[ILQSO] Illinois QSO Party

Tue Sep 6 20:10:55 EDT 2011

Taking both the dipole and vertical are good ideas. 

I also have a generator which I can take. However, it may be a little big to lug around.

Thanks! 73!
Frank KC9IDX

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Funk <jfunk at fossna.com>
Sender: ilqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net
Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2011 01:55:35 
To: frank at kc9idx.com<frank at kc9idx.com>; Illinois QSO Party<ilqso at mailman.qth.net>
Reply-To: Illinois QSO Party <ilqso at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [ILQSO] Illinois QSO Party

Frank, you might want to take both the vertical and a dipole, since you already have a vertical.  My recommendation regarding the dipole stems from the fact that a lot of your contacts (and multipliers) will be from in-state and nearby-state stations.  You will simply be louder to those stations if you have a higher angle of radiation from a dipole antenna. You may find you have more success with the vertical with stations farther away.  Of course if the dipole is very close to the ground, you are going to have a VERY high angle of radiation, which is why I specified "as high as possible".  That usually means no more than 40' unless you have very tall trees and a good launcher.

As for power, can you borrow a generator?  You are going to be more successful and less frustrated if you can run 100 watts at all times, but you may not be able to do this if you have to depend on batteries the entire time.  I simply don't know what to tell you without having tried it with that configuration.

"Your mileage may vary".

73, Jim N9JF

-----Original Message-----
From: ilqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:ilqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Frank KC9IDX
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2011 6:33 PM
To: ILQSO
Subject: Re: [ILQSO] Illinois QSO Party

Jim, Thanks for the info

You suggested using a dipole. I have a Super Antenna MP-1. Which is a portable multiband vertical antenna. Would it be better to use a horizontal dipole over a vertical antenna?

My rig will be a Yaesu FT-857D coupled with a LDG YT-100 autotuner. I do not have any power for the radio. 100 watts will be the max output.

My thoughts were to start at low power and work up, depending on contacts and band conditions.

I will power the equipment with some LiPo batteries, which I have been testing for performance, and a 45amp hour deep cycle battery for backup.

I look forward to your comments.

Thanks! 73!
Frank KC9IDX

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Funk <jfunk at fossna.com>
Sender: ilqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net
Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2011 20:49:25 
To: Illinois QSO Party<ilqso at mailman.qth.net>
Reply-To: Illinois QSO Party <ilqso at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [ILQSO] Illinois QSO Party

Put up a wire dipole, one that will allow you to work at least 20 and 40 meters, as high as you can get it.

Test it ahead of time. Make sure it loads properly.  Be sure you haven't selected a location with high line noise.

Call CQ a lot. Announce yourself as "portable in rare Cass County Illinois."  If you can also work 75 meters, ask stations to move there from 40 meters and work you again.

Listen for weak mobiles calling.  Stand by for "mobiles only" once in awhile.  They will usually be a multiplier for you, and they are not going to stick around long if you ignore them under a stream of louder fixed stations.

Spin the dial once in awhile and "cherry-pick" the loud stations who are also CQing.  Dig a bit for the mobiles who might be audacious enough to try CQing....

If you have an amplifier, use it.

Be prepared to be "interrupted" by questions from passersby.  Give them the time they need to ask questions.  This is partly "contest" and partly "PR".  Get some promotional materials from ARRL and/or your local club to pass out.

If you can work CW *at all*, take along the equipment to do so.  You will vastly increase your score if all you do is call the stations that are easy to work on CW. Call at the speed that's comfortable for you. Almost all of them will slow down.

Have fun!
73, Jim N9JF

-----Original Message-----
From: ilqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:ilqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Frank Anderson KC9IDX
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2011 4:26 PM
To: Illinois QSO Party
Subject: Re: [ILQSO] Illinois QSO Party

Add me "KC9IDX" to the list for Cass County. My plan is to work portable
from Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Park.

This will be my first real attempt at a contest. Any pointers would be
greatly appreciated.

Thanks! 73!
Frank Anderson "KC9IDX"
Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Services "A.R.E.S."
for Cass, Morgan and Scott Counties in Illinois
Frank at KC9IDX.com Info at K9JX.com www.K9JX.com
(217) 248-4101

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