2009-12-19

EI8IC's LogView | Graphical Contest Log Analysis

Know your game and manage it. Tools are required when analyzing one's RadioSport performance especially antenna system(s) in addition station engineering and I recently discovered EI8IC's LogView - Graphical Contest Log Analysis.

According to EI8IC's Ham Radio Resource Site -- LogView is...

  1. Free post-contest log-visualization tool.
  2. Plots Qs in Cabrillo-format.
  3. Choice of one of eight different maps by finding the position of each Q from an online database.
  4. Animate at a range of speeds and watch the map populate according to one's time hacks.
  5. Highlight gaps in one's antenna coverage.
  6. Save the map for offline viewing and analysis.
Imagine watching one's effort in animation based on the the data contained in the log? LogView is the next level in analysis and I recommend this performance improvement tool for low profile, low power RadioSport athletes.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

P.S. Registration required and donations welcomed.

2009-12-18

This Weekend In RadioSport | Legacy & New RadioSport

RadioSport Russia | Russian 160-Meter.
Top Band activity with a new spin whose sponsor has recognized change while promoting change. First, two categories for those born after 1989, either single or multi-operator; a distinct effort at reaching potential RadioSport enthusiasts. Secondly, event time consumption is 2-hours mimicking sprint-like operating for participants.

Additionally, note scoring structure based on grid square location; same square counts 1-point, adjacent square 2-points, and other squares count 3-points.

A benefit for those competing inter-grid or intra-grid square, minimally, each Q in the log counts either 1 or 2-points in addition distance Q is 3-points. Furthermore, once a station is worked within the first hour on either mode that station is not eligible for the log, in effect; a low power, low profile station is a value Q at any given moment. Subsequently, one must mix rate with search and pounce, to maximize both hours.

Rules (link) scroll down WA7BNM's 8-Day calendar.

RadioSport North America | RAC Winter.
Conditions best yet and RAC Winter undoubtedly will feel the quantum effect of a significant uptick in sunspots. A legacy event that guarantees ham radio fun.

Also, 20-points for logged RAC official stations, I like the extra amperage and imagine the sound of the flash swarms this weekend? Get in there and compete, signal-to-signal, and work all of Canada's provinces.

SFI = 84 | A-index = 2 | K-index = 0 | Sunspot count = 24 @ 0311UTC.

2009-12-14

2009 ARRL 10 Meter Raw Results

What difference does height over terrain have in addition to the height of one's antenna system? What difference does a dipole, random wire, center-fed doublet, or vertical have over a tri-bander or a monobander? The immediate answer is, "A big difference."

We followed our Pacific Northwest path into Washington in addition to the southwest that is Arizona. Logging DX is just a thrilling as that first DX contact as a novice. Morse code was just as fun as operating single side band and sitting down with the one's transceiver manual opens new doors of understanding.

When will 10m play again? Well that answer rests with a blazing star several million miles away until then as N6TR said, "[Y]ou need to believe in your signal more than yourself."

Raw Results.

CW = 12 | 6 mults.
SSB = 36 | 10 mults.

Total = 48 Qs | 16 multipliers.
Score = 1,920 Points.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.