SOAPBOX: April 2019 Adventure Radio Society Spartan Sprint

K3JZD
Conditions were a tiny bit better than they have been lately.  Funny how "a tiny bit better" is something to celebrate, huh.   We will not know how to act whenever things get really better!!   As always, a fun event. 73, and thanks for keeping this event going. Jody - K3JZD

NØTA
Started on 20, No luck. 12 Qs on 40, and 3 on 80. Thanks! K3 @5w, Vertical, GenLog.   - 73, John, NØTA

K3RLL
Talk about wicked QSB!  RBN (my favorite and most reliable contact) reports ranged from 24db to an all-time low of 0db. Not to be outdone, another RBN skimmer said my diminutive radio made it to MINUS ONE db.  Some signals were booming in, however. Big signals into FL tonight were N5GW and W5QLF.  Thanks for the skilled and patient ops like WB5BKL who just wouldn't give up until we made it work.  72/73 .. Don

K4BAI
No signals on 20 but W1AW and no response to CQs on that band. 40 and 20M were quite good and activity picked up a bit. 40M saw QSOs as far away as NH, IA, CO and as close as FL and VA.  80M appeared not to have long skip.  Every signal heard was pretty strong.  QSOs out to MD, IA, CO. Thanks for all QSOs.  73/72, John, K4BAI.

N4ARY
This was my first Spartan Sprint. It wasn't easy, but I had a great time. Thanks for a fun event.

K9DRP
I think propagation and participation were both lesser this month. I couldn't get NØTA's attention to work him. Worked K4BAI on 40 and 80. I think I'll seriously try to get more "skinny" for the upcoming spring months. 73, Don, K9DRP

WB5BKL
K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M extended double Zepp.  One QSO on 20M and the remainder split between 40 and 80M. One QRO contact removed from my score. Best signals:  20M - KB1M, 40 and 80M - K4BAI.  Very nice to work a couple of QRP folks I had not heard in a while. As always, my thanks to the organizers. Had fun.

W5ACM
The ATS-3a was doing quite well this month. My CW was “OK” with no additional burnishing on the paddle contacts. The batteries appear to be running well. I use a pair of 170 mAh LiPo cells glued to the top lid of the balsa-wood rig box. The radio makes 3W out, and this is the longest service I have had from this type of LiPo cells in this rig. I am impressed, and hope they continue to perform! Conditions were nothing special, but 80M was very noisy. Participation was UP! I got 6 QSOs on 40M, but a marginal 2 QSOs on 80M. Thanks to all! 72 de Andy, W5ACM Houston, Texas.