P40L-P49Y Contest Summary Information

We had planned for a HP M-S effort with two operators on the ground in Aruba (John, W6LD and Mat, DL4MM) supplemented by two operators participating remotely (Chad, WE9V and Ed, W0YK).

For the remote set up, the plan was to use screen sharing software (TightVNC) to remote into the screen of the PC on the run radio and key the run radio (a K4D) using the local instance of the logging software (DXLog). W0YK would control the run radio by remoting into it with a K4/0 and stream audio through that connection. WE9V, who did not have an available K4 or K4/0, would use QK4 to remotely control the K4D and stream audio using Mumble. The PC screen also ran 1) three instances of pstRotator for rotator control, 2) KPA1500 Remote for amp control and monitoring, and 3) Hamation Commander 2.1 to control a Hamation PB-3 StackMatch controller (used for toggling between antennas pointed at NAm and EU), giving the remote operator control of the rotators, amp and antenna switching.

We had tested this approach in advance and felt confident with it. Among other things, we thought it was a good solution to the keying issues (e.g., garbled cw) previously encountered at high rates when relying on the K4/0 to K4D connection for cw keying.

A couple of days before the contest, after we most of the station set up done in Aruba, we were finally able do some serious testing of the actual U.S. to Aruba connection. It quickly became evident that the local Aruba internet connection, at least during these particular days, was too unstable to support remote operation.

That meant that this essentially became a two-man M-S, although both Ed and Chad were able to “listen in” on the run radio from time-to-time throughout the weekend, and Chad had a brief period of sufficiently stable internet to run a couple hours on Sunday morning.

The problems with the remote operating were a big disappointment. The great news, though, was that high noise levels that had plagued us during ARRL DX ssb last March were mostly gone. That made a huge difference!

20 and 40 were excellent Friday night. And there were strong openings into Asia on 20 both very early Saturday and Sunday mornings. By contrast, 10 and 15 were challenging with 10 only opening briefly and both bands opening late and exhibiting very strong, rapid QSB. Moreover, rates dropped substantially during the second 24 hours. We’re not sure whether this was due to conditions or reduced levels of activity but suspect a bit of both. In the end, we were barely able to top our two prior M-S LP scores despite being HP.

With effectively only two operators, it was a challenge to keep the In-Band S&P station going at full potential. We would have benefited from at least one more op.

There were several notable upgrades/innovations during this trip (in addition to the approach to remote operating described above): 1. Replacement of the original Array Solutions rotary StackMatch A controller with a Hamation pushbutton stack controller that could be PC controlled (and therefore accessed by a remote operator). 2. Replacement of the damaged RAS 2x8 K9AY RX antenna switch with one in proper working order. 3. Deployment of a new 10 meter aluminum Spiderpole to erect the A3S back in the “Cunucu” instead of the 30’ aluminum tower (which makes a job that had required 5 persons, a relatively easy two-man job).

One of the objectives of this visit was to find time for some deferred maintenance and upgrading of the four Beverages. After the contest, DL4MM and W6LD were able to spend four and a half days (usually 3 hours early morning and 3 hours late afternoon) working on them (e.g., inspecting, replacing where needed, rerouting and freeing wires from vegetation). We’re looking forwarding to seeing how they perform next Fall.

We also enjoyed a little time socializing with friends on the island, including Jean-Pierre, P43A, and his wife, Cris, P43C, as well as Lisandro, P43L.

As always, thanks for all the Qs!

John, W6LD, on half of the P40L team (W6LD, DL4MM, WE9V and W0YK)

Station: Towers and antennas: 3 permanent towers on a 100x100’ lot:

Rohn 45 tower (66’):

Single boom 2-element shortened 40m interlaced with 4-element 20m (68’) (JK2040, long-boom version)

80m Inverted-V (65’) 160m Double-L center-fed vertical dipole (65’)

2L SteppIR at 35’

North Rohn 25 tower (56’): Single boom 5-element 15 interlaced with 6-element 10 (58’) (JK1015 configured for dual feed) -

South Rohn 25 tower (45.5’): Tri-bander (JK Mid-tri)

Temporary antennas for In-Band S&P: - Cushcaft A3S ~600’ from Run radio xmit antennas on 10 meter Spiderpole - 40/80 fan dipole with 40’ apex ~400’ from Run radio xmit antennas

Receiving antennas: 4 Beverages controlled by K9AY RAS 2x8 switchbox: - JA/WestUS (~800’) - EastUS (500’) - EU (~750’) - East-West (AF and OC) (~450’)

Rigs: Run: K4D; In-Band S&P: K3/P3

Amplifiers: KPA1500 and Alpha 91b

Computers/lock-out: 3 computers running DXLog.net; EA4TX lock-out

Remote connections: - TightVNC for screen sharing - pstRotator for rotator rotation - KPA1500

Remote for amp control/monitoring - Hamation Commander 2.1 for PB-3 StackMatch PC control - K4/0 or QK4 (with Mumble) for remote rig connections