LA1KHA Challenge continued

M1BUU · 14 January 2018 09:54

Grrrrr! Forgotten about the silly 100 post limit. Started a new topic.

Battery: #2 Panasonic Evolta
Activation #13
Date: 13/1/18
Summit: G/SP-005 Pendle Hill
Bands: 30m
Finish 8.62V (gone up after a l-o-n-g rest!)
Rig: Home brew RockMite 30
Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 5m above ground
QSOs: 1
DXCC - 1 - OH
Cumulative QSOs:89
Cumulative DXCC: 21
9A,CT,EA,F,DL,G,GI,GM,GW,HB9,I,K,LA,OE,OH,OK,OM,OZ,PA,SM,SP

I find amateur radio so interesting with all it’s different facets, I’d like to do this challenge more often, but I simply can’t spread myself so thin!

Great signal from OH9XX, perfectly in my passband resulting in a pleasing RX tone. Sadly, Marko was the only chaser to find me, but very pleased to work him!

Judging by my later contacts using my KD1JV MTRs, conditions were pretty depressed.

The best before date on my battery is January 2017!

Colin

M0LEP · 15 January 2018 18:07

It probably helps if there’s a link back to the end of the previous thread, so …

GM4TOE · 17 January 2018 09:32

Any chance of somebody summarising what has happened and the results so far?
Saves wading through a (very long) discussion thread

M1BUU · 17 January 2018 23:24

Hi Barry

OK, I’ll give it a shot!

Apparently Kjell LA1KHA and Aage LA1ENA had been discussing mimimal power SOTA activating for a while, around 10 years ago.

November 2009

Kjell LA1KHA activating with RockMite 30 powered by a PP3.

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Kjell shares his experience on a reflector thread -

http://reflector.sota.org.uk/t/who-has-most-qso-on-a-pp3-9volt-battery/

October 2010

Richard G3CWI posts about activating with a RockMite, Kjell LA1KHA puts forward his idea for a challenge - How many QSO’s on a single Alkaline 9V battery.

http://reflector.sota.org.uk/t/rocking-with-the-rockmite/

November 2010

Kjell puts forward the rules for the challenge -

Contest - Most QSO’s on a standard PP3 battery.

Open to all SOTA activators
All SOTA summits allowed.
Conventional PP3/MN1604 Alkaline 9V battery, any brand, non rechargeable.
Only one battery is allowed, and it should supply the entire station i.e. Receiver, transmitter, tuner, keyer, etc. (But battery for cell phone, flashlight, etc allowed. )
Any antenna type , but no fixed installation allowed.
QSO is exchange of call sign, RST and CFM/ RR
Main rules must be fair play , honest log and have fun.
The goal is to show that even a small and simple station should be able to make contacts.

Almost immediately, Richard G3CWI begins operating with his home brew rig named ‘Top Gun Special’ and Energizer High Tech 9V battery.
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October 2011

LA1KHA and LA1ENA visit the G-QRP convention and it prompts activity by G3CWI, at the same time M1BUU gets interested in the challenge and decides to build a rig.

30th December 2011

Colin M1BUU(M0CGH) does his first activation with a modified Small Wonder Labs RockMite 30

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At end of 2011 stats stood -

1st G3CWI Richard 405 QSOs
2nd LA1KHA Kjell 402 QSOs
3rd LA1ENA Aage 50 QSOs
4th M1BUU (M0CGH) Colin 7 QSOs

January 2012

Kjell LA1KHa sends Richard G3CWI his prize - a copy of ARRL’s More QRP Power

Colin M1BUU starts activating with his home brew rig - MRM-39

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25 February 2012

M1BUU unveils 17m Challenge rig - it kinda works, but not really a success

April 2012

Tom M1EYP does his first PP3 activation using a modified RockMite 30

August 2012

M1BUU uses a new, untested, specially modified RockMite 20 and works Barry N1EU, 36,000 miles per watt!

100_0970

October 2012

Kjell reaches 575 QSO’s on battery #5

December 2012

M1BUU (M0CGH) retires his first battery and opts for battery number 2, Panasonic Evolta to begin the Winter bonus period.

March 2015

M1BUU works N1EU again! RockMite 20, Battery #2

April 2016

Kjell begins activating with an LNR MTR-3B

January 2018

M1BUU at 89 QSO’s battery #2

Stats as at January 17th 2018, best score on single battery -

Kjell LA1KHA 575 QSO’s
Richard G3CWI 461 QSO’s
Colin M1BUU 132 QSO’s
Tom M1EYP 74 QSO’s
Aage LA1ENA 53 QSO’s

Apologies for any errors etc!
I think we soon discovered that PP3 batteries just last too long, the enthusiasm for the challenge runs out before the battery!

GM4TOE · 18 January 2018 09:41

Thanks, much appreciated.

Will this revitalise the challenge?

G3CWI · 18 January 2018 10:14

That was certainly the case for me. My battery is still perfectly usable. However at this part of the sunspot cycle it will be a much harder challenge all round.

G4WTF · 18 January 2018 10:35

Thank you for this excellent summary Colin
73’s
Ian
G4WTF

MM0FMF · 18 January 2018 12:00

With so many “Altoids tin” types of QRP radios in use (Rockmite, MTR, QCX, home designs) would these users like to see a QRP radio users honour roll in the DB?

I’m thinking that if you added an expression into the comment/notes field of every QSO you made with one of these sets, then it would be easy to produce an activator/chaser honour roll.

So
"%QRP%QCX% for the QCX
%QRP%H1B1% for an H1B1
%QRP%ROCK% for a Rockmite
and so on.

Any interest? It’s simple to implement for me as it leverages all the existing Microwave distance award code.

M1BUU · 18 January 2018 15:51

I agree with Richard G3CWI that it’s much tougher at this point of the solar cycle. When the challenge started, RBNgate hadn’t yet been implemented, self spotting was the key to getting contacts. Later with Eric’s RBNgate, and subsequently Andrew’s RBNhole, it became much easier to make SOTA contacts with QRPp rigs. Unfortunately the propagation was dying off just as the spotting services were getting better!

From the stats, it seems as though my performance is not very impressive, but Kjell’s challenge is extremely important to me. Through the challenge I learnt to activate with CW, progressing from 10wpm during my early activations, through to the 22wpm that I prefer now. The challenge also prompted me to start home brewing my own gear, culminating in an SSB rig with which I had 4 QSOs to VK. I owe all of this to taking part in the PP3 Challenge.

I believe that my 30m Challenge rig is very competitive, the lack of results is down to me initially lacking in operating skills and also down to the lack of time to do activations. I’d like to give the challenge a serious shot once the propagation has come back to us.

Colin

EA2IF · 18 January 2018 18:46

After reading this thread and Tom’s M1EYP one about his daily activations of Cloud and Gun, I’m feeling like getting back to my weekly activations of Mt. San Cristobal EA2/NV-119 and doing it with an MTR rig powered by a 9V alcaline battery…
I think I’m going to join the challenge…
Stay tuned
Cheers,

Guru

M1BUU · 18 January 2018 22:46

According to my notes, a standard 10MHz RockMite uses 13mA during receive, and 97mA during transmit with 160mW output, at 9 volts.

With modifications, I was able to reduce the current down to 7.4mA on RX and 68mA on TX with 173mW output, again at 9 volts.

Haven’t measured an MTR at 9 volts (apart from MTR-5B) so I’m not sure what the current figures are, but I’m guessing at 20-30mA during RX and 400 - 500 mA on TX.

PP3’s really struggle to supply high current so the voltage will sag during TX. I think the average capacity of an Alkaline 9v battery is in the region of 600mAh, so you’ll certainly get plenty of RX time though

Definitely a interesting experiment to see just how long a PP3 can last with an MTR.

73, Colin

VK1DA · 19 January 2018 12:18

MTR3B on RX is about 40ma. Current on tx dependent on voltage level. Give it more volts and it gets excited.

LA1KHA · 23 March 2019 08:43

Hello.
I got a new PP3 battery. And lets try again.

Battery: Philips Power Alkaline ( Red)
Cumulative activation: 3
Cumulative QSOs: 9
Cumulative DXCC: 5(DL,G,HB,I and ON )
Logg see sota or below.

Stats:20/03/2019
Battery: #9
Activation: #1
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:9.08
QSOs: 2
DXCCs: 2 DL and G
Cumulative QSOs: 2
Cumulative DXCC: 2 (DL, G)

One is s2s with DL6FBK/P on DM/BW-664

Stats:21/03/2019
Battery: #9
Activation: #2
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:na
QSOs: 2
DXCCs: 2 DL and HB
Cumulative QSOs: 4
Cumulative DXCC: 3(DL,G and HB )

Stats:23/03/2019
Battery: #9
Activation: #3
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:na
QSOs: 5
DXCCs: 4 DL,HB,I and ON
Cumulative QSOs: 9
Cumulative DXCC: 5(DL,G,HB,I and ON )

LA1KHA · 27 March 2019 07:10

Band was open on 26/03-2019 no close station but not a lot of takers yet. Fun that I/HB)BQU/P come back to me from I/LO-251 for a s2s QSO. Still using rockmite with 100mW and one x-tal on 10.120

Battery: Philips Power Alkaline ( Red)
Cumulative activation: 5
Cumulative QSOs: 22
Cumulative DXCC: 8(DL,G,GI,HB,I,OK,ON and S5)

Stats:25/03/2019
Battery: #9
Activation: #4
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:na
QSOs: 4
DXCCs: 3 DL,G and HB
Cumulative QSOs: 13
Cumulative DXCC: 5(DL,G,HB,I and ON )

Stats:26/03/2019
Battery: #9
Activation: #5
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:na
QSOs: 9
DXCCs: 7 DL,G ,GI ,HB, I, OK and S5
Cumulative QSOs: 22
Cumulative DXCC: 8(DL,G,GI,HB,I,OK,ON and S5)

Error in last post date is 22/03/2019

LA1KHA · 29 March 2019 20:46

Activation 28/03/2019 only 3 qso. Called cq for 15 min but no takers. Band open but poor activity. But so come first QSO. Super fun that I/HB9BQU/P on I/LO-220 and HB9BCB on HB9BCB/P on HB/BE-151 come on frq and made s2s QSO.
Activation 29/03/2019 nice WX but windy. All snow on the sun side of summit gone. No s2s with QRPp to day. Tanks for fun to all.

Stats:28/03/2019
Battery: #9
Activation: #6
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:na
QSOs: 3
DXCCs: 2 HB and I
Cumulative QSOs: 25
Cumulative DXCC: 8(DL,G,GI,HB,I,OK,ON and S5)

Stats:29/03/2019
Battery: #9
Activation: #7
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:na
QSOs: 5
DXCCs: 5 DL,G, I, OE and UA
Cumulative QSOs: 30
Cumulative DXCC: 10(DL,G,GI,HB,I,OE,OK,ON,S5 and UA)

73 de LA1KHA Kjell

EA2IF · 29 March 2019 21:07

Hi Kjell,
I saw your spot today and tried to copy you, but your QRPp was not powerful enough to make the trip to my receptor in EA2 land. No copy at all here.
Look forward for a future better chance.
73,

Guru

LA1KHA · 2 April 2019 18:23

Hello EF2IF Guru.
Hope we qso one day on Phone or CW.
Prefere 10Mc band but also active on other band.
73 de LA1KHA Kjell

LA1KHA · 2 April 2019 19:09

Activation 1.04-2019
On summit after work. S52CU/p on S5/CP-035 come back to me and we made a S2S qso .My report was 559. If we calculate 1s =6dB it may be posible we could have a qso with 25mW?

Stats:01/04/2019
Battery: #9
Activation: #8
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:na
QSOs: 3
DXCCs: 3 G, OE and S5
Cumulative QSOs: 33
Cumulative DXCC: 10(DL,G,GI,HB,I,OE,OK,ON,S5 and UA)
s2s S52CU/P on S5/CP-035

LA1KHA · 2 April 2019 19:14

Activation 2.04-2019
On summit after work, but some wind…
HB9CBR/P on HB/GR-121 begun call on 10.120 or come back to my call ( Sota Spot at same time) we made a S2S qso and I went QRT until he QSY to 14Mc. ( I have only one crystal in Rockmite 10.120)
Hope to be back after work all week.

Stats:02/04/2019
Battery: Philips Power Alkaline ( Red)
Cumulative activation: 9
Cumulative QSOs: 36
Cumulative DXCC: 10(DL,G,GI,HB,I,OE,OK,ON,S5 and UA)
s2s 7qso

Activation: #9
Summit: LA/TM-049
Band: 30m
Finish Voltage:na
QSOs: 3
DXCCs: 2 DL and HB
Cumulative QSOs: 36
Cumulative DXCC: 10(DL,G,GI,HB,I,OE,OK,ON,S5 and UA)
s2s HB9CBR/P on HB/GR-121

M1BUU · 5 February 2020 20:31

Battery: #2 Panasonic Evolta
Activation #14
Date: 05/02/20
Summit: G/NP-004 Whernside
Bands: 30m
Finish 8.46V
Rig: Home brew RockMite 30
Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 5m above ground
QSOs: 8
DXCC - 8 - F,HB9,I,OE,OH,OK,SM,YL
Cumulative QSOs:97
Cumulative DXCC: 22
9A,CT,EA,F,DL,G,GI,GM,GW,HB9,I,K,LA,OE,OH,OK,OM,OZ,PA,SM,SP,YL

I’ve been in a bit of a home brewing mood recently, finishing a few projects in my new(ish) shack. I’ve picked up the PP3 challenge rig from the shelf a few times and thought that I really ought to put it on air again. I have a ‘Really Useful Box’ which stores my challenge battery, I’ve kept it carefully for years. The best before date on my battery (#2) is 2017! Reading through the thread above, I’ve had my battery (#2) for over 7 years! The battery outlasted the shop I bought it from (Maplin).

I activated Pendle Hill (G/SP-005) at the weekend and I was pleasantly surprised by the propagation, it was amazing to experience bands that seemed to be working again. I’d charged up my Lipo for my MTR5B last night, but I thought chuck the PP3 Challenge rig and ancient battery in to my pack to see if a QSO with ~100mW was even possible.

Due to a tight schedule, I thought I’d switch to Whernside G/NP-004 instead of G/NP-010, as then it leaves Pen Y Ghent free to team up with G/NP-017 for a double hill day.

I was quite elated when a watery but perfectly workable sounding HB9CLT answered my CQ calls. (RockMite RX isn’exactly 'state of the art!). A few minutes later a strong call came back from OH3GZ, I then thought, hey, crikey, I might even qualify the summit on ancient PP3 power! Sure enough, I had soon worked OK2BLD and then finally F5JKK qualified the summit for me

I put out some more CQs as I seemed to be doing rather better than I thought I would and I ended up with another 4 QSOs in the log!

I didn’t even bother getting my MTR out of the bag, I didn’t see the point.

I’ve studied my rig a little bit today, I still find it awesome that I built that little thing and I’ve managed QSOs to Switzerland, Finland, Czechia, France, Italy, Sweden, Latvia and Austria, all with a standard 9v battery. I’m blown away by it really, if I’m honest.

73, Colin