Worked All Germany (WAG) this weekend !!

Coming up this weekend (20-21/10/2012) is the 2012 Worked All Germany (WAG) Contest. Duration is 24 hours, starting 1500z on Saturday until 1459z on Sunday.
The objective ... easy. For non-DL stations, just work DLs with different DOKs as multipliers. DLs work the world, but with their independent ruling/scoring.
During the previous years' WAG contests, there was significant confusion with stations participating in JOTA (Jamboree On The Air scouting activity), that led many OPs to getting furious...as is with most contest-weekends nowadays...
DARC, that is organizing the WAG Contest, has included in 2012's rules the following recommendations:

 

According to IARU recommendations operation should be avoided outside contest-preferred segments. To reduce interference with the participants of JOTA contest operation is not allowed in the following contest-free sections:

80m: CW - 3560 - 3800 kHz, SSB – 3650 – 3700 kHz
40m: CW - 7040 - 7200 kHz, SSB – 7080 – 7140 kHz
20m: CW - 14060 - 14350 kHz, SSB – 14100 – 14125 kHz and 14280 – 14350 kHz
15m: SSB – 21350 – 21450 kHz
10m: SSB – 28225 – 28400 kHz

 

It is the least they could do to give a guiding line to the potential participants and they have my kudos for that.

 

Btw, here is my pdf certificate for my participation in 2010's WAG Contest:

I believe that in the future, there should be a more "handy" prize for the winners of WAG contest categories.

 

My participation in 2012 WAG Contest will be time-limited to evening hours mostly and possibly in CW only category.

 

CU there!

 

73s de Stathis, SV5DKL

 

 

2nd GTC CW Cup - Again ... a success !!

The 2nd GTC CW Cup held on 6 & 7 October is now over and was most enjoyed by all participants.

Many logs have already been received, mostly by non-SV participants, and from their included comments derives that the scope of GTC CW Cup was met and CW was once more well advertised.

Personally, as GTC CW Cup Contest Manager, I have to thank each and every one of you guys that have taken part in this year's event of the Greek Telegraphy Club and I assure you that the GTC CW Cup Contest Committee will again do its best to organize an even better 3rd GTC CW Cup next year.
Although I had few hours available to participate I managed to make 102 QSOs, at least half of them with GTC members.

DXLog.net software which supported GTC CW Cup, provided by Kresimir, 9A5K, worked flawlessly at my side and integrated DXCluster, Rig control and CW keying+messages with no problems.

The only issue during the event, was the TRC Contest held during the exact same period with the GTC CW Cup, which caused a bit of confusion to some participants. After all, the TRC committee announced their contest dates quite late, even after we had published the official rules & dates of the 2nd GTC CW Cup.

2nd GTC CW Cup rules and info were populated and "marketed" this year especially well, to CW clubs, National Amateur Radio Organizations, IARU, online Contest Calendars, CW enthusiasts worldwide, Amateur Radio magazines and of course, our GTC members list.

Nonetheless, the editor of an amateur radio magazine, who always erroneously insists on "Reference to the Source" for his magazine's articles that are published elsewhere, has included the 2nd GTC CW Cup announcement info, as it was sent out originally, but with modified text and not mentioning the Reference to the Source he got it from. It was the only case of this issue, amongst the vast amateur radio media worldwide. Let's hope next time his own rules will be followed.

I have to congratulate DK4WF, IK0EFR, SV1/SV2KBS, SV4FFL and SV8GKE for keeping up the pace and bearing with me working them in 4 out of 5 bands.

I wish Good Luck with the results to all participants and after the first fortnight of November 2012, all submitted logs will be published at the official site of GTC CW Cup:

http://www.raag.org/displayITM1.asp?ITMID=503&LANG=EN



For the preliminary and final results after cross-checks, you will have to wait a bit more ...

73s/55s de Stathis, SV5DKL

3D2C is over !! Great job !!

Dr. Hrane, YT1AD and his team did it again !! The Southern Pacific DXpeditioners gave us again a nice new one for our DXCC.

3D2C Conway Reef DXpedition is over after making in total 71.963 QSOs in HF+6m bands. QSO dispersion was almost equal between EU, AS and NA, although Conway is located in one of the farthest areas for EU and AS.

I was lucky enough to work 3D2C in 7 bands (80m-10m, missing 30m) in SSB/CW modes, although I also wanted at least a QSO in digi modes.

Below is my search result from 3D2C web site:

3D2C Log Search Results for SV5DKL

	CW	SSB	RTTY	PSK	JT65
160m	-	-	-	-	-
80m	X	-	-	-	-
40m	X	-	-	-	-
30m	-	-	-	-	-
20m	X	X	-	-	-
17m	X	X	-	-	-
15m	X	X	-	-	-
12m	-	X	-	-	-
10m	X	-	-	-	-
6m	-	-	-	-	-
2m	-	-	-	-	-

Number of QSO(s) including dupe: 10

OC-112 from Conway was also a new IOTA for my log, currently measuring 380 worked IOTAs in total.

What was particularly interesting from my side, as far as 3D2C operation is concerned, was the huge signal coming in from Short Path, almost each day on 15m SSB !! The S-meter was always at s8-s9, peaking +10db/+20db at times.
Also, while HamCap showed non-existent propagation from my part of the world to Conway on 40 and 80 meters, I was able to work them in both bands at late afternoon hours, before even my sunset.

Overall, I believe experience counts. And, for sure, Hrane knows what to do in order to make a DXpedition a big success.

Looking forward to next year's Southern Pacific DXpedition from the Boyz, another new one will be much appreciated.

73s from Rhodes Isl.

Stathis, SV5DKL

EUROPA RTTY TROPHY S/N.125 ARRIVED !!

In regard to my 20th August 2012 post, the EURD Trophy serial nr. 125 has finally arrived and already set atop the highest shelf of my showcase.

The Trophy itself is BIG, HEAVY and BEAUTIFUL.

Here are a few shots of it for your delight:

 

 

As far as I'm concerned, this is one of the most beautiful Amateur Radio Trophies around, and what's most important, is that by using DARC's DCL online system, it was so easy to check, apply and acquire EURD Trophy and not only that. 

 

Again, many thanks to Peter, DO1NPF, for making it so easy for me to apply and guiding me through the whole process. Also, big thanks to DK5PZ for his extreme efforts to produce a highly appreciable Trophy.

 

Last, but not least, just yesterday I have received most needed QSL cards from SV2ASP/A (Mt. Athos) and ZB2FX (Gibraltar) for confirmation of my last two WAE entities, required by WAE award manager Wolf, DF8AA, in order to confirm and proceed my application through DARC' DCL for the WAE-TOP Plaque.

 

Coming soon ...

 

73s from Rhodes Isl.

Stathis, SV5DKL

Antennas' Performance

My most recent antenna installation upgrade was a new MAAS X-300N V/U vertical. With an overall length of 3,30m, this vertical is working very nicely, paired to my Yaesu FT-8800R and I am currently using it for my APRS Server (see http://www.sv5dkl.eu:7781).

Special care was taken for the insulation of all joints and bare parts of the antenna to protect from humidity, sea salts and salty air. A layer of hydrophobic adhesive tape was applied on all those parts, then a double layer of 3M rubber self-amalgamating tape, then a single layer of good quality PVC electrical tape and on top of those, I installed a thick heat-shrinking tube.

Coaxial cable used was Belden H100 terminated with Ultimax N-Type connectors at both ends.

Here is how the antenna's SWR measures across 2m & 70cm amateur bands:

 

My older Diamond X-300N in its new higher position and after maintenance, measures the following SWR across 2m & 70cm amateur bands:

And, finally, my trustworthy Cushcraft A3S still performs as per manufacturer's specifications and exhibits the following SWR across 20m/15m/10m amateur bands:

 

 

 

6m / VHF / UHF New Antenna System Complete !!

It was about time I completed a decent 6m & up antenna installation. There was only one spot on my rooftop where I could install the new setup, with minimum coax length and good height from ground level and other surroundings.
A 4el 50Mhz LFA-LN Innovantenna was purchased mid-summer, together with a TennaMast rotator cage, which was a must and made my life much easier.
Two VHF yagi antennas were available and a terrific idea from my good friend Denis, SV5FRD, came up for discussion and study ... to interlace the two yagis, but with different polarization ... Theory was brought down to paper and related literature was downloaded and studied, only to prove that since the elements and the boom of the two antennas would not be in touch with each other, no side-effect on radiation pattern or performance would be present.
So, beginning last Friday, struggling with hot sun and wind gusts, my installation was complete by late Sunday evening.
Below you may see how it looks now:

Total height from rooftop level to the top of the X-300N V/U vertical is 11m. From top to bottom installed are:
Diamond X-300N V/U vertical
10el VHF yagi by Winkler in horizontal polarization
9el VHF yagi by ECO in vertical polarization
4el 50Mhz LFA-LN Innovantenna
Rotator cage by TennaMast
Alliance HD-73 rotator

The mast and the pylon used were of the same material, 48,1mm outside diameter heavy duty galvanized water steel pipe.

Here are a few more shots of the new installation:

In the middle photo above you may see at the background my Cushcraft A3S HF tribander on the main tower.

All mounting hardware and ropes for guying were purchased by Mastrant. Excellent materials, built to last long enough !! Choice of Mastrant's eye bolts + rope clips + turnbuckles proved to be the best combination.

Below, you may see details of the 4el 50Mhz LFA-LN Innovantenna during construction and testing:

Notice the flat aluminum bar going from the 'hot' feed point to the front part of the boom (provided with antenna). This is, in fact, an antenna balun, providing a DC ground on the boom of the antenna itself, thus significantly reducing interferences and noise floor. Also, notice the thick insulators of the elements, they are a great addition to the antenna value, also. Boom is 3,35m long and tuning was done by moving in-out the side aluminums of the driven loop.
This antenna has tuned better than manufacturer's specs ... it shows 1,1:1 VSWR from 50.000 to 50.400 and at 50.800 it shows a 1,4 to 1,5 max VSWR. Sadly, 6m propagation has been absent here the last few days, so not any on-air tests to check F/B and side-lobe attenuation were done yet. Stay tuned for more info on those, later on...

Below is the test position of the 2m/70cm setup, before raising it up the mast:

All three 2m/70cm antennas were already installed here before, so I really had to deal with salt and rust that they had acquired.
The 'kitchen medicine' did it again ... CaCO3 with white vinegar sprayed on the spots in need, effected in less than 3 hours, after which I was able to clean thoroughly and very easy all contacts and aluminum joints. After that, WD-40 was applied throughout those spots and when that dried up, a dehydrant adhesive tape (purchased in Friedrichshafen 2010) was used to protect the spots. On top of it, a thin layer of black silicone filler was applied and at the end two layers of good quality PVC electrical tape with wire strips was installed.
Using antenna analyzer MFJ-259B with a short coaxial showed that the 2 yagis had been tuned as desired. The 10el Winkler shows no more than 1.6:1 at 146.000 and 1.3:1 at 144.000
The 9el ECO shows no more than 1.7:1 at 146.000 and 1.2:1 at 144.000 (exhibits 1:1 at 145.000 exactly !!). The Diamond X-300N shows some higher SWR at both band's edges, but it is OK around 145.100 and 435.500, so no big worries. Anyway, it had so much salt concetrated around its base, that I didn't think it would tune any more ...

Coaxials used were:

H100 by Belden with Amphenol connectors for the X-300N
RG-213C/U by Belden with Amphenol connectors for the two VHF yagis
RG-213C/MIL (made in Italy) with Schuner connectors for the 50Mhz yagi.

I am really looking forward to extensively test the new antennas. I hope the propagation will help me, too!!

Stathis, SV5DKL

DXCC Challenge 1300 points barrier broken ... next target ... 1400 points!!

7O6T uploaded their logs to LotW yesterday ... giving me a whooping 9 new bandslots for my DXCC Challenge. This way, I broke the 1300 points barrier I had set as my previous target:

Your Logbook DXCC Account (SV5DKL - DODECANESE)

Account Status   Award Selected Applied Awarded Total / Current Mixed 160 0 100 260 / 258 CW 243 0 0 243 / 241 Phone 204 0 0 204 / 202 Digital * 33 0 100 133 / 133 160M 66 0 0 66 / 66 80M 109 0 1 110 / 110 40M 154 0 5 159 / 157 30M 103 0 2 105 / 104 20M 118 0 57 175 / 174 17M 127 0 3 130 / 130 15M 190 0 27 217 / 216 12M 130 0 2 132 / 132 10M 177 0 3 180 / 179 6M 38 0 0 38 / 38 2M 2 0 0 2 / 2 Challenge 1206 0 100 --- / 1306 * = Award has been issued   Next target set is 1400 points ... I hope all major recent DXpeditions will upload their logs to LotW soon enough !!   73s from Rhodes Island.   Stathis, SV5DKL

They just keep on coming ...

Awards and Trophies applied online through DARC's DCL web site just keep arriving in the mailbox !!

Today, it was the turn of EU-DX-D 1000 Trophy to arrive.

Dietmar, DL3DXX, was super fast and accurate on checking my application, approving it, providing for fees and shipment info, and shipping it to me.

So, now I am proud owner of EU-DX-D 1000 Trophy Plaque with serial number 122 in Mixed Mode, the two sides of which you may check out hereafter:

Accompanying the EU-DX-D 1000 Trophy, Dietmar included also a beautiful DARC badge with the EU-DX-D logo engraved:



and, of course, the EU-DX-D Diplom, with the relevant 50-point stickers (that is, 20 pieces x 50 points = 1000 points !!):

If you, too, want to check if you can apply for this nice set of trophies/awards, visit the related site of EU-DX-D Diplom here.

The EU-DX-D 1000 Trophy plaque and the EU-DX-D badge are also presented in "My Trophies" page in "My Pages" section at the right column of this blog.

Until the next one ...

73s from Rhodes Island

Stathis, SV5DKL

DARC Sea Of Peace Pennon has arrived !!

During my several awards/trophies applications through DARC DCL online system, Georg DL4SVA mentioned that maybe DARC - Mecklenburg Section's Sea Of Peace Pennon might interest me.

It did ...

And, after reading the rules here, I used the online tool available here to enter the required QSO data ... as simple as that !! In a week's time I received the so nice pennon in my mailbox. Just take a look below:

It is relatively easy to acquire this nice pennon, so go ahead and read the rules in the link above and check whether you are liable to apply for it.

Georg will help you throughout the whole process, if needed.

Tnx fer ur fine service, Georg!

Europa RTTY Diplom TROPHY serial number acquired !!

Following last week's post here's an update:

DARC DCL finalized the status of my application for the Europa RTTY Diplom (EURD) Trophy and provided for an online printout of the relevant paper award.

As you may notice, I've acquired Trophy nr. 125 and now I am waiting impatiently for it to arrive and decorate my Trophies shelf.

Thanks Peter for a great service!

Visit my blog frequently for a newer update with photos of the EURD Trophy itself !!

Beautiful Trophies arrived in the mailbox at the same day !!

Just yesterday, I found in the mailbox 2 envelopes from Germany, rather big.

One was a beautiful Trophy by DARC, the EUROPA-DIPLOM EUROPA 300 Trophy Plaque, with my callsign and number 369 engraved.

The second was DARC's DLD 300 Standard Diplom for Mixed Mode 15m only QSOs with at least 300 different DL DOKs, and award number 32117. Included with this award, as with all DLD awards with over 300 DOKs confirmed, was a beautiful Lapel Pin with a large DARC logo and "DLD 300" addon side text.

Below you may see these nice Trophies / Awards and also at "My Trophies" section of this blog, at the right side of your screen, under "My Pages" section:

All of these Trophies / Awards, were applied for online through DARC's DCL (DARC Contest Logbook). DCL guys have done a magnificent job integrating DCL system with LotW confirmed QSOs, so one can automatically check whether one can apply for a certain award/trophy or not, and in which class. I find DCL a great tool, both for the German awards hunters, but also for the casual contesters.
I urge everyone, especially those of you that are LotW users, to enroll in DCL by visiting their home page here , registration is fast and easy, and check which of available supported awards here you are eligible to apply for. Currently, 19 awards with their relevant trophies (where applicable) are supported in DCL, but I am sure in the future they will add more.

FYI, I have already applied for and had my applications checked and accepted for the following Trophies, which I expect to arrive soon:

- WAE (Worked All Europe) TOP Plaque in Mixed Mode

- Europa RTTY Diplom (EURD) Trophy, which is a really fine Trophy to decorate my Trophies/Awards corner.

Keep up with my blog to find out when those two arrive and how they look.

73s from Rhodes Island.

Stathis, SV5DKL

Greek Telegraphy Club (GTC) site updated

I have been doing major upgrades and updates to the Official Web Site of the Greek Telegraphy Club (GTC), which is hosted in RAAG's web site.

Member lists are now up-to-date, info, rules, photos and submitted logs are now on-line for the 1st GTC CW Cup, and all required structure, including the updated rules is now included for the 2nd GTC CW Cup, to be held on 6-7 October 2012.

Feel free to take a look at Greek Telegraphy Club's web site, following the links below:

In Greek

In English

Any comments or suggestions will be more than welcome.

73s

Stathis, SV5DKL
E.C.M. - G.T.C.
GTC #028