POTOMAC VALLEY RADIO CLUB
NEWSLETTER APRIL 1998
PVRC MEETINGS CALENDAR
Weekly Wed BWI Regional weekly breakfast. Wednesdays 7:30 am,
Basil's Deli, Elkridge Landing Road near BWI
Apr 2 Thu PVRC/NC meeting at Luna's Restaurant, 3227 Avent Ferry
Rd, Raleigh, NC at 6 pm
Apr 13 Mon PVRC Central, Library in Vienna at 7:30 pm.
Program is the XR0Y/XR0Z video. Dinner before at
Outback, Old Branch Ave
Apr 21 Tue NorthWest meeting, Legends Restaurant in Hampton Inn,
I-270 & Rt 85, Frederick, MD at 8:00 pm
April 21 Tue Tidewater Colony meeting with VA-DXCC, D&M Seafood,
Newton and Virginia Beach Roads
May 7 Thu PVRC/NC meeting at Luna's Restaurant, 3227 Avent Ferry
Rd, Raleigh, NC at 6 pm.
May 11 Mon PVRC Central. Church of the Nativity (Episcopal),
Route 5, Temple Hills, MD at 7:30 pm
The program is a discussion of two radio contesting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE MAY ISSUE WILL BE THE ANNUAL ISSUE
with a complete membership roster and reunion-on-the air
announcement with a check sheet. It will be mailed worldwide
to anybody who has ever been an active PVRC member so
please send your updated roster info to W2GG ASAP; I hope to
finish the roster edit (and my 1040 form) by April 15th. Please
send Reference Page corrections to the editor by the 15th.
Articles are welcomed but please check with me with your space
requirements. The final edit will be April 25th. This is our
chance to wake up dormant contesters inside our 175 mirad
contest area and alert more distant PVRC^�ers to QSO us in the
appropriate contests. editor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Four articles are being held for a future issue due to limited
space. K3MM discusses warming up for a contest, N8II
discusses WPX operating, K3MM describes a 2-radio circuit,
and N4MM gives info on VA car plates. Thanks all. - editor
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
PVRC CONTEST CALENDAR by Tyler Steward K3MM
Log Deadlines:
April 7th ARRL DX - Phone - email to [email protected]
May 10th CQ WPX - Phone - email to [email protected]
Contests:
There are no major contests this month.
Go do some antenna work!
>From the Prez... by Tyler Steward, K3MM.
First let me apologize for not getting the Contest Calendar out
last month. Work and my trip to WP3X got in the way... (insert
excuse # 69 here).
I hope I don't sound like a broken record, but I want to remind
everyone that we'd like to collect at least $10 from all members
as a "donation" to help the club fund the newsletter, web page,
and most importantly, it's awards program. Although we decided
several years ago to eliminate the mandatory dues to be
considered an active member of PVRC, the club counts on the
generosity of it's members to keep it's programs running
smoothly.
Most of you probably remember that when we decided to get rid
of MONETARY dues, we also decided that the club would
require each member to submit 2 scores per year of any size to
the contest sponsors of any club competition contest. This could
be part of a multi-op, etc., but we decided we'd rather have your
score than your money! Lastly, in order for your score to count
in ARRL Club competition, you are required to attend 2
meetings per year. With all the regional, hamfest, and other type
meetings we have these days, it's shouldn't be too difficult for
anyone to meet this requirement, and hopefully it'll be a lot of
fun as well! We haven't been strict about enforcement on these
requirements and we don't want to be policemen (or
accountants), so please, don't make us! Hi!
We recently got a letter from WB4DNL who had a couple of
criticism's of the 5 million award rules, so I thought I'd comment
on them.
His first objection was to the rule that "Under no circumstances
will anyone receive Award Points for more than one operation
during a particular contest." His example was that he
participated in the multi at W4PRO as well as under his own call
from home. Under the current rules, he would receive a double
share of points from the W4PRO score OR his share as
WB4DNL single-op, but not both.
While I don't want to discourage anyone from doing this, I will
point out that this is not a very efficient way to maximize points
for the club. Since scores in most contests build dramatically
toward the end, it doesn't help the club as much if you divide
your efforts among two different stations. Yeah, it's nice if you
get on with your own call to work the other club members in
contests such as SS if you are multi-multi. However, the most
powerful way to build club score is for every station to get on
full time using single op's rather than putting on a few big multi's
and leaving the home stations sit idle. Since the share of a multi
score is usually much smaller than a comparable single-op effort
(and I didn't want to discourage guys like WR3L and W4MYA
who really go out of their way to invite and train new contest
operators) I decided to double those shares to at least make them
a little more attractive. From a purely club-centered aspect, it
makes the most sense for guys with home stations to stay home
and use them, while the multi's use op's that don't have a station
of their own. The other alternative is for someone with a home
station who will operate somewhere else to let someone guest op
at their home station while they are gone. This probably isn't a
comfortable situation for a lot of people, but this allows them the
possibility to collect the Station Owner points from that
operation, which quite likely will outweigh the multi-op points
they earn elsewhere. Again, the bottom line on this award is club
points. Whatever maximizes points for the club will tend to
maximize your points for the 5 million award.
His other concern was with the score-reporting deadline for
scores from previous contests, which I will clarify here. For any
score from a contest held in last half of 1997 which otherwise
qualifies for the 5 million award, you may submit your claimed
score at any time up until July 15th, 1998. Once we close the
books on the first calendar year, we will revert to the 45-day
reporting time previously published. We will remain as flexible
on this stuff as possible as I'm sure we'll make some mistakes
along the way and don't want anyone left out.
It is important that everyone get their scores into N3II in a timely
manner as we will be issuing intra-club awards for various
contests in 1998 and you will be left out if you don't meet the 45
day deadline.
Thanks for your letter, Gary (WB4DNL), and I encourage
anyone who has questions and/or suggestions to contact the other
officers or me or chairmen.
I'd like to congratulate everyone who has sent in a score for
PVRC this season on a job well done! Rumor has it that we
trashed an all out blitz from NCCC in the 1997 SS to win by 2
million points. The latest QST also has us winning the ARRL
160-meter contest again this year in the medium category, even
topping FRC's unlimited entry! Looks like we'll be awarding at
least a couple more club gavels (the ARRL club competition
trophy) this year! For those who may not know, we typically
redistribute these club awards to the top single op entry
(combined entry in contests with multiple mode weekends) who
has not received one before.
Starting with the 1998 contests, we'll be issuing certificates of
achievement to members for notable performances in the club
competition contests. My plan at this point is to mail them to the
regional chairmen, who can hand them out at their local meetings
with some fanfare.
It's important that everyone keep their membership information
up to date including his or her region designation and Internet
addresses. The new roster will be mailed to all in May, so we'd
like to have it as accurate as possible by then. All changes go to
the PVRC Membership Secretary, W2GG.
FINAL REPORT ON THE PVRC LOGO by Brian McGinness, N3OC, PVRC VP
Thanks to the efforts of PVRCer Gordon Garrett, K1GG, the
overhaul of the PVRC logo was finally completed. The new
logo looks great and can be seen on the PVRC web page. You
can obtain a GIF version of the logo directly off the web page, or
contact N3OC if a higher resolution version is desired.
This means the QSL card order and the badge order are finally
back on track. The badge order that I received last fall has
finally been placed, and I should have badges for K3UT,
K1DQV, W6HZW, NE3H, W3EMH, W3AZ, W4MYA, and
WA0QII very shortly.
I would like to thank everyone for his or her patience waiting for
the logo to be revised. It is all volunteer work, and sometimes as
a result gets done at a snail's pace. We haggled over the design
for several months, then finally got it to Gordon, had one rework
with him, and we finally got the result we were looking for.
We are still looking for someone to volunteer to coordinate logo
merchandise such as hats and shirts. If interested in helping
please contact K3MM or myself.
CLUB DONATION REPORT by Dave Baugher, WR3L, PVRC Treasurer
I would like to thank the following for the donation to PVRC in
March: K3RR, K3RON, W0QED, W0CN, NY3M,
JH1NBN/K3ZB, N4ZR, W7YS,.K6LEW, W4MYA, W4CE,
W3YD, W3PLI, N4GU, K3TLX, N3GB, WI2T, W4VC. The
donation/dues are most appreciated and needed, keep them
coming.
CENTRAL MEETING MINUTES, Feb 9, 1998 by Rich Boyd, KE3Q, Sec
Ten to a dozen of us met informally beforehand at Outback
Steakhouse, Route 123, Vienna...early arrivals getting there at 5
PM or so, stragglers as late as 6:45. Had a great time.
Present at the 7:30 meeting at Patrick Henry Library, also on
Route 123, were K3MM, W4VC, W1HIR, W0CN, AA4KD,
ND3A, WR3Z, W3EMH, K3ZO, W3ZZ, N3NT, K3OSX,
KE3Q, K4ZW, N3OC, WR3L, KT3Y, K4SO, W3LPL, W4XP,
WI2T, W3DQ, W4CE, K4VV, K4IQ. K3MM read several
membership applications.
WR3L gave a report on the status of the "GO-list" on
packetcluster. He's been working out particulars with the
publishers, to continue to make this available to our packetcluster
users.
K3ZO mentioned that PVRC is starting to get under NCCC's
(Northern California Contest Club) skin. (This is a good thing.)
He mentioned NCCC's frustration in trying to "make a
comeback" in Sweepstakes '97. NCCC was amazed at PVRC's
score increase apparently and is suspicious that PVRC has people
submitting scores from beyond the 350-mile circle. This is not
the case, so we're not losing any sleep. It appears we will win SS
this time ('97)...so let's start making our plans for November '98
to do it again!
The main program item was N3OC demonstrating some
advanced features of CT, the contest logging program...e.g.
connecting to DXTelnet, etc. (packetcluster DX spotting via the
internet...useful if you're on a DXpedition, etc.)
W3LPL gave a report on his recent visits to KC1XX, K1EA, and
K1ZM...all very impressive stations.
We adjourned promptly at 9 PM, since the librarians kick us out
then.
MINUTES OF THE CENTRAL MEETING, Mar 9, 1998 by Rich Boyd, KE3Q, Sec.
Twelve were at Topolino's for the informal dinner and discussion
before the meeting. 19 contesters were at the meeting at the
Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Manchester Dr. at Route 5,
Temple Hills, MD (just off the Beltway). With K3MM not back
from WP3X, VP N3OC presided.
We went around the room introducing ourselves by name and
call. Present were: KE3Q, K6LEW, N3WZR, N1WR,
K3MLA/KG4ML, N3CBJ, N3RR, WR3L, N3NT, W3DAD,
W3YD, K3ZO, W4MYA, W0CN, WK3I, W3CP, W3AZ,
N3OC, and W3DQ.
N3OC passed around a copy of the final enhanced, refined, and
shaken but not stirred logo. The QSL order should be in N3NT's
hands on or about Wednesday. QSLs can be picked up by
arrangement from N3NT's or at upcoming general and NW
regional meetings. Or, they can be mailed to you, if you've made
arrangements for this and paid the mailing cost.
N3OC explained and passed around a CT loop network box
made and being sold by KA2AEV (80M op at N2RM and op at
V26B). Means you can network a bunch of computers together
using one COM port on each instead of two. It cost about $60.
N3OC noted the PVRC regions are doing very well...e.g. the NC
region, Tidewater VA region, Central Virginia Region, and
Delmarva region, our newest, which has been getting 11 or more
attending meetings. N3OC, who is often active from Ocean
City, MD, is surprised there are so many contesters on the
Eastern Shore. K3MM and N3OC hope to get the regional
system hitting on all cylinders during '98, with chairmen making
regular contact with the individual members in their region.
K6LEW and N3WZR were voted into membership. K6LEW got
his novice license in 1952 (year I was born), upgraded to general
in '54 and has had this call ever since. He operated a lot from all
over the world while in the military and has been operating with
the K8GP group (WD8ISK, W3ZZ, W4XP, and others) in VHF
contests lately. He lives in DC and has HF in his truck...made
many DX stations looking for the DC multiplier happy during
the ARRL DX contest.
N3WZR is from Lusby, (southern) Maryland, one of the hams
associated with the KE3QZ packetcluster node down that way.
He also attended the previous Temple Hills meeting. He notes
increasing interest in HF operating, contesting, and DXing,
among the southern Maryland hams and an influx of hams
associated with Patuxent River Naval Air Station, with "NavAir"
consolidating operations there (e.g. WR3Z). With N3WZR was
first time attendee N1WR who has recently put up a 90' tower
with TH7.
N3RR was our featured speaker, giving us an update on the
FCC's RF Exposure standards and ham compliance. He stated
that the bottom line is all Amateur Licensees must, AT ALL
TIMES, be in compliance with the RF exposure limits
(Maximum Permissible Exposure, MPE) which was effective
1/1/98. The new rules require evaluation of station compliance,
effective 1/1/98, if your station falls into the following
categories:
(1) You submit a form 610 for any reason,
(2) you make any modifications to your antenna system,
which may affect radiation pattern, or
(3) you submit a form 610 for a new station license.
If your station does not fall into one the above three categories,
you must comply with the evaluation requirement by Sept 1,
2000. IMPORTANT: Even if you need not comply with the
evaluation requirement until 9/1/2000, YOUR STATION MUST
STILL COMPLY WITH THE MPE LIMITS!
If you aren't required to evaluate your station, how do you know
you comply with the MPE limits? The answer is I'll evaluate
anyway. Here are some important documents:
1. February 1998 CQ magazine, page 95
2. January 1998 QST, page 50 (N3RR has typo corrections)
3. FCC OET Bulletin 65
4. FCC OET Bulletin 65, Supplement B
5. FCC Report & Order FCC 96-326
The FCC documents can be found on the FCC homepage;
specifically: www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety and
www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins/#65
Bill mentioned the importance of all this to himself, with his
neighbor working at NIH specifically on RF exposure hazards.
Bill recommends doing the evaluation of your station and having
some copies in your desk drawer ready to hand to neighbors at
appropriate times.
Other items: mobiles excluded, handhelds excluded (from
compliance requirement). On 10M and VHF, rigs 50 watts or
less are excluded.
On your own property you must limit access to areas of your
property where RF would exceed exposure limits and must give
educational instructions to family members and guests on the
hazards. No compliance is required in reasonably inaccessible
spots (e.g. 50' above the ground, etc.)
RF exposure is calculated on exposure over time...6 minutes on
your own (controlled access) property and over 30 minutes on
uncontrolled (your neighbors') property. Bill noted that SSB has
a typical duty cycle of 20-50% (assume 50% for contesting using
"heavy processing"), and CW is 40%. This is while you're
transmitting. E.g. on CW, the spaces between dits, dahs,
characters, and words, are non-transmitting times...so if you're
transmitting 1,500 watts on CW, you are transmitting only 40%
of the time you are sending. This reduces your power, for these
exposure purposes, to 1,500 watts times .4, or 600 watts. Add to
that that you may be CQing, then listening for answers...consider
you may be transmitting just 50% of the time, so further reduce
your power, for exposure purposes, from 600 watts to 300 watts
equivalent, key down.
K3ZO noted he did these calculations and determined he could
stand within half a meter of his 160M sloper and meet the safety
standard. Things get more difficult as you go higher in
frequency, e.g. 10M and above. But, at 10 meters, Bill
calculated that with an antenna 50' high, you are safe if you are
at least 40' or so away from it, and that's when it's pointed
directly at you. And...the higher your antenna is, the less RF is at
ground level where the people are. So, higher is better.
We proceeded from N3RR's talk to "war stories" of recent
contest or other related experiences. K3ZO noted his venerable
DVK-100 voice keyer has quit; he did most of the ARRL phone
"manually," with his own, live, voice. Then his computer ran out
of RAM, causing some logging problems 'til he got things
straightened out. Fred noted the last 3 hours of the contest, on
15M, "were like the good old days," with Asia really pounding
in. I gather it may have been a great JA run.
W4MYA ran his station west of Richmond multi-multi as usual,
in both CW and phone ARRL weekends. As usual, the operators
were in short supply so there was a lot of operating time for
those who were there.
W0CN operated at W3AZ with W3AZ. Dan just has a small
station at home and really enjoyed using a bigger station.
Several others noted they thought W3AZ sounded a lot younger
on the air than usual. Apparently both Dan and Bill had a very
good time operating together. Bill apparently lost a Jennings
vacuum variable on something or other (must be on an antenna
since he had to go outside in the rain to fix it)...so I noted that, of
course, every guest op should carry a spare vacuum variable in
the car for emergencies. N3OC noted guest ops should carry
spare optical encoders too. W0CN noted that W3AZ's DVK did
work. W3AZ discussed the failed vacuum variable.
Two didn^�t get on. WK3I has been busy rebuilding his
hamshack room and N3WZR was busy working at a telethon.
N1WR has been making QSOs with his TH7 at 90' and wires.
And...being near the bay, and the more southern, saltier, part,
can't hurt either.
K6LEW had his arm twisted (on the radio) by N4UK/WP3X to
get on mobile from DC and give them the rare DC multiplier.
Owen ended up making 251 DX QSOs from DC and didn't seem
to put a dent in the demand. These were all mobile from his
truck driving to and from work.
KE3Q was at W3LPL, 80M, for both ARRL weekends, with
N3OC on CW and with WM2H on phone. 80M won their band
both times, W3LPL is the high claimed score on CW but it
appears K3LR's time had come and after several years of trying,
K3LR has the high claimed score on phone. By the way,
W3LPL has placed first in 23 out of 32 ^�opportunities^� in the
ARRL DX contests with the first win in ^�82 ^�phone. ^�LPL has
finished first in at least one of the four DX contests every season
since 84/85. KE3Q operated the CQ 160 CW contest from
W3LPL single op, with W4ZV's W3LPL log from the previous
year on laptop on the side, for interest. It was interesting to note
some stations called in at about the exact same time, from year to
the next, including K4FJ who was worked in '97 and in '98 at
precisely the same minute on Saturday.
N3OC was on 80M at W3LPL for ARRL CW, and at W3GNQ's
for ARRL phone. Brian notes it takes "10 men and a boy"
(them) to try to keep up with N3RR, and they came close this
year. Brian says they ate very well, as usual. When the power
supply of the GNQ-1000 amp blew, Dick was able to fix it.
Likewise, some polyphaser item that was up a tower...though he
had to wait for the sun to come up.
N3RR was challenged on the air by K3WW to try to stay awake
for 48 hours straight. It resulted in some sound sleep during the
Sunday morning Europe run time. Bill also had a problem with
his IC-775's main tuning knob scraping. He started changing
frequency by entering the frequency on CT.
N3CBJ operated with the K3IVO (Ft. Meade club) team. They
enjoyed using their new FT-1000MP. Talk to these guys about
their club budget sometime. And if you want to eat well, go with
them on Field Day.
K3MLA did single band 10 from home with 100 watts and 25'
high antenna. He felt he did pretty well, with 50% of the QSO
total "da big boyz" (W3LPL) had.
W3CP operated on 15M some using his new quad. W3DQ
wanted to get on but didn't. He said DC isn't usually as rare as it
apparently was this time. W3YD operated the KB3BLK club
station with the Laurel boys and thinks they definitely should get
a new club call.
W3DAD operated from home, just 1/2 mile from the K3IVO
station. He says the MP has lower phase noise than their
previous radio, which really tore things up for him.
N3NT operated at WR3L for ARRL CW, a real joy compared to
the stealth antennas at home. WR3L noted again that he could
use a bunch more ops for his fine station! Dave not only did the
CW weekend full time but got on some by himself during the
phone contest too.
The meeting adjourned at about 9:20 p.m. We enjoyed talking to
W4MYA about his fiber optics work, on 2M as we drove home.
He was headed to Delaware for Tuesday morning work.
PVRC/NC Meeting Minutes March 5, 1998 by KS4XG
([email protected])
Site: The meeting was held at Lunas Pizza in Raleigh from
18:00-19:30.
Attendees: K2AV Guy, K3CV Jeff, K4HA Bob, K4QPL Jim,
K7GM Rick, KF4ARS Kemp, KF4MOK Dave, KS4XG Pete
(secretary), N3QYE Jim, N4CW Bert (chairman), N4TL Tom,
NT4D Jay, OH2BMH Timo, W2CS Gary, W3GCG Willy, and
WB8III Steve.
Membership: This was the second meeting of Rick, K7GM,
sponsored by N4AF. Likewise for Steve, WB8III sponsored by
NT4D and Kemp, KF4ARS sponsored by N3QYE. Welcome to
PVRC, Rick, Steve and Kemp! Chapter membership is now 25.
Club business and announcements: N4CW convened the meeting
by welcoming Timo, OH2BMH as a visitor. Timo is in the area
for a month courtesy of IBM/Finland and is an avid DXer and
contester. Timo even has his home dialup connections in his
radio station so he can listen to DX while he works from home!
February minutes were approved.
K3CV asked what the official place is for sending club scores for
the 5 Million contest.. Scores that are eligible for PVRC credit
and which are sure to be submitted to contest sponsors as official
entries should also be sent to Dave Blanchard, N3II to count
toward the PVRC 5 Million contest (and so the rest of us can see
what you did!). Dave's email address is [email protected]
and NOTE: you should indicate to Dave if you used another
PVRC member's station and indicate their callsign so they can
get proper credit.
N4AF sends his regrets. Howie's Dad is still very ill. Howie also
sent some good news: he just got word from K3EST confirming
first place in the '97 WPX/CW test in the TS category.
Congratulations Howie!
K2AV asked about using the NY4A callsign for WPX/CW this
year. He was directed to contact the trustee, N4AF.
The chapter website (http://www.pagesz.net/~pvrcnc) has gotten
some minor improvements including the new PVRC logo. "Real
soon now" there will be explicit text with the next meeting notice
to provide a backup for folks with browsers that don't show the
scrolling banner along the bottom of their browser window (e.g.
AOL). There is also an experimental email archive in place that
has all the past PVRC reflector email cross referenced by date
and subject ("thread"). After discussion the consensus was that a
moderate level of security would be adequate to protect the
privacy of reflector mail. KS4XG will get a similar OK from
PVRC and then publish the URL of the archive on the reflector.
Because the exact URL will have to be known (folks can't
casually browse the website directories and discover where the
archive is) there will be moderate security.
Member activities: AA4NC and K4MA flew down to VP5 and
met with W4WA to operate M/S for the ARRL DX contest this
weekend as VP5NC. Will and Jim hope to put up a kite vertical
to help with their low band performance.
W2CS has found 10 meters to be "wide open" and has worked
HS1 and other DX using an 80-meter dipole. Gary plans to put
up additional wires before tackling a tower project now that he's
retired from IBM.
N4CW (also retired from IBM) just got a Cushcraft X9 and is
preparing to put it with a 40m beam (probably a 402CD) on a
tower "soon". Right Bert?
W4QPL described a humorous set of exchanges during the NC
QSO party in which a runner gave out three consecutive #1 serial
numbers, later explaining he did this because "the first guy I
talked to said I was #1 so I assumed I was #1 too." Jim also
provided some expert advice about property line setbacks and
guidelines for putting towers and guy anchors close to the lines
(Jim is a lawyer).
K2AV asked about Force 12 antennas and was told to be sure to
find a supplier with stock because lead times at the factory can
be very long. OH2BMH said his C3 was the best tribander he's
had at his QTH and he'd used many kinds before getting the C3.
KS4XG brought one of his new homebrew Beverage boxes for
an ON4UN bidirectional design with a mod suggested by
W3LPL to isolate the feed. W3GCG provided tips about
Beverages, describing one novel design using speaker wire lying
directly on the ground, and showed a very high power current
balun a friend had designed.
Next Meeting: The next PVRC/NC meeting will be 6pm
Thursday April 2nd at Luna's Pizza, 3227 Avent Ferry Rd in
Raleigh. 919-0854-9600
CENTRAL VIRGINIA CHAPTER MINUTES, March 10, 1998 by Bob S., W4DR
The Central Virginia chapter hosted YK1AO and YK1AR at
their March 10th meeting. Omar gave a talk on the history of
amateur radio in Syria and information of interest for tourists. It
took him 14 years to obtain a license (we think our FCC is
slow!), but the pace is picking up. YK1AH got his license in
only 6 months. Omar was presented with a 160-meter vertical,
coax and an Autek RF-1. He has set a goal of DXCC on 160 and
says his operation will be the first ever on 160 by a Syrian
amateur. I expect him to be QRV by April 1 on top band. The
antenna was a gift from the CVCC and many individual
amateurs, including a number of PVRC'ers. Tnx to everyone.
NW REGIONAL MEETING MINUTES, MARCH 17, 1998,
by Greg Altig, N5OKR ([email protected])
In attendance were members N5OKR, K3MM, K3UT, K1DQV,
W3XY, NE3H, K3MQH, WA3IKK, K3TZV, K3SX, W8ZA,
K8OQL, K2UOP, N4MM, W3NRS, K3IXD, N3KTV, N3HBX,
W3ZZ, WI2T, K4VV, W1HIR, W8BOZ, and guest W3XG.
N5OKR, Greg, introduced himself as the new regional chairman,
to the boos, whistles, and catcalls of the crowd led by W3NRS.
After having to forcibly bring the mob under control, the initial
discussion centered on whether the huge attendance this evening
was attributable to the fact that Greg was taking over or that
K3MM, Tyler, was stepping down. Six of one, half dozen of the
other if you ask me. It was great to see the room filled whatever
the reason!
Greg called everyone's attention to the club roster making the
rounds at that time and asked that all review their information for
accuracy. Greg will forward any changes to W2GG to ensure the
May update is as correct as possible. That request is extended to
all that could not attend. Please check your PVRC roster and
forward any changes to Bob or me at your earliest convenience.
Greg further bored the crowd (does this guy ever shut up?) by
calling for any new ideas for the region. Suggestions of new
meeting locations, times, and/or dates are welcomed, as are any
other thoughts on how we can improve what is already the best
region in PVRC.
K4VV, Jack, op'd from EU PVRCer DK5AD and stayed with
Knut during ARRL SSB. Jack also has a new 3 element 20M
beam up at 60', and is enjoying his newfound directivity.
W1HIR, John, has a new QTH and is investigating the radio
possibilities from there.
W8BOZ, Russ, has been traveling with little time for ham
activities. WI2T, Jeff, op'd at W3GNQ for the CQ 160 SSB test.
W3ZZ, Gene, op'd at W3GNQ as a M/2 for the ARRL SSB test
and reports good food/good points. Gene also noted outstanding
trans-equatorial propagation recently.
N3HBX, John, was a 20M SB entry in the ARRL SSB test, but
lost his directivity late when his rotor quit. Could this be the
directivity that K4VV has suddenly found? K3IXD, Ed,
participated in the CQ 160 SSB and both ends of the ARRL DX
test from home.
N3KTV, Jim, currently has two FT-1000MPs occupying floor
space at his house, which woke up the crowd. Offers to relieve
Jim of these tripping hazards flooded in! W3XG, Kris, was in
attendance as a guest of W3NRS and lives near WB3AVN.
W3NRS, Norm, showed off the hardware that will comprise the
new link for the K3WX/r on his tower. The increase tranceive
capability for us out here in the "boonies" will be much
welcomed! N4MM, John, reviewed the new DXCC 2000 rules
that are to take effect on March 31, and the new DXCC countries
that will result from it. From the rumor mill, the FCC may be
making some changes to the amateur licensing system soon.
Standby for heavy seas on this one!
K2UOP, Tom, is a dedicated VHFer who dabbled in the recent
HF tests. This foray into uncharted territory exposed some
antenna flaws Tom was previously unaware of.
K8OQL, Jerry, has found that working all three of the most
recent contests has caused some domestic harmonic imbalance
that he is paying dearly for (Been there....done that!). He was at
W9LT for the CQ 160 Phone test, and at WD3A for both ends of
the ARRL DX contest.
W8ZA, Robert, was with K8OQL at WD3A as a M/2 entry in
ARRL. At home, he has installed the first beverage towards EU
and reports greatly enhanced hearability. K3SX, Sid, worked his
170th country on 160M (a 3A), and took some good-natured
ribbing for his "now QRT" spot of a 5B4 on the cluster recently.
WA3IKK, Dusty, reports he will be gunning for K3SX in the
pileups...K3MQH, Dick, did a small effort in both the 160 and
ARRL SSB contests from home, but has been otherwise busy
repairing ice damage to the VHF contest station in preparation
for this summer. NE3H, Joe, has been working so hard (at his
job, unfortunately) that he hasn't seen the sun in three weeks.
Someone get that man a dosage of vitamin D!
W3XY, Denly, gleefully reported breaking the 500K barrier for
the first time in the ARRL SSB test. Congrats! K1DQV, Roger,
has been working some antenna projects with BB and brought
some "Maurice Specials" to show. He was partnered with
N5OKR at W3LPL on the 10M band for ARRL SSB (poor
guy!). K3UT, George, reports no radio life. (He and NE3H need
to be kidnapped and chained to a chair in front of a radio until
they get their priorities straight!)
K3MM, Tyler, gave a report on his operation from WP3X in the
ARRL SSB test. Their score (12.6M) appears to have won the
world, and Ty's 15M effort (3550 Qs!) proves what kind of iron
man it takes when conditions are good.
A special thanks on behalf of the Northwest Region to Tyler for
his efforts to make this region particular, and the club as a whole,
what it is today. Meeting adjourned.
PVRC DINNER ROVERS by Jack Hammett K4VV
[email protected], 703-281-1308, cluster
On March 25 a dinner meeting was celebrated at Mortons in
Tysons Corner, VA. Attending were Bill/N3RR and Barbara,
Roger/K1DQV, George/K3UT, Owen/K6LEW, Marty/W3YOZ,
John/K4IQ, Gene/W3ZZ, and Jack/K4VV.
We had great food and lively discussions. Bill N3RR has formed
a company to do technology consulting; he will address many
challenges including consulting on RF exposure compliance.
Roger K1DQV described and displayed photos of his Big Bertha
tower rehab and installation with a stack of yagis (including
80m). George K3UT was a key crewman in the installation of
the Big Bertha system. Gene W3ZZ led a discussion of VHF and
propagation issues. Jack K4VV circulated the propagation
information from the winter issue of the Communications
Quarterly which suggests that Cycle 23 is likely to be second
only to Cycle 19, and could be the best ever. Owen K6LEW
(new member in PVRC) discussed his support of the K8GP VHF
contest group and the progress of his company (C3I) in renewing
the Rutland Arrays VHF antenna production of K1FO designs.
Marty W3YOZ participated in the discussion of VHF antenna
design and performance. John K4IQ led a discussion of elevated
radial performance on 160m verticals.
PVRC CONTEST SCORES by Dave Blanchard, N3II
[email protected]
Be sure to send your score into CQ or ARRL.
CQ 160 MTR SSB (#5 3/31/98)
CALL Q'S ST DX TOTAL
SINGLE OP HIGH POWER
N4RV 912 57 32 200,072
W9LT 718 54 33 176,088
K8OQL 616 55 18 104,390
K2UOP 492 48 10 62,640
K3OSX 420 42 17 59,118
K2AV 210 37 9 21,804
K3SV 155 37 13 20,750
K4ZW 173 35 7 16,842
N4MM 126 35 9 13,464
N4TL 131 45 0 13,365
NT4D 57 22 3 3,275
WV3B 40 20 1 1,806
SINGLE OP LOW POWER
KS4XG 138 33 4 11,507
N3UN 120 34 5 10,725
WD3A 124 30 1 8,246
K3CV 110 34 0 8,092
KB3AUG 74 29 4 5,775
W8ZA 90 29 0 5,394
K3DNE 86 26 1 4,806
W3CP 64 23 1 3,216
N3TG 47 20 0 2,000
N4CW 46 18 0 1,764
MULTI OPERATOR
K3IXD 513 52 21 89,644
K3MM 288 58 0 39,034
W2GG 257 49 12 37,332
N3RR 213 44 15 34,928
WA4DAI 66 29 4 4,950
SCORE #LOGS
CW 3,075,978 39
SSB 961,027 27
TOTAL 4,037,005 66
----------------------------
1997 score (CW/SSB COMBINED)
Frankford Ra Club 8,568,548
Southeast^�n DX C 4,434,105
Contest C Finland 3,702,211
Slovenia C Club 3,584,745
Soc Midwest Contes 3,513,618
North Coast Contes 3,405,061
Yankee Clipper C C 3,344,810
Potomac Valley R C 2,747,588
ARRL DX SSB (#5 03/28/98)
PWR/BAND QSO MULTS SCORE
SINGLE OP - UNASSISTED
K3ZO C 2267 383 2,607,081
KS4XG C 1490 270 1,200,000
K3OSX C 860 272 701,760
N8II C15 1243 124 462,396
N3HBX C20 968 117 339,066
K2UOP C 486 211 307,638
N4MXT C15 801 112 269,136
K3SV C 400 190 228,000
N4CW C 273 167 136,773
K3CV C15 280 88 73,920
N4TL C 169 100 50,100
K3SX C 150 87 39,150
K4ZW C10 207 50 30,750
W4ZYT C 107 75 24,075
K4HOT C 117 62 21,762
W3GCG C 57 42 7,182
W3LM C20 41 29 3,567
N3UN B 539 206 333,102
N4MO/TI7 B15 1608 58 279,792
W4YE B15 282 90 76,140
N3TG B 194 115 66,930
W4SD B 168 115 57,960
W3CP B15 167 62 31,062
WA4QDM B40 148 64 28,416
W2BZR B10 101 32 9,696
K3MLA B10 104 26 8,424
N3XQP B 38 24 2,736
SINGLE OP - ASSISTED
N3RR C 1700 435 2,218,500
K3DI C 720 294 635,040
W3XY C 633 285 541,215
NT4D C 610 242 442,860
W3HVQ C 528 258 408,672
KB3AUG C 519 259 402,486
K3IXD C 516 254 393,192
K4SO C 334 216 222,912
W4JVN C 289 146 126,582
WR3L C15 364 102 111,384
KO4MR C 600 139 83,400
KA4RRU C 212 129 82,044
W2GG B 735 303 668,115
W3UJ B 758 252 573,048
K3SA B 550 267 440,550
K6IR B 374 155 173,910
N3GPU B 284 139 118,428
W3DAD B 161 96 46,368
MULTI SINGLE
VP5NC C 6192 311 5,777,136
N4RV C 754 377 1,983,774
W3AZ C 1084 310 1,008,120
DK5AD C 283 98 83,202
MULTI - TWO
W3GNQ C 1905 428 2,443,452
W8ZA C 1499 353 1,586,382
MULTI - MULTI
W3LPL C 5171 592 9,151,728
W4MYA C 2937 480 4,223,520
.......... TOTAL ...LOGS
CW 51,702,252 52
SSB 41,342,634 53
GRAND TOTAL 93,044,886 105
LAST YR UNLIMITED CW + SSB
FRANKFORD RC 139,419,582 170
YANKEE CCC 131,740,371 187
POTOMAC VRC 58,213,623 96
OPERATORS:
DK5AD - DK5AD K4VV
N4RV - N4RV KT4W
W3AZ - W0CN W3AZ
W3GNQ - W3GNQ K3SKE W3ZZ N3OC WR3Z K3LP W3GO
W3LPL - W3LPL K1HTV AI3M KE3Q WM2H K3RA W3UR
ND3F KW4T KC3EK K1RZ KD4D N5OKR K1DQV
W4MYA - KB4DI AD4TS KF4QQY KD4JXY WA4QDM W4KY W4MYA
W8ZA - W8ZA K8OQL WD3A
CQ WPX SSB (#1 3/30/98)
PWR BAND Q^�s MULT SCORE
SINGLE OP - UNASSISTED
KE3Q C 3032 863 7,234,529
KS4XG C 257 169 118,807
N4MM C 0 0 14,688
SINGLE OP - ASSISTED
K4VV C 200 166 87,316
W2GG B 827 469 1,145,767
WA4QDM B 353 230 254,840
MULTI SINGLE
A61AJ C 3928 868 10,263,000
KT4W C 2371 809 5,296,523
MULTI - MULTI
KS3F C 3660 1028 9,299,288
------------------
TOTAL SSB/LOGS 33,714,758 9
OPERATORS:
A61AJ: A61AJ K3LP
KE3Q: KE3Q @ W3LPL
KT4W: KT4W N4RV @ N4RV
KS3F: W3PP KE3ZR N3WDL
NX3A KS3F
A=QRP B=LowPwr C=HiPwr
More WPX results and prior year scores will appear in
the next issue. - editor
PVRC REFERENCE PAGE (Please send corrections to the editor.)
PVRC Officers
President K3MM Tyler Stewart 301-414-5444 [email protected]
Vice President N3OC Brian McGinness 301-652-6768 [email protected]
Secretary KE3Q Rich Boyd 301-464-8014 [email protected]
Treasurer WR3L Dave Baugher 410-DX1-WR3L [email protected]
Historian K3SA Steve Affens 301-774-0558 [email protected]
Membership Sec W2GG Bob Dannals 410-472-2004 [email protected]
PVRC Charter Members:
W3GRF (SK), W4AAV (SK), W4KFC (SK),
N0FFZ (SK), W4LUE, W7YS, VP2VI
(W0DX), W3IKN, W4KFT.
PacketCluster Contest/DX System (MHz):
K3NA Frederick MD 145.630
W3LPL Glenwood MD 145.590 441.250
KE3Q Bowie MD 145.570 445.375
N3RR Rockville MD 145.510 441.325
N4OHE Mt.Weather VA 145.710 440.925
K3MQH S Mountain PA 145.630
WR3L Baltimore MD 145.610 440.950
N4SR Woodbridge VA 145.630 *
K4FJ Mt. Vernon VA 145.770 *
KE3QZ Hollywood MD 145.690 *
This system is sponsored by the Potomac
Valley DX Spotting Network except "*" are
independently funded by each SYSOP.
PVRC on Internet.
PVRC web site by K3SA: http://www.pvrc.org
PVRC/NC web site by KS4XG http://www.pagesz.net/~pvrcnc
PVRC reflector:
To join send an email to [email protected]
with text of SUBSCRIBE PVRC.
Post to [email protected].
Dues are by donation. The mandatory $10
dues have been discontinued. So please send
your donation - hopefully at least $10 - to
Dave Baugher, WR3L, 615 Rockway Beach
Av, Baltimore, MD 21221, Please make
checks payable to PVRC. Thank you.
Newsletter & Autocall column Editor: Dick
Wilder, K3DI, 913 Shore Acres Rd, Arnold,
MD 21012-1724. Voice 410-757-6706,
FAX/modem 410-757-6720, Dxcluster packet,
and [email protected]. Deadlines are the 25th
unless prior arrangements are made.
CENTRAL: The Central Meeting is always
the second Monday (except June, July, and
August) at 7:30 pm. The central meeting
generally alternates between MD and VA
locations. A pre-meeting dinner is usually
held between 5:00 and 6:30 pm. Check via
147- repeater.
VA LOCATION: The Patrick Henry
(Public) Library, Route 123, Vienna, VA. Pre-
meeting dinner at Outback, Old Branch Ave.
MD LOCATION: Church of the Nativity
(Episcopal), Route 5, Temple Hills, MD. Pre-
meeting dinner at Topolino's.
NORTHWEST: Greg Altig 301-898-1428
[email protected]. Meets at 8:00 pm on the
third Tuesday every month at the Legends
Restaurant in Hampton Inn, at I-270 and Route
85 in south Frederick, MD. Essentially
includes WEST VIRGINIA area.
NORTH CAROLINA: Chair: Bert Michaud,
N4CW, [email protected]. Sec: Pete Soper,
KS4XG, [email protected], hm: 919-362-
4635, wk: 919-481-3587. Activites: Jim
Stevens, K4MA, [email protected].
POC is N4CW and KS4XG. Howie Hoyt,
N4AF, [email protected] is PVRC reflector editor.
PVRC/NC meets at 6:00 pm the first Thursday
of every month at Luna's, 3227 Avent Ferry
Rd, Raleigh, tel. 919-854-9600. Luna's is in a
strip mall behind Courtney's Restaurant. Go
in, and proceed to the back, and up the stairs
to a large table set and waiting for you.
TIDEWATER (VA) COLONY OF PVRC:
Don Lynch W4ZYT 804-486-0728
[email protected]. Meetings are the
3rd Tuesday of every month in conjunction
with the VA DXCC at the China Palace
Restaurant corner of Newtown Road and
Kempsville Road in Norfolk. Take 64 to the
Newtown Road exit south. Kempsville Road
is the second traffic light. The restaurant is
across the intersection to the right.
SOUTHWEST VA CHAPTER: Coordinator:
John Mitchell, K4IQ, Catawba, VA 540-384-
7377, [email protected]. Meets at Denny's
Restaurant in West Salem (exit 137 to
intersection & left before the traffic light) OR
at Pargo's Restraurant in Roanoke, VA.
THE BWI REGIONAL/PVRC: Weekly
breakfast Wed at 7:30 AM at Basil's Deli Port
on Elkrdige Landing Rd 1/4 mile South of
Winterson Road 410-850-4333. Director: Ike
Lawton, W2EOS, 410-263-2830. Secretary:
Howard Leake, W6AXX, 410-465-7008,
[email protected]
OVER-THE-HILL BUNCH (Luncheon):
Rotating hosts announces meeting info. Ben
Shaver, AA4XU, 703-534-4740; Andy
Anderson, W3XE, 301-384-7771,
[email protected], Holiday Inn, College
Park MD; and Bill Leavitt, W3AZ, 301-292-
5797, Ramada Inn, Oxon Hill
RAPPAHANNOCK or WOODBRIDGE:
Jack O'Mara W4NF 703-680-4106 and Cliff
Deel W4CE 703-491-0841
[email protected]
CENTRAL VA: Bob Morris, W4MYA 804-
457-9011 [email protected]
EASTERN-SHORE (DEL-MAR-VA):
Dallas Carter, W3PP 302-875-0550
[email protected]
WEST (Shenandoah, etc) Chair vacant
NORTHEAST: WR3L, see info above
EAST (Annapolis): KE3Q, see info above
OTHER MEETINGS (based on last year):
Jun. W3LPL open house Sat before Field
Day with joint FRC/PVRC meeting
on alternate years. (1999, 2001)
summer. When joint FRC/PVRC is at FRC,
they announce the date.
Jul. Cook out at N4AF, Apex, NC
Jul. Open house, W4MYA, Goochland,
Aug. Joint NCDXA/PVRC Fowlfest at
W3YOZ Park
Aug. VHF++ meeting/workshop at ND3F
in Ellicott City
Sep. PVRC meeting at the FARfest in
Gaithersburg
Sep. Open house, WR3L, Baltimore
Dec. Christmas dinner, DC area.
5 MILLION (CLUB COMPETITION)
AWARD Month and w/e number
Jan 3 ARRL VHF Sweepstakes
Jan 4 CQWW 160m CW
Feb 3 ARRL DX CW
Feb 4 CQWW 160m SSB
Mar 1 ARRL DX SSB
Mar last CQWW WPX SSB
May last CQWW WPX CW
Oct 4 CQWW DX SSB
Nov 1 ARRL Sweepstakes CW
Nov 3 ARRL Sweepstakes SSB
Nov 4 CQWW DX CW
Dec 1 ARRL 160m Mixed
Dec 2 ARRL 10m Mixed