1st Annual TAC QRP Contest 1998 Results

Note: Old scoring methods.

Here are the results of the first annual QRP TACtical Contest, sponsored by both the QRP Society of Central Pennsylvania and the Eastern PA QRP Club.  Thanks to all who slugged it out. Prizes and certificates have been sent out. The Rainbow Tuner goes to N2CQ winner of the TACtical category. This was donated by the NJ QRP Club. There were some logs not sent in, so we had more participants from what is listed below.   Thanks to all!

Overall winners:

QRPp Category

QRP Category

TACtical Category

Homebrew Category

Cameron C.R. Bailey, Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania kt3a@juno.com
Report any typo's to Ron wb3aal@fast.net 

Soap Box

>From N4JS  Had a bunch of chores to do today, so just got on the TAC Contest for a little bit. Made 6 qso's in about 30 minutes. Signals on 40 are super. N4BP is pounding in on 20...and wonder of wonders, he heard me! Gave my little OHR400 and Vertical a 599, even! This contest is a "keeper." Next time, will allot more time. Worked Ron, WB3AAL, anyway. Maybe time for a couple more QSOs before XYL gets home....

>From K7ZEN   (this was a relay team, though still single op at a time.)  Scott, K7ZEN, and I will be operating TAC from Saddle Mtn, 8,880 ft, about 20 miles NW of Flagstaff, AZ, using his call, K7ZEN, and running 1 watt. A fun contest and a great way to check out our Field Day site ahead of time.  Thanks to the organizers for all their work!

>From AL7FS   Only one station on 20 meters.  KB7MBI.  So I am IN THE CONTEST!!!  I worked him just fine. N4BP is there at 119 RST.  No other stations are being heard at this time with the beam at 40 feet.  I can't hear any beacons on 14.100. Heading for the QCWA picnic now so will probably miss the rest of the action....73,  Jim,  AL7FS

>From WA1QVM  It was actually a pretty neat contest. The exchange was easy, but you had to copy the TAC ... Got your 717X on 40 meters, but by 2250z I had worked most everybody playing the contest. Guess we need more players! Cheers and see you in next years TAC, 72 Joel Wa1qvm (Concord, Mass)

>From N0QT  Hope the conditions were better for you guys than they were here. Tried all bands and heard nothing. It was fun anyway.

>From WB3AAL  Well I had a ball with the TAC Contest. Great idea Cameron! I was not sure if I should run QRPp, 900 mW., but I did anyway. 20 & 15 were not in good shape!
40 Meters was my bread & butter band. I had a small problem with the logging program, but seemed to work ok. Next time I will be out in the field with home brews! 73 Ron

>From WB5QYT  Sure enjoyed the TAC Contest, at least for the short time I was able to work it. Worked as few familiar calls. KD6VIO,AB7TK,KI7Y,and KB7MBI and a few others. At 2130 my time I worked KB7MBI a second time. Neat thing about this qso was we kept on reducing our power. He got down to 500 mw, and I got down as low as about
50 mw....This is sure fun!!! Got to figure out the miles per watt on that one....NM to WA. I could not believe it!!This is late at night for 20 meters too!! Goes to show you that the higher bands are looking good!! Used my Emtech NW20, and my new J-pole inverted vee
that I just built today. This one is a keeper, in that it works well as an inverted vee, dipole or a vertical. Scaled it down from my 30 m J-pole. This antenna is very portable, as you
can roll it up into a ball till you want to use it, and then just sling it out like a softball into a tree....well almost!! Short feedline, lightweight, just right for field day or backpacking
.......Now, off to load up the spud gun, YA!!!

>From K8CV  INTERESTING CONTEST

>From K0EVZ  Well it was great for me....even though I could only be on 45 minutes (hospital called me in. Nuts). It is a keeper, this contest. You have made a signal (sorry!) contribution to QRPland, guy.

>From N3AO  I could play only for 3 hours and 25 minutes, but had a ball on 40 meters only with my TAC-1, THE appropriate rig for a TAC 1st Contest! I had 29 QSO's, 8 "X" stations, 23 different out-of-PA TAC's, the QRP and Homebrew categories, for a point total of 6,255.  I really had a good time and I sure hope you do this one again and again!

>From K3AS  Great contest!  Thanks for sponsoring it, and I hope you do it again. 72...Bill

>From N8CQA  Had a good time in so-so conditions on this end. Thanks.

>From AB0GO  Thanks for a neat little contest.

>From N3DQU  Cam - Just wanted to let u know I had a blast working the TAC contest...Really surprised at the turn-out!...Logs r in the mail...Looking forward to next year. 73, Jay N3DQU.

>From N4UY  This was a fun contest -- got a 1000 mile per watt QSO both on QRP and on QRPp -- even with a QRP temporary antenna that was barely off the ground.

>From VE3JC  Really liked the TAC contest, and think its a great idea. I was only able to get on for part of the 'test.

>From VE3ELA  Soapbox: Had a terrific day out in the field (weather here was sunny & warm). Took a few slingshots to get the wire supported where I wanted it. Then the flimsy nylon cord I was using kept hanging up on everything it touched! Finally (a bit late), I got the antenna erected & working. Most contest activity seemed to be on 40m, so spent most of my time there, occasionally checking 20m. Neat idea to include area code in exchange!
Hope you'll run the contest annually, it was fun & challenging.

>From W3DP  Look forward to another contest.  Conditions were excellent for the short period I was on.  I am always interested in what the other guy is using. Maybe in the next contest you could add rig, power and antenna to the exchange.  This would add more interest to the overall contest, or maybe better called a QRP QSO Party?

>From W3KC  Thanks for starting this contest - it was fun.

>From AF9J  Wanted to operate outside, but due to work commitments, didn't have time to go camping or on a trip.  So.... I set up in the backyard, using a camping table to operate from and a sealed acid battery for power.  The top of the antenna was guyed to the TV tower.  It rained and I had to drag everything into the garage.  I had fun.

See you next year!

This page was last updated on 08/09/03 01:11 PM