Archive for the ‘qrp’ Category
Trail Radio
August 7th, 2012 | 
Author: Ham radio and trail hiking have been a natural pair. There are a few hams (that I know of) who have stood out over the last few years in hitting the trails with their amateur radio gear.
The first is Ed, WA3WSJ. He has been out on the Appalachian Trail (or AT) numerous times and has brought along a minimalist setup to get on HF and make some contacts. Chances are that you have heard of the Appalachian Trail – it streches from Georgia to Maine and allows an individual to hike from start to finish.
Ed’s an advocate of pedestrian mobile (WA3WSJ/pm) and has published a few books that tells of his experiences and offers advice for those interested in following his footsteps. He also has established the Great Outdoor Radio Club, which offers resources to avid and aspiring radio trail men.
Another amateur radio hiker is Dennis, K1YPP. He actually completed the Apalachain Trail and also wrote a book on his expierences. Hiking from one end to the other involves reducing the backpack weight as much as possible. Dennis successfully used QRP rigs during his time on the trail.
Here is a podcast of two hams who discuss hiking the Appalacian Trail, including the use of amateur radio (ham radio) and QRP (low power, less than 5 watts) along the way. From the series at Atlanticon 2006 in Timonium, MD.
The APRS folks also are involved in activities on the Appalachian Trail (check out here and here).
Heading west, the next major trail is the Continential Divide Trail. The trail goes from Mexico to Canada and spends a good portion of its time following the Rocky Mountains. Although not a dedicated Continential Divide Trail hiker – Steve, WG0AT, has spent plenty of time in the Rocky Mountains making amateur radio contacts. Steve’s take on hiking is a bit different as he brings two goats with him that help carry the equipment. If you have not seen his Youtube videos, then you are missing out.
Bob, K0NR, is also active in the Rockies… having most recently participated in a unique ham radio event – The 14er. Paul, W0RW, is an pedestrian mobile ham who has taken to the mountains to log contacts. However, I do not think either Steve, Bob, or Paul have actively hiked the Continental Divide Trail along with their rigs.
Further west is the Pacific Crest Trail. I was curious to find that not many hams head to the Pacific Crest Trail for hiking and QRP work either. There is a repeater guide by Bill, AA6J – but I am not sure how much of the trail he has hiked or if he brought any HF gear. The only ham I can find that has attempted the hike was Bruce, N7RR. It also looks like he did not make it all the way. Being a Californian, I am surprised that more west coast hams have not hit the trail along with their HF radio gear.
Have you had a QSO with a ham on the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, or Pacific Crest Trail?
How do you feel about the idea of packing up a rig and heading for the mountains?
Weekend happenings……..
 |
| During the NAQP CW contest |
On Saturday I took part in the NAQP CW contest. It was this day and mostly early evening and evening that the thunder and lightening storms came my way. This limited my on air time in the contest. I entered as QRP at 5 watts and was going to lower the power into the mW range but the conditions would not allow it. I was having a hard enough time making contacts with 5 watts.
NAQP CW results
Band QSO Points Sec
7 4 4 4
14 34 34 23
21 16 16 7
Totals 54 54 34
 |
| First time it has been blank |
The total points for the contest were 1,890 not a very high score at all but I was only in the contest for about 2.5 hours do to a late start, BBQ for dinner and the lightening storms. The highlight to the contest was making contact with two Cuban station CO2JD and CO2MS who were taking part.
Another event was I did not take time to copy down call signs and exchange info on a pad of paper it was direct keyboard copy and type the info into the logging program. I have been practicing for months using PC contest practice software to get the keyboard and speed down. I was using the decoder on the K3 when the code speed was CRAZY.....but over all it was a success.
So that is how the weekend more or less went here at VE3WDM!!
Soon there will be a new KX3 coming to town…
 |
| Elecraft KX3 |
To help raise the funds for the new Elecraft KX3 some items here at the shack have to go up for sale....including my beloved KX1!! I have a new page with all the "for sale" items on it have a look and see if anything there can find a home in your shack. Yes Yes there was a post on my blog regarding my Elecraft K2 and how it was just fine (and it still is) and I did not need a KX3........BUT the bug has bitten.........and it has gone from a need to a want!!!
Other goings on at VE3WDM
When I ordered my Elecraft K3 some years ago I had it outfitted with the 100 watt module....as most you know I am not a QRO op....not that there is any at all wrong with QRO but for me QRP and QRPp is the best option considering my stealth operation. So the 100 watt module (KPA3) was put up for sale and sold in 1 day to help fund my KX3. Now my Elecraft radio is what is called a K3/10 (10 for 10 watts max output). Removing the KPA3 meant taking out my Sub receiver from the rig, the NB board along with some jumper cables. When events like this come I just hate opening up a 5K rig and playing around with the "stuff" inside. All went well and it's back together and working just fine.
I tried and I tried and tried to contact CY9M but it just did not work out that DXpedition is not shut down and it just was not meant to be. This weekend is the NAQP CW contest it starts at 2pm local time and runs til late evening. I am going to give this popular contest a go considering the not so good propagation lately this local contest will be fun even with max 5 watts.
I have an Elecraft K2 with the internal battery pack and up to this point I really have not been charging the internal battery to optimize its life. Some time ago I came across A&A Engineering They offer a great charger for the Elecraft K2 internal battery. I ordered it and it arrived in no time it's waiting to be assembled because....surprise surprise.... I ordered the kit!!
As for my kit from DIY electronic kits the USB 0-500mhz USB power meter kit has been soldered and is all together BUT is seems it has to be calibrated as the output of the rig is not even close to the readings I am getting with the kit. I have emailed the DIY electronics company over and over again but nothing.......seems that was 90.00 down the drain. I am going to keep it up and if I can I want to find a phone number I will then call them and demanding a refund!!! On an up beat note I posted a short time ago about a kit that I ordered and put together call the QRPometer. This kit is a great QRP watt meter and SWR meter but it only goes done to 500mW's..........now for most of you that is just fine but not here at VE3WDM!!! I like to operate now and then at QRPp levels. This means I need a meter that will give me good and reliable wattage readings from about 10mWs up to 100mWs. This was the reason for me ordering the USB 0-500mhz USB power meter it brags of getting down to the low mW levels..........IF YOU CAN GET IT TO WORK AND GET THE DAM TECH SUPPORT TO EMAIL YOU.........take a deep breath......ahhhmmmm.........ok Im back. Talking with the 4 state qrp group (those who produce the QRPometer) I am told the meter can have it's decimal place changed!!! This would give me the QRPp readings I need. This is a project that is now in the works and I will keep the blog readers posted as to it's progress.
As for my kit from DIY electronic kits the USB 0-500mhz USB power meter kit has been soldered and is all together BUT is seems it has to be calibrated as the output of the rig is not even close to the readings I am getting with the kit. I have emailed the DIY electronics company over and over again but nothing.......seems that was 90.00 down the drain. I am going to keep it up and if I can I want to find a phone number I will then call them and demanding a refund!!! On an up beat note I posted a short time ago about a kit that I ordered and put together call the QRPometer. This kit is a great QRP watt meter and SWR meter but it only goes done to 500mW's..........now for most of you that is just fine but not here at VE3WDM!!! I like to operate now and then at QRPp levels. This means I need a meter that will give me good and reliable wattage readings from about 10mWs up to 100mWs. This was the reason for me ordering the USB 0-500mhz USB power meter it brags of getting down to the low mW levels..........IF YOU CAN GET IT TO WORK AND GET THE DAM TECH SUPPORT TO EMAIL YOU.........take a deep breath......ahhhmmmm.........ok Im back. Talking with the 4 state qrp group (those who produce the QRPometer) I am told the meter can have it's decimal place changed!!! This would give me the QRPp readings I need. This is a project that is now in the works and I will keep the blog readers posted as to it's progress.
In conclusion I always like to preview my blog post before it has goes "live" and for some reason the post is DOUBLED SPACED I have looked into this but am unable to find the answer..........keep you all posted on this one!!
IOTA contest and CY9M DXpedition
On all my contacts I tried with the lowest power possible and worked my way up until I made contact. If I was at full output (5 watts) and still could not make contact it was time to move along.
Below is how the hour of contesting worked out for me
1) K1VST NA046 5 watts
2) VE1AL NA010 5 watts
3) DL5AXX ------- 5 watts
4) M05BFL EU005 5 watts
5) DL8FBL ------ 500mW's 8,014 miles per watt
6) 9A/OM8AA EU016 500mW's 8894 miles per watt
7) S58VU ------- 3 watts
8) G6PZ EU005 100mW's 35,262 miles per watt
 |
| Pile up for CY9M on my P3 |
I had seen CY9M on the band scope but they were super busy and with my 5 watts I felt I did not stand a chance. This morning there was an email on the Elecraft reflector from WB2LQF stating he had worked CY9M on both 20m and 30m's with his Elecraft KX3 and using 5 watts to do it!!! So I am back at it now and it's still busy but I am going to give it a go again this afternoon and evening. I just checked out WB2LQF's web page (see link above) he also uses attic dipoles such as myself.....now it's GAME ON!!!
A first time for everything.
WOO HOO BY5WJ…..China with QRP!!!
is a self-governing territorial overseas collectivity of France and is just outside of Canada, some Canadian hams were there making contacts on 20m!!! It was a DXCC I did not have and it's more or less local....easy peasy.............so I thought. The pileup was huge and I never did make the contact. Later in the evening they were on 40m but I was not able to hear them at all. It seemed I was the only one not able to hear them by the size of the pileup. Oh but earlier China BY5WJ was on the cluster and I thought "what the heck " and holy cow there were LOUD AND CLEAR....I gave them a go but again the pile up was big but I wanted to stick with it as they were just blasting in. While others were making contact I went to QRZ.COM to get some info as I always do...........this is what I found........
Although it would have been satisfying to have worked BY5WJ in China,
I'm sorry but either I sent the wrong call or your ears are defective. In fact
you worked 6Y5WJ in sunny Jamaica. If I sent the wrong call then I'm
sorry I need, to practice, a new key, a keyer or radio :) :), either of which
can be sent to me at the above address. If however you wrote down the
wrong call then I will send YOU either a new pair of headphones, a new
rig or a syringe of warm soapy water:)
I'm sorry but either I sent the wrong call or your ears are defective. In fact
you worked 6Y5WJ in sunny Jamaica. If I sent the wrong call then I'm
sorry I need, to practice, a new key, a keyer or radio :) :), either of which
can be sent to me at the above address. If however you wrote down the
wrong call then I will send YOU either a new pair of headphones, a new
rig or a syringe of warm soapy water:)
Best wishes and 73, Josh
IARU contest QRP/QRPp event
So how did all this solar mumbo jumbo affect the contesting goals at VE3WDM?? My first goal and last goal of having fun and enjoying the contest was accomplished. As for adding to my DXCC count I only was able to grab one DXCC. The spotting networks were alive with South Pacific and Asia but at VE3WDM nothing at all was heard. My openings seemed to be centered around Europe with the occasional South American tease.
This contest for me was not about gathering points and contacts. It was taking advantage of a large amount DX and working them with the least amount of power as possible. This meant the contest was slow going and not worrying about total contacts and points. 99% of my contacts were made with QRPp power and some with QRP. Each potential contact started with trying to make the contact with as little as 50Mw's. I had to stop at 50Mw's as my LP100A meter will not measure any lower power output. Back when I ordered and built this meter I never thought I would ever be operating as low as 50Mw's......my thinking was "an attic dipole antenna at QRP of 5 watts I am pushing it" funny how things change over time. I have a device on order that will allow me to measure power output into the nano watts...not that I will ever go there......but you never know!! I was not able to top my all time miles per watt high of 45,868 well maybe next time.
IRAU QRP/QRPp results
Contacts 16 Six contacts 100mW's or much lessITU 9
HQ contacts 6
Points 46 UPDATE: score was actually 690 have to stop using that new math!!
Some of the low power contacts
CALL mW power Miles per watt
W5ZR 60 18,636
N4OGW 60 13,828
N8OO 80 13,355
K0EJ 50 12,541
KT0A 100 11,578
Some DX contacts
mW power Miles per watt
TM0HQ 190 21,198
DA0HQ 220 20,035
II9T 500 11,625
GO2HQ 500 7,052
New DXCC contact
9Y4HQ 5 watts 511
The setup the above was done with is the Elecraft K3, LP100A power meter, Hendricks 41dB step attenuator and the DX-EE dipole in the attic of a 2 story home in a "Z" configuration.
