Not everyone knows everything about contesting in Ham Radio the day they become a contest op
here is a good resource on everything about contesting
To me the bottom line is to have fun !!!
Cheers!
steve
KG5VK
Amateur Radio Contesting FAQ
http://www.qsl.net/zs1an/contesting_faq.html
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
N1MM+ Beta Testing A Note from The N1MM+ development Team
Since we began the public beta test of N1MM Logger+, over 1000 people
have downloaded the Full Installer, but only about 300 of those are
keeping up with the daily updates, and only about 370 have joined the
N1MMLoggerPlus e-mail group on Yahoo.
Two requests:
If you want to help us test N1MM+, please join the Yahoo group. It's
the only public channel for discussion of the new program, and if you want
to help us test you have to be there.
Please stay current. We are updating pretty much every day. As you can
imagine, something that was reported yesterday may well have been fixed
in today's update. If you report something that has already been fixed,
it's a big waste of time for everyone involved.
Thanks and 73,
The N1MM Development Team
have downloaded the Full Installer, but only about 300 of those are
keeping up with the daily updates, and only about 370 have joined the
N1MMLoggerPlus e-mail group on Yahoo.
Two requests:
If you want to help us test N1MM+, please join the Yahoo group. It's
the only public channel for discussion of the new program, and if you want
to help us test you have to be there.
Please stay current. We are updating pretty much every day. As you can
imagine, something that was reported yesterday may well have been fixed
in today's update. If you report something that has already been fixed,
it's a big waste of time for everyone involved.
Thanks and 73,
The N1MM Development Team
Monday, August 18, 2014
N1MM Logger Website | N1MM Plus Open Beta
N1MM Logger Website | N1MM Plus Open Beta
Please keep in mind downlaods will be "Throttled"
so Tom's server will not die :)
Reminder this is still a BETA version !!!!!
Please, please, please read the FAQ file
before posting any questions on the N1MM email reflector
However when you post a questions many of the team members are monitoring and will strive to answer questions fast and accurately, but once again you can help by reading the FAQ files as your answer may already be there
Last full N1MM (before +) were downloaded over 14 thousand times
so this is going to wild answering every single question if no one reads the FAQ files first.
Below is a Note from Tom....
• When you begin testing, please wait one full day before asking your first question on the reflector. Take the time to look at the manual on the website, and at the N1MM Logger Plus Yahoo group archive. You’ll also find that the N1MM Plus website's Search function has been much improved – please give it a try.
Cheers!
steve
KG5VK
Please keep in mind downlaods will be "Throttled"
so Tom's server will not die :)
Reminder this is still a BETA version !!!!!
Please, please, please read the FAQ file
before posting any questions on the N1MM email reflector
However when you post a questions many of the team members are monitoring and will strive to answer questions fast and accurately, but once again you can help by reading the FAQ files as your answer may already be there
Last full N1MM (before +) were downloaded over 14 thousand times
so this is going to wild answering every single question if no one reads the FAQ files first.
Below is a Note from Tom....
• When you begin testing, please wait one full day before asking your first question on the reflector. Take the time to look at the manual on the website, and at the N1MM Logger Plus Yahoo group archive. You’ll also find that the N1MM Plus website's Search function has been much improved – please give it a try.
Cheers!
steve
KG5VK
What a dif a year makes....NAQSOP 2013 versus 2014 at KG5VK
Of course not near as much time in the chair but not sure it would have made the dif as it looks like from these graphs I lost a lot of q's with 10 and 15 not being "useable" this year......
Twice ops asked to move me to 15m
we had no joy (could not hear each other)
I tried CQ on 10m several times and looked at the bands (10&15)
with a band scope numerous times
Did I miss a short opening or was it this way for everyone ?
KG5VK
we had no joy (could not hear each other)
I tried CQ on 10m several times and looked at the bands (10&15)
with a band scope numerous times
Did I miss a short opening or was it this way for everyone ?
KG5VK
Saturday, August 09, 2014
Friday, August 08, 2014
Monday, March 31, 2014
WRTC2014 Receives Colvin Award Grant
WRTC2014 PRESS RELEASE #24
http://www.wrtc2014.org/wrtc2014-receives-colvin-award-grant/
Windham, NH
March 31, 2014
WRTC2014 Receives Colvin Award Grant
This is very well deserved, many amateurs around the world have worked long and hard for WRTC 2014
to come together and shine, esp the amateurs on the east coast
Congrats !
steve
KG5VK
Friday, December 20, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Which Contest Software is the right one to use.....
Experienced ops are using N1MM
here is an interesting chart
http://ly2kz.blogspot.fi/2013/05/populiariausi-contest-logeriai.html
Cheers!
steve
KG5VK
Sunday, October 20, 2013
DXlite from Michael the author of ClubLog
very handy for seeing spots on your smart phone without bloated graphics !!
http://dxlite.g7vjr.org/?refresh=1
Thanks to Michael
steve
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
SARA ARRL Field Day
We had another successful ARRL FD for SARA at my home
this past week-end, by almost everyone's account that came it was fun and the right blend of contesting and fellowship.
However I am disheartened by the feedback of more than one member of our organization, that they did not come or did not operate because they were intimidated or did not want to let anyone down because they are not a contest op.
This frustrates me.....
Because anyone that takes more than a few moments to get to know me
and does not assume they know me as just a contest op
knows that I will go out of my way to mentor OPS, especially during ARRL FD
To me FD is the right time to pull up a chair and learn
I have coached more than a few and many many years ago I had the most rewarding experience of any ARRL FD
when I assisted a blind OP to work hundreds of stations during several hours on the air together, that was not here in Shreveport, but was while I was in West Texas
Last year Marcel and one of the others tutored another young op
I do not recall the specifics
However I do know that it was rewarding exp for everyone involved
I think that word (a verb) Involved is the key
if you want to be a part of something it takes YOU to be involved
If you did not operate it is YOUR fault for not taking some initiative
if you would rather SARA has FD in the park in the HOT weather and you will feel more comfy working a few stations then voice your opinion
at the next vote for where should SARA have Field day
MY wife and I open our home so we can all be safe indoors in the Air conditioning
Several years ago we almost lost one ham to heat stroke and we have had other close calls due to the heat
If you want to be intimated during a contest show up for ARRL SS when we will take no prisoners and are concerned about score above all else
However if you are a contest op at all
you would have a blast and be crowned a die hard contester
There is a time for mentoring, it is not when a group of OPS plan to WIN
Again I will say this as plan as I can.........
To me ARRL FD is not a we must win week-end
it is for fun, camaraderie, and learning the ropes of contesting (mentoring and learning together alongside seasoned OPS)
Some (many) show up just for Food and fellowship and that is great
Some want to learn, I applaud Any for taking the chair
it is that first step that is often the most challenging
I hear there are others that do not want to speak up
that did not even make the effort to take the chair
We can not help those learn, that do not step forward !!!!!!!!!!!
My closest friends will tell me to just ignore those that do not want to step up, I hate ignoring anyone
and that is my frustration.
Esp when I hear After FD is over "well I would have but I did not want to let the team down by lowering the score"
Q count is a by product of having fun, on ARRL FD...
Q count during a major contest like ARRL Sweepstakes is a major deal
and if you can't hang with the big boys you can practice and begin to do so during FD and other contest
Want to learn, want to play ASK me !
But you have to ask, I can NOT read your mind.
Cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
this past week-end, by almost everyone's account that came it was fun and the right blend of contesting and fellowship.
However I am disheartened by the feedback of more than one member of our organization, that they did not come or did not operate because they were intimidated or did not want to let anyone down because they are not a contest op.
This frustrates me.....
Because anyone that takes more than a few moments to get to know me
and does not assume they know me as just a contest op
knows that I will go out of my way to mentor OPS, especially during ARRL FD
To me FD is the right time to pull up a chair and learn
I have coached more than a few and many many years ago I had the most rewarding experience of any ARRL FD
when I assisted a blind OP to work hundreds of stations during several hours on the air together, that was not here in Shreveport, but was while I was in West Texas
Last year Marcel and one of the others tutored another young op
I do not recall the specifics
However I do know that it was rewarding exp for everyone involved
I think that word (a verb) Involved is the key
if you want to be a part of something it takes YOU to be involved
If you did not operate it is YOUR fault for not taking some initiative
if you would rather SARA has FD in the park in the HOT weather and you will feel more comfy working a few stations then voice your opinion
at the next vote for where should SARA have Field day
MY wife and I open our home so we can all be safe indoors in the Air conditioning
Several years ago we almost lost one ham to heat stroke and we have had other close calls due to the heat
If you want to be intimated during a contest show up for ARRL SS when we will take no prisoners and are concerned about score above all else
However if you are a contest op at all
you would have a blast and be crowned a die hard contester
There is a time for mentoring, it is not when a group of OPS plan to WIN
Again I will say this as plan as I can.........
To me ARRL FD is not a we must win week-end
it is for fun, camaraderie, and learning the ropes of contesting (mentoring and learning together alongside seasoned OPS)
Some (many) show up just for Food and fellowship and that is great
Some want to learn, I applaud Any for taking the chair
it is that first step that is often the most challenging
I hear there are others that do not want to speak up
that did not even make the effort to take the chair
We can not help those learn, that do not step forward !!!!!!!!!!!
My closest friends will tell me to just ignore those that do not want to step up, I hate ignoring anyone
and that is my frustration.
Esp when I hear After FD is over "well I would have but I did not want to let the team down by lowering the score"
Q count is a by product of having fun, on ARRL FD...
Q count during a major contest like ARRL Sweepstakes is a major deal
and if you can't hang with the big boys you can practice and begin to do so during FD and other contest
Want to learn, want to play ASK me !
But you have to ask, I can NOT read your mind.
Cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
Friday, June 21, 2013
Saturday, June 01, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Reverse Beacon: ViewProp - Innovative Partner with the RBN
Reverse Beacon: ViewProp - Innovative Partner with the RBN: For those who may have missed it, ZL2HAM's ViewProp is now available free in a public beta test. Before you yawn and dismiss ViewProp a...
This is such a neat and practical application, just have to love today's technology !!!
cheers!
steve
KG5VK
This is such a neat and practical application, just have to love today's technology !!!
cheers!
steve
KG5VK
Friday, March 22, 2013
This is the best written story of radio sport Every
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1002473/1/index.htm
If you want to show someone why you love radios port ask the to take a few moments and read this awesome story
Cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
Monday, February 11, 2013
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
AGC Settings for K3 in pile ups
I don’t think there is a one AGC setting that covers all.
I am using these settings when working a pile up here on NA045. My goal is to keep as many of the calling stations as I can at different levels. This helps separate the calls so I can work the strongest, “loudest”, and move to the next. For me this works great to keep the rate up but when it comes time to hunt for mults I smooth the AGC back a little.
AGC DCY Soft
AGC HLD .5
AGC PLS nor
AGC SLP 2
AGC THR 17
AGC F 120
AGC S 20
AGC F 120
AGC S 20
Working from an Island might be different than other locations.
Keith, K5ENS
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
I am looking at implementing the Cifton Labs z10000 in my K3
Looking at the Sept/Oct 2012 NCJ artical by N2QT
I am strongly considering adding it to my K3
Clifton Labs
Steve
KG5VK
I am strongly considering adding it to my K3
Clifton Labs
Steve
KG5VK
Thursday, November 08, 2012
lotw and hrd
what HRD wants in the second part of the screen
is not always simply your callsign again and your password for TQSL
But more precisely exactly everything that you see in your TQSL
after the first Hyphen
for example most ops have "theircallsign - Home"
in my case I have KG5VK - KG5VK for my primary certificate
so in the HRD upload screen
I place KG5VK then my LOTW password
then further down I place KG5VK and my TQSL password
where you may have anything after that first hyphen
double check what you have by using TQSL and manually signing an adif file
it will show you what you have after the Hyphen
I hope this helps someone !
PS spacing and case sensitive applies to what you enter !!!
cheers !
Steve
KG5VK
is not always simply your callsign again and your password for TQSL
But more precisely exactly everything that you see in your TQSL
after the first Hyphen
for example most ops have "theircallsign - Home"
in my case I have KG5VK - KG5VK for my primary certificate
so in the HRD upload screen
I place KG5VK then my LOTW password
then further down I place KG5VK and my TQSL password
where you may have anything after that first hyphen
double check what you have by using TQSL and manually signing an adif file
it will show you what you have after the Hyphen
I hope this helps someone !
PS spacing and case sensitive applies to what you enter !!!
cheers !
Steve
KG5VK
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Creating Macros for your K3
Click here, This is a silent movie (no sound)
Let me know if you have questions or comments
steve
KG5VK
Let me know if you have questions or comments
steve
KG5VK
Friday, October 05, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Thursday, September 06, 2012
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Monday, August 06, 2012
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
[Club Log] OQRS for non-expedition calls -
Great news of a new feature from ClubLog.........
------------------------------------------------------------
Hi all,
------------------------------------------------------------
Hi all,
The much anticipated 'non-expedition' OQRS features are now live. This means that all Club Log users, not only expeditions, can use OQRS to supply bureau and direct cards to DXers. You can set the price for direct cards, but you must offer bureau cards too, and bureau cards are free (QSLing ethics).
Please start here:
As this is a pretty complicated feature, I would be grateful if you would be vigilant and report any unexpected bugs or issues you find.
Thanks & 73
Michael G7VJR
--------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Coax-Stubs.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Coax-Stubs.pdf (application/pdf Object)
a really good set of ideas with connecting 75 ohm hard line
to coax fittings
a really good set of ideas with connecting 75 ohm hard line
to coax fittings
stubs.pdf (application/pdf Object)
stubs.pdf (application/pdf Object)
I found his comment and analysis on this very worthwhile
esp when I was in need of a tight sub to keep the digital mode guys out of the phone sub bands during ARRL FD
steve
KG5VK
I found his comment and analysis on this very worthwhile
esp when I was in need of a tight sub to keep the digital mode guys out of the phone sub bands during ARRL FD
steve
KG5VK
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
N1MM-ClubLog Gateway » N2AMG's Place
N1MM-ClubLog Gateway » N2AMG's Place
I love using Club Log's on line logging tools
and was pleased to find this great tool set offered by N2AMG
for linking the log of N1MM q's to ClubLog
cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
I love using Club Log's on line logging tools
and was pleased to find this great tool set offered by N2AMG
for linking the log of N1MM q's to ClubLog
cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Shreveport Amateur Radio Association Fellowship day
The Shreveport Amateur Radio Association (SARA)
will hoist a social April the 14th
April 14, 2012 - Cook-Out On Arthur Teague Pkw, at the Boat Launch Pavilion Under the Barksdale – Shrev City Bridge. $5.00 per head. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. There will be 2 or 3 equipment On-the-Air demonstrations.
will hoist a social April the 14th
April 14, 2012 - Cook-Out On Arthur Teague Pkw, at the Boat Launch Pavilion Under the Barksdale – Shrev City Bridge. $5.00 per head. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. There will be 2 or 3 equipment On-the-Air demonstrations.
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Monday, March 05, 2012
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Saturday, March 03, 2012
CQ North America from Ti5N......
Yes we are well under way and having a blast at Ti5N
great team of ops here with me, Aj3G,Wk4Y,WA4PGM, and K1DG
Less than four hours into the contest and our team broke 1.5 million points
this morning our Q's were over 3k and the average Q rate per hour at times was almost 400 yes that is 400 Q's per Hour !!!
We (our team) has managed a few hundred Q's on 160 meters !!!
Steve
KG5VK
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Club Log: Search all expeditions on Club Log for QSOs with KG5VK
Club Log: Search all expeditions on Club Log for QSOs with KG5VK
if ur registered as a club log user this is a neat feature
if ur not with club log, why !
http://www.clublog.org/globalsearch.php
73
Steve
KG5VK
if ur registered as a club log user this is a neat feature
if ur not with club log, why !
http://www.clublog.org/globalsearch.php
73
Steve
KG5VK
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
ARRL Diamond DXCC award tracking
I ran across this announcement for a software tool to assist us in tracking our progress for the ARRL DDXCC award......
-----------------------------------------------------------------
http://dwestbrook.net/projects/ham/checker/
I have added support** for the DXCC Diamond -- figured this was as good a reason as any to finally get this checker project off the back burner :) Example DXCC Diamond report:
http://dwestbrook.net/projects/ham/checker/reports/KJ4IZW/DXCC-Diamond.html
Note this is beta ... I got 95% done with it about a year ago and then couldn't get back to it -- But it's a general framework for parsing a ADIF file and checking pretty much any kind of awards. (It started out as a checker for the 070 Club endorsements)
This checker works very well with output from DXKeeper (which produces good adif!!).
Any comments or requests for other award series, please let me know ...
dwestbrook@gmail.com
73!
--david
KJ4IZW
------------------------------------------------------------
My thanks to David KJ4IZW for his work on this project !
Steve
KG5VK
-----------------------------------------------------------------
http://dwestbrook.net/projects/ham/checker/
I have added support** for the DXCC Diamond -- figured this was as good a reason as any to finally get this checker project off the back burner :) Example DXCC Diamond report:
http://dwestbrook.net/projects/ham/checker/reports/KJ4IZW/DXCC-Diamond.html
Note this is beta ... I got 95% done with it about a year ago and then couldn't get back to it -- But it's a general framework for parsing a ADIF file and checking pretty much any kind of awards. (It started out as a checker for the 070 Club endorsements)
This checker works very well with output from DXKeeper (which produces good adif!!).
Any comments or requests for other award series, please let me know ...
dwestbrook@gmail.com
73!
--david
KJ4IZW
------------------------------------------------------------
My thanks to David KJ4IZW for his work on this project !
Steve
KG5VK
Friday, January 06, 2012
Simple Antennas work
Not everyone of us (least not I) can afford big aluminum on all HF bands
wires and ladder line work really well for the low freq stuff
For me it has always been pretty simple 1005/f for a loop of wire
But many can't get even a small loop on the low freq's within their property
Here is a smart guy that shares other methods.........
http://www.w5dxp.com/notuner.htm
cheers!
steve
wires and ladder line work really well for the low freq stuff
For me it has always been pretty simple 1005/f for a loop of wire
But many can't get even a small loop on the low freq's within their property
Here is a smart guy that shares other methods.........
http://www.w5dxp.com/notuner.htm
cheers!
steve
Monday, December 26, 2011
Ham Radio and Friends
It's synonymous for me, Ham Radio and My friends are so en-twined
and here is a link to one of the famous Ham friends that was in my circle of friends during high school.
Back then it was WN0FOI or friendly old Indian, WA0DYV Bill Orgroski, Gary Novak . Bill Ames WA0WBJ, who we were all jealous of because he had Drake Twins and a Quad and Jay Portnoy
There is also Al Rosenthal (Al and I got our License together, he was wn0foj) and a few others that I have lost touch with many years ago.
Yes, indeed Ward Silver N0AX and I ran in the same circles, yes that is a bit scary if you know Ward well :)
If you don't then you are missing out on a person that is a whole lot of fun to be around !
Of course my circle has grown since those days with many new friends
like Tom KR5D, Bob K8KI and Les Diefenbach which we met during our Air Force career
Today there are many others and I consider it a privilege and honor to know each and everyone
as that is the greatest gift of all friendship.
Randy,Marsh,Floyd,Ray,Mike,Tim,Marcel,Scott,Bobby,Mark,Glenn,Hugo,Matt, Joe, John and Ted
There are a few other Hams that I need to work on rekindling our friendship
as life has just drawn us apart, such as my old buddy Brian Lewis
which a bike ride brought us to come to know that we are both amateur radio ops.
Many of you I talk to almost daily either on the radio or the phone or by email
I look forward to spending more time in 2012 with each of you, either contesting alongside you or just chatting on the radio
73 and Happy New Year everyone !
Steve
KG5VK
and here is a link to one of the famous Ham friends that was in my circle of friends during high school.
Back then it was WN0FOI or friendly old Indian, WA0DYV Bill Orgroski, Gary Novak . Bill Ames WA0WBJ, who we were all jealous of because he had Drake Twins and a Quad and Jay Portnoy
There is also Al Rosenthal (Al and I got our License together, he was wn0foj) and a few others that I have lost touch with many years ago.
Yes, indeed Ward Silver N0AX and I ran in the same circles, yes that is a bit scary if you know Ward well :)
If you don't then you are missing out on a person that is a whole lot of fun to be around !
Of course my circle has grown since those days with many new friends
like Tom KR5D, Bob K8KI and Les Diefenbach which we met during our Air Force career
Today there are many others and I consider it a privilege and honor to know each and everyone
as that is the greatest gift of all friendship.
Randy,Marsh,Floyd,Ray,Mike,Tim,Marcel,Scott,Bobby,Mark,Glenn,Hugo,Matt, Joe, John and Ted
There are a few other Hams that I need to work on rekindling our friendship
as life has just drawn us apart, such as my old buddy Brian Lewis
which a bike ride brought us to come to know that we are both amateur radio ops.
Many of you I talk to almost daily either on the radio or the phone or by email
I look forward to spending more time in 2012 with each of you, either contesting alongside you or just chatting on the radio
73 and Happy New Year everyone !
Steve
KG5VK
Friday, December 23, 2011
wow more Clublog.org features discovered
if your a user of clublog.org (if your not, then why !)
then you can use a script (html) like below (after u are logged into your clublog.org account)
http://www.clublog.org/dxccchart3.php?call=kg5vk
(substitute ur friends call on the end in place of mine, unless u just like tracking my progress)
cheers!
steve
KG5VK
then you can use a script (html) like below (after u are logged into your clublog.org account)
http://www.clublog.org/dxccchart3.php?call=kg5vk
(substitute ur friends call on the end in place of mine, unless u just like tracking my progress)
steve
KG5VK
see the last Ten Q's I uploaded to ClubLog
click here
This will show you the last Ten QSO's I uploaded to Club Log.org
Here are a couple of other Widgets.....
DXCC
Log
Cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
This will show you the last Ten QSO's I uploaded to Club Log.org
Here are a couple of other Widgets.....
DXCC
Log
Cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
Thursday, December 22, 2011
listen to ur audio from GW7X
This shared with me by George K5GH....
If you worked GW7X in the recent 10m contest (or several of the other contests since 2005) you can listen to how your QSO sounded at the GW end at the website below:
http://gw4ble.dxlist.co.uk/index.php
cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
If you worked GW7X in the recent 10m contest (or several of the other contests since 2005) you can listen to how your QSO sounded at the GW end at the website below:
http://gw4ble.dxlist.co.uk/index.php
cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
Uploading your log to ARRL LOTW
click here for a short movie on uploading your ADIF file to the ARRL LOTW server
This movie does exactly what the title says (Logbook of the World)
I plan on building more movies on LOTW features
dependent on the feedback from this one
cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
This movie does exactly what the title says (Logbook of the World)
I plan on building more movies on LOTW features
dependent on the feedback from this one
cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
Monday, December 19, 2011
Tools that help us work what we need
ClubLog.org
Offers several great tools
Besides the obvious of being a log tool it
has a feature set that may often be over looked
Spots related to DXCCs that you have not yet worked
Ladies and Gentlemen, that is a powerful tool
if your working towards a specific award, say DXCC on 80m
then once up upload your current log in ADIF form to club log
it will give you focus with this tool on needed countries for that band !!!
Try it out I think it will help you work more new ones within a shorter amount of time
Of course we need t verify what we hear is what someone posted on cluster
and when I copy a call diff than what someone else did and spotted I always try and repost with the correct call - also not that the spots are from all over the world, so a spot posted from an op in India may of course not be workable from our country.
Cheers !
Steve
KG5VK
Offers several great tools
Besides the obvious of being a log tool it
has a feature set that may often be over looked
DX Spots for Needed DXCCs
Using this tool, you can search the DX Cluster for spots related to DXCCs that you have not yet worked. There are 10,551,747 spots in the database up to 19th December, 2011, so the search is limited to the last 30 days or 300 results.
Did you see those key words.........Spots related to DXCCs that you have not yet worked
Ladies and Gentlemen, that is a powerful tool
if your working towards a specific award, say DXCC on 80m
then once up upload your current log in ADIF form to club log
it will give you focus with this tool on needed countries for that band !!!
Try it out I think it will help you work more new ones within a shorter amount of time
Of course we need t verify what we hear is what someone posted on cluster
and when I copy a call diff than what someone else did and spotted I always try and repost with the correct call - also not that the spots are from all over the world, so a spot posted from an op in India may of course not be workable from our country.
Cheers !
Steve
KG5VK
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
My results from 6 hours in the chair during CQWW Phone DX 2011
CallSign Used : KG5VK
Operator(s) : KG5VK
Operator Category : SINGLE-OP-ASSISTED
Band : ALL
Power : HIGH
Mode : SSB
Overlay Category :
Default Exchange : 4
Name : Steven Lott Smith
ARRL Section : LA
Club/Team : Louisiana Contest Club
Software : N1MM Logger V11.10.0
Band QSOs Pts DXC Zn
7 13 38 4 12
14 73 206 19 60
21 79 230 21 67
28 1 3 1 1
28 135 395 27 94
Total 301 872 72 234
Score : 266,832
Operator(s) : KG5VK
Operator Category : SINGLE-OP-ASSISTED
Band : ALL
Power : HIGH
Mode : SSB
Overlay Category :
Default Exchange : 4
Name : Steven Lott Smith
ARRL Section : LA
Club/Team : Louisiana Contest Club
Software : N1MM Logger V11.10.0
Band QSOs Pts DXC Zn
7 13 38 4 12
14 73 206 19 60
21 79 230 21 67
28 1 3 1 1
28 135 395 27 94
Total 301 872 72 234
Score : 266,832
Monday, October 24, 2011
ARRL FD 2011 SARA K5SAR operated at KG5VK's shack
2011 Field Day
Displaying entries for Section=LA
Entries 1 to 22 of 22 listed
| # | Call | Score | Category | QSOs | Power Mult | GOTA Call | Section | Participants | Club |
| 1 | W5ZR | 10,986 | 2A | 2,692 | 2 | W5RZY | LA | 30 | Louisiana Cane Field CC |
| 2 | W5EA | 9,704 | 2A | 3,284 | 2 | N5LCC | LA | 55 | Twin City Ham Club |
| 3 | N5RD | 6,560 | 2A | 2,265 | 2 | LA | 15 | Minden ARA | |
| 4 | K5DF | 5,636 | 3A | 1,536 | 2 | W5YW | LA | 35 | Daton Rouge ARC |
| 5 | K5SAR | 5,128 | 4E | 1,665 | 2 | LA | 15 | ||
| 6 | K1DW | 3,470 | 1E | 1,063 | 2 | LA | 2 | ||
| 7 | W5DDL | 2,028 | 1A | 449 | 2 | LA | 47 | Acadiana ARA | |
| 8 | N5II | 1,952 | 2A | 589 | 2 | LA | 7 | Springhill ARC, Inc. | |
| 9 | W5BII | 1,828 | 2A | 489 | 2 | WA5LQZ | LA | 33 | Southwest LA AR Club |
| 10 | AC5PW | 1,568 | 2A | 239 | 2 | LA | 17 | North Rapides RC |
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Ham Radio Deluxe HRD SOLD
while I have not confirmed this.....
Simon Brown, HB9DRV, has sold the rights to his popular Ham Radio Deluxe software package to a group consisting of Mike Carper, WA9PIE, Randy Gawtry,K0CBH and Rick Ruhl, W4PC. All three principals have more than 25 years of experience with radio data communications. Rick Ruhl is the president of W4PC Software, Inc whose products include the PakRatt , PKTerm and Radio Operations Center software suites. Randy Gawtry is the president of Timewave Technology Inc whose products include the PK and DSP families of data controllers and other commercial data products. Mike Carper is an experienced Fortune 500 technology executive, educator and f eatured speaker
in the areas of wireless technologies and IT Service Management.
cheers!
steve
Simon Brown, HB9DRV, has sold the rights to his popular Ham Radio Deluxe software package to a group consisting of Mike Carper, WA9PIE, Randy Gawtry,K0CBH and Rick Ruhl, W4PC. All three principals have more than 25 years of experience with radio data communications. Rick Ruhl is the president of W4PC Software, Inc whose products include the PakRatt , PKTerm and Radio Operations Center software suites. Randy Gawtry is the president of Timewave Technology Inc whose products include the PK and DSP families of data controllers and other commercial data products. Mike Carper is an experienced Fortune 500 technology executive, educator and f eatured speaker
in the areas of wireless technologies and IT Service Management.
cheers!
steve
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Ham Radio License Frame - Amateur Radio License Frame - General Radiotelephone Operator License Frame - General Radiotelephone and Radiotelegraph License Frame
Ham Radio License Frame - Amateur Radio License Frame - General Radiotelephone Operator License Frame - General Radiotelephone and Radiotelegraph License Frame
This guy makes some really neat stuff
and he is right here in Louisiana
Made in The USA!
This guy makes some really neat stuff
and he is right here in Louisiana
Made in The USA!
Monday, September 05, 2011
New RBN Aggregator Available (version 0.92b)
New RBN Aggregator Available (version 0.92b)
This from Pete Smith.......
Many CW Skimmer or Skimmer Server users are probably aware of the Reverse Beacon Network. The RBN uses a small piece of software called the Aggregator to collect spots from CW Skimmers and Skimmer Servers all over the world and forward them to the RBN's database server.
Since the inception of the RBN, we have been using an effective bare-bones version of the Aggregator written by Felipe, PY1NB, founder of the RBN. Now, thanks to the programming skills of Dick, W3OA, we have a new, Windows Aggregator in a near-final beta form, available for download and use. In addition to being much easier to configure and use, the new Aggregator has some important new features.
* It adds the option of a master.dta check to Skimmer Server (like the Paranoid validation mode in CW Skimmer).
* It also allows users to send spots to the Aggregator without first filtering them to remove the non-CQ spots. The Aggregator then forwards only those spots the RBN requests. For now, that will be CQ spots for HF and all spots for 50 MHz and up. In the near future this will allow us to experiment with spotting the NCDXA HF beacons, and probably other tricks that have not been possible up till now.
* And finally, the new Aggregator permits RBN contributors to connect locally to it with their logging programs, either taking advantage of the new filtering capability or not, as they wish.
For the full story and a download link, see the Reverse Beacon Network blog at http://reversebeacon.blogspot.com/.
--
73, Pete N4ZR
This from Pete Smith.......
Many CW Skimmer or Skimmer Server users are probably aware of the Reverse Beacon Network. The RBN uses a small piece of software called the Aggregator to collect spots from CW Skimmers and Skimmer Servers all over the world and forward them to the RBN's database server.
Since the inception of the RBN, we have been using an effective bare-bones version of the Aggregator written by Felipe, PY1NB, founder of the RBN. Now, thanks to the programming skills of Dick, W3OA, we have a new, Windows Aggregator in a near-final beta form, available for download and use. In addition to being much easier to configure and use, the new Aggregator has some important new features.
* It adds the option of a master.dta check to Skimmer Server (like the Paranoid validation mode in CW Skimmer).
* It also allows users to send spots to the Aggregator without first filtering them to remove the non-CQ spots. The Aggregator then forwards only those spots the RBN requests. For now, that will be CQ spots for HF and all spots for 50 MHz and up. In the near future this will allow us to experiment with spotting the NCDXA HF beacons, and probably other tricks that have not been possible up till now.
* And finally, the new Aggregator permits RBN contributors to connect locally to it with their logging programs, either taking advantage of the new filtering capability or not, as they wish.
For the full story and a download link, see the Reverse Beacon Network blog at http://reversebeacon.blogspot.com/.
--
73, Pete N4ZR
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
websdr.org
Have you ever wanted to listen to what your signal sounds like on the other side of the pond ?
Now you can !
Not only that, you can listen to what propagation is in lots of places
and all you need is a computer and internet access !
Check it out at......
websdr.org
Cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
Now you can !
Not only that, you can listen to what propagation is in lots of places
and all you need is a computer and internet access !
Check it out at......
websdr.org
Cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Compass Module - HDPM01
Compass Module - HDPM01
One of the few sites where there are lots of things to use when building your own circuits
Micro controller chips (PICS) are fun my first kit is from http://Hamstack.com
They offer fantastic support and neat projects as well.
Steve
KG5VK
One of the few sites where there are lots of things to use when building your own circuits
Micro controller chips (PICS) are fun my first kit is from http://Hamstack.com
They offer fantastic support and neat projects as well.
Steve
KG5VK
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
How to Make a Contest QSO -
This is from an old High school buddy that writes on the contest reflector for the ARRL
I had never seen this , but it arrived in a contest reflector email
and thought hmmm, I wonder how many people did not know some of this stuff
As another buddy of mine says we all have to start some where and many of us that have a few thousand Q's under our belts tend to forget
to share the basics that we take for granted.
So here is a conversation on contesting from my friend Ward N0AX
CONVERSATION
How To Have A (Contest) Conversation
After the last issue was emailed to readers, I received a most reasonable request. "This issue shows how NOT to make a Field Day QSO. How SHOULD I make a Field Day QSO?" Here is a good example of how experienced operators (i.e. - your editor) can forget that criticism without instruction is not helpful. One has to demonstrate the right technique so as to illustrate why the wrong technique is, in fact, wrong! So here goes...
First, a disclaimer. There is no One Perfect Method for efficient, effective contest operating. The "right" technique depends on band conditions, how many are (or aren't) calling, the intensity of the competition, and the skill of the operators on each end. What follows are guidelines and I am assuming that the contest is a phone contest. The reader should be able to apply the same principles to CW and digital contest operation.
To make a lot of QSOs in a fixed period - the goal of nearly every contest - you need to minimize the time you spend making each QSO. The first step in minimizing the duration of a QSO is to remove all unnecessary verbiage. In a perfect world, the only thing you should hear going back and forth during a contest is call signs and exchange information. It should sound like this:
1 - CQ Field Day KOØA
2 - [pileup]
3 - W1ABC 2 Alpha Missouri
4 - 1 Alpha Eastern Massachusetts
5 - Thanks KOØA
Not a wasted bit of transmitting exists in that exchange. Lines 1 and 5 are "bookends" in which KOØA identifies and solicits QSOs. (This style of operation is sufficient for W1ABC, as well.) This is the standard to which you should aspire on either end of the QSO. In Line 3, KOØA has pulled out a full call sign from the pileup, sent it to notify everyone who the QSO is with, given the information in the expected order and stopped transmitting. KOØA does not say, "Please copy..." or "You are..." or repeat any information or say, "Over" or "Go ahead" or any number of other things that take up time but don't add anything to the flow of the contact. In Line 4, W1ABC responds when called, gives the contest information, and stops transmitting. That's it - no extra "stuff" to slow things down. In Line 5, KOØA acknowledges that the information was complete and the call sign ends the transmission. No "QRZed" or "CQ Field Day" or "from" is required. If no stations call, then a longer CQ transmission starts the cycle again. (A nit to pick...when a station says "You are" and then describes their own configuration, shouldn't that really be "I am"?)
When should you deviate from this ideal? There are lots of reasons to do so. In Line 3, KOØA should not give out any exchange information until sure of enough of the caller's call sign that only one station is likely to respond. For example, if KOØA doesn't get the last letter of W1ABC's call..."W1AB-something 2 Alpha Missouri, what's the last letter?" W1ABC should respond with something like, "W1 Alpha Bravo Charlie, last letter is Charlie, 1 Alpha...etc" Why does W1ABC repeat the full call? To confirm that the missing letter is the last one and that the call is not W1CAB or just W1AB. Similarly, if KOØA has W1ABC's call wrong, W1ABC might simply respond with, "W1ABC". At that point, KOØA can resume with Line 3 shown above.
What about repeating your information? If not requested to do so, don't! 9 times out of 10, even a QRP station will be perfectly readable in Line 4 above. The other callers are standing by (hopefully) so KOØA is probably going to get the information on the first transmission - don't waste time with unrequested repeats! If a repeat is requested, repeat only the information requested.
Should W1ABC give KOØA's call sign in Line 4? Whenever there is any question about the intended receiving station give the call sign. It is very common under crowded contest conditions for two stations to be extremely close together or even on the same frequency if they are in each other's skip zones or have antenna nulls aimed at each other. When this happens, don't depend on timing - give the other station's call sign before sending your own information. If you don't, you take a chance that the "wrong" station will log you. The extra information often saves losing a contact (and the multiplier and the possible penalty).
What if W1ABC misses some of KOØA's information? Then W1ABC should request a repeat ("What is your section?") BEFORE proceeding with "1 Alpha Eastern Massachusetts." W1ABC should not transmit any exchange information until all of KOØA's information has been received. If W1ABC waits until after sending the category and section to ask for a repeat, KOØA will likely assume W1ABC received the information OK and will proceed with Line 5 too soon. This gets everything out of sync for everybody, including any callers waiting to contact KOØA. Yes, W1ABC could wait until KOØA's next contact to copy the information but I can tell you from personal experience - it doesn't always work out that way! Get the information you need during the contact and don't assume you can get it on subsequent contacts - that's a big waste of time for you.
Obviously, there are many more variations on the basic theme. By practicing, you'll learn the basic principles of snappy, crisp operating. To learn more about effective, efficient operating, listen to the top operators on the air while they are "running" and try to emulate them.
Learn to pull a full call sign out of a pileup whenever you can
Give your full call whenever calling in a pileup
Transmit exchange information the same way every time
Eliminate wasted syllables and words
Speak clearly without rushing or mumbling
Speech audio should be non-distorted and free of background noise
The top operators are flexible, too. When conditions require it, they will "change gears" to a faster or slower technique in order to maintain the flow of information and keep the contacts coming. Just like a long-distance runner who only lifts each foot enough to clear the ground, the top operators only transmit enough information to keep making contacts. You might not think the difference between "Thanks" and "Thank you" is worth much, but if in a 48-hour contest the goal is upwards of 5000 contacts, saying the extra "you" 5000 times is significant. This may be "cutting the tags off the teabags" as the backpackers say but work on eliminating non-essential transmissions and see if your log doesn't fill up a little quicker!
Should this be the style of operating for casual, non-contest contacts? Of course not! But it would be completely appropriate for a net control station trying to run an emcomm net with many calling to check in, pass traffic, report status, etc. When trying to handle that load "extra stuff" can really gum up the works. The habits and skills formed under contest conditions help make you an effective operator when the chips are really down - in a disaster or emergency situation when every minute counts.
73, Ward NØAX
I had never seen this , but it arrived in a contest reflector email
and thought hmmm, I wonder how many people did not know some of this stuff
As another buddy of mine says we all have to start some where and many of us that have a few thousand Q's under our belts tend to forget
to share the basics that we take for granted.
So here is a conversation on contesting from my friend Ward N0AX
CONVERSATION
How To Have A (Contest) Conversation
After the last issue was emailed to readers, I received a most reasonable request. "This issue shows how NOT to make a Field Day QSO. How SHOULD I make a Field Day QSO?" Here is a good example of how experienced operators (i.e. - your editor) can forget that criticism without instruction is not helpful. One has to demonstrate the right technique so as to illustrate why the wrong technique is, in fact, wrong! So here goes...
First, a disclaimer. There is no One Perfect Method for efficient, effective contest operating. The "right" technique depends on band conditions, how many are (or aren't) calling, the intensity of the competition, and the skill of the operators on each end. What follows are guidelines and I am assuming that the contest is a phone contest. The reader should be able to apply the same principles to CW and digital contest operation.
To make a lot of QSOs in a fixed period - the goal of nearly every contest - you need to minimize the time you spend making each QSO. The first step in minimizing the duration of a QSO is to remove all unnecessary verbiage. In a perfect world, the only thing you should hear going back and forth during a contest is call signs and exchange information. It should sound like this:
1 - CQ Field Day KOØA
2 - [pileup]
3 - W1ABC 2 Alpha Missouri
4 - 1 Alpha Eastern Massachusetts
5 - Thanks KOØA
Not a wasted bit of transmitting exists in that exchange. Lines 1 and 5 are "bookends" in which KOØA identifies and solicits QSOs. (This style of operation is sufficient for W1ABC, as well.) This is the standard to which you should aspire on either end of the QSO. In Line 3, KOØA has pulled out a full call sign from the pileup, sent it to notify everyone who the QSO is with, given the information in the expected order and stopped transmitting. KOØA does not say, "Please copy..." or "You are..." or repeat any information or say, "Over" or "Go ahead" or any number of other things that take up time but don't add anything to the flow of the contact. In Line 4, W1ABC responds when called, gives the contest information, and stops transmitting. That's it - no extra "stuff" to slow things down. In Line 5, KOØA acknowledges that the information was complete and the call sign ends the transmission. No "QRZed" or "CQ Field Day" or "from" is required. If no stations call, then a longer CQ transmission starts the cycle again. (A nit to pick...when a station says "You are" and then describes their own configuration, shouldn't that really be "I am"?)
When should you deviate from this ideal? There are lots of reasons to do so. In Line 3, KOØA should not give out any exchange information until sure of enough of the caller's call sign that only one station is likely to respond. For example, if KOØA doesn't get the last letter of W1ABC's call..."W1AB-something 2 Alpha Missouri, what's the last letter?" W1ABC should respond with something like, "W1 Alpha Bravo Charlie, last letter is Charlie, 1 Alpha...etc" Why does W1ABC repeat the full call? To confirm that the missing letter is the last one and that the call is not W1CAB or just W1AB. Similarly, if KOØA has W1ABC's call wrong, W1ABC might simply respond with, "W1ABC". At that point, KOØA can resume with Line 3 shown above.
What about repeating your information? If not requested to do so, don't! 9 times out of 10, even a QRP station will be perfectly readable in Line 4 above. The other callers are standing by (hopefully) so KOØA is probably going to get the information on the first transmission - don't waste time with unrequested repeats! If a repeat is requested, repeat only the information requested.
Should W1ABC give KOØA's call sign in Line 4? Whenever there is any question about the intended receiving station give the call sign. It is very common under crowded contest conditions for two stations to be extremely close together or even on the same frequency if they are in each other's skip zones or have antenna nulls aimed at each other. When this happens, don't depend on timing - give the other station's call sign before sending your own information. If you don't, you take a chance that the "wrong" station will log you. The extra information often saves losing a contact (and the multiplier and the possible penalty).
What if W1ABC misses some of KOØA's information? Then W1ABC should request a repeat ("What is your section?") BEFORE proceeding with "1 Alpha Eastern Massachusetts." W1ABC should not transmit any exchange information until all of KOØA's information has been received. If W1ABC waits until after sending the category and section to ask for a repeat, KOØA will likely assume W1ABC received the information OK and will proceed with Line 5 too soon. This gets everything out of sync for everybody, including any callers waiting to contact KOØA. Yes, W1ABC could wait until KOØA's next contact to copy the information but I can tell you from personal experience - it doesn't always work out that way! Get the information you need during the contact and don't assume you can get it on subsequent contacts - that's a big waste of time for you.
Obviously, there are many more variations on the basic theme. By practicing, you'll learn the basic principles of snappy, crisp operating. To learn more about effective, efficient operating, listen to the top operators on the air while they are "running" and try to emulate them.
Learn to pull a full call sign out of a pileup whenever you can
Give your full call whenever calling in a pileup
Transmit exchange information the same way every time
Eliminate wasted syllables and words
Speak clearly without rushing or mumbling
Speech audio should be non-distorted and free of background noise
The top operators are flexible, too. When conditions require it, they will "change gears" to a faster or slower technique in order to maintain the flow of information and keep the contacts coming. Just like a long-distance runner who only lifts each foot enough to clear the ground, the top operators only transmit enough information to keep making contacts. You might not think the difference between "Thanks" and "Thank you" is worth much, but if in a 48-hour contest the goal is upwards of 5000 contacts, saying the extra "you" 5000 times is significant. This may be "cutting the tags off the teabags" as the backpackers say but work on eliminating non-essential transmissions and see if your log doesn't fill up a little quicker!
Should this be the style of operating for casual, non-contest contacts? Of course not! But it would be completely appropriate for a net control station trying to run an emcomm net with many calling to check in, pass traffic, report status, etc. When trying to handle that load "extra stuff" can really gum up the works. The habits and skills formed under contest conditions help make you an effective operator when the chips are really down - in a disaster or emergency situation when every minute counts.
73, Ward NØAX
Club Log: Amateur Radio League Tables and Most-Wanted Lists
Club Log: Amateur Radio League Tables and Most-Wanted Lists
Club Log offers some powerful tool sets !!!
You can even allow searches within your log
like I did here.....
See if your in My Log
73
steve
KG5VK
Club Log offers some powerful tool sets !!!
You can even allow searches within your log
like I did here.....
See if your in My Log
73
steve
KG5VK
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
MY Presentation on SO2R as it stands now for Ham Com 2011
">click here to preview and please send me some feedback !!!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Bill N5YA's HF contest station & Marshall K5QE Vhf/UHF
One of the greatest things about Dayton is on the air plane ride home I meet a couple of guys from right here in Louisiana that have that true Ham Radio spirit
From contesting on HF to the nose bleed freqs
These two guys have it covered !
Friday, May 27, 2011
Dayton 2011
Wow I started early this year the night after attendance of a full day at Contest University
With some great Buckeye hospitality at the local Hooters
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Please visit our State version of the ARRL website
I am really amazed at how little activity there is to the ARRL site for our state
and I am hoping that before the site is abandoned by the current webmaster
we can get a buzz started about the site and the tools offered there
http://www.laarrl.org/index.html
There is a survey posted there
for the usefulness of the site
and only 13 surveys have been completed
I know there are a lot more than 13 ops that are computer savy enough to benifit from tools on the site
please visit the site, do the short survey and post constructive comments
Please make the webmaster there feel their time and effort is not wasted !!!
This site has had a lot of work done to it as compared to what it was several years ago
but it looks like only a few people visit it.
Thank You and 73
Steve
KG5VK
http://www.KG5VK.com
My Ham Radio Friends
and I am hoping that before the site is abandoned by the current webmaster
we can get a buzz started about the site and the tools offered there
http://www.laarrl.org/index.html
There is a survey posted there
for the usefulness of the site
and only 13 surveys have been completed
I know there are a lot more than 13 ops that are computer savy enough to benifit from tools on the site
please visit the site, do the short survey and post constructive comments
Please make the webmaster there feel their time and effort is not wasted !!!
This site has had a lot of work done to it as compared to what it was several years ago
but it looks like only a few people visit it.
Thank You and 73
Steve
KG5VK
http://www.KG5VK.com
My Ham Radio Friends
Friday, March 04, 2011
This week-end is one of the biggest contest of the year
The ARRL DX Phone contest is this week-end March 4th 2011
for those of us in the USA the contest strats this evening
Even if your a non contest get on and work a few new countries
and Have fun !
73
Steve
KG5VK
for those of us in the USA the contest strats this evening
Even if your a non contest get on and work a few new countries
and Have fun !
73
Steve
KG5VK
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
after the contest analysis tools
A very useful post-contest utility that operates on Cabrillo files is
CBS.exe by Ken Adams K5KA. It parses your file and outputs a host of
useful statistics on rate, six-band QSOs, call areas worked,
multiplier summaries, and so forth. This neat program is free and can
be downloaded from http://www.kkn.net/~k5tr/software/Cbs.exe. Thanks
to K5KA! (Also thanks to K5TR for the tip.)
Another utility that analyzes log files finds your top rate for any
continuous hour is the free MS-DOS(tm) utility called RATE.EXE that
you can download from http://www.k1ea.com/utilities/index.htm or
http://www.benlo.com/ham.html#software. RATE will parse any ASCII log
that has its data in fixed columns and a four-digit time (no colon) --
this works for Cabrillo, as well. Run the program without specifying
an input or output log (enter "RATE" at the DOS prompt) and a list of
commands will follow. You will also have to specify the column in
which the first digit of the time appears -- for Cabrillo, that's 25.
Unfortunately, the program also tells you your Minimum and Average
rates.
CBS.exe by Ken Adams K5KA. It parses your file and outputs a host of
useful statistics on rate, six-band QSOs, call areas worked,
multiplier summaries, and so forth. This neat program is free and can
be downloaded from http://www.kkn.net/~k5tr/software/Cbs.exe. Thanks
to K5KA! (Also thanks to K5TR for the tip.)
Another utility that analyzes log files finds your top rate for any
continuous hour is the free MS-DOS(tm) utility called RATE.EXE that
you can download from http://www.k1ea.com/utilities/index.htm or
http://www.benlo.com/ham.html#software. RATE will parse any ASCII log
that has its data in fixed columns and a four-digit time (no colon) --
this works for Cabrillo, as well. Run the program without specifying
an input or output log (enter "RATE" at the DOS prompt) and a list of
commands will follow. You will also have to specify the column in
which the first digit of the time appears -- for Cabrillo, that's 25.
Unfortunately, the program also tells you your Minimum and Average
rates.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Innovation in Contesting tools
Tor N4OGW
Has brought us a new software tool
that embraces SDR technology in contesting
http://code.google.com/p/so2sdr/
While some ops on the CQ Contest reflector
are debating wether Tor's software may be used for SO unasssited or places the entraint into assisted
I feel it is more important to encourage further development of this software
while my contest software of choice is N1MM, I am anxious to see innovation.
Any embracement of new technology should be applauded
and let the individual contest OPS and the contest sponsors determine if the
use of software/hardware places the entrant in assisted.
Lets see more innovation in 2011 and beyond !
Steve
KG5VK
Has brought us a new software tool
that embraces SDR technology in contesting
http://code.google.com/p/so2sdr/
While some ops on the CQ Contest reflector
are debating wether Tor's software may be used for SO unasssited or places the entraint into assisted
I feel it is more important to encourage further development of this software
while my contest software of choice is N1MM, I am anxious to see innovation.
Any embracement of new technology should be applauded
and let the individual contest OPS and the contest sponsors determine if the
use of software/hardware places the entrant in assisted.
Lets see more innovation in 2011 and beyond !
Steve
KG5VK
Sunday, November 14, 2010
less than a week from now, ARRL Sweepstakes Phone !!!
Most of the antenna farm repairs that can be done are now done
I replaced one long cable run, that Dick WA6MDI helped me identify as having failed
Removed one bad ICE Lighting arrestor from the cable run to the KT-34xa
Attempted to get the rotor position indicator pot working for the Telrex Pair - with no luck, so beam position for that array will be by way of closed ciruit TV monitor
Rates last year we very good for just a few periods of time
which band at what time.............
we need to watch our rates and move if they fall too low
where to set the mark of too low is the question !!!
Last year we had a good run and if I had not gotten bogged down with the amp issue we may have beat AE5T
Total Q's last year (2009) was 1436
142 on 80m
501 on 40m
792 on 20m
1 on 15m
0 on 10m
In 2008 we had 1033 Total Q's
BUT I over slept and we were only on the air for 23 not 24 hours !!!
289 on 80m
323 on 40m
378 on 20m
43 on 15m
0 on 10m
2007 we had a total of 1034 Q's
390 on 80m
76 on 40m Wow low number for 40m
542 on 20m
26 on 15m
0 on 10m
2006 we had a total of 1046 Q's We won Delta Division here
80 on 80m
449 on 40m
418 on 20m
99 on 15m
0 on 10m
I think we need to break into 1800 Q's this year
that is going to be tough !!!
That would be an Q rate of 75 for every hour on the air
1600 Q's if more realistic goal but every year since 2006 everyone is placing Higher Q totals and with the increased activity in SS I am sure this will continue !
cheers!
steve
I replaced one long cable run, that Dick WA6MDI helped me identify as having failed
Removed one bad ICE Lighting arrestor from the cable run to the KT-34xa
Attempted to get the rotor position indicator pot working for the Telrex Pair - with no luck, so beam position for that array will be by way of closed ciruit TV monitor
Rates last year we very good for just a few periods of time
which band at what time.............
we need to watch our rates and move if they fall too low
where to set the mark of too low is the question !!!
Last year we had a good run and if I had not gotten bogged down with the amp issue we may have beat AE5T
Total Q's last year (2009) was 1436
142 on 80m
501 on 40m
792 on 20m
1 on 15m
0 on 10m
In 2008 we had 1033 Total Q's
BUT I over slept and we were only on the air for 23 not 24 hours !!!
289 on 80m
323 on 40m
378 on 20m
43 on 15m
0 on 10m
2007 we had a total of 1034 Q's
390 on 80m
76 on 40m Wow low number for 40m
542 on 20m
26 on 15m
0 on 10m
2006 we had a total of 1046 Q's We won Delta Division here
80 on 80m
449 on 40m
418 on 20m
99 on 15m
0 on 10m
I think we need to break into 1800 Q's this year
that is going to be tough !!!
That would be an Q rate of 75 for every hour on the air
1600 Q's if more realistic goal but every year since 2006 everyone is placing Higher Q totals and with the increased activity in SS I am sure this will continue !
cheers!
steve
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
ARRL SS Sweepstakes at KG5VK
I am building the list of OPS that will join us for ARRL Sweepstakes Phone contest on November 20th
The Contest starts at 3pm local Saturday November the 20th, 2010
here is the list of ops scheduled to be here so far.......
KA5M
K5SL
N5SH
W5WZ
and of course myself
don't see your call listed but want to play
send me an email !!!!!!!!
Steve
KG5VK
The Contest starts at 3pm local Saturday November the 20th, 2010
here is the list of ops scheduled to be here so far.......
KA5M
K5SL
N5SH
W5WZ
and of course myself
don't see your call listed but want to play
send me an email !!!!!!!!
Steve
KG5VK
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
DX and Contest infi is close at hand for Delta Division members
check this out !
Propagation forecasts for the current week-end for us
Delta division members already made !!!
73
steve
Propagation forecasts for the current week-end for us
Delta division members already made !!!
73
steve
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Skim Scan for use with Skimmer
Here is the link to this great software for those using skimmer to watch for band openings
click here
Cheers !
click here
Cheers !
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
ARRL FD what is it
ARRL Field Day: “Hams” take it to the streets June 26-27
Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana - Amateur Radio activities are growing and many radio operators, often called “hams,” will be showing
off their capabilities June 26-27 at The Gazebo near the public boat launch on Arthur Teague Parkway on the Bossier City side of the Red River.
Thousands of Amateur Radio operators will be Erecting radio stations at community parks, campgrounds, schools and emergency centers around the country, they will hold a “Field Day” showing their emergency communications capabilities while having fun talking and texting to friends with their radios.
Far from fading in the age of cell phones and Internet,
Amateur Radio has been growing in the US and 2009 saw over 30,000 new
people became “hams.” Figures from the ARRL, the national
association for Amateur Radio, show consistent growth for the past five
years. The technical skills of hams also improved as almost 50% of
American Amateur Radio operators now go beyond the entry level FCC
licensing requirements and pass the more difficult testing to earn
higher class federal licenses. There are now more than 682,000 Amateur
Radio operators in the US, and 2.5 million around the world.
In past months, many reports of ham radio operators
providing critical communications in emergencies have been in the news.
From Haiti to California, during floods, fires, earthquakes, tornados
and other crises, Amateur Radio volunteers are providing emergency
communications for many rescue and recovery groups. Amateur Radio
operators are often the first to report critical information to
responders in the first hours of crisis situations. FEMA, DHS, the
National Weather Service, and emergency management offices include
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) operators in their
communications plans. On June 26-27, the public will be able to meet
and talk with the hams and see for themselves what Amateur Radio is all
about. Using everything from Morse code to modern digital and satellite
systems, voice communications and even Web-radio hybrid capabilities,
they prove “It’s not just your Grandfather’s radio anymore.”
Several of the local Shreveport/Bossier amateur radio operators have deployed in the past during times of disaster, when normal communications were disrupted.
The amateur operators will construct temporary, emergency
style radio stations around the country for the weekend and send
messages in many forms -without the use any other infrastructure that
can be compromised in a crisis. Over 35,000 Amateur Radio operators
across the country participated in last year's event. To learn what
modern Amateur Radio systems can do, go to www.ARRL.org/fieldday.
There you can find information about the locations the Amateur Radio
operators will set up in your home area. They can even help you get on
the air!
For more info
http://www.arrl.org/field-day
Steven Lott Smith
Shreveport Amateur Radio Association 2010 Field Day Chairman
KG5vk@arrl.net
Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana - Amateur Radio activities are growing and many radio operators, often called “hams,” will be showing
off their capabilities June 26-27 at The Gazebo near the public boat launch on Arthur Teague Parkway on the Bossier City side of the Red River.
Thousands of Amateur Radio operators will be Erecting radio stations at community parks, campgrounds, schools and emergency centers around the country, they will hold a “Field Day” showing their emergency communications capabilities while having fun talking and texting to friends with their radios.
Far from fading in the age of cell phones and Internet,
Amateur Radio has been growing in the US and 2009 saw over 30,000 new
people became “hams.” Figures from the ARRL, the national
association for Amateur Radio, show consistent growth for the past five
years. The technical skills of hams also improved as almost 50% of
American Amateur Radio operators now go beyond the entry level FCC
licensing requirements and pass the more difficult testing to earn
higher class federal licenses. There are now more than 682,000 Amateur
Radio operators in the US, and 2.5 million around the world.
In past months, many reports of ham radio operators
providing critical communications in emergencies have been in the news.
From Haiti to California, during floods, fires, earthquakes, tornados
and other crises, Amateur Radio volunteers are providing emergency
communications for many rescue and recovery groups. Amateur Radio
operators are often the first to report critical information to
responders in the first hours of crisis situations. FEMA, DHS, the
National Weather Service, and emergency management offices include
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) operators in their
communications plans. On June 26-27, the public will be able to meet
and talk with the hams and see for themselves what Amateur Radio is all
about. Using everything from Morse code to modern digital and satellite
systems, voice communications and even Web-radio hybrid capabilities,
they prove “It’s not just your Grandfather’s radio anymore.”
Several of the local Shreveport/Bossier amateur radio operators have deployed in the past during times of disaster, when normal communications were disrupted.
The amateur operators will construct temporary, emergency
style radio stations around the country for the weekend and send
messages in many forms -without the use any other infrastructure that
can be compromised in a crisis. Over 35,000 Amateur Radio operators
across the country participated in last year's event. To learn what
modern Amateur Radio systems can do, go to www.ARRL.org/fieldday.
There you can find information about the locations the Amateur Radio
operators will set up in your home area. They can even help you get on
the air!
For more info
http://www.arrl.org/field-day
Steven Lott Smith
Shreveport Amateur Radio Association 2010 Field Day Chairman
KG5vk@arrl.net
Friday, June 18, 2010
DXCC
Many years ago a great friend KR5D got mne interested in getting some coveted wall paper on my Shack walls
The DXCC award is very valuable to me and those that have it displayed are in great company
Of course Honor Roll is a long way off for me, but we all start the journey with one step at a time
My thanks to Tom KR5D for mentoring me into the DXCC awards program
Here is my current standings..........
it's a bit tough to read unless you just look at the last number on each line
AwardSelectedAppliedAwardedTotal / Current
Mixed *630143206 / 203
CW94026120 / 120
Phone *540121175 / 172
RTTY420648 / 48
160M9009 / 9
80M300333 / 33
40M800585 / 85
30M7007 / 7
20M *470111158 / 158
17M150015 / 15
15M82019101 / 99
12M2002 / 2
10M4702875 / 74
6M2002 / 2
Challenge3210163--- / 484
* = Award has been issued
I eligible for CW DXCC Now as well as 15m (Mixed)
and only 15 Q's away from getting 40m mixed
cheers !
The DXCC award is very valuable to me and those that have it displayed are in great company
Of course Honor Roll is a long way off for me, but we all start the journey with one step at a time
My thanks to Tom KR5D for mentoring me into the DXCC awards program
Here is my current standings..........
it's a bit tough to read unless you just look at the last number on each line
AwardSelectedAppliedAwardedTotal / Current
Mixed *630143206 / 203
CW94026120 / 120
Phone *540121175 / 172
RTTY420648 / 48
160M9009 / 9
80M300333 / 33
40M800585 / 85
30M7007 / 7
20M *470111158 / 158
17M150015 / 15
15M82019101 / 99
12M2002 / 2
10M4702875 / 74
6M2002 / 2
Challenge3210163--- / 484
* = Award has been issued
I eligible for CW DXCC Now as well as 15m (Mixed)
and only 15 Q's away from getting 40m mixed
cheers !
Monday, June 14, 2010
New Mobile Antenna
I now have the new Rav4 configured for HF operation
Yesterday I installed the Little Tar Heel HP (High Power)
with my IC-706 Mark IIG
This morning I had a pleasant QSO with N5BOS from Alexandria, LA
while in the relatives driveway here in Texas
We will be on 20 or 40 meters while heading home tomorrow
So far the Little Tar Heel is performing well, I'll have a good review after I get home
http://www.tarheelantennas.com/little_tarheel_ii
Cheers!
Yesterday I installed the Little Tar Heel HP (High Power)
with my IC-706 Mark IIG
This morning I had a pleasant QSO with N5BOS from Alexandria, LA
while in the relatives driveway here in Texas
We will be on 20 or 40 meters while heading home tomorrow
So far the Little Tar Heel is performing well, I'll have a good review after I get home
http://www.tarheelantennas.com/little_tarheel_ii
Cheers!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
SV2KBS and KG5VK
Steve KG5VK gets to visit with the prettiest and one of the most experienced DX OPS at Dayton, Victoria is from Greece at was at Dayton during the largest gathering of Ham Radio enthusiast in the world.
Friday, June 04, 2010
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