I would like to welcome Alan, VA3STL to the blogosphere. He lives in Greely, Ontario south of Ottawa. Alan operates mostly QRP and at the heart of his station is an Elecraft K2 for digital modes, SSB, and CW. His antenna is an 88-foot doublet at 60-feet.
A snappy, exciting blog authored by Alan with photographs of his station as well.
Welcome aboard and all the best from KA3DRR. Hope to log you in the very near future.
Blog on VA3STL.
The contest machine Randy, K5ZD released his latest MP3 for fans of the North American Sprint CW. The contest is one week old and K5ZD's audio content is fresh. Did you work the New England SO2R power operator whose 5-elements at 100-feet on 20-Meters, 2-elements at 100-feet on 40-Meters, and a 4-square on 80-Meters rocks the ionosphere?
Don't miss his classic Sprint MP3 and listen on the wild side at K5ZD.
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RadioSport is taking a big step forward. The recent study conducted by Katz and Nunes (2008) suggest the development of a new methodology that may determine one's appropriate entry classification.
The researchers incorporated a PERL log analyzer and built 2 radio event (2RE) profiles as part of their research methodology. Groups studied in their investigation were logs from single-operator all band (SOAB) and SOAB assited (SOAB A). However it appears that Katz and Nunes (2008) conducted two analysis within the study.
First, the researchers analyzed QSO rate (Q/Min) then a threshold number was established for SOAB and SOAB A that exceeded 50 or more 2REs and for multi-single (M/S) the number was two hundred. Subsequently, anyone who surpassed the Katz and Nunes (2008) threshold were analyzed further.
The resulting number in this group was 96 (Katz & Nunes). Given all the hype about SO2R, the researchers suggested less than 2% of SOAB and SOAB A logs were indexed as serious SO2R operations (Katz & Nunes).
I believe, the important aspect of the 2 Radio Event Signatures study, is time. Katz and Nunes (2008) acknowledged the need for additional data in order to gain an understanding of the 2RE signature and its stability across time.
My concern is reliability and validity of the technological tool before its introduction into the adjudication process. I fully support log transparency, good sportsmanship, and gamesmanship. But their is a cautionary tale to be said before leaping on the bandwagon of support.
Let time and further data collection do its work before I feel high-confidence in the new tool that may subsequently alert adjudicators.
Finished chapter 4, Amateur Radio Practices in the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Extra class license manual. There are five questions on the exam regarding Amateur Radio practices and I scored 94 percent on element four.
Definitions of Interest According to License Manual (p 3-27,28).
I enjoyed reading about receiver performance concepts especially the front-end and distortion effects leading to blocking. According to the manual, "The theoretical noise power at the input of a receiver with an input-filter bandwidth of 1 hertz is a -174 dBm." (p 4-18)
A -174 dBm is the best possible noise floor for a receiver as suggested by the manual.
This chapter helped me understand my Yaesu FT100 receiver a little more. Good stuff and now I'm going into Chapter 5, Electrical Principles and I'm ready for a neuron bending experience.
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One will discover Morse code in the January 2008 issue of Wired magazine. I was stoked and surprised.
"The future of advertising isn't writing better slogans or using cool photography or video. It's creating interactive stories people can explore over their phones." (2008, Wired)
The code reads, "Check out the year zero clues at Wired..."
But I'm leaving the rest for those reading the mag. What do you think about Morse code mixing with Trent Reznor and the Nine Inch Nails? Fascinating combination.
Contest on.
Time flies when you are having Ham Radio fun. I did not anticipate the growth of KA3DRR Low-Power, Low-Profile RadioSport at 45-watts just 1-year ago, today. The blog itself is now part of my RadioSport lifestyle and I have met many tireless operators since February of last year. The experience is difficult to capture with words but an adjective suffices, stellar.
I'm deeply aware that RadioSport faces many challenges going into the future. My blogging goal is to put a human face on the technology that augments our beloved sport. Certainly, through the year, I have faced a few challenges but I cannot say, the station is complete. In fact, it is all just beginning and I'm looking forward to experimenting, learning, and improving my operating skills as time passes.
Another blogging goal is to share my personal experience with you.
A KA3DRR Thank You.
Your encouragement and support means a lot and it is the fuel that moves KA3DRR in the RadioSport blogosphere. I want to also thank everyone who provided inbound links as well. And, a big RIGHT ON to those 25 through 22 really simple syndication (RSS) subscribers who stepped off the list services.
Support your Ham Radio blogger and RSS for the future!
Accomplishments Thus Far and More To Follow.
There is much more as the capacitors are heating up in RadioSport. I'm looking forward to delivering quality content on a timely basis to each of you. Thanks again for supporting KA3DRR Low-Power, Low-Profile RadioSport at 45-Watts.
A new signal was spotted in the Ham Radio blogosphere--Ed, N4EMG's CQ from North Carolina.
Contest on.
The North American Sprint is tough but its skill dividends are well worth the effort. I enjoyed a pre-Sprint breakfast with a group of local contesters and DXers. We met at Cocos in Pismo Beach in the morning. I had a blast listening to the latest on DXing and RadioSport.
I was tired going into the contest but managed to stay relatively focused. The key, at least for me, during Sprint is focus. Code speed and movement across the band is exciting and taxing.
I called CQ more often instead of searching and pouncing (SP) even at 45-watts with a doublet. Every QSO counts in Sprint and Level-1 and -2 stations will find you. My signal is not of the slugger type where I can hang near the low edges of Sprint. Instead, on the first half-hour, I called CQ at the high edge of each band. I call CQ three times then SP within 10 KHz of the upper edge.
The second half-hour is Sprint style after the Level-1s and -2s logged each other. My Sprint log demonstrated a definite QSO trend on the second half-hour. Additionally, the bands thinned out going into the last ten minutes on the hour as well. This gave me an opportunity to move below the upper edge, call CQ, and work SO2R operators or other Level-3 and -4 stations.
My copy skill improved since the last Sprint and I felt confident despite the fatigue. This time around less fumbling at the keyboard and better QSY technique. I recommend labeling function keys and using VFO A=B function on the radio. Spinning the dial after a Q is cumbersome given the time pressure of Sprint.
I recalled this tidbit of information despite high speed CW. You set the speed and if you need a repeat or fill be sure to ask. I did this time around. The operator on the other end typically slows down to your speed. It works.
Stats from the Log.
Sprint is fast, fun, and furious. It's a big hoot seeing familar calls in the log and I'm hoping to meet some of the finest operators beneath the ionosphere sometime in the future.
Overall, I tied my QSO total from last year but lost points because of my multiplier count.
Contest on.
