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
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
Contest University in the Morning – Dayton 2009 post 1 13 - 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
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Long drive through much rain and road construction. Was very nice to have another driver to spell me for a while.
Quick check in at the Crown Plaza and we checked in at teh Contest University registration desk before heading out for a quick bite to eat.
CU is more organized each time. We were handed our schedules, name tags, and a canvas carrier bag of class materials & swag.
The swag includes a very nice Tee Shirt, a DX Engineering Hat, K1TTT’s 25th Anniversary Super Station Building CD, issues of CQ, NCJ, various catalogs, note taking supplies and the CU 2009 Binder!
Very nicely done!
Hotel room is nice, a quick bite to eat was nice – excepting the usual street ruffians who followed us bragging how they liked to fight – never have figured out why these sorts make a nuisance when I am out. I may be older & slower, perhaps enough to look like an easy mark? Would have thought Tom KC9JGD would have been reason enough for these sorts to give us wide berth. Rather think they wouldn’t be to happy if it ever went beyond banter & noise.
Listening to an obscure British Columbian podcast called “Accordion Noir” while checking email and typing this quick note.
More in the next installment from Dayton!
73
Steve
K9ZW
Hitch Up the Horses, We’re Heading to the Dayton Hamvention 10 - May - 2009
Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Contest University, Dayton Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.Tags: Dayton, Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled
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Hitch Up the Horses, We’re Heading to the Dayton Hamvention.
The Suburban has been serviced, fueled and loaded.
Paperwork is in hand.
Even have a stack of Quarters, Dimes & Nickels for the Tri-State Tollway shakedown.
Riding shotgun this year is my eldest son, Tom KC9GJD, a Chemical Engineering Student and Army ROTC Cadet. Almost wish I had something major to buy to put his imposing “bodyguard look” to good use. Guess he can guard the books I’ll buy!
We’re both attending Contest University and several dinners. Tom may take a poke at sitting his license upgrade (he doesn’t realize yet that I have the study material loaded on an iPod to listen to on the way!!).
If time allows I might get a chance to look at horns at Woodwind & Brasswinds on the way.
Have several groups and individuals we hope to meet with while in Dayton, including some of my relatives who live in the Dayton area & who are also Radio Amateurs.
73
Steve
K9ZW
After Contest University at Dayton Hamvention 15 - May - 2008
Posted by k9zw in Contest University, Dayton Hamvention, K9ZW, NE1RD, Rockmite.add a comment
An exceptionally good day at Contest University. Much more on CU when the hotel internet comes back on! Had a great chat with Scott NE1RD and he was kind enough to give me a copy of his Rockmite building book. Again more when I get to a keyboard. Raining very hard here in Dayton and hoping by morning it stops.
73
Steve
K9ZW
