Southern California Contest Club
CQ WPX CW: May 25-26 ARRL June VHF Contest June 8-10 All Asian DX Contest, CW June 15-16
CQ WPX CW: May 25-26 ARRL June VHF Contest June 8-10 All Asian DX Contest, CW June 15-16
Officers
President: Dick Norton, N6AA n6aa[at]arrl[dot]net
Secretary, Treasurer, Membership: Bruce Horn, WA7BNM bhorn[at]hornucopia[dot]com
Webmaster: Dennis Younker, NE6I ne6i[at]cox[dot]net
Secretary, Treasurer, Membership: Bruce Horn, WA7BNM bhorn[at]hornucopia[dot]com
Webmaster: Dennis Younker, NE6I ne6i[at]cox[dot]net
Members E-Mail Reflector
Information on how to subscribe to the reflector is available at http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/sccc/
To post a message to the reflector, send an e-mail to: sccc@contesting.com
An archive of reflector messages is available at: Reflector Archive
Reflector Administrator: Doug Brandon, N6RT n6rt[at]arrl[dot]net
To post a message to the reflector, send an e-mail to: sccc@contesting.com
An archive of reflector messages is available at: Reflector Archive
Reflector Administrator: Doug Brandon, N6RT n6rt[at]arrl[dot]net
Membership Badges
Purchase Membership Badge: The Sign Man See sample here.
Monthly News (SCCCORE)
May 2019
Congratulations to SCCCer Bill, N6RV who was voted the Southern California DX Club DXer of the Year for 2019! He has an impressive station, including a mix of new and classic radios, including a plethora of Collins gear.
According to a news item published by ARRL, scientists are now predicting that Solar Cycle 25 will be very similar to Cycle 24. Cycle 25 may get off to a slow start and is anticipated to hit its peak between 2023 and 2026 with a sunspot range of 95 - 130. The typical average is between 140 and 220. More on this story can be found here.
WPX SSB raw scores are out (these are before log checking). Alex, W6AFA is shown as 8th in the world Single Op HP 40 meters. Read more here. Late May brings the WPX CW contest! Watch for our own Jim, N6TJ operating at KH7M. Jim tends to really tear it up on CW!
CQ Magazine has published the final results of the 2018 CQWW RTTY Contest. Paul, WN6K placed 5th in Zone 3. We had a total of 16 SCCC log submissions in the contest.
CQ also published the final results of the 2018 CQWW DX SSB contest. The write-up says that less than 200 countries were reportedly worked for the first time in a decade. Low sunspot numbers obviously reared their heads. Or didn't as the case may be. 199 were in the logs this past contest, down slightly from 2017. Dick, W6TK placed 3rd USA 21 MHz high power. That must have been brutal! Bill, N6RV placed 6th USA All Band low power. Bruce, WA7BNM landed 2nd USA 14 MHz low power. And Bill, W8QZA operated W6QU to 4th USA All Band QRP. All of those were unassisted. Full results can be found here.
more
ARRL announced on April 15 that it will roll back rates for outgoing QSL Bureau cards to 2011 levels effective May 15. The current rates had been put into effect a while back and were quite controversial. The new rates were high enough that many amateurs had discontinued use of the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau. The rates effective May 15 will be $2 for 10 or fewer cards in one envelope, $3 for 11-20 cards in one envelope or $75 cents per ounce for packages of 21 or more cards. There will be no transaction fees associated with these rates. Cards received before May 15 will be charged the current rate, not the new lower rate. The announcement can be found here. Keep in mind that there is no charge for using the Incoming ARRL QSL Bureau, short of funding your account, and you do not have to be an ARRL member to use it. Information on the ARRL incoming Sixth District QSL Bureau can be found here.
Bob, N6TV has posted his usual stellar array of photos from the Visalia DX Convention. These are from the recently concluded 2019 Convention. All photo credits: N6TV. Link to the full array of photos is here. A few samples below...
W6YA and K7JA N6TJ N6CW and N6AN
This month brings the Dayton Hamvention. Last year, there were several announcements of new transceivers of interest to contesters and DXers alike, along with some very nice accessories. It will be very interesting to see what announcements are in store for the 2019 edition.
The following was published on April 21 by Joe Taylor, K1JT and the WSJT-X development team.
From Joe Taylor and the WSJTX development team regarding FT4:
“To: WSJT-X users interested in testing FT4
From: K1JT, K9AN, and G4WJS
Soon after the "FT8 Roundup" held on December 1-2, 2018, we started serious work on a faster, more contest-friendly digital mode that can compete with RTTY-contesting QSO rates while preserving many of the benefits of FT8. The result is FT4 -- a new digital mode specifically designed for radio contesting.
Over the past month a small group of volunteers have been conducting on-the-air tests of FT4. The early tests were very successful and helped us to make a number of important design decisions. We believe FT4 has considerable promise for its intended purpose.
We'll soon be ready for testing by a larger group. If you might be interested in participating and offering your considered feedback, please read the descriptive document "The FT4 Protocol for Digital Contesting", posted here.
We plan to post downloadable installation packages for WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc5 on April 29, one week from today. The document linked above includes:
- Instructions for installing WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc5 and FT4 configuration
- Operating instructions for FT4
- Basic description of the FT4 protocol, modulation, and waveform
- Detailed sensitivity measurements for FT4 under a wide variety of simulated propagation conditions
- Schedule for upcoming test sessions
Please consider helping us to make FT4 a successful mode for digital contesting.
With best wishes and 73,
-- Joe (K1JT), Steve (K9AN), and Bill (G4WJS)"
Still more on this was published on the ARRL web site here.
And, on April 29, the WSJT-X team released v2.1.0-rc5, complete with the new FT4 protocol. This is a beta version, and you should donwload and read the FT4_Protocol.pdf file to learn more about it. The beta version of the software can be had at the WSJT-X web site. As you may know, you can install new versions in their own folder and run them separately. Your config file is in a Windows folder and will be accessed from the various versions as you run them. Thus, there is no need to uninstall your current version when installing a new version.
Please note that the WSJT-X has now released the new release candidate, and hams are already checking out the new FT4 mode! Discussion on the CQ-CONTEST reflector is especially active on the subject.
Strange but true...
Tourists visiting Iceland should know that tipping at a restaurant is considered an insult!.
73 for now,
--Dennis NE6I
less
Bob, N6TV has posted his usual stellar array of photos from the Visalia DX Convention. These are from the recently concluded 2019 Convention. All photo credits: N6TV. Link to the full array of photos is here. A few samples below...
W6YA and K7JA N6TJ N6CW and N6AN
This month brings the Dayton Hamvention. Last year, there were several announcements of new transceivers of interest to contesters and DXers alike, along with some very nice accessories. It will be very interesting to see what announcements are in store for the 2019 edition.
The following was published on April 21 by Joe Taylor, K1JT and the WSJT-X development team.
From Joe Taylor and the WSJTX development team regarding FT4:
“To: WSJT-X users interested in testing FT4
From: K1JT, K9AN, and G4WJS
Soon after the "FT8 Roundup" held on December 1-2, 2018, we started serious work on a faster, more contest-friendly digital mode that can compete with RTTY-contesting QSO rates while preserving many of the benefits of FT8. The result is FT4 -- a new digital mode specifically designed for radio contesting.
Over the past month a small group of volunteers have been conducting on-the-air tests of FT4. The early tests were very successful and helped us to make a number of important design decisions. We believe FT4 has considerable promise for its intended purpose.
We'll soon be ready for testing by a larger group. If you might be interested in participating and offering your considered feedback, please read the descriptive document "The FT4 Protocol for Digital Contesting", posted here.
We plan to post downloadable installation packages for WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc5 on April 29, one week from today. The document linked above includes:
- Instructions for installing WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc5 and FT4 configuration
- Operating instructions for FT4
- Basic description of the FT4 protocol, modulation, and waveform
- Detailed sensitivity measurements for FT4 under a wide variety of simulated propagation conditions
- Schedule for upcoming test sessions
Please consider helping us to make FT4 a successful mode for digital contesting.
With best wishes and 73,
-- Joe (K1JT), Steve (K9AN), and Bill (G4WJS)"
Still more on this was published on the ARRL web site here.
And, on April 29, the WSJT-X team released v2.1.0-rc5, complete with the new FT4 protocol. This is a beta version, and you should donwload and read the FT4_Protocol.pdf file to learn more about it. The beta version of the software can be had at the WSJT-X web site. As you may know, you can install new versions in their own folder and run them separately. Your config file is in a Windows folder and will be accessed from the various versions as you run them. Thus, there is no need to uninstall your current version when installing a new version.
Please note that the WSJT-X has now released the new release candidate, and hams are already checking out the new FT4 mode! Discussion on the CQ-CONTEST reflector is especially active on the subject.
Strange but true...
Tourists visiting Iceland should know that tipping at a restaurant is considered an insult!.
73 for now,
--Dennis NE6I
less
SCCC Monthly Poll
May, 2019
Click here for the this month's SCCC monthly poll. Our April, 2019 poll was "For manual CW sending, what do you use?" 65% of our respondents said a keyer. 35% said contest software. 12% said a straight key
and 5% said a bug. 8% said other. Our March, 2019 poll was "What logging software do you use in contests?" 75% of our respondents said N1MM+. 10% said Writelog and another 10% said N3FJP. 5% each said
TRLog/TR4W, Win-test or other. Our February, 2019 poll was "Do you use high, low or QRP power in contests?" 56% of our respondents said high power. 21% said low power and 13% said QRP. Our January, 2019 poll was "What brand of radio to you use primarily in contests?" 25% of our respondents said Yaesu. 18.75% said Kenwood. 12.5% said Icom. 6.25% said Flex, & 43.75% said Other. We should have included Elecraft! Our December, 2018 poll was "Have you ever hosted a guest operator at your station?" 11% of our respondents said yes. 89% said no. Our November, 2018 poll was "Have you ever operated multi-op in a contest (home or away)?" 80% of our respondents said yes. 20% said no. Our October, 2018 poll was "What is your favorite contest mode?" 76% of our respondents favored CW. 12% favored SSB and 6% favored RTTY. 6% had no favorite mode. Our September, 2018 poll was "What is your favorite contest?" CQP took the top spot. CQWW DX, WPX, NA Sprint and Sweepstakes all tied for second.
For Sale or Wanted
Contact webmaster if you have something to list.
View listings
West Mountain Radio RIGblaster Advantage
Purchased a couple of years ago but never used. West Mountain list price is $209.95. $100 + $10 shipping Seller: Jim, K6ZH jnprice [at] pacbell [dot] net Posted 3 March 2019 
Complete Kenwood TS-50 radio station. Radio and tuner have some scratches on the covers and the radio tuning knob has a small crack. The TS-50 front display panel lights are not working. Other than the panel lights I do not know of anything else wrong with the setup. It is being sold AS-IS. You can plug it into the wall or hook up to a battery. All interconnecting cables are included. Just open the case -- hook it up to your antenna--power it up and you are good to go! Included in the ZERO Centurion Elite water repellent case is-- Kenwood TS-50 with Kenwood Microphone and CAT interface (TTL converter NOT included) with mounting bracket. Kenwood AT-50 antenna tuner with connecting cable to TS-50 with mounting bracket. Tokyo Hy-Power 200A 200 watt antenna tuner. I used this for tuning antennas that the AT-50 is not designed for. Yaesu Switching Power Supply FP-757GX. I just used the entire setup for a contest and it worked great on everything from USB to FT8. I used the setup with a 30' end fed wire antenna that is not included. The weight of the loaded ZERO case is 43#. Case outer dimensions are 26" x 9" x 18". $595.00 Seller: Alan, AA6DW alan.corlin [at] gmail[dot]com Posted 9 Oct 2018 
I have a two year-old SteppIR DB36 with 80 M dipole option for sale. The stepper motors, controller, etc all work perfectly, and the boom and trombones/straight fiberglass poles are in good shape. You will likely need to replace some of the small parts (some bolts and Nylock nuts), but can have a working DB-36 for less than half of what it cost new. I'm selling the antenna because the trees near the antenna became so large that tilting it over was becoming impossible, and I purchased a DB-18E to replace it. I have some extra fiberglass poles that I will include, and I guarantee that the antenna will work (motors, etc.). Due to the weight and size, I'm thinking it's going to have to be a pickup in the San Diego area. I might be willing to remove the heat shrink couplings and try to box it if the buyer covers the shipping charges (FedEx ground). Asking $3500 for everything. Seller: Eric, NC6K egruff [at] cox[dot]net Posted 9 Oct 2018, renewed 3 Mar 2019 
Alpha91B (1st photo shows full output on 40m, 2nd photo the amp in its shack locatoin, 3rd photo shows full output on 10m). Uses two tetrodes to develop full legal output at 240 VAC. Very clean and reliable. Power tap is selectable for 120 VAC if desired. Electrical 9.5 out of 10. Physical 8.5 out of 10. Meter know blips on shaft but meter can be selected with a little lateral pressure . No scratches dents or dings. Has 10m enabled. Non-smoking second owner since ~2005. Quiet blower and fan. Extremely quiet T/R relays for QSK. Original manual, box and packing. Transformer has been removed and would be shipped separately from amplifier (or pickup in San Diego!). Front panel layout similar to OM-2500HF. Demo video showing full output on 20m into a dummy load. Asking $2,200. Will entertain offers. Seller: Rick, N6CY n6cy [at] arrl[dot]net Posted 8 Oct 2018 (updated 23 Oct 2018) |
close
State QSO Parties
2019
Video: WRTC 2018 - The Movie
March 2019
7th Area QSO Party Claimed Scores
May 2019
N6MU SOCWLP 95,370 KK6M SOACWHP 18,315
AI6O SOCWLP 21,060 N6HE SOMHP 17,632
CQ WPX SSB Claimed Scores
March 2019
NO6T (KI6RRN) SOABHP 5,320,854 W6JBR SOABHP 60,030
W6TK SOABHP 1,436,160 K6FG SOABHP 45,108
WN6K SOABLP 293,620 WA7BNM SOSB20LP 20,290
WA6KHK SOABAHP 99,864 WA6URY SOABHP 9,728
W6QU (W8QZA) SOABQRP 94,772 AI6O SOABLP 4,263
K6RO SOABAHP 80,580
AK6W @W6RFU (K6AW, KA6KEN, W6AAF) MSHP 960,157
North American Sprint SSB Claimed Scores
March 2019
NT6Q (N5ZO) 12,428 W6UE (N6AN) 1,100
K6JO (@NX6T) 12,402 WA6URY 408
SCCC (NT6Q, K6JO) 24,830
BARTG HF RTTY Claimed Scores
March 2019
KI6VC SOABHP 169,740 W6JBR SOABHP 19,688
WN6K SOABLP 135,992 KF6RY (W6ZL) SOABHP 10,152
AI6O SOABLP 20,188
North American Sprint RTTY Claimed Scores
March 2019
N6WT 4,433 NK6A 756
K6JO 3,690 N6DM 273
SCCC #1 (N6WT, WQ6X, N6DM) 4,706
ARRL DX Phone Claimed Scores
March 2019
VY2TT (op K6LA) SOABHP 1,970,472 N6WT SOUHP 94,860
NO6T (op KI6RRN)SOABHP 1,025,892 W6QU (op W8QZA) SOABQRP 30,672
K6NA SOABHP 722,748 W6ZL SOABLP 29,280
AA6AA (@W7RN) SOUHP 526,659 W6JBR SOUHP 25,740
N6AA SOABHP 317,526 K6RO SOULP 13,050
N6RV SOULP 174,555 W6UE (op N6AN) SOABHP 8,772
W6YI SOUHP 133,536 W6KC SOUHP 5,508
WA6KHK SOUHP 130,560 WA7BNM SOSB20LP 5,304
W6TK SOABHP 101,310 K6MUG SOABLP 2,520
ZF1A (K6AM, N6JO, N6WIN) MSHP 6,520,437
