Welcome to HCRA

Tag: ARRL

  • ARRL 10 Meter Contest This Weekend!

    Hello Fellow HCRA Members,

    This is a reminder that the 10 meter contest is this weekend and we will again be participating not only as individuals, but also as a club. The band has had some great openings over the last couple months, so there is some potential to see quite a bit of activity during the contest.

    A couple of things to remember:

    • For HCRA to get credit for your score, you must have “Hampden County Radio Association” spelled out in the “CLUB” field in the cabrillio file you submit to ARRL after the contest (ex. CLUB: Hampden County Radio Association)
    • If you use ANY assistance (ie Cluster Network, Facebook, QRZ.com, Telephone, etc), you need to change your operating category to Multi-Single instead of Single-Op.
    • Work on setting up logging NOW and not 10 minutes before the contest.
    • READ THE RULES!!!  It can seem daunting, but they’re not too complicated, just detailed.  Knowing what to expect makes all the difference in the world.
    • If you don’t understand something, let us know and we’ll do our best to explain and help get you going.
    • DD gift cards will be awarded to anyone who scores over 100K.
    • HAVE FUN!  Don’t get hung up on the equipment that you have compared to what others are using or how everyone else is doing.  Just focus on your own operating and try to do better than the year before or if you’ve never operated in the contest, set a baseline to try to beat next year.  We do this because it’s fun!

    When the contest is over, please send me your claimed score and QSO breakdown so we can update the HCRA page. Below are few useful links for more information. Again, don’t hesitate to ask questions if there is something you don’t understand. Also, if you need a place to operate or want to try HF for the first time, let us know and we might be able to find a station where you can guest op.

    General Rules for all ARRL Contests:
    http://www.arrl.org/general-rules-for-all-arrl-contests

    10 meter contest rules in addition to the general rules:
    http://www.arrl.org/10-meter

    Contest basics for those new to contesting:
    http://www.arrl.org/contest-basics

    A deeper look into contesting:
    http://www.arrl.org/contest-toolbox-tutorials

    GL ES 73 DE W1MSW

  • HCRA Invades Agawam

    T minus 4 days and counting.

    Agawam residents should be on the look out for Amateur Radio operators.

    They look like normal people, dress like normal people, but have a language all their own.

    Some speak in code (CW), Some in Digital ( RTTY, PSK), Even the words they use(CQ, 59 WMA, 73).

    Here is what we know about their movements for this weekend they call Field Day.

    Starting with a healthy Breakfast at 8:00AM Friday Morning at Partners restaurant   485 Springfield St.

    http://www.partnersrestaurant.com/ordereze/default.aspx

    [google-map-v3 width=”350″ height=”350″ zoom=”12″ maptype=”roadmap” mapalign=”center” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”485 Springfield St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030{}coffee.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

    Then its off to School street park to do the setup.
    [google-map-v3 width=”350″ height=”350″ zoom=”12″ maptype=”roadmap” mapalign=”center” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”42.073667,-72.592786{}cablecar.png{}School Street Park” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

    As set up continues through out the day we will be breaking for lunch and dinner which will be left to the hired volunteer help on what they want to do.

    (Note: VE session is the 28th)
    [google-map-v3 width=”350″ height=”350″ zoom=”12″ maptype=”roadmap” mapalign=”center” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”42.201254,-72.628675{}contract.png{}Holyoke Hospital VE Exam” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

    Some will stay and guard their precious aluminum that they have freshly planted and some will even stay overnight.

    On Saturday morning they get going again with some coffee and other foods from the locals.  They will continue on the setup, do any last minute repairs, and do the testing.

    If all is well at 2:00PM Saturday the festivities commence.  For the next 24 hours all that the residence of Agawam will hear is the hum of generators and people calling CQ or -.-. –.- Field day this is W1NY.

    At 2:00 PM on Sunday all goes quiet.  Peace starts returning back to this little town as the Hams of HCRA disassemble the great flowers and return them to their collapsed state.

    As things are put away neatly in the Storage trailer, people are saying goodby for the summer months  and will see every one again in the fall.

    73 and Good Night

    DE KB1NWH

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • HCRA Field Day makes local paper

    FD

    [google-map-v3 width=”350″ height=”350″ zoom=”12″ maptype=”roadmap” mapalign=”center” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”42.073651,-72.593356{}cablecar.png{}School Street Park” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

     

    Well looks like the advertising campaign for FD 2013 has gotten under way.  We also have gotten a pencil in visit from the mayor of Agawam.  Great bonuses this year.

     

    Hope to get some more volunteers for this new setup and new location.  Should be more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

     

    Ed

    KB1NWH

  • T minus 22.5 hours and counting…

    Until what you say? Why this weekend’s 10 meter contest – that’s what!

    Will you represent HCRA in this contest, score 100K points and win a $10 DD gift card for your efforts? Or will you do something boring like go shopping? The choice is in your hands but only YOU can make the choice.

    There’s been a lot of chatter about the contest to date and I don’t want to repeat what’s already been posted. Not sure what I’m talking about, then click here and here to learn more. Besides getting on the air, operating and having fun there’s a few important things to remember. In order of importance they could be:

    1. Your shack must be able to be QRV (on the air) on 10 meters? (don’t worry, if you don’t have an HF setup we’ve got you covered – just keep reading)
    2. Have a Novice (remember those), Technician class license or above. (that’s everyone!)
    3. Be familiar with the ‘rules of the game’. They can be found here.
    4. Send in your log (read the rules) and don’t forget to put “Hampden County Radio Association” in the club field of your entry. (you must also be a member of HCRA).
    5. Contact either Matt/W1MSW or myself if you have any questions – we’re here to help.

    That’s all there is to it. The contest starts at 7:00 PM Friday evening (0000Z December 8th) and ends at 7:00 PM Sunday evening (0000Z December 10th). A possible 48 hours of fun but because it is 10 meters you’ll have time to sleep in between – it is unusual for the band to be open past midnight.

    But wait, I don’t have an HF station, or I’m not sure how to operate, or….

    That’s OK. There’s at least one shack open to our members for guest operation this weekend. Come on over to the KK1W station and we will get you on the air. Phone or CW, we can do both. A decent radio, good antenna, KW amplifier and comfortable shack will make it fun. We’ll be operating under our club call, WB1Z and will be QRV for the entire contest. Ed/KB1NWH and Frandy/N1FJ have signed on but we need more. More ops, more company, more BS – it all means more fun!

    Please call or email me ahead of time so I can be prepared for the rush. I guarantee you’ll have a good time and hopefully learn something about contest and/or HF operation at the same time. See you this weekend!

    ’73…
    Jim/KK1W

  • DX Bulletin 48

    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT  November 21, 2012
    To all radio amateurs

    SB DX ARL ARLD048
    ARLD048 DX news

    This week’s bulletin was made possible with information provided by CX3AL, N4QX, NC1L, VU2DSI, The Weekly DX, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin,
    425 DX News, The Daily DX, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites.  Thanks to all.

    TUNISIA, 3V.  Ash, 3V4-002 will be QRV as 3V8BB from Bir El Bay, Tunis in the CQ World Wide DX CW contest as a Single Op/All Band/Low Power entry.  QSL via LX1NO.

    ITU HQ, 4UxITU.  Serge, VA3SB, Brennan, N4QX and possibly others will be QRV as 4U1ITU during the CQ World Wide DX CW contest.  They may also be active as time permits until November 28.  QSL via the HB QSL bureau.

    CYPRUS, 5B.  Jack, R2AA will be QRV as P3N during the CQ World Wide DX CW contest as a Single Op/All Band/High Power entry.  QSL via RW3RN.

    WEST MALAYSIA, 9M2.  Champ, E21EIC will be QRV as 9M2/E21EIC from November 23 to 27.  This includes being a Single Op/All Band/Low Power entry in the CQ World Wide DX CW contest.  JA stations QSL via JR5XPG and all others to home call.

    CHINA, BY.  Jack, BA4ALC will be QRV as BY5CD in the CQ World Wide DX CW contest as a Single Op/All Band entry.  QSL via BD4HF.

    BAHAMAS, C6.  Brian, ND3F will be QRV as C6AQQ from Nassau, IOTA NA-001, in the CQ World Wide DX CW contest as a Single Op/All Band/Low Power entry.  Outside the contest, he will be active on 17 and 12 meters, and possibly 160 and 80 meters as well.  QSL via operator’s instructions.

    URUGUAY, CX.  Look for operators CW5W, CX2DK, CX3AL, CX5TR, CX7CO and CX7ACH to be QRV in the CQ World Wide DX CW contest as various entry types.  QSL to home calls.

    BELARUS, EU.  Valentin, EU1AA will be QRV in the CQ World Wide DX CW contest as a Single Op/All Band/QRP entry.  QSL to home call.

    HONDURAS, HR.  Hiro, JA6WFM, will be QRV as HQ2N from San Pedro Sula in the CQ World Wide DX CW contest as a Single Op/Single Band/10 meter entry.  QSL via EA5GL.

    THAILAND, HS.  Dej, E21YDP, will be QRV as a Single Op/All Band/Low Power entry in the CQ World Wide DX CW contest.  QSL to home call.

    JAN MAYEN, JX.  Svein, LA9JKA is QRV as JX9JKA until around April 11, 2013.  Activity is on the HF bands, including 60 meters, using SSB and various digital modes.  QSL direct to home call.

    FRANZ JOSEF LAND, R1/F.  Eugene, UA4RX will be QRV as RI1FJ in the CQ World Wide DX CW contest as a Single Op/Single Band/Low Power/15 meter entry.  QSL direct via UA2FM.

    PALAU, T8.  Naotsugu, JA1MML is QRV as T8NS until November 26.  This includes being a Single Op/All Band entry in the CQ World Wide DX CW contest.  QSL via operator’s instructions.

    INDIA, VU.  Special event station AU2JCB will be QRV from November
    24 to December 10 to celebrate the scientist Aacharya Jagadish Chandra Bose.  Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using SSB and FM on 6 meters.  QSL via VU2DSI.

    THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The CQ Worldwide DX CW Contest, QRP CW Fox Hunt and NCCC Sprint are all scheduled for this upcoming weekend.  Please see November QST, page 91 and the ARRL and WA7BNM Contest websites for details.

  • OPERATING TIP

    OPERATING TIP

    CQ WW RTTY Director, Ed WØYK, shares the log submission issues experienced by all contest sponsors. “It is apparent that many people do not read the robot email reply they receive. At the bottom of that email, the robot lists the format errors in the log. If you don’t understand what the robot is telling you, then simply compare that specific QSO line with the format specified on the Logs web page. The problem should be obvious.

    “Major logging programs like Win-Test, N1MM Logger and WriteLog all create compliant Cabrillo files … IF you enter your data correctly. For example, if you enter your sent exchange as ‘CA 03’ in N1MM Logger (which is backwards from the required order for CQ WW RTTY), it will come out in that (incorrect) order in the Cabrillo file.

    “You can easily edit your Cabrillo file with a text editor. Since is it common to add, change or move the same parameter field in every QSO line, a column editor is invaluable. I recommend the freeware Crimson Editor.”

    So read that robot message! If it tells you there is something wrong with your log – do something about it and resubmit it. Double- and triple-check your operating category and all of the information for your station. Once you have a happy robot and you are a happy log submitter – save the confirming message in an easy-to-find location. My email software has a folder named “Contest Log Submissions” for all of my log submission confirmation messages. It’s easy and helps avoid the dreaded “forgot to send in my log” disease.

  • DX Bulletin 43

    This week’s bulletin was made possible with information provided by NC1L, W3UR, QRZ DX, The Weekly DX, the OPDX Bulletin, 425 DX News, The Daily DX, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites.  Thanks to all.

    ZAMBIA, 9J.  Gert, ZS6AYU is QRV as 9J2GR from the Mama Out of Africa lodge at the Zambezi river near Livingstone until October 22.
    Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using CW.  (more…)

  • DX Bulletin 42

    ARLD042 DX news

    This week’s bulletin was made possible with information provided by NC1L, W3UR, QRZ DX, The Weekly DX, the OPDX Bulletin, 425 DX News, The Daily DX, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites.  Thanks to all.

    RODRIGUES ISLAND, 3B9.  A group of operators will be QRV as 3B9SP from October 16 to 23.  Activity will be on the HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK with three stations active.  QSL via HB9ACA.

    NIGER, 5U.  Stations 5U5U, 5U6E and 5U8NK are QRV (more…)

  • CONTESTS 26 September through 9 October

     

    CONTESTS

    26 September through 9 October

    An expanded, downloadable version of QST’s Contest Corral in PDF format is available. Check the sponsor’s Web site for information on operating time restrictions and other instructions.

    HF CONTESTS

    SKCC Straight Key Sprint–CW from Sep 26, 0000Z to Sep 26, 0200Z. Monthly on the 4th Wednesday UTC. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50. Exchange: RST, QTH, name, SKCC nr or power. Logs due: 5 days. Rules

    CQ WW RTTY Contest–Digital from Sep 29, 0000Z to Sep 30, 2400Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST, CQ zone and State/VE area (US/VE). Logs due: Nov 1. Rules

    Texas QSO Party–Phone,CW,Digital from Sep 29, 1400Z (multiple operating periods, see website). Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50,144, Frequencies (MHz): CW–20 to 50 kHz above band edge; Phone–25 kHz above edge of General segment. Exchange: RS(T), county or S/P/C. Logs due: Oct 31. Rules

    ARS Spartan Sprint–CW from Oct 2, 0200Z to Oct 2, 0400Z. Monthly on the first Monday evening local time. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and power. Logs due: 2 days. Rules

    OK1WC Memorial Contest–Phone,CW from Oct 2, 1600Z (see website). First through fourth Monday of each month. Bands (MHz): 3.5, 50, 144, see website for bands. Exchange: RS(T) and serial. Logs due: 7 days. Rules http://www.hamradio.cz/ok1wc

    SNS and NS Weekly Sprints–CW,Digital from Oct 5, 0200Z to Oct 5, 0300Z. Weekly on Thursday evenings local time. Bands (MHz): 1.8-14. Exchange: Serial, name, and S/P/C. Logs due: 2 days. Rules

    DX/NA YLRL Anniversary Party–Phone,CW,Digital from Oct 5, 1400Z to Oct 7, 0200Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: Serial, RST, and section/province/country. Logs due: 30 days. Rules

    PSK Rumble – The Fall Classic–Digital from Oct 6, 0000Z to Oct 6, 2400Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50. Exchange: Name and call area (see website). Logs due: Oct 31. Rules

    Worked All Provinces of China–Phone,CW from Oct 6, 0000Z to Oct 6, 2359Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RS(T) and serial or province abbreviation. Logs due: Oct 31. Rules

    EPC Russia DX Contest–Digital from Oct 6, 0400Z to Oct 7, 0359Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: EPC member nr or serial and grid square. Logs due: Oct 22. Rules

    Oceania DX Phone Contest–Phone from Oct 6, 0800Z to Oct 7, 0800Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RS and serial. Logs due: Nov 7. Rules

    Worked All Britain HF Contest–Phone from Oct 6, 1200Z to Oct 7, 1200Z. Bands (MHz): 14-28. Exchange: RS, serial, DXCC entity or WAB area. Logs due: Oct 28. Rules

    California QSO Party–Phone,CW from Oct 6, 1600Z to Oct 7, 2200Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50,144. Exchange: Serial and state/prov/”DX” or CA county. Logs due: Oct 31. Rules

    EU Autumn Sprint–Phone from Oct 6, 1600Z to Oct 6, 1959Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-14. Exchange: Both call signs, serial, name. Logs due: 15 days. Rules

    RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest–Phone,CW from Oct 7, 0700Z to Oct 7, 1900Z. Bands (MHz): 21,28. Exchange: Serial and UK district. Logs due: Oct 22. Rules

    VHF+ CONTESTS

    ARRL EME Contest–Phone,CW,Digital from Oct 6, 0000Z to Oct 7, 2359Z. Bands (MHz): 2.3G+. Exchange: Call signs, sig rpt, acknowledgement. Logs due: Jan 1. Rules

    902 MHz Fall VHF Sprint–Phone,CW,Digital from Sep 29, 7 AM to Sep 29, 1 PM. Bands (MHz): 902+. Exchange: 6-character grid locator. Logs due: 4 weeks. Rules

    432 MHz Fall VHF Sprint–Phone,CW,Digital from Oct 3, 7 PM to Oct 3, 11 PM. Bands (MHz): 432. Exchange: 4-character grid square. Logs due: 4 weeks. Rules

    Texas QSO Party–Phone,CW,Digital from Sep 29, 1400Z (multiple operating periods, see website). Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50,144, Frequencies (MHz): CW–20 to 50 kHz above band edge; Phone–25 kHz above edge of General segment. Exchange: RS(T), county or S/P/C. Logs due: Oct 31. Rules

    OK1WC Memorial Contest–Phone,CW from Oct 2, 1600Z (see website). First through fourth Monday of each month. Bands (MHz): 3.5, 50, 144, see website for bands. Exchange: RS(T) and serial. Logs due: 7 days. Rules

    PSK Rumble – The Fall Classic–Digital from Oct 6, 0000Z to Oct 6, 2400Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50. Exchange: Name and call area (see website). Logs due: Oct 31. Rules

    California QSO Party–Phone,CW from Oct 6, 1600Z to Oct 7, 2200Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50,144. Exchange: Serial and state/prov/”DX” or CA county. Logs due: Oct 31. Rules

    LOG DUE DATES

    26 September through 9 October

     

  • 2012 Field Day Summary

    Last June Hampden County Radio Association once again participated in the annual ARRL Field Day event. This year we added an additional transmitter, which put us in the 8A category. As usual, the event was an overall success with our members and visitors having a great time while operating and enjoying each other’s company.

    And like every field day, the successes were accompanied by a few problems that no doubt affected our overall score and morale for a short time during the event.  However, solving those problems was an excellent test of our ability to troubleshoot problems under pressure.  Although there were problems with the antenna for the 15 meter and 20 meter SSB station, the 40 meter SSB station led by band captain Jeff – NT1K set an all time record for points for that station at Field Day and helped pick up the slack while others worked to get the other stations back online.  Jeff even brought in operators from New Hampshire and New York.

    Nick – N1MAZ picked up the responsibility for the wireless network this year and a combination of Nick’s excellent support and operators getting more comfortable with the N1MM logging software gave us our most successful year using that combo to network all of the stations together.  During Jose – N4BAA’s late night visit, it was quite fun to see operator’s names in the log change to “CW GOD”, “North Korea” & “CW is lame”.  Nothing like a little humor at 1am to help wake you up and keep working stations!

    Back again this year was Jim – NN1Y with new assistant Mike – KB1VHS keeping everyone well fed and happy.  The pavilion provided a great place for everyone to take a break from the dits, dahs and static and catch up with each other over some great food and drinks.

    Dianne – KB1KST graciously volunteered to coach the WB1Z GOTA station and was able to get a few new operators on the air as well as some folks who aren’t so new!

    And it wouldn’t be a Field Day in New England with out some summer boomers moving through.  Friday afternoon brought some lightening as storms to the south of us moved through.  And again on Saturday, big storms blew in and stations were shut down until it was again safe to operate.

    The big change at Field Day this year was the use of HF triplexers and a reduction in the number necessary towers.  What did we learn?  That the triplexers work great, but that if one antenna has problems, it affects more than one station!  What did we really learn?  Don’t have antenna problems!

    No field day summary is complete without some ideas for next year.  The big one is probably better distributed management, specifically with the towers.  Some have suggested tower teams consisting of several workers and a tower manager for each tower.  Managers would be experienced with installing AB-577 tower and the antenna going on top of it and would then direct the rest of their team on how to put the tower and antenna together in the proper and safest manner. Others have suggested fewer stations.  It has also suggested that we focus less on bonus points and put more focus everyone operating as well as making sure that volunteers with non-radio related jobs get plenty of time to operate.  All of these boil down to management and we’ll make sure to take them all into consideration for next year.

    A huge thank you to everyone who helped make field day a fun, educational and radio filled event.  It’s the biggest event in our club each year and without everyone’s help we wouldn’t be able to pull off such a large operation that brings new hams into the hobby each year.

    See you in June 2013!

    Matt – W1MSW

    Here is our score summary:

    Score Summary:
    CW  Digital  Phone  Total
    Total QSOs   1253     36    1615
    Total Points   2506     72    1615   4193

    Claimed Score = 8,386
    Bonus Points = 1850
    Total Points = 10236