Articles and other information related to On The Air Operations, Special Events, Activations, DXxpeditions, Portable and Mobile On The Air Activities, Nets, etc.
The New Hampshire QSO Party (www.w1wqm.org/nhqso) is held in the third full weekend of September. This year the contest is held on Saturday, September 15th from noon to midnight, and September 16th from noon to 6 PM. (That’s 1600 UTC Sat to 0400 UTC Sun, and 1600 UTC Sun to 2200 UTC). To encourage participation in the event, the Nashua Area Radio Society will have a “contest in a contest” competition. To enter, just do the following:
Get on the air and operate in the contest following all NHQP rules.
At the conclusion of the contest post your score to the 3830 website (details below).
Email me notifying that you’ve entered, and tell me which category you operated within.
Don’t forget to submit your log to the contest sponsor and specify the “Nashua Area Radio Society” as your affiliated club.
Categories
Operating categories make it possible to compare “apples to apples”. It isn’t fair for a station with three towers to compete with a little pistol station with just a dipole! So, the following categories for the NARS competition will be used (single operators only except for Superstation):
QRP. Any antenna configuration is OK. Power output is limited to 5 watts CW/digital, and 10 watts SSB.
Small Station. This can be any single radio with output power no more than 100 watts using vertical antennas or dipoles only. No receive-only systems.
TB-Wires. Same as Small Station except that one antenna with gain can be available. Wires/dipoles/verticals must be used for everything else. No receive-only systems.
Superstation. Multiple operators OK. Multiple gain antennas available. Receive-only antenna systems or listening arrays available. Power greater than 100 watts.
New Hampshire stations and stations outside NH will be ranked separately.
Note that “assistance” (spotting systems, repeaters, etc.) is allowed in the contest, and in this competition.
Submitting your entry
Go to the 3830 Scores website (3830scores.com) and navigate to the New Hampshire QSO Party entry. Enter all of the information demanded by the website and submit your score. (If you are having trouble computing your score, contact me directly.)
Once your entry is live on the 3830 site, email me ([email protected]) and tell me the call sign you used, and which entry category for the club competition you’ve selected (QRP, Small Station, TB-Wires, or Superstation). That’s it! I’ll use the submitted scores to determine the winner in each category.
RESULTS
The results of the competition will be announced at the October general meeting of NARS.
The ARRL Rookie Roundup RTTY was held on Sunday, August 19th. The N1FD rookie multi-op team, operating from AB1OC’s QTH took 1st place overall in the contest!
Congratulations to the Rookies who operated in the contest:
Do you read QST magazine or see articles on FaceBook about DXpeditions and think to yourself, “man, I’d really like to do that.” Don’t have the time, the money or the XYL or OM won’t let you go on a DXpedition. Yeah, me too!
6M Antenna on the Mountain
Well, later this month the Nashua Area Radio Society will be doing its own mini-DXpedition to the top of Mount Washington! On Sunday, August 26th we’ll be activating Mount Washington for Summits on the Air and Parks on the Air.
The top of Mount Washington sits at 6,288 feet above sea level. It is the highest peak east of the Mississippi and north of the Carolinas and is known for some of the “worst weather in the world”. We’re hoping that doesn’t hold true on the 25th. Don’t let the weather or the altitude deter you from taking part in this event! Last year we had a couple of members that climbed up the mountain, some that drove (yes, there is a paved road up… a very steep and narrow road) and we even had some members take the Cog Railway – which is an adventure in itself!
The Mount Washington Cog Railway:
The Mt. Washington Cog Railway
The unique way up the mountain is from the Mount Washington Cog Railway. Mt. Washington’s cog railway is the world’s first mountain climbing cog railway. Also, it is the second steepest rack railway in the world with an average grade of 25% and a maximum grade of over 37%!
The Mount Washington Cog Railway Access Road is located off Rte. 302 in Bretton Woods and trips begin at 8:00 am and run through 4:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance on their website.
The Mount Washington Auto Road (Drive Yourself):
Mt. Washington Auto Road
The Mount Washington Auto Road is located in Gorham, New Hampshire on the other side of the mountain from the Cog Railway. The auto road is open from 7:30 am until 6:00 pm on August 25th and rates start at $29 for a car and driver and go up from there.
Tony, KC1DXL & Anita, AB1QB take in the views on the auto road
This drive is not for the faint of heart! There are panoramic views and you will travel through four distinct climate zones on your way up the Northeast’s highest peak. If you are not comfortable with heights or narrow winding roads without guard rails you may want to check out the guided tours or the hiker’s shuttle to the top.
Please note that there are some vehicle restrictions that you want to check out if you plan to drive yourself.
Take a Guided Tour:
Tours of Mt. Washington
Guided tours start at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road beginning at 8:30 am and you have the option of a two hour guided tour or three hour guided tour. The disadvantage of the guided tours is that you are not on your own schedule and time at the top is limited.
The tours do sell out so you will want to book your tickets early if this is the option for you.
Hiker Shuttle:
Connor, KC1GGX descending Tukerman’s Ravine
Another way up/down the mountain is the Hiker Shuttle. The Hiker Shuttle leaves from the Stage Office at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road beginning at 9:00 am. The shuttle then leaves on an as-needed basis, so waits of an hour or more may be necessary. The one way down option can be a little tricky as rides down are sold on a first come, first served basis.
Hike Up:
The final way up/down the mountain is hiking. Although this may not be for everyone – this is a very strenuous hike – it is the most rewarding.
There are two starting points for getting up Mount Washington – the east face and west face of the mountain. The east face trails begin at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center which has information and basic rooms available for rent. Reservations in advance are a must!
The East Face:
East Face of Mt. Washington
The easiest trail (easiest is probably not the right term for any trail on Mount Washington) on the east face of the mountain is Tuckerman’s Ravine for both the ascent and descent. Lion’s Head is the same distance, but slightly steeper. It is not the best for a descent. Boott Spur is another option, which is not any more difficult than the other trails but is much longer. The benefit of hiking Boott Spur trail is the amazing views and not many crowds!
Abby, AB1BY near Lion’s Head on Mt. Washington
The West Face:
West Face of Mt. Washington
The trails on the west face of Mount Washington begin from Mount Washington Cog Railway and offers two trails, the Jewell Trail and Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail. The Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail ascends via Lake of the Cloud Hut where you can stop and get a hot coffee, hot chocolate, water or some snacks… not to mention the fantastic views!
Lake of the Clouds Hut
If you are planning on hiking an early start is an absolute must, especially if you plan to have any time to operate on the summit. Club members that are planning to hike please let me know. It would be fun to have a group to hike with as well as safer for everyone involved.
Accommodations:
The Mt. Washington Hotel
There are many accommodations in the area ranging from beautiful hotels to primitive camping areas. Again, booking in advance is a must! Many of the camping areas in the White Mountain National Forest are booked on a first come, first served basis. They do not take reservations in advance.
Primitive Camping near Mt. Washington
Join in on the Fun!
If you have any questions please let me know. I’d love to see a big group of you at the summit!
Radio Amateurs Developing Skills Worldwide
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