kr0ver
About kr0ver:
- kr0ver is the amateur radio call sign for Eric Watkins.
- This site documents my activities as a mobile(mostly) contest station
in the arrl VHF/UHF contests.
- Check out www.w6xm.org (John's old call ac0gi is now w6xm) for other events and things.
- My old call was kg6kvi and I've contested in the past as kg6one and
ac0gi.
- If/when I'm roving, you can view my location via APRS,here.
- APRS is now legal in contests per rule: 2.3.7 Rovers are
permitted
to use APRS. Rovers using APRS transmit only their call sign and
position. Any multi-op station may access rover APRS data directly
or via the Internet.
Events and Contests
2012
- 2012 ARRL September VHF QSO Party <-On the Calendar Sep 8-9.
- 2012 ARRL August UHF Contest <- On the Calendar Aug 4-5.
- 2012 ARRL June VHF QSO Party <- On the Calendar June 23-24.
- 2012 ARRL June Field Day <- On the Calendar June 9-10.
- 2012 ARRL March DX Contest - Phone <- On the Calendar Mar 3-4.
- 2012 ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes <- Pics Uploaded.
Friends of kr0ver:
- DEMI - If you are serious about higher band (900+) VHF+ work you'll want to contact DEMI about their
transverters. Sandra and Steve are regular contributors to the VHF+ world. Give them a call!
- Directive systems - These guys make super nice "rover" beams that I've road
tested for several contests now. Not only that they are higher band aware and their
loopers are rock solid. They also answer the phone, ship product quick and are super
responsive.
- TE Systems - When you decide to take the jump to higher power, avoid
MFJ/Mirage/junk and start with TE Systems. I have four of their amps on the lower
bands and they can be custom ordered to your specs. Start off with their "standard" line
until you grow your battery array several batteries deep. Give Dave a call
and order a 0510G, 1410G, and 4410G to supercharge that 3 band Asian wonder radio.
- Powerwerx - If you are trying to rove without using powerpoles,
you are working too hard or stuck in the dark ages for legacy reasons. Order
some trick power solutions from this vendor and move on to transverter
interfacing tasks. Order lots of powerpoles, zip cord and a tricrimp.
- WestMountian Radio - The westmountian radio rigrunners are favorites, but avoid
units with switches or complicated circuitry. KISS. Also, buy the largest unit
possible from the start, since the number of powerpoled devices will grow like rabbits.
- RoverLog - Tom Mayo writes what I consider to hands down be the #1 software
to use for logging as a rover. Join the mailinglist, download his software,
read the manual and then go roving.