SKCC's February Weekend Sprint-a-thon

Stacked 

This weekend was the SKCC February Weekend Sprintathon (WES). I know the bands were busy with RTTY and had I still lived in Alaska, I would have been diddling my way across the bands in another low power RTTY effort. Ironically, I just received some RTTY wallpaper and wrote about it on my KL8DX blog. But since I have no way of running RTTY here yet, I decided that any free time I had was going to be directed toward working CW with my straight key.

I began Saturday with only my Yaesu FT-857D. When Sunday rolled around, I decided to pull the Icom IC-703Plus out of the portable box and set it up. I had the power output set for 1 watt. I have a 3 position antenna switch which I use to switch between the rigs. It's an eBay special so the isolation stinks, but it works as it's a quick and easy way for me to switch between rigs. The Yaesu allows me to dial down to 5 watts, however I find the need to go even lower from time to time. 

Rigs 2 Keys

Getting back to the WES, I found that my indoor set up was hearing best on 15 meters. Since I use my Buddipole antenna indoors, I normally will set it up for 40 meters first and then tune around on the different bands. Once I find the band with the most activity, I will re-tune the antenna for that band. Needless to say, there is no quick band switching for me. I started off Saturday on 40 meters, briefly went to 20 meters for just a few contacts and then headed to 15 meters where most of my weekend activity took place. I enjoy the high bands because when the bands are open, I can easily work thousands of miles away. I know that 15 was in great shape for me and my puny setup so there is no doubt it had to be good for those who had outdoor antenna's. 

With shopping on Saturday morning / afternoon and my normal weekend duties to complete on Sunday, I did not have lots of time to devote to the key but I was able to log 57 straight key QSO's. I worked a handful of European stations on Sunday morning on 15 meters.  It was great to finally run into several stations that I've not worked since I pulled the plug in Alaska. The weekend highlight was working my buddy Martin, W3MLK and then toward the end of the contest, working Karen, W4KRN. Pete, N1ABS welcomed me to the neighborhood and by the time the WES was over, I added a few new SKCC numbers to the logbook, too. I wrapped up my effort on 40 meters, the same band I started. My last QSO was with Dan, W9DLN for a WI multiplier. Not band considering and my longest QSO on 40 meters for the weekend. 

CW, The KEY to Success

I miss my 4 elements and my Icom IC-756PRO, which I could pull out of the box however, I'm enjoying my portable set up for now. I do miss working JT65, PSK31 and the other digital modes! I wish I could find my interface cable for my Icom! I'm also not able to find my Cellpro battery charger so that I can charge my A123 portable batteries. Until I can get them charged, I won't be operating /p anytime soon. But for now, I'm just happy being able to get on the air from time to time and having the success that I do. I worked 35 different SPC's (States, Provinces or Countries) this weekend so for me, CW was my KEY to DX success!  

Club'n It & The Key

I decided that since I was back in society and there is no better way to hook up with other hams who share my passion for DX and contesting than to make my way to a few local club meetings. This from a guy who really does not do social events but ham radio events are exceptions to that rule. 

I received a complimentary newsletter from the Nashua Area Radio Club in Nashua, NH. After reading it, I decided to attend their next club meeting on December 3rd. In looking into the club, I discovered that the president was Ed, K2TE. In researching my KL8DX logbook, I found I had worked Ed several times in contests (approximately 17). I also found that I had worked Bill, NJ1H (treasurer) several times as well (approximately 10) so a few callsigns I was familiar with. 

After attending the meeting, I decided to join the club and of course, the highlight was chatting with Ed about contesting. Ed let me know that the Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC) was going to have their next meeting soon as well. The bug was put in my ear regarding YCCC prior to leaving Alaska. I was excited for the possibility to attend that meeting as well. Here was a highly respected club with many respected "contesting heavy hitters" that I could hopefully spend time with and learn from. 

WW2DX talking about remote operating

When I read that WW2DX & W2RE were putting on a presentation regarding remote operating at the YCCC meeting, it peaked my interest even more. I've read several articles about remote operating, a few controversial. I'm not opposed to those who take advantage of such a service. I mean really, a chance to sit in your condo or HOA located QTH and use a station that has stacked antenna's in a prime location with all the bells and whistles you could ask for, all  controllable from your home computer. It was a very interesting presentation to say the least and not only did I learn plenty about remote operating, I also got to see up close and personal a Elecraft K3. It was their stripped down web version but it was neat to actually see it in true life rather than in a magazine photograph. All in all, I was very impressed with the amount of time and effort WW2DX and W2RE have invested in their business.

Live Demonstration

Both club meetings were fun to attend as it has been many years since I've attended one. Having a handful of clubs in the area is exciting. I have one more club meeting with another local club I would like to attend. I use local loosely as to me, Maine is local! We are still adjusting to being able to drive to a store in less than 10 minutes from our doorstep. After 6 months, I think we are finally getting used to shopping for a week or two rather than a month. I remember trips to Fairbanks, Alaska and returning with the backseat of our F-350 packed solid not to mention the cold bags in the bed of the truck! 

I did not have much free time this weekend but I wanted to participate in the SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (WES). I found the bands somewhat horrible for my indoor antenna on Saturday. I did manage a few QSO's on 40 meters. I'm still amazed at how far I've been able to work stations on 40 meters with my Buddipole. The only issue with operating 40 meters with an indoor antenna is that I'm very limited to my power output. It seems that when I send CW on 40 meters with much over 80 watts, the hardwired smoke detectors chirp with each and every tap of my key. Not a sound that is sweet to the ears of the other occupants, including the indoor animals. 

I only managed a couple of contacts on Saturday but I left my antenna up so I could hit the bands on Sunday morning. Once the family was up and out of harms way of any RF, I was on the air on 40 meters once again. I managed a few more QSO's before I had to take a break from the bands. It was obvious that 40 meter propagation was getting poor so I decided when I made it back to the rig, I would re-tune my Buddipole for 20 meters. 

Once I was able to return to the air a few hours later, 20 meters was where I started. I only made one contact there before it was time to head to the YCCC meeting. I left everything up as I had hoped to make it home to work the last few hours on the WES. It just so happened, that was how the plan worked. I was able to catch a few more QSO's on 20 meters upon returning home and then it was back to 40 meters. By the time the dust cleared and the WES was over, I managed a whopping 12 QSO's! But 12 QSO's are better than NO QSO's! All contacts were Search & Pounce (S&P) but it was great to snag several new SKCC QSO's including a few calls I have worked for years.

I very much enjoy CW and straight key sending is very relaxing. And speaking of SKCC, I met up and chatted with another member at the YCCC club meeting. I had a nice conversation with Barry, NF1O and his wife Mary, NE1F. Barry has been very active in SKCC and I've worked him from my station in Alaska. 

So, it was a ham radio filled week and weekend and I'm now a proud member of two clubs. I'm very excited to be affiliated with YCCC and of course NARC as well. With Work Radiosport Team Competition (WRTC) taking place in our backyard in 2014, this next year looks to be full of ham radio fun and the best part is, I'm right in the middle of it all!