SOAPBOX: February 2019 Spartan Sprint

K3RLL

QCX-40 and LiPO to after-dark only black vertical (HOA): Despite high local line noise here and what seemed like really poor conditions this evening, I appreciate the four patient and skilled ops who kept the evening from being a washout here in Florida. RBN Spots were up and down dramatically and showed skip to be long tonight. Time to practice on the Sunspot Dance around the vertical for better conditions.  72 ... Don

W5QLF

Much better propagation this month into South Texas.   Thanks to Mark, WB9HFK and John, K4BAI for Qs on 40 and 80.  Thank you also Larry, KFØN, Jeff, KE9V, John, NØTA, Don, K3RLL and Evan, WA4AAK for contacts on 40.  Things are looking up in 2019. 72, Joe, W5QLF

K4BAI

40 was poor: 4 QSOs. 80 was great: 9 QSOs from AL, CO, TX, IL, IA, MN. Just needed more activity.  73/72, John, K4BAI.

WA4AAK

Two contacts on 40m, and six on 80m, running 3W to 5W. Local noise levels were very high as usual, keeping me from giving decent signal reports. As always, the Spartan Sprint operators did an outstanding job.  Thanks to all, and especially Richard, KI6SN, for creating and sponsoring this event! 72!

KE9V

40 meter effort yielded a few SP contacts this evening. Operated from the shack using a KX3 into a dipole at 30 feet. Heard a couple other stations calling but couldn’t work them. Propagation wasn’t great but the band seemed quiet here. Thanks for the Qs hope for more next month.

NØTA

Another slow Spartan Sprint. Thanks for the Q's. Kx2, vertical, Gen Log.

WB9HFK

Icom 7300 @ 5W. Antenna: 40M - Gnd Mtd Vertical with 60 radials. 80M - 150 Ft. Random Wire

NØAR

Cndx seemed to be better this month! Thanks for doing this. The first half hour I didn't hear a single station in the sprint! Suddenly the "cone of silence" lifted and the fun started. Always fun to work familiar stations. Took W5ACM and me at least 3 attempts to complete an exchange, thanks for hanging in there Andy. Rig was my ol' trusty K2, boy that still sounds sweet, a 43' vertical, 80-meter loop and RX loop. The only band of use was 80 meters. Nothing on the higher freqs. this month. 73 Scott, near St. Paul

KB1M

I was able to work two of the three stations heard on 40. I thought 40 might come alive when K4BAI peaked at S8 here, but that was very short lived. QRN was very quiet so not an excuse tonight. States worked GA and MS.  73 Walt

WB5BKL

K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M extended double Zepp. QSOs evenly split between 40 and 80M. 9 states this time - nothing west of Colorado.  Best signals:  40M - K4BAI and KFØN, 80M - K4BAI and WB9HFK. QSB was at times brutal - my thanks to all that persevered.  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. The radio makes 3W out, and this is the longest service I have had from this type of LiPo cells in this rig. Conditions were nothing special, but 80M was a bit better than last month, and participation was UP! I got 3 QSOs on 40M, but a surprising 5 QSOs on 80M. Thanks to all! 72 de Andy W5ACM, Houston, Texas.

RESULTS: January 2019 ARS Spartan Sprint

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SOAPBOX: January 2019 ARS Spartan Sprint

K3RLL
QCX-40 to 33' Unun wire up and over the garage.  Tough sledding tonight with very high noise level and very low signal levels. I think I was getting out better than I was hearing as a couple of stations were kind enough to answer my CQ but I just couldn't copy them. My apologies. Anyone else feel they are too old to ever see the return of our long lost sunspots? 72, Don K3RLL FL

N5EM
Running KX3 here on internal batteries and an external small Li-Ion pack at 3W.  One QSO.  With 20M seemingly dead, it's all 40M here. 72, Ed, N5EM

K4BAI
Guess most everyone was watching football.  6 QSOs on 80M and 7 QSOs on 40M. W1AW was very strong here on 20M, but got no answers to CQs and heard no other stations on the band. Should have been able to work New England when W1AW is so strong. Thanks for the QSOs and Happy New Year.  73/72, John, K4BAI

N1XF
I am taking a CW Academy Level 2 class and our Monday session finished just after the Spartan Sprint started. I’ve been wanting to try this for some time and tonight was that night. I only made one contact, but that is enough for me tonight. That contact was W2JEK , Don in NJ, we were both running 5W and gave each other a generous 599.  He actually was 599 at the peak and tailed off to about 539 with some QSB. I am running a KX2 with the internal ATU so I can tune up basically anything.  My current “anything” is a 107’ length of “random wire” in my backyard fed through a 9:1 unun I made in a custom 3D printed enclosure that has been outside for 9 months (after being told the PLA I used shouldnt be used outside, it is currently in experiment mode). I don’t have a run of permanent coax into my “Man Nook” (its not really a shack, per se), so I run a 25’ length of RG-174 out through a window (using a cut up pool noodle to keep the 17 degree temps outside) when I want to get on the air. For my first time in the Spartan Sprint, I think I have stood on my soapbox and monopolized enough of your time. Thanks, 73, Glen, N1XF

K9DRP
I worked every SP station I heard (both of them). I saw several stations listed on RBN, but I couldn't hear them. Propagation just has to be better next month. TNX K4BAI and WB9HFK. 73, Don, K9DRP

AB5SS
Couldn't get on the air until 9:30 so just used the big rig and went straight to 80M.  

W5ACM
The ATS-3a was remarkably cooperative this month, even after missing two Sprints. My CW was “OK”. The keyer contacts could use some burnishing… The batteries appear to be running well. I use a pair of 170 mAh LiPo cells. It makes 3W out, so it is good to go! I am hoping for good 20M CNDX next month(wishful thinking?). VY FB to work W4VHH on 40M and WB9HFK and K4BAI on 80M! 
72 de Andy W5ACM, Houston, Texas.

WB9HFK
RIG: ICOM 7300 @ 5W; ANTENNA: 40M Hustler 6BTV GND MTD with 60 radials; 80M 150 FT. Random wire

WB5BKL
K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M extended double Zepp. 7 contacts and 7 states this time. Only 1 contact on 40M, though WB9HFK, K4BAI, K3RLL and KF0N were heard. Best signals:  40M - W4VHH, 80M - AB5SS. 
Worked N4FP at 1W so encouraging propagation on 80!  My thanks to all. Had fun.

KB1M
Very little heard, felt lucky to complete two QSO's on 40. Weak signals with QSB. 73 Walt

NØAR
Good grief. Put in an hour and worked everyone I heard. 72's to all. Scott NØAR nr. St.Paul, MN

RESULTS: December 2018 ARS Spartan Sprint

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SOAPBOX: December 2018 ARS Spartan Sprint

W5IQS

This was my first attempt at the Spartan Sprint. I only participated the first hour and concentrated on 40 meters. Five great operators were able to hear my 5 watts (K2 and Dipole) and give me an exchange. Lots of fun and band conditions seemed OK here in Central Texas. My thanks to Cranz, WB5BKL for telling me about the Spartan Sprint. de Evan, W5IQS in Horseshoe Bay, Texas

KO5USA

Hello all. My first contest 12-04-2018. 5w. ICOM 7610. Dipole Antenna. Begali Blade for St key and Begali Janus for automatic key. I made 4 contacts and considered my first time to be a success. My first time using 5 watts also. Any assistance/information appreciated. 73, Tom KO5USA

K3RLL

Back in FL with highly compromised black temp vertical that still doesn't comply with HOA Restrictions but just don't tell anyone. 40 meters sounded pretty weak but was seeing somewhat reasonable R.B.N. reports tonight. Very happy to make goal of ten contacts and run into so many familiar calls. You know you're home when you think you recognize the fist and definitely remember their name. Great hobby!  Thanks to the entire Adventure Radio Staff once again.  72, Don

K3JZD

In an RF Black Hole during this event.  Before I had listened around on 40m and found next to nothing on the whole band, I had thought about running 1 watt. Decided 5w might be smarter.  I heard Don - K3RLL at RST 229 because I knew about where to look for him.   John - K4BAI found me.  John was also at RST 229.  That was all I heard on 40m. I called CQ on 80m for a little while, but no takers there. Jody, K3JZD, Pittsburgh, PA

NØAR

Greetings from what must last stop on the RF bus line. Worked K4BAI, ND4K, and WB9HFK. Everyone else wasn't heard. Rig KX3/PX3 at 5 watts, antennas 43' vert, and 80-meter NVIS loop. Happy Holidays to all. 72 Scott N0AR St. Paul, MN

ND4K

This one started out slow; however, I ended up making the most QSO's in my three month history with this event - seven on 80m and eight on 40m. WB5BKL was the only station worked on two bands. WB9HFK was loud all evening on 80m. Thanks to everyone for the contacts. I hope you have a happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you in the new year! - Dave

K4BAI

Good conditions on 40 and 80. Not much activity. Thanks for all QSOs and Season's Greetings.  73/72, John, K4BAI

NØAR

Greetings from what must last stop on the RF bus line. Worked K4BAI, ND4K and WB9HFK. Everyone else wasn't heard. Rig KX3/PX3 at 5 watts, antennas 43' vert, and 80-meter NVIS loop. Happy Holidays to all. 72 Scott NØAR St. Paul, MN

K9DRP

Better conditions this month for me.  Even split of contacts between 80 and 40. I've been using a bug for the past few weeks and it has ruined my paddle fist! Do they make memory keyers that work with a bug? I'm guessing it's not proper etiquette to call CQ on a paddle and then respond with a bug. The bug also added to the station weight. - 73, Don, K9DRP

WB9HFK

Lots of fun. We need more activity! Thanks to K4BAI for 2 bands. See everyone next month! 72, Mark Prather - WB9HFK

KØEAP

 I had a great time although I only made 1 contact. I called CQ for most of the evening with no success. I was glad to find my contact in NC calling CQ and was able to work him. Even with limited success, it is super fun to try. Eric, K0EAP

KB1M

QSB was fast and a solid copy signal could just disappear. ND4K was loudest station heard and seemed to be immune to most of the QSB. It was a fun evening as always.  72/73 Walt

WB5BKL

K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M extended double Zepp.  Only 5 states this time - and there seemed to be a pipeline to GA. K4BAI had the best signal on both 40 and 80M. Again, removed two QRO stations from my score.  Nice to work some new-to-me stations! 2-Banders with ND4K and K4BAI. Had fun.

RESULTS: November 2018 ARS Spartan Sprint

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SOAPBOX: November 2018 ARS Spartan Sprint

ND4K
This was my second sprint and I had a good time - with a significantly better score than last month. Thanks to everyone for the q's! Six q's each for 40 and 80 with 4 unique states on each and WB5BKL being the only station worked on both bands. Yaesu FT1000MP @ 5w to OCF at 70 ft.

K3RLL
Solar Storm pretty well obliterated 40 meters tonight and my chances of making a ton of contacts with the diminutive QCX-40 PCB transceiver.  Oh well, maybe in December.  Thanks to Dave for our contact this evening, keeping me from being totally skunked here. (Smile) - 72/73, Don K3RLL

AB9CA
Prop was awful! About the worst I have ever heard. Very few RBN spots. I hope it was better on 80 than it was on 40. I don't have an 80m antenna right now so this was a one band affair. SPC's were GA GA TX IA FL NH AL TX. But everyone was weak. Even those close and usually loud. Interestingly I did hear CO2BG calling CQ/QRP after it was over. He disappeared before I could get set up and give him a call. Maybe the band was long? Rig was IC7200 at 5w to an inv V. Thanks to all who stuck it out and completed a Q! 73 de dave, ab9ca

K4BAI
No signals on 20M. 40M seemed quite poor. I did hear ND4K about 120 miles east of me calling CQ SP, but he didn't hear me. No surprise that he didn't.  Signals usually strong from the North (IL and IN) were weak, but signals from TX were strong. 80M was quite good with QSOs up to NH and out to TX.  QSOs by band: 40M: 5.  80M: 11/  Hope for better conditions and more participation next month. In the meantime, look for me from Bonaire as PJ4/K4BAI Nov 18 to 27 and we will use PJ4A in CQ WW CW.  73, John, K4BAI

NK1N
It was fun digging out my KX1 from under the dust.  I'll have to have the lower strata of dust carbon dated to determine the last time I used my KX1 :-)  I was able to run 4 watts on 80 but was most surprised by the reports on 40 where I only had 2 watts.  I'll have to pull out my K1 and try the 1 watt challenge next month.  72, Glen, NK1N

WB9HFK
Icom 7300 @ 5W. Antenna: 40M - Hustler 6BTV Gnd Mtd with 60 Radials

KB1M
Very slow night, nothing heard south of NJ, and the two mid-west stations worked were extremely weak. Thanks for the QSO's 73, Walt

WB5BKL
K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M extended double Zepp. Not many stations heard - and only 4 states. K4BAI had the best signal on both 40 and 80M. Removed two QRO stations - but had nice QSOs with Myron and Ray. Doubles with K4BAI, ND4K and WB9HFK. I continue to remind QRP folks via my email reflector subscriptions about the Spartan Sprint. I hope others will do the same. Had fun.

K9DRP
I spent most of the first hour calling CQ with no luck.  Wondering if I had the offset set correctly on the old Argosy, I found WB5BKL calling CQ and he came right back to me.  But still no joy for me calling "CQ SP" on 40. I later found K4BAI and ND4K on 80. During the evening I also heard WB4YHJ, WB9HFK, and WB8CAC. I hate asking for repeats, but I'm learning not to wait for QSB to improve if I hope to work more of the sprint stations before they give up on a frequency. 73, Don, K9DRP

W5QLF
Using a FlexRadio 6300 throttled down to 5 watts tied to a Butternut HF-9V vertical over 60 radials.  It was the first Spartan Sprint in Central Standard Time this winter so it was totally night time propagation.  I had worked everyone I could hear by 0235Z on 40 meters (5 stations plus those annoying continuous carriers clustered around 7040 kc).  I tuned down to 3560 kc to find that John, K4BAI was calling CQ dead on that frequency.  With the noise level I had on 80 meters, I wouldn’t have heard him had I not landed right smack on the QRP frequency.  In any event, I counted this as 2 Qs as I had worked John on 40m too. Thanks to WB9HFK, K4BAI, NK6A and AB9CA for adding to my recurring QRP contact list.  A special welcome to David, ND4K on his second adventurous sojourn into the Spartan Sprint. QRP during this era of propagation makes one humble. 72, Joe, W5QLF