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The NAQCC Straight Key - Information Challenge Results: Bug/paddle handles drawing winner: WY7N Certificates: VE3HUR, K3WWP, WY7N Call Worked Info K3WWP NV1B Starting a QRP streak like mine 4 pts WY3H Off work tomorrow WB4TXD Going on trip to CO KF4WBJ Uses a SK almost exclusively WY7N W7GVE Collects older ham rigs 2 pts KC6PLV Has a sailboat VE3HUR K0TC got started in ham radio in highschool 6 pts WA1NTA he's been in this area W9SJW flooding in his area VA3CWT mechanic K3WWP just caught a rock bass W0KQC ham 55 yrs, worked as chemistSoapbox: K3WWP - I just never really had the time to explore this challenge as fully as I would have liked. It seemed there was always something else to do and I had to get my daily streak QSO as quickly as possible, then never did get back to the bands that day. I did have some other interesting QSO's that would have qualified had I used my SK, but I was using the keyer instead. WY7N - Unlike John (K3WWP) I got frustrated with my keyer and switched over to a SK when rag chewing with W7GVE. That QSO lasted over an hour. I didn't even bother with the keyer with KC6PLV. What fun! VE3HUR - I thought this was going to be an easy one - just use a straight key and 5 watts for a few rag chews. Well, it wasn't so easy. Ops calling CQ didn't hear me (or didn't want to answer a weak signal) and no one would answer any of my CQs. I've gained a lot more respect for hams who are able to operate QRP on a regular basis. I've also added that challenge to my "to do" list. PREMISE: Use a straight key and find out something extra about the ham you work. TIME FRAME: Aug 1, 2007 0000Z through Aug 31, 2007 2400Z RULES: Use a straight key and when you work someone, find out more about him/her than just the standard RST/QTH/NAME/RIG/WX exchange of many QSO's. For example, they like to fish or gardening is a hobby, etc. This is designed obviously to make your QSO's more interesting, and to increase the time you use CW on the air - both important aims. Each QSO that qualifies counts one point. Of course all QSO's must be 2X CW and you must be using QRP power. AWARDS: A certificate goes to the three hams making the highest point totals during the month. Also to anyone for whom this is the first challenge they have ever entered and reported their results. PRIZE: This month we begin a series of monthly prizes in conjunction with our challenges. For at least the next 13 months, the prize is a set of beautiful bug or paddle handles. These pieces are beautifully hand crafted and donated by Gregg, WB8LZG. I have them here and they are beautiful. To see what I mean although the pictures don't do complete justice to their beauty, check them out here. Everyone who earns a participation point as outlined in the next section is eligible to win the prize. A list of those eligible will be sent to Gregg, WB8LZG who will select a winner at random. An individual can only win one set of paddles after which they become ineligible for future drawings. At Gregg's request, NAQCC officers are also eligible for all his bug/paddle handle prizes. PARTICIPATION AWARD AND WEB LISTING: Just participate, make at least 2 points, and report your results for a web listing and Participation Point. LOGS: For your report, send a list of all qualifying QSO's listing the call and a BRIEF note of the extra info you found out from that person. For example: K3WWP - likes to fish WY3H - a newspaper reporter You may also include comments about the challenge. Please preface any comments you want posted with "SOAPBOX:" so we will know what you want posted and what is private. Send your results to: E-mail: ![]() You must type that address into your email program. Subject must read: (your call) NAQCC (month) Challenge For example: K3WWP NAQCC July Challenge Postal mail: Tom Mitchell, WY3H RD6 Box 122A Kittanning, PA 16201 All entries must be RECEIVED before September 10, 2007 at 2400Z. |