VP6D Ducie DXpedition Finished!

Weather caused VP6D to roll up their tents and coax early.  Nevertheless it was an outstandingly successful DXpedtion.

Hard to imagine that they finished with 121,136 QSOs.  Even harder to imagine is that there were almost as many digital contacts (mostly FT8) as SSB contacts.  But of course CW continues to shine.  (56% CW, 24% SSB, 20% Digital).

Who says you can’t have a big DXpediton at the bottom of a solar cycle?

Posted in DX

Don’t forget VP6D Ducie Island is on the air until Nov 3

They are very easy to work in the early to late afternoon as their sun rises.  Openings will follow the time, with 20 meters open around noon, 17 meters around 1, etc.  Don’t miss listening for them on 10 meters at the band usually opens around 3:30 to 4 PM.

Real-time operating info is here:  http://www.dxa3.org/vp6d/

Their frequency list is here:  https://www.vp6d.com/index.php/dxpedition/frequencies

Posted in DX

Bruce NJ3K earns first CW Mobile QRP DXCC Award

One of the CW wizards that help us get into the top 10 nationally each year during Field Day (one of many talented CW operators that we are fortunate enough to have as members) just completed a pretty monumental task.  He has made confirmed contacts with 100 foreign countries, all at low power (5 watts or less), all on CW, and all using the mobile radio in his car.

Most of us have enough trouble driving, Bruce is able to decode Morse in his head and sends the code using a key that can be strapped to his thigh.

Congratulations Bruce!

New DXCC Entity – Z6, Kosovo

The ARRL DXCC Advisory Committee revised their rules and have therefore admitted a new entity to their DXCC list: Kosovo, who’s calls begin with “Z6”.

There has been a fairly large DXpedition in Kosovo, using the callsign Z60A for the past few weeks.  Some nice NCRC member (I won’t mention names, but his call sign is W1LY), has already worked Kosovo for the club (twice)!

This is a fairly easy country to work before sunset on 40 meters and the activity, though stiff, is starting to calm down a bit.  Give it a try!

Posted in DX

Successful JOTA Oct 20-22

Many club members participated in JOTA this weekend at Glen Park.  Rob KB1ZZU will have many details at our next meeting (along with some excellent photos from Dave KC1AAA), but in round numbers approximately 20 scouts participated with a large number obtaining their Radio Merit Badge.  Two VHF (analog and DSTAR) stations were fielded along with two HF stations.  The DSTAR Reflector was much better organized this year and allowed scouts to have arm chair conversations with other scouts world-wide.  HF propagation was pretty good with 17 meters open to Europe and Africa the entire time.  Dulcet CW Tones were even heard emanating from Rich KC1ARO’s station!

Special hats-off to Jim KA1ZOU and his team of instructors — there were many excellent comments about the revised teaching plan this year.