“Storm Watch”
Newsletter of
NZ1U – The Barnstormers Contest Group
“The
BarnStormers News”
Volume 10 No.3, July 30, 2005
When Bad
Turns to Good
After much thought I have
decided to rededicate “The K1GX Award” from this day forward to represent good
rather than bad. For many contests we have been lighting the lamp as a shrine
to inspire us to do better so the dual meaning just doesn’t fit anymore.
Furthermore I couldn’t decide who to give the award to last year so another
reason to change. (I can’t give to myself which I probably should have done
last year!)
So, The Great Shining Light
you see on the Webcam during the darkness hours now will have a new meaning for
us.
Thank you NX1Q for the
esteemed representation of the award!
I may still present the award
at the annual Christmas Party but from now on it is for good reasons, not screw-ups
Progress
with N1MM
Well, we have gone through at
least two contests with using N1MM. The last contest was IARU where Frank
operated as SOAB CW Only. After a brief problem in the beginning the rest of
the contest went well with no problems. We all have to get practice with this
program before October. I will try to keep everyone updated on contests that we
should try to play in before October and get time with this program. Even if you can come over for only a few
hours it would be useful. There is still computer work to be done and I will be
snapping the whip on N1GKI very soon. LOOK OUT Jay!
I said the last was the last! I lied!
I teased you all last week
with a note that I had a few big things to announce. Well here is the biggest.
Kim located another 30 feet of Rohn 45 and we now have enough to put up 130
feet. So, here we go again. The plan is to put up 130 feet with the 6M yagi on
top and then the 40M antenna below it. It could be “The Dallas” but at this
time I am not sure for a number of reasons. Can the tower take the load? Can I
turn the antenna with a rotor that will fit into Rohn 45? A number of “ifs” to overcome. We have the anchors and next
will be a purchase of some phillystrand.
We probably will use some of the funds we raised last spring. We don’t
have enough for 3 monitors so what is left after purchasing 2 monitors is available.
Monitor
Purchased
I have purchased a 15” Flat
Screen for Station #2. Actually I had to buy a computer for Alain and stole his
15” Flat Screen when I upgraded him to a 17”. I will take $150 from the fund
and put it towards the purchase of the 17”. We still need two more and
ultimately maybe a third for the Webcam computer. We can take our time and hold
out for the right price.
Upcoming 2005-2006 Contest Season
With the new contest season
approaching soon we need to think about which class we want to compete. I am
still thinking that M/M in CQWW is better but without a doubt we are short
operators. In ARRL I like the M/2 class. What is everyone’s opinion on this?
Please give me some feedback. We have not had much luck adding operators and
still would like to find a few new people for our group. Anyone you have in
mind?
YCCC Picnic –
July 23rd
Kim and I went to the YCCC
picnic at the home of W1SRG. It’s a great location and the W1SRG gang did the
usual bang-up job of BBQing the grub. Lots of great conversations. Paul, K1ZM,
is still crying about operating SSB here and getting that fact posted to 3830
with the score. He really enjoyed helping Max that afternoon. A great chat with George, W1ZT as well. He
was here for a visit many years ago and I invited him to stop by and see what
we have done over the years. He operates at K1RX during the contests so not
much chance of adding him to our crew.
CQWW VHF
KB1DFB, NB1U, and KB1H were the part-time crew for the CQWW VHF contest a few weeks ago. Six meters was open allot during the contest but in spurts of 10 minutes. It seemed as though no matter when I went up in the barn I could work a new group of grid squares as the band changed. Too bad we only operated about 5 hours. We could have done much better if we had sat in the chairs. Isn’t that the story all the time?
Speaking of
VHF…
Just as we do not sit still
in the HF side of the operation here, Kim is busy making changes in the VHF
side. A new series of transverters are coming to replace the Elekrafts. Though the Elekrafts are OK they don’t like
the “
I know this was a short “Storm Watch” but I really needed to get one out there to let you know
I am still kicking and thinking.
73”, Dick