LA1KHA's PP3/MN1604 Challenge

LA1KHA · 8 December 2011 01:04

Sorry for some bad cw, but must begin with glows now. Winter is here.
Still a lot of qso possible,output should be quite low now whit battery ice cold and 7,65v without load.
But as long as answer I keep on.
Thanks all for qso.

Stats:07/12/2011
Battery: #5
Activation: #28
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:7.65@-7c
QSOs: 21
DXCCs: 8 DL,G,HB9,OE,OK,OM,PA,SP
Cumulative QSOs: 337
Cumulative DXCC: 26
(DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR )

73 de LA1KHA Kjell

G3CWI · 22 December 2011 19:53

In reply to LA1KHA:

Sunny. Radio conditions pants.

Summit snap; fried luncheon meat and egg sandwich with two mugs of freshly brewed coffee.

Interesting sight - C130 below hilltop level banking steeply to avoid hitting Gun and disappearing down out of view. I stood waiting to hear it crash (I assume it didn’t as I heard nothing ).

Battery: #1
Activation: #29
Summit: G/SP-013
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.80 Volts
QSOs: 7
New DXCCs: None
Cumulative QSOs: 369
Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW)

Thanks to all the callers!

73

Richard
G3CWI

LA1KHA · 27 December 2011 21:04

Stats:27/12/2011
Battery: #5
Activation: #29
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:NA
QSOs: 15
DXCCs: 7 DL,F,G,HA,OM,LA,SP
Cumulative QSOs: 352
Cumulative DXCC: 26
(DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR )

73 DE LA1KHA Kjell

G3CWI · 29 December 2011 18:54

In reply to LA1KHA:

Cold, wet and windy.

Battery: #1
Activation: #30
Summit: G/SP-013
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.67 Volts
QSOs: 10
New DXCCs: 1 (OM)
Cumulative QSOs: 379
Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM)

Thanks to all the callers!

73

Richard
G3CWI

LA1KHA · 29 December 2011 23:21

Stats:29/12/2011
Battery: #5
Activation: #30
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:NA
QSOs: 19
DXCCs: 10 DL,G,HA,HB9,OE,OK,OM,LA,PA,S5
Cumulative QSOs: 371
Cumulative DXCC: 26
(DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR )

Now looking closer to G3CWI Richard.
I will be back nex two days so may be I can round up some more qso for 2011
Tanks all and GL to all QRPp

WX Extreme nice for ultimo December.

73 de LA1KHA Kjell

G3CWI · 30 December 2011 00:46

In reply to LA1KHA: Copied from G-QRP reflector:

The year is ending at an an interesting point in the PP3 challenge. Kjell and I are both approaching the 400 QSO level with a single PP3/MN1604. As of today, I am on 379 QSO and Kjell, LA1KHA is on 371. We are about to be joined by Colin M0CGH who aims to start his campaign tomorrow. I understand that Tom M1EYP is also starting a campaign in 2012. 30m is our band of choice.

I took the time recently to do some some careful measurements of my radio and
compared it to a stock Rockmite. On receive there is not much difference in
current drawn although my Rx is considerably more sophisticated than the
Rockmite’s (with proper filters). The Rockmite wins out at lower Voltages
though.

On transmit the results were more interesting. A slide here shows the overall
transmit efficiency of the Rockmite compared to my radio (TGS) at different
supply voltages. The class E PA is working well but at a slightly higher voltage
than I designed it for.

I think that there is much more work to be done to arrive at a really efficient design - but either way, nearly 400 QSOs on a PP3/MN1604 seems amazing!

73 and Happy New Year

Richard
G3CWI

LA1KHA · 31 December 2011 02:40

In reply to G3CWI RICHARD:

Stats:30/12/2011
Battery: #5
Activation: #31
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:NA
QSOs: 19
DXCCs: 10 DL,G,HA,OE,OM,LA,SP,S5,UA(3),UR
Cumulative QSOs: 390
Cumulative DXCC: 26
(DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR )

Tanks to all for qso and for all if any who tried. I hope to be back 31/12 for more qso,
HAPPY NEWYEAR to all, I do not want to be un-polite/ bad, but conserve my battery. PP3 battery is not extreme good now. Today Radio Moscow again with 59+ BC radio. This happen often when sun is in horizon.

PLEASE ALL WHO HAVE USED PP3 update 31/12-2011 for status.

73 de LA1KHA kjell

M0CGH · 31 December 2011 03:28

Stats:30/12/2011
Battery: #1
Activation: #1
Summit: G/NP-004
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:9.1
Rig: RockMite 30 from Small Wonder Labs, modified PA, modified 5V bus
QSOs: 7
DXCCs: 5 DL,OM,OZ,PA,S5
Cumulative QSOs: 7
Cumulative DXCC: 5 DL,OM,OZ,PA,S5

First activation for challenge. Snowing at summit and quite cold. Rig used was a modified RockMite from Small Wonder Labs, first ever on-air test.

Thanks for QSO’s, I hope my CW will be better on the next one because when I arrived at home my Palm Mini-Paddle had arrived in the mail

73 and HNY

Colin
M0CGH

G3CWI · 31 December 2011 20:25

Wet and windy.
Battery: #1
Activation: #31
Summit: G/SP-004
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage at room temp: N/A Volts
QSOs: 14
New DXCCs: None
Cumulative QSOs: 393
Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM)

Wet.
Battery: #1
Activation: #32
Summit: G/SP-013
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.57 Volts
QSOs: 12
New DXCCs: None
Cumulative QSOs: 405
Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM)

Thanks everyone and a very Happy New Year!

73

Richard
G3CWI

LA1KHA · 31 December 2011 20:58

LA1KHA’s PP3/MN1604 Challenge STATUS 2011

Most QSO all time best battery

  CALL     OP           ACTIVATIONS QSO  DXCC

1.st G3CWI Richard 32 405 19
2.nd LA1KHA Kjell 32 402 26
3.rd LA1ENA Aage 7 50 13
4.th M0CGH Colin 1 7 5

Congratulation G3CWI for his achievement with his PP3 battery and good transceiver . Well done Richard.

I have put some other list here.

Most QSO on a single battery all time

CALL OP ACTIVATIONS QSO DXCC Battery# year

1.st G3CWI Richard 32 405 19 1 2010-2011
2.nd LA1KHA Kjell 32 402 26 5 2011
3.rd LA1KHA Kjell 23 240 23 3 2011
4.th LA1KHA Kjell 20 150 18 2 2010-2011
5.th LA1KHA Kjell 20 133 22 4 2011
6.th LA1ENA Aage 7 50 13 1 2011
7.th LA1KHA Kjell 6 50 11 1 2009
8.th M0CGH Colin 1 7 5 1 2011

Most DXCC all time best battery
CALL OP ACTIVATIONS QSO DXCC
1.st LA1KHA Kjell 32 402 26
2.nd G3CWI Richard 32 405 19
3.rd LA1ENA Aage 7 50 13
4.th M0CGH Colin 1 7 5

I know that all battery are not depleted.
We may agree to use one year as a goal, but

Stats:31/12/2011
Battery: #5
Activation: #32
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:7.3v@-7c
QSOs: 12
DXCCs: 7 DL,G,HA,I,OM,Ok,LA,
Cumulative QSOs: 402
Cumulative DXCC: 26
(DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR )

Not bad with 5 battery and 975 qso in log… All QRPp /p
73 and HNY to all de LA1KHA Kjell

G3CWI · 31 December 2011 21:56

In reply to LA1KHA:

Hi Kjell

Thanks for the summary (and the idea for the challenge) - it was very close at the end of this year! I am keen to continue with the same battery as I want to see just how many contacts are possible. Maybe even 500 is a possibility?

Who would have thought that 30+ activations would be possible from a single PP3? When we read of people carrying SLABS and even LiPOs up into the hills, we can sit back and smile! CW and some QRPp cunning will always win.

I have been surprised at just how reliable these very low power systems are for activating. 100mW and rockbound on a single frequency sounds like a recipe for many failed attempts - but it has not proved to be such a problem. Of course our keen band of skillful chasers is our secret!

73 and a very Happy New Year

Richard
G3CWI

EA2BD · 1 January 2012 01:30

In reply to Richard & Kjell:

I have really enjoyed all this time with your challenge.
I admire how you both are encouraging each other in the achievement of this challenge and to overcome new limits.

You are showing to the ham community how can a ham do all his best to raise his skills and carry out deep investigations to develop the state of the art in the QRPp and homebrewing.
I wish I could contribute a bit but so far I just can say THANKS and all the best for you on the 2012. I’ll keep on reading your progress…

VY 73 es GL to you & families
Ignacio EA2BD

M0CGH · 1 January 2012 15:42

For those interested, I have uploaded some pictures of the rig I intend to use for the Challenge in 2012. I built the rig using the Manhattan technique and I call it the MRM-39. (Manhattan RockMite 30 9volt)

The pictures can be found here -

and here -

(This is NOT the rig I used on 30/12/11)

I do have ideas, and some parts in stock, to build a better rig, but whether I’ll get around to building it remains to be seen!

73 and all the best for 2012.

Colin
M0CGH

LA1KHA · 1 January 2012 19:50

In reply to M0CGH:
Nice rig M0CGH Colin.
To all in SOTA I send you my best wishes for this new yer 2012

Stats:01/01/2012
Battery: #5
Activation: #33
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:7.25v@-2c
QSOs: 16
DXCCs: 9 DL,G,HA,HB9,OM,OK,LA,PA,SP,
Cumulative QSOs: 418
Cumulative DXCC: 26
(DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR )

Tanks to all for chasing and to HA7UG for spot.

73 de LA1KHA Kjell

M0CGH · 2 January 2012 19:46

Stats:02/01/2011
Battery: #1
Activation: #2
Summit: G/NP-028
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage: 8.76V
Rig: MRM-39 - home brew for challenge 2012 PP3 Challenge rig | Rig built for LA1KHA's PP3 challeng… | Flickr
Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground
QSOs: 13
DXCCs: 8 DL,F,G,HB9,LA,ON,PA,SP
Cumulative QSOs: 20
Cumulative DXCC: 11 DL,F,G,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP
WX - Some snow flurries, mainly dry, occaisonal strong wind.

Thanks to all callers for their patience with my CW - I do feel that my CW is improving though. My battery seems to be dropping voltage rapidly, but I did call CQ a lot! My new rig seems to be working ok, but at one point I got swamped with adjacent frequency QRM (possibly the pile up for G3CWI!).

I am totally amazed that such simple gear can give such good results.

73
Colin
M0CGH

G4OWG · 2 January 2012 20:00

In reply to M0CGH:
Great stuff Colin but your ground wave wasnt making the 6.5 mile trip to me
The pile up was for JD1BMH Ogasawara.

Roger G4OWG

G3CWI · 2 January 2012 20:38

Very windy. Cold.

Battery: #1: Activation: #33
Summit: GW/NW-042: Band: 30m
Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p)

Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl
Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech
Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.77 Volts
New DXCCs: None
Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM)
QSOs: 9 Cumulative QSOs: 414

Thanks everyone again!

73

Richard
G3CWI

LA1KHA · 2 January 2012 20:59

Well done QRPp friends.
M0CGH Colin already 11DXCC with QRPp good. Your well build t rig is a nice.
Hope more OPs get trilled by the challenge and experience with the ease one can make QSO with QRPp. Most experience what happen to a FT817 if try to use it on multiple activations with internal accus.

73 de LA1KHA Kjell

M0CGH · 2 January 2012 22:11

In reply to G4OWG & LA1KHA

Sorry not to be able work you Roger, I only worked one G station - John G4WSX in Chichester.

I suspect not much of my RF was going horizontally!

Didn’t hear anything from JD1BMH, but it’s hard to make out the call signs when you are hearing all of the 30M band at the same time! I am strongly considering improving the RX filtering, it’s dire at the moment!

Hope to work you at some point Roger if conditions allow, it seems ages since we had a QSO.

Thanks for the kind comments Kjell, the rig needs serious work on the front end. I have lots of respect for you Kjell, being able to operate so well using a standard RockMite.

Not sure when the next outing will be, but I hope it’s soon!
73
Colin
M0CGH

LA1KHA · 3 January 2012 21:36

LA1KHA’s PP3/MN1604 Challenge

I Congratulation G3CWI for his achievement with his PP3 battery.
Prize comes with our Royal Mail.

73 de LA1KHA Kjell