[SMCARA] 1986

[Tom Shelton]

In 1986:

 

The Iran-Contra affair was the big news story and Oliver North was on the
hot-seat in front of a congressional committee,

Top-Gun and Crocodile Dundee were in the movie theaters,

A new Ford Mustang cost $7,452, a 5-lb pound of potatoes cost $1.00, and
bacon was $1.75 per pound,

Mike Tyson became the youngest Heavyweight Champion in history,

The Rutan Voyager made the first round-the-world flight without refueling,

Intel introduced the 386 series of microprocessor,

The Bangles released "Walk Like and Egyptian,"

Magnum, P.I., Cheers, The A-Team, and The Cosby Show were on TV,

 

 

- - - and - - -

 

A newly-minted Novice Ham, KB6STF, was sitting in a spare bedroom, warming
his feet to the glowing tubes of his Collins KWM-2A with a quickly strung 40
meter dipole and a basic straight key.  Tuning the radio to the Novice
portion of 40, and working to increase his CW speed in preparation for the
General Class test, he heard an abundance of CW signals, many going much
faster than he was used to hearing.  A quick call to his Elmer confirmed
that this was the ARRL November Sweepstakes (CW) contest and was followed by
the delivery (from his Elmer) of the QST magazine that had the Rules for
sweepstakes.

 

About 12 hours later, with 13 Nov SS QSO's under his belt (all at around
10-12 WPM), KB6STF was preparing his paper log, summary sheet, and dupe
sheet for submittal.  Later that week he would pass his technicians exam,
and a month later he would pass his General Class CW and written exams.

 

Fast forward to today -

 

Once again, EX-KB6STF (Now ND3N) will be working the November Sweepstakes
(CW).  This time at 25-30 WPM with computer logging and macros doing most of
the work.  The KWM-2A long gone, but not forgotten.  Someday I'll be able to
afford another one.

 

If you'd like to join in the fun (BTW - you can work WAS and WAC in a single
weekend with this one), here's the summary.

 

Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 Meters

 

Start Time: Nov 7, 2100Z (4:00 PM EST)

End Time: Nov 9, 0300Z (Nov 8, 10:00 PM EST)

Work no more than 24 of the 30 hours (minimum 30 minute off times).

 

Exchange: Serial No. + Precedence (Q/A/B/U/M/S) + [your call sign] + Check +
ARRL/RAC Section

                Precedence: Q=Single Op, QRP (<= 5W). A=Single Op, Low Power
(<= 150W) unassisted, Single Op, B=High Power (>150W) unassisted.
U=Unlimited and is for people using spotting assistance.  See the rules for
other precedence definitions.

                Check: Year first licensed (2 digits).

 

Exchange Example:  ND3N in Maryland working Single Op, Low Power,
Unassisted, working AA6MZ in Los Angeles County, California, who is Single
Op, QRP, unassisted.

 

ND3N sends: CQ SS ND3N ND3N CQ

AA6MZ sends: AA6MZ AA6MZ

ND3N sends: AA6MZ 137A ND3N 86 MDC

AA6MZ sends: ND3N 55Q AA6MZ 88 LAX

ND3N sends: ND3N TU QRZ SS - and logs the contact

AA6MZ logs the contact

 

QSO Points: 2 points per QSO

Multipliers: Each ARRL/RAC section and VE NT (Northwest Territory) once,
regardless of band

Total Score = Total QSO Points * Total Multipliers.

 

Operating suggestions - Start right at 4:00 on 40 meters and move to 80
meters about 2 hours after sunset.  Work at least until midnight.  Get up
early (my alarm clock is set for 4:00 AM) and work either 80 or 40 meters
until shortly after sunrise.  Switch to 20 when it opens to US.  15M may be
good, but don't expect a lot from 10M.  Your mileage may vary.

 

If you don't feel confident with a CW contest, the SSB flavor of this
contest is 2 weekends from now (November 21-22).  Same Rules, different
mode.

 

As always, I'm only a text, phone call, or e-mail away if you need some help
with the rules, station set-up, operating, or submitting your log.

 

Tom Shelton, ND3N

240-434-3811