Contester's Rate Sheet for September 7, 2005
*********************** Contester's Rate Sheet 7 September 2005 *********************** Edited by Ward Silver N0AX SUMMARY o Fall VHF Season - ARRL VHF QSO Party, 10 GHz and Up, VHF Sprints o Get Your Feet Wet Contest plus NA Sprint and WAE SSB o AR, TN, WA, SC QSO Parties o Katrina Response and Training Opportunities o Icom America to Sponsor ARRL Sweepstakes Plaques o Just One Word - Plastics o Coax Strippers o Priorities BULLETINS o Please take extra care to avoid disaster communications while contesting. The ARRL news story at http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/09/05/100/?nc=1 lists key frequencies. Whether the frequency is listed or not, take a few extra seconds to be sure it is clear of emergency or relief traffic which may spread out on either side of an emergency net. o The Sep 21, Oct 5, and Oct 19 issues will be smaller than usual due to your editor gallivanting around the Pacific on the K7C expedition. For inquiries and responses regarding the Sep 12 and Oct 5 issues, contact Steve Ford WB8IMY at wb8imy@arrl.org. BUSTED QSOS o Pete N4ZR corrects my confusion of the last issue. The Contest Station Database is NOT a listing of stations available for guest ops. It lists contest station equipment and other data, but just for information. ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICES FOR 7 SEPTEMBER TO 20 SEPTEMBER 2005 Logs are due for the following contests: September 7 - Kentucky QSO Party, email logs to kc4wq@arrl.net, Mail logs and diskettes to KY QSO Party, c/o KC4WQ, 1229 Zoneton Rd, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, USA, find rules at: http://www.ky4ky.com/kyqsopartyrules.html September 10 - Wake-Up! QRP Sprint, email logs to ru2fm@rol.ru, Mail logs and diskettes to Wake-Up! QRP Sprint, P.O. Box 229, Lipetsk 398043, Russia, find rules at: http://ruqrp.narod.ru/sprint_e.htm September 11 - SARL HF CW Contest, email logs to zs4bs@netactive.co.za, Mail logs and diskettes to Bloemfontein Radio Amateur Club, Box 12104, Brandhof, 9324, South Africa, find rules at: http://www.sarl.org.za/public/contests/SARL_Contest_Manual.pdf September 15 - Maryland-DC QSO Party, email logs to w3cwc@myactv.net, Mail logs and diskettes to Antietam Radio Association, P.O. Box 52, Hagerstown, MD 21741-0052, USA, find rules at: http://www.w3cwc.org/rules.html September 15 - SCC RTTY Championship, email logs to rtty@hamradio.si, Mail logs and diskettes to Slovenia Contest Club, Saveljska 50, 1113 Ljubljana, Slovenia, find rules at: http://lea.hamradio.si/~scc/rtty/htmlrules.htm September 15 - WAE DX Contest, CW, email logs to waedc@dxhf.darc.de, Mail logs and diskettes to WAEDC Contest Manager, Bernhard Buettner, DL6RAI, Schmidweg 17, D-85609 Dornach, Germany, find rules at: http://www.darc.de/referate/dx/xedcwr.htm September 15 - WLOTA Contest, email logs to wlota@wlota.com, Mail logs and diskettes to WLH Award, 18 Allee Roch-Bihen, 44510 Le Pouliguen, France, find rules at: http://www.wlota.com/wlota/contest/regtest.htm September 17 - New Jersey QSO Party, email logs to w2rj@arrl.net, Mail logs and diskettes to Englewood ARA, P.O. Box 528, Englewood, NJ 07631-0528, USA, find rules at: http://www.qsl.net/w2rj/index.html September 19 - Russian District Award Contest, email logs to contest@r3r.ru, Mail logs and diskettes to Popov Sergey, P.O.Box 29, Tambov, 392000, Russia, find rules at: http://rdaward.org/rdac/download/rdac_eng.txt September 20 - RSGB SSB Field Day, email logs to ssbfd.logs@rsgbhfcc.org, Mail logs and diskettes to RSGB G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 7AF, England, find rules at: http://www.contesting.co.uk/hfcc/rules/rssbfd.shtml The following contests are scheduled: Note that the following abbreviations are used to condense the contest rules summaries: SO - Single-Op; M2 - Multi-Op - 2 Transmitters; MO - Multi-Op; MS - Multi-Op, Single Transmitter; MM - Multi-Op, Multiple Transmitters; AB - All Band; SB - Single Band; S/P/C - State/Province/DXCC Entity; HP - High Power; LP - Low Power; Entity - DXCC Entity HF CONTESTS North American Sprint--CW, sponsored by the National Contest Journal from 0000Z - 0400Z Sep 11 (SSB is Sep 18) Frequencies (MHz): 3.850, 7.225, 14.275, work stations once per band. North American stations work everyone, others work NA stations only. Exchange: other station's call, your call, serial number, name, S/P/C. QSY rule: Stations calling CQ, QRZ, etc, may only work one station in response to that call, they must then move at least 1 kHz before working another station or 5 kHz before soliciting another call. Once you are required to QSY, you may not make a new QSO on the previous frequency until you have made a contact at least 1 or 5 kHz (as required) away. (see www.contesting.com/articles/198 for beginner's guide) Score: QSOs X S/P/C (count each only once). For more information: http://www.ncjweb.com/. Logs due 7 days after the contest to cwsprint@ncjweb.com (SSB to ssbsprint@ncjweb.com) or Boring ARC, 15125 Bartell Road, Boring, OR 97009 (SSB to Jim Stevens, K4MA, 6609 Vardon Ct., Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526). YLRL Howdy Days--CW/SSB--sponsored by the YL Radio League, 1400Z Sep 14 - 0200Z Sep 16, work 24 out of the 36 hour period. Try frequencies ending in 33 or 88, such as 7.233, 14.288, etc. Exchange: YLRL Member or not. QSO Points: non-YLRL member--1 pt, YLRL members--2 pts. Score is total points. For more information: http://www.ylrl.org/. Logs due 30 days after the contest to wx4mm@tm-moore.com or Mary Moore WX4MM, 1593 Lee Road 375, Valley, AL 36854. WAE DX Contest--SSB, 0000Z Sep 10 - 2359Z Sep 11 (RTTY is Nov 12 - 13). Frequencies: 80-10 meters according to Region I band plan. Categories: SOHP, SOLP, MS, SWL. Spotting assistance allowed (SO stations not using spotting assistance will be noted). SO operate 36 hrs max., up to three off periods of 1 hour min. Non-EU work EU only except RTTY, where everyone works everyone. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. Score 1 pt/QSO and 1 pt/QTC. Final score is QSOs + QTCs x weighted multipliers. Multipliers: non-EU use WAE countries, EU use DXCC entities plus call districts in W, VE, VK, ZL, ZS, JA, PY and RA8/9/0. Mults on 80m count x4, on 40m x3, otherwise x2. A QTC is a report sent from a non-EU station back to an EU station of QSOs that took place earlier in the contest (RTTY QTC may only be exchanged between continents). A QTC contains the time, call sign, and QSO number of the station being reported (e.g. 1307/DL1AA/346). A QSO may only be reported once and not back to the originating station. A maximum of 10 QTCs can be sent to a single station. The same station can be worked several times to complete this quota, but only the original QSO has QSO point value. Keep a list of QTCs sent. For example, QTC 3/7 would indicate that this is the third series of QTCs sent, and seven QSOs are reported. For more information: http://www.waedc.de/. Logs due Oct 15 (Phone) to waedc@dxhf.darc.de or to WAEDC Contest Manager, Bernhard Buettner DL6RAI, Schmidweg 17, 85609 Dornach, Germany. Second-Class Operators Club (SOC) Marathon Sprint--CW, from 1800Z to 2400Z Sep 10. (Most sprints run four hours, but since we're Second Class Op's, we need more time!) Frequencies: 160 - 10 meters. Categories: SOAB. Exchange: RST + S/P/C + SOC number or power output. QSO Points: SOC member--5 pts, non-member same continent--2 pts, diff. cont--4 pts. Score: QSO points x S/P/C counted once per band x Power Multiplier (<250 mW x 15, <1 W x 10, <5 W x 7, >5 W x 1). Multiply by 1.5 if using a homebrew paddle. Logs due 30 days after the contest to n4bp@arrl.net or Bob Patten, N4BP, 2841 NW 112 Terrace, Plantation, FL 33323, USA. Arkansas QSO Party--CW/SSB/PSK31 sponsored by K1ARK, from 1400Z Sep 10 - 0600Z Sep 11 and 1800Z Sep 11 - 0200Z Sep 12. Frequencies (MHz): CW--3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050; PHONE--3.980, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360, 28.360, 145-147; PSK--3580, 7070; 14.070; 21.080; 28.120. Categories: SO, MS, Mobile, HP, LP, QRP, S/P/C, PSK. Exchange: RST, state or province, DX stations send "DX." (Arkansas stations send county) QSO Points: PSK--3 pts, CW--2 pts, SSB--1 pt. Score: QSO points × AR counties (AR station count states, provinces and AR counties). Work mobile stations from each county. Bonus stations: K5NE (25 pts per band/mode), AR ARRL affiliated club station (10 pts). For more information: http://www.arkan.us/. Logs due 30 days after the contest to k1ark@arrl.net or to Bill Smith, K1ARK, 3032 Strawberry Drive, Fayetteville, AR, 72703. Tennessee QSO Party--CW/Phone--sponsored by the Tennessee Contest Group, 1800Z Sep 11 - 0100Z Sep 12. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.815, 3.540, 7.040, 14.040, 21.040, 28.040; SSB--1.855, 3.900, 7.240, 14.280, 21.390, 28.390; Novice/Tech--3.700, 7.130, 21.140, 28.140, 28.390; VHF/UHF--50.195, 144.195, 146.55, 223.5, 446.0. Exchange: RS(T) and TN county or S/P/C. QSO Points: HF Phone--2 pts, HF CW--3pts, VHF Phone--4 pts, VHF CW--6pts. Score: QSO points x TN counties (TN stations add S/P/C) counted only once. TN stations claim one additional multiplier for every five QSOs with the same TN county. Bonus points: 100 points for each QSO with K4TCG and TN mobiles add 500 points for each TN county activated. For more information: http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/tqp/tqp05_rules.html. Logs due Oct 12 to w9wi@w9wi.com or TN QSO Party c/o Doug Smith W9WI, 1389 Old Clarksville Pike Pleasant View, TN 37146-8098 USA. North American Sprint--SSB, 0000Z - 0400Z Sep 18 (See Sep 11) Scandinavian Activity Contest--CW--sponsored by Sveriges Sändareamatörer(SSA), 1200Z Sep 17 - 1200Z Sep 18 (Phone, 1200Z Sep 24 - 1200Z Sep 25). Frequencies: 80 - 10 meters. Categories: SOAB (QRP <5W, LP <100W, HP), MS, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) + serial number. QSO Points: EU stations--1 pt, Non-EU--1 pt on 20--10, 3 pts on 80 - 40. Finals score is QSO pts × Scandinavian call areas counted once per band. For more information: http://www.nrrl.no/7_english/start_e.htm. Logs due Oct 31 to la4yw@broadpark.no or to NRRL HF Contest Manager: Liv Johansen, LA4YW, Kolstadtunet 4C, NO-7098 Saupstad, Norway. Washington State Salmon Run--CW/SSB--sponsored by the Western Washington DX Club, 1600Z Sep 17 - 0700Z Sep 18 and 1600Z - 2400Z Sep 18. Frequencies: 160 - 6 meters. Categories: SO (CW, SSB or Mixed Mode, QRP <5W, LP <200W, HP), MS, Washington Club Station, Mobile, Washington County DXpedition, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) and S/P/C or county (for WA stations). QSO Points: SSB--2 pts, CW--4 pts. Work Portables and Mobiles from each county, log county line QSOs as 2 separate QSOs. Score: QSO points x WA counties (WA stations use S/P/C + WA counties) counted once only. QSOs with W7DX add 500 bonus points for each mode--total 1000 points. For more information: http://www.wwdxc.org/. Logs due Oct 31 to salmonrun@wwdxc.org or Western Washington DX Club, PO Box 395, Mercer Island, WA 98040, USA. South Carolina QSO Party--Phone/CW/Digital, sponsored by the Columbia Amateur Radio Club (CARC), 1300Z Sep 17 - 2100Z Sep 18. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.805 and 50 kHz from band edge, Phone--1.845, 3.860, 7.260, 14.270, 21.370, 28.370, 50.125, 144.200, 146.58, 223.50, 446.00. No repeater or cross-band QSO's, work stations again from each county. Categories: SOAB, SC Mobile. Exchange: Serial Number and SC county or S/P/C. QSO Points: Phone--1 pt, CW--2 pts, Digital--3 pts. Score: Total QSO points x power multiplier (<5 W x5, <150 W x2, >150 W x1) x SC counties (counted only once) x SC counties activated (SC Mobile only). 300 bonus points for QSO with N2ZZ or KF4GHC. For more information: http://www.kf4ghc.net/scqp.shtml. Logs due Oct 18 to scqp@kf4ghc.net or CARC -- SCQP Entry, PO Box 595, Columbia, SC 29202-0595. Mediterranean Islands Contest--CW/SSB--sponsored by the Mediterranean DX Club, from 1200Z Sep 17 - 1200Z Sep 18. Frequencies: 80 - 10 meters. Categories: SO Island Resident, SO and MM Island Dispatch (Expedition), and SO Non-Island; CW, SSB, and Mixed (all categories except MM, Mixed only). Exchange: RST + MIA island number or serial number. QSO Points: Island stations--5 pts, otherwise 1 pt. Score: QSO points x MIA islands counted once per band/mode. For more information: http://www.mdxc.org/contestmia/rules.htm. Logs due 30 days after the contest to ik8vrn@mdxc.org or Mr. Gianfranco Lai , Corso Umberto I(deg), 285/G, 80034 Marigliano, Naples, Italy or Gianfranco, PO Box 5, 80034 Marigliano, Naples, Italy. QCWA Fall QSO Party--Phone/CW/Digital--sponsored by the Quarter Century Wireless Association from 1800Z Sep 17 - 1800Z Sep 18. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.810, 3.540, 7.035, 14.040, 21.050, 28.050; Phone--1.910, 3.890, 7.244, 14.262, 21.365, 28.325 plus all VHF/UHF bands, no crossband or repeater QSOs. Categories: Mixed, Phone, CW/Digital. 15 QSOs with each station maximum and only one QSO with stations in home QCWA chapter. Exchange: Last two digits of year licensed and QCWA chapter or S/P/C. QSO Points: Phone--1 pt, CW/Digital--2 pts. Score: QSO Points x QCWA chapters + S/P/C counted once per band. W2MM counts as a 3-point multiplier on each band. For more information: http://qcwa.org/2005-qso-party-rules.htm. Send logs to Send logs to W2od@aol.com or Robert Buus W2OD, 8 Donner St, Holmdel NJ 07733-2004. QRP Afield--CW/Phone/Digital--sponsored by the New England QRP Club, 1500Z Sep 17 - 0300Z Sep 18, submit a log for the best 6 hr period of the contest. Frequencies: 160 - 10 meter QRP calling frequencies, work stations once per band and mode. Categories: SO and MS. Exchange: RS(T), S/P/C, and NE-QRP number or power. QSO Points: HP (>5W) fixed station - 1 pt, HP mobile or portable - 2 pts, QRP fixed - 5 pts, QRP mobile or portable - 10 pts. QSOs with WQ1RP score triple points. Score: QSO points x S/P/C (counted once only). For more information: http://www.qsl.net/wq1rp/main.htm. Logs due Oct 15 to k1cl@arrl.net or Chuck Ludinsky, K1CL, 6 Prancing Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824-1922. Get Your Feet Wet Weekend--CW, sponsored by FISTS CW Club, from 0000Z Sep 16 - 2400Z Sep 18. Frequencies (MHz): 3.610, 7.110, 14.110, 21.110, 28.110. Categories: Newcomer or Experienced. Exchange: Callsign/N (newcomer) or Callsign/E (experienced), RST, Name, QTH, FISTS number or power, last two digits of first year licensed. QSO Points: 2 pts for cross-category, 1 pt for same category. Score: QSO Points x number of stations with year of 2000-2005 (counted only once). Send all CW manually (no memory or computer keyers). For more information: http://www.fists.org/. Logs due 30 Oct to hallin1@lanecc.edu (ADIF format) or Lee Hallin N7NU 3413 Walton Ln, Eugene OR 97408. VHF+ CONTESTS ARRL September VHF QSO Party, 1800Z Sep 10 - 0300Z Sep 12 Frequencies: all bands above 50 MHz. Categories: SOHP, SOLP, SO-Portable, Rover, MO, Limited MO. Exchange: Grid Locator. QSO Points: 50 and 144 MHz - 1 pt, 222 and 440 MHz - 2 pts, 902 and 1296 MHz - 3 pts, 2.3 GHz and higher - 4 pts. Score: QSO points x Grids counted once per band. For more information: http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2005/sepvhf.html. Logs due Oct 13 to septembervhf@arrl.org or Sep VHF QSO Party, ARRL Contest Branch, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111, USA. ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest, 0600 local - 2400 local Sep 17-18. Categories:10 GHz only and 10 GHz and up. Exchange: Six-digit Maidenhead Locator. Distance Points equals distance in km between stations. QSO Points: 100 pts for each unique call worked. Score: Distance points + QSO points. For more information: http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2005/10-ghz.html. Logs due Oct 18 to 10GHz@arrl.org or ARRL Contest Branch, 225 Main St., Newington, CT, 06111, USA. VHF Fall Sprints--CW/Phone/Digital--sponsored by the Southeastern VHF Society as follows: 144 MHz--7 - 11 PM local Sep 19 (222 MHz--7-11 PM Sep 27, 432 MHz--7-11 PM Oct 5, Microwave--902 MHz and higher--6 AM -- 1 PM Oct 15, 50 MHz--2300Z Oct 22 - 0300Z Oct 23). Fixed and Rover categories. Exchange: Grid Square. QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO. Score is QSO Points x Grid Squares, score each sprint separately. Rovers all grids worked from each grid. For more information: http://svhfs.org/fall_sprint_rules.htm. Logs must be emailed or postmarked within four weeks of the contest. 144 MHz logs to ottf@wbia.net or Ottmar Fiebel W4WSR, PO Box 957, Hayesville, NC 28904. NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES The big news has to be the huge disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina and the consequent massive outpouring of volunteers, especially hams. Even if you can't physically go to the disaster area, please monitor the various traffic nets in your area and be ready to handle outbound Health & Welfare Traffic in your area. Traffic nets can be located on the ARRL Net Directory Search page at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/nets/client/index.html. If you don't have a pad of radiogram forms handy, you can print your own by downloading the PDF version at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/RADIOGRM.pdf. A convenient and brief tutorial on traffic handling can be found at http://www.w3cwc.org/racespg1.htm. The Web pages at http://www.sky-chaser.com/kat05.htm tell the harrowing story of Chris Collura (KG4PJN) a computer analyst and hurricane chaser and photographers Jeff Gammons (KG4PGA) and Jim Edds (KG4TBE) as they experienced the center of Katrina not just once, but twice. This storm scared the pants off of even these experienced veterans. Response to emergencies and disasters is now managed by the Incident Command System (also known as NIMS - National Incident Management System). If you have not yet had ICS/MIMS training now is a good time to get it, especially if you have a desire to deploy to the disaster region. Free on-line courses are available at the FEMA Web site: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/independent/. Your local emergency management office or fire department may also be able to provide training. The ARRL also offers on-line training courses EC-001, 002, and 003, which are currently reimbursed to members (the reimbursement program has been extended). Check out the emcomm courses at http://www.arrl.org/cce/. Tom N1MU has released RoverLog version 2_2_8 at http://roverlog.2ub.org/. There are numerous improvements from previous versions, including a manual grid field to the calculator window to allow bearing calculation without disturbing the QSO entry fields, resizable windows that expand or contract based on lists or texts, and a number of minor tweaks and fixes. Tom can be reached at tmayo1@rochester.rr.com. The SoftRock-40 (available from the American QRP Club, http://amqrp.org/) is a small 1" x 2.3" pcb, low-cost, good performance 40-meter "software defined radio" receiver that plugs into a computer USB port and delivers I-Q audio signals to the computer's sound card. The hardware downconverts and quadrature samples a 48 kHz swath of RF that is fed to the soundcard of the computer. The software running on the PC is a slightly-modified PowerSDR Console "open source" program, designed for use by Flex-Radio for their SDR-1000 transceiver. See the "front panel" of this radio at http://www.flex-radio.com/. It performs final tuning, filtering, AGC and demodulation of the I & Q quadrature audio signals coming from the hardware. At $23, this is a pretty neat little piece of technology! (Thanks, George N2APB) A new version of the free program WinTelnetX is available at: http://www.k1ttt.net/software.html#wintelnetx. The source code for this program is also available for programmers interested in adapting it for other purposes. (Thanks, Dave K1TTT) Randy K5ZD also announced the new release of Super Check Partial database files at http://www.k5zd.com/scp. He thanks everyone who sent logs - there are more than 2000 logs represented in the final product totaling more than 2.7 million QSOs and resulting in 38,883 unique calls! The Rohn HDBX 48 foot self-supporting tower (18 sq. ft. of antenna) is built now by Thomas Shelby & Company, Inc. using the original Rohn tooling. See http://www.criticaltowers.com/BX%20Series%20Towers/Web%20Pages/BX%20Series%20Tower%20Page.htm. (Thanks, Paul K5ESW) Any day now if not already, ON3 foundation licensees will be heard on the HF bands. Listen for ON3 (OO3, OQ3, OS3 etc for special occasions). They'll have full HF privileges with 10 watts output except for the 10-meter band or above 70 cm. (Thanks, Franki ON5ZO) Bragging rights are always important and the Radio Amateur Conversation Guide (http://www.k8zt.com/racg/racg.html) written by OH2BR and OH2BAD doesn't skimp in this area: Do you collect awards? - Voce esta colecionando diplomas? Yes, I have 123 awards. - Sim, eu tenho 123 diplomas. How many countries have you worked [got confirmed]? - Quantos paises voce tem trabalhados [confirmados}? I have worked 257 countries. I have 250 countries confirmed. - Eu trabalhei 257 paises. Eu tenho 250 paises confirmados. RESULTS AND RECORDS Icom America has agreed to serve as the principal sponsor for nearly 150 currently unsponsored contest plaques recognizing various levels of operating achievement in the annual ARRL November Sweepstakes Phone and CW events. This expands the League's contest awards program at no cost to participants or ARRL members. If you are the recipient of one of these plaques, you can thank Ray Novak N9JA, Icom Amateur Radio Products National Sales Manager. Ray says, "We are happy to take part in an arrangement that is mutually beneficial and enhances the contesting experience for everyone." "This is the first-ever corporate sponsorship for ARRL Sweepstakes awards," noted Harold Kramer WJ1B, ARRL Chief Operating Officer, although many individuals and organizations already sponsor plaques. Since plaques typically cost from $60-$70 to sponsor, this program is very much appreciated by the many contesters that participate in Sweepstakes every year. TECHNICAL Phenolic plastics are handy for a number of applications but are rarely found in the home improvement and hardware stores. John W0UN points out that these materials can be found at http://www.professionalplastics.com/cgi-bin/main/co_disp/displ/pgrfnbr/3/sesent/00. Close to a dozen can found by using the pull-down menu "Search By Name". Joe W4TV also recommends McMaster Carr at http://www.mcmaster.com/. L.B Cebik's Web site has a good article on making your dipole a bit more broadbanded: http://www.cebik.com/trans/wb.html. While you're there, take in the article on the venerable Zepp antenna at http://www.cebik.com/gup/gup12.html. (Thanks, Tom W7WHY and Tony KT0NY) For code practice, it's handy to convert text files to Morse WAV files that can be played on most computers. A program to do just that is available at http://www.winmorse.com/. (Thanks, Henry WA0GOZ) This neat tip for making nice, straight cuts in potentiometer shafts could also be put to use cutting any kind of metal rod. Chuck the rod in a drill press or drill that is locked in a vise. Turn the drill on at low speed and use a hacksaw blade to cut them while they rotate - like cutting them with a lathe. (Thanks Rick KC8AON) Coax connectors go on so much easier if you cut and strip the coax correctly. Some good examples can be found at http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/cable_tools.php or http://www.paladin-tools.com/. The RF Connection also has a couple of inexpensive models at http://www.therfc.com/. (Thanks, Joe KK0SD, Jim W6RMK, and Pete N4ZR) Synchro displays, used most often by hams on prop pitch rotators, are a source of mystery about their inner workings. Puzzle no more! Jim W6RMK contributes three good articles about them: http://www.polysci.com/docs/SynchroApplGuide.pdf http://techaidproducts.com/PDFs/Tech-AidSynchroArticle.pdf http://www.phy.davidson.edu/instrumentation/Files/NEETS/Mod15%20-%20Principles%20of%20Synchros%20Servos%20and%20Gyros.pdf (This last one is the NEETS handbook - all 200 pages!) Need a small clock to place on your computer desktop? Bill W6WRT contributes a freeware program from Alpha Clock (http://www.irnis.net/soft/aclock) that he thinks is "just right" - not too big, not too small, and just enough controls to make it look the way you want. CONVERSATION Priorities There are going to be lots of opportunities for post-event analysis of the response to Hurricane Katrina. Hams will have an opportunity to learn from a Big One and how we were able to respond and provide services. There has been a lot of conversation lately about the utility of advanced digital services such as email and file transfer in disaster and emergency communications versus the traditional voice and key. Here we get to see both in action. First, you know it's BAD when the hams aren't immediately on the air following a big storm or other natural disaster. Instead of a steady flow of reports from New Orleans and the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf coasts, this time...silence. This is about as bad as it's going to get so, if there is any bright side to be found in this at all, we can use this as a reference point for years to come. The need for communications is obvious and widespread on all levels. Amateur radio is showing once again why it deserves to keep its spectrum as it responds quickly and usefully - and why it deserves to be protected and nurtured by the federal government, I might add. Thus far, the traditional modes, from what little I can glean as an outsider up here in Seattle, have proved superior in providing point-to-point communications to coordinate resources and responses. In other words, ham radio filling the gaps as we have done for decades and do well. This is taking place across a great swath of our spectrum, from the low bands to UHF. That is not to say that digital modes are not useful and, in fact, they are just coming into play as the mass movement of people away from the disaster area is completing the first stage. Health & Welfare traffic out of shelters and other gathering places is building as I write this almost a week after the actual storm. Shelters are being prepared around the entire country and each requires a full amateur response. Away from the immediate area hit by Katrina, the digital modes are beginning to show their value, whether by familiar packet or the newer Winlink system. Clearly, both types of communication are needed. Questions about which modes are superior and most-needed are really moot, as the situation in the Gulf states shows. They serve different needs in a way that the other can't address. This is not a question of bit rates and bandwidths, but of applicability and availability to satisfy the human needs of our real customers, the victims, people like you and me who may have lost absolutely everything and need our help. It is becoming very clear that if we are to be able to respond promptly and effectively to situations such as we are witnessing today, we need to limit the amount of jawboning yesterday. What does this have to do with contesting? Well, nothing and everything. Back away from the issue a little and you will recognize the form of debates about SO2R and spotting networks. Events like Katrina have a way of redefining importance. When it's "nut cuttin' time on the ranch," what's important to contesting is participation. We need to be spending our energies finding ways to include, not exclude, each other and new contesters. If this means a couple of new categories here and there, fine, within reason and budgets. That's what databases and laser printers are for. Let the participants try to convince each other of their relative merits. Pecking order without participants is a lonely game. 73, Ward N0AX ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Contester's Rate Sheet wishes to acknowledge information from the following sources: WA7BNM's Contest Calendar Web page - http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal ARRL Contest page - http://www.arrl.org/contests SM3CER's Web site - http://www.sk3bg.se/contest
