The Pennsylvania QSO Party

[KB3LIX]

This is just a reminder that the Pennsylvania QSO Party begins in just a few days.
The party runs as follows:

Saturday October 13, 2007 #1600z to 0500z (Sun AM)
and picks back up on
Sunday October 14, 2007 from 1300z to 2200z.

Bands of operation are: 2-6-10-15-20-40-80-160

Modes of operation: Phone-CW-PSK 31-RTTY

The exchange is simple:
Sequential Serial number and PA County or ARRL/RAC section.

Hope to see younz in the QSO Party.

My club hopes to set up a station(s) and operate the QSO party as a group for the first time in many years.
IF we can pull it off, we will use the club call #WA3COM.

If not, I will do a single operator myself.

[N8CPA]

PAQP is one of my favorite pre-SS shakedowns. Unfortunately, I might not make it to this one.

[N3ATS]

Thanks for the reminder. I will see you on the air!

[KB3LIX]

5 days to go......and counting !!!!


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[kl7aj]

Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Oct. 02 2007,11:07)]This is just a reminder that the Pennsylvania QSO Party begins in just a few days.
The party runs as follows:

Saturday October 13, 2007 #1600z to 0500z (Sun AM)
and picks back up on
Sunday October 14, 2007 from 1300z to 2200z.

Bands of operation are: 2-6-10-15-20-40-80-160

Modes of operation: Phone-CW-PSK 31-RTTY

The exchange is simple:
Sequential Serial number and PA County or ARRL/RAC section.

Hope to see younz in the QSO Party.

My club hopes to set up a station(s) and operate the QSO party as a group for the first time in many years.
IF we can pull it off, we will use the club call #WA3COM.

If not, I will do a single operator myself.
Be sure to steer your beams up this way, once in a while, too. California was screaming in here last weekend....we should be getting some East Coast now too...('specially on 20)

Break a leg!

eric

[ad5wi]

Planning on going to the Springfield, MO hamfest Saturday but plan on joining in when I get home. Unless my lovely XYL changes my mind for me.

73 to all, Mark

[k4kyv]

Probably the most obnoxious contest of all!

[w8znx]

Quote[/b] (k4kyv @ Oct. 08 2007,17:17)]Probably the most obnoxious contest of all!
use to not mind
contests so much

but now they have some dam contest
nearly every weekend
hell sometimes there are two or more contests
on at the same time

last weekend was the Cal qso party

week before was a RTTY test

next weekend Penn QSO party

and the most hated SS coming up

mac

[va7aax]

can somebody please tell me what contest "SS" is ? :rock:

[AE1P]

"SS" = ARRL November SweepStakes, CW first weekend, SSB on the 3rd weekend,see arrl contest page for rules

73
Neil

[nz3m]

Quote[/b] (va7aax @ Oct. 07 2007,19:59)]can somebody please tell me what contest "SS" is ? # :rock:
ARRL "SweepStakes"

See all the contests here...

WA7BNM Contest Calendar (http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/contestcal.html)

Dave

Quote[/b] (w8znx @ Oct. 08 2007,17:38)]Quote[/b] (k4kyv @ Oct. 08 2007,17:17)]Probably the most obnoxious contest of all!
use to not mind
contests so much

but now they have some dam contest
nearly every weekend
hell sometimes there are two or more contests
on at the same time

last weekend was the Cal qso party

week before was a RTTY test

next weekend Penn QSO party

and the most hated SS coming up

mac
If it were not for contests, I would have no contacts at all!

Reality is; "rag chewer's" don't want to talk to a station running only 100 watts, when they are 59 running a kilowatt.

Frank http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[KC7YPJ]

Quote[/b] (ac0fp @ Oct. 08 2007,19:38)]If it were not for contests, I would have no contacts at all! #

Reality is; "rag chewer's" don't want to talk to a station running only 100 watts, when they are 59 running a kilowatt.

Frank http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
huh, I find it's exact opposite, I rag chew the night away regularly at 100w,
the california killawatt+ lidfest crowd makes it next to impossible to do jack with 100w
unless you wanna listen to hours long pileups with zero ethics being exercised
and "good amateur practice" dead and buried long ago...

hence my oppinion that contest = Lidfest

EDIT: reality is that if your having problems getting someone to talk to you build a better antenna,
I often have nearly identical signal reports with my 100w vs the person I'm talking to running 800+,
moral of the story is antenna cost pennies on the dollar to build vs buying an amp, and the reward is often greater...

[k4kyv]

Quote[/b] (ac0fp @ Oct. 09 2007,02:38)]Reality is; "rag chewer's" don't want to talk to a station running only 100 watts, when they are 59 running a kilowatt.
But aren't ALL contesters are 5-9?

[w3wn]

Quote[/b] (k4kyv @ Oct. 08 2007,20:17)]Probably the most obnoxious contest of all!
Oh? Well, too bad you feel that way. We'll have fun anyway.

[w8znx]

Quote[/b] (ac0fp @ Oct. 08 2007,19:38)]If it were not for contests, I would have no contacts at all! #

Reality is; "rag chewer's" don't want to talk to a station running only 100 watts, when they are 59 running a kilowatt.

Frank http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
bull
what rag chewers are you talking about

75 meters fone summers night
well sure you better be running 300 watts to a good ant

100 watts to a g5rv at 25 ft you are going to be in the
static crashes
no fun trying have a rag chew with a station
that has no signal

75 fone late winter nights
same op 100 watts to the same low g5rv
is going to have all kinds of great rag chew contacts

there is a time for power
there is a time when you do not need power

80 es 40 cw winter nights i never run more than 20 watts
have tons of long rag chew contacts
heck
have nice long rag chew contacts running 6 watts

first station
ever saw that had
more than one 5 kw amp was a contest station
( Drake B lines and Drake C lines and big honking hb amps )

most rag chew ops do not even own a amp

mac

[cu2jt]

Made 44 contacts in 2005, 18 in 2006, guess less than 10 this year with birthday party coming up on Saturday plus the miserable propagation. But be sure, I will try to add to the bedlam as much as I can...

[NN3W]

Quote[/b] (w8znx @ Oct. 08 2007,17:38)]Quote[/b] (k4kyv @ Oct. 08 2007,17:17)]Probably the most obnoxious contest of all!
use to not mind
contests so much

but now they have some dam contest
nearly every weekend
hell sometimes there are two or more contests
on at the same time

last weekend was the Cal qso party

week before was a RTTY test

next weekend Penn QSO party
The funny thing is that I didnt have any problems making QSOs with stations this past weekend.

Worked 9U0A on 40 CW on Saturday. Did CQP affect my ability? No.

Last weekend, I worked VK9WWI on 40 CW and 30 CW. Did the CQWW RTTY affect my ability? No.

[w3wn]

Quote[/b] (cu2jt @ Oct. 09 2007,08:16)]Made 44 contacts in 2005, 18 in 2006, guess less than 10 this year with birthday party coming up on Saturday plus the miserable propagation. But be sure, I will try to add to the bedlam as much as I can...
We'll look for you during Pa QSO this weekend.

There is a DX entry category, and it's not all that hard to win, especially when 15 & 20 open up a touch!

[N8CPA]

Never mind.

Quote[/b] (k4kyv @ Oct. 08 2007,20:44)]Quote[/b] (ac0fp @ Oct. 09 2007,02:38)]Reality is; "rag chewer's" don't want to talk to a station running only 100 watts, when they are 59 running a kilowatt.
But aren't ALL contesters are 5-9?
I generally get a 58 from contesters. The main point is they hear me just fine and will get my call and report the first time as long as long as I give my call phonetically. No phonetics and everyone wants to make me KCØFP even on 2 meter FM. I only operate 7 MHz and higher because I am, as someone alluded to, antenna challenged. I'm working on a better antenna, I'm just having problems getting the hoisting rope up 55' in a tree.

Frank

[AF6HA]

I'll try to keep my comments short (still the FNG around here)... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Studied and earned my Tech ticket in 2000, and just recently upgraded to General (end of September). # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Operating for just over a week now, I've learned several important lessons. #One, ALWAYS check the schedule for any contests going on. #I "walked into: the CA CSO Party on Saturday, and nt knowing what was going on, was a bit taken back (my first observed contest). # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif I answered a few calls and added three states to my list. #

(2) Just because someone else is rude doesn't mean I have to be. #I tried for an hour and a half yesterday to answer a call from Fairbanks, Alaska but just couldn't get through the pileup (time for a better antenna!). #Several times the operator from Fairbanks had to ask for folks to wait, with some operators being downright rude (must have been the Sailors out there).

I have, however, thoroughly enjoyed the last week and a half, though. #"Met" some good folks out there who were willing to explain some of the terms and procedures, and added seven states and one territory (Puerto Rico) to my log. #Makes me wonder why I wated so long to upgrade.

My next goal is to spend as much free time as the wife and kids will allow to learn as much as I can, and at the same time, learn CW. #The first award certificate I want on the wall in the shack is for a "Worked All States CW".

Many thanks to those of you who have helped out the new guy like me. #I've come to this site several times asking fro technical advice and never been steered wrong. #I've also learned quite a bit from all #you Old Timers out there (or should I say more experienced?) just by rading your comments and by listening to you on the air. #I hope to meet up with some of you one day.

[kl7aj]

Quote[/b] (w8znx @ Oct. 09 2007,02:19)]Quote[/b] (ac0fp @ Oct. 08 2007,19:38)]If it were not for contests, I would have no contacts at all! #

Reality is; "rag chewer's" don't want to talk to a station running only 100 watts, when they are 59 running a kilowatt.

Frank http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
bull
what rag chewers are you talking about

75 meters fone summers night
well sure you better be running 300 watts to a good ant

100 watts to a g5rv at 25 ft you are going to be in the
static crashes
no fun trying have a rag chew with a station
that has no signal

75 fone late winter nights
same op 100 watts to the same low g5rv
is going to have all kinds of great rag chew contacts

there is a time for power
there is a time when you do not need power

80 es 40 cw winter nights i never run more than 20 watts
have tons of long rag chew contacts
heck
have nice long rag chew contacts running 6 watts

first station
ever saw that had
more #than one 5 kw amp was a contest station
( Drake B lines and Drake C lines and big honking hb amps )

most rag chew ops do not even own a amp

mac
This is actually true if you live in an R.F. 'Burmuda Triangle' like Fairbanks. I'm not a contester, but I do like to get on the air when they're on, because I do actually hear some people. It's a different world up here.

eric

[kg4kww]

Wake up and feel the RF, there's more to Ham radio than contesting

[kn4ds]

Quote[/b] (kg4kww @ Oct. 09 2007,14:02)]Wake up and feel the RF, there's more to Ham radio than contesting
To each his/her own, Greggy.. I scanned the bands for an hour last night, didn't hear just a whole lot... did hear Russia this morning on 20m, but it was time to get to work, so I couldn't stick around and try to break through.

Besides, it's hard to find an easier way to get LoTW confirmations, and a lot of times, that's WAY faster than QSL cards.

I had California confirmed 3 times within a couple of hours of uploading my log to LoTW.

Betcha I get PA confirmed by Sunday night, too.

[w3wn]

Quote[/b] (kg4kww @ Oct. 09 2007,14:02)]Wake up and feel the RF, there's more to Ham radio than contesting
No thanks. Been there, done that, recovered from the RF burns a long time ago.

Yes, there's more to amateur radio operating than contests. Which doesn't change the fact that for many of us, contests are fun! Otherwise, they wouldn't be so popular.

Sorry you appear to disagree. We'll just have to have fun without you. Jump in if you change your mind.

[AE1P]

"Which doesn't change the fact that for many of us, contests are fun! Otherwise, they wouldn't be so popular."

Exactly ! ;
I will probably have to work this weekend,but will try to get a couple of hours in.PA can actually be tough for me,As I skip right over;Thinking about pointing the 3-element 6m beam SW and just trying that band,and possibly 75m,though I personally HATE that band for contesting...LID and QRM central....Too bad,as PA is a cinch on 75m from NH

Neil

[KB3LIX]

Quote[/b] (AE1P @ Oct. 09 2007,17:08)]"Which doesn't change the fact that for many of us, contests are fun! #Otherwise, they wouldn't be so popular."

Exactly ! ;
I will probably have to work this weekend,but will try to get a couple of hours in.PA can actually be tough for me,As I skip right over;Thinking about pointing the 3-element 6m beam SW and just trying that band,and possibly 75m,though I personally HATE that band for contesting...LID and QRM central....Too bad,as PA is a cinch on 75m from NH

Neil
Give us a try Neil.

Just for grins, I checked my log for your call. Found
it a few times.

80m # #NH QSO Party
160m #ARRL 160 m contest
40m # NEQP
40 & 80m #MAQP

I'll be active using the club call #WA3COM
or
my own # # KB3LIX. #
(Looks like it will be the club call)

[AE1P]

I'll be active using the club call WA3COM
or
my own KB3LIX.
(Looks like it will be the club call)[/quote]
[QUOTE]

I will be looking for you Bill,thought I heard you on 15m this Sunday trying to work a CA station;
Good Luck, and lets hope propagation is good !

73
Neil

[KB3LIX]

Time for a "bump" to the top of the pile.

3 days and counting !!!

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[w3wn]

Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Oct. 10 2007,17:33)]Time for a "bump" to the top of the pile.

3 days and counting !!!

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On the off chance...

I'm going to be starting the contest a little late (have to go to Little Miss Field Day's last football game... no, she's one of the cheerleaders, and that team needs all the help it can get, those poor kids), probably around 2000 Z or so on Saturday. But... if there's anyone reading this who would like to operate in the contest and doesn't have a shack nearby, operators are welcome.

Serious inquiries via my arrl.net alias, and I'll get back to you.

Oh, and Bill? Make sure someone gets a snapshot of you operating, be it as KB3LIX or as WA3COM. Either way, get it to me post-contest, and I'll make sure that it's in the next WASHRag! (I have connections with the editor...)

73

[K3XR]

If you enjoy contests, at all, PA QSO one of the best, and as indicated, a good tune up for Nov. SS.

[w3dub]

I will be up and running.. hopefully as K3B... Berks County. We have one of the big guns from Frankford Radio Club here in the county but I'm hoping to at least place top 3 in the county.. so if you hear my call.. help a brother out!

I've been pumped for this since summer! ;)

[KB3LIX]

Ron,

I'll make sure someone gets pictures.
We have 7 people signed up to operate, so someone should have a camera.

Too bad about the late start, but the daughter MUST be first priority !!!!

I am going to try both phone and RTTY this year.
I'm green as grass on RTTY, but I used it in the CQ WW RTTY contest a few weeks ago, and had a ball, and a fair amount of success for a first venture.

Good Luck !!!

bill

[KB3LIX]

OK......BUMP TIME !!!!!

Less than 32 hours........ And counting !!!!

TICK....TICK....TICK.....TICK !!!!


One of our members just got his new IC-756Pro 3
today on UPS, and I might get to use it in the QSO Party.
(Goodie, Goodie, Goodie !!!!)

Trouble is, I'll get spoiled and not be able to go back to my FT-897D.

[w3wn]

Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Oct. 12 2007,04:32)] OK......BUMP TIME !!!!!

Less than 32 hours........ And counting !!!!

TICK....TICK....TICK.....TICK !!!!

One of our members just got his new IC-756Pro 3
today on UPS, and I might get to use it in the QSO Party.
(Goodie, Goodie, Goodie !!!!)

Trouble is, I'll get spoiled and not be able to go back to my FT-897D.
Got word last night that N3FB and KB3GMU are probably going to be portable in Erie County.

N3ZK and a small crew will be operating from his mom's house in Venango County. While she's in Vegas. Hmmm...

Also, K3VX & W3WH are going to use the N3SH club call mobile on their trip home (E to W) on Sunday.

And we must not forget our Florida outpost, as W4ZE has retired, departed, will be operating from his home in SFL. Or is it NFL, I forget?

Can't wait!

73

[w3dub]

What counties are you folks.. and what freq's shall I look for you all?

I'm thinking of trying to be about 5KHz up from the suggesteds when possible. Also going to try to really rack up the points on RTTY/PSK31. I just hope the bands are better than they were for the MAQP..

[n4bfd]

Good luck to all of you guys! I'll work everyone I can.

[KB3LIX]

Quote[/b] (w3wn @ Oct. 12 2007,10:20)]Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Oct. 12 2007,04:32)] OK......BUMP TIME !!!!!

Less than 32 hours........ And counting !!!!

TICK....TICK....TICK.....TICK !!!!

One of our members just got his new IC-756Pro 3
today on UPS, and I might get to use it in the QSO Party.
(Goodie, Goodie, Goodie !!!!)

Trouble is, I'll get spoiled and not be able to go back to my FT-897D.
Got word last night that N3FB and KB3GMU are probably going to be portable in Erie County.

N3ZK and a small crew will be operating from his mom's house in Venango County. #While she's in Vegas. #Hmmm...

Also, K3VX & W3WH are going to use the N3SH club call mobile on their trip home (E to W) on Sunday.

And we must not forget our Florida outpost, as W4ZE has retired, departed, will be operating from his home in SFL. #Or is it NFL, I forget?

Can't wait!

73
I knew Randy was going to be in Venango.
Didn't know about Frank in Erie. That will be a nice addition.
Also heard about Larry & Bill operating mobile coming across the Commonwealth, and I THINK Ted is in South Florida.

I have already worked Ted 2 times since he moved to the HOT, sultry, bug infested land......20 & 80 m RTTY.
I'm sure he doesn't recognize my call, but I sure did his !

Ed and Adam (you don't know Adam) are running mobile in this end of the state. No exact route planned, they are just "going to drive" and activate as many counties as they can.

Remember, there is a net tonight on 3910 +/- at 0000z
for any last minute "Breaking News"
I may just tune in to see what other activity may be out there.

Hoping for decent band conditions !!!!!!!


Less than 21 hours to go !!!!!

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[w3wn]

I can't make tonight's net. I have to go to a nephew's birthday party http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif Wouldn't be so bad, except he's now a teenager, and at the age where he doesn't really want a party, just $$$. But, his parents want to have a family party, so that's that!

Didn't know Ed was going mobile afterwards. Neither he nor Jacque were at the WASH meeting last night, and the last he said anything about it, he mentioned that Dave wasn't going to be able to come up from Texas this year, so he didn't know what he was going to do. Glad to hear he found a solution!

See you on the bands tomorrow!

73

[KB3LIX]

Quote[/b] (KB3JGU @ Oct. 12 2007,12:35)]What counties are you folks.. and what freq's shall I look for you all?

I'm thinking of trying to be about 5KHz up from the suggesteds when possible. Also going to try to really rack up the points on RTTY/PSK31. I just hope the bands are better than they were for the MAQP..
The club setup will be in extreme WESTERN Washington county. 2 miles further west, and we would be in West Virginia.
We have a mobile that will be activating counties, but he
does not have a game plan. He just intends to drive. I know he is starting out in Greene Co, probably on the Greene Washington Co line.

No specific frequencies determined, I/we will use the recommended freqs as a guide, but once it starts, the guide will probably go out the window.

We will have 3 (possibly 4) operating stations.

VHF on 2 m FM simplex & SSB

HF #1 an IC-756Pro3 at 100 watts on a triband yagi at
about 40 feet. 10 will most likely be DEAD, 15 may open for a short while, but not for long. It will be more-or-less dedicated to 20 meters, primarily looking for ARRL & RAC multis.

HF #2 #my FT-897D on a wire inverted V at about 35' for 40 & 80 SSB & RTTY looking for in-state counties as well as out of state sections. (I will probably jump to 20m RTTY on Sunday, if time permits.

I don't plan on any PSK-31 this time. I tried it for Field Day, and it was much too slow for a contest environment.

We also have a 400' windom available, if need be.
It can run most any band, and it will be utilized Saturday night for 160 m.

It should be a fun time, especially since our location is on decent ground level (not that height above sea level means much on HF) but it also has a GREAT HAAT, giving us a 360 degree nice take-off angle.

The kolbassi & kraut is already simmering in the crock pot. The XYL is making either a cake or apple crisp tonight for the Party tomorrow, so it should be a good time for all. Not to mention the dogs, burgers, tater salad, beans and other goodies that other participants are bringing.



Good luck to all, hope to work yinz.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[w3dub]

All I'm hoping for is good band condx. If that happens.. i will be happy. I was considering operating in Schuylkill County, but it looks like there is enough activity up there so as it is.

Of course i have one of the big guns from the Frankford Radio Club down here. Grr. Hopefully he forgets hahaahah

[WA3RA]

Printing up my log sheets and gassing up the van...

WA3RA/m

[KB3LIX]

*BUMP*

Less than 3.5 hours to go.
The "TOYS" are loaded in the van, the kolbassi, kraut & apple crisp are done and ready to boogie.
Have to get fuel and bunz for the kolbassi, and it's time to head for the host location.

Good luck to all, and listen for WA3COM in Washington County

[KI4ITV]

I'll be looking for you guys in between "honey do's"... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Sounds like you're geared up to have fun!

[w3dub]

T-Minus 2 hours... in the next hour I'm going to start going through my final checks of equipment..print out my cheat sheets.. looks like nobody will see me for much of the next 2 days hahahaha

KB3JGU.. Berks County.. QRZ? :P

[nz3m]

GL to all

I'll be on for first hour then be back this evening.

AB3BK-Lancaster County

[w3dub]

The bands sound rather healthy... so this should be fun.

[kg4kww]

I'll be looking for you guys in between "honey do's"...

[kg4kww]

Just worked a station on 7.260

[kn4ds]

20 is long, noise is up to 10 over on 40... sheesh...

[va7aax]

dont hear much activity , except some digital activity on 20m. maybe because of my west coast location. 20m was HOT last week on California QSO party.

[KI4ITV]

Many stations on 40 meters...

[kn4ds]

Quote[/b] (KI4ITV @ Oct. 13 2007,14:24)]Many stations on 40 meters...
Right... in the 10 over noise... man, there's got to be something around here that's making that noise.

3 hours in, I've managed 9 contacts. Grrrr..

[KI4ITV]

Quote[/b] (kg4kww @ Oct. 13 2007,04:03)]I'll be looking for you guys in between "honey do's"...
It looks like I'm not the only one in "honey do hell".
I feel your pain, Greg. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[KI4ITV]

"Hi Bill"
I keep hearing you hunting and pouncing...I'm still looking for you calling...

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
edit- I heard that salutation at 18:23 utc Thanks! Cool stuff!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[kg4kww]

Just heard a station on 7200

Has anyone hear any PA QSO Party stations on 75m

[w3wn]

Quote[/b] (kg4kww @ Oct. 13 2007,21:51)]Just heard a station on 7200

Has anyone hear any PA QSO Party stations on 75m
Plenty of them, but my vertical is tuned for the CW part of the band and my little tuner won't make a good match, so no 75 for me this year.

[kn4ds]

Quote[/b] (kg4kww @ Oct. 13 2007,21:51)]Just heard a station on 7200

Has anyone hear any PA QSO Party stations on 75m
I heard one, could never break through... we'll see later. Race is on right now.

[w3dub]

What fun... end of first day:

40 counties
1 DX (Norway)
30 ARRL Sections
71 Mults...

3 Convos with W3P

166 Phone QSOs, 2 CW QSOs

for a total of 54,457 points! I say.. WOW i totally didnt expect to do this well, maybe I do have a rats chance in hell of a top 3 in Berks County!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[kg4kww]

I did work a station on 3868 this evening.

[KB3LIX]

Quote[/b] (KB3JGU @ Oct. 14 2007,01:03)]What fun... end of first day:

40 counties
1 DX (Norway)
30 ARRL Sections
71 Mults...

3 Convos with W3P

166 Phone QSOs, 2 CW QSOs

for a total of 54,457 points! I say.. WOW i totally didnt expect to do this well, maybe I do have a rats chance in hell of a top 3 in Berks County!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Check your math, that doesn't add up http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

71 multis x 166 Q's is about 11,800 points or so.



We are at about 420 Q's on phone and over 110 multis and that is around 48,000 total.

58 PA Counties and something like another 58 ARRL/RAC sections for a total of around 116 multis.

The Q's with W3P are added to the final total, they are NOT multiplied by the multi's, that may be the error.

Its too damn late to think.....Bed time.
The bedlam begins again at 1300z.
In order to get to the site, I have to be up in4 hours.

[w3dub]

yes. But three QSO's are with W3P, which are 200 points a piece. That's what boosts your score. OTW, I would only have that.

[nz3m]

Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Oct. 13 2007,00:42)]The Q's with W3P are added to the final total, they are NOT multiplied by the multi's, that may be the error.
I don't see that anywhere in the rules. It says W3P=200 pts each and any new multiplier they give. Log as W3P/county

Dave

[kg4kww]

Just worked a station on 3820 this afternoon.

[w3dub]

yeah thats not right.. it counts towards your total QSO points. OTW, it would be near impossible to get those higher totals.

I stand corrected.. guess i am going to need to figure out my score again heh...

[kn4ds]

Well, that one's over. Some were tough to pull out of the S9+ noise on 40m, 20m was just too "long" to be of any use, and 75m was too "short" with just 100 watts.

I did get two of the W3P stations, though, so that'll help the score. <shrug>

[AE1P]

Had fun! over 300 Q's,40m didn't go long as some had worried,which was great,because 20m was long,only 1 Q on that band.Had fun last evening on 160,worked a bunch!
Missed a sweep by 7 counties,not bad for 1st PA qso party.

Got the club in the log (WA3COM) couple of time's, Thanks Bill, and your group !
Hope all had fun,see you next year
73 Neil

[kn4ds]

I only picked up 50 Qs (which I had set as a personal goal for this, my 3rd QSO party ever) and 32 counties... I guess that's not horrible, but I heard a station up in Macon, GA, give 551 as his serial number... heh... numbers like that are humbling.

[k2gsp]

That was a lot of fun. That was also my first. I had 44 Q's for 28 counties and I worked W3P twice. All on 20M. I will be paying the QSO parties a little more attention then I have. Great time.

[kn4ds]

Quote[/b] (KE4UWL @ Oct. 09 2007,14:36)]Betcha I get PA confirmed by Sunday night, too.
Done.

[w3wn]

As it turned out, I had a blast today, despite the disappointing results for Saturday.

I'd swear someone had it out for me on Saturday. My daughter's game got pushed back from 1:00 to 3:30 PM, and then started almost an hour late because the referee never showed up.So between one thing and another, didn't get in front of the rig until almost 7 PM EDT -- which meant any hopes of 40 were shot. Then found I couldn't get the tuner to tune the HF6V (currently set for CW on 80 & 40) so I could run 75 phone. A very frustrating night. Still worked a decent number of stations, including a special effort from the N3ZK guys -- actually N3ZK himself, the others had crashed -- to give me Venango on 80 CW.

But I made up for a lot of lost time, especially on 40, on Sunday. No distractions helped! And I finally figured out how to get the tuner to match the vertical to 75 meters, so while I missed the big opportunity on Saturday, I did make some Q's there on Sunday!

Best part of the contest, though, was my DX multiplier. LA4LN on 20 CW. This was a personal thrill, because I knew Tom and his family (including Siri LA2SR) when he was a graduate student up at Penn State many, many moons ago. Of course, it didn't register with him, as he's probably not aware of my new call, but the QSL card will take care of that -- that's a card I've been waiting to send for a long, long time!

Never heard the WA3COM gang, sorry Bill, though I did work quite a few WACOM members. And W3WH & K3VX, QRV as N3SH Mobile, got me two new counties, so all was good. A lot of other familiar calls on the air too -- including my favorite club phonetics, K3 Yellow Toilet Lid!

Bottom line:
71 80 CW QSO's, 26 40 & 20 CW QSO's, 190 SSB QSO's, for a total of 287 QSO's; 50 counties, 38 sections + DX, total of 89 multipliers; 6 QSO's with W3P:

Net score: 34,219

Not bad, considering, and room for improvement. But heck, I used to win Greene County with scores like that, so no complaining here!

73, ron w3wn

[KB3LIX]

Quote[/b] (KE4UWL @ Oct. 14 2007,19:35)]I only picked up 50 Qs (which I had set as a personal goal for this, my 3rd QSO party ever) and 32 counties... I guess that's not horrible, but I heard a station up in Macon, GA, give 551 as his serial number... heh... numbers like that are humbling.
I'm just guessing here, but I'll bet you are referencing
Paul, N4PN.

Paul is a world class contester (and a very nice guy)
He is always at the top of the scores in any contest he works. I found him 3 times, once each on 40, 80 & 160.

I heard him on 20 today, but the path between Macon and my location was very poor. A guy in LAX heard me fine, but Paul couldn't.

Propagation conditions !!!!!

[KB3LIX]

Quote[/b] (AB3BK @ Oct. 14 2007,11:08)]Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Oct. 13 2007,00:42)]The Q's with W3P are added to the final total, they are NOT multiplied by the multi's, that may be the error.
I don't see that anywhere in the rules. #It says W3P=200 pts each and any new multiplier they give. #Log as W3P/county

Dave
I could be screwey too, but IFFIN I remember the summary sheet correctly, the bonus points are added after the regular points are multiplied by the "multi's"

Now you all got me wondering.
I have to go back to the summary sheet and find out.

IF it is correct that bonus points are just added to the "regular" points, then my groups Q's with W3P (4 of them) add another 101,600 points JUST in bonus score !

I sure hope it IS that way !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KB3LIX]

Well, after 2 days of radio, for a group that is not accustomed to working contests, we didn't do that bad.
This is the first time that the club has worked any contest as a group in at least 6-7 years.

The final numbers are:

575 Phone Q's on a combination of
# # # # # 2-15-20-40-80-160
7 RTTY Q's #(Mostly DX)

64 PA Counties # #(missed Armstrong,
# # # # # # # # # # # # #Montour & Wayne)

62 ARRL Sections + DX

(127 multi's total)

(Insert DRUM ROLL here)

For a regular point total of:

# 74,803 #plus 4 Q's with W3P
# # # 800

# 75,603

Sure could have been worse.

I did find one guy from Norway, but I do not remember his call. It might have been the LA2 mentioned above.

Hope everyong had a good time.

(Oh, and 1 of the counties we missed, Armstrong, is within easy driving distance. Next year, we are going to do a portable set up in Armstrong)

[AE1P]

64 PA Counties (missed Armstrong,
Montour & Wayne)


(Oh, and 1 of the counties we missed, Armstrong, is within easy driving distance. Next year, we are going to do a portable set up in Armstrong)[/quote]

Thats funny Bill, Armstong and Montour were part of the seven I missed,I wonder if they qualified for "Hardest counties to get"?
73
Neil

[kn4ds]

Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Oct. 14 2007,21:07)]Quote[/b] (KE4UWL @ Oct. 14 2007,19:35)]I only picked up 50 Qs (which I had set as a personal goal for this, my 3rd QSO party ever) and 32 counties... I guess that's not horrible, but I heard a station up in Macon, GA, give 551 as his serial number... heh... numbers like that are humbling.
I'm just guessing here, but I'll bet you are referencing
Paul, N4PN.

Paul is a world class contester (and a very nice guy)
He is always at the top of the scores in any contest he works. I found him 3 times, once each on 40, 80 & 160.

I heard him on 20 today, but the path between Macon and my location was very poor. A guy in LAX heard me fine, but Paul couldn't.

Propagation conditions !!!!!
That's him... I'm passing out serials in the 40s, and I hear that... I kneel before greatness... heh...

I never did get a Q with any PA station on 20, though I did hear a couple, but the conditions were just not good enough to get 'em...

All my contacts were on 40. I resorted to calling CQ PA to get to my goal... kept hearing the same stations, so that was the only way I was gonna make it.

[KB3LIX]

Quote[/b] (AE1P @ Oct. 14 2007,21:40)]64 PA Counties # #(missed Armstrong,
# # # # # # # # # # # # #Montour & Wayne)


(Oh, and 1 of the counties we missed, Armstrong, is within easy driving distance. Next year, we are going to do a portable set up in Armstrong)

Thats funny Bill, Armstong and Montour were part of the seven I missed,I wonder if they qualified for "Hardest counties to get"?
73
Neil[/QUOTE]
Hi Neil,
First off, thanks for the Q's....It was a PLEASURE !!!

I know that Armstrong was a tough one last year, so I figured (WRONGLY) that someone, anyone would go mobile or portable or something to activate the county. NO such luck. I heard several people in the last 2 hours ASKING for Armstrong & Wayne in their CQ's.
They should be right up there for the "Most Difficult Award"


Also, I went and checked the summary sheet, and the BONUS station points are added after the raw score is calculated. So my stated total of 75,603 is correct.

Time to relax. 2 beers are already gone, and more in the fridge.

My personal thanks to all that participated in this 50th anniversary PA QSO Party, it was a good way to spend a beautiful weekend in Western Pennsylvania, and good practice for the CQ WW DX Contest in 2 weeks.

[kn4ds]

Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Oct. 14 2007,21:12)]Quote[/b] (AB3BK @ Oct. 14 2007,11:08)]Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Oct. 13 2007,00:42)]The Q's with W3P are added to the final total, they are NOT multiplied by the multi's, that may be the error.
I don't see that anywhere in the rules. It says W3P=200 pts each and any new multiplier they give. Log as W3P/county

Dave
I could be screwey too, but IFFIN I remember the summary sheet correctly, the bonus points are added after the regular points are multiplied by the "multi's"
I just filled out the summary sheet, and it adds the W3P points after the multis...

So I had 50 QSOs, 32 counties, for 1600 points, 2 with W3P for a not-so-grand total of 2000 points.

That's what I'm claiming anyway, based on the summary sheet.

[w3wn]

Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Oct. 14 2007,21:28)]< snip >
(Oh, and 1 of the counties we missed, Armstrong, is within easy driving distance. Next year, we are going to do a portable set up in Armstrong)
So why didn't you get N3ZNI/m to run up to Armstrong? It'd be the least he could do, considering that he's the WACOM treasurer! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I'd have to go back and look at the log (it's on a different computer, and the shack computer is off right now) but I'm pretty sure that I did work an Armstrong station. Always, or almost always, a tough county. The few times it hasn't been? Usually an over-abundance of stations, since multiple people think "I'll go there next year!" (Doesn't happen as often now as it used to, thanks to the Pa QSO Party Reflector and AA3B's efforts)

One of the ones I missed this year was Butler. I was more than half tempted to call K3AIR and ask him to get on the air... but he might have billed me for his time! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif [Mike's my lawyer, incidently]

The "tough" counties do vary, well, if not from year to year, every few years. Greene was almost impossible for many years -- one of the very few regrets from my divorce is losing the family farm in Lippincott for the contest! Venango used to be very tough (although if you knew to wait for late Sunday, N3BAT always showed up on 40 in the last few hours). Somerset would be very tough for 2 out of 3 years -- there was one active contester, but 2 out of 3 years, he had to work that weekend. [Of course, the year I went there ended up coinciding with one of his "on weekend" years] And so on , and so on...

I've got to find a QTH for next year. I'm going to have to have a word with KB3FNM about his hunting cabin...

73

N4PN is a class act. And a good op.

[w3dub]

Looks like I came up with 22,948. I think that is a fairly good total for being in the contest for the first time, although I'm not so sure if it may be good enough for the "first time entrant" award.

47 counties, 30 sections, and 1 DX (norway)
6 QSOs with W3P
241 Qs

My first CW contacts (although I'll admit I used Hamscope to send receive CW, eh, wanted the extra counties haah) -- if I would of used that last night.. i probably would have come real close to a clean sweep.

[w3wn]

Quote[/b] (AE1P @ Oct. 14 2007,21:40)]64 PA Counties # #(missed Armstrong,
# # # # # # # # # # # # #Montour & Wayne)


(Oh, and 1 of the counties we missed, Armstrong, is within easy driving distance. Next year, we are going to do a portable set up in Armstrong)

Thats funny Bill, Armstong and Montour were part of the seven I missed,I wonder if they qualified for "Hardest counties to get"?
73
Neil[/QUOTE]
Nice to work you Neil.

Hate to break it to you, though, but all 67 counties were on. The N3ZK Venango crew is claiming a clean sweep. I didn't come close this year (the last time I had a Saturday this poor, contest wise, was the year that KQ3DX got married at 1 PM on Saturday; and N3SRC[SK]'s son, my wife's cousin, got married at 4 PM -- didn't get in the shack until about 11 PM that night!), but wait till next year!

73

[KB3LIX]

Ed ended up going mobile to Lawrence.
It was either north east or north west, and north west won.
Lots of people were looking for Lawrence too, so I think he did a bunch there.

[KB3LIX]

Quote[/b] (KB3JGU @ Oct. 14 2007,22:30)]Looks like I came up with 22,948. I think that is a fairly good total for being in the contest for the first time, although I'm not so sure if it may be good enough for the "first time entrant" award.

47 counties, 30 sections, and 1 DX (norway)
6 QSOs with W3P
241 Qs

My first CW contacts (although I'll admit I used Hamscope to send receive CW, eh, wanted the extra counties haah) -- if I would of used that last night.. i probably would have come real close to a clean sweep.
You may be pleasantly surprized.

[w3dub]

Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Oct. 14 2007,23:20)][quote=KB3JGU,Oct. 14 2007,22:30]
You may be pleasantly surprized.
Looking at last year as a guide I would have placed third.. but there seems to be a substantial gap between the first two and the rest. So, maybe your right.

Hey at least I'm learning code at 20wpm off the bat lol. By the end i was beginning to somewhat recognize certain parts of the exchange without looking, and was doing pretty good with the numbers.

I see CW is really the ticket to doing well in these contests.

[N8CPA]

Between my weekend trip and unpacking, I made time for 5 Q's and 5 counties between 18:16 and 18:34Z on 40M CW. But those autumn colors along the road are spectacular!

And comparing CAQP CDX with PAQP's, wait until a month from now!

[k3msb]

Good Morning All --

Our club (W3ZGD) entered as a multi-multi effort from York county, and we had a grand time. # Kept 3 stations going throughout the contest, #and all the ops got to work for a few hours, rest, work some more etc. # Nice laid back weekend.

Brad N3NRN brought in some excellent Deer Bologna that had Peperjack cheese in it, along with some spicy deer hot sticks. # I think we'll need an extra bag of lime in the outhouse this year......

Totals (unofficial, going from memory....):

1525 QSOs; #65 Counties, #77 sections, 1 DX.

Missed two counties (Northumberland and Juniata ) this year. # JUN is always tough for us to get, #but I was surprised that we missed NUM.

Band conditions: # 10 was dead but I think we pulled a few contacts on 15 meters. # # 20M SSB rocked, and I think that contributed around 600 contacts.

Can't remember what the 40 SSB guys did, #but we made about 240 Q's on 40 CW. # # Rounded things out with about 40 contacts on 160 CW (nice to see the top band activity this year).

Our clubhouse is an old one room school house that was built around 1890 and purchased by the club in the 1950's. # Still has the original blackboard, and we used it to keep track of counties and sections needed. # N3JDQ's father collected schoolbells from one room school houses in the area, and this year Brad had one at each station. #When a new section / county was worked, #the op would loudly ring the bell, proclaim what was worked, and the black board would be updated accordingly. # #



73 Mark K3MSB (W3ZGD Contesting Crew)

[kg4kww]

Had blast worked about 8 stations on 75m Sunday evening while out driving around.

[nq3x]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

Didn't get on at all this year. Of course, 10/13 being my wife's 40th birthday precluded any operation at all.

The hell of it was, we drove through Pike and Wayne en route to the B&B! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif (Well, we drove through a lot of NE counties looking at the just-changing fall foliage and spending Quality Time!)

The clever bit for me was getting her to write down potential sites for next year's PAQP in Wayne and Pike! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Speaking of which, was there any activity from Pike? I'm trying to decide where to go portable for '08.

I did enjoy working "3 land" this weekend and made a number of contacts on 20 meters. I even got a couple of reports of "10 over". I love those contests. I did try 15 meters but didn't hear any 3's, however, I did hear and work a CO8.

73,

Frank http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KB3LIX]

There were several on from Pike county, but WAYNE was a no show from my location in Washington.

I have to look into the idea of computer generated/received morse.
I simply do not have the ears to copy morse, dyslexia sucks.

[nq3x]

I'll have to keep an eye on the results and reports. Wayne and Pike are an easy drive from here, and much more in demand than NHA - so more fun!

As far as CW goes, I couldn't give a crap how people generate or receive it, so long as I get the QSO. Realistically, if I touch a key during a contest, it's because something went terribly wrong with the keying interface. That's why contest logging programs have F-key sending macros. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif Type in the received call, press F3 or something, and my rig sends [HISCALL] [EXCH]. Press ENTER, the 'puter logs the contact and my rig sends TU [MYCALL]. If no one responds immediately, six seconds later it's CQ TEST NQ3X, which repeats every so often until I hit ESC. If I need to send something other than a macro, it's ALT+K for freeform keyboard CW.

I receive it by ear, mind. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[k2gsp]

Quote[/b] (k3msb @ Oct. 14 2007,06:59)]Good Morning All --

Our club (W3ZGD) entered as a multi-multi effort from York county, and we had a grand time. # Kept 3 stations going throughout the contest, #and all the ops got to work for a few hours, rest, work some more etc. # Nice laid back weekend.

Brad N3NRN brought in some excellent Deer Bologna that had Peperjack cheese in it, along with some spicy deer hot sticks. # I think we'll need an extra bag of lime in the outhouse this year......

Totals (unofficial, going from memory....):

1525 QSOs; #65 Counties, #77 sections, 1 DX.

Missed two counties (Northumberland and Juniata ) this year. # JUN is always tough for us to get, #but I was surprised that we missed NUM.

Band conditions: # 10 was dead but I think we pulled a few contacts on 15 meters. # # 20M SSB rocked, and I think that contributed around 600 contacts.

Can't remember what the 40 SSB guys did, #but we made about 240 Q's on 40 CW. # # Rounded things out with about 40 contacts on 160 CW (nice to see the top band activity this year).

Our clubhouse is an old one room school house that was built around 1890 and purchased by the club in the 1950's. # Still has the original blackboard, and we used it to keep track of counties and sections needed. # N3JDQ's father collected schoolbells from one room school houses in the area, and this year Brad had one at each station. #When a new section / county was worked, #the op would loudly ring the bell, proclaim what was worked, #and the black board would be updated accordingly. # #



73 Mark K3MSB (W3ZGD Contesting Crew)
I'm pretty sure I got you in the log. I'm at work right now, so I can't check, but I seem to recall your club call.

[w3wn]

Got an interesting note via eQSL at home last night (sorry, I forgot the call offhand) from one of the "Zed Denziens" that gave me a nice (and timely) chuckle.

He mentioned that he had recognized my call from the forums here, and was glad to see that at least SOME of the many posters also actually operate the radio! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I'll take that as a compliment. I think... then again, maybe it's a sign that I post too much here (but it's hard to operate a radio when you're on a break when there's no radio at work!)

And on a related note... as I mentioned on the Pa QSO Party reflector, anyone I worked who wants a QSL card, just drop me an email (my call at arrl dot net will work). No SAE or SASE required -- besides, unless you'd send a #12 envelope, my card won't fit anyway. That offer's good for this year and previous operations (as WN3VAW), I have all my logs!

73

[k8jd]

Contest weekends = time to meet new hams on 30M CW !

[KI4ITV]

Quote[/b] (w3wn @ Oct. 19 2007,02:23)]Got an interesting note via eQSL at home last night (sorry, I forgot the call offhand) from one of the "Zed Denziens" that gave me a nice (and timely) chuckle.

He mentioned that he had recognized my call from the forums here, and was glad to see that at least SOME of the many posters also actually operate the radio! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I'll take that as a compliment. I think... then again, maybe it's a sign that I post too much here (but it's hard to operate a radio when you're on a break when there's no radio at work!)

And on a related note... as I mentioned on the Pa QSO Party reflector, anyone I worked who wants a QSL card, just drop me an email (my call at arrl dot net will work). No SAE or SASE required -- besides, unless you'd send a #12 envelope, my card won't fit anyway. That offer's good for this year and previous operations (as WN3VAW), I have all my logs!

73
Yep,
It was a complement. Thanks again!
I always enjoy having contacts with the posters on this forum, even if it's only a contest exchange of "UR 59 VA 73 GL!"
I have met a few Zedheads on the air and so far everyone has been really nice...even those that ordinarily border on the vicious troll type on the forum. Go figure.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (nq3x @ Oct. 15 2007,11:22)]http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

Didn't get on at all this year. #Of course, 10/13 being my wife's 40th birthday precluded any operation at all.

The hell of it was, we drove through Pike and Wayne en route to the B&B! #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif # (Well, we drove through a lot of NE counties looking at the just-changing fall foliage and spending Quality Time!)

The clever bit for me was getting her to write down potential sites for next year's PAQP in Wayne and Pike! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #

Speaking of which, was there any activity from Pike? #I'm trying to decide where to go portable for '08.
I can relate. My DIL's birthday celebration always takes place the first weekend of November. But, there has been one uncompromisable rule in this house since before my stepson ever heard of her. I.e, the first weekend of November is devoted to stalking a Clean Sweep. And those who get hatched, matched, or dispatched that weekend do so without my attendance, unless it can be done before 2030UTC on Saturday, or after 0300UTC on Monday. Between those integers of time, I am on CW sabbatical.











So, I say. No wonder I never get a Sweep!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif