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H26 of the HB9HTC

H26 Participation of HB9HTC in 2024

On Friday, April 26, 2024, Clemens HB9EWO, Hugo HB9AFH, Paul HB9DST, Christian HB9BJL, and Marcel HB9TWM met at 12 noon at the Hotel Restaurant Sternen in Guggisberg, Canton of Bern. The joint lunch was the prelude to this year's participation in the H26 Contest by HB9HTC. After a fine meal, we checked into our rooms and then proceeded to set up the antennas and the shack. For antennas, we used two trap dipoles, one for the lower bands 160m, 80m, and 40m, and a second for 80m and 40m. The second dipole was designed for higher power, as we also had a power amplifier available this year. For the upper bands 20m, 15m, and 10m, we set up a Vertical Groundplane antenna. This one was also suitable for higher power. For the shack, we had a K3 transceiver as well as the matching 500W power amplifier and antenna tuner, all from Elecraft, at our disposal. We used N1MM as our logging program. After the setup work was done, Christian and Paul left us, as they had alternative plans on the agenda for the weekend 😊 .

On Saturday morning, the almost obligatory SOTA activation was on the agenda. In beautiful spring weather, we went over the Guggershörnli up towards Schwendelberg, SOTA reference HB/BE-156. We enjoyed the beautiful view, the ascent of a model airplane, and a few QSOs on 80m and 40m. We had a KX2 transceiver and the Vertical MC-750 from JNCRADIO at our disposal.

In the afternoon, Christoph, HB9AJP, and Roger are still there. HB9HWH joined us and accompanied us at the start of the contest. Around 8 p.m., we took a break for the Grand Dîner. Whether it was lamb fillet with a butter crust, 5Pi ravioli, or stroganoff, it was simply a delight! After dinner, we went back to the station until 2:00 a.m. the next morning. Then we interrupted the contest operation again, and the last of us went to bed. At 5 a.m., operations resumed. While the number of connections per hour was still appealing on Sunday morning, things became a bit sluggish over time, to put it mildly. An hour before the contest ended, we went QRT and dismantled the equipment. We had just finished tidying up when the rain started at 3:00 p.m.

When we look back at the contest, we have mixed feelings. The shared experience of the H26 as a team is clearly on the positive side. On the other hand, there is also a certain amount of effort involved, and in the end, we want to have as many QSOs in the log as possible. Unfortunately, this year we have fewer connections in the log than we have had in the last five years. Whether it was due to the propagation conditions, the modest number of participants, and/or the competitive situation due to parallel contests, the evaluation may show.

HB9HTC's participation in H26 in 2023
On Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 3:00 PM LT, the time had come again. Just in time for the start of this year's H26, our team leader Clemens, HB9EWO, started the contest operation with the club call sign HB9HTC. The fact that this was possible is mainly due to the initiative of Robi, HB9DEO. After it turned out that last year's QTH in La Theurre, Jura, was no longer available, he became active and started looking for an alternative. Robi and Clemens found what they were looking for on the Albis Pass. The ALBISHAUS team gave us permission to set up the antenna in an unused parking lot behind the house and to use the "library" as a shack.

Most of the team (Clemens, HB9EWO, Robi, HB9DEO, Pauls, HB9DST and Marcel, HB9TWM) met on Friday for lunch at ALBISHAUS. The weather was not very inviting for the upcoming antenna setup. But the first meal was very good and the atmosphere very cozy. After setting up and furnishing the shack, we went for an aperitif. After all, some of us hadn't seen each other for over a year, so there was a lot to talk about and old stories and memories were exchanged. Especially for me as a "junior member", such moments are very entertaining, hi. After dinner, we moved to the Hotel Windegg, where we had booked rooms for our overnight stays and for breakfast.

On Saturday morning, Peter, HB9TVK, completed this year's HTC team for the contest. He brought the K3s with a panadapter from Urs, HB9ABO. We used this device as a transceiver instead of the usual combination of a KX3 with a KXPA 100 from Clemens. Since not all team members were needed to connect the coaxial cables to the K3s, Paul and Marcel activated the nearby SOTA Summit HB/ZH-006 Bürglen on Saturday morning.

The actual contest was almost routine. We took turns at the transceiver in roughly three-hour shifts. On Saturday evening, operations were interrupted for the Grand Diner Solennel.

We are satisfied with the number of QSOs achieved, although it is fewer than in the previous year. Perhaps the contest evaluation will provide some clues as to whether it was due to the QTH, the propagation conditions, or the number of participants. Regardless, we had a great weekend together!

Marcel, HB9TWM

HB9HTC in 2022

HB9HTC participated again this year from La Theurre near Saignelégier/JU.
The equipment (trap dipoles, Elecraft TRX 100W, PC) was provided by Clemens. We were happy to be able to be QRV again from our proven QTH. We cultivated camaraderie, including excursions to SOTA mountains in the area, and our physical well-being was also well taken care of at the "Auberge de la Couronne". Participants and operators were HB9CBR Bruno, HB9DEO Robi, HB9DST Paul, HB9EWO Clemens and HB9TWN Marcel.

Despite obstacles, a successful H26-2021 for HB9HTC

Despite major challenges during the Corona period, the HTC was able to put together a team for the H26. Normally, we are active with two stations at the HTC. This year, however, team HB9HC could not be active at its standard QTH. Various circumstances were to blame - no catering and no overnight accommodation were decisive in the decision to forgo the H26. Another suitable location could not be found in such a short time.
Team HB9HTC also had problems because their previous QTH (in the Jura) was not available. But Paul HB9DST and Robi HB9DEO did not want to give up. The search began. After initial failures, we found a QTH near Appenzell. This hotel could provide us with accommodation and food and – most importantly – they allowed us to indulge in our hobby.
We were allowed to set up antennas and the shack. Our team (Urs HB9ABO, Robi HB9DEO, Paul HB9DST, and Marcel HB9TWM) checked into the hotel on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, the hotel manager already had an unpleasant surprise in store for us. We were not allowed to use the meadow with the trees behind the house, which was ideal for antenna construction. The land was too "sacred" to the farmer. On the other side of the house, the possibilities were very limited. A "full-sized" dipole was out of the question here. So we decided on a "multi-band end-fed" (My Antenna.com EFHW-8010 1kW) antenna. The assembly (and disassembly) became a major challenge, as we had to pull the antenna over some telephone lines located lower down. However, our two chief antenna builders, Urs and Marcel, solved the problem masterfully. As a second antenna, we put Urs's "Delta Loop / 20m Band" in position. Corona helped us with that. The hotel terrace was closed because of it. This made our work easier and we didn't disturb anyone.
Text and photos: Paul, Robi and Urs -
To see the image explanation, drag the "cursor" to the bottom edge of the image! Click on the image to enlarge it.
The antenna construction was now finished. The measurements and SWR values on all bands of the EF were satisfactory (the antenna was resonant in the SSB sections, but Urs's K3S tuner did a good job).
But soon we were overrun with problems. The PC was cracking in time with our Morse code, it seemed to be gasping for air! We solved the problem with "snap-on ferrites" over the USB cable from the K3S to the PC. Unfortunately, that didn't give us any peace. Next, we noticed the bedside lamps in various rooms turning on and off uncontrollably. Then the cook stormed into our shack – a fault message had appeared in the fire alarm system, was it from us? We were now very agitated and anxious and had no solution to the problem at the moment. We could only hope that the fire department wouldn't be dispatched if we cleared the alarm immediately each time. A common mode choke (hi, nice word!) might be useful. Slowly we calmed down. We analyzed and decided which bands were usable, with what power and with what antenna.
Despite these inconveniences, we had a successful H26. We made 426 QSOs (uncontrolled log) and were only unable to log the cantons of BS and UR. The best part: HAM-Spirit was alive, the camaraderie was very good and important for us, as daily life is not always easy for some of us during this Corona period.