NAQCC Sprint tonight...Tuesday 10-10-2017

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - NAQCC Sprint tonight...Tuesday 10-10-2017

Posted: 10/10/2017 10:44:05 AM EDT

QRP, CW sprint tonight.

Runs from 0030-0230Z on 10/11/17, but that translates to tonight for most of us.

Details here.

Posted: 10/10/2017 4:05:06 PM EDT

[#1]

I have a number, but haven't used it in a contest yet. worked WES over the weekend and had a lot of Fun. If i get home from the 2nd job on time, i might try it out on 40m.

Posted: 10/10/2017 4:15:21 PM EDT

[#2]

What percentage of participants are actually keying the CW as opposed to using a computer? Doing it with a straight key is hard core.

Posted: 10/10/2017 4:32:54 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
What percentage of participants are actually keying the CW as opposed to using a computer? Doing it with a straight key is hard core.

View Quote

You can see the results and categories of the last sprint here. Without actually doing the calculations, I guess 60% use a straight key. In the keyer/keyboard category, I suspect 99-100% are using a paddle.

Honestly, I doubt anyone uses a keyboard/computer, unless they actually need to, for physical reasons. The whole point of these contests is to get on the air, make some CW contacts, and just have fun. Winning is not too important for most of us.

And in the SKCC sprints, I guess 90% are using a straight key, and the other 10% are using a bug or cootie.

Posted: 10/10/2017 10:29:12 PM EDT

[#4]

Spun the dial for an hour, and didn't hear one signal on 20, 40 or 80 meters. Gave up and turned the rig off.

Posted: 10/11/2017 7:21:52 AM EDT

[#5]

I caught their MD special event call booming in here around 00:15 on 80meters. Not sure how he was that loud qrp, must have a heck of an antenna.
One other and that was it.

Posted: 10/11/2017 7:57:11 AM EDT

[#6]

I got home from my second job too late. Looks like the qrparci fall QSO Party is coming up, that is usually fun. qrparci

Posted: 10/11/2017 9:58:07 AM EDT

[#7]

Got to be honest...I'm getting tired of this QRP stuff.

It's weird, though. I run 10 watts on 40 and 80 meters because of my antenna limitations, and during the SKCC sprints I seem to do OK. But every time one of these QRP contests comes up, the propagation seems to go right down the toilet, and I can't hear squat (an no one hears me).

Posted: 10/11/2017 10:09:36 AM EDT

[#8]

I had so much noise & propagation sucked for me last night. I was on the air maybe 15 minutes & shut down.

Posted: 10/11/2017 10:32:24 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Got to be honest...I'm getting tired of this QRP stuff.

It's weird, though. I run 10 watts on 40 and 80 meters because of my antenna limitations, and during the SKCC sprints I seem to do OK. But every time one of these QRP contests comes up, the propagation seems to go right down the toilet, and I can't hear squat (an no one hears me).

View Quote

Yeah,
I know what you mean, I keep the rig at 100 watts for most QSOs. Propagation seems weird right now, I think it will improve toward the end of the month. There are some things I like to do QRP, like qrparci contests, and the Spartan Sprint. Other things I make about operating technique and information exchange, like WES. If I can manage to get a dedicated quality QRP rig. I'll spend more time focusing on it.

Posted: 10/11/2017 4:32:54 PM EDT

[#10]

If the Kp index is high and screwing up the bands, make thre best of it and click here to watch the aurora from Norway. They get some very nice displays on this website.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - NAQCC Sprint tonight...Tuesday 10-10-2017

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