Radio Dawg Said, "CQ World Wide 160m"

"ROCK THE RATE TOP BANDERS"

CQWW 160-Meter Contest & Live Amateur Radio Contest Scores

Live Amateur Radio Contest Scores blew the hinges off the shack door and this is why. KA3DRR is a Level-3 RadioSport station running 45-watts into a doublet antenna. I have as much heart and passion for RadioSport as the next operator. One needed a radio back in the day to at least listen to the action but thanks to Live Amateur Radio Contest Scores that isn't true anymore.

Something is happening and the future of RadioSport is now. First, I like the simple appearance of the contest grid as the page opens, very easy to read. Then, if you want more, one clicks the callsign and additional information i.e. running QSO total, total multipliers, and band breakdown follows at the bottom of the page.

The bonus feature this morning?

One will discover at the top of the page webcam links. Yes, RadioSport operators are now delivering live video straight to your desktop. Now let's suppose five years from now?

If one has a television set capable of interfacing with the Internet and it's high definition (HD). Do you see the future? It is conceivable to watch RadioSport via one's HD television and picture-in-a-picture (PIP) Live Amateur Radio Scores. One can tune in even if you're not into the Top Band DX contest like CQWW 160-Meter or any other.

Now for the extra blew the hinges off KA3DRR's shack door this morning?

RadioSport fans check PC5M in the Netherlands. This is absolute RadioSport transparency and interactivity. Want to leave a message for the tireless athlete? Want to listen in on the Top Band as heard in Europe? This is the QTH where technology meets the Ham Radio Operator!

More to follow through the weekend and watch Live Amateur Radio Contest Scores.

Contest on.

RadioSport & QST

The buzz in the February issue of QST is "This Month In Contesting" (p 83) and its overhaul from plain vanilla to ultra cool. My kudos as a league member to the staff supporting Steve, KX9X and their innovation and creativity. Our niche within QST joined the 21st Century and that is refreshing for me. Likewise, Contest Corral made the creative cut and someone turbocharged the schedule with an improved distribution of pertinent decision making information.

Take note as well on (p 13) of QST and the statement from Inside HQ and the institutionalizing of "Radiosport." This is groundbreaking stuff.

My very best to Sean, KX9X who is our ARRL Contest Branch Manager. Perhaps Radiosport Branch Manager in the near future? I can only hope and thanks again for turbocharging our niche in QST!

Contest on.

A First Place Finish

I operated 25-watts into a random wire antenna during the 2007 ARRL International CW Contest and a big surprise landed in the mailbox this afternoon. My first ever contesting accomplishment as an operator living in six-land!

ARRL International Contest Award
2007
ARRL International DX Contest
Single Operator Assisted
First Place CW
Santa Barbara Section

I'm stoked and for this year my goal is more Qs plus more multipliers for an improved score.

Contest on.

LONGPATH

LONGPATH

The Last Great Hope In Ham Radio

The context of this posting is best framed within the values of optimism and hope.

I believe Ham Radio has reached a cross road.

• "Ham Radio where technology meets humanity."

Our No-Code examination did not infuse our population with its needed numbers as anticipated. No-Code examination was not the last great hope in Ham Radio.

I read list services and columns written by Ham Radio operators on a daily basis. We do not have a behavior problem better known as LID operating. It is the fraction who draw a great deal of attention and criticism. Their behavior does not represent the great majority of decent, tireless, and compassionate Ham Radio operators.

LID behavior has achieved near spectator sport status. But they are not representative of Ham Radio as a whole and a LID is not the last great hope in Ham Radio.

I believe the age of the personal computers and personal communications reshaped Ham Radio. We are learning how to cope with technology and its far reaching capacity.

However the last great hope in Ham Radio is each other, our clubs, our institutions and our willingness to deliver the message, "Ham Radio is fun."

I'm looking around our Ham Radio techscape and it's breathtaking from digital to Morse code to single-sideband (SSB) to the limitless technological horizon. Who is going to invent the next big thing whose roots are found in Ham Radio? Someone will and it's a matter of time.

There is a human being behind every technological advancement. I like to think of Ham Radio as technology meeting humanity. I have a lot of gratitude for Ham Radio. I'm grateful that our wonderful hobby exists and for the many decent, tireless, and compassionate individuals who comprise our community.

The last great hope in Ham Radio is ourselves and our passion for the greatest hobby beneath the ionosphere.