All FARA Team Finishes First

by Sharon, KC1YR

An all-FARA multi-op, single-TX team finished first in North America in the 43rd European DX SSB Contest for 1997. Danny T93M/N1ZPE, Martin AA1ON/G4DZC and Sharon KC1YR ended up 3rd overall in the world (non-Europe) with 1,480 QSOs, 1,437 QTCs and 784,673 points, behind ZW5B and RK9CWW. The team operated from Martin's QTH under the KC1YR callsign.
We actually had many more QSOs on 20 meters than either the 1st or 2nd place world finishers, but got creamed by the lack of 15 meter propagation to Europe -- winner ZW5B had 811 QSOs on 21 MHz while we could only manage 5.
Better luck this year, we hope!

Computer Logging & QSL's de W1FY

by Steve, AA1IZ

The final courtesy of a QSO is a QSL, but take a look at the backlog of QSL cards in our shack.  There are boxes of cards that have not been answered.  We need to whittle away at the pile, but more importantly, we need to develop a system to take care of future activity.  With a computer logging program we can track QSO's and easily generate labels with QSO information.  Sooo, we need your input and help.
INPUT
Any information, thoughts or out and out biases need to be shared.  We want the best software available.  It should be easy to use (intuitive, as they say) and should be able to import data from CT and hopefully Swiss Log (our  current antiquated logging software).  Share your information with Steve AA1IZ ([email protected]).  Let him know the name and source of the program you like (or dislike) and why.

HELP
We will need a number of people doing a variety of tasks to make this happen.  Someone must be responsible for software, import data from contest logs, backup data, log incoming QSLs batching response labels,  print batches of labels, prepare out going cards,  and finally mail the completed cards using SASE or ARRL QSL bureau.
  This is a team effort that requires a little bit of time from lots of people.  If you have ever used the HF station at the club you really should be involved with this project. 
Let's pull together and show the radio world that we understand the importance of the QSL courtesy.

...Continued from first page

in past years, and we wish him a trouble-free move. We can't replace his complete power system, but we'll have to have emergency power for Field Day. A single 5 KW generator (with backup) should meet our needs, but various combinations of smaller generators would work also. If you have a reliable generator (or can borrow one), please let me know!
Third, Danny T93M/N1ZPE has made a number of good suggestions for antennas, especially for 40 meters. So we plan to make some changes this year --- once we figure out where to put various antennas on the site.
A number of FARA regulars have quietly been hard at work, making key arrangements. Their help is crucial, but we can't expect them to do all the work. There's plenty to do ahead of time, to make sure that everything goes smoothly on Field Day weekend: antennas to check out or rebuild, tower sections to work on, rotators to check out, guy ropes to measure and sort --- the list goes on! Most of these are not big tasks; an hour or so from you on a Wednesday evening or a Saturday morning would make a real difference. Please do your part in our teamwork.
The next two Wednesday meetings (7:30 p.m.) are on May 6 and May 20.

QSL Card

This card was presented to the editor from our special guest, Peter, at the March FARA meeting.  An eyeball QSO all the way from Denmark!

License in a Weekend

The calls are out for our recent round of License in a Weekend graduates:
KB1CQF Margaret Sahagian
KB1CQG Stacy Le
KB1CQH Philip Belliveau
KB1CQI Ed Collins