May '09 Spartan Sprint Results

SKINNY
Station	Contacts	Weight	Pts / Lbs
W5ACM	11	0.15	73.33
K5GQ	22	0.39	56.41
WF4I	16	0.5125	31.22
AB1AV	6	0.47625	12.59
AK0M	36	3	12
KD2MX	18	1.75	10.29
W3KC	21	4	5.25
W1PID	14	4.2	3.33
WA9TZE	59	30	1.97
K4BAI	50	30	1.67
N1LN	50	30	1.67
AF4LQ	9	10	0.9
N4BP	25	30	0.83
N2ICZ	4	6	0.67
K5JHP	20	30	0.67
WB5BKL	19	30	0.63
NG7Z	14	30	0.47
K7OLU	6	13	0.46
N8WE	10	30	0.33
W2NED	3	10	0.3
VE3KQN	9	30	0.3
K6CSL	4	30	0.13
W6GMT	3	30	0.1
TUBBY
Station	Contacts	Weight	Pts / Lbs
WA9TZE	59	30	1.97
K4BAI	50	30	1.67
N1LN	50	30	1.67
AK0M	36	3	12
N4BP	25	30	0.83
K5GQ	22	0.39	56.41
W3KC	21	4	5.25
K5JHP	20	30	0.67
WB5BKL	19	30	0.63
KD2MX	18	1.75	10.29
WF4I	16	0.5125	31.22
W1PID	14	4.2	3.33
NG7Z	14	30	0.47
W5ACM	11	0.15	73.33
N8WE	10	30	0.33
AF4LQ	9	10	0.9
VE3KQN	9	30	0.3
AB1AV	6	0.47625	12.59
K7OLU	6	13	0.46
N2ICZ	4	6	0.67
K6CSL	4	30	0.13
W2NED	3	10	0.3
W6GMT	3	30	0.1

May '09 Spartan Sprint Soapbox

W5ACM

It was once again a delight to find 20M open for the first part of the event! Activity on 40M was brisk, with a reasonable noise level, but a little more difficult than last month. I never did get on 80M. The AT-Sprint 3a did well, but power output was drooping at about 90 minutes into the event, so I shut things down before the LiPo's could get zapped. The antique, multi-band vertical continues to perform! 72

KD2MX

K1@5W to 600' loop. Both 20m & 40m were in pretty good shape although a bit noisy. I worked the first hour and really enjoyed it before having to QRT early. I never made it over to 80M. It's great to hear sprint activity increasing each month. Seems the Spartan Sprint is truly back.

W2NED

Used K3 at 5W with a dipole antenna on 40. Conditions were very difficult in WNY.

WB5BKL

K3 + EDZepp. Enjoyed 20M for a change - 80M, not so much. WA9TZE QSOs on 20+40+80M. Had fun.

AB1AV

ATS-3 to 88' doublet up 30'. Just had about an hour, spent it all on 40 meters. Broke a battery cable & the only spare was on my little 9v regulator, so only about 2 watts out for most of the 'test. Band was so noisy I switched tuner to "TUNE" to add 6dB attenuation during receive -- I guess the ATS-3's IMD specs don't match the K2! Fun to be back after missing the Sprint for quite a while.

NG7Z

Got a late start at 0150Z so probably missed a lot of the action. I didn’t hear anything on 20M so jumped to 40M. Worked as far east at MD with W3KC who had a great signal into WA. Thanks to WF4I who was patient while I tried to copy his very weak signal. At 0218Z I heard a very weak K6CSL Bert, so turned the beam south and picked up K6CSL, W6BK, N6TEM and WA7OJY in short order, all in CA. Lots of QSB on the signals coming from the east and southeast. Very rapid. W5ACM in particular was very difficult to copy. His signal would pop in and out and it took several repeats to confirm his call. Apparently my signal was reasonably good copy on the other end as he responded to my requests for repeats promptly. Had to hold off trying to work K4BAI because he was really in the noise. Not sure I could have completed a QSO with John. The QRN here was at S-5 because of the rain static. It was pouring down cats and dogs. Listened briefly to 80M at 0245 but it’s still light here so not much chance of working anyone. Besides, my 80M 4-square got damaged while moving my wood splitter. Anyway, it was fun to work some new calls I hadn’t heard before and satisfying that a 5W signal reaches out so well even in less than optimal conditions. See you next month.

W6GMT
ICOM 703 SOLAR POWER BATTERIES 40 M DIPOLE IN THE TREES IN A CAMP GROUND

WF4I

Nothing heard on 20M and only 3 QSOs on 80M. Most of the action on 40M but carriers and digital QSOs often made copy tough there. Most stations were running 5W but copied W3CUV’s 2W signal. Need to get a new battery before next SS.

N8WE

best 40 mtr sprint with attic dipole.

K4BAI

FT1000MP, 5W output, 88' CF zepp at 45'; 40M dipole at 40'': 80M inverted vee dipole
apex at 50'. 20M was quite good at the beginning with a short skip zone and fair activity. Was unable to work the three TX stations I heard there. 40M was also good with low noise and skip as short as NC. Rate dropped dramaatically after the first hour. 80M was quite noisy, but signals were generally good. We could use more activity and more stations who stick with it for the entire Sprint period. Breakdown by bands: 20:13; 40:27; 80:10. Total: 50. Hope to work you all next month. Look for me at Dayton next week and in CQ WPX CW at the end of the month from WW4LL, either M/S or M/2.

K6CSL

Yaesu FT-450AT running 5W to a Delta Loop and an Indoor End-fed Coaxial Dipole, 45ft long that runs on the center beam of my mobile home. It was really nice to see 20 open this evening. 40 was quite noisy here. Paul, NG7Z was very weak, N6TEM had a very nice strong signal from up in the mountains of Northern CA.

N2ICZ

This was my first Spartan Sprint and my second ever sprint/contest. Lot's of fun was had despite I still have no idea what I'm doing! In fact, that made it even more fun, as I laughed like a loon! I was using a Wilderness Radio SST with a small battery pack. Power output read anywhere from a 1/2 watt to 1 watt. Antenna is a Yo Yo Vee dipole up about 30 feet. Can't wait until June!

N4BP

Great to see 20M open. Spent 30 minutes there until the band closed. Checked 40M, but QRN was S9+ and no signals copyable. Rig was Elecraft K3 at 5W. Antenna Cushcraft A4S at 62ft.

N1LN

This is my first Spartan Sprint since August 2007. I was not sure that I would make it based on the weather forecast, but the rain came and the thunderstorms held off. About 60 minutes into the event I had to take about a 30 minute break. My sump pump appeared not to be working and I needed to dig up one of the pipes. It was working fine so I came back to the Sprint. That is not the correct way to spend 30 minutes of a 120 minute event. Conditions seemed to be pretty good, but the participation seemed to be down based on a few past weeks logs that I looked at. I could not hear anyone on so, I shut down at 02:48 UTC. 1 hr 48 minutes of op time – 30 minutes digging = 1 hr 18 minutes on the air. Hope to be here next month.

K5JHP

k2 20mtr EDZ Good band activity this month. 20, 40 es 80 all open good from TRX coast. C U next month

W3KC

(20 on 40m and one on 80m) Bands very noisy, but still had fun.

WA9TZE

20m/10; 40m/34; 80m/15. Bands good. Worked K4BAI on all 3 bands--thx John. Xcvr is Kenwood TS-870 @ 5W to pair of slopers at 40'. Look forward to June. Best 72's to all

AF4LQ

Wilderness Sierra @3W, 44ft doublet at 25ft. Jumped in and out here a few times during first hour, had fun answering CQ's and working some familiar and new calls. Looking forward to next month. GB.

VE3KQN

My equipment was a Wilderness Sierra and an indoor, 3 foot diameter homebrew Magnetic Loop Antenna set up on a camera tripod. 40m was fair but 80 and 20 were no action. Much thanks to those souls who pulled my signal outta the noise. It was good to finally hear some signals in this monthly "fun time event." I was away for a week of fishing and fortunately managed to play a little radio.

AK0M

Made a few 20m Q's at the beginning of the contest,mostly to W1 area. Most of my Q's were on 40m, with only a couple on 80m,
presumably due to QRN. Participation seemed to die off around 0200z, it almost seemed like the event was over.
FT-817 at 5w, Palm Paddles, Butternut HF6V vertical.

April '09 Spartan Sprint results

SKINNY
Station	Contacts	Weight	Pts / Lbs
W5ACM	16	0.15	106.67
KFØN	20	0.31	64.5
W5ESE	12	0.84	14.29
KD2MX	13	1.5	8.67
AKØM	21	3	7
W5TM	49	15	3.27
WA3FAE	30	15	2
W1PID	8	4.25	1.88
K4BAI	53	30	1.77
WA9TZE	51	30	1.7
ABØCD	5	3.5	1.43
WØPQ	32	30	1.07
NG7Z	31	30	1.03
KEØG	26	30	0.87
AI3G	2	2.5	0.8
K5JHP	19	30	0.63
KK5NA	7	18	0.39
NØEAX	3	10	0.3
KD3DF	8	30	0.27
N8WE	4	30	0.13
K6CSL	3	30	0.1
TUBBY
Station	Contacts	Weight	Pts / Lbs
K4BAI	53	30	1.77
WA9TZE	51	30	1.7
W5TM	49	15	3.27
WØPQ	32	30	1.07
NG7Z	31	30	1.03
WA3FAE	30	15	2
KEØG	26	30	0.87
AKØM	21	3	7
KFØN	20	0.31	64.5
K5JHP	19	30	0.63
W5ACM	16	0.15	106.67
KD2MX	13	1.5	8.67
W5ESE	12	0.84	14.29
W1PID	8	4.25	1.88
KD3DF	8	30	0.27
KK5NA	7	18	0.39
ABØCD	5	3.5	1.43
N8WE	4	30	0.13
NØEAX	3	10	0.3
K6CSL	3	30	0.1
AI3G	2	2.5	0.8

April '09 Spartan Sprint soapbox comments

WA3FAE

Nice to be on the Sprints again, this time with my K3 turned down to 5W. Lots of stations, including some on 80M as well as 40M. Good to see the CW speeds slowed down from regular contests. Seems the average speed was 22, with some as low as 15 wpm. No need to be in a hurry with no mulipliers!

W5ESE

AT Sprint 3 at 3 watts. Whiterook MK-44 iambic paddles. 300' horizontal loop, fed with open wire ladder line. Good conditions on 40 meters, and a lot of atmospheric noise on 80 meters. It's great to hear an increasing level of activity in this event.

K4BAI

20M was open at the beginning, but some didn't check it out. 40M and 80M were good. QSOs were slow by the end. QSOs by band: 80M: 13; 40M: 31; 20M: 9. Stations worked on all three bands: K5JHP, WB5BKL, K9IS, WD0T, KE0G. WA9TZE heard only on 20M, but worked on the other two bands. Thanks for all the QSOs. Next weekend, April 11 and 12, please check out the Georgia QSO Party. KU8E and I will be mobile on Saturday in many GA counties as W4AN/M. There are QRP awards for every state and category. 73/72, John, K4BAI.

W5ACM

It was a delight to find 20M open for the first part of the event! There was a bit of QSB requiring a few repeats, but it was like a homecoming. Activity on 40M was brisk, with a reasonable noise level. Activity on 80M was also good, but my ears are still ringing from the noise level. The AT-Sprint 3a did well, even with the built-in homebrew key. Power output was drooping below a Watt toward the last minutes, but the two LiPo, 200 mAh batteries came back without any problems when they got on the charger. I guess I called CQ a few too many times on 20M. The antique multi-band vertical continues to perform! 72 de Andy W5ACM

K6CSL
Wow! Minnesota on 20M - My 22nd State, QRP and #14 on 20CW QRP. My log is on GenLog.326:

20m CW 04/07/09 0134 KEØG 599 CA 599 MN 5W
40m CW 04/07/09 0242 W7OM 599 CA 559 WA 5W
40m CW 04/07/09 0256 K7RR 599 CA 599 WA 100W

Bert, K6CSL

KFØN

ATS-3B at 4 watts to a 200 ft vertical loop antenna. Good conditions tonight with higher than normal participation. I heard a few stations on 20M early but I wasn't able to raise anyone. Worked both coasts on 40M though which has been a rare occurrence here for quite some time. N0EAX had a nice one-watt signal from MO on 80M. Thanks to all who responded tonight! Hope we can make it again in May. Larry, KFØN

KK5NA

Only worked about an hour. Rig: Elecraft K3, Ant: EDZ @ 50'. Joe

WØPQ

5 Watts, Elecraft K1, G5RV, Home Station. Operated on 40M only, conditions were good up to last half hour.

NG7Z

Better condx on 40M made it worthwhile to stay in the chair. WDØT had a huge signal all evening. Even made 4 q’s on 80 this time. See you next month. 72 Paul NG7Z

ABØCD

First Spartan Spring in a while, and first at new QTH, using a K2 and a "loaded" rain gutter.

W5TM

K3 at 5 watts. 80 meter dipole at 110 feet, fed with W7FG open wire. Johnson KW Matchbox. Thanks for the QSOs.

K5JHP

Bands in best shape in a long time. Had contact with K4BAI and WA9TZE on 20,40,and 80 mtrs. Be back next month.

KD3DF

Glad to return after a few years absence. Rig was my trusty K2 at 5w and despite the major QRN, it was great to snag IA, OK, and SD into MD on 40m. Only one qso on 80m due to the S9+ QRN.

KD2MX

K1 to 600' loop. This was the best sprint for me in a long time even though I only worked the first hour. Didn't hear anything on 40M to start so I gave 80M a try. It was pretty quiet, only 3 QSOs. Gave 40M another listen and that was the place to be. There were some pretty strong signals from mid-America but I had to do battle with digital mode QRM. I'm enjoying my new K1.

N8WE

3 contacts on 40 and one on 20.

AI3G

KX-1, Indoor vertical antenna. Thanks to K9IS and WA9TZE for responding to me. Doug AI3G

WA9TZE

Happy Easter to all. The rig here is a Kenwood TS-870 turned down to 5w. Ant's are a pair of Alpha-Delta DX-A's at 40ft to ends at 12 ft up[e/w-n/s] on a 50' ft tower with a beam on top. Had 51 qso's-nothing on 10-15m, 20m had 4 qso's, with 36 on 40m and 11 qso's on 80m. Had 8 contacts with Texas-all 599 plus - rest were 229 to 579. Best 72's to all and see you next month in May.

W1PID

Operated for the first half hour with an Icom 703 and Windom OCF Dipole. Best DX was WDØT in SD on 40 meters. Thanks all.

NØEAX

I enjoyed the sprint this month. Thanks to WDØT, KFØN, and KEØG for finding my 950 mw signal. Rig is an OHR 400 with an inverted vee antenna.

KEØG

Ran 5 watts with a K-3. Ant is two 50' wires at right angles, fed at 60' with ladder line and a Matchbox tuner. Biggest Sigs: 20M: N5KIP, 40M: W5TM, 80M: NØEAX.

AKØM

Participation seemed up from last month. Quite a bit of QRN here in Iowa. FT-817 at 5w, Palm Paddles, Butternut HF6V vertical - Steve AKØM (IA)

March '09 Spartan Sprint Results

Station	Contacts	Weight	Pts. / lbs.
SKINNY
W5ESE	10	0.844	11.848
W1PID	5	0.9	5.555
N0AR	11	12	0.916
K7TQ	26	30	0.866
NG7Z	23	30	0.766
N7RVD	2	4.1	0.488
KE0G	14	30	0.466
WA9TZE	13	30	0.433
N1VWD	4	30	0.133
N0EAX	3	10	0.3
W1OH	1	10	0.1
WO5X	3	30	0.1
TUBBY
Station	Contacts	Weight	Pts. / lbs.
K7TQ	26	30	0.866
NG7Z	23	30	0.766
KE0G	14	30	0.466
WA9TZE	13	30	0.433
N0AR	11	12	0.916
W5ESE	10	0.844	11.848
W1PID	5	0.9	5.555
N1VWD	4	30	0.133
N0EAX	3	10	0.3
WO5X	3	30	0.1
N7RVD	2	4.1	0.488
W1OH	1	10	0.1

March '09 Spartan Sprint Soapbox Comments

N1VWD

Icom 703+ Windom @ 35’ Modified KK-1 straight key. 80M was the best band again for me tonight.

W1OH
Pretty easy to score when you only make 1 contact! Looked on 20M at the start - nothing (and no PSK up at 14070, so band probably dead, at least here on east coast). Made 1 contact on 40M a few minutes into the sprint; heard a very weak W7 call that I couldn't quite make out; otherwise no other SP signals heard. Dropped down to 80M where nobody seemed to be SPing, but ran into a friend and had a 25 minute ragchew before calling it quits for the evening just before 0300z. Sounded like there might be a couple of SP stations on by then, but I was outta time. Rig here: K2 and 40M doublet.

N7RVD

Worked 40 meters from Mobile, AL this month. Conditions seemed good. Worked Ade, W0RSP, in AZ and Paul, NG7Z, in WA right away. Then nothing - 1-1/2 hours and zip. Heard W5ESE on 80 but he didn't hear me. Did I miss Monday Night Football or something else?

W5ESE
My radio is an AT Sprint 3 at 3 watts, Whiterook MK-44 iambic paddles, 300' horizontal loop, fed with open wire ladder line. 40 meters was long to the Pacific Northwest, and good conditions to the Midwest on 80 meters.

W1PID

5 Qs all on 80m with DSW 80 at 2 watts. Wow, that was a rough sprint. I operated for 40 minutes using the DSW-80 at 2 watts.Worked W4VHH NC; N0EAX, MO; K8CV, MI; KE0G, MN; and AK0M, IA. Thanks to all of you for patience.

K7TQ
A good evening at last. Had 13 Qs on 40 and 13 Qs on 80m. Seven of the 13 were on both bands. I gave 20M a 3 minute try at the beginning, but nothing.

NG7Z

Last time I did this “event” was in Nov ‘08 and only made 8 contacts. 18Qs on 40M and 5 Qs on 80M. Didn’t hear regulars K4BAI or K7TQ. AK0M was Q5 for most of the time. Made a late contact with WB5BKL who was cqing on 40M at 0337. Thanks for that one. Brian N7RVD was in IA for some reason. When I heard him calling I thought he must be running 2mw as his QTH is only a couple of miles away. Surprise to hear IA for the state. Anyway, a fun time this go around. Sure hope condx improve so more folks will get on. Equipment was 756P3, 2 el shorty 40, OCF dipole and inverted L on 80M and 5W.

N0AR
Conditions were pretty rough from St.Paul. K2 & 120' EFHWA. 10 degrees outside; 62 in. So it was a good night to stay in.

WO5X
Made a few contacts and had fun. I hope to make a few more contacts next time. Thanks.


N0EAX
This was my first sprint. I operated for 45 minutes on 80 meters and had a great time. I appreciate the great operators who pulled my signal out of the noise. My rig is an OHR 400 @ 950 mw. Antenna is an inverted vee. Conditions seemed good as all three contacts were 599. I will try it again next time; maybe get a few more in the log. Special thanks to W1PID for my first NH contact.



KE0G
Big Signals were W0RSP on 40M and KR4WI on 80M. 11 QSO's on 80M and 3 on 40M. 72 and CU next month.



WA9TZE
The rig here is a Kenwood TS-870 Xcver turned down to 5w. The antennas are two Alpha-Delta DX-A Slopers at 40' at center to 12' at ends on a 50-foot tower. They are selectable: E/W-N/S. The ground system is 36 radials of various lengths with a 4-foot ground rod on each end of each ground system I put heavy Epson Salts down twice a year for better conductivity. The beam on the top acts as a capacitive hat and does help with weak signals. Also correct use of DSP-IF- NR-AIP and correct settings for RF/AF controls are important. The bands were not to good - 20m had one QSO,with 6 QSOs on 40m and 6 QSOs on 80m. Best to all and look forward to next month.