2011 CW Sweepstakes Preliminary Results
The ARRL has posted preliminary results for the CW portion of the 2011 Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes is the focus event for the club’s contesting activity. (Remember that Field Day technically isn’t a contest, hi hi.) See how members K8GT, KE8UM, and WD8S fared against the thousands of competitors across North America in one of the most popular domestic contests. Preliminary results for the SSB weekend will be available soon, and the full results for both modes will be published online in April.
From the ARRL website on the history of Sweepstakes:
…the oldest domestic contest, beginning in January 1930, it was called “The All-Section Sweepstakes Contest.” It was truly a relay contest with 1 point for sending a complete message with at least 10 words of text in correct message format and 1 point for receiving a similar message. Most stations worked were not in the contest and had to be schooled (on the air) on the desired info exchange. Sixty-eight sections were possible and 48 sections participated. The contest ran for 14 days on 80, 40, and 20 meters–mostly CW but some phone entries. The first winner was W1ADW with a whopping 153 QSOs in 43 sections–when did he have time to sleep? (Thanks, SS Manager, Larry K5OT)
February Meeting Reminder
Our next general meeting is Wednesday, February 8, at 7:30 PM. Our speaker will be Wes Faler, who is building a small satellite called Fluid & Reason Engine Test Satellite 1 or FRETS1. According to Wes:
FRETS1 is a TubeSat-style picosatellite flying in Summer 2012 at 310km altitude in a sun synchronous orbit. Its mission: test a new kind of ion engine, one designed for higher thrust and lower power than traditional designs. In this presentation, we’ll show off the satellite under construction and discuss the mission, technologies, challenges, and opportunities for amateur radio tie ins. Wes will be bringing the satellite to the meeting, and is hoping to brainstorm features that might be added to the satellite before launch. Check out the FRETS1 website at http://frets1.wordpress.com/.
Skywarn Training
Southfield Emergency Management is planning to hold Skywarn training on Monday, March 5, 2012. Exact time and place are not available yet. Call 248-796-5990 for more information.
June Banquet
Planning has begun for the annual June banquet on Wednesday, June 13, 2012. The venue will again be DeCarlo’s Banquet and Convention Center in Warren. Advance tickets should be available at the February meeting. There are no plans at this time for tickets to be sold at the door.
Field Day
We’ve secured a permit for the Camp Hazel Woods site near Holly for Field Day 2012 the weekend of June 23-24. John, AA8UU, will chair the effort again this year. Stay tuned to these pages for plans as they develop.
Need Help Preparing for the License Exam?
General Class License Course:
Start Date/Time: Monday, January 9, 2012 7 to 9 PM
Duration: 12 Monday sessions
Location: Southfield Emergency Management Office
(Area map, Civic Center map, Directions)
Cost: FREE ($23 charge for book)
Contact: Wallace Murray, KE8HR, email
Volunteers Needed
We have a few openings for volunteers. We are looking for a Zero Beat Newsletter editor and a Banquet Assistant. If you are interested, contact one of the board members.
