The 2022 DISTANCE CHALLENGE(DC) at QUARTZFEST(QF) in January will have some great prizes!! The Northern Arizona DX Association will be conducting the 3rd Distance Challenge to see who can make the longest distance contact from the QF site in the Sonoran Desert. There will be 4 possible classes to enter including: A = SSB or CW 100 watts max B = FT-8 C = QRP D= W7Q special event callsign - with 3 op positions in the trailer for your use W7Q station will be available to operate at QF 2022 - See Tom Luther KD7DKN W7Q Lead DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN IN ONE OF THESE 4 OPERATING CLASSES? Bring your best rig, antennas and enter this 3 day event! Or enter using one of the 3 stations and antennas at the W7Q special event trailer. Don't think it will take a huge antenna to win! In 2020, the QRP operator won that class using a Hamstick antenna!! Keeping with the tradition of giving trophy hats to the winners, this coming year we will give out 4 trophy hard hats to the winners, complete with a solar panel, fan, light, USB port and the mini tri-band antenna. These have been sponsored by our friends at CABLE-X-PERTS! NADXA VP, Larry Gilbert, WB7EUJ shows off one of the trophy hats to be given away. Lot of prizes from these great sponsors: CABLE-X-PERTS, HEIL SOUND, ALPHA - ANTENNAS, THE DX STORE, N3FJP, DX ENGINEERING, CAMELEON ANTENNAS, BALUN DESIGNS, MFJ, MP ANTENNAS, NCG CO.(COMET ANTENNAS) & MORE!! All the rules and regulations are on our club website at www.nadxa.com REMEMBER, YOU MUST BE PRESENT AT THE CLOSING CEREMONIES TO WIN!! COME ON DOWN AND SHOW US HOW TO MAKE THE LONGEST CONTACT FROM QF, IF YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES!! GL & 73 KG7OH-RON GERLAK NF7E-BOB WERTZ, DISTANCE CHALLENGE CO-CHAIRMAN
Definitely doesn't need a big antenna. We have a wire dipole about 20-25 feet off the ground it's basically NVIS, but apparently the signal makes some big bounces. Last month, we had to cut power to 40w due to RFI opening the garage door. We reached the Japanese expedition on Antarctica over 8000 miles away on FT8. Wish we were close enough to join in the fun.
I personally liked the Quartzfest antenna shootouts, done for mobiles and RV. That was a lot of fun. My XYL, N0UO & I plan on being in Arizona again this winter and also attending the Yuma hamfest. 73 from, The K0UO "Rhombic Antenna Farm" 2 miles of wire, I'm In the Air or On the Air daily
The same place for the last 25 years Take 95 South to a Roadrunner camping BLM La Paz Valley Road and 95 is the entrance.
See above map They finally updated the website just today. It looks like it's going to be a highly reduced fest, because of the virus. They haven't come out with any schedules. But they have made an announcement that all presentations will be at night and Outdoors. https://quartzfest.org/
This will be my 6th year. Even was there last years during the 'PAUSE' and still had fun. Night time seminars will interfere with Happy Hour!
Last year at the Pause was my first..... didn't even camp in the group.... and had a good time... going to be there again this year... as long as the stars align. Do you sign up ahead of time or just bring in your log after the fact? Do you have to camp in the group to compete... I really had a nice remote spot, but it was about 5 miles away and came in with my buggy. Thanks and looking forward to checking it out!
The during first two years of the event, no one has suggested AM? Maybe if there was enough interest, we would consider it, but until then, we will continue with the way it is set up. Thanks for the suggestion!