Amateur Radio Station K6JEB

CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW

Call: K6JEB
Operator(s): K6JEB
Station: K6JEB

Class: SOAB(A) HP
QTH: 3
Operating Time (hrs): 9:20

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Zones  Countries
------------------------------
  160:    0     0        0
   80:   17     6        7
   40:   51    17       27
   20:   35    11       11
   15:    7     4        4
   10:    0     0        0
------------------------------
Total:  110    38       49

Total Score = 24,621
Club: Northern California Contest Club

Comments:

Worked what I could of the contest. Since we’re having an Open House this weekend, I could only participate part-time.

I’m down to just my Butternut HF9V and limited radials now with the house one sale. Used my Yaesu FT-857D and Dentron GLA-1000 at 500 watts. I stayed exclusively in Search and Pounce mode. I spotted when I thought it would be helpful.

Here’s the message buffer settings I used:

I purchased a PortaPaddle II kit from American Morse at Pacificon 2007. There’s something satisfying about purchasing something of quality from its maker. Let me tell you, Doug Hauff, W6AME, owner/operator/genius/master craftsman has really given the ham community a real gem here.

If I hadn’t been fiddling with trying to take short video clips of each step in the assembly process, I would have had it put together in under five minutes. That includes the trip to the fridge for a cold beer. Well, I also had some “QRD” (‘the place is going to the dogs’) from my canine kids Honey and Shaggy. Nevertheless my camera battery died and I really just wanted to get this paddle together so I could try it out. You can view the photos I managed to get here.

Tools required were a screwdriver and a pliers. The kit comes with an allen wrench and a locking nut wrench. One ‘mod’ I may make is to somehow stow the locking nut wrench somehow in the base. The builder’s manual is clear and concise. Doug obviously puts a lot of time and effort into not just making the kit itself, but writing quality assembly instructions, complete with color photos.

What I wanted was a paddle I could take with me when I travel. I needed something that could handle being handled, packed-away, carried through the woods, and sitting at the beach. This is a durable, solidly design (and built) kit that will amaze you with the high level of precision it gives you.

Each paddle has a finely threaded thumbscrew with a locking nut (the kit comes with a small wrench for this very thing). Tension is also adjusted by the thumbscrew on the right paddle. This also has a locking nut.

How does it feel? Well, my other paddles are beginning to gather dust. This little paddle fits my hand nicely and the perfectly-weighted base Doug sells makes the Portapaddle II stay put. This last point is VERY important to me. All too often I find my horrible habit of ‘slapping’ my CW paddles causes them to do everything but stand still.

The size of the PortaPaddle II is smaller than my J-38 straight key.

I may design some sort of mounting system for HF-Packing with the Portapaddle II. It will probably just be a quick-release (velco?) on my pack’s shoulder straps. I haven’t gone down that road just yet, but will keep you posted right here.

If you’re looking for a CW paddle that will give you the same level of precision and ‘feel’ as the high-end paddles (that cost many times more), try out the PortaPaddle II. For the price, it simply rocks!

72/73!

Jack, K6JEB

OK, this time I used my Dentron GLA-1000 (modified with four EL-509s slacking off at 400 watts output) to try and actually have a ‘run’ calling CQ. However, I really had only one decent run and a couple very short runs. In any case, I still had a blast and I’m really pleased with the recordings I used for my voice keying since I had NO requests for repeats when I used it. Of course using voice keying isn’t always the best idea. Use with discretion. But it’s nice to be able to talk the next day.

Here’s a screenshot of my message buffer:

and of course moments after the contest (click image to see full size):

Call: K6JEB
Operator(s): K6JEB
Station: K6JEB

Class: SO Unlimited HP
QTH: EB
Operating Time (hrs): 22:23

Summary:
Band QSOs
————
160: 0
80: 57
40: 112
20: 123
15: 16
10: 0
————
Total: 308 Sections = 75 Total Score = 46,200

Club: Northern California Contest Club

Comments:
A lot of work even with 400 watts! My favorite time was running a small pile-up for several minutes of NCCC KBers. Last Sweepstakes from this QTH, will be moving before next year. Will be hopefully in a better antenna location next year!