http://www.k1pu.com/index.htmlHot News!enmarkm@cmtelephone.comCopyright 2010 Mark Mokoski2010-05-09T20:45:14-04:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Sun, 09 May 2010 21:08:13 -0400markm@cmtelephone.comContesting2010-05-09T20:45:14-04:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/02dcf639c082b428a35a7ceaac8746f6-15.html#unique-entry-id-15http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/02dcf639c082b428a35a7ceaac8746f6-15.html#unique-entry-id-15

The 2010 running of the NEQP is now in the books (or logs to be technical).

Your author had a fine time with this popular QSO party from home this year.

Here is the results from Middlesex County Connecticut ...

Phone QSO’s - 26
CW QSO’s - 314
Multipliers - 64
Claimed score - 41856

Bands on Saturday where OK, 15 meters was productive with many W7’s worked, and 80 & 40 meters provided the late night QSO runs.
20 meters was in good shape to the west and Europe to snag valuable multipliers from stations the Italian contest.
Sunday the high bands need a little more solar flux.
QSO’s where there to be made, but the rate was slow.
Around 4 PM local things got better along with QSO rates until the end at 8PM local.
I was having such a good time on CW I almost forgot to grab the microphone for some phone QSO’s.
Good thing I did as I got a few needed multipliers on Phone to help out the score.

I would like to mention the efforts of my “competitor” in Middlesex County (CT), Dan W1DMM.
Dan had his best score ever (9984 points) and a significant contribution to the aggregate club score (Meriden ARC www.w1nrg.com).

Update from the 2009 contest, K1PU was the 1st place low power winner in Vermont.
I got a nice plaque sponsored by the West River Radio Club in southern Vermont.
Many thanks to the West River crew for donating this award and it will hang proudly in my shack.
I have updated the photo section with a picture.

I hope to be back in Vermont in 2011 operating portable from Orleans County.

73, K1PU
]]>markm@cmtelephone.comQCWA2010-04-21T20:15:03-04:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/5e837605631b89a9d25d53019b0e3101-14.html#unique-entry-id-14http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/5e837605631b89a9d25d53019b0e3101-14.html#unique-entry-id-14

May 8, 2010 at Serafino's Restaurant
72 South Turnpike Road
Wallingford, Ct.,  (203) 265-1244
(Across from the old Oakdale Theater)
                                     
Meal cost remains at $18.00 per member.
Make Checks out to:  "Nutmeg Chapter 149 QCWA"  and mail to:

Gary Awsiukiewicz, K1MQ,
261 Woodfield Crossing,
Rocky Hill, CT. 06067.
 
This is our Annual Meeting and the Election of Officers for the next year.  We urge all members to attend and cast your vote for the officers of your choice.

The nominating committee has delivered there suggestions and the slate is as follows:
 
President  -  Mike Schindler, K1AMS
Vice Pres  -  Mark Mokoski, K1PU
Secretary  -  Steve Ewald, WV1X
Treasurer  -  Gary Awsiukiewicz, K1MQ
 
Nominations will be accepted from the floor.
 
Along with the election of officers, we have received approximately 23 awards from QCWA National that will be given out at this meeting.  Since elections and the awards presentations will take much time, we have decided against a speaker this quarter.

For more details and directions to Serafino’s, see the Chapter web site www.qcwa149.org

73, K1PU
]]>markm@cmtelephone.com10-10 Castle Craig2010-04-21T20:27:46-04:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/97b7ccc426e1626f2a1d2ef140e180e6-13.html#unique-entry-id-13http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/97b7ccc426e1626f2a1d2ef140e180e6-13.html#unique-entry-id-13
April 24 0000 UTC until April 25 at 2359 UTC

This year, 10-10 has split off the CW QSO party from other digital modes to promote more CW activity.
Phone is the most popular QSO party’s, followed by “Digital” modes, PSK31 being most popular (I personaly would like to see more RTTY!).
The Digital QSO Party is May 1 & 2 (I won’t be participating as it conflicts with my NEQP operation).

Being a single mode QSO party this year, the CW contest should see more activity, along with (we hope) better solar numbers.

See the 10-10 web site for official time and rules www.ten-ten.org

So dust off your key and join the fun on the low end of ten!

73, K1PU 10-10 #33916]]>markm@cmtelephone.comContesting2010-04-21T20:20:55-04:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/d2d600b5fbabb9a2316805052cfa41a4-12.html#unique-entry-id-12http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/d2d600b5fbabb9a2316805052cfa41a4-12.html#unique-entry-id-12

2010 Running of the New England QSO Party, May 1 & 2

Join the fun and try and work all 67 counties in New England!
Work at least 25 stations and get a certificate of participation, or maybe be “Top Dog” in your state or New England county!

See the official rules and results of past NEQP’s at www.neqp.org

Hope to work you on May 1 & 2.


Mark, K1PU - 2009 NEQP 1st place Vermont single operator low power - See my Vermont station in the Photos section
]]>markm@cmtelephone.comContesting2010-03-29T20:07:27-04:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/3d2a43574f1e77c4d6ac6fe3701ebede-11.html#unique-entry-id-11http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/3d2a43574f1e77c4d6ac6fe3701ebede-11.html#unique-entry-id-11

The 2009 running of the New England QSO party (NEQP) results are in.
Both New England and non-New England scores and rankings are now posted at www.neqp.org.
The final critique is not yet finished, but Tom K1KI promises that it will be done soon.

This years event is May 1 & 2. See the NEQP web site for details, times and rules.

For 2009, your author (K1PU) participated in this growing event from his Father-in-Laws hide-a-way in Essex County Vermont, a “rare” county, most years only activated by mobile stations.
K1PU placed second overall in Vermont and 1st in the Single Op - Low Power class.
Not bad for 100 watts and dipoles for 80 - 40 - 20!
See photos of the “primitive” operating conditions here.

73, K1PU
]]>markm@cmtelephone.comGeneral Interest2010-03-22T19:40:42-04:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/ddb3290dd29066dcc70511ae391d4135-10.html#unique-entry-id-10http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/ddb3290dd29066dcc70511ae391d4135-10.html#unique-entry-id-10

This past weekend, the W1VLA D-Star repeater stack got it’s internet connection for linking into the national D-STAR network.
Bill N1JBS and Mark K1PU (Phil WB1EXV lending moral support and the occasional tool hand up), fought off yellow jackets and other stinging insects that started to “wake up” with the warmer temperatures, to install both ends of a secure wireless link.

The W1VLA Repeater, located at the Rocky Hill CT Fire Station #2, is just 400 feet from K1PU’s work location, the “near end” of the link, so the link budget was a “No Brainer”. Signal margins look excellent and the whole link is connected to the first router in the network. Latency test end to end are in the order of 1 to 2 mS so there should be no problems the connection to the local Cable Company Internet service.

The Fire Station is connected via the town-wide network, but with discussions with the town, it was easier for the group to get an independent internet connection and not leave any “finger prints” inside the town network, and we’ll have better control over other network performance parameters with our own connection anyway.

Bill N1JBS is putting the final touches on the computer, loading the new software and NIC drivers, and we hope to have the system liked up by April 1st.

The W1VLA repeater uses ICOM brand D-Star repeater modules for Digital Voice on 2m and 70cm.
Frequencies are VHF 145.27Mhz -600 Khz and UHF 444.150Mhz +5 Mhz

Internet connection and the link equipment are donated by K1PU’s “Day Job”.

Mark, K1PU
]]>markm@cmtelephone.comContesting2010-02-05T13:00:02-05:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/32ad634d2b51cb0f886f758ecf5dfb04-9.html#unique-entry-id-9http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/32ad634d2b51cb0f886f758ecf5dfb04-9.html#unique-entry-id-9
The logs are in and the results computed, the 2009 edition of the ARRL November Sweepstakes is now in the record book.

SSB results are posted on ARRL Contest Page
CW results can be found HERE

The 2009 SSB Sweepstakes was a record setting event in overall participation.
The ARRL reports that 2,054 logs were submitted, an all-time high.

"It is great to see so many hams not just getting on for our contests, but submitting logs in record numbers," said ARRL Contest Manager Sean Kutzko KX9X.

73, Mark K1PU]]>markm@cmtelephone.comQCWA2010-02-03T22:06:09-05:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/1e610b6de3abd11624f95ac46feda879-8.html#unique-entry-id-8http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/1e610b6de3abd11624f95ac46feda879-8.html#unique-entry-id-8
The February 13th QCWA Meeting Speaker will make you feel good that you came.

He is a well-known and highly respected editor and newsman whose career in Connecticut news circles spans several decades. Despite his imposing background, he is a regular, relaxed guy who is an entertaining speaker and one who will make you feel glad you came to the meeting.

It is James H. “Jim” Smith, currently executive editor of the New Britain Herald and the Bristol Press. He will speak about his career, his book and other matters.
His book is a fascinating tale of the Revolutionary War era.   It contains a lot of adventure with a bit of romance woven in.  It is about a beautiful, intelligent, young Seneca who has just reached womanhood. The story involves historical giants-- like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Lafayette -- who cannot resist her charms.  The book also contains a modicum of serious social commentary on America’s early years.
(His book, published by Plaidswede Publishing of Concord, N.H., is available at Barnes & Noble and NHBooksellers.com.)
 
If you have not already signed up to go to our luncheon, please make your reservation now!
For more information, go to the QCWA Chapter 149 web site.

73, Steve WV1X QCWA Chapter 149 Secretary

]]>markm@cmtelephone.comSite News2010-02-03T22:03:23-05:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/7a7216f17c39f7719f8d6390be205276-7.html#unique-entry-id-7http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/7a7216f17c39f7719f8d6390be205276-7.html#unique-entry-id-7
The store is again open for business.

I’m starting off slow and adding product categories one at a time.

Active Products:
Speaker Microphones

Coming soon:
Headsets
Do It Yourself (DIY) Parts
Specialty Items

73, Mark K1PU
]]>markm@cmtelephone.comQCWA2010-01-27T20:24:31-05:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/e3006e4b4e1caa7b89dfcad9e6b25844-6.html#unique-entry-id-6http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/e3006e4b4e1caa7b89dfcad9e6b25844-6.html#unique-entry-id-6
QCWA Chapter 149 Winter Luncheon .....
will be held February 13th 2010 at Serafino's Restaurant in Wallingford Connecticut. The restaurant is located across the street from the Chevrolet Theater which was formally known as the Oakdale Theater.  Since we have had nothing but good reports since we were there in August,  we decided to pay them another visit. 

The social hour begins at 11:30 AM, and our Buffet Luncheon and Meeting will begin around 12:00 Noon

BUFFET MENU:
  Baked Salmon; Sliced Roast Beef and Gravy;  Ziti with Tomato Sauce;
  Roasted Potatoes;   String Beans;   Cheese cake;   Coffee and Soda
  Cash Bar available for those who are interested.

Business for the meeting is the election of the 2010 officers.
The nominated slate stands as:

• President - Mike Schindler, K1AMS
• Vice President - Mark Mokoski, K1PU
• Secretary - Steve Ewald, WV1X
• Treasurer - Gary Awsiukiewicz, K1MQ

Nominations from the floor are welcome.

We are also making arrangements for an interesting after-lunch program.
Al W1FXQ always seems to come up with an interesting speaker for these occasions, and we expect this time Al will not disappoint!

For more information, go to the QCWA Chapter 149 web site.

73, Mark K1PU

]]>markm@cmtelephone.comContesting2010-01-26T22:37:54-05:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/3d3ec053b5fb1c071029e93f5e27d006-5.html#unique-entry-id-5http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/3d3ec053b5fb1c071029e93f5e27d006-5.html#unique-entry-id-5
The 2009 ARRL CW Sweepstakes results are in!

With a shorter deadline for log submissions, the folks in the ARRL contest branch got the results done in 74 days!
A big effort, but Sean KX9X and crew deserve a big ”thank you” from all participants.
I’m sure more expanded commentary will appear in QST and on the ARRL contesting web page, but we all know it’s the scores that count!

Click this Link to view the final tally.

Based on this result, looks like the scores for the SSB Sweepstakes will be ready about the third week in February, given the larger number (a record!) of SSB logs.
The real delay in scoring the CW test was the manual entry of the paper logs.
That’s just one more reason to get on the computer log band wagon, faster (and more accurate) scoring.

Check back in February for the SSB Sweepstakes score posting when they become available.



73, Mark K1PU
]]>markm@cmtelephone.comContesting2010-01-26T21:21:17-05:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/0065559c6ff7712fc3f50490fde7c751-4.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/0065559c6ff7712fc3f50490fde7c751-4.html#unique-entry-id-4
The 2010 running of the CQ World Wide 160 Meter CW contest is this weekend from 2200Z January 29th until 2200Z January 31st.
(For the UTC challenged, 2200Z is 5 PM Eastern Time!)
Solar conditions are still at a low point with conditions predicted to be quiet on January 29-30, with unsettled conditions on January 31st.
Solar flux for the weekend are estimated to be in the low 80’s and sun spot number in the mid 30’s.

So get ready for some good Top Band activity!

Official contest rules can be found here

The SSB edition of CQ WW 160 is 2200Z February 26th to 2200Z February 28th 2010.

73, Mark K1PU]]>markm@cmtelephone.comMiddlesex ARS2010-01-26T19:02:49-05:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/8b2b11f8017bb3c2b3eb6d6c6c67441f-3.html#unique-entry-id-3http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/8b2b11f8017bb3c2b3eb6d6c6c67441f-3.html#unique-entry-id-3
The Middlesex Amateur Radio Society had elected new officers for the 2010 term.
The following lucky individuals where elected:

• President - Mac Harper,  W1FYM
• Vice President - Bob Stielau, N2XN
• Treasurer - Leo Zieller, WB1ENI
• Secretary - Don Bohman,  N1XTJ
• Procurement Officer -Vacant
• Statutory Agent - Don Gouin,   K1CMM
• Trustee - Don Gouin,   K1CMM
• VEC Coordinator - Paul Lux,    K1PL

 
And along with various committee appointments, it’s going to be an active year at the Middlesex ARS.

Congratulations to all new and reelected officers and committee chairs.

73, Mark K1PU]]>markm@cmtelephone.comMeriden ARC10-10 Castle Craig2010-01-18T19:04:59-05:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/f0f49e8af6eb852c029db444ff56b870-2.html#unique-entry-id-2http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/f0f49e8af6eb852c029db444ff56b870-2.html#unique-entry-id-2
There will be a Castle Craig Chapter Net on Friday, February 5th, 2010  on the club net frequency of 28.375.  The purpose of this net is to kick off the 10-10 Winter QSO Party.  I hope that all club members will join in.  Even if you do not have a 10-10 number you are worth 1 point to the rest of us who do and are submitting logs.  The QSO party runs from 0000 UTC February 6th, 2009 to 2359:59 February 7th, 2009.

Because of my high noise level issues I would like to ask everyone to listen for stations that I may not be able to hear.

If you are a paid up 10-10 member your support of the club, and our chapter would be appreciated.  Please make as many contacts as you can, and submit your log for credit.  Remember to mention that you would like to credit Castle Craig Chapter of 10-10 with your score.

We will start taking check-in’s at 6:45 PM local time, (23:45 UTC), and I will be the Net Control.  I would like a station to help with relays if needed.  The procedure is simple.  At 7 PM local time, (0000 UTC Feb. 6th), we will start from the top of the list, (myself), and I will give my 10-10 information, that is Call, Name, QTH (state), and 10-10 number.  The next station will be called and that person will give their information and then stand by.  We will proceed to the bottom of the list.

The procedure is then repeated from the top to bottom of the list, except you will call all stations that you heard and QSL their information.  If you need a repeat on any information this is the time to ask for it.

Once the last station is called they should have no calls to make because everyone has called them.

I expect that this net should last no more than about 20 minutes.

Even though we seem to be a low for sunspot activity and 10-10 participation you can never tell what 10 meters will do and there may be some surprises in store, but you have to be around to catch them, so I encourage everyone to check 10 meters during the weekend.

Please plan to attend and get the winter 10-10 QSO party off to a rousing start!

-73-   Al  N1API
Castle Craig Chapter Certificate Manager]]>markm@cmtelephone.comGeneral Interest2010-01-16T19:08:31-05:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/676bb6b2f9ca1e4f6f51d72b26382847-1.html#unique-entry-id-1http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/676bb6b2f9ca1e4f6f51d72b26382847-1.html#unique-entry-id-1

Al Cohen, W1FXQ, a “well known” personality for more reasons than just Ham Radio, celebrates his 92nd Birthday today January 16th, 2010.

Happy Birthday Al !

Mark, K1PU

]]>markm@cmtelephone.comSite News2010-01-16T15:00:08-05:00http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/313a6c7d22892210d581a1742fb7e678-0.html#unique-entry-id-0http://www.k1pu.com/News/files/313a6c7d22892210d581a1742fb7e678-0.html#unique-entry-id-0

Well, if you have visited this site in the past, you will notice a big change in style and organization.
As my web skills have improved, so has the look of the sites I manage.
As of this posting I have not yet completed the job of moving over all the content, but please return and check the News.

Mark, K1PU]]>