SOAPBOX: December 2022 ARS Spartan Sprint

 K4BAI

I like the new time and lack of a conflict with the generally higher powered MST stations. Got a late start tonight due to a tennis match. Lost it too. No signals on 20. 12 QSOs on 40 including NK6A in CA. 3 QSOs on 80 including NQ2W in NY. Thanks for all QSOs and season's greetings to all.  72, John, K4BAI.

WA9CWE

Another enjoyable evening. Glad to have it moved an hour earlier, although I’m not certain everyone got the word this month. Will be better next month I bet. Rig here is the X5105@5watts and a straight key, G5RV at 20’. All contacts made on 40 as I didn’t hear anything on 20. 73, Steve WA9CWE

WA9TGT

Personally, I liked the 1 hour earlier start time, no conflicts or QRM from the MST CW contesters. Tonight I used a little heavier equipment setup. I used my Penntek TR-35, with a 12v 2600ma Lithium-ion battery. This setup actually doubled my past few Sprints total station equipment in weight but I wanted a change of pace. All my contacts were made on 40 meters. The band was going long within 30 to 45 minutes into the contest but the overall noise level was low here tonight. My contact count was down a little but I still enjoyed the Spartan Sprint as always. Season Greetings to all! Donnie / WA9TGT 

N4HAY

Very tough going. I heard and worked 2 stns on 40m: WA9TGT and WA2TDL. I heard AE4GX on 80m but he did not copy me. Spent 80 percent of the 2 hours calling CQ to no avail. Working conditions as follows:

QTH:  Home shack. Central NC
ANTENNA: Trap inverted Vee for 40m & 80m up 34ft in my small suburban backyard.
RIG: A modified ATS3. (NR4E filter mods) in an altoids tin.
POWER: 2 watts output
BATTERY: 720mAh 7.4V LiPo. Initial oc voltage = 8.22V. End oc voltage = 7.76V.
KEY: Miniature paddles
Earbuds: Koss
DUTY CYCLE: About 80 percent calling cq.

Many thanks to all stations and KI6SN - 72 Dick N4HAY

WB9HFK

Rig: Icom 7300 @ 5W, Antenna: 40M EFHW - 80M 150 Ft. Random Wire Weight: 30 lbs.

K3RLL

Well, despite more than sufficient reminders for anyone else, guess who forgot we started an hour earlier this evening. Duh!  (Tough getting old.) Usually, I’ve had enough of the noise long before the first hour has elapsed so tonight was a novel time travel adventure into the second hour of the SP. And it turned out pretty well starting with K3JZD, my former neighbor from PA. Either there were a couple others out there who also forgot about the schedule change or that second hour has the better signals. I logged FOUR 599 signals tonight and they were all 5w stations! Amazing - and fun. Did they all give me 599? That would be fantasy but they heard me. Another fun factor was that I think I may have earned the WAI (Worked All Indiana) this evening. Five of my eight skilled ops were Hoosiers. Go Indiana !! Thanks for the contacts. Yes, another fun evening in the ARS SP. Thank you. - Don, K3RLL

NQ2W

Started on 20 with no replies to my CQs. All QSOs on 40 and 80. Two-banders with K4PQC, K4BAI, and W9VC. Thanks for the contacts and for the opportunity to participate. Happy Holidays! 72, Will NQ2W

K4PQC

Unfortunately I missed the note concerning the time change. And, I am sure that others did the same. Having a late dinner didn't help either. I was able to turn on my rig at about 0240z and was surprised to hear WB9HFK calling "CQ SP. "Did Mark know something that I didn't? Well, I checked the web site and saw that I should have checked earlier. So, once again, I got a late start. At least my battery lasted for the duration this time. I spent half the time S & P and the rest trying to run. When there wasn't any activity for over 10 minutes while calling CQ I changed to 80 meters at the expense of adding an additional 4.5 grams of weight. It proved fruitful because I made 3 additional contacts, including Will, NQ2W for both 40 and 80 meter contacts. I monitor my output power and as the battery voltage changes I report what I see. So, some of the reports are different and fluctuated between 2 and 3 watts. Thanks to Mark, Jerry, Joe, Will, John and Larry for the contacts and also to a broken call that I just couldn't get because of QRM for ICWC MST players warming up. I am thankful that the time has changed for the Spartan Sprint, hopefully for the duration of daylight savings. Or, we can just play in GMT....  I am sure this will help. 72' de Phil - K4PQC

AE4GX

Three (3) 40 meter QSOs. Weight: 30 lbs., Rig: ICOM 756, Antenna: W3EP 84 ft wire with manual tuner. Started off with The "original AT Sprint " (3 watts) with [8 AA batteries, HB paddle, ear buds total =  0.65 lbs] but didn't hear any replies to by CQ SP thinking my power was too low. Switched to ICOM 756 at 5W and managed to get 3 QSOs on 40 meters during the first hour. I tried 80 and 20 meters but heard zero. On 40 meters there were very few signals heard around the QRP frequency (7.030) so I don't know what the propagation issue was last night. Sam AE4GX, NOGAQRP

K3JZD

All of my QSOs were on 40m, which was pretty long from WPA. Used up my battery calling CQ this time. Purpose built 40m QCX Mini, small 500mAH LiPo battery pack, small 3D printed key, and ear buds. 40m Dipole at 25'. 73 - Jody - K3JZD

W9VC

My rig is a Kenwood TS-590SG set back to 5 watts, Tubbi clasification, estimates 30 lbs.

WB5BKL

K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M extended double Zepp or a dipole. 9 states this time. Best signals: 40M - N5GW, 80M - KD5KC. One double - with John. Apologies to  Jody for working him twice. My best seasons greetings and a happy new year to all. Had fun. Hang your stockings on the mantle with care, in hopes a Begali soon will be there . . . 

WA4AAK

Jumped in just 10 minutes before the end, and made 2 contacts on 80m running 3W. 72 to all! Evan, WA4AAK