[K3PZN-List] Ham Radio Interest - WX3B Perspective

[James Nitzberg]

Dear CCARCers;

Also a delayed commentary - My interests in ham radio
have INCREASED and some of my focus in the past year
or two has been related to promoting the joys of HF
DXing and contesting to young hams.

With the help of about 10 great friends (Most of which
are CCARC and/or PVRC Members) we built a modest
Multi-Operator Multi-Transmitter Contest Station at my
new home in Taneytown, MD.

You can generally find me on the HF bands after
10:00pm several evenings per week when I am in town -
lately I have been concentrating on 75m (3.778, 3.787,
and the DX Window), 160 meters, and I'm waiting for 20
to open when the days get longer.

I enjoyed a healthy run of stations on 20 & 75 meters
from our improved club station (K3PZN) during day II,
Sunday, of the November SSB Sweepstakes.  

By the end of the day, there were over 700 QSOs in the
log, and I missed only 2 or 3 sections for a sweep. 
Congratulations to those that have worked hard to
improve the station - the only accessory I supplied to
help with that effort was an "Active" ameritron
antenna tuner (A.K.A. Ameritron AL-80B).  The rest of
the effort was completed with the Club's Kenwood
TS-850S/AT (great radio), the new Heil HC-4 Proset
Plus, and that fancy new Heil Footswitch.  I was
particularly impressed with the New Yagi on 20 meters.
 Nobody got past our signal.

At my home station I have enjoyed watching several
teenage hams get hooked on HF communication and
contesting.  They have joined some of our team
competitions (Maryland/DC QSO Party, WPX, etc.) and
helped raise the bar of competition.   

We also have a semi-regular Saturday/Sunday AM
European "run" contest from my home where we see which
person can contact the most Europeans/Countries in a
given timeframe.

Last month, some of you heard the two special event
call signs that several CCARCers activated:  K3C (a
Christmas Celebration Call sign) and K3N, activated by
W3ARS, N3VOP, W3ADC, W3ADX, K3ASK, N3KS and myself - a
celebration for New Year 2006.  

If you ever want to know what it's like to be on a
DX-Pedition, I suggest you "renting" these special 3
character call signs.  The international community
loves them and responds with BIG pileups.  Getting
permission for a 3 character call sign is easy, done
over the web, and you can use it for several days.

We are nearing the bottom of the 11 year sunspot cycle
- and I recently learned is that it creates some of
the BEST opportunities for 40, 80 & 160 meter DX. 
Those of you that listen to 80 & 160 meters will know
that it has sounded more like the daytime 20 meter
band these past few nights.  

In summary - my spirit of ham radio, HF operation,
DXing and contesting is alive and well - for those of
you that are interested in any of these aspects of
radio, drop me a note, come on over and play!

73 & Best Wishes in 2006!

Jim Nitzberg   WX3B