Data, Contesting and using PztLog

One of the main reasons that I enjoy Contest operation is that they hone your operating skills and point out any equipment weaknesses in rapid fashion.  They also guarantee you quite a few contacts when other stations are only too anxious to work anyone - even me!

My station is a fairly simple one and probably quite typical of most Amateur Radio enthusiasts. My QTH is in the Fens, so flat with only local building obstructions until the hills rise quite a few miles away. It is also close to the centre of Town and very limited in space so will never be highly competative. That said, I must be in the same situation of the vast majority of Amateurs and it is here that the RSGB CC series of Club Contests gains appeal.

This year I have been directing my Contest activities towards the RSGB 80 meter CC series and in particular the CW events. My antenna for 80 and 40 meters is a trap dipole which is slightly shorter than a full sized antenna and just fits into the space that I have available by spanning the bungalow and both front and back gardens. It is only up at 10 meters agl and slopes down at both ends to about 6 feet agl but works quite nicely for inter G Contacts. This antenna has served me well, especially now that some of the RSGB HF Contests now include 40 meters.

There are 3 RSGB CC Contests each month from February through to July. One for each of; phone, CW and Data. To be competative you need to get as many Club members to enter as many events as possible. My Club has traditionally been more interested in VHF Contests and, up until recently, has not many very active members who enter CW Contests. As my main area of interest is CW, this gives me in a distinct disadvantage - a single station using a single mode is never going to do well.

I am not really one to  make New Years resolutions but I did promise myself that I would enter a Data Contest this year, mainly to give my modest CW scores a little boost. I have operated RTTY before but that was about 20 years ago using an old BARTG Multyterm and a very primitive, noisy, computer. These days my main HF Radio is a Kenwood TS590 which is very easy to interface with my laptop and the software available now should make life much easier.

For HF Contests there is a requirement to generate a Cabrillo file for the entry so my main choice of logging software is usually N1MM and, while I only use it in a very simple fashon, it is relatively easy to set up for CW. On data modes however things start to get more involved and I have struggled to get it all to work properly. Recently I have been using PztLog by Charlie, M0PZT,for my general logging and that also includes a data mode operating facility, at least for RTTY and PSK which are the 2 modes needed in the RSGB Contest. It is very easy to set up and also includes a simple "Contest mode" to generate and log serial numbers. It can also generate a Cabrillo file from a selected number of QSO's. For my first data contest I thought that I would give it a try.

Using software for Contest operating involves setting up macros to efficiently automate the Contest Exchange and I was pleased to find that in PztLog it was easy to create a set of simple macros that did the job. Being more acustommed to N1MM I used the <exchange> macro in the template instead of using <serial> and found that I needed to type in my own serial number as well as the one received. For search and pounce operating this was not too much of a problem but a bit inconvenient. When it came to generating a Cabrillo file for my entry I found that the number of Cabrillo templates was very limited and I needed to drastically edit the file in Notepad before it was accepted by the RSGB.

I emailed Charlie with my comments and he replied very quickly, informing me to to use the <serial> macro to automate adding my serial number in the exchange and he is also going to produce a template for the RSGB 80M CC contest. PztLog is probably not the first choice of software for dedicated Contesters but its simplicity certainly has a lot of appeal for general Club use and the "waterfall" display was extremely clear to select stations to work. Support from Charlie is also very good so I will be using it again.

Operating in the Contest raised a few questions, the main ones being what power to use and how to set up the radio. PSK is a very efficient mode and power levels above 25 watts are not normally necessary. It is also recommended to turn off the ALC but I did not read that until after the contest! I set my power level to 50 watts and left the rest of the radio settings to the same as I use for CW. I am not sure how "clean" my signal was but I did not receive any complaints and received replies from most of the stations that I called. I treated RTTY and PSK in much the same way and am not sure if that is correct so more research is needed before my next data contest in May. Any advice on these last comments will be gratefully received.

I have not been active using data modes before but it is very tempting as there always seems to be some data activity on the bands when other modes are seemingly dead. I managed to complete 43 contacts and was pleased with that for a first attempt. I must however read up a bit more to make sure that my signal is as clean as it should be.

I have, since the Contest, got N1MM plus FlDigi to work but is still in need of a lot of tweaking before before it replaces PztLog. The simplicity of PztLog has got me into using a mode that I would not have used before. The free version of Ham Radio Deluxe can also be used and incorporates many more modes than I have even heard of but it does not generate Cabrillo files for the entry.

My thanks to Charlie, M0PZT, for his prompt support.

73 es cul, Jim GØHGH

 Update 21/05/2016

Since I wrote this report, Charlie has updated the Cabrillo export with a template for the RSGB 80 meter CC. It's great to have a software writer who reacts to his customers requirements. Thanks again Charlie.

I have also tried the Skimmer feature in PZTLog which worked well but after ten minutes of Contest operating my brain could not cope with the amount of information that was invading my senses. I went back to simple search and pounce operation for now but it is certainly a feature that I need to investigate further.

73 es gud contesting, Jim GØHGH

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Where's my UBN?

CW is certainly my favourite mode but when it comes to contesting it can be rather nerve wracking. I am more of a slow but sure kind of operator and just find writing fast enough for the speeds involved in serious contesting a bit mind boggling. That's even before we mention my typing skills which are two fingered at best (one on each hand, just in case anyone gets the wrong idea). 

For logging HF contests I have settled on N1MM+ for both the logging and 90% of the sending. If the station on the other end of the QSO asks a question I have to intervene manually with a key, even my laboured pace is faster than typing. Transcribing a paper log after a contest always seems to induce errors so live logging is a must for me.

The RSGB 80 meter CC Contests are my favourite Contest by quite a long way. They are friendly and quite relaxed affairs. The maximum power level allowed is 100 watts, so it is possible to compete on a fairly level playing field. Some stations rattle away at a fair old pace but my 20 wpm limit is tolerated amicably by the big boys.

The first CC Contest of 2016 was 18th February and conditions were extremely poor. I only managed 10 QSO's in the hour and a half. Even strong sounding stations had so much distortion on their signals that all stations were quite difficult to copy accurately. I was tempted to only enter a check log as I had scored so pitifully but it seemed that I was not alone so duely placed my entry to find that quite a few other stations had not reached double figures.

The second Contest was in 16th March and conditions were much better and I worked 52 other stations just by S&P through the band. Not a great score but a most enjoyable hour and a half.

UBN's are adjudication reports that inform you of any errors in your submitted log and it is normal to receive  a couple of error reports in any given Contest. So far this year in both of the above Contests I have received no UBN's, a fact that gives me great satisfaction and recompenses  for my lowly place in the results table. Being a member of FISTS I embrace their policy of "accuracy over speed" and no UBN means my accuracy is improving.

I probably should not tempt providence as the year is yet young with many more opportunities to tarnish my unblemished record. But - So Far So Good.

73 de Jim G0HGH 

Update 15/04/2016
The results from the 3rd leg of the Contest have been released and my clean slate has been tarnished. Just one UBN with a serial number being out by one. I am not too upset by that, especially as my score was much higher than the previous two Contests.

73 de Jim G0HGH 

New QSL Card Design

Last year most of my Amateur Radio activity was in the RSGB UKAC VHF contests. This year things have changed a bit. I wanted to get back into CW on HF so built a Cobweb, 5 band antenna to compliment the 80/40 trap dipole.

As the QSL cards come trickling in I thought that I had better respond to a few of them!

 

After reading Charlie's Blog, I thought it time that I had a decent QSL card. The last time I designed a card and had it properly printed, I ended up moving house a couple of months later. Consequently, I have never gone out of my way to repeat the exercise. However, as I cannot see any way that I can down-size any more than I already have, the time has arrived to put some thought into a nice design.

 

I took a photograph of the River Welland as it meanders through Spalding, making sure it was on a sunny day. I must confess that I am fairly proficient at using Photoshop so removed a bent cycle path sign and a few bits of  rubbish and adjusted the colours so that it was a vibrant, welcoming scene.

 

Text was then added and enhanced with drop shadow and  emboss effects.

 

Next stop the back of the card.

I had a fairly recent shot of me in the Radio Shack so reduced it to black and white and also reduced the intensity so it was pale grey. Added some boxes and labled them. Added a text box with Equipment details and finally added my call and a place for the recipients call to be written in.

 

Next stop finding a printer. Back to Charlie's web site I think for a few suggestions from him. 

Then it's back to the Radio so that I will have a use for some of these cards once they are printed.

 

73 es gud DX, Jim

 

Loaded Dipole Tuning

I am not a regular operator on Top Band so, at this time of year when the RSGB Club Calls Contest arrives, it sees me dragging the tangled mess of wire that is my 160 meter dipole out of hibernation in the shed and getting it back into active service.

Like many urban dwellers, I do not have the requisite amount of space to hoist up a full size dipole for top band so have constructed a shortened version with loading coils in the centre of each leg. This affords me a resonant dipole but with a much restricted usable bandwidth, but, at least it gets me on the band and able to score some points for my Radio Club (S&DARS).

My prefered mode of operation is CW and most of my antennas are resonant dipoles that are tuned to the low end of any band. As the Club Calls Contest is a Phone one it requires shortening the antenna to tune it for the Phone segment of the band. This is usually simply a matter of folding back the ends of the dipole and fastening with a few cable ties. But by how much?

My usual approach to shortening a dipole for the phone section of the band is to use the trusted magic formula; 468/Freq to calculate the theoretical length of the antenna at two different frequencies; that at the low end of the band for CW and that of the new required frequency in the Phone section and noting the difference between the two lengths. This normally gives a fairly good guide on how much to fold back before fine tuning with an analyser but, with my loaded dipole, this proved to be wildly inaccurate.

Using the magic formula, the difference in length of each leg between an antenna resonant at 1.818 and 1.920 MHz is 6.8 feet, or approximately 82 inches. In practice, for my shortened dipole with quite hefty loading coils at the centres, the actual difference turns out to be just 22 inches.

I realise that the effects of a loading coil are more complex than simply one of wrapping some of the wire into a coil. For me though it makes the use of an antenna analyser so much more valuable. At the time of purchase I did baulk at the cost but have subsequently found its value to be inestimable.

73 and hope to work you on the bands, whatever the mode.

2014 2 Meters FISTS CW Award

Delighted to receive a certificate for 1st place in the 2104 FISTS CW Club 2 meters activity event. 

It was particilarly satisfying as the VHF activity was a FISTS tribute to Angie G0HGA and I did meet her many years ago when we both sat our CW test together. I was then G1UUM and living in High Wycombe, a particularly poor VHF location at the bottom of a deep valley. That was the original inspiration for learning CW in order to get the treasured "A" licence and to be able to work on HF.  While I was struggling to reach the necessary 12 wpm, she was, even back then, rattling it out like a seasoned pro. She did make quite an impression on me then and I was saddened to hear that she went SK.

Many thanks for all the QSO's that made this award possible.

73 

SDARS 2015 Rally

FSK and Meteor Scatter on 2 meters

My local Raadio Club, Spalding and District Amateur Radio Society (SDARS), recently had a video presentation, talk and demonstration on the use of FSK with WSJT  Software for making long distance contacts on 2 meters using Meteor Scatter.

This was a very timely talk as the Perseid Meteor Shower was due in a few days along with a DXpedition to IO41 by EI9E.

I must say that I had used this mode before, or I should say I had WSJT working before, but I had never made any contacts with it. I simply did not really understand what Meteor Scatter was all about. I certainly did not realise that this was a mode that can be used at any time as Meteors are constantly entering the Earth's atmosphere.

The video was by GW8JLY which told us what FSK and Meteor Scatter was all about. It was a very comprehensive video that didn't get bogged down in too many technicalities. Further explanation was given by Bob, G1ZJP, and then a practical demonstration was given by Julian, G4YHF, in the Club Raadio Shack which put the theory into practice. 

Still fired up with enthusiasm, I couldn't wait to give this a try at home and the next day was on 144.370 listening out for signals. I saw some decodes on the screen from OH6KTL and decided to give him a call. After a few QRZ's he got my call and after some time sending info to and fro, we completed the QSO.

So I had made my first Meteor Scatter QSO using FSK and WSJT software. OH6KTL is in KP02OJ, a distance of 1649 Kms and just using 30 watts to an 11 ele Tonna at my end.
I think that this is a mode that I could get into and will definitely be trying it again.

Thanks to SDARS for being such a pro-active Club. This is not something that I would have achieved before the presentation. Thanks guys.

73 De Jim GØHGH

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