QRP Afield from Oxnard Beach Park CA

I am in Oxnard California for a business trip. It just happens that the QRP Afield contest was on my day off Saturday September 21st. The Oxnard Beach Park is a 1 kilometer walk from my hotel and a great venue for portable operations. I hiked over and found a picnic table. I setup the Alexloop and the LNR Trail Friendly End Fed. I used a palm tree support the end fed and sloped it generally East. The end fed was handy for 40 meters and 20 meters. I used the Alexloop a some on 20 and for all the 15 and 10 meter contacts. All contacts were CW at 5 watts using the KX3.

I started on 40 meters where my four contacts were not QRP Afield participants. So I took some time with them as the hams you run into would like to rag chew. One ham queried me on why QRP folks are QRS. Well that is different story. It is key to talk them out of the power they are using for the exchange. I did not run into any New England QRP Club hams. They sponsored the event.

Then, I worked a half dozen on 20 meters around 14.060. Among those were W0RW pedestrian mobile in CO and AB9CA in South Alabama, and Steve AA5TB in TX. I went up to 15 meters for a three including N1ABS/1 running 2 watts in New Hampshire. Then I checked out 10 meters and worked AA6CA. I think he was nearby and said I was rare DX. A couple more on 15 meters and back to 20 meters for a string of four. Next was the highlight of the day, I snagged JA3FCG on 21.055. Tosy gave me a 579 on the Alexloop at 5 Watts. Very cool my first JA. I wrapped up with a couple more on 20 meters. The summary is:

40 meters ID, CA, CA, AZ

20 meters CO, WA, CO, AL, CO, TX, TX, CO, KS, UT, BC, CO

15 meters NH, ME, OH, NJ, Japan, CO

10 meters CA

The QSO total was 23 over about eight hours in the park. I did have to work and connive for them but it shows what QRP can do.  

I must say the Oxnard Beach Park is a nice one. It filled up in the course of the day and had a steady stream of joggers, bike riders, and many other interesting conveyances. The dog owners were out with all types. There were BBQers and I was really tempted to beg a burger but I didn't. A birthday party had a pinata which I had never seen one in person.

KX3 and Alexloop at picnic table

Palm tree supporting far end of Trail Friendly End Fed.

JA contact on HCT I used for logging.

August was RaDAR Active

RaDAR is Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio originated by ZS6BNE. The Monthly RaDAR Challenge is on-going. My best RaDAR Challenge Ops point wise was August 3rd from Top Sail State Park. I walked 2.5 kilometers to the picnic area and made 5 QSOs. In the the Radar challenge if you walk 1 kilometer and setup the QSOs are 2 contact points each.I got bonuses 7 for at least one digital contact, 3 for at least one CW contact and 5 for at least one QRP contact. So contact points plus bonus is 10 + 15 = 25 total.

August was a very rainy month but as you see below I got outside fourteen times. The most operating was the Skeeter Hunt in Dothan AL. I operated with Tom WD0HBR. Notable also was the 40 meter RaDAR On-The-Air Meetup on August 24 and a semi-pedestrian mobile outing on August 31st. Both were at Top Sail State Park

Of course a highlight of the month was attending the Huntsville Hamfest, attending the Monte Sano event. I gave a on RaDAR talk for the QRP forums. A special thanks to Eddie ZS6BNE, Marcus NX5MK and Craig NM4T for help with the RaDAR talk. I also enjoy posting and reading posts on the Google+ Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio Community. There are 63 members in the community now.

Radar Outings:

8/1 EM70DE97QB Night ops in front yard Alexloop
30M CW OH
40M CW GA
8/3 EM60UI Top Sail State Park AlexLoop
17 PSK Cuba
17 CW ME PA
17 USB MO Mexico
8/5 EM70CE82 RaDAR Lunch Alexloop
20 CW PA
8/8 EM70CE82 RaDAR Lunch
20 CW NJ Alexloop
8/11 EM71HE Dothan AL Skeeter Hunt with Tom WB0HBR Broadside Doublet & Alexloop
  20M CW CO, PA, MO, ON, WI, ON, ON, DE, TX
15M CW France
40M CW NC, NC, GA
8/16 EM64QR Huntsville, AL Alexloop
20M SSB Cuba
8/19 EM70CE82 RaDAR Lunch LNR Trail Friendly Endfed
40M CW GA
8/20 EM70CE82 RaDAR Lunch LNR Trail Friendly Endfed
20M CW MO
8/24 EM60UI 40 Meter On-The-Air Meetup 40 meter Dipole
40M CW OH, FL, AL
40M SSB FL, MS, AL, FL
8/26 EM70CE82 RaDAR Lunch Alexloop
20M CW OH
8/27 EM70CE83 Pete Edwards Field
20M CW NJ
20M SSB CA
8/29 EM70CE82 RaDAR Lunch LNR Trail Friendly Endfed
20CW OK
8/30 EM70CE82 RaDAR Lunch LNR Trail Friendly Endfed
40M SSB GA,
20M CW VA, WI
8/31 EM60UI Top Sail State Park On foot RaDAR Alexloop
17M SSB ME, El Salvador, MA, MN, MN

EM70DE97QB Night ops in front yard 

EM70CE82 Lunch Site

EM64QR Huntsville behind La Quinta

EM60UI Topsail State Park 40 Meter Meetup

EM70CE83 Pete Edwards Field

EM60UI Topsail State Park 8/31 On-Foot RaDAR

EM71HE Dothan AL Skeeter Hunt

Quick Setup Time for RaDAR Ops

The goal of the monthly RaDAR challenge is to encourage development of equipment and operating skills for Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio. This is good preparation for RaDAR contests or emergency scenarios. RaDAR contests typically have time constraints that increase the challenge.

I tested a quick setup configuration on August 31st at Top Sail Hill Preserve State Park near Destin FL. I call it semi pedestrian mobile. The main feature is having an Alexloop deployed on a four foot mast with a spike at one end. Setting up the antenna is merely planting the spike and you are ready to operate. The pole for the Alexloop is a 4 foot military mast section placed over a step in style electric fence post. the electric fence post is taped to the mast at the bottom and provides the spike.

The KX3 is in a camera case that has the top removed and my battery is in a sling pack. So you wear the radio setup and carry the Alexloop/mast at the center of gravity. Gee nobody was around to take a picture of this affair in action Saturday. I was asked if I was tracking bears.

So my on-foot adventure started at the parking lot at the park. I started into the park listening to 17 meters SSB. I planted the Alexloop along the trail and worked KB1QX in Maine. He was QRP at a park himself. Not having anymore luck at the time I proceed along and came upon a picnic table. Well I could not resist the opportunity and planted the Alexloop, I worked YS1GMV in El Salvador and K1PGS in MA. Concerned I was running out of sunlight I doubled back. I made a call along the way but no luck. I thought the band was going out. When reaching the parking lot I took advantage of a picnic table there and worked KC0IGT MN and KD0ETC who was portable in a state forest near Lake Superior. The last QSO was good as Steven had a nephew Trip who was 14 years old who spoke to me and was having a lot of fun.

The walk in the park was 1.8 km over about 2.5 hours. my APRS track using N4KGL-5 is at http://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=11&call=a%2FN4KGL-5&timerange=3600&tail=3600 The park is at EM60UI.

This configuration is one I'll consider for the November 2nd 2013 RaDAR America Contest. The RaDAR concept was originated by Eddie ZS6BNE. See Eddie's blog at this link. Marcus NX5MK introduced RaDAR in America. See the site at http://radar-america.blogspot.com/ The RaDAR contests are the first Saturday in April and November. Meanwhile there is RaDAR Challenge. See this link for the RaDAR Challenge rules. If this RaDAR idea appeals to you checkout the RaDAR community on Google plus at this link Note, you do not have to join the community to participate in RaDAR.

The gear at home. Note the case and the pack are worn while in transit.

The battery in in the sling case

KX3 in camera case with top cut off.

Alexloop planted along trail.

I took advantage of a picnic table along the way.

a pond at the park

Skeeters found near Alabama Lake

The QRP Skeeter Hunt 2013 was August 11th. I had fun with co-operator Thomas WD0HBR hunting skeeters. This site at Jessie Forrester Lake is near Thomas' home in Dothan, AL. I looked for the prize skeeter Eddie ZS6BNE but no luck. I did find a dozen skeeters plus Bert F6HKA who was doing SKCC. I was not working stations that easily on the broadside doublet and switched to the Alexloop. I worked F6HKA on the loop. I also worked WQ4RP in NC on the loop on 40 meters. It took lots of repeats. The skies were clear and it was hot but some cool breezes helped. This was a great QRP event and another enjoyable portable outing.

72  Greg N4KGL

WD0HBR

N4KGL

Greg N4KGL AL
Skeeter #96 - All CW
Skeeter QSOs - 12
Non-Skeeter QSOs - 1
DX QSOs - 1
S/P/Cs - 10
Station Class Multiplier X3
Claiming Bonus - Yes

12X2 = 24  

Plus 1 Non-Skeeter = 25

Plus 1 DX = 28

28X10 = 280

280 X 3 = 840 plus 500 points for the bonus = 1340 final score.

20M
KX0R CO 78
K3RLL PA 25
N0SS MO 20
VE3WDM ON 3
K9DXA WI 36
VA3SIE ON 54
VE3EDX ON 138
AI4HV DE 85
NE5DL TX 34

15 M

F6HKA FRA 500W

40M
WQ4RP NC 122
AK4VL NC 61
AD4S GA 96

S/P/C CO PA MO ON WI DE TX FRA NC GA (10)

RaDAR 40 Meter Meetup Operations

The Google+ RaDAR community had a 40 meter on-the-air meet up built around my visit to Top Sail Preserve State Park near Destin, FL. I had a two hour window to operate and I operated Parking Lot Portable (PLP).  We had Manfred DJ1SJ and Eddie ZS6BNE staying up quite late listening in but conditions were not favorable for DX. I did have success with a 40 meter dipole up 20 feet. Most contacts were within 200 miles. I also had a buddistick up at 20 feet but did not work anyone one with it.

The first hour starting a 5 PM was fruitful. On SSB, I worked KK4DIV who was QRP mobile likely within about 50 miles of me. It was rough copy. Then Don KK4QAM from Sweetwater AL called me. He attended the RaDAR talk in Huntsville. Next a big surpirse Curtis WB4SHX called me. He lives in Lucedale, MS. Curtis and I went to high school together in Dothan, AL. We were both hams back then. KG4GTR called Curtis and me. He was in Beverly Hills, FL.

At the half hour I switched to CW and Tom WD0HBR in Dothan was on 7.050 to greet me, Tom and I do QRP outings together. Then Bob WB4BLX back in Panama City called me. The Ohio QSO Party was on-going and I worked K8B.

Most of the 40 meter signals were strong S9 or better. I guess I had a pretty good NVIS antenna with the dipole. So no luck with the other RaDAR folks that got on. I did not work anybody during the second hour. I was visited by a park volunteer who was inactive ham. I also met a park ranger who is working on the tech license so he can do live video from his R/C planes.

This PLP was the type of operating I have done a lot in the past and is not very light weight. I have another visit to the park planned for August 31st. I plan going pedestrian mobile and trying for one contact per kilometer.

The RaDAR concept was originated by Eddie ZS6BNE. See Eddie's blog at this link. Marcus now NX5MK introduced RaDAR in America. See the site at http://radar-america.blogspot.com/ There was a RaDAR contest in April and will be another in November. These parallel contests in South Africa. Meanwhile there is RaDAR Challenge. See this link for the updated Monthly RaDAR Challenge rules. If this RaDAR idea appeals to you checkout the RaDAR community on Google plus at this link Note, you do not have to join the community to participate in RaDAR.

Huntsville Hamfest 2013

I was fortunate to make the annual vigil to Huntsville this year. Marv KK4DKT and I drive up from Panama City FL together.  Friday night we setup portable behind the La Quinta. Marv deployed his Ham Box 1000 and did DSTAR back to Panama City and I worked a Cuban Station on 20 meters SSB with the Alexloop.

It is always a pleasure to meetup with my buddy John K4KQZ from Columbia TN. We all do our best to simulate the economy. This year I bought a Heathkit Solid State Dip Meter in good shape for antenna work.. When I saw the LNR Precision Trail-Friendly 40/20/10 End Fed, I could not leave without it. It looks perfect for Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR). I threw away the box and put it in my pocket.

Craig NM4T my Huntsville Buddy hosted a Build-A-Thon with Rex W1REX on Monte Sano Saturday night. It was good to see several young folks do a good job on the tuna tins. Hey did you know those kits can be built in the dark with penlights. We were joined by Jerry N4EO also from Columbia TN. He bought three military PRC type radios. One was a Navaho Code Talker Set. They were awesome.

Sunday, I gave a QRP Forum presentation on RaDAR to about 20 hams. It was fun sharing the RaDAR concepts Eddie ZS6BNE has given us from South Africa. Mike N4MHO from the RaDAR Google+ Community attended and we also had an eyeball QSO Saturday. I also enjoyed Craig NM4T's presentation on salt water operations. Craig NM4Tdoes an outstanding job with the QRP forums and the Monte Sano activity. It has become to be known as Two Days in Huntsville (TDiH). There were prizes at the forums and I won a digital subscription to CQ magazine.

I saw a presentation on kit building by Joe K0NEB fron Lincoln Nebraska. Since Joe was from Lincoln, I asked him if he knew Thomas WD0HBR my Dothan buddy who moved to AL from Lincoln. Sure enough Joe was one of Tom's students when he taught broadcasting in college there. 

I am looking forward to Orlando Hamcation in February and a return to Huntsville next year!

Greg N4KGL

Three Amigos: Greg N4KGL, John K4KQZ and Marv KK4DKT

The cabin on Monte Sano used for the W1REX Build-A-Thon

Tuna Tin Build-A-Thon

Jerry N4EOs Navaho Code Talker Set

RaDAR Outing at Topsail State Park

The Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR) Challenge is in effect with new rules. The rules encourage combining a walk with your portable operations.  I decided to visit Topsail State Park while my wife worked a four hour shift a Miramar Beach, FL. I know from previous visits to Topsail there is a nice picnic area 2.6 km from the parking area. I decided to make the hike with my minimal pack up; KX3, Alexloop and external battery in my backpack. Upon arrival at the picnic area I discovered I forgot to include the camera tripod that supports the AlexLoop. This was scary because I did not bring any backup wire antennas. Well a search of the area did yield a stick that I could wedge between the slats on the picnic table see photo. The AlexLoop was cocked a bit but who knows this might be advantageous.

I also advertised this outing as a on-the-air meetup with hams in the RaDAR google plus community. I chose 17 meters as the band for the meet up. I did not snag any of them. But I was also bouncing around to try to get five contacts in any case. My SSB CQ did yield XE2YWB. He gave me a 57. Then K0BLT called. He gave me a 57 to 59. SSB played out and I went to CW and answered N1EP in Maine. He was QRP on a FT 817 so that was a two way QRP QSO. I called CQ on PSK with no luck but I did snag CO8LY Cuba on PSK. The final QSO was KW7D in NM on CW. BTW my minimal pack up does include the Ham Central Terminal HCT. I use it for PSK support and logging.

I was very pleased to get five QSOs. The time at the picnic area was limited to about 1.5 hours as I needed to exit the park before sundown and meet my wife. Being late was not an option you know. As far as the Radar challenge if you walk 1 kilometer and setup the QSOs are 2 contact points each. There are bonuses in the challenge 7 for at least one digital contact, 3 for at least one CW contact and 5 for at least one QRP contact. So contact points plus bonus is 10 + 15 = 25 total.

The RaDAR concept was originated by Eddie ZS6BNE. See Eddie's blog at this link. Marcus KD0JKM introduced RaDAR in America. See the site at http://radar-america.blogspot.com/ There was a RaDAR contest in April and will be another in November. These parallel contests in South Africa. Meanwhile there is RaDAR Challenge. See this link for the updated Monthly RaDAR Challenge rules.

RaDAR encourages taking portable ops a bit further to include a hike. It helps to make sure you have all you gear in the pack up. I squeezed by on forgetting my tripod. I should have brought some wire in case there was no option to support the loop. If this RaDAR idea appeals to you checkout the RaDAR community on Google plus at this link You do not have to join the group to participate in RaDAR.

2.6 kilometer hike from parking to picnic area by the lake.