Hamvention Saturday Contest Dinner – Dayton 2009 post 7 16 - May - 2009
Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Contest University, Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.Tags: Contest University, Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled
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Well with the end of this evening’s Contest Dinner my 2009 Dayton planned functions are completed.
Tim K3LR spoke in place of John Kanzius, K3TUP who unfortunately became an SK back in February. Would have very much liked to have heard K3TUP speak about his Cancer research, but it was not to be.
It was a privilege to see Rev Paul Bittner, W0AIH from Eau Claire Wisconsin be inducted to the CQ Contest Hall of Fame, and more so to hear Paul speak! Paul W0AIH really was being recognized for being an “Elmer of Elmers” having tirelessly used Amateur Radio as part of his faith lead life to inspire others!
Like last night I again won something (at the DX Dinner I won a Year’s Subscription to the Daily DX, which I hope Bernie W3UR will let me use to extend my present subscription) being a $100 certificate at DX Engineering – where I have to admit having been eyeing several pieces of gear.
We’re basically packed for the ride to Wisconsin, and will set off early, this time taking a more western route around Chicago to basically “give it a try” and to compare if we can make either good time, or “Good Time” (as in less stress & more enjoyable miles) avoiding the conurbanization of the Chicago metroplex.
73
Steve
K9ZW
Hamvention Saturday – Dayton 2009 post 6 16 - May - 2009
Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.Tags: Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled
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Started the day quite early with coffee with Harry W9BR discussing the techniques he has worked out for doing remote HF operations while he travels. VERY much appreciated Harry!!
Back in the hotel a bit early. Feet are tired and I’d arrived at a point where I needed a break from the crowds.
Picked up a Scout Regenerative Radio Receiver Kit by Hendricks QRP Kits for Mancorad W9DK to evaluate as a club-build-project.
Treated myself to a Begali CW Machine which as a real plus included a long chat with Ulrich Steinberg who developed the CW Machine.
Picked up a copy of “Managing Interstation Interference, Revised Second Edition” by George Cutsogeorge, W2VJN, as we learned at Contest University that the book had been extensively updated and expanded.
Chatted with Scott NE1RD (NE1RD Homepage) of 100 Pound DXpedition fame. Was great to briefly catch up with Scott and his amazing projects! He is spearheading the Massachusetts QRP convention and has a software project underway which will be noteworthy in Mac Amateur Radio.
Visited with Dale N6JSX and had a quick chance to operate W1AW/8 from the ARRL Pavilion at the Hamvention Hall. A very hansom commemorative certificate was produced and handed to me before I left the W1AW/8 station – thank you!
Spoke with Scott W4PA at TenTec about having my Jupiter upgraded to the latest technical specification and the pair of Pegasus in my shack given a “health check-up” like I periodically like to have done.
In my previous write-ups I know I missed a dozen or so vendors & friends I spent time talking to – Carl N4PY, Roger WB8NDC, Mark W9OP (Head of the AB0ZO Amateur Club – whcih I am member #578 & #788 – why twice, who knows why!) and more.
Have the usual bag of literature, swag & goodies to sort through once back home.
Time for a a bit or prepacking for tomorrow’s drive before the evening sessions!
73
Steve
K9ZW
Hamvention Friday DX Dinner – Dayton 2009 post 5 15 - May - 2009
Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Dayton Hamvention, DX Interests, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.Tags: Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled
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The SWODXA Dinner was fun this year! A nice crowd at table 43, where heated discussions on world events proved very interesting!
Speakers were John K4ERO and Ruth WB4LUA who first presented an excellent humorous explanation what a DXer was, and followed with an engaging 40 year travelogue of how Amateur Radio fit into their mission lead lives as they traveled the world. Exceptional tale.
Ran into a number of old & new friends, and fellow NEWDXA members. Several of the NIDXA members I spoke with shared acquaintance of several mutual friends.
Spoke with Craig K9CT briefly about his upcoming October 2009 participation on a DXpedition to Midway Island! Looking forward to hearing more!
73
Steve
K9ZW
Hamvention Friday – Dayton 2009 post 4 15 - May - 2009
Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.Tags: Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled
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Covered a few miles walking and saw lots of folk I had wanted to see.
Looked over some amazing new products – the Japanese Tower was awesome!
Spent some time talking to Scott W3TX about an 80m Beam Design he is doing a custom work proposal on, and had a quick glance at a few items I will check out in detail tomorrow.
Ran into Dale N6JSX and had a quick look at the W1AW/8 setup where he was on staff.
The mystery Dayton $795.00 New TenTec item is a tuner. Details to follow!
73
Steve
K9ZW
Contest University Day – Dayton 2009 post 3 14 - May - 2009
Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Contest University, Dayton Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.Tags: Contest University, Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled, NEWDXA
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Well my Third Contest University at Dayton has completed and for a great part it was another excellent experience!
As mentioned in my prior post, I feel very up-to-speed with ideas on how to get involved with RTTY Contesting.
The 1/2 hour mini Q&A sessions were slightly mixed in reward for time spent. Enjoyable freeform sessions and I did find myself taking notes.
Still rather confused about the late morning History of Log Checking anomaly, as the other sessions gave a person so many ideas & tools, pointed out references & resources, and we so very high on “actionable material.” Something I just didn’t get on the time invested in that one hour. Perhaps after Dayton a review of the slides will set me right.
Had a nice meal out at the Spaghetti Factory with a group largely made up of NEWDXA (North East Wisconsin DX Association) members.
Will take a walk around the Hospitality Suites before an early night in.
73
Steve
K9ZW
Contest University Day – Dayton 2009 post 2 14 - May - 2009
Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Contest University, Dayton Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.Tags: Contest University, Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled, W0YK
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Half way through Contest University.
A very good day to be inside, windy, storms and just plain not nice at the start. Fantastic that I could spend this time learning more about contesting. Saw some familiar faces and some old friends. Great to be here!
Opening session on Ethics was well received, and from there I was off to two back-to-back RTTY sessions where I learned more about RTTY, RTTY Contesting and RTTY Advanced Techniques in a few hours than years on the air could have provided. I was keyed for the subject and well rewarded! Ed W0YK did a great job! Thank you!
A following group session “Logging & Logging Accuracy and Why it Matters” was really a history of contest log checking, and unlike the earlier sessions didn’t leave a person with anything “actionable.” Perhaps it was the use of that session’s time to cover only the first half of the prepared slides, unfortunately the history rather than skills-to-use slides were the only ones covered. Personally I am so much more interested in gaining the knowledge, skills & tools to be an effective & ethical contester that for me the whole history part could have been skipped.
We’re on a short box lunch and back to the afternoon sessions momentarily!
73 from Contest University 2009
Steve
K9ZW
