“Storm
Watch”
Newsletter of NZ1U – The Barnstormers
Contest Group
Volume 13 No.5.
2008 – The Year that was or wasn’t…
I wanted to get out one more Storm Watch before 2009 so here it
is. The heading above kind of recaps the
year for me and probably our efforts here at KB1H/NZ1U. We managed to get the
operating in for the four major contests and actually dabbled in a few others.
Some great ones were missed though like a good effort in WPX or WAG. At least
we kept the streak going on CQWW DX and ARRL DX both modes. A few years back we
were acknowledged with a very few others as contributing a score for the YCCC
for many years in a row. That continues.
Our idea of an “Open Station” actually worked out well and I saw a few
other YCCC Multi-op stations doing the same after we held our first. The second
“Open Station” here produced a few new YCCC members and also one or two new
crew members here at NZ1U. It was our greatest effort of the year which
included refurbishing the upstairs, discarding some old stuff, and hosting the
events. I believe at one time or another everyone pitched in. Thank you all.
We also managed to keep things running fairly well and it looks like we
are getting through the winter with so far less problems then most of our
fellow YCCCers up north. We still have a bad rotor on the 20M tower but Mark
has repaired the spare and we are waiting for some warmer weather to replace
the bad rotor.
What “wasn’t” this year was progress on some of our major projects.
Needless to say health problems within my family and myself sure shut me down.
Many of you also had your share events that limited time available to help
here. I am sure that we will recommit to
these projects in 2009 and finally get to where we want to be on the new tower
and refurbishing of other antennas.
Operating in 2009
One of my goals this year is to put the station on the air in as many
contests as possible, even if it is a limited effort. This goal will start with
the New Year,
ARRL VHF QSO Party
We always hope to put in a hard effort for this contest and again this
year KB1DFB will be spearheading the effort. As usual we will run 50 – 432 Mhz.
As a Multi-Limited entry. We need people to call CQ on 6M and 2M the whole
contest as these bands will be separate than the 220 and 432 positions. There have been rumors of another wager with
KE1LI but that group will be in the Multi-Unlimited class. We can still compare
the lower four bands for the wager. Again, the commitments thus far are KB1DFB,
KB1H, W1UJ, and KB1NRB. We need more help! This contest runs from
What about our Christmas Party??
I have not forgotten! I have asked about dates and most of you have
said any date is good. Right now January 10 is too soon. Besides, I have gotten
word from our brewmaster that the beer would not be ready. January 17 is the
VHF contest so that is out. January 24 is the CQWW 160 CW contest and though we
have partied during this before I have been playing with the idea of having a
serious effort. January 31 seems to be OK with everyone but I may have a trip
to
Brothers from a different mother…
The other night Mary and I watched the documentary of a
recent Rolling Stones concert in
Many Thanks to you all
I want to thank all of you who have helped this past year and also all
the well wishes that were sent through Alain, Mary’s, and my health problems. I
feel we had a fairly fun year and I am looking forward to finishing a few
projects this year and enjoying the operating time we get to spend. There has been allot of laughs and great
moments and I want them to continue! With the talent and bunch of guys we have
I am sure it will.
Happy New Year to All!!!!