Tuesday, April 26, 2011

SP DX RTTY Contest participation

I participated in SP DX RTTY Contest organized by Polish Radiovideography Club ( PK RVG) on April 24.

I finished in total 33 QSOs. Condition was very good late at Saturday's night, but high bands looked like hell in the Sunday's everning as if my antenna changed into the dummy loads. I had no opportunity of QSO after 0700z till the end of the contest. I could make QSOs with only two SP stations on the band of 20m, but no on 15m band. Ma,,, I was relieved because I could make QSOs with UA0 and BY stations on the mode of PSK31 in the everning, so to speak, my antenna didn't die!!!

I tried 5MContest, the Ukrainian log programm in the DX contest for the first time. It is very confortable to use it with MMTTY as RTTY machine and I got the impression that we can made stable operation on the AFSK mode.

(QSO)
All 33 QSOs
AS: JA,HL,BV,UA0,UN,EX
EU: SP,UA,UR,
Total 9 entities.

(RIG)
YAESU FT-450M 50W
(ANT)
20m: Full size vertical style made by fishing rod. 5mL
15m: Full size inverted V dipole. 7mL (Used for 10m band with MTU)

QTH: At home in Amagasaki City, Hyogo, JAPAN (JCC#2703, GL#PM74QS)
Log Programm: 5M Contest with MMTTY
OS:Windows XP

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Russian Local Contest The Ural Cup participation

I participated in Ural Cup organized by the Chelyabinsk Branch of the Russian Amateur Radio League SSR on April 23.

I had total 19 QSOs on the CW mode of 20m and 40m bands. Contest took place for 4 hours between 1600z and 2000z. But I gave it up at 1830 because I was very sleepy and condx fell down.

The exchange number of this contest is two alphabebs of grid locator of operator's QTH and serial number starting from 001. I sent PM001. I tested number sending before the start of the contest with many kinds of logsofts--N1MM, 5MContest, Ctestwin. But I failed in sending it without mistakes because the serial number failed in changing from PM001 to PM002. So to speak, number was fixed at PM001 because two letter PS before serial number disturbed to change serial number. Eventually, I decided use Ctestwin with manualy changing number.

This contest is one of the Russian local contest, but overseas stations may participate in it. But this contest isn't introduced in SM3CER DX Contest website and its contest rule is introduced in QRZ.ru only in Russian. The overseas participants are almost those who live in the CIS and Eastern European nations.

Condx on the band of 20m is very good in midnight in JA. Signals from EU such as UA, UR, YL and LO was very beautiful!!


(QSO Entities)
AS: UA0, UN,
EU: UA, UR

(RIG)
YAESU FT-450M 50W
(ANT)
40m: Shortened vertical style made by fishing rod. 5mL
20m: Full size vertical style made by fishing rod. 5mL

QTH: At home in Amagasaki City, Hyogo, JAPAN (JCC#2703, GL#PM74QS)
Logsoft:Ctestwin
OS:Windows XP

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

YU DX Contest & CQ Manchester Mineira DX Contest Participation

I participated in two DX contests--YU DX Contest organized by SRS(Amateur Radio Union of Serbia) and CQ Manchester Mineira DX Contest(CQ MM Con) organized by CWJF Group on April 17.

At first, as to YU DX Con, I participated in the second round of the contest(0900z to 1700z on Sunday). I could make QSOs with 22 stations including 5 YU stations on the band of 15m and 20m. In Japan the time when YU DX Con takes place is between dask and midnight. Now we can make QSOs with EU stations in night time on 15m and 20m bands. I think it is inconvenient timetable because the period of contest is devided into two rounds. But I think the second period is suit for our present conditions in Japan.

As to CQ MM Con, I could make 3 QSOs with 2 UA0s and 1 PY station. This year regulation changed and CQ MM Con became worldwide contest. But I had few opportunities of QSO.

(QSO Entities)
AS: JT, UA0, UN,
OC: YB
EU: YU, UA, UR, LY, 9A, E7, S5, DL, SP, OH, DL
NA: W
Total 16 entities.

(RIG)
YAESU FT-450M 50W
(ANT)
40m: Shortened vertical style made by fishing rod. 5mL
20m: Full size vertical style made by fishing rod. 5mL
15m: Full size inverted V dipole. 7mL (Used for 10m band with MTU)

QTH: At home in Amagasaki City, Hyogo, JAPAN (JCC#2703, GL#PM74QS)
Logsoft:N1MM
OS:Windows XP

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

JIDX CW & Gagarin Cup Participation

I participated in two DX contests -- Japan International DX Contest CW(JIDX CW) organized by Japanese DX Magazine "Five-Nine" and Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest(Gagarin Cup) organized by Russian GC Committee.

I made QRV at home in Amagasaki City, Hyogo (JCC#2703) as the callsign JO3PSJ because I cancelled the field operation. I decided to check radio propagation of CW at home with usual facilities on the third floor of the 8-story appartment house.

The final individual result was total 241 QSOs -- 204 for and 37 for GC Cup. I had QSOs with stations from 41 DXCC entities. I focused on calling CQ stations because I'm not good at CQing on CW mode. But I was sartificated with good result which is not behind far from the field operation. I learned DXing is possible with home small facilities.

Condx was wholely FB! 15m band was open to the direction in EU till late at night, I had QSO on 20m band with EU stations at midnight and with LU station before the dawn. I had chances to have QSOs with A7(Qatar) and F stations on 10m band. But Un fortunately I lost S5, LZ and I which are regular in the DX contests.

I was sometimes confused because two CW contests are competing at almost the same time. Almost participants announced CQ JIDX or CQ GC so that the other paticipants can distinguish between two contests. But many JA stations were bewildered when they accepted ITU code. Though participants must learn contest rule and know the other contests, I thought CQ stations also must make efforts so that the other participants can distinguish ongoing contests.

I tried N1MM log soft for the first time. Though I didn't use it because of the technical reason, soft worked while I repeated try and error. The automatic sending of CW is easier because of abundant macros. In addition it was more convenient than the Japanese Ctestwin and Zlog because the number of CQ zone is displayed when I imput callsign. I think log softs are involved in COM port. I'll continue to look for appropriate soft for me.


(QSO Entities)
AS: HL, BY, BV, VR2, JT, HS, XV, XU, 9M2, 9V1, UA0, UN, UK, 4X, A7
OC: DU, YB, 9M6, KH2, VK, ZL
EU: UA, UR, ES, YL, SP, YO, YU, 4O, 9A, HA, OH, OE, DL, GM, F
NA: W, KL7, VE, KH6
SA: LU
Total 41 entities. The 1st QSO entities was A7(Qatar).

(RIG)
YAESU FT-450M 50W
(ANT)
40m: Shortened vertical style made by fishing rod. 5mL
20m: Full size vertical style made by fishing rod. 5mL
15m: Full size inverted V dipole. 7mL (Used for 10m band with MTU)

QTH: At home in Amagasaki City, Hyogo, JAPAN (JCC#2703, GL#PM74QS)
Logsoft:N1MM
OS:Windows XP

Thursday, April 7, 2011

EA RTTY Contest Participation

I participate EA RTTY Contest on April 3 at home in Amagasaki City, Hyogo, JApan as the call sign JO3PSJ.

I made QRV from everning to night at our local time. My individual resutt was total 17 QSOs. I got precious EA multi.

Condx on the high bands was VY FB, we could catch the wave from EU till the late night. In addition, VK stations showed up on 6m band. I understood cycle 24 improved day by day!


(Entities)
AS: UA0
OC: VK
EU: EA, DL, YO, UA, UR

(RIG)
YAESU FT-450M
(ANT)
20m:Vertical style on the balcony
15m:Inverted V Dipole on the balcony

CQ WW WPX Contest Phone Participation

I participated CQ WW WPX Contest Phone on 26-28 March.

I operated at home in Inami Town, Hyogo, Japan. I used callsign JO3PSJ, /3-less. I participated the contest at the same time as BARTG HF RTTY Contest.


My individual result was total 325 QSOs, I succeeded in adding the number from last year's 195 QSOs.

Condx on the high bands was VY FB. I could have QSOs with I and EU(Belarus) stations midnight at the local time on the band of 20m.
But I had less opportunities of QSOs with S5,YO and LZ even though they are easy entities for QSO.



(Result)
AS: JA, HL, BY, BV, VR2, XU, 9M2, 9V, JT, UA0, UN, EX, EY
OC: VK, DU, YB, KH0, KH2, 9M6, ZL, V8
EU: F, I, DL, OH, SM, UA, UR, ER, EU, YL, LY, ES, OK, OM, HG, SP, YO, S5, 9A, E7, YU
NA: K, KL7, VE, KH7, HQ
SA: PY, LU, CV, CE, HK, CX
All 53 entities. New QSO entity was HQ(Honduras)

(Facilities)
RIG:YAESU FT-450M(50W)
ANT:
 40m-10m Inverted L (Vertical-9m Horizontal-1m)
 20m-GP(4.5mH)& Rotatable DP(4.5mH)
 15m-GP(4mH)& Inverted V DP(4.5mH)
Log Software:Ctestwin
OS: Windows XP

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Russian DX Contest Participation

I participated Russian DX Contest on 19-20 March.

I operated at home in Inami Town, Hyogo, Japan. I used callsign JO3PSJ, /3-less. I participated the contest at the same time as BARTG HF RTTY Contest.


My individual result was total 256 QSOs, I succeeded in adding the number twice more than last year's 76 QSOs. The reason for success is that I made QRV on CW mode this year. Last year I made QRV only on SSB mode, this year the rate of SSB mode of the total QSOs fell in only 15%.

I prepared for antennas for 80m-10m bands. Usually I don't make QRV on 80m band, but I could have QSOs with W and VE stations on the lowest band.

I'm looking forward to Russian DX Contest every year because this contest favorably compares with CQ WW Contest and CQ WW WPX Contest. We had opportunities to have QSOs with many stations all over the world.
I also had opportunities to have QSOs not only with UA and UA0 stations, but also with DX stations like LU and PY stations.
The reason is why I participate Russian DX Contest as the pre-test contest of CQ WW WPX Phone which takes place the next week of Russian DX Con.
In addition, the 3rd weekend of March was three-day weekend in Japan. I could work in the contest full-time.

But unfortunetely the next 3rd weekend of March will be usual weekend. Maybe I will not be able to join the contest full-time.


(Result)
AS: JA, BY, VR2, JT, 9V, XU, UA0, UN, 5B
OC: VK, ZL, DU, YB, 9M6, KH2
EU: UA, UR, YL, LY, SP, OK, OM, LZ, HA, S5, E7, 9A, YU, 4O, F, G, I, OE, DL, OH, SM, EA
NA: K, KL7, VE, KH6
SA: PY
All 42 entities. No new entities.

(Facilities)
RIG:YAESU FT-450M(50W)
ANT:
 80m-20m Inverted L (Vertical-7m Horizontal-13m)
 40m-10m Inverted L (Vertical-9m Horizontal-1m)
 20m-GP(4.5mH)& Rotatable DP(4.5mH)
 15m-GP(4mH)& Inverted V DP(4.5mH)
 10m-GP(4mH)
Log Software:Ctestwin
OS: Windows XP

Popov Memorial Contest Participation

I participated Popov Memorial Contest organized by Russian journal "RADIO" on 19 March.

I operated at home in Inami Town, Hyogo, Japan. I used callsign JO3PSJ, /3-less. I participated the contest at the same time as BARTG HF RTTY Contest.


My individual result was total 7 QSOs. All stations all over the world can join this contest, but participants were almost UA and other CIS stations because it isn't famous in the world. It looked like domestic contest in Russia on the SSB mode. Contesters' operation level is very high, it was very difficult contest for me. But it is very useful as the pre-contest of Russian DX Contest, which begins 3 hours after the end of Popov Momorial Contest.


(Result)
AS: UA0, UN
EU: UA, UR

(Facilities)
RIG:YAESU FT-450M(50W)
ANT:
 80m-20m Inverted L (Vertical-7m Horizontal-13m)
 40m-10m Inverted L (Vertical-9m Horizontal-1m)
 20m-GP(4.5mH)& Rotatable DP(4.5mH)
 15m-GP(4mH)& Inverted V DP(4.5mH)
 10m-GP(4mH)
Log Software:Ctestwin
RTTY Software: MMTTY
OS: Windows XP

Monday, April 4, 2011

BARTG HF RTTY Contest Participation

I participated BARTG HF RTTY Contest on 19-21 March.

I operated at home in Inami Town, Hyogo, Japan. I used callsign JO3PSJ, /3-less.


My individual result was total 110 QSOs, 57Up from last year's 53 QSOs, even though I joined Russian DX Contest at the same time. I made QRV with plan so that QRV time bacame up to 30 hours with minimum 3 hours rest.

I used log software "Ctestwin" developped by JA station. It was very easy software to use, but I had no choice but change mode from SSB into RTTY manually. It was because mode changes automatically from RTTY into SSB when I made QRV on AFSK-LSB mode. At the same time, the display of contest number changes automatically from "599-001" into "59-001". I'll look for better log software for me...
TNX FR FB QSO!!

(Result)
AS: JA, HL, BV, VR2, HS, VU, UA0, UN
OC: VK, DU, YB, P2, KH2, 9M6, 3D2
EU: F, G, I, GM, DL, EA, LA, OH, SM, TF, UA, UR, ER, YL, OK, SP, YO, S5, 9A, YU
NA: K, KL7, VE
New QSO entity was SD2(Fiji)

(Facilities)
RIG:YAESU FT-450M(50W)
ANT:
 80m-20m Inverted L (Vertical-7m Horizontal-13m)
 40m-10m Inverted L (Vertical-9m Horizontal-1m)
 20m-GP(4.5mH)& Rotatable DP(4.5mH)
 15m-GP(4mH)& Inverted V DP(4.5mH)
 10m-GP(4mH)
Log Software:Ctestwin
RTTY Software: MMTTY
OS: Windows XP