PVRC NEWSLETTER MARCH 1996

OFFICERS
 
PRESIDENT KE3Q   RICH BOYD   
VICE PRES KF3P   TYLER STEWART
SECRETARY WA3WJD BRIAN McGINNES
TREASURER N3KTV  JIM HORTON      
HISTORIAN K3SA   STEVE AFFENS    
 
PVRC Charter Members:
W3GRF (SK), W3IKN, W4AAV (SK), W4KFC (SK), W4KFT, N0FFZ, W4LUE, W7YS, 
VP2VI (W0DX).
 
PacketCluster Contest/DX System (MHz):
K3NA  Frederick MD  145.630                   
W3LPL Glenwood MD   145.590 441.250
KE3Q  Bowie MD      145.570 445.375       
N3RR  Rockville MD  145.510 441.325
N4OHE Mt.Weather VA 145.710 440.925       
N4SR  Woodbridge VA 145.530 *
WR3L  Baltimore MD  145.610                     
K4FJ  Mt. Vernon VA 145.770 *
*  These nodes are separately operated and funded by the Rappahannock DX 
Packetcluster Group.  The others listed are sponsored by the Potomac 
Valley DX Spotting Network.
 
PVRC on Internet:  
Visit the PVRC Home Page, courtesy of K3SA, at:  
http://www.access.digex.net/~k3sa/pvrc.html
 
Dues are by donation; the mandatory $10 dues have been discontinued. So 
please send your donation - hopefully at least $10 - to Jim, N3KTV, 8527 
Calypso Lane, Gaithersburg, MD 20879-1522.  Make checks payable to PVRC.  
Thank you.
 
Newsletter Editor:
Dick Wilder, K3DI, 913 Shore Acres Rd, Arnold, MD 21012-1724.  The 
communication ports are:  (410) 757-6706, FAX/modem 757-6720, 
[email protected], and the DXcluster.  The deadline for the April issue is 
Monday, March 25.
 
March 11th is the next central meeting.
The meeting will be at the Public Library in Vienna, Virginia on route 
123 outside the Beltway.  Program: war stories and "teamwork at 
multi-multi stations."  Take the Beltway to VA Route 123 South (Chain 
Bridge Road at this point). Cross over Route 7 and pass Tyson's Corner.  
On right will be JKJ Chevrolet. Continue on 123 into Vienna where 123 
becomes Maple Avenue. After passing Beulah Road (on right with light), 
look for Park Street (about 3 blocks). Park Street has a light. The 
Library will be along one block on the left, just before Center Street. 
Entrance to the library parking lot is a left off 123 Maple. The lot is 
just before the library itself. 
Alternatively, if you take I-66 off the beltway, and exit at Nutley 
Street toward Vienna, you will run into Maple Ave.  A right turn takes 
you into town. The library will be on your RIGHT just after Center 
Street. Going this way, you will not have to make a left turn into the 
parking lot across heavy double lanes traffic.
 
Some of the PVRCers get together at Chili's on route 7, Tyson's, before 
the meeting and a few at the Pizza Hut afterwards.  Best to check on the 
147.000 repeater to determine the trend for the evening.
 
The PVRC Exchange by Ed Steeble, K3IXD [email protected]
[Order form last page.]

At the last meeting, KE3Q, Rich, announced that there are five outdoor 
meetings planned for this summer. Also there is the upcoming Dayton 
Hamvention and there are always local hamfests.  Why not show the club's 
presence by wearing a PVRC sweatshirt or T-shirt?  Last year, K3MQH, 
Dick, had both his stateside call and his DX call embroidered on his 
shirt. It looked great.  An order form appears elsewhere in this 
newsletter.  Orders must be postmarked by 31 March 1996 in order to have 
the items ready to wear at Dayton.
 
The PVRC mugs have been received and distributed. I appreciated the many 
nice compliments about them.  W3LPL, Frank, and W3GN, Larry, were helpful 
salesmen.
 
It was a pleasure dealing with the advertising company that did them.  I 
got the lead on the company from FRC's man, K2DOX, Alex.  Maybe we will 
do another order of mugs after the FCC issues the new call signs.  
Meanwhile, I still have four mugs ($11 each, $15 if shipped).  These, 
like the others, have the three color logo on both sides, a bronze ring 
around the top of the mug, and the mug is white, but without call signs. 
The mugs are microwaveable and dishwasher safe.
 
For the new members, PVRC name badges can be ordered at anytime. To order 
a badge provide your call sign, your name as it is to appear on the 
badge, and $5 (or $6 if you want it mailed to you instead of picking it 
up at a club meeting). Mail a check (payable to Brian) to WA3WJD, Brian 
McGuinness, 4618 DeRussey Pkwy, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.
 
AA3HM, Craig, has distributed most of the QSL cards from the last order. 
He plans to take another order in the fall of 1996.  If you run out 
before you consider ordering just enough cards to tide you over.
 
The club gets a discount by buying in "quantity," if you consider a 
minimum of 20 shirts, 20,000 QSL cards, 72 mugs a "quantity."   We can't 
afford to stock items, nor can we or you afford a one-unit, one-time 
order. Therefore we must take orders periodically (usually once a year).  
The club makes a dollar or two on each item sold.  These profits help 
fund the club.  Lets make the experiment of not collecting dues work. Of 
course our treasurer, N3KTV, will still accept contributions. 
Minutes, February 12, 1996, by Rich Boyd, KE3Q
The informal part, 20 or so guys at Topolino's Italian restaurant, Temple 
Hills, MD at 6 PM or so.  Good discussions.
 
The regular meeting, 7:30, Episcopal Church (courtesy WA3TAI and W3AZ) on 
Manchester Drive, just outside the DC Beltway.  Meeting ended 9:15 with 
informal discussions until 10:15 and 147.0 repeater all the way home.
 
Thirty-one in attendance:  KO7V, WV3B, WK3H, W3HVQ, AA6DC, W4JVN, KO4FM, 
K3YDX, AA3KX, AK2P, K3ZO, WD3Q, N3AHA, WW3V, KF3P, W3LPL, N5OKR,
9K2SH, 
WB3ECU, WR3L, N3KTV, WR3Z, W3FG, KE3KL, W2EOS, AA3HM, K3IXD, ND3F,
W3AZ, 
W3ZZ, KE3Q.
 
The PVRC mugs are in.  Very nice.  Feeding frenzy as we located our own.  
[See article at left. -ed] PVRC QSLs for those who ordered. 
 
N5OKR brought his busted rotator along for everyone to see -- bunch of 
greasy busted parts in a box -- with brief commentary.
 
KF3P reported on the WPX RTTY test and VHF test.  ND3F/R spoke a bit 
about roving.  KE3Q spoke about sprint and the two kinds of CW exchanges, 
with comments from KF3P, W3LPL, and others.
 
We watched the K2GL/N2AA classic multi-multi video done by Bill Leonard 
some 12 years or more ago.  No computers, radios were Drake TR7s, 
KWM-380s, Alpha 77s, and at least one 75A-4.  10 towers on a big hill in 
Tuxedo, NY, home formerly owned by W. Averell Harriman. 
 
W3LPL and K3ZO made some comments about the upcoming ARRL DX test.  When 
a really weak DX station answers your CQ and you can't pull him through, 
don't waste too much time trying.
 
KO4FM told us a little about a bunch of northern Virginia PVRCers going 
down to W4MYA to help the M/M there this weekend (ARRL DX CW).
 
9K2SH told us a little about his operating during the Iraqi occupation of 
Kuwait, and after the liberation (40,000 phone patches).
 
W3LPL agreed to host us for a summer meeting again this year, which 
changes his every-other-year open house to every year -- at least this 
will be the second in a row.  We already have invites for summer meetings 
from KT3Y, N3RR, W3YOZ (August Fowlfest) and the joint FRC/PVRC meeting, 
which will be in PA/NJ/northern DE this year -- no details given to us 
yet.  No dates for any of our summer events yet, but it looks like we'll 
have 5 summer events.
 
PVRC is growing fast and it should be interesting to watch our club 
scores get more competitive versus the big unlimited clubs.  We encourage 
you to get on for the club competition contests, especially the biggest 2 
of the winter and spring season, the ARRL DX CW and ARRL DX phone.  Even 
smaller scores add up!  Consider working a bunch of the common ones in 
addition to working on band countries -- run up a few hundred QSOs if you 
can.  And, be sure to send in your log and mark PVRC as your club 
affiliation.
 
Almost 40 guys have given PVRC donations this year so far.  Remember, we 
went over to a donation system from dues to try to open the club up more 
to the casual operators.  So, when you can, send in what you can to 
support the club.  Treasurer is N3KTV, Jim Horton, CBA or SH/STA N3KTV on 
packetcluster.  We've had guys send in from $10 to $50 each, with the 
typical one being about $15.  Don't let that deter you; if you can send 
$3 or $5, please do.
 
We did vote some guys into membership.  [See list of new members. -ed]  
(for WA3WJD, Sec).
 
NW Regional Meeting, February 20th, by Tyler Stewart, KF3P
 
The meeting was called to order about 8PM at Legends Restaurant in 
Frederick, MD.  In attendance were members: KF3P, N3RR, W3LPL, W3GHR, 
K3IXD, K3MQH, K3ZNV, W3ZZ, N5OKR, K3SKE, W8BOZ, and guest Pat Chiles, 
AA8NY of Charles Town WV.
 
With the absence of a "program", lengthy introductions were made around 
the table, highlighting recent contest experiences in January VHF SS and 
ARRL DX CW.  KF3P expounded on the trials and tribulations that resulted 
in a KF3P@KF3P using KE3Q entry in the recent IDRA RTTY WPX contest!
 
K3IXD brought along a few PVRC mugs for sale and distribution.  He also 
mentioned trolling for interest in another PVRC T shirt order... possibly 
grey this time.  If you are interested, please contact Ed.
 
On show and tell, N5OKR brought his now famous exploding Yaesu 
rotator...it is indeed a mess!  Apparently due only to wind stress, the 
whole rotator practically self destructed including putting a hole in the 
outer casing.  KF3P brought along his recently acquired Yaesu FT1000MP 
for scrutiny.
 
I don't remember who motioned to adjourn, but N5OKR seconded, and 
everyone was in favor!
 
The next NW regional meeting will be held on March 19th (third Tuesday) 
at Legends Restaurant the Hampton Inn located at the corner of I-270 and 
Route 85 in south Frederick.  Usually we have dinner at 6 pm with the 
meeting at 8 pm.  Talk-in on 147.000 repeater.
 
Historic Electronics Museum ARC
by Rich Boyd, KE3Q
 
The Historic Electronics Museum ARC, invited us to speak about the 
packetcluster at their meeting on the evening of February 21st.  I say 
"us" because WR3L was originally scheduled, then couldn't make it, and I 
filled in.
 
K3RA provided a "boxlite" that, combined with an overhead projector, 
projects your computer monitor screen onto a big screen so everyone can 
see it.  We had a good connection to the cluster from HEMARC, which is 
located near Westinghouse and BWI.
 
Many of the HEMARC members were very interested and the talk went well.  
Some had tried packetcluster and had become confused and this talk helped 
explain things.  Others hadn't ever tried it but want to now. I demo-ed 
many of the popular features, how to connect, how to disconnect, how to 
send mail, and how to send spots.
 
Laurel Amateur Radio Club Visit, KE3Q
 
The Laurel ARC has invited PVRC to make a presentation at their meeting 
next Wednesday night [28 Feb - Ed] in Laurel.  I will be going to tell 
them who we are, what contesting is all about, what we are doing to build 
PVRC, and that we welcome their participation, etc.  I invite any PVRCers 
who are interested to join me there to meet the LARC guys and introduce 
PVRC.  For more details on time and place, contact me or W3DQI, who is 
active on the KE3Q node and is responsible for this invitation.
 
LARC is the club well known for conducting the testing sessions at 
Maryland Radio Center.  Of course they are not a contest club as such 
(PVRC is the only contest club I know of in the MD-DC-VA region -- and 
throw in the parts of nearby states that we encompass -- S. DE, E. NC, S. 
central PA, E. WV) but do have a core of members who do get into FD, SS, 
and DX tests.  PVRC wants to wholeheartedly make them welcome in PVRC so 
that we can contest together in the most effective way possible.  And...I 
think our contesting experience in the region is enhanced when the active 
contesters, whether casual or all-out, get to know each other.  I 
personally enjoy being in a pileup and recognizing a lot of the calls in 
there.
 
We welcome these new PVRC members.
 
KG4O, Al Bianchi, Chesapeake, VA, lic. since '67, formerly WA2BCN.  
Operated casually in ARRL 10M, FD, CQWW CW and 160M tests in '95, up to 
100 QSOs.  Has 5BDXCC, DXCC, WAS all CW.  Ten Tec Omni C, tribander, Ten 
Tec Hercules II amp, zepp 160-10, 80-10 vert.  Likes DX chasing.
 
KO4MR, advanced, Richard Eckman, Hampton, VA, NASA Langley Research 
Center, lic. '91, x-KD4AUS.  Has been on the multi-op team at W4PRO since 
'91, has made over a thousand QSOs in some contests.  Has DXCC (227).  
Also in a couple local clubs down there, including VP of one. TS850, 
FL-7000 amp, R5 vert.  Interested in ionospheric radio propagation.
 
WD4GOY, extra, Ed Robinson, Virginia Beach, lic. '61, x-KN4CLJ.
 
WB4DNL, extra, Gary Chittum, Virginia Beach, lic.'65, formerly WN4ZBE.  
One of the ops at W4PRO, "frequent single op entrant in ARRL DX and 10M 
contests, CW," and operated ARRL 160M test in '95 single op. DXCC, 40M 
DXCC, FT-990, FT-757GXII, indoor dipoles/wires in attic due to covenants 
and restrictions.  Also interested in 6/2/70cm CW/SSB though not active, 
computers, and a NASCAR fan.
 
W4HM, extra, Walter Honea, Virginia Beach.  Appears to be a PVRC member 
sponsored by W4KFC in '61. First lic. in '36, previously W4YGY, W5MCT, 
and W9YRS.  Was VA section winner 40M single band in CQWW CW last year, 
4th call area 20M champ in '66 and '65, SS section winner in LA in '52 
and '55 and NTX winner in '57, '58, '59, and '60.  Has DXCC and other 
awards.  A member of yet another local club down there so can recruit 
more for us.  Omni-VI, 85' crankup, 80M windom.  Also likes tree farming.
 
W1WTG, extra, Charles Chapman, Virginia Beach.  Lic. '52.  In the last 
year he was in the Bermuda Contest, ARRL DX, FD, and CQWW.  Has DXCC, 
WAZ, and others.  In several local clubs.  TS-130, 430, 440, Yaesu 2100B, 
TET 3-el.  "I operate in Maine in the summer, Florida in the winter, and 
Virginia in between."
 
W4PRO, extra, Jim Wise, Hampton, VA, retired NASA and Lockheed engineer. 
first lic. '46.  Formerly W8YHV, VP2MDX, FG0CXV/FS7, VP5VEC, CE0/W4PRO, 
SV5/W4PRO.  QSO totals in several contests in last few years ranging from 
450 to 2,200. First place M/S S.AM in '81 WW phone from CE0.  Local club 
member (SPARK).  FT-1000, 940, Alpha 86, 87A, TH7/TH6 100/55', 6/6 15M at 
100/50', 6/6 10 at 80/40', 2-el 40 95', 4-el wire beam on 80, 2-el wire 
beam on 160, 160M full wave loop, EWEs.
 
NW3K, extra, Charles Harding, Virginia Beach.  first lic '82, formerly 
KA6VEL, N4IBY, KK4FV.  Regular SS participant, FD, CQWW, ARRL DX. Has 
DXCC.  VBARC member.  Yaesu FT-757, Ameritron AL80. Cushcraft A3, 
vertical, windom.
 
K4IX, extra, Elias Etheridge, Jr., first lic '37, formerly W3HAE, W4KYD, 
W9RGN, opped from Japan after WWII as W3HAE/J. "I work Field Day every 
year -- have my own group, 1A going under name of Buster's Beach Bums -- 
operate CW with small elite group extra class hi-speed CW guys.  Have my 
own 5 kW gen.  Usually work SS CW test as multi-op 100W station, 1993 and 
1994 operated from Delaware section.  In DX tests I am a CW operator at 
super-station W4PRO."  Has DXCC.  Copies 50 WPM in his head.  Works CW 2 
hours every morning.  Was assistant section manager for Virginia under 
W4KFC, then SCM of VA.  Director and 1st VP of "Virginia Air & Space 
Amateur Radio Group, Inc."  Other positions of responsibility in ham 
organizations listed.  OMNI-V, 80M full wave delta loop, and some backup 
gear.  "Was traffic net op prior to WW II and with W4KFC and Ev Battey, 
W4IA.  I was one of the founders and charter member (1947) of Virginia 
Net (7 PM 3680 kc then and still going strong - same time & freq).  
Collects antique radio gear.  Headed up collection of antique radio gear 
for display in the Air & Space Center in Hampton VA last year.
 
W4IF, extra, H.G. Gwaltney, Porsmouth, VA.  First licensed in '29. 223 
QSOs in ARRL DX CW last year, 107 QSOs in CQWW CW in '94.  DXCC 368 
mixed.  FOC member.  TS940, 2-500Z amp, uses CT on a 486, TH7 @ 40-60 ft, 
vertical, wire dipoles.  Also likes DX and contests with RTTY.
 
W4ZYT, Donald F. Lynch, Jr., extra, Virginia Beach.  Urologist by 
profession.  First lic. '59 as KR6ZK and had calls WA2FBS, KG6JCT, and 
EI4VTJ/p.  Opped JARL DX test from KH2 in '93, first place 15M, several 
other small tests like HA, RSGB, EI.  ARRL DX CW and SS CW in the last 
few years.  First in Virginia high power in '93, 3d in NC in '94 as a 
M/S.  Also on M/S from NC in '95. Various (many) DXCCs.  In local club 
Danville ARS (VA), others, and the interesting sounding "Irish Radio 
Transmitters Society." FT-1000D, FT-890, Heath SB-1400, Alpha 87, 
SB-1000, Sommer XP 807 @ 60', Butternut vertical, 80M inv vee.  Other 
interests:  "Some CW traffic work, writing (medical and ham radio), FD 
and the Norwegian Lady Special Event, speaking on ham radio to clubs and 
other groups.  A DXCC Field Rep and a checkpoint for WAZ, CQDX, WPX."
 
N4AIG, extra, O.B. Corning, Virginia Beach.  First licensed in '76. 
Formerly WB4YIU/VO1.  Clean sweep in '95 CW SS at W4ZYT.  "Operate all 
Sweepstakes and DX contests to some degree trying to complete my 5BDXCC.  
Operate FD and at least one special event each year, all CW."  DXCC 
235/225.  President, Tidewater Morse Code Society, other clubs.  TS-530, 
Clipperton-L, windom @ 30 ft.
 
N3AHA - Ace Jansen, Extra, Ashburn, VA was first licensed 1978.  Old 
callsign WB3LLX. DXCC(300), WAS, WAZ, IOTA(200), US-CA (ALL) #506, HF 
mobile, FT900, writes county hunter column for Worldradio.
 
AA3KX - Jack Ference, extra, Columbia MD first licensed 1964, old call 
WA3BEX, Anne Arundel Radio Club, TS-450, 10m and 20m dipoles. Jack and 
his wife Diane, N3VBL, joined the KA4RRU/W4IY multiop in CQWW, and now 
Jack has been helping the W3GG contest team.
 
KC4DY - Gordon Garrett, Extra, Elliston, VA is the first of our new SW 
Virginia members. He has FT1000, Alpha 87, TH7 and 2-el 40m yagi
 
 
1995 ARRL Eligibles
by Brian McGinness, WA3WJD
The following list was sent to the League as meeting their 2-meeting 
requirement.  It is based on meeting attendance records submitted to me 
by February 25th.    AA3HA AA3HM AA4I AA4KD AA4XU AA6DC AK2P K1HTV K3DI 
K3IXD K3LYW K3MQH K3NA K3RA K3SA K3SKE K3SME K3SO K3TLX K3WX
K3YDX K3ZJ 
K3ZNV K3ZO K6IR K7SV K8OQL KA3TGY KC3AG KC3EK KC3RN KD4BK KE3KL
KE3Q KE9A 
KF3P KJ4VG KN4ZT KO0U KO4FM KO7V KT3Y KU3M KW4T N1KCE N3GB N3II
N3JT 
N3KTV N3ORY N3RR N3UN N4MM N4MO N4QQ N4RA N4ZR N5OKR ND3A ND3F
W2EOS 
W3ABC W3AZ W3AZD W3CPB W3EKT W3GHR W3GN W3GNQ W3HVQ W3LPL
W3UJ W3XE W3YOZ 
W3ZZ W4DM W4JVN W4RW W4VC W6AXX W9LT W9VL WA3TAI WA3WJD
WA6GVC WB2BZR 
WB3ANE WB3ARZ WB6VGI WD3A WD3Q WF3J WK3H WR3E WR3L WR3Z WV3B
WW3V.
 
PVRC News Briefs
There has been much on the Internet DX-reflector about obscure QSL 
policies and folks discarding DXpedition logs.  It was refreshing to hear 
from Carl, K4OD.  He sports the PVRC card and he will QSL any of his old 
calls: OA4DX, 9D5B, EP2OD, EQ2ITU, HP1XOD, PY1ZAL, KY4ITU, AD4OD, W4TKN, 
and W2IWP.  His QTH is POB 1340, Front Royal, VA 22630-1340.
 
Bernie, WR3E, is trying to work and QSL everyone that uses PVRC cards.  
He is looking for AA4KD, KE3KL, KH2T, K3SKE/KP2, KT4W, W4JVN, and WA3TAI.
 
Product Review:  
Force12 EF-320, 3-Element 20 Meter Monoband Yagi Antenna
By David Klimaj, W4JVN
 
Background.  For many years, I have desired to build a contest station 
outside of the Washington, DC area to take advantage of a location 
suitable for both radio and retirement.  Such a site was found 100 miles 
South of DC on an island in the Chesapeake Bay.
 
My antenna purchasing decision was a function of performance, capability, 
size, wind load, weight, and price.  With performance in mind, I recalled 
my first beam in the early 1960's.  It was a $15 Gonset 10 meter 
3-element monobander purchased at the original Radio Shack in downtown 
Boston.  The lesson learned was that monobanders work well and that they 
have no traps.  Through the years home lot size limited me to various 
triband antennas.  Now after 36 years, I can up-grade to a greatly 
improved antenna situation and take advantage of being on 20 acres 
surrounded by water.
 
We are all familiar with the antenna ads from manufacturers such as 
Cushcraft, Hygain, KLM, Mosley.  Over the years, I have purchased their 
products.  However, recent ads by Force12 have raised considerable new 
antenna interest in the amateur community.
 
I obtained and studied the Force12 product catalog which outlined new 
approaches to antenna construction.  I liked what I read.  The strong 
lightweight monobanders got my attention.  Finally, I decided that I 
wanted monobander performance like I first had in the early 1960's.  At 
this stage of the sun spot cycle, I decided that a 20m monobander would 
best suit my needs.   The weight, size, wind load of the EF-320 seemed 
ideal for the windy Chesapeake Bay.  To learn more about the EF-320, I 
called Tom Schiller, N6BT, at Force12.  He informed me of his antenna 
design and construction; and answered my specific EF-320 questions.  Tom 
was very helpful.  We had a long discussion on gain.  I won't try to 
analyze that subject here.  However, I believe that a full size 
monobander gain has to be better than the gain of a smaller trap 
tribander when one considers the physics of the antennas.  There is no 
free lunch in antennas.
 
As I stored all this data into my purchasing decision process, only one 
thing bothered me.  Who owns one?  I wanted to find the consumer ahead of 
me.  I put out notices on the Packetcluster, but no one had a 
monobander.  In fact, no one said they had a Force12 product. Yet, 
several comments I received said, "If you buy one, let me know".  Final 
comparison of the EF-320 specifications (weight & wind load) to the other 
major monobanders lead to my decision to order the EF-320.
 
The Antenna.  Four weeks after placing the order, the EF-320 came in a 7 
foot x 8 inch x 10 inch box via UPS.  The 18 foot boom came in three 
pieces made out of 2 inch 6061-T1 aluminum.  The  3 elements were each 
taped in separate bundles.  The element material varied in diameters from 
1.000 down to 0.375 inches.  Element component lengths varied between two 
to six feet.  Also included were the Easy-On mount, hairpin match, 
optional Force12 balun, stainless hardware, and instructions.  Upon 
examining the parts to make sure I had everything, one thing stood out.  
There were no hose clamps to mess with.  The elements are assembled with 
pop rivets.  This different approach provides strength and reduced 
weight.  I also noticed that the element-to-boom brackets were riveted to 
the boom sections at the factory, which pre-aligns all three elements 
parallel.  One less problem to worry about.
 
I started the assembly with one element section at a time.  The sections 
were clearly marked.  It was impossible to put it together wrong as each 
piece of aluminum was marked and pre-drilled for 3 rivets.  If the rivet 
holes did not align, then you picked up the wrong part.  All the tapered 
element sections fit well and assembly was only limited to the speed you 
could pop in the rivets.  After I built the 3 elements, I placed them on 
wooden horses and sprayed them with clear plastic spray to protect them 
from the salt air.  "U" bolts were later used to bolt the elements to the 
boom brackets.  The Force12 Easy-On mount was another nice surprise.  The 
mount consists of two plates mounted at 90 degree angles; one to the boom 
and one to the mast.  When these are aligned and bolted together, the 
beam sits on the mast parallel to the ground.  It took about 2 hours to 
assemble the antenna, as I was careful to read the directions and check 
the measurement of each piece of element tubing.  I believe I could put 
another one together in one hour.  Final assembly includes attaching the 
hairpin match,  balun, and coax.  For my station I placed the EF-320 on a 
fold-over tower at 52 feet.  Seven feet above the EF-320 I placed an old 
10 meter 3 element monobander, which was a gift from WB4UUE, to give me 
10m capability.  This was completed 2 weeks before the 1995 CQWW SSB Contest.
 
Operation.  Initial VSWR check at the shack shown the following:
        14.000    1.1
        14.150    1.3
        14.200    1.4
        14.300    1.6
        14.350    1.7
 
While I made a few QSOs, the real test was the CQWW SSB.  In the crowded 
20m band the antenna performed very well.  I made over 500 Q's and took 
time out to work XZ1A on CW with ease.  All this done concurrently with 
building a house.
 
When I compare the EF-320 to the old Mosley tribander that I had on the 
tower, I noticed that the 20m beam just floats in the strong Bay winds; 
while the Mosley flapped in the wind and so would the SWR.  My early 
morning openings to Europe brought good size pileups in the months that 
followed.  Long path openings to Asia were easy to work.  This was 
getting to be fun.
 
Then the bad news!  The January '96 Blizzard also delivered a severe ice 
storm.  AC4HB told me that the ice damaged his 3 element 40m KLM beam.  
Now I was worried.  I was not able to check on my antennas until 2 weeks 
later.  As I approached my property, I saw many pine trees snapped by the 
ice.  When I reached the house, my dipoles were on the ground.  A large 
12" pine tree broke and landed 4 feet from a tower guy.  Looking up, I 
saw the 10m beam with its elements bent down; but to my surprise, the 
EF-320 stood without damage!  Clearly, the Force12 passed a major test.  
I should add that a December NorthEast storm brought 70+ mph winds and no 
antenna damage either.
 
Conclusion.  I feel that the selection of a Force12 antenna was a good 
one for the severe Bay environment.  I am pleased with its performance.  
Future plans call for another tower to hold a 4 element 15m beam and a 
replacement 10m beam.  These will be Force12 beams.  I am also building a 
160m vertical.  If that works, I'll tell you about it.
________________________________________
 
ARRL VHF SS Contest Claimed Scores 
for PVRC by Tyler Stewart, KF3P
 
Call     Class   QSO's Grids    Score
ND3F/R   Rover    556   115   126,155
WA3WJD/R Rover    202    49    11,270
N3KKM/R  Rover    301    32     9,632
ND3A/R   Rover    180    34     8,920
WB3ARZ   SO       450    83    48,223
K3ZO     SO       315    54    17,010
WB4NFS   SO       178    55    12,870
WB2BZR   SO        65    16     1,440
N3UN     SO        71     9       738
KA3TGY   SO        72     9       648
N3II     SO(FM)    68     6       408
W3GN     SO(CW)    31    10       310
W3FG     SO                       276
K3MQH    LM      1710   220   487,960
   Ops: K3MQH K3RA KF3P N3KTV K3IXD N3EYB W3GHR WF3T W2EOS
K1RZ     UM      1226   246   469,368
   Ops: K1RZ WR3E W3ZZ WA6GVC WD8ISK
 
Total Score Claimed for PVRC:  1,195,228 (from those listed here)
  
Note:  These are only the scores I was able to collect from packet.  If 
your score is not here and it should be, please get it to me anyway 
possible: packet, email [email protected], or 301-414-5444.
 
This very well could be the top club score for this contest!  Last year's 
winner, Rochester VHF Club had approximately 1.2 million, but this year's 
scores were down by most accounts, so a PVRC win is quite probable!
 
Thanks to all PVRC members who got on to give out some points!
_________________________________________
 
ARRL DX CW Contest Claimed Scores for PVRC - collected by Tyler Stewart, KF3P
 
Call Hrs   Class   QSO's  Mults   Score
ZF2OP(K3DI) QRP     983    161  * 474,789
     [* Doesn't count in PVRC total. -ed]
N4ZR    36  SOLP    960    199    573,120
W3UJ        SOLP    541    181    293,763
N3II        SOLP    480    187    269,280
KI4RO       SOLP    241    126     91,098
K3ZO    44  SOHP   2412    315  2,278,395
KT3Y        SOHP   2390    291  2,086,470
W3HVQ       SOHP    866    219    568,962
W3AZ        SOHP    482    184    266,064
W3GN        SOHP    432    165    213,840
WK3H        SOHP    350    136    142,800
NY3C        SOHP    218    122     79,788
W4JVN       SOHP    106     70     22,260
W3TMZ       40M-HP  173     57     29,583
N3RR    30  SOA    1070    306    981,342
K3SA    23  SOA    1031    211    650,724
AA6DC       SOA     582    245    425,565
N3AM    8.5 SOA     537    155    249,705
WR3L        SOA-LP  409    141    173,007
KN4ZT       SOA-LP  345    161    165,186
W3FG        SOA-LP  307    150    138,150
K1HTV    7  SOA-LP  305    124    113,460
K3DI(WD4IEH) SOA    221     91     60,333
W3GG(+AA3KX) MS    1331    299  1,191,216
ND3A@KF3P    M2    1539    339  1,564,146
    (+WR3Z)
W3LPL #1USA  MM    4195    476  5,956,120
    (+WA3WJD AI3M ND3F WR3E WB2Q KE3Q KO7V KF3P K3RA K3RV)
W4MYA        MM     2831   400  3,397,200
    (+WA4QDM KA4RRU K7SV KO4FM WB4NFS K3TLX NJ4F)
 
Scores that didn't list power were assumed to be high. Please send me any 
corrections for the final tally.
 
I know I am missing a lot of scores at this time.  If I don't have yours, 
please get it to me via Packetcluster, [email protected], 301-414-5444, or 
the next PVRC meeting.  I will also be collecting ARRL DX SSB scores for 
the next newsletter.
 
Congratulations for a lot of FB efforts under what were, at times, very 
tough conditions!

 
You can stop by my house and pick up your items; or get them at a central 
or NW regional PVRC meeting; or have them "UPSed" to you.  The S&H fee is 
$4 for one item or $8 for two or more items.
                         Shipping and handling fees enclosed     = $____
 
Your name and call:
Street Address:
City, State, ZIP:
                                                          Total $________
Questions? Contact Ed Steeble, K3IXD at (410) 489-7616 7:30pm to 10:00pm 
daily, PacketCluster K3IXD > W3LPL, or email [email protected]. Make 
checks payable to Ed Steeble, not PVRC.  Mail orders to Ed Steeble, 
K3IXD, 14020 Celbridge Ct, Glenwood, MD 21738. Orders must be post marked 
by 31 March 1996 so that items will be ready for Dayton and the other 
upcoming PVRC activities.
PVRC Order Form Order Form