WRTC 2014 | The Power Of One

RadioSport buzz is building and the IARU HF World Championship starting line draws near while WRTC 2014 pit crews assemble in New England. According the website news release, Doug 'The MasterMind' Grant, K1DG describes an event within an event, "Beam teams will collect equipment and do the set up and tear down of tower and antennas at each site. Site teams will be responsible for managing the site and the generator for the weekend. Operating teams have volunteered to put the stations on the air so we can gather data on propagation and site effectiveness. It will be exciting to finally convert planning and preparation into action."

The power of one --

• K1GQ
• K1RQ
• K1ZD
• N2KW
• N9NB
• NI1L
• W1HH
• W1MA
• W1MJ
• W1SJ
• W1UE
• W1UJ
• WB1Z

Adding high voltage to the game, awards will be given to encourage everyone to log the New England test stations, as WRTC 2014 pit crews refine their training and optimize equipment for the big event.

The numbers are looking better each day while the starting line draws near as an event within the IARU HF World Championship summons the difference makers. Be the power of one. Feel the power of one. 

Get Your RadioSport On!  

2012 IARU HF World Championship | Pole Positions

Championship Records

Sectional Score

Giles Villeneuve said, "Finishing second means you are the first person to lose."

What counts is 'how' one achieves a first place finish and RadioSport's Grand Prix event is less than one week away. The 2012 IARU HF Championship is smack in the middle of summer propagation. It is a time when noise levels increase on the low bands and propagation paths react differently with increased sunlight striking the ionosphere. Summer propagation presents a different strategy in comparison to winter conditions at northern latitudes.

Additionally, one is presented with an over arching question at the green flag, "What do I want to accomplish and how do I accomplish my goals?"

RadioSport contains multiple competitive categories comprised of station configurations with operator-to-station efficiency awards from the local level to world records. Each efficiency award depends on what one wants out of the event for example, "I'm not traveling to a world record location instead I'm focusing locally with a station configuration of 100 watts into wire antenna systems."

I recommend the first target to consider is level of fun, perhaps, calling this level of intensity at the starting line. Example suggestions are but not limited to--

1. Review different competitive categories.
2. Review DXCC credits across all competitive spectrum spaces.
3. Consider logging all headquarter stations.
4. Challenge the power level.
5. Create an event within an event.

Then, write down the targets, and review them prior to the starting line, in the middle of race, and after taking the checkered flag.

Secondly, I recommend a pre-operational checklist for equipment and antenna systems for example and not limited to--

1. Audio check one's upper/lower sideband signal for distortion and/or intelligibility. I learned this one during 2012 Field Day after one polite operator said, "Your signal is grossly distorted, old man."
2. Ensure audio quality to signal transmission between operators as well. 
3. Check connections for security and mechanical soundness.
4. Determine receiver filter settings.
5. Determine CW weighting.
6. Determine CW rise and fall time.
7. Verify antenna system standing wave ratio. 
8. Validate power ensuring feedline connections to antenna properly functions.

Every racing team has checklists. One doesn't achieve championship levels of performance without verifying equipment prior to race time. Additionally, stake out the position and consider the take away from the event that is I'm competing locally, adding new DXCC credits, or I'm traveling to achieve a world record.


The 2012 IARU HF Championship is less than a week away. 


Contest on!