From alsopb at nc.rr.com  Sat Dec  1 09:42:54 2007
From: alsopb at nc.rr.com (Brian Alsop)
Date: Sat Dec  1 09:53:33 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] Wacko idea help
Message-ID: <475172EE.3000808@nc.rr.com>

I'm thinking of putting together a "foot switch" type of selection 
gadget for the receive antennas.

I envision something like a set of organ foot bars.

The circuitry to implement it seems beyond me.

Here is what I am thinking.

Foot switch 1 when pressed generates a momentary pulse which enables 
relay 1 and disables 2,3,4..n
Foot switch 1 when pressed generates a momemtary pulse which enables 
relay 2 and disables 1,2,4..n

Same idea for rest of foot switches.

I've seen some of those banked switches which cancel the rest when 
pressed.  I'm looking for something
that electrically does the same.

73 de Brian/K3KO
From NX9T at aol.com  Sat Dec  1 23:36:54 2007
From: NX9T at aol.com (NX9T@aol.com)
Date: Sat Dec  1 23:47:38 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] NX9T ARRL 160CW SOHP
Message-ID: <d03.22bdd256.34839066@aol.com>

 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ARRL 160-Meter Contest

Call: NX9T
Operator(s): NX9T
Station: NX9T

Class: Single Op HP
QTH: NC
Operating Time (hrs): 3

Summary:
Total:? QSOs = 103? Sections = 46? Countries = 3? Total Score = 9,752

Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club

Comments:

Just a couple passes up/down the band.? Not much time with Christmas stuff 
going
on.? Still, fun times!

73 and Merry Christmas.

Jeff NX9T




**************************************
Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest 
products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)
From alsopb at nc.rr.com  Sun Dec  2 08:34:45 2007
From: alsopb at nc.rr.com (Brian Alsop)
Date: Sun Dec  2 08:45:30 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] K3KO 160M
Message-ID: <4752B475.4030808@nc.rr.com>

600 x 83 = 102,090

High power assisted.

It was interesting to note that the inverted L SWR as considerably 
higher than normal all summer.

Once it rained the SWR returned to normal.  There are >40 radials of 
various lengths under the antenna.
I really didn't expect dry ground to have any impact.  Wrong.

Without RX antennas, tuned input preamp (a.k.a. poor man's roofing 
filter), and a good audio DSP filter, the IC-706 would have nearly 
useless in this contest. 

73 de Brian/K3KO
From n4af at pvrc.org  Sun Dec  2 08:53:13 2007
From: n4af at pvrc.org (Howie Hoyt)
Date: Sun Dec  2 09:03:58 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] ARRL160 Log submission
Message-ID: <56a4c91e0712020553u3d17e0d1refa8423de0d129c7@mail.gmail.com>

Good morning, Howie-

I've received some emails about an error with the 160m contest robot.
It appears to be ignoring all DX QSOs because DX stations do not have
to send a QTH in their exchange.

We are working on the problem. For the time being, please do not
submit any logs until we correct this issue. I will post a note to the
reflector when this has been corrected.

It was good to work you from W1AW this weekend.

73,

Sean Kutzko KX9X
ARRL Contest Branch Manager
kx9x@arrl.org
- Show quoted text -

-- 
http://N4AF.BLOUNTSCREEK.ORG
From alsopb at nc.rr.com  Sun Dec  2 09:08:32 2007
From: alsopb at nc.rr.com (Brian Alsop)
Date: Sun Dec  2 09:19:17 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] Epson printer wierdness
Message-ID: <4752BC60.8050006@nc.rr.com>

XYL was printing some stuff when the Epson inkjet printer stopped.  The 
management program spit out:

"Parts in the printer are at then end of life.  Contact service support"

Turns out there is an internal counter that when exceeded will do this.  
The counter apparently is implemented so that the ink "waste pad" 
doesn't overflow on to the desk.

A search of the internet revealed that there is a free program (non 
Epson of course) which allows one to reset the counter for a large 
number of Epson printers.

Search on SSCSSERV.EXE to find it.

It worked.  I didn't replace or clean the waste pad as recommended.  So 
we may be seeing ink on the desk top in the future.

This same thing happened "died" thing happened with XYL's last Epson 
inkjet printer.  Then no such message was spit out.
We junked it. 

This is surely modern day "planned obsolescence".

73 de Brian/K3KO

From n4tl2 at earthlink.net  Sun Dec  2 13:02:43 2007
From: n4tl2 at earthlink.net (Tom Lewis)
Date: Sun Dec  2 13:13:22 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] N4TL 160 M
Message-ID: <380-22007120218243218@earthlink.net>

111 x 41= 9,102

It turns out that I forgot that my 160 meter inverted L was partly on the
ground. I had things to do on Saturday so I did not get around to trying to
fix it until late in the day. After a while I lost the only fishing line
sinker I had. So off to the store to buy a few more. I finally was able to
slingshot a line over a branch It was not as high as needed but I was
running out of daylight. So I pulled up the antenna to the lower branch. I
pulled the left over vertical wire to the side. The SWR was above 3 to one
but the tuner in the rig worked with it. I made my goal of 100 Qs.

73
Tom, N4TL






From n4ydu at nc.rr.com  Sun Dec  2 17:07:37 2007
From: n4ydu at nc.rr.com (Nathan Moreschi)
Date: Sun Dec  2 17:20:23 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] N4YDU ARRL 160
Message-ID: <000c01c8352f$c02e8b70$6501a8c0@YOURCA979DF923>

 ARRL 160-Meter Contest

Call: N4YDU
Operator(s): N4YDU
Station: N4YDU

Class: Single Op LP
QTH: 
Operating Time (hrs): 1:15

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 100  Sections = 34  Countries = 3  Total Score = 7,733

Club: 

Comments:

Got on for a little here and there - it was nice to call cq and have people
answering me after grinding it out in WW CW! I couldn't believe how strong
I3MLU was!

It was cool to work a lot of the PVRC gang, too.


I hope to be on for WW 160 CW and maybe a little in the Stew Perry.

73,

Nate/N4YDU
From kazeringue at aol.com  Sun Dec  2 18:31:15 2007
From: kazeringue at aol.com (Keith Zeringue)
Date: Sun Dec  2 18:41:59 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] ARRL 160 W4KAZ Single Op LP
Message-ID: <47534043.9010102@aol.com>

Call: W4KAZ
Operator(s): W4KAZ
Station: W4KAZ

Class: Single Op LP
QTH: NC
Operating Time (hrs): 5

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 122  Sections = 38  Countries = 2  Total Score = 10,000

Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club

Comments:

A few hours of casual S&P.

I'd really like to put in a full effort into this next year.  That just 
didn't pan out this time around.  I spent the bulk of my time listening 
for the ghost QSO's deep down in the noise level.  Early in the evening 
on Friday, between the local east coast QSO's I could hear guys down at 
the noise level out west making Q's with their own locals. The DX window 
was useless for me on Friday night, but I managed to work PJ2 and HI on 
Saturday.  Too busy watching the BCS Blowup(i.e., college football)

Mostly it was interesting to spin the dial and listen when there is so 
much activity on 160.

Hope to see folks on Thursday.

73,
kaz
From lclarks at nc.rr.com  Tue Dec  4 14:52:20 2007
From: lclarks at nc.rr.com (Larry stowell)
Date: Tue Dec  4 15:03:21 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] Printer Stand
Message-ID: <!&!AAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAALsBWfsc0RVBu+KaBDEljV3CgAAAEAAAAObkYeyrFqpGpW94qMDunA0BAAAAAA==@nc.rr.com>


I have a heavy duty printer stand that anybody can have, I'll bring it to the meeting Thursday. It
has solid sides, not legs, its 3/4 chip board with dark wood grain. It made for an old large dot
matrix printer, the front is open and the back has a drop down door.

It would make a good stand for an amp or boat anchor. 

Larry K1ZW
Durham, NC

From kazeringue at aol.com  Tue Dec  4 21:01:20 2007
From: kazeringue at aol.com (Keith Zeringue)
Date: Tue Dec  4 21:12:17 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] Sweepstakes CW log deadline
Message-ID: <47560670.2020001@aol.com>

For the folks who may need to, Wednesday 12/5/2007 is the deadline for 
sending in the CW Sweeps logs.

Don't let any score go to waste.

73,
W4KAZ

p.s.  The SSB deadline is the 19th.
From Guy.Olinger at sas.com  Wed Dec  5 08:30:10 2007
From: Guy.Olinger at sas.com (Guy Olinger)
Date: Wed Dec  5 08:41:28 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] Sweepstakes CW log deadline
In-Reply-To: <47560670.2020001@aol.com>
References: <47560670.2020001@aol.com>
Message-ID: <345520A34347BA49B798F70B218ACD13043697F0A8@MERCMBX14.na.sas.com>

The ARRL robot was rejecting entries after 0300 UTC Dec 5  (10 pm EST) as beyond deadline. Not exactly the common interpretation of a "December 5" in the rules posted on arrl.org. If you are reading this, absent some correction by ARRL, you are past their (however strangely concocted interpretation of a) deadline.

Have sent email to the general contesting address, but have no reply as of now.

I think they probably meant to set it to 0300 UTC December 6 as a reasonable implementation of "local time" December 5, though personally I would have set it to 1200 UTC Dec 6.

After all when income tax deadline is April 15, we get to midnight and ALL of April 15 to get it in.

There's always something.

-----Original Message-----
From: pvrcnc-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:pvrcnc-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Keith Zeringue
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 9:01 PM
To: PVRCNC; pvrc@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [PVRCNC] Sweepstakes CW log deadline

For the folks who may need to, Wednesday 12/5/2007 is the deadline for
sending in the CW Sweeps logs.

Don't let any score go to waste.

73,
W4KAZ

p.s.  The SSB deadline is the 19th.
_______________________________________________
PVRCNC mailing list
PVRCNC@mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pvrcnc
From kazeringue at aol.com  Wed Dec  5 10:22:42 2007
From: kazeringue at aol.com (Keith Zeringue)
Date: Wed Dec  5 10:33:43 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter meeting, December 6th
Message-ID: <4756C242.2050503@aol.com>

The East chapter of PVRC/NC has its regular meeting on Thursday December 
6th.   So, if you are reading this on Friday the 7th--you missed the 
chapter meeting, but don't forget Pearl Harbor.  If you went to the 
Central meeting in Fairfax earlier in the week, you can still get a 
two-fer this week!  Pretend its a needed mult....

Summarized Subjects Speculatively Scheduled:
Seeking Successful Skirmishing Strategeries, Swilling Spirits, Solacing 
Spent Sportsmen, Swapping Swell Sweepstakes SeaStories, Squelching 
Scribe's Senseless Screwball Scribbles.

There is also a train alleged to be leaving the station.....

Although I have not been notified to this effect, it should be noted 
that W0UCE has been unable to attend recently.  This absence no doubt 
gave Jack plenty of time to invent new arcane interrogatives for the 
ever challenging W0UCE Paper Contest,  providing that time, moderation, 
and W0UCE allow.  Paper Contest entries submitted in Crayon or finger 
painted with ketchup will be heckled unmercifully, per normal procedure, 
and all decisions made by the contest adjudicator are final and binding.

Guests and interested persons are always welcome to join in. 
Road-trippers are also welcomed.

Where:
We meet at Manchester's Bar and Grill in North Raleigh.  Manchesters Bar
and Grill is located at 9109 Leesville Road, Raleigh  27613.
Manchesters is in the Pinecrest Shopping Center which is 0.8 miles south
on Leesville from the Leesville Road exit of I-540.

When:
The "official" meeting time is 6:00 pm, Thursday December 6th, but will
actually be somewhat later whenever K4QPL(AA4NC?) or his seconds decide 
to cut through the usual high level of QRM.  Feel free to come a bit 
early to add to the QRM and quaff an 807 or have a coffee.

So come one, come all.

73,
W4KAZ, as always..../lid
PVRC/NC East Chapter scribe

-and-

The Official Spokesperson for PigPharm NeuroChem Laboratories, a 
subsidiary of PigPharm Industries.
"We make pigs FLY!  Aiiiieeeee!"
From bhedges at nc.rr.com  Wed Dec  5 10:28:23 2007
From: bhedges at nc.rr.com (Brad Hedges)
Date: Wed Dec  5 10:38:49 2007
Subject: Regrets - RE: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter meeting, December 6th
In-Reply-To: <4756C242.2050503@aol.com>
References: <4756C242.2050503@aol.com>
Message-ID: <40EA6D909B1642B58E6FB929A923BCBE@Vista1>

Work calls - I can't drive up tomorrow. Bert or Jim, whoever ended up with
my coffee mug and memory stick from Howie's - can you hold onto them until
the January meeting?

73,
Brad


Bradley D. Hedges
AL4T
Sergeant First Class, Infantry
82d Airborne Division


-----Original Message-----
From: pvrcnc-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:pvrcnc-bounces@mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Keith Zeringue
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 10:23 AM
To: PVRCNC; pvrc@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter meeting, December 6th

The East chapter of PVRC/NC has its regular meeting on Thursday December 
6th.   So, if you are reading this on Friday the 7th--you missed the 
chapter meeting, but don't forget Pearl Harbor.  If you went to the 
Central meeting in Fairfax earlier in the week, you can still get a 
two-fer this week!  Pretend its a needed mult....


From K4CZusa at attglobal.net  Wed Dec  5 19:10:21 2007
From: K4CZusa at attglobal.net (Barry Baker, K4CZ)
Date: Wed Dec  5 19:21:36 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter meeting, December 6th
Message-ID: <008d01c8379c$67abb030$ca01a8c0@dell8200bab>

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the meeting tomorrow.  One of my
clients has their annual Christmas party on the 1st Thursday every December
so I have to drive down to Charlotte.  I will certainly miss the tall tales
and all those things beginning with the letter "S" mentioned by W4KAZ in his
announcement ;-)

Hope to work many of you during the ARRL 10m contest this weekend!

73, Barry K4CZ


From K4CZusa at attglobal.net  Wed Dec  5 20:05:00 2007
From: K4CZusa at attglobal.net (Barry Baker, K4CZ)
Date: Wed Dec  5 20:16:15 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] Weatherproof enclosures - (almost) free to good home
Message-ID: <008e01c837a4$0a3a5b60$ca01a8c0@dell8200bab>

I bought some tamper-resistant, weatherproof enclosures for a very cheap
price at a local bargain store.  The enclosures are Siecor CAC 7600
Telephone Network Interface boxes (manufactured by Corning), which are used
by telcos at subscriber locations.  I plan to use a couple of them for
tuning & switching circuits at the base of my antennas.

I don't know if anyone is interested but I have a half dozen extra
enclosures to (almost) give away to PVRC members.  Just like on Priceline,
you can "name your own price" and the highest offers (greater than $1 each)
win.  Unlike Priceline, all proceeds go to PVRC...so feel free to bid
generously ;-)  Send your bids or any questions directly to me.  If you bid
and win, I will bring your enclosure(s) to the January meeting.

The enclosures are brand new.  They are gray in color with entry grommets
in-place.  Here is a link to a Corning enclosure that is similar to the
Siecor ones:  http://tinyurl.com/2oeoj2  A key difference is that the Siecor
enclosures are deeper.  Dimensions are (HxWxD): 10.25 x 8.5 x 4.75 in.  The
interior is roughly 7.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 in.  There are only a few parts to
remove on the interior to make room for your circuits.  If you need a photo
or two of the actual enclosures, let me know.

73, Barry K4CZ



From k4qpl at nc.rr.com  Wed Dec  5 22:12:58 2007
From: k4qpl at nc.rr.com (Jim Jordan, K4QPL)
Date: Wed Dec  5 22:24:10 2007
Subject: Regrets - RE: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter meeting, December 6th
References: <4756C242.2050503@aol.com>
	<40EA6D909B1642B58E6FB929A923BCBE@Vista1>
Message-ID: <02b401c837b5$eaa1f530$6a01a8c0@JFJLT07>

Hey Brad,

Sorry we won't see you. I've got your stuff and will hang on to it until 
next time or whenever you and I can get together.

73,

Jim
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brad Hedges" <bhedges@nc.rr.com>
To: "'PVRCNC'" <pvrcnc@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 10:28 AM
Subject: Regrets - RE: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter meeting, December 6th


> Work calls - I can't drive up tomorrow. Bert or Jim, whoever ended up with
> my coffee mug and memory stick from Howie's - can you hold onto them until
> the January meeting?
>
> 73,
> Brad
>
>
> Bradley D. Hedges
> AL4T
> Sergeant First Class, Infantry
> 82d Airborne Division
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pvrcnc-bounces@mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:pvrcnc-bounces@mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of Keith Zeringue
> Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 10:23 AM
> To: PVRCNC; pvrc@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter meeting, December 6th
>
> The East chapter of PVRC/NC has its regular meeting on Thursday December
> 6th.   So, if you are reading this on Friday the 7th--you missed the
> chapter meeting, but don't forget Pearl Harbor.  If you went to the
> Central meeting in Fairfax earlier in the week, you can still get a
> two-fer this week!  Pretend its a needed mult....
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> PVRCNC mailing list
> PVRCNC@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pvrcnc 

From will.roberts at pgnmail.com  Thu Dec  6 09:56:18 2007
From: will.roberts at pgnmail.com (Roberts, Will)
Date: Thu Dec  6 10:07:29 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] Books
Message-ID: <7902EEF0EF220946BEFA7AB4CB9AAE24018CEC54@NT000834.oak.zone1.progress-energy.com>

I have some surplus books that I will be bringing to tonight's meeting.
They are free for the taking, or if you are so inclined you could give a
couple bucks to W0UCE's Shriner children's charity. I also have about a
year's supply of QST and CQ magazine back issues. 

Some of the titles:
ON4UN Low Band DXing
ARRL Antenna Book (recent edition)
ARRL Antenna Book (old edition)
W6SAI Beam Handbook
W6SAI Quad Handbook
W2PV Antenna Design
The Big Ear by W8JK 
Russian language for amateur radio (with cassette tape)

73 - See you all tonight,

Will AA4NC

From kz1x at yahoo.com  Sun Dec  9 12:55:51 2007
From: kz1x at yahoo.com (Steve Jackson)
Date: Sun Dec  9 13:07:19 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] 10 meter tropo 'flutter'  :: ARRL 10M contest
Message-ID: <87890.5400.qm@web34611.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

I don't think I've spent more than 45 minutes straight, on the 10 meter band, ever, until this weekend.  

I decided to try a little contesting, on CW, and for sport, left the amplifier off.

I noticed a very peculiar phenomenon.  Stations that are relatively local, such as N4AF, K4CZ, and N4CW, all were very difficult to copy, as they sounded like they were in Siberia.  Not that the signals were weak, but that they sounded like they were under the strongest of auroral-type 'flutter' distortion.  I had an especially difficult time copying Bert ... signals 10 over 9, but warbling like he was under water.  I almost called him on the telephone to 'report' the distortion!  But I quickly remembered that I had heard it on other local stations, as well.  

Why was I hearing this anomaly?  The 5s and 7s didn't have it, nor the VA stations.  Just the locals.

Later, I tuned back in to N4AF ... and pointed the antenna actually AT him.  (It was elsewhere the first time.)

Gee!  That made an enormous difference!  Clear as can be.  

Turned the beam 30 degrees off ... towards KP4 ... N4AF signal still good, but warble-city.

Does anyone know what sort of tropospheric condition causes this phenomenon on this band?  Is it common?  

Curious minds ...

tnx  
73 Steve KZ1X/4
Chapel Hill





      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page. 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
From alsopb at nc.rr.com  Sun Dec  9 15:01:37 2007
From: alsopb at nc.rr.com (Brian Alsop)
Date: Sun Dec  9 15:13:00 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] Wacko idea prototype
Message-ID: <475C49A1.4040504@nc.rr.com>

Thanks to many who made suggestions on this QLF RX antenna switcher.
RX antennas can be switched in via foot control instead of taking hands 
off keyboard.

I now have a working prototype on the bench.

It currently a single lever "keyer paddle" as CW/CCW input.

One uses the left foot to press one side and right foot to press the 
other side.
This results in RX antennas being switched to the next CW or CCW 
position respectively. 
Just like a keyer, holding one side results in multiple hops spaced by 
0.4 seconds.

Output is of two forms:  BCD digital or decoded X positions.   Where X 
can be as large as 10.

Working on a true QLF version using only one foot. 
An iambic type paddle with the foot in the center of the two levers will 
allow single foot operation.

It ended up being a 4 IC project: a 7805L voltage regulator, a 14 pin 
PIC, a CD4028 decoder IC and a ULN2003 relay driver IC
Net cost of chips new would be under $5.

73 de Brian/K3KO
From n4ydu at nc.rr.com  Sun Dec  9 17:12:05 2007
From: n4ydu at nc.rr.com (Nathan Moreschi)
Date: Sun Dec  9 17:23:37 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] Items For Sale
Message-ID: <000601c83ab0$88e80020$6501a8c0@YOURCA979DF923>

Hey gang - I have the following items for sale:

Yaesu GS-800 Rotor with extra controller - In use for 11 years - still works well - $125

Rohn 25 Tower Sections: 3 straight sections, one top section and one 5 footer cut off - $100

73,

Nate/N4YDU - CQING away in 10M contest

From lclarks at nc.rr.com  Sun Dec  9 21:01:46 2007
From: lclarks at nc.rr.com (Larry stowell)
Date: Sun Dec  9 21:13:18 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] ARRL 10 MTR
In-Reply-To: <0c3b01c83ab8$2093cdd0$6401a8c0@yourfulkl1oh2q>
References: <0c3b01c83ab8$2093cdd0$6401a8c0@yourfulkl1oh2q>
Message-ID: <!&!AAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAALsBWfsc0RVBu+KaBDEljV3CgAAAEAAAAIxYG9YVGclBpdmXnroHRdQBAAAAAA==@nc.rr.com>

 
           ARRL10M Score Summary Sheet

      Start Date : 2007-12-07

   CallSign Used : K1ZW
     Operator(s) : K1ZW

            Band : ALL
           Power : HIGH
            Mode : SSB

    ARRL Section : NC
       Club/Team : Potomac Valley Radio Club
         Software: N1MM Logger V7.11.4

        Band    QSOs    Pts  Cty
          28      94     188   23
       Total      94     188   23


           Score : 4,324
             Rig : 

        
         Soapbox : One PVRC'er said it best "I never worked so hard for so little"

From rob.katz at thelegacycenter.com  Tue Dec 11 20:47:41 2007
From: rob.katz at thelegacycenter.com (Rob Katz)
Date: Tue Dec 11 20:59:31 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] Good deal on LMR 400 coax
Message-ID: <p06020411c384ebd2b74c@[192.168.1.112]>

If you're looking for new LMR-400 coax, I just spotted a good deal on 
eBay.  It's 700-800 feet, but at almost half the price of buying from 
Texas Towers.  He's located in Gibsonville, NC, so presumably you 
could arrange to pick up and save any shipping costs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120196651055&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

73,
    Rob, KA1ARB
-- 
Rob Katz, Director
Legacy Center, Inc.

(919) 678-6000 x106
(919) 678-6015 fax
rob.katz@TheLegacyCenter.com
www.TheLegacyCenter.com

From Pete.Soper at Sun.COM  Wed Dec 12 19:58:15 2007
From: Pete.Soper at Sun.COM (Pete Soper)
Date: Wed Dec 12 20:10:09 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] Software defined radio update
In-Reply-To: <!&!AAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAALsBWfsc0RVBu+KaBDEljV3CgAAAEAAAAIxYG9YVGclBpdmXnroHRdQBAAAAAA==@nc.rr.com>
References: <0c3b01c83ab8$2093cdd0$6401a8c0@yourfulkl1oh2q>
	<!&!AAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAALsBWfsc0RVBu+KaBDEljV3CgAAAEAAAAIxYG9YVGclBpdmXnroHRdQBAAAAAA==@nc.rr.com>
Message-ID: <476083A7.5090702@sun.com>

SDR is picking up momentum:

http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2007/12/11/42781/intel+targets+wimax+with+software+radio+device.htm

-Pete AD4L

PS Starting to get a tiny bit of time for hobbies. My latest toy is a 
set of these (radio controlled, of course!:

  http://sunspotworld.com/

PPS Thanks to the folks who sent the 5-mil plaques and "additional 
points plates"!




  

From kazeringue at aol.com  Mon Dec 17 21:59:21 2007
From: kazeringue at aol.com (Keith Zeringue)
Date: Mon Dec 17 22:11:43 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] PVRCNC photos
Message-ID: <47673789.7090409@aol.com>

A link to photos from the NC East chapter meeting has been placed on the 
PVRCNC web site home page.

The direct link is  http://www.pvrcnc.org/2007xmas/

73
W4KAZ
From kazeringue at aol.com  Mon Dec 17 22:01:00 2007
From: kazeringue at aol.com (Keith Zeringue)
Date: Mon Dec 17 22:13:17 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter - December Meeting Notes 
Message-ID: <476737EC.6020205@aol.com>

PVRCNC-East Chapter - December Meeting Notes
December 6th, 2007, Manchester's, Raleigh, NC, USA.

The December meeting brought together an even dozen members from the 
NC/East chapter. The normal pre meeting chaos, QRM, and Tall Tales 
Tumultuosly Told ensued. Finally K4QPL used the infamous 
spoon-on-water-glass CW sounder to send a barely audible CQ into the 
pileup, stopping all S&P contesters and DX'rs in their tracks. K4QPL 
used the lull to call the meeting into order. First order of business 
was in harrassing the scribe as to the inaccuracy of the events being 
recorded. The scribe remains unabashed about his abysmal accuracy rate, 
as he's having more fun making up stories that are only loosely based 
upon what may or may not have happened. At this point K4QPL's meal 
arrived, so he deftly turned the session over to member reports.
(Note: Well, it was something like that....ed. W4KAZ :)

Around the Table:

K4WES, Wes:   Wes logged about 250 Q's in SSB Sweeps.

W4MY, Marty:  Marty operated Sweeps phone from his QTH as a Multi with 
Daniel, KI4QXS. Marty says Daniel did a fine job and seems to have 
enjoyed operating Sweeps. Marty is working up plans for verticals for 
the low bands, hoping to improve the station there. He also was the only 
member two have the "twofer" by making both the NC East chapter meeting 
and the PVRC Central Christmas meeting in Fairfax. Marty had a great 
time, and encouraged everyone to try to fit this road trip in, as he 
thinks it was worth the trip. He had a chance to spend some 'quality 
time' with several of the guys from the NC West chapter, who had a 
better turnout than we did from the East chapter. Marty also enjoyed 
hearing the guest speaker, Riley Hollingsworth.

N4TL, Tom:  Tom put in efforts for Sweeps SSB and CW, as well as CQWW 
and ARRL 160. Tom also relayed a story relating to refurbishing 
'boatanchors'. In a recent receiver project he found out the hard way 
that the dial markings painted onto glass eons ago is 'very easily 
removed'. He was glad to note that reproductions for his project 
receiver are available, but cautions others working on a restoration to 
be careful with painted on bandspread dials.

N4GU, Mike:  Mike operated Sweeps, as well as CQWW DX on 80 with an 80m 
vertical. Beyond that, he's been having fun on 160 and is chasing 
Pacific DX.

K1ZW, Larry:  Larry played a bit in some of the contests. He has also 
been working on a mobile installation, and launced a few 'tennis balls' 
over at KE4GY's to put lines up and help decorate Frank's trees with 
antennas. He also wanted to make sure the group had heard the Peter Dahl 
specialty transformer business was closed.

KE4GY, Frank:  Frank now has 80 meters thanks to "Larry's Line 
Launching". He found it interesting to be able to have more 80m Q's that 
15m Q's. He worked a lot of 40m for Sweeps CW. He's also got 20 feet of 
his planned 40m/20m tower up, with the mast already safely nestled inside.

NX9T, Jeff:  Jeff operated both Sweeps, and operated Phone Sweeps as 
QRP. He expects to play around for ARRL 10m if the band opens.

KZ1X, Steve:  Steve was attending his first meeting. He reports that he 
live N1LN/N1YXU and KA1ARB. He's got 80 feet of Rohn 55, with a 16 foot 
mast loaded for bear, a K2 and a TenTec Centurion afterburner. He's 
interested in doing more contesting, and had fun in the ARRL 160m 
contest. (Note: KZ1X is also the founding member of the Orange County 
Radio Amateurs Club(OCRA), ed. W4KAZ)

W4KAZ, el Escribano Inexacto:  Keith operated both Cw and SSB Sweeps, 
improving upon past scores, and very nearly meeting his goal of 600 
QSO's in the SSB half of Sweeps. Also operated ARRL 160m for fun. Helped 
hold the flashlight for NT4D who installed roofing filter and key click 
mods into NT4Q's 1000MP.

W4TMO, Jim:  Jim used a few wires in the trees and verticals to have fun 
in ARRL 160m, and was able to nab a few of the DX there. He's also been 
operating some on 30m.

K4CIA, Bill:  Bill has been busy with a big home maintenance job(House 
painting-Y'all come!). With brush set aside, Bill operated ARRL 160m as 
QRP, and thinks he may have been able to eke out the #3 QRP score, based 
on 3830 rumors.

N4CW, Bert:  Bert operated Sweeps CW from Maine, and Sweeps SSB from 
home in Raleigh, loging ~600 SSB Q's. He operated CQWW as part of the 
NY4A multi/2 down at N4AF. Bert's ARRL 160m effort paid off with 1100 
Q's logged, and he reports his first night was very good, as he hit the 
sack with 800Q's in the bag. The second was a bit more of a struggle. 
He's anticipating sitting out ARRL 10m.

AA4NC, Will:  Will had poor luck with SS CW, as he was plagued by many 
station problems. He chose to enter Sweeps SSB in the 'fresh meat' 
category, and operated the last four hours, racking up 600+ Qso's. All 
of that was on 80m, and he says he really enjoyed the run.

W0UCE, Jack(reported via K4QPL):  Jack was one of the NY4A operators for 
CQWW Multi/2 down at Howies.

K4QPL, Jim:  Jim operated Sweeps CW from home, having fun on 80m, and 
ended up with about 800 Q's. He joined up with Brad, AL4T to put NY4A on 
the air, and confirms that he did in fact bring his own MyCrowPhone, as 
well as the Orion and other accessories. They pulled out about 100 Q's 
for their efforts. Jim was also part of the NY4A CQWW Multi/2 effort.
Reports via e-mail:

N4XD, Ron:  Ron was away on business, but reports "Recent activities 
have been in the CQWW CW (just a few contacts) and the ARRL 160 with a 
full effort. Something over 1100Qs and 262k points. Bob, K4HA had talked 
about coming out but he decided the wilds of Pittsboro were just too 
much out of the main stream so he stayed home in Raleigh and dealt with 
his local line noise!"

K4TMC, Henry:  Henry reports ".... I have an Elecraft K3 that is built, 
but not fully working, due to a small, but critical, component that was 
missing from my kit. The part may arrive tomorrow, and I may be on 
briefly for the 10M contest this weekend. If I can make the January 
meeting, I will bring the K3 for show & tell."

KA4ARB, Rob:  Rob reports: "Please thank everybody their QSO's during 
Phone Sweepstakes.  With great support from many in PVRC, and thanks to 
a very timely visit by Bruce, N1LN, I got my antenna bolted onto my 
tower two hours before SS began. More than 1400 Q's later, I decided 
that I like my tower.  I think I'll keep it.  (We've actually had the 
same results for the past several years,  but for the bottom of the 
cycle, I'm very happy!) Some might call it luck, but I think it was the 
tower that attracted NWT, PAC, AK, ND, and SD in the first two hours! 
Also got on for a little creaky CW in CQWW CW, and I'll be on a bit for 
10 meter contest this weekend."

N1LN and N1YXU, Bruce & Laurie:  Work continues with the station build. 
Last weekend Laurie (ground crew) and I got Tower 3 (15 meter tower) all 
wired (rotors, stackmatch, coax).   The the two current yagis are now on 
the air. ( 4 ele @ 62' on a swing gate / 3 ele @ 32' fixed on SA ) 
Additionally, the third 204BA (4 ele 20) is almost finished and will 
soon be mounted fixed on SA @ 36' joining the 204BA @ 104' and the 204BA 
@ 68' (this one is on a Tic Ring) on Tower 4.   This weekend we will be 
putting up a temporary 160 mtr inverted-V at about 104' on Tower 2, 
and.... yup - - putting up the Christmas decorations.   How did that get 
in there?  Please wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday Season for us.

Paper Contest
W0UCE, although not in corpus, was there in spirit, as he provided a 
paper contest for the evening, moderated by K4QPL. The evening's winner 
was N4GU, Mike, who became the proud owner of the specially wrapped 
gift, a nice set of left-handed metric screwdrivers. Thanks to Jack for 
making the Paper Contest possible.

New Bizzness- Chapter Officers
The evening concluded with the machinations of railroad engineer K4QPL. 
Eager to hand over the keys to the train and barely concealing his glee 
at having found a new victim chairman candidate, 'QPL announced that 
Will, in a weak moment, had agreed that he would indeed serve as NC East 
chapter chairman for the 2008 year. The membership endorsed this change 
of leadership.

As his first official act, AA4NC decreed that W4KAZ be appointed 'Scribe 
For Life'. This pronouncement met no protest. That means that you, the 
membership, will be subjected to the scribes' daft ravings for all 
eternity.....or at least until said scribe gets really really sick of 
it, he moves out of the circle, scribe becomes terminally ill and 
croaks, or scribe finds a better way to practice his creative writing, 
or somebody else asks to do it, or the membership tosses him out on his 
ear. (No betting on which condition arrives first....)

Next meeting of the NC-East chapter is January, 3rd.

73, Keith W4KAZ

Scribe's DISCLAIMER!  The accuracy of these notations is suspect, and 
creative license has been applied where the scribe's notes are 
incomplete, his memory is fragmented, or when reality was just less 
interesting. Perception IS Reality. Corrections to the permanent record 
will be made upon request.

Updated 12/17/2007, W4KAZ
From bhedges at nc.rr.com  Mon Dec 17 22:12:16 2007
From: bhedges at nc.rr.com (Brad Hedges)
Date: Mon Dec 17 22:23:14 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter - December Meeting Notes 
In-Reply-To: <476737EC.6020205@aol.com>
References: <476737EC.6020205@aol.com>
Message-ID: <F344B7008BE140CF81E234D880516ECC@Vista1>

Ahem.

That was about 1oo0 Q's for their efforts.... not 100 !!

73!

Bradley D. Hedges
AL4T
Sergeant First Class, Infantry
82d Airborne Division


<-----Original Message-----
<From: pvrcnc-bounces@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:pvrcnc-<bounces@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Keith Zeringue
<Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 10:01 PM
<To: PVRCNC


<Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter - December Meeting Notes 

<PVRCNC-East Chapter - December Meeting Notes
<December 6th, 2007, Manchester's, Raleigh, NC, USA.

<The December meeting brought together an even dozen members from the 
<snip>

<Around the Table:


<K4QPL, Jim:  Jim operated Sweeps CW from home, having fun on 80m, and 
<ended up with about 800 Q's. He joined up with Brad, AL4T to put NY4A on 
<the air, and confirms that he did in fact bring his own MyCrowPhone, as 
<well as the Orion and other accessories. They pulled out about 100 Q's 
<for their efforts. Jim was also part of the NY4A CQWW Multi/2 effort.
<Reports via e-mail:


From kazeringue at aol.com  Tue Dec 18 06:50:50 2007
From: kazeringue at aol.com (Keith Zeringue)
Date: Tue Dec 18 07:03:09 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter - December Meeting Notes
In-Reply-To: <F344B7008BE140CF81E234D880516ECC@Vista1>
References: <476737EC.6020205@aol.com>
	<F344B7008BE140CF81E234D880516ECC@Vista1>
Message-ID: <4767B41A.1040105@aol.com>

Everybody is a critic......   ;)

Apologies for the ill timed typo.  The permanent record has been 
repaired to reflect 1000+ Q's via MyCrowFones at NY4A.

http://www.pvrcnc.org/minutes/m.071206e.html

73
el Escribano Inexacto
From NX9T at aol.com  Tue Dec 18 07:21:52 2007
From: NX9T at aol.com (NX9T@aol.com)
Date: Tue Dec 18 07:34:21 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] PVRCNC photos
Message-ID: <d14.18b3b46c.34991560@aol.com>

Great job Kaz!


**************************************
See AOL's top rated 
recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)
From k4qpl at nc.rr.com  Tue Dec 18 08:44:14 2007
From: k4qpl at nc.rr.com (Jim Jordan, K4QPL)
Date: Tue Dec 18 09:05:45 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter - December Meeting Notes 
References: <476737EC.6020205@aol.com>
	<F344B7008BE140CF81E234D880516ECC@Vista1>
Message-ID: <04f701c8417c$19730e60$4600000a@JORDANLAW.local>

And, although there in spirit, and in proxy by my Orion II, I was in western 
NC over Thanksgiving and not part of the NY4A CQWW effort.

73,

Jim, K4QPL

Gee, we do like to pile on  with the log checking of our hapless scribe!


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brad Hedges" <bhedges@nc.rr.com>
To: <kazeringue@aol.com>; "'PVRCNC'" <pvrcnc@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 10:12 PM
Subject: RE: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter - December Meeting Notes


> Ahem.
>
> That was about 1oo0 Q's for their efforts.... not 100 !!
>
> 73!
>
> Bradley D. Hedges
> AL4T
> Sergeant First Class, Infantry
> 82d Airborne Division
>
>
> <-----Original Message-----
> <From: pvrcnc-bounces@mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:pvrcnc-<bounces@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Keith Zeringue
> <Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 10:01 PM
> <To: PVRCNC
>
>
> <Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter - December Meeting Notes
>
> <PVRCNC-East Chapter - December Meeting Notes
> <December 6th, 2007, Manchester's, Raleigh, NC, USA.
>
> <The December meeting brought together an even dozen members from the
> <snip>
>
> <Around the Table:
>
>
> <K4QPL, Jim:  Jim operated Sweeps CW from home, having fun on 80m, and
> <ended up with about 800 Q's. He joined up with Brad, AL4T to put NY4A on
> <the air, and confirms that he did in fact bring his own MyCrowPhone, as
> <well as the Orion and other accessories. They pulled out about 100 Q's
> <for their efforts. Jim was also part of the NY4A CQWW Multi/2 effort.
> <Reports via e-mail:
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> PVRCNC mailing list
> PVRCNC@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pvrcnc 



From will.roberts at pgnmail.com  Tue Dec 18 10:41:23 2007
From: will.roberts at pgnmail.com (Roberts, Will)
Date: Tue Dec 18 10:53:48 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] RE: PVRCNC Digest, Vol 47, Issue 10
In-Reply-To: <20071218090206.21299859D16@mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <7902EEF0EF220946BEFA7AB4CB9AAE24018CEC93@NT000834.oak.zone1.progress-energy.com>

"W4KAZ, el Escribano Inexacto"

I knew that sounded familiar! - I thought I recognized you with the mask
on the Mexican Wrestling Channel last Saturday night :>)

From wes_quinn at yahoo.com  Tue Dec 18 11:11:32 2007
From: wes_quinn at yahoo.com (Wes Quinn)
Date: Tue Dec 18 11:24:00 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] RE: PVRCNC Digest, Vol 47, Issue 10
Message-ID: <669265.93304.qm@web31910.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Was that him?  I didn't recognize him with those tights and mask on.   ;-)  He sure did put up a good fight.  I hope he can make it to the Spike channel some day.  :-D



----- Original Message ----

From: "Roberts, Will" <will.roberts@pgnmail.com>

To: pvrcnc@mailman.qth.net

Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:41:23 AM

Subject: [PVRCNC] RE: PVRCNC Digest, Vol 47, Issue 10



 "W4KAZ, el Escribano Inexacto"



I knew that sounded familiar! - I thought I recognized you with the  mask

on the Mexican Wrestling Channel last Saturday night :>)



_______________________________________________

PVRCNC mailing list

PVRCNC@mailman.qth.net

http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pvrcnc









From kazeringue at aol.com  Tue Dec 18 12:20:52 2007
From: kazeringue at aol.com (Keith Zeringue)
Date: Tue Dec 18 12:33:13 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter - December Meeting Notes
In-Reply-To: <04f701c8417c$19730e60$4600000a@JORDANLAW.local>
References: <476737EC.6020205@aol.com>
	<F344B7008BE140CF81E234D880516ECC@Vista1>
	<04f701c8417c$19730e60$4600000a@JORDANLAW.local>
Message-ID: <47680174.5050607@aol.com>

> I was in western NC over Thanksgiving and not part of the NY4A CQWW effort. 

Picky, picky, picky.  So it was K2AV doing the other portion of the 
heavy lifting for CQWW and not 'QPL.  Apologies to Guy for giving Jim 
the credit.

Sheesh.  And that was without having had even a wiff of an 807, or 
needing to juggle a burger while taking notes.  Hmmm- maybe I should 
start actually TAKING notes.  Naw - no fun that way.

Just wait - my lack of mental acuity is only just now really starting to 
  kick in.  Even worse - my note taking is still better than my CW! Egads!

I blame it all on an early life of hedonistic fast living.  Braincells 
were indiscriminately killed by the millions.  Maybe in this day and age 
a class action against Seagrams is the expected course of action.

O'course, in a few short years I won't even be able to remember the 
hedonistic fast living. (1978? 1980? 1982? I dunno...its a fog.)  ;)

If anybody else wants a modification to the record, gimme a heads up.

And I GUARANTEE:  NO ONE really wants to see el Escribano Inexacto in 
tights.  I'm not that kind of scribe.  You must be thinking of my alter 
ego, el Diablo Loco.     :o

73
W4KAZ/el Escribano Inexacto
From NX9T at aol.com  Tue Dec 18 20:28:52 2007
From: NX9T at aol.com (NX9T@aol.com)
Date: Tue Dec 18 20:41:27 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] NC East Chapter - December Meeting Notes
Message-ID: <cd7.21a40dae.3499cdd4@aol.com>

It's AWESOME how all this comes out only AFTER one gets "Scribe for life" 
status bestowed upon him! :)

Seriously...you're doing a great job!

73,
nx9t



**************************************
See AOL's top rated recipes 
(http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)
From will.roberts at pgnmail.com  Wed Dec 19 08:26:29 2007
From: will.roberts at pgnmail.com (Roberts, Will)
Date: Wed Dec 19 08:38:59 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] PVRCNC "Night Before Christmas"
Message-ID: <7902EEF0EF220946BEFA7AB4CB9AAE24018CEC9E@NT000834.oak.zone1.progress-energy.com>

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through PVRC,

Not a creature was stirring, on CW or SSB;


The antennas were strung from the chimney with care,

In hopes that some sunspots soon would be there;


The contesters were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of Top Ten scores danced in their heads;

And 'QPL with in his Orion, and I with my FT,

Had just settled down for a QSO on 40,

When on the bottom of the band there arose such a clatter,

I tuned the VFO to see what was the matter.

Into the pileup I flew like a flash,

Fired up the amp, sent a dot and a dash.

The glow from the 3-500s on the snow

Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

With a strong HF signal, and eight QRP reindeer,

A fast old operator, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his QSOs they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, NX9T! now, '4CIA! now, N4AF and AL4T!

On, 'KAZ! on 'YDU! on, 'CW and 'UCE!

Now N1LN, 'ARB and NT4D, On 'TL, K4HA and 'CZ;

To the Top band! Contesters wall to wall!

Now dash away! dot away! dash away all!"

As PVRCers before the wild pileups fly,

They beat the QRM, antennas high in the sky,

So up to the  tower top the callsigns they flew,

With the sleigh full of new radio toys, and St. Nicholas too.



And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the tower

The erection of new antennas of higher gain and power.

As I drew in my keying hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his climbing belt was all tarnished with ashes and soot;

'TMC's new K3 he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a DXpeditioner just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, he'd been drinking the sherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

>From too much phone contesting don't you know;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his headphones like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when the rate got high like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I heard his QRP signal, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Rare callsigns filled his logbooks; adding double mults with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up to 20 meters he rose;

He sprang to the multiplier station, to his team gave a whistle,

And the score increased like it was tied to a missile.



But I heard him exclaim, on 3830 later that night,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a contesting good-night."  




73, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,


Will AA4NC 
(with apologies to St. Nick, Rudolph and the other North Pole
multi-multi ops)






From k4qpl at nc.rr.com  Wed Dec 19 11:30:06 2007
From: k4qpl at nc.rr.com (Jim Jordan, K4QPL)
Date: Wed Dec 19 11:41:22 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] PVRCNC "Night Before Christmas"
References: <7902EEF0EF220946BEFA7AB4CB9AAE24018CEC9E@NT000834.oak.zone1.progress-energy.com>
Message-ID: <005801c8425c$b2c839b0$4600000a@JORDANLAW.local>

Bravo, Will! Outstanding parody. Thought the rest of the PVRC gang closer to 
the North Pole might also enjoy this.

Seasons Greetings, also.

73,

Jim, K4QPL

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roberts, Will" <will.roberts@pgnmail.com>
To: <pvrcnc@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 8:26 AM
Subject: [PVRCNC] PVRCNC "Night Before Christmas"


'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through PVRC,

Not a creature was stirring, on CW or SSB;


The antennas were strung from the chimney with care,

In hopes that some sunspots soon would be there;


The contesters were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of Top Ten scores danced in their heads;

And 'QPL with his Orion, and I with my FT,

Had just settled down for a QSO on 40,

When on the bottom of the band there arose such a clatter,

I tuned the VFO to see what was the matter.

Into the pileup I flew like a flash,

Fired up the amp, sent a dot and a dash.

The glow from the 3-500s on the snow

Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

With a strong HF signal, and eight QRP reindeer,

A fast old operator, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his QSOs they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, NX9T! now, '4CIA! now, N4AF and AL4T!

On, 'KAZ! on 'YDU! on, 'CW and 'UCE!

Now N1LN, 'ARB and NT4D, On 'TL, K4HA and 'CZ;

To the Top band! Contesters wall to wall!

Now dash away! dot away! dash away all!"

As PVRCers before the wild pileups fly,

They beat the QRM, antennas high in the sky,

So up to the  tower top the callsigns they flew,

With the sleigh full of new radio toys, and St. Nicholas too.



And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the tower

The erection of new antennas of higher gain and power.

As I drew in my keying hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his climbing belt was all tarnished with ashes and soot;

'TMC's new K3 he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a DXpeditioner just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, he'd been drinking the sherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

>From too much phone contesting don't you know;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his headphones like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when the rate got high like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I heard his QRP signal, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Rare callsigns filled his logbooks; adding double mults with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up to 20 meters he rose;

He sprang to the multiplier station, to his team gave a whistle,

And the score increased like it was tied to a missile.



But I heard him exclaim, on 3830 later that night,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a contesting good-night."




73, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,


Will AA4NC
(with apologies to St. Nick, Rudolph and the other North Pole
multi-multi ops)






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From bhedges at nc.rr.com  Mon Dec 31 10:20:14 2007
From: bhedges at nc.rr.com (Brad Hedges)
Date: Mon Dec 31 10:21:13 2007
Subject: [PVRCNC] RE: [PVRC] How To Cut Hardline
In-Reply-To: <OF963220CE.B5A927D5-ON852573C2.00515DB2-852573C2.00526735@pepco.com>
References: <NKEMIKHAJIEJBDLMGEHLIEDPCHAA.n3rr@erols.com>
	<OF963220CE.B5A927D5-ON852573C2.00515DB2-852573C2.00526735@pepco.com>
Message-ID: <D4B1D544B53D41D68D933DE70FC93357@Vista1>

For rough cutting, my jigsaw with a fine blade works great!


Bradley D. Hedges
AL4T
Sergeant First Class, Infantry
82d Airborne Division


-----Original Message-----
From: pvrc-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:pvrc-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of tgstewart@pepco.com
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2007 10:00 AM
To: pvrc@mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [PVRC] How To Cut Hardline

Depends on the hardline, but just use a hacksaw or bandsaw for the end 
cut.

The Andrews Easy-ax (sp?) tools work great for prep on their hardlines, 
giving you just the right depth and position of cut.

The end result you are looking for is that the shield is cut along the 
largest diameter/outer ridge.  I think this might be difficult with a pipe 
cutter.  I havent bought any hardline connectors in a while, but the last 
ones I got from Andrews which were "ring-flare" types included cutting 
guides to use with a razorsaw or hacksaw.

Joel at RF connection thinks the current Eupen connectors are better than 
the Andrews if you are installing new ones.

Ty K3MM





"Bill Hider" <n3rr@erols.com> 
Sent by: pvrc-bounces@mailman.qth.net
12/30/2007 06:47 PM

To
<pvrc@mailman.qth.net>
cc

Subject
RE: [PVRC] How To Cut Hardline






In 1992, I bought the Andrew coax connector preparation kit
which includes a tool for cutting the weather shield,
copper outer conductor and dialectic to the precise
length to install the connector.

The tool is essentially a pipe cutter device that
makes several cuts as you turn it around the cable.

So, if you don't have an Andrew model, use a pipe cutter.
That will be your best simulation of the professional tool.

All 100+ connectors in my installation were made with the Andrew tool.
I'd highly recommend that tool too.

Bill, N3RR
www.erols.com/n3rr


-----Original Message-----
From: pvrc-bounces@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:pvrc-bounces@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Kent Winrich
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 6:30 PM
To: pvrc@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [PVRC] How To Cut Hardline


I have installed hardline and rigid line for broadcast operations.  I
always used a pipe cutter as it gave me cleaner cuts and fewer nicks
in addition to the ability to control how deep you cut.

Kent Winrich
K9EZ/4
ex-Director of Engineering for Clear Channel - Milwaukee

On Dec 30, 2007 5:35 PM, Tom McAlee <tom@klient.com> wrote:
> I'm no expert, but...
>
> I use a reciprocating saw or a hack saw if I want to cut right through 
it.
> However, to cut the shield to prepare for the connector I use a pipe
cutter.
> It makes a clean cut and I don't have to worry about sawing too far and
> scraping/cutting the center conductor.
>
> I'm fairly sure that's what the instructions that came with my Andrew
> hardline connectors said to use.
>
> 73
> Tom NI1N
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pvrc-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:pvrc-bounces@mailman.qth.net]
On
> Behalf Of Jeffrey Okamitsu
> Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 2:13 PM
> To: pvrc@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [PVRC] How To Cut Hardline
>
>
>
>
> What's the best way to cut 7/8" hardline?
>
> I would thing a hacksaw or coping saw would work best.
>
> However, I defer to the experts for advice.
>
> 73, Jeff
> _______________________________________________
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> PVRC@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pvrc
>
> _______________________________________________
> PVRC mailing list
> PVRC@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pvrc
>
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