SOAPBOX: October 2017 ARS Spartan Sprint

W1PID
Two QSOs on 40M. K3RLL and K4BAI. Thanks. Jim W1PID

K3RLL
KX1 to G5RVjr - Some really strong signals this evening on 40m, but not that many other Sprinters heard here tonight in rural Pennsylvania . This is such a nice event offering the chance to ‘visit’ with old QRP radio friends. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do. Thanks to the ‘entire support staff’ for sponsoring this monthly radio party.

K4BAI
QRV for 1 1/2 hours.  20M open to CO and ID at the start.  40M pretty good all over beyond 600 miles or so, but not much activity. 80M was quite good with QSOs to NC and TX.  See you all next month.  72, John, K4BAI.

AB9CA/4
It was an interesting evening. The prop numbers looked pretty good - A=7, K=0. The RBN spots told a different story. Dunno why but the prop was very poor. In an hour of calling I garnered a total of 25 spots on 20, 40, and 80. By way of comparison, yesterday in the Peanut Power Sprint I was getting as many as 22 spots with a single call. Running 5w from the same rig to the same antenna in both events. But it was an enjoyable evening anyway. Got only 1 Q on 20, with N0TA. Worked him again on 40 for my only 2 bander. Does not take long to list the SPC's for the evening: CO ID TX IA PA NH CO. Let us hope that prop will be better next month. I doubt it could be much worse! Hope to see everyone then.  73 de dave  ab9ca/4

KG4GVL
First spirit in a long while, didn't stay out long so I could help get kids to bed. 40 was noisy. Used my Kenwood TS-140s, and leg clamp key. Antenna was W3EDP. 73, GB Hoyt

K7TQ
Good first hour with 20 m staying open for quite a while. Highlight was working Wayne, N6KR. Usual participants plus one new one to me, KA5VZE.

K3JZD
KX3 @ 5w on ext batteries and 40m Dipole.  40m only. Arrived a little late. No activity heard during the second hour. Jody - K3JZD

KB1M
Three of seven contacts were with Pa. stations with very good signal strength all 40 M, nothing heard on 20. Propagation seemed weak to other states worked. Reverse Beacon spots disappointing tonight. 72, Walt

WB5BKL
K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M dipole or a 40M extended double Zepp.  7 states this time. 10 contacts during the first hour but only one in the second hour (thanks K4BAI). Best signals:  20M - W4VHH, 40M - K3JZD, 80M - K4BAI. Thanks to all from the Texas hill country. Had fun.

KD6L
Working from RV park in Indiana - Rig was ATS-3 with 9 volt battery.  Lightweight Paddles by MFJ. and the lightest earbuds I could locate. Band seemed really noisy for me. Using Packtenna end-fed half wave for 40 meters. Worked K4BAI, KB1M in the Sprint.  Another station answering my CQ but I was unable to copy. Quit early as conditions not that good here. Good possibility I will still be here next month. Across the river from Cincinnati so I might see if I can find a park in Kentucky or Ohio to work from. GL es 72, KD6L