2011 November Sweeps

Well, the ARRL November Sweeps (SSB) are officially over and I, for one, had a fun time - even though I was only able to operate for 10 hours.


So, how did I fair? Lets compare my first year (2010) and this year.


Last year, I was still learning the radio and antenna as I had only had it for about a week. I was still learning what a log was and there was a vehicle breakdown. This year a lot of things actually went better. I still had to work on Saturday and I still had husbandly duties to attend to. Other than that I made almost 100 more contacts this year than last (2010=19 Q's and 2011=116 Q's) This year, the learning curve was with the logging software that I was using for the first time.


I really like using the software to log. Last year, I did paper log and it took me a little bit to get the logs filled out, entered into the computer and then submitted. With the computer logging program, I don't get the writers' cramps and I have also submitted my log already - take that pudgy fingers! Additionally, the computer logging allows me to throw together a spreadsheet to share, as in this: 


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ajvnl1xNxjPVdFVQMm9tc2VhV3dhcWRXSkZDbHYwT0E


Yes, there it is - the extract from my Cabrillo file. If you find yourself in there, a heartfelt thanks for the Q.


Next year, my goals are as follows:
1.) Operate from the warmth and comfort of a truly fixed shack - mobile shack means getting the same exact spot if I was to leave, facilities at a distance and the (brrrrrr) elements.
2.) Computer logging is a must - no way I will return to paper logs for a contest. One entry point and instantaneous determination of whether a station is unique or a dupe.
3.) Request time off for contest - this is absolutely necessary and means more hours to operate
4.) Make 200+ Q's.


So, again, thanks to all those that I had QSO's with and I hope to see you all next year.


73 de KDØMCV

BINGO!

Well, last night was fun.  Listening to stations come in from all over the Southeast US then one DX comes in and I started hearing stations from all over the lower 48 come out of the woodwork.  Tonight, I had to listen again and try to capture my first QSO.

Listening on 40m, I was again excited to hear a station in Queen Creek, AZ pop up calling CQ.  I tried for about 15 minutes to pull him in, but it was not to be.  Then I scanned around some more and heard stations in FL, GA, SC, OH and TN all coming in pretty strong, but again I could not get through.

I decided to de-tune the antenna and head on up to 80m to see what I could get there.  I heard a lot of net traffic coming through loud and clear, but I would again be snookered.  Because I am tuning the antenna by ear (and not a lot of practice at it), I was thinking that maybe I was doing it wrong.  Well, lets head back down to 40m.

Arriving at 40m., I re-tuned the antenna to get the most noise, then found someone that was doing a little rag chewing.  I tuned for the best sound and dropped to 7.175MHz where it was quiet.  Changing modes to AM and lowering power to the lowest setting, I checked SWRs and I was pulling a 1:1 - perfect. 

Scanning through 40m and I hear a station calling CQ.  Now is my chance.  I shoot my call sign out there and that I am mobile in Iowa, and he answers back that he has two of us doubling up - he takes me first.  I reply with my call and that I am indeed mobile.  I give my grid square (EN42 pm) and give his signal report - 5/9.  He comes back and tells me my signal to him, that he is in GA.  I announce to him and the whole world that he is my first QSO and about that time, my brain is gone - I cannot remember what to do next, because I was so elated that I had finally made my first HF QSO!

Somewhere in the process of him calling CQ and me losing my marbles, the phone rang.  It was my wife and all I could do was hit send on the phone and set it down.  She was able to listen in on it and was pretty happy that I got it.

So, now I am totally hooked on the HF bands.  I am also at a little delima - how long is it going to take me to get my WAS award?  I only have to work 48 more states.  :)

My First Experience On HF

Getting my Tech license was a thrill and earning my General was awesome, but nothing beats actually getting on the HF bands and living what amateur radio is all about - well, there is one thing better (so far as I have witnessed), but I will hit that point in a few moments.

Dropping down below 2 meters (144MHz) is pretty neat.  You hear stations from all over talking about this and that.  This morning, on my way to work, I heard a station in Oklahoma doing a little rag-chewing with a station in Missouri.  The signals were so strong and so clear that if I hadn't known that I was on 40 meters (7MHz), I would have sworn they were on our local 2 meter repeater.  Had there have been a break in their conversation, I would have called out there to them and tried to get my first QSO.  As it was, I was getting pretty close to being late, so I had to shut down the rig and go into the office.

When I got off of work tonight, I immediately headed up to a higher point than where my work is.  Work sits in a valley, but there are plenty of hills around here.  Finding one that has a farm road on it and no buildings close is a bit difficult, but not impossible, so I headed up north of work to a more hilly area, found a spot to safely pull off of the road and started tuning the dial around 20 meters.

I was listening to strong stations in FL, SC, TX, and GA coming in loud and clear - a good S9.  As I was tuning around, I heard a station that, honestly, caused me to get pretty excited and I witnessed my first non-contesting pileup - one station answering and 30+ stations calling.  Everyone was trying to get a QSO with station J7WTA on the Dominica Island - a rare.

J7WTA was coming in about 5/7 and so I thought I would try and make my first QSO even more special.  After trying my luck to reach out to this Caribbean nation for nearly 30 minutes, I gave up.  He was just about the same signal as the QRM (noise) and fading.  Missed my first foreign QSO but it was fun trying to get it and listening to all the stations that were likewise trying to make contact.  There are some happy hams as far away as Los Angeles and Phoenix that were able to eek out enough power to get over the top and catch a rare QSO. 

So, I will get back to trying to get my first HF QSO.  Who knows where the other station will be?  Here in the States?  Canada? or will I be lucky enough to have a QSO with a small foreign country somewhere out there?

73's