Was able to work him last evening, inspite of the LIDS who wouldn't QRZ long enough to understand he was working split or listen to those who were informing that he was working split. I had to be patient and wait until he rotated back to "4's" after some of the pile up leveled off. If you could call it leveling off. I was glad to get him in the log.  I didn't know he was using a Hex until I read here he was going to use one. I'll have to edit the notes in my log that this was a Hex to Hex contact.

73

Wayne C.

Any body here tried one of these?  I don't see any mentioned in the review section.

http://www.stealth-tele.com/plugins/custompages/catlist.php?id_categories=155

73

Wayne C

Had a great time chasing some of the multitude of countries participating.  I was only a half serious participant. I didn't put in a great amount of time in the contest but the time spent was fun and like others here picked up some new entities in the process.

Yeah I also want to make my contacts count as well. I converted my HRD log contacts to cabrillo and then sent them as an attachement to the addy provided by ARRL only to have it bounced back with errors.  I had the same issue with the 10M contest. Loved working the contest. Hate the frustration of having my log rejected by the robot. The converter program in another post here is only for three specific contests and not the one for this weekend.

I too finally got them on 20M SSB. Maybe the other bands will be conducive to pick them up there as well.

WB6BYU is dead on in his info. Thanks.

My Horizontal Delta loop is fed with 600 ohm ladder line down to a 4:1 DX Engineering current Balun attached to the outside basement wall with about 20 ft. of Davis RF Bury Flex into my shack.  This loop is somewhere around 225 ft.  I didn't measure for a specific band, I just strung it up based on the points I was going to raise it up with. The tower, and two tall trees on the back side of my property. Sometimes you have to put up antennas based on your given parameters and deal with any compromises dealt to you.

73

Wayne C.

Good read and info here. Thanks guys. I'm in the process of doing my install as well. Fortunately I don't have a 50 ft. run. My power inlet box will be on the other side of the basement wall from the manual transfer switch made by Reliance. The DVD that came with the switch gives straight forward instuctions on the hookup. The only corded run I have, will be the 10ft cable that came with the generator.

73

Wayne C.
WV4L

I'm interested in working some 2m SSB as well. What are the typical calling freq.s and best times to make some contacts?  I'm on mostly in the evenings and maybe during the day occasionally during the weekends. I would like to optimize my operating time by calling on a well frequented freq.  Any pointers?

Thanks!!

73

Wayne C.
WV4L

This is true, but only after large contests such as SS or WW.  As a regular LoTW user, I upload after every operating stint where I have at least a few QSOs, usually about 3 to 5 times per week.  When I check later in the day, then for the vast majority of times the file is already processed and, hopefully, I have a few new band fills.  You're correct, these contests create a huge burden on the infrastructure and currently it isn't getting any better.  73, Rich, K3VAT

[/quote]

Yeppers, What Rich said is true. I normally upload on a monthly basis and make a note of what date I last uploaded. Of course If I do a contest where there are a lot of entries I will go ahead and do a contest upload.

Your question is a good one.  I too had the same worry when I first started using LOTW.  Just like the others have indicated, once you get the message that the upload is there your'e good to go.  One just has to wait to see when the upload finally posts.

73
Wayne C.
WV4L

Replace the hand crank nut with a coupling nut. Then wire tie a wrench to the nut and hand crank. This will prevent the nut from backing off.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2304696250028987393jALNyY

73

Wayne C.
WV4L

Using coax to an auto tuner at the feed point of the antenna is a workable solution. The caveat to a ladder line/coax combination is to keep the coax short. I use an tuner in the shack that has a 18 foot run of coax to a balun and then the needed length of ladder line to the feedpoint of the antenna. Any losses on the short run of coax from the tuner to the balun are nominal at best. Loss from the balun using ladder line to the feed point-very, very little if any.

Sometimes, I have a problem on phone because of my 2X1 vanity call.  I consistently get DX stations saying "we copy A B 4 D; question mark. What is the last letter of your call?"  It's the only thing I dislike about my call.  I did not like any of my prior sequentially assigned calls; KE4IAQ, KU4BV, AF4BL. For that reason, I like the vanity system.  In concept, I agree with others who wish the FCC would limit vanity calls to their assigned district.  However, in today's society, the way folks move around so much, I believe it's a little unrealistic.

73
 
[/quote]

Yeah, I have ran into that issue a few times as well. I simply state that it is a 2X1 call and they get it.  I did not like my original call (KI4UBD) and wanted something shorter and in my district.  So in my search for a new call once I upgraded to Extra ; my requirements were for a 1X2 (nearly impossible to get in the 4 district) or a 2X1 in the 4 district which worked out.

I'm happy with this call an intend stay with it.

73

Wayne C.

Does your policy cover accessory structures like storage buildings? My tower is covered in my policy as an accessory structure. Granted my policy is not with State Farm but you may check your policy if it contains this wording and definition.

Yeppers, what 5UP said. Sure it will take some more concrete but that's OK too. That's how I did mine. Here's a link to some pics.  http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/581985535UIVslI

Good Luck with the project!

73

Wayne C.
WC4L