+++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2002 10:20:09 -0700 From: "Rod N0RC" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [121913] FOX lessons and a little bragging Folks, Well, the logs for the last hunt are out. So it is "semi official", got them all but one: Larry, N2WW on 03-Jan-2002. Here are some observations others might find useful: FOR THE NEW FOLKS DOUBTFUL ABOUT QRP QRP works. I ran 5 watts on each hunt using a variety of radios: K1; KNWD 570D(G); Icom 746pro. For antennas all I ever used was my attic antenna (details at http://www.n0rc.com, I always get asked for info abt my antenna) >From Oct-2001 to Mar-2002, I worked the Fox stations scattered all over North America, with my modest setup. On 40m! QRP works. QRP OPERATING AND FOX HUNTING DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS When I first tried Fox hunting, QRP-L style, I was not successful. I kept at it and learned: 1. How to work split. Not just how to set up the radio, but what Freq. to TX on. 2. There are many stations trying to work the fox, to be heard in a pileup you have to find a "quiet" spot in the pack. I usually listen for a few minutes, looking for that "sweet spot" and judge the pack behavior before I start transmitting. 3. My code speed for contest/dx exchanges has improved. I figure I can handle 25+ wpm now, on a good day as much as 30 wpm. (Still ragchew at 20 or so) 4. Better understanding of propagation effects. In the winter 40m can "go long" around Fox hunt time. That's how I lost Larry one time. I chose to try for the other station first, they were farther away, and I figured I would need more time to get the job done. I figured Larry for a "chip shot", he is only 60 miles away. Bad decision, should have worked Larry first, when I heard him! At the end of the hunt 40 was long and Larry could not be heard. Lesson learned and applied in later hunts. 5. Listen to the other hound stations from time to time to help judge band conditions. 6. Don't stay fixed on working one of the foxes over another. I alternated my chase, about 20min on one, then 20 min on the other. This proved for me to be a good time management system to assure success. But be mindful of points 5 and 6. 7. The radio is the least important thing. If it is of recent vintage, meets manufactures specs and has at least RIT, it's all you need. Put time and money in skills development and all the antenna you possibly can. 8. Knowingly transmitting on the Fox frequency, or worse tuning on the Fox frequency, is wrong and rude! Sorry if you are offended by this. but it happens to often not to be mentioned. (See also: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2002/03/01/3/?nc=1) I consider these points similar to learning your ABCs or multiplication tables. They are basic skills required to succeed at more complex tasks. I have applied these lessons to my other radio endeavors, mainly DXing. I believe I am more successful now because I have improved my OP skills as outlined above. 73, Rod N0RC Ft Collins, CO ++++++++++++++++++