Pointing the beam..........

if using the left rig and West antenna site (formerly the N5WA array)
simply pressing the keyboard key just to the left of the number one and exclamation mark TOP keyboard numbers not the right key pad

it's called the Grey key
if shift was used it would be the squl key or something name
but we don't use shift

long winded explanation but if a call is in the call window pushing that button on 15/20/40 meters will swing the beams at that call area

Or simply roate the heading select knowb on the rotor control box
or use the CCW or CW buttons but that means keeping one hand on the switch
less ergonomic when typing and tuning the rig

cheers !

73
steve
KG5VK

WriteLog The Contesting Software at KG5VK

WrietLog is powerful software

set-up can be complicated because of it's many features
Contest OPS need not worry about set-up of the software
I have already done that :)

However I will share a few how to get the most out of the program while operating the contest
here in the BLOG over the next few weeks before the 18th

I will start with Editing a log entry
yes simple old back space or delete buttons work
but there are more tools like adding a note to a QSO logged enrty for later review
like was his call bzf for blooming zipper flipper or was that something else ?

This will help me when "cleaning" the log prior to submission

here we go.............................

Editing in the QSO Entry Window

Here is what the QSO Entry window looks like:

The character editing capabilities of the QSO Entry Window are extensive and follow:

BACKSPACE deletes the character to the left of the cursor.

CTRL+D and DELETE are identical and delete the character under the cursor.

CTRL+A moves the cursor to the beginning of the first (left most) field in the entry window.

HOME moves the cursor to the beginning of the current field.

CTRL+E moves the cursor to the end of the last field in the entry window.

END moves the cursor to the end of the current field.

CTRL+F (or right arrow) moves the cursor one character to the right.

CTRL+B (or left arrow) moves the cursor one character to the left.

ALT+W (or CTRL+BACKSPACE) clears all the fields in the Entry window, and places the cursor in the CALL field.

CTRL+W clears the current field.

ALT+T brings up the timed CQ dialog and turns timed CQ on or off.

ALT+C brings up the Rttyrite call queue, if you’re running RTTY. Otherwise it does nothing.

ALT+L forces a switch to LTRS if you’re running RTTY. Otherwise it does nothing.

Keypad * clears the RIT setting on your rig if it is attached and if it supports such an operation.

CTRL+K clears the current field to the right of the cursor.

TAB exits the current field and moves the cursor to the next one to the right, unless there isn't one. SHIFT+TAB goes to the previous one to left.

ENTER causes the current values in the Entry Window to be entered in the log at the end. (See also Special Message Accelerator Keys. If you are calling CQ, you want may turn on the preference that causes ENTER to simultaneously send CW, move the cursor through the entry fields, and log QSO's.) WriteLog can refuse to enter the QSO if there is something wrong with the entry. If so, it presents a message just below the CALL field saying what its complaining about.

The QSO fields configured to not accept the SPACE character (i.e., the callsign and numeric fields) usually respond to SPACE by moving the cursor to the beginning of the next field. However, SPACE from the right most field always goes to the CALL field. Typing a SPACE to the CALL field in the rare case (Sweepstakes only) where it is not the left most field goes either to the right, or to the first field whichever is opposite from the way it went the time before.

A right mouse click in this window brings up a menu of items that affect the window, or the radio it controls.

Editing in the QSO Log window

Let's assume that the call in the QSO Log window at number 5 below, JY/K9JY, is incorrect in that K9JY is really in the United States and not in Jordan as shown in the log. Before realizing the mistake in the heat of battle, the operator presses the Enter key and stores the QSO in the Log:

It would be great to have Jordan as a multiplier, but, unfortunately, K9JY is just another one of those 'W' contacts in the CQ WW SSB contest. To edit the contact in WriteLog is simple and follows normal Windows conventions.

First, double clicking on the QSO and the field to be corrected (in our example, the Call field containing JY/K9JY) opens a Log Edit window automatically as shown below:

You will notice that the Log Edit window automatically pops to the top of the QSO Log window. As a result, there is no need to position it on your screen; it pops up, takes the correction, and then politely goes away until needed again.

You will note that the field clicked is what is available to you. If you noticed an incorrect zone in the log, double click on the incorrect Zone to make the zone field available for edit.

Once you correct the call, press the Enter key. Your screen will now look like this:

Note two items: first, the Log Edit window politely went away. Second, note that WriteLog also corrected the country and country prefix with the edit so that the 'new country' multiplier is no longer in the log and the score has been corrected.

However, WriteLog does NOT correct the Zone for the contact for those contacts that use zones as a multiplier. For those situations, follow your editing process again and double click on the zone number for the K9JY QSO to bring up the Log Edit window, correct the zone, and press the Enter key to update the log.

Editing the time, date, or frequency of a QSO will produce a little dialog box that will allow you to either type or mouse click in the correct information.

Adding a Note to a QSO

WriteLog allows you to append a note to a QSO on the fly. Notes can be used for commentary (you're writing an article for National Contest Journal and want to remember what happened during a contest), or for reminders to you (check this station for proper country), or your own commentary about this contact. To do so, add a note to the QSO.

Once a station is in the QSO Entry window, simply type Alt-N (as in NOTE...). A mini window will pop up allowing you to type your note about the contact. All of these notes are stored in a separate file with your WriteLog contest and can be viewed with Notepad or WordPad. The popup window looks like this:

Once you have added your note, click on OK for the note to be saved.

you can read a whole bunch on WriteLog at www.writelog.com
don't over look K9JY's website linked from the wl url

73
steve
KG5VK

ARRL SweepStakes is around the corner.........

The CW Portion of ARRL SS is this coming week-end (Nov 4th)
Phone is the 18th

steve
KG5VK

Low bands is where it's at.............

a lot of the time 80/75m is so hard to listen to
because of atmospheric noise QRN and lightning crashes from thousands of miles away are really hard on the ears

with us approaching the end of the bottom of this sun spot or solar cycle we should take advantage of the quiter than normal times

No low band antenna you say, a modest vertical with 7 above ground radials or an Inverted "L" will get you there
last week I worked several new ones on 75 and 80 meters.

73
steve
KG5VK

Someone recently said no one is writing new software tools for Hams for free any more....

To that I say bull !

Here is a really neat tool that may change the dynamics of contesting

A live score Board of the action in almost real time

watch CQWW play out on www.getscores.org! Tell your friends.

written by Gerry, W1VE

Check it out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is Kewel and did I mention it's FREE !

steve
KG5VK

A Fantastic little company that has the Ham Radio Spirit

It's great when you buy a product from Hams that treat other like they would want to be treated

I found a product I needed, I read the reviews

I ordered it

Got it installed and proptly took a lightning hit
my new gear was damaged

I called Jeff and he said pack it up and ship it back to us and we will fix it up and bill you for the return shipping.

Who the heck am I talking about ?
Glad you asked.............

www.GreenHeronEngineering.com

They make one product and they do an awesome job at building a quality product that can only be exelled by their service and support

The RT-20 Rotor controller
is much more than just a different rotor controller than that that came with your rotor

It has programable soft turning limits
it has stop turn for coasting compensation
it has better than 1 degree accuracy if your POT has the resolution for it

It comes standard with a buit-in RS-232 controll so your computer software can tell your rotor where to go :)

A small point and shoot know
for pointing and then hands off rotation

as well as a standard ccw and cw switch

all with service and support from Real Ham Radio ops !!!

In 36 days you may enjoy some of these features while operating ARRL SweepStakes here at KG5VK

Remember SS is 18 November !

and we will also be enjoying increased Phone band previleges

73
steve
KG5VK

The ARRL website as well as many others has band expansion news !!!

From 7.150 expanded to 7.125 for Phone

and us Extra class ops get a boat load more room on 75/80 meter phone band
they (The FCC) did nothing with respect to the Code test

read it all at http://www.arrl.org

Remember to check and make sure the date of November 18 is marked out for operating in ARRL Phone Sweepstakes contest with increased phone sub bands it should be really really interesting !!!

73
steve
KG5VK

QRZ ? de KG5VK mobile W4

16 September
I'm in Georgia, again
While enroute from Shreveport/Bossier
I worked the Ukraine and Costa Rica and about a dozen other Europeans
Band conditions on 20m were awesome during our drive here yesterday (15 September)

and the best QSO was with Mr Bug Catcher
yeap I am driving down the road while working DX on 20 meters and alongside me pulls this Van

in the passenger side is some one waving 5 2 on their hands at me with a handie talkie
so I switch over to 52 and worked Henry
who is Mr Bug Catcher
the designer builder of my mobile antenna

We visited for awhile
it was really neat to get a chance to chat with the antenna manufacturer while on the road !

Hope everyone back at home is having an awesome week-end WX here is is great
I am considering adding a 12m/17m/30m beam to my antenna farm

any suggestions ?

73
steve
KG5VK

Band Condidtions

This excerpt from todays ARRL Propagation
forecast....
"Right now is a fairly good time for long-distance HF communications, because the geomagnetic field is mostly stable, sunspots haven't disappeared, and we are close to the Autumnal Equinox. Running intercontinental paths with ACE-HF propagation software shows very little in the way of openings on the upper bands above 20 meters, with the best bets on 40, 30 and 20 meters."
I have been having a ball on 40m in the morning between 6:30 and 9 local.

steve
KG5VK

Did U know

That if you log into the Blog from an Invitation that I have sent you you may add articles
instead of simply replying to any that I start
So you can start a subject, yourself.
If I have not sent you an invite just ask me in an email and I will add your name to the invite list

The SDX is not my forum
I want other authors,
it would be great if every member could be a thread starter (author)

73
steve
KG5VK

What have you worked today ?

This thread is geared towards sharing what you have worked and when
Please join in
73
steve

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.
The YO DX HF Contest, ALARA Contest,Hawaii QSO Party, Keyman's Club of Japan CW Contest, SCC RTTY Championship, Ohio QSO Party, SARL HF CW Contest and the CQC SummerVHF/UHF QSO Party will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend.
Please see August QST, page 89 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.
Reminder there is a link to the WA7BNM contest calendar from the SARA website

W4H

Amateur Radio special event to showcase emergency communication capabilities -- As part of Hurricane Expo Saturday, August 26, in Charleston, South Carolina, members of three Amateur Radio Emergency Service teams (Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester ARES) will operate an emergency-powered special event station
W4H ("Watching 4 Hurricanes") will employ generator power and temporary antennas on 80 through 10 meters from 1300 until 2100 UTC. Stations contacted will receive a commemorative QSL card. Hurricane Expo will aim to inform Charleston-area citizens on how they can protect themselves before, during and after a hurricane. It will feature a hurricane simulator and a demonstration area that will include a live Amateur Radio demonstration.--Dennis R. Zabawa, KG4RUL

Sun Down DX Association

Sun Down DX Association
Please keep in mind that the SDXA is an Inclusive organization
we want anyone and everyone that has like interest to join
whether you wish to only join conversations here thru the Blog or at the meetings at Chef Lee following the SARA meetings
you are welcome !

Steve

North Alabama DX Club

North Alabama DX Club

The North Alabama Dx Club members were the hoist to DXers from around the nation during the recent Huntsville Hamfest.

KF5XV Bobby and myself (kg5vk) were indeed impressed
by their professionalism and hospitality.

I encourage all SDXA members to consider joining the NADXC
I have already mailed my application !

Steve

A Propagation tool that is an Ace

ACE

ACE stands for "Animated Communications Effectiveness", a coverage display technique originally developed for U.S. Navy submarine communications.

The ACE method shows a sequential series of coverage maps. When the maps are animated, a movie is shown.

ACE-HF's advantage is that the effects of the day's passage may be easily understood. ACE shows when the HF bands will be open in different world areas.

ACE comprehensive review

ACE has been ordered by me for implimentation in the KG5VK Contest station.

Steve

Welcome to the reincarnation of SDXA

Formally known as The Shreveport DX Association
The Sundown Dx Association aka "SDXA"
is made up of members that have a like interests

While we will refuse no one form becoming a member (we wish to be a inclusive rather than exclusive organization) those that love to chase DX and esp those that love to nail it with the first call while running lots a watts should definitely apply for membership.

Application for membership could not be simpler
just show up at the SDXA dinner following the Regular monthly SARA meetings at Chef Lee's

Remember all we ask is that you have a passion for chasing and catching DX !

All members are encouraged to post comments here in the Blog !!!

73
Steve
KG5VK