Ham Discovers New Band

Last weekend, Tom Sharp, NE1CLU, discovered a new amateur radio band. While tuning around last weekend during the ARRL DX contest, Sharp accidentally hit the band button on his radio marked “10” and heard signals.

“Ever since getting on HF four or five years ago, I’ve never heard anything on my radio when I pushed the ‘10’ button. I used to think the radio was busted, but it seemed to work fine everywhere else. So I figured that must be a band the FCC hadn’t let us on yet.” said Sharp. “I’d just forgotten about it and never bothered pushing the ‘10’ button anymore. Then, last weekend I accidentally hit it and there were signals on the band. Guess I missed the announcement from the AR-double-L about the FCC opening that band up to hams.”

Sharp worked several South American and Caribbean stations that were in the contest as well as hearing numerous US stations. “Wow, it great having a new band to play on. That ‘10’ band was a lot of fun.”

However Sharp noted that that day after the contest the band was again devoid of signals. “I hope last weekend wasn’t just a one time thing. Maybe the FCC only gave us access to the ‘10’ band just for the contest weekend?”

Dear Cousin QRM

Dear Cousin QRM,
My YL has corralled me into finally tying the knot. I’m trying to save money on the wedding so I can buy a K3. So I had the brilliant idea of printing our wedding invitations on the back of my QSL cards. Most of my friends are hams, so I know they’ll appreciate it. My YL isn’t too keen on the idea. What do you think?

Desperate in Des Moines

Dear Desperate,
Cousin thinks it’s a wonderful idea to print your wedding invites on the back of your QSL card. Ever since the A-R-Double-L started up that online log program, LoLTW, our stack of custom printed QSL cards from The Little Print Shop has been sitting pretty constant and gathering dust. Sounds like a good plan to use those cards up, but make sure you use the one with both of your calls on them. What? She doesn’t have a callsign? Wellllllll, good luck. In our experience those mixed marriages don’t work out too well.


Dear Cousin QRM,
How many radios are too many?

Broke in Bangor

Dear Broke,
This is one of those rhetorical questions, ain’t it? Like, if a tower falls in the forest and there’s no one to hear it fall, can you still work the ZL7? After great deliberation, Cousin’s answer to your question is ‘two more than you currently have’.


Dear Cousin QRM,
The FCC rules say we’re supposed to use the minimum power necessary to make a contact. But my QRP signal is always getting blown away in the pileups by all these guys running amplifiers. Because they are running excessive power, I can’t work the DX. I spent five days in the pileup for the South Orchid DXpedition, calling and calling and calling before I ever worked him. Obviously, if I could work them with 5W, they don't need a thousand. If it wasn’t for all those QRO fellows QRMing me, I could have worked them a lot sooner.

QRP in Quantico

Dear QRP,
You spent FIVE DAYS calling in the pileup? Cousin flipped on the Alpha and worked them in about 15 minutes, after which he went back to catching up on episodes of Desperate Housewives. Who caused more QRM?

Contester/DXer Files Disability Claim

Avid contester and DXer, Melvin Blouhard, K6LID, has filed a claim for disability with the Social Security Administration claiming physical impairment of his left index finger has made it impossible for him to work. He is applying for benefits claiming to be permanently disabled.

Carpel tunnel of the left index finger, know as F1-finger, is emerging as a major threat to active contesters and DXers. The constant, repetitive motion of pressing the F1 key on the computer keyboard to call CQ produces stresses on the index finger and can in extreme cases result in painful inflammation of the finger’s ligaments.

“A typical contest weekend I might press the F1 key two to five thousand times,” says Blouhard. “Then add in all the hours sitting in pileups or rare DX stations - I use F1 to send my call when DXing - that’s probably another three to four thousand times a week. It starts to add up.” “We’ve had a lot of good DXpeditions the last couple of years,” he added.

When questioned how impairment of his left index finger would make him completely disabled, Blouhard responded,”Everybody has to use a computer these days, regardless of the type of work you do. My left index finger is so sore and painful, I can’t hardly type anymore. I can barely stand to type out responses to some of that bull bleep stuff on CQ Contest, let alone set those boneheads on QRZ straight. The pain is just constant. Even when I’m not in front of the computer, it hurts so much I can hardly do anything using my left hand. I’m single so my, uh, personal life has also suffered tremendously.”

It is not known just how many active amateurs suffer from F1-finger, but it is thought that this is the first time a claim for disability from the syndrome has been filed. If successful, Blouhard’s claim may open a floodgate of claims based on contest and DX related injuries. The law firm of Howe, Dewy, Cheatham, and Wynn is considering adding disability claims to their radio related portfolio of services offered to the amateur radio community.

In the meantime, Blouhard continues to suffer with the pain of F1-finger as he sits in the VP8ORK pileup and attempts to log a new one.

HNY MMXI

A belated Happy New Year to all the Lost Island DX Society members around the world! While we’re all still nursing our hangovers and SKN glass arms, the staff of the Fi-Ni Report have decided to announce our New Year’s resolutions.

1. For 2011, we resolve to not spend so much time fact checking the Fi-Ni Report. This is all to insure we get out the latest, most up-to-date news and information on Big Gun DXing and Contesting out to you, the Big Gun DXer and Contester. We’ll leave accuracy to radio-sport.net. Titillation and fear mongering are our goals.

2. We resolve to use software defined anything to help us win a contest. I’m currently looking into a software defined toilet to eliminate those bothersome bio-breaks required every 4 or 5 hours, especially after 807s. Shhhh. The CQWW committee might outlaw it before I get to use it.

3. We resolve to win the Poisson d’Aviril Contest, regardless of how much cheating is required. Likewise, we intend to take top spot in the 2011 Talk Like A Pirate Contest, which K1DG will NEVER win.

4. We resolve to operate at least one contest this year completely unassisted. We already have a piece of galena for the receiver and have scrounged a spark gap coil for a Model-T off of Craigslist for the transmitter, and got a box of Ticonderoga #2’s and a Big Chief writing pad in our stocking for Christmas. We should be ready by WPX.

What are your resolutions for the New Year, fellow LIDS?

The Legal Front of Radio Contesting

The law firm of Howe, Dewey, Cheatham, and Wynn has announced the addition of Reginald Milquetoast, Esq. to the firm. Reginald will be specializing in rules interpretation of Skimmer and Skimmer-like technology to Single Operator contest categories. This currently hotly debated topic among the contestcenti is ripe for litigation, says Milquetoast.

When asked what contribution he could make to the topic, Milquetoast responded, “In a word - Latin. Throughout the countless thousands of words already written on the subject of Skimmer technology usage in Single Operator contest categories, not once has there been one word of Latin legalese used to defend or justify an opinion or position. Only Latin, preferably from a bonafied lawyer, can bring the appropriate gravitas needed to confuse and stupefy one’s opponents and establish the superiority of one’s position.”

In related news, the firm of Howard, Fine, and Howard, Esq. has announced they will be specializing in contest rules revision with emphasis on new technology integration. While unconfirmed, it is rumored that Howard, Fine, and Howard were involved in the recent National Contest Journal (NCJ) sponsored North American QSO Party (NAQP) CW contest rule revision allowing Single Operators to utilize Skimmer in the contest for the first time in 2011. When asked about the controversy that resulted from the rule revision announcement, Jerome “Curly” Howard, the junior partner responded, “I’m a victim of soicumstance! “

Perils of Modern DX-peditioning

In the golden days of yore (defined as roughly 1946 to 1970), the Golden Gods of DXing risked life and limb to venture to the obscure corners of the inhabited and uninhabited world to activate that rare DX locale. In those days, the journey might have entailed dangerous boat trips, overland treks, or risky flights on planes that saw service in the first World War. None of these could be arranged on Travelocity.

While there still exists DX entities that require similar efforts to reach, the majority of the DX world can be reached by commercial means with regular service. (Although in some parts of the world the accepted definition of ‘regular service’ may be disputed) Hence, only a credit card with sufficient limit is required to become DX.

Cousin QRM recently scrapped together enough quarters from between the couch cushions to fly off to a locale outside the jurisdiction of the FCC, hence it qualified as a DXpedtion even if its position is in the 300’s on the Most Wanted List.

Air travel is a major component of most any modern trip. This means having to walk the gauntlet of the TSA (Traveler Sexual Assault). The TSA’s most recent tool for keeping the free world safe is a new imaging scanner. Critics claim the scanner is a little too revealing. But Cousin QRM had no such worries. When it came his turn to enter the scanner, Cousin QRM did so in the knowledge that the scanner operator had the shorter end of the bargain. However, Cousin began to have second thoughts on the matter when, upon exiting the scanner, the TSA officer quietly suggested that he see a doctor about ‘those polyps’ when he returned from his trip.

After a glorious long weekend of being DX and enjoying being on the other side of the pileup for a change, it was time to return back to Lost Island and home. After the previous encounter with the new-fangled scanner, Cousin decided it would be more prudent to opt for the conventional pat-down search.

After requesting the pat-down search, Cousing QRM was directed to a small, discrete booth out of public view. A short time later a uniformed man entered and asked Cousin to turn and face the wall with his hands in the air. Cousin complied and was subjected to a rather thorough pat-down. While Cousin was a bit uncomfortable with the search, he didn’t think it too unusual until the uniformed man slipped a dollar bill into his belt and left quickly. As Cousin was gathering his belongings and preparing to leave, a uniformed and badged officer entered and announced he was there to conduct Cousin’s pat-down search.

While the pleasures of being on the right side a pileup are immense, Cousin QRM has decided that he shall remain at home and be plain non-DX for the foreseeable future.

Big Gun Secrets #42

(Part of an irregular series revealing secrets of Big Gun Contesting and DXing)

The goal of every Big Gun Contester is find a run frequency in order to allow the radio minions the opportunity to go in their log. Every contest.

With the inevitable crowding due to an excess supply of Big Guns and a shortage of run frequencies, the finding (and holding) of a run frequency is one of those skills that separates the wheat from the (little gun) chaff. Determining if a frequency is clear (enough) to run on is one of those tricks of the trade.

Outside the pressure cooker of a contest, the appropriate procedure to determine if a frequency is available is to send QRL? (on cw) or ask “Is the frequency in use?” I'm sure this is codified somewhere among the AR-Double-L's operating manual or on it's website, if you could find it. Although, opinions are divided, a significant number of Big Guns consider this the namby-pamby approach to establishing if the frequency is clear, at least during a contest. Their preferred technique is to simply call CQ Contest, on the assumption that if the frequency IS previously occupied, someone will speak up to defend it. Unfortunately, some of these Big Guns suffer from selective hearing.

The QRL vs. CQ devide appears to have a regional bias. In a recent unscientific survey, there was a distinct preference for the CQ approach by Big Guns north of the Mason-Dixon line while the QRL technique was preferred by those south of it. This bias toward politeness may explain the lesser prevalence of Big Gun contesters in the Southern regions of the USA.

The latest, cutting edge operating technique to establish if a frequency is available for running is to blend the two previous techniques. The new approach is to call “CQRL” to simultaneously inquire if the frequency is in use and to call CQ. This technique combines the politeness and consideration of the QRL query with the more aggressive CQ to attempt to establish a run frequency. In the case where the frequency is already in use, the Big Gun can legitimately claim they QRL'd to ask of the frequency was in use. Otherwise, they have started their run by calling CQ.

So remember, next time you're looking for a clear run frequency, drop in a short CQRL. If no one chews you out, start running!

It's That Time of Year

Sure enough, right on schedule, the topic of Checks in Sweepstakes has reared its head on the always fascinating CQ-Contest email reflector. In a much-ado-'bout-nuting, the argument over the letter of the rules versus the attitude of the ARRL Contest Branch regarding SS Checks will rage for another couple of weeks. It should end right before CQWW CW begins.

As we head into the biggest CW contests of the year (CW SS, CQWW CW, ARRL 160m, Stew Perry), it will soon be time for discussing all those terrible key clicks polluting the bands. Start sharpening your claws, or just pull last years complaints from the archive and post them again.

Top Ten Reasons My Rig Is Better Than A Woman

10. My rig doesn't care if I admire another rig
9. My rig only takes seconds to warm up
8. My rig doesn't complain if I keep turning its knobs
7. My rig doesn't complain if I stop turning its knobs
6. My rig doesn't complain I'm not turning its knobs the right way
5. My rig doesn't care if I bring home another rig
4. I can operate two rigs at once, and nobody cares
3. When I get tired of my rig or it gets old, I can take it to a hamfest and trade it for another rig
2. My rig has filters so I only have to listen to the stuff I want to hear

and the #1 reason my rig is better than a woman....

My rig has a volume control and an off switch

Papa Juliet Bingo

Hey! Boys and gals! Are you having fun with the latest DX game to hit the airways? It's called Papa Juliet Bingo.

Lacking any real sunspots, DXing was getting rather tame. But thanks to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and our buddies in the Netherland Antilles, they've managed to manufacture not one, not two, but FIVE new countries right out to box on the magical date of 10-10-10. As of 0000Z on October 10, 2010 NO ONE had credit for these five spanking new entities. So the rush is on to bag all five new ones.

If you're playing at home with the rest of the worldwide DX community, fire up the beam and turn the kilowatt to the Caribbean and look for those PJ stations. To keep track, use the chart at the top of the page. When you fill in a row, shout out BINGO!

What does the winner get? Well, at least two months worth of waiting before the DXCC desk will even accept confirmations for these five new entities, which means, everybody drops down -5 on the DXCC count until next year's DXCC Yearbook is published. But in the meantime, turn on the rigs, turn off your brains and join the madness before these five entities become as common as, well, the old entities they are replacing.