K8GP Grid Pirates Contest Group http://www.k8gp.net & Delmarva VHF and Microwave Society Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:11:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 W3ZZ – VHF Contesting http://www.k8gp.net/2013/02/w3zz-vhf-contesting http://www.k8gp.net/2013/02/w3zz-vhf-contesting#comments Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:10:54 +0000 admin http://www.k8gp.net/?p=613 Dr. Gene Zimmerman, W3ZZ (SK) will have passed away one year ago this June and the Delmarva VHF and Microwave Society, K8GP and the Grid Pirates Contest Group, as a memorial to Gene, are republishing a recorded Webinar on our website and making it available before this years June and September ARRL VHF Contests. . . . → Read More: W3ZZ – VHF Contesting]]> Dr. Gene Zimmerman, W3ZZ (SK) will have passed away one year ago this June and the Delmarva VHF and Microwave Society, K8GP and the Grid Pirates Contest Group, as a memorial to Gene, are republishing a recorded Webinar on our website and making it available before this years June and September ARRL VHF Contests. We do not want Gene’s memory to fade any faster than it already is, this may help to keep his memory alive for a while longer. In May of 2010 Gene provided this presentation on “VHF Contesting – What to do and How to win” for the PVRC webinar archives. The presentation is ~90 minutes and covers station siting, station design, station integration, winning strategies, digital modes and the ideal stations. We have acquired a copy of the presentation and made it available for those interested in reviewing it.



]]> http://www.k8gp.net/2013/02/w3zz-vhf-contesting/feed 0 K8GP operates in June VHF 2012 contest http://www.k8gp.net/2012/07/k8gp-operates-in-june-vhf-2012-contest http://www.k8gp.net/2012/07/k8gp-operates-in-june-vhf-2012-contest#comments Tue, 10 Jul 2012 21:32:40 +0000 admin http://www.k8gp.net/?p=412 The K8GP Grid Pirates Contest Group set up operations from their new location in Virginia, grid FM19bb. This was the first contest since June 2008 that the group entered the unlimited-transmitter, multi-operator category. Since leaving Spruce Knob, WV in 2008, the group has only operated the low 4-bands (50-432 MHz). To read more about . . . → Read More: K8GP operates in June VHF 2012 contest]]> The K8GP Grid Pirates Contest Group set up operations from their new location in Virginia, grid FM19bb. This was the first contest since June 2008 that the group entered the unlimited-transmitter, multi-operator category. Since leaving Spruce Knob, WV in 2008, the group has only operated the low 4-bands (50-432 MHz). To read more about the weekends event, see pictures and videos and hear audio from the stations please click here.

]]> http://www.k8gp.net/2012/07/k8gp-operates-in-june-vhf-2012-contest/feed 0 Dr. Gene Zimmerman W3ZZ (SK) http://www.k8gp.net/2012/06/gene-zimmerman-w3zz-sk http://www.k8gp.net/2012/06/gene-zimmerman-w3zz-sk#comments Tue, 05 Jun 2012 18:48:38 +0000 admin http://www.k8gp.net/?p=381 On June 3, 2012 our good friend Dr. Gene Zimmerman W3ZZ, affectionately known among us as ‘Dr. Doom’, passed away due to complications of surgery. May he rest in peace. We will all miss Gene very much since he was a cornerstone of our organization. In the early 1990′s Gene was the driving force . . . → Read More: Dr. Gene Zimmerman W3ZZ (SK)]]> On June 3, 2012 our good friend Dr. Gene Zimmerman W3ZZ, affectionately known among us as ‘Dr. Doom’, passed away due to complications of surgery. May he rest in peace. We will all miss Gene very much since he was a cornerstone of our organization. In the early 1990′s Gene was the driving force behind pulling together the right people in the D.C. area to build a new, competitive, multi-operator VHF+ contest group. This group in turn became known as the Delmarva VHF and Microwave Society and K8GP Grid Pirates Contest Group. Gene was extremely knowledgeable in terms of VHF, UHF and microwave propagation and was an avid radio operator and contester. He was always willing to share lessons learned and his extensive experience as well as entertain answering our questions. Gene also provided our group with countless hours of conversation, antidotes and plenty of good humor over the years.

We hope to continue on in his memory and attempt to introduce and foster ham radio operators both young and old into weak signal, VHF+ communications and radio sport. Something Gene was well known for doing himself. Below are a collection of pictures of Gene over the past 15+ years as we remember him best as we contested from West Virginia and the D.C. area.

Gene W3ZZ Gene W3ZZ June VHF 2010 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 2010 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 2008 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 2007 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 2006 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 2005 Gene W3ZZ Sept VHF 2002 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 2002 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 2002 Gene W3ZZ Sept VHF 2001 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 2001 Gene W3ZZ Jan VHF 2001 Gene W3ZZ Sept VHF 2000 Gene W3ZZ Sept VHF 2000 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 2000 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 1999 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 1998 Gene W3ZZ Sept VHF 1997 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 1997 Gene W3ZZ June VHF 1996

Below is a rare video of Gene operating. Here he was at the 222 MHz position of K8GP contest station when we operated from Spruce Knob, WVa in the June VHF 2007 contest.

Click here to view the embedded video.

And finally Gene had a unique voice. Everyone knew Gene’s sound on the air. You couldn’t confuse him for anyone else. In June 2007 I recorded much of the activity at the various operating positions.

Click here to listen to Gene’s distinctive voice and CQ.

You can stream that entire weekend of the 222 MHz position of which Gene operated a fair amount, as well as mentored K8GP newcomer Mike N2NAR. Click here to listen. You can jump forward in 1 minute increments.

]]> http://www.k8gp.net/2012/06/gene-zimmerman-w3zz-sk/feed 2 W8ZN & K1RA operate as K8GP Rover in Jan 2012 VHF SS http://www.k8gp.net/2012/02/w8zn-k1ra-operate-as-k8gp-rover-in-jan-2012-vhf-ss http://www.k8gp.net/2012/02/w8zn-k1ra-operate-as-k8gp-rover-in-jan-2012-vhf-ss#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:51:10 +0000 admin http://www.k8gp.net/?p=373 Terry W8ZN and I attempt to rove in the past ARRL Jan. VHF SS. If you care to check out the article I put together that covers our preparations leading up to the contest as well as our adventure on contest weekend please click here or the picture below.

. . . → Read More: W8ZN & K1RA operate as K8GP Rover in Jan 2012 VHF SS]]> Terry W8ZN and I attempt to rove in the past ARRL Jan. VHF SS. If you care to check out the article I put together that covers our preparations leading up to the contest as well as our adventure on contest weekend please click here or the picture below.


W8ZN @ K8GP Rover Jan 2012 VHF SS

]]> http://www.k8gp.net/2012/02/w8zn-k1ra-operate-as-k8gp-rover-in-jan-2012-vhf-ss/feed 0 K8GP to operate in ARRL June VHF 2011 contest http://www.k8gp.net/2011/06/k8gp-to-operate-in-arrl-june-vhf-2010-contest http://www.k8gp.net/2011/06/k8gp-to-operate-in-arrl-june-vhf-2010-contest#comments Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:53:57 +0000 admin http://www.k8gp.net/?p=365 We will have a small crew of operators activating the K8GP station this June VHF contest. We will be operating from FM19bb in Virginia. K8GP will be active on 50, 144, 222 and 432 MHz. We will be running mostly SSB & CW modes, but will run WSJT on 50 & 144 MHz after . . . → Read More: K8GP to operate in ARRL June VHF 2011 contest]]> We will have a small crew of operators activating the K8GP station this June VHF contest. We will be operating from FM19bb in Virginia. K8GP will be active on 50, 144, 222 and 432 MHz. We will be running mostly SSB & CW modes, but will run WSJT on 50 & 144 MHz after 1130PM local. Look for us on the bands from 1800Z Sat. June 11 through 0300Z Sun. June 13!

]]> http://www.k8gp.net/2011/06/k8gp-to-operate-in-arrl-june-vhf-2010-contest/feed 1 K8GP to operate ARRL January VHF Contest http://www.k8gp.net/2011/01/k8gp-to-operate-arrl-january-vhf-contest http://www.k8gp.net/2011/01/k8gp-to-operate-arrl-january-vhf-contest#comments Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:44:41 +0000 admin http://www.k8gp.net/?p=260 Terry W8ZN and Andy K1RA will be activating the Grid Pirates K8GP station from grid square FM19bb in northern Virginia this upcoming ARRL January VHF contest. We will be operating in the multi-operator, high power category, though only using 2 stations. We will have dedicated 50 and 144 MHz stations and 222 MHz through . . . → Read More: K8GP to operate ARRL January VHF Contest]]> Terry W8ZN and Andy K1RA will be activating the Grid Pirates K8GP station from grid square FM19bb in northern Virginia this upcoming ARRL January VHF contest. We will be operating in the multi-operator, high power category, though only using 2 stations. We will have dedicated 50 and 144 MHz stations and 222 MHz through 10 GHz will be handled by the 144 MHz operator. Please be patient if you wish to work us on the higher bands as we may be multi-tasking to cover all the bands with just the two of us.

We also plan on operating some WSJT on 50 and 144 MHz with 1.5 KW power and multiple antennas. We will mainly be looking to work random contacts. We’ll be calling CQ U or D on the respective WSJT calling frequencies. If you would like a sked with us, we’d be happy to set one up with you and attempt a contact. Please email us at k8gp2011 @ k8gp . net if you would like more info. 73 and hope to contact you in the contest!

]]> http://www.k8gp.net/2011/01/k8gp-to-operate-arrl-january-vhf-contest/feed 0 K8GP operates ARRL June VHF 2010 http://www.k8gp.net/2010/06/k8gp-operates-arrl-june-vhf-2010 http://www.k8gp.net/2010/06/k8gp-operates-arrl-june-vhf-2010#comments Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:51:17 +0000 admin http://www.k8gp.net/?p=138 The Delmarva VHF and Microwave Society and K8GP Grid Pirates Contest Group operated the ARRL June VHF 2010 contest from grid square FM19bb atop Mt. Weather in northern Virginia around 1800′. This is the second time the group has operated from the new and expanding location. K8GP has suspended operations from it normal operating . . . → Read More: K8GP operates ARRL June VHF 2010]]> The Delmarva VHF and Microwave Society and K8GP Grid Pirates Contest Group operated the ARRL June VHF 2010 contest from grid square FM19bb atop Mt. Weather in northern Virginia around 1800′. This is the second time the group has operated from the new and expanding location. K8GP has suspended operations from it normal operating location atop Spruce Knob in West Virginia (FM08fq) due to cost, time, distance and lack of bus drivers to make the 5-6 hour trek. The group has been building a new V/UHF and microwave site in Virginia closer to home of the core station designers and operators. Read more about the weekend by clicking here.

]]> http://www.k8gp.net/2010/06/k8gp-operates-arrl-june-vhf-2010/feed 0 Hello VHF, UHF and microwave world! http://www.k8gp.net/2009/06/hello-world http://www.k8gp.net/2009/06/hello-world#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:00:51 +0000 admin http://www.k8gp.net/?p=1 Welcome to the home of the K8GP Grid Pirates Contest Group and Delmarva VHF and Microwave Society (DVMS). Please navigate the menu links across the top of this page, beginning with About, to read, see and hear more about the our organization, its members and their efforts to deploy a multi-operator, multi-radio contest station . . . → Read More: Hello VHF, UHF and microwave world!]]> Welcome to the home of the K8GP Grid Pirates Contest Group and Delmarva VHF and Microwave Society (DVMS). Please navigate the menu links across the top of this page, beginning with About, to read, see and hear more about the our organization, its members and their efforts to deploy a multi-operator, multi-radio contest station to the highest point in West Virginia.

ARRL June VHF Contest 2009

The K8GP Grid Pirates Contest Group will be operating from grid square FM19bb in Virginia at an elevation of ~1,800′ for the upcoming ARRL June VHF Contest Satudary June 13 1800Z through Monday June 15th 0300Z. We will mainly be active on SSB, CW, FM and digital WSJT on 50 MHz through 432 MHz. Please listen for our CW, SSB & WSJT from 50.125-50.275, 144.100-144.250, 222.100-222.230 and 432.100-432.150 MHz. Listen for our FM on 52.525, 146.55/58, 223.5 and 446.0 MHz. We may be active on 903 MHz and above through 10 GHz, so please ask us during the contest and if we’re up and running there we will attempt a microwave QSO with you. Good luck and look forward to hearing you in the contest. Any pre-contest skeds or other correspondence can be directed at k8gp2009@k8gp.net

Make ARRL VHF Contest Logs Public?

Are you interested in having your ARRL VHF contest logs made public? Send your logs in an email to logs@vhfscores.info – Cabrillo format is preferred, but we will take any contest output if it helps get your data online quicker. We will be using the www.vhfscores.info site for publishing logs for those with no public hosting capability. For those groups or individuals that wish to post their logs on their own web sites, please send us a direct URL link, so we can point to your station log info as well. If you have any comments, questions, suggestions or concerns, please visit the web site above and drop us a line. Thanks!

Captain’s New Call

Our leading captain (Terry K8ISK) has been awarded a new call sign under the F.C.C. vanity system. He shall now be known as W8ZN. Listen for him in the pileups!

Sept ARRL VHF Contest

A small group of K8GP club members were active from Mt. Weather, VA FM19 during the Sept. VHF contest. They deployed an Limited/Multi station and it appears they may have won the category with ~307K points. Look for more info in the following months in QST and here on this web site.

July CQ WW VHF Contest

The Grid Pirates Contest Group and Delmarva VHF and Microwave Society will be activating the K8GP club call sign from Mt. Weather, VA FM19 on 6m and 2m this upcoming CQ WW VHF contest. We will be operating SSB, CW and WSJT. Look for us via random meteors using WSJT on 50.275 and 144.140 MHz, or please contact k8gp2008@k8gp.net for more info and/or scheduling.

June VHF Contest 2008

The Grid Pirates Contest Group and Delmarva VHF and Microwave Society activated the K8GP club call sign from Spruce Knob, WVa this past ARRL June 2008 VHF contest. We operated from grid square FM08fq employing frequencies from 50 MHz through 47 GHz. We were active using SSB, CW, FM and WSJT. We thank all of those who made skeds and we would like to report a great success rate! View a night time photo of our operation taken by K1RA here. The rest of our photo album from the weekend is now online. Please click on this link to see the full operation.

HP 3000W Switching Power Supply Info

See photos and read what W8ZN has learned about these great power supplies! Click here.

MOASU

Read more about the Mother of All Switching Units and get updates if you are building a MOASU by clicking here.

January VHF SS 2008

K8GP operated from the Eastern Shore of Maryland (FM18vr) this past ARRL January VHF SS contest. We operated the bands 50 MHz through 10 GHz. Pictures from our January expedition to the Eastern Shore of Md can be seen by clicking here.

September VHF Contest 2007

The members of K8GP ventured to the top of Spruce Knob, WV this past Sept. 2007 ARRL VHF contest and would like to thank everyone who got on the VHF, UHF and microwave bands to contact us. We officially won the Multi-Unlimited category, clinching back to back wins (June & Sept) for both ARRL 2007 VHF contests. To see our Sept 2007 VHF gallery please click here. Please come back soon to read more about the weekend’s event in an upcoming blog post.

Spread the word

After reviewing this site, please consider rating it at both contesting.com and/or dxzone.com to spread the word about weak signal VHF, UHF and microwave contesting. Thanks !

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