NCCC Thursday Night Madness 3 of 3

The chase continues as KA3DRR tied but did not break the current 2-QSO personal record. Thursday Night Madness roared to life on 20-meters as N3BB left other sprinters feeling the reverberation of his electromagnetic wave.

I called N4OWG but my low-profile, low-power signal from the RF pit needed more effective radiated power. However, operating 25-watts into a random wire antenna at the bottom of the solar cycle is a personal challenge and a constraint of home owner association rules. In contrast, each QSO carries the same magic from the lore years of the late 1970s. Likewise, operating at the bottom of the cycle is challenging and rewarding because ionosphere is in less than ideal condition. Continuing, twenty-meter production measured zero 10-minutes into the sprint.

KA3DRR changed the band looking for production on 40-meters. The noise level was high as an effect of the random wire. I maintained composure as vital minutes ticked away and persisted in the search and pounce (SP) mode. Finally, a 1x2 calling CQ and success followed. I logged W7WHY, Tom in Oregon for the first -Q of the night. I called CQ NS as prescribed in the NCCC beginner sprint procedures but the RF pit refused another -Q on 40-meters. Ten minutes remained and one QSO logged thus far.

Would I tie or break my personal record? One attribute of contesting is competing with self. I felt determined and moved KA3DRR to 80-meters. The 1x2s and 1x3s clustered between 3.540 and 3.542. I have signal and it is a matter of figuring out a better strategy while operating low-power, low-profile. The 1x2s and 1x3s for the moment have better tennis shoes. KA3DRR is working on that! I heard W0YK, Ed calling CQ just long enough to zero beat his frequency. Success! My second QSO of the evening and 2-minutes remained.

I called CQ three times and the RF pit refused, again. KA3DRR tied but did not break the personal record. Afterwards, I tuned into the post-contest net on 3.830 and listened to other sprinters discussing the condition of their tennis shoes. Ken Keeler, N6RO mentioned in the context of the roundtable discussion, "Practice, practice, and practice." His motto is the banner charge for all contesters. One cannot get enough practice and in my case? I plan on wearing out the soles of my tennis shoes.

Results

Band Raw QSOs Valid QSOs QSO Pts Pts/Q Mults
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20 -- -- -- ---- --
40 1 1 1 1.00 1
80 1 1 1 1.00 1

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals 2 2 2 1.00 2

Final Score = 4
Operating Time = :.50 (off times shown in log)

Just keep in mind, every contester must begin somewhere and from my perspective, the score is looking up. My skill and station continues improving one contest at a time. C U in the next contest and 73s till then...

NCCC Thursday Night Madness 2 of 2

I chose 40-meters as the kick-off band despite its s7 noise level. KA3DRR called CQ and no response followed. This is not unusual given the location of my transmitting signal. I'm calling it the RF Pit and 'any' QSO is a good QSO from the pit. KA3DRR again called CQ and the band remained quiet except for the noise. I searched and pounced (SP) within .040 and .045 which appears to be an operating pattern for the 1x2s. A one by two callsign is 1-letter in the prefix (e.g. K) and 2-letters in the suffix (e.g. RR). Ten valuable minutes fell from the contest clock without any production on 40-meters.

KA3DRR switched to 80-meters and the noise continued. I practiced the strategy of calling CQ three times and SP. I tuned between .040 and .045 listening for the Thursday Night Madness characteristic call. Still, the band remained silent other than noise and, sweat formed between my thumb and index finger. I wanted one or more QSOs for the submission log while the contest clock kept ticking away.

Twenty minutes off the clock and zero QSO for the submission log. I switched bands and re-tuned the antenna tuner on 40-meters using my shortcut card. This time the 1x2s and 1x3s buzzed between .040 and .042. KA3DRR called one station a little off frequency. The operator responded and returned my call. Yes! I scored at least a submission point for the 3830 reflector and the NCCC Ladder Competition grid!

KA3DRR needed two more contacts to break a personal NCCC sprint record. Ten minutes remained for the sprinters and I jumped back to 80-meters looking for one or more QSOs. The same pattern of activity repeated itself between .040 and .042. KA3DRR listened and called however the RF pit presented an extra challenge this evening.

Determined, I called CQ at .043 with two minutes remaining in the sprint and tie a personal record. The clock ticked and my paddles hummed but the RF pit refused to give up another QSO.

Results

Band Raw QSOs Valid QSOs QSO Pts Pts/Q Mults
-------------------------------------------------------------------

20 -- -- -- ---- --
40 1 1 1 1.00 1
80 -- -- -- ---- --

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals 1 1 1 1.00 1

Final Score = 2

The first purpose of contesting is fun. I enjoy running the sprint for 30-minutes. Secondly, contesting is a sport involving both mind and body. One needs to be prepared for the challenge and conditioned to endure the chair. I like to think of the sprint as preparation for the marathon. One must practice, practice, and practice to run a marathon. I ran in the 15th running of the Los Angeles marathon and the San Diego Rock n Roll in 2000. One way to prepare for the marathons like ARRL International, CQ WW or CQ WPX is practice.

The NCCC Sprint is a stellar opportunity to learn from and improve one's operating techniques while identifying station improvements. The first purpose of contesting is fun and Thursday Night Madness is that, fun!

73s and hope to c u in the NCCC Sprint next Thursday.