Confirmed LoTW | Are You On The List?

I recommend transferring confirmation data into one's database log on a timely basis. I subtracted 3-plus hours this afternoon in addition to transcribing to my blog. Recommend looking at one's award database and apply as much Q-data into the database log as possible. Backtracking through several hundred contacts is time consuming. Data entry up front will save tens of hours in the future.

United States of America.
N3ND | Florida | 20m | 1st Q.
K7IA | New Mexico | 40m | 2nd Q.
WC5T | Texas | 20m | 3rd Q.
NR5M | Texas | 20m | 1st Q.
NR5M | Texas | 40m | 2nd Q.
NR5M | Texas | 15m | 3rd Q.
W5KFT | Texas | 40m | 5th Q.
K6LA | California | 80m | 1st Q.
NZ6L | California | 20m | 1st Q.
AK6R | California | 40m | 1st Q.
AE6RG | California | 40m | 1st Q.
N6IE | California | 20m | 1st Q.
NY6N | California | 15m | 1st Q.
WT6K | California | 20m | 1st Q.
WT6K | California | 20m | 2nd Q.
NH7O | Hawaii | 15m | 3rd Q.
NH7O | Hawaii | 40m | 4th Q.
NH7O | Hawaii | 20m | 5th Q.
KH6CW | Hawaii | 20m | 1st Q.
AH6XX | Hawaii | 20m | 1st Q.
AH6XX | Hawaii | 40m | 2nd Q.
KH7X | Hawaii | 15m | 1st Q.
KH6MB | Hawaii | 20m | 1st Q.
N7MAL | Arizona | 40m | 1st Q.
K7RSM | Arizona | 15m | 1st Q.
KC7V | Arizona | 40m | 3rd Q.
NQ7R | Arizona | 40m | 1st Q.
W7ZR | Arizona | 40m | 3rd Q.
K7BG | Montana | 40m | 3rd Q.
K7BG | Montana | 20m | 4th Q.
WC7CW | Montana | 40m | 1st Q.
WA7U | Montana | 40m | 1st Q.
N9RV | Montana | 40m | 4th Q.
N9RV | Montana | 20m | 5th Q.
N9RV | Montana | 80m | 6th Q.
W6SA | Nevada | 20m | 1st Q.
N7CW | Nevada | 40m | 1st Q.
W7RN | Nevada | 40m | 5th Q.
K0MZN | Nevada | 40m | 1st Q.
KR7X | Oregon | 15m | 1st Q.
KR7X | Oregon | 20m | 2nd Q.
KR7X | Oregon | 40m | 3rd Q.
KM7W | Oregon | 15m | 1st Q.
W7WHY | Oregon | 40m | 2nd Q.
K7GT | Oregon | 40m | 3rd Q.
K7GT | Oregon | 20m | 4th Q.
K7QXG | Oregon | 20m | 2nd Q.
NK7U | Oregon | 40m | 1st Q.
W7VJ | Washington | 15m | 4th Q.
W7IJ | Washington | 40m | 1st Q.
W7IJ | Washington | 40m | 2nd Q.
N7RO | Washington | 20m | 1st Q.
N6KW | Washington | 20m | 1st Q.
KX7L | Washington | 20m | 1st Q.
W7GKF | Washington | 20m | 1st Q.
W7GKF | Washington | 40m | 2nd Q.
WA0WWW| Washington | 40m | 1st Q.
N7BAN | Utah | 20m | 1st Q.
AC7JW | Utah | 40m | 1st Q.
NN7ZZ | Utah | 40m | 3rd Q.
KL7RA | Alaska | 20m | 5th Q.
KL7RA | Alaska | 40m | 6th Q.
KL8DX | Alaska | 20m | 3rd Q.
NL7Z | Alaska | 20m | 1st Q.
N8SS | Michigan | 20m | 1st Q.
W9OP | Wisconsin | 20m | 1st Q.
W0BH | Kansas | 40m | 1st Q.
W0BH | Kansas | 20m | 2nd Q.
KT0R | Minnesota | 20m | 1st Q.
K0PK | Minnesota | 40m | 1st Q.
N0NI | Iowa | 15m | 4th Q.
N0NI | Iowa | 20m | 5th Q.
W0EWD | Iowa | 20m | 1st Q.

Global.
J7OJ | Dominica | 20m | 1st Q.
JA6WFM | Japan | 40m | 1st Q.
JA7QVI | Japan | 40m | 1st Q.
JE1LFX | Japan | 40m | 1st Q.
P49Y | Aruba | 40m | 4th Q.
WP2Z | US Virgin Islands | 15m | 1st Q.
WP2Z | US Virgin Islands | 20m | 2nd Q.
XE2AI | Mexico | 20m | 1st Q.
YW4D | Venezuela | 40m | 2nd Q.
ZL1BYZ | New Zealand | 20m | 1st Q.
VE7UF | British Columbia | 20m | 3rd Q.

Award Progress.
DXCC entities confirmed = 27.
WAS confirmed = 38.
Maidenhead Grid Squares Report = 99 worked = 93 confirmed.

Turn on, tune, operate.

3830 Claimed Scores | NS Ladder "Thursday Night Madness"

East of Mississippi Single Operator.

• W9RE | 66 Qs | 43 mults | 2,838 Points [SMC].
• W4OC | 60 Qs | 41 mults | 2,460 Points [SECC].
• N9CK | 58 Qs | 39 mults | 2,262 Points [SMC].
• KY4F | 8 Qs | 7 mults | 56 Points [ACG].
  

East of Mississippi QRP.

• N4OGW | 23 Qs | 16 mults | 368 Points [ACG].
  

West of Mississippi Single Operator.

• WD0T (@KD0S) | 49 Qs | 33 mults | 1,617 Points.
• KZ5D | 46 Qs | 31 mults | 1,426 Points [CTDXCC].
• K0AD | 50 Qs | 27 mults | 1,350 Points [MWA].
• K0MPH | 14 Qs | 12 mults | 168 Points [MWA].
  

NCCC Member (CA/NV) Single Operator.

• N6RO | 50 Qs | 30 mults | 1,500 Points.
• K6VVA | 45 Qs | 27 mults | 1,215 Points.
• W0YK | 46 Qs | 24 mults | 1,104 Points.
  

Newcomer Single Operator.

• N0KK | 52 Qs | 33 mults | 1,716 Points [MWA].
• NO3M | 48 Qs | 30 mults | 1,440 Points.
• K9MMS | 45 Qs | 29 mults | 1,305 Points [SMC].
• KB1NRB | 4 Qs | 3 mults | 12 Points [YCCC].

Represented RadioSport Clubs.

• Alabama Contest Group (link).
• Central Texas DX and Contest Club (link).
• Minnesota Wireless Association (link).
• Northern California Contest Club (link).
• South East Contest Club (link).
• The Society of Midwest Contesters (link).
• Yankee Clipper Contest Club (link).

Congratulations Mike, W9RE on winning the NS X-Prize and moving NS Ladder to the next level of competition. Likewise, I'm a big fan of Allan, KB1NRB and good to see your score this week!

73 from the shackadelic.

This Weekend In RadioSport | Ionospheric Action

RadioSport USA | Digital Pentathlon.
Live hard DigiSport operates into another weekend as multi-frequency shift keying (MFSK) 16 is ready for RadioSport arena competition beneath our ionosphere. MFSK, according to ZL1BPU, "Is a technique for transmitting digital data using multiple tones, extending the RTTY two-tone technique to many tones, usually, but not always, one tone at a time."

• Rules (link).

RadioSport Oceania | ANARTS WW RTTY.
DigiSport signals are vying in RadioSport arena competition as ANARTS WW RTTY welcomes all digital modes with the exception of Morse code. Soundcard modes like PSK are included in this weekend's competition. This is the last running of this event according to DXInfo.

RadioSport Oceania | VK/Trans-Tasman 160m (SSB).
Interesting objectives 1. Reasonably short event that does not impose on family life or sleep time; 2. Suitable format for both the serious and novice contester with a friendly, relaxing atmosphere; 3. Promote and give encouragement to QRP operators and Foundation License holders. Maximum power is 100-watts and Foundation License holders are limited at 10-watts peak envelope power. Overall, and personally, VK/Trans-Tasman 160m is an entry style event with a goal of ensuring long term RadioSport success and growth.

RadioSport Asia | Asia-Pacific Sprint (SSB).
Looking for an award that is transportable? An official AP Sprint T-shirt will be awarded to the top three winners in the Asia-Pacific region and continental winners outside of the region. Winners are required to have at least 5-Qs in the log for award eligibility. I really like their concept because of visibility that is one can wear their award at a host of venues. Conversely, a T-shirt is a conversation piece at social gatherings and an opportunity at presenting ham radio as a sport. Additionally, such an award is positive reinforcement of one's RadioSport experience and best marketing is word-of-mouth recommendation. Might sponsors consider a T-shirt and baseball cap combination as well?

RadioSport South America | GACW WWSA CW DX.
A solid idea keeping in mind the number of RadioSport logging programs occupying space on hard drives. Exchange is report, signal, tone (RST) plus CQ zone. Will an event survive without an awards program? Or, will personal satisfaction and score results, drive the level of participation. This event is asking an interesting intrinsic value question of the current plaque and certificate award model.

RadioSport USA | ARRL June VHF QSO Party.
A fantastic opportunity for rallying our VHF operators across the nation. I'm watching DXAnywhere on #hamr network at Twitter and 6m is the most popular band thus far. Will our 6m RadioSport arena erupt with activity this weekend? I'm hedging, "Yes."

• Rules (link).
• Get Ready for the ARRL June VHF QSO Party (link).

I'm intrigued as GACW CW DX organizers are challenging the current award model whereas the Asia-Pacific Sprint organization is leading with a T-shirt as an award. Additionally, an entry level event designed for long term RadioSport success and growth is an excellent idea, while tossing in the monster wavelength challenge on 160-meters.

Contest on!

RadioSport USA | NS Ladder VI "Thurday Night Madness"

The fastest 30-minutes in RadioSport is the fastest growing sport in Amateur Radio. An excellent training ground is Slow NS, for Morse code learners wanting to break into RadioSport, or improve upon one's current speed level. One will discover Slow NS is an ideal training environment that includes a mix of RadioSport experience. This event begins 30-minutes prior to the official NS Ladder VI "Thursday Night Madness".

Morse code call is CQ SNS.

Join Slow NS and enjoy one's result that is improving Morse code proficiency and operating inside RadioSport arena domed by ionosphere. Morse code fun is just one day away. Slow NS is based on NS Ladder rules however a Morse code speed limit is suggested at a maximum of 20 words per minute.

The fastest 30-minutes in RadioSport is waiting and I'm looking forward to testing out my 3BTV on 20m in the near future.

• NS Ladder VI "Thursday Night Madness" schedule (link).
• Rules (link).
• Ladder results (link).
• Operating tips (link).

Contest on!

See Also.
Inside the NCCC Sprint Grid (Week 7).
NCCC Thursday Night Madness 7 of 7.
NCCC Sprint Grid Stats 2006 & 2007.

Hearst Castle "Twilight On The Terrace" | San Simeon, California

A memorable evening on the Esplanade and Main Terrace at Hearst Castle located in San Simeon, California. We sampled gourmet food and divine deserts severed by local restaurants from Cambria, Paso Robles, and San Luis Obispo too mention a few. A swim would trim a few years and I hope one day to accomplish a few laps in the Neptune Pool?

Friends of Hearst Castle sponsored Twilight on the Terrace and I reluctantly departed a fantastic evening showcasing a stellar sunset.

73 from the shackadelic.

3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 Alabama QSO Party (AlQP) | Low Power

In State Multi-Multi CW | SSB.

• WX4RUS | 401 CW Qs | 140 SSB Qs | 44 CWmults | 31 SSBmults | 12hrs | 70,650 Points [Russell County Radio].

In State Mobile Solo Operator CW | SSB.

• N5WR (@N5WR/M) | 766 CW Qs | 171 SSB Qs | 46 CWmults | 37 SSBmults | 12hrs | 141,847 Points [TCG].

In State Single Operator Mobile+Driver CW.

• KC4HW (@KC4HW/M) | 548 Qs | 42 Mults | 12hrs | 73,980 Points [ACG].
• K4ACG/M (K4ZGB) | 842 Qs | 43 Mults | 12hrs | 72,412 Points [ACG].

In State Single Operator CW.

• N4UC | 272 Qs | 54 Mults | 5hrs | 47,328 Points [ACG].
• WA1FCN | 437 Qs | 50 Mults | 10hrs | 43,700 Points [ACG].
• W4HOD (K9MUG) | 313 Qs | 43 Mults | 10hrs | 40,377 Points [ACG].

In State Single Operator CW | SSB.

• NV4B | 391 CW Qs | 138 SSB Qs | 44 CWmults | 34 SSBmults | 11.5hrs | 71,760 Points [ACG].

Out of State Single Operator CW.

• WB8JUI | 140 CW | 60 Mults | 16,800 Points [MRRC].
• NO5W | 118 Qs | 53 Mults | 9hrs | 12,508 Points [CTDXCC].
• W2LHL | 117 Qs | 53 Mults | 12,402 Points.
  

Out of State Single Operator CW | SSB.

• K0RC | 126 CW Qs | 28 SSB Qs | 60 CWmults | 20 SSBmults | 9hrs | 21,920 Points [MWA].
• N6MU | 96 CW Qs | 28 SSB Qs | 48 CWmults | 17 SSBmults | 14,300 Points.

Contest on!

My 10,000 Hour RadioSport Challenge | 9,957 - 24 = 9,933 To Go

Work related activity prevented my on-time arrival at the electron starting line. Mainly, I need to deploy my antenna system and it usually takes 45-minutes to configure, but if my wire tangles? I'm looking at upwards of an hour or more. The process is much like pulling spaghetti, one noodle at a time, from the plate. No spaghetti-fied wire this time and my doublet was ready to hack ionosphere.

I'm experiencing the difference between search/pounce (SP) and calling CQ during a major event like CQ WPX. Likewise, my contest logs suggest a dramatic drop off in Q-production after the first day in the SP mode. For example, from 0200UTC till 0600UTC my Q-distribution was 6, 18, 5, 12 whereas best rate achieved 13/hour at 0500UTC on the second day. I'm tentatively concluding that my low-power, low-profile station will harvest most Level 1 and 2 stations within the first 12 to 24 hours of an event.

An improved operating strategy suggests butt in the chair (BIC) for the first 12 to 24 hours using SP strategy. Afterwards, as suggested in an on-going discussion at CQ Contest Digest, one's SP rate drops significantly as the loudest signals are in the log. Additionally, an operator must duplicate Day 1 decoding on Day 2, that is not an efficient use of contest time as suggested at CQ Contest Digest.

I'm thinking decay time on the band map. There is significant effort and organic processing that goes into one's multiplier band map. First, consider not shutting down the computer because I'm losing valuable data accumulated through the hours. Secondly, I'll look into extending multiplier decay time however I risk cluttering my map with irrelevant information. In contrast, after the first 12 to 24 hours most Level 1 and 2 stations are now in the log and shifting into CQ mode is a better option. I can reset band map multipliers when switching into CQ mode on the second day.

Another tactic to consider is STEP through the band(s). I alternated between 1.2 and 5.0 Hertz when tuning across a given spectrum space. For example, if the space is crowded with signals, I STEP at 1.2 Hertz or if I cycled through a space then STEP up at 5.0 Hertz. Additionally, I set band pass filter at 120 Hertz instead of 240 and I liked the results.

I discovered signal drafting as a tactic. Keep in mind, do not operate too close, however there exists an optimal space between loud and weak signal. One can take advantage of the stronger signal's draft when calling CQ when the band is not swarming. This was effective on 40m and 20m in the evenings. Always check to ensure the frequency is not in use before signal drafting.

Antenna system is everything in this sport but a little push from the solar cycle is a plus. I'm beginning to hear Europe on 20m mid-afternoon. However I'm not logging EU-stations. Hearing a station is one thing but logging one is another. I want those EU multipliers and achieving that goal is a motivator. Likewise, my penetration into the Asian multiplier grid is another motivator, as my visualization map of total Qs outlined the reach of my wireless signal.

Heard On 20m But Did Not Work.

• EF8M.
• IR4X.
• CU2X.
• RM3F.

Loudest Logged Signals.

• WC5T.
• 8P5A.
• N8OO 20dB over 9.
• ZM3A s9.

I logged 14 DXCC entities, 14 zones, and 65 prefixes. Seven land operators comprised an estimated 45% of total log production. My favorite moments include a call from Zw5B and ZK2V as a result CQ tactic.

Lastly, I'm building out my condo contest station on a budget and thrifty is my theme. I solved common household noise using ear buds and safety muffs. The noise reduction effect of the muffs with ear buds made a dramatic difference. Both items were readily available from the household inventory of under utilized material. Photographs to follow this week.

Contest on!

See Also.
My 10,000 Hour RadioSport Challenge | 9,969 - 12 = 9,957 To Go.
My 10,000 Hour RadioSport Challenge | 9,969.5 - .5 = 9,969 To Go.
My 10,000 Hour RadioSport Challenge | 9,973.5 - 4.0 = 9,969.5 To Go.