Category: Technical

Arizona QSO Party

The 11th running of the Arizona QSO Party is October 12 & 13, 2019. A record number of logs were received last year. Plaques will be presented to all category winners. The Arizona Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly awards will be presented to the top New Contesters. Create the ARRL-AZ QSL for working the Arizona Section Manager W7RAP. Detailed participation certificates can be created by all entrants. The Bonus Station this year is W7A. Results will be published shortly after the logs due date of October 23. Join the party, make some contacts, and have ham radio fun in the AZQP! Check the Arizona QSO Party website www.azqsoparty.org for up-to-date information on awards, activated counties, multiplier abbreviations, resources, logs received, results and more.

Randy’s Go Bag as Presented at Meeting.

Randy’s go bag inventory.

    1. Good sturdy pack large enough for all items.
    2. Icom IC7000 all band all mode radio.
    3. 66 foot RG8X coaxial cable
    4. 20 foot RG8X coaxial cable
    5. 12 inch RG58 patch cable
    6. Radio power cable with alligator clips
    7. LDG AT100 antenna tuner
    8. Radio to tuner interface cable
    9. 9:1 unun impedance matcher
    10. 85 feet of #20 wire for antenna
    11. 17 feet of #20 wire for counterpoise
    12. Shelter tarp
    13. 200 feet 550 cord
    14. Bedroll
    15. Insulating ground pad
    16. First aid kit
    17. Toilet kit and any medications you might need
    18. Cooking utensils
    19. 2 -32oz. Water bottles
    20. Food for several days (make it heat and eat ie. MRE or backpacking food)
    21. Fire starting kit and/or stove
    22. Head lamp and/or flashlight
    23. Extra batteries
    24. Adventure Medical space blanket
    25. Notepad and pencils
    26. Multitool
    27. Knife
    28. Jacket and raingear
    29. Extra socks

At the truck I will have 5 gal. of water, more 12 volt batteries, and a solar charging panel.

These are just suggested items. You can tailor your bag to your personal needs.

R.A.C.E.S. Tip of the Week

It is always good to have a work space to take notes on, paper, and a pencil. You may use a pen, but a pencil will make it easier to correct mistakes. If you will be taking your notes on a computer, use a laptop or tablet with a keyboard, as they have a battery to avoid the loss of work due to power outage. You could use a desktop computer, but if power is down be sure to have an alternate method to power your computer. I personally use the paper method, then transfer to computer later for a back up.

Check out our R.A.C.E.S. page for more information.