From 1998 to 2000 we lived in an "restricted" neighborhood in South Carolina. No antennas, boats, yard-houses and such allowed! We chose to live in this kind of development, with the intention of building a "contest" station on a bit of acreage in the country, not too far away. In the meantime, N1CC operated with an 82-foot W9INN Trap Dipole 80-10 and a slightly shortened Hy-Gain 103BA (rotatable) in the attic. The 2M Packet Antenna is a Larsen 5/8 Wave Mag Mount on a 24" square sheet of steel on top of the room housing the ham station.
The rig is the FT-990 at 100W output power. Major significant changes to the station supporting hardware have been made. The computer is now a Pentium 233-MMX system to provide logging, antenna switching, morse code keying, Digital Voice Keying and DRSI Packet Radio interface. When the contest station is built a few miles away, only the Computer System will stay at our home - Antennas and Rigs will go to the remote location and the station will be connected via very cost-effective emerging technology. This is how I will avoid the problems of living full-time in the country (no convienences) or jamming antennas into a neighborhood that might object (I know I pushed PRB-1 in Albany - the political fallout wasn't worth it!)
The first trial - in a contest environment resulted in CQP98 performance of 47,740 points - and contacts were made with 6-Land on 80 thorugh 10 meters - sometimes on the first call, other times lots and lots of repeats. Just what you would expect with low power and a less-than-optimum antenna. Keep tuned in ... I also have been invited to go to some of the MM operations in GA and NC, which I will do as time permits - now I'll get a chance to see how it's done down south!
The beam was an extensively modified Telrex TB6EM (Late-manufacture using inadequate capacitors) The modifications were done by NC1E. The Tower was only 48 feet high due to very strict zoning laws, which required an variance under the force of PRB1. The rotator is a Hy-Gain Tail Twister. At the 25 foot level a 3 db gain monopole for 2M Packet. The ground around the house was terraced, so that at 25 feet from the tower a 20 foot drop-off occurs giving the effective height of the beam at one wavelength (20 Meters) of 80 feet over 270 degrees of direction. Packet operation on K2TR PacketCluster(TM) node using 144.97 MHz with 25 Watts. Antennas for 160 and 80 were wire dipoles at 70 feet height in the tree line behind the house. The 40 Meter antenna was a Vertical Loop.
The Station March 1997 to May 1998 at N1CC. Major significant changes to the station were made. The computer was a 486DX100 to provide logging, antenna switching, morse code keying, Digital Voice Keying and Packet Radio interface. The computer controlled the FT990 radio, driving the Alpha 76CA to 1,000 Watts Peak Output Power. (Precautionary power reduction in readiness for new FCC rules regarding "uncontrolled" proximity - those woul have affected operation at thhis location on 10 meters.) The Antenna Tuner introduced an additional 30 dB of harmonic isolation and served to flatten the coaxial feedline interface when the VSWR exceeed 2:1. Modernized and ready to go for the 1997-98 Contest Season.
Operation is primarily DX and Contests. My favorite contests are the California QSO Party (CQP) (First place NY past nine years, top 20 world-wide), ARRL Sweepstakes, CQWW, ARRL DX Test and CQ WPX in that order. My current goal remains to make the Honor Roll, with DXCC Mixed standing at 312/304 in 1998.
Station September 1987 - February 1997 at N1CC. A 386DX40 provided logging, morse keying, and Packet Radio.
A Yaseu FT301 Transceiver, monitored by a YO301 Monitor Scope, excited an Alpha 76CA (Called "Three Holer" for its three 8874 power amplifier tubes) to 1,500 Watts Peak Output Power. This lineup was not computer-capable, and was circa 1978. Computer-controlled equipment to replace the current equipment was installed following the ARRL DX Contests. 5BDXCC was completed in 1991.
N1CC's Station in 1985 was located in Thomaston, Connecticut. From the pre-computer phase of operating, I used the Yaesu FT301 barefoot to a Cushcraft A3 at 30' and dipoles in trees. Teletype operation was with a Model 28KSR and homebrew TU. Autek keyer for CW. This station line up was used to complete 5BWAS by 1987.
This is a picture of "Dream", who became a Silent Key in April 2000. She was my second Op for nine years. An AKC Rottweiler, she helped me operate on those cold nights of winter in the Northeastern USA by laying on my feet and keeping them warm. Her favorite hobbies included chasing chipmunks and going for rides in the SUV! She was a cancer survivor and succumbed to a congentital failure of her cervical spine. The new second Op here is a young Rottweiler we call "Rosie" ...
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During 1989, 90, 91 and 92 N1CC operated at K2TR as part of Multi-Single and Multi-Multi operations. I am pictured here operating during the 1990 ARRL DX Phone on 15 Meters. |
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After moving to South Carolina I had the pleasure of operating from NQ4I in Griffen, GA as part of the Multi-Multi Team in several events, including the new US record for WPX .... the picture above shows the 20 meter position where I am operating, and was the "Band Captain". |
Does N1CC do anything besides HAM? Yep. Here my second-favorite hobby, fishing. To the left is a 6 pound 3 ounce Chain Pickerel taken in Lakeville, Connecticut during 1986. By 2004 I recognized that man alone is not the "FISHERPERSON" (Right) N1CC has a fine 15.5 inch White Bass, and NE5LL has a nicer 17 inch Black Bass....
Interesting Links:
North Texas Contest Club - Contesters across North Texas
"Contesting On-Line" - Best OnLine Contesters Resource!
"K1TTT Home Page" - Good Description of a Multi-Multi Amateur Radio Contest Station. Note: Dave's pages have some very neat sounds and moving text, if you are using AOL you may not see or hear this part. You need Netscape 4.8 or Internet Explorer 6.0 to fully appreciate this site.
"DXing Page" Dxpeditions..JY74X, etc.
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Packet Radio or N1CC via Internet
Mail. 73, de Jim N1CC