28 Elsewhere by Surface Mail $32 (4-8 week delivery) Canada by Airmail $31; Elsewhere by Airmail $40 All original material not attributed to another source is copyright 2005 by The American Radio Relay League, Inc. Materials may be excerpted from the NCJ without prior permission provided that the original contributor is credited, and the NCJ is identified as the source. In order to insure prompt delivery, we ask that you periodically check the address information on your mailing label. If you any inaccuracies, please contact the Circulation 2 find September/October 2005 NCJ Department immediately. Thank you for your assistance.

FEATURES
4 Verticals by the SeaPart 2
Al Christman, K3LC Ken Harker, WM5R Pete Smith, N4ZR

7 Updating the ARRL 10 Meter Contest Records

10 NCJ Reviews: Win-TestA French Twist on Contest Logging 13 Contest Station Automation at OH2BH
Toni Linden, OH2UA

16 CP6CW in the 2004 CQWWA South American Odyssey

Bill Dean, WOR Ron Dohmen, NAT

19 CP6CW 2004 CQWW DX CWResults and Reflections 20 Antenna InteractionsPart 8

Rob Brownstein, K6RB Eric L. Scace, K3NA

25 Rising to the ChallengeHow NCCC Retook the Sweepstakes Gavel 28 A Day In the LifeA Tongue-in-Cheek Look At Some Typical Problems
Handled by the ARRL Contest Branch
Dan Henderson, N1ND

30 More on Contest Ethics

John W. Thompson, MD, K3MD

COLUMNS
31 Contest Tips, Tricks & Techniques 32 Workshop Chronicles 33 Propagation 35 RTTY Contesting
Gary Sutcliffe, W9XT Don Daso, K4ZA

Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA Bill Turner, W6WRT Pete Smith, N4ZR

36 Software for Contesters 38 VHF-UHF Contesting 40 Contest Calendar

Jon K. Jones, NJK

Bruce Horn, WA7BNM Bill Feidt, NG3K

41 DX Contest Activity Annoucements

CONTESTS
42 Results, January 2005 NAQP SSB Contest
Bruce Horn, WA7BNM

ADVERTISING INDEX
Alfa Radio Ltd: 24 Array Solutions: Cov II ARRL: 47, 48 Atomic Time: 47 Better RF Company, The: 9 Bencher: 24 CATS/Rotor Doctor: 29 ComTek Systems: 8 DXEngineering: 37 Elecraft: 29 Expanded Spectrum Systems: 37 HAMRADIOSOLUTIONS: 6 ICOM: COV IV Idiom Press: 41 IIX Equipment Ltd: 37 J-TEC, LLC: 27 KXG Systems: 48 microHAM: 12 Radioware & Radio Bookstore: 46, 48 RF Parts: 47 Tennadyne: 12 Ten-Tec: 1 Teri Software: 26 Texas Towers: COV III Top Ten Devices: 18 Unified Microsystems: 48 W2IHY Technologies: 39 Writelog for Windows: 18, 37 XMatch/N4XM: 37

Editorial
NAQPs and SprintsScoring and the Rules A contest manager has a thankless job. It is time consuming and tedious, made all the more so recently because of an increasing need to adjudicate apparent rule violations. In some instances managers have been placed in the awkward position of having to bend the rules when the situation demands. Id like to share some thoughts on this subject, as I believe some positive results (with your help) can come of it. The contest managers responsibility in scoring the contests is two-fold: to score each log per the rules, and to apply the same rules to all logs. That sounds pretty simple, doesnt it? Most of the time it is. But sometimes we have a participant with an extenuating circumstance that collides head-on with one of the rules. Were not inflexible, so this can result in the aforementioned rule bending. Let me give you some examples of actual cases. One participant sent his log to the wrong NCJ e-mail address. This was not discovered until after the log submittal deadline. We allowed his log even though it was past the deadline. Another participant registered a Team Competition before the contest. After the contest he discovered he had mistyped the call sign of one of the team operators. We checked and determined that indeed the incorrect station call was not in the QRZ.com database, and found that the correct station call (the one that he was really working under) was a contest club in the operators area. We allowed the error to be corrected even though it was past the registration deadline for a Team Competition. In both of these cases we asked ourselves two questions: Was there a sincere intent to abide by the rules and was there any intent to gain a post-contest advantage? We determined that the answers were YES to the first question and a NO to the second. So, we bent the rules. And well do the same for anyone else under identical circumstances. (But we certainly dont want this to become standard practice. Please read on to find out what we expect from you.) Heres another case with a different outcome. A participant didnt submit his log until after the deadline. He didnt offer a legitimate excuse, and in our assessment, didnt appear to make a sincere effort to submit his log on time even after warning messages were posted to the CQ-CONTEST reflector about the deadline. His log was not accepted. Im sure these decisions can ruffle some feathers, especially if youre on the wrong end of one of them. Of course, the contest managers could make their lives much easier by taking hard-nosed positions and refusing to allow any exceptions to the rules. We dont think thats right, though. We all sometimes make honest mistakes. The other solution, which is the one we prefer, is for participants to pay more attention to all the rulesespecially if your goal is to submit a competitive log. Recheck your Team Competition list to make sure its correct (maybe even verify the calls if they were given to you by someone else) and to make sure everyone on the list knows what call he or she is supposed to use in the contest. Get your log in by the deadline. Dont procrastinate. Do it right after the contest when its fresh in your mind and recheck where youre sending it. And for single ops in the NAQPs, make darn sure you properly manage your time so that you meet the 30 minute off time rule. We will not even consider whether its close enough. The bottom line to all this is the integrity of the published results. We score each log per the rules and apply the same rules to all logs.

By Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA

Friedrichshafen I attended my first Friedrichshafen hamfest (officially called Ham Radio 2005) in June with my wife Vicky. Most of my time there was spent checking DXCC cards at the ARRL booth (I saw some really interesting old cards), but I did get around to visit the many vendors (it was nice to run into Scott, W4PA, at the Ten-Tec booth) and drop off some NCJ samples at the BCC (Bavarian Contest Club) booth. Saturday afternoon we were walking by one of the forum rooms when Vicky said, Hey, theres Bob, KK6EK. Sure enough, it was Bob speaking about the Kure DXpedition. We chatted with him after his presentation. We attended the Rhein Ruhr DX Association dinner Friday evening and enjoyed chatting with many contesters and DXers. We also attended the BCC dinner Saturday evening. The BCC had a very interesting quiz, and I actually answered one question correctly (what is the meaning of the abbreviation BCC?)! I also stopped by the DARC (Deutscher Amateur-Radio Club) booth during the hamfest to take the QLF test. Yep, I actually sent K9LA good enough with my left foot to receive a certificate. Watch for me in the CW contests. I should be easy to identify. I think Friedrichshafen is an event that you should attend at least once in your Amateur Radio lifetime. Maybe well see you there one of these years.

NCJ

September/October 2005

Verticals by the SeaPart 2

This article analyzes the gain of vertical-monopole antennas with two gullwing elevated radials, when they are installed near the sea-coast. The height of the radials is varied, along with the setback distance between the antenna and the shore-line. Many of the amateur bands from 160 to 10 meters are reviewed. The goal of this section is to determine how far the antenna can be moved away from the sea before the gain-enhancement effect of the salt water is lost. Background Contesters and DXers are well aware of the advantages which are inherent in the use of vertical antennas when they are placed near large bodies of salt water. However, it isnt always possible to place the antenna directly at the shoreline, or even on the beach itself. Some operators feel that its only necessary for the antenna to see the water in order to reap the benefits of this highly-conductive image plane, but we now have at our disposal the means to check the validity of this belief. Computer Simulation In the original article1 it was assumed that the antenna was mounted either directly at the shore-line, or within a quarter-wavelength of the water. Now we will look at what happens as the antenna is moved farther inland, up to a distance of several wavelengths (WL). Figure 1 shows a pictorial view of one antenna configuration which is typical of those that were examined. In all cases, the length of the vertical element and the two radials was fixed at exactly 0.25 WL at the operating frequency, while the base of the antenna was placed just one foot above the ground. The two gull-wing radials are oriented parallel to the shore-line, and they initially extend upward at a 45-degree angle from the bottom of the antenna, until reaching their final height, which is designated as H. This elevation height varies from 2.5 to 10 feet, depending upon the band of interest. The set-back distance from the water to the antenna is D, which ranges from 0.25 to 3.25 WL, in steps of 0.25 WL. The antenna models were run using the new EZNEC Pro software, version 4.02, with a double-precision NEC-4 calculating engine. For simplicity, it was assumed that all antennas were constructed entirely from #12 AWG copper wire. No attempt was made to prune either the vertical element or the radials to achieve resonance. The wire segment-lengths for the verti4 September/October 2005 cal element and the radials were selected in accordance with the most conservative NEC guidelines. The sea-water has an electrical conductivity of 5 Siemens per meter and a dielectric constant of 81. Three different sets of ground constants were used: average soil (conductivity = 0.005 Siemens per meter and dielectric constant = 13), very good soil (conductivity = 0.0303 S/m & dielectric constant = 20), and very poor soil (conductivity = 0.001 S/m & dielectric constant = 5).

Al Christman, K3LC Grove City College, 100 Campus Dr Grove City, PA 16127-2104 Results on 40 meters A frequency of 7.15 MHz was selected for the analysis on 40 meters, corresponding to a length of about 34.39 feet for both the vertical element and the two gull-wing radials. Elevation heights (H) of 2.5 and 5.0 feet were chosen for the horizontal portions of the radials. Table 1 lists the gain predicted by EZNEC, in both the sea-ward and land-ward directions from the antenna, at take-off angles of 5 and 10 degrees, as a function of the set-

Figure 1Drawing of an elevated vertical-monopole antenna (base height = 1 foot) with two gull-wing radials. The length of both the vertical element and the radials is 0.25 WL (34.39 feet at 7.15 MHz). H represents the height of the horizontal portions of the radials, and D is the set-back distance from the shore-line.

Table 1 Antenna gain versus set-back distance (D) for a 40-meter vertical antenna installed over average soil. The horizontal portions of the two gull-wing radials are mounted at a height (H) of either 2.5 or 5.0 feet.

Radial Height H (ft)

2.5

Set-back Distance D (WL)

0.25 0.5 1.0 1.25 1.5 2.0 2.5 2.75 3.0 3.25 3.5 0.25 0.5 1.0 1.25 1.5 2.0 2.5 2.75 3.0 3.25 3.5

Seaward 5 deg TOA

3.49 2.71 1.00 -0.91 -1.92 -3.95 -6.44 -6.89 -7.06 -7.06 -7.06 3.95 3.78 1.98 -0.04 -1.12 -3.31 -6.05 -6.57 -6.76 -6.76 -6.76

10 deg TOA
3.10 1.13 -1.53 -2.97 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 4.00 1.89 -1.03 -2.63 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00

Antenna Gain (dBi) Landward 5 deg TOA 10 deg TOA

-7.06 -7.06 -7.06 -7.06 -7.06 -7.06 -7.06 -7.06 -7.06 -7.06 -7.06 -6.76 -6.76 -6.76 -6.76 -6.76 -6.76 -6.76 -6.76 -6.76 -6.76 -6.76 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.30 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00

5.0

NCJ

back distance (D), when the vertical is mounted over average soil. On the sea-ward side the low-angle gain falls continually as the antenna is moved away from the shore. On the landward side the gain is always the same at a specific take-off angle, since the vertical sees only land in that direction. Note that, by the time the set-back distance (D) has reached 1.5 WL, the sea-ward antenna gain at 10 degrees TOA has fallen to the same value that exists on the landward side. At 5 degrees TOA, the breakeven set-back distance is 3 WL. Figure 2 displays the table data in graphical form. We can see that the seaward antenna gain at low take-off angles falls very quickly as the vertical is moved away from the edge of the water, although the effect is more pronounced at 10 degrees TOA than at 5 degrees. In all cases, the sea-ward gain eventually diminishes to a value which is equal to that on the landward side of the antenna. Figure 3 shows what happens to the shape of the elevation-plane radiation pattern as the set-back distance (D) is increased from 0.5 to 1.0 to 1.5 to 3.0 WL. The shore-line is toward the right on the drawing, and here the radial height (H) is 2.5 feet. As the vertical is moved farther from the sea, the extra low-angle gain provided by the salt water progressively disappears, although a small tongue remains at a take-off angle of 1 to 2 degrees, even when D = 3 WL. When the soil is changed to very good and then very poor, the results are as

shown in Figures 4 and 5 respectively. Comparing these graphs to Figure 2, we notice that all of them are similar in shape. (Of course, the ultimate gain values are higher for very good soil, and lower for very poor soil.) The main point to be drawn from our work on 40 meters is that, for both radial heights and all three soil types, the set-back distance (D) at which the sea-ward gain becomes equal to that on

the land-ward side is always close to 1.5 WL at 10 degrees take-off angle, and about 3 WL at 5 degrees TOA. Outcome on the Other Bands The results on the other bands which were investigated (160, 80, 20, and 10 meters) were amazingly consistent with what was found on 40 meters, and all of the information is summarized in Table 2.

Figure 2Sea-ward gain versus set-back distance for a 40-meter vertical antenna at take-off angles of 5 and 10 degrees. The height of the radials is either 2.5 or 5.0 feet, and the antenna is installed over average soil.

Table 2 Break-even set-back distance (D) for take-off angles of 5 and 10 degrees, on the bands of interest from 160 to 10 meters. A variety of radial heights (H) were used, and the antenna was mounted over three different types of soil. Radial Break-even Set-back Radial Break-even Set-back Band Frequency Height Distance, D (WL) Band Frequency Height Distance, D (WL) (m) (MHz) H (ft) Soil Type 5 deg TOA 10 deg TOA (m) (MHz) H (ft) Soil Type 5 deg TOA 10 deg TOA 160 1.835 5.0 Average Very good Very poor Average Very good Very poor Average Very good Very poor Average Very good Very poo Average Very good Very poor Average Very good Very poor 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 10 28.3 20 14.175 40 7.15 2.5 Average Very good Very poor Average Very good Very poor Average Very good Very poor Average Very good Very poor Average Very good Very poor Average Very good Very poor 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3.25 3.25 3.25 3.25 3.25 3.25 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75

7.5

5.0

10.0

2.5

80

3.75

5.0

5.0

7.5

2.5

10.0

4.0

NCJ

September/October 2005

Figure 3Elevation-plane radiation patterns for the 40meter vertical antenna, when the set-back distance D varies from 0.5 to 1.0 to 1.5 to 3.0 WL. The sea is to the right, the radial height H is 2.5 feet, and average ground constants were used.

Note that the break-even set-back distances, at take-off angles of both 5 and 10 degrees, are essentially constant over the range of frequencies from 1.8 through 30 MHz, increasing only slightly on 10 meters. These distances are independent of both the condition of the under-lying soil and the elevation height of the horizontal portions of the gull-wing radials. Conclusions An elevated vertical monopole with two gull-wing radials makes an effective DX antenna when installed at or near a large body of salt water. Compared to land, the high conductivity of this liquid medium yields enhanced signal strength at low take-off angles, with a resulting forward lobe (directed toward the water) which is broad in both the elevation and azimuthal planes. Computer analysis reveals that the enhanced gain of the vertical monopole system (in the direction of the sea-water) has completely disappeared by the time the antenna is roughly 1.5 WL away from the shore-line, for a take-off angle of 10 degrees; at 5 degrees TOA, the break-even distance is approximately 3 WL. A Look Ahead to Part 3 Part 3 of this article will compare the performance of a twoelement Yagi with that of a two-element phased array of gullwing verticals, as the set-back distance from the shore-line is varied. Notes
1

Figure 4Sea-ward gain versus set-back distance for a 40-meter vertical antenna at take-off angles of 5 and 10 degrees. The height of the radials is either 2.5 or 5.0 feet, and the antenna is installed over very good soil.

Figure 5Sea-ward gain versus set-back distance for a 40-meter vertical antenna at take-off angles of 5 and 10 degrees. The height of the radials is either 2.5 or 5.0 feet, and the antenna is installed over very poor soil.
2

Al Christman, K3LC, Verticals by the Sea, National Contest Journal, Volume 33, Number 4, July/August 2005.

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September/October 2005

NCJ

Updating the ARRL 10 Meter Contest Records

Just after the 2004 ARRL 10 Meter Contest, there was some discussion on the CQ-Contest e-mail reflector about the lack of published records data for both the ARRL 10 Meter Contest and the ARRL 160 Meter Contest. Ive always had great fun and some success in the ARRLs 10 Meter Contest, and began thinking about how much work it might take to create a record scores listing. After thinking about the problem, I decided it would be great if I had a database with the top scores in it to help automate the process. I started with the online line scores databases for the 2001, 2002 and 2003 contests (ARRL members can download these from the ARRLWeb) and started writing some simple Perl scripts and put together a small MySQL database of scores. I decided this was an interesting enough project to continue working on, even though I was only starting to see how much work might be involved. I offer this story in the event that others might be considering a similar project for their favorite contest. The Approach On 14 December, I e-mailed Dan Henderson, N1ND, at the ARRL Contest Branch and George Fremin III, K5TR, to let them know I was interested in working on this. Mainly, I was interested in knowing that I wouldnt be duplicating someone elses work. George has been coordinating contest record update efforts for other radio contests and had a lot of great ideas. Some of his suggestions about what you might want to see out of contest records (like top QSO totals) made me reconsider the way I had structured my database. I decided that the best thing to do was to store all the contest line scores in a database, and generate the appropriate SQL queries to pull out the kind of information I needed, be it top scores, top QSO totals, top multiplier totals, or anything else. The next challenge was to collect all the line scores together in a machinereadable format, preferably in a tab-delimited text file format just like that which you can get from the ARRLWeb online line scores database. Dan supplied me with tab-delimited line score files for all the 10 Meter Contests from 1994-2000, which was an enormously helpful head start. Unfortunately, the Contest Branch did not have any older results in machine-readable format. I went online and used the ARRL Periodicals Index Search (www.arrl.org/members-only/ qqnsearch.html) to build a bibliography of all the 10 Meter Contest announcements and results. I learned from this that the first contest was announced in the November 1973 issue of QST. Dan arranged to have the QST on CD-ROM sets covering 1973-1993 sent to me, so we could experiment with optical character recognition (OCR). The hope was that OCR would recover the line scores well enough that little human editing would be required. The Process Tom Morisson, K5TM, had been offering to help with the project, and was particularly interested in the OCR attempt. The files on the QST CD-ROMs from that era are scanned images of the original QST pages, stored in a TIFF file format. Depending on the year, the scans are of varying qualitysome are not quite straight and others have the last letter or two of a column or row cut off by the edge of the scan. Tom and I each tried several different OCR engines and products on the TIFF files and generally met with total failure. One problem is that the TIFF files are very low resolutionapproximately 200 dots per inch (fax machine quality at best). Article text is generally humanreadable in these files, but the smaller type used for line scores, together with the low resolution of the file, were too challenging for the software. Depending on the font used in the magazine article, in some years the line scores are even hard for a human to read. Tom even tried a software package that lets you load in a dictionary of words to help it, which Tom did with known call signs, but it was also unsuccessful. Tom is still interested in exploring better options for automated OCR. The solution that finally worked for me was scanning in the line scores from hard copies of the magazines. The University of Texas Amateur Radio Club has a small library in the club station, N5XU, with every copy of QST going back to the early 1960s. With my bibliography in hand, I pulled out the issues I needed, and began experimenting again with OCR software. The software package that I ended up using after all was the one that had come free with my flatbed scanner (a UMAX Astra 2200U) several years before: Caere OmniPage Limited Edition. After considerable experimentation, I discovered that I could get reasonably clean results if I ran the OCR process separately on each of the five

By Ken Harker, WM5R

columns of line scores on every results page. Each column has different line spacing, so running the OCR process on all the columns at the same time would greatly confuse the software, which wants to line up rows as well as columns. This was a tedious process, and it could probably be improved upon, but it is one I could do a little bit at a time. Once the results of the OCR were stored in one text file per contest year, I was faced with a major challenge of cleaning up all the errors. Depending on the size and type of the font used that year, how straight I had the page on the scanner, how old or wrinkly the page had become, and how many entrants there were, this could amount to either a quick pass through the file, or several hours of work. There were many common errors I could fix with a global search and replace in my text editor. In many years, for example, the data elements of the line score were separated by dashes. It was easy to replace all of those with spaces at one time. Other common errors were the number 1 being scanned as the letter l, a number 0 being scanned as the capital letter O, a number 5 being scanned as the letter S and the number 9 being scanned as the letter g. Each of these errors had to be identified by hand and often double-checked against the hard copy of QST. After editing a file, each line score would have all the data elements in the correct order separated by spaces. DXCC entity and ARRL/RAC section names would be on their own lines just above all the calls from that entity or section. For most of the 1980s, I had to add in the DXCC entity names by hand, as the scores were listed only by continent. There were a few calls whose DXCC entity was ambiguous, like JR7EFI/JD1 or OH1TD/4U. Those required research (sometimes I could find the answer on the Internet), or in a few cases help from Bill Moore, NC1L at the ARRL DXCC Desk. George found another volunteer in Steve London, N2IC, who, armed with his own hard copies of QST , edited the text files from some years in the 1980s. Editing the text files after scanning was by far the most timeconsuming part of the project, and much of my spare time in January was consumed in this task. Each text file then had to be converted into a tab-delimited text file of the same format as the others I already had. I wrote

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September/October 2005

another Perl script to do this. It handles adding the appropriate section/DXCC entity abbreviations to each line score and converting the spaces separating the elements into tabs. I wrote yet another Perl script to then perform a sanity check on the resulting tab-delimited text file. It checks to make sure that the call sign is rational, that DX call signs have a valid DXCC prefix and W/VE call signs have a valid section abbreviation, that data fields where numbers are supposed to be include only numbers, that the ratios between QSO total, multiplier total, and final score are all reasonable, that the class and power designators are only A, B, C, or D, and that hours worked (for those contest years where they were reported in the results) are less than or equal to 36. This sanity checking script helped me find and correct even more errors before the line scores were loaded into the database. The Results The database of contest line scores for the ARRL 10 Meter Contest from 1973-2003 has 45,855 rows. Each row of data includes the section (or DXCC prefix), Category, Call Sign, Station, Operators, Score, QSOs, Multipliers and Year. The Perl script I use to load the

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records into the database is clever about parsing the various formats used to designate operator lists. I also have to be careful about avoiding conflicts between DXCC prefixes and section abbreviations. For example, Ohio and Finland are both OH, while Connecticut and Portugal are both CT. I adopt a similar strategy to that used in the line scores files published on the ARRLWeb: OH (Finland) becomes OH1, CT (Portugal) becomes CT1, HI (Dominican Republic) becomes HI8, and so on. In addition to the line scores, my database also has supporting meta-data tables. One table maps a DXCC entity prefix with the DXCC entity name and its continent. Another table maps an ARRL/RAC section abbreviation with this name and Division. These meta-data tables help in processing Division or Continental records, as well as providing name labels for DXCC entity and ARRL/RAC section level record reporting. The contest records files are generated by yet another Perl script. Through a series of SQL queries, it is easy to discover the highest scoring entrants in each category, as sorted by each Division or Continent, and even down to each ARRL/RAC section or DXCC entity. It is also easy pull out the Top 5 or Top 10 QSO totals or multiplier totals for any category, section/entity or combination thereof. Because there is a combined total of around 300 sections and DXCC entities, and ten operating categories, for a total of around 3000 possible record scores at the section/entity level, my script separates the results into two filesone for W/VE records and another for DX records. In the W/VE file, whenever a record score remains unclaimed in a particular category, I chose to indicate so with . Because many DXCC entities have had contest entries from only a few stations over the years, unclaimed category records are simply omitted from the listing. Stations have entered the contest from three now-deleted DXCC entities (Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, and the Canal Zone), and one now-deleted ARRL section (Washington,) and I have listed those records as well. One of the great features of generating the contest records through database queries is that I now have all the tools I need to update the records in short order when a new contest years results are released in a tab-delimited file. The ARRL 10 Meter Contest Records are available online at the ARRLWeb: www.arrl.org/contests/results/ . The Future George, K5TR, Bruce, WA7BNM and others have been very excited about building a database with every line score

from every contest, including contests sponsored by the ARRL, CQ Magazine, the National Contest Journal and others. With such a database, one could do all sorts of data-mining projects from something as simple as extracting all the results of a particular contester, to generating new and different kinds of record tabulations for a particular contest, to something as complex as analyzing how big an impact the varying levels of contest activity in Japan or Eastern Europe or particular states or provinces have had on the sport. Bruce has been promoting this idea for some time, and George has already started coordinating efforts over e-mail to build a Grand Database. Such a Grand Database of contesting would have all sorts of uses. Building a complete database table of line scores for every year of other contests might not be as much work as it was for the 10 Meter Contest. The ARRL 10 Meter Contest has been one of the most popular ARRL contests, in some years with well over 3000 line scores. Other big worldwide or DX contests will also have large numbers of line scores to process, but many domestic contests will have fewer entries, which makes the scale of processing a single contest less intimidating. The NCJ contests, for example, would be especially suitable for this project. Another interesting task someone could take up is developing a table of records that could be used to match contesters old call signs with their current call signs. Other meta-data tables, such as tables of solar data, might be useful work as well. Anyone contemplating one of these projects would benefit from patience and the ability to stay focused on details. George, K5TR, is interested in hearing from anyone interested in working on this database project. We have a lot of Perl scripts and MySQL database schema work done already. Volunteers have already commenced work on the ARRL RTTY Roundup and the ARRL 160 Meter Contest, but more help is always appreciated. An e-mail reflector has been established to help coordinate efforts. Contact George at geoiii@kkn.net for more details.

A ham since 1993, Ken Harker, WM5R, is a computer scientist for a company that specializes in Internet performance monitoring and service management for enterprise customers. He holds an Amateur Extra license. He is a former president of the University of Texas Amateur Radio Club, and is the current Webmaster for the Central Texas DX & Contest Club. You can contact the author by surface mail at 7009 Fireoak Dr, Austin, TX 78759, on the Web (www.wm5r.org/) or via e-mail at wm5r@arrl.net.

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NCJ

Table 1 All DXCC entities from which a log has never been entered in the ARRL 10 Meter Contest (through 2003) Many of these are DXpedition-type destinations. There are a few surprises, though places that I think would be easy to get to and even a couple in favorable locations. Especially obvious are HC8 Galapagos Islands and 8R Guyana in South America. Will you be the first to activate one of these entities in the ARRL 10 Meter Contest? Note: Stations in YI Iraq and T32 Central Kiribati appear in the Logs Received list for the 2004 ARRL 10 Meter Contest.
Prefix 3B6 3B8 3B9 3C 3C 3YB 5R 5V 7X 8Q 9U D6 E3 ET FH FR/G FR/J FR/T FT5W FT5X FT5Z J2 J5 S S7 S9 ST T5 TJ TN TR TT TY TZ VK ZD7 ZD9 ZS8 3Y 7O 9M 9N AP BS7 BV9P P5 S2 VU4 VU7 XZ YA YI 1A 3A HB HV JX OJ R1FJ R1MV SV5 SV/A 8R CEJ CES HC8 HK PYT VP8 VP8SG VP8SO Entity Agalega and St. Brandon Mauritius Rodrigues Is. Equatorial Guinea Annobon Is. Bouvet Madagascar Togo Algeria Maldives Burundi Comoros Eritrea Ethiopia Mayotte Glorioso Is. Juan de Nova and Europa Tromelin Is. Crozet Is. Kerguelen Is. Amsterdam and St. Paul Is. Djibouti Guinea-Bissau Western Sahara Seychelles Sao Tome and Principe Sudan Somalia Cameroon Congo Gabon Chad Benin Mali Heard Is. St. Helena Tristan da Cunha and Gough Is Prince Edward and Marion Is. Peter I Is. Yemen Spratly Is. Nepal Pakistan Scarborough Reef Pratas Is. DPR of Korea Bangladesh Andaman and Nicobar Is. Lakshadweep Is. Myanmar Afghanistan Iraq Sov. Mil. Order of Malta Monaco Liechtenstein Vatican Jan Mayen Market Reef Franz Josef Land Malyj Vysotskij Is. Dodecanese Mount Athos Guyana Juan Fernandez Is. San Felix and San Ambrosio Galapagos Is. Malpelo Is. Trindade and Martim Vaz Is. Falkland Is. South Georgia Is. South Orkney Is. Location VP8SS South Sandwich Is. SA AF CY Sable Is. NA AF CY9 St. Paul Is. NA AF FO/c Clipperton Is. NA AF FP St. Pierre and Miquelon NA AF San Andres and Providencia NA HK AF KP1 Navassa Is. NA AF KP5 Desecheo Is. NA AF TI9 Cocos Is. NA AF XF4 Revillagigedo NA AF Aves Is. NA YV AF 3D2C Conway Reef OC AF 3D2R Rotuma Is. OC AF 4W Timor Leste OC AF 9M6 East Malaysia OC AF A3 Tonga OC AF C2 Nauru OC AF FK/c Chesterfield Is. OC AF FO/a Austral Is. OC AF FO/m Marquesas Is. OC AF FW Wallis and Futuna Is. OC AF Temotu Province OC H4 AF KH1 Baker and Howland Is. OC AF KH5 Palmyra and Jarvis Is. OC AF KH5K Kingman Reef OC AF KH7K Kure Is. OC AF KH9 Wake Is. OC AF T2 Tuvalu OC AF W. Kiribati OC T3 AF T31 C. Kiribati OC AF T32 E. Kiribati OC AF T33 Banaba Is. OC AF Macquarie Is. OC VKM AF VK9C Cocos-Keeling Is. OC AF VK9L Lord Howe Is. OC AF VK9M Mellish Reef OC AF VK9N Norfolk Is. OC AF VK9W Willis Is. OC AF VK9X Christmas Is. OC AN VP6 Pitcairn Is. OC AS VP6/d Ducie Is. OC AS ZK1/n North Cook Is. OC AS ZK2 Niue OC AS ZK3 Tokelau Is. OC AS ZL7 Chatham Is. OC AS ZL9 Auckland and Campbell Is. OC AS AS AS AS AS AS Use with: Transmit Voice & CW messages in your IC-7800 IC-756PROIII AS IC-7800, IC-756PROIII or IC-756PROII while IC-756PROII IC-746PRO EU the SPECTRUM SCOPE stays alive. Ideal for EU chasing DX and contesting (746PRO CW only). EU Save the finals in your linear amp while tuning EU EU with the Tune button. Sends 30 wpm pulsed EU tone at 50% duty cycle for amp tuning. Saves EU stress on finals & power supply. EU EU Standard 8-pin plug and jack for Heil Pro-Set. EU SA SA SA The BetterRF Co. 44 Crestview Lane, Edgewood NM 87015 SA The company that brought you the 706 TUNE Control SA SA 800-653-9910 505-286-3333 SA fax: 505-281-2820 $74.95 + $5.00 S/H SA www.BetterRF.com ($10 Foreign) SA

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September/October 2005

NCJ Reviews
Win-TestA French Twist on Contest Logging
Win-Test is a relatively new entry in the Windows contest-logging field. Project leader Olivier Le Cam, F5MZN, is a very active contester, deeply involved with FY5KE contest efforts. While contesters in France and elsewhere in Europe have been using Win-Test for some time, it was only last fall that Olivier and Laurent Haas, F6FVY, began making a concerted effort to publicize it in English and on this side of the Atlantic. Win-Test provides all of the tools for serious contesting, and a few that are particularly noteworthy. Well get into those in a moment. It deserves serious consideration, along with WriteLog and N1MM Logger, if you are thinking about a new contest-logging program. Writing close on the heels of my review of N1MM Logger (NCJ, May-June 2005), I was struck by how different the design philosophy of Win-Test is. First, there currently is no provision for anything other than CW and phone contesting. This greatly simplifies the program and reduces the risk of configuring it incorrectly, although the authors have announced plans for an MMTTY -based RTTY module in the next major version (Version 3). Second, the part of the program reserved for entry of QSO data is a direct clone of the CT entry window, and the only QSO-logging commands supported by the program are CT-style Insert, + and so on. There is no mode distinction between running and S&P. The great advantage of this is that new operators coming to the program from CTin a multi-op situation, for examplewill have a ver y shor t basic learning curve. The disadvantage is that the program forgoes the opportunity to improve on a user interface that is almost 20 years old. Recently, on the Win-Test reflector, the authors announced their intention to provide a TR-type user interface in Version 3.
Setup Win-Tests minimum hardware requirements are stated to be a 166 MHz Pentium with 32 MB of RAM, and any Windows operating system from Win10

Pete Smith, N4ZR

dows 95 onward. Of course, later operating systems like Windows XP require far more than that simply to run the OS, but in any case the hardware should not be a hurdle. In my testing, I used a 2.6 GHz Pentium with 384 MB of RAM, under Windows XP Home. After installing the software, the first step is to define an initial contest; WinTest uses a different data file for each one. Contest-specific settings, including scenarios and the definitions of CW function keys, are stored in the contest database. This means that last years tested and proven CW messages and the like can readily be imported into this years contest folder for quick set-up. The contest setup dialog itself is admirably simple and straightforward. About 50 international contests are supported, although such US standbys as Sweepstakes, the NA QSO Parties, and various state QSO parties are not. There are preconfigured databases for a number of contests on the Win-Test web site at download.win-test.com/databases/. Once you have done this, the next step is to define external interfaces, such as radio communications ports, and CW and PTT ports. This process is fairly

easy, although I had trouble finding configuration information for the various radios, and no default values are provided during setup. Additional serial ports (beyond the usual two ports for radios) can be used for serial port networking or communications with a packet TNC or other external devices. A simplified Ethernet network, which imposes some limitations on synchronization of logs between computers, is available for multi-transmitter stations now, and a log synchronization facility is promised in Version 3. Connecting to a DX Cluster via Telnet is a little complicated. The authors have opted to use a separate Telnet application, called wtDXTelnet and available on the Win-Test web site, to handle that task. WtDXTelnet passes Telnet data to the main program through the Ethernet communications interface. Once installed and set up, this arrangement worked well, feeding packet spots directly onto the bandmaps for my radios and integrating well with Win-Test for spotting and querying the cluster network. The authors say that it also makes it easy to feed spots to multiple computers in a multi-op station.

Figure 1Win-Test screen shot.

September/October 2005

NCJ

Operating On-screen, the program both resembles and departs from the appearance of other Windows logging programs. The screenshot (Figure 1) shows what I mean. As a Windows XP user, I was struck by how crisp and compactseeming the individual windows are, as compared with those generated by Windows XP. For the most part, the title bars of the individual windows can also be re-colored to aid spotting them easily on a crowded monitor screen. Fonts can be changed in size on the fly, and serif/ sans-serif typefaces can be selected, but a slash-zero font is available only in the sans-serif typeface. The logging area (actually part of the main background window) looks and works like CT . When running two radios, selection of the second radio is indicated by a white highlight in the current log line. To dupe a station heard on the second radio, you just press * to switch radios, enter the call sign, and, if you need to return to the primary radio to continue a run, press the * key again. The logging line reverts to its original appearance, but the call sign from the second radio is stored until you can get back to it again. In January of this year, a secondary radio window was added, which provides a separate logging area for the second radio so that you can continue logging operations on the primary radio in parallel with dupe-checking or CQing on the other radio. Win-Test offers the option of either graphical slide-rule-dial bandmaps or lists arranged by frequency. A double click on a spot will move the radio to that frequency and enter the call in the logging interface, while color coding tells you whether a station is a dupe, a new QSO or a multiplier. Spot-to-spot navigation is also available through Ctrl + Arrow keys, although there is no option to jump only to multipliers. Each bandmap also displays how many stations, new stations and multipliers are available on the selected band at any given time. Another essential is the Check Multiplier window, which crisply displays a number of items of interest when a call sign is entered in the logging area. If you have worked the station on other bands, those QSOs information is displayed; if you have worked other stations for the mult, those stations are displayed on the appropriate bands. Azimuth, country, and sunrise/sunset times are all displayed as well. The Check Multiplier window cannot display more than one multiplier, so it defaults to the country. In a contest like CQWW, the zone status is only displayed in text form below the logging area, although a small Worked Zone window is available that identifies

zones that are still needed on the current band. An extensive set of drop-down menus and icons for the most commonly needed functions is arrayed across the top of the main window. For most of these, keyboard hot-key alternatives are provided so that you can put your mouse aside. One useful feature is a built-in facility for remapping the keyboard so that operators can customize the operation of the program to fit their preferences (or differences in the layout of various national keyboard designs). Highlights Win-Test has teamed with I4UFH, maker of the EZMaster SO2R system, to implement an Advanced SO2R capability, designed by CT1BOH. This enables the operator to select from a number of scenarios which automate the switching of radios and headphone audio. When operating CW or SSB with canned voice message, this can result in a fairly high degree of automation, and should help to reduce operator fatigue in intense SO2R contesting. For example, when operating in a heavy pileup, the Win-Test scenario for CQ (the F1 key) would be $RESET $R2R2 $F1 $RESET $R1R1. Translating, that means that the EZMaster will put both ears on Radio 2 while Radio 1 is sending a CQ (the contents of the F1 CW message), then put them back on Radio 1. By contrast, in a lighter pileup you can select the scenario $RESET $R2R2 $F1 $R1R2 which will put both ears on the second radio while the first is sending a CQ, but then revert to one radio in each ear after the CQ is complete. In effect this automatically makes the sort of change that the operator might otherwise make manually. Scenarios can also permit automatically sending repeat CQs on alternate radios, or restarting a CQ on the run radio whenever the S&P radio is not transmitting. The scenarios can be stepped through manually from the keyboard or selected with the mouse in the secondary radio window. Full implementation of the advanced SO2R mode requires the use of I4UFHs EZMaster SO2R box, which uses a single USB port for all data. Other standard SO2R boxes may be used with somewhat reduced capability, because the standard LPT port stereo bit only allows a choice of 2 states, versus three provided by Win-Testboth ears on radio 1, both on radio 2, and one on each. A more subtle question, which will require operating experience to evaluate properly, is whether the added automation proves on balance useful or confusing to operators who do not spend a great deal of time studying and memorizing the various scenarios, so that it is

second nature to know what is happening with each function key press. An excellent feature of Win-Test is the N+1 master data window. Using the traditional master.dta file in CT format, this window displays all the calls in the file that vary from it by only one character, to help in identifying and correcting busted calls. It might be better, from the standpoint of conserving screen space, if this information was displayed in the same window as the traditional master data check. Also, there is no provision for a database to store and recall other station-specific data, such as QTH or power in the ARRL DX Contest. Win-Test s Statistics window incorporates a very powerful objectives function. The user can define target numbers for a wide variety of parameters everything from QSO rate to multipliers, number of QTCs (for the WAE contest), and even average kilometers per QSO for VHF+ contests and others where this is important. A separate rates window displays a constantly updating bar graph of the last 15 minutes QSOs, as well as the usual numeric rate and mult data. One disadvantage is that this window takes up a fair amount of screen real estate, but like all Win-Test windows, it can be layered under other windows with only a corner showing, for ready access when needed. Win-Test also incorporates a resizable world-map window showing the grey line, which eliminates the need for a separate program to provide that capability. Issues The only truly significant issue with Win-Test at this stage is its inadequate user documentation. The only information readily available, other than by right clicking on each window and experimenting, is a set of HTML files that may be downloaded from the Win-Test web site. These simply define each menu pick and CT -style text commands, and list short-cut keys, supported radios and supported accessories. There is no user manual as such. Fortunately, I discovered that it is possible to use Google to search the www.win-test.com site, and this process turned up a number of critical pieces of information that are not otherwise available. For example, I was able to find information on the variables used in the Advanced SO2R scenarios by Googling my way to the release notes for version 2.6 of the software. Also, the QuickStart document on the web page is fuller than most, and the Win-Test reflector is a good resource. The authors are aware of the deficiencies in documentation, and a user manual is in the works, but until it is available its lack will continue to be a

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serious obstacle to broad adoption of Win-Test. For further details and to download a 15-day trial version of the software, visit www.win-test.com. The purchase price of the software is 35 Euros (currently about $45), payable through PayPal. You can subscribe to the Win-Test mailing list by sending an e-mail to supportrequest@win-test.com, with subscribe (without the quotation marks) in the subject line. The public archives of the mailing list are available at www.f5mzn.org/ pipermail/support/.

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September/October 2005

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Contest Station Automation at OH2BH

The high performance, highly efficient contest station traditionally boasts a wide range of antennas to deal with diverse situations. A good minimum setup includes three sets of antennas for all bands. However, an abundance of aluminium tubing often obscures the idea about station usability and score maximization. Multiple antenna options and numerous accessories augmented with SO2R operating may render operating the station quite a laborious exercise. All the time devoted by the operator to de-facto non-radio communicationsuch as selecting antennas, tuning up linear amplifiers, turning antennas or pushing various levers and roller switchesdetracts from the time and the capacity otherwise available for maximizing the contest score. SO2R has raised the demands placed upon the operator to an entirely new level. Previously, when a single radio (SO1R) was used, the operator could always take a breath during transmit. Also, more time and resources could be set aside for all sorts of activity, such as the manual turning of switches. And, the SO1R station was far easier to use than a two-radio station. Apart from everything else, SO2R always allows the operator access to at least one receiver to maximize the score, which in itself significantly increases the

By Toni Linden, OH2UA

Figure 1Top-level block diagram of the system.

A colorful control device makes SO2R easier at OH2BH.

The automated SO2R station at OH2BH.

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All towers are 160-foot rotatables. With these towers it is easy to mount a multitude of Yagis and maintain the rotator system at the bases. Three-phase rotators are employed for step-up and step-down automation to facilitate smooth rotation of the massive array.

A 3-element 75/80-meter Yagi at 160 feet (M2 aluminum with K7ZV/W6ANR High-Q coils) serves as an umbrella for a set of stacked tribanders. During rainy days, these tribanders are the only quiet high-band option.

load placed on the operator. For these reasons, many individuals converting their SO1R station to an SO2R station may consider twin-radio operating a highly strenuous or even partly unpleasant experience. At the OH2BH contest site, planning for the new SO2R system and station automation was based on the fundamental concepts of station usability and operator friendliness. Careful attention was devoted to the design of control box appearance and ergonomics. Operator preferences were taken into account in aspects such as the quality of pushbuttons used for antenna selection. As a starting point for the design, the controller should be fun and easy to use. If, for instance, pushbuttons proved uncomfortable to use during a 48-hour contest, the operator with growing fatiguewould not have the drive, toward the end of the race, to switch antennas as actively as earlier in the race. Granted, initial SO2R experience at the OH2BH site was gained in traditional fashion by adding a second radio alongside the radio used previously and by hooking up some antennas permanently with radio A and others with radio B. However, the need quickly arose for greater operating flexibility in such a way as to enable both radios to use all possible antenna combinations. In particular, this matter surfaced when moving multipliers or moving the operators own pileup from one band to another. Moreover, when you have 17 Yagis mounted on three towers, plus a sizable number of wire antennas, there is a significant possibility 14 September/October 2005

You can get amazing results when comparing three different sets of antennas. Here a Force-12 stack of 6-over6-over-6 on 10 meters is a real killer over the other options.

NCJ

of making wrong antenna choices. With the new station automation, operating the station is quite easy and fun. In addition to the radios, the operator needs only a keyboard and a control device. In designing the controller logic, efforts were made to ensure that it would lend support to fast-paced contest-style operating. For the said logic, a full range of various potential contest-style situations were depicted in an effort to maximize device user friendliness. For instance, in antenna selection, the memory operates in such a way that if the operator borrows an antenna used on the other radio, the antenna returns to the original radio once it is freed from the borrowing radio. By the same token, in case of frequency change, the antennas selected for a given radio follow that radio. Therefore, when moving multipliers, for instance, the new band automatically comes with a selected antenna pointing in the direction of the multiplier on the hook. In practice, the full impact of automation logic and user friendliness is to help the operator cope with the stress of contest operating much more so than in the past. Moreover, it is less taxing on operator capacity, and it allows the operator to focus more on the contest itself and on maximizing the score. Twin-radio operating is considerably more efficient as it puts both radios on an equal footing, and there is no need for turning the towers around as much as in the past since switching antennas from one radio to the other is not only easy but fun! In its simplest form, when changing bands, you just type in a new frequency in the TRLog call field and press ENTER. Band-pass filters, the linear amp, and the antennas of the band in question follow the radio. Band switching only takes the time needed for the relays to connect. Station Automation Design Objectives The initial objective was to be able to use one, two or three antennas fed together with both radios of the SO2R station. The aim was to ensure the desired footprint for transmit and receive. Another aim was to have a system that puts radio A and radio B on an equal footing to maximize the efficiency of simultaneous use of the two radios. Moreover, the whole system was designed to eliminating hot switching to make sure no malfunction would burn any system device. Finally, complete RF proofing was mandatory. The entire system is based on configuring the band-data of the radios for all station components. The A/B radio control and corresponding audio routes are managed by TRLog, together with the ZS4TX SO2R controller.

Control Box Ergonomics and User Friendliness At the core of the automation is a control device that clearly displays all antennas and existing antenna choices with easy-to-follow dual-color LEDs. Red is dedicated to radio A and green to radio B. At the lower edge of the control box, two rows of pushbutton switches are incorporated for selecting the antenna(s) for radio A and radio B. By pressing buttons simultaneously, the corresponding antennas for the desired radio are activated. The most recent choice always takes priority, with the remaining antennas left to the other radio. If all three antennas are reserved for one radio, the other radio is barred from transmitting by activating that radios inhibit pin. A row of triple pushbuttons ensures easy rolling of the antennas on receive. Often you need to increase the clarity of the calling stations by eliminating other antennas. By the same token, receive rolling can be automated with an adjustable rolling speed. Transmit functions are locked for the duration of rolling, and rolling can be halted by activating the PTT line (switching to transmit mode). The same control box LED color scheme is used to turn the antenna towers. The red and the green lights on the rotator controllers direct a tired operator to turn the right towers. Three Controllable Routings

developed LED probe.

C: Inhibit Routing Yaesus band-data connectors have an inhibit pin that blocks the transmitters output power. This pin is activated in radio A and radio B when a given configuration requires that the transmitter in question be locked. By the same token, all antenna switching functions going on in the control device activate the inhibit pin, thus eliminating the possibility of hot switching.
RF Proofing The station automation is based on two programable microprocessors, and all system components are controlled with 12 Vdc. All leads from the control box are RF-proofed with a choke/resistor combination. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that the automation remains stable even with high output power levels. And the Design Team The design and realization of a system of this kind requires hundreds of hours of work and an abundance of sophisticated know-howjust like any user-centered system design. Jyrki, OH3QK, is responsible for system and electronics design while Martti, OH2BH and Ville, OH2MM, have contributed their expertise in control unit design/use at top-scoring singleoperator/all-band stations from the Aland Islands (OH) and the Canary Islands (EA8BH/EA8EA). The author, OH2UA, has used SO2R operating with limited automation and flexibility from the beginning of his contesting career. By researching and interacting with some of the worlds most seasoned contesting gurus he further developed the standard building-block based system with his specifically designed hardware and ergonomics. Working together and sharing information made all the difference.

A: RF Routing Next to the individual power amplifier of radio A and radio B is a WXB 1:3 Stack Match that distributes output power to one, two or three antennas. After the Stack Match comes an antenna separatora DX isolatorto enhance inter-station RF attenuation and to eliminate possible locking the RF routing relays. Each antenna group (tower) comes with an individual antenna switch that also handles additional antennas not belonging to the actual tower. B: Band-Data Routing The control box drives the RF route relays into the right positions by sending band-data in the right configuration to each component of the station system. The system includes Stack Matches, DX isolator, automatic power amplifiers, and antenna switches for three towers at the station and on the towers. All components are hooked up with the system with connectors to allow for quick changes in the heat of the contest. A DIN connector and a band-data bus are standardized for the entire automation system. The data bus signals can be monitored with the help of a custom-

Toni, OH2UA, age 25, has devoted his Amateur Radio careers to the competitive edge of the circuit. Even his education is well suitedToni is a 2003 graduate from the Finnish Military Academy, specializing in military communications. Toni was elected in 2005 to the office of President of the Contest Club Finland (CCF), an organization behind the WRTC2002. He has grown up in the OH2U team with three European wins and recent EA8ZS world multi-multi (CW and SSB) victories under his belt. Toni was a prime organizer of the European ZA1A multi-multi victory of 2003. He has recently taken steps towards single-op contesting at OH B and OH2BH. NCJ
September/October 2005 15

CP6CW in the 2004 CQWW A South American Odyssey

This article is reprinted with permission from the Twin Cities DX Association (TCDXA) newsletter The Gray Line Report.
With the excitement of a Guatemalan adventure still fresh in our minds, the four of us (Ron, NAT; Vlad, NSTL; Dave, WFLS and me, WOR) who put TGAA on the air in November 2003 for the CQWW CW contest began talking about doing it all over again in 04. Even before we disembarked from the plane that brought us back home to Minnesota, we had all pretty much agreed on several points: a good team had been assembled, everybody had a lot of fun, and despite the odds, we had racked up a score we could be proud of. We wanted to experience the high of being the sought-after signal again. But like any DXers or contesters worth their salt, each of us couldnt help thinking that there were things we could have improved upon. Couldnt we have grabbed more mults? Could we have found a way to put up a better antenna for 160? Shouldnt we have done better planning for an Internet connection? So the conversation went. The bottom line is that we were all thinking about the challenge implied by the proverbial, wait til next year. So what about next year? Did we want to go back to TG? (See the story in the March 2004 edition of the TCDXA newsletter The Gray Line Repor t at www.tcdxa.org.) That probably could have been arranged. We had made friends and connections with several local hams in the Guatemala City club. While the 2003 QTH offered several advantages, living conditions were primitive. Could we find an improved location, where adequate power to drive a linear and an Internet connection would be available? As we discussed it, however, we arrived at a consensus to try something different, to go somewhere new. One of the things we noted was that the one country in South America that almost never seemed to be represented in CW contests was Bolivia. There are plenty of LUs and PYs and a sprinkling of ops from most other places in SA. But few, if any, CPs were to be found below the phone bands. So, we started seriously thinking about Bolivia as a destination. The Plan Comes Together During one of the early 2004 winter 16 September/October 2005 meetings of the TCDXA, we put together a PowerPoint presentation for a club program. When the question of whether we would do it again next year came up, we mentioned Bolivia as one option. Did anyone have connections there? As good luck would have it, TCDXA member Bob Garwood, WBV, did indeed have a connection. For many years, Bob has run schedules with Ray Rising (for-

Bill Dean, WOR

merly KLWJ, now K4LWJ), who is currently licensed in Bolivia as CP6RR. Ray attracted international attention in the 1990s when he was abducted by guerillas in Colombia and held for ransom for 810 days before being released. Today, he works on behalf of a worldwide mission headquartered in North Carolina, whose goal it is to provide the means to communicate with various

CP6AA HQ station in Santa Cruz.

The CP6CW team.

NCJ

indigenous peoples, especially in Third World countries. This group has translated the Bible into a number of obscure languages, bringing its teachings to people who have heretofore had little contact with outsiders. In Bolivia, they also broadcast programs in some of the Indian languages. Ray maintains the broadcast stations. Knowing of our interest in Bolivia, Bob put us in touch with Ray. As a ham headquartered in the Santa Cruz area, Ray was able to set up contacts with members of the local radio club. In May 2004, we received an invitation to use their club facilities as our QTH for the contest. For the next several months, via email and Sunday afternoon skeds, we formulated our plans to travel to Bolivia, and to operate in the CQWW test. Unfortunately, one of last years crew, Dave Raymond, WFLS, was unable to join the team for 04. His employer (Motorola) assigned him to the Twin Cities for several years, but during the year, he was reassigned to another project in Washington, DC, and the new assignment prevented him from doing a repeat performance. We knew a full blown operation would be difficult with only three, so we began trying to recruit a fourth member. The good news is that Tom Lutz, WZR, decided he would like to go. Tom has not been a contester, and he seemed a little worried that he might be a drag on the scoring. As it turned out, he was absolutely equal to the task. A member of FOC, Tom is an outstanding CW man. It was not much of a leap for him to catch on to DX contesting. As November crept nearer and nearer, we attracted a second recruit. Tony Wanschura, KMO, is also an outstanding CW operator and an experienced contester to boot. Being retired, and an experienced traveler, Tony was interested in spending some additional time in Bolivia. That turned out to be a godsend for us, as Tony is also a tower climber. There was some work to be done on the antennas at the Santa Cruz club station. Tony contributed mightily to the effor t by leaving about 10 days ahead of the other four guys. Despite several days of rain, Tony and Ray had three beams up and working by the time we arrived. There were two tribanders one for the run station and one for the mult stationand a three-element 40meter beam. All were at about 55 feet. There were inverted Vs for 40 and 80, already in place. That left the problem of 160. On Sunday, November 22, the four of us, sans Tony, left Minneapolis St. Paul International at 10:35AM for the 21-hour trip to Santa Cruz. Making a connection on Continental in Houston, we arrived

in Miami about 6PM EST. With plenty of time before our overnight ride to South America, we enjoyed our last US dinner in the Miami terminal. Our American Airlines flight left about 11PM. Funny how, despite having had dinner in Miami, we all ate the midnight supper served on board. Two movies and a little shut-eye later, we awoke to see the sun rising over the snow-capped Andes. There was an hour layover in Bolivias capital, La Paz , and then it was on to Santa Cruz. La Paz is the highest capital city in the world, at more than 12,000 feet. Santa Cruz is more than 11,000 feet lower, and only about 150 miles south of the start of the vast Amazon jungle. It is Bolivias fastest growing area, now with more than a million souls. Arrival At Viru Viru International Airport, Ray and several members of the Santa Cruz club met us. All went well, until we started through the customs inspection line. We were told to place our equipment bags on a table. We complied, and watched the inspectors and our hosts talk in animated Spanish. It soon became obvious that, despite careful advance preparations to avoid customs difficulties, we were going to have a problem. Inexplicably, some of the equipment was seized while other items were passed. It seems that if it was packed in an ordinary suitcase, it was OK. If it was in a protected equipment case, it was taken. The upshot was that of the two IC-756 Pro II transceivers, one (Rons) was held by customs and one (Toms) was allowed through. My IC-746 and Dentron Clipperton L amplifier were held. Much later, after we had arrived at our hotel, I remembered that my underwear, which had been used as protection around some of the equipment, was still at the airport in the customs holding area. Needless to say, an unexpected shopping trip was hastily arranged! On Tuesday we spent the day familiarizing ourselves with the club station, setting up the equipment we got through customs, and meeting some of the club members and staff. Unlike most radio clubs in America, the Bolivia club is as much a social club as it is a radio club. Wives and families are involved in association activities. They own a large building and the land it occupies. In addition to a reception room/office and the room containing the ham shack, there is a conference room, a sizeable dining room, kitchen and rest room facilities and a spacious club meeting room that is nearly the size of a small auditorium. The club employs a full time secretary,

a groundskeeper, and a caretaker who lives on the property. It feels a bit more like an American Legion club than a radio club. On Wednesday we took some time out for a cultural experience. We boarded two Cessna single engine planes bound for an Indian village that is being served by Rays mission. During the 150-mile flight we watched as the geography below us gradually changed from farmland to jungle. Landing at a tiny grass strip, we were greeted by a host of villagers. The children seemed especially excited to see us. Right off the bat we were escorted on a tour of the area. A number of buildings, including a new school, had recently been constructed by church volunteers from the US. Proud village residents showed us other modern enhancements, including electrical power lines. Problem was, they couldnt turn on the generators. The cost of fuel was too high. A highlight was a visit to a small, nearby river. The area near the river was teeming with several varieties of colorful butterflies. Vlad captured a picture of one species that is being used on our QSL card. Equipment and Airtime at Last On Thursday we finally got our equipment from customs, and finished setting up the station. Ron and I decided to stay up all night so that we could try to work 160 and 80 meters. It turned out to be total frustration. Despite spending most of the day preparing the vertical and the Beverage, nada. Not only were conditions lousy, the noise level was overwhelming. We understand we were heard all over North America, and the big guns were calling us. We could hear almost nothing. All night it was the same storyno signals, nothing but crashes. There has been very little activity on 160 CW from Bolivia in recent years, and a major goal was to provide some contacts on topband. In addition to the extra multipliers that would contribute to our score, we all hoped to operate on 160 with our own calls before and after the contest. There was hope that we might be able to use the facilities at one of Rays broadcast sites, where there is a 260 foot broadcast tower. As the rules prohibited us from operating from there during the contest, we would have had to set up a separate operation. That idea didnt pan out. We simply ran out of time. What we did do is to put up a 128 foot vertical at the club site. They had a 135foot repeater tower available. As intrepid as Tony is, he hesitated to climb that one. No problem, as it turned out. Ray knew of a young Bolivian who climbs broadcast towers. This turned out to be childs

NCJ

September/October 2005

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Features: CW generation is independent of the processor load on your PC running WRITELOG. Separate opto-isolated CW outputs for a LEFT and RIGHT rig. Paddle inputs for sending CW. Separate R and L rig antenna relay outputs. Headphone audio switching. The keyer includes a speed control potentiometer and a SPST switch on a remoting cable to control CW speed and L/R radio switching manually w/o the PC running.

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play for him. In a matter of minutes he had the top of our vertical anchored to the tower. It took us considerably more time to string about 15 radials around the property. A quick SWR check (about 1.7:1) and we were in business. Finding room for a Beverage was a bit trickier. But we did manage to put one out at a length of approximately 275 feet, pointing roughly northeast. Friday, during the day, we all got on the air on various bands, using CP6/our home calls. Each of us logged several hundred QSOs. But that didnt really ease the disappointment over 160. When the contest started, we occasionally tried to do something on 160, but ended up making only two contacts: a W6 and a W7. Ron worked them, and reported that they were both loud. Thats all that was ever heard. Contest conditions were generally fair. On 10, 15, and 20, there was less noise and it was possible to maintain rates between 125 and 150 per hour. On 40 and 80, however, the noise made it a real chore. There was QSB most of the time. All the signals seemed to be at the same low level, and the pileups on us made it extremely difficult to dig out the

calls correctly. It was slow going most of the time. When we tried to spread out the pile by listening up. It helped a little, but it was still difficult. In the end, we totaled about 4700 contacts, well below our total in Guatemala. We managed more multipliers, but not as many as we had hoped, due to low totals on 160 and 80. But, because gringo contacts count 3 points, we eclipsed 8 million points. As of this writing we may have made the top 10 in the worlda better showing than expected. We assume others suffered from some of the same sub-par conditions. Of course, it helps to be transmitting from a continent where most of your contacts are worth more. Monday was teardown day. Sadly, we packed everything up. One casualty was my 746. Too much RF finally took out its receiver front end. On our last night we enjoyed a festive barbeque, hosted by Modesto, CP6UH, at his beautiful home. The event was attended by many of our new friends from the Santa Cruz Radio Club, made for a great ending to an eventful week. Now, once again, its wait til next year!

Ron Stailey, K5DJ

504 Dove Haven Dr Round Rock, TX 78664-5926 Tel/Fax (512) 255-5000

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CP6CW 2004 CQWW DX CW Results and Reflections

This article is reprinted with permission from the Twin Cities DX Association (TCDXA) newsletter The Gray Line Report.
The contest strategy that we employed was more straightforward than last year at TGAA. Since almost all QSOs are 3 pointers, we didnt have to avoid US stations in order to maximize our score. Carl, K9LA, again provided our pre-contest propagation analysis. For the most part, we tried to be on the band that was open to Europe. The stateside stations would always show up, and we would put them in the log. But keeping focused on Europe maximized multipliers on the run station. At sunrise, this strategy worked well for us. Since the southern hemisphere is in summer, the days are longer. We had two hours of Europe before sunrise in the states. Ten meters was wide open to Europe Sunday, and the 2-hour window really helped. We operated Multi-Single. As you know, Multi-Single allows a second transmitter to be used to work multipliers. This year, we had the ACX Internet PacketCluster node to help us find multipliers. And, this year, we tried to work the multiplier station harder. We knew from past experience that the final score would depend on how well we dug out the multipliers. Some pileups were easy to break. It seemed as though any path over the south was easy, but, although northern paths were there, we had difficulty with the pileups. We missed zone 2 on 20 meters, because we couldnt break the US pile up. Bolivian Propagation Conditions from Bolivia were certainly different than in Minnesota. I liked the over-the-South Pole 10 meter opening at 1:30 AM local time. There was a Europe opening to the southwest in the early morning that we didnt take advantage of. And 40 meters was a strange band. As I said previously, its summer in Bolivia, so I wasnt expecting much out of 40 meters. The first day was a wash because we didnt discover that the beam was pointing backwards until Sunday morning (more about this in a moment). Boy, the LUs were easy to work when we thought we were pointed at Europe! Sunday afternoon, about 3PM local, Vlad was on the multiplier station. He asked if we thought it was a good

Ron Dohmen, NAT

One of the multiplier stations at CP6CW.

idea to check 40 meters. Well, the Sun was still almost directly overhead and the locals were just returning from their siestas. Vlad checked 40 meters and in a few minutes he put HS into the log! Of course, 80 and 160 meters were disappointing. But you have to remember it was summer down there. And, we were operating from a club station, at a very noisy location. Eighty meters turned into a multiplier band and 160 meters was a bust. We did manage to work K3LR on topband. The only other 160meter contest QSO was with a local ham. We never got a chance to learn the propagation anomalies from CP6. QSOs outside of the contest were very limited. The bulk of our gear didnt arrive until Thursday, and we didnt have access to the facility at night, except during the contest (plus the night that Bill and I got locked in). Language and Technical Challenges And then there was the 40-meter beam built backwards. After it fell down a few years ago, the locals rebuilt it, but they had only an English instruction manual. Whats the Spanish word for front? Whats the Spanish word for back? The 40-meter rotor, with 300

degrees of rotation, is now south-centered with the dead zone right into the States. Also, during the first day, the rotor boxes for the tribanders were mislabeled. When the mult station turned the beam to work someone in Asia, the run station would lose propagation to Europe. The second day went much smoother. The pileups were difficult to manage at times. Its helpful if the stations spread out a bit. We should have tried split more often. QSO rates were generally at 120, with a few hours of low rates the first night. Maximum QSO rates were just shy of 300/hour. Modesto, CP6UH, the club president, operated for about 3 hours. He got the hang of it right away. It was nice to see him so very interested in CW contesting. Summary CP6CW 2004 CQWW CW
Band 160 80 40 20 15 10
Totals

QSOs Points 2 3 36 88 826 2417 857 2456 1867 5466 1136 3315
4724 13,745

Zones 2 16 32 34 33 31
148

Countries 2 34 99 116 127 100

478

Claimed score: 8,604,370

NCJ

September/October 2005

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Antenna InteractionsPart 8 40 and 15-meter Yagis

Part 1 introduced meta-tools that give more comprehensive maps and statistics about antenna radiation patterns.1 Part 2 applied those meta-tools to twisted stacked Yagis where the antennas point in different directions, identifying some problem situations that contesters may encounter.2 Part 3 examined self-interactions of unused antennas within a stack. This part
1

Eric L. Scace K3NA k3na@arrl.net

Notes appear on page 24.

gave examples of siting problems in the design of a contesting station antenna farm but did not fully explore siting issues.3 Part 4 introduced current tapering to clean up stack patterns.4 Parts 5 through 7 identified impairments by identical antennas in each others near fields.5,6,7 These parts examined interactions between Yagi systems on the same band. In this part we begin examining interactions between Yagi systems on the odd-

harmonic related bands of 40 and 15 meters. Our goal: identify guidelines for minimizing undesired interactions between these systems. 40-Meter Yagi Stack Of the HF contesting bands, 40-meter antennas may disrupt 15 meters because of the odd-harmonic relationship between the bands. Lets examine interactions between a twoYagi stack on each of these bands. This analysis uses K4JAs 40-meter

Figure 1Map of gain for a single 40-meter 4-element OWA Yagi at 1/2 height.

Figure 2Map of gain for a stack of two 40-meter 4-element OWA Yagis standing at 1/2 and 1 height. Equal currents drive the antennas.

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NCJ

Figure 3Map of gain for a stack of two 40-meter 4-element OWA Yagis standing at 1/2 and 1 height. Unequal currents drive the antennas, with a ratio of 0.59 (top) to 1 (bottom).

Figure 4Map of gain for a stack of two 15-meter 6-element OWA Yagis standing at 1/2 and 1 height. Unequal currents drive the antennas, with a ratio of 0.81 (top) to 1 (bottom).

OWA Yagi, a 4element design on a 48 feet boom. Just 5 feet separates the two central elements, enough to straddle the tower mount. These two close-spaced elements characterize the OWA design, contributing to a uniform behavior over a broader range of frequencies. Modeling this antenna requires some special considerations: I used ON4UNs scaling utility8 to convert the physical half-element design to an element of uniform diameter. NEC -based modeling tools require closely spaced elements to have their segment boundaries aligned in order to generate stable, realistic results. I manually set the segment boundaries for the inner parts of all four elements at a uniform length to force alignment. Only the last one or two outer segments on each

element vary in length; these segments carry relatively smaller currents and misalignment poses less risk. In order to model the behavior of this antenna in both a 40 and 15-meter environment, I increased the element segmentation substantially. The reflector and driven element contain 41 segments. The first director contains 39 segments, and the second (front) director contains 37 segments. The inner 37 segments for all elements are identical at just under 20 inches. The additional segments for the longer elements range between about 21 and 26 inches, avoiding violation of the proscription against radical changes in segment size. Figure 1 shows gain for a 40-meter Yagi standing in height modeled on 7.125MHz. This extremely clean pattern

contains a main beam of +12.2dBi at 25 elevation. The half-power beamwidth of 64 in azimuth, lying between 12 and 42 elevation, is entirely reasonable for an antenna of this size. The only minor lobe, a vestigial rear area, peaks at just 13.8dBi. Figure 2 maps the gain a two-Yagi 40meter stack at and 1 heights (21.0 and 42.1m; 69 and 138 feet), fed with equal currents. The main lobe peaks at 15 elevation with +14.7dBi. The half-power beamwidth remains 64 in azimuth and spans 826 in elevation. A secondary lobe of 1.7dBi peaks above the main beam at 52 elevation. The only other minor lobe points to the rear with 6.9dBi. Current tapering can improve this very good stack even further. Figure 3 maps the gain of the same stack with drive current ratios of 0.59 (top) to 1.00 (bottom).

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September/October 2005

21

Current tapering eliminates the secondary lobe, using that energy to round out the main beam into a slightly taller beam. The main beam peaks with +14.2dBi at 17 elevation. The half-power beamwidth spans 828 in elevation, an extra 2 taller. The rear minor lobe remains unchanged at 6.9dBi. This stack is very quiet; over 51% of the sky has gains below 15dBi. In fact, all elevation angles above 48 have gains below 15dBi, so you wont be using this stack to talk to your neighbor in the next town! This is the first time in this series of articles that weve looked at current tapers for different sizes of Yagis in stacks. Note the optimum current taper ratio of 0.59:1 for this 4-element OWA stack differs considerably from the optimum 0.81:1 ratio for an identical stack employing 6-element OWA Yagis. 15-Meter Yagi Stack Figure 4 maps the gain of the 15-

meter stack used in this study. This stack contains two 6-element OWA Yagis on 32 feet booms. Each Yagi is a scaled version of the 20-meter band 6-element OWA Yagi design used in earlier articles of this series, using N6BVs SCALE utility program.9 The Yagis stand at and 1 at the design frequency 21.175 MHz (7.0 and 14.1meters; 23.1 and 46.2 feet). The model employs 17 to 21 segments per element, resulting in segment lengths between 10 and 14 inches. These segment sizes are sufficiently similar to those of the 40-meter Yagi to permit including both antennas in the same model for our analysis of interactions. Unequal drive currents in the ratio 0.81 (top) to 1 (bottom) produce a main beam peak gain of 15.5dBi. The half-power beamwidth of 52 in azimuth is understandably narrower than that of the 40meter stack. The half-power beamwidth elevation covers 826, identical to that of the 40-meter system. Two minor lobes

of 6.4dBi sit about 120 to either side of the main beam boresight. With 58% of the sky below 15dBi, this stack is clean and quiet. Now lets see how the presence of an unused 40-meter stack affects this 15meter stack. While examining impairments between antennas on the same band in earlier articles, we learned the most severe impairments occur when the two antenna systems point in opposite directions. Lets use that same orientation for todays study. Influence of the Unused 40-meter Stack Table A summarizes 15-meter pattern parameters and impairments caused by the unused 40-meter stack. The 40-meter feedpoints are open-circuited. The first row of the table gives performance parameters for the 15-meter stack alone (no 40-meter antennas present). The columns in this table represent,

Table A Performance parameters for the 15-meter stack and impairments caused by a nearby unused 40-meter stack. The 15-meter stack points to 180; the 40-meter stack points to 0. See text for an explanation of column entries.
15m loc dist dir no 40m 0.0 0 0.5 0 1.0 0 2.0 0 4.0 0 8.0 0 16.0 0 28.0 0 32.0 0 64.0 0 20.0 15 30.0 15 40.0 15 0.5 30 1.0 30 2.0 30 4.0 30 8.0 30 16.0 30 32.0 30 64.0 30 0.5 60 1.0 60 2.0 60 4.0 60 8.0 60 16.0 60 0.5 90 1.0 90 1.5 90 2.0 90 2.5 90 5.0 90 0.5 120 1.0 120 2.0 120 4.0 120 8.0 120 16.0 120 0.5 150 1.0 150 2.0 150 4.0 150 8.0 150 16.0 150 24.0 150 0.5 180 1.0 180 2.0 180 4.0 180 8.0 180 dBi 15.46 15.53 15.51 15.51 15.43 15.03 15.06 15.33 15.57 15.55 15.46 15.57 15.52 15.48 15.52 15.57 15.63 15.66 15.63 15.54 15.47 15.48 15.46 15.33 15.62 15.57 15.50 15.47 15.35 15.38 15.53 15.44 15.47 15.47 15.43 15.40 15.47 15.44 15.48 15.47 15.43 15.46 15.47 15.45 15.46 15.46 15.46 15.57 15.42 15.43 15.45 15.48 peak gain az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az az location 180 el 15 180 el 15 181 el 15 180 el 15 181 el 16 196 el 15 196 el 15 184 el 17 181 el 16 181 el 15 180 el 15 167 el 15 180 el 15 181 el 16 180 el 15 181 el 15 179 el 15 173 el 15 182 el 15 180 el 15 179 el 15 180 el 15 181 el 15 181 el 16 182 el 15 183 el 15 183 el 15 178 el 15 181 el 16 182 el 15 180 el 15 179 el 15 181 el 15 180 el 15 180 el 15 181 el 16 181 el 15 182 el 15 178 el 15 180 el 15 180 el 15 180 el 15 180 el 15 180 el 15 180 el 15 180 el 15 180 el 15 180 el 15 181 el 16 180 el 15 179 el 16 180 el 15 delta 0.07 0.05 0.05 -0.03 -0.43 -0.40 -0.13 0.11 0.09 0.00 0.11 0.06 0.02 0.06 0.11 0.17 0.20 0.17 0.08 0.01 0.02 0.00 -0.13 0.16 0.11 0.04 0.01 -0.11 -0.08 0.07 -0.02 0.01 0.01 -0.03 -0.06 0.01 -0.02 0.02 0.01 -0.03 0.00 0.01 -0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.11 -0.04 -0.03 -0.01 0.02 target #1 median gain dBi 13.67 13.66 13.62 13.61 13.55 13.33 13.26 13.71 13.65 13.68 13.68 13.67 13.68 13.67 13.65 13.71 13.71 13.65 13.70 13.68 13.67 13.68 13.68 13.70 13.67 13.66 13.69 13.67 13.61 13.66 13.65 13.69 13.68 13.68 13.68 13.65 13.67 13.68 13.69 13.69 13.68 13.68 13.69 13.69 13.67 13.68 13.68 13.71 13.64 13.70 13.69 13.68 delta -0.01 -0.05 -0.06 -0.12 -0.34 -0.41 0.04 -0.02 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00 -0.02 0.04 0.04 -0.02 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.00 -0.01 0.02 0.00 -0.06 -0.01 -0.02 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 -0.02 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.04 -0.03 0.03 0.02 0.01 minimum gain dBi 9.94 9.80 9.76 9.58 9.01 9.16 9.44 9.65 9.87 9.91 9.93 9.93 9.94 9.94 9.58 8.99 8.55 7.70 8.89 9.99 9.86 9.95 9.45 9.59 9.47 9.91 9.87 9.91 9.80 9.89 9.84 9.91 9.93 9.95 9.77 9.91 9.92 9.95 9.91 9.93 9.77 9.85 9.92 9.91 9.91 9.94 9.94 9.95 9.89 9.94 9.93 9.92 delta -0.14 -0.18 -0.36 -0.93 -0.78 -0.50 -0.29 -0.07 -0.03 -0.01 -0.01 0.00 0.00 -0.36 -0.95 -1.39 -2.24 -1.05 0.05 -0.08 0.01 -0.49 -0.35 -0.47 -0.03 -0.07 -0.03 -0.14 -0.05 -0.10 -0.03 -0.01 0.01 -0.17 -0.03 -0.02 0.01 -0.03 -0.01 -0.17 -0.09 -0.02 -0.03 -0.03 0.00 0.00 0.01 -0.05 0.00 -0.01 -0.02 largest decr -0.36 -0.58 -1.01 -2.13 -3.08 -1.97 -0.47 -0.19 -0.14 -0.04 -0.29 -0.12 -0.06 -0.46 -0.95 -1.39 -2.24 -1.27 -0.37 -0.08 -0.02 -0.49 -0.37 -0.47 -0.29 -0.14 -0.04 -0.19 -0.27 -0.14 -0.09 -0.07 -0.03 -0.17 -0.22 -0.07 -0.08 -0.06 -0.01 -0.17 -0.09 -0.05 -0.05 -0.03 -0.01 -0.01 -0.24 -0.14 -0.04 -0.03 -0.02 incr 0.23 0.13 0.33 1.12 1.25 1.28 0.47 0.16 0.13 0.04 0.25 0.16 0.09 0.26 0.54 0.52 0.55 0.67 0.35 0.09 0.02 0.36 0.38 0.39 0.31 0.14 0.03 0.06 0.21 0.17 0.10 0.05 0.03 0.17 0.17 0.07 0.09 0.05 0.01 0.17 0.14 0.06 0.03 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.24 0.11 0.04 0.02 0.03 median gain dBi floor floor -13.87 -12.93 -11.45 -11.96 -13.23 floor floor floor floor floor floor floor -14.28 -14.32 floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor floor delta 0.00 1.13 2.07 3.55 3.04 1.77 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.72 0.68 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 non-target worst minor lobe dBi -6.42 -6.18 -4.63 -2.21 0.68 2.21 0.96 -4.00 -5.82 -6.03 -6.41 -5.96 -6.32 -6.39 -4.38 -3.13 -1.61 -0.57 -2.57 -5.33 -6.27 -6.40 -4.65 -1.58 -2.36 -4.41 -5.75 -6.36 -3.85 -4.71 -5.68 -6.16 -6.17 -6.40 -5.95 -5.48 -5.85 -5.68 -6.12 -6.39 -5.95 -6.56 -5.96 -6.19 -6.33 -6.42 -6.42 -6.45 -6.74 -6.38 -6.42 -6.42 location delta az 298 el 19 az 297 el 22 0.24 az 180 el 42 1.79 az 302 el 11 4.21 az 307 el 27 7.10 az 309 el 26 8.63 az 310 el 13 7.38 az 57 el 16 2.42 az 300 el 16 0.60 az 298 el 16 0.39 az 61 el 19 0.01 az 58 el 15 0.46 az 61 el 18 0.10 az 60 el 20 0.03 az 240 el 12 2.04 az 44 el 28 3.29 az 45 el 27 4.81 az 42 el 12 5.85 az 49 el 13 3.85 az 305 el 15 1.09 az 299 el 17 0.15 az 298 el 20 0.02 az 240 el 10 1.77 az 53 el 16 4.84 az 49 el 15 4.06 az 52 el 13 2.01 az 60 el 23 0.67 az 61 el 18 0.06 az 54 el 12 2.57 az 64 el 25 1.71 az 61 el 24 0.74 az 61 el 22 0.26 az 302 el 23 0.25 az 298 el 16 0.02 az 297 el 21 0.47 az 55 el 13 0.94 az 298 el 23 0.57 az 293 el 23 0.74 az 298 el 16 0.30 az 299 el 20 0.03 az 297 el 21 0.47 az 299 el 21 -0.14 az 298 el 22 0.46 az 296 el 15 0.23 az 298 el 17 0.09 az 297 el 15 0.00 az 298 el 19 0.00 az 300 el 16 -0.03 az 298 el 19 -0.32 az 298 el 20 0.04 az 300 el 20 0.00 az 300 el 20 0.00 largest decr -3.26 -6.23 -7.85 -7.88 -8.41 -8.35 -6.43 -3.24 -2.99 -1.08 -3.39 -1.92 -1.30 -5.57 -6.64 -7.85 -8.05 -7.92 -4.60 -1.94 -0.71 -5.46 -7.48 -7.43 -5.91 -4.01 -1.00 -7.28 -6.38 -5.26 -3.14 -1.98 -0.92 -2.19 -5.63 -3.52 -2.50 -1.38 -0.78 -2.23 -3.59 -2.48 -1.81 -1.25 -0.29 -0.13 -5.59 -2.77 -0.93 -0.50 -0.55 incr 5.13 8.84 11.87 15.53 15.77 12.95 8.00 4.36 3.39 1.15 4.30 2.41 1.36 8.39 9.95 12.86 12.69 10.41 5.32 2.30 0.76 6.08 10.93 9.33 6.96 3.13 1.17 8.38 9.38 4.99 3.37 2.78 1.53 4.04 6.46 2.37 2.98 1.64 0.70 4.07 3.32 1.74 1.11 0.68 0.28 0.14 5.49 1.62 0.79 0.69 0.48 57.5% 43.0% 32.3% 28.1% 22.6% 26.1% 31.5% 47.5% 55.2% 55.8% 57.3% 54.8% 56.9% 57.2% 35.1% 36.5% 41.2% 42.3% 46.2% 54.2% 57.0% 57.2% 41.8% 44.4% 51.1% 54.5% 56.9% 57.3% 51.3% 53.4% 54.6% 57.9% 57.5% 57.1% 49.0% 57.7% 58.2% 55.9% 56.3% 57.2% 49.0% 57.0% 55.5% 57.5% 57.4% 57.4% 57.4% 55.3% 59.1% 57.2% 57.4% 57.4% %sky <-15 dBi change -14.5% -25.2% -29.4% -34.9% -31.4% -26.0% -10.0% -2.3% -1.7% -0.2% -2.7% -0.6% -0.3% -22.4% -21.0% -16.3% -15.2% -11.3% -3.3% -0.5% -0.3% -15.7% -13.1% -6.4% -3.0% -0.6% -0.2% -6.2% -4.1% -2.9% 0.4% 0.0% -0.4% -8.5% 0.2% 0.7% -1.6% -1.2% -0.3% -8.5% -0.5% -2.0% 0.0% -0.1% -0.1% -0.1% -2.2% 1.6% -0.3% -0.1% -0.1% feedpoint impedance top 26.9 -j 10.1 26.4 -j 8.7 23.9 -j 8.2 21.2 -j 11.8 27.1 -j 14.3 30.7 -j 11.7 26.2 -j 9.2 27.0 -j 9.9 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 24.2 -j 11.0 28.5 -j 12.5 27.7 -j 10.2 27.3 -j 9.7 26.7 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.0 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 28.6 -j 10.4 26.8 -j 11.2 26.8 -j 9.4 26.8 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 25.7 -j 9.3 26.2 -j 10.2 27.1 -j 10.0 26.9 -j 10.0 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.4 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.0 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.4 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 27.2 -j 9.8 26.9 -j 10.2 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 26.9 -j 10.1 bottom 26.9 -j 1 27.1 -j 1 28.3 -j 1 27.8 -j 22.8 -j 1 29.2 -j 1 26.1 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 27.6 -j 1 25.7 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 27.3 -j 1 26.8 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.3 -j 1 26.7 -j 1 27.3 -j 1 26.8 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 27.3 -j 1 27.1 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.8 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1 26.9 -j 1

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from left to right: Location of the 15-meter stack relative to the 40-meter stack; e.g., 1 at 0 means the 15-meter antenna stands one wavelength in front of the 40-meter stack. Wavelength here always refers to wavelengths on the transmitting band (15 meters). The unused 40-meter Yagis always point to 0 azimuth. The 15meter Yagis always point to 180. Peak gain of the 15-meter stack, its azimuth and elevation, and the impairment to peak gain (change in peak gain caused by the presence of the unused 40-meter stack). Median gain over the target zone, and the impairment to median gain. The target zone here equates to the half-power beamwidth in azimuth and elevation. Minimum gain within the target zone, and the impairment to that minimum gain. Since no antenna fills a target zone uniformly, we want to know if impairments exist to the least well-served part of the target. Largest spot increase in gain, and largest spot decrease in gain, within the target zone. Spot gain refers to the gain in a specific direction (azimuth and elevation). A significant change in the gain in any one direction would be an undesirable interaction, even if the overall pattern averaged out to the same level of gain. Median gain outside of the main beam, and impairment to that median gain. A well-designed antenna has little sensitivity outside of its main beam; any increase in median gain indicates impaired performance. An entry of floor here means the median gain is less than the floor threshold of 15dBi. Worst (highest gain) minor lobe outside the main beam, its location, and the impairment (increase in gain of the worst minor lobe). Largest spot increase in gain, and largest spot decrease in gain, outside the main beam. Portion of the sky hemisphere with gain of < 15dBi (quiet regions of reduced QRM and QRN), and impairment to that portion. Feedpoint Impedance The table reveals that the 40-meter stack introduces significant impairments to the 15-meter stacks pattern, about as severe as those introduced by another 15-meter Yagi system. The unused 40-meter stack introduces tiny variations to main beam peak and median gain of no operational significance. However, at specific azimuths and elevations the unused antennas reduce spot gain in the main beam as much as 3.1dB. The largest reductions do not occur when the two systems are closest. The worst impairments to portions of the main beam occur when the two systems

Figure 5Maximum absolute variation in spot gain in any direction for the 15meter stack due to the presence of the unused 40-meter stack. The 40-meter stack stands at the origin of the coordinate system and points to the right (corresponding to 0 azimuth in the maps); the 15-meter stack points to the left (180 azimuth).

point towards each other over a broad region around a separation of about 4 on 21MHz (96m, 320 feet). In this same region the main beam boresight deviates right or left of its intended direction. While the table lists deviations up to 16, an examination of the underlying patterns shows these deviations have no operational significance. Minor variations in spot gain cause the shift in location of peak gain occurs, a roughing up of the gain pattern. (This variation differs from those seen in earlier articles, where unused antennas pulled the main beam off to one side.) Outside the main beam, the unused 40meter stack clutters up the sky with new minor lobes and interference patterns. The worst occur in the same area of largest impairments to the main beam. Figure 5 maps out the largest spot change outside of the main beam as a function of the location of the 15-meter stack relative to the unused 40-meter antennas. Not surprisingly, the worst spot

changes occur where the stacks point toward each other, and one requires an enormous separation (over 1km) to reduce these spot changes to below 1dB. Much closer separations yield continued excellent performance when the 15meter stack stands above, below and to the left of behind the 40-meter stack, as oriented in the Figure. Closer examination of the underlying patterns indicates the table somewhat overstates the separation requirements to maintain a clean pattern. With these locations, many of the spot pattern changes occur in areas of the sky with relatively low gain (around 10dBi). As long as the worst minor lobe remains below about 6dBi, and the percent of sky with below 15dBi remains above 55%, the 15-meter stack performs excellently in the presence of the unused 40-meter system. The table gives you quite a large range of potential sites meeting these goals. Of course, if either the 15 or 40-meter stacks can rotate, then site selection must

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consider other relative orientations of the antennas. The table does not include those calculations. We have not yet examined the impact of an unused 15-meter stack on the 40-meter stack, either. Next time we will look at those two cases. Summary An unused 40-meter stack can introduce significant impairments to the pattern of a 15-meter stack. The magnitude of impairment depends on the relative locations of the stacks. The range of relative locations over which impairments occur for these oddharmonic related bands appears to be similar in size to the range of relative locations for which unused stacks on the same band cause impairments. The optimum current taper ratio for a short two-Yagi stack using 4-element OWA Yagis is about 0.6:1 (top:bottom). This differs from the optimum ratio of about 0.8:1 for a short two-Yagi stack using 6-element OWA Yagis. This result suggests that Yagis of different sizes may require a different current taper ratio to minimize minor lobes. Erratum for Part 7 Part 7 Figure 3 as published in the paper edition of NCJ erroneously duplicated Figure 2. The PDF version of the article on the NCJ Web site www.ncjweb.com contains the correct figure. Notes
1

Scace, Eric K3NA; Antenna Interactions Part 1: Stop Squinting! Get the Big Picture, National Contest Journal, 2003 Jul/Aug; ARRL, Newington, CT USA. 2 Scace, Eric K3NA; Antenna Interactions Part 2: Twisting Stacks, National Contest Journal, 2003 Sep/Oct; ARRL, Newington, CT USA. 3 Scace, Eric K3NA; Antenna Interactions Part 3: When Good Aluminum Goes Bad, National Contest Journal, 2003 Nov/Dec; ARRL, Newington, CT USA. 4 Scace, Eric K3NA; Antenna Interactions Part 4: Cleaning Up Stacked Yagis with Current Tapers, National Contest Journal, 2004 Jan/Feb; ARRL, Newington, CT USA. 5 Scace, Eric K3NA; Antenna Interactions Part 5: How Close is Too Close?, National Contest Journal, 2004 Mar/Apr; ARRL, Newington, CT USA. 6 Scace, Eric K3NA; Antenna Interactions Part 6: Antennas Pointing in the Same Direction, National Contest Journal, 2004 Jul/Aug; ARRL, Newington, CT USA. 7 Scace, Eric K3NA; Antenna Interactions Part 7: Antennas Pointing in Opposite Directions, National Contest Journal, 2005 Jul/Aug; ARRL, Newington, CT USA. 8 Devoldere, John ON4UN; Low-Band DXing; 4th edition; ARRL, Newington, CT USA. 9 Straw, Dean N6BV; ARRL Antenna Book CD-ROM Edition 2.0; ARRL, Newington, CT USA.

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Rising to the ChallengeHow NCCC Retook the Sweepstakes Gavel

The November Sweepstakes (CW and Phone) are wonderful contests. Individual amateurs with modest stations can really do well and have a blast besides. But what a lot of those individual participants dont know is that there is another contest taking place simultaneouslythe club competition. That contest is an opportunity for experienced contesters and rookies, with stations large and small, to pool their resources and work as a team. Clubs are also a great source of additional participation. Until 1975, common wisdom had it that a West Coast club could never win Sweepstakes (SS). We were just too far removed from densely packed ham populations. But that wisdom went out the window when the Northern California Contest Club (NCCC) won the unlimited club category that year. And for several years NCCC seemed to dominate the SS contests. The club won 14 times in its 35year history. There was constant rivalry with the Potomac Valley Radio Club (PVRC) during the 90s. Then, out of the blue, a new club emerged to win the coveted gavel. The Society of Midwest Contesters (SMC) in both 2001 and 2002 trounced all comers. NCCC analyzed the results. The average points-per-log was definitely in our favor, but SMC killed us by submitting about twice as many logs. Logistically, we could never grow to SMCs size because our 175-mile circle simply did not cover as large a ham population as SMCs. If we were to win back the gavel, we would need a multifaceted approach. We would need to raise the average points-per-log, but more importantly, increase the number of logs submitted. Faced with that prospect, we resigned ourselves to remaining second banana in unlimited club competition. But in April 2003, Steve Dyer, W1SRD, became NCCC president. He made no bones about his primary objective for the coming contest season. NCCC is going to win back the gavel, he told us. And while most of us applauded and shouted our encouragement, a lot of us were skeptical. But Steve was undaunted. He turned to Rusty, W6OAT, a veteran member of NCCC and a true contest strategist. Rumors began to circulate that Rusty had a plan. We knew there was a lot of back-room discussion going on, but had to wait until our July joint meeting with the Mother Load DX and Contest Club (MLDXCC) in Jackson, California to get the first inkling of his comprehensive strategy. The Plan Rusty, among other accomplishments, has a law degree. He is a stickler for rules and regulations. So he studied the SS rules, intensively, and made sure that whatever NCCC would ultimately do would be consistent with the letter and spirit of those rules. The SS rules preclude an operator from using one call for part of the time, and another call for the rest of the time, if at the same location, using the same transmitter. However, it is completely within the rules for an operator to use one call for, say, 12 hours, at one location, then go to a different station and use a different call for the next 12 hours. There is one gotcha, though. If someone at that other station had been using a transmitter with one call, a new arrival cannot use that same transmitter with a new call. The call is associated with the transmitter. It only works if there is a second transmitter at the new location that has not been used. Otherwise, the new arrival must continue using the same call associated with that transmitter. Thus one key part of Rustys plan was to create a team of contesters, called highly motivated operators or HMOs, who would give up their hopes for individual glory, and split their operation between two locations using two calls. In each case, the HMOs would be operating from stations equipped with at least a tri-band Yagi and an amplifier. In my case, I used K6RB at my home station, using one of my two FT-1000 transceivers. Then at 6 AM on Sunday morning I drove 25 miles to K6XXs house, bringing an FT990 transceiver with me and plugging it into his unused amp and antenna system. There I used the call NZ6Ka club call for the Surf City Contest Club. At the same time, Bob, K6XX, used his call from his home station on Saturday. Then he drove 25 miles to my home station with an unused FT-1000 MP. He then plugged into my second amp and antenna system, and operated with club call N6IP. At the end of the 24 hours, Bob and I had filled four logs, using four calls, operating four unique transmitters for 12 hours, each. Compared with the scores we each generated in previous years using one call for 24 hours, our total scores were about 25 to 30 percent higher. Part of that was due to having a virgin call on Sunday. Part of it was due to adrenaline rush. But Rusty knew that HMOs, alone, would not be enough. He needed to raise

Rob Brownstein, K6RB k6rb@baymoon.com

the points-per-log of all of the NCCC participants, and get more members to participate. To that end, we had strategy sessions at all meetings leading up to SS, where veterans shared their wisdom with rookies and everyone learned something helpful. Then, to make sure that every participant had optimized stations, NCCC undertook a program of helping anyone with antenna renovation, contest log software installation and training, and guest operation practice at well-equipped member stations. The last piece of Rustys strategy was for all of us to use unlimited class and take advantage of spotting to help maximize individual multiplier totals. This was especially important for HMOs who had to try and sweep, each day, within 12 hours. The same strategy was to be used for both the CW and Phone contests. Be Prepared From the first disclosure of the plan until the first weekend in November seemed like a very short amount of time to do everything required. Members were visiting other members stations and helping them organize their gear for more efficient contesting. Others were climbing towers and checking out flakey coax connections. Still others were installing logging software and training paper loggers how to use logging software. In many cases, new users tried Andy Fabers (AE6Y) homegrown Windows program, CQPWIN , which was tooled for SS; and in other cases, they downloaded N1MM. In still other cases, members bought programs, such as WriteLog. There was not enough time to try to standardize on one logging program, and with so many having diversified preferences, we didnt bother. There was a lot of help by members, using the club reflector, in bringing people up to speed in using spotting nets. The only time Ive ever used a spotting net was for SS, and the on-line member help was priceless. HMOs made arrangements with other HMOs to swap locations and antenna systems. In the weeks leading up the contests, we visited one another and made sure we knew what to expect on Sunday morning, and how to use the other stations controls, and the like. The last thing anyone wanted to have happen was to arrive on Sunday morning and lose time trying to figure out whats what. Each week for several weeks we had practice contests during our weekly net

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schedule. We would simulate the real thing and have a chance to exercise our software to make sure ever ything worked as expected. Again, you dont want to find out your logging program is doing something strange at 2100Z on the SS Saturday. Waiting for the Starters Pistol The last week before SS was very hectic. Members were scrambling to fix last-minute problems. We were watching the propagation projections trying to decide whether to start on 10 or 15 meters. We were testing our Telnet and 2-meter links to spotting networks. We were all getting antsy. In 2001, SMC had gotten its members to submit 342 logs to our 159. In 2002, they ended up with 387 logs while we turned in only 156. Our strategy was based on SMC turning in 400 logs. If we could muster 300, we believed our higher average-pointsper-log might be enough to squeak by them. Last minute phone calls were made to members who had not submitted a points pledge. We wanted to leave nothing to chance. SS CW Saturday, 2100 Z When the clock struck 1 PM, I expected to see lights dim in Northern California. About 300 NCCCers began pounding brass within a 175-mile radius. Already the first spots were being posted, and HMO stations were running like crazy. I saw my rate meter shoot up to a sustained 90+ QSOs per hour. I could tell I was being spotted when all of a sudden a mini-pileup would ensue. I was so busy running I didnt have time to look at incoming spots. It was only later, after the frenzy abated, that I began doing some search and pounce, and spotting the more rare sections, such as SC and MT. Most HMOs were planning to go full tilt for 12 hours, grab a few winks between 1 AM and 5 AM, be on the road by 6 AM, and be running full tilt from 7 AM until 7 PM at the second location. During the first 12 hours, it was relatively easy to sweep. We could cover the East Coast on 10, 15 and 20 until rates dropped, then continue filling in the middle sections on 40 meters. Around 9 PM, we would QSY to 80 meters and find all the close-in sections we were overshooting on the higher frequency bands. My concern was that on Sunday I would operate from 7 AM until 7 PM, and might miss some of the close-in sections because of limited time on 80 meters. Thank goodness for early morning backscatter because a lot of close-in stations were worked on 15 and 20 on Sunday morning. It was dark when I left my house heading for K6XXs house at 6 AM, and dark 26 September/October 2005

Figure 1 Dean Straws (N6BV) graph of Sweepstakes results over the years clearly shows that sunspot numbers are much less significant to overall scores than are the number of logs submitted.

From the October 1976 QST, Ellen White (now W1YL), then with the ARRL, awards NCCCs first SS gavel.

when I returned home after 7 PM on Sunday. I dont remember feeling as exhilarated nor as exhausted both at the same time. By 8 PM our NCCC club reflector was abuzz with projected scores. Early returns looked real good. With a two-week respite before SS Phone, we took the time to compare notes, seeing what worked and what didnt work, and what we could do to fix any problems. In between the two contests our regularly scheduled monthly meeting was held. Preliminary figures were posted based on reflector messages. Our stat-

istician Bill, N6ZFO, was combing through logs trying to get a sense of relative SMC turnout. We all felt a lot of momentum going forward. SS Phone Saturday, 2100Z This time instead of pounding brass simultaneously, the NCCC horde was shouting into microphones at the stroke of 1 PM. Again the HMOs were planning back-to-back 12-hour sessions. Individual contributors were committed to staying in the chair for the full 24 hours. Those without digital voice keyers were

NCJ

already hoarse by mid-day Saturday. Those with voice keyers were also losing their voices. There seemed to be more participants in the phone contest, and, on Sunday, there seemed to be a slew of new calls. When it was finally 7 PM, we all knew we had given it our best shot, and all we could do now was wait for the results. Again, by 8 PM the reflector was jumping with early, raw totals. Interestingly, some HMOs, myself included, had actually had higher CW scores than phone scores. We attributed that to the greater number of overall participants, and the influx of new calls on Sunday taking away some of the new-call advantage we had in CW two weeks before. Post Mortem By our December meeting (our annual holiday dinner) Bill, N6ZFO, had analyzed the logs for both contests and was projecting an NCCC win. But he felt it could be a close finish. In fact, it turned out not to be very close. NCCC had submitted 299 logsone short of our 300log objective. SMC had turned in only 294. With the number of logs that close, the difference would depend on the average-number-of-points per log. All of our efforts in urging people to put in the full 24 hours, in helping members improve their stations, in training members how to use computer logging had paid off. Our 299 logs totaled 21,943,202. SMC had posted 16,397,484. Prologue We didnt want last years win to be a flash in the pan for NCCC. So we set for ourselves an even higher challenge for 2004. Our goal was to set a new all-time record in SS. Again, we pulled out all the stops. We recruited the HMO team, we offered help in optimizing members stations, and we talked about strategy refinements. But we didnt plan on Murphy and the weird solar conditions on CW Sunday. And there was some attrition in overall participation. In the 2004 SS, NCCC submitted 251 logs, but posted a score of 19,852,098. SMC also had some attrition. They entered 203 logs with a total score of 12,768,654. The SS in 2005 will probably have worse conditions than those of 2004. There may be no 10 meter openings, and we may all be scrunched on 20 meters for the first several hours. But our propagation expert and band-plan strategist, Dean Straw, N6BV, did an in-depth analysis of SS results over a protracted period of time (see Figure 1). His findings were that sunspot numbers and propagation had much less influence on overall results than the number of logs each club submits. After all, SS is distinguished by its rule that you work someone only once, regardless of band.

Some have argued that is a detriment, but it also makes the contest a lot less dependent upon sunspots than, say, the ARRL International DX Contest. So, as we plunge deeper into a waning sunspot cycle, it is safe to bet that NCCC will be beating the bushes to get as many of its members to participate in SS 2005. Now, having to risen to the challenge and having won back the gavel two years in a row, were reluctant to give it up again without a fight.

Rob Brownstein, K6RB, was first licensed as KN2UMU at age 11 in

Queens, New York in 1958. He upgraded to General in 1959 and to Amateur Extra in 1970. Rob worked as a physics teacher in New York, then moved to California where he worked as an electronics technician while studying for his masters in electrical engineering. In 1977, he became West Coast editor for the industry trade newspaper Electronic Engineering Times. Afterward he was a West Coast editor for McGraw-Hills Electronics magazine. These days he is a freelance writer and has had four books published by McGraw-Hill. He is an avid contester and CW operator.

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e-mail sales@antennamodel.com phone 979-542-7952 NCJ September/October 2005

27

A Day In The LifeA TongueBy Dan Henderson, N1ND ARRL Contest Branch Manager in-Cheek Look At Some Typical Problems Handled by the ARRL Contest Branch
An interesting telephone call occurred while I was sipping my morning tea and catching up on e-mails. WA4QQN was mad as a wet hornet about how badly the Contest Department had screwed up his entry for the last 10-Meter Contest. After a few pleasantries, I suggested that he give me a moment to pull his entry forms so we could find the errors and possibly correct them. After checking the database to obtain the reference number and sliding my chair around to the filing cabinets, I pulled out his hand-written entry. The handwriting was almost illegible. The suffix QQN looked like OON. To my utter lack of surprise, his initial complaint was that we had his call wrong. I privately surmised that this fellow was a physician because they are notorious for poor handwriting. No sweat. I corrected it in the database. One problem solved, another to go. Why did we report his score in the Multi-Op category, which is a mixed mode category for the 10-Meter Contest? In his own words, I only work CW, dont even own a microphone and never have owned an amplifier. I only run 100 watts. I explained that the summary sheet he had submitted was a photocopy of an obsolete form from 20 years ago. He also had not marked an entry category, mode or power level. I told him that since his form was not completely filled out, and since he didnt respond to requests for this information (according to the notes in the file), we were obligated to use the default categories. He was adamant that he wasnt multiop; he was single op. He operated his station alone; his great operating skills and his packet spots were all he needed to work them all. I explained that, according to the ARRL Contest Rules, when there is no single-op assisted category an assisted entry is classified as Multioperator. Since the 10-Meter Contest did not have an assisted category, he was multi-op. He muttered a few comments about why the rules were so archaic and we moved on. Next came the big complaint: we got his score wrong. According to his log, he worked 400 stations and he stated that he was an expert in ARRL contest scoring because he had submitted his clubs Field Day entry years ago. He explained it thusly: Contacts count 2 points each plus two more points each 28 September/October 2005 because they were on CW. You then multiply those by 5 because you worked some QRP stations. Next, you add the 72 sections worked and the 50 states worked with 116 CQ zones worked for 238 multipliers. Finally, you throw all those together and, according to his calculations, he should have a combined score of about 1-gazillion points. This obviously made him the winner and he demanded that the results be reprinted with an apology acknowledging our error. When will my plaque be shipped? he asked. I asked the gentleman if he had read the rules for the contest in QST. Nope, I let my subscription to QST lapse years ago, so I dont get the magazine anymore. You boys at ARRL dont do anything to help me in the hobby. Also, he had not visited the Contest Homepage at www.arrl.org/contests where all of our rules, forms and calendars are posted and can be downloaded. His response was not very pleasant when I tried to explain that he was not using the current scoring system and that there were no plaques offered for the 10-Meter contest. Finally, he let it be known that since the contest was in December, it was entirely unacceptable that his friends didnt know about the results more quickly. I worked hard to win that contest. It isnt right having to wait more than a month to get the results! I tried to explain that with hundreds of logs for each contest, with the more sophisticated log checking that is being done to ensure fairness, and with limited space available in QST for publishing results, that we had to space things out. Our goal is to provide accurate results, and do all we can at our end to eliminate problems so that contest remains fair and fun. I also explained that with the implementation of the contest robot and the Cabrillo format, results are now available at least one month sooner in QST and on the ARRL Web, and in some cases two months sooner. He did not leave a happy camper, but he did understand some of the problems encountered. With cold tea and little else accomplished, I returned to work. The telephone rang minutes later. This time, WD4HCY was upset because he had sent his files in electronically and they were not included in our results, but rather were listed as a check-log. After sorting through the files, I discovered that this ham had e-mailed his scores 3 months after the end of the contest with the explanation that he just hadnt gotten around to doing it. He admitted he had forgotten that he had only 30 days from the end of the contest to submit his results. He then asked why his entry for the DX Phone contest wasnt listed, as he was sure he had sent it in on time. I did some checking of his e-mail and saw that, while it was on time, he had not submitted the required Cabrillo-format file. He said he got the message back from the ARRL robot but didnt bother to read it since it was obvious you received my entry since I got a message back. I explained that besides receipt messages, we also send back messages concerning entries that have problems and cannot be processed. If you do not respond to the error message, you dont have a log in the queue. I asked if he had checked the list of logs received at www.arrl.org/contests/ claimed. It is updated hourly for electronic submissions. His reply was no, but he said he would check it next time. With mutterings about needing to understand the process better, we said our 73s. At least the next complaint involved a more pleasant phone call. WN4YMV, who had scored high enough to win the ARRL International DX Contest, wanted to know why, since he had submitted a hard copy of his 3500-QSO log, I had written asking for the data file generated by his logging program. He was at least cooperative enough to understand that our log-checking software reads and compares the entries from his logs, compares it to others who have submitted electronically, and then finds busted call signs, dupes, incomplete exchanges and the dreaded not-in-log. He was a bit surprised to learn that almost 90% of all entries for our HF contests and about 75% of VHF/UHF contests are sent to us in electronic form. He understood that getting the data files, even from the smaller entries, makes it easier for us to more accurately produce and prepare contest results, as well as ensure more compliance with the rules. But he said that he was sorry he couldnt give us what we needed because he had

NCJ

deleted those files after he mailed the paper copy of the log. I didnt have time to explain that the contest rules required a dupe sheet for paper logs of 500 or more QSOs. Next on this eventful morning was a chat with WN4QQN. He was peeved because his score for November Sweepstakes had not been counted toward his clubs score. He said that he had worked hard during his trip to Desecheo and the Worldwide Hams Operating Contests And Radio Emergencies Society (WHOCARES) deserved those points and should have won the Club Competition. I explained carefully that in order to participate in an ARRL Affiliated Club Competition the club must be a full ARRL Affiliated Club. Our records showed that WHOCARES had not been affiliated with the ARRL for about a dozen years. In addition, a DXpedition was only eligible for the Medium and Unlimited Club Competition in the International DX Contest. While not happy, he agreed to work on getting the clubs affiliation current so the

trip to Navassa in this years DX contest would count. As I hung up the phone, I sensed that something was strange. It was then I realized that this was all a nightmare.

All of the call signs had once belonged to me. But the conversations you have just read about actually occurred. Just the call signs have been changed to protect the innocent!

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NCJ

September/October 2005

29

More on Contest Ethics

We are about to discuss a forbidden subject, one that may anger some of you, but one that must be addressed by the contest community. This very topic was recently taken up by Seppo, OH1VR/ AE6PP, in the July/August 2004 NCJ . Cheating, by definition, is using some means to get a score in a category that you really dont deserve with your station and operating ability. Internet and Packet Cheating Perhaps the most common form of cheating, and by far the most innocuous, is using Internet or packet clusters to work spotted stations without claiming that you are in the assisted category. The WAE contest has addressed this problem and has eliminated the non-assisted category altogether. Scores made without packet are listed with a after the call only. OH1VR has suggested blocking calls that want to be considered for the unassisted category from packet nodes, but this would involve blocking many sites, not just one. Besides, it is easy to pick up over-the-air packet spots without logging on to the cluster if you use the correct software. It has been proposed by Ward, NAX, that WebCluster cheaters be caught by checking the IP addresses of stations signing in during contests. This could be circumvented easily by signing in at a remote location and using a landline or VHF link. The week before he passed away, I worked W4AN, who was operating his super-station remotely via the Internet. The third most popular contest program, CT, permits you to check in on packet or the Internet and send spots while in the unassisted category. Obviously, this is wrong and should be corrected. It should be impossible to start any of these logs in one category and switch to another at the end of the contest or in between. It has been proposed that the cheaters could be spotted by their activity and by the poor accuracy of the packet spots being reproduced in their logs. Maybe so, but it would be difficult, especially if the packet user stays in-band only (not changing bands). Personally, my opinion is that with modern technology, spotting assistance should be allowed to all, but that is a minority stance. Rescoring One of the more repulsive forms of cheating is the re-scoring of transmitter classes to a lower number of transmitters. This is done by examining the log and eliminating all non-multiplier contacts for the extra transmitter. This, of course, wreaks havoc with the logs of the other stations that worked the station in a non-multiplier mode. This form of activity was very common during Field Day long ago, but fortunately, it has become quite rare until recently. Since Field Day is not a contest, logs are not crosschecked. The Database Edge One of the slightly more sinister methods of advancing your score is the use of databases for Sweepstakes, NAQP or the Sprint. By gathering logs from prior competitions, it is possible to create a database that can be instantly crosschecked during the contest. With such a database integrated in your contest software, each new entry is quickly checked for the correct information (such as a name). It is very easy to spot these people in the Sprint or NAQP by changing your name with every contest. They always say name? because their database pulls up the old name from last year and it doesnt match the call sign! It really freaked me out when, in the CW Sprint, a group of hams used Derrick, with 10 different spellings. When scoring the contest, Trey eliminated the QSOs that had inaccurate spellings. You can imagine the result! Come on, guys! The challenge of Sweepstakes is the difficulty. Why bother trying to game the system? Then again, you might say the use of published callsign-only databases in CT, Writelog, and NA is not fair. This is a very gray line. I have personally purchased an advanced 286 laptop in the past just so I could use the DX database in a portable contest effort.

By John W. Thompson, MD, K3MD jwt105@yahoo.com

When Power is Not What it Seems Sadly, some hams cheat by using RF output levels in excess of what is permitted in their entry classes. As strange as it may seem, there is a persistent rumor that some of the QRP stations you work in the contest are actually running up to 10 W, not 5. Also, some stations run 200 W in the low-power category (which only allows output to 100 or 150W). I suppose the temptation of 200W output from an exciter is just too much. This problem should be addressed by the contest organizations with a unification of the rules. For example, at the opposite extreme, there are the QRO stations running 3 to 10 kW out. Amplifiers capable of putting out this type of power are readily available on the used and even the new market. I am not sure what advantage these give the operators, but I do remember there is a big difference between a pair of 572Bs and a pair of 3500Zs from years ago. Cheating Hurts Everyone Certain members of the ARRL contest committee are experts on detecting those who bend the rules and most have proposed eliminating the non-assisted category. However, the rank-and-file contesters in a recent Contesting.com survey have opposed this. Unlike OH1VR, personally I dont mind the giving away T-shirts as incentive to work certain contest stations. I also enjoy tangible contest prizes. I have an extensive collection of CQP shirts from many years. I think if you place in the top 20 USA stations in the California QSO Party, you deserve a bottle of wine. That is not easy! I love my row of PAQP mugs. Cheating not only makes the high scores less believable, it robs you of selfrespect and pride in your operating achievement. My personal estimate is that 80 percent of contesters have bent the rules at one time or another, but only around 10 percent are chronic rule benders. An anonymous survey on Contesting.com would not give an accurate answer, either.

30

September/October 2005

NCJ

Contest Tips, Tricks & Techniques

Stealth ContestingPart 2 In the previous issue we began a discussion of what contesters do when they are, for one reason or another, unable to put up conventional antennas. Rather than give up their hobby of contesting, some hams resort to stealth antennas to get on the air. These antennas are either low visibility, or are disguised to look like something else. In my July/August column we heard from Ed, Paul, Ray, Scott and Mel. Like last time, a number of readers who submitted ideas didnt want their identities revealed, so call signs of all respondents will be omitted. Alan and Bryon When Alan lived in California, his homeowners association had a CC&R that prohibited a tower, and even dipoles. He was allowed a TV antenna, though. Alan took an MFJ tunable loop and created a wooden dummy TV antenna around it. He worked the major contests and earned his DXCC with this stealthy antenna. Alan says it worked better than his ground-mounted Cushcraft R7 on 20 meters and above, including the WARC bands. Byron moved to a retirement community in the south. Just about everything is restricted in his community except for small satellite TV dish antennas. Byrons radio club got a written okay for flagpoles from the management. Management knows that some of the flagpoles are being used as antennas, but dont seem concerned. But rather than use the flagpole approach, Byrons stealth antenna is an Alpha-Delta tripod with Hustler mobile whips for 80-10 meters. Byron says they work pretty well for 20 meters and above, but are poor on the lower bands. He puts up the tripod for the duration of a contest, and then removes it. On 40 meters he has a permanent dipole on the backside of his roof made with speaker wire. Byron had to cut it about 4-feet short on each end to compensate for the detuning effects of the antenna being so close to the building. His neighbors know Bryon is an active ham, but there are no interference problems and no complaints. In fact, they are glad he can continue his hobby into retirement. Apartments and Townhouses Mike #1, like many of us, lived in apartments earlier in life. He was not allowed to install visible antennas, so he dodged the restrictions by running a thin piece of bare copper wire from his second story apartment across the parking lot to a tree. Mike even made contacts on 160 meters with this antenna and his Drake Twins. When I lived in an apartment years ago, I was not allowed to put up an antenna. I had a second floor apartment with a balcony. I ran a wire out of the window and hooked it up to the buildings rain gutter. I fed it with a homebrew antenna tuner and used my Heathkit HW8 transceiver. Even though I was only running 3 W, I found it caused TVI in this fringe reception area. After finishing an ARRL DX contest, I got a knock on the door. A neighbor ladys TV had not been working properly all afternoon and she was checking to see if anyone else was having trouble. In retrospect, I would not suggest loading up rain gutters. The bonding between sections is often not very good. It is easy for corrosion to produce rectifiers that will be great harmonic generators. Several stealth contesters brought up RFI issues. TVI or other problems can raise suspicions among the neighbors about that TV antenna or flag pole. Scott uses his own electronic equipment as a guide. Since it is closer to the antenna than the neighbors, it is more likely to see the effects of a transmitter. Scott normally runs 50 or 100 W, and in some contests runs QRP. Operating Away from Home If you cant put up antennas at your home, operating elsewhere may be an option. Becoming a guest operator, or an operator at a multi-op effort, may be possible. Another possibility is taking it on the road. In the previous column, Mel mentioned he liked to operate state QSO parties mobile. VHF contests frequently have a rover class that encourages going out and running the grids. There is an active VHF group (Badger Contesters) in my area that has several members who take VHF rover operations very seriously. Some of the rover antenna installations are quite impressive. Len brings up another alternative to home operatingportable operations. Portable QRP operating is becoming popular, both for QRP contests and the major contests. According to Len, most of these are backpack-type stations using Yaesu FT-817 transceivers, Elecraft rigs, ICOM IC-703s or home brew radios with simple tuners and antennas. Lens favorite configuration is an FT817, an LDG Z-11 auto tuner and a homebrew Buddipole, which is a shortened dipole. Lens Buddipole is mounted

By Gary Sutcliffe, W9XT

on a 12-foot collapsible painters pole. He sometime uses an 88-foot dipole fed with 300 &! TV twin lead and a 4:1 balun. This antenna is usually used in an inverted Vee configuration. Mike #2 sometimes operates away from home, but still operates stealthy. His transceiver is his own version of a Paraset for 40 meter CW. The Paraset was a suitcase transceiver used by spies and resistance fighters in occupied Europe during WWII. Mike often operates from hotels or bed & breakfast locations. Somehow a spy radio seems especially appropriate. For antennas Mike adapts to the location. In a Caribbean operation, his room faced away from the hotel office so he was able to stretch a 150-foot length of magnet wire down to the beach. On a different trip to Hawaii, Mike started out with a 17-foot fishing rod covered with black tape. From his 6th floor room he reeled out 66 feet of magnet wire with a sinker on the end. This was a 1/2 wave vertical on 40 meters. Mike said he could see the end, about 15 feet above the sidewalk below, but no one ever noticed it at night. If you are prevented from putting up antennas, either temporarily or permanently, perhaps some of the experiences of CTT&T readers outlined in the last two installments will give you some suggestions for getting a signal out. It wont be your dream antenna farm, but at least it will get you a chair at the table. My thanks go out to Alan, Byron, Ed, Paul, Ray, Mike #1, Mike #2, Scott, Mel and Len for sharing their experiences on stealth contesting. Topic for November-December 2005 (Deadline September 12) Tactical decisions: In most contests you will need to change your tactics from time to time to maximize your score. What makes you decide it is time to change tactics? What tells you when you should switch to/from r unning or S&Ping? When do you look for multipliers and when do you go for rate? In a multimode contest like the ARRL 10 Meter, how do you decide to be on phone or CW? In SO2R, how do you decide which band will be your run band and which will be used by the second radio? Do you set your off times in advance, or do you make your decisions during the contest? Send your ideas on these subjects or suggestions for future topics. You can use the following routes: Postal mail: 3310 Bonnie Ln, Slinger, WI 53086; Email: w9xt@unifiedmicro.com .

NCJ

September/October 2005

31

Workshop Chronicles
Improvised Tools Some readers know I have a small sideline business Tower Workshere in Charlotte, North Carolina, and that I provide turnkey installations, repair and removal services. This column will present some improvised tools I use in this work tools that Ive made or adapted. A Homebrew Layout Tool The first of my adapted devices is a simple layout tool, used to determine spacing and siting for a guyed tower (see Figure 1). This is not intended to take the place of a transit, by any means. Even so, it is faster than walking around a yard, simply pacing off distances and dimensions, or guessing at what space your tower plans will require. Its basically the layout drawing found in tower catalogs, expanded and applied to a block of wood, with some hardware attached. The base has an extended screw at the bottom, allowing it to be stuck securely in the ground. Then, its a simple matter to run out the proper distance with your tape measure attached to the blocks guy point layout. With it, one man can quickly determine the spacing, the angle of the guys and any setback requirements. Rotator Pigtail Adaptor As part of my services, I sometimes get involved in rotator repairs, evaluation and so on. It wasnt long before fumbling at the top of a tower with eight wires, various color codes and tiny screws became exasperating. And being on the ground with a newly repaired or rebuilt rotator thats awaiting checkoutwasnt much better. So, I made up an adapter. It consists of a suitable length of rotator cable (10 feet in my case) with insulated alligator clips (appropriately color coded) attached to the end of each wire, soldered and shrink-wrapped. This is used as nothing more than a pigtail between the control box and the rotator you wish to test. Its simple, quick, easily made and has paid for itself many times over in convenience. More Improvised Tools Another item I use regularly is a cable tester. Its so much faster than the old VOM approach and comes with a variety of cable ends configured. In my professional life, its a true time-saver when wiring up a bunch of multiple cable pairs, such as BNC and/or RCA cables for use in video or audio facilities. Its useful in the shack, as well (see Figure 2). Recently, I had occasion to take apart a rotator on location for a client. Normally, I do this in the shop, which is clean, well lighted and contains lots of things to make work easier. In this case, I was working on a picnic table in the backyard. In order to facilitate the rotator re-assembly, I wanted to keep some parts in order, meaning I needed some way to organize them. (Wheres the muffin tin when you need it, right?) Not having this luxury, I asked the station owner for a sheet of paper. I believe he thought I wanted to take notes, but I surprised him by folding the sheet multiple times. When opened, I had what looked like a fan. Laid out in front of me, and working left to right, the troughs made excellent bins for the tiny parts. This same job found me needing a vise in that same backyard, where again, the only real working support was the family picnic table. Not wanting to damage the table (for which the clients wife was certainly grateful), I made do with a pair of Vise-Grips. Secured with a clamp, I was able to make a simple vise, allowing us to accurately drill some holes (shades of the previous Workshop Chronicles!). See Figure 3. 32 September/October 2005

Dan Daso, K4ZA

Figure 1Tower layout tool.

Figure 2Cable tester.

Figure 3Vise-Grips vise.

NCJ

Propagation
This years ARRL DX Phone contest started off on Saturday (March 5) with the 15 meter band full of loud Europeans here in Ft Wayne. Unfortunately Sunday (March 6) was the complete oppositeI didnt even hear a European on 15 meters that day. What happened? And more to the point of this months column, was the loss of propagation on 15 meters a widespread phenomenon? The question what happened? is kind of easy to answer if one looks at the space weather several days prior to the contest weekend and during the contest weekend. Late February began with a solar wind speed a bit higher than normal while the Bz component of the IMF (Interplanetary Magnetic Field) fluctuated a bit (nothing major). This was due to a small coronal-hole wind stream that was in a geoeffective position. The solar wind speed peaked at about 680 km/sec on March 2, but then the solar wind speed decayed and Bz relaxed as the effects from the coronal hole subsided. By early on March 6, though, the wind speed had gradually increased to near 480 km/sec as a large coronal-hole high speed stream rotated into a geoeffective position. March 6 ended with a steady increase in solar wind speed to 700 km/ sec, with Bz fluctuating between plus and minus 10 nanoTeslas. All the above resulted in high latitude K indices of up to 5 on March 1 and 2, a very quiet stretch on March 3 and 4 (K indices at 1 or less), and then K indices increasing to 7 on March 6 (the Sunday of the contest). With the K index reaching 7 on Sunday, we would expect deteriorated band conditions. Indeed, this is easy to see by looking at some ionosonde data along the Ft Wayne-toEurope path. Figure 1 is a great circle map centered on Ft Wayne, with the path to Italy shown. Its for Sunday March 6 at 1600 UTC (11AM in Ft Wayne). The Ft Wayne-to-Italy path is just over 7700 km, and it is segmented into three hops of just under 3000 km each. The two ground reflection points are indicated with perpendicular lines and are annotated 1st hop and 2nd hop. The figure also shows the location of two per tinent ionosondes: Millstone Hill (Massachusetts) and Chilton (England). Now lets look at data from these two ionosondes. Figure 2 shows the MUF (Maximum Usable Frequency) above each ionosonde on March 1 through March 9 assuming that each is at the midpoint of a 3000 km path. The Chilton ionosonde is quite close to the refraction point of the last (third)

Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA

hop, and thus gives us a good indication of what was happening at the refraction point of this hop. The Millstone Hill ionosonde isnt real close to the refraction point of the first hop, but it is close enough to give us a good idea of what was going on in the general area. As can be seen, the 3000 km MUF at both ionosondes was quite a bit above 21 MHz on the Saturday of the contest. But on Sunday the MUF decreased at both ionosondes: to well below 21 MHz at Millstone Hill and to a little bit above 21 MHz at Chilton. This data suggests that my end of the path was experiencing most of the problem. Overall everything has nicely fallen

Figure 1The Ft Wayne to Italy path.

Figure 2Ionosonde data for the Ft Wayne to Europe path.

NCJ

September/October 2005

33

into place to explain why Sunday was a bust on 15 meters to Europe for me: the increased solar wind speed and fluctuating B z caused a geomagnetic storm that decreased F2 region ionization along my path. What About Everyone Else? Does this mean everyone had the same problem? This is the second question posed at the beginning of this column. A good way to answer this question is to look at several other ionosondes. Figure 3 does this, with 3000 km MUF data from Boulder (Colorado), Dyess Air Force Base (Texas), Goose Bay (Labrador), Point Arguello (California), San Vito (Italy), and Wallops Island (Virginia). Whats important to note in the data of Figure 3 is that Boulder, Dyess AFB, Pt Arguello, and San Vito saw increased F2 region ionization on Sundayjust the opposite of the decreased F2 region ionization that was seen at Millstone Hill and Chilton (and also at Goose Bay and Wallops Island). Interestingly, there is order to the data from the eight ionosondes in Figures 2 and 3. Those

ionosondes at higher geomagnetic latitudes saw a decrease in F2 region ionization, while those at lower geomagnetic latitudes saw an increase in F2 region ionization. All this ionosonde data highlights two important issues. First, it suggests that paths that stayed at the lower latitudes (for example, from Florida to Italy) may have fared better on Sunday than my more northerly path to Italy. In fact, the data suggests that 10 meters may have even been open on the Florida to Italy path on Sunday. Second, the magnetic index Kp (and Ap, which is derived from the eight 3-hr Kp indices) may not necessarily be an indicator of degraded propagationit depends on how high in latitude your specific path goes. In other words, an elevated Kp or Ap index may mean enhanced propagation on the higher bands at the lower latitudes. VHF contesters and DXers are cer tainly aware of and take advantage of this aspect of a geomagnetic storm. The Variable F2 Region Lets close this months column with some brief words on why the F2 region

ionization may decrease at the higher latitudes whereas it may increase at the lower latitudes. The decrease in ionization at the higher latitudes (referred to as the negative phase of an ionospheric storm) is thought to occur due to a change in the composition of the neutral atmosphere. Air with increased molecular species (O 2 and N 2) is transported equatorward from the auroral region as a result of Joule heating during a geomagnetic storm. Since molecular oxygen and molecular nitrogen are important in the process of electron loss (as compared to electron production), it stands to reason that more molecular species reduces ionization. The increase in ionization at the lower latitudes (referred to as the positive phase of an ionospher ic stor m) is thought to be the result of ionospheric electric fields moving F region plasma to higher altitudes, resulting in increases of the F region electron density. Both of these phases of an ionospheric storm are of great interest to the scientific community, and studies continue to better understand the ionospheres response to a geomagnetic storm.

Figure 3More Ionosonde data.

34

September/October 2005

NCJ

RTTY Contesting
AFC and NET: Friend or Foe? AFC and NET are both a means of automatically controlling your transceivers frequency. AFC is for receiving and NET is for transmitting. They sound like good things to have, dont they? Anything automatic should relieve the operator of some work during a contest and thats beneficial, right? Well, maybe, but only if its done correctly. Lets have a closer look at how these two functions work. Drifting Across the Airwaves You may be familiar with AFC from using a standard FM broadcast radio. As you tune close to a station, AFC senses the station and adjusts the oscillator frequency up or down as needed to tune the radio so the station is centered in the bandpass. If the receivers tuning should driftand many of them do AFC readjusts the oscillator frequency as needed. For an inexpensive radio, this is a good way of keeping the station tuned in correctly. From the manufacturers viewpoint, it is much cheaper to add AFC to a radio instead of making the oscillator stable under changing conditions of temperature, line voltage and humidity. Anyone who has built a coil and capacitor type VFO knows the difficulty in stabilizing them. But ham radios are different, at least ones made in the last 20 years or so. Modern transceivers almost invariably use a master crystal-controlled oscillator with a phase-locked-loop chain of frequency dividers that in turn control a VFO to produce the needed heterodyne frequency. This, too, is AFC, but not the kind that is the subject of this article. The bottom line is modern transceivers just dont drift, at least not to any extent which would interfere with operating. And yet, most RTTY software does have the option to turn on AFC and its cousin, NET. Why is this so? Who needs it if transmitters no longer drift? Lets investigate. Enter the Computer AFC and NET, as used in RTTY contesting, happen in the computers software and do not control the oscillator in the transceiver, unlike the FM broadcast receiver. Instead, they operate on the tones that the receiver sends to the computer and the tones that the computer sends to the transmitter for AFSK transmission. Say you are calling CQ CONTEST and a station comes back to you exactly on frequency and he is using the standard shift of 170 Hz. Your receiver will output audio tones of 2125 Hz for MARK, and 2295 for SPACE, exactly what your software is expecting to see. If all QSOs were like this, there would be no need for either AFC or NET. But lets say his transmitter is 100 Hz lower than your frequency. Since you are using LSB, the tones will be 100 Hz higher (LSB inverts the frequencies), so your software will see tones of 2225 and 2395. For most hardware and software, this is partially out of the bandpass and will demodulate poorly, if at all. In the old days, you would quickly retune and hopefully would not miss much of his transmission. With todays software, the sound card is instantly reset to look for 2225 and 2395 and the demodulating doesnt skip a beat, provided your receiver bandpass is wide enough to allow the entire 170 Hz signal through. Tuning is immediately correct, and in a contest environment, this can make the difference between making the QSO and not. Things are different when S&Ping, however. As you are tuning across the band looking for stations, you come upon one and what happens? Your AFC reaches out and tunes in the station as soon as you are close, and you stop tuning. Sounds good, you say? Not really. The problem is that your transmitter is still on the frequency where you stopped tuning! In other words, your receiver and transmitter are now set to two different frequencies. This is bad at any time, but in a contest, it can and will cost you points due to poor demodulation, excessive repeats, QRM to and from other stations and the possibility that the other op may be tired of retuning and decide to ignore you altogether. Always strive to transmit and receive on the exact same frequency. AFC for Transmitting And that brings us to NET, the equivalent of AFC for transmitting. NET only works when using AFSK (AFSK means sending audio tones into the mike connector or audio data connector). If youre using FSK (simple on-off keying that shifts the carrier frequency) there is no difference whether NET is on of off, so dont be fooled into thinking your transmit frequency is automatically being corrected. The way NET works is this: In the example above, when your software detects audio tones of 2225 and 2395, it shifts the transmit tones to those same frequencies. This is acceptable

Bill Turner, W6WRT

when S&Ping, but never when CQing. When you are CQing, you do not want your transmit frequency to change at all, never mind with every QSO. You should stay on one frequency and let the other op adjust to your frequency, not you to his. Imagine for a moment that you are the S&P op. Lets say you are a bit off frequency (perhaps because your AFC is on), and if the other op has NET turned on, he comes back to you at a different frequency than he had when you called him. Even if your AFC correctly captures his signal, the tones will sound different to you and there will be a moment of confusion about whom you are listening to now. Was it the CQing station or someone else? Toss in some QRM, QRN and QSB and you have a recipe for non-communication. Four Points to Remember 1. On any given QSO, whether CQing or S&Ping, do not change your transmit frequency once you have called the other station. This means if you must tune your receiver, do it with either RIT or your VFO in split mode (my preference), or let AFC do it. None of those affects the transmit frequency. Never have NET enabled when CQing. 2. Use AFC when calling CQ, and do not tune your receiver unless the station is so far off frequency that demodulation is affected. If you feel you must tune your receiver, be sure to return it to your transmit frequency after each QSO. Some transceivers can have the RIT cleared automatically after each QSO. If your software and transceiver can do that, enable it. 3. Do not use AFC when S&Ping unless you also use NET and AFSK. You will almost certainly end up with your transmitter and receiver set to different frequencies. 4. Use NET only when S&Ping and only if youre using AFSK and AFC. If you and the other station use NET without AFC, an odd thing can happen. Each time one of you transmits, the other transmitter will reset to your new frequency. With each transmission, your two transmitters will reset themselves and thereby walk each other right up or down the band. If at least one of you has AFC and NET on, this wont happen. The first time the AFC-using station hears the other station, both his receiver and transmitter will be set to the other frequency and no more corrections will take place.

NCJ

September/October 2005

35

Software for Contesters

Computers for the Computerless When I started this column a year ago, Carl suggested that from time to time I might want to shift my sights a little. Instead of writing for the contester who is already immersed in computer applications, he suggested I assume a reader who, for whatever reason, has been only minimally involved with these things before. Okay, here goes. Lets say you have never bought a computer for ham-shack use, have used computers only at work and havent gotten into either the hardware or software. A first issue is, simply, what to buy. PC Magazine used to have a mantra: The computer you want always costs $5,000. Well, these days, from a hams standpoint, that should be revised to read: The computer you want costs less than $400 , and prices are dropping daily. Am I for real? You bet. In fact, I just saw an advertisement from the largest manufacturer of PCs, offering their base machine for under $300. No gimmicks, and no small print, like the monitor not included that you see so often in ads. Manufacturers have driven costs out of their machines to an incredible degree, without, for the most part, compromising quality. An individual probably cant build a comparable machine for that price. It is necessary to pay a little attention to the fine print, though. There are a few things you need to watch: Despite grousing by some old-timers (including me), Windows XP is the way to go now; make sure the machine you buy comes with it. Its very stable, will run most DOS applications, and there are a variety of ways to boot and run an XP machine in real DOS if you need to. One of XP s great strengths is the ability to set System Restore Points, so that you can recover from any problems that may arise while you tinker with your system or add the latest new software. As the name implies, you can restore your system to the way it was before you did whatever you did. Priceless! Make sure to get at least 256 MB of RAM, either as the base configuration or as an upgrade. RAM is cheap and Windows XP is sluggish with 128 MB. Basic machines will tend to have both audio and video on board the motherboard, and the video shares RAM with the processor; another good reason to get 256 MB. Theres no reason, for ham applications, to shy away from these solutions. Some of these low-end machines have built-in network cards, and some do not. Youll need a network connection 36 September/October 2005 of some sort for broadband Internet. If I were doing mine over again, I would use a wireless network card in my PC, rather than a wired network. The only computer problems I have had to date with lightning were the result of induced voltage on my wired network cabling; wireless networking does away with the need for such a risky antenna. Most low-end machines like this will come with only one parallel and one serial port. If you want to control one or two radios, youll need more. An add-on card with 2 serial and one parallel port can be bought for less than $20. If your software can use USB ports, thats another approach, though you will probably need USB-to-serial converters to talk to your radios. If you can swing it, upgrade from the basic CRT monitor to an LCD panel. I have owned 3 inexpensive LCDs so far and have been delighted. Their prices are falling very fast and it wont be long before they will be standard. A 15-inch LCD panel has almost the same viewing area as a 17-inch CRT, weighs maybe 10 pounds versus over 30 pounds for a big monitor, and takes up far less space. The big plus is that most LCDs are dead quiet across the HF bands, while it is a rare CRT monitor that doesnt have birdies somewhere. Also, consider substituting a DVD R/ W (DVD burner) for the CD R/W drive that now comes with most basic PCs. With hard drives routinely at least 40 Gigabytes in size, doing a full backup quickly becomes prohibitive in terms of the number of CDs (and the amount of time) required. My last full backup before I got my DVD drive required 15 CDs; a larger backup this time went on three DVDs in less than half the total time. DVD R/W prices have also come down steeply I got mine, a high-performance Lite-On unit, from www.newegg.com for less than $50. Backup Software and Virus Protection Once you have a PC in the shack, youll need software. Before discussing ham radio software, forgive me if I harp once more on the need for doing backups of your data regularly. Hard drives dont fail often, but when they do it is sudden and catastrophic. Software or services that can restore data from a trashed disk are expensive and may not work, depending on the state of the drive. Windows XP includes a Backup utility. Most people dont know its there, because it is not part of the baseline Windows XP

Pete Smith, N4ZR

Home installation, but you can find out how to install it, from your Windows XP CD, at support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320820. My solution, for whatever its worth, is to use Norton Ghost 2003, which I got as part of Norton Systemworks 2003. Since this was an old version, I got it for about $25 from a software discounter on the Internet, yet it works fine with all my newer hardware, including the DVD R/ W drive, and can do a full image backup and then restore any file or files from it. There are also lots of free backup software packages out there. The best single listing I have seen is at www.hsinlin.com/ software/backup.html. Please be forewarned, though, that I have not tried any of these yet. I may, though, because a full image backup is a fairly long process, and a number of these claim to offer incremental backup (backing up only changed files). Some will even do so directly to a DVD, they say, though again I havent tested this claim. The second real essential, particularly if you are going to be connected to the Internet on a broadband system like cable or DSL, is protection from viruses and intrusion. There are a variety of good virus protection packages out there, some quite inexpensive. But even more important, in my estimation, is a firewall, to hide your computer from external probing. Windows XP has one built in, in the Service Pack 2 version, and your Internet router may have one, too. There is also an excellent free firewall, ZoneAlarm , available from www.zonelabs.com . One way or another, the protection is worth it.
Essential Ham Software Once your machine is set up, and these system basics have been taken care of, youre ready to load whatever ham software piques your interest. Im not going to get into recommending particular software, or take sides in any of the almost religious arguments that this can provoke, particularly when logging software is concerned. I will go out on one limb, but I would try to avoid DOS software. The reasons are fairly straightforward: The display of information in Windows is far superior in flexibility and readability; the ability to multi-task (run more than one program simultaneously) is a great plus as well Increasingly, computers are being delivered with USB ports in lieu of classical serial ports; some laptops have none at all. I am not aware of a USB port driver for DOS programs. Finally, if I were starting from scratch,

NCJ

once I had installed e-mail and Web browser software, I would begin with the following ham software applications. The basic $300 computer I discussed earlier is more than adequate to run any and all of these: 4NEC2 ( www.wyger.nl/usr/4nec2/) is a free Windows front-end for the standard NEC-2 antenna modeling software, but in recent years has become much more; it offers an optimizer which can be used with any antenna model and a gorgeous 3-D antenna pattern visualizer. The user interface will take some study, but it is worth it. VOACAP , from elbert.its.bldrdoc. gov/hf.html . Your US taxpayer dollars paid for development of this powerful propagation modeling software, so its only fair that it should be free. The user interface has almost too much flexibility, but you can use HamCAP , freeware from www.dxatlas.com/HamCap/, to simplify and tailor to ham radio needs. HFTA, for modeling the effects of terrain on the radiation pattern of your HF antenna. It includes arrival angle statistics for many areas of the world to your QTH, allowing you to judge how changes in your antennas will affect your results. HFTA is bundled with recent editions of the ARRL Antenna Book (www.arrl.org).

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37

VHF-UHF Contesting
In the previous column, I wondered whether a good February/March 6meter minor Es season might predict a great June VHF Contest Es opening. Doug, VE5UF, observed, No normal Es prop the whole (VHF contest) weekend. Worst conditions in 10 to 15 years. There were limited Es Saturday, favoring stations in Texas and the desert southwest. W5PR in EL29 found 509 QSOs in 183 grids on 6 meters. Chuck said conditions were pretty good at times on Saturday, but, Sunday was as bad as Saturday was good. W5SIX in New Mexico posted 614 QSOs in 166 grids; K5TR had 484 and 176 on 6 meters. K5TR found 6 meters open to most of the country (single-hop range) for several hours on Saturday, but, the huge rates of previous years never happened. The northeast part of the country was all but shut out of Es. K1TEO noted only three Es QSOs on 6 meters. From eastern Kansas, I heard W5PR, W5SIX and WA7JTM for hours Saturday afternoon on 6 meters with loud, steady signals. I managed a weak CW QSO with K7CW in Washington State. Saturday evening Es continued to Texas, New Mexico and a pipeline opened to AF6O in California. AF6O was 20 over 9 in Kansas. He reported 331 QSOs and 122 grids on 6 meters, a great job from the West Coast. Aurora Saves The Day! Sunday was a washout for almost all parts of the country for Es, but the big news was a widespread aurora opening Sunday afternoon. Star ting around 2000 UTC, stations in the northeast began working aurora. It spread west and south and went on for hour after hour. This aurora was not predicted on spaceweather.com or other sites. No coronal mass ejections or coronal holes were noted prior to the contest weekend. The Bz vector of the Ear ths geomagnetic field dipped sharply south Sunday afternoon, resulting in electron precipitation into the auroral zones. The solar wind picked up possibly from a CME a few days earlier that the professional astronomers dismissed as not being Earth-directed. In any case, a strong aurora opening saved the day for many contest operators and helped make up for the lack of E s. Jeff, K1TEO, said the aurora definitely helped his score. He worked K5UR 38 September/October 2005

Jon K. Jones, NJK n0jk@hotmail.com

March 6-Meter Es Brings No Big June 2005 VHF Contest Es Openings

VE5UF to GM4WJA 6-meter QSO.

EM35 Arkansas on 2 meter aurora and many closer in contacts. WDT in South Dakota had 40 6-meter aurora QSOs and five on 2 meters including K7RAT CN85! Mike, KMT, in Iowa e-mailed that it was a pretty good aurora here, one of the better ones I have heard lasted a real long time, it was very surprising. Mike was frustrated hearing and calling W2SZ/1 for over 30 minutes, but no reply. He says a tip for new contest ops working aurora is to consider Doppler shift and tune their RIT when listening for stations calling them. They also need to swing their Yagis back and forth. Jeff, K1TEO, found his longest aurora QSOs were made with the beam northwest; northeast was better for local aurora QSOs. A mistake some newcomers make is to simply point the Yagi straight north. Bob, K2DRH, in Iowa found he could track the leading edge of the aurora by moving his Yagi between 30 and 50 degrees azimuth. He put over 250 QSOs in his contest log that way during the aurora session. He found 6 meters to be his most productive band on aurora. Aurora can be a bonanza on higher

bands, too. NLL EM09 made a number of 222 MHz aurora QSOs. High power and big Yagis make a difference in working aurora. I heard NLL and KMT on 2-meter aurora around 0015 UTC June 13, but my 10 W and 7element Yagi were not enough to attract their attention. WZQ, further north in Minnesota, was able to work half a dozen 6-meter stations (on aurora) while running 100 W to a mobile whipbest DX to K7BV/1. Some real DX was floating around the band during the aurora opening. W1ECT in FN33 heard a raspy CQ from CY9SS on 50.103 MHz and got him after a call or twonice! He also managed a QSO with FP/N6RA on 6 meters via aurora a few minutes later. The prize for the best DX on 50 MHz in the aurora session goes to Doug, VE5UF. At 2249 UTC Sunday June 12 GM4WJA IO87 answered Dougs SSB CQ on 50.130 MHz! This QSO was via aurora/aurora Es at over 6000 km. Doug said GM4WJA was 5 by 5 for two minutes. This is really an amazing 6-meter contact. Even at the peak of Solar Cycle 23, few QSOs were made between VE5 and Europe on 6 meter F2. Now, 5 years

NCJ

down from the peak, VE5UF works Scotland. Not bad for the worst conditions in 10 to 15 years, eh Doug? September VHF QSO Party Propagation Forecast What kind of propagation can we expect in this years September VHF Contest? Tropo can certainly occur. In September 2003 there was an outstanding tropospheric opening associated with a stagnating high pressure system. I would not expect much from Es on 50 MHz. September is near the fall equinox and this is one of the low points during the year for Es to occur. The 2005 summer Es season slumped after July 4. The years I have seen good Es in a September contest usually followed a long summer Es season that was strong through the end of August. Aurora could make a contest appearance. September is a favorable month for auroras, which occur most frequently at the equinoxes. As I write this column, Lefty, K1TOL, is hearing VE8BY/b on 50.049 MHz via arctic auroral Es. There have been some large sunspots and occasional bursts of solar activity including two M-class solar flares occurring as I write this column. The pros did not predict the June 2005 VHF QSO Party aurora and may or may not forecast one for this Septembers contest. Turn your radio on and find out! Stealth VHF Contesting (more) MultiOping from a rural location or from a mountaintop is one way to contest while away from your home. The KK5DX group did that in the June 2005 VHF QSO Party. They operated from a fire tower on top of Rich Mountain in Arkansas (EM24). The fire tower gets your antennas above the trees so the leaves wont absorb your UHF and microwave signals. Many hilltops in the Ozark and Appalachian mountains have trees at their summits. The fire tower cab also makes a nice place to set up your station. The group claimed they were operating from the highest point in Arkansas. The Mt Rich summit is 2681 feet + 60 feet for the fire tower = 2741 feet. However, Mt Magazine is 2753 feet above sea level at the summit, and with a 40 foot tower section to clear the trees, the antennas will be at nearly 2800 feet. I operated the 1984 UHF contest from the Mt Magazine summit with that kind of tower. Mt Magazine also has two lower areas just off the road that goes around on the north and south sides of the summit. It offers nice drop offs and clear shots in those directions. These would be easy for a rover or single op portable to set up from.

tions like these even with outside antenna covenant restrictions. This got me wondering. Maybe even a 2 element Par 6-meter Moxon could blend in VHF incognito in the form of a remote weather vane/station? VHF Contestingthe Basics In the August 2005 The World Above 50 MHz column wr itten by Gene Zimmerman, W3ZZ in QST page 70, Gene presents Part 2 of his series on VHF contesting. He focuses on highperformance VHF contesting, both from a station and operator perspective. This is a great article for those who want to achieve a top score and place nationally in one or more of the Big-3 VHF contests. Gene discusses how to go about building an optimized station and how to integrate the station hardware and computer logging. Operating strategies such as moving stations up through the bands, SO2R, having a friend run rover on the microwaves for you and using slow times to help build your score are some of the VHF contest tips Gene provides. All-Time June VHF QSO Party 6-Meter QSO Totals Who will be the first station outside of W5/W to make over 1000 QSOs on 6 meters in the June VHF QSO Party? It looks like the K8GP multiop HP group operating from Spruce Knob in FM08 is! Despite no E-skip, K8GP posted 1049 QSOs in 137 grids on 50 MHz. If their 6meter total remains over 1000 following log checking (in 1992 WBDRL claimed over 1000 QSOs on 6 meters, but lost 30), K8GP will be the first station in the northeast to break the 1000 Q barrier. Congratulations!

The KK5DX operating site for the June 2005 VHF QSO Party.

A Weather Vane Antenna For 2 Meters (And Other Bands) John Por tune, W6NBC, and Fred Adams, WD6ACJ, describe building a Weather Vane Antenna for 2 Meters in the August, 2005 issue of QST on page 35. Their antenna is a magnetic loop type. Their antenna combines a compact magnetic loop with a full functional weather vane and puts high-performance right out in full view! What a great idea and tip for VHF contesters. I think a full size Par or M2 HO 6-meter loop could be mounted in a weather vane in a similar way. I live in a no-outside-antenna CC&R restricted subdivision. One of my neighbors recently put up a remote weather station on a mast in his backyard. The homeowner association (HOA) board approved it. These are becoming popular items for homeowners to put up. Weathershack.com is one on-line retailer selling these. Go to www.weathershack.com/products/ davis/6152-large-vantag e-pro2sensor.html to see what it looks like. HOA boards may approve remote weather sta-

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September/October 2005

39

Contest Calendar

Compiled by Bruce Horn, WA7BNM

Heres the list of major contests of possible interest to North American contesters to help you plan your contesting activity through December 2005. The Web version of this calendar is updated more frequently and lists contests for a 12-month period. It can be found at: www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/. As usual, please notify me of any corrections or additions to this calendar. I can be contacted via e-mail at: bhorn@hornucopia.com. Good luck and have fun! September 2005
Contest NCCC Thursday Sprint All Asian DX Contest, Phone Wake-Up! QRP Sprint AGCW Straight Key Party IARU Region 1 Field Day, SSB RSGB SSB Field Day DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest MI QRP Labor Day CW Sprint WAE DX Contest, SSB Swiss HTC QRP Sprint Arkansas QSO Party
ARRL September VHF QSO Party North American Sprint, CW Tennessee QSO Party ARCI End of Summer PSK31 Sprint YLRL Howdy Days ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW Washington State Salmon Run QCWA Fall QSO Party North American Sprint, SSB 144 MHz Fall Sprint CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY Tesla Cup ARRL EME 2304 MHz and Above Scandinavian Activity Contest, SSB Texas QSO Party Fall QRP Homebrewer Sprint 222 MHz Fall Sprint

Time/Date 0230Z-0300Z, Sep 2 0000Z, Sep 3 to 2400Z, Sep 4 0400Z-0600Z, Sep 3 1300Z-1600Z, Sep 3 1300Z, Sep 3 to 1259Z, Sep 4 1300Z, Sep 3 to 1300Z, Sep 4 1100Z-1700Z, Sep 4 2300Z, Sep 5 to 0300Z, Sep 6 0000Z, Sep 10 to 2359Z, Sep 11 1300Z-1900Z, Sep 10 1400Z, Sep 10 to 0600Z, Sep 11 and 1800Z, Sep 11 to 0200Z, Sep 12 1800Z, Sep 10 to 0200Z, Sep 12 0000Z-0400Z, Sep 11 1800Z, Sep 11 to 0100Z, Sep 12 2000Z-2400Z, Sep 11 1400Z, Sep 14 to 0200Z, Sep 16 0600 local, Sep 17 to 2400 local, Sep 18 1200Z, Sep 17 to 1200Z, Sep 18 1600Z, Sep 17 to 0700Z, Sep 18 and 1600Z-2400Z, Sep 18 1800Z, Sep 17 to 1800Z, Sep 18 0000Z-0400Z, Sep 18 1900-2300 local, Sep 19 0000Z, Sep 24 to 2400Z, Sep 25 0000Z-2400Z, Sep 24 (Phone) and 0000Z-2400Z, Sep 25 (CW) 0000Z, Sep 24 to 2359Z, Sep 25 1200Z, Sep 24 to 1200Z, Sep 25 1400Z, Sep 24 to 0200Z, Sep 25 and 1400Z-2000Z, Sep 25 0000Z-0400Z, Sep 26 1900-2300 local, Sep 27

FISTS Fall Sprint North American Sprint, RTTY UBA ON Contest, CW 10-10 Int. 10-10 Day Sprint YLRL Anniversary Party, SSB JARTS WW RTTY Contest Microwave Fall Sprint Worked All Germany Contest Asia-Pacific Fall Sprint, CW RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest, CW Illinois QSO Party ARRL EME 50-1296MHz ARCI Fall QSO Party 50 MHz Fall Sprint CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB 10-10 Int. Fall Contest, CW FISTS Coast to Coast Contest

1700Z-2100Z, Oct 8 0000Z-0400Z, Oct 9 0600Z-1000Z, Oct 9 0001Z-2359Z, Oct 10 1400Z, Oct 14 to 0200Z, 0000Z, Oct 15 to 2400Z, 0600-1300 local, Oct 15 1500Z, Oct 15 to 1459Z, 0000Z-0200Z, Oct 16 0700Z-1900Z, Oct 16 1800Z, Oct 16 to 0200Z, 0000Z, Oct 22 to 2359Z, 1200Z, Oct 22 to 2400Z, 2300Z, Oct 22 to 0300Z, 0000Z, Oct 29 to 2400Z, 0001Z, Oct 29 to 2359Z, 0000Z-2400Z, Oct 30

Oct 16 Oct 16 Oct 16

Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct

17 23 23 23 30 30

November 2005
Contest IPARC Contest, CW Time/Date 0600Z-1000Z, Nov 5 and 1400Z-1800Z, Nov 5 Ukrainian DX Contest 1200Z, Nov 5 to 1200Z, Nov 6 ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW 2100Z, Nov 5 to 0300Z, Nov 7 NA Collegiate ARC Championship, CW 2100Z, Nov 5 to 0300Z, Nov 7 IPARC Contest, SSB 0600Z-1000Z, Nov 6 and 1400Z-1800Z, Nov 6 High Speed Club CW Contest 0900Z-1100Z, Nov 6 and 1500Z-1700Z, Nov 6 DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest 1100Z-1700Z, Nov 6 WAE DX Contest, RTTY 0000Z, Nov 12 to 2359Z, Nov 13 ARRL EME 50-1296 MHz 0000Z, Nov 12 to 2359Z, Nov 13 JIDX Phone Contest 0700Z, Nov 12 to 1300Z, Nov 13 OK/OM DX Contest, CW 1200Z, Nov 12 to 1200Z, Nov 13 LZ DX Contest 1200Z, Nov 19 to 1200Z, Nov 20 All Austrian 160-Meter Contest 1600Z, Nov 19 to 0700Z, Nov 20 ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB 2100Z, Nov 19 to 0300Z, Nov 21 NA Collegiate ARC Championship,SSB 2100Z, Nov 19 to 0300Z, Nov 21 RSGB 2nd 1.8 MHz Contest, CW 2100Z, Nov 19 to 0100Z, Nov 20 CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW 0000Z, Nov 26 to 2400Z, Nov 27

October 2005
Contest TARA PSK Rumble Contest Oceania DX Contest, Phone International HELL-Contest
EU Autumn Sprint, SSB California QSO Party UBA ON Contest, SSB RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest, SSB German Telegraphy Contest YLRL Anniversary Party, CW 432 MHz Fall Sprint Makrothen RTTY Contest

Oceania DX Contest, CW EU Autumn Sprint, CW Pennsylvania QSO Party

Time/Date 0000Z-2400Z, Oct 1 0800Z, Oct 1 to 0800Z, Oct 2 1400Z-1600Z, Oct 1 (80m) and 0900Z-1100Z, Oct 2 (40m) 1500Z-1859Z, Oct 1 1600Z, Oct 1 to 2200Z, Oct 2 0600Z-1000Z, Oct 2 0700Z-1900Z, Oct 2 0700Z-0959Z, Oct 3 1400Z, Oct 5 to 0200Z, Oct 7 1900-2300 local Oct 5 0000Z-0759Z, Oct 8 and 1600Z-2359Z, Oct 8 and 0800Z-1559Z, Oct 9 0800Z, Oct 8 to 0800Z, Oct 9 1500Z-1859Z, Oct 8 1600Z, Oct 8 to 0500Z, Oct 9 and 1300Z-2200Z, Oct 9

December 2005
Contest ARRL 160-Meter Contest TARA RTTY Melee ARRL 10-Meter Contest CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run Russian 160-Meter Contest MDXA PSK DeathMatch OK DX RTTY Contest RAC Winter Contest Croatian CW Contest Stew Perry Topband Challenge DARC Christmas Contest Time/Date 2200Z, Dec 2 to 1600Z, Dec 4 0000Z-2400Z, Dec 3 0000Z, Dec 10 to 2400Z, Dec 11 0200Z-0359Z, Dec 11 2100Z-2300Z, Dec 16 0000Z, Dec 17 to 2400Z, Dec 18 0000Z-2400Z, Dec 17 0000Z-2359Z, Dec 17 1400Z, Dec 17 to 1400Z, Dec 18 1500Z, Dec 17 to 1500Z, Dec 18 0830Z-1059Z, Dec 26

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DX Contest Activity Announcements

CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest (October 29-30, 2005)
Call 3Z3Z 4XWV 6W1RY 8Q C6A EA8/F6GOE FS/AH8DX HI3CCP HQ9R IG9R J3A KG4 LY7A LZ9W P4A P4W PJ2T PJ7/K7ZUM V31MQ VK9XD VP2EAZ VP2ECM VP2EDP VP2EWX ZD8Z ZPR Entity Poland Israel Senegal Maldives Bahamas Canary Is St Martin Dominican Republic Honduras African Italy Grenada Guantanamo Bay Lithuania Bulgaria Aruba Aruba Neth Antilles Sint Maarten Belize Christmas Anguilla Anguilla Anguilla Anguilla Ascension Paraguay Class SOSB 10M M/S SOAB HP M/M M/S SOSB 20M SOAB HP M/? SOAB LP M/S M/? ??? M/M M/M SOAB SOAB M/2 SOAB HP SOSB SOAB SOSB SOSB SOSB SOSB SOAB HP SOAB

Serious Products for Serious Hams

Bill Feidt, NG3K

SCAF-1 Audio Filter

Make your receiver listener friendly! Variable cut-off audio low-pass filter, 96 db rolloff per octave! Cut-off range frequency 450 Hertz to 3.5 kHz. Absolutely real time, NO delay perfect for QRQ CW and no monitor problems. Use for CW, Digital modes, and SSB, with headphones or speakers. Super-simple operation, yet wonderfully effective. Sample audio files on our web site. Available as a kit or preassembled.

Operators SQ3ET W8HC, K8OQL F5VHJ EA1DGZ, EA1DBC, EA1AAW, EA1CNF W2GJ, AA4V F6GOE AH8DX HI3CCP, HI3TEJ, HI3NR, HI8ROX WQ7R IK8HCG, IZ8DFO, IZ8FBU, IZ8EFD AC8G + others N4BAA, KG4WW KTU RC LZ Contest Team KK9A W2GD WCG, W1MD, W9JUV, N4RV, K1XX K7ZUM WQ5C VK2CZ W9AAZ N1WON WA4ET W4WX N6TJ ZP5AZL

Keyers: Logikey K3, Super CMOS-3, CMOS-4

Our keyers simply are the best keyers available Period. More user friendly by far, more features. Extremely powerful memory functions, yet easy to learn. Extended paddle input timing reduces errors and increases your speed. Can emulate many earlier designs for timing feel, but with full feature set. Use with both positive and negative keyed rigs. Built-in monitor included. Full beacon capability.

Thanks to: 425DXN, AC8G, AH8DX, EA1CNF, F5VHJ, F6GOE, HI3CCP, IK8HCG, KK9A, LZ2CJ, N4BAA, N6TJ, NG3K, SQ3ET, VA3RJ, VK2CZ, WCG, W2GD, W8HC, WQ5C, WQ7R, ZP5AZL

For full details see our web site. Forget that built-in keyer in your transceiver. You deserve far better. We have one waiting for you.

CQ World Wide DX CW Contest (November 26-27, 2005)

Call 6W1RW 6Y5/KN5H 9Y4AA E21IZC FO/AH8DX/a FS/K7ZUM HI3A LZ9W P4A P4W PJ2T
TZ5A VK9AA WP3C

Entity Senegal Jamaica Trinidad Tobago Thailand Austral Is St Martin Dominican Republic Bulgaria Aruba Aruba Neth Antilles
Mali Cocos (Keeling) Puerto Rico

Class SOAB HP M/2 SOAB HP SOAB LP SOAB HP SOAB ??? M/M SOAB SOAB HP M/?
M/M SOAB SOAB LP

Operators F6BEE KN5H, N3DXX N6TJ E21IZC AH8DX K7ZUM HI3A LZ Contest Team KK9A W2GD K8ND, N1ZZ, N8BJQ, NP2L, S50R, WNB, W4PA, W8WTS, W9EFL, WA9S AA7A, G3SXW, G4BWP, G4IRN, K7WP, KC7V, KY7M, KY7M, G3PJT, K5VT VK2IA WP3C

Antenna Rotor Enhancements: TailTwister & Ham-M

Do you own one of these fine rotors? Bring it into the 21st Century! Rotor-EZ adds a unique Auto-Point capability plus brake delay, endpoint protection, optional complete computercontrol capability for logging and contesting programs, and more!

See our web site for full details of this must have enhancement.

Thanks to: AH8DX, E21IZC, F6BEE, G4IRN, HI3A, K7ZUM, K8ND, KK9A, KN5H, LZ2CJ, N6TJ, VK2IA, W2GD, WP3C

Yaesu DXA and SDX series rotors

add affordable plug-in computer-control capability for far less. See our web site for full details!

www.idiompress.com
P.O. Box 1985 Grants Pass, OR 97528 NCJ September/October 2005 41

Results, January 2005 NAQP SSB Contest

Operators from throughout the US were represented in the top-ten single op scores in the January 2005 edition of the NAQP SSB contest. K7RL took first place from Washington with a comfortable lead over second-place finisher K5TR who set a new Texas record. K9PG was third from Illinois, followed by K4XS in Florida. N6MJ operated W6YIs station to fifth place from California, while W5CW was sixth at K5CMs station in Oklahoma. W5WMU took seventh and broke his own Louisiana record while operating N5AN. N5DX set a new Arkansas record while nipping K6LL in Arizona for eighth place. K5RC operated W7RN to a tenth-place finish. NDC, operating from Minnesota, won the single-op QRP category. KO1H was second from Rhode Island, followed closely by third-place W1KLM from Arkansas. W7KU captured fourth from Arizona, while VA3DF was fifth from Ontario. The K9NS crew continued its dominance of the multi-two category from Illinois with a first-place finish by a margin

Bruce Horn, WA7BNM bhorn@hornucopia.com

Top Ten Combined Single Operator Scores for January 2005 NAQPs
Dan, N6MJ, won the combined CW/SSB NAQP competition with his first place CW and fifth place SSB finishes. K6LL and N6TR took second and third places, respectively. Congratulations to all of these great ops!

Operator N6MJ K6LL N6TR W5WMU N5DX N4ZZ K8IA N4PN AE6Y N6NF

CW Points 500 405 448 298 301 252 329 260 311 278

SSB Points 471 400 312 413 401 353 274 266 210 230

Total Points 970 805 760 711 702 605 603 526 521 508

of 200k points over second-place W6YX in California. K9NS has the all-time topthree scores in the multi-two category. K7ZSD was third from Oregon. The Southern California Contest Club #1 team used top-ten single-op finishes by two of its members to take first place

in the team competition over the secondplace Northern California Contest Club Team 1. The Tennessee Contest Group Hound Dogs team captured third. In addition to the records noted above, N5PA broke WQ5Ls old Mississippi record with a total of 151,520 points.

Single Op Top Ten Breakdowns

Call K7RL K5TR K9PG K4XS W6YI (N6MJ) W5CW (at K5CM) N5AN (W5WMU) N5DX K6LL W7RN (K5RC) Score 358,250 353,065 346,368 342,248 337,249 317,148 295,875 287,508 286,533 269,568 QSOs 1433 1465 1312 1432 1333 1391 1315 1261 1209 1152 Mults 250 241 264 239 253 228 225 228 237 234 160 36/14 64/28 197/47 44/22 35/16 129/35 52/21 141/39 21/12 61/14 80 198/43 188/46 423/59 339/52 188/47 330/55 305/49 352/51 163/44 191/43 40 299/50 258/49 276/55 303/55 399/57 192/39 353/53 331/51 245/53 186/52 20 345/53 538/50 239/51 526/57 213/49 582/56 317/49 320/47 226/48 131/44 15 332/50 361/49 144/38 168/40 338/55 134/33 256/47 109/33 274/49 400/48 10 223/40 56/19 51/14 52/13 160/29 24/10 32/6 8/7 280/31 183/33 Team HStpprs
SMC #1 TCG HDg SCCC #1

SCCC #1 NCCC #1

Single Op QRP Top Five Breakdowns

Call NDC KO1H W1KLM W7KU VA3DF Score 32,548 30,975 29,746 25,990 22,230 QSOs 316 295 278 230 234 Mults 103 105 107 113 95 160 0/0 12/8 9/7 0/0 4/2 80 12/10 53/25 70/21 71/37 41/23 40 58/29 62/23 94/38 45/22 46/22 20 147/36 49/23 49/25 85/37 68/26 15 97/26 102/21 39/15 29/17 45/15 10 2/2 17/5 17/1 0/0 30/7 Team
CTRI TCG TBr

Multi-Two Breakdowns
Call K9NS W6YX K7ZSD Score 706,266 506,415 483,084 QSOs 2378 1911 1988 Mults 297 265 243 160 245/53 66/11 44/12 80 414/57 198/43 87/31 40 601/57 421/51 583/57 20 717/64 337/56 352/51 15 290/36 470/59 593/52 10 111/30 419/45 329/40

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Team Scores
1. SCC #1 W6YI 337,249 K6LL 286,533 N6KI 150,181 K6AM 149,744 WN6K 95,804 Total 1,019,511 2. NCCC Team 1 W7RN 269,568 WX5S 208,926 AE6Y 150,271 W6XU 149,544 K6RIM 138,750 Total 917,059 3. TCG Hound Dogs K4XS 342,248 N4ZZ 252,954 KE5OG 159,393 K4BEV 129,960 N4JN 10,952 Total 895,507
29. YCCC One K Short of a Load (K1JB, N1KWF, KT1V, KTV) ......................................................................... 120,920 30. SMC #2 (W9RE, WT9U, K9DXR, K9MI, W9GIG) ................ 108,634 31. SECC Team 3 (W4BW, K4SB, K4AQ) .................................... 99,676 32. CCO #3 (VE3WG, VA3GGF, VA2UK) ..................................... 93,136 33. TCG Return to Senders (WO4O, N4DW, WA4JA, W4BCG) ................................................................................. 92,767 34. Order of Boiled Owls (KS2G, W2LK, K2LE, N2UN) .............. 85,998 35. MWA #1 (WA2MNO, KAD, KEL, KSV) .............................. 85,051 36. PVRC 3 (K1RH, WX3B, KI3O, K4VV) .................................... 80,606 37. Austin Powers (K5NZ, N3BB) ................................................. 80,460 38. Diebold ARC (N8OH, W8XY, W8VE) ...................................... 79,104 39. SMC #4 (AA9RT, AK9F, K9QVB, K9QQ, AA9DY) .................. 72,836 40. TCG Teddy Bears (W1KLM, AF4QB, WA4OSD, KE4OAR) ... 69,348 41. CCO #2 (VE3KZ, VE3MGY, VE3DZ) ...................................... 68,516 42. MRRC Team #2 (K8BB, K8KHZ, K8MR, K8GT) .................... 67,685 43. Twilight Zoners (KS5V, N5VYS, KK5LO, K5OLE) .................. 61,769 44. TCG All Shook Ups (WETC, WM4Q) .................................... 45,340 45. SMC #5 (K9WIS, WUY, KK9K, KM9M) ................................. 44,910 46. CARC Contest Group (KK8D, KC8UDV, W8JT, KC8WVJ) .... 42,507 47. CTRI Contest Group (KO1H, N1HRA) .................................... 39,945 48. Green River Valley ARS (NEP, KB9LIE, K9PVZ, N9YPN) ... 25,352 49. TCG Gracelanders (K0EJ, N1WI, WA4VJC, AABA) ............ 24,507 50. NCCC #6 (K6OWL, AE6C, K6DGW, N6AJR) ........................ 19,937 51. SCCC #3 (K6ZCL, WA7BNM) ................................................. 18,084 52. Austin Powers #2 (K5PI, WM5R) ............................................ 17,291

4. The High Steppirs (K7RL, K7RI, N7BV) ............................... 699,584 5. PVRC 1 (NX9T, K7SV, W4NF, AC5RR, WM3T) ................... 570,884 6. SMC #1 (K9PG, KOU, N9RV, KA9F) .................................. 569,663 7. SECC Team 1 (N4PN, K5ZM, WA4TII, KA9EKJ) ................. 423,862 8. Azenmokers (K5YAA, WA7LNW, K5AM, K5KA, K7UP) ....... 421,493 9. GMCC Red Mtn (KUK, KGAS, NKE, KRI, KU7Z) ......... 411,957 10. Lost Dutchman Miners (K8IA, WA0KDS, NJ7I, WM7A) ....... 349,467 11. SECC Team 2 (KU8E, AA4LR, K4BAI, W4ATL, W4NTI) ..... 333,396 12. NCCC #2 (K6MR, KE6ZSN, KJ6RA, NT6K, W6FB) ............ 313,184 13. NCCC #3 (WK6I, N6ZFO, KO6LU, AK6DV) ......................... 300,050 14. TCG Heartbreak Hotels (K9JF, W9WI, WDB, N9ADG, K4LTA) ................................................................... 254,321 15. TCG Jailhouse Rockers (AD4EB, K1GU, W4NZ, K4AMC) .. 251,152 16. MRRC Team #1 (ND8DX, WZ8P, N8IE) ............................... 236,404 17. YCCC Group W Bench (W1JQ, W2JU, W2GB, NA1QP, WA1Z) ..................................................................... 222,329 18. FRC (N3AD, K3MD, N3NR) .................................................. 218,684 19. PVRC 2 (N8II, K3SV, K4GM) ................................................ 213,746 20. MWA #2 (WRDK, VE4VV, NPFY) ..................................... 208,699 21. SCCC #2 (N6HC, K6LA, K6EY) ........................................... 203,455 22. CCO #1 (VE3WIB, VE3SY, VE3RCN, VE3KP) ..................... 184,103 23. MWA #4 (ACW, NBUI) ....................................................... 183,778 24. NCCC #4 (N3ZZ, W6YL, K6ST, K6LRN, W6ZZZ) ................ 172,686 25. GMCC Durango (WETT, KO7X) .......................................... 150,232 26. NCCC #5 (K6III, AE7DX, NU6T, KE6QR, W6EB) ................ 138,757 27. SMC #3 (W9IU, K9JS, W9LYA) ............................................. 134,126 28. MWA #3 (KMPH, KIF, WBN, KKX, KCRET) ............... 125,969

Single Operator Scores

Call K1KD W1SJ W1AW (N1ND) W1JQ K1JB W2JU *KO1H NA1QP AA9VI N1KWF KK1W AB1BW KT1V K2LE K1VU WB8IMY N1HRA KB1LN W1SD KB1LAX KTV KA2KON K1IR K1TW KB1HDO W1CRK *NE1RD WA1Z W1DMM W1HPH N1FR W1KE N1EY
W2GB KS2G

Score 131,236 125,240

99,225 92,960 88,050 53,055 30,975 21,894 18,360 15,600 15,480 12,720 11,645 11,360 10,872 9028 8970 8127 6649 5723 5625 4992 4674 3108 2772 2450 2120 2100 1650 1274 945 680 81 52,320 48,790

QSOs Mults 763 172 808 155

675 560 587 405 295 246 204 240 180 159 137 160 151 148 130 129 109 97 125 96 114 74 63 70 53 75 50 49 35 34 9 480 410 147 166 150 131 105 89 90 65 86 80 85 71 72 61 69 63 61 59 45 52 41 42 44 35 40 28 33 26 27 20 9 109 119

QTH Team VT VT
CT CT ME CT RI CT RI NH MA CT NH VT MA CT RI RI NH VT NH NH MA MA MA MA MA NH CT RI MA CT MA NY NY YCCC Group W Bench YCCC One K Short of a Load YCCC Group W Bench CTRI Contest Group YCCC Group W Bench YCCC One K Short of a Load YCCC One K Short of a Load Order of Boiled Owls CTRI Contest Group

Call WA2RY W2LK *KR2Q WM2Z KV2M N2HMM WB2BXO W2LHL KA2CYN KC2LYQ N2QOR W2LE N2UN WA2UET W2ARP W2QOB KC2LNC ABOX W5KI N2GC N5ILN
N3AD K3SV K3MD N3NR K1RH W3BW NA3V WX3B N8NA KA3FZN NS3T *N3HU AK3E NF3R WA3G

Score 25,220 24,000 20,445 18,426 10,675 825 8607 8184 7493 5355 5005 2964 1848 1767 1638 540 390 300 238 209 64
119,700 66,581 63,104 35,880 32,724 32,016 30,128 27,360 25,064 14,700 9792 8385 7119 7056 5208

QSOs Mults 260 97 240 100 235 87 249 74 175 61 125 69 151 57 124 66 127 59 105 51 91 55 76 39 77 24 57 31 63 26 30 18 26 15 25 12 17 14 19 11 8 8
700 479 464 299 303 276 269 285 241 175 136 129 113 126 124 171 139 136 120 108 116 112 96 104 84 72 65 63 56 42

QTH Team NJ NY Order of Boiled Owls NJ NY NJ NJ NY NJ NY NY NJ NJ NY Order of Boiled Owls NY NJ NJ NJ NJ NJ NY NY

PA PA PA PA MD MD PA MD DE PA MD MD MD MD MD FRC PVRC 2 FRC FRC PVRC 3 (PVRC Part Timers) PVRC 3 (PVRC Part Timers)

YCCC One K Short of a Load

YCCC Group W Bench

YCCC Group W Bench Order of Boiled Owls

NCJ

September/October 2005

43

Call N3HS N3HKQ K3PRN N3ONM KF3BN KA5DON K3WW KB3KYZ

K4XS N4ZZ N4PN K4SSU (NA4BW) NX9T K7SV W4NF K4BEV KU8E AA4LR AC5RR K4BAI W4BW (W4BD) WA4TII AD4EB WO4O KK4TA NA4W (K4WI) K1GU K4ZGB W4NZ KA9EKJ W9WI WY4N KR4M K4AMC W4MY WM3T N4KZ W4KAZ KG4NWS KA8Q/4 KE4S AF4QB KN4Q NA4K W4ATL K4CJB W4CEO KI3O WA4OSD KEJ K9QQ/4 N4JN N4CW K4AT K5EEE N4VM WM4Q N4DW K4VV W4NTI WA4JA KG4MWO W4SOU N7DLS K4SB KE4OAR *K4AQ K4GM W4BCG N1WI WA4VJC K4LTA (KI4FZT) AABA KI4CCJ N4GI AF4OX KV4CN N4GG W4DNA N4LF K4GMH KO4XJ NY4N W2OO N4JHM KF4DVF AI4CO WB4QNG K4EVH W3OA

Score 5124 2997 2415 1716 500 176 98 25

342,248 252,954 190,432 185,630 162,378 139,815 131,040 129,960 113,460 101,400 95,776 94,872 89,030 80,100 75,394 73,164 71,500 68,400 67,938 65,650 62,928 53,958 51,750 50,904 49,818 44,892 43,600 41,875 40,180 39,098 30,875 30,470 26,596 21,500 20,100 17,617 17,072 16,575 15,561 13,578 13,104 11,584 11,200 10,952 10,950 10,266 9990 9900 9504 8395 6944 6592 6588 6305 5917 5670 5664 4998 4982 4900 4620 4505 4462 4320 3956 3774 3440 3266 2607 2520 2392 2356 2244 2125 1600 1508 1440 1344 1170 1092 950 936

QSOs Mults 122 42 81 37 69 35 52 33 25 20 16 11 14 7 5 5

1432 1222 1082 977 837 717 780 760 620 650 584 708 614 534 506 469 550 475 507 505 437 391 414 504 361 387 400 335 410 346 325 277 244 215 201 223 194 195 171 186 156 181 160 148 150 177 135 132 144 115 112 103 108 97 97 105 96 102 94 98 84 85 97 90 92 74 86 71 79 63 92 62 68 85 50 58 48 48 45 42 38 39 239 207 176 190 194 195 168 171 183 156 164 134 145 150 149 156 130 144 134 130 144 138 125 101 138 116 109 125 98 113 95 110 109 100 100 79 88 85 91 73 84 64 70 74 73 58 74 75 66 73 62 64 61 65 61 54 59 49 53 50 55 53 46 48 43 51 40 46 33 40 26 38 33 25 32 26 30 28 26 26 25 24

QTH Team MD PA MD PA MD MD PA DE
FL TN GA GA NC VA VA TN GA GA VA GA GA GA TN TN FL AL TN AL TN AL TN SC SC TN NC VA KY NC SC VA VA TN TN TN GA VA FL VA TN TN VA TN NC KY FL TN TN TN VA AL TN FL KY TN GA TN GA VA AL TN GA TN TN NC FL SC NC GA NC FL VA KY TN TN TN FL FL KY VA NC TCG Hound Dogs TCG Hound Dogs SECC Team 1 PVRC 1 PVRC 1 PVRC 1 TCG Hound Dogs SECC Team 2 SECC Team 2 PVRC 1 SECC Team 2 SECC Team 3 SECC Team 1 TCG Jailhouse Rockers TCG Return to Senders

Call KI4CRD KM4FO AI4IO K9GWB KG4BII KB4AAC

K5TR W5CW (at K5CM) N5AN (W5WMU) N5DX W5FO KE5OG K5YAA N5PA N5ZK (W5ASP) K5AM AF5Q K5NZ K5KA N5XJ *W1KLM N3BB WK5K *K7UP KS5V KD5NFW NEP N5VYS KK5LO N5OA K5OLE K5PI KK5MI N5DTT WM5R AD5RK K5SF AD5SR K5WW KD5ZEF W5MEJ KD5ATR W1DY WBYEA K5DFO KBZTX N6ZZ

Score 864 486 184 168 63 25

353,065 317,148 295,875 287,508 162,129 159,393 152,012 151,520 97,812 75,520 62,634 57,456 45,276 34,224 29,746 23,004 22,848 20,889 18,480 17,172 15,842 14,892 14,413 14,181 13,984 12,191 8316 6710 5100 4656 4346 2640 2479 2442 1665 1620 1316 1290 980 850 260

QSOs Mults 36 24 27 18 23 8 14 12 9 7 5 5
1465 1391 1315 1261 867 871 854 947 741 472 429 532 343 368 278 284 224 211 220 212 178 204 203 163 184 167 132 110 102 97 82 66 67 66 45 45 47 43 35 34 20 1333 1093 954 841 819 719 839 784 804 784 748 750 557 566 537 566 491 477 407 475 369 320 355 252 250 235 246 294 214 195 204 194 178 146 148 125 142 138 125 172 111 83 241 228 225 228 187 183 178 160 132 160 146 108 132 93 107 81 102 99 84 81 89 73 71 87 76 73 63 61 50 48 53 40 37 37 37 36 28 30 28 25 13 253 234 219 196 188 209 179 191 186 181 187 185 172 154 162 145 144 133 143 117 131 131 110 116 101 105 100 75 99 88 79 80 85 84 78 76 62 58 61 44 66 57

QTH Team NC KY VA TN KY FL
TX OK LA AR TX TX OK MS TX NM OK TX OK TX AR TX TX NM TX TX OK TX TX LA TX TX TX TX TX TX TX OK TX AR TX AR OK TX AR MS NM CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA

TCG Hound Dogs Azenmokers

Azenmokers Austin Powers Azenmokers TCG Teddy Bears Austin Powers Azenmokers Twilight Zoners Green River Valley ARS Twilight Zoners Twilight Zoners Twilight Zoners Austin Powers #2 Austin Powers #2

TCG Jailhouse Rockers TCG Jailhouse Rockers SECC Team 1 TCG Heartbreak Hotels TCG Jailhouse Rockers PVRC 1

TCG Teddy Bears SECC Team 2 PVRC 3 (PVRC Part Timers) TCG Teddy Bears TCG Gracelanders SMC #4 TCG Hound Dogs

TCG All Shook Ups TCG Return to Senders PVRC 3 (PVRC Part Timers) SECC Team 2 TCG Return to Senders

SECC Team 3 TCG Teddy Bears SECC Team 3 PVRC 2 TCG Return to Senders TCG Gracelanders TCG Gracelanders TCG Heartbreak Hotels TCG Gracelanders

W6YI (N6MJ) 337,249 K6IF 255,762 WX5S (at N6RO) 208,926 N6NF 164,836 K6MR 153,972 AE6Y 150,271 N6KI 150,181 K6AM 149,744 W6XU 149,544 WK6I 141,904 N6HC 139,876 K6RIM 138,750 WN6K 95,804 N3ZZ 87,164 N6ZFO 86,994 W6AFA 82,070 K6III 70,704 KE6ZSN 63,441 KJ6RA 58,201 K6LA 55,575 K6XV 48,339 KO6LU 41,920 W6YL (W6CT) 39,050 AK6DV 29,232 K6ST 25,250 N6EM 24,675 NO6X 24,600 NT6K 22,050 K6LRN 21,186 K6ZCL 17,160 K6EU 16,116 W6FB 15,520 K6OWL 15,130 NU6T 12,264 W1MVY 11,544 9500 KOK KE6QR 8804 K6EY 8004 W6EB 7625 N6QQ 7568 KD6PQF 7326 K6BIR 4731

SCCC #1 NCCC #1 NCCC NCCC SCCC SCCC NCCC NCCC SCCC NCCC SCCC NCCC NCCC NCCC NCCC NCCC SCCC NCCC NCCC NCCC NCCC #2 #1 #1 #1 #1 #3 #2 #1 #1 #4 #3 #5 #2 #2 #2 #3 #4 #3 #4

NCCC #2 NCCC #4 SCCC #3 NCCC #2 NCCC #6 NCCC #5 NCCC #5 SCCC #2 NCCC #5

44

September/October 2005

NCJ

Call KI6IV AE6C K6CSL N6WK W6MVW K1USC KG6NDO WA7BNM K6DGW N6AJR K6MI W6ZZZ W6PDC *N2YM

Score 4512 4048 3640 2255 1925 1802 1092 924 638 121 108 36 30 6

QSOs Mults 94 48 88 46 70 52 55 41 55 35 53 34 39 28 42 22 29 22 11 11 12 9 12 3 6 5 3 2
1433 1209 1152 1066 1107 941 896 802 825 648 873 743 588 501 563 433 397 385 356 409 390 478 328 379 312 348 251 230 233 202 157 182 171 144 197 135 108 96 89 81 81 77 76 68 68 57 54 54 42 48 39 30 27 22 19 8 769 656 780 701 502 420 423 318 251 250 241 228 194 157 150 143 143 101 97 98 96 250 237 234 210 186 209 179 199 180 209 150 172 169 161 113 131 139 129 137 117 119 96 120 94 107 81 112 113 85 96 90 73 70 79 56 76 59 56 49 51 47 48 48 47 37 38 36 29 32 25 25 25 23 20 17 6 185 176 127 134 138 153 137 134 103 100 98 96 72 84 79 77 63 59 54 52 52

QTH CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA
WA AZ NV OR WA AZ AZ WA WA WA UT UT OR OR AZ AZ AZ AZ MT MT AZ UT NV KL7 WY KL7 WY AZ WA WA AZ NV OR OR WA AZ OR AZ OR WA MT WA WA NV WA ID OR MT AZ WA WA OR WA MT UT WA WV OH OH MI OH MI MI MI MI OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH MI

Team
NCCC #6

SCCC #3 NCCC #6 NCCC #6 NCCC #4

Call *W8VE K8MR N8PUG K9TTT AF8A KC8VQF N8AVR *N8XA/M KC8WVJ WB4SBE KB8UUZ NF8M K8GT KC8YEC WD8LQB
K9PG N2BJ KZ9O K9ZO K9GX KB9OWD KE9S W9IU WW9R W9RE N9RV N9FN KA9F N9LJX N9NUN AA9RT WT9U AK9F K9MMS KC8UWG K9WIS K9QVB K9DXR K9JS K9MI W9GIG W9LYA AA9DY KK9K N9OX KM9M KB9LIE N9LF KB9YGD K9SQL N9LTA K1TN K8ZZV NA9L K9LA W9QL K9PVZ *N4IY N0ICV N9TTX K9EFP N9YPN KB9WBM KB9RDS K9ZEN W9DLS *KC9ECI KB9TWQ KUK ACW KOU WETT WRDK KGAS NKE KMPH KIF NTF WA2MNO NWE WETC *NDC NAG KJPL WDBMS WDB NBUI KAD WBN WBVBW KEL KRI AE9B

Score 4590 4324 2944 2665 2470 1632 1564 1419 1400 1300 748 600 418 204 130
346,368 154,275 145,266 130,860 129,675 122,307 122,094 111,720 85,833 55,100 53,592 44,799 38,055 25,839 24,565 22,050 19,152 17,010 16,929 16,074 15,732 14,448 14,025 13,376 11,096 9261 9030 8128 7839 7232 6804 6090 5742 4264 3724 3680 3354 3198 3182 2871 2432 2244 1968 1836 1711 1350 1176 966 775 486 42 9 4 222,048 160,342 131,648 122,120 114,550 89,046 81,500 49,256 40,430 40,386 39,676 38,270 35,836 32,548 31,050 29,952 29,526 27,621 23,436 23,205 21,930 21,216 20,370 19,040 18,957

QSOs Mults 90 51 92 47 64 46 65 41 65 38 48 34 46 34 43 33 50 28 52 25 34 22 30 20 22 19 17 12 13 10
1312 825 781 727 741 691 714 665 561 380 406 327 295 261 289 210 228 210 209 171 171 172 165 176 146 147 129 127 117 113 108 105 99 104 76 92 78 82 74 87 64 68 48 51 59 45 49 42 31 27 7 3 2 1028 881 748 710 725 582 500 376 311 318 364 445 289 316 270 288 266 297 252 255 215 208 291 280 267 264 187 186 180 175 177 171 168 153 145 132 137 129 99 85 105 84 81 81 94 92 84 85 76 76 63 70 64 67 64 63 58 58 41 49 40 43 39 43 33 38 33 41 36 29 30 24 23 25 18 6 3 2 216 182 176 172 158 153 163 131 130 127 109 86 124 103 115 104 111 93 93 91 102 102 70 68 71

QTH OH OH MI MI OH MI MI OH OH MI OH MI MI MI OH
IL IL WI IL IN WI WI IN WI IN IN IN IN IN WI IL IN IL IL WI WI IL IL IL IN IL IL IL WI WI IL WI IN IN IN WI IN WI IN IN IL IL IN IL WI IN IL IL IN IN IL WI IN CO MN MO CO MN CO CO MN MN IA MN MN IA MN KS MO SD NE MN MN MN SD MN CO MO

Team Diebold ARC MRRC Team #2

CARC Contest Group

MRRC Team #2

K7RL 358,250 K6LL 286,533 W7RN (K5RC) 269,568 K7RAT (N6TR) 223,860 K7RI 205,902 K8IA 196,669 W7ZR 160,384 K9JF 159,598 N7LOX 148,500 N7BV (KL2A) 135,432 W7KB 130,950 WA7LNW 127,796 K5ZM 99,372 KI7Y 80,661 WU9B 63,619 56,723 WAKDS NF7E 55,183 NJ7I 49,665 KB7Q 48,772 KE7NO 47,853 WM7A 46,410 KD6JHV 45,888 AE7DX 39,360 AL9A 35,626 WB4UIC 33,384 AL1G 28,188 KO7X 28,112 *W7KU 25,990 WG7X 19,805 AA6RR 19,392 KE7YF 14,130 K7PRW 13,286 NK7J 11,970 AC7VX 11,376 N9ADG 11,032 K7WM 10,260 K7WGF 6372 KG9JP 5376 N7VS 4361 W7TMT 4131 NB7V 3807 WR7K 3696 N7IZ 3648 KC7NUP 3196 W7CH 2516 *K7ARJ 2166 K7BAA 1944 *KL7FDQ 1566 WA7YUL 1344 *K7NTW 1200 KF7VG 975 KE7AUB 750 AD7CT 621 W7LR 440 KU7Z 323 K7UIR 48 N8II 142,265 ND8DX 115,456 WZ8P 99,060 NV8N (N8RY) 93,934 N8OH 69,276 K8IR 64,260 K8BB 57,951 N8OL 42,612 WD8S 25,853 KK8D 25,000 W8TM 23,618 N8IE 21,888 W8KNO 13,968 KC8YKQ 13,188 N8IW 11,850 KC8UDV 11,011 KC8VJD 9009 *WB8JUI 5959 W8XY 5238 W8JT 5096 K8KHZ 4992

The High Steppirs SCCC #1 NCCC #1 The High Steppirs Lost Dutchman Miners TCG Heartbreak Hotels The High Steppirs Azenmokers SECC Team 1 Lost Dutchman Miners Lost Dutchman Miners Lost Dutchman Miners NCCC #5

SMC #1

SMC #3 SMC #2 SMC #1 SMC #1 SMC #4 SMC #2 SMC #4 SMC SMC SMC SMC SMC SMC SMC SMC SMC #5 #4 #2 #3 #2 #2 #3 #4 #5

GMCC Durango

SMC #5 Green River Valley ARS

TCG Heartbreak Hotels

Green River Valley ARS

Green River Valley ARS

GMCC Red Mtn PVRC 2 MRRC Team #1 MRRC Team #1 Diebold ARC MRRC Team #2 CARC Contest Group MRRC Team #1

GMCC Red Mtn MWA #4 SMC #1 GMCC Durango MWA #2 GMCC Red Mtn GMCC Red Mtn MWA #3 MWA #3 MWA #1 TCG All Shook Ups

CARC Contest Group Diebold ARC CARC Contest Group MRRC Team #2

TCG Heartbreak Hotels MWA #4 MWA #1 MWA #3 MWA #1 GMCC Red Mtn

NCJ

September/October 2005

45

Call KPLT K4IU WUY WNL KBUD KIR KKX KTK NWY KCRET KDAT KBARZ KHW KR6NA NPFY ABSD NYCY WQQS KSV K2HT WIE KBENE WA5SWN WCV WBM K7VT WYW WWAK WAIAF NDPZ
VE5SF VE3WIB VE5ZX VE4VV VE5CPU VE6BMX VE3KZ VE3WG VE2AWR VE3TW VE3SY VA3GGF VE3HG VA3OC VE3RCN VA1CHP *VA3DF VE3KPP VA3JNO VA2UK VE3KP VE3VMP VA3MAH VY2LI VA3EC VE3MGY VA7MJR VY2SS VA2SG VE3GLO VE3DZ VE3ESH VE3UKR VA3HUN VE3NQM VE9NC VE2XX *VE9QRP VP5AZ *XE2AC PY2NY CU2JT

Score 18,786 14,973 14,535 12,921 12,095 12,062 9453 7749 6050 4900 4730 4620 4606 4508 4488 4418 2280 1980 1800 1798 1375 950 765 608 330 300 243 168 110 48
151,593 104,060 104,044 89,661 81,056 75,576 51,612 40,182 36,192 35,280 34,086 33,384 27,972 27,744 27,120 22,848 22,230 20,720 19,758 19,570 18,837 16,692 15,840 15,540 15,522 11,554 9180 9100 6954 6102 5350 5088 4176 1222 1204 736 264 255 25,500 220 9504 15

QSOs Mults 202 93 161 93 153 95 177 73 205 59 163 74 137 69 123 63 121 50 98 50 86 55 105 44 98 47 98 46 102 44 94 47 57 40 66 30 50 36 58 31 55 25 50 19 45 17 32 19 30 11 20 15 27 9 14 12 11 10 8 6
897 605 703 627 544 564 374 362 312 315 299 312 259 272 240 272 234 259 222 206 207 214 176 185 199 218 135 140 114 113 107 96 116 47 43 32 24 17 255 20 132 5 169 172 148 143 149 134 138 111 116 112 114 107 108 102 113 84 95 80 89 95 91 78 90 84 78 53 68 65 61 54 50 53 36 26 28 23 11 15 100 11 72 3

QTH MN MN KS NE MN MN MN MN NE MN MO NE SD CO MN IA MO MN MN MO KS IA KS MN NE CO NE MN IA MN
SK ON SK MB SK AB ON ON PQ ON ON ON ON ON ON NS ON ON ON PQ ON ON ON PEI ON ON BC PEI PQ ON ON ON ON ON ON NB PQ NB VP5 XE DX DX

Team
SMC #5

MWA #3 MWA #3

MWA #2

MWA #1

CCO #1 MWA #2 CCO #2 CCO #3 CCO #1 CCO #3 CCO #1

Call Score QSOs Mults QTH KTR 340,875 1515 225 MN (KOB, KTR) K5PTC 234,585 1203 195 TX (N1LN, N1YXU) NE7WY 87,884 692 127 WY (NE7WY) K4HTA 55,620 412 135 MD (AF4PM, N4ZPT, KO1D, KG6ZR, KG4OJT, KG4JBJ, KF4PPF, K4TCM, K2VX, K2HYD, AC4LT) NE1C 54,412 446 122 VT (KX1X, KB1ISP, AA1YW, KB1FWN, KB1HUM, NX1X, KB1IGM, KB1IGM, KB1ISQ) W1SRG 49,352 398 124 MA (K1RDD, AG1C, W1LMP, KB1JFG) 48,513 471 103 MN WEF (KCRET, WBN, KNF, KAD, KCMNU, KKTW, KBFH, KCQJP, NZK) W7UQ 34,496 352 98 ID (KE7AHG, KE7CJO, KC7WIL, KE7AHJ, KB5TSS, KC7RSO, KL9A, VA3GEW) VA3NR 26,814 246 109 ON (VA3NR) KB8TYJ 21,204 228 93 MI (KB8TYJ) W5BLW 15,960 210 76 OK (W5BLW) W4DW 14,430 185 78 NC (W4DW) VE3TPZ 11,858 154 77 ON (VE3TPZ, VE3UVQ) W6BAR 8024 118 68 CA (W6BAR) K8BSG 1184 37 32 MI (K8BSG) W8LBZ 798 38 21 OH (W8LBZ) VE3JW 54 9 6 ON (VE3VIG)
Check Logs : AA9PB, AB3BQ, K6SGH, KB3KOW, KG4BIR, VE7FO, W4DUG, W8UE

CCO #3 CCO #1

http://www.radio-ware.com
Check out our web site for the latest prices on coax, rotor cable, baluns, insulators, connectors, adapters, TVI filters, antenna wire, M2 HF and VHF-UHF antennas and much more.

CCO #2

CCO #2

* Indicates QRP entry

Multi-Two Scores
Call Score QSOs K9NS 706,266 2378 (W9RM, KO9A, K9XW, K9PW, K9HMB) W6YX 506,415 1911 (K6UFO, KJ9U, N6DE, N7MH, W6LD) K7ZSD 483,084 1988 (K7ZSD, W7ZB, K7GK, K7ZS) 374,868 1602 NNI (NAC, NNI, NGAP, WFLS, KWHV) N5YA 365,030 1730 (N5YA, N5UM, N5KR) W4MYA 363,427 1601 (KB4BMQ, N4EHJ, WA4PGM, W4MYA) Mults 297
265 243 234 211 227

QTH IL
CA OR IA TX VA

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Mon-Fri 10am-6pm * Fax (603) 899 6826 e-mail @ radware@radio-ware.com

Radioware & Radio Bookstore

PO Box 209 Rindge, NH 03461-0209

(800) 457-7373

46

September/October 2005

NCJ

From

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The National Contest Journal features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint, NA QSO Parties, and more. Big gun or small, the NCJ provides you with a valuable source of information on the active world of competitive radio.

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NCJ

September/October 2005

47

Design Experimentation Measurement

Experimental Methods in RF Design brings professional RF design experience to the radio amateur. Its written for anyone with a driving curiosity about state-ofthe-art equipment. Contents: Basic Investigations in Electronics Chapters on Amplifiers, Filters, Oscillators, and Mixers Superheterodyne Transmitters and Receivers Measurement Equipment Direct Conversion Receivers Phasing Receivers and Transmitters DSP Components DSP Applications in Communications Field Operation, Portable Gear, and Integrated Stations

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Antenna Rotation and Control Systems

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Free your PC serial ports. USB to CW/PTT & USB to VK-64 versions.

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Voice keyer and full feature CW memory keyer in a single package. Front panel operation or control through your laptop or PC.

BCD-10 Band Decoder

Use band port signals from selected Yaesu rigs or PC printer port for automatic antenna switching as you change bands.

CD-ROM included with design software, listings for DSP firmware, and supplementary articles.
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XT-4 CW Memory Keyer

Battery powered and small size for VHF rover, FD, DXpeditions and vacations. 4 memories.

XT-4BEACON - CW Beacon IDer

Easy to program IDer for VHF beacons. Low power. Selectable speeds 5-25 WPM.

Visit our web site for new products.

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I shudda used NA

NA

Guyring bearings for rotating towers. Large ground mounted rotating bases for turning the whole tower. Large elevated rotors for rotating towers on towers. Accessories for mounting antennas to rotating towers. New rotor control system for tracking and aligning multi stacked antennas. Turn, align and track all your antennas with one Computer control system. Auto band selection from your radio.

Contest Logging Software

NA is a contest program that is easy-to-use, has templates for most contests, will allow you to design your own templates and can be used as a general logging program. Operation is simple and most active contesters can sit down and use it right away. Runs on almost all computers from 8088 to stateof-the-art Pentiums. You get an illustrated manual and one year of free upgrades with your purchase. NA is fimly committed to the future of contesting and ensuring that the program is kept up-to-date and fun to use. NA Contest Logging Software v 10.x $60 US Shipping $5.95 Overseas $9.95 NA Website: www.datomonline.com

Visit Our Web Site!

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KXG Systems
1906 Valley Vista Dr Bettendorf, IA 52722

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PO Box 209
48 September/October NCJ Rindge, NH2005 03461-0209

(563) 441-5751

(800) 457-7373

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13B2/A148-10S ............................. $159/89 A270-6S/A270-10S ........................$79/99 A3S/A4S .................................... $439/549 A50-3S/5S/6S ...................... $99/169/269 A6270-13S ......................................... $199 AR2/ARX2B ....................................$55/69 AR270/AR270B ..............................$89/99 R6000/R8....................................$309/459 X7/X740...................................... $649/269 XM240 ................................................ $679 CALL FOR MORE CUSHCRAFT ITEMS.

FORCE 12MULTIBAND
C3 10/12/15/17/20m, 7 el .................$659 C3E 10/12/15/17/20m, 8 el .................$699 C3S 10/12/15/17/20m, 6 el .................$579 C3SS 10/12/15/17/20m, 6 el .................$599 C4 10/12/15/17/20/40m, 8 el ............$799 C4S 10/12/15/17/20/40m, 7 el ............ $719 C4SXL 10/12/15/17/20/40m, 8 el .......... $1019 C4XL 10/12/15/17/20/40m, 9 el .......... $1189 C19XR 10/15/20m, 11 el .........................$999 C31XR 10/15/20m, 14 el .......................$1389 CALL FOR MORE FORCE 12 ANTENNAS.

TRYLON "TITAN" TOWERS

SELF-SUPPORTING STEEL TOWERS T200-64 64', 15 square feet ..............$1209 T200-72 72', 15 square feet ..............$1429 T200-80 80', 15 square feet ..............$1649 T200-88 88', 15 square feet ..............$1949 T200-96 96', 15 square feet ..............$2249 T300-88 88', 22 square feet ..............$2189 T400-80 80', 34 square feet ..............$2089 T500-72 72', 45 square feet ..............$1979 T600-64 64', 60 square feet ..............$1869 MANY MORE TRYLON TOWERS IN STOCK.

BENCHER / BUTTERNUT
Skyhawk, Triband Beam ...................$1129 HF2V, 2 Band Vertical ....................... $249 HF5B, 5 Band Minibeam .................... $359 HF6VX, 6 Band Vertical ..................... $339 HF9VX, 9 Band Vertical ..................... $369 A1712, 12/17m Kit ................................. $54 CPK, Counterpoise Kit ....................... $129 RMKII, Roof Mount Kit ....................... $159 STRII, Roof Radial Kit ........................ $125 TBR160S, 160m Kit ........................... $139 CALL FOR MORE BENCHER/BUTTERNUT.

M2 VHF/UHF ANTENNAS
6M5X/6M7JHV ............................$209/269 6M2WLC/6M9KHW ....................$459/499 2M4/2M7/2M9 ........................$95/109/129 2M12/2M5WL ..............................$165/209 2M5-440XP, 2m/70cm ....................... $179 440-470-5W/420-450-11 .............. $139/95 432-9WL/432-13WLA ................. $179/239 440-18/440-21ATV ..................... $129/149 SATELLITE ANTENNAS 2MCP14/2MCP22 ....................... $169/239 436CP30/436CP42UG ...............$239/279

ROHN TOWER
25G/45G/55G ...................... $99/209/259 25AG2/3/4 .............................$119/119/129 45AG2/4 ......................................$229/249 AS25G/AS455G............................$49/109 BPC25G/45G/55G................. $89/119/129 BPL25G/45G/55G .................$99/129/149 GA25GD/45/55 ...................... $79/109/139 GAR30/GAS604 .............................$39/29 SB25G/45/55 .........................$49/109/129 TB3/TB4........................................ $99/119 PLEASE CALL FOR MORE ROHN PRICES.

US TOWER
MA40/MA550 ..........................$1099/1699 MA770/MA850 ....................... $2799/4349 TMM433SS/HD ...................... $1479/1789 TMM541SS ...................................... $1939 TX438/TX455 ......................... $1379/1899 TX472/TX489MDPL ...............$3139/8239 HDX538/HDX555....................$1649/2889 HDX572MDPL.................................. $7549 PLEASE CALL FOR HELP SELECTING A US TOWER FOR YOUR NEEDS. SHIPPED FACTORY DIRECT TO SAVE YOU MONEY!

COMET ANTENNAS
GP15, 6m/2m/70cm Vertical ............. $159 GP6, 2m/70cm Vertical ..................... $149 GP9, 2m/70cm Vertical ..................... $189 B10NMO, 2m/70cm Mobile.................. $39 SB14, 6m/2m/70cm Mobile ................. $59 SBB224NMO,2m/220/70cm ................ $69 SBB2NMO, 2m/70cm Mobile .............. $39 SBB5NMO, 2m/70cm Mobile .............. $55 SBB7NMO, 2m/70cm Mobile............... $69 UHV4/UHV6 ................................ $109/149 MORE COMET ITEMS IN STOCKCALL.

HYGAIN ANTENNAS
AV18HT/AV18S .............................$689/79 AV620/AV640..............................$259/339 DIS71/72/73K...................... $269/569/359 DX77A/DX88 ...............................$389/319 EXP14/QK710 ............................. $519/159 LJ103BA/105CA/155CA ......$145/259/379 LJ203BA/204BA/205BA ..... $289/479/679 TH3MK4/TH3JRS .......................$399/319 TH5MK2/TH2MK3 ......................$849/319 TH11DX/TH7DX ..........................$995/749 VB64DX/VB66DX ....................... $139/249

GLEN MARTIN ENGINEERING

HAZER ELEVATORS FOR 25G H2, Aluminum Hazer, 12 sq ft ............ $359 H3, Aluminum Hazer, 8 sq ft .............. $269 H4, HD Steel Hazer, 16 sq ft .............. $339 ALUMINUM ROOF TOWERS RT424, 4 Foot, 6 sq ft ......................... $159 RT832, 8 Foot, 8 sq ft ........................ $239 RT936, 9 Foot, 18 sq ft ...................... $389 RT1832, 17 Foot, 12 sq ft ................... $519 RT2632, 26 Foot, 9 sq ft ....................$869

UNIVERSAL ALUMINUM TOWERS

4 -40'/50'/60' ..................... $539/769/1089 7-50'/60'/70' .....................$979/1429/1869 9 -40'/50'/60' ....................$759/1089/1529 12- 30'/40' ...................................$579/899 15 -40'/50' ............................... $1019/1449 23 -30'/40' .................................$899/1339 35 -40' .............................................. $1569 BOLD IN PART NUMBER SHOWS WIND LOAD CAPACITY. PLEASE CALL FOR MORE UNIVERSAL MODELS. SHIPPED DIRECT TO YOU TO SAVE YOU MONEY.

DIAMOND ANTENNAS
D130J/DPGH62 ............................ $79/139 F22A/F23A.................................... $89/119 NR72BNMO/NR73BNMO ..............$39/54 NR770HBNMO/NR770RA .............$55/49 X200A, 2m/70cm Vertical.................. $129 X500HNA/X700HNA ................. $229/369 X510MA/510NA .......................... $189/189 X50A/V2000A ...............................$99/149 CR627B/SG2000HD ......................$99/79 SG7500NMO/SG7900A ................$75/112 MORE DIAMOND ANTENNAS IN STOCK.

MFJ
259B, Antenna Analyzer .................... $219 269, Antenna Analyzer ...................... $299 941E, Antenna Tuner ......................... $109 945E, Antenna Tuner ........................... $99 949E, Antenna Tuner ......................... $139 969, Antenna Tuner ........................... $169 986, Antenna Tuner ........................... $289 989C, Antenna Tuner .........................$309 1798, 802m Vertical ......................... $249 1796, 40/20/15/10/6/2m Vert............. $199 BIG MFJ INVENTORY PLEASE CALL.
9106 ......... 6m 9115 ........15m 9130........30m 9110 ........ 10m 9117 ........ 17m 9140........40m 9112 ........ 12m 9120 ........20m 9175 ........75m

COAX CABLE
RG-213/U, (#8267 Equiv.) ...............$.36/ft RG-8X, Mini RG-8 Foam ................. $.19/ft RG-213/U Jumpers ..................Please Call RG-8X Jumpers .......................Please Call CALL FOR MORE COAX/CONNECTORS.

TOWER HARDWARE
3/8"EE / EJ Turnbuckle ...................$11/12 1/2"x9"EE / EJ Turnbuckle ............. $18/19 1/2"x12"EE / EJ Turnbuckle ........... $21/22 3/16" / 1/4" Big Grips ..........................$5/6 PLEASE CALL FOR MORE HARDWARE.

TIMES MICROWAVE LMR COAX

LMR-400 ..........................................$.59/ft LMR-400 Ultraex............................$.89/ft LMR-600 ........................................ $1.19/ft LMR600 Ultraex ...........................$1.95/ft

HIGH CARBON STEEL MASTS

5 FT x .12" / 5 FT x .18" ..................$35/59 10 FT x .18" / 11 FT x .12" ............. $129/80 16 FT x .18" / 14 FT x .12" .......... $179/109 19 FT x .12" / 21 FT x .18" .......... $129/235 22 FT x .25" / 24 FT x .25" .........$349/379

GAP ANTENNAS
Challenger DX .................................... $289 Challenger Counterpoise ..................... $29 Challenger Guy Kit ............................... $19 Eagle DX ............................................ $299 Eagle Guy Kit ....................................... $29 Titan DX ............................................. $329 Titan Guy Kit ........................................ $29 Voyager DX ........................................ $409 Voyager Counterpoise ......................... $49 Voyager Guy Kit ................................... $45 PLEASE CALL FOR DELIVERY INFO.

LAKEVIEW HAMSTICKS

ANTENNA ROTATORS
M2 OR-2800P .................................. $1249 HAM IV / T2X Tailtwister............ $499/569 Yaesu G-450A ................................... $249 Yaesu G-800SA / G-800DXA .....$329/409 G-1000DXA ........................................ $499 Yaesu G-2800SDX........................... $1089 Yaesu G-550 / G-5500 .............. $299/599

PHILLYSTRAN GUY CABLE

HPTG1200I ......................................$.45/ft HPTG2100I ......................................$.59/ft PLP2738 Big Grip (2100)..................$6.00 HPTG4000I ......................................$.89/ft PLP2739 Big Grip (4000) .................$8.50 HPTG6700I ....................................$1.29/ft PLP2755 Big Grip (6700) ............... $12.00 HPTG11200 ....................................$1.89/ft PLP2758 Big Grip (11200) .............. $18.00 PLEASE CALL FOR HELP SELECTING THE PHILLYSTRAN SIZE FOR YOUR PROJECT.

All handle 600W, 7' approximate length, 2:1 typical VSWR .$24.95

HUSTLER ANTENNAS
4BTV/5BTV/6BTV ............... $129/169/199 G6-270R, 2m/70cm Vertical .............. $169 G6-144B/G7-144B....................... $109/179 HUSTLER RESONATORS IN STOCK.

ROTATOR CABLE
R62 (#18) ........................................$.32/ft. R81/82/84 ................. $.25/ft./.39/ft./.85/ft.

WEEKDAY HOURS: 9 AM5 PM CST SATURDAY HOURS: 9 AM12 NOON CST CREDIT CARDS: M/C, VISA, DISCOVER

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TEXAS TOWERS
(800) 272-3467

LOCAL CALLS: (972) 422-7306 EMAIL ADDRESS: sales@texastowers.com INTERNET ADDRESS: www.texastowers.com

KURE ATOLL

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Take your DX enjoyment to the next level. After completing your successful Kure Atoll contact and monitoring all the traffic on the bands, jump in on www.cordell.org/KURE and watch the DXpedition excitement continue. Watch as your friends make their QSOs in near realtime or check out some of the many other activities. Learn more about this special corner of the world and its fragile ecosystem as Cordell Expeditions leads this international group of highly experienced radio amateurs and field scientists to this remote location!

DXA

i756PROIII

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The DXers rig.

DXA allows DXers to view the current status and activities of the DXpedition in near real-time. Within a few seconds after making your contact, youll see conrmation of that contact entered in the DX log. But that's not all! See for yourself at www.cordell.org/DXA.

Icoms 756PRO series of rigs are proven performers, having racked up hundreds of thousands of Qs in DXpeditions all over the world. The PROIIIs digital advancements and its ability to pull the weak signals out of pileups is surpassed only by its big brother, the IC-7800.

starts 24 september 2005

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