DR1A is the contest callsign of the DF0CG crew (DB6JG, DJ6ET, DJ7EG, DJ7EO, DL6FBL and friends), Deutscher Amateur Radio Club e.V. (DARC) chapter Goch, DOK L06. You can find a lot of information, pictures, videos etc. on our website http://www.dr1a.com. You can also find us on Facebook.

ALL QSOs from 2005 until 2009 have been confirmed over the DARC QSL bureau, whose colleagues are doing a great job. We are currently preparing on sending cards out automatically for all contacts in 2010 and 2011. Our QSL cards have different pictures for every year. All contacts until the end of December 2011 have also been uploaded to LotW. You can also send a direct QSL request (SASE + 2USD/IRC) to:

Bernd Och, DL6FBL
Christian-Wirth-Str. 18
D-36043 Fulda
Germany

We are constantly improving the station for better Multi/Multi performance. We have been greatly supported in this process by DF6JC, DJ7WW, DL2OE, DL3BPC, DL3DXX, DL8DYL, DL8WPX, DL9DRA, DL9ECA, PC5A and many others. A big, big THANK YOU to all national and international supporters.

A new project is opening our RX capabilities to the public. We have set up a QS1R SDR receiver, which works together with the Skimmer Server software, and provides the decoded CW spots worldwide by feeding them to the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN). To check out which signals are decoded on the DR1A premises in almost realtime, you can either click here: (RBN website) or you can use our direct TELNET access at qth.dr1a.com port 7301 (do NOT use your Web Browser for the TELNET access (we can see from the log files that some people are trying this.). For the login, please just use your callsign.
The difference between the RBN website and direct telnet access is the quality/amount of spots to be seen. The RBN website only displays spots that have been qualified as a "CQ spot" (station is calling CQ, as identified by decoded phrases like "CQ" or "TEST"). Our direct telnet access also reveals callsigns, but even when it's not yet sure if it's really "their" frequency - or if they were just calling somebody else. That is very helpful while chasing DX-Peditions: you may quickly identify their current QSX frequency. Of course this creates a huge flood of data, but if you are able to filter it to your own desire, it may be helpful.
Please note that we are currently experimenting on which antennas to use for the Skimmer setup, WHILE we are transmitting at the same time. Instead of our stacked Yagis, we most probably will use our distant RX Verticals and Beverages on the Skimmer! We also have to analyze the impact of our own transmitted signals on the quality on the decoded spots: when we are taking part in a contest from our own premises, how often does our own RF create "busted" callsigns on the Skimmer? The first LIVE TEST will be during ARRL CW Contest (Feb 18-19), when DL8DYL and DL6FBL are operating the station.

Whenever you hear us in a contest, please give us a call - even if you have worked us before in the last contest! We do appreciate every contact very much. And listen closely, we are DR1A - not DL1A. :-)

73 from the DR1A team