Test MORSE CODE CHALLENGE – CTRI Contest Group

MORSE CODE CHALLENGE – CTRI Contest Group
So, how goes the battle?  I mean, of course, your battle with Morse code.  At the upcoming April meeting of CTRI Contest Group, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate how much you have improved in just one short month.  I would also like to know how many hours you have spent practicing, or at a minimum, how many runs of RufzXP you have completed.  You can find that out by viewing the RufzXP main screen:

 

Meeting of March 12, 2011

Mike, K1DM, Challenges Members to Improve CW Performance

The best attended meeting in recent memory was held at the Crandall House in Ataway, RI, on Saturday, March 12, 2011. Eighteen members enjoyed multiple technical presentations and exceptional cuisine as well as good fellowship.

John, W1XX  announced and promoted  “Operation NEQP:  1 Million or Bust”, a project to establish an unbeatable record for this contest. Members are urged to ready their stations for the contest which is held in early May. At the April meeting we can count on our esteemed Contest Manager for additional exhortations to surpass our previous efforts and set the bar beyond the reach of others forever.

Mike, K1DM  presented his Morse code training regime. He also did a TEST RUN using the RufzXP program to let everyone see another way to improve their code proficiency. Members interested in improving their own CW performance had the opportunity to run the program and establish a baseline from which to improve before the April meeting.  There is much of interest about Mike’s methodology to which this short description fails to do justice.

Bob,W1YRC  gave a presentation on the way his other club is approaching lifting the level of technical expertise of members and prospective members. It is an unusual way to make real hams out of people who hold a license but whose understanding of ham radio or electronics comes mainly from the license manual. Members found this account to be fascinating and of potential use to CTRI CG. After a long and stimulating discussion it was moved by W1XX and seconded by NG1G that the Executive Committee be directed to study the potential of the club establishing a similar undertaking to the one W1YRC described but with a contest bent and to report back to the membership. Motion passed.

Lunch is served.

At this point the meeting recessed for lunch provided by Chris, KA1GEU, coffee by John, W1AN, ice cold milk by Pat, NG1G. A special treat was a selection of oatmeal-raisin and chocolate chip-pecan-bourbon cookies by Pam K6NDV, and Bob W1YRC.

After lunch the meeting resumed.

Members were asked what topics would interest them for future meetings:

  • A review of N3PU experiences
  • LOTW workshop
  • Demo of TeamView and remote operation
  • Logging programs: XMLOG, DXWIN, DXLABS, N1MM, WriteLog, etc.
  • Construction projects

Some discussion surrounded each of these possible topics as well as other general conversations.

Meeting adjourned at 1330

Respectfully submitted,

Ed Haskell W1PN, Secretary

 

 

With a stunning new technology …

With a stunning new technology, a well known company has decided to re-enter the Amateur market.  Will they re-invent Ham Radio when they do?

BUFFALO, NY — An upstate New York company has announced the development of a new technology with profound implications for modern communications, including Amateur Radio.  Dr. Robert F. “RF” Burns, president of Buffalo Chip Technology, provided some information at an April 1st press conference.

“We have successfully created what amounts to a very high gain, very broadbanded directional antenna in a single computer chip smaller than a book of matches.  Our discovery of Enhanced Integrated Electronic Input/Output (EIE-I/O) has enormous potential”

Montgomery Scott, chief engineer for the Enterprise, added some details.  “While it is true that you cannot change the laws of physics, it is sometimes possible to use them creatively.  What we have done here is exactly that.”  Scott went on to explain some of the background behind the breakthrough.  “Until now, electronic theory has described radio propagation in terms of Sine Waves.  One of our laddies, Jim Tiberius, started looking instead at Cosine Waves.  This led to the discovery of EIE-I/O, and the subsequent development of the CosineOptimized Waveform Chip.  C.O.W. chips may represent the most significant advance in electronics since the Di-Lithium Crystal.”

“Unlike Sine waveforms, which vary in length depending on frequency, Cosine Optimized Waveforms are almost uniformly short across the entire radio spectrum.  The functional equivalent of a nine element, full sized 40 meter beam antenna will now fit in a package no larger than a credit card.  The 80 and 160 meter versions will be the size of a pack of cigarettes.”

EIE-I/O also has applications in transceiver design,” added company spokesman Richard Tracy.  He demonstrated a prototype of a full-featured, all mode HF through microwave rig.  The radio, including the antenna, is worn on the wrist and resembles an everyday wristwatch.  “We expect this to be especially popular with contesters and their families,” he continued.  Imagine being able to attend your daughter’s dance recital or your son’s soccer game, while never missing that big band opening!  And won’t the XYL be thrilled – no more ‘laundry problems’ caused working ‘just one more multiplier’ before a trip to the Theory Room.”

Industry insiders have reported a few nagging problems with the C.O.W. chips.  “They’re apparently made in a really ugly shade of brown,” said one.  “I don’t know how the market will accept that.”  Others pointed to a somewhat unpleasant odor emanating from the chips.  Buffalo Chip experts have described the problems as small, but unavoidable.

Newer hams may not be familiar with the company.  Many long-time Amateurs have fond memories of the firm, however.  Founder Joseph MacDonald was legendary for finding and developing electrical engineers.  “Sometimes it seemed like old MacDonald had a farm,” recalled one veteran.  “He always had a great crop of home-grown talent.”

Spokesman Burns confirmed the company’s re-entry into the Amateur Radio Market.  “Our management team believes that Amateur Radio operators deserve the best in C.O.W. Chip products and EIE-I/O technology.  We are committed to providing exactly that.”

Competitors were less than enthusiastic, saying it is a long overdue move.  According to one anonymous rival, “Suddenly, their management team is committed?  Big deal!  They should have been committed years ago!”  Said another, “It seems like just more of the same old bullcrap to me.  The major manufacturers have known about this technology for years.  The problem is in maintaining consistent quality control over the manufacturing process.  But if they can do that, I think the rest of us might be in deep doo-doo.”

Buffalo Chip personnel insist that they have solved the manufacturing and quality issues, and are ready to go.  Production of EIE-I/O units is expected to begin shortly.  According to a company press release, Quicksilver Radio Products has been appointed as the exclusive worldwide distributor.

 

Reprinted by permission for those who may have missed it.