Club Log | Ham Radio's Analytical Tool For Log Productivity

Our ham radio logs are self-contained units whereas within my log there exists a vast universe of unexplored data. I have limited functionality for example transposing logged Qs onto a world map, collating award data, entering propagation data per Q, or printing confirmation information. However I cannot chart or visualize log statistics and look for patterns albeit antenna performance or meta ham radio social activity.

Not anymore.

I see a bright future for Club Log. Currently, there are 1,211 users with an average of 53 registrants per day in addition to 12,073,080 log entries available for analysis. Productivity tools include the following --

• Expedition Tester.
• Propagation.
• Your DXCC charts.
• Your timelines.
• Mode/QSL charts.

Successful endeavors sometimes require a team and Club Log assembled the following ham radio operators for this purpose. Michael, G7VJR who is the author of Club Log and pictured in the above screen capture. Alan, 5B4AHJ the database manager and Marios, 5B4WN who wrote innovative expeditions tool. Alan's goal is efficient real time services during major expeditions. Additionally, survey 5B4AHJ's Club Log Propagation Wizard and begin exploring patterns of activity.

I recommend Club Log for those earnestly seeking greater returns from their logbooks especially given the ease of adif production. Likewise, if one is just getting underway, take a few minutes and begin uploading your adif file(s). Thus far, I have not discovered a service like Club Log whose user interface (UI) is as easy to navigate. A job well done.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

This Weekend In RadioSport | Island Fun

RadioSport Asia | JARTS WW RTTY.
The Japanese Amateur Radio Teleprinter Society provides additional opportunity at sharpening one's RTTY skill set. Point structure supports within continent Qs (2-points) and outside of continent (3-points). No off periods required that is a marathon for the passionate RTTY RadioSport operator.

Rules (link).

RadioSport USA | Iowa QSO Party.
I wonder if anyone will achieve at least one Q in all 50 QSO parties this year? The QSO bus moves through Iowa and if one's goal is all 50 parties then opportunity is knocking. Get there before the last call.

Rules (link).

RadioSport EU | Worked All Germany.
European signals heard on the west coast and many of us locally appreciate each logged Q while sunspot counts remain sketchy. Worked All Germany is a world wide event and I bet east coast RadioSport operators will have lots of ham radio fun in this one.

Rules (link).

RadioSport USA | W/VE Islands QSO Party.
Chasing one's island award? A great event for this weekend. Island active stations can work anyone on the band however if one is fixed in the shack then work islands only. I really like the concept Island Expedition as a category. Interesting indeed. Have fun notching W/VE island designators and passing along a needed Q or two.

Rules (link).

RadioSport USA | New York QSO Party.
Striving toward the all 50 goal this weekend? I bet 40 and 80m will rock and it is an opportunity at learning what RadioSport is all about. Join ham radio fun sponsored by the Rochester DX Association and help our New York operators break a few records.

Rules (link).

SFI = 70 | A-index = 3 | K-index = 0 | Sunspot count = 0 @0006UTC.

P.S. A massive storm moved through about 48-hours ago and it is 85 degrees in the shack at the moment.

Antenna Links 2 Inspire

An efficient antenna system is everything from choosing feed line, location, calculating effective radiated power, defining standing wave ratio(s), resonance, or Smith Charting. One's antenna, at least for me, defines the level of ham radio fun. I enjoy looking over different types of antenna in search of ideas and information.

A local ham radio friend commented on K4M's 80m signal, "They were booming in like they were next door."

His antenna is a trap dipole at 30-feet whereas K4M deployed a 40/80m Titanex vertical as shown on their landing page (link).

• Titanex High Tech HF Antennas | The Revolution In Weight, Elasticity, and Wind Load.

Likewise, driven to improve his signal to the level of competitive, DF4SA designed a full size lightweight tribander yagi for 10 thru 20m with a mission that is, "A DXpeditioner's dream."

Additionally, to satisfy low band needs, SpiderBeam designed professional grade telescopic fiberglass poles as well. My current telescopic pole has reached its lifetime threshold and I'm disappointed with its overall longevity. I need a replacement.

I recommend looking over SpiderBeam and its specifications are open source under the heading free construction guide.

• SpiderBeam | High Performance Light Weight Antennas.
• SpiderBeam USA.

Both Titanex and SpiderBeam continue to inspire me to reach beyond and think about, "How can I improve my low power signal."

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 Arizona QSO Party (AzQP) | Low Power

In State Single Operator.

• NQ7R | 209 CW | 63 Mults | 26,752 Points [Arizona Outlaws Contest Club].
• K7WP | 34 CW | 171 SSB | 3.25hrs | 11,711 Points.
  
• N7MAL | 126 CW | 44 Mults | 6hrs | 10,474 Points [Arizona Outlaws Contest Club].
• ND8N | 12 CW | 6 SSB | 13 Mults | 3hrs | 490 Points [Arizona Outlaws Contest Club].

Out of State Multi-Single.

• VA3GKO | 30 CW | 38 SSB | 14 Mults | 18hrs | 1,472 Points [MCC].

Out of State Single Operator.

• W6RA | 78 CW | 26 SSB | 14 Mults | 2,648 Points [Central Oregon DX Club].
• K5LH | 42 CW | 14 Mults | 1,276 Points [HOTDXS].
• W7SWL | 29 SSB | 19 Mults | 651 Points [Arizona Outlaws Contest Club].

Contest on!

See Also.
ND8N | MBA D-O-N-E!

3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 Oceania CW | Low Power

All Single Operator All Band.

• ZL1TM | 626 | 412 Mults | 12hrs | 891,156 Points.
• FO8RZ | 98 | 76 Mults | 2hrs | 10,868 Points.
• N5AW | 42 | 32 Mults | 3hrs | 7,936 Points [CTDXCC].

I'm listening to a swarm on 20m CW at the moment while observing our cluster network(s) commentary. Please read Carl, N4AA of QRZ DX / DX Magazine and his response to Pirates & FT5GA at DX World of Ham Radio (link).

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 Pennsylvania QSO Party (PaQP) | Low Power

In State Single Operator.

• W3KB | 507 CW | 282 SSB | 3 RTTY | 136 Mults | 151,025 Points [FRC].
• KB3LIX | 235 CW | 282 SSB | 5 PSK | 104 Mults | 74,120 Points.
• NY3DX | 232 CW | 75 SSB | 104 Mults | 50,772 Points [Mount Holly DX Association].

In State Single Operator CW.

• NN3NN (NO3M) | 821 | 122 Mults | 22hrs | 173,840 Points.

Out of State Multi-Single.

• N5WLA | 110 CW | 71 SSB | 53 Mults | 14,118 Points.

Out of State Single Operator.

• K3TN | 88 CW | 116 SSB | 59 Mults | 6hrs | 40,000 Points [PVRC].
• WF2V | 65 CW | 80 SSB | 63 Mults | 18hrs | 25,359 Points.
• WF7T | 101 CW | 108 SSB | 57 Mults | 11hrs | 15,962 Points [TCG].

Out of State Single Op CW.

• N2CU | 128 | 49 Mults | 4hrs | 23,830 Points [WNYDXA].
• K1TN | 209 | 52 Mults | 14hrs | 19,354 Points.
• KV8Q | 193 | 57 Mults | 9.5hrs | 18,896 Points.

Good to see a 2x3 callsign, KB3LIX, scoring in the top three for low power, mixed mode. A job well done!

Project 3BTV at the macro level is complete with satisfactory results however I did not hear many signals propagating from the east. The location of the vertical, keeping in mind, is less than optimal toward the northeastern section of the United States. The bulk of the antenna is sandwiched between a pair condos below roof lines. However I logged UA0 and KL7 this weekend with a better report from Asiatic Russia versus Alaska. Interestingly, both Qs were logged within 10-minutes of each other on Saturday/Sunday night suggesting a path too the northwest just before sunset.

Contest on!

3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 Makrothen RTTY | Low Power

Multi-Operator Single Xcvr.

• W4HOD | 113 Qs | 12hrs | 410,646 Points [ACG].

Single Operator Single Xcvr.

• W3LL | 676 Qs | 20hrs28mins | 4,121,808 Points [PVRC].
• WB2RHM | 582 Qs | 22hrs3mins | 3,177,713 Points [Mecklenburg ARS].
• G3RSD | 300 Qs | 10hrs | 2,862,228 Points.

See Also.
K2DSL | 2009 Makrothen RTTY Contest Summary.

Northern California Contest Club (NCCC) Website Gets New Look

I like the transceiver look on the landing page and an excellent picture of the Golden Gate Bridge at night.

Northern California Contest Club "Excellence In Amateur Radio Contesting" (link).

Contest on! KB.

ND8N Welcome To Ham Radio's Blogosphere

Operating from his discrete location inside the house. Propagating radio frequency across high frequency with a vertical. And congratulations from the shackadelic on the beach on graduating with your Masters in Business Administration degree. A job well done, Paul!

ND8N | Notes From The Radio Closet (link).

Chase DX!

XR0Y VideoBlog Is Ionospheric

It is time to reach beyond and Stan, SQ8X set the new DXpedition standard. I'm admitting here and now that XR0Y videoblog inspires.

Stan pushed the right buttons for me. His opening and closing sequence using high definition (HD) video and contemporary techno soundtrack is an example for those considering DXpeditions into the future. SQ8X delivers a personal connection, one in fact, that opens my wallet to ensure Team XR0Y is at least financially successful. His endeavor is less business like and more personable.

I rarely watch a ham radio related video a second time and SQ8X continues streaming while I'm writing this post.

Stan said, "It's a Ham Cat."

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

See Also.
Vimeo (link).
XR0Y Rapa Nui 2009 | Journey To The Center Of The World (link).