3830 Claimed Scores | NS Ladder VI "Thursday Night Madness"

Content courtesy of CQ Contest Reflector and 3830 Score Rumors.

East of Mississippi Single Operator Low Power.

• N4OGW | 61 Qs | 37 Mults | 2,257 Points [ACG].
• W9RE | 57 Qs | 37 Mults | 2,109 Points [SMC].
• K1TN | 2 Qs | 2 Mults | 4 Points.
  

West of Mississippi Single Operator Low Power.

• K7SS | 65 Qs | 28 Mults | 1,820 Points [WWDXC].
• W5JAW | 57 Qs | 28 Mults | 1,596 Points [CTDXCC].
• NO5W | 9 Qs | 8 Mults | 72 Points [CTDXCC].
  

NCCC Member (CA/NV) Single Operator Low Power.

• W0YK | 57 Qs | 38 Mults | 2,166 Points.
• N6RO | 54 Qs | 29 Mults | 1,566 Points.
  

Newcomer Single Operator Low Power.

• NO3M | 48 Qs | 26 Mults | 1,248 Points.
• K9MMS | 43 Qs | 29 Mults | 1,247 Points [SMC].
• WF7T | 21 Qs | 14 Mults | 294 Points [TCG].

Contest on!

This Weekend In RadioSport | Join The Party

RadioSport USA | Florida QSO Party (FQP).
"Regardless if you are a serious or casual participant ... from Florida, or from outside of Florida ... the Florida QSO Party was designed to be a FUN operating event. Why not give it a try?"

• Rules (link).
• Counties On the Air (link).
• Records (link).

I'm looking forward to expanding my list of Florida counties worked.

RadioSport USA | Nebraska QSO Party (NQP).
NQP keeps the party going into the after hour as propagation rolls across the nation. What a great opportunity at logging rare Nebraska counties during bearish Cycle 24.

RadioSport Oceania | VK/ZL RTTY Sprint Contest.
The first ever Kiwi Digital Modes Group (KDMG) DigiSport event is ready for the ionosphere. First mode is RTTY with a one-hour sprint format over two consecutive Saturday nights.

• KDMG DigiSport (link).

Given the potential of digital modes of operation is DigiSport the next, next big thing in ham radio?

RadioSport Eu | SP DX RTTY.
Trend or an improvement on tradition in either case RTTY is mode hot for many ham radio operators. Shortwave listeners are invited to join the fun as well.

I like the concept of inviting shortwave listeners into RadioSport events. Remember those shortwave QSL cards from the bureau? Perhaps a service like eQSL might consider shortwave listener confirmation? Spinning off that question, why not, downloadable logbooks for shortwave listeners with adif file format? Hope to hear you and see you in the contest logbook this weekend.

Contest on!

N4OGW/5 "Thursday Night Madness" Hits Number One On RadioSport Audio Chart

Link courtesy of CQ Contest Digest.

• N4OGW/5 "Thursday Night Madness" is single operator 2 radio (SO2R). 20m left. 40m right. Switch 80m left.

73 from the shackadelic.

See Also.
NS Ladder VI Week 2 Recording Hits Number One On RadioSport Audio Chart.

My 10,000 Hour RadioSport Challenge | 9,969.5 - .5 = 9,969 To Go

Thirty minutes subtracted from my challenge after operating NS Ladder VI "Thursday Night Madness." As usual, I deployed my wire antenna system using a fiberglass push-up mast and a pair of wooden poles. I'm a little nervous when tuning the antenna at 1-watt then driving 45-watts into the feedline. Why am I nervous? Every electronic device known to humankind does not like to be tickled by radio frequency (RF). There is a specific device that is especially ticklish.

My station checked out and I propagated RF across North America. I reviewed the numbers paying no attention at this time to solar flux turning instead to the A- and K-index. Both reported less than five and our space weather forecast suggested a quiet geomagnetic field. A good sign for this low-power, low-profile RadioSport operator.

Twenty meters went long haul and I scored Florida and North Carolina for the log. My confidence in band conditions notched upward going into this weekend. I logged Wisconsin on 40m as the fastest 30-minutes in RadioSport concluded.

My score 3Qs x 3Mults = 9 points.

Contest on!

See Also.
9,997.5 - 24 = 9,973.5 To Go.
9,973.5 - 4.0 = 9,969.5 To Go.

RadioSport USA | NS Ladder VI "Thurday Night Madness"

The fastest 30-minutes in RadioSport rolls on 20, 40, 80, and 160m this evening. Generally, the NS Ladder VI pack starts on 20m progressing through each spectrum space with the last remaining minutes on the monster wavelength. Station performance is important especially understanding the strength of one's antenna system. There is a mix of systems such as stacked monobanders, tri-banders, verticals and wires competing against the ionosphere and each other.

The highest percentage of NS Ladder VI competitors run low-power. An ability to 'hear the signal' is advantageous coupled with receiver performance. Check one's rcvr specifications and grasp the importance of sensitivity, image rejection, ringing, and filtering. I can see the advantage of software defined radio (SDR) and programmable filter settings. Additionally, one can sense a future where SDR is already sniffing an unoccupied frequency according to one's programmed parameters ie. signal bandwidth then hops to that frequency after logging a contact without manual operation. Signal proximity throughout NS Ladder ranges from a few hertz to several kilohertz and a well engineered receiver is noteworthy.

Digital signal processing parameters are important. Check the numbers to ensure receiver settings are aligned with mode A-1 operation.

One tactic is operating VFO A as one's CQ frequency and VFO B as one's hop frequency while alternating between the two. Additionally, if one is operating software controlled then clicking between VFO settings is just as effective as manual. The same VFO configuration applies. Frequency hopping, finding, logging and frequency hopping is the general beat for the event.

NS Ladder VI "Thursday Night Madness" is an opportunity to experiment with one's station while gaining valuable engineering knowledge moreover asking self this question, "How can I improve my station in preparation for next week?"

Join the fastest 30-minutes in RadioSport where all code speeds are welcomed.

Contest On!

See Also.
Inside The NCCC Sprint Grid (Week 5).
NCCC Thursday Night Madness 6 of 6.
Inside The NCCC Sprint Grid (Week 6).

The 99.9 FM Ham Radio Buzz From El Paso?

A commercial about ham radio in El Paso? This one grabbed my attention. However there is little to go on and I want additional facts behind the 99.9 FM ham radio buzz from El Paso. A phone call went out from the shackadelic and I spoke with Carolyn, General Marketing Manager at the station including Sunny 99.9 FM and four others.

She is looking into the commercial and an email is forthcoming within a few days. Perhaps as early as tomorrow? I did ask if an mp3 link might be available? Carolyn is researching the particulars in addition to the station's log. I'm stoked, if this is factual, ham radio has taken a giant competitive leap into the Gen Y, Millennial, and Baby Boomer marketplace.

73 from the shackadelic.

3830 Claimed Scores | NS Ladder VI "Thursday Night Madness" | Low Power

East of Mississippi Single Operator Low Power.

• W9RE | 56 CW Qs | 27 Mults | 1,512 Points [SMC].
• N4AF | 53 CW Qs | 26 Mults | 1,378 Points [PVRC].
• W4NZ | 50 CW Qs | 26 Mults | 1,300 Points [TCG].
• WI2E | 5 CW Qs | 5 Mults | 25 Points.
  

West of Mississippi Single Operator Low Power.

• K7SS | 70 CW Qs | 24 Mults | 1,680 Points [WWDXC].
• N3BB | 52 CW Qs | 29 Mults | 1,508 Points [CTDXCC].
• N9RV | 50 CW Qs | 30 Mults | 1,500 Points [Northern Rockies DX].
• KI7Y | 20 CW Qs | 11 Mults | 231 Points [WVDXC].
  

NCCC Member (CA/NV) Single Operator Low Power.

• W0YK | 47 CW Qs | 27 Mults | 1,269 Points [NCCC].
• K6VVA | 42 CW Qs | 30 Mults | 1,260 Points [NCCC].
  

Newcomer Single Operator Low Power.

• N0KK | 44 CW Qs | 28 Mults | 1,232 Points [MWA].
• K0PC | 40 CW Qs | 22 Mults | 880 Points [MWA].
• K2XA | 13 CW Qs | 7 Mults | 91 Points [HVCDX].

Hawt! That's all I can say about NS Ladder VI "Thursday Night Madness" because the fastest 30-minutes in RadioSport is blowing the hinges off the shackadelic.

Contest on!

See Also.
K0DXC NS Ladder VI "Thursday Night Madness" Audio.

3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 Holyland DX | Low Power

All Single Operator Mixed Low Power.

• YO5OAG | 47 CW Qs | 41 SSB Qs | 58 Mults | 6,090 Points.
• YO9BXC | 36 CW Qs | 33 SSB Qs | 48 Mults | 4,128 Points.
• HB9/NV1P | 3 CW Qs | 11 SSB Qs | 14 Mults | 2hrs | 224 Points.
• DO6SR | 1 CW Q | 5 SSB Qs | 2 Digi Qs | 7 Mults | .5hrs | 56 Points [Croatian CC].
  

The first time I have seen any operator post digital Qs and a job well done. Perhaps RadioSport is beginning to catch within our digital niche. This category just might balloon in two years or less as Cycle 24 meanders at or above its bottom.

Contest on!

3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 YU DX | Low Power

All Lower Bands Low Power.

• VE3JM | 93 CW Qs | 37 Mults | 3hrs | 12,432 Points [CCO].
• YV7QP | 41 CW Qs | 12 Mults | 3hrs | 1,968 Points [Radio Club Venezolan].
• YU1ZZ | 55 CW Qs | 19 Mults | 1hr | 1,957 Points.
  

All Upper Bands Lower Power.

• YU1ZZ | 56 CW Qs | 21 Mults | 1hr | 3,087 Points.
• HL5YI | 5 CW Qs | 5 Mults | 1hr | 108 Points.
  

The challenge is the event and good to see an HL (South Korea) on the score grid.

Contest on!

3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 Ontario QSO Party (OnQP) | Low Power

In State Multi-Single Low Power.

• VE3OZO | 46 CW Qs | 20 SSB Qs | 48 CW Mults | 4 SSB Mults | 5,376 Points.
  

In State Single Operator Low Power.

• VE3MGY | 245 CW Qs | 189 SSB Qs | 186 CW Mults | 12 SSB Mults | 131,192 Points [CCO].
  

In State Single Operator CW Low Power.

• VE3GSI | 298 CW Qs | 126 CW Mults | 77,112 Points.
• VA3RJ | 47 CW Qs | 34 CW Mults | 3,196 Points [CCO].
  

In State Single Operator SSB Low Power.

• VE3NB | 211 SSB Qs | 93 SSB Mults | 22,134 Points [CCO].
  

Out of State Single Operator Low Power.

• N9FC | 43 CW Qs | 9 SSB Qs | 28 CW Mults | 4.5hrs | 3,136 Points [SMC].
• W4NBS | 16 CW Qs | 6 SSB Qs | 18 CW Mults | 684 Points [ACG].
  

Out of State Single Operator Low Power.

• WB8JUI | 50 CW Qs | 34 CW Mults | 2.5hrs | 3,672 Points [MRRC].
  

Out of State Single Operator SSB Low Power.

• VE9CEH | 125 SSB Qs | 77 SSB Mults | 13,090 Points [MCC].
  

Great turn out for the Ontario QSO Party this weekend.

Contest on!

3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 Michigan QSO Party (MiQP) | Low Power

In State Multi-Multi Low Power.

• K8UNS|257 CW Qs|104 SSB Qs|74 CWmults|47 SSBmults|10.5hrs|74,778 Points [Livonia Amateur Radio Club].

In State Mobile Multi-Operator Low Power.

• K8IR/M | 593 CW Qs | 59 SSB Qs | 66 CW Mults | 31 SSB Mults | 12hrs | 120,765 Points.
  

In State Mobile Solo Operator Low Power.

• W8CAR | 340 CW Qs | 50 CW Mults | 10,000 Points [NCC]. SSB Qs did not report.
  

In State Single Operator Low Power.

• N8M operator K2KW|316 CW Qs|358 SSB Qs|81 CWmults|96 SSBmults|11.5hrs|175,230 Points [MRRC].
  

Out of State Single Operator Low Power.

• N6MU | 69 CW Qs | 31 SSB Qs | 46 CW Mults | 25 SSB Mults | 11,999 Points.
  
• K4OD | 7 CW Qs | 6 CW Mults | .5hrs | 84 Points [SECC].
  

Will this CW Q upward trend sustain itself as other 3830 Claimed Scores are posted?

Contest on!

Scholarships Available At Contest University

Scholarships are available at Contest University for those 25 years old or younger who are attending Dayton Hamvention this year.

Benefits of Contest University.

• Meet other endeavoring ham radio operators.
  
• Learn from 100-plus years of contesting experience to include CQ WorldWide WPX Director, Randy Thompson, K5ZD, Frank Donovan, W3LPL who engineered a world class Multi-Multi station and, Ward Silver, N0AX our 2008 Amateur of the Year.
• Expand your knowledge base while sharpening your RadioSport skill set.

A Few Contest University Topics.

• Extreme shack make over.
  
• Basic antenna applications.
  
• Building your station to win.

A Contest University scholarship is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" for highly motivated RadioSport operators who are 25-years or younger. The process is straightforward just contact Contest University at the bottom of the page.

Apply now and be a RadioSport game changer.

N4EMG SP Challenge

Inspiration is like a circuit board with many pathways. Ed, N4EMG at CQ From North Carolina mentioned one RadioSport skill classified as search and pounce (SP) in his recent post. SP is typically defined as spinning one's transceiver dial searching for stations that are not in the log. SP requires patience and a developed listening ability.

In addition, one must identify type of RadioSport event where point structure is either influenced by Q-count or multiplier count. I model my strategy like a financial market place seeking the best time budget during a given event. For example, despite my previous theory, I'm most productive both in Q-count and multiplier count during the first day of the event.

Ed suggested a successful contesting tactic as butt in chair (BIC) time and the Northern California Contest Club recently gave me the moniker, Iron Butt. The moniker is spot on for this low-power, low-profile RadioSport operator. RadioSport demands significant BIC time and mastering the art of SP requires thousands of dial rotations and hundreds of hours of listening. I'm learning to balance the technique of listening and transmitting. Furthermore, I noted financial resources are channeled into equipment and antennas however an ergonomically sound chair is often overlooked in the shackadelic. Comfort is another variable in the success equation much like running a marathon. One does not skimp on running shoes.

An international event like CQ WorldWide differs from a national event like the California QSO Party (CQP). I have to ask myself, "What is the potential of my station given the rules and point structure?"

Ed, N4EMG started the momentum, "[A]re really high scores possible using only search and pounce with modest equipment?"

His question is a personal challenge. I concluded that my station configuration fits our SP model during an international event like CQ WorldWide. In contrast, operating CQP is a call CQ and allow multipliers to flow into my log. The difference is point and rule structure. Additionally, the core of any RadioSport station, is one's antenna system and location. Home owner association (HOA) rules are an engineering challenge and not an excuse. I like to frame this as, "How do I beat the system within the system."

My solution was low-power, low-profile and my RadioSport strategy developed from this beginning. I believe Ed's question is an important one for an operator striving to improve his or her station, innovate, or build a station within modest means albeit in an HOA/CC&R defined neighborhood.

Will operators rise to the challenge? Are really high scores possible using SP technique with modest equipment? Inspiration is contagious. Low-power, low-profile just received a challenge transmitted through ham radio's blogosphere.

73 from the shackadelic.