Thumbs Up for QRP

I was reading recently about some old military radios that only put 5w out but the radios were huge.  It got me thinking about QRP and its operators.  The great thing about this hobby is that even within a sub group such as QRP there are further subdivisions.  There are the backpack/outdoor operators operating Altoids tin radios from a 9v battery and boat anchor enthusiasts whose tubes keep the shack comfortably warm.  One is low power as in not a lot of power consumed and the other is low power out of a rather large army radio using quite a bit of power in the process.  Technology has come a long way from the invention of the tube to the invention of the transistor and then as the years passed there has been the packing of these transistors into chips.  Now we are at the point, with Software-Defined Radio, where micro processors do almost all of the work that hardware used to do.  Add to all this the digital modes that have been designed to use very low power and operate almost in the noise floor.  Whether it's old, newer or newest or somewhere in between, QRPers love a challenge.  We are always looking for the most efficient battery or best gain antenna or the most portable set up all in an effort to compensate for the low power being transmitted.  I think it really fosters the Marconi in all of us as we try this or that to get the best results in an effort to get the most out of the least.

Nice Website for Crypto Geeks

I stumbled upon a website recently that I found extremely intriguing.  It is an online or virtual museum of Cryptographic equipment over the years.  The museum is based in the Netherlands and contains a large number of physical examples of crypto gear.  These are accompanied by in depth explanations of history and use among other things.  I have only had a short time so far to browse the site but there is much to see.  Although the museum is just on the web, they have had exhibits or their collection displayed over the years for the public to see.

Not all crypto gear is radio related, of course, but I know there are many amateur radio enthusiasts who are interested in this sort of thing.  I hope some of you find this site interesting.

http://www.cryptomuseum.com/index.htm

Antenna Project

I often talk about operating in the field again.  I used to do it quite a bit.  I loved setting up in a park at a picnic table whether it be winter or summer.  It was a great way to spend an evening or afternoon.  I also used to go camping and set up an antenna for the weekend operating at will.  It was lots of fun.  Before we know it priorities change, hobbies change and we sometimes find that we can no longer "find" the time to do the fun things we used to do.  One needs to "make" time for these things and stop making excuses.  I spend a lot of time in the summer going to Highland Games or pipe band practice and I really enjoy it but as a result playing radio has taken a back seat.  This summer I vow to operate outdoors even if it's in my own back yard.  It's not like it takes a lot of time out of the day.  An hour on Sunday mornings or in the early evening shouldn't be hard to set aside.

I think what I will do as an operating position is to try the vertical buddipole style of antenna suspended from a rope in a tree.  Two Hamstick-style antennas and the appropriate bracket is all that's required and I can leave it up if I operate on the back patio.  Here is a good page showing the set up and some results achieved by W3ATT.  I will start with one band, say 20M, and perhaps 30M 17 or 12 as I like those very much...maybe 40M.  I can't decide but either way I look forward to trying it as soon as the snow starts to melt.

Cheers es 72 de Scott ve3vvf

Knock Out Season

This winter season I decided to compete in local solo piping competitions called Knock Outs.  There have been two so far and in the 40+ category I have come first place both times...okay, I was the only 40+ competitor.  :o)  The first event which was held in November I had to play a Slow Air followed by a 4-parted 6/8 march.  I chose the tunes "Fair Jean" followed by "George Beley".  I practiced a lot and was nervous playing in front of my peers as well as some pretty advanced players.  luckily I got to go first so I got it over with.  My play went well and I didn't make any note errors.  Technique is the big challenge for beginning pipers as well as timing.  Steady blowing is always a concern at my level as well.  Had there been other 40+ pipers in the event and I had come last it would not have mattered as it's not about the placing so much as it is about the experience and the score sheet you get from the judge afterwards.  The score sheets are very detailed and, from the good judges, very constructive.  When you practice tunes over and over you know what your weak areas are so the score sheets usually don't contain too many surprises but every judge is different and they have different things they notice in any given tune.  I was pleased with my first Knock Out experience.

The second Knock Out for 40+ was held on January 9th and I was to play a 4-parted 2/4 march.  I chose the "Haughs of Cromdale".  I was a bit rusty as I was away on vacation over the Christmas break and had very little opportunity to practice.  I had just 1 week to knock the rust off the tune.  Again, I didn't make any glaring errors but I know I could have played better.  Nerves get to you when playing in front of people.  I finished first again as I was the only 40+ competitor.  It's a bit of a hollow victory but it's all about getting experience playing under pressure.

The finals for the Knock Outs are in March and I have to play a Medley.  I have chosen "Jack's Welcome Home", "Skye Boat Song" and "Lochanside".  I am looking forward to it however the audience will be about 4 times as large at least.  The nerves will be running high that evening but with no other 40+ competitors who have qualified I just need to get through the Medley without being disqualified.  Fingers crossed on that.

Here is a link to the brief write up about the Knock Out on the PPBSO website including a photo of the top 6 B grade pipers from the January Knock Out and myself on the right.

Propagation...ugh!

With the approaching cooler weather so comes the antenna work that was procrastinated all summer long.  I installed a sloper for 20M and have been listening to it each evening for a few minutes calling CQ occasionally.  I have installed it semi-permanently and want to finish the job but the conditions have been so poor I am unsure how it will perform.  I also have some other work on a FAN dipole that I need to take care of soon.  These poor conditions are not favourable to the QRPer for sure.  I hope it isn't like this all winter or it's going to be a long one.  Here's an image for the dart board:

The Off-Season is so Short

Just when I was getting used to a slight lull in piping events be it from parades, concerts, Highland games, band practice or lessons the time has come where the lessons start up again and band practices are not too far behind them.  I have been taking my lessons at the Glengarry School of Piping and Drumming with this being the start of my third season.  Their instruction is fantastic with many instructors from the Ottawa Police Services grade 1 band.  We enjoy the luxury, here in Eastern Ontario, of being in a band-populous area.  In and around the National Capital area we have numerous grade 5 bands, a few grade 4 bands, a grade 3 band and a grade 1 band.  That's a lot of inspiration and challenge for a 3rd year piper.  I am looking forward to the band aspect of my piping career but this year I plan to start taking part in solo piping competitions.  I took part in a few over the summer with disappointing results.  This off-season/lesson season I will be taking some private lessons to augment my group lessons at the school in an effort to improve my solo playing.  The local pipe band society, the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario, holds solo competitions for piping and drumming at different skill levels throughout the winter.  These are called Knock Outs.  They have category A for experienced grade 3 pipers up to grade 1 and they have category B for grade 5 up to less experienced grade 3.  Luckily for me they also have a 40+ category for adult learners getting started in solo competing.  That is where I will be competing.  I will be nervous as playing the knock out is in front of spectators which are fellow pipers and drummers.  All I have done as far as solo competing goes is a few Highland Games which has very few spectators for the solo competitions.  This new experience for me will hopefully work on the "nerves" component and the "focus" component as they have been my kryptonite during band competitions this past year.  It's all about growth and hopefully this will help me.

Another thing I want to share is a blog post from blog portion of the Pipes|Drums web site.  It talks about the support we get as pipers or drummers from our families and/or spouses.  It really hit home with me as my spouse is so supportive of my piping hobby.  Here is that post.

Cheers,
Scott

Antenna Analyzer Update / Syracuse Competition Result

I got a response from MFJ regarding the MFJ-207 and its "dead spot" on 20M and was basically told I could send it in for repair and that the repair shouldn't be more than about $35.  I'm okay with that.  I have only used the analyzer a handful of times in the past few years since I purchased it new but this is the first time I have tried using it on 20M.  It's too bad I didn't realize this when I first bought the unit as I could have sent it back under warranty.  C'est la vie.  $35 isn't too bad and I know they will find the fault quickly and hopefully get the unit back to me before too long.  Apparently the turn-around time at the moment is 4 weeks so it will probably be more than that.  All that being said, the antenna I was trying to measure when I detected the fault is reading about 1.5:1 on the SWR so I should be fine without it.

The Central New York Highland Games and Scottish Festival was a great time as usual.  The shopping was good, the weather was great, the crowd was appreciative and we had a good play.  There were 6 grade 5 bands competing and we tied for first place.  When this happens the "Ensemble" score is compared and because the Finger Lakes Pipe Band scored higher in Ensemble they got the first place and we took second.  Good for them as ensemble is where it's it...at least that's what I've been told.  I'm okay with second place.  It is a vast improvement over our crummy play in Maxville at the Glengarry Highland Games.  I feel a lot better knowing we can play well when we are focused.

Our band warming up.  Photo courtesy - Barbara Macdonnell