Solid Copy

January
2018

The International CWops Newsletter

Revised Results 2017 CW Open

Revised top ten results for low power sessions 2 and 3:
see page 8

CWops “CWT” Every Wednesday
Regular Tests: Full Speed
Start: 13Z, 19Z, 03Z (+1), 1-hour each session
Exchange: name/number (members)
name/SPC (non-members)
Avoid DX pileups!
CWops “neighborhood”: Look for CWops on
1.818, 3.528, 7.028, 10.118, 14.028, 18.078, 21.028,
24.908, 28.028, 50.098 “and up”
13+ wpm practice: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday 6-8
pm “local time” 7.035-7.045
CWops Officers and Directors
President: Mac McDonald NN4K
Vice President: Peter Butler W1UUSecretary: Jim Talens N3JT
Treasurer: Craig Thompson K9CT
Director: Stew Rolfe GW0ETF
Director: Vidi La Grange ZS1EL
Director: Nodir Tursoon-Zade EY8MM
Webmaster: Dan Romanchik KB6NU
Editor/Publisher: Tim Gennett K9WX

Issue No. 96

President’s Message
The New Year has started and let me wish all of
you a Happy New Year!
Whether making goals or
resolutions, it’s a goodtime to pause and reflecton accomplishments in2017 and think about
what changes or improvements are possiblefor 2018. I’m working on a few of them. I would
also like to express appreciation for all the work andenergy invested by our officers and managers. Most
would agree that the results have been very successful. CWops is a positive organization of hams who
like to use Morse / CW in the hobby and a funplace waiting to be found and enjoyed by others.
CWT’s are our most frequent meeting grounds andthe bottom of Solar Cycle 24 is giving us plenty of(Continued on page 2)

Table of Contents
President’s Message ......................................................1
From the Editor............................................................3
Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report .........................4News & Notes ..............................................................5
Guest Column: Saving the ARRL ..............................7
Updated Results: CW Open........................................8
CWops Award Nominations ......................................9How We Were .......................................................... 10
A Viable HOA/CC&R HF Antenna .................... 11
CWops Tests .............................................................. 14
CW Academy ............................................................. 15
New Members............................................................ 16
CWops Members Awards ........................................ 17
QTX Report ............................................................... 19
Operating Events ...................................................... 22
My Story: New member bio’s .................................. 24

(Continued from previous page)

propagation challenges. We spend an hour, three times a day, once a week, sending CQ or responding to a
CQ in order to log a contact. The comments in the 3830scores.com following a session tells us that all propagation is not equal. We use our best skills and make as many exchanges as we can or want. I’m often
amazed by how high the contact rates are among the highest scores. That reflects on one of my goals for
2018, improve my contact rate/hr. Meanwhile, I hope every member will find some time to make someCWT contacts this year and have fun with the rest of us. It’s great practice whether you are a runner or an
S&P’er.
The ARRL International Grid Chase in 2018 will stimulate activity. That’s another reason to get on the
CWT sessions and make contacts. Be sure and upload your log to the ARRL LOTW often so those who arechasing grid squares can measure their results and know what they need in the future. I have noticed in our
newsletter reports that a number of us are stuck on 49 States. Activity by members would be a cure for that.
The Jan-Feb CW Academy Semester has begun and a new crop of CW operators is a works-in-progress.
Thanks to the volunteers who offer their time and dedicate their efforts to help other hams either learn
Morse Code or help improve skills for those who could eventually become capable of 25 wpm proficiency
and new members. The personal contact by the Advisors in the virtual class-rooms (Skype) helps keep students on task and getting the best training available. The semester will end near the end of February andthen we will have one of our special 20 WPM CWT daysin order to work them on HF.

President’s Message . . .

There is an additional benefit for graduates of CWA andThe ARRL International Grid Chase inthat is the new website that has been arranged by Jerry
2018 will stimulate activity. That’s another
Wiesskohl, AC4BT, the CW Academy Manager. Jerry
reason to get on the CWT sessions. Be
will have full details about it but essentially, it will be asure and upload your log to the ARRL
website where students and members can log on and
LOTW often so those who are chasingfrom there arrange for a CW QSO on the air with anygrid squares can measure their results.
one else who is logged on. I encourage all members to
support this effort by checking in and monitoring theactivity. Most of the students will be looking to find contacts at slower speeds than 25 wpm. Especially students who graduate Level I and are developing their skillsin the 10 to 15 wpm level. Your interest and help will go a long way in getting their confidence built up
along with their HF communicating skills. Its use is not required, but it’s available for helping newbies get
their CW experiences going.
I had a response from one of our Solid Copy readers of the December 2017 issue who took me up on distributing some flyers at a hamfest he was going to attend. I sent him the .pdf files so he could get a few copies
printed. I’m hoping he had a lot of success doing the distribution. He said he would report after the hamfest
in January. If anyone else would like to do this, please email me so I can help get you started. If clubs wantto have CWops speakers as a program, refer them to our CWops Ambassadors who can provide that service. I’m doing one at a small club meeting in February.
February is the month for the big Florida HamCation in Orlando. I am planning to attend with the “CallSign Copy Competition” in the booth. Usually there are other members who like to visit or help relieve me
for a run through the convention. If you are there, please stop and say hello. The dates are February 9, 10.

73
Mac, NN4K, President

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From the Editor
Robbing Banks
I made my first FT8 QSO on Monday December 11.
You must be at least marginally familiar with FT8. It might be overstatement to say it has taken the amateur radio world by storm, but it’s fair tosay it is the latest and greatest when it comes to new things in the worldof ham radio operating, especially when you consider it only came into
public use June 29th of last year.
Several of the local operators I tend to hang with had been users of the
JT modes that preceded FT8, and they quickly jumped on the FT8 wagon when it came along. I listened as they shared their experiences with amostly “meh” reaction on my part. Then they started sharing stories ofworking DX and adding to their DXCC Challenge totals. That got myattention.
So on the morning of December 11 I downloaded and installed the software, dug into the help files, andseveral hours later I had my first FT8 QSO in the log. Later that day I added a new Challenge slot using
the mode.
One of the great things about FT8: it can allow operators with a very limited station to make HF contacts.
If you are concerned about newly licensed hams who buy a VHF/UHF HT, fiddle with that for a while
and then lose interest because of a lack of challenge, then FT8 is a positive thing and may provide them anext step in the hobby.
However, if you love CW (and if you are reading this, that is almost certainly the case) there is a lot to
NOT like about FT8. It’s slow. You can’t rag chew or exchange information much beyond the content of
the standard messages. It has no contesting applicability. It lacks the visceral satisfaction of sending andreceiving good sounding CW. And it is highly automated: more than once I’ve gotten distracted while sitting at the computer in the shack and, when my attention was drawn back to the screen, I found the computer had started and completed an FT8 QSO without any intervention from me.
Willie Sutton was an American bank robber who, according to legend, was asked by a newspaper reporter
why he robbed banks. Legend says he answered “Because that’s where the money is” and today the idea of
not overlooking the obvious is known as Sutton’s law.
Here’s the FT8 thing for me. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of setting it up and learning the software. I’ve
enjoyed figuring out how be a better FT8 operator, developing my repertoire of techniques to make more
QSOs and make the QSOs that I want to make. But mostly I enjoyed adding over a dozen new Challengeslots in just the first two of weeks of use. So I will keep operating FT8 from time to time because, at leastat this low point in the solar cycle, that’s where the DX is, my version of Sutton’s law.

Thanks, Hank
This issue of Solid Copy marks a milestone: the last “How We Were” column by Hank W6SX. First appearing in the March 2014 issue, “How We Were” chronicled the passage of time, showing some of our most(Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)

distinguished and accomplished members at theearliest stages of their ham radio careers. And
Hank was the guy who made it happen for 47
consecutive months. I’ve only been the Solid
Copy editor for a year and I can tell you that Hank
has always been the consummate professional:
way ahead of the deadline for submitting his column and his copy never once needed to be edited. Fittingly, he is the subject of this month’s“How We Were” and I can’t think of a betterway for him to end his tenure. Thanks, Hank,
for your commitment to CWops and to the hobby. I count nearly 200 QSO’s with you in my log
and hope for many, many more in the years to
come.

Hank, W6SX, in the shack73
Tim, K9WX, Editor

December 31, 2017 CW Operators Club Financial Report
Craig Thompson, Treasurer K9CT
Cash Balances 12/31/2017
Bank of America
Hometown Community Bank
PayPal$9916.09
6356.375742.66

Investment Account (Life Memberships)
Legacy Investment Services, Inc.

$102,214.12

Revenue: Dues
PayPalDirect (Cash or Check)$20,934.93
581.65

Expenses Marketing: Hamvention, Visalia and Tokyo Ham Fair
Plaques and Awards: WAE, CQWW, CWT, CWO, QTX, NAQP, ARRL DX
PayPalDirect$1227.43

PayPal Fees
Postage$788.92758.92$4484.45
675.00No person has been compensated from our funds

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News & Notes
Jerry Weisskohl, AC4BT
We sadly report that Chuck Comerford, WB2YIP, went Silent key on December 9th 2017.
Steve, K2KRG: I am a new CWops member and I have just changed my call sign. My previous call sign
was KD2KRG and my new call sign is K2KRG, I just dropped the “D” to make it a little easier.
Trung, W6TN/3W9T: I will travel to VN and intend to operate there as 3W9T on the next three CWTdays (December 27, January 3 and January 10). Due to time/band constraints I will only operate on
20m/40m at 1300z.
Here is my plan: I will travel along the coast of VN from Hanoi to Saigon starting on Dec 25 to Jan 11. I
will have a Yaesu FT-891, a Buddipole Deluxe antenna, an LDG Z11 Pro tuner, and a Gamma HPS-1
power supply with a tiny key as a portable setup. Before the CWT 1300z starts (local time 2000), I will try
to setup at one of the registered hotels there. This is my second attempt to operate from VN. The firstone in April was a disaster with zero contact using a local ham's equipment in Saigon.
Since the condition is marginal with a 100w rig and a dipole any QSO made to NA station will be a blessing. In addition, if everything works out I may operate on other dates. All QSOs, if done, will be posted
using LoTW and Club Log. I don't have a QSL card yet but it may happen later.
Andy, AE6Y: I’ll be at P49Y for ARRL CW in February. This will be my first all-bander from there since2012, so I’ll look forward to working CWops members! Past write-ups and results areat www.arubaqth.com.
Tom, AF4NC: I was recently vacationing in Maui in December and read on the blog that Rick NX6I and
Alan KX6TU were having lunch at a restaurant near my hotel. I met them for lunch and had a great time
meeting them and their wives. CWops everywhere!
Gary, N5PHT: Having finished 2017 CWTs without a miss I thought some members might be interested
in some stats from this station.
Made 12,198 Qs for an average of 78 Q per session.
Worked 41 DXCC.
35 of the 156 sessions from Campgrounds in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Set my own personal record of breaking 10K points (only once so far!!)And here is a chart of Qs per band:
160: 53, 80: 1775, 40: 5481, 20: 4663, 15: 226 and 10: zip(Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)

So for me, 20 and 40 continue to be the bulk of the
Qs. Until I put this downon paper I would havethought I made more on 20
than on 40 but I guess it
makes sense in that (for me)
40 meters is logged every
session and 20 meters only
the 1300 and 1900 as generally 20 is dead for me at
0300. Band conditions ofcourse dictate a bit on 10
and 15 and my antenna limitations determined my low
numbers on 160m. By thetime you read this I hope tobe finishing 2 weeks on Galveston Island – IOTA fun!!
Joe, AA8TA: Congratulations to one of our newer members, Nancy Yoshida, KG0YL, who was appointed ARRL Section Manager for the North Dakota section. Must be a first that a CWops member who isalso an ‘Iditarod sled dog racer’ received such an appointment!
Having said all that, I’ve always been curious why section manager appointments are made by an ARRL
staffer - the radiosport manager, Norm Fusaro. Normally, section managers are elected but if one leaves
before her/his term is up, the radiosport manager appoints a replacement. Seems like the division manager
should handle that since he/she is also elected.
Kate: K6HTN: The following EMCOMM exercise may be of interest to CWops, especially the QRP &off-grid types:
Radio Relay International (RRI) is pleased to announce its First Quarter, 2018 EMCOMM Exercise. Traffic handlers, EMCOMM volunteers and radio amateurs in general will find this exercise interesting. It emphasizes portable field operation combined with basic message handling skills. It’s a great opportunity todemonstrate the survivable characteristics of Amateur Radio networks in a public setting.
Please see the exercise scope and description document on our “Publications” page or click this link:
http://radio-relay.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Announcement-2018-Q1-Exercise.pdf
RRI is a new organization that has taken on much of the function of the National Traffic System. Browse
the above link for more background information.

73,
Jerry, AC4BT, News & Notes

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Guest Column: Saving the ARRL
Rick Tavan N6XI and Jim Talens N3JT
-An email from N3JT to all members covers similar material. If you have already acted on it, please disregard this reminder
article.
A group of concerned US amateurs whose call signs you’ll recognize (eight CWops members plus threeother well-known hams) have been sharing their concern for the future of the ARRL and its Board of Directors, whose recent actions seem counter to the best interests of their members, amateur radio in general,and the precepts of open governance of any volunteer, membership organization. Although this is largely aconcern to US hams, the ARRL also plays a leadership role in worldwide amateur radio. We believe it isvital to all amateurs that ARRL return to the democratic principles that have guided it for over 100 years.
Among the problems we have observed in the past two years are these:









The Amateur Radio Parity Act was renegotiated to favor home owner associations. If adopted
by Congress, HOAs could legally outlaw useful HF antennas.
The new BoD Code of Conduct gags Directors and limits what members get to know.
Our Directors’ voting power could be diluted.
ARRL memberships could be terminated for undefined reasons without due process.
Vice Directors could have been eliminated, paving the way for an entirely appointed Board.
The ARRL Board’s governance proposals have generated significant undisclosed legal fees.
An elected Director has been formally censured for mentioning the Code of Conduct in a public forum.
Strong candidates for ARRL Board of Directors have been disqualified without explanation.

We won’t go into detail on these issues. They are well documented on our brand new Web site, https://www.myarrlvoice.org. We have joined together to produce a letter you can send to your ARRL Director
and officers if you agree with us. This follows on recent letters sent by NCCC, PVRC, FRC, other large
radio clubs, and individuals. Our goal is to return ARRL to the membership-based organization it had beenfor 100 years. More immediately, though, there is an ARRL Board meeting on January 19 that will consider a variety of proposals and we want to be sure we are heard in objecting to them. Click the link below
and you’ll be taken to a platform that explains the issues. You don’t have to log in. Fill in the blanks on
the right-hand side (some needed redundancies due to the tool – sorry) and edit or replace the default text
as you see fit. Click Send and the system will automatically route your message to your Director and the
ARRL officers, including your call sign, etc. You’ll receive an email to confirm that the message has been
sent.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/myarrlvoice-member-letter-to-directors
Thanks and 73,
Rick N6XI

Jim N3JT

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The 2017 CW Open – Results Update
Bruce Meier – N1LN
Shortly after last month’s Solid Copy was distributed Eric (NP3A) contacted both Rob (K6RB) and myself
about an omission in the results. Specifically, his entries in Session 2 and Session 3 were omitted. His
logs were submitted well in advance of the deadline, but for somereason the processing software did not pull in his information.
Below are the corrections. As you can see, Eric finished in the top
10 in both Session 2 and Session 3 in the low power group. Additionally, with his additional points added in, the Deep Dixie CC
Team 1 moved into 2nd place in the team results with a score of
1,017,996 ahead of Team FRC’s third place finish with a score of949,848.
Eric – THANKS for bringing this omission to our attention and
we are VERY sorry this happened.
NOTE: Should anyone else notice any issues with the results,
please send me an email and it will be checked out immediately.

73,
Bruce, N1LN CWOpen Manager

Session 2– 1200Z to 1549Z
Updated Top Ten, Low Power

Session 3– 2000Z to 2359Z
Updated Top Ten, Low Power

Call

Name

QSOs

Mults

Score

Power

Call

Name

QSOs

Mults

Score

Power

W0UO

JIM

278

171

47538

LOW

K7SV

LAR

336

221

74256

LOW

K5KU

GARY

281

165

46365

LOW

K0AD

AL

270

183

49410

LOW

K0AD

AL

257

157

40349

LOW

W0UO

JIM

253

183

46299

LOW

K7SV

LAR

256

148

37888

LOW

NP3A

ERIC

261

175

45675

LOW

K0VBU

BILL

230

142

32660

LOW

W1NN

HAL

252

172

43344

LOW

W5TM

ED

218

130

28340

LOW

K0AV

ALAN

240

180

43200

LOW

W3KB

KEITH

211

133

28063

LOW

K5KU

GARY

251

172

43172

LOW

NP3A

ERIC

191

145

27695

LOW

W3KB

KEITH

250

162

40500

LOW

W1NN

HAL

204

129

26316

LOW

NO5W

CHUCK

237

170

40290

LOW

W7ZRC

ROD

176

121

21296

LOW

W1QK

DAN

222

156

34632

LOW

(Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)

Revised team scores:

The Exuberants
1,485,346
Deep Dixie CC Team 1
1,017,996
FRC
949,848
SECC
477,399
Deep Dixie CC Team 2
360,543
Contest Group du Quebec
265,378
DFW Contest Group
222,850
Niagara Frontier Radiosport
152,815
Metro Marauders
65,947
Swamp Foxes
25,504
Team Rusty Bucket
24,675
Swedish Global CWOps Team
18,834
NorDX Club
6,982

The CWops Award for Advancing the Art of CW
Riki Kline K7NJ
CWops is pleased to announce that it is now accepting nominations for this prestigious award for the year
2018. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals, groups, or organizations that have made thegreatest contribution(s) toward advancing the art or practice of radio communications by Morse code.
Criteria - Candidates for the award may be one or more of the following: Authors of publications related to CW CW recruiters, trainers, mentors, coaches and instructors
 Public advocates of CW
 Organizers of CW activities Designers and inventors who advance the art or practice of CW Other contributors to the art or practice of CW
Note: The award is not limited to amateur radio operators and organizations.
Nomination
Nominations may be made by anybody (not limited to CWops members). Nominations should be emailed
to <awards@cwops.org> with a copy to <secretary@cwops.org> . In order to be considered, a nomination must be received by April 12, 2018 and include: Name(s) and call sign(s) (if applicable) of nominee(s), and complete contact information including their postal address(es), email address(es), and telephone number(s).
 A detailed explanation supporting nominee qualifications according to the above criteria.
 Name, telephone number, email address, and call sign (if applicable) of the person submitting
the nomination.
Presentation of Award
A plaque will be presented at the Dayton Hamvention. If the recipient(s) is/are not present, it will be sent
to them.

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How We Were
Hank Garretson, W6SXWhen I was first getting started in ham radio, traffic handling was big. I cut my CW teeth handling message traffic. Many CWops members did too.
Here is a picture from 1959 New York State
Traffic Net picnic.
Rear, L to R, K2AOQ SK, ???, K2YTD.
Front, ???, ???, ???, K2UZJ
K2YTD and K2UZJ are no longer active.
The ???s are still very active. Who are they?
Rear, L to R, K2AOQ SK, K2SIL now
K1GQ, K2YTD.
Front, W2TPV now N4FP, K2SSX now
W6SX, K2UTV now W1RM, K2UZJThose were the good old days.
Today and tomorrow are the good old days.
This is the last “How We Were.” Thank you everyone. It has been a great four-year run.
Cherish the past. Embrace and glory in the present and future.
CW Exuberantly,
Hank, W6SX

73,
Hank, W6SX, How We Were

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A Viable HOA/CC&R HF Antenna That Works Well
Rob Brownstein, K6RB
With the Youth CW Academy ready to roll, I wanted to have an antenna option for the kids that live inneighborhoods governed by HOA or CC&R rules. Most such neighborhoods do not allow permanent outdoor antennas. So, we needed an antenna that worked well enough on HF bands; that had a minimal footprint; and could be easily moved from indoors to outdoors and back after operation.
I considered the Buddipole (which I own) and mobile antennas, such as Hustler and those with variableinductors. A constraint was to keep the total cost, including coax, under $200. Having used a Buddipolewith one element vertical and one horizontal (a compromise ground plane configuration), I found this tobe more effective than a low-slung dipole configuration (both elements horizontal) or just a vertical element and counterpoise. So, I was looking for something that could be easily tripod mounted and provide
reasonable radiation efficiency.
Most mobile whips are confined to heights that would allow vehicles to pass under 10 foot overhangs.
However, the shorter the element, the lower the radiation resistance, all things being equal. So, I was looking for a setup that had a collapsible vertical element that could extend beyond 10 feet, and a feed-point
coil that was sufficiently robust.
The winner, so far, in my search is an MFJ BigStick (MFJ-2286) mounted on an MFJ-1918 tripod. The collapsible element extends to 17 feet and in combination with the feed-point coil allows operation on 40
meters through 10 meters. The goal was an antennathat could work 40, 20 and 15 meters to allow ourno-code tech YCWA graduates to operate on CW
on 40 and 15, and for higher-class graduates to operate 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters. This system meets both objectives.
Early field testing has shown that while running
100 watts, the antenna will enable QSOs on 40 meters of at least 2000 miles. On 15 and 20 meters the
distance can extend to intercontinental communications. For youngsters starting out on HF using CWmode, this antenna coupled with a 100 watt transceiver should provide hours of QSO fun.
Putting It Together
The system comes with the BigStick antenna, comprising the extendable whip, the loading coil, copper mesh stranded radial wires, and an adapter for
attaching the setup to a one-inch rod.
The adapter is attached to the tripod’s extendable
rod as shown in the photo at right.
(Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)The radial wires attach to one of the adaptor
bolts. After mounting the adaptor, you canscrew the coil onto the coax connector/nut
positioning the coil so the hardware for thewhip is up top and the wire with alligator clip
is attached to the bottom end of the coil.
Here, the clip is attached to the coil in the 40
meter position.
Once the adaptor, coil and coax is attached tothe tripod, the whip should be extended fully,
first, then screwed into the fixture on top of
the coil. When completed, the entire system isshown in the second photo (right).
Despite its slender profile, the fully extended
whip could easily be blown over. So, it should
be used when wind is minimal or located in aplace where the upper part of the tripod canbe secured to a strong anchoring point. Here,the system is simply sitting atop a wooden
deck with no support other than the tripod
legs. Note that the radial wires extend to theright. These wires have lugs soldered on theirends so that they could, conceivably, be usedboth for current return and guying. The idea,
though, is for the unit to be quickly assembled
and disassembled so that it can easily be setup
outside prior to operation and then disassembled and brought back inside soon after operation is over. Because it is not attached to anything but sits on the portable tripod, one
could (and should) argue that its use does notconstitute a breach of HOA or CC&R rules inthe same way that an automobile antenna would also not abrogate any such rules.
MFJ rates the antenna capable of a KW SSB. With CW, I’m not sure I’d push a KW into it, but I’m sure
my Globe King 500’s 375 watt output would be no problem. Once the adaptor, coil, and radial wires areattached to the tripod, disassembly is very quick. Simply unscrew the extended whip, collapse it to its minimal length, roll up the radials, roll up the coax, fold the tripod legs, and bring it inside. I would recommend
leaving the adaptor and radials attached to the tripod. The coil can be unscrewed if there is a possibility ofdamage when transporting or storing the system.
Initial Setup
In my initial use of the antenna, I extended the whip to full length, attached the alligator clip to the bottomof the coil (full impedance) and measured the resonance. It was about 5.5 MHz. It took me just a few(Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)

minutes to move the clip up the coil, incrementally, until finding resonance at 7.025 MHz. Similarly, I
found the position for 10.100 MHz (30 meters).
If one has an antenna analyzer, it is easy to find the coil taps for 40 and 30 meters with the whip fully extended. The 17 foot whip is resonant at a frequency of around 12 MHz, so without a tuner, the fully extended whip is too long for 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters. In the absence of a tuner, one would have to playwith whip length and coil position to find the right combinations for these higher bands. I found, though,when using the ATU in the K3, that with the whip fully extended, and the clip at the top (no added inductance), that I could tune 20, 17 and 15 with no problem for 1:1 SWR. I’m sure other ATUs would have similar matching range. I have not tried 12 and 10 meters, yet, but it may require shortening the whip to, say,
10 feet (instead of 17 feet) and using the coil taps to find best match on 12 and 10 meters.
Of course, the antenna is a compromise antenna compared to a ground mounted vertical with numerous
radials and, of course, a horizontal gain antenna. But, it appears to play as well or better than most mobile
antennas and should allow the YCWA grads to get on the HF bands, right after completing the course, andbegin using their new skills. And, that’s the primary goal.
Appears to Do the Job
The antenna will continue being field tested in CWTs, weekend QSOs, and even trips to other locations.
At this time, though, it appears to meet all criteria. It is quickly assembled and disassembled, it extends beyond 10 feet to provide more efficient radiation, and it costs just $200. When compared to the price of a
Buddipole with tripod, this antenna costs less than half as much. When compared to an alternative systemusing a shorter mobile antenna, physics says this antenna should have higher radiation resistance and would
hear better and radiate better than the shorter alternative.
A Field Test (adapted from the 11November2017 CWops email list):
I arrived in Reno late in the afternoon and did not set up until the next morning. With the antenna on adeck 11 feet off the ground, I got on 20 and worked Ed, NA5G, in LA; and Pete, K4EWG, in GA. Both
QSOs were solid copy.
Later, on 17M, I heard JR1NHD quite well, and tried to work him, but there were several stations calling.
So, I QSY’d to 15M and had a nice solid QSO with N5AF in Cleveland, TX.
We timed how long it took me to set up the antenna – 5 minutes. Breaking it down should be even faster.
Unscrew the radiator, retract it, push up the tripod legs, and bring it all back inside.
I did some testing the next morning before going on the air and found that with the alligator clip attachednear coil top (e.g. no lumped inductance), the K3 would load on 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters – no problem. There are two tap points – one for 30 and one for 40. With the full coil in series with the radiator I
was even able to match the K3 on 3.5 MHz and actually worked N5AW on Wednesday (he said my signal
was weak). No kidding. I was surprised it got out at all on 80M. This antenna looks like a winner, so far,with QSOs now made on 40, 20 and 15. I felt nearly certain that had I waited, I could have snagged
JR1NHD on 17 m, too.
This antenna, so far, seems to work far, far better than my Buddipole. And it is much easier to assemble
and break down.

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CWops Tests
Rich Ferch VE3KI
Well, here we are, the old year is over and a new year begins. It’s time to add up the participation points for2017.
A few points to consider: First, there is no log submission for the CWTs. The participation awards are
based on score reports to 3830scores.com . If you don’t report your score, it won’t be counted. Also, to be
included, a score has to meet the requirement of 10 QSOs (5 if you are operating from a continent otherthan North America or Europe). The QSO total should not count dupes, i.e. each station you contact
counts only once on each band you work them on.
When you report your score, you will
make my life easier if you double-check tomake sure you have spelled your call sign
correctly. If you operate under a different
call sign from time to time, you can use
the Operator(s) Call(s) box to enter yourprimary (home) call sign (not your given
name, your call sign). If you change callsigns during the year and want to combine
credit for both call signs, you can help me
by letting me know. I do my best to combine scores from different call signs usedby the same person, but these situations
are not always obvious.
The results below are based on the Contest Summary archives at 3830scores.com, and not on the “realtime” standings linked to from the CWops web pages. The latter are derived from the original data by automated scripts, and things can and do go wrong with the process from time to time.
This is your opportunity to correct any mistakes I might have made. Check for your call sign in the lists
below to make sure you have been given the correct credit. If you think I have made a mistake and leftyour call sign out or put it in the wrong list, first check against the scores at 3830scores.com by entering
your call sign into the call sign box at the top left of the page and then verifying your claimed total against
the list of CWopsT scores. Remember, scores with less than 10 QSOs (NA/EU; 5 QSOs in other continents) don’t count towards the total. If there still seems to be a discrepancy, please let me know so I cancorrect the lists before we order the medals.
OK, now for the tentative results.
In 2017, we had four people who made the minimum 10 QSOs in every single one of our 156 CWT sessions. They are, in alphabetical order by call sign: Bill Leahy K0MP, Wayne Brown N4FP, Gary Stone
N5PHT, and Rudy Rood UR5MM. Gary’s feat is a repeat from last year. Well, done, fellows!
The gold medal level (120 CWTs for North American stations, 90 CWTs for European stations and 60
CWTs for others) was reached by 48 others. Sadly, one of those, Larry Agabekov UA6HZ/N2WW, passed
away on December 1. The others on my list are: AA3B, AH6KO, F6HKA, F6JOE, G4NVR, I5ECW,
I5EFO, IT9MUO, K0TC, K1DW, K1GU, K3WJV, K3WW, K4AFE, K4OAQ, K5CM, K7SV, K8JQ,
KA7T, KE4RG, N0TA, N4DT, N4ZZ, N5AW, N8BJQ, NA8V, NN4K, NN5O, SM0CUH/SE0C,(Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)

SM0OY/SM0Y, SM3CER/SF3A, SM4DQE/SE4E, SM6CUK/SA6G, VE3KI/CG3KI, VE3KP,
VE3MV, VE5SDH, W1UU, W5TM, W6KY, W6SX, W6TN, W7OM, W9CC, W9ILY, WA9LEY and
WJ9B. There are a lot of familiar call signs in that list!
The silver medal count is 65 members: AA8TA, AC4CA, AE1T, AF5DM, K0VBU, K1DJ, K1ESE,
K1SEC, K1SM, K1YY, K2SX, K3DMG, K3PP, K3ZGA, K4ITV, K4RO, K4RUM, K5AX, K6RB,
K7AZT, K8BZ, K8CMO, K8FU, K9MA, KE2D, KE4S, KG5U, KJ9C, KM4FO, KT4XN, KW7Q,
N0AC, N3JT, N3QE, N3RD, N4DW, N4IQ, N5ZO, NF8M, NS3C, NS8O, NT2A, OH1ZAA/OF1ZAA/OF3BCX/OF5ZA, OH2BN, SA6BGR/SD6M, SM5ALJ/SE5L, SM5BKK/SI5Y, SM7CIL/
SM5CIL, VA3PM, VE2FK, VE3GFN, VE3TW, VE9AA, W0XE, W1RM, W3WHK, W4ER, W4VQ,
WA3GM, WA4JUK, WA6URY, WC7Q, WM4I, WN4AFP and WQ3E.
The bronze medal list is even longer, at 73: 4X6GP, 9A7R, AB7MP, AD5A, AD8J, DJ1OJ/EA8OM,
DL5DBY, DL6KVA, G0MGM, G4ILW, GW0ETF/GW4J, HB9ARF, IN3FHE, IT9VDQ, JF2IWL,
K0AD, K1EBY, K3MD, K3SEN, K4FXN, K4GMH, K4HQK, K4HR, K4IU, K5IX, K6AR, K8AJS,
K9CT, K9DX, K9WX, K9ZO, KA5M, KC4D, KE8G, KG9N, KI7Y, KM0O, KN4Y, LY8O, N0EF,
N0KQ, N1LN, N2JFD, N2SO, N2WK, N3RS, N4KS, N5EE, N5IR, N5TOO, N7WY, N8XX, NO5W,
ON4UN, RM2D, SM1TDE/SD1A, US0MF, VA3SB, VE2AXO, VE2BZO, VE3ABN/VA3FV/
VE3NNT, VE3MA, VE3MGY, W0LPF, W1QK, W2VM, W3UL, W7ZRC, WA5LXS, WB2VYK,WB5BKL, WT2P and WU6X.
Thank you all for your continued support and participation.
We do the CWTs because they’re fun; let’s all make sure they continue to be fun for everyone.

73,
Rich, VE3KI (aka CG3KI in 2017)

CW Academy
Jerry Weisskohl, AC4BT
CW Academy’s (CWA) winter semester (January/February 2018) has just started. This will be the 18th
overall semester that CWA has conducted CW classes. Our very first semester was held the Spring of 2011.
This semester our mix of international students comes from Canada, US, Hawaii, Chile, North Ireland,
England, Wales, Cyprus, Australia, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Algeria, Switzerland, UAE, Swaziland, France,
The Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Greece.
CW Academy’s new SKED page (http://n8fq.org/sked/index.php?board=cwacademy) is now up andrunning and being actively used by CW Academy students, Advisors and CWops members. This is wherestudents can go to arrange on the air CW QSOs with other CWA students and Advisors and CWops members. This web page will accommodate all levels of users – new, inexperienced or experienced in making
QSOs, and allow them to leave messages requesting a QSO. The messages are ‘real-time’ and can be seenby all. Anyone can go the web site and create a new account which will then allow them to enter and respond to messages.
The new CWA Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/163719971032485/) is now being(Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)

actively used by our CW Academy students, Advisors and CWops members. Students can leave questions,concerns, comments and share experiences about their CW Academy classes. The CWA Facebook page isa Public group open to all.
If you love CW and want to join us in our mission to ensure that CW remains relevant and continues toprosper, please consider joining the Academy’s elite team of Advisors. All it takes is a love of CW and adesire to help aspiring students learn to use CW. It’s fun and rewarding and you will make many new lifelong friendships at the same time!
More information about becoming a CWA Advisor can be found at the CW Academy page on the CWops
website (http://www.cwops.org/cwacademy.html). The link for the sign up form for becoming a CWA
Advisor is: http://cwops.org/cwa-advisor-su.html.
Here's to another successful and fun-filled CW Academy semester!

73,
Jerry, AC4BT, CW Academy Manager

New Members
Trung Nguyen W6TN
With great pleasure we welcome the following new members to CWops (*Indicates a Life Member):
CWops

Call

Name

CWops

Call

Name

CWops

Call

Name

1921

K9XE*

Ray

1925

K8BKM*

Tom

1929

K1NY

Gerry

1922

DL9ABM*

Stefan1926

KD2KRG*

Steve

1930

N6TVN

Carl

1923

K5VI

Andy

1927

N1VH*

Marty

1924

N4ASF

Dave

1928

N4CD*

Bob

Current Nominees
January 1, 2018
Need Sponsors: KG7A, AB0DKFor more details about nominees and up-to-date status, check the “Members Only” page on the website:
http://www.cwops.org.
For information about joining CWops, check the “Membership” page on the website: http://
www.cwops.org
Notes: If you have updated your personal info, e.g., new qth, new callsign, or additional callsign, please
send it to membership@cwops.org so I can add it to the roster. Vice versa, if your callsign becomes inactive I can remove it, too. Then the roster will be accurate and current for our usage. Thank you.

73,
Trung, W6TN, Membership Secretary
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CWops Member Awards
Pete W1RM and Peter W1UUThe Annual Competition Award (ACA) is based on the number of members worked each calendar year.
You get one point per member worked, once per year. It resets to zero at the beginning of each year. The
Cumulative Member Award (CMA) is based on how many members you’ve worked since January 3, 2010
on each band and continues to grow in perpetuity. The CWops Award Manager (CAM) software, available
at no cost, will help you keep track of your ACA and CMA totals.
In the table below, members whose call sign is in RED have achieved a milestone: 100 DX entities, 40
WAE entities, 50 states (WAS). Members who wish to track their totals for these awards can use the CAM
software developed by N5RR. It’s available at no cost here: www.bbcyber.com/cam/
Call

ACA

CMA

Call

DX
Total

Call

WAS

Call

WAE

Call

WAZ

AA3B

1016

6897

W1RM

178

N5RR

50

W1RM

48

W1RM

38

W1RM

843

5027

F6HKA

169

W1RM

50

F6HKA

45

F6HKA

38

N5PHT

777

2618

W4VQ

147

W4VQ

50

OK1RR

44

W4VQ

37

N8BJQ

775

4677

G4BUE

128

F6HKA

50

N5RR

43

G4BUE

37

NN4K

712

1579

N5RR

118

W1UU

50

G4BUE

43

VE3KI

36

VE3KI

710

4384

DL6KVA

116

VE3KI

50

DL6KVA

43

N5RR

36

DL6KVA

694

2187

OK1RR

115

G4BUE

50

VE3KI

42

N5PHT

36

K3MD

689

1734

VE3KI

114

EA8OM

50

N8BJQ

42

I5EFO

33

K6RB

683

4032

N8BJQ

114

W0EJ

50

EA8OM

42

DL6KVA

33

K8AJS

676

1621

OH2BN

112

F6JOE

50

W4VQ

41

IK0YVV

32

K1ESE

660

2951

EA8OM

111

W6KY

50

I5EFO

41

VK7CW

30

F6HKA

645

4497

K1ESE

105

N1EN

50

AA3B

41

RM2D

29

K5AX

558

2602

I5EFO

101

N5PHT

50

OH2BN

40

JF2IWL

25

W9ILY

533

3110

AA3B

99

F5MNK

50

SM6CNN

37

N1DC

22

N1DC

531

1957

EA1WX

97

K5IX

50

KR3E

37

F5IYJ

21

K1DJ

524

1107

W9ILY

93

K3SEN

50

K3MD

37

W6NS

19

AA8TA

508

860

W0VX

93

AD1C

50

K1ESE

37

K8AJS

10

K9WX

498

2234

SM6CNN

93

AB7MP

50

IT9MUO

36

NN4K

9

NA6O

493

2078

N5PHT

91

AA3B

50

F6JOE

36

ND1R

5

K0MP

472

838

IT9MUO

87

K5AX

50

EA1WX

36

#N/A

#N/A

W0VX

446

3083

N1EN

86

I5EFO

50

W9ILY

34

#N/A

#N/A

KY7M

440

3252

KY7M

86

VK7CW

50

W1UU

34

#N/A

#N/A

KE4S

436

1489

F6JOE

84

DL6KVA

50

W0VX

34

#N/A

#N/A

IT9VDQ

434

1390

AD1C

83

K0TC

50

KZ5D

34

#N/A

#N/A

IT9MUO

421

1693

KR3E

82

KY7M

50

RM2D

33

#N/A

#N/A

K3SEN

392

1287

K5AX

80

NA6O

50

IT9VDQ

33

#N/A

#N/A

K0TC

377

2048

W1UU

79

K1DJ

50

N1EN

32

#N/A

#N/A

F6JOE

355

2762

PA7RA

79

N8BJQ

50

KY7M

32

#N/A

#N/A

I5EFO

345

590

KZ5D

78

K9WX

50

F5MNK

32

#N/A

#N/A

(Continued on next page)

Solid Copy January 2018 Page 17

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(Continued from previous page)
Call

ACA

CMA

Call

DX

Call

WAS

Call

WAE

Call

WAZ

G4BUE

337

3371

DL8PG

78

W9ILY

49

PA7RA

31

#N/A

#N/A

RM2D

333

1059

4X6GP

76

W0VX

49

DL8PG

31

#N/A

#N/A

W1UU

322

2159

VK7CW

75

NN4K

49

K5AX

30

#N/A

#N/A

W4VQ

312

2617

F5IYJ

73

N1DC

49

IK0YVV

30

#N/A

#N/A

KE4RG

284

504

RM2D

71

KT5V

49

4X6GP

30

#N/A

#N/A

K5IX

274

892

N1ZX

70

KR3E

49

NN6T

29

#N/A

#N/A

W6KY

248

2088

IT9VDQ

68

K8AJS

49

F5IYJ

29

#N/A

#N/A

AD1C

241

2101

F5MNK

68

K6RB

49

N1ZX

28

#N/A

#N/A

EA1WX

231

1839

NN6T

67

K6DGW

49

GW0ETF

28

#N/A

#N/A

VK7CW

229

1320

GW0ETF

67

K3MD

49

AD1C

28

#N/A

#N/A

G0MGM

223

398

N1DC

65

K1ESE

49

N1DC

27

#N/A

#N/A

K6DGW

215

1718

KT5V

59

IT9VDQ

49

KE4S

26

#N/A

#N/A

DL5DBY

204

326

NA6O

58

GW0ETF

49

K8AJS

26

#N/A

#N/A

AB7MP

195

768

KE4S

58

AA8TA

49

K1DJ

26

#N/A

#N/A

G4HZV

192

428

IK0YVV

57

WB9G

48

JF2IWL

26

#N/A

#N/A

G4NVR

185

412

W6KY

56

W6NS

48

G4HZV

26

#N/A

#N/A

4X6GP

156

1095

K6RB

56

SM6CNN48

DL5DBY

25

#N/A

#N/A

DL8PG

150

1743

K1DJ

54

NU7Y

48

VK7CW

24

#N/A

#N/A

F5IYJ

150

615

K0TC

53

NN6T

48

N5PHT

24

#N/A

#N/A

KT5V

139

1452

K8AJS

51

N1ZX

48

K6RB

24

#N/A

#N/A

KR3E

121

1461

JF2IWL

51

KZ5D

48

G4NVR

24

#N/A

#N/A

K0DTJ

121

828

4Z1UF

50

KE4S

48

G4DRS

24

#N/A

#N/A

VK4TJF

80

430

K9WX

49

K0MP

48

G0MGM

24

#N/A

#N/A

NU7Y

70

648

G4DRS

49

IK0YVV48

HB9ARF

23

#N/A

#N/A

ND1R

61

67

WB9G

48

DL8PG

48

NA6O

21

#N/A

#N/A

JF2IWL

52

930

NN4K

47

AD5A

48

4Z1UF

21

#N/A

#N/A

W8DN

1

276

K3SEN

45

4X6GP

48

K2ZC

20

#N/A

#N/A

N5RR

0

4098

G4HZV

45

VE3MV

47

WB9G

19

#N/A

#N/A

KZ5D

0

3239

DL5DBY

43

K0DTJ

47

NN4K

19

#N/A

#N/A

IK0NOJ

0

3093

G0MGM

42

JF2IWL

47

KT5V

19

#N/A

#N/A

EA8OM

0

2758

K3MD

41

WX7SJ

46

K9WX

19

#N/A

#N/A

SM6CNN

02477

HB9ARF

41

KG5U

46

W6KY

18

#N/A

#N/A

N1EN

0

1928

K6DGW

39

IT9MUO46

VK4TJF

18

#N/A

#N/A

N2UU

0

1774

W6NS

38

G4DRS

46

K3SEN

18

#N/A

#N/A

OK1RR

0

1618

K2ZC

37

EA1WX

46

G3YJQ

18

#N/A

#N/A

NN6T

0

1577

W0EJ

36

OK1RR

45

AD5A

18

#N/A

#N/A

GW0ETF

0

1451

G4NVR

36

K3WJV

45

KG5U

17

#N/A

#N/A

KG5U

0

1322

VK4TJF

35

K2ZC

45

K0TC

17

#N/A

#N/A

PA7RA

0

1200

KG5U

35

F5IYJ

45

K3WJV

16

#N/A

#N/A

(Continued on next page)

Solid Copy January 2018 Page 18

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(Continued from previous page)
Call

ACA

CMA

F5MNK

0

1111

W6NS

0

AD5A

0

4Z1UF

Call

DX

Call

WAS

Call

WAE

Call

WAZ

AD5A

35

PA7RA

44

W6NS

12

#N/A

#N/A

1090

K0DTJ

30

VK4TJF

43

VE3MV

12

#N/A

#N/A

1071

G3YJQ

27

RM2D

43

K6DGW

12

#N/A

#N/A

0

1032

NU7Y

25

KM4FO

43

W0EJ

10

#N/A

#N/A

W5ASP

0

1018

K3WJV

25

HB9ARF

43

G3XLG

10

#N/A

#N/A

PA4N

0

955

K5IX

24

OH2BN

42

K5IX

8

#N/A

#N/A

N1ZX

0

940

VE3MV

23

KE4RG

42

K0MP

8

#N/A

#N/A

WB9G

0

888

AB7MP

22

G4NVR

39

W5TM

7

#N/A

#N/A

K3WJV

0

882

AA8TA

19

NV9X

38

KE4RG

7

#N/A

#N/A

K2ZC

0

767

K0MP

18

G3YJQ

37

K0DTJ

7

#N/A

#N/A

IK0YVV

0

767

G3XLG

18

4Z1UF

36

G0DJA

7

#N/A

#N/A

W0EJ

0

754

WT2P

14

G4HZV

35

AB7MP

7

#N/A

#N/A

HB9ARF

0

723

KE4RG

12

WT2P

34

AA8TA

7

#N/A

#N/A

KM4FO

0

721

W5TM

11

G0MGM

33

KM4FO

5

#N/A

#N/A

VE3MV

0

664

KM4FO

10

DL5DBY

33

WT2P

4

#N/A

#N/A

WX7SJ

0

610

G0DJA

10

W5TM

32

NU7Y

3

#N/A

#N/A

WT2P

0

574

ND1R

5

G3XLG

31

ND1R

2

#N/A

#N/A

OH2BN

0

530

NV9X

4

ND1R

24

NV9X

1

#N/A

#N/A

G4DRS

0

496

KE6K

4

KE6K

17

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

W5TM

0

235

#N/A

#N/A

G0DJA

8

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

G3YJQ

0

234

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

G3XLG

0

201

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

NV9X

0

149

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

KE6K

0

116

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

G0DJA

0

23

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

#N/A

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PA1FOX

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5

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QTX Report
Enjoying the Art of Conversational CW
Gary Stone N5PHT
Welcome to the end of 2017 and December report! Well, 2017 is in the past and 2018 is upon us. My hopefor all is it will be a great year. December was a great month with TEN personal bests for the year andmore reports and total than any month this year: 26 reports with 696 QTX. Way to go QTX group!!!
If you want to be added to the QTX listings please send in your count for the month from the Members
Only Section of the Web Page. Remember any 20 minute or longer QSO counts and it does NOT have to
be with a CWOps Member. ALSO: the speed of the QSO makes NO difference. A 20 minute QSO at 15(Continued on next page)

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wpm counts the same as a 20 minute QSO at 40 wpm. Only CWOps Members can send in reports but the
rag chews can be with anyone and as often as you like for multiple counts.
Rag Chewer Comments(Very nice comments this month)
N6HCN: Wore out the ears of new friends John W3FSA, Portland Maine, Jerry W4LGT, Corbin KY.
Hope I did not contribute to the breakdown of N5PHT's Ameritron! Shin, JA1NUT and I almost madethe 20 minute mark but for the QSB. Happy New Year, everyone.
WA3GM: First time checking into a traffic net. Had a nice qso with the net manager after the net was
over.
AB7MP: One qso went on for 38 minutes - I'm usually not very talkative, so that one is rare!
KC0VKN: Year is over! Wasn't sure a couple of months ago if I could keep things on track. I hope everyone has a 2018 filled with wonderful QSO's
N7YT: I had several QSO with W7RX, a student in my last class. He mentioned that he was losing someof his ability to copy CW since the class. When I told him that if I slowed to 20 WPM he would copy likein class but I was sending 27 WPM and we agreed I would keep sending faster than he was comfortablewith. I got an e mail today saying he had sent a CQ at 25 WPM received a response and had a very niceQSO.
KB6NU: Had more QSOs longer than a half hour this month than I have in a long time.
W9EBE: December was a good month for ragchewing. I had four QSOs that exceeded an hour. Great
fun! Wishing everyone a 2018 full of ham radio enjoyment, whether it be ragchewing, contesting, DXing,building/repairing gear, or whatever ham radio pursuits put smiles on your faces. ZUT es 73 de Chip dit
dit
WA8IWK: With the proliferation of contests, RST exchanging QSO's, all of which are indeed fun, I findthe QTX program a wonderful reminder that we have a host of terrific members of our hobby well worth
taking the time to get to know better! Thanks for sponsoring QTX, a most worthwhile program! Bestwishes for a healthy and happy 2018!! AllenKD2KRG: I'm very happy to be making my first QTX report, and hope to make many more. The best
QSO of the month was with Gary, N4PIR in NC form the Mobile on my way home from work one cold
dark night. He kept me entertained the entire way home.
Remember that we give out QTX Medals at the end of the year for 3 levels:
Gold Medal – 400 QTX Points
Silver Medal – 300 QTX Points
Bronze Medal – 200 QTX Points
And so far this year we have several medal winners: (ELEVEN Medal Winners!!)
GOLD – N5PHT, N5IR, K5KV, K1ESE, KC0VKNSILVER – G4ILW
BRONZE – I5EFO, KB6NU, K5YQF, K8UDH, DL5DBY(Continued on next page)

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QTX Reports for December 2017
Call

DecemberCall

DecemberCall

DecemberCall

December

K5KV

72

K5YQF

36

I5EFO

15

K4AHO

6

W9EBE

71

N7YT

35

WA8IWK

14

N6HCN

4

N5IR

66

K8UDH

27

W3WHK

12

AB7MP

3

K1ESE

63

KB6NU

26

G4ILW

10

WA3GM

2

KC0VKN

52

K6RB

24

N4DT

9

K0DTJ

2

N5PHT

47

F5IYJ

20

K6DGW

7

KD2KRG

37

DL5DBY19

HB9CVQ

7

Personal best for the year: K1ESE, N7YT, W9EBE, KD2KRG, AB7MP, N6HCN, K5KV, F5IYJ,KB6NU, K5YQF.
QTX Totals for 2017
Call

2017

Call

2017

Call

2017

Call

2017

N5PHT

1055

DL5DBY

216

K6DGW

65

NN4K

6

N5IR

716

K8UDH

201

W3WHK

61

N5LB

5

K5KV

553

K6RB

157

N4EEV

56

K3TN

4

K1ESE

545

K4AHO

155

F5IYJ

56

WA3GM

4

KC0VKN

443

N7YT

144

K0DTJ

55

WA3AER

3

G4ILW

321

W9EBE

139

KD2KRG

37

AB7MP

3

K5YQF

277

N4DT

109

N6HCN

18

KE4RG

2

KB6NU

254

WA8IWK

92

W5JQ

14

K3GHH

2

I5EFO

248

HB9CVQ

83

K6HP

11

G0MGM

2

For the year 2017: 258 reports with a total of 6,112 QTX points! Awesome job everyone.
The plaque winner for 2017 is your Editor with 1055 QTX. I think that may be the first 1000+ total for ayear. But I can tell you that 2018 is wide open as your Editor is not doing as many with some other responsibilities and more traveling for Parks on the Air. Second places is Bill, N5IR with a very nice 716
QTX score. K5KV takes 3rd place with 553 followed very closely by John K1ESE with 545 for the year.
I think 2018 will have some shakes ups by newcomers and old timers also and that will be great!
Hope to cu on the bands. NOTE: If you ever find me with missing reports, numbers or anything on thiscolumn please email me so I can get it corrected!

73,
Gary, N5PHT, QTX Manager

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Upcoming CW Operating Events
Joe Staples, W5ASPThis list of operating events is intended to provide members with options for using and improving their cw skills in not only themore popular contests but also in other more casual on-the-air activities.
The North American CW QSO Party is always a premier event for CW operators. Possibly the most enjoyable of all CW events, it certainly will be one of the high points at the start of the new year. Unfortunately many operators neglect one of the key aspects of this contest, i.e. the Team competition. What’s
unique is that there are no club or distance requirements. A team may consist of two to five single operator
stations combining their scores to add flavor to the affair. You might just want to round-up a few other
CWOps and see how well your team can do. Teams need to be pre-registered at: http://
www.ncjweb.com/cwnaqpteamreg
The CQ 160 Meter contest is considered to be one of the major "top band" contests of the year. The
number and variety of DX stations active in the contest provide an unique opportunity to test your station's capabilities and your operating skills in gathering up those elusive ones. The propagation changes
accompanying the current decline in the sun spot cycle should provide an interesting venue for operating.
The North American Sprint is considered by most CW contesters as the ultimate test of their proficiency.
Fortunately it is not necessary to run in the "fast lane”. The key is to understand and follow the exchange
rules and focus on accuracy. A good way to start is to visit N6TR's Sprint Survival Web Page at http://
www.kkn.net/n6tr/sprint.html .
The Classic Exchange is a relaxed contest featuring the use of older commercial and homebrew equipment
once the cornerstone of past ham shacks. The object is to encourage the restoration, operation and enjoyment of this older equipment. It is not necessary to use a vintage rig to participate . You may operate any
rig you chose in this contest. However using more modern gear carries a distinct scoring disadvantage.
There are bonus points for using the same model rigs as your Novice station and for using a Heathkit receiver and/or transmitter.
Don't neglect the state/province QSO parties. They usually provide enough activity to justify some ofyour operating time. And do submit your log. It encourages the sponsors to put their efforts into making
these events worthwhile.
Although the activity level drops off after the weekends, there's still the CWT and various Sprints to provide a spark of CW activity0Till next time … Keep on pounding.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY EVENTSNorth American QSO Party, CW
http://www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf

1800Z, Jan 13th to 0559Z, Jan 14th

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CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW
http://www.cq160.com/rules.htm

2200Z, Jan 26th to 2200Z, Jan 28th

Classic Exchange, CW

1300Z, Jan 21st to 0800Z, Jan 22nd and
1300Z, Jan 23rd to 0800Z, Jan 24th
http://www.classicexchange.org/jan18/jan18ann.html
North American Sprint, CW
http://ncjweb.com/Sprint-Rules.pdf

0000Z-0400Z, Feb 4th

Montana QSO Party
http://fvarc.org/

0000Z-2400Z, Jan 27th

Vermont QSO Party
http://www.ranv.org/vtqso.html

0000Z, Feb 3rd to 2400Z, Feb 4th

Minnesota QSO Party
1400Z-2400Z, Feb 3rd
http://www.w0aa.org/docs/mnqp/MNQP%20Contest%20Rules.pdf
British Columbia QSO Party
http://www.orcadxcc.org/bcqp_rules.html
FISTS Winter Slow Speed Sprint
http://fistsna.org/operating.html#sprints

1600Z, Feb 3rd to 0400Z, Feb 4th and
1600Z-2400Z, Feb 4th
1700Z-2100Z, Feb 3rd

FISTS Winter Unlimited Sprint
1700Z-2100Z, Feb 10
http://fistsna.org/operating.html#sprints
NCCC Sprint
NCCC Sprint
NCCC Sprint
NCCC Sprint
NCCC Sprint
http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html

0230Z-0300Z, Jan 12th
0230Z-0300Z, Jan 19th
0230Z-0300Z, Jan 26th
0230Z-0300Z, Feb 2nd
0230Z-0300Z, Feb 9th

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon
1200Z, Jan 13th to 2400Z, Jan 14th
SKCC Sprint
0000Z-0200Z, Jan 24th
SKCC Weekend Sprintathon
1200Z, Feb 10th to 2400Z, Feb 11th
http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/
NAQCC CW Sprint
NAQCC CW Sprint
http://naqcc.info/sprint/sprint201707.html

0130Z-0330Z, Jan 18th
0130Z-0330Z, Jan 24th

73,
Joe, W5ASP, Upcoming CW Operating Events

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My Story: New Member Biographies
Bob Voss N4CD
First licensed in NJ as WN2KQL – and operated mostly CWwith wire antennas. Went off to college - then ‘incentive
licensing’ hit so in the next few years upgraded to Extra to
get back those vanished band segments. Got hooked oncontesting with W2SZ multi-op expeditions to Mt. Greylock
in MA during college and made many trips up the mountain. After a few years wound up in central VA and was anactive VHF contester with a nice mountain top station – but
7 years later had to move and that was history. In 1990
wound up in TX and got into county hunting – mostly SSB
at the time. Later switched to mostly CW county hunting. I’ve transmitted from all of the 3077 US Counties. Most of my operation is while mobile.
I’ve had the good fortune to do a few DXpeditions – solo to
TI2, FG, VP5, 3W2, VP2E. On the VP2E one, stayed at a‘rent-a=shack- and was planning SSB. As it turned out, it
was a CW DX contest weekend and I had no keyer inthe Kenwood TS-50 – so borrowed an old bug from thehost and had to quickly relearn sending on a bug after 20
years of using paddles! Years before, for a while as a novice/new general, tried a bug until I built a handbook keyer with 2 tubes! Made over 1000 Q in that contest so I guess that worked out OK. Later participated in the TI9M DXpedition – CW and SSB.
Worked 31 years in the two way radio, cellular radio, and advanced telecom technology field – been retired
since 2000.
For NPOTA in 2016, zipped to over 265 different park units around the country with 40,000 Q uploaded
to LOTW and 43,000 miles on the car. This past year been doing Parks on the Air having made it to 135
new ones this year – With 80% CW operation on 20/30/40M and 17M when it opens – not a lot lately. Plan to do parks, counties and grids in 2018 – from the mobile.
Other hobby: I collect shortwave regen receivers – from the 1920s to present day.

Stefan Hader DL9ABM
Hello everyone! First, I would like to thank my sponsors for making this membership possible. I am reallythrilled to be part of CWops.
In 1960, I was born in former German Democratic Republic (GDR). Ever since I was highly interested inelectro-technics and science. But it was not until a close friend of mine showed me his radio station that I
became truly passionate about radiotelephony and CW. Living under the restrictive regime of the GDR, I
was glad being able to communicate with the rest of the world through Morse Code. Back then, I wasaround 14 years old. In 1978, I received my official license.
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By now I am married, and I have one daughter.
Almost 40 years later, being a part of the local
ham radio activities is still my favorite hobby.
Since 2013 I am a member of the HSC. My
membership number is 1898.
Being especially interested in high speed telegraphy (HST), I decided to join the German
HST team in 2010. Since then, I support theteam during every world cup. Because the competition from Eastern Europe remains extremely high, I am very proud of winning two
medals at this year’s championship in Hungary.
Meeting ham radio operators from all over theworld is always a very special and happy event
for me.
I am looking forward to seeing you on the bands!

Ray Boehmer K9XE
I was first licensed in 1961 as WN9AXL, then WA9AXL until
1997, when I was issued K9XE. I operate mostly CW and some
digital and SSB. I am a member of the Society of Midwest Contesters, QRPARCI, and NAQCC. I enjoy DXing, contesting,and the challenge of copying high speed CW on a keyboard. Although I have never made a contact on 160M, I am hoping tochange that sometime soon. My teaching career began in 1968. I
have taught Spanish, Math, and Biology, and taught people fromages 5 to 85 in various contexts, including a total of 5 years living
in South and Central America and Puerto Rico. I am currently aretired university professor of science education.

Andrew “Andy” Hair, K5VI
I was first licensed when I was 15 years old in Springfield, Missouri and have been a ham, off and on, eversince. My first rig was a Hallicrafters receiver (can't recall the model) and a very used Heathkit HW-1 transmitter borrowed from Gerald McIntosh (W0WMW SK) with one crystal for 7.125 MHz. With a little tuning patience, that boxy HW-1 could pump out around 75 mighty watts of power--more or less! For an antenna, my dad and grandfather, Ellsworth Slack (W0DRP SK) helped me install an inverted vee up about
25 feet. That first antenna was largely a cloud warmer, but I didn't know it at the time. Since all I could do
was CW, I got plenty of practice--and practice I did! I couldn't get enough of it, in fact.
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After college, I joined the Army and became an armored cavalry scout and tanker and was sent to El
Paso, Texas. I finished up my service in intelligencework before the Berlin Wall came down. Just prior toleaving the service, I met my future wife, MJ, got married and settled down in El Paso where I have lived
for the past 32 years.
My career has mostly been as a planner, analyst andbusiness developer for various organizations to include the City of El Paso, Johnson Controls and a few
small IT companies. For the last seven years, I haveworked as an analyst providing test and evaluation
services on a large U.S. Army missile defense program. My job mostly involves research, field data collection and lots of technical writing and editing.
My ham radio pursuits are largely centered around
CW and RTTY contests, but I also enjoy many of thedigital modes and will occasionally participate in an
SSB contest as my radio came with a microphone-might as well use it. I also really enjoy the weekly
CWT contests when I'm not travelling or working
late, and I might even get up the courage one day to take a shot at "running" a frequency. However, I'm
usually found in the "S&P" mode of operation since I am still leaning the intricacies of N1MM+. With thatin mind, please forgive me if I butcher a CWT contact--I'll get it sooner or later.
My current station includes a Yaesu FTDX 3000, fed into one of three antennas. They include a rotatabledipole on 10-15-20 meters up 28 feet (driven element of an old Hy-Gain 2-element beam); a 40 and 80meter wire inverted vee dipole up 35 feet at the apex; and a 30-meter inverted vee dipole up about 25 feet.
I have other HF and VHF rigs, but the FTDX is the workhorse in the shack.
When I'm not on the radio, or working on "honey-do's", I can be found out on the golf course torturing
myself! I can't explain why I like golf, especially given my poor handicap, but it's a fun way to "take the air"with my buddies. I also like to go fishing, when I am near water, but living in the desert has limited that
activity, unfortunately. Finally, I love baseball. It's most definitely my sport. I was born and raised a St.
Louis Cardinals fan and will be until the day I become an SK! We're also fortunate to have the El Paso
Chihuahua's Triple-A team to follow. Taking the grandkids to a game is always something I look forward
to.
While I have participated in many pastimes over the years, amateur radio has been my most interesting
pursuit. There are many reasons why I love the hobby, but it's largely because I've always been fascinatedwith radio propagation and still marvel at emitting a small signal that can be heard around the world. Evenin this age of instant, on-demand communications, it's still fun to press the key or squeeze the paddles andimagine where my signal will end up, and it never gets old. Radio propagation was magic to me at age 15
and still is over 40 years later!
It's great to be a member of CWops! I hope to participate in many events to come, and make new friends
along the way!
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Marty Koszewski – N1VH #1927
I appreciate the opportunity to be a CWops
member and join this great CW community.
I was first licensed as KC1DLJ, (Technician)in March 2015. I had interest in ham radio
as a kid, but ironically, I was intimidated by
the Morse Code requirements. I decided to
finally get my ham license so that I could‘legally’ operate FPV RC aircraft. As I studied for my Technicians License, a funny
thing happened. I lost interest in RC aircraft
and became intrigued with learning as muchas I could about ham radio. I got my Amateur Extra license the following month, April
2015 and changed my call to K1MTK. I received my current, more CW friendly call, N1VH, 11/2016.
I operate low power and QRP. Because I live in a multi-tenant environment, I started operating QRP
with a portable radio and antenna. Although I was having fun, operating time via remote QRP was very
limiting. I decided to try to stealthily throw a multi-band end-fed antenna into some tress and run the coax
into my apt. though a window patch panel. That first night with the end fed antenna, I was amazed at the
number of DX contacts I was making. I was hooked! I upgraded to a 100W HF radio and dipped my toes
into contesting. I recently joined Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC).
I can’t express the value of joining my local radio club K1USN, in Braintree, MA. Being new to ham Radio, I was intimated getting on the air and had innumerable questions about set-up, antennas, propagation,
tools, etc. I would like to express my gratitude to my K1USN Elmers and fellow CWops members: Pi –K1RV/#639, Rick – N1DC/#1257, Rich – K1DJ/#1556 (CW Academy Advisor) and Don – AA1V/#53. In particular, I sincerely appreciate Pi’s & Rick’s contagious passion for ham radio. I sincerely appreciate their patience and support in working with me and answering all of my questions. Thank you all.
I was intrigued watching Pi, Rick and Rich operate CW during special events and contests. As a result, I
decided to overcome my intimidation, and based on Pi’s suggestion, I signed up for the CWops CW Academy. I can’t speak highly enough of my CWA experience and my CWA Advisor, Kim – K5TU/#1626.
Kim (a fellow Texas A&M Aggie) went well beyond the call of duty by providing additional learning materials and extending our biweekly sessions to make sure everyone was comfortable with the material. Thankyou, Kim.
I plan to continue to operate low power. I upgraded my antenna this fall and hung a 80/40/20/15/10
multi band end fed (I can tune to 160m as well). Although the antenna is still a bit limiting, I am able toget reasonable coverage of the US and limited DX.
My goal for 2018 is to participate in the weekly 0300 CWT’s and QSL with as many of my CWops members as possible. I hope to continue to develop my CW skills and will continue to be a big advocate of CW
Academy. I plan to make it to Dayton again this year.
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Gerry Skloot K1NY
I was first licensed in 1962 at age 13. My Dad was not a
ham at the time, but had an interest in it. When he grew
up in the 20's and 30's there was a ham on his street andhe was fascinated by ham radio after seeing the station.
All home brew of course. My dad bought me a Lafayette
SWL receiver when I was 11 and I was hooked. I loved
listening to hams and SWL broadcasts.
Got my novice in 1962 and passed the general 3 months
later at the FCC office in NYC. All my licenses were obtained at the FCC NYC office long before VE.
I graduated the New York University school of Engineering with a dual degree in Physical Oceanography andMeteorology. I have a lot of fond memories of operating
W2DSC from way up on the hill in University Heights.
Please see the NYU club site at http://www.qsl.net/
k2ul/nyuarc/
I later earned an MBA from the Stern School. I was notin love with business, so I headed into teaching to becloser to science. I am a retired science teacher.
I travel as often as I can and like photography and surf and fly fishing.
It is an honor to be a member of CWOPS.

Carl Mannle N6TVN
My radio journey began in 1958 when
I became KN0OVR in Sioux City, Ia.
In 1959 became K0OVR and continued using my 50 watt Knightkit andHammarlund HQ-100 to chase Dx
during 1960,61. College and otherinterests prevailed and I became inactive. Served in US Army 1963-1967,
attended Special Forces Radio Operator school at Ft Bragg, NC, was assigned to Signal Co. 5th SFG(Abn)
1965-67. Then was inactive for many
years but somehow my love for CW
never left me. After retiring in 2015 I
acquired a new ticket and call sign andits great to be back.
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David Redondo EA7JW
Hello, my name is David and I am anengineer. I am 46 years old and I live
in a city located in the South of España, between the Mediterráneo sea
and the Atlantic Ocean,
I work for myself, I have been licensed since 1993, I have been doing
CW for 4 years.
I am married and I have a daughter
Marta, 5 years old.
I am delighted to belong to CW Ops
Club and have a lot of fun with thisClub.

David Krueger AB0DKI got my Novice and Tech license
when I was 12 in 1965. Daddrove me across the town of Milwaukee once a week to attend
code and theory classes at AlliedRadio. It wasn't until about 1969
when I could actually afford a
Vibroplex that I finally did buy a"Champion". I used that with an
Elmac AF-67 transmitter and acheap old "Sound Design" portable SW radio. (I used the spot
function as the BFO).
So fast forward to 2018. I have
my dream. When I was a kid I
got hooked on the idea of having
a tower. Well in this season of life
(about 50 years later) I finally put one up. It has a 3 element tri-bander, a 13 el 2M Yagi, a 5 element 6 meter Yagi and a 2M-440 j-pole at the top. It’s all turned by a Yaesu G-1000DXA and has a hefty mast. 40M
and 80M dipoles are hung off a side mount at 33 ft. So, point and wait for the good things and they will
eventually come. I love CW. I also use other modes but I can truly "chill" when I use CW. I am grateful
to be a part of CWops and hope to see you on the "8s".

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