SOAPBOX: : January 2021 ARS Spartan Sprint

 

WØPWE

40M was dead. From my RBN reports I would have thought 80M would have been more productive but I only worked 2 stations. Thanks N4SO and W1EAT for the contacts. Running a homebrew multiband XCVR at 5 watts out to an 80M doublet with remote balanced antenna tuner. 73 - Jerry

N4SO

All contacts on 80m, and this is better than my average on 40m.

W1EAT

Terrible local noise problem made qrp copy very difficult with no noise blanker in mini rig.

WB5BKL

K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M extended double Zepp.  4 contacts on 40 and 2 on 80M. A double with K4BAI - and John had the best signals on both bands. Only 3 states this month. Next month I hope for an all QCX effort. Had fun.

K4BAI

QSOs by band:  40M: 13  80M: 8  Good activity at the start, but dropped off to almost none for the last half hour (just me and WB9HFK calling on 80M). 73/72, John, K4BAI.

NØAR

Running the KX3 at 5 watts to 88' dipole or 43' vertical. Conditions were dismal at best. I worked John K4BAI on 40 and the other three stations on 80. Best signal was John NØTA from CO. Other signals lost in the QRN. I gave it an hour and it was time to QRT to the TV. 72 Scott NØAR

WB9HFK

Rig: Icom 7300 @ 5W. Antenna: 150 Ft. Random Wire and OCF Dipole.

K4BAI

First hour was pretty active, but hard to find QSOs in second hour. QSOs by band: 40: 13.  80: 8. Both bands in good shape. No long skip and could work close in stations on both bands. On 40M worked ME to MN to TX. On 80M worked as far away as NØTA in CO. Happy New Year to all. 73/72, John, K4BAI.

NØTA

Interesting evening - barely heard (did not work) one station on 40m. All contacts on 80m, NØAR, MN, was the loudest, by far. Thanks for the Qs. K3, doublet, GenLog.

KE4I

Activity: 40M, 5 contacts; 80 meters, 2.

K3RLL

Slow start with minor local technical frustrations but pleased that six skilled ops with good ears found me this evening on 40m. Big signal tonight was K9DRP, just booming into FL. Sure wish I had 80m capability. I suspect that is where the party moves about 30 minutes into the festivities. Thanks for another enjoyable Sprint.  72/73 ... Don

W5QLF

Happy New Year. Joe, W5QLF

K4PQC

Great day here in Bishop, GA not a cloud in the sky and the bands were fairly quiet at least on 40 and 80. Signals that I heard were strong and also the most stations I worked all year on the Spartan Sprint.  And, I'll bet that everyone else who participated in January's Spartan Sprint can say the same! Wishing everyone a much Happier New Year. - 72, Phil - K4PQC