My 10,000 Hour RadioSport Challenge | 9,759 - 5 = 9,754 Hours To Go

The whims of Cycle 24 presents a challenge for my low power, low profile station. Likewise, the difference between a vertical antenna and a horizontal wire antenna, is most notable during the summer from my location. The difference is becoming evident in terms of logged contacts during an event between summer and winter.

Polarization?
My production slopes toward the negative or dwells at the bottom in the summer. Winter conditions are favorable for my vertical antenna system and its low take-off angle. Additionally, I recently read W1ZR's article on Antenna Polarization -- What Does it Mean and When is it Important?

I'm curious if my vertically polarized signal takes a beating during the summer? I had a dickens of a time during the IARU HF World Championship against horizontal antenna systems. I logged a stunning 7 contacts in 5 hours of operation on the high bands. Perhaps, my doublet is better at focusing radio frequency energy, during the summer when it is really critical given conditions?

Shackadelic Update.
I thought again about a QSL card and Fred, KI6QDH inspired my approach given time budget and resources. Likewise, neither Global QSL or Cheap QSL, are sponsoring my recommendation. However, I chose Global QSL as my bureau manager for DX contacts and Cheap QSL for their thrifty price per unit (10 cents per card) for 100 cards.

Why our stateside bureau(s) are not moving into the space of domestic QSLing is something to think about given today's austerity. The cost of confirming a domestic contact would fall dramatically when factoring bulk mailings.

I would gladly trade a little more patience for the price of one pound bulk mail. Would staff at the bureau(s) be willing to help out in driving down cost?

TS850S.
I have a few payments left and the shack relaxation zone will sport a used Kenwood TS850S in the near future. My FT100 will move into a pelican case for portable operations especially for 6m during the summer.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

This Weekend In RadioSport | VHF Is Shackadelic

I'm trying something new this weekend and operating VHF RadioSport is a first inside the shack relaxation zone. My operating location isn't a hilltop nor am I located inside my vehicle either. It is one of those fantastic days when weather conditions fall into place. The marine layer isn't rolling in early or lingering late without a hint of sunshine.

Our Cycle 24 generator has heated ambient air into the comfortable seventies. The sound of Morse code mingles with finches and scrub jays creating wonderful conditions both inside and outside the shack.

CQ World Wide VHF Contest (link).

VHFDX (link).

Certainly, this weekend isn't going down as epic 6m, instead, it is taking on a new challenge and propagating a little radio frequency toward unknown destinations.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

SFI = 79 | A-index = 1 | K-index = 0 | Sunspot count is 17 @ 2111UTC.

3830 Claimed Scores | NS Summer Ladder VIII | Low Power

Atlantic Single Operator.

• N4AF | 60 Qs | 44 Mults | 2,640 Points [PVRC].
• NO3M | 60 Qs | 42 Mults | 2,520 Points [NCC].
• W4OC | 54 | 40 Mults | 2,160 Points [SECC].

n = 11 scores submitted in this division.

East Central Single Operator.

• N8EA | 53 Qs | 40 Mults | 2,120 Points [MRRC].
• N4OGW | 56 Qs | 36 Mults | 2,016 Points [ACG].
• K9BGL | 48 Qs | 38 Mults | 1,824 Points [SMC].

n = 14 scores submitted in this division.

West Central Single Operator.

• N3BB | 58 Qs | 42 Mults | 2,436 Points [CTDXCC].
• KZ5D | 51 Qs | 39 Mults | 1,989 Points [CTDXCC].
• N0AX | 39 Qs | 30 Mults | 1,170 Points.

n = 8 scores submitted in this division.

West Single Operator.

• W7WHY | 36 Qs | 21 Mults | 756 Points [WVDXC].
• KI7Y | 20 Qs | 9 Mults | 180 Points [WVDXC].

n = 2 scores submitted in this division.

NCCC in CA/NV Single Operator.

• N6RO | 45 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,575 Points.
• K6VVA | 44 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,540 Points.
• K6RB | 47 Qs | 31 Mults | 1,457 Points.

n = 8 scores submitted in this division.

The fastest 30 minutes in RadioSport concluded its 8th successful season and Howie, N4AF garnered banner position for the Potomac Valley Radio Club. A job well executed given the stellar group of master RadioSport operators within the game.

The Mad River Radio Club scored first place within East Central and I'm wondering if this had something to do with my Hawaiian print shirt? Kudos to Joe, N8EA for his effort!

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

2010 World Radio Team Championship

A monumental task well executed this weekend as competitors from all over the globe competed for the top slot in the game. Thank you RadioSport Russia for delivering an excellent interactive Internet product! The team of volunteers who labored behind the scenes certainly set the standard for the next global competition.

Admittedly, are there any plans to merchandise WRTC ball caps and t-shirts in the future? Each rate shackadelic right on in my logbook!

Please check out WRTC photo gallery because the spirit of ham radio and the intensity of competition is found within; note Tim, K3LR and Andy, N2NT.

From my perspective, ham radio operating inside tents beneath the ionospheric dome, really captured the essence of RadioSport. The photographs of tents illuminated by the glow of transceivers and liquid crystal displays against the canvass of sunset sparked a kilowatt worth of inspiration.

Contest on!

My 10,000 Hour RadioSport Challenge | 9,779 - 20 = 9,759 To Go

I'm scanning 20m spectrum space this morning while the event of the summer season is underway. The IARU HF World Championship in addition to the World Radio Team Championship (WRTC) guarantees a lot ham radio fun. I'm waiting for conditions to improve through the morning with a cup of coffee in one hand and my ears inside the cans listening to the music of Morse code.

My thought turns to the competitors in and around Moscow. Conditions are nowhere near epic however reflector chatter suggests heightened sporadic-e activity and not to ignore 15 or 10m this weekend. Likewise, competing with 100 watts against what one might call flat conditions, will certainly push the skill sets of all WRTC competitors.

Signals are beginning to rise above the receiver noise floor and my cup of coffee is nearly drained -- first contact is logged!

An Idea.
My field day experience was a great teacher. Our operation, under the umbrella of emergency communications, provided insight into planning an expedition. It is not an easy task assembling equipment, antenna systems, power systems, and operators then operate in the field. The challenge was rewarding and field day opened a new path of ideas.

6m.
The charm of 50 MHz presents new opportunities and possibilities to consider over the summer season. Its portfolio of modes, fascinating conditions, and wide open frequency vistas is a relief from the doldrums of the current cycle and spectrum space gridlock. Likewise, 6m does not require a lot of aluminum or power, to enjoy ham radio at its finest.

I prefer the challenge of this frequency allocation because of propagation specifically sporadic-e, back scatter, and meteor scatter. Basically, one sends signal report and grid square, as measure against a fading signal. Potentially, every grid square is a rare grid square, and I enjoy logging each one as well.

Try 6m this summer season and consider CQ WW VHF next weekend because the magic band is waiting.

Meanwhile, teams are competing for the top slot in RadioSport this weekend in conjunction with the IARU HF World Championship, and I'm ready for another cup of coffee.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

Antenna Lab

Photograph 1 taken from our second floor window.

Photograph 2 is a street level few of the 6m 2 element yagi positioned in a difficult operating location.

Photograph 3 taken a few steps upward from street level view.

Photograph 4 highlights additional radials installed yesterday afternoon. The total is thirty across three bands of operation.

Photograph 5 illustrates the cement like quality of our soil just two hundred yards from the Pacific.

Photograph 6 is an example of re-purposed, decorative lawn fencing.

73 from the busy shack relaxation zone.

Sarge

Nothing like a Drill Sergeant...

2010 Field Day Beach Boys Amateur Radio Club Photographs

Beach Boys Amateur Radio Club | 2 Alpha | Santa Barbara.

Emerito, N6ETO's son Vinnie taking a tour of the ionosphere despite closed out conditions.

Phil, KK6PE working on the laptop prior to official start while Brian and Frank troubleshoot our rotor control box.

Phil, KK6PE is downloading N1MM Logger for use over the weekend. The club operated from the dialogue box while inputting mode, frequency, and callsign.

Fred, KI6QDH and John, KG6RFW logging Saturday afternoon 20m contacts.

Fred, KI6QDH in the pilot's chair and a box provided screen shading otherwise it was impossible to see one's input.

Operating our low band station. I've never forgotten field day in Western Pennsylvania as a novice. The low bands were always hot and fun!

Phil, KK6PE, Ricky, and John, KG6RFW manning our high band station through Saturday evening. Ricky totally dug high frequency operations.

Saturday night pumps on the low bands and I'm having a blast working both short and long skip. The evening cooled off significantly enough to warrant a North Face sleeping bag and skull cap.

Ernie, AE6ZE who hosted our first ever field day event in the pilot's chair on Sunday morning.

Riding a few hours sleep and back in the chair on 40m early Sunday morning.

Activity shifted on Sunday as many operators went into the log as 1 Deltas and I imagine it will be an on-going, persistent trend in the forthcoming years.

KI6QDH and KI6UYB logging contacts either on 15 or 10m because 20m was not as productive as the team had hoped for through the weekend.

Kord, KI6UYB hitting his groove on the high bands mid-Sunday morning.

John, KG6RFW summed up our weekend beneath the warmth of Cycle 24 during the final hours of field day.

73 from the Beach Boys Amateur Radio Club and stay tuned for our next adventure!

2010 Field Day | Beach Boys Amateur Radio Club

Was it a week ago when ham radio operators across the nation gathered together for a weekend of emergency wireless communications and socializing?

Gratitude.
I want to thank Ernie, AE6ZV for his magnificent effort as the Beach Boys Amateur Radio Club successfully executed its first ever field day. He magnified the definition of ham radio spirit while Honda generators hummed, Morse code sang into the starry night, and operators shouted into microphones.

Many thanks to Emerito, N6ETO, Fred, KI6QDH, John, KG6RFW, and Kord, KI6UYB for their inspiration, hard work, and dedication to the Beach Boys Amateur Radio Club mission -- ham radio is a lot of fun!

I believe our club is reinvigorating ham radio in our local area as participants chatted up the excitement of logging their first ever HF contacts, the flush of our accomplishment, and their passion for a wonderful hobby. Our local 2m repeater will never be the same after last weekend.

Reward Is In The Effort.
We are a band of like minded with varying degrees of expertise. Our antenna systems for the weekend included an elevated Butternut HF9V with 5 quarter wave radials on the low bands (40 & 80m), a 3 element tribander at 35 feet (10, 15, and 20m), a G5RV (80m LSB), and a 40m dipole.

Propagation really depressed conditions on the high bands with a Sunday morning sporadic-e exception. Literally, 20m was gridlocked and 100 watts was not sufficient enough to conquer both conditions and signal jam when 15 and 10m are virtually shut down however; Beach Boys Amateur Radio Club logged over 200 contacts on the high bands.

A job well done for Kord, KI6UYB who logged his first ever HF contact!

Low Bands Play On.
The low bands performed beyond expectation and we were more than pleased with the performance of the elevated vertical with counterpoise. The concentration of 6 land stations on 40m had an enormous positive impact on our log statistics. Their signals ranged from barely above receiver noise floor to an astounding 20dB on the s-meter.

Forty meters made up the difference for our low power operation especially when 20m was gridlocked.

Fred, KI6QDH fired up our G5RV on 80m LSB beneath a sky ablaze with full moon light and thin, wispy tendrils of fog. His effort spiked our overall total while I logged Morse code contacts on the same band. I enjoyed listening to him as contact after contact went into the log. On the other hand, we are in need of an 80m operator who is a night owl because my brain stopped processing Morse code around 1 o'clock in the morning.

The Beach Boys Amateur Radio Club logged over 500 contacts on the low bands.

Locally Reinvigorating Ham Radio.
Our preparations paid dividends especially in terms of having a lot of ham radio fun. We had lots of visitors throughout Saturday afternoon and, hopefully, our band of passionate operators inspired individuals to look again at ham radio in addition high frequency (HF) operating.

We were wiped out when the buzzer concluded our first ever field day operation. Our team effort scored over 700 contacts in the log and we are targeting over 1,000 for next year.

Next Project?
The Beach Boys Amateur Radio Club is looking at its next project, perhaps, UHF/VHF operations near the beach with our beams pointed north/south toward San Francisco and Los Angeles. There are digital modes yet to be conquered and lots of space on HF for ham radio fun. Six meters is all the rage in the area trending Hawaiian print shirt popular along the central coast of California.

Stay tuned for the next adventure and 73 from the shack relaxation zone.

P.S. Working on my radial system this afternoon, antenna lab gets a 6m beam, and I renewed my ARRL membership.

RadioSport History | Chatting Up With N6AA

I enjoyed our hamfest in Santa Maria, California this morning and my opportunity to chat up with Richard Norton, N6AA.

We talked about what it takes to move to the next level and he shared a few stories about his 9Y4VT operation as well. The key to successful RadioSport, according to N6AA, is operate as much as possible, guest operate where possible, and call CQ alot even if one is low power, low profile.

Richard mentioned both the art and science of the game will surely follow as one pursues a Box score. I wanted to listen for hours however his duties were first given the hamfest, perhaps, next time N6AA will continue recounting his adventures to 40 zones stretching across the globe.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

P.S. I purchased a Palomar R-X Noise Bridge and a 2009 ARRL Periodicals CD-ROM with QST, QEX, and the National Contest Journal.

3830 Claimed Scores | NS Summer Ladder VIII | Low Power

Atlantic Single Operator.

• NO3M | 51 Qs | 38 Mults | 1,938 Points [NCC].
• N4AF | 54 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,890 Points [PVRC].
• K4BAI | 51 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,785 Points [SECC].

n = 11 scores submitted in this division.

East Central Single Operator.

• K9BGL | 54 Qs | 40 Mults | 2,160 Points [SMC].
• N8EA | 54 Qs | 38 Mults | 2,052 Points [MRRC].
• K8MM | 51 Qs | 38 Mults | 1,938 Points [MRRC].

n = 12 scores submitted in this division.

West Central Single Operator.

• WD0T (@KD0S) | 48 Qs | 37 Mults | 1,776 Points.
• N3BB | 45 Qs | 34 Mults | 1,530 Points [CTDXCC].
• K0AD | 44 Qs | 28 Mults | 1,232 Points [MWA].

n = 9 scores submitted in this division.

West Single Operator.

• W7OM | 44 Qs | 28 Mults | 1,232 Points [WWDXC].
• W7WHY | 33 Qs | 23 Mults | 759 Points [WVDXC].
• NG7M | 29 Qs | 18 Mults | 522 Points [Utah Contest Club].

n = 5 scores submitted in this division.

NCCC in CA/NV Single Operator.

• N6RO | 49 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,715 Points.
• K6VVA | 47 Qs | 34 Mults | 1,598 Points.
• N3ZZ | 44 Qs | 32 Mults | 1,408 Points.

n = 6 scores submitted in this division.

The fastest 30 minutes in RadioSport is anyone's game and K9BGL logged a surprise upset victory for the Society of Midwest Contesters. An accomplishment well executed given the string of N3BB wins on the ionospheric court. The tower whom looms large won 6 out of 8 events before NO3M and K9BGL posted their victories.

The Mad River Radio Club posted two and three within their division but the clock is running on the fastest 30 minutes in RadioSport.

Contest on.

IARU HF World Championship

The IARU HF World Championship is one of my favorite summer RadioSport events. The game is well positioned for phenomenal success given new media tools and its global reach perhaps might I say, this is the World Cup for RadioSport?

However, has leadership recognized its potential for publicizing ham radio while creating a venue for the world to watch? Instead, a world wide network of headquarter stations, cannot compete. What good is competition without results?

Meet A Challenge With Vision.
I do not agree with the elimination of headquarter scores. RadioSport at the international level has a problem in need of a reasonable solution. Elimination is a one-sided, arbitrary decision and the consequences reach far into the future. Perhaps, it is time for our international RadioSport community, to see this as an opportunity and meet the challenge with all its resources?

My favorite comment and one that is most reasonable was written by John Crovelli, W2GD/P40W who stated, "Eliminating national cheerleading and bring the HQ stations back into the competition, can be accomplished easily. Assign ZERO points to in-country QSOs made by HQ stations. The potential for abuse is eliminated."

New Media Shaping Our World.
Toby, DH1TW examines the problem while demonstrating the reach of today's new media and its capacity to shape our conversation. His campaign started with his blog, a tweet, then a survey...

• Survey on ARRL's IARU Contest Decisions.

If, the game is moving to the next level of elite competition, one for the elite competitor then meet this challenge with resources and bold vision. I'm looking forward to participating in the IARU HF World Championship this summer.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

RadioSport Video

Contest on.

RadioSport History | CQ World Wide DX CW 1981

There are many ways to enter RadioSport and one of them is finding a group of operators who share the competitive spirit. One may not want to spend an entire weekend in the pilot's chair or other commitments may compete for attention. A multi-single entry is an excellent opportunity to share resources, time, and establish new friendships.

Participating in this category made a significant difference in my attitude about RadioSport as a teenager. I spent hours inside the cans learning how-to listen for needed multipliers. A day existed, when paper dupe sheets tracked the log, and I learned precision and orderliness. A mistake in the dupe sheet would result in a significant point penalty.

Additionally, competing in this category set my personal future standard in terms of operating skill, station engineering, and sportsmanship. I modeled those who sat in the pilot's chair and admired their operating skill especially when rate met or exceeded one's capacity to write with a pencil.

Cox and Brockman stated, "In the battle of the Goliaths, W2PV captured the top world Multi-Multi score, no easy feat for a USA station." (1982)

Furthermore, "The contest community around the world will remember this fall when the signals are strong and clear that a few of our friends are not present. W2PV, UI8LAG, and W3KT have become silent keys. Each one contributed to what the contest stands for: enjoyment and excellence." (Cox & Brockman, 1982)

I want to remember their words as the technological wave rolls into the future of ham radio. Has competitive pursuit finally crossed the border where enjoyment and excellence does not exist or even count anymore? Is RadioSport beginning to miss the forest for the trees?

There exists somewhere in the future, conditions like 1981, when the cosmos fell into place and records fell like dominoes. Cox and Brockman stated, "The top USA All Band score was decided by less than a minute's operating time on a good band." (1982)

The North California Contest Club in the same year went from 9 million in 1980 to 160 million. One day the west coast will again stake its claim inside the club box.

Multi-Multi titans in 1981 were W2PV, N2AA, and W3LPL.

Single Operator All Band in the USA was K1GQ.

Single Operator All Band World was 9Y4VT (N6AA).

Top Three Clubs in the United States were Northern California Contest Club, Yankee Clipper Contest Club, and Frankford Radio Club.

Top Three International Clubs were Lithuanian Contest Group, Voroshilovgrad Radio Club, and Kaunas Polytechnic Institute R.C.

If one wants to enter RadioSport think about creating a team of like-minded operators who enjoy the game while pursuing excellence.

73 from shack relaxation zone.

Reference: Cox, B. K3EST, Brockman, L. N6AR (1982, October). CQ Magazine: 1981 CQ World Wide DX Contest: C.W. Results. pp. 20 - 34.

3830 Claimed Scores | NS Summer Ladder VIII | Low Power

Atlantic Single Operator.

• NO3M | 61 Qs | 41 Mults | 2,501 Points [NCC].
• N4AF | 57 Qs | 40 Mults | 2,280 Points [PVRC].
• W4OC | 58 Qs | 36 Mults | 2,088 Points [SECC].

n = 14 scores submitted in this category.

East Central Single Operator.

• K8MM | 54 Qs | 40 Mults | 2,160 Points [MRRC].
• K9BGL | 54 Qs | 39 Mults | 2,106 Points [SMC].
• W9RE | 55 Qs | 38 Mults | 2,090 Points [SMC].

n = 13 scores submitted in this category.

West Central Single Operator.

• N3BB | 58 Qs | 39 Mults | 2,301 Points [CTDXCC].
• KZ5D | 47 Qs | 32 Mults | 1,504 Points [CTDXCC].
• W0BH | 42 Qs | 30 Mults | 1,260 Points.

n = 5 scores submitted in this category.

West Single Operator.

• VA7ST | 25 Qs | 21 Mults | 525 Points.
• KN5H | 26 Qs | 18 Mults | 468 Points [Arizona Outlaws Contest Club].
• KI7Y | 24 Qs | 11 Mults | 264 Points [WVDXC].

n = 3 scores submitted in this category.

NCCC in CA/NV Single Operator.

• K6VVA | 49 Qs | 31 Mults | 1,519 Points.
• N6RO | 50 Qs | 30 Mults | 1,500 Points.
• W0YK | 46 Qs | 31 Mults | 1,426 Points [Loma Prieta Contest Club].

n = 7 scores submitted in this category.

The fastest 30 minutes in RadioSport guarantees ham radio fun and Eric, NO3M lead the North Coast Contesters to its banner position in a surprise upset. The game is measured in seconds with one's signal in the right place at the right time and NO3M met the challenge. An outstanding accomplishment given the string of N3BB victories.

The Mad River Radio Club is still in the hunt for its first club banner position with a first place success inside the East Central division. It is a matter of time for the club however there is N3BB and NO3M going into next week's competition?

Contest on.

GroundWave Video

Surf to live, live to surf.