We're getting closer by the day, 166 Days until our arrival as of today!?
?
MAC has additional shoulder work next week, so I'm proposing these two options for our FEBRUARY MEETING via ZOOM:
?
Monday, February 24 US 2:00 PM PST, 4:00 PM CST/Tuesday, February 25 NZ 11:00 AM NZDT
Wednesday, February 26 US 2:00 PM PST, 4:00 PM CST/Thursday, February 27 NZ 11:00 AM NXDT
?
Reply with your choice and I'll set up the meeting on ZOOM and send the LINK.
?
Ev W6ABM
|
Make a date and I’ll try to be there. Feb 12 and 13 are out for me, shoulder getting worked on. Should be somewhat Ok after Friday 2/14.No other “events” on the calendar as yet. I may post my thoughts on those topics later today just for brain-mush to be digested at leisure.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 14, 2025, at 11:40?PM, W6ABM via groups.io <arsw6abm@...> wrote:
We’re 189 days out.
?
Time flies.
?
We should meet again in February. ?
?
Topics:
?
- Contest Plan for IOTA
- Parks on the Air opportunities
- Joint QSL Card option
- Update on Schedule and Finance
|
We’re 189 days out.
?
Time flies.
?
We should meet again in February. ?
?
Topics:
?
- Contest Plan for IOTA
- Parks on the Air opportunities
- Joint QSL Card option
- Update on Schedule and Finance
|
PEI Remote Story from Ken
This was my first remote contest experience. The good news is I beat last year's
score when I was present in PEI, so that is a major positive. At times,
mentally, I felt completely in my shack in PEI. Having to wake up at 2:30 AM
local for the band opening was the only negative.
There were some issues. I was unable to use my computer mic and DVR recordings
on my computer. I think that is a local computer issue. I wasn't able to record
messages on my K4s to get around that problem. That was probably due to a K4
operator error. I plugged mics into the back of both radios, but it only worked
on the right radio, so that became the phone radio and the left was the CW
radio. Not having a voice keyer prevented most SO2R operation since I can't talk
and listen to CW at the same time.
Initially, I couldn't get the CW sidetone to work. What I heard was so choppy I
had to turn it off. I know I sounded like a lid when I interrupted my TU message
before resending my callsign when I knew there was another caller waiting. By
chance, I noticed Saturday night that the problem didn't exist using speakers
instead of headphones and went away in the headphones if my CW speed was slowed
to 34 WPM.
My radio and amp remote internet connections were solid the entire contest.
Latency was not an issue, although noticeable at times. Unfortunately, the same
can't be said for my antenna and rotator control apps. I have a HamPlus antenna
switch that allows any of 12 antennas to be used on any of 4 radios. The app for
the Hamplus couldn't keep a connection. I also have a MOAS (Mother of all
Switches)that has an antenna and rotator control app. That app was intermittent.
My South America antenna is not available on that app. It is available on the
MOAS app, but since the MOAS was unavailable most of the time, I'm sure I missed
mults not being able to use the SA antenna.
I had anticipated this would be a shake out of the remote system and that I
would be taking a number of frustration breaks, so I didn't bring food to the
shack. I wound up taking a few short breaks when the band was open to make lunch
and get snacks, so I probably operated about 25 hours.
This experience convinced me that remoting is in my future. I'll definitely be
VY2TT for shorter contests like CW Sprint and NAQPs remotely.
As to the contest itself, the pileups were so bad on CW I had to move frequency
and start again a few times. Stations kept calling even after I gave a partial
call three times. I aggressively tried to move mults on Sunday. Only 4 agreed to
move and 3 mults were successfully logged on the other mode. Most didn't
understand the request on CW and just sent the exchange again.
73, Ken, K6LA / VY2TT Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
|
Just completed with VY2TT on CW.
He got his remote working!
Ev W6ABM Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
|
2025 PEI Deposit Schedule
Team
?
Peter and I have exchanged emails re: plans for the 2025 PEI ADventure. ?Largely due to the long flight required, Peter has decided not to join us on site for this one. We’ll be seeking QSOs with New Zealand while at PEI.
?
Therefore, I’m planning to issue the deposit check to Ken for the PEI DX Lodge a week from tomorrow, December 16. It’s 25% of our expected total.
?
Our plan is:
? Check in Wednesday, July 23, 2025
? Check out Monday, August 4, 2025
?
? ?I will arrive on Tuesday, July 22, to open the house and setup.
?
House and station expense for the two week period is $3,500.00, $1,167 each. We’ll handle on-site common expenses while at DX Lodge.
?
Our Deposit amount is $875.00. My check in that amount will be sent to Ken on Monday, December 16, 2024. ?I have $250 from Joe in hand and a promise of funds from MAC.
We’ll begin our travel arrangements after the first of January. I believe both MAC and I will arrive by car from Maine. Joe’s arrangements are being determined. Pick up at Charlottetown Airport is an option.
?
We’re on the way!
?
Ev W6ABM
|
ARRL Ten Meter Contest next weekend
The annual Ten Meter Contest takes place next weekend. We’re experiencing great conditions on ten and hope that holds for the contest.
?
I’ll be working with The Tualatin Valley Contesters (W7TVC) from the QTH of Carl WS7L in Hillsboro. We’ll have Elecraft K4D with power.
I talked with Ken K6LA. He’s planning to operate as VY2TT remotely from Los Angeles. It’s his first attempt at remote. I am one of the influencers that started his remote planning. ?I hope we hear him on Ten.
?
Ev
|
Ev, the problem is when one brings in some equipment (the K2 as example) and does not depart with that same equipment ?I hand it over to Joe). Did I sell it in Canada? Did Joe buy it in there? At the very least it would likely cause one, or both, of us to spend some quality time with the CBP folks and maybe the fine Canadian folks as well.
Tariffs just bring heightened scrutiny to the process.
And yes, I’ve used that form (or some version thereof) several times in the past when crossing with a load of camera gear.
Mac
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Dec 5, 2024, at 10:46?AM, W6ABM via groups.io <arsw6abm@...> wrote:
I don't think crossing and re-crossing the border will be an issue.? However, you can stop at the US station at the border and declare the equipment (they'll write down the serial numbers on a form, so take the gear in with you).? When you return the US folks will recognize the form and it's no issue.? I didn't do any of this last trip.? I think cameras and computers would be involved too.
Tourism equals US $.? I don't think any tariff games will cause Canadians to create "open season" on tourists.? Our new president will have been in office six months so any transition noise will be done.
The last time I told the Canada side I was going to PEI for my hobby, Amateur Radio, and they didn't seem to know what I was talking about.? Next trip I'll just say "pleasure and lobster."
You can download the Arrive Canada App on your phone (also sign up on computer and complete basic information). Then, complete your filing within 72 hours of your border crossing.?? Tks for Thanksgiving wishes. Hope everyone had a good time dissecting a turkey or other fowl, or some variety of land-beast at the table. Just think, if Benjamin Franklin had gotten his way we (in the US) would have been dining on the National Bird! (eagles, bald or otherwise, ?would still be in short supply.)
?
Ev, deposit check "should" get into today's mail, barring other obligations handed down by Lynn.
?
News of the moment/day/week/whatever: A new shoulder gets installed on February 13th. My valentine to myself? 2 weeks mostly immobile right arm followed by another 4 weeks of graduating levels of pain induced by the PT folks. Then just the "normal" progression of exercises so I should be fairly chipper and raring-to-go by July.
?
Still mostly antenna-less here, just a "random" wire out my office window that is probably on a par with the AX-1. Got to change that as soon as the temp's get back into the 40's (?F) now that the leaves are off the trees and on the ground. I have a vertical to put up too once the leaf-litter is out of the way so I can put out a few radials.
?
Joe, I'll be boxing up the K2 to send back to you shortly. Without the internal ATU it just isn't viable for me and my "normal" antenna situation both here and in the field. I'd bring it up to PE but with tariffs with Canada a possibility from our "controller-elect" and his minions, the border situation involving "goods" may get sticky to say the least. Bringing something "in" and not taking the same thing "out" again may cause problems involving lots of paperwork and/or $$. Oh well, always something to entertain us and make for good story-telling later on.
?
72/73,
Mac/WT4BT
-- Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
|
US Customs Declaration Equipment Going out and Coming Back
This is the form. It can be filled prior to leaving, they will affirm your information and stamp/sign it.
?
Ev W6ABM
|
I don't think crossing and re-crossing the border will be an issue.? However, you can stop at the US station at the border and declare the equipment (they'll write down the serial numbers on a form, so take the gear in with you).? When you return the US folks will recognize the form and it's no issue.? I didn't do any of this last trip.? I think cameras and computers would be involved too.
Tourism equals US $.? I don't think any tariff games will cause Canadians to create "open season" on tourists.? Our new president will have been in office six months so any transition noise will be done.
The last time I told the Canada side I was going to PEI for my hobby, Amateur Radio, and they didn't seem to know what I was talking about.? Next trip I'll just say "pleasure and lobster."
You can download the Arrive Canada App on your phone (also sign up on computer and complete basic information). Then, complete your filing within 72 hours of your border crossing.??
Tks for Thanksgiving wishes. Hope everyone had a good time dissecting a turkey or other fowl, or some variety of land-beast at the table. Just think, if Benjamin Franklin had gotten his way we (in the US) would have been dining on the National Bird! (eagles, bald or otherwise, ?would still be in short supply.)
?
Ev, deposit check "should" get into today's mail, barring other obligations handed down by Lynn.
?
News of the moment/day/week/whatever: A new shoulder gets installed on February 13th. My valentine to myself? 2 weeks mostly immobile right arm followed by another 4 weeks of graduating levels of pain induced by the PT folks. Then just the "normal" progression of exercises so I should be fairly chipper and raring-to-go by July.
?
Still mostly antenna-less here, just a "random" wire out my office window that is probably on a par with the AX-1. Got to change that as soon as the temp's get back into the 40's (?F) now that the leaves are off the trees and on the ground. I have a vertical to put up too once the leaf-litter is out of the way so I can put out a few radials.
?
Joe, I'll be boxing up the K2 to send back to you shortly. Without the internal ATU it just isn't viable for me and my "normal" antenna situation both here and in the field. I'd bring it up to PE but with tariffs with Canada a possibility from our "controller-elect" and his minions, the border situation involving "goods" may get sticky to say the least. Bringing something "in" and not taking the same thing "out" again may cause problems involving lots of paperwork and/or $$. Oh well, always something to entertain us and make for good story-telling later on.
?
72/73,
Mac/WT4BT
-- Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
|
Tks for Thanksgiving wishes. Hope everyone had a good time dissecting a turkey or other fowl, or some variety of land-beast at the table. Just think, if Benjamin Franklin had gotten his way we (in the US) would have been dining on the National Bird! (eagles, bald or otherwise, ?would still be in short supply.)
?
Ev, deposit check "should" get into today's mail, barring other obligations handed down by Lynn.
?
News of the moment/day/week/whatever: A new shoulder gets installed on February 13th. My valentine to myself? 2 weeks mostly immobile right arm followed by another 4 weeks of graduating levels of pain induced by the PT folks. Then just the "normal" progression of exercises so I should be fairly chipper and raring-to-go by July.
?
Still mostly antenna-less here, just a "random" wire out my office window that is probably on a par with the AX-1. Got to change that as soon as the temp's get back into the 40's (?F) now that the leaves are off the trees and on the ground. I have a vertical to put up too once the leaf-litter is out of the way so I can put out a few radials.
?
Joe, I'll be boxing up the K2 to send back to you shortly. Without the internal ATU it just isn't viable for me and my "normal" antenna situation both here and in the field. I'd bring it up to PE but with tariffs with Canada a possibility from our "controller-elect" and his minions, the border situation involving "goods" may get sticky to say the least. Bringing something "in" and not taking the same thing "out" again may cause problems involving lots of paperwork and/or $$. Oh well, always something to entertain us and make for good story-telling later on.
?
72/73,
Mac/WT4BT
|
237 days until…
I hope you and yours have a great Thanksgiving…you included, Peter.
Ev W6ABM Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
|
[PEI 2025] Six Meter Beam
From Ken RE: Six Meter Beam:
6 M yagi working and resonant at 50 mhz. SWR jumps up above 52 mhz. Took a while to get it working as the coax jumper between the ground bus and the antenna switch turned out to be bad.
73, Ken, K6LA / VY2TT Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
|
I like this one: -Two, or more, operators using their own callsigns as Single Operator with their chosen power output and time (24 or 12 hours) and work up a band-and-times plan?
We won’t use VY2TT unless Ken asks us to…ie to keep it active in the IOTA.? Besides, I like the idea of W6ABM/VY2 being in that contest from PEI.
Room in the rabbit hole for more than one (;-) Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
Went down the rabbit-hole and here are some items to ponder upon (no rush on these as we have some months to get squared away):
2024 had NO operations on PE.
2023 had three Single Operator operations (there were no Multi-single or Multi-two entries):? VY2TT (K6LA) winning the, HP, Unassisted, Mixed Mode category with 2405 Q’s VY2OX 51st place, HP, Unassisted, CW-only with 373 Q’s VY2/W4JKL (now SK), 370th Place, LP, Unassisted, Mixed Mode with 4 Q’s
No QRP operations found from PE.
Now on to the questions: -How much effort would any of us want to expend? -Full 24 hours from the Lodge at high power? -Multi-2 (2 radios can CQ) , Multi-1 (only 1 radio can CQ, other radio for multipliers only) or Single Op? Use the VY2TT callsign? (only if we put forth a max effort, IMHO) -Two, or more, operators using their own callsigns as Single Operator with their chosen power output and time (24 or 12 hours) and work up a band-and-times plan? -Pick a park bench and operate the 12 hour category during daylight hours. For whatever on-air time one would want. Need to return to the same location, from what I can tell, for consecutive operations. I can try to get clarification on this later.
Enough of this! Got to go play with the electricity some more. Mac/WT4BT
Gentlemen
We are booked for?July 23-August 4, 2025?dates at PEI DX Lodge.? Currently, we have officially committed to three hams (Joe; Mac; Ev).?Ken understands that we will add Peter if he can join us.
Our deposit will be in Ken’s hand on December 1.
I inquired about the Six Meter beam. Ken is confirming its status for us.
The International ISLANDS IN THE AIR from PEI is in our hands for 2025.
Counting down the days…
Ev W6ABM Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
|
Went down the rabbit-hole and here are some items to ponder upon (no rush on these as we have some months to get squared away):
2024 had NO operations on PE.
2023 had three Single Operator operations (there were no Multi-single or Multi-two entries):? VY2TT (K6LA) winning the, HP, Unassisted, Mixed Mode category with 2405 Q’s VY2OX 51st place, HP, Unassisted, CW-only with 373 Q’s VY2/W4JKL (now SK), 370th Place, LP, Unassisted, Mixed Mode with 4 Q’s
No QRP operations found from PE.
Now on to the questions: -How much effort would any of us want to expend? -Full 24 hours from the Lodge at high power? -Multi-2 (2 radios can CQ) , Multi-1 (only 1 radio can CQ, other radio for multipliers only) or Single Op? Use the VY2TT callsign? (only if we put forth a max effort, IMHO) -Two, or more, operators using their own callsigns as Single Operator with their chosen power output and time (24 or 12 hours) and work up a band-and-times plan? -Pick a park bench and operate the 12 hour category during daylight hours. For whatever on-air time one would want. Need to return to the same location, from what I can tell, for consecutive operations. I can try to get clarification on this later.
Enough of this! Got to go play with the electricity some more. Mac/WT4BT
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Nov 17, 2024, at 12:22?AM, W6ABM via groups.io <arsw6abm@...> wrote:
Gentlemen
We are booked for?July 23-August 4, 2025?dates at PEI DX Lodge.? Currently, we have officially committed to three hams (Joe; Mac; Ev).?Ken understands that we will add Peter if he can join us.
Our deposit will be in Ken’s hand on December 1.
I inquired about the Six Meter beam. Ken is confirming its status for us.
The International ISLANDS IN THE AIR from PEI is in our hands for 2025.
Counting down the days…
Ev W6ABM Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
|
248 days until PEI DXpedition
Ev W6ABM Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
|
Gentlemen
We are booked for?July 23-August 4, 2025?dates at PEI DX Lodge.? Currently, we have officially committed to three hams (Joe; Mac; Ev).?Ken understands that we will add Peter if he can join us.
Our deposit will be in Ken’s hand on December 1.
I inquired about the Six Meter beam. Ken is confirming its status for us.
The International ISLANDS IN THE AIR from PEI is in our hands for 2025.
Counting down the days…
Ev W6ABM Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
|
There = Three Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
Great.
There hams plus two potentials.
Ev? Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
Hi Mac/Lynne,
Glad that you're both going!
Cheers, Joe?
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message -------- Date: 11/5/24 6:08 AM (GMT-08:00) Subject: [HAM-ADVENTURERS] PE/DXLodge 2025
Very belatedly (I got badly sidetracked by life), the trek to Prince Edward for the July 23 to August 4 timeframe is a “GO” for Lynn and me. Ev, I will send you a bag of ha’pennies (or wooden nickels or other trade goods) for the deposit shortly. We will probably be extending the trip on one or both ends to ramble about, but that is yet to be planned. I would like to bash about in the Maritimes a bit more, plus we need to extend into New England to see friends and relatives. Much depends on … whatever. Mac/WT4BT
|
Great.
There hams plus two potentials.
Ev? Everett Curry W6ABM
"A" Sorter - Sixth District QSL Bureau
Former Section Manager/Oregon
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio?
Phone: (503) 522-7142 Email: ? w6abm@...__________________ Think about this:
63.74% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
Hi Mac/Lynne,
Glad that you're both going!
Cheers, Joe?
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message -------- Date: 11/5/24 6:08 AM (GMT-08:00) Subject: [HAM-ADVENTURERS] PE/DXLodge 2025
Very belatedly (I got badly sidetracked by life), the trek to Prince Edward for the July 23 to August 4 timeframe is a “GO” for Lynn and me. Ev, I will send you a bag of ha’pennies (or wooden nickels or other trade goods) for the deposit shortly. We will probably be extending the trip on one or both ends to ramble about, but that is yet to be planned. I would like to bash about in the Maritimes a bit more, plus we need to extend into New England to see friends and relatives. Much depends on … whatever. Mac/WT4BT
|
Hi Mac/Lynne,
Glad that you're both going!
Cheers, Joe?
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-------- Original message -------- From: Mac - WT4BT <wt4bt@...> Date: 11/5/24 6:08 AM (GMT-08:00) Subject: [HAM-ADVENTURERS] PE/DXLodge 2025
Very belatedly (I got badly sidetracked by life), the trek to Prince Edward for the July 23 to August 4 timeframe is a “GO” for Lynn and me. Ev, I will send you a bag of ha’pennies (or wooden nickels or other trade goods) for the deposit shortly. We will probably be extending the trip on one or both ends to ramble about, but that is yet to be planned. I would like to bash about in the Maritimes a bit more, plus we need to extend into New England to see friends and relatives. Much depends on … whatever. Mac/WT4BT
|
W6ABM