Category: Contesting

Update

Even though it’s been a while since I posted, I have done a bit of hamming. This morning, I tuned around and found 9A3OS on 15M CW. He was literally the only CW station I heard on that band … and he was 599. Where was everyone else? Obviously listening — not transmitting.

I’m going to participate in the CQ WW WPX CW contest this weekend. Hopefully, I’ll pick up a few new ones. It’ll be hit or miss, though … it’s our wedding anniversary, and the XYL has plans! I’ll try to fit in some operating when she’s not executing her plans!!

I recently bought and assembled a K1EL WinKeyer USB and really am pleased with it. I’ve got it interfaced to the computer, so I’ll be using it in conjunction with N1MM software to give it a good workout during the contest. The only problem I had with it was no output on  KEY 1, but KEY 2 worked fine. An exam with a magnifying glass quickly found an unsoldered pin on U3. Oops, my bad! A bit of solder fixed that just fine.

Well, I’ve got to run and take care of a honey-do … I took some time off from work this week to make a long Memorial Day weekend. I have to use a few days before the end of June. If you’re contesting this weekend … good luck! See you when I can!

Update to my update 🙂 5/28 …

I did get on for a while during the contest and worked 104 stations. I picked up a few new countries, so it was worth it. I did my duty a couple of days as grillmaster, making burnt offerings on my new Weber grill. It’s been so long since I grilled anything outside, that I had forgotten how much flavor charcoal and a few hickory chips can add to a plain old hamburger!

I spent a couple of hours trying to get my WeedWhacker running. It worked fine last summer before I put it away, but now it doesn’t want to start. I’ve got some weeds out by the fence that have stalks that could almost support an antenna!

‘Til next time …

73 de Dick K4FTW

7QP Contesting, NEQP

I spent a bit of time Saturday working the 7th Call Area QSO Party. I operated 20 meters CW and had a pretty good time. Conditions weren’t the best, but were adequate. I didn’t have time to do it justice, due to “honey-dos” on the schedule, but hey — any time on the radio is quality time, eh?

Sunday evening I had a bit of time, so got on for the last hour or so of the New England QSO Party. Lots of stations and pretty strong here in Virginia on 40 meters CW. I worked several and actually picked up a couple of elusive states for my WAS. Guess what? I checked this morning (the Monday after), and they were both confirmed on LOTW. How’s that for fast!

I used N1MM contesting software for only about the second time, and really like how it makes contesting so much easier. I remember the “good old days” with manual dupe sheets and paper logs. So much more fun now that you don’t need to concentrate on the housekeeping functions.

73, Dick

CQ Contest!

I decided to work a few stations this weekend during the CQ WPX contest, and have to admit, I got a bit caught up in it. I was doing my Search & Pounce thing, and before I knew it, I was really getting into it. I’m not going to set any memorable scoring records, but I am having fun! And, I have logged quite a few new ones!

I’m taking a big break today. The bands were the pits late morning. I was at church from about 6:45 am onward and this afternoon we’re going to visit the kids and grandchildren. I may get a few more hours after we get back, but we’ll have to see

You know, I really haven’t heard much nastiness on the bands. A little foul language on 40 meters last night when the contest got a bit too close to the sacred net frequencies. So be it. It’s been that way since the spark days I imagine, and will be that way through whatever comes next. Hey … it’s a hobby, isn’t it?