From w3hkk at roadrunner.com Wed Sep 1 08:40:14 2010 From: w3hkk at roadrunner.com (w3hkk at roadrunner.com) Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 8:40:14 -0400 Subject: [OhQP-mail] OhQP 2010 in retrospect In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20100901124014.004Q9.133307.root@cdptpa-web15-z02> NICE job Kenny, Jim and any others who made more than 250 cw qsos.( (which is what WW8OH did at station #2) We had two ops and a dedicated sunroom, plus food, and a modern rig. Doing it from a car or driving place to place is pretty amazing when you lok at all that is involvedd. Some thoughts: here in central OH, 40m was a real dud, even at the beginning. Probably due to skip distances, since every corner of the state is less than 200 miles or so as the crow flies, and the population centers even less. I remember back in the early to mid 2000's, hearing Ohio counties all during the day on 40, not necessarily with strong sigs but strong enough to rack up 500+ qsos from near Cleveland, mostly in state. So if my theory is correct, top scores Ohio county-wise, will be from stations near Toledo, Cleveland and Cinci. having up to 300 miles between them. Of course, if the skip was over 300 miles then we're all in the same boat. 80m was certainly the Main Band. And I bet if we extended the contest to 160M we could dig out another 100 or so QSOs. 6m is another option with the growing number of 6m rigs ( like my new one-after 31 years of using an FT901dm and FT902dm stations, well deserved, I might add!) So yes Im lobbying for fuller use of my new rig, HI HI. Seriously, 6m is underused now that Es season has passed and would be a growing option for in state qsos, and people who's unstated goal is to work all 88 counties each OQP. Just a thought. It will be interesting to see what the log submissions show, but my gut says 2010 propagation was more challenging than 2009. Which only serves to underline those stations who worked 500+. What a great effort that is! WW8OH CW worked about 5 Euros on 40/80, some with impressively high numbers. I hope they submit logs for all to see. I had a ham friend post the OQP announcement on the UBA ( Belgian ARRL) site for ON-land, plus some other Euro county hunters/contesters who might read it. Its a nicely done site. (That reminder could be extended to other Euro clubs in the future.) Its good to hear some thought that Euro participation was above average this year. But at present, what we need most is an improved, more flexible daytime operating plan, at least until 40m returns to prominence, which at the current rate could take a few years. And thats where 6m and 160m might play a small role. Well my coffee cup is empty so I will end this commentary. Again thanks to all who jumped in even for just a few contacts. And I echo Jim's comments on the usefulness of club activities like OQP for attracting new hams - or reenergizing older ones - through fun, casually paced ( for most of us) events like the OQP. All I can say is it seemed like Grand Central Station for much of the afternoon, with comers and goers streaming past the two WW8OH stations. From n8xx at arrl.org Wed Sep 1 09:37:37 2010 From: n8xx at arrl.org (Hank Greeb) Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:37:37 -0400 Subject: [OhQP-mail] Lack of CW Activity - or was it QRP or QLF? In-Reply-To: References: , <002701cb495c$713293b0$5397bb10$@net>, <4C7D89E6.9020404@arrl.org> Message-ID: <4C7E5721.6090205@arrl.org> Hi Dave: I worked you, or the other "N9FN-Dave" on 80 CW about 2300Z! Thanks for the only MERCer county contact! "Testing things out before hitting the road?" You gotta be kidding! :) In earlier daze of my ham radio career, I'd put everything together, including a 50' mast and wire beam, which I could erect myself, figure out the settings on the transmatch, make sure there weren't any glitches in the equipment, take along duplicates (or triplicates) of everything possible, etc. Now, I have a couple of "go boxes" and a list of other components, which I throw in the automobubble, filler up with petrol, and trundle off. This included a backup on everything except main rig. In the extreme, if my trusty 1984-ish Drake TR-5 failed (which is has never done in its 25+ years of operation), I had an itty bitty QRP rig which operated on 40/30/20 metres, with which I could have made enough contacts to qualify for a "new record" in QRP for HENRy county. The J-38 was the backup for keying. It has never failed me in some 59 years of hamming. The second backup would have been a couple wires, contacted together with my fingers to make "almost acceptable code". I've used to emulate a key if I was just testing something and didn't have the J-38 handy. :) I forgot to say that I gave away my very simple but working keying circuit, a couple years ago when I visited a friend and used his rig and setup for another effort @ OQP. The circuit is so simple I never figured it would give me a problem. two resistors and a transistor - optional couple of diodes...... I've thrown this one together numerous times and it always worked, unless I screwed up the (very simple wiring.) So in the true spirit of an old bumble-brain geezers ham, I put the keying circuit together in the motel in Napoleon on Friday night. Testing could wait until Saturday morning! Switching to the J-38 wasn't really traumatic - I know it works! :) Anyway, I had fun! Was delighted with the venue @ McClure. The Village park is exceptional operating as a portable station! The mayor was a ham in the 60's or 70's (I forget which), with a novice license which he didn't upgrade before it expired. The RF environment was great - no man made noise on 80/40/20 metres, at least not enough to drown out the normal atmospherics. If anyone has a hankering to activate HENRy county again, contact the mayor, I'm sure you can get permission to do so. 73 de n8xx Hg On 8/31/2010 9:36 PM, David Bunte wrote: > > > Bummer about your computer not keying the rig... was it working > properly when you tested things out before hitting the road? > > Did you make the trip without backup hardware? > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jim at w8wts.com Thu Sep 2 02:02:36 2010 From: jim at w8wts.com (James M. Galm, W8WTS) Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 02:02:36 -0400 Subject: [OhQP-mail] OhQP W8WTS Single Op LP Message-ID: <003401cb4a64$7215afc0$56410f40$@com> Ohio QSO Party Call: W8WTS Operator(s): W8WTS Station: W8WTS Class: Single Op LP QTH: GEAU Operating Time (hrs): 10.8 Summary: Band CW Qs Ph Qs -------------------- 80: 161 257 40: 67 24 20: 53 7 15: 0 0 10: 0 0 -------------------- Total: 281 288 CW Mults = 86 Ph Mults = 105 Total Score = 162,350 Club: Mad River Radio Club Comments: OQP was a most enjoyable contest this year. While I did not meet my score goal, I came close and had fun along the way. I operated OQP quasi-field day style from Geauga County. All of the antennas were temporary, consisting of dipoles on 80 m at 55 ft, 40 m at 50 ft, and a 20 m inverted V with apex at 55 ft. I completed all antenna installation and station construction after work on Friday. My only serious mistake of the contest was sleeping through my alarm clock on Saturday morning and missing the first 72 minutes of the contest. I would likely have achieved my score goal had I not missed the first hour. Once settled in, I managed to keep a decent rate throughout the contest. I took no breaks during my 10:48 operating time. The operating plan was to balance CW and SSB QSOs to maximize point production rate, while always watching for mobiles. I noticed no lack of CW activity and was able to work my plan. BAND CW PH MULTS ============================ 80 161 257 141 40 67 24 23 20 53 7 27 TOTAL 281 288 191 I was quite pleased with the availability of multipliers. I missed 9 Ohio counties and 10 US states. ON was the only VE province worked. My CW+SSB/Mult by hour and band breakdown follows: Hour 80m 40m 20m Total Cumm D1-1700Z 84/49 - - 84/49 84/49 D1-1800Z 51/32 - - 51/32 135/81 D1-1900Z - - 51/26 51/26 186/107 D1-2000Z 22/11 35/10 - 57/21 243/128 D1-2100Z 37/17 3/0 - 40/17 283/145 D1-2200Z 21/7 24/8 - 45/15 328/160 D1-2300Z 27/4 10/1 - 37/5 365/165 D2-0000Z 18/0 19/4 9/1 46/5 411/170 D2-0100Z 62/9 - - 62/9 473/179 D2-0200Z 49/5 - - 49/5 522/184 D2-0300Z 47/7 - - 47/7 569/191 Total: 418/141 91/23 60/27 With respect to rule changes for next year, my personal request is to not change anything and leave the rules exactly as they are. The present OQP rules provide for a modern, streamlined contest that is simple to enter and enjoy but very challenging to win. The present rules capture the best qualities that appeal to first-time contesters through very experienced competitors. By Noon on Sunday, the antennas were rolled up, the station was in my Jeep and I was on my way home. Let me express sincere thanks to K2KW for his hard work and great success in publicizing the OQP, as well as each of the mobile, rover and fixed stations that made OQP 2010 a most enjoyable event. Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/ From wo4o at home-sweet-loans.com Thu Sep 2 22:28:38 2010 From: wo4o at home-sweet-loans.com (wo4o) Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 22:28:38 -0400 Subject: [OhQP-mail] YOU R Invited: Tn QSO Party this Sunday In-Reply-To: <4C7E5721.6090205@arrl.org> Message-ID: Enjoyed operating W8BI MONTgomery and partying with my fellow Buckeyes in the recent Ohio QSO Party. Handed out hundreds of Qs. Attend the Tennessee QSO Party this Sunday! http://www.tnqp.org C U Sunday, 73, RiC wo4o -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From k9tm at buckeye-express.com Sat Sep 4 21:21:57 2010 From: k9tm at buckeye-express.com (K9TM) Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010 21:21:57 -0400 Subject: [OhQP-mail] Log Submission Top Issues... Message-ID: <65CFB905-A4F6-4E54-B3CD-01C202F88368@buckeye-express.com> I'll have the logs received page up shortly... There are some things you can do to help: If you are using N1MM and an Ohio Station, make sure the sent information is your county and not OH! If you are using TR and post, make sure you do not have RST in the exchange! Also make sure you have sent information! If you are using Writelog, it does not follow the cabrillo v3 standard for category names! Please let the author of Writelog know that their software does not meet the standard. If you're tempted to submit an ADIF file, please check if your software can generate a cabrillo file. For those who don't know, a cabrillo file is an ASCII file. Therefore, if you're using Windows you can (and should) look at it with notepad and make sure it's correct. Thanks & 73, Tim K9TM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From k9tm at buckeye-express.com Thu Sep 9 12:15:30 2010 From: k9tm at buckeye-express.com (K9TM) Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2010 12:15:30 -0400 Subject: [OhQP-mail] Logs Received and Confirm Emails Message-ID: <4613DD7C-45C3-4DA8-94A2-53324C3CFCB5@buckeye-express.com> Logs received info is now on the web site (http://www.OhQP.org). An email just went out to all who submitted logs thru 8-Sep 2010 @ 2100Z to check the logs received info. 73, Tim K9TM From Jimk8mr at aol.com Sat Sep 11 15:23:18 2010 From: Jimk8mr at aol.com (Jimk8mr at aol.com) Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:23:18 EDT Subject: [OhQP-mail] OhQP Paper Logs Receivede Message-ID: Logs received by mail as of September 11: Ohio: KB9UIY KC8D KD8LAV N8OB K8IZK N8GOB K8GJP N6JSX W3AG/R WB8VNV KA8NSG W9MSE/M W8LO KB8VAO Out of state: AF2K W2CVW K4UK K5ME N8YHA WB9YBI N0UIH Thanks again to all who got on the air and helped make the 2010 Ohio QSO Party a success. If you haven't already sent in your log, there is still time to get it in! 73 - Jim K8MR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Jimk8mr at aol.com Sat Sep 11 15:40:33 2010 From: Jimk8mr at aol.com (Jimk8mr at aol.com) Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:40:33 EDT Subject: [OhQP-mail] OhQP Paper Logs Receivede Message-ID: Oops, add KC8WH to the list of received logs. 73 - Jim K8MR In a message dated 9/11/2010 3:23:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Jimk8mr at aol.com writes: Logs received by mail as of September 11: Ohio: KB9UIY KC8D KD8LAV N8OB K8IZK N8GOB K8GJP N6JSX W3AG/R WB8VNV KA8NSG W9MSE/M W8LO KB8VAO Out of state: AF2K W2CVW K4UK K5ME N8YHA WB9YBI N0UIH Thanks again to all who got on the air and helped make the 2010 Ohio QSO Party a success. If you haven't already sent in your log, there is still time to get it in! 73 - Jim K8MR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From aa8ia at aa8ia.org Sat Sep 11 16:07:09 2010 From: aa8ia at aa8ia.org (Mike Tindor AA8IA) Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2010 16:07:09 -0400 Subject: [OhQP-mail] OhQP Paper Logs Receivede References: Message-ID: It's unbelievable (to me) how many people are still submitting paper logs. On the other hand, I think it's great that they are willing to do that. I submit logs via email because it is easier. If I had to submit paper logs, I wouldn't bother at all. So I'm grateful to and happy to see that so many people willing to submit paper logs vs none at all. Good deal. Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: Jimk8mr at aol.com To: ohqp-mail at ohqp.org Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2010 3:40 PM Subject: Re: [OhQP-mail] OhQP Paper Logs Receivede Oops, add KC8WH to the list of received logs. 73 - Jim K8MR In a message dated 9/11/2010 3:23:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Jimk8mr at aol.com writes: Logs received by mail as of September 11: Ohio: KB9UIY KC8D KD8LAV N8OB K8IZK N8GOB K8GJP N6JSX W3AG/R WB8VNV KA8NSG W9MSE/M W8LO KB8VAO Out of state: AF2K W2CVW K4UK K5ME N8YHA WB9YBI N0UIH Thanks again to all who got on the air and helped make the 2010 Ohio QSO Party a success. If you haven't already sent in your log, there is still time to get it in! 73 - Jim K8MR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ OhQP-mail mailing list OhQP-mail at ohqp.org http://mail.ohqp.org/mailman/listinfo/ohqp-mail_ohqp.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Jimk8mr at aol.com Mon Sep 20 00:21:59 2010 From: Jimk8mr at aol.com (Jimk8mr at aol.com) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:21:59 EDT Subject: [OhQP-mail] Additional Paper Logs Received Message-ID: <157491.7050c400.39c83b67@aol.com> Additional logs received via USPS between Sept 12 - 19: Ohio: K8IYO K8WFL KB8LNP KD8MSZ KJ8F W2LHL AE5M If you haven't already submitted you log, whether electronic or paper, you have one more week to get it in. Log deadline is Monday, Sept 27. 73 - Jim K8MR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From w3hkk at roadrunner.com Mon Sep 20 09:16:56 2010 From: w3hkk at roadrunner.com (w3hkk at roadrunner.com) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 9:16:56 -0400 Subject: [OhQP-mail] Help - Selecting OQP sites in rarer counties- Message-ID: <20100920131656.7KS8K.2411.root@cdptpa-web22-z01> I notice more clubs operating several stations from several different counties, and am looking for a few basic tips that I could apply to the local club at the next OQP. IE -how did you handle the club call sign at multiple QTHs in different counties? How does that affect the Club score? -how did you go about selecting the specific QTH in each county? ( my "perfect" qth would be a rural house/cottage/farm/structure (NOT a campsite/tent) that provided access the day before for antenna hanging and the day after for take down. -what were the problems you had to resolve to get approvals to set up and operate? -what were the types of qth's you had the luxury of chosing from? -Important factors to me would be: availability of commercial power, a weatherproof structure large enough for 5-6 people, freedom from local noise ( trucks-ignition-power line- people), screened or enclosed to minimize mosquitos and other insects, with access to a toilet.) -renting a place for a nominal fee for Friday night and Sat night would be worth it, if necessary. Any thoughts or experiences you would like to share? de Bob PS Counties of interest to me include: Knox, Hocking, Perry, Muskingum, Coshockton, Morgon, Noble. PPS I once contacted a local ARC in a rare county and asked if there were any QTHs I could set up in and operate from for OQP. I wound up with an offer to use a brother's garage, nicely enclosed and with electricity, bath and running water, with 4 nicely spaced tall trees to hang my 80m horizontal loop. It worked out great although I had to sleep in my car.) So clearly ONE option is to contact the ARCs in the county you are interested in to see what they might offer. From Jimk8mr at aol.com Mon Sep 20 10:43:09 2010 From: Jimk8mr at aol.com (Jimk8mr at aol.com) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:43:09 EDT Subject: [OhQP-mail] Help - Selecting OQP sites in rarer counties- Message-ID: <61d5.51264eda.39c8ccfd@aol.com> Bob, I'm not sure what you mean by handling the call sign at multiple QTHs in different counties. OhQP allows only one location for a call sign, unless the station is a Mobile or Rover, moving between temporarily set up stations in more than one county. (The Pennsylvania QSO Party in recent years has allowed stations in different counties use the same callsign at the same time , i.e. K8MAD/MONR and K8MAD/NOBL. This is not allowed in OhQP). So just use a different call at each location. The scores count for the club compeition. Note that in OhQP, portable operations are allowed anywhere in the state, unlike many contests where there is a 175 mile limit from the club center. So in OhQP a club from Cincinnati could operate an expedition to Ashtabula county and count it toward the club total. 73 - Jim K8MR In a message dated 9/20/2010 9:17:03 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, w3hkk at roadrunner.com writes: I notice more clubs operating several stations from several different counties, and am looking for a few basic tips that I could apply to the local club at the next OQP. IE -how did you handle the club call sign at multiple QTHs in different counties? How does that affect the Club score? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From n8xx at arrl.org Mon Sep 20 11:08:44 2010 From: n8xx at arrl.org (Hank Greeb) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:08:44 -0400 Subject: [OhQP-mail] Help - Selecting OQP sites in rarer counties- In-Reply-To: <20100920131656.7KS8K.2411.root@cdptpa-web22-z01> References: <20100920131656.7KS8K.2411.root@cdptpa-web22-z01> Message-ID: <4C9778FC.7010207@arrl.org> Bob: Don't know if this will get through on the reflector, so I'm copying you direct also. I found that a good way to find a place in a rare county was to look at QRZ.com and search for zip codes in the particular county. I then contacted as many of the hams in the county as had listed their e-mail address, and found several offers. I chose one where the mayor of a small town (McClure in my case) had been a ham but had let his license lapse. The village park had 60' poles for lighting the ball field, and all wiring was underground so there was no possibility of electrocution, and would have been ideal for a full size 80 meter horizontal loop (might have been large enough for a full wave @ 160 metres.) I didn't have enough rope with me to scale four or more of the poles, so I used one of them and a strategically located 70' high tree to support a dipole, fed with 450 ohm feed line. During late august the weather is warm enough so a picnic shelter works fine, unless it really rains catsanddawgs. No mosquitoes - the village seemed to have them under control, and other bugs didn't bother. I also had possbilities from two other places in other villages which made offers, one was next to a very busy railroad intersection, which might have had RFI, and another one was in a different small town which probably would have been satisfactory also. Your idea of contacting Red Cross is a good one. I'll try that approach in the future. "Multiple sites" in Multiple counties are OK according to the "rover" category. As long as the stations are in different counties the contacts are good for other stations. I suppose one would have to merge all the logs together - that would be one to ask the contest rules committee for a ruling, preferably before the contest. FCC rules are such that you're not supposed to put more than one signal on a band/mode from a single location, but it's okay to operate the same call from more than one location. You'd certainly want to call 'CQ den N8Q/CNTY) like mobiles did if you had multiple stations set up as permanent sites throughout the contest period. An alternative would be to operate one setup as a rover. As for Friday and Saturday evening accommodations - Knights Inn @ $49/night and no bed bugs or fleas in Napoleon, Ohio was great for me. My wife would have turned up her nose, but, I'm not picky. There was one cheeper place, but I was a bit leery of it. :) 73 de n8xx Hg Operated as N8Q - HENRy County during OQP 2010 p.s. Hocking Hills State Park has some nice cabins for rent, but I think that during August you need to rent them for an entire week. I operated once from Lake Hope State Park in VINTon county, tree were 70' tall, and I had a great signal! On 9/20/2010 9:16 AM, w3hkk at roadrunner.com wrote: > I notice more clubs operating several stations from several different counties, and am looking for a few basic tips that I could apply to the local club at the next OQP. > > IE > > -how did you handle the club call sign at multiple QTHs in different counties? > How does that affect the Club score? > -how did you go about selecting the specific QTH in each county? ( my "perfect" qth would be a rural house/cottage/farm/structure (NOT a campsite/tent) that provided access the day before for antenna hanging and the day after for take down. > -what were the problems you had to resolve to get approvals to set up and operate? > -what were the types of qth's you had the luxury of chosing from? > -Important factors to me would be: availability of commercial power, a weatherproof structure large enough for 5-6 people, freedom from local noise ( trucks-ignition-power line- people), screened or enclosed to minimize mosquitos and other insects, with access to a toilet.) > -renting a place for a nominal fee for Friday night and Sat night would be worth it, if necessary. > > Any thoughts or experiences you would like to share? > > de Bob > > PS Counties of interest to me include: Knox, Hocking, Perry, Muskingum, Coshockton, Morgon, Noble. > > PPS I once contacted a local ARC in a rare county and asked if there were any QTHs I could set up in and operate from for OQP. I wound up with an offer to use a brother's garage, nicely enclosed and with electricity, bath and running water, with 4 nicely spaced tall trees to hang my 80m horizontal loop. It worked out great although I had to sleep in my car.) So clearly ONE option is to contact the ARCs in the county you are interested in to see what they might offer. From n8xx at arrl.org Mon Sep 20 11:19:27 2010 From: n8xx at arrl.org (Hank Greeb) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:19:27 -0400 Subject: [OhQP-mail] Help - Selecting OQP sites in rarer counties- In-Reply-To: <61d5.51264eda.39c8ccfd@aol.com> References: <61d5.51264eda.39c8ccfd@aol.com> Message-ID: <4C977B7F.7090000@arrl.org> Or an interloper from Michigan can invade Ohio and operate a special event station from McClure, HENRy County, OH, and claim it for the Queen City Emergency Net (a club to which the interloper still pays dues.) Or an interloper from Indiana can invade Ohio and Operate from a park in MERCer County. :) The Ohio folks are quite friendly to foreigners and ex-patriots who have abandoned the State. :) 73 de n8xx Hg On 9/20/2010 10:43 AM, Jimk8mr at aol.com wrote: > > Note that in OhQP, portable operations are allowed anywhere in the > state, unlike many contests where there is a 175 mile limit from the > club center. So in OhQP a club from Cincinnati could operate an > expedition to Ashtabula county and count it toward the club total. > 73 - Jim K8MR > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: