Digital, Featured, Newsletter, On The Air

February 2019 Contest Notes

We’re about a month into winter and there’s no better time than now to get on the low bands. February brings a few QSO parties that are worth noting, and you’ll be glad those low bands are available.

The Vermont QSO party [0000Z, Feb 2 to 2400Z, Feb 3] gives us a chance to put those close-in neighbors in the log. If you’re working on your Worked All States award this is a great time to ensure you have VT in the log. Exchange: RS(T) + County (for VT), and RS(T) + state for others.

Minnesota has their QSO party [1400Z-2400Z, Feb 2]. It only lasts ten hours so this is a good contest for people new to the game to see if they can do the whole shebang! Exchange: Name + county (MN), name + state for others.

ARRL School Club Roundup [1300Z, Feb 11 to 2359Z, Feb 15] gives you a chance to works some youngsters. You don’t have to Elmer kids to make a difference. Just work them in a contest to encourage them! Exchange: RS(T) + class (I/C/S) + state.

The North Carolina QSO party [1500Z, Feb 24 to 0059Z, Feb 25] should provide a target-rich environment. Again, this is a short contest (just ten hours) so pay attention. Exchange: County (NC), state (others).

February is also a great month to do digital modes. Here are some contests for those enthusiasts:

Go to the Contest Calendar to see the full list of contests this month.

Remember to always read the rules before entering the contest. Know the time boundaries, power limits, and exchange before transmitting.

Contest (not-so) secret of the month: success in contesting is based on BIC (butt-in-chair) time. Challenge yourself to operate for some minimum time and see how well you do. Remember that many contests have multipliers, so your score changes more rapidly as the contest progresses. It can be lots of fun watching your score soar!

Good luck to all and drop me a note at  [email protected] with your 3830 entry. The best scores might get a mention in the March Contesting Notes. 73!

Scott, NE1RD

Antennas, Featured, General, Newsletter, Space, Station Equipment

Satellite Station 4.0 Part 3 – Antenna Integration and Testing

Sometimes we learn from problems and mistakes. We all go through this from time to time. It is part of the learning aspect of Amateur Radio.

Satellite Station Integration

My most recent experience came while integrating our new Satellite Antennas into our station…

Source: Satellite Station 4.0 Part 3 – Antenna Integration and Testing

Our 4.0 Satellite Antenna Array and new our 6 m Yagi are up on the tower and working with our Portable Satellite Station 3.0.

We had some early life problems to work through to get to this stage in our project.  Initial testing revealed a defect in some of the equipment and a wiring error at one of the antennas. We rented a 50 ft Boom Lift to take the antennas back down to correct the problems.

The antennas are back up and all of the controls systems and feed lines are complete and connected to the station. The new station is performing quite well. You can read about the project and the initial performance testing via the link above.

Fred, AB1OC

Featured, General, Newsletter, On The Air, Space

First Satellite Contact

2 Comments

I have to admit that I’ve had more opportunities than most to make a satellite contact. I have spent plenty of time at Fred, AB1OC’s QTH with his great satellite system and I’ve been to plenty of events with the satellite system up and running.

I first found an interest in satellites back in 2016 at Field Day when the club’s Portable Satellite Station 1.0 got its first use. I already had an Elk Antenna which I used for fox hunting and SOTA. Abby, AB1BY, Connor, KC1GGX and myself went out a few times and we had great luck in hearing the satellites, but no luck in making a contact. I was determined to make a contact on an HT and my Elk antenna, but satellites became a little bit of an afterthought. Every time I would try to make a contact it was last minute or I wasn’t in an ideal location or it was not a good pass to try.

AC1DC Making an HT Satellite Contact
AC1DC Making his first  HT Satellite Contact

Well, this past Saturday I finally had luck in making contact via the satellites… with a little help from Fred, AB1OC, and Anita, AB1QB. We staked out the flight path in their backyard and I used my antenna, but with a headset – which helped as well! I made two contacts on AO-91 on a 42-degree pass!

There’s more to making contacts with the satellites than just pointing your antenna at them and throwing out your callsign. I’m definitely not an expert, but I’ve come to realize that you don’t have to be super precise with the aiming of the antenna, although I think the closer you are to being right on it the better your chances of being heard. Also, I would recommend finding a way to free up your hands as much as possible. A headset helps and a tripod really makes things easier – that antenna gets heavy pretty quickly! And most importantly, use your phone or some type of device to record your QSOs. I have a hard time remembering the callsign, especially when things are going quickly, let alone grid squares and names.

Of course, after accomplishing my goal of making contact with my HT and handheld antenna, we went inside and I made three more contacts on Fred’s satellite station on AO-07. I still plan on chasing the satellites on my HT, but I have a feeling Fred and Anita are going to see more of me on their satellite station!

Jamey, AC1DC

 

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