Wrap-Up Report from the W9DXCC Convention 2010

A Wrap-Up Post having returned from the W9DXCC Hotel QTH in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

W9DXCC Logo

An easy Sunday Morning drive discussing the events & ideas picked up at the W9DXCC with George W9EVT made for an excellent finish to my first W9DXCC.

At the Banquet I couldn’t have asked for finer table companions. The people behind the Battle Creek Special DXPedition antenna (Charlie W0CD, George W8GG and George W8UVZ), George W9EVT, Casey W9LP & his lovely XYL Lynnette, and Craig (I can’t read my own handwriting on his call – sorry!) made for an excellent banquet table discussion group!

Over and over I was surprised what a small world it is – one speaker had served on the same post as I had in a little place in Germany, another was going to a wedding in a spot in Northern Spain where we have family connections, a guest speaker was from a small village less than 10 miles from where my XYL lived, another speaker has worked Sigint/Elint in a unit type which gave us plenty to share, and having been to a good number of the new DXCC countries being formed from the Netherlands Antilles recently gave me a common interest with a number of people heading off to Sint Maarten, Bonaire and Aruba in a few weeks.

I particularly enjoyed chatting with Bruce W6OSP as he explained patiently to me the workings of the NCDXF. I’ve just made a membership donation today to support this fine effort to support DXing.

Of my information gaining/learning goals I did come away with a clearer understanding of the skills needed, time commitment and monetary costs of someday becoming a DXpedition participant. This looks very doable, once I get my ducks in order & my children through their education.

I didn’t get much chance to talk with the other area hams who came down for the presentations. They may have skipped the banquet as I only spoke with Tom K9CJM from our NEWDXA club.

On a personal level it was excellent to get my mind off my work by being engaged in thinking about our hobby for a few days.

The W9DXCC is definitely on my wish list for my 2011 calendar!

73

Steve
K9ZW

Second Report from the W9DXCC Convention 2010

End of Presentations Post from the W9DXCC Hotel QTH in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

W9DXCC Logo

Quite a nice group of presentations – very much enjoyed Alpha Amps, the NCDXF PJ7E Presentation and the IOTA T32 presentations as special standouts.

For the NCDXF PJ7 Expedition’s team leader Craig K9CT, with NCDXF’s President Bruce W6OSP did a great team presentation on the K4M Midway DXpedition and an update on the coming PJ7E DXpedition.

Very interesting was Bob W9KNI’s talk on “A Year of DX” and the CQ Magazine DX Marathon Contest.  Will have to look more at this as a fun way to get involved.

On the more technical side Peter G3RZP had interesting Antenna Tuner presentation, Larry N8LP covered his TelePost products and Carl K9LA talked on Solar Cycle-24.

More when I return to home.

73

Steve
K9ZW

A Moment Here and There Operating (from WI-001L)

Had a few minutes to operate while staying at George W9EVT and Susan’s Farm on Washington Island WI-001L last weekend.

Log has:

• VQ9RD – IOTA Island AF-006
• VU7NRO – IOTA Island AS-011
• G4RFR
• GC4KPT – IOTA Island EU-124/ UK Island GW-033
• CU1CB – IOTA Island EU-003
• 9L0W
• P40ZB – IOTA Island SA-036
• CT3FT – IOTA Island AF-014
• EH3BM
• GI7AXB
• PD1DX
• AC5O/P – IOTA Island NA-168
• IM0QMA – IOTA Island EU-041
• AA1KS – US Island ME-033S

Not a lot of contacts but it is really nice to make Island-to-Island QSOs with so many other Island operations.

73

Steve
K9ZW

IOTA EU-189 Rockall – May14/15th Activation?

 

Possible activations of Rockall have been in the DX news – with a May 14/15 +/- possible activation by Mike McGirr K9AJ as MM/K9AJ/P announced at DX World of Ham Radio Blog

 Mike K9AJ has activated quite a number of Islands, and has announced he will work CW on IOTA frequencies if he can get on Rockall during this attempt.

Here is some background on Rockall – including an explaination of the Guard Shack & British Royal Marines that very temporarily were on the Island in 1974:

“When will Rockall be Activated” by Wolfgang Schippke DC3MF

“Rockall: Bastion of Empire” by Alan Goudman in “Rose and Crown” 2006 Volume II

“I will be king of Rockall” by Ben Fogle

Best of luck to Mike K9AJ and all the rest of Island Man’s (aka Andy Strangeways) Team!

73

Steve