Van, W7IEX was plagued by powerline noise as high as S-9+20DB on some bands. He reports a satisfactory conclusion to the problem with prompt action from Sierra Pacific Power Co. The quick repair only took 13 days from notiifcation to completion. He states the key to a speedy repair is contacting the person(s) that will effect the fix. In his case e-mail and phone calls seemed to bounce around the company, however a certified letter found its way to the group who could and did make the repair. The ARRL web site is also helpful in outlining what action to take with the power company and who is responsible for what. Unlike some of the horror stories on the net that last up to 14 years, this ended very well. For more info, contact Van at
"W7IEX [at] renoqrp[dot]org"

*** ARCI SK Memorial Sprint ***
ARCI is hosting this sprint - 1500-1800 Aug 16
Info Link.

*** Straight Key/Bug Sprint ***
Hosted by North American QRP CW Club, NAQCC is hosting this event - 0030-0230 Aug 13
Info Link.

*** SKCC Weekend-Sprint-a-thon ***
Straight Key Century Club is hosting this event - 0000Z-2359Z,
Aug 10. SKCC recently added QRP and QRPp classes of entrants
Info Link.

*** QRP DX - WHAT DOES IT TAKE? ***
Band Condx, Antenna, Rig, Skill ?
As if Steve's adventures with 5 watts were not enough, he decided to change the parameters to give himself another challenge. This time his output power was 900mw and the antenna was a Mosley TA33jr at 33 feet on 20 meters and the same 900mw into a 40m horizontal loop at 20 feet. The 20 meter results were 30 states, Brazil and New Zealand (7455 miles/watt) and on 40, two JA's for 6036 miles/watt.
The rig was an ICOM 703.

Way to go Steve!