ARRL Sweepstakes 2007 -- Half Time Report

I'm getting ready for my rest period after this posting. It's close to midnight. Outlaw Mr. Murphy showed up leaving us with a broken splice 30-minutes into Sweeps. Quick response with the solder gun left Mr. Murphy wounded but not out of the picture. He's riding his pale horse visiting others at the moment.

Currently, we have 300 plus -Qs in the log and 70 scratched multipliers. Twenty meters slow start then 40-meters picked up at sunset and 80-meters is our meat and potatoes at this moment. Some production on 15-meters thus far with 9 -Qs in the log. The band did open this afternoon around 4 o'clock local. Will 10-meters produce? Come on 15-meters!

I worked Randy, K5ZD on 40-meters this evening. It was a thrill for this fan of RadioSport's contest machine.

Well, my brain is singing and running serial numbers right now, I better sign off from this posting. I'm having a blast at the bottom, bottom of the cycle. This might be the most difficult Sweeps on record?

Contest on.

ARRL Sweepstakes 2007 CW Preparations

Bill, N6ZFO and I worked 12-hours prepping for Sweeps. The center fed dipole with 450 ohm balanced feedline is ready for the ionosphere at 70-feet. This antenna will cover 20-, 40-, and 80-meters. The 15- and 10-meter beams are pointed toward the east. Will the high bands perform? Will 40- and 80-meters go long early Saturday evening? I practiced on the Yaesu FT1000MP and K1MM's logging program. Additional practice followed during the Northern California Contest Club's Sweeps session.

We went on a suburban hike through the hills this afternoon. The grade is steeper than Bishop Peak. I met Al, K6RIM this afternoon and we enjoyed a nice visit. KB!

I'm toast and ready for sleep. All the best and hope to see you in the N6ZFO Multi-Single Sweepstakes log this weekend.

Contest on.

Heading North for ARRL Sweepstakes CW 2007

I'm finishing the final touches before hitting US 101 North toward San Francisco tomorrow evening. Comfortable clothing packed for the agony of the operating chair along with my trusty Bencher paddles, and headphones. I stocked up on Gatorade as well.

Sweepstake Goal(s).

• 100 Kpts.
• Multiplier clean sweep.
• Operate 24-hours.
• Have fun.

I've thought about Sweepstakes CW through the work week. It's going to be a challenge. The exchange pushes one copying and listening skills and this is my first effort from a level-2 station. I wonder what the bands will sound like? I hope to keep the blog updated through the weekend as well.

Spin the dial and look for N6ZFO on all-bands except 160-meters. Or we might catch you as we spin the dial. Hope to c u in the contest log and best results to everyone this weekend during 'Sweeps'.

Contest on.

RadioSport Farm System

I'am making preparations to leave for N6ZFO's QTH on Thursday evening and operate in Sweepstakes CW beginning Saturday afternoon. I'm excited since it is my first time operating at a Level-2 station. This is my re-entry rookie effort combined with Bill, N6ZFO who is an outstanding coach.

I see our effort as a RadioSport farm system not unlike Major League Baseball's minor leagues. The idea is the development of talent and skill in the RadioSport contester. The re-entry rookie, like myself, benefits from the seasoned contester or coach and RadioSport gains a better prepared contester for the long haul. One who understands RadioSport etiquette, ethics, rules, and personal conduct while contesting.

For example, we are analyzing his results from last year and Bill asked, "What do you see in the Excel graph and spreadsheet."

Additionally, Bill prompted me to look over last year's Sweepstakes results as we develop team goals. Also, Bill devised a practice schedule that includes the Sweepstakes exchange. I'am looking forward to Bill's feedback as we combine our talents and skills going into Sweepstakes CW 2007 this weekend.

The reason I'am transmitting the idea of a farm system into the RadioSport Blogosphere and beyond is a result of the frustrations expressed in the CQ-Contest Digest. This after reading about personal conduct fouls during the contest that is, not asking if the frequency was in use prior to transmitting.

CQ-Contest Digest Quotes During CQ WW SSB 2007

• "I had it reinforced why I don't normally do Phone contests, they are the rudest bunch on the air I have seen, and this weekend was one of the worst examples of bad operating I have seen in a long time." (CQ-Contest Digest, Vol. 58, Issue 44, paragraph 2)
• "This kind of crap HAS GOT TO STOP. It's going to get us exiled to woefully inadequate slivers of the bands. If I'd been recording the contest, a recording would be on the way to the Contest Committee. Are we going to have to get a few folks DQd, or are we just going to go ahead & provoke the non-contesters into driving us out of business?" (CQ-Contest Digest, Vol. 58, Issue 44, paragraph 11).

I do not personally know the individuals who posted but it is a 'red flag' when something like this hits a reflector. Their text suggests exasperation and frustration.

Furthermore, of the 1594 poll participants at the American Radio Relay League's Sweepstakes CW Survey, on-going results suggest 77.6% (1236) are not operating this weekend. I believe this is a good representative sample of the entire Ham Radio population in North America. The numbers are not encouraging for this re-entry RadioSport contester.

In sum, I'm looking forward to practicing and operating with Bill, N6ZFO during Sweepstakes CW 2007 and, gaining valuable operational experience as well. The idea of a RadioSport farm system is to spur dialogue to begin working toward a solution. I understand the problem.

Our Sweeptstakes effort is my first step into the RadioSport farm system.

Contest on.

Reference:

http://www.contesting.com/ (2007, October 28). CQ-Contest Digest, Vol. 58, Issue 44. (paragraphs 2, 11).

American Radio Relay League (2007). ARRL Web Survey Results Retrieved on October 30, 2007 from http://www.arrl.org/survey.php3.

2007 CQ World Wide DX SSB Wrap-Up

Thank you for making CQ WW SSB 2007 a lot of fun while infusing RadioSport with innovation and imagination. My deepest appreciation to those who went the extra mile and opened their stations to the interactive world of the Internet. Your streaming audio, web cams, and live amateur radio contest scores added a new dimension to RadioSport contesting. May we see this and more in the future.

KA3DRR Thanks.

• Superstation NQ4I and 20-meter Team Captain Charlie, NF4A who broke new ground for RadioSport this weekend. I really enjoyed our conversation, the web cam, streaming audio and the Superstation virtual tour. I'm hooked on NQ4I. The team scored 9.4 Mpts in 48-hours of RadioSport operation, stellar accomplishment!
• Superstation K1TTT for their innovative Remote Control ShackCams. The Triple-T team scored 8.7 Mpts and looking forward to 'Lights and ShackCam'. Great job!
• The contest machine Randy, K5ZD who provided live audio streaming throughout the marathon contest. His live amateur radio contest score? Check this out--6.3 Mpts--that's 6 million points achieved by one operator. Far out and congratulations.
• The folks at Live Amateur Radio Contest Scores sponsored by Superstation 6Y1V and hosted by W1VE. This is the future, today.

I'm dedicating this weekend's coverage to the RadioSport Blogosphere especially Scott, V4/NE1RD and Dale, KN4Q who like others continue to inspire me to reach beyond.

Contest on.

2007 CQ World Wide DX SSB | Low Power Live Scores

Multi-Single.

• N4TP, 302 Kpts, 466 -Qs, 277 mults (Tampa Amateur Radio Club)

Single Operator (SO) Low Power.

• W3LL, 539 Kpts, 566 -Qs, 347 mults (Potomac Valley Amateur Radio Club)
• VE9NC, 307 Kpts, 443 -Qs, 246 mults (Loyalist Amateur Radio Club)
• K2DBK, 94 Kpts, 213 -Qs, 176 mults (10-70 Repeater Association)
• WB8JUI, 87 Kpts, 208 -Qs, 169 mults

SO/QRP.

• AG4RZ, 57 Kpts, 208 -Qs, 100 mults (Potomac Valley Amateur Radio Club)

SO assisted (SOA) Low Power.

• W1NT, 538 Kpts, 702 -Qs, 279 mults
• VE1OP, 288 Kpts, 471 -Qs, 241 mults (Maritime Contest Club)

CQ WW SSB 2007 going through hour number 45 and one senses the pouring on the coals. This is the moment for Level -3 and -4 stations to fill the logs and bust pile-ups. I wonder how Dale, KN4Q is faring with his attic antenna this afternoon? My best low-power, low-profile good vibrations to him.

Randy, K5ZD has an ultra-marathoner voice. I just do not detect the F1 button keying voice memory on the primary radio. Perhaps this is a solid strategy toward the end of the contest? Likewise, listening to his SO2R operation in stereo is a near-ultimate RadioSport experience. I understand the tactical advantage of the second radio as well. Absolutely fascinating. I officially declare myself a fan of K5ZD after listening through the hours to his seamless contesting techniques and outstanding sportsmanship. I hear a kind of giddiness in his voice with 3-hours remaining.

The competition between Superstation's NQ4I and K1TTT moves into the frenetic last hours of the contest. K1TTT is only 17 multipliers away from tying NQ4I at this moment. One-hundred and forty-seven -Qs separate the Triple-T team from the crew in Griffin, Georgia.

As Charlie, NF4A said last night, "There is no commanding lead until it's over."

Contest on.

Reference:

Live Amateur Radio Contest Scores (2007). Retrieved on October 28, 2007 from http://www.getscores.org/.

NQ4I Live Streaming Audio

KY5R in the 20-meter position working the CQ while propagation stretches and yawns. He's calling Europe, beaming Europe, listening Europe and send the points. Slowly, 20-meters begins opening toward Georgia and KY5R just worked Victor Echo Three Romeo Sierra Alpha.

• 7.3 Mpts, 4118 -Qs, 693 mults as reported on Live Amateur Radio Contest Scores

Looks like a sunny day in Georgia as the high-band chairs are filled. The team moves into the fourth quarter with 9-hours remaining for CQ WW SSB 2007.

Contest on at the Superstation.

Reference:

NQ4I Superstation - Griffin, Georgia Retrieved on October 28, 2007 from http://www.nq4i.com/.

K1TTT Remote Control Shack Cam

The K1TTT 20-meter position is 'on' as the operator continues working the keyboard. Perhaps the 160-meter operator is taking a rest after a great late night on the low band. Finally, I saw K1TTT's mascot who made an appearance in the shack!

The 80-meter operator is focused on the computer screen. There is a change at the 40-meter SO2R position. He's spinning the dial at this moment. Fifteen meter position is 'on' as the operator's fingers tap the keyboard. Ten meters into action as the op pushes on his headphones. He's working hard pulling those weak signals off the noise floor.

This is action thus far from a Level-1 station.

Reference:

K1TTT Remote Control Shack Cam Retrieved on October 28, 2007 from http://www.k1ttt.net/webcam/shackcam_1.html.

Go, Randy, Go!

I can hear the rush of the run in Randy's voice. One might say he is in the RadioSport flow at this very moment. Don't miss the Euro-run. It's a pile-up at K5ZD!

Go, Randy, Go!

Reference:

K5ZD Audio Live! Retrieved on October 28, 2007 from http://www.k5zd.com/live/index.html.