May 2012

Issue 74

Welcome to the May edition of BP.

As I prepare this for publication, we’re having a brief repite from the gallons of rain that have fallen from the sky this past week, I’m reminded of the words posted by Derek, M0DRK a few months ago regarding the water shortage in his (and many parts of our island) area.. No problems with the water shortage now Derek? (Hi)

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Titanic 2012 results have been published. Thanks to all who perservered under difficult conditions, and sent an entry.

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Lets take a look at comments, reports received this month.

 

From Pete G0TLU.

Hi again Rob,

My Ladder entry for May attached. A bit of a struggle on the 27th with the contest, but on 40m I found Phil 2E0DPH robustly defending his frequency against the QRM, he's always a good signal here and we had a solid contact with 599 both ways. Heard some other members but they were getting clobbered by the QRM. I moved down to 80m where things were a little more civilized, my loop antenna is too small to put out much of a signal there but I had a welcome QSO with Pol G3HAL to double my points for the day (while keeping a wary eye on the SWR meter!).

73, Pete G0TLU

 

Hello Pete. Good to hear from you, been a struggle for many but good to hear that you’ve met up with Phil and Pol.

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From Peter. G4LHI.

Hello Robert,

 

I attach my claim & report for May Activity Ladder 2012.

Out of the two afternoon sessions this month the first was the best as far as QSO’s & lack of contest, but the 27th was very hard going, not many regular guys about, think it was the wall to wall contest on all bands that may have put them off, hope you had better luck in the evening?

I only used 40M this month with just the one QSO on 20M on the second session with dear Erkki now back on the radio after his rest, nice to have you back with us my dear friend.

I was very pleased to work Gra with GQ3ZOD on both sessions, very many thanks Gra & a nice one for those collecting for the Prefix Awards.

All my thanks, as ever, to all that continually support the Ladder,

 

For this month I had 22 QSO’s for 40 points, so hope conditions continue to improve during the Year & we can enjoy all our Fists Activities.

I met one new Fists Member, Dave, M0GGK, many thanks for QSO Dave & look forward to you being a regular Ladder guy.

Keep bashing the brass & good hunting to you all, & a very Happy & Healthy 2012, looking forward to June Ladder & other of the many Fists Club Activities on the calendar!

73 de Peter G4LHI # 2219

 

Hello Peter. Good to hear from you dear friend. It was hard going for all on the 27 th . Nice to see that you’ve hooked up with M0GGK; Dave has kindly sent me an image for my “mugshots” page, so you’ll be able to put a face behind the key Peter!

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From Geoff, G0DDX

Rob,

Not such a good Ladder score this month, only 7 points and I didn't get Sunday 27th in either. Still... I hope to make up for lost time.

I did manage to work a few Fists members when I was on the Isle of Mull, and even a couple when I was /P sitting on the beach on Iona (for which I am doing a QSL card of my own). For me it was a good event. The Team did 10,900+ QSO's using assorted modes. What's more I didn't pick up a microphone once, I only used my trusty Swedish Pump key, and a Clansman key when /P.

I have added a picture taken from the beach, It was almost like being on a Caribbean Beach, except for the cold wind! It was a most enjoyable afternoon with just a FT817, a dipole, and a key. Also I had to keep checking the aerial was connected, the background noise was so quiet!

Regards Geoff G0DDX Fists 15552

 

 

Hello Geoff. Glad to see you had good fun with your expedition, and found time too to make some contacts! Thanks for the image.

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From Phil 2E0DPH.

Hello Rob,

Hope you are well, here is my log for the May Ladder Activity.

Once again good activity on the bands on both Ladder weekends but what a battle on the second Sunday, with ‘test’ being heard continually across the entire band. I must also mention the manners of some of these ‘operators’. Having found a clear space and working a few Fists members I was called by one chap taking part in this ‘Test’ who gave me the usual RST etc, we even had a brief ‘chat’, then immediately he took the QRG I had been using. Now I have no objection to any competition on air at any time, after all we do not ‘own’ the band and those who just want a rubber stamp 599 QSO fine, but come on at least a little decorum would not go amiss. Thank goodness that society members show the way and I completed the evening with three great QSO’s on the relative quiet 80m band, thanks Pol, Gerald, and Graham. Moan over, Hi!

See you again next month

73 Phil 2E0DPH Fists 14543.

 

Hi Phil. Its not a moan at all; it’s a valid observation! Its also very true! Some “Tactics” shall we say; used by amateurs in the “EU Zoo” region leave a lot to be desired. Bullying, deliberate jamming, being two instances, to get a QRG in a busy band! I see from G0TLU’s observation that you were robustly defending your position! Well done you!

I wasn’t there of course to listen, but again, I’ll suggest that your call which signifies a maximum of 50w output attracted his attention and a little bullying with power output, i.e. drowning you out went through his mind!

I have much sympathy for the QRP brigade in circumstances like these; poor folk just get swamped!

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From Erkki OH7QR

Hello Robert,

Please find attached my log for May. On 13th I didn’t participate because of health reasons and on 27th there was contest QRM. Had four QSOs anyhow – two members and two NM. Many thanks to my dear friends Peter and Derek.

73

Erkki OH7QR

 

Hello Erkki. Hope you’re feeling better now? and a speedy return to good health from us all here at the society!

Good to know that you were able to get on and meet Peter and Derek.

Keep well dear friend

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From Derek M0DRK

HI Robert, Here is my log for the Ladder for May. many thanks to those regulars who gave me points again.Session for 27th May was cut short. Just too many contesters on the bands who really don't want a proper QSO. Each to his own I suppose but I will only do what I want if things are less crowded. I like to be a bit more sociable and have a bit of a chat with anyone I work CW. See you next month, take care,

Derek, M0DRK.

 

Hello Derek. Good to hear from you once again, as you’ll have seen, the 27 th did cause problems for all who ventured onto the band(s) Take care, regards to Mollie.

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From Gra G3ZOD

Hi Rob. The session on 27th of May was "interesting" on 40m due to the WPX contest taking place over the weekend. I've been operating as GQ3ZOD and MQ5IPX, so hopefully this has helped a little bit with folk working towards the Prefix Awards. The only member I have had a contact with who was also using a "Q" prefix was Thomas operating as MQ0TRN.

73 de Graham G3ZOD

 

Hi Gra. You should have been a diplomat! The word “interesting” to describe condx on the 27 th brought a smile to my face (Hi)

As Ever, thanks for putting on the M5IPX call.

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Some news of awards;

Thanks to Dennis K6DF, FISTS Award Manager, for the following information.

May 2012 FISTS Awards

Congratulations to the following members:

Darren G0OTT #14062

Prefix Version 1 and Prefix Version 2

Chris WU1E #14294

Millionaire 2 Million Sticker

Congratulations to both.

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Some EUCW News.

Dear fellow CW Operators worldwide,

After a quite successful organization of the 1st GTC CW Cup last year, it gives us great pleasure to invite you

to participate in the 2nd Greek Telegraphy Club CW Cup which will be held on Saturday, 06 October 2012 - 12:00UTC until Sunday, 07 October 2012 - 12:00UTC.

It is the first international event organized by the G.T.C. and we consider it to be a joyful event.

The planning of the 2nd G.T.C. CW Cup was done, having in mind the ideals and purpose of the G.T.C.

primarily instituted by the late and beloved SV1NA, George.

Attached you may find the rules and conditions of participation of the 2nd G.T.C. CW Cup.

You will notice a few rule changes in relation to last year’s rules, that were considered

necessary by the Organizing Committee of the GTC CW Cup, in order to organize a more solid and meritocratic event.

Please forward the attached file to your club members for notification.

(link to the pdf file HERE)

Vy 73s & 55s

Stathis Maliakis, SV5DKL, G.T.C. #028

E.C.M. of Greek Telegraphy Club

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Time for the results table.

CALL
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
TOTALS
G4LHI
36
36
44
46
40
202
2E0DPH
29
30
44
27
32
162
G0OTT
24
31
32
37
27
151
OH7QR/OG9R
31
25
30
23
6
115
M0DRK
23
20
29
26
15
113
G0DDX
20
25
29
0
7
81
M5ABN
27
31
11
0
0
69
G3ZOD
8
19
10
18
6
61
G0TLU
0
0
15
10
9
34
2E0JCY
0
0
18
14
0
32
G0DUB
12
6
11
0
0
29
G0ANV
8
0
0
20
0
28
DL4FDM
0
17
8
0
0
25
CN2JV
4
0
6
0
0
10
SQ5RIX
0
7
0
0
0
7
SA0AAZ
0
0
0
6
0
6
MX5IPX ©
3
11
3
12
13
42
GX3ZQS ©
0
12
0
10
0
22
GX0IPX ©
0
0
19
0
0
19

Quite a few noticable by their absence from the ladder this month, condx and circumstances no doubt!

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(Downloadable pdf version HERE and MS Word version HERE)

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That’s all from me for another month.

Until next time

Keep well.

Keep pounding brass.

73

M0BPT

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