This is the 6th annual Wireless Set Number 19 event for VE1NU and it
turned out to be a pretty good one after all. The activities in the past
have always started at approximately 1600 Zulu time on November 11th. This
year, we thought we would be sneaky and jump the gun by starting
on 0001 Zulu which put it at 2001 AST on November 10th. This way
I thought we might have a better chance of working some DX stations
AND maybe get all the local stations logged so that they would not be
swamping my receiver during the regular scheduled event. As it turned
out, this was not the case. Stations worked on the new times were as
follows. All times are Z.
0021 VE9WW - Bill - Moncton NB
0026 W1NU - Vic - Fairfield CT USA - (Also using a WS#19)
0035 VE9MA - Warren - Moncton NB
0041 VE9MSC - Bob - Moncton NB
0049 W1GDZ - John - Edgewater FL USA
Then my receiver decided to pack it in. It developed a very bad hum and a horrific squeal so I shut down for repairs or radio swap out.
Well, that looked good so far. Some of the locals were out of the way
and a couple of DX stations worked to boot.
It had been pre-arranged that the next morning I would work VE1AIR
(Jack) then scoot over and pick him up as he is the trusty and faithful
2nd operator for this occasion. Here is how it actually worked out.
1414 VE1LV - Hal - Truro NS
1417 VE1SWR - Ann - Truro NS
1422 VE1PJS - Peter - Truro NS
1427 VE9TV - Omer - Shediac NB
1430 VE9NB - John - Riverview NB
1434 VE9MSR - Bob - Moncton NB
OK, now we are back from lunch, the shorted vertical has been repaired
and the 19 set is outside of its air tight case by 1 inch and what a
difference. Letting the heat out seemed to stop all the trouble I had the
night before. We decided to use the 40-meter dipole on the 19 set with
the vertical on the ICOM IC-730 to try and maintain some sort of
frequency and also because I expected to be able to hear more on it. That was not the case. The 19 set Mk III did an excellent job of hearing everything that the
ICOM heard. Jack even commented a couple of times that he didn't hear a
couple of the stations on the ICOM that I was working with the 19 set.
(Might have to check that out.)
1707 VE1EO - Gord - Summerside PEI
1710 VE1KB - Gerry - Moncton NB
1714 VE1WG - Bill - Moncton NB
1717 VE9TCA - Ola - Moncton NB
1736 VE1AHM - Gary - Moncton NB
1749 VE9GG - George - Moncton NB
1755 VE1AWJ - Laurie - Moncton NB
1745 VE9CX - Hinson - Moncton NB
During the activities, I did hear quite a few signals that must have been
other 19 sets. But with all the strong local stations that wanted
to work the other sets, I had a devil of a time hearing them once the
locals got wind there was more than just mine.
All in all, I had a great time, even though I must admit that CW is not
my favourite mode and tends not to get used often enough to make me a
confident CW user. To those I did work, a very big thank you for your
persistence. To all those that I know were there trying to work me but
were unable, I must say that I am sorry we didn't. Maybe next year?
Many thanks to Bob (VE3BDB) for the 19 set web site and to Dave (VA3ORP) for handling the weekly and monthly 19 set voice and CW nets. With all the exposure the event had, it sure helped. Looks like I'd better check in more often on the CW net for the much needed CW practice.
7 3 to all!
It was at this time that I heard Bob, VE3BDB calling CQ 19 and I heard his
QSO with VE1LV, then he worked VE1XW and W1NU. I was not able again
this year to work Bob.
0012 VE1XW - Bob - Moncton NB
At this point I was finally able to go get the second operator as well as a break for lunch with my wife, who is most understanding about ham radio. Daughter Kathryn is a ham (VE9KVP with 12 WPM) but wife Claudia says 'no way'.
1410 VE1AIR - Jack - Riverview NB
1703 VE9YC - Jack - Moncton NB (provided my 3rd 19 set, TKS Jack)
We hung around for another hour calling CQ 19 and listening but didn't
hear any more activity so we shut down.
Reed
Copyright � R. D. (Bob) Cooke, VE3BDB (Orillia, Ontario, CANADA). All Rights Reserved. Nothing on this page may be copied or distributed without written permission. Thanks for honouring this request.