How to automate some actions during the VKV contest? Competing on VHF in one person can be quite difficult even in such contest as VKV PA. How to make it better?
You will read:
HINT: semi-automatic antenna turning
I use a rotator with built-in Easy Rotor Control (ERC) interface by DF9GR. It is connected to a PC with the PstRotator program linked to the N1MM+ log. Based on DXCC or the locator of the specified brand, I have the option to activate the rotation of the antenna in a given direction with a keyboard shortcut. It looks like this:
1, Enter callsign in N1MM+
2, program will show the azimuth
3, if I want, I activate the rotation of the antenna with the keyboard shortcut ALT+J
For me, such improvements are crucial. The previously mentioned connection of devices to the block with a clamping strap is not only a time saver, but also comfortable and energy-saving. Dismantling multiple devices and connecting them with cables in a confined environment is not efficient. That's why I want to continue looking for them.
HINT: custom call database file in N1MM+
You could have noticed on the previous screenshot, that N1MM+ shows me the locator and name. But additional information can also be displayed. In my file there is an indication of the antenna system and power. This can be achieved with the "callhistory" file. I process it in Excel:
This ensures the necessary structure. It is possible to set up such a file already when creating a new journal:
and don't forget to enable its use in the configuration.
VKV PA March 2023
Slightly blown, but dry and relatively warm weather. This makes the antennas easier to fold. I learned from the last round of VKV PA stacked four 5-element DK7ZB yagi antennas connected a new coaxial cable. In the system, the HA8ET preamplifier is again connected before the TS-2000.
This time I start on time, I'm even chasing a short exam with Vlad from OM3KGW on Portaš (JN99ch). The band seems relatively quiet to me, so I tune in and watch a bit, whether everything is connected correctly. Yes it is, but i'm heading east and the preamp is off.
It looks, that the nice weather has drawn some radio amateurs to nature or gardens, but without equipment. I try to collect multipliers as is HG1DRD in JN86, SN9W v JO90, OE1GDA/P v JN77, HA5OO in JN97 or OK1DOL in JN69. It shows, that the number of multipliers is more important for the overall result and it is worth looking for each multiplier.
This time, however, I don't have any Slovak station from - and that's also due to my own doing KN08, KN09, KN18 a KN19. Sked s OM8DD because I looked and I couldn't find another station from the given squares on the band or KST cottage.
He also regrets the only connection to Romania. It looks, that there were several stations on both the band and the cottage, no YP2DX z KN05 remained until the end of VKV PA the only logged station from this DXCC.
But there are two German stations in the logo, DH9ET z JN57 a DB7MM/P z JN59. Both were very easy to do. It appears, that the stations there concentrate on 24-hour races and VKV PAs are occupied sporadically. Damage, probably more such connections could be made.
Activity from Austria also fluctuates. This time there are three stations in the log, OE1GDA/P v JN77, OE6V v JN76 a OE6END v JN77. Two connections to Italy were successful, IK4GNG v JN64 (longest connection on 656 kilometers) and I3QJZ v JN55.
It's at the end 92 QSOs to 24 locator squares. Obtained 7824 points is my maximum so far. Kilometer average per QSO exceeded 200, which confirms, that HA8ET preamplifier it works great.
