RadioSport: 10/25/09

2009-10-31

My 10,000 Hour RadioSport Challenge | 9,902 - 16 = 9,886 Hours To Go

Figure 1 SH 5 Summary 2009 California QSO Party illustrated my operating strategy is search and pounce whereas calling CQ is marginally effective, overall. The yellow coded bar on the graph indicated 33 moves resulting in a total of 53 logged Qs on 40-meters. I consumed (n=264 minutes) or 52% of total operating time on this band. My 88-foot doublet fed with 450 Ohm window line operates efficiently on this band. Is this a result of take-off angle?

In contrast, I moved 42 times on 20m resulting in 36 logged Qs while averaging 0.327 Qs per minute. I consumed (n=147 minutes) or 29% of total operating time. My average Q per minute on 40m was 0.265 whereas 20m produced 0.327 (n=48 logged Qs) or 36% of effort. In effect, I'm moving too many times on 20m suggesting a less than effective operating tactic. I need to broadcast my presences on this band instead of search and pounce.

Figure 2 is a screen capture of callsign distribution or logged Q conversion per band. Our statesmen within RadioSport will get a chuckle when I say, "The light bulb just flashed in my cranium."

Move multipliers? Logging operators across more than 1-band during an event? This is conversion where an operator like low-power, low-profile type(s) target another station for multiple contacts on for example 160, 80, 40, or 20, 15, 10 meters. There is an accumulative effect as each subsequent Q increases in value.

I wager, especially for those competing inside the Box, a tribe of loyal operators make an effort at logging a Box competitor on multiple bands. Whereas, I'm converting (n=15) or 12% of my logged Qs on more than one band. What factor or factors improves one's conversion percentage?

Conversion factor(s).

Antenna system.
Antenna system, amplifier.
Antenna system, amplifier, station marketing.
Station marketing.
Station marketing, amplifier.
Amplifier.
Station marketing, antenna system, amplifier, reputation.
Reputation, antenna system, amplifier.
Reputation.

Conclusion.
One aspect as suggested by our RadioSport statesmen is log analysis as a teaching tool. Data revealed a need to change 20m tactic and broadcast or call CQ more times than not. Subsequently, how can I improve my high band performance from my locale for better results during daylight hours? Its all in the antenna system.

Pour on the CQ!

2009-10-30

Antenna Lab

I'm not satisfied with antenna farm, antenna patch, or antenna garden. My on-going effort to improve my signal from a less than optimal location sparked a term for one's consideration, antenna lab. I'm thinking about what laboratory means to me and discovered a straightforward definition for my non-engineering brain to wrap around, "A work place for the conduct of scientific research."

Ham radio fosters my curiosity while facilitating real world experience within our physical universe. I learn 'the how' our universe behaves when applying a treasure trove of accumulated scientific knowledge. I benefit from the labor of previous generations.

Consequently, my reflection on ham radio terms such as antenna farm does not reflect my on-going situation in addition my goals within ham radio. I want a term that is reflective of my situation and descriptive of a 21st Century digital culture. Antenna lab, at least from my perspective, fits my criteria to include, a work space for the conduct of scientific research.

My goal is to meet the standard while laboring within the work space of antenna lab. It is a personal goal related to self improvement, science, and education.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

2009-10-28

3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 CQ World Wide DX SSB | USA Low Power

Single Operator All Band (SOAB).

N1UR | 1407 Qs | 101 Zones | 359 Countries | 44hrs | 1,845,400 Points [YCCC].
W3LL | 891 Qs | 99 Zones | 311 Countries | 31hrs | 1,013,930 Points [PVRC].
N5DO | 677 Qs | 94 Zones | 229 Countries | 28hrs | 598,842 Points [CTDXCC].

SOAB (Assisted).

W3KB | 505 Qs | 76 Zones | 238 Countries | 440,542 Points [FRC].
N2FF | 559 Qs | 63 Zones | 211 Countries | 19.5hrs | 431,002 [YCCC].
KS1J | 409 Qs | 55 Zones | 176 Countries | 268,884 Points [CTRI].

My immediate impression is 1.) Geography improves score especially access to multipliers, 2.) Where is the significant competitive difference between SOAB and SOAB assisted and, 3.) Assisted style of operation may not improve one's competitiveness. The assisted operator pattern versus SOAB is nearly identical in terms of logged Qs for those operating high power as well.

Did anyone stateside enter CQ's Xtreme category this year? Give this a few event cycles before seeing a category changer in the works. Adoption within the RadioSport community will be on-going given its current rate of acceptable change.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

2009-10-26

3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 CQ World Wide DX v.SSB | International Low Power

Multi-Single.

PY3UEB | 2244 Qs | 93 Zones | 225 Countries | 2,070,180 Points [Araucaria DX].
XU7KOH | 669 Qs | 59 Zones | 110 Countries | 40hrs | 199,758 Points [FRC].

Single Operator All Band (SOAB).

YU2A | 1230 Qs | 122 Zones | 427 Countries | 37hrs | 1,118,400 Points [YU CC].
VE2XAA | 1066 Qs | 80 Zones | 258 Countries | 20.5hrs | 838,340 Points [CGQ].
H2E (DAVE) | 1024 Qs | 47 Zones | 150 Countries | 36hrs | 579,377 Points.

SOAB Assisted.

NP2KW | 2128 Qs | 74 Zones | 191 Countries | 33hrs | 1,218,205 Points.
VE3XD | 700 Qs | 79 Zones | 240 Countries | 26hrs | 566,863 Points [CCO].
PW2B (PY2HL) | 824 Qs | 85 Zones | 165 Countries | 566,750 Points [CANTAREIRA DX GROUP].

I enjoyed watching this global giant event this weekend with live audio and video streaming into the shackadelic. Thank you Randy, K5ZD for keeping me in the single operator 2 radio action with your live audio. And I send mahalo to Lloyd, KH6LC and Jeff, N6GQ for video streaming with chat box in the sidebar. Their aloha spirit inspired a number of operators.

73 from the shakadelic on the beach.