[PVRCNC] PVRCNC-EAST February Meeting Summary

[NX9T at aol.com]

PVRCNC-EAST February Meeting Notes
 
We were graced with a strong turnout and an excellent program during our  
February gathering.  General discussion about recently completed and  upcoming 
contests, antenna planning, new rigs, and an assortment of other radio  related 
topics were bantered about. The 15 in attendance were: W0UCE, Jack;  K2AV, 
Guy; KA1ARB, Rob; N4CW, Bert; WA2JFK, Jim; K4CIA, Bill; NX9T, Jeff; N4TL,  Tom; 
K4CZ, Barry; W4KAZ, Keith; AD4L, Pete; K4QPL, Jim; N4YDU, Nate; W4MY,  Marty; 
and K3KO, Brian.  
 
K4QPL welcomed the group and outlined the evenings agenda.  WA2JFK was  
identified as having now attended the requisite two meetings and after a quick  
nomination from N4CW and a second by K4CIA, was unanimously voted in for  
membership. Welcome Jim!
 
K2AV presented a brief score analysis fo the recent CQ160CW contest which  
vividly demonstrated the importance of working as many of the EU multipliers as  
possible.
 
W0UCE conducted the regular “Paper Contest.”  This months contest  required 
members providing some basic advice to a new ham or newly active old  timer 
who were looking for the two most important tips/recommendations to be  able to 
hear and work “the weak ones” in contests.  Members provided a wide  range of 
suggestions which all made plenty of sense.  Winning this months  prize 
(screw driver set) was CW stalwart, N4YDU. 
 
Jack, W0UCE, presented a very interesting and educational program entitled,  “
Tips for Working Weak Ones.”  This program can be accessed via the PVRC  
website or via direct email to Jack.
 
The program schedule for the next two months is as follows:
 
March: K4QPL- Getting started in SO2R
April: AD4L- Software Defined  Radios 
 
Member Reports:
 
KA1ARB: Rob enjoyed operating in the NAQP and CQ160CW.  His makeshift  
inverted L which hung over part of his HF yagi worked quite well.
 
AD4L: Pete and his daughter operated in Kids Day.  He is preparing for  the 
April meeting program on software defined radios, has put up a new 40/80m  
wire, and is planning a 160m L.
 
N4CW: Bert operated fast and furious with Jack, W0UCE, in the  CQ160CW.  He 
has dabbled in most of the other smaller contests recently as  well.
 
WA2JFK: Jim jumped in the NAQP and played in Kids Day with his  daughter.  
Recently put up an attic dipole so is “on the air” from his own  shack on a 
casual basis.  Serious contesting will likely continue to occur  at N4CW. 

K4CIA: After working the “locals” in the CQ160CW, Bill  landed the “7X.”  
He has completed the K9AY loop project and has picked up  a new Kenwood 480 as 
an secondary radio.
 
NX9T: Jeff played in NAQP, CQ160CW, and operated Kids Day with his  boys.  
Planning to jump in the SSB Sprint this coming weekend as well as  operate in 
upcoming DX contests. 
 
W4MY: Marty is keeping an eye on a new tuner.  While his wife, KC4HDI,  was 
unable to attend this evening, the two hope to operate together in the YL/OM  
contest coming up soon.
 
K4QPL: Jim has been very busy with travel and work the last several weeks,  
and as a result has not been able to operate much.  He has big plans for  
operating this month at N4AF.
 
N4YDU: Nate is still reveling in his new QTH (former home of N4PY that came  
complete with antenna farm!).  He operated some in NAQP and CQ160CW and is  
looking forward to testing his new station in several of the upcoming  contests!
 
N4TL: Tom entered the VHF contest, and while activity was pretty slow,  
grabbed every possible Q the bands would produce!  Excited that he finally  
received his long awaited “YK” card after multiple attempts, international mail  
tracking efforts, etc...
 
K4CZ: Barry’s big news is that he purchased 50 feet of Rohn 25 and a  C4.  
Installation has been approved by the XYL!  He also participated  in the RTTY 
roundup and enjoyed his first real “run” on 75m during the  NAQP!  
 
W4KAZ: Keith has a great time in NAQP and reports that he was able to “run”  
some on 75m and all went well. 

W0UCE: Jack reported that during  the NAQPCW his PW1 failed but that in the 
CQ160CW he and N4CW doubled their  score from last year!  On a more casual 
basis, Jack participated in Kids  Day.
 
K2AV: Guy advised that he has been primarily focused on helping W0UCE get  
back on the air after his intensive lightening strike.  
 
K3KO: Brian (Welcome back!) indicated that he has been working his IC706  and 
SB1000 pretty hard.  He also mentioned that he recently received a 25  
million endorsement for the “5 million” award.   
 

We look forward to another great gathering in March!  Don’t miss  out...mark 
your calendars now for March 2 and come join us and learn about  SO2R.  Until 
then, good luck in the contests!  Keep the rate high, the  multiplier count 
up,  and dig out plenty of those “weak ones.”
 
73,
jeff nx9t