Radio Preppers

General Category => New To Radio => Topic started by: John Galt on March 14, 2014, 09:32:47 AM

Title: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 14, 2014, 09:32:47 AM
As I have posted before, I have only made two contacts to date, one of them being KF5RHI.  I normally spend some time in the evenings in my garage just tuning around to listen to various conversations, nets, etc.  Recently, W1AW has been doing the centennial thing and is usually something I avoid because of the pile ups that ensue.

Last night about 6:30, I was spinning the dial on 15 meters and there was W1AW but without the usual pile ups.  He was "portable 7" but I didn't get his exact location.  Well, I hit the tune button and answered and he came right back!!  It was pretty cool hearing my call sign.

About 20 minutes later, I heard W1AW on 20 meters out of Arizona but with the usual pile up.  Emboldened by my earlier success, I went for it again.  It took two or three tries but I got through again!  And that's against all the stations running amps, etc.

I thought all that was pretty cool.  I've put all my "stuff" together without the benefit of an elmer - just what I've picked up from books and places like this forum.  So I felt a little validated knowing that my stuff actually works.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: cockpitbob on March 14, 2014, 09:46:54 AM
Nice work.  Three tries is quick.  I've spend 20 minutes trying to get through pile-ups.

Though contests and special events clog up the airwaves at times they also are a good opportunity to stretch your legs.  At this point in my ham development I still like them ...in moderation.  I agree there are too many contests cluttering things up with 59-73 empty contacts.

If you haven't yet, checkout www.dxsummit.fi (http://www.dxsummit.fi/).  Click on HF/Phone.  The 3rd column is the station being "spotted".  It makes it very easy to find the W1AW/? stations.  Also, if you click on the station's call sign it opens up that station in QRZ.com. 

BTW, I'm just about through Atlas Shrugged.  Gawd that's a long book, but good.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 14, 2014, 09:49:47 AM
That same morning we contacted each other I also worked Croatia and a few contacts on the east coast.  Since then I've added Austria and Bulgaria.

I've been trying to work all of the W1AW stations.  This week W1AW/7 is in Arizona and W1AW/8 is in Ohio.  I've still gotta get on this weekend and see f I can work /8.  Every Wednesday they change to two different states.  Look on the ARRL website for info on the Centennial QSO Party.

This week I've been on Spring Break so I've been able to get on during the day.  I go back to work on Monday so I might be able to be on in the evenings; but it will mostly be weekends.

It's all about small steps.  When I first heard a voice coming through my speaker on my FT-857D I thought it was the greatest thing in the world.  When they answered me back I was hooked!

Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: Archangel320420 on March 14, 2014, 06:07:57 PM
Nice work, JOHN. You the man! I do not think I would ever have put out a signal out especially within the proper frequnecy when I was first licensed without help from some local hams. Kudos to you.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 14, 2014, 06:46:24 PM
Thanks for all the great replies!  I think I'll make a few more stabs at W1AW in the coming days and weeks.  As you say, it seems a good place to stretch my legs and overcome any mike fright I have.

cockpitbob, I really don't mind the contests but frankly I don't see the fun in it.  But to each their own.  Thanks for the website, looks interesting.  And yes Ayn Rand is a "little verbose" like Texas summers are a "tad warm".   ::)

FF5RHI, good lawd!! you're logbook is growing.  Let's make another contact soon.

Archangel, thanks for the encouragement.  I'm glad now that I've done so much listening before grabbing the mike.  Just listening to some olpharts ragchew I pick up a tidbit here and there.

When I first got my HF rig set up in late December, the active bands were 160-80-40 for the most part because I was on well after dark.  Now, I'm starting to see the other bands a lot more active in the evening.  Although, I think my ultimate interest is NVIS, it is way cool hearing Japan, Australia, Slovenia, etc.

Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 14, 2014, 10:43:38 PM
Sure man, anytime!  With daylight lasting longer I might be able to be on in the evenings from time to time!

I'm not sure how come I don't seem to pick up much from the west coast or Asia.  I'd like to pick up a Ukranian contact while there still is a Ukraine to work.

PM me an email address and I can send you a couple antenna designs that I've used.  Also check out KX3Helper.com for an end-fed antenna for 6m-40m.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: gil on March 14, 2014, 11:58:05 PM
http://www.earchi.org/92011endfedfiles/Endfed6_40.pdf (http://www.earchi.org/92011endfedfiles/Endfed6_40.pdf)

40-6m end-fed...

Gil.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: Archangel320420 on March 15, 2014, 12:15:52 AM
My first CW contact was with my mentor, K3VCU. He was the WHOLE way across town from me. I bet a 1/2 mile away as the radio wave flys and we were on 40 meters. The only crystal I had was for forty meters. I still remember the QSO. I was trembling so hard my fingers were flopping around and my heart pounding and I near pee'd myself. I listened a lot before I got on also, John with an old HQ-100 Hammarlund Reciever. I still have that old receiver.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 15, 2014, 07:00:29 AM
I'm using a Chameleon - 

http://chameleonantenna.com/MOBILE%20ANTENNA/Chameleon%20HYBRID/Chameleon%20HYBRID.html

The reason I selected this was that it could be hung under the eaves and then the wire stretched out from there to keep me out of the HOA radar, it covers 160-6 as I didn't know what I'd end up using most and it got 5/5 reviews on Eham.   It's very similar to the one the Gil suggested just commercially made.

Of course, I've no experience with any other base antenna but it sure seems to work well on receive. 

Archangel, that's hilarious!  I can see where I'm getting better.  My palms were sweating a little on that first contact but I'm improving rapidly.

KF5RHI, pm sent.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 15, 2014, 05:24:00 PM
Woohoo!  Just got a 12 meter contact with W1AW/7.  I got through first call which is really surprising me how easy I'm getting in.  I know it's just TX<>AZ but I'm not having to repeat anything at all.  So cool.

Moving to 10 meters....     :)


EDIT:  Just added 17 meters.    :) 8)
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: cockpitbob on March 15, 2014, 07:34:08 PM
Nice work!
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 15, 2014, 09:35:35 PM
Anybody seen W1AW/8?  It seems like it's hardly been on the air at all.  :(
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: cockpitbob on March 15, 2014, 10:24:51 PM
Are you checking dxsummit.fi?  I've only been watching the CW spots but W1AW/8 seems to be there most of the day.  I have to imagine the SSB crew is also there.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 16, 2014, 06:46:09 AM
Quote from: cockpitbob on March 15, 2014, 10:24:51 PM
Are you checking dxsummit.fi?  I've only been watching the CW spots but W1AW/8 seems to be there most of the day.  I have to imagine the SSB crew is also there.

I ended up using it a lot.  It proved to be pretty useful.

I didn't hear or see much out of W1AW/8 until later last night on 40 meters.  I tried to get in but just couldn't break through the pile up.  40 meters was pretty noisy to begin with but I'm not sure if that's normal for the band or just a function of my setup.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 16, 2014, 10:30:14 AM
I can't do CW so for me it's only SSB until I get my station in a box built and can do digital.

I've been watching HamSpots.net.  It looks like there are a few sightings on 15m.  It's pretty windy here in DFW today; but I might run my Inverted-V up and see if I can bag it!

Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: NWARadio on March 16, 2014, 04:45:40 PM
I've worked /7 on 12 and 10 meters. Two different operators, though. One in Washington state and the other was Arizona, I believe. I don't go hunting them down, I just happened to come across them both. On 12, he was calling and calling CQ and no one was answering. Almost the same on 10m. So I guess I lucked out and found them both as they just started calling CQ.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 16, 2014, 05:02:44 PM
Same here.  I just came across him calling CQ and he sounded kinda lonely so I went for it.

I guess now I need to figure out LOTW so I can see my QSLs.  I think I made some strides today.

NWARadio, the other day you made a post that you were getting on the radio and were going to be on xxx.xx frequency.  I think I'd like to see that more often so that members here can make some contacts that might develop into regular schedules.  I guess the question is really for Gil in that is it OK to do that on a regular basis and, if so, where to post it, forum-wise.

Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 16, 2014, 07:09:32 PM
I worked /7 on 10m today too.  I was really wanting to catch /8 from Ohio today; but the bands were crap.  :(

I did work Holland, Slovenia and Spain though; but the wind and cold were more than I wanted to deal with so I quit and packed up and went back inside after an hour and a half.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 18, 2014, 07:59:39 PM
Well I just got /8 on 20 meters - 4th try in a pretty big pileup.  I'm surprised I'm getting in so consistently.  There's certainly nothing powerful about my set up.  100 watts over a do-it-all antenna that's really way too low.  My only guess is that my voice is so obnoxious that they just want me to go away!   ::)

Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: cockpitbob on March 18, 2014, 08:06:04 PM
A good,skilled pile-up operator is fun to listen to.  They'll try to take things in order, even if it means ignoring the guy blasting him with 1,500W in order to get the QRP guy down in the noise.  More than once I've had them litteraly ask me 10 times in a row trying to get my call.  He didn't get frustrated but was enjoying the challenge of completing a difficult QSO.  It's usually the special event stations I've seen be good like that.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: NWARadio on March 18, 2014, 08:20:55 PM
John Galt, I'm trying to figure out LOTW as well. I'm not liking it even a little bit. Right now I'm sitting on the couch filling out my new qsl cards to send out. I think I like that the best, but I know I need to learn the LOTW thing. And I have every intention of setting aside a certain time every weekend to try and make contact with folks on here. I think I'll try to find a time during Friday nights for 20/40/80 and a time during Saturday day for 10, since techs have privelages there. I think I will try to post by Wednesday when I'm going to be on so folks have time to make plans. I'll monitor this site as well during my CQ call to see who can hear me but I can't hear. I might even post a link to my facebook in case anyone wants to friend me. Just listen for kilo foxtrot five tango juliet charlie!
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 18, 2014, 08:26:45 PM
Anytime you are going to be available and want to set up a contact, let me know.  I can be available Friday evening and my weekend schedule is flexible so just let me know.  I think it would be great to have some regular contacts with the great folks on the forum.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: gil on March 18, 2014, 08:31:59 PM
QuoteJohn Galt, I'm trying to figure out LOTW as well. I'm not liking it even a little bit.

Same here. For some reason Ham radio web sites and applications are the worst in the business, and LOTW is a prime example of a horrible user interface. Why that is I do not know. There are exceptions, I think... Maybe... Even successfully opening an account on LOTW is an achievement. As to understanding how it works, that is another story. I still have no clue, and I'm a programmer by trade. I will say one thing, if I turned in that kind of work, I'd end-up homeless within a few months..

Gil.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 18, 2014, 08:46:08 PM
Apparently, LOTW is pretty concerned about site security.  I'm not a programmer but I noticed that they use the same kind of certificate download, etc that the FBI does for the eNICS.  I'm an FFL and their(FBI) security is a pain.  LOTW uses something similar it seems. 

On a side note, Gil, if I want to make a post that I'm going to be getting on in case anyone wants to make a contact, where should I post that?  General Discussion, Nets, TX ...? 
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: KK0G on March 18, 2014, 08:52:24 PM
LOTW is one of the worst and most user unfriendly websites I've ever had the displeasure of trying to navigate. In the end I decided that the benefit to pain in the ass ratio clearly wasn't worth it to me.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 18, 2014, 08:57:17 PM
Quote from: KK0G on March 18, 2014, 08:52:24 PM
I decided that the benefit to pain in the ass ratio clearly wasn't worth it to me.

Quotable!  I'm pretty well at the same spot it's just that I guess I'm just needing to see my call sign listed.  That's certainly not the focus of my interest but what the heck, I need to dip my toe in all the pools to see what I like.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: NWARadio on March 18, 2014, 09:16:40 PM
I really like doing things with pen and paper here. I like doing it the way so many years ago did. So, I keep a paper log and a qrz log and I send out qsl cards. Well, I will as soon as the mail runs tomorrow since I just got my cards in the mail today. Can't wait to find someone to restore my late '60s Drake set so I can use some vintage tech on the air.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 18, 2014, 10:21:07 PM
I just got my first batch of QSL cards a couple weeks ago.  I need to send out a few, John Galt being one of them. 

I might be available this weekend as well if anyone else wants to get on the air. 

I've been using the tQSL software to upload my logs to LOTW and I guess I'm in the minority.  Once I got used to it I was OK with it.  I keep my QSO file in a folder on my SkyDrive account so I can access it from any machine that I've got tQSL installed on.

Speaking of LOTW is anyone doing the ARRL Centennial Challenge where you try to work the W1AW stations in each of the states?
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: cockpitbob on March 18, 2014, 11:27:43 PM
I'm working the W1AW states, but just for fun, not as a mission.  I also figure I should at some point get my WAS certificate, and that helps.  However, at least on CW the pile-ups are getting rediculous and with my 100W rig in the shop I'm using my 4W QRP rig, so it'll take forever to get through.  In short, if there's pile-up I skip it.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: NWARadio on March 19, 2014, 06:40:02 AM
KF5RHI, maybe you can walk some of us through the LOTW. I got my certificate installed, but now I don't know how to start putting in my contacts.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 19, 2014, 08:35:14 AM
Sure, I can do that!  Maybe I can put together a walk-thru guide, step-by-step, by the numbers how to log contacts and upload them to LOTW.  Would anyone else find that helpful?
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 19, 2014, 08:53:32 AM
Quote from: KF5RHI on March 19, 2014, 08:35:14 AM
Sure, I can do that!  Maybe I can put together a walk-thru guide, step-by-step, by the numbers how to log contacts and upload them to LOTW.  Would anyone else find that helpful?

I would.  I think I have it figured out but sure would like to see if I'm doing it right or if there's a better way.

Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 19, 2014, 09:21:12 AM
There's a really simple way to know for sure if your upload worked or not.  Wait for an hour or so after you've uploaded come contacts then log into your LOTW account on their website https://p1k.arrl.org/lotwuser/default (https://p1k.arrl.org/lotwuser/default).  Unless you logged an absolutely HUGE number of contacts if should only be a few minutes before they will show up in your log.  You will see your QSO count in the upper right corner of the screen once you've logged in.

A couple of notes here that may be preaching to the choir... (1) Just because YOU logged the contact doesn't mean the other person has (or will).  I've got 24 logged contacts (just got on HF at the first of the year); but only 8 confirmed (or QSL records).  If you're chasing WAS (Worked All States) or WAC (Worked All Continents) then the QSLs are the ones you need to be concerned with.  (2) Since I'm normally only on the radio on the weekends I do my upload on Monday morning when I get to work!  If you log a really large number of contacts (several hundred) I'd suggest breaking them down into smaller batches.  Just a personal choice, nothing says you have to do it.  When I'm sitting at the radio, I write my contacts down on paper first.  Callsign worked, freq, time (local and convert to UTC later) then what was exchanged...in that order.  (3) Use spotter nets!  I like Hamspots.net (http://hamspots.net).  You can filter it by band, by mode and whether they are on LOTW or not.  (4) Lastly, keep your log in multiple places.  I keep mine on LOTW and on QRZ.com.  You don't have to enter the information twice.  Use whichever method you like best then export the file from one into the other.  I like the way QRZ.com's log looks!  Sue me!  I like the pretty little flag icons you get on your entries!

Anyway, I'll try to start working on the walk-thru for LOTW today.  I'll put a link to it here once I've got something ready.


EDIT:  I was just looking on QRZ.com on how to import/export your log files and it appears that you have to be a paying subscriber to be able to do that.  Thank ya, no!

Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: Pirate96 on March 19, 2014, 09:50:47 AM
An easy way to use LOTW is to use another logging program an then upload an export to LOTW. Currently I am using http://www.cqrlog.com/ (http://www.cqrlog.com/) and type in my paper log contacts to that program. Then it is a quick upload to LOTW.

It is a bit of a pain to get the certificate installed for LOTW, but I will give them credit for trying to put some security behind it.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 19, 2014, 09:54:10 AM
Yup...it all boils down to which one did you learn.  I learned how to use LOTW so I don't have any problem with it.  Security is a good thing.  Can it be taken to extremes?  Of course.  But I'm OK with it now that it's working for me.  I cursed LOTW at first too though.   :o
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: cockpitbob on March 19, 2014, 10:21:42 AM
Quote from: KF5RHI on March 19, 2014, 09:54:10 AM...Security is a good thing.  Can it be taken to extremes?  Of course.
I think they lost a lot of users with their security measures.  I mean, my life savings is scattered around several institutions, none of which have the kind of complex security measures LoTW has.  And when you get down to it, QSLing is just a game.

I use LoTW as a courtesy to other hams, but much prefer eQSL.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 19, 2014, 12:02:24 PM
I looked at eQSL.  It's OK. I'm just not all that hot on it.

Different strokes for different folks though.  Bob likes eQSL.  I like LOTW.  It's like people talking about cars, guns, radios or anything else that they have a passion for.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: gil on March 19, 2014, 12:10:48 PM
QuoteOn a side note, Gil, if I want to make a post that I'm going to be getting on in case anyone wants to make a contact, where should I post that?  General Discussion, Nets, TX ...?

Hi, probably Nets, but wherever, it's no big deal.

LOTW works. That's not the problem. You should not need to read a guide to use it... It's the user interface that is the problem. Obviously written by a programmer  ::) Design and programming are different jobs, to be done by people with different abilities. I can make a site exchange data with a database for instance, but I couldn't make it look pretty to save my life.. They should have had someone else do the user interface, not the programmer! And probably not a Ham!

Gil.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 19, 2014, 12:16:18 PM
I'll agree that the interface does lack a certain prettiness... 8)
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 21, 2014, 10:32:03 AM
Answered a CQ last night from TX6G last night.  Interesting...
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 21, 2014, 10:34:06 AM
Quote from: John Galt on March 21, 2014, 10:32:03 AM
Answered a CQ last night from TX6G last night.  Interesting...

Wow!  That's way out in the south Pacific!

Nice work!!  Log it??  :)
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 21, 2014, 10:46:22 AM
Not yet but will tonite.  I had no idea what the call sign was till I looked it up.  That island looks pretty but there can't be a whole lot to do.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 21, 2014, 10:47:36 AM
You say that like it's a bad thing!  :)  My wife can find something for me to do there I'm sure!!  :)

Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 21, 2014, 10:55:06 AM
As long as they've got beer and fishing tackle I could probably entertain myself.  My honey-do lists are self generated and therefore considerably shorter than most.   8)
Title: W1AW
Post by: madball13 on March 21, 2014, 03:17:40 PM
W1AW/4 is on 18.141 right now
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 21, 2014, 03:47:44 PM
Figures!  I'm gonna catch them this weekend.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 21, 2014, 06:57:22 PM
In the last half hour I've contacted W1AW/4, W1AW/5, Slovenia and Cuba.  Pretty soon I might not qualify for the New To Radio forum.  Pretty cool.

:)


EDIT:   and Brazil.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 21, 2014, 06:58:33 PM
Good job, man!


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Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 22, 2014, 07:26:29 PM
I worked W1AW/4 (Tennessee) at 2:37 this afternoon and 20 minutes later caught W1AW/5 (New Mexico).  Both on 20m.

I'm gonna try to work 'em both again tomorrow just in case either of the first two times don't QSL.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on March 22, 2014, 07:29:56 PM
I haven't got a QSL yet.

You on the radio?  We're trying to hook some people.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on March 22, 2014, 07:31:40 PM
Nah, it's raining here.  I have to set up in my back yard so I won't be on for a while.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 11:44:56 AM
I'm actually getting kinda good at this W1AW thing.  About 300 points now and I haven't missed a state although I'm nowhere near getting all bands.  160 and 80 are strictly NVIS for me with my antenna 8 feet off the ground between my house and garage.  I've gotten some states on 40 and one on 10 but most are 20, 17, 15 and 12.   6 is so dead I'm not sure my radio really even works on that band.   I'm really learning a lot about my radio and the limitations of individual bands.

One question though.  I'm able to run splits pretty well but I don't understand when they say they're "listening up 5 to 10".  I can usually get them using up 5 but how do they listen to a 5Khz range?  Do some radios have some kind of capability I'm not familiar with?

Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on May 07, 2014, 11:48:06 AM
Yeah, most radios like my FT-857D will do it.  I haven't messed with manually setting mine up for working split.  I need to though.

My only gripe is that it seems to take some of them a long time to upload their logs to LOTW.  I'm still waiting on NH to upload from two weeks ago.

Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 11:54:15 AM
No kidding!  I've been waiting on Puerto Rico for about a month.

I don't have any issues setting up the FT-450 for split, it's actually real easy especially when they listen up 5.  I'm confused though by the "up 5 to 10".  On my receive freq if I hear something 2 or 3 kHz away it's just QRM.  So how are they listening to a whole range of 5kHz?
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: KK0G on May 07, 2014, 11:57:22 AM

Quote from: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 11:44:56 AM
One question though.  I'm able to run splits pretty well but I don't understand when they say they're "listening up 5 to 10".  I can usually get them using up 5 but how do they listen to a 5Khz range?  Do some radios have some kind of capability I'm not familiar with?
They're not listening to a 5 kHz range, they're tuning within a 5 kHz range.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on May 07, 2014, 11:58:03 AM
I think it's more to keep their bandwidth as narrow as possible.  They start with 5 KHz and if that causes too much QRM then they may bump it to 10.  It depends on how crowded the band is.

Yeah, I missed PR.  It looks like NE is the only one on the air this coming week.  That might make for a pretty heavy pile-up.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 12:00:28 PM
Quote from: KK0G on May 07, 2014, 11:57:22 AM

Quote from: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 11:44:56 AM
One question though.  I'm able to run splits pretty well but I don't understand when they say they're "listening up 5 to 10".  I can usually get them using up 5 but how do they listen to a 5Khz range?  Do some radios have some kind of capability I'm not familiar with?
They're not listening to a 5 kHz range, they're tuning within a 5 kHz range.

It pains me to say this but....  I don't get it.   ???
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on May 07, 2014, 12:00:39 PM
Quote from: KK0G on May 07, 2014, 11:57:22 AM

They're not listening to a 5 kHz range, they're tuning within a 5 kHz range.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Similar to a repeater.  They are listening on say, 14.260; but transmitting on 14.255.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 12:08:32 PM
Well, not exactly...

Fer instance:  they might be on 21.330 listening up 5.  No problem, I transmit on 21.335 /listen on 21.330.

Next time they might be on 18.130 listening up 5 to 10.  And if you tune over to the area of 18.135 to 18.140, you can hear all the stations coming in on various frequencies.  They're not just on 18.135 or 18.140, you can respond on 18.137 and they'll pick you up.

BTW, I found W1AW CT on 10 meter last night.  First call into the pile up, he responds with my full call perfect the first time.  Oh yeah, that felt good.   8)
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: RichardSinFWTX on May 07, 2014, 12:17:23 PM
Yeah, I'm not trying to get them all on every band and every mode.  I just want to get them all confirmed once!  I usually try to get each station on two different bands.  I'm still just doing SSB.  I've tinkered a little bit with my iPad and PSK-31; but nothing serious yet or with FL-Digi on my laptop.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: KK0G on May 07, 2014, 01:27:48 PM
Quote from: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 12:00:28 PM
Quote from: KK0G on May 07, 2014, 11:57:22 AM

Quote from: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 11:44:56 AM
One question though.  I'm able to run splits pretty well but I don't understand when they say they're "listening up 5 to 10".  I can usually get them using up 5 but how do they listen to a 5Khz range?  Do some radios have some kind of capability I'm not familiar with?
They're not listening to a 5 kHz range, they're tuning within a 5 kHz range.

It pains me to say this but....  I don't get it.   ???


OK, lets set this up: For the sake of discussion let's say he's on 14.020,  listening up 5 to 10.


That means his transmitter is parked right dead on 14.020 and it never moves from there, everybody calling will have their receiver parked right dead on 14.020 also (sort of).

To listen for calls he is tuning his receiver from 14.025 up through 14.030 until he hears one that he wants. Lets say he hears someone at 14.026 and makes contact with him then clears with that person. Chances are there are others also calling him on 14.026 so say he answers one or two more at that frequency. Eventually the wolf pack starts getting wise to the fact that he's listening on 14.026 and more start calling there, increasing the QRM so he tunes his receiver up to say 14.027 where there are fewer callers and he can better hear.


This cycle just keeps repeating within the range of 14.025 through 14.030. This is all done to spread out the pile up to better manage it.

Now you could just park your transmitter and receiver frequencies in one spot and just blindly call over and over in hopes that he happens to be listening to that particular frequency and that he happens to pick your call out at that time. the key though is to figure out the pattern he's using by listening to where the others are that he's making contact with. Example; maybe he makes 4 contacts per frequency then immediately moves up 1 kHz for the next 4.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: gil on May 07, 2014, 02:23:03 PM
The problem is when their transmit frequency is 7030, QRO, blatantly QRMing the QRP calling frequency...

Gil


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Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 02:31:58 PM
Quote from: KK0G on May 07, 2014, 01:27:48 PM
Quote from: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 12:00:28 PM
Quote from: KK0G on May 07, 2014, 11:57:22 AM

Quote from: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 11:44:56 AM
One question though.  I'm able to run splits pretty well but I don't understand when they say they're "listening up 5 to 10".  I can usually get them using up 5 but how do they listen to a 5Khz range?  Do some radios have some kind of capability I'm not familiar with?
They're not listening to a 5 kHz range, they're tuning within a 5 kHz range.

It pains me to say this but....  I don't get it.   ???


OK, lets set this up: For the sake of discussion let's say he's on 14.020,  listening up 5 to 10.


That means his transmitter is parked right dead on 14.020 and it never moves from there, everybody calling will have their receiver parked right dead on 14.020 also (sort of).

To listen for calls he is tuning his receiver from 14.025 up through 14.030 until he hears one that he wants. Lets say he hears someone at 14.026 and makes contact with him then clears with that person. Chances are there are others also calling him on 14.026 so say he answers one or two more at that frequency. Eventually the wolf pack starts getting wise to the fact that he's listening on 14.026 and more start calling there, increasing the QRM so he tunes his receiver up to say 14.027 where there are fewer callers and he can better hear.


This cycle just keeps repeating within the range of 14.025 through 14.030. This is all done to spread out the pile up to better manage it.

Now you could just park your transmitter and receiver frequencies in one spot and just blindly call over and over in hopes that he happens to be listening to that particular frequency and that he happens to pick your call out at that time. the key though is to figure out the pattern he's using by listening to where the others are that he's making contact with. Example; maybe he makes 4 contacts per frequency then immediately moves up 1 kHz for the next 4.

See there!  All you had to do is splain it at the remedial level!!    :) :) :) ;D

Thank you, sir!
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: KK0G on May 07, 2014, 03:40:10 PM
Quote from: John Galt on May 07, 2014, 02:31:58 PM
See there!  All you had to do is splain it at the remedial level!!    :) :) :) ;D

Thank you, sir!
No problem. This is one of those things that seems confusing (well I guess it is confusing if you don't understand it) but it's actually quite simple once you figure it out, which it appears you have. 8)
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: NCGunDude on May 13, 2014, 06:09:24 AM
Follow up question: I don't have an HF rig, yet. Do most rigs have the ability to TX and RX on different freqs. I assume yes, based on the more than lucid explanation of the meaning of "listening up 5 to 10", but I don't want to assume. TIA
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: KK0G on May 13, 2014, 08:50:53 AM
Quote from: NCGunDude on May 13, 2014, 06:09:24 AM
Follow up question: I don't have an HF rig, yet. Do most rigs have the ability to TX and RX on different freqs. I assume yes, based on the more than lucid explanation of the meaning of "listening up 5 to 10", but I don't want to assume. TIA
You assume correct, practically every commercial rig made within the last 25 years has dual VFO's - to work split set one VFO up to receive and transmit on the other the one. Another method is to use the RIT control (receive increment tune) although most RIT controls don't have a very large tuning range.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: cockpitbob on May 13, 2014, 10:35:11 AM
Quote from: NCGunDude on May 13, 2014, 06:09:24 AM
Follow up question: I don't have an HF rig, yet. Do most rigs have the ability to TX and RX on different freqs. I assume yes, based on the more than lucid explanation of the meaning of "listening up 5 to 10", but I don't want to assume. TIA
Even most QRP rigs can work "up" though they don't have dual VFOs.  They have R.I.T. (receiver incremental tuning) which means you can Tx on one frequency and Rx on a different one.  Most QRP rigs only have 1-2KHz of RIT tuning range, but most pile-up stations operating CW only listen up 1KHz or 2KHz.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: Luigi on May 13, 2014, 12:02:43 PM
You can use that dual VFO to TX and RX on different frequencies in case you do not want others hearing both sides of a conversation easily.
Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: John Galt on July 07, 2014, 02:35:37 PM
Since it's pretty quiet around here, I just thought I'd give an update on where I'm at with this since I started this thread almost 4 months ago.

Once the last few contacts are confirmed, I'll be at 31 states and about 800 points.  I've enjoyed the learning curve as well as the cold brew I'm usually partaking as I listen in most evenings.  Since I'm using W1AW stations as a learning tool as well as LoTW for keeping track of them, I've decided to make WAS my goal for the year.  What the heck, I'm most of the way there anyhow.  In between, I'm going for the WAC since I'm already most of the way there as well. 

Maybe DXCC is in my future but I'm really not so much into the awards themselves but they seem like useful measuring sticks for the learning curve.  I've made contacts on 10 through 40 meters so far.  I almost got Louisiana on 80 but fell short.  I think I can get 80 and 160 when W1AW comes to Texas.  And I now firmly believe only unicorns transmit on 6 meters.

Title: Re: W1AW
Post by: cockpitbob on July 07, 2014, 03:02:50 PM
You're right about 6 meters.  Unicorns is appropriate since it is dubbed "the magic band".  But on occasions, like Field Day 3 years ago, it can open up to allow some impressive communications.

As far as the evils of contests go, this ARRL Centinnal seems pretty benign since it occupies individual frequencies and doesn't have everyone jamming entire bands. 

I used W1AW/9 to get my 7 year old nephew on the air last week.  He did great and said everything just right so I'm getting him a QSL card from W1AW.