GOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!
Last night on 30m, I worked four different World Cup special event stations:
- SE18FWC
- R18TUN
- RU18WC
- DJ9FWC
When you add YW18FWC that I worked a couple of days ago, that makes five different World Cup special event stations so far. It’s too bad that they didn’t all get together somehow and offer a special certificate for working a certain number of them.
Calling weak stations
About a month ago, I asked on Twitter:
@kb6nu
If #hamradio propagation wasn’t that good, but you were calling CQ anyway, would you want someone to answer even though they were weak and you had to really work at copying them?
Most of the 22 replies were in the affirmative:
“Any QSO is worth chasing. I would appreciate someone working to pull me out of the mud so I should make the same efforts.”
“100% yes, definitely. Patience and perseverance are very important parts of the ham spirit.”
“Absolutely, this is exactly the fun part of #hamradio. Otherwise we may as well all use Skype ;)”
“Weak signal beats no signal anytime.”
One guy was a little less enthusiastic, but even he said:
“Yes. But, it drives me nuts to have someone running QRP make me struggle when he is not struggling.”
What do you think?
Hi Dan,
Certificates are awarded for working the World Cup special stations, check here for details: http://fwc18.hamlogs.net/
My local club participates as PA18FIFA, we made about 5000 QSO’s in the first week, and are active in SSB,CW,RTTY,PSK and FT8.
More info on PA18FIFA via QRZ.com on HF and VHF.
Best 73’s,
PA1LEX
Ahhh, I see. Very cool. So R18TUN was actually in Tunisia. I’ll have to keep a lookout for the other stations. Unfortunately, the other stations I worked are not part of this program, though.
One of the more satisfying QSO’s in my logbook was a terrific struggle. Condx were rotten, we were at an awkward distance so that his signal skipped over me and mine over him. It was a PSK31 contact and I could barely see his trace on the waterfall and I assumed he was in the same boat. It took every trick I knew to dig his signal out of the noise. By dogged persistence, sheer bloody-minded resolve to get it done both ways, and endless patience we managed to exchange callsigns, names, grids, & signal reports. Within the hour I had an email from him congratulating me on the skill needed to get it done and thanking me for being so persistent.
This wasn’t chasing exotic DX for either of us. He was already in my log and I in his. But the challenge of communicating when it required all our skill, combined, made for a memorable and satisfying QSO.
>>“Yes. But, it drives me nuts to have someone running QRP make me struggle when he is not struggling.”
I see it completely the opposite way. Digging a weak signal out of the noise is a fun challenge, a good way to build operating skills, and gives a feeling of accomplishment when successful. Conversely when I’m running QRP, I really appreciate the operators on the other end who go through the trouble to dig out my signal. Their feedback means a lot, and again helps both of us improve our skills.
Another way to look at QRP operations is these guys are struggling to get traffic out at low wattage due to the design of the equipment, and I would think that being able to do that and have DX QSO that are copy able is tougher than TX at 100 or higher wattages.
I agree with Rob W4ZNG, that it is an exercise in skill building and fun to sort out weak signals. I used to do it all the time when I was strictly SWL. I am looking forward to the challenge in HF. Besides, if this was easy, why would we be doing it?
73!
I have an S5-S7 noise floor on most HF bands at my location.
This means that a lot of stations that might be armchair copy to others require some concentration on my part to pull them out of the noise.
I think this makes me appreciate the fact that even if I have good copy at my place, that the fellow on the other end may have a similar challenge, which may have nothing to do with my station or power level.
In other words, it is not an insult to your station when someone says they are having difficulty copying you. However, I think a number of ‘full gallon’ armchair operators would actually take offense at someone saying they are having a hard time hearing them, and thus, project that attitude on other folks, avoiding contacts with stations that are weak to them.
Dan, how late do I need to stay up or how early do I have to get up to catch you on 30m?
We have worked many years ago on 30 around 2200z.
Lately the RBN picks up my signals all over the globe but there is very, very little response on the bands… Bummer. I used to work USA by the dozen on 30m though.
People blame the solar cycle but we all just need to be more active (and not solely rely on cluster spots!). And don’t get me started on FT8.
73 de Franki ON5ZO = OQ5M = one of ON18FWC for now
Hi, Frankie. I remember that QSO because you mentioned that you read my blog. :)
I am generally on the air by 2300Z, sometimes as early as 2200Z. Lately, the band has been open to Europe, as reflected by my Reverse Beacon Network spots, and I’ve managed to work several European stations.
Are you on Twitter, by any chance? When I turn on the rig, I often send out a tweet. Tweeting has resulted in making several 30m CW contacts.
I resent social media in all forms.
Its content mostly is institutionalized bad taste, self-glorification and an incubator for ‘experimental spelling and grammar’.
If you’re QRV, my antennas and RX will probably tell me. And DX cluster and RBN will assist when needed.
My favorite band is 30m. Always open to somewhere, regardless the season, time of day, solar cycle…
Looking forward to putting you in the log soon.
73!
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had a bad experience with social media. In my humble opinion, it’s all in how you use it. I use my Twitter account (@kb6nu) only for amateur radio, and it’s connected me with lots of great amateur radio operators and has helped me have more fun with amateur radio.