Author Archive
Skeeter Questions
May 6th, 2012 | 
Author: Questions about the NJQRP Skeeter Hunt have been filtering in. Here’s some answers:
Question – “I have a question that you or someone else may have the answer to. At one time, several years ago wasn’t there a transmitter project that was called a ‘MOSquito’? It possibly was a transceiver. If I recall it was in one of the magazines, CQ, 73, or Ham Radio.”
Answer – I think you’re thinking of the Miss Mosquita – The DL QRP Project still has that kit available:
http://www.qrpproject.de/UK/missmosquita.htm
Question – “Do I have to be a resident of NJ to get a NJQRP number?”
Answer – I’m assuming you mean a Skeeter number. Certainly not! Anyone worldwide, who desires a Skeeter number can have one. And as far as I know, NJQRP numbers are still given out when you join NJQRP – anyone can join that fine organization, also. For the record, W2LJ’s NJQRP number is 47.
Question – “Any thought about multiop or multi multi stations? A couple of us are thinking of a cookout and contest afternoon.”
Answer – No, I hadn’t, but it sounds like a cool idea to me! Want to get a group together and have a cookout and get some radio in? Sure! All I ask is when you submit your log, to list the operators who participated. Of course, this will be considered a separate operating class – but no problem with that. I will make note of it when I update the rules.
Question – “You’ll probably need to add some clarification on the “Kit” points. Some of the other “homebrew” contests are not counting modular kits like the K3 and KX3 as homebrew anymore, does this contest?”
Answer – This might rankle a few purists. But as far as I am concerned, for the Skeeter Hunt, here’s the definition of “kit built”. The operator’s hands were involved in more than 50% of the building of the kit. Solder need not necessarily be involved. If you built a K3 or KX3 with your own hands, it counts. If you finished a kit (half of it or more, I will let the entrant judge that for himself) that someone else started, it counts. If you’re using a PFR3A or a KX1 or whatever and you didn’t build it yourself? Consider it commercial equipment. The idea here is to have fun and not get too trapped in the details. The honor system will rule – there will be no checking. If anyone homebrews a key or paddle for the Skeeter hunt, please send a photo with your entry!
Question – “I am assuming it is ok for skeeters to operate in the field for the event?”
Answer – That’s the whole idea! Get out with your gear, get on the air and then share your tale of adventure with the rest of us!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
Wow!
I saw this on eBay today:
Someone in Spain is auctioning off NorCal Doublets. This particular one has 12 bids on it with about 2 1/2 days to go. High bid is $31.00 US.
Holy Shamoley! I have to start getting busy building NorCal Doublets and posting them to eBay !! I have built several of these from ribbon cable as well as light gauge speaker wire. They do work decently well, and they are cheap to make. For what I paid in materials, $31.00 would be a serious return on investment.
The handing out of Skeeter numbers is going well. If you hit the extreme right tab above, entitled “NJQRP Skeeter Hunt“, you’ll get the rules and you’ll be able to see the roster as it currently stands. I am going to update it as often as I can. As of this very second, 39 Skeeter numbers have been handed out.
Ward Silver of the ARRL has been notified, so The Hunt will appear in the August “Contest Corral”. I will send an e-mail to CQ this weekend, also.
Ahhh! My birthday present arrived in the mail today – the DCP paddles from American Morse. Tiny little package for a tiny little key. I hope to start the build this weekend and will post some photos.
The kids (including yours truly) want to see “The Avengers Assemble” this weekend. Hope I can get tickets – all local shows around here for tonight are already sold out.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
Announcing the First Annual NJQRP Skeeter Hunt
The NJQRP Club is announcing a new summertime operating event – “The Skeeter Hunt”. The objective is to get QRPers out of their shacks for the day; and into the fresh air and sunshine, to spread their wings and fill the airwaves with “Skeeters”. While commercial equipment can certainly utilized, bonus points will be awarded for those who personally home brewed their own or kit built their own equipment (equipment not built by the operator would not count as either home brewed or kit built – it would be considered commercial equipment). The inaugural event is to be held on Sunday August 12th. It will be a four hour sprint – from 17:00 UTC to 21:00 UTC (1:00 TO 5:00 PM EDT).
The theme for this year is “My favorite outdoor place”. You are encouraged to operate from your favorite outdoor place and tell us about it in your Soapbox comments.
Stations who wish to be designated as “Skeeters” can get a Skeeter number by requesting one by sending an e-mail to [email protected] Skeeter numbers would be issued from May through the day before the event.
Station Classes and Multipliers
X1 Home stations – commercial equipment
X2 Home stations – home brewed or kit built equipment
X3 Portable station – commercial equipment
X4 Portable station – home brewed or kit built equipment
Portable stations cannot use permanent antennas, i.e you can’t work from your backyard, hook up to your dipole or tower and yagi and be considered a portable station. Also, portable stations cannot be connected to the local power grid – alternative energy sources must be used – solar, battery, wind, etc.
Suggested Call – Either CQ QRP or CQ Buzz
Exchange –
Skeeter Stations – RST, S/P/C, Skeeter number
Non-Skeeter Stations – RST, S/P/C, Output power
Mode – CW
Power – 5W max
Scoring –
Working a Skeeter Station – 2 points
Working a non-Skeeter Station – 1 point
Total score equals the number of QSO points times the number of S/P/Cs worked on all bands (stations can be worked on multiple bands for QSO points and S/P/C credit) times the multiplier for station class.
Bonus points – design and home brew a key or paddle specifically for the event and earn an extra 1000 points.
Suggested frequencies:
The QRP “Watering Holes
80 Meters ~ 3.560 MHz
40 Meters ~ 7.040 and 7.030 MHz – also consider using from 7.114 to 7.122 MHz for a “slower” speed CW area. We want to have everyone involved!
20 Meters ~ 14.060 MHz
15 Meters ~ 21.060 MHz
10 Meters ~ 28.060 MHz
These are suggested starting points, of course. Feel free to spread out and give your “Skeeter” wings a chance to do their thing.
Logs, photos and soapbox comments can be sent to [email protected] no later than 30 days after the event. Certificates will be issued to the top scorers of each category as well as others to be determined.
A table of call signs and issued “Skeeter” numbers will appear on a separate page on this site.
Hope to hear and work all of you during this new event. Special thanks to the NJQRP club for their sponsorship!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
Severe case of Dayton envy!
I really envy all of you fortunate enough to attend the Dayton Hamvention and FDIM. Looks like a bounty of good QRP stuff will be available. Doug Hendricks KI6DS, posted this to QRP-L today:
Hendricks QRP kits will be at Dayton again this year, and we will be in a new location. Our booth numbers are 459 and 460, located right across from the ARRL in the Ball Arena. And we have 9 new products, yes, you read it right, 9. Here they are:
1. The Weber Tribander designed by Steve Weber, KD1JV. This is a 3 band CW Transceiver and you get to pick your bands from the following: 15, 17, 20, 30, 40 and 80 Meters. Digital display, Custom Case, DDS Vfo, and Encoder Tuning. If you have wanted a PFR on other bands or with rotary encoder tuning, this is the radio for you. Price: $200.
2. The Tuthill 160 designed by Dan Tayloe. Finally, a cw transceiver kit for 160M. We have expanded the popular Tuthill series to now include 160M with a full 5 Watts of output. Basic Kit is $100 (show special), optional Digital Display, $35. Now is the time to get this kit so you will be ready for 160 in the fall.
3. SMK-2. The popular surface mount 40M CW transceiver designed by Dave Fifield is back. And it is improved! The SMK-2 comes with 2 Frequencies, and is complete with case and connectors. Plus there is an optional Crystal Board available for switchable frequencies. The Transceiver is $40, Optional Crystal Board is $10. Frequencies are 7.030, 7.040 and 7.122MHz.
4. 41dB Step Attenuator. We have kitted the popular design that has been in the ARRL handbook for years. Ken Locasale designed a great looking case, and everything is included. Great for working low power and for transmitter hunts. $50.
5. Rock Hunter Chassis for the DCxxB series. We now have a case, connectors and an addon board to give 2 additional frequencies for the DCxxB series of transceivers. We have had many, many requests for a case for the DCxx series of transceivers, and now we have it. $20 for the case, connectors, controls and addon frequency board.
6. Red Hot 40 Transceiver. We will have a special price on the Red Hot 40, the high performance 40 Meter CW Transceiver designed by Dave Fifield. The show special is $200, which is $50 off the regular price.
7. Repackaged Tayloe SWR Meter. Ken has come up with a great little chassis for the SWR Meter designed by Dan Tayloe, N7VE. $25.
8. Sota Tuner. This has been one of our best sellers since we introduced it in September. The Sota is an End Fed Half Wave Tuner with a metal case, stainless steel hardware, and only weighs 2.5 ounces, and the price is $30.
9. Two Fer Transmitter. The Twofer is a great little transmitter. Available on 40 or 30 or 20 Meters. Show special at $30.
We will also have show specials on the Tenna Dipper, with a price of $70, MMR40 at $175, NADC40 basic kit w/out digital display, $100, Ft. Tuthill 15, basic kit no display, $100.
Stop by the booth and say hello to Steve Weber, KD1JV who will be in the booth on Friday and Saturday, plus Dean Davis, Darrel Swenson, Ken and Karen Locasale.
Plus, we will be able to take credit cards this year for the first time. We accept Visa, Mastercharge, Discover and American Express. I am kitting like crazy and really excited about this year at Dayton. Hope to see you there. Doug
Sounds like it’s a good idea to bring lots of radio money along. Maybe it’s a good thing that I’m not going? At least that’s what the XYL is probably thinking.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
New Summer Operating Event
I’ve been working with the leadership from the NJQRP club to start a new annual Summertime outdoor QRP operating event. My idea has earned their blessing.
Thanks to George N2APB and Joe N2CX, I will be announcing the details for the First Annual NJQRP Skeeter Hunt, in the next few coming days.
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Stay tuned !
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
Nice article
While strolling through the links at eHam, I came across this link to a very nice article about Rex Harper W1REX of QRPME fame:
On a KX3 note, a Ham friend of mine has decided that he and his XYL are not cut out for apartment living and have found themselves a small house to live in. Closing is near the end of this month. Right now it looks (as he described it) like a “horse race”. Which will occur first – arrival of the KX3 at W2LJ’s house – or my Ham buddy and his wife closing on their new house? My bet’s on them.
Hmmmmm …….. maybe I spoke to soon – this just came out on the KX3 reflector from Steve WG0AT:
Great News… Kit#1 to be Field Tested via kit assembly/manual …ships 05/02/12 tomorrow. Just heard from Bob/K6XX at Elecraft we’ve been asked to “Kit-test”, as in assemble, Kit# 1 using the latest rev of the kit manual and provide feedback on the process.
I’ve had Elecraft kit building experiences before with their K1, KX1, and K2 but not with any of their recent preassembled gear like a K3 etc. So it should be interesting to see how we do without the smell of a hot solder filling the room. (wonder if they sell solder scented candles aka Ham candle, Hah!)
My KX3-kit was originally destined for shipping via UPS ground but I thought 2-day air in this case would be a much better choice. (Next Day Air is ~$100!) 2nd Day air would get my kit here Friday PM. That’s assuming UPS does their job? Bob agreed and graciously offered to ante up the difference. This gives us the weekend to build and mark up the manual (if needed) and get the feed back to Elecraft before Monday (Maybe even as early as Sat? …no promises!).
Obviously at this point sooner is mucho better than later! (And no need to go into the waiting ‘whine’ song we all dread hearing! Instead …it’s soon over folks! – Peanut) So with any luck and we should be putting our brand new #1 Phillips to use this Friday PM! …YEEAH Baby!
Will keep you posted but if you hear silence for me Friday PM remember that’s a good sound! …Sri, no video – I want to focus on task! Video comes later.
Cheers, Steve …WGOAT/Rooster & Peanut
http://www.youtube.com/goathiker
http://w0-sota.org/
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
A Dark and Stormy Night
Brought to you by Don Keith N4KC, fellow blogger and Ham Radio wordsmith extraordinaire.
http://www.eham.net/articles/27962
Oh, to have the writing talent of Don N4KC or Jeff KE9V or Woody K3NG, fine writers one and all.
I hope you enjoy the story, I did!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
