Fall, 1997
From Ye Olde Editor's Desk
Dear CX-ers,
Well it's time again to get those wonderful boatanchors off the shelf
and hitch them up for another Classic Exchange. We've been doing this
for twenty-one years now, ever since Stu and Al Stephens started it all
with a Lysco 600 and a Harvey Wells Bandmaster on the first "Nostalgia
Exchange" back in 1976. Back then, Classic rigs and receivers were
pretty much considered junkers at the hamfests, and they could be had
for next to nothing. On my first visit to Dayton in 1976, I hauled home
a hundred pounds of HT-20 that had languished on the blacktop all day
long geting marked down from its original forty dollar asking price to
thirty and then twenty. I dropped by at the end of the day when its
tired and overly-sunburned owner was hefting a lot of his unsold goodies
back into his tailgate, and I convinced him that it was better to give
it to me for ten bucks than to take it back home! Stu even lent me his
dolly and his daughter as I recall to help me carry it back to my old
Pontiac. You just don't find buys like that anymore! Now our gear has
become sought after antiques, priced accordingly. At least there are a
few more of us now who appreciate the oldies and who work to get them
back on the air.
The first page announcement pretty much covers the essentials. This is
as much a contest between yourself and Murphy as it is between any of
the attendees, but we do publish a score for those ops who care to send
in a report. You are very welcome just to drop in and work a few
stations, but it makes it more fun for everyone if you figure your score
and send it in along with a tale of your experiences. So this next
time, PSE QSL CX-er. And if you're Internet connected, you can send me
your info at jthanlo@sandia.gov
Band conditions for the CX last February were pretty poor in most areas
of the US. I know that out here in New Mexico, 20 was absolutely dead
CX-wise on cw and ssb. I finally made 14 QSO's, all around 7060 cw and
it took me 3 1/4 hours to do it. The furtherest east I went was only to
K9TZJ, Ian, in Indiana. And I made only one CA QSO with Frank, K6NL.
A lot of you wrote to say pretty much the same thing. Let me encourage
you, especially when conditions are like that, to concentrate on the
7060 cw for the first half of the operating period, and then look for
the gang to shift to 3560 cw in the later half. These have been our
traditional gathering spots, and they are where we are most likely to
generate a critical mass of signals, especially when the bands are poor.
I'll also echo Bill Sorsby, N5BU's suggestion for the SSB gang,
especially if conditions aren't too good or no one seems to be around,
that you concentrate on 20 meters from 1900 to 2000 Z, on 40 meters from
2200 to 2300 Z, and on 75 meters from 0100 to 0200 Z.
But enough of my rambling. Let's get on with your letters, and see you
on the CX!
73,
Jim Hanlon, W8KGI
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>=
>>
W9ZEN 331,500
KB9W 152,820
W5TVW 444,992
W9TGN 6,048
WB2AWQ 698,412
K6NL 47,320
*AA4RM* 1,031,250
W8KGI 159,600
N5AIT 543,884
W4NZJ 12,000 +/-
K4MAC 89984 (9/96)
N7TM 50,372
VE3FGU
At 10:49 AM 1/31/97 -0600, w2ec@VNET.IBM.COM wrote:
Please don't forget to occasionally look up around 3.579545 as well,
it's the only 80 meter crystal I >have for my AT-1. Where are people
getting their crystals now-a-days for these other freqs? (Ray and Mike,
PR Crystals is still advertising in the QST Classified Ads. Write them
at 2735 Avenue A, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 or call 712-323-7539. KGI)
73, Ray W2EC w2ec@vnet.ibm.com
I had a great time on the CX last night. Having missed CX for at least
the past two years, it was good to hear all those warbly CW signals. I
didn't have the shack set up for CX and as a result, the Valiant2 and
Invader 2000 did not get to add their warmth to the shack. Maybe in the
Fall CX I will have everything set up as before so that I can instantly
switch betwee five different stations.
There sure was a lot of activity on 40 and 80 CW but I didn't hear
anyone on SSB on 80. I guess I was listeneing at the wrong time. I have
been hearing a growing number of signals on 3579 lately. There must be a
lot of hams building little one tube transmitters for that frequency adn
I am going to pick up a couple of those crystals and get busy on a 117N7
transmitter and maybe a matching regen receiver to go with it. (Mike,
look for a Heath GR-81. With a little work per a recent article in the
AWA's Old Timer's Bulletin, they don't do half bad - or half good. KGI)
The Invader 2000 will probably go on the air again in a couple weeks
when I get the time and energy to re-arrange the shack....again :-)
Think I will hang around 3560 for a while tonight with the Valiant 1
after it warms up a bit.
73...Mike VE3FGU
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
From: Jim Garland W8ZR [4CX250B@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu]
Worked a bunch of guys on 40CW. Al, N5AIT, gave me a "565" signal
report, but he was being courteous. Al was using Harvey-Wells rigs when
I heard him. The cw note of the FPM-200 sounded like I was keying the AC
line., and it chirped besides. However, I discovered that I attracted
lots of attention with it, presumably because everybody wanted to know
what causing that awful sound. (We give extra points for OO Reports -
KGI) Worked a bunch of folks later on 80cw, but didn't hear any
activity on 75 SSB. Sandy, W5TVW, had a nice sounding 1928 Hartley rig
on the air, as did Howie, WB2AWQ. Howie was also using a 1932 homebrewed
receiver.
Finally, I couldn't stand my own CW note any longer (even the sidetone
chirped and buzzed), so I finally gave up and warmed up the KWS-1,
75A-4.
Worked a bunch of guys with it, but it seemed somehow like I was
cheating. It was too easy, sort of like working sweepstakes with a
Yaesu or something.
Heard lot's of great CW notes. Some were chirpy, sounding like baby
canaries, while some had a beautiful hollow sound, as if sent from a
deep canyon. Still others were soft and graceful, the morse equivalent
of a deep southern accent. And then there's the FPM-200 note. Ain't
nothing that it sounds like.
All in all a great time.
73,
Jim Garland W8ZR (I think Jim wins the award of Poet Lareat for the
Winter 97 CX - KGI)
I was switching from HT-37 #1 (didn't work) to HT-37 #2 (didn't work
either) about that time. Classic Exchange here is a lot like impromptu
Field Day. I must do it for the endorphins, as by the time I got done
horsing BA transmitters around, bands were dead and I wasn't far from
it, but had fun anyway. Finally ended up with the Heath Maurader next
to the SX-111, certainly a respectable pair in any event. Just hope I
don't have to join the Peter Dahl Club for HT-37s...
73, Bob W9RAN
(Bob, Try keeping a Classic pair or three on the air year round. That
will better your chances on the CX. KGI)
I didn't think the old 375 was going to make it. I was tuning it up
earlier when I smelled the unmistakeable scent of burning
double-cotton-coated wire. Then, both of those precious and
irreplaceable High Voltage fuses gave up the ghost. Thank goodness Mike
Hanz had graciously sent me some spares.
The choke just below the PA tube (1118) that keeps RF off the modulator
secondary was arcing between the wire that runs behind it, through the
choke and down to the PA tube socket. Burned the winding open. Well, I
pulled the choke and started unwrapping turns. Found the open after
unwrapping 13 turns...no kidding. How's that for you numeroligists out
there?
Lots of burned spots on the wire, too. Anyhow, I got out the old red
Glyptol corona dope and fixed it. Now I have one white and one red RF
choke under the 375 chassis. (Boy do I remember scraping blue Glyptol
off screws and nuts so I could recover parts from a BC375's TU-5 in
1952. I still have the scars on my knuckles to show for it! KGI)
I used the SCR-274 and ARC-5 on 40, the ARC-5 and BC-375/BC-348
(SCR-287) on 80. The ARC-5 rig was the mate of the SCR-274N rig printed
in ER awhile ago. I only had time for the "three contact each rig" rule
since kids, wife and other obligations crowded in, but it was still a
great time.
73 DE Dave AB5S
1600 hours: Threw up a 20 meter loop in a vertical plane, feed it with
450 ohm line to allow operation on 20 and above, "just in case" 15
should open.
1800 hours: Pulled out the Viking 2 and Halli SX101 for the CW station.
Check out transmitter, load, and Heath HD-1410 keyer.
Bzzzt!! What!! Smoke got out of the keyer.
1900 Hours: Down to radio shack to buy a reed relay and generic
switching transistor to get the keyer back on line. Reed Relay an
addition to keep key line voltages in the tube rigs off the key line in
the keyer, "just in case". Works Ok, no problem.
2030 Hours: Begin to listen on the bands. Remember the "just in case"
for 15 meters? Heck, 20 meters was dead. Relegated myself to 40 and 80
meter CW. Listen...Listen...Listen...Listen... Where is everybody?
2100 hours: Call CQ CX on 7060, 3560, and 3.579. Where is everybody?
2130 Hours: Listen on 3880 and 7290 phone bands. Where is everybody?
2200 Hours: Recheck rig and antenna. Loads Ok, Receive? yep, there's the
40 meter swap net, loud as always. 75 Meters is alive with Qsos across
the band. HEY!! Where is everybody???
2230 Hours: Call CQ CX on 7060. Whats this? Whoop de Whoop whoop. Whoop
Whoop de Whoop. Something failed on the 122 VFO. Switch to the DX60/Hr10
combo. Finally! Work a couple of CX stations. WOW! This is fun, just
like the "Ol days". Homebrew and drake stuff.
2330 Hours: Pull out the Viking and put another Viking in it's place.
(Have to change the transmitter and VFO as the VFO plugs do not match, 9
pin plug on second unit changed to 8 pin plug to accomodate 6n2 adaptor
when used). 2nd Viking works beautifully.
0100 Hours: Work a couple of more CX stations on CW. One of the contacts
a dup, but with different rigs. Fun!!
That's all I did. I had to quit at this point to get some of the
domestic chores done. I spent more time "fixin" than "workin", but had a
blast anyway. Is there a reward for fewest contacts? (The competition
was stiff for those honors, Rog. Perhaps a slightly used Wuff Hong,
personally delivered? KGI)
Looking forward tothe next CX
73
Roger KD6CC
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Better luck next time, as they say. (And as I was saying, it's between
you and Murphy. KGI)
73,
Dale, WD9GWH
From: Nick England [nick@cs.unc.edu]
Subject: CX fun
About 2pm EST, I didn't hear anyone else on 3885 kc, so I put out a
"Hello Test" while warming up my 32V-1. N4HHH (National 4 Hammarlund
Hallicrafters Heathkit) came back with his Knight T-150 and it was
boatanchor city for the next 2 hours. I counted 12 stations from
NC/VA/SC/GA with lots of interesting vintage gear.
Tom Koch W4UOC checked in with a Harvey-Wells T-90/R-9/Z-match set up.
John Brewer WB5OAU had his green machines (Apache/Mohawk) running.
Richard Wayne W4LN was on too - those are all the BA list members I
recognized, but there were probably more.
Also heard AM QSOs on 3890, 3870, 3835(AWA net).
I ran the following: 32V-1 / 75A-4, Valiant II / SX-101, Valiant I /
SX-88, Viking II / SX-115,
DX-100 / NC-300. (Great gear, Nick. Do you have them set up so that
you can switch between them? It would make a good "how to" article for
ER. KGI)
73 & Have Fun,
Nick England KD4CPL nick@cs.unc.edu Univ. Of North Carolina
Jim,
Again, the winter Classic was enjoyable. Conditions were not the best
.... but the good days are fast approaching. The fall session should
be the beginning of a return to great band conditions.
Seems like we pick up more new members during the winter session, and I
did miss some of the old timers .... never did hear Dan up in Argyle,
WI. At this QTH problems cropped up early. I had planned on having
four different combinations. But when I turned, or attempted to turn on
my HQ-180, nothing happened. So that combo was shelved and awaits some
repair work. I enjoyed putting my ARC 5 to the test --- I purchased it
in 1946, after being discharged from service. I gave it the age of 51
years ... that could be conservative ... it could of languished in some
warehouse for a few years prior to my purchase. (I count WWII gear as
1941 unless it's labled earlier, Johnny. KGI)
I will be ready for the fall session. Never can tell, it is entirely
possible that I can pick up a "goodie" or two during the upcoming
hamfest season. For now have a great summer and I will listen for you
in September.
Johnny's log shows 22 QSO's on 7060 with an NCX5A, an HRO-5 and a Ranger
II, and 4 QSO's on 3560 with a 75A4 and an ARC5.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Dan Meyer, KB9W, Amery, WI, sent in his log showing 12 QSO's on 7060 and
3 on 3560. Dan used an Eico 720, Viking Navigator, Heath DX-60 and
DX-60B, and a HQ-129X, Drake 2B and R4B, and a 75A4 for a total Classic
Multiplier of 283 years!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>From Sandy Blaize, W5TVW, in Metairie, LA (70401.134@compuserve.com)
...
This was my first CX contest.Enjoyed it, I'll be back! Didn't get to
put my Viking Ranger 2 and the Hallicrafters S-53A on the air. Have
just rebuilt the 6A6 all triode transmitter "breadboard" style. This is
based on a design in the Jones 1936 Radio Handbook. I did not count it
as being 60 years old due to its being on a "chassis" during the
contest! Plan also an RK-20 Tri-Tet high powered oscillator or possibly
a 6A6 push pull 25T CW transmitter for future. Please send results and
announcement of next contest.
Sandy's gear included a Central Electronics 100V, RME-69, Viking 500,
Heath DX-60B and HR-10B, National SW-3 and NC-183D, Hallicrafters
SR-150, and his two homebrew transmitters, #1 a pair of 50JY6's and a
voltage doubling power supply and #2 a push-pull 6A6 crystal oscillator
followed by push-pull/parallel 6A6's in the final amp. He made 5 QSO's
on 20 cw, 7 on 40 cw, and 16 on 80 cw.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hi Jim,
This is a log of my activity in the winter Cloassic Radio Exchange. All
were made with my Atlas 210X mobile rig rigged up to my Ten Tec power
supply in the house. It worked well but sure missed the feature on the
Ten Tec of being able to move the receiver frequency without moving the
TX frequency! At the end of activities I accidently got the 12 volt
line against the AC line and blew out a number of transistors and chips
in the Atlas! Got it working partly now but something still not quite
right yet!
Had a Heathkit AT-1 up and going but was unable to raise anyone with it.
Made numerous calls both on 40 and 80 - no dice! It's putting out a
mighty 5-6 watts! (Dick, keep trying with the AT-1. I've worked both
coasts on 80 with my barefoot Meissner Sig Shifter, same power output
level. KGI)
Tnx & 73,
Dick Hill, W9TGN
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I had a total of 28 QSOs with 21 stations. W1YRC also dropped by with
his Viking 2 and SX-71, but he couldn't stay until the oficial start at
1900Z. Ramon, CO6RQ, dropped in on 14120 with an all homebrew station
that sounded pretty darn good. My nominee for some sort of award is
Howie, WA2AWQ, for his remarkable sounding 1932 Hartley 211s. I stuck
to my trusty Knight 50 and HQ-140X this time. I promise to get more
combinations on the air next time. See you in the fall. Not much
activity on 20 cw, but the frequency was pretty clear. We need to drum
up more activity on 20.
Ron Evett, N1QY
Holliston, MA
(Ron, I'll probably start out on 14120 around 1900Z this CX. I'll look
for you. KGI)
Dear Jim, Al, Marty et al,
Well, another CX has come and gone. Conditions this time were better
than I can remember in the past. I also had more time available, and no
emergency trips to Bismark, ND to make. I added two new (!!??!!) pieces
tothe repertoire this time, a National NC-125 which I acquired from a
friend of mine, and my latest creation, a 211 tube in Hi-C Hartley
configuration. I got the circuit from a 1932 Radio Handbook. Keying is
an adventure, as the key is in the cathode circuit. 600 volts makes a
pretty arc! And, I save on heating andlighting costs because the
filament glows very bright and hot!!
Most popular brands of equipment I encountered were Drake (8), Johnson
(7), and Heath (6). Most interesting station was NA4G/"Boat Anchor
Bob's" AN/SRT14 and R388 combo (what else would excite an ex-Navy brass
pounder?) I think I have also figured out another awards category: most
pounds per watt ... rigs that is, not operators! ... contenders I worked
would be N4AG with his AN/SRT14, W8ZR with his Collins KWS-1, K2LMQ and
his Johnson Courier amp, and VE3FGU's Viking 500. All are excellent
paperweights. Next, these scores are getting kinda ridiculous, as
evidenced by mine below. Maybe we need some kind of handicapping based
on how many rigs we run, or how many CX's we have entered, or maybe a
bonus for left handers.
Anyway, with my HT32, Swan 30, HRO, NC-125, Mohawk, 211 Hartley, and
1932 H/B superhet, with 28 QSO's 17 states, and 57 different pieces of
equipment worked, that totals just 698, 412 points. And I should get a
bonus for suffering with a pair of Brades Superior "Matched Tone"
headphones while I was on the HRO (or maybe I should get my head
examined!) By the way, in the last newsletter I commented that I didn't
hear many of the "regulars" in the last CX, to which you (or whoever)
replied, "they all came on after you left!" Well, that's exactly what
happened this time: After I quit, but still had the receiver on I heard
AA4RM, KB9W, and W9ZEN for the first time. Think I need a new
deodorant! Thanks anyway for the great CX!
73 de Howie/WB2AWQ, Wanague, NJ
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
W6's and W7's conspicuous by their absence. The midwest buys were S9
out here on 40 but with one exception they all had tin ears! To give
them the benefit of the doubt, maybe it was one way propagation.
Finally QSOed W8KGI.
Frank K6NL
Los Altos, CA
Frank's receiver is an HQ-140, the transmitter is a 6L6 driving a 203A.
KGI
73
John, K4MAC
1997 Winter CX Scores
Letters:
W2EC
W8ZR
W9RAN
AB5L
KD6CC
WD9GWH
KD4CPL
N7TM
N7TM-2
AA4RM
KB2NSP
N5BU
W5FRS
N5AIT
W4NZJ
W9ZEN
KB9W
W5TVW
W9TGN
N1QY
WB2AWQ
K6NL
K4MAC
WB1EXG
The following mail was collected from Boatanchors by Al Stephens:
VE3FGU W2EC
From: Mike Toneri [toneri@ils.net]
I think the only crystal I have that is close to the preferred CX
frequency is 3568 khz. I will be running that in the Adventurer. I will
tune up and down from that frequency after calling CQ just in case
others are
crystal controlled nearby.
73...Mike VE3FGU
Subject: Re: Classic Exchange 3560kc
From: Mike Toneri [toneri@ils.net]
Subject: Re:CX Funzies
W8ZR
Subject: Fun on Classic Exchange
Hi Gang,
I worked like a dog to get my KWM-1 fixed by the 2pm starting time, and
found the bad capacitor (one of those darn little postage stamp micas
again) 10 minutes before the contest began. Screwed all 22 screws in
the bottom cover of the KWM-1, raced it over to the operating table,
hooked up the antenna, mic and key AND...... discovered that 20 meters
was stone dead! Could only hear a few South American stations down in
the noise. Didn't work a single station with it.
Having given up on twenty meters, I switched to forty and made a few ssb
contacts on 7290 with my Hallicrafters FPM-200. Greg, N4OSJ had a great
sounding BW 5100B with sideband adapter, and Herman, N4CH, had his
Multi-Elmac ATR-4 working fine. It may be the only ATR-4 I've ever
talked to.
W9RAN
From: Robert Nickels [ranickel@mwci.net]
Subject: Re: Fun on Classic Exchange
Jim Garland W8ZR wrote:
] Having given up on twenty meters, I switched to forty and made a few
] ssb contacts on 7290 with my Hallicrafters FPM-200.
Hi Jim and All,
AB5L
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
From: arc5@ix.netcom.com (David Stinson )
Subject: Classic Exchange
Between boxing stuff that I've owed people for, oh...about three months,
pants-tugging kids and my wonderful-but- non-radio wife, I did manage to
work a little Classic Exchange on CW this time around. It was a gas.
Even finally got to QSO with Boatanchor Bob his own self! I was on my
BC-375, too.
KD6CC
From: "Roger A. McCarty" [rmccarty@deltanet.com]
Subject: CX
WD9GWH
From: Dale Braun [dale.k.braun@uwrf.edu]
Subject: CX -Reply
To all:
Roger's tales of CX were similar to mine. Over the past month I've
taken pride in that I had four BA stations on line in great condition.
Pride goes before the fall, they say, or something similar to that. In
less than 24 hours, four of the 8 pieces of equipment had some problem
or other. Mostly pilot lights and stuff, but fixable problems none the
less. A strange hum/ripple problem in the Heath Marauder kept it off
the air. And a broken headphone connector on the RME 4350A meant the CW
from the speaker had to compete with "Jumpman" being played by my 8 year
old daughter in the background! Oh well, had fun anyway.
Total CX count? Six contacts. One on 40 CW, three on 75 AM, and two on
80 CW.
KD4CPL
http://www.cs.unc.edu/~nick Chapel Hill NC
N7TM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
From: Tom Taylor [ttaylor@Adobe.COM]
Subject: CX
I started the CX on 20m SSB about 2pm local time. I didn't hear anyone
calling CQ CX, but there were a lot of people from W1 land in the
Vermont QSO party. I worked several stations in NH and Vermont with my
Drake Twins.
I checked other bands/modes but didn't hear any CX activity except for
40m CW. I made about 16 QSOs, some with the same station, but with me
using different rigs. I heard lots of mid-Western stations (9's, for
example) calling CQ CX but I couldn't crack through. A California
station I talked to mentioned he was having the same problem. Heck, I
had an easier time working VK0IR on 40!
The CX contest was the first time I tried my DX-100 on CW. I didn't
have a sidetone monitor, but I could hear the transformer buzzing while
I keyed. (Yea, you should hear my Globe King grunt! KGI)
That was enough to monitor my keying.
Rigs I used: R-4C & T-4XC, 2-C & 2-NT, NC-300 & DX-100, R-4A & T-4X
Tom N7TM
Tom Taylor
ttaylor@adobe.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
AA4RM
From: polepeeg@aa4rm.radio.org (Boat Anchors collection ID)
Subject: Re: CX
Well here's another participant's account. I came alive on 75m ssb with
the sainted Cosmophone - one hour late because I'd forgotten that I'd
exchanged tip and ring in the mic plug. the creature took part in a
dozen QSOs & due to it's 3kc Collins mech filter got great audio
reports.
Lots of Atlanta-area activity. W4NZH, N4OSJ, WB4AEG, W3YCH, K0OCC,
W4UOC, WA4YGG pop right to mind.
Now I like Tom N7TM tried 20 ssb around 2P EST and peeled off several NH
Qso party contacts but deferred to the Cosmo puzzle - not to return to
20M 'til around 7 - then deadsville on both ssb and cw [did work
XE1/K8ZAA in Mex. City with his Argonaut / MFJ loop with 599s both ways
- so band fine]. Hoped to work W8ZR's KWM-1 but no luck. I was using
an M-1 too. One that crackled & sparked when you switched to 'tune'
(some tune!) Turned out to be a tubular ceramic in the bridge neut.
ckt. was shorting to the 260V relay switched line. Very easy repair
after opening bottom and "switching to tune." Self evident soln....
twist cap outa the way.
Amazing, but true - 6146s in KWM-1 final still fb..
Then there was the TCS which I tried to work NA4G with Sat. PM w/o an
antenna. Mil power plug went with a 50-yr old cold solder joint. Then
an hour later a 50 yr.-old 3AG 4A fuse went. But another fuse brought
her back. Who needs sidetone with all those relays hammering on CW?
Navigator consumed a fuse & soldiered on with a pigtail replacement.
That and a 2B are my favorite oldies.
Got 3 contacts ea. with a G76, a 32V3/75A1 pair, the 'fone anchors
Viking500/Pro310,' and the garish RME/Stancor 69 duo. These four
stations glitch-free. (I really like Marty's 69 duo. That Stancor has
an unmistakeable note. And you have to be a real expert to use the
RME69 since there are no labels on the controls that say what they are
for! Ya gotta be an expert. KGI)
About 4 hours & 40 qsos operating, 3 hours fixing. Whatta picnic!
Marty
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
KB2NSP
From: EdKB2NSP@aol.com
Subject: Re: CX
Although I wasn't actively pursuing CX, I managed a few very nice QSOs
on 40 meter SSB. It was like heaven, since it was the first time I Put
my B&W 5100 / 51SB on the air ! I got the rig in October, and took my
time with it! It really paid off Cosmetically it's about a 9 and with
the reports I got, It's operation is about that high also. I switched
over to AM and got great comments also. I wish it did 160 meters, but
I'm thrilled with it anyway
Good night !
(Ed - your first time on the air with a new Classic rig is almost like
your first love, that is if you're a true CX-er. KGI)
N5BU
From: Bill Sorsby [bill.sorsby@dlep1.itg.ti.com>
Subject: CX, SSB and Suggestion
I'm glad to hear that some folks managed a few SSB CX contacts. For me,
the fun ended up being in the preparation. I had the CE 100V/R390, Swan
500, Eico 753, Drake TR-3, Collins KWM-2A and Heath SB-102 set up and
ready to go with real-time switchover between rigs (i.e., six rigs per
contact!). All I had to do was throw the coax switch and grab a
different microphone. (Ya gotta send us a picture of yourself with
those six microphones, Bill! KGI)
My wife had plans for me early in the afternoon so it was nearly 4 p.m.
CST when I finally got on the air. Monitored 75, 40 and 20 meters, no
CX SSB activity heard. 7290 was clear so I called CQ Classic Exchange,
and called CQ Classic Exchange, and called CQ Classic Exchange. Even
resorted to turning the SB-220 on. Didn't resort to general CQ though.
(Only response I received was that I had a nice signal but was
splattering and interfering with a net up a few kilohertz.) In between
CQ's I tuned around 75, 40 and 20 meter frequencies looking for other CX
SSB activity, but found none. Finally gave up the ghost after nearly
two hours.
I returned after supper a little before 7 p.m. CST ready for some 40
meter CW CX activity, but found none. Reverted to calling CQ CX at 7060
for 15 minutes or so. Nothing... Reverted to 80 meter CW and enjoyed
CX for the next several hours using mainly the SB-102 I built 25+ years
ago. I had forgotten what a nice CW rig it is. With the 250 Hz CW
filter (third party filter) and operating split with an external VFO, it
was a joy.
I concluded from the afternoon's activities that contest critical mass
is achieved only when enough stations are operating to maintain a group
of frequencies active. My suggestion for the next CX is to concentrate
the SSB participants so as to achieve critical mass. Perhaps have
one-hour SSB windows per band. Say, 1900-2000 Z for 20 meter SSB,
2200-2300 Z for 40 meter SSB and 0100-0200 Z for 75 meter SSB. What do
you think, Al? (Good idea, Bill. I'll pass it along.)
Other suggestions?
Regards,
Bill Sorsby, N5BU
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
W5FRS
From: sinned@VNET.IBM.COM
Subject: CX 10/15/20 CW QSO's
Did anyone have any luck on these bands? 10 and 15 were dead-to-the-ear
but 20 was plenty active just a bit lower down the dial. I CQ CX'd on 20
during the first hour (120W output) and got no responses. Never heard
any other CX QSO's going on either. (Try 40 and 80 cw, Dennis,
especially if you can't hear anything on the higher bands. KGI)
Dennis
W5FRS - Texas
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The following letters came via snail
mail>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
N5AIT
Jim:
Another "CX," another series of strange rigs gotten on the air! And
another time of NOT getting the "nice" ones off the shelf because of the
more interesting ones in use!
Used six different combinations. Started with the Viking II which I had
restored since the last CX (and am still looking for a top for it: looks
ratty but runs nice) and a Drake 2-B, one of my all-time favorite
receivers. First contact was with Johnny, W9ZEN, one of the CX
"regulars," so got off to a good start.
Worked some really interesting rigs: along with the "usual" assortment I
encountered Jim, W8ZR's, FPM-200 and a strange but memorable CW note...
and Howie, WB2AWQ's Hartley 211 with a weak but nice signal.
Did not work "usuals" Jim or Marty, but got a good spread of states
worked. Other rigs I got qualified: Harvey-Wells TBS-50C, TBS-50D,
Lettine 240, Ranger, and the (burnt orange) Globe Scout 680. Receivers
were NC-98, NC-125, SX-100, HQ-129X and SX-111.=0D
I have since parted with the two Nationals and am looking to pass along
several of my other "treasures." Problem I am having is (other than
getting across the basement floor) I do not like seeing these things
sitting here NOT being used, and I have the stuff I did not have time to
get on the air: my Drake twins (R-4B and T-4XB, the Hallicrafters twins
(SX-117 and HT-44), a Heath Apache and HQ-170 station, and a Collins
S-line (S-3, that is). I also have my "project" stuff, including an
Invader 200 (ALMOST working now), a DX-20 project (getting one working
from three partials), and a gift S-38D. These need to be "out there"
and on the air! Oh - almost forgot the Meissner "Signal Shifter..."
Well, will see what I can get on the air in September. It will depend
on how I feel - want to go "classy" or continue with the strangeness.
ALWAYS gotta get a Harvey-Wells and the Globe Scout on though -
tradition!
SCORE: 543,884 (526 CX Multiplier)
(AL, I understand your space and equipment problem with N tx/rx pairs;
and now I've opened a second shack in the garage where I have eight more pairs
so far. One of these days I suppose I'll have to bite the bullet and
cut back. Maybe after I write about a particular hunk of gear for ER.
KGI)
CU in next CX!
73 Al N5AIT
modsteph@acs.eku.edu
Allan Stephens
Richmond, Kentucky
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
W4NZJ
This came US mail fm the Southern QCWA chief - a REALLY fine Sou. gent.
- - - - - - - - - -
I was so taken I did a Stephens/Hanlon & retyped it.
If I had to pick ONE letter & source, it'd be Jud
M
say...er, uh Jud sent a BIG envelope & stiffner to get one of those
'certificates' we always mention.
but I don't think the envelope's big enough for a K8SJ auto
glove-box award
2156 Windsor Dr.
Snellville, GA 30278
770-972-1940
Feb. 7, 1997
The Honroable Marty Reynolds, AA4RM
CX Contest Coordinator
960 Lindridge Drive, NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Dear Marty:
It was great talking to you this past Sunday during the 1997 Classic-
Radio Exchange! As you know, I was running a Hallicrafters SR-150
CW/SSB transciever first produced about 1962. I ran it at about 50 watts
CW and 95 watts output SSB (wasn't sure how long it would hold up since
this was the longest time I had it on). Here's what I learned without
much preliminary preparation:
* No CW sidetone;
* Bandwidth/selsctivity wide as a barn door = abt. 2.5 Khz (SSB
filter);
* No notch;
* Lacked stability and exhibited drift;
* No CW keyer. Used straight key;
* Difficult to zero beat CW signals;
* Manual tune. Several times changed frequencies/bands and forgot
to re-tune!
* Got extremely warm after 3 hours operation;
* No QSK; and
* Exhibited some power supply hum on receive audio!
Regardless....I had a damn ball! It brought back so many, many fond
memories plus made me better appreciate my Icom 736, especially on CW
which I have been taking for granted this past year or so! I heard so
many different rigs and never..never heard another SR-150! Althought it
was my first CX participation and I didn`t make too many contacts, it was
one of the MOST enjoyable contests I ever participated in! Next
year I'll also have my Viking Valiant, 75A4, Mohawk, and HT-37 in it.
I just didn't have enough time this year.
Again, thanks for coordinating and having this annual event! My hat is
off to you. I have enclosed a SASE envelope to help you to defray expenses
as I really don't know how this contest operates and is financed.
In closing, I certify that I calculated the scores to the best of my
understanding and I operated in accordance with the contest procedures
published.
Thank You!!!
Sincerely Jud Whatley, W4NZJ
Enclosures: Logs & SASE
^
|
|
computed ~12k points, 16 QSOs
Guys,
This is certainly a good one. We'll have to cook up an award for Jud.
Maybe "Operating a Hallicrafters SR-150 Under Extreme Circumstances"
or "Most Loquacious First Timer" perhaps something more creative.
(KGI)
W9ZEN
73,
Johnny Vasicak, W9ZEN
Oglesby, IL
KB9W
W5TVW
W9TGN
Evanston, IL
N1QY
WinterCX Report - N1QY
WB2AWQ
K6NL
K6NL, Frank M. Dukat writes ...
K4MAC
K4MAC, John Lenhart writes (about, ulp, 9/96 event)....
Hello Marty, I enjoyed working the CX again Sept. 29-30, '96. All my QSOs
were made on 7mhz cw this time. Did not hear much on any other cw
frequencies and nothing on the phone bands. Met a few fellows from last
CX in 2/96 and several new ones. I hope to have at least one more rig
combo for the next Exchange. I am enclosing an SASE for the next newsletter.
Eqpt. used Claimed score
HB TX w. pr 1625s 38 yrs 1958 7cw 27Tx & Rx + 10 states = 37 pt.s
TCS 12 RX 54 1942 16 QSO X 37 = Total Points 592
Health SB100 60 1966
---
Classic Mult. 152 592 points = Claimed Score 89,984
WB1EXG
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Tim Constable, WB1EXG, writes ...
Jim, worked all weekend on my Johnson Ranger. Thought about using my Kenwood
TS 680 but did not. Please send info on this fall's CX contest.
(Tim, Even Kenwoods are allowed on the CX, though they're not as much fun as
Rangers. Y'all come, even if the Ranger isn't cooperating. KGI)
N7TM-2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Dear Jim,
I just finished participating in the '97 Winter Classic Exchange. I've
calculat ed my total score as 50,372 points. I started out working 20 m SSB.
The only stations I worked on 20, however, were those stations involved in
the Vermont QSO party. I didn't hear any CX'ers on 20m. In fact, as I
scanned the bands, the only CX activity I heard at all was taking place on
40m CW. I jumped in and made a few contacts with four different sets of
receivers and transmitters. For the first time, I used my DX-100 on CW.
The rig has no sidetone and the receiver was muted. I used the
low-level transformer buzz coming from the DX-100 to monitor my keying.
I was fortunate enough to work a couple of California Stations multiple
times with different rigs. Talking to a station in California, we both
found it hard to "crack" into the mid-West.
See you again in the Fall CX,
Tom Taylor, N7TM
Redmond, WA
(Tom, It's not hard to rig one of your R4's or your NC300 to monitor your
actual transmitted signal. I'll send you some info on how I do it with my
R4B and NC 303 as soon as I can dig it out. KGI)