November 11, 2006, Remembrance Day

Annual Wireless Set No. 19 Activities

By Reed Park, VE1NU


This is the 12th annual Wireless Set Number 19 event for VE1NU.
  

Here is the log page for this year’s special ops. Was not sure just how things were going to go, as it has been awhile since November 11th fell on a weekend. 

Always a poor time to operate a vintage radio, as the bands are much more crowded then. Of course, my prime operating frequency happens to be a very active one, for QRP and for RTTY. Oh well, Bob Cooke, VE3BDB, did warn me about all the RTTY that would be on the air. 

Anyway, I was very pleasantly surprised to fire up the old gal (later than planned) and found VA3ORP with no trouble as a first contact. 

Time GMT             Call                 His                  Mine              Vintage          M. Band 

1229 - 1236            VA3ORP       5 7 9               4 5 9                                       40

1247 - 1252            VE2EDB       5 9 9               5 9 9                                       40

1304 - 1311            VE3CBK       5 7 9 c            5 7 9 c            19 set             40

1319 - 1328            VA3WSN      4 5 9               3 5 9               19 set             40

1340 - 1346            VE9MA          5 9 9               4 5 9                                      40

1352 - 1358            VE3BDB       5 7 9               5 5 9                                       40

1400 - 1406            W1NU            5 7 9 c            5 7 9c             19 set             40

1419 - 1425            VE1AIR         5 9 9               5 7 9                                       40

1538 - 1542            VE1XW        5 9 9                5 9 9                                       40

1543 - 1546            VE1RG         5 9 9                5 9 9                                       40

1614 - 1620            VE3BDN      5 9 9                4 5 9c                                     40

1622 - 1626            VE2EDK      5 7 9 c             5 6 7               19 set             40

1926 - 1931            VE1YZ          5 9 9                5 9 9c                                     80

2057 - 2102            VE1AKT       5 9 9                5 9 9                                       80 

2102 - 2106            VE9MSC      5 9 9                5 9 9                                       80

 

Had lots of equipment problems this year. Started off part way through the day and the headphone audio would suddenly cut out. Made for an interesting time as it turned out to be the snatch connector. It developed an intermittent connection. Turned out that if I twisted it just a little in one direction, it worked fine. 

The headset cable is rather stiff, and difficult to keep the mic out of the way when wearing the headgear. Keeping the cable twisted the right amount, while trying to write and keep an earphone up to my ear, would have looked rather funny if there had been anyone around to see me. 

Sometime during the day I did hear a VE4 calling, also using a 19 set. Trouble is, between some strong locals, RTTY, trying to keep an eye on a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old, and the darned intermittent audio at my end (before I found a quick cure), I was not able to work him.  

Then, after working locals station VE9MSC, my receiver quit. The IF valve went west but I didn't get it fixed until the following day.  When it quit, I suspended ops.  

I must admit that, of my four 19 sets, only one has ever required a valve replacement. They all still have their original parts and valves and only the power supplies have ever needed a capacitor replacement. Certainly says something about the quality of the parts used back in the early 1940's. Wish I could say the same about my modern rigs.  

Thanks to all those who made my day a memorable one again this year. To those who tried to work me, I must apologize for not being able to do it.  

Maybe next year.   

73 to all, VE1NU. 

If you like freedom, thank a Vet.

Thanks to all of you Vets.

See Picture