+++++++++++++++++ From: "Parker Buckley" To: Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 09:15:00 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] I used to hate contests! Over the weekend, with intemittent operation, I worked 106 stations on 160M with K2 2636 at 5 watts to a folded inverted L. I just finished the K2 a few weeks ago and got it debugged with some help here. Tom Hammond told me recently to not start modding anything until I had some fun with the radio. Well, I sure had fun! I could work about 80% of the stations I could hear; maybe 80% of those asked for repeats. Only twice can I recall the other op giving up on hearing me. Some stations can definitely hear better than others. Best distance from here in OH was AZ. Off topic, I'd like to hear from anyone who logs with a computer while sending and receiving with the basic radio (no computer involved). Not sure I see the utility of that yet, and I'm not inclined to use a keyboard for sending. I'm getting the fever, which would never have happened QRO! ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 10:17:49 -0500 (EST) From: k4wtf at EnterZone.Net To: Parker Buckley Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] I used to hate contests! On Sun, 8 Dec 2002, Parker Buckley wrote: > Over the weekend, with intemittent operation, I worked 106 > stations on 160M with K2 2636 at 5 watts to a folded > inverted L. I just finished the K2 a few weeks ago and got Not final (I hope) numbers but, thus far I've worked 358 W/VE and 1 DX station, QRP 5w on my K2 driving a 540ft 160m loop antenna this weelend. I have had more than my fair share of repeats requested but, like you Parker, with the exception of one or two stations, if I could hear them, I worked them! This is my first contest ever and I've worked more CW this weekend than all previous CW work combined but, it has been a true joy with the K2! I kinda feel sorry for the people who are trying to use other radios. ;-) > I'm getting the fever, which would never have happened QRO! My K2 will do QRO but, I decided to try QRP for the contest. I told myself, "Self... If you can't work anyone QRP, you can always go QROooo so, what have you got to lose?" The answer is absolutely nothing! I need 13 more states and I'll have 160m WAS QRP on the K2! How cool is that with a couple of days effort? Oh, and if anyone out there worked me, K4WTF, on your K2, please forward your SN# information to me. I am working towards the Elecraft CC Award. 73 de John - K4WTF K2/100 #2490 Elecraft WAS #8 ++++++++++++++ From: To: "Parker Buckley" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] I used to hate contests! Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 08:22:26 -0700 Parker - Like you I am a "casual" operator. I most enjoy cw ragchew. However, last month I put just a little time in on the CQWWCW contest to practice copying call signs at higher speeds (I'm currently pushing it to copy 22wpm - cause I've only been a Ham about 27 months). I had never tried contest exchanges and found that it is a pretty great way to improve speed (although not for ragchewing hi hi) as well as locate a number of new countries etc. I use a program called PrologII (find it at http://www.prolog2k.com/). I have the program connected on a laptop connected to the K2, but it doesn't NEED to be connected. I chose this program because it is perfectly mated to my type of activity. One of my requirements was to be able to have total flexibility totrack FISTS Club awards and other "non-traditional" awards like K2 WAS. The program is ideal for that type of thing and everything else I've ever tried or needed. The fellow that sells it is named Ed and his service and support is on par with Elecraft - great guy who has always responded to questions within a few hours. He even respons on weekends, but probably that was just a lucky day for me hi hi. Anyway, after the contest I called him up and asked about the Cabrillo computer disk format that is mentioned in many contests. One thing I learned from a friend is that it's a nice idea to turn in a computer log even if your participation in a contests is small - it helps the big guys. A lot of programs are designed for strictly contest use - I wanted more flexibility. In Prolog I can make a whole separate log for a contest (merge it with other logs if I want as well). There is a product called "Contest Tools" that is great for putting your date into the Cabrillo format if your logger does not do it (see . http://www.wt4i.com/). Prolog was not designed to be a "contest" program...it was designed for people like me who want lots of flexibility and ease of use. I'm just setting up Contest Tools now...but so far they have been very responsive to questions. You don't HAVE to buy Contest Tools...you could use a simple Excel sheet to make the cabrillo format....but I was being lazy and Contest Tools is not expensive....neither is Prolog to my mind. All of this may sound like overkill from a simple handwritten log.....but when I started trying to sort contacts for various awards....I IMMEDIATELY new the logger was an essential part of my shack. Connecting it to the radio is a simple by-product - it will read the frequency etc off of the rig. Again, these programs don't have to be connected to the rig. By the way the program can also be used with antenna rotators (I should be so lucky). I hope this helps you on your question. 73/Tim NZ7C +++++++++++++ From: "Jonesy K9NX" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] I used to hate contests! Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 11:16:57 -0500 FYI for those who would like to try contesting here is a link to some very good software that is free from N1MM http://pages.cthome.net/n1mm/ next weekend is the ARRL 10 meter contest you can work CW or SSB or both. DX and stateside contacts count. Even if there is a remote chance of someone operating next weekend I would download the software asap to get to know its operation so you can spend all your time in the contest having a good time working those needed states and DX ps I have been a very good boy this year and Santa is ordering my K2 next week K9NX Jonesy "9-Land the Black Hole of RF" > This is my first contest ever and I've worked more CW this weekend than > all previous CW work combined but, it has been a true joy with the K2! I > kinda feel sorry for the people who are trying to use other radios. ;-) > > > I'm getting the fever, which would never have happened QRO! ++++++++++++++++ From: "Dale Wiese" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] I used to hate contests! Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 16:26:10 -0600 I have to second the recommendation of N1MM. I used it for Field Day and WWDX this year. Fantastic piece of software and it is free. Given most Hams penchant for free stuff, it always surprises me that reviews/roundups of software in the magazines never mention it. They have a very active email group on yahoo, and the author makes frequent updates and additions. Another good free program is the DXLab suite. It has modules for rig control, logging, award tracking, call sign lookup, spotting, propagation, QSL management, and psk/rtty. I find it great for general logging, while N1MM is a much better contesting tool. After a contest you can export your N1MM log and then import it to DXLab. Again, the cost is right, and the features are impressive. The only downside is it is a bit more challenging to install (read a couple three hours) if you want all the modules. Has anyone used either package with a K2? I don't have my RS232 interface built yet, so I can't try them yet. Dale N9XD +++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 08 Dec 2002 18:58:55 -0500 From: Bob Patten To: Dale Wiese Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] I used to hate contests! Dale Wiese wrote: >I have to second the recommendation of N1MM. I used it for Field Day >and WWDX this year. Fantastic piece of software and it is free. Given >most Hams penchant for free stuff, it always surprises me that >reviews/roundups of software in the magazines never mention it. They >have a very active email group on yahoo, and the author makes frequent >updates and additions. > >Has anyone used either package with a K2? I don't have my RS232 >interface built yet, so I can't try them yet. > > I use the N1MM Logger with my K2. With the software configured for a Kenwood radio, it works perfectly. The band map can even keep track of both VFO's. -- 73, Bob Patten, N4BP Plantation, FL E-Mail: n4bp at netzero.net Website: http://www.qsl.net/n4bp QRP ARCI #3412 SOC #1 ARS #799 Whiners #6 FISTS #7871 +++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 22:58:20 -0500 (EST) From: k4wtf at ENTERZONE.NET To: tlogan7 at cox.net Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] I used to hate contests! On Sun, 8 Dec 2002 tlogan7 at cox.net wrote: > Parker and John - > Could you give details of your antenna for 160m - type, height, length, etc? > Thanks Tim NZ7C Tim, My antenna is a 540ft loop of 12guage stranded wire, in a square (pretty much) with sides running N-S and E-W. It is fed at the N-E corner with 126ft (if I remember correctly) of 75-ohm coax. This antenna/feedline system presents a 1:1 match (no tuner needed!) at 1.855Mhz. For the contest, the highest I operated was 1.866Mhz and actually spent most of my time calling CQ between 1.801Mhz (love that one. Seemed like I got more returns there) and 1.818Mhz. The antenna/feedline present a 1.8:1 match at 1.801Mhz but, the KAT100 tuned it just fine and the SWR on the feedline didn't appear to hurt me much. The band was almost silent (band noise that is) at 1.801 compared to above about 1.830 so, I stayed down low to take advantage of the increased dynamic range. Anyway, thats the scoop on my antenna here. My results for the 2002 ARRL 160M contest are: Call Used: K4WTF (Except that hour I spent using Waynes call... Just joking!) Transceiver: Elecraft K2 #2490 Entry Category: Single Operator QRP 5W QSO Points: W/VE=358, DX=1 Multipliers: 50 Sections, 1 DX Total=51 Hours of Operation: 26 Clamed Score: 36,771 Based on 2001 results, that score may win not only the OH section but the Great Lakes Division for Class A (QRP). That would be just too cool to win my first contest. :-) 73 de John - K4WTF +++++++++++++++