Visalia 2024 - Summary

Back home from Visalia 2024.    It was a really productive convention.  

Here's a brief run-down of some of the talks/sessions that I enjoyed the most

Brian, N9ADG

"How NOT to get into the log" put on by Brian Moran, N9ADG.  A tongue in cheek way of describing exactly how to get in the log, the right way.  Synopsis:

1. Listen
2. Listen
3. and Listen

The talk had a great level of humor and advice and I loved the way Brian wove in bits of advice of what to do.   I hope that Brian is able to publish the synopsis again for the club.  The DX Code of Conduct really is the cornerstone for being a better DX'er.

Tom, ND2T

The next day had a full slate of tutorials and sessions on contesting.  In that subject there were several very important sessions to hear:

"Train for your weaknesses and Compete your strengths" put on by Tom Berson, ND2T

The take home message for that talk is simply to practice and train on the activities that you are least effective -- "Aspiration without allocation is folly." -- By that Tom meant that in order to train and prepare it will require time (allocation) and dedicated effort.  "Put time into the effort that will pay off later" and "A little goes a long way" -- to mean that each iterative session you put into training will accumulate better skill.   

He also made some other notes clear "Strength is mental" -- getting stronger at the things about contesting that seem like your weakness is about strengthening your mental acuity to handle the tasks you will have contesting.

And he made a few final comments:

"Study the moves of those you want to emulate" -- a contester you admire and appreciate -- find them on the air and emulate the same methods that you want to aspire to.

As a contest schedule and plan is formed (another thing to do -- plan your attack!  Make a schedule for what contest(s) you want to perform and then work backwards from those dates to plan your training and preparation to peak when those events take place.   Using any of the numerous contests that occur is the best angle to use.   CWT, MST, State QSO Parties, and the CQ WW contests - even the NCCC Sprints -- all good exercises.

Hank and Rusty

Hank W6SX and Rusty W6OAT gave a really lively talk on contesting mechanics and operations.  It was a culmination of a lot of the best ideals to strive for when contesting.   Slicing up the pile up, handling contacts in the contest -- the bottom line is "Be minimal"  DO NOT repeat what is not needed to be repeated.

If the other station comes back to you with their call sign, for instance, there is no need to repeat their call -- they know their own call sign.   Just stick to the exchange and the information that is pertinent to finishing the contact.   Ending the QSO in a contest comes down to a simple TU (thank you) or 73 -- and as much as there is debate among experienced contesters about using TU vs 73 to end the QSO, you will have to decide for yourself.  TU is of course a speedier way to end than 73, but that doesn't mean you are required to use it.   Going back to what Tom ND2T said -- emulate the behaviors that you want to strive for in other experienced contesters.

The best part of Hank and Rusty's talk was the simulation of a live SSB pile up.   

Hank called CQ to the room (emulating SSB contesting) and in the room dozens of attendees tried to shout out their calls (the pile up) and we saw and heard Hank work the room just as if it was on the HF band.  It illustrated a few points that were already discussed:

1. Use full call signs
2. Use standard phonetics, (don't mess around with fancy arcane phonetics)
3. Only give out the information that is new and required, don't repeat what is already confirmed.
4. End the QSO cleanly with the TU or 73
5. Reset for the next QSO with the pattern that keeps the rate up.

Mark, K6UFO

In the scheme of things, the digital modes FT-8, FT-4, etc. are appearing (no surprise) as dominant factors in the total Q-counts for DX'peditions.  I don't think I heard a single expedition summary talk show less than 50% of their contacts were using FT-8.   This mode is the way forward for those DX'peditions to elevate rate of Q across the expedition time.  SSB and CW will still be crucial, but the FT-8 mode is dominant and will continue to be so.

For that reason, Mark's talk on FT-8 was a summary of the impact of FT-8 as well as a thumb-nail guide for those who want to use it effectively both from the DX chaser and DX'peditioner side of the fence.  Advancements in the FT-8 exchange will be announced more formally, but the technology that is emerging will include authentication schemes to help suppress pirate operations fouling up the overall DX'pedition.   Technology alone won't really eliminate the DQRM problem, but the authentication schemes for establishing truth about the contacts will definitely help tamp down the problem to an extent.

Mark's talk went through these issues and a highlight of the benefit when FT-8 and FT-4 is used for maximum efficiency.   It was an excellent capsule of knowledge for those using FT-8 -- which it turns out is a majority of the DX chasers if the statistics are followed.

H44WA and H40WA

There were two other talks that the conference had.   I missed the H44WA talk from Robin, WA7CPA (I had seen the presentation at the Western Washington DX Club meeting, but I still wanted to hear Robin's re-telling of the story -- I was in the Contest Academy at the time).   H40WA was reviewed by Rob, N7QT on the Sunday breakfast session and that was a really engaging story about the difficulties for working that province in the Solomon Islands.

I was really glad to see the Western Washington DX Club so well represented at the convention -- both in terms of members being there and also the number of presentations given by our own WWDXC DX'peditioners.

Nice job to Robin, Rob, and shout out to Brian Moran, N9ADG for very effective work and support patching the WSJT-X to allow for streamlined F/H QSO rate.

The Convention

The convention itself had slightly less attendees than last year, but it was still a very rousing and successful convention.   Another highlight were the dinners that occurred during the weekend -- to the side of the convention were a number of fine restaurants and in the evenings, a few people gathered to share a meal and talk DX, and all sorts of things in a smaller setting.  I was glad to be able to attend a couple of these.  I had a great time listening and the engagement was really helpful.

We didn't have a huge number of third parties at the vendor area.  It was reduced somewhat from the last convention in 2023.  However, it was good to see representation from the Flex Radio company as well as Elecraft -- who put out some demos of their products.  The new hand-held KH1 CW transceiver was remarkable.  Wayne, N6KR very enthusiastically showed all of the features of the KH1 and the physical design that went into the device -- it's a really compact HF radio (80-15m).   The picnic-table operators or SOTA folks will appreciate it.

The convention was organized by an integrated cooperation between the Northern California DX Club and the Southern California DX club and they pulled off a great convention -- well organized and really satisfying.

I met a few friends who were first-timers to the convention.   I want to mention a couple:

Jim, N7AUE -- I had worked Jim many times on MST and CWT so it was fun to meet him F2F.  I think he had a great time at the convention.  The only advice I gave him was "For this convention especially, become an extrovert and talk to as many DX'ers as you can -- you'll find they want to help and the connections you make will be really important."  

Danny, KX7DX -- His first IDXC.  I carpooled with Danny and Rusty from the Fresno airport to the convention and it was great to hear Danny remark about what he enjoyed about the convention.

New Friends

It was a whirlwind of meeting new people this year.  At the after-hours dinners especially.

I got to know better some of the active DX'ers and contesters that I have read about before.

End Notes

Just the same message -- if you haven't gone to IDXC, go.  If you are into chasing DX, or being the DX, go.  And if you enjoy the company of friendly amateur radio operators who live and work in that field (DX and Contesting), then go.   You will have a great time.

See you next year!

Picture of the author at the special event station K6V handing out signal reports

QST + Visalia 2024

I was informed in February 2024 that my article I wrote for QST last Spring is going to be in the May edition of the QST.  A fun article with some ideas on CW practicing and training.  I hope you enjoy it.

In the article, I needed to use call-signs to demonstrate an idea.  I decided to use the call sign of my XYL's great uncle, WA6SLI -- Art Rutledge.   He no longer is able to operate his superb station, but the memory of showing how amateur radio works first hand, and visits to the "Candy Store" (Ham Radio Outlet) in Burbank, CA are unforgettable.   Get well Art!

(Above:  1525 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA -- now closed.  Next closest shop is in Anaheim on 933 N Euclid St)

About Visalia 2024 --

The itinerary is setting up nicely!

Meet-ups and gatherings are being formed via email -- looking forward to the opportunity to see old/new friends again for a good eye-ball QSO.

Instead of camping-down the whole way to the convention, I'll be flying in.  Saves me a bit of time.  

I really (really) liked the camp-out aspect last year, but I'll have to leave the van behind this time.

Yes, time for radio!

Recently I decided to go into semi-retirement. I used to work for Blue Origin.

I've left Blue Origin and the aerospace world. As some colleagues would call it, 'turned in my space boots'.

I have plans -- one is to go back to college and earn my master's degree in electrical engineering (MSEE) because eventually I want to teach/instruct college students the ways of embedded software and systems. A mix of hardware and software that involve direct access to the 'magic sand'. That'll take me a couple years I suppose.

In the mean time, carve out a web-shingle that reads in part 'Embedded Software Blacksmith' and do consulting for enterprises trying to unravel the issues that tangle up a lot of programs -- safety critical software, processes, requirements, and board bring-up, and how to mentor and grow burgeoning software teams from scratch.

I'm thrilled about the new opportunities I have and look forward to making great things happen.

It also means my involvement with the Western Washington DX Club will increase as well as my endeavors with chasing DX stations and working on antenna designs for colleagues who are doing expeditions.

A lot of fun things to do.  

I'm very excited for the opportunity.

Visalia '24

It's almost here.    It will be a great convention.

The two presentations that I am excited to hear are from the H44WA and H40WA DX'peditions that occurred between November 2023 and February 2024.   Both of them were geographically close but their operations different.   I am proud that I was able to sweep the H44WA operation (thanks Robin!) and I had a tiny role in getting some equipment modifications for the H40WA operation to help Rob's team.

Aside from that the other anticipation for me is just seeing old friends and making new friends at the convention.  I had a great time last year (my first visit to Visalia) in 2023.   This year will being a new set of opportunities to learn about DX'peditions and review the work that was done.

Tom, ND2T joked in 2023 that "while we speak, there are at least 5 DX'peditions being planned" and at first I thought he was just kidding.  Turns out he was not joking -- and that in of itself is an amazing property of the DX Convention -- things happen!  Plans get made and it's really an amazing thing to behold.

I am expressing my appreciation for all those who have encouraged me during my last year of "intense CW contesting and DX'ing" and I look forward to meeting them again in Visalia this year.

If you have not attended this conference, I highly recommend it.  I believe registration is still open and today (March 8, 2024) is the last day to register if you want to get a Tee-Shirt as part of the registration -- the shirt I believe has your call sign imprinted.

See you there!

Bob, K4UEE (SK)

A few days ago I saw the notice in the Daily DX that Bob Allphin, K4UEE had past away.

I offer my condolences to the friends and family of Bob.  

I never met Bob, but I had corresponded with him over mail.  I first became aware of Bob when I was collecting videos he and his group published for the DX'peditions.    I think I have a pretty good collection of most of them.  I started watching those videos around 2010-2011 and I was enthralled by the activity of the group he led.

I had to sift through my DX QSL cards and I found that I had worked Bob while he was on a vacation/expedition to the Isle of Man.

In 2018 I sent him a letter asking for advice on how to get involved in DX'peditions and he wrote back to me saying in effect to keep working on my CW and find a way to go out myself.   It was a harsh reminder that in order to work on a DX team meant to do the homework - practice, and keep climbing up the DXCC list scratching off entities.

I know a few people who have organized and operated DX'peditions and it's no cake-walk.  It's a lot of work and struggle -- even for the mostly accessible locations.  Bob's video library documented just such endeavors.  Bob's idea of DX'pedition is really the kind I like -- the rare island, the survival tactics and the make-shift methods.   There are a few examples where his expeditions were grand operations, most notably Peter I, 3Y0X.    The other kind that I admire was the Kingman Reef, K5K trip.   A strip of gravel and sand and remote.

I re-watch the videos time to time -- just to remind myself of the thrill of going out to a remote place and setting up a station.

All this being said, I am reminded of how important it is to keep close to your ham radio friends, encourage and support DX'peditions and in the words of Tom Berson, ND2T, always be ready.

Thank you Bob for all you've done for amateur radio.  Rest in peace.

Best Laid Plans

Winter has really hit hard this January.   First was the wind-storm that knocked out power for a couple days.   Luckily we are prepared for that and the generator hookup for the house is already set.  I just needed to wheel out the generator, hook up the lines and flip the switch to get most of the house back on power.  

The contest calendar was on my mind.  The ARRL North American QSO Party for CW was this weekend and despite all of my attempt to be ready for that I could not really participate.

I tried.

The problem was rooted in a very pernicious RFI problem in the shack.  When I installed the second (replacement) KPA-500 I noticed that the KPA would switch bands during Tx -- even with very low power from the K3.    The problem was even worse when high power was used.  And, it didn't matter if the load was the antenna or a dummy-load.

The issue is critical because it would be unfortunate if the KPA got a driving signal from the K3 that was expected on a band but not the band the KPA was ready to handle.   A sure fire way to blow those precious finals on the KPA.

As much as I tried to limit the amount of RF(I) in the shack, I could not eliminate it fully.  The KPA would encounter a situation where the KPA was wrongly changing the band even though the K3 (driving exciter) was not changing band.

I've narrowed the problem down to emissions and I will just need to re-do the way the shack is setup by changing one thing at a time until I can find correlation.   

Good news is that the WX is getting warmer so I can work more easily in the shack.

Just in time...    TX5S (Clipperton) is expected to go up in a couple days and I also need to get back into the MST contesting scheme.    And then there's the slew of State QSO Parties to do.

Finally, got the bill from Elecraft for the repair of the KPA-500.  The cost to replace the MOSFET finals (VRF-2933) is $850 plus shipping.  The KPA-500 is a tough little unit and does a good job, but take care of it.  If the magic smoke comes out, it's about 1/4 of the cost of the amplifier to replace them.

I took care of mine and I still don't know what the real cause was for the failure -- and neither does Elecraft.   Don't expect the warranty to apply.  It really looks like the problem I'm having with KPA-500  number two is why number one failed -- the KPA-500 got driven off band.

Lenny, what's your secret?

The new year already spun and the CQ Marathon results were sent in.

171 Entities

39 Zones   (missed #34)

-----------

210 total

The WWDXC is chalking up some big numbers.  Very cool to see the club so active in CQ Marathon. On average the reports I've seen have each individually been north of 200 points -- some even above 300 when they include the Zone counts.   Great work!

Right around the new year, a member of the WWDXC posed a question about How Long does it take for Honor Roll?

I put some thought to it and came up with this small story:

In 2018, our family visited Paris.  Our son was 16 and we knew that soon his college preparation would occupy his time so this would be our last 'great adventure'.  He picked Paris, so.. (twist my arm, right) .. we went.

We went to the usual places - the Louvre was one of them.  But there were too many fine museums to see.  We saw a dozen  or so for the three weeks we stayed in the Latin Quarter (Rue Monge).   We were fortunate that because of his education -- he was actually quite well versed in some of the history and at times was our 'docent' as we walked the parquet halls.

The question Rusty asked just a few days ago made me think of a hypothetical scenario --  several masters of painting are assembled together to walk the parquet floor of the Louvre after closing time to discuss each others work.   No public in view, just masters in conference as they walk the hall and discuss each others work.  Their Honor Roll.   In my imagination, I can hear the question posed by one master to another "So, Lenny (Leonardo).. how long did it really take you to work out that smile on Mona?" etc..

To me at least, the work of attaining HL let alone #1 HL is like the work of a master.  Serendipity, luck, and determination all playing a role in finding that rare ATNO in the log -- and better still the QSL paper in a stack.  But I think there's also a less talked about skill involved and that skill eludes some of us.   Sure, we read The Book and we are enamored by the fiction.

The skill involved is probably not as difficult to acquire as one thinks.  That's my hope at least.   When I started out in 2006, I had absolutely no clue how to do this.  No advice, no Elmer, literally just whatever the ARRL Handbook said - it was my only reference.   I was not a no-code Extra. I actually took a code-test, albeit a slow one.  But the strangeness was being an Extra w/o a single QSO logged.   First QSO? a DX -- KH6.  Great.   But it took 2.5 years to get DXCC.    At or around #75 I did find The Book and (not making this up) -- the same weekend after I read it, I worked 11 ATNO in one night.   When the ARRL DXCC wall-paper arrived in the mail, I was very proud.

But going from 100 to 210* went a lot easier actually.  I sort of knew what to look for and organically the antenna system improved, the power improved and awareness of DX improved.   But it all had to take a back-seat for a very long time (2011-1018) while I had a kid to raise and work to do.

During the hiatus from radio, FT-8 happened and I wasn't aware of it until 2020.   Now the playing field is a bit more level.   To be honest I hate FT-8, but I also love it for what it does - let's me put the ATNO in the book when nothing else works.   But, FT-8 has been a useful foil -- FT8WW couldn't be worked on FT-8 (too many callers, maelstrom of signal), so I worked them on CW 15m almost immediately.

This leads me to my final point -- it's really remarkable how we look at DXCC HL -- I have the sheet in front of me -- the print-out I made of what I need to do -- my list of entities that I need to work.  I made the list in April 2023.     15 of the entities on that paper list are now crossed off.    There is now almost a direct correspondence to the News Letter announcement for stations planning to QRV and my need-list.    Like ET3AA, etc..  The jog from 210 to 330 is going to be a rough one.   The CQ Marathon only proves the point that in a few months (weeks, days even) someone could chalk up DXCC.

At this rate, with 15-20 ATNO per year (a conservative number given my work-schedule and role of Dad of College Student) -- it could be perhaps as early as 2026 to 2029 -- kind of around the time I can retire and hang up the spurs.

When the masters make their way through the halls, and discuss their work -- remember that the students on the side are hopeful to hear and watch and learn.   At least in this club that seems to be the pattern. Thank goodness.