Skeeter Hunt Video

 I wanted to share with you a video by Rick McGaver NK9G. He produced this regarding his effort in the 2021 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt. He published it to YouTube, but granted me permission to post it here. Rick spent a lot of time on it and I think it came out very well - OK, I'll admit I'm biased with the subject material. Judge for yourselves:

Thank you, Rick for the superb video. I'm hoping we see a definite uptick of entries for 2022!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Looking forward to Sunday!

 Here's my local weather forecast for Sunday afternoon:

Partly cloudy to mostly sunny, temps in the low 80s F, with low humidity - only 30-40%. I couldn't have asked for better weather!

I'll be operating from Cotton Street Park, which is not far from home at all:

It's maybe a 2 or 3 minute ride by car.

Still haven't decided which antenna I'm going to use, but I'm leaning towards the MFJ-1982LP just in case 15 Meters opens up - if anybody will be listening! so that means bringing along my Jackite and the PVC supporting tube.

There's still time to sign up for the NJQRP Skeeter Hunt if you haven't already. Just go to www.qsl.net/w2lj  for instructions on how to get your very own number for this year's Hunt. I will be assigning numbers for e-mails received right up until 12:01 AM Sunday morning. As of this morning, we're up to potential 233 Skeeters getting ready to fly. If everyone gets on the air this Sunday, we can really make the airwaves BUZZ!

I hope you all have a good time - remember, be safe, have fun - enjoy the day!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

So that's done!

The NJQRP Skeeter Hunt certificates for 2020 were mailed last Monday. Since then, I've already received reports that some of you have gotten yours, which is a relief. The mail can be tricky here in South Plainfield.

With that done, even though it's still cold and snowy for a lot of us, we are anxiously dreaming about Summer and warmer temps. It's time for you to start thinking about this year's Hunt!

The 2021 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt will be held on Sunday, August 15th. This is the 10th running of the event, and you will have two options to choose from to earn the 100 point bonus.  Note - you will be able to claim ONE bonus - not both. Although if you choose to accomplish both, I'm not about to stop you!

You can view all the details at https://www.qsl.net/w2lj/

For many, a fun part of the Hunt is in getting a low Skeeter number (Skeeter numbers do not remain the same from year to year), so number requests will be honored beginning the First Day of Summer - June 20th, 2021. PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST A NUMBER BEFORE JUNE 20th.

Lastly, a reminder that all log summaries must be submitted by an e-mail to w2lj@arrl.net. Submission e-mails will be answered with an acknowledging e-mail. If you don't get a "Thank You" e-mail from me, I didn't receive your summary - for whatever reason.

Hope to hear you on August 15th!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Thank you for your patience!

 Skeeter Hunters!

The certificates from the 2020 Hunt have been printed. I hope to get them mailed later this week, upcoming snow events notwithstanding.

Thank you for your patience!

And for the record, I'd much rather have a hot and humid Skeeter Hunt day over this stuff that we have now, hands down!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

NJQRP Skeeter Hunt 2020

Skeeter Hunters!

The Ninth Annual NJQRP Skeeter Hunt is set for Sunday, August 16th.

A word about Skeeter Hunt numbers as I'm already receiving e-mail requests. Tradition is that Skeeter Hunt numbers are issued as of the First Day of Summer - which this year is NEXT Saturday, June 20th. ONLY e-mail requests sent as of 12:01 AM Saturday EDT will be honored.

"Why/ What difference does it make?" you may well ask yourself. The answer is simple - it gives everyone an equal opportunity to acquire a lower number. To some that's no big deal, but to others it's a very big deal - so everyone gets the same chance. And it also adds another level of participation that keeps YOU in the game, and this is all about keeping you involved.

Why new numbers every year and not the same one year after year like other QRP contests? Because not everyone can participate each year - family commitments or vacations or other things come up that prevent people from participating.

So folks, start pouring in those e-mails to w2ljqrp@gmail.com AFTER Midnight when this coming Friday turns into Saturday, here in NJ. And as always, please, please, PLEASE include your call sign, your name (that you will use when operating) and the State or Province that you will be operating from. It makes it way easier to update the roster if you supply me with all the correct info.

Hope to hear from you all real soon!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Summer is almost here!

Sign ups for the 2019 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt are almost here!

That's right - this Friday is the First Day of Summer 2019 - and you know what that means!

Applications will be accepted for Skeeter Numbers for the 2019 Skeeter Hunt.

For those not familiar, this event has become one of the Summertime QRP operating staples. It is a four hour QRP Sprint that will be held on Sunday, August 18th. The idea is to get you and your equipment to the Great Outdoors for some QRP fun. A Skeeter Number is not a requirement, but it adds to the fun, so why not get one for yourself, or your group if you want to get out and operate with a bunch of friends?

All the details can be found on the Official NJQRP Skeeter Hunt Webpage.

To apply for a Skeeter Hunt Number - send an e-mail, BEGINNING ON FRIDAY, the First Day of Summer, to w2lj@arrl.net and you'll get an e-mail reply with your number. If you don't get an acknowledgement, then I didn't get your e-mail - so try again!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Skeeter #13 (in perpetuity

Wow!

Them Skeeter numbers are going fast!

Today is the First Day of Summer and we already have 59 Skeeters ready to take flight on August 19th.

I'm glad to see we have a lot of regulars coming back - tried and true Skeeters who have been there since our first run back in 2012. And even more exciting is seeing new calls and names that are making 2018 their first "go".

Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a totally green newbie, it matters not!  The NJQRP Skeeter Hunt is meant to be more fun than anything else. Yes, there are certificates to be had for getting the high scores (and yes, I still have to get the 2017 certificates mailed - my first act of business after Field Day), but even more important is getting outside with your gear and participating. And even if you can't get outside, there is still the fun to be had spending an enjoyable afternoon making contacts with other QRPers.

Remember,, there is a SSB category for those of you who have a disdain for dits and dahs - so no excuses!

72 de Larry W2LJ - Perennial Skeeter # 13
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

2017 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt - my sincerest apologies!

Thank you to all who participated in the 2017 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt yesterday. So far, from the log summaries and soapbox comments that I have received, it would seem you all had fun despite the crummy band conditions.

I apologize for not being able to participate and work many of you this year. I was stuck on I-95 yesterday for almost 10 hours, returning home from Virginia where we took our son Joseph on a college visit. I thought I might get home in time, early enough to catch the last part of the Hunt; but it was not to be.

Please remember that log summaries and soapbox comments are due NO LATER than Midnight, Sunday Night September 3rd.  You can send them to w2lj@arrl.net. Each log summary received will be answered by a confirming e-mail - so if you don't hear from me within a day or two, please try again!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Who owns the frequency, Kenneth?

No one.

I received an interesting e-mail (which I have since answered and deleted) from an Amateur whose name and call sign I can't (and don't want to) recall. It started out, "Sir".

You know you're in trouble when you receive correspondance that starts out like that.

Anyway, the tone of the e-mail was gently chiding (this is NOT verbatim), "I see you recommend 14.060 MHz as a reference frequency for your Skeeter Hunt.  Don't you know that's only 2 kHz from the SOTA frequency? Your event may have caused interference."

I counted to 10 before replying, and I took time and effort to make sure that I was polite and charitable. I explained that 14.060 MHz has been the recognized QRP Watering Hole for like ..... forever. And since the Skeeter Hunt is a QRP event, it kinda makes sense we should be there.....no?  I also pointed out that the Skeeter Hunt happens once a year and it's only for four hours.

I wanted to go on, but didn't, lest I lose control and become sarcastic. But when you think about it - where the heck are we supposed to go?

Go to 14.062 MHz and you tick off the SOTA people.

Go to 14.058 MHz and you risk stepping on the toes of FISTS folks.

Go to 14.056 MHz (or thereabouts) and you risk the wrath of the County Hunters.

Go to 14.055 MHz and you will upset the SKCC people.

Go up to 14.070 MHz and you run into digital territory

See what I'm getting at?  Everybody has "their" frequency, but yet, NO ONE "owns" any frequency! Ahem, that includes nets! If the SKCC'ers happened to be holding their WeekEnd Sprint and wandered on up to 14.060 MHz, while the Hunt was in session, what am I supposed to do - lob grenades at them?  No, you just spread out and deal with it the best you can.

I wonder what this guy would have done in the "Good Ol' Days" when the bands were literally wall-to-wall with signals and you couldn't swing a dead cat and find an empty spot?

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

2016 Skeeter Hunt Scores posted

The 2016 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt Scores have been posted!

Congratulations to the following:

1st Place Overall - KX0R
2nd Place Overall - N3AQC
3rd Place Overall - AB9CA
4th Place Overall - NN9K
5th Place Overall - N0SS

Thank you to all who participated, to those of you who sent in Log Summaries and Soapbox comments - and most of all to the NJQRP Amateur Radio Club for sponsoring this event.

To see the complete scoreboard - you can click here.

Soapbox comments to follow in a week or two.

PS: We got a mention in the "ARRL Contest Update for September 7th" - we hit the "Big Time"!
Thanks to W3BBO for pointing this out to me.

73 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Slowly, but surely

the dummy figures it out!

The reason I was missing so many Skeeter Hunt results was that on my tablet, the Verizon Web based e-mail client shows both my Verizon account and my gmail account in one big "In Box".  On the laptop, I have to toggle between the two.

Now I see them all. I am computer literate ........ barely. Sigh.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Skeeter Hunt Log Summaries

Hmmmmmmm ...... not sure what happened or how to explain it.

I wasn't seeing a lot of Skeeter Hunt log summaries - and was becoming a bit concerned. Then I turned on my tablet!  Exact same Web based e-mail client as I use on the laptop - Yahoo e-mail. There was an avalanche of log summaries that weren't showing up on the laptop!

I have no idea why that would be. I checked the Spam box - various other places. Nope, the entries that WERE on the tablet; were just not showing up on the laptop.

Anyway, I responded with a "Thank You" to every log summary that I have received, and I also put a comment "Log Summary Received" in Column "E" of the roster.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KJWpvDDBZibCMqna_qGXF3Ayg8KdEw5f1N8K6ByGMe4/edit#gid=880964485

If you didn't receive that "Thank You" e-mail, or don't see that your log was received on the roster, I can only beg your indulgence and would ask you to try again.  Please use w2lj@arrl.net and w2lj@verizon.net

I deeply apologize if I've caused you any inconvenience; but sometimes this computer stuff remains dark magic to me!

Out of the 173 people who signed up for Skeeter-dom, 45 have sent in log summaries and 6 Non-Skeeters have also sent in summaries. I have included them on the roster at the bottom. Entries can be sent in until Midnight of the Sunday before Labor day - so keep those cards and letter coming in folks!

Oh, and here's a little video for your viewing pleasure from non-other than Steve WG0AT, SOTA Master and all around QRP Portable Operator, extraordinaire!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Hey, Buddy! Looking for some QSL art?

Tired of the same old images?  Want something unique and personal for your very own QSL card?   Something that says "you", and reflects your personality and interests? Are you sponsoring an event and want a well designed and memorable logo?

Have I got the man for you!

That man would be Jeff Murray K1NSS - the man, and Ham behind Dashtoons.

A few years back, I wanted a new QSL card. I've done some self-designed ones before and they always came out well (if I do say so, myself!)........ but at the same time, they came up short of professional looking.  From Facebook, I saw that Jeff also designed QSL cards.  I sent him an e-mail. We corresponded back and forth a few times, and Jeff latched onto my association with the NJQRP Skeeter Hunt and after a few iterations and alterations, came up with this:

About a year later, I decided that I wanted the NJQRP Skeeter Hunt to have its own special and unique logo.  So back to Jeff I went and his talent and skills came up with this:

So this year, yet another challenge presented itself.  The South Plainfield Amateur Radio Club needed a QSL card.  What's that old saying about "Going back to the well once too often?" This time "the Well" did not disappoint!  Jeff came up with this superb image, which will be presented to the Club this Wednesday evening for consideration as adoption as our QSL card.

The club members wanted something on the card that is unique to South Plainfield. One of our claims to fame is Hadley Field, which served as the Eastern Terminus for the fledgling USPS Air Mail system back in the 1920s.  Night time flights leaving Hadley Airport got US Mail to Chicago in under eight hours.  Hadley Field remained the terminus until Newark Airport enlarged to become the largest air field in New Jersey. Jeff took our idea, ran with it and came up with pure gold again!

So if you're looking for an image that's unique and well designed, send Jeff an e-mail at k1nss@dashtoons.com.  Jeff is very easy to work with and will keep at it with you until both you and he are totally satisfied.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

The Skeeter Hunt is over for 2016 ..... now what?

I've been getting several e-mails - "How do you want my log?"

Short answer?

I don't!   Please ..... no adif, cabrillo, csv files.

What I do want is your log summary. It' s real easy to send and I'll include the following example (we'll use mine):

Larry - W2LJ -TR23 - (Name, Call, Location)
Skeeter #13 - All CW - (Skeeter # and the mode you worked, CW/SSB/Mixed)
Single Op - (Single Op, Multi Op, Multi-multi Op)
Skeeter QSOs - 39 - (# of Skeeter QSOs)
Non-Skeeter QRP QSOs - 1 (# of Non-Skeeter, but QRP QSOs)
Non-Skeeter QRO QSOs - 1 (# of Non-Skeeter QRPO QSOS - NPOTA activators may have had a lot of these)
S/P/Cs or NPOTA Designators - 25 (# of states, provinces, countries, NPOTA entities that you worked)
Station Class Multiplier X4 (See da rules fror the categories) NPOTA Bonus - 100 points (If you activated an NPOTA you get an extra 100 points! See, I told ya to!)

If you do the math correctly (gotta love spreadsheets and formulas!), you'll see my total was 12,100 points.

Log summaries are due by the end of the Sunday before Labor Day. Please remember to include your Soapbox comments and photos if you have 'em.  I know that a lot of us in the QRP Community "know" each other; but one of the best things about these Outdoor QRP Sprints is to see how you operated and where you operated from. Please feel free to share, they will appear on the Skeeter Hunt Soapbox page.

As I receive log summaries, I will acknowledge them with a return e-mail. I will also update the 2016 Skeeter Hunt roaster with "Log Summary Received" in the comments column. If you don't get a "Thank You' e-mail from me - or see an update on the roster, you need to re-send your log summary!

 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KJWpvDDBZibCMqna_qGXF3Ayg8KdEw5f1N8K6ByGMe4/edit#gid=880964485

I will do my best to post the scores on Labor Day and follow up with Soapbox comments and photos a week or so, later.

And once again, thanks to all of you who make this possible and thanks to the New Jersey QRP Club for their sponsorship!

So to answer the original question a little more - Now what?

There are still  two Summer QRP Outdoor events coming!  QRP Afield and the NoGA Peanut Power Sprint - two good ones for sure!  Be sure not to miss them - Winter will be here before you know it.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

2016 Skeeter Hunt Report

The day dawned sunny and warm, and everything needed to go hunt Skeeters was sitting in the living room, waiting to be loaded into the Jeep.  The kids and I attended Saturday evening Mass, so with that obligation taken care of, I was awarded with a quiet Sunday morning.

As Noon approached, I loaded up the Jeep and made the 7 or 8 minute drive over to the historic Frazee house in Scotch Plains, which sits right on the Washington-Rochambeau Historic National Trail (TR23).

The house in abandoned and in dis-repair, but a major effort is being made by several organizations to restore it to its original, Revolutionary War era state, complete with gardens and out buildings. The wooden cutout is a drawing of Betsy Frazee. Legend has it that Lord Cornwallis was marching his troops back to their base after the Battle of the Short Hills. As the British marched past the Frazee house they smelled the bread that Betsy was baking. Cornwallis was going to commandeer provisions, and demanded a fresh baked loaf. Supposedly, Betsy gave him one saying, "I give this to you, Sir, out of fear and not out of love." According to the legend, Cornwallis was so moved by her bravery that he marched his troops on without taking any bread - but probably took everything else that wasn't nailed down!

Across the driveway, you can see what remains of the old well.

Union County has a community garden in the back, on the site of the original garden which belonged to the Frazee's.

I set up across the gravel driveway, making sure that I was well within the 100' limit for activating a national historical trail. Not sure how many visitors might show up, and how "protective" they might be, I decided not to throw any wires up into the trees. Instead I used my drive-on mast support, my Jackite pole and my PAR END FEDZ 40/20/10.

Set up went easily and I was able to walk around and take these photos before the Hunt started. I also chatted with a few visitors who drove up and asked me what I knew about the garden and the restoration effort.

At 1700 the Hunt started and I jumped into the fray.  There was plenty of activity on 20 Meters, which was so good to hear. There was not as much activity on 40 Meters, but I was pleasantly surprised that background noise was low on both bands. That allowed me to work several stations that were pretty weak. It's always nice when you can work stations that don't have to be 599 to overcome the noise floor.

The station set up was the same. The KX3 with the Palm Micro paddles, and I used my deep cycle battery for power.   Yesterday, I went to Dick's Sporting Goods to buy an ammo box to make toting the battery a lot easier.

The cooler with water bottles was essential. Although it wasn't as beastly hot as it has been, the humidity was pretty high and it felt hotter than it actually was. It was very nice to be able to grab a few swigs of cold water throughout the Hunt.

As the Hunt progressed, the partly cloudy skies changed to totally cloudy.  From about 1900 UTC, it spritzed droplets of rain on and off.  Nothing to cause me to go QRT until about 2017 UTC, when with about 45 minutes to go, the rain changed from a spritz to a bone fide drizzle.  Not wanting to get the equipment wet, I packed up and headed home.

My goal was to make at least 40 QSOs and I ended up making 41.  I worked 19 different S/P/Cs and 6 different NPOTA entities.  It was a very delightful day and I thank all of you who participated and especially the New Jersey QRP Club for sponsoring the hunt and making it possible.

And last - but very much not least, I'd like to thank all those diligent QRPers who activated NPOTA entities.  By my tally, the following were activated - NP51, NM05, TR23, TR01, TR05, SS05, RC17, HP11, TR04, MN29, NS60, HP46, HP30, RC04, TR10 and TR06. And these were just the ones I knew about beforehand. I'm sure there were a few entities activated on the spur of the moment.

Here's my summary:

Larry - W2LJ -TR23
Skeeter #13 - All CW
Single Op
Skeeter QSOs - 39
Non-Skeeter QRP QSOs - 1
Non-Skeeter QRO QSOs - 1
S/P/Cs or NPOTA Designators - 25
Station Class Multiplier X4
NPOTA Bonus - 100 points

Final score of 12,100 points - not that it matters, as I don't figure into the mix, but I like to see how I did vs. all the other participants.

So thank you, one and all, those who participated and those I worked.  If it weren't for you, the Skeeter Hunt would not be the success that it has become. I'm already looking forward to the 2017 Skeeter Hunt!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Skeeters are a buzzin' !!!!

Happy 1st Day of Summer and "Thank You" so much to the first group of Skeeters to sign up for the 2016 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt!  We're only 9 or so hours into the Summer and we already have 47 intrepid QRPers who have decided to join in on the fun.

Make sure that you're one of them!

To see the 2016 roster - go to: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KJWpvDDBZibCMqna_qGXF3Ayg8KdEw5f1N8K6ByGMe4/edit#gid=880964485

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

This coming Monday is ..........

So sign up for your Offical 2016 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt Skeeter number! Skeeter numbers will be issued starting Monday.

Send an e-mail to w2lj@arrl.net and I will e-mail you back with a number. Join in on the fun, on Sunday August 21st.  The rules can be found at http://www.qsl.net/w2lj/

Get your QRP gear, get outside ......... have a blast!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Just a reminder

that next Monday, June 20th, is the first day of Summer. And you know what that means ..... Skeeter numbers will start to be issued that day!

Beginning this year, the Hunt has been moved to the third Sunday in August in order to even out spacing a bit between FOBB, the Skeeter Hunt and the NoGA Peanut Power Classic.  Also, there are some rule changes for 2016 in order to more fully incorporate NPOTA into the Skeeter Hunt. Make sure to check them out at www.qsl.net/w2lj.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Skeeter Hunt - NPOTA News

Several things:

First - The NJQRP Skeeter Hunt for 2016 is moving from the second Sunday in August to the third. So please mark Sunday, August 21st on your calendar for this year's Skeeter Hunt.  There are two reasons for this. The most important is that yours truly has an outstanding monthly commitment each 2nd Sunday of the month.  That's the Sunday I go help out at the soup kitchen in the next town over.  I kind of blew that off the past couple of Augusts, and that's not right. There are some things more important than Amateur Radio, and this is one of those.

But hey, the organizer shouldn't go AWOL, right?  (That's how I feel, anyway). So I have moved it back a weekend to the third Sunday in August, where it shall occur forever more.  Another added benefit is that this makes the spacing between Flight of the Bumblebees, the Skeeter Hunt and QRP Afield and the Peanut Power Sprint a bit more even.

Second - I have gotten blessing from Sean Kutzko KX9X to incorporate NPOTA into the NJQRP Skeeter Hunt this year.  Is that COOL or what?  I'm not exactly sure how it's going to all work out. Maybe bonus points for activating an NPOTA unit for the Hunt - or possibly some special "memento" for activating an NPOTA unit during the Hunt.  I'll have to ruminate on that one for a bit - but there's time.

Third - On a personal level, Sean announced some new NPOTA units the other day. This was a biggie for me, because in the Northeast, the Washington - Rochambeau Historical Trail was added. This is the route taken by General Rochambeau's French forces and General Washington's Continental forces as they both marched on towards the siege at Yorktown, which all but brought the American victory in the Revolutionary War.

The Washington - Rochambeau Historical Trail is within a stone's throw from my house - literally. To make this situation even better, there is the Frazee house located on the trail in Scotch Plains, NJ - the next town over. Rather than try and explain the significance of the Frazee house in my own words - allow me to post something from the official Website.

"As the legend holds, after the Battle of Short Hills, General Cornwallis and his troops passed by the house while marching toward the Watchung mountains, located a few miles to the north. Known to the locals as a prolific baker, Aunt Betty was baking bread at the time. Hungry and tired, the troops smelled the bread and Cornwallis approached her stating, "I want the first loaf of bread that next comes from that oven." Betty is said to have replied, “Sir, I give you this bread through fear, not in love.” Evidently impressed by her courage, Cornwallis is said to have stated, “Not a man in my command shall touch a single loaf.” While history offers evidence that Betty lived in the house and did, indeed, bake bread, the story of the actual conversation is not authenticated by primary source documents.  The words allegedly spoken by the principals are found in the earliest authoritative source on the subject, F.W. Ricord's History of Union County, page 513, which is one of the sources cited in the National Register of Historic Places filing that led to the Frazee House being placed on the Register."

I'll have to look onto getting permission to operate from the property that the house is on. If that's not obtainable, there are plenty of other locations that can be operated from on the Trail, right in my local area. In fact, right in front of the Ashbrook Golf Course, is a monument to The Battle of Short Hills.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Ready for winter

Let the cold weather come when it may, I'm ready to be toasty warm with a new hoodie sweathshirt.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!