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DJ7ST > QRP 19.09.02 09:23l 245 Lines 9205 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: 12th OQRP-CONTEST: comments
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From: DJ7ST @ DB0ABZ.#NDS.DEU.EU (Hartmut)
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From: DJ7ST @ DB0ABZ.#NDS.DEU.EU 14-Sep-2002
QRP-CONTEST-COMMUNITY (qrpcc)
c/o Dr.Hartmut Weber, DJ7ST
Schlesierweg 13
D-38228 SALZGITTER
Germany
12th Original QRP Contest (06/07-Jul-2002), Comments
----------------------------------------------------
(agn mni tks to Eddi, DK3UZ, for translation DL into G)
Dear OQRP-Contest friends,
after the atmosphere's QRN-"meanness" of May (Minimal Art Session) it had
to be the ionospere's turn during the 12th OQRPC, the 30th anniversary
after a certain DJ7ST in "QRV"-magazine invited all to take part in a QRP
contest.
Because of the after all drastic influence on the contest (some OPs even
suspected a faulty RX of their's) I asked "Mr. Ionosphere", DL9ZEA.
Here is his expert answer (mni tks dr Horst):
> On 03rd July between 0208 and 0216UTC there occured an X-flare from
> sunspot region 10017 plus two M- and one C-flare. The cloud of sun
> matter started to arrive here on 05th July, the geomagnetic index
> climbed to 14, and the solar wind increased.
> Earth's magnetic field was deformed quite a bit. High induction
> along the magnetic field lines caused huge voltages and field
> strengths. Propagation became very unreliable and abnormal, with
> pronounced fading. The ionosphere "pumped".
> Kp stayed around 4 most of the time. This results in an Ak value
> of 21, i.e. a disturbed magnetic field. Generally speaking, distur-
> bances become more probable with K above 3 or 4.
> Then especially low power stations often disappear in QSB, the usual
> situation tilts. Stations audible well while propagation is "normal"
> are weaker or inaudible, and vice versa.
So it comes as no surprise that many comments concerned conds:
- - - - - - - - - -
Please better conds next year... (PA3HBX)
Heavy QRN, strong QRM, slow QSB .... In short: bad condx! (SM5DQ)
14Mhz almost dead. Went out to check whether the antenna is still standing.
Nearer the equator 20m seemed to be not as empty as up here in the north.
All in all last year it went better, despite the QRN (DK3UZ)
Hand-made CW, w/o machine crutches - is there anything else?!!
...tks to all OPs who thought my MIKROVERT generated signal from a scant
single watt and an antenna shorter than 1m was strong enough to copy (DJ6FO)
This is the first time I took part in a QRP contest and I have been
surprised about the beauty of it. Here power is not important, only
the ability of the operator, a good TRX and antenna... (I2AZ)
Sporting a just acquired FT-817 (fm HAM RADIO 2002). Puzzling with new menu
didn't help with score (I1EFC)
...miserable propagation, lots of QRN, faulty Argonaut II, and in the
evening insufficient signal handling capability of a NorCal 40A. Definitly
need to install the Murata filter (DL2DWP)
My first participation in an interesting contest (YO6EX)
Would have liked to take part in the contest for longer, weren't it for
a clash with the "family contest"... :-) (DL2HRF)
Some more CW experience compared to Dec 2001. However, less activity..(PA0FEI)
Took part for 4.5hrs, the family confiscated the remainder (DL9OE)
On 6th July I signed DL8ABH from home, next day as OZ/DL8ABH (DL8ABH)
At first I intended only antenna experiments ... antenna was a 15m long
fishing rod... (DL5SE)
...conditions on Sunday morning were such that I started to rebuild my RX
frontend to obtain better sensitivity, but without luck, of course.. (OZ9QM)
Bad condx on 20m (9A3ML)
What a great idea this "head & hand" CW. After contest my coding had improved
much (PA0RDT)
Key was made in 1941: Needed occaisional breaks in order to massage my index
finger... expected the OQRP-test to be a pleasure, QRN taught me otherwise
(DK5RY/DL0NZ)
It was nice to see, that operation with low power seems to be increasing.
The conditions were very unstable at times with deep QSB and even long
black-out periods (OZ9KC)
On holiday in Ljungby I set up my antenna on Sunday and heard weak signals
from stations in the OQRP-contest... (SM/DJ7RL)
Propagation practically made it a 40m single band contest. Interestingly
there always were just a few calling stations, but own calls rarely went
unanswered (DL6AAF)
Was QRV /p with indoor magnetic wire loop from SPRAT #109 (PA/DL9ZBN/p)
Despite QRN and poor conds ... cuagn in the next OQRP-contest (DJ3KK)
Lost my 80m ant in a storm 4 days before contest (LZ1IQ)
Extremely poor condx this time! (EA1KC)
Used a simple DC RX which I built on the Wednesday preceeding the contest,
so I lacked experience with this type of RX. Just the same, it again was a
great contest (DL2BXC)
I could only work for two hours, but enjoyed beeing with other QRP boys.
I hope to improve my score next Dec (EA3EZO)
Propagation, especially on 20m, wasn't at its best this time... (DK1LG)
As always - a nice and friendly contest. Fair conditions on the bands (OZ3AAA)
...came across the contest by chance! Bands conditions very poor indeed
- but good fun nevertheless (G8IB)
Good conds on Saturday but very poor on Sunday, especially on 20m (G3VIP)
My equipment: THREE monoband sets with 11 valves each, identical circuits.
From 0918 UTC no more stations because of very bad conditions (SP3BOL)
Sri, made only 4 QSO because I took part in the VHF/UHF-Contest. Tested my
new GM47-"DZD" (OK1DZD)
Unfortunately conds not very good (DL4LBB)
...regrettably propagation wasn't as good as in December (DL1KAS)
I found condx very poor on 20m and was surprised many stns gave 599 like in
other contests (F6ACD)
This time I participated only sporadically. Away on a day trip with xyl...
:-(( (DF2SJ)
All parts over 50 years old. Chassis from BC-radio. Nice time! (SP6LV)
Basically a Tramp 8, adapted to the junk box (DL8LRZ)
20m not so good but still enjoyable, thank you! (GM4BKV)
My "Biggest Bang For The Buck" TX with 20 watts still under construction.
SRI for COM category (DK9KR)
Condx especially on 20 were not too good. The K2 was doing a fine job (PA0RBO)
Despite determination I worked only one VLP station... (HB9DEO)
I ran the contest just for fun - together with VHF/UHF-fieldday (OK1DMP)
...conds not at their best here, but was again delighted to meet many
CW friends (HB9RE)
Propagation rather mediocre (DJ3LR)
Our house party ... heavily curtailed contest activity, sri. More
next time (DJ4VP).
Many thanks for the contest and the adjudication (F5IQJ)
My xyl's birthday with big garden party naturally reduced the contest
to unimportance (DL7VPE)
Big lull between 11 and 12UTC, my 1w-signal inundated in QRN and absorption
... no answers (DL1JGA)
...like to submit my log even though just a few QSOs, so others will get
full points (DL1EH)
Mediocre propagation, but today three hours of participation (F6ABI)
Not a real winner this time: Very weak signals, QSB, QRN, extremely
variable conds... (DJ5AA)
Very noisy condx due to thunderstorms, not so good for QRP (DL2DSD)
All self made from own design. Good if it works, 'kaputt' if it doesn't.
(DL1JAK)
Sometimes fb signals, and then only heavy noise lasting hours... (DL9CE)
Often a continuous carrier on 7030kHz, SSB traffic in CW subband. Apart from
that I had fun again (DK9EA)
Some conds! Felt like under a hood made from lead (DL9QM)
Worst 20m-conds I ever experienced in an OQRP-contest... (DK8SX)
At least took part, ignoring an inflamed throat (DL1AVD)
My worst score but one. When I actually heard someone, he didn't hear me.
I feel ashamed because of my poor result and the abysmal conds. It'll be
better again in winter! (DL1HTX)
Hello, what a trying business... (DL2NH)
Sunday 0915: S8 sun noise on 20 & 40m. Hf black-out! (PA9RZ)
Many thanks for the contest. I enjoyed every QSO (OH7QR)
A pity I met only a few contest participants on 80m Sunday, though signals
were stronger than during the night and less QRN (HB9HQX)
Fun to try my new K1 for a few hours. Really cool (OZ7BQ)
...apart from 80m extremely variable signal strengths... Cancelled the
fun part... (DL1ARH)
Worked like a spark in the 50s, with straight key and without auxiliary
equipment... (DL9GWA)
A record!! 10 QSO in 1/2 hour while average radio activity is 1 QSO per
month... but don't want to miss that opportunity (ON4KAR)
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Some interpreted the new "handmade" categories incorrectly: They DON'T
imply only straight keys are allowed! CW from a squeeze keyer are also
formed by "head & hand". Only keyboards are not permitted in the "handmade"
categories.
Upcoming QRPCC event is the "Homebrew & Oldtime-Equipment Party" on the
3rd Sunday of November. I.e. plenty of time to finish a new homebrew
project. Maybe "Grandmaster" Ha-Jo, DJ1ZB's TX, which to my pleasant
surprise was published in cq-DL 09/02, finds lots of constructors?
For those without a 3.58MHz resonator in their junkbox: A crystal will
certainly suffice, it may even be more stable. A 3.579MHz crystal from
electronic junk will be fine for initial experiments and is also
available for just a few pennies. Have fun!
73/3 "Hal", DJ7ST
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