Well, all results have finally been tabulated for the Doghouse Operation Sprint held last November 22 from 1800-2200Z. This short "area code QRP contest" was co-sponsored by the LI-QRP Club and the NJ-QRP Club. (For reference, see the scoring & reporting instructions and the full/original set of rules).

It's taken us many months to get all related reports and soapbox commentary, but we're proud to finally make the announcement of winners and postings of placings by all participants. This contest was unique in that we had four prizes contributed for winners in various categories.

And the winners are ...
Certificates and prizes were awarded for the higest overall total score, most area codes worked, most X area codes worked and most number of LIQRP/NJ-QRP members worked.

Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone participating!
Sincerely yours,
The LI-QRP Club, and
The NJ-QRP Club

Detailed Logs...
Click here for the complete details of all participating in the Doghouse Sprint. These logs were compiled and reported by: Kevin N2TO at kfglynn@prodigy.net .

SOAPBOX COMMENTARIES:

John K3WWP reports ...

I only put in the last hour in the contest. Actually planned to work the whole last hour, but about 5 minutes into the hour my next door neighbor's teenage daughter yelled for me to come help her. She was home alone and doing the washing, and got water all over the floor somehow. I helped her out, then got back to the test. I made 21 QSO's by calling CQ in about 40 minutes. That was a fine turnout, and all those of you in the NJ QRP Club, etc. are to be commended for getting so much activity.

Nick KF2PH reports ...

Well, had a ball in the Doghouse! Thanks Kevin-N2TO for introducing this great event to the LIQRP club. Thanks also to the NJQRP club for allowing us to co-sponsor this contest with you all. I didn't work a ton of Q's but had a great time and got to meet many familiar calls on the air. I even got an extra bonus working W0RSP - Ade in the event. Something about the number 13 with me. I'm QRP-L # 13 and worked 13 Q's on 20 meters adn 13 Q's on 40 meters before moving to my final 80 meter resting place where I only worked 5 Q's. All in all a fun time and I'm looking forward to doing another contest for the QRP. This was my first contest other than Field Day, so I really had a great time.

Marshal N1FN reports ...

That was fun! After four hours I was sure ready to crawl back into the doghouse and gnaw on a bone or something [g]. Conditions here in CO weren't particularly good and 20M seemed to be the only band worth bothering with. Bottom line... only about 40 QSOs, so I guess I won't win the year's supply of dog biscuits. . If nothing else, good practice for the CQC Snowshoe Sprint coming up on the 13th.

Herb K2HPV reports ...

Good contest, gang. Didn't yield as many contacts as I would have liked though. The keyer was down for 45 minutes, but no other problems. Can't get over the power of the internet. All the stations that were participating just from the internet publicity. Amazing. Worked 20 meters with my new TenTec model 1320 running 3 watts, battery powered. Unfortunately, 20 is the only band I could operate and take the 1000 points for battery operation. Sure need a 40 meter rig! Was most pleased to work W0RSP, Ade Weiss and KI6SN, Richard Fisher. That's pretty long haul for me. I used my new TenTec model 1320 which runs 3 watts using only 800 ma on transmit. Powered it with a 2 ah gel cell that only went from a full charge of 13.14 volts down to 12.35 v after 4 hours. Neat, simple arrangement. Antenna is an 80 meter dipole fed with 450 ohm line. I had hoped to work portable, but that did not happen. Thanks to all you folks who made it fun for me. Had the wx been better would have gone to the field for extra points. Can't wait for the next one. Looking forward to the next one...watch out for the awesome 609 gang!

Total score: 1441
Total unique area codes worked: 22
Total unique area codes with X suffix: 5
Total members worked: 5
Total points=QSOs w/ members=5 x 5 = 25
QSOs w/ non-members= 19 x 2 = 38
QSO points= 63 x Power mult (7) = 441
Total points = 441 + 1000 (battery op ) = 1441

Bob KB2SGM reports ...

Well, that was fun. I managed to work 22 stations, half from bonus A/Cs. This is definitely more fun than those marathon contests!

Total Contacts : 22
Bonus A/C: 11 X 5 55
Regular A/C: 11 X 2 22
Sub Total: 77
1 to 5 watt mult (x7)
Total Score: 539

Jake N4UY reports ...

Thanks guys -- that was a fun contest. I was able to join in from 1 to about 3:30 ET, but worked stations from Delaware to California -- amazing. Even got a new qrp state -- New Mexico. I'm looking forward to next time.

Tom WB2QDG reports ...

Just wanted to say thanks to Kevin N2TO and all who organized the doghouse sprint. I had a ball and am looking forward to the next one.

JP AB4PP reports ...

Had a great time, could not hear anyone on 80M,10M or 15M down here in NC, but I did work a few on 20 and 40. Had a good time and hope I helped a lot of you out with points....Will send in log for check log I guess, as I only got a few of you to hear me down here. Used 4w and a Carolina Beam up about 25 feet. Heard a lot of you, and could not get through the QRM and the noise. Lots of qrm from QRO stations complaining about those >>>>> qrp stations interfering with their qso's....hi hi....got a real tickler out of one in particular who said he was on a keyboard and was running his KW to a 2 EL yagi and those qrp stations were causing interference on his qso.....i got a big laugh out of him..... All in all great contest listening to you up there, y'all did good.....

John N4JS reports ...

Well, I had to work, but thought I would get in one contact. So who do I work but Kevin, N2TO. Very appropriate. Nice signal, too, Kevin, that was an honest 579. (I'll forgive you the 549).

Forrest KC5IHI reports ...

It was really fun from Arkansas. Went duck hunting this am and was sleepy, but made 6 contacts b4 loosing it.

Danny K3KTS reports ...

Sorry, but I was only able to get in 29 minutes on the end of the sprint. I vote for more time next year :^) Great fun. I think I had 12 valid QSOs for 33 points, total of 1330 thanks to the Battery power bonus. Had a QSO with George, N2APB just seconds after the final bell. Also one Qso on 20 Meters (not counted) to remind one that the termination time for the contest was 2200 UTC. Great contest. Look forward to the next one.

Ken N2CQ reports ...

This was a FUN Sprint! Lots of activity, expecially on 40 meters. After checking my score I kicked myself not being portable with another 1000 points. I operated at home with a 7ah gelcell to power the QRP rigs. (MFJ9020 for 20, OHR Explorer II for 40, and NW80/20 for 80.) Not the easiest arrangement for band changing with all connectors different except antenna. Lets do it next year!

80 Meters: 4 QSOs 14 points. (Last 20 minutes of the sprint)
40 Meters: 43 QSOs 113 points. (Here is where the action was)
20 Meters 17 QSOs 46 points. (Great start but slowed down)
All bands: 64 QSOs 173 points X 7 PWR + 1000 for battery = 2211 (prelim)
Total score: 2211
Total unique area codes worked: 46
Total unique area codes from members: 9
Total members worked: 14

Ken VE3ELA reports ...

Came home late from a meeting, & had a few interruptions, but managed to give it a good workout in about 2 hours operation. When I got home Saturday afternoon, I scurried to the shack, switched on the rig, & heard N1FN (Marshall Emm) calling CQ DOG. I couldn't believe it! Mr. Milestone himself!! What a fitting first QSO; and the keyer eagerly responded, fetching his call into my Doghouse log! Thoroughly enjoyed the contest, hope it becomes a regular event. Thanks to all involved.

20 m 5 contacts, 13 QSO points
40 m 10 contacts, 35 QSO points
80 m 4 contacts, 17 QSO points
65 QSO points x 7 power mult. + 1000 battery pwr = 1455 Total Score
Rig: Heathkit HW-9, Ten-Tec antenna tuner, random wire up 25 ft., and, oh yes, a great lookin' Island Keyer!

'OJ' K1OJ reports...

Not much time to play contest today, only about an hour. The phone just would not quit. Worked from east coast to west coast and some VEs. One Q on 15m and a couple on 40m but mostly 20m. I had 27Qs, 7 Xs, for a total of 539pts. Had fun, just not enough time. Thanks to the guys who hung in there to get the exchange completed and sorry to W2KP? I just could not copy. Thanks for the contest!

Dan N4ROA reports ...

First a great big "Thanks" to th LI/NJ QRP clubs for this fun afternoon. It was nice to hear all the activity and it created some interest as I was asked by a couple of QRO operators to explain what was going on. I got a late start due to Grandson and the "Santa Train". Enjoyed every minute. Here are the results......

44 contacts at 2 points each = 88
10 contacts at 5 points each =50
138 total points x 7 = 966 + 1000 = 1966 total

John AF9T reports ...

Congrats to LI and NJ QRP Clubs for a great contest. Lots of fun. Band condx not great, but lots of activity. I operated the 4 hours from friends station in Duluth, MN.

29 Q's on 20 meters 15x 5pt qso=75 pts
24 Q's on 40 meters 39x 2pt qso=78 pts
W5VBO on 15 meters ------
Total = 153 qso pts x 7power=1071 pts
Equipment= TS940 @ 5watts
kt34xa @ 110ft
402cd @ 120ft 72 es 73 de John AF9T

Al K0FRP reports ...

Well was on for 18 official minutes 1810 to 1828Z. 14 Q's 13 area codes 10 names. I got back from the office and a few errands the contest was still going so I went back on. That was 2155Z worked N6MM kept calling !!!!!!!!! then K3TKS kept saying 2200z ??? Sorry Danny It just didn't click??? Then I realized the contest was over at 2200Z I couldn't have been gone 3.5 hours. Stations kept calling but sure were not in the contest cause they counldn't understand the area code thing ????? I have been on the road too long, and my memory is good but just a bit on the short side. I did make 7 Q's from 2202 to 2216Z not bad hah? guess they don't count. Non Clock watcher ???

Bob N4BP reports ...

Trying to get area codes from people not aware of the contest was like pulling teeth. Had to give up on several. Highlight was catching W1VT/KH6 and AL7FS. 15M was open, but very little activity there.

Call used: N4BP Name: BOB
Category: Single Op All Band Mode: CW Power: 1W
Callsign of Operator: N4BP
Exchanged Information: N4BP rst 954 BOB
Hours of Operation: 03:54
band QSOs points
20 65
15 10
TOTAL 75 195 X 10 (1 watt) = 1950
+ bonus (battery) = 1000
*** TOTAL = 2950 points
Unique AC's = 50 Unique LI-NJ AC's = 11 Unique LI-NJ Mbrs = 14
Station: IC-706 MKII Battery TH7-DXX @ 45 feet NA v10.25

Preston WJ2V reports ...

I am not even close to competitive on area codes, so didn't count them. I called CQ "DOG" as it was short and sweet and unequivocal. I forgot to change over to battery power (which would have been trivial, but too late now), so no bonus. Equipment was Norcal Sierra, and all contacts were on 40 meters. Note, there was no propagation out west on 40m, as usual. This was my own little experiment to see whether there would be calls from beyond the Delaware Water Gap. Nope. None. I see from the post-contest postings that 20 was open, as usual, out west, but not 40. This was true both before and after sundown. Anyway, here's my doghouse sprint entry, Kevin. It was fun.

POWER 2 WATTS FOR 7X MULTIPLIER
13 QSO NON-MEMBER: 13 X 2 X 7 = 182
9 MEMBER QSO: 9 X 5 X 7 = 315
497 total score

Conard WS4S reports ...

I traveled to the other end of Putnam county, TN to operate from the shack of KF4ABV, a supposed quiet spot on the top of a ridge. We started operations at 1830Z and promptly were greeted by a loud bzzzzzzzz in the speaker. This was one of those intermittent badger noises that would QRT just long enough to let you think all was finally well. After an hour of this, we spent another 45 minutes chasing down the source of the noise. It turned out to be a strand of electric fence that was suffering from a bad insulator somewhere. We put the fence out of operation and finally were able to hear someone besides N4BP. The bands sounded pretty lousy with the best average signals on 40. Nothing was heard on 15 and I even spend several minutes calling right on 21.060. We worked all that we heard though .... 6 on 40 and 7 on 20. Rig was my Wilderness Sierra at 2.5 watts and a center-fed Zepp. 9 regular and 4 x stations =3D 38 qso points x 10 area codes + 1000 points for battery power = 1380 points.

Steven KD1JV

Had to connect up the "big" rig to make a few dog house contacts seeing my dipole is nearly on the ground due to some wet snow in the trees. Made a couple of DH qso's and accidently tuned down to 7.035 where I hear W1AW calling CQ. Fun telling W1AW your running homebrew QRP :-) Think I'll send for the card! Okay, that was fun, now back to the sprint!

Garry AB7My reports ...

Man, that was tough! Terrible atmospherics here, and weak signals except for WE6W, who almost knocked me outta my chair when he called me on 20m. Only worked from 2020 Z to the end, and jumped between 40m, 20m, and 15m. But it was still some fun, as I worked Zack, W1VT / KH6 on 15m and Jim AL7FS on 20m. Think I worked Bob N4BP, unless he got tired of me asking for repeats and moved on. I can't blame him; it was tough and I lost a couple of guys too. Sorry 'bout that fellas. Sorry not to work all who called me, and I missed the LI/NYC/NJ/MD multipliers altogether. Shucks. Thanks to Zack and Jim Larsen for being such good ops! ;-)

Rig: Kenwood TS-570D @ 5w on car battery
Antennas: 40m indoor dipole, 20m sloper, R7000 on 15m
Keyer: MFJ-452x keyboard
14 QSO's x 2 points x 7 (5 watt multi) + 1000 (battery power)= 1196 points

Jim AL7FS reports ...

High Latitude absorption kept 20 meters near dead for QRP. ABTTT was in a fast QSB from 339 down to no copy, no tones and we had to wait out the QSB to finish. Took repeats to make contact. Same for N4BP. I am glad Bob could copy me 599. ;-)

4 QSOs X 2 points each = 8
8 points X 5 watts multiplier of 7 = 56
56 + 1000 battery = 1056 total points
Worked two area codes; no ACx

Dave N2SMH reports ...

I did manage to get on the air, albeit somewhat intermittently, for about an hour on Saturday for the Sprint. It was Daddy-Daughter day at my house (XYL out for the day) and I was making contacts inbetween running back and forth from the shack (garage) to the house to see if the papoose had awakened from her nap. Just after working Kevin, N2TO, I went to check on her and sure enough, she was up. That pulled the plug for me after six or seven Qs. A shame, too, seeing as how I was on the verge of running a bunch of stations on 7038.5. It's rare that I get a chance to sit on a frequency and call CQ. I generally approach contests from the search-and-pounce posture. I couldn't very well hold the frequency when I was leaving the shack every 10 or 15 minutes! Thanks much, Kevin, for organizing the affair. Sounded to me like the pups were out and about! And thanks to everyone for their participation and for making NJ-QRP's maiden contest voyage a successful one.

Ed WE6W reports ...

All you Doghouse sprinters in AZ/TX were very loud here! I was running 5 watts, using my 40 meter dipole on 20 meters. Obviously the lobes start hugging the wire on this second harmonic so I had trouble going east, but you south/East guys were reciprically strong here too! 17 measly contacts for me. I had a lot of fun, but boy I can't keep up with you experts. Seems I always have a run of 40 or 50 minutes w/o a new contact in my logs at every contest.

 

Last Modified: November 30, 1997
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Last Modified: November 30, 1997