Off the Random Wire (Week 4)

Quiet weekend. I listened on 15, 17, 20, and 30 meters hearing stations from the mid-west as well as the south. Twenty-meters on Saturday afternoon, why not? I called CQ out of curiousity and a Californian station near Sacramento replied. Surprised? Yes. His 579 signal jolted me such is propagation. Likewise, I received my first 599 during our ragchew-style QSO. The 6-land station ran 75-watts into a vertical mounted 10-feet in the air. My 25-watts into a random wire surprised him as well.

Continuing, we ragchewed about our longevity in the hobby, exchanged our ages bringing a few dit dit dit dit - dit dits from the both of us, and relayed weather conditions before propagation moved on. His signal faded into the afternoon leaving a good memory. I enjoyed listening to his excellent fist pounding out Morse code while getting to know another operator.

I spent a great deal of time listening for new states and DX for the most part. This time my CQ on 20-meters really surprised me. That is part of the adventure of operating.

73 from the shack.

NCCC Thursday Night Madness 9 of 9

Close but not close enough. The nineth week of NS sprint concluded and like a granite pillar my personal best remained steadfast. KA3DRR tied the 15-point mark scoring 5 -Qs and 3 multipliers on Thursday evening. My random wire antenna accomplished its mission but, the next personal best eludes this radiosport operator. I experimented with CQ styles and discovered calling CQ NS 2x's followed by KA3DRR (1x) then NS produced results. Likewise, I increased my words per minute (WPM) by 1 WPM for this running.

The experience increased my confidence.

The call to the keyers commenced at 0200 Z for the slow NS (SNS). I enjoy operating the SNS as warm-up session prior to the NS Sprint. Why? The SNS gives KA3DRR an opportunity to practice sending and receiving at a very comfortable 20 WPM. In addition, one gains an understanding of propagation in the moment before the official 0230 Z start. I gained a new state, Kansas, on my journey to worked all states and Texas during SNS.

Twenty meters played well this evening producing 3 -Qs and 1 multiplier. The operators in the Lone Star state populated my log one, two, and three. KA3DRR worked one sprinter on the 'calling CQ' method and one using search and pounce (SP). One Texan radiosport operator called KA3DRR after completing a -Q. The weeks of practice paid and our exchange was successful without error. Admittedly, I felt excited pointing to my antenna and said, "You da' wire!"

Three -Qs in the log thus far and 40-meters just a band change away on the FT100. I tuned the antenna then SP'd from 7.040 thru 7.045. I heard Texas and Indiana but not enough punch on KA3DRR's end. However, I switched to the CQ 2x's followed by 1x call sign and NS. The sweet sound of Morse code played in my headset. Excitement eclipsed focus and I called for repeat of the operator's state. The Californian obliged and -Q number four and multiplier number two populated my log.

I sensed the possibility of breaking my personal record as a little less than 10-minutes remained. The 80-meter red zone awaited or my 'do' or 'do not' band. Random wire tuned and instantly SP'd for a workable -Q and multiplier. It was awfully quiet this late into the sprint. KA3DRR worked the keyer calling CQ NS. Yes! A Californian responded and the fifth -Q plus third multiplier tied my personal NS best thus far.

The fastest 30-minutes in radiosport finished like it started at the speed of light. Overall, I gained further confidence in my code speed and will notch up 1 WPM every few weeks. The plan is to remain with my CQ style as well. Keep in mind, the Northern California Contest Club (NCCC) just announced a new, distinctive Newcomer Division. There is a need for 10 or more rookies. Perhaps next week will go down in NCCC NS history as the run of the rookies?

73 from the shack.

Inside the NCCC Sprint Grid (Week 8)

The National Football League concluded its draft. The National Hockey League and National Basketball Association are deep into the playoffs. The stadium Earth crowd chanted, "Primetime, Primetime, Primetime" demanding more. Radiosport sprinters took to the ionospheric playing field and ran the 8th week of the 2007 NS Ladder Competition. No injuries reported prior to the competition but it looks like the Borg Cube assimilated a few of the intrepid.

The -Q maker, N4OGW, who previously rocked the shack staked his ion ground winning 1st place as Grid Series Leader. OGW passed W9RE and N3BB like a particle of light. The -Q maker, OGW, claimed exclusive ownership of number two and three Sprint Records. This sprinter put the "prime" in primetime.

W9RE, the one who tamed the photon, followed in N4OGW's neutrino wake dashing across the stadium finish line as number two Grid Series Leader. Meanwhile, N4AF, who is strong with the force, ebbed a few precious photons and scored third place. Who will be the particle accelarator and nudge the -Q maker from his monumental position as number two and three NS Sprint Record holder? His accomplishment is unrivaled and unmatched thus far.

The East of the Mississippi Division put 'a-game' to the grid worthy of a mention from Dan Patrick in the Big Show. The power combination of N4OGW, W9RE, and N4AF resulted in a second Grid Series Leader clean sweep and sprint records pulse from the East. The following sprinters who stood against Borg fate continued improving their scores and they are K0XP (936); K3STX (980); and W1UE (714). Stellar! In addition, KY4F and KC4HW are now three for three since joining the fastest 30-minutes in radiosport, nice work.

One might say, for the West of the Mississippi Division, it was a dead heat, photon for photon, sprint to the finish line. Cellphone camera's flashed in the millions as W0BH narrowly defeated N5DO. Wow, this was a 1-point at the buzzer win for BH! Incredible. This is the colossal match-up to watch in week nine. The dit for dit duel of BH versus DO. However, it is not available on Pay-Per-View at this time. Meanwhile, K7SS returned after 4-weeks, KG5U is back as well as VA7ST, K0UK, and NO5W. No Borg for these sprinters.

Turning to the NCCC CA/NV division, CQ Hall of Famer N6RO notched his 17th divisional win and eighth straight for 2007. Comparitively, within a 38-point harmonic of RO, K7NV rousted a few more photons in an effort at taking the divisional win. Let's see what materializes from the accelerator in week nine. Meanwhile, K6VVA a.k.a. The Locust claimed the third position within the division.

The standings:

Record Sprint Scores
1. N4AF, East, 2400 3rd consecutive week
2. N4OGW, East, 2255 3rd consecutive week
3. N4OGW, East, 2109

Grid Series Leaders Week 8
1. N4OGW, East, 2109
2. W9RE, East, 2052
3. N4AF, East, 1815

East of the Mississippi Division
1. N4OGW, 2109, 7 of 8
2. W9RE, 2052, 6 of 8
3. N4AF, 1815, 7 of 8

West of the Mississippi Division
1. W0BH, 1248, 8 of 8
2. N5DO, 1247, 2 of 8
3. K7SS, 1210, 2 of 8

NCCC CA/NV Division
1. N6RO, 1488, 8 of 8
2. K7NV, 1410, 7 of 8
3. K6VVA, 1222, 8 of 8

It's 'rookie up' time! The rule is if one has not participated in a prior year its membership in the Newcomer Division. The buzz? The Newcomer Division needs 10 or more photon powered sprinters to achieve critical mass. The competition begins in Week 10 and runs to the conclusion of NS Ladder IV according to the Northern California Contest Club Next NS web page (2007, http://www.ncccsprint.com/next_ns.htm).

This is the call to the keyers for those considering NS Sprint. Like primetime, it's rookie time! Join the new, distinctive Newcomer Division beginning next week. Stadium earth and its ionospheric track awaits your high frequency signal where radiosport rules.

73 from the shack.

Reference:
Northern California Contest Club (n.d.). NS Results Retrieved on May 11, 2007 http://www.ncccsprint.com/results.htm.

Welcome aboard VK4VCC

I wanted to extend my greetings and welcome VK4VCC in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. One can find his noteworthy blog in the link section. Thank you for supporting KA3DRR Low-power, Low-profile Amateur Radio Contesting @ 25-watts.

Cheers and 73 from the shack.

The Journey to DXCC and WAS

Lately, I devoted a great deal of thought to personal and measurable milestones in amateur radio and radiosport as a whole. The DX Century Club (DXCC) and Worked All States (WAS) stand out within the constellation of amateur radio awards as reachable but not without difficulty. Personally, DXCC and WAS represent the achievement of my skill and on-the-air practice as an operator. I'm re-discovering the fun like that 16-year old teenager sitting in front of the Heathkit HW-16 and Drake R4.

The purpose of The Journey to DXCC and WAS is to share my experience and lesson's learned en route to DXCC and WAS.

All journeys begin somewhere.

In this case, I need to be a member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), work and confirm approximately 100 DXCC approved countries, submit appropriate paperwork, and QSLs. The ARRL DXCC Rules stated the following, "Individual achievement is measured by working and confirming the various Entities comprising the DXCC List. This is the essence of the DXCC program." (para 3, 2007)

One will find in Section I. Basic Rules the 'how-to' accomplish DXCC. I'm choosing 'mixed' as the ARRL defined it as general type and it is a good operating fit for KA3DRR low-profile, low-power. However, one can also choose to pursue a specific mode such as carrier wave (CW) or single-sideband (SSB) only. The 'mixed' mode is flexible for an entry-level operator like myself.

Furthermore, the ARRL goes on to say in Section I. Basic Rule 12 (Conduct), "Exemplary conduct is expected of all amateur radio operators participating in the DXCC program." (para 48, 2007) I must remember that KA3DRR's operating practice behind the signal represents the spirit of the ARRL and amateur radio as a whole. KA3DRR, in effect, is an ambassador of goodwill on my journey to DXCC and WAS.

The goal of the WAS award is to work and confirm the 50 states of the United States of America. Like DXCC, many specialty awards are available and based on the basic premise of the WAS program.

Keep in mind, radiosport events especially DX-type such as CQ World Wide, CQ WPX, and ARRL DX Internationals provide a stellar opportunity at ticking off needed DXCC countries. In contrast, events like Sweepstakes sponsored by the ARRL, North American QSO Party and North American Sprint sponsored by the National Contest Journal, as well as state QSO parties sponsored by local clubs provide additional opportunity at notching off 50 states.

I recall from the lore years of the late -70s and early -80s the paper chase that followed the journey to DXCC and WAS. Today, one can download many types of freeware programs written by other operators to assist one's paperwork chore. I use DXLab Suite because of it's inclusiveness of various award programs like DXCC and WAS. Likewise, one can import their ADIF file after post-contest results. Remember, work and confirm, whatever the means albeit low-power, low-profile. Currently, my journey will cost no more than $100 when including ARRL membership and hard copy QSL cards.

However, one can further reduce cost and subscribe to the services of eQSL who offer an award program based on virtual QSLs. This service operates on a 'donation' basis just click on http://www.eqsl.cc/qslcard/Index.cfm. There are several membership categories such as regular, bronze, and silver offering various benefits depending on one's donation. Their service put KA3DRR on the QSL map and is budget friendly.

The journey begins anew with modern tools and fresh gear in preparation for the many exciting moments that make amateur radio memorable and the best sport in stadium Earth.

My next The Journey to DXCC and WAS article will examine KA3DRR's DXCC and WAS stats.

73 from the shack.

Reference:
American Radio Relay League, (2007). DXCC Rules Retrieved on May 8, 2007 from http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/rules.html#si. (para 3, 48)

American Radio Relay League, (2007). ARRL Worked All States (WAS) Retrieved on May 8, 2007 from http://www.arrl.org/awards/was/.