IOTA CONTEST THIS WEEKEND




Keep an ear out for VK4HAM this weekend. Ryan N0OJ will be travelling from the states on a quick trip Down Under and we will be entering the IOTA contest together.

Details and Rules for the contest can be found on the following site.

http://www.vhfcc.org/hfcc/rules/2009/riota.shtml

73's all,


Andrew

Been a while

G'Day DX'ers,

Sorry for being so slack - it's been a while since I have made any posts. I guess this is a reflection of the current cycle, but from all accounts things are starting to look up and it seems that in a couple of years we should be back on track.

Speaking of these solar cycles - hasn't there been some rumours around the traps about them. I've heard that it's going to be the biggest ever recorded, that it's going to be the smallest and also that it's only a freak even that happens every 500 years but there is going to be no sun spots at all......

My theory - turn the radio on, if there's DX - work it - if not Play Golf :)

Sorry for the extended absence.

Andrew VK4HAM

JOHN MOYLE FIELD DAY

On a lighter note - I placed 1st in my category for the John Moyle Field Day. I have to thank the trailer tower :)

Andrew VK4HAM

WHERE HAS THE HAM SPIRIT GONE

I am really really starting to get upset with a few members of the Ham Radio world when it comes to QSL'ing. Some people are just money grabbers now and have lost their ham spirit.

2 examples of this recently was for me. I have just received via bureau a card that I sent in 2007. I sent the card direct to the station with $2USD and a return envelope and he sent my card back via the bureau (Becuase he said it costs $2.10US to post). WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH. The station I am talking about has a very nice setup and is not short of any money. I can't believe that he is so miserable to not want to put in the extra 10c. I cannot see why it costs $2.10 when in VK for a card only it costs $1.35 (US 80C) and from the US it costs (.95c).

The next instance is a South American station who I contacted - his qrz profile said US2$ for QSL. I sent my card $2 and envelope. I waited 1 year and nothing - sent him an email and he said "I don't QSL anymore". He didn't update his QRZ profile to reflect this.

I am happy to put in donations when there has been an activation but think that normal stations asking for more then $2USD are just greedy. I am thinking about starting a Blacklist "name and shame" on my website becuase I am tired of these people who have lost their ham spirit.

I welcome any comments regarding this.

Andrew VK4HAM

The Trailer Towers First Test




The trailer towerhad it's first test this weekend during the John Moyle Field Day. It performed as expected......EXCELLENT. Having done a few field day / portable operations before I understand how hard it can be - stringing antennas in trees and putting tribanders on pipes. I didin;t realise how easy it is now.

I'm really happy with the way it performed and am looking forward to getting the results of the contest.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

Well DX'ers after months of planning and weeks of work it is completed. I now own a trailer tower. Being fond of field day operations I can now take part in portable operations with minimum fuss




A couple of Icom stickers on the mudguards as a finishing touch.



A Big thanks to my 2 brothers in law Jeffrey and Stu - who helped me out a heap with this. The Moyle Field Day is on in a few weeks so I'll post some photos as soon as I get back from the weekend.

VK4HAM is helping fight Leukaemia




To help raise money for Leukaemia, every year they have a "shave for a cure". This year I have nominated myself for this. It involves raising money for this charity then on the 13th of March I shave my head bald.......people sponsor me so that I go through with it.

Details of how much I have earnt and places to sponsor can be found by clicking on the link below or the title bar

http://my.imisfriendraising.com.au/personalPage.aspx?SID=49691

I will be placing a picture of myself on the sight when I have "shaved". For the VK readers there will be a picture of me in May's issue of AR Magazine competing at the Moyle.

Thank you to all those who have sponsored me.

Andrew VK4HAM

VK4HAM's Trailer Tower

Well I've been talking about it for a while but it is nearly complete....My Trailer Tower. I have taken a series of photo's below which shows the various stages we took to complete the project.



Without a word of a lie this is what we started with a few "nearly" rust free parts from an old box trailer and an axle.



Starting to take shape..........well sort of



Getting closer as we attach tower and Jeffrey works away with the welder



My Brother in law pictured below with the near finished product....he looks quite chuffed with himself doesn't he. The tower is a total of 15m high.



This week should see the "asthetics" taken care of. A tool box to be added / jockey wheel and spare wheel and a nice coat of paint. Will post a photo when I have done the finished product.

video

Here is a short video of the tower being raised. I am sorry if I give you a sore neck but it's the first time I have used the camera to take a video and didn't realise I couldn't put it "up ways".

A couple of Ham's teach some young guys a lesson

video

Chip K7JA Sending and Ken K6CTW receiving.

Ha Ha Ha Ha - see the look on that young guys face - he's like....."WHAT THE" - how did you do that....ha ha ha ha. Give them another 170 years and see if they can beat us then.

Andrew VK4HAM

SPREAD THE WORD - THE NEW VK CONTEST

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!!!!


New contest to feature in the World Contesting Calender. Started by Contesting Legend Bill VK4FW and Trent VK4TI. The contest is aimed to promote contacts to VK and within VK. All the rules are listed below.





The Australian Shires Contest
Held the weekend prior to the second Monday of June every year.


Starts: 06.00 UTC Saturday, June 6, 2009
Ends: 06.00 UTC Sunday, June 7, 2009

Contest Period: 24 hours for all stations, all categories.
Objectives: The objectives of this contest are for amateurs around the world to contact as many VK shires as possible in the contest period. IE. VK amateurs are to work the world including VK, whilst the rest of the world can only work VK
III.

A) Bands:. 80 Metres 3.500 - 3.700 MHz, 40 Metres 7.000 - 7.250 MHz, 20 Metres 14.000 - 14.300 MHz, 15 Metres 21.000 - 21.350 MHz, 10 Metres 28.000 - 28.600 MHz. Please note there is no 75m dx window permitted for VK stations which means the rest of the world can operate above 3.700 mhz. ie. split operation

B) Modes: SSB and CW only

IV. Class of Competition:

For all categories:

Transmitters and receivers for a fixed station must be located within a 500 meter diameter circle or within the property limits of the station licensee's address, whichever is greater.

If you are a member of a multi op team you can not partake in the contest as an individual in any way. Please note that you are permitted to have up to two transmitted signals going simultaneously.

All contest operation must be within operator's licence restrictions and conditions, eg power output, bands used, etc.

Single OP stations are only permitted one transmitted signal at a time.


No operator is permitted to use more than one callsign for the entirety of the contest.


A Rover station is a VK station who goes either portable or mobile for the entirety of the contest. Please note that all portable equipment can not be set up prior to the Friday preceding the contest and no earlier than at 00.01utc. The Rover who moves into a new SHIRE may count the same MULTIPLIER more than once per band as long as the Rover is in a new SHIRE location. Such change in location must be clearly indicated in the log.

IE. A Rover station becomes a new QSO to the stations working them when that STATION changes SHIRE locator.

Please note that in all categories below you may change band and mode as often as you like. You may also work the same station multiple consecutive bands/modes one behind the other. EG work VK4FW on 20m SSB then qsy to 15m CW then qsy to 80m CW then qsy to 40m SSB etc


1. VK Single - OP All Band Rover: Single operator(s) must do all contest related things by themself.
2. VK Multi - Two All Band Rover : Is 2 or more operators with maximum of two transmitted signals at any one time. This category MUST USE Software CONTEST LOGGERS. All operators must be fully listed when the log is submitted.

3. VK Single Op All Band….. same conditions as number 1 above

4. VK Multi - Two All Band…. same conditions as number 2 above

5. VK Single Op Foundation: Is a VK foundation licensee who must do all contest related things by themself..

6. DX Single Op--All Band….. Is a single op who must do all contest related things by themself..


V. Exchange: All VK operators to exchange callsign, RST followed by the VK shire abbreviation as per the official list provided . EG…… VK4FW ……59BU4 or 599BU4

Stations outside VK to exchange callsign, RST followed by CQ ZONE.

EG. ZL1AMO 5932 or 59932


Multipliers: For stations outside VK : The multiplier is the number of different VK shires worked per band. A “VK shire” is counted once per band per mode. IE. If you work it on SSB it can be counted again on CW .To enter the contest you must have worked at least one VK Shire -
For VK Stations: The multiplier is each VK shire worked per band and mode as above as well as each CQ Zone worked per band and mode .
NB. VARIATION FOR ROVER STATIONS. ROVERS CAN REWORK FROM MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
IX..

. Scoring: One (1) point per QSO. …..

Multiply total QSO points times total number of multipliers worked ( ie. If you worked 33 on 80m, 43 on 40m , 16 on 20m, 21 on 15m and 5 on 10m that would be a total of 118)

Example 1. VK4FW works stations as follows:

600 qsos x 1 point = 600points

118 vk shires worked + 35 cq zones worked = 153

600 x 153= 91,800

VK4FW final score is 91,800

Example 2. ZL1AMO works stations as follows:

700 qsos with VK amateurs x 1 point = 700

118 VK shires work

700 x 118 = 82,600

Zl1AMO final score is 82,600


X… Awards: VK Stations : Certificates suitable for framing will be awarded to the top scoring stations in each category as well as place getters depending on entries received. A minimum of 100 qsos must be made to be eligible to receive a certificate.

Stations Outside VK : Certificates suitable for framing will be awarded to the top scoring stations in each category as well as place getters depending on entries received for each continent. A minimum of 100 qsos must be made to be eligible to receive a certificate.

** please note we hope to be able to award a minimum of 4 certificates per category.

** we are currently looking for some sponsors at $20 per year per sponsorship( minimum for 3 years ) for the following :

1. VK Single Op ….. kindly donated by VK4KW, Phil Smeaton

2. VK Multi Two …. kindly donated by VK4VCC, Laurie Porter

3. VK Single Op Foundation ….. kindly donated by VK4FW, Bill Horner

4. VK Single Op Rover… kindly donated by VK6HZ, John Ferrington

5. VK Multi Two Rover … kindly donated by VK4TI, Trent Sampson

6. DX Single Op …… as below

a) North America …… kindly donated by VK5HRT, Craig Edwards

b) South America …… kindly donated by VK4NDX, Dave Clifford

c) Asia …… kindly donated by VK4KYL and VK4ZD, Diane and Bill Main

d) Europe …… kindly donated by VK4HAM, Andrew Munson

e) Africa ….. kindly donated by VK2HV, Paul Hanna

f) Oceania ….. kindly donated by VK2VRD, Robert Duck



XI…. Miscellaneous: An operator may sign only one callsign during the contest. This means that an operator cannot generate QSOs by first signing his callsign, then signing his daughter's callsign, even though both callsigns are assigned to the same location.

If in fact a fixed VK station is located on the border of more than one VK shire, they must choose only one VK shire from which to operate from.

Utilising the various internet dx clusters etc is permitted however ANY FORM OF SOLICITED OR SELF SPOTTING INCLUDING CLUB MEMBERS SPOTTING CLUB OPERATIONS WILL RESULT IN NIL RESULT OF THE LOG.


ANY use by an entrant of any non-amateur means including, but not limited to, telephones, email, Internet, Instant Messenger, chat rooms, VOIP, or the use of packet to SOLICIT, ARRANGE, or CONFIRM any contacts during the contest is unsportsmanlike and the entry is subject to disqualification.



Aeronautical mobile or maritime mobile contacts do not count.

UTC is the required logging time.

XII …. Log Submissions: Log entries must be submitted by September 1, 2009 to be eligible for awards. Submit your electronic log in the Cabrillo format created by all major logging programs. Send via e-mail attachment to contest@vkshires.info

. Subject line: Callsign [used in the contest] only. SINGLE OP stations may submit a paper log, only if they make less than 100 qsos.

VK entrants are reminded to be sure their log indicates their VK shire location. If you go portable or mobile the log must clearly define where you changed location.

Click on the “VK SHIRES Web Form” link on the contest website at www.vkshires.info.

Computer-generated logs must be e-submitted. Callsigns of electronic logs received are posted and updated regularly on the website.


Any queries or enquiries please email vkshires@vkshires.info

The Oceania Amateur Radio Dx Group Incorporated is very pleased to be able to be associated with this contest by providing the official web site www.vkshires.info