All posts by Jim Lajoie

NARS QSO Party September 26-27

The Nashua Area Radio Society is sponsoring a QSO party on September 26 and 27. The goal is to get people on the air.  We feel this contest has something for everyone. You can earn points using any mode (except repeaters) you like using any bands you like (except the WARC bands). If your new to contesting that’s fine too. I urge you to give it a try. The exchange is easy and this should be an easy and low-stress introduction to contesting.

A note on digital modes. CQ Worldwide RTTY is held the same weekend. If RTTY is your thing or you want to try it out this is a great opportunity!

NARS QSO Party
Mackenzie KE1NZY operating DX SSB

The rules can be found below.

NARS QSO Party

Object: To contact as many amateur radio operators in as many states, provinces and dx entities as possible

Who: You don’t have to be a Nashua Area Radio Society Member. Everyone is invited to participate!

Date: September 26 0000z to 2359z September 27 2020

Categories: Multi-Multi not permitted. Power categories are accounted for in the multiplier section of the rules.

Exchange: W/VE: RST+State/Province
DX: RST+ DX

Valid Contacts: Work each station once per band and mode.

QSO Points: phone QSO=1pt, digital and cw=2pts.

Multipliers: Each US State, Canadian Province, and every Dx Entity is a multiplier.

Power Multiplier: Stations not indicating power level within their log will be scored as operating with greater than 100 watts (>100 watts). Greater than 100 watts (> 100 watts) , total score x 1, 100 or less (<=100), total score x2, 5 watts or less (<=5 watts), total score x3.

Scoring: Final score= total QSO points x power multiplier.

Electronic entries only and should include a complete Cabrillo format log and claimed score. If your software does not provide that option, include a summary file in plain text format. This QSO party was designed for ease of scoring. If you choose Deleware QSO Party in N1MM or your favorite contest software it will compute your score for you. Logs should indicate time in UTC, bands, modes, calls, and complete exchange.

Certificates will be awarded to the top 3 stations and the top score will also receive a 2020 ARRL Handbook. Good Luck I hope to get you in my log!

Jim,  K1BRM

NARS QSO Party Coming on September 26th and 27th

The Nashua Area Radio Society will be sponsoring a NARS QSO party on Sept 26th at 0000z to Sept27th 2359z.

Field Day is in the books, The 13 Colonies Special Event has finished up, and contest season doesn’t start up for a while yet so let’s get on the air and have a QSO party to take our mind off the Covid-19 Epidemic for a little while.   All amateurs are invited to participate.

Note; If the weather is favorable pick a SOTA peak or a park to operate from just make sure to follow all current Covid-19 guidelines.

Keith KC1IMK On 6m
Keith KC1IMK On 6m

NARS  QSO Party Rules

The full rules follow below.

Object: To contact as many amateur radio operators in as many states, provinces and DX entities as possible

Who:  You don’t have to be a Nashua Area Radio Society Member. Everyone is invited to participate!

Date: September 26 0000z to 2359z September 27, 2020

Categories: Multi-Multi not permitted. Power categories are accounted for in the multiplier section of the rules.

Exchange: W/VE: RST + State/Province

                    DX: RST + DX

Valid Contacts: Work each station once per band and mode.

QSO Points: phone QSO = 1pt, digital and CW = 2 pts.

Multipliers: Each US State, Canadian Province, and every DX Entity is a multiplier.

Power Multiplier: Stations not indicating power level within their log will be scored as operating with greater than 150 watts (>150 watts).

  • Greater than 150 watts (> 150 watts), total score X 1
  • 150 watts or less (<= 150), total score X 2
  • 5 watts or less (<= 5 watts), total score X 3

Scoring: Final score= total QSO points x power multiplier.

Electronic entries only and should include a complete Cabrillo format log. If your software does not provide that option, include a summary file in plain text format. Logs should indicate time in UTC, bands, modes, calls, and complete exchange.

 Entries should be emailed within 30 days to [email protected]. 

Sorry paper logs are not accepted.

NARS QSO Party Awards

2020 ARRL Handbook

Certificates will be awarded to the top 3 stations and the top overall score will also receive a 2020 ARRL Handbook. 

Thank you and I hope that everyone has some fun!

Jim K1BRM

2020 Field Day Plans for K1BRM

I’ve eagerly awaited Field Day 2020 since we packed up BOB In January from Winter Field Day. I was hoping The Nashua Area Radio Society would be able to meet as a group as Field Day is a social event almost as much as it is an emergency preparedness event, but COVID-19 has necessitated a retooling of field day into something different from what we are used to.

I will be operating from my home station from commercial power in Kingston. I will be running my Icom 746  barefoot to a G5RV up about 30-35 feet and a newly constructed homebrew fountain antenna as seen in the May issue of QST. I have high hopes for this antenna to cover bands that the G5RV doesn’t do particularly well. I have radiating elements cut for 80, 40, 20, 10, and 6 meters but it’s 80  and to a lesser extent 40 meters that I’m really interested in. The rest I can do with the G5RV.

I plan to spend most of my time on SSB but I plan to give the digital modes some time as well.

73`

Jim Lajoie  K1BRM

Radio Amateurs Developing Skills Worldwide