Archive - November 2010

Sea Water HF VHF Antenna Designers claiming 2-400 Mhz

Click the Photo …..
and watch the Link – interesting (if you’re into that sort of thing!).

Cards done and to be sent to the RSGB Bureau this week are:-

G4RCG 45, MØIAA 49, MW0OXO/P (WFF) 85, MØOXO 100, GB0WFF (WFF) 75, GB2NSF 180.
Latest batch from the Buro arrived last Wednesday and were processed by Saturday.

I am now moving on to assist Igor RA3CQ to confirm hundreds in his logbook as he has experienced serious problems in the Buro system at his side.
Along with Tim M0URX, we declined his generous offer to assist with costs and instead we offered to sponsor the printing of his cards, labels and postage, in an attempt to help him out.
I am hopeful that the ‘black cloud’ hovering around his enjoyment of the hobby may now be lifted and once more he can enjoy the hobby as is intended.

This is strictly BPSK63 contest, no other modes are allowed. The maximum output power is 100 watts. Recommended frequencies are: 160 meters (1.838 – 1.840 MHz), 80 meters (3.582 – 3.590 MHz), 40 meters (7.040 – 7.050 MHz), 20 meters (14.072 – 14.080 MHz), 15 meters (21.072 – 21.080 MHz), and 10 meters (28.072 – 28.080 MHz). Please note that since this year EPC members should send signal report plus 5-digit EPC membership number (example – 599 EPC00001). Please make sure that you don’t separate «EPC» from the «Number», and you don’t use any characters between. Please make sure that your EPC number consists of 5 digits! Other stations should send signal report plus QSO number, starting 001 (example – 599 001). You should send your log via E-mail: [email protected]

Using MixW in this Contest. The new set of files for the MixW data mode software makes your particiapation in the EPC PSK63 QSO Party most enjoyable. You can download this set of files at StatsEUEPC.zip.

Contest Log Checker Software

Several new awards received this week from my activities.

Most are shown in the Gallery under
‘Radio Awards’.

The one shown here is the Suffix Hunter Award issued
by Reinhard Lipkow (DK1IO) and relates to PSK-63 and
PSK-125 modes.

Are you, or have you considered being a member of the
European PSK Club (reported to be the biggest Ham
Radio Club in the World!)

The group offers a wide range of items to intrest Amateurs including News, current events, Awards, Contest information and so much more!

Check EPC out today …click here!

Remembrance Day (also known as Armistice Day or Veterans Day ) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries to remember the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognised as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries.

More information about the Two-Minute Silence, Remembrance Sunday and the Remembrance Festival is available on the Legion’s website.

The original decision of the Committee (to discontinue the event after 2010) was based on the poor level of support by UK stations as reflected not solely by the number of UK entrants (which, although low, has remained almost constant over recent years despite the sunspot decline) but also by the total number of QSOs made by overseas stations, which includes the contribution made by the dwindling pool of ‘casual’ UK operators.  This had led to comments from overseas operators remarking on the absence of UK stations to work even though there was propagation.  The Committee felt that it was not appropriate to run an international HF contest where the overseas leaders were struggling to achieve an average of 10 Qs per hour.

Immediately before and after the 2010 contest, the Committee received a number of requests to reconsider and there was considerable traffic on this reflector in the same vein.  Accordingly, on Sunday, the Committee reviewed its decision.

The logs are now all in and the number of UK entries is increased (not by the very optimistic figures which have been bandied about recently, but well up nonetheless).  Additionally, the leading overseas entrants have made nearly twice as many QSOs this year as in 2009, in propagation conditions which were still not exactly brilliant, which would indicate that ‘casual’ participation was also increased.  How much of this increased support was due to the desire to ‘be in the last one’ is a matter for conjecture!

After considerable deliberation the Committee reached a majority decision that the event will be continued for at least one more year and will remain contributory to the HF Contest Championship.  The Committee were agreed, however, that the event is still marginal and that its inclusion in the calendar after 2011 will be contingent upon the level of UK support continuing to improve.

(Photo above shows M0OXO receiving the Whitworth Trophy from Angus Annan (MM1CCR), President of RSGB back in 1997 for First Place in the 21/28Mhz Contest)