Hamvention Sunday – Home Again – Dayton 2009 post 9 17 - May - 2009
Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio.Tags: Contest University, Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled
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Home again, without incident!
When one plans travels one simply must allow extra time for roads. After speaking with several folk our route reverted to through Chicago again, but on the old Tollway & Skyway. We had been promised that construction was brief, perhaps 10 miles.
That was true, but what was unforeseen was the Express Lanes being closed forcing traffic to crawl for an extra hour.
In the end it was about the same at the Tri-State which goes around, and other than a change of scenery the same chaos.
Did give us plenty of time to discuss the great people we met, the classes we attended, the things we saw and the few things I bought.
I’m going to mull on our discussions and post a follow up or two this week (that is code for “I am tired from driving and worry I won’t make sense when I write!”)
Already unpacked, dealt with the mail (a nice packet of QSLs from NIDXA #9 Bureau with at least two new countries confirmed – yeah!) and sent my Hamvention stuff off to the side to look at later this week.
Best regards and Thank You to those who made Contest University, the two Dinners, the Hamvention and who spent time with us as we tried to learn a bit more about the hobby!
73
Steve
K9ZW
Hamvention Sunday -The Long Road Home – Dayton 2009 post 8 17 - May - 2009
Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.Tags: Contest University, Dayton Hamvention, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled
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Finishing packing up and reading for the trip home.
Spent some time on Google Map and the wide swing around Chicago idea looks to add more miles than we can possibly make up on just trading better roads for shorter miles. Thinking we will do it anyway, as hours of looking at 10 ft high roadside soundwalls lacks a lot of traveler’s appeal.
Staying at the Crown Plaza where our three functions were (Contest University, SWODXA DX Dinner and Contest Dinner) certainly has improved my experience, but at a cost.
The Hara Arena is a disaster. I saw one ham down in a serious trip & fall due, and during a forum say a ham drop from the lack of ventilation. Ceiling tiles so stained that they have turned shades of blackish-green with the mold that has taken hold abound. The remote Salem Mall parking lot will need a forester to clear the trees overgrowing parts of the lot if it is to be kept in use.
Sorry Ohio, but if the Hara was in my home state it is doubtful it could open to the public without being brought up to code. One wonders how they are able to insure it fir public use as it is, or maybe one should wonder what sort of insurance they do have?
Having basically completed my Contest University cycle of getting educated enough to get up to speed, I will be reflecting on if Dayton 2010 is in my personal cards, or if I will do something else. It may be time to do a Winter Escape to a warm weather show or perhaps catch one of the overseas shows.
In the Internet World an investment of 1/4 the time I’ve spent traveling for Dayton 2009 alone could get me up to speed on new products and offers. Most of the major vendors extend their “Dayton Special Offers” to their Internet sales for the duration of the show.
Perhaps if I was an avid Flea-Market person, or had a presentation to make, or had a product to promote.
Of course if any of my son’s want to experience a future Dayton I’ll be on it, as what father wouldn’t be!
Maybe it is the melancholy of hitting the road knowing that with the next morning I will be back in a busy work schedule is hitting me, but I can’t keep from wondering if my eldest son Tom KC9JGD wasn’t along if I would have pulled out after Friday touring the show floor?
More Dayton thoughts – more thoughts….
73
Steve
K9ZW
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
