[QCWA] QCWA Cruise HF Operating Schedule

[Val Erwin]

Ahoy QCWA Landlubbers!!
 
The QCWA Holland America Eurodam Convention Cruise departs Ft Lauderdale, FL late (1700 hrs. lcl) THIS Saturday, October 24, 2009 and returns (0700 hrs.lcl) Saturday, the morning of October 31.
 
Many have inquired as to our proposed ham radio operating schedule and this is a difficult question to answer. Those of you that have taken previous QCWA cruises are familiar with all the miscellaneous activities on board a cruise ship to include QCWA forums/meetings and  excursion trips available at each stop. And of course, let's not forget about all the eating and deck swabbin'! Therefore, due to these other activities, in addition to fighting band conditions, we cannot guarantee to be on any particular frequency at any particular time!
 
A little about our proposed operation: At a minimum, we will be using three ICOM HF stations: an IC-7600, an IC-7200, and an IC-7000. We will have the hand microphones for each and a desk mike for each radio. CW operators will be bringing their own keys. Antennas will range from a Comet HF vertical to dipoles and Hamsticks on mag-mounts stuck to the ships side. Several of us will also be operating on the "birds" using handheld criss-cross VHF/UHF Arrow beams.
 
Shipboard QCWA HF operators will attempt to operate on the following bands/frequencies +/- QRM as conditions allow:
 
17 Meters:            CW: 18.080 MHz                      SSB: 18.135 MHz
 
20 Meters:            CW:  14.050 MHz                     SSB: 14.240 MHz
 
30 Meters             CW: 10.130 MHz
 
40 Meters             CW:   7.050 MHz                     SSB:  7.230 MHz
 
80 Meters             CW:   3.540 MHz                     SSB:  3.835 MHz 
 
NOTE: The above frequencies were selected in order to also  allow General Class licensee access. We will also be listening for those simply calling:  " CQ CQ QCWA Cruise".
 
CERTIFICATES: Anyone making a W2MM contact, may request a certificate of contact by sending a QSL or post card to: Gary Harrison, KØBC, P.O. Box 251 , Bolivar , MO 65613 -0467. There is no charge for the certificate. (This offer is also valid for anyone on the ship using W2MM)
 
We will be looking forward to that QSO, be it eyeball on the the ship or on the air!
 
 
Best regards,
 
 
Val L. Erwin, W5PUT
QCWA Natl' Director