Due to many happenings in my life, as well as a change of my thoughts on the Internet and it's use, I have decided that I will not continue with this blog.
I have found that there are many blogs out there that echo my opinions and thoughts such as those by Scot (K9JY), Jeff (KE9V) and Larry (W2LJ)...The list could go on and on. That and keeping my nose to the grindstone at work...meaning computer work...I have found that I really don't want to be 'plugged in' while at home. I want to allocate more time for my family, ham radio and other hobbies.
So with that being said this will be my last posting.
For those who have followed the blog...I Thank You.
The blog will remain up until the end of July when it will change to another type of website (to be determined).
73,
- Jeff -
Just read this on the London Time Website. It would seem that recognition of SOS as the International Distress Call in Morse was officially recognized 100 years ago today.
Read more about it here.
- Jeff -
Just read this on The League's website. Jan Bruinier, DL9KR, has worked his 100th country on 432 MHz via moonbounce. This is a notable achievement. I have made a grand total of one 432 MHz EME QSO from K3AX (then K3HZO's) station in Pennsylvania. It takes a top notch station to do this. Congrats go out to Jan.
Read more about it here.
- Jeff -
 It seems that I have remiss in celebrating Flag Day which was yesterday. I do know that every weekday as I walk from Union Station in Washington, DC to work on Constitution Ave., I respect the U. S. Flag and daily think of those who have given all to keep it flying and keeping our country free.
I feel a bit shameful that I didn't post this yesterday, but I didn't see anything elsewhere in other media concerning the celebration of Flag Day. Perhaps it is time that we in America paid a little more attention to what the Flag means and stands for to us individually as well as a whole.
- Jeff -
So far yesterday I spent about 3 hours in the contest and have the following to pass on.
43 QSOs in 11 Grids on the 3 main lower bands -- 6, 2 and 70cms. All contacts were made running either 5 watts CW or 10 watts phone to antennae in the attic.
So far the best DX has been on 2 meters. Worked K1UHF in FN31 for a new state on 2 meters for me. Thanks for the ears Del.
The biggest disappointment is there was no noticible sporadic E on 6 meters. I will play more this afternoon before submtting the log. So, hopefully this afternoon we will see some E-skip.
- Jeff -
Once again this year I will be participating in the June VHF/UHF Contest. My participation is a certain...what I don't know yet is whether I will pack some stuff up in the car and either do a small roving expedition, or a Single-op Portable....or just stay at the house and play with my attic antennae. I guess the weather will have a lot to say about it.
Either way...look for me on the 6, 2 and 70cms running QRP levels from somewhere near FM19. Given the gas prices, I am certain that I will not travel far.
Hope to hear you on the upper bands.
For those interested, I have started construction on the Zack Lau 222 MHz transverter from the 1992/3 issue of QEX, so I hope to be on that band by the January contest.
- Jeff -
I don't check my Logbook of The World (LoTW) account too often. However, this morning I decided to and was quite surprised. I have a feeling that folks using LoTW these days...and why not. It is relatively simple to use and some software packages, such as ACLog by N3FJP, automate the process quite nicely.
At any rate here are the numbers from my account.
You have 7,650 QSO records
You have 2,007 QSL records
That is a return of a little over 26%. And I can remember when I was happy with a 10% return.
- Jeff -
Last week I took the opportunity to post my thoughts on the recent HamVention© in Dayton, OH. As I was going through various Ham Radio Blogs this morning, I stumbled on one from K9ZW. Steve does indeed bring up some interesting thoughts about his recent trip to Dayton. And quite to my surprise they almost echoed my feelings of the HamVention© having been an attendee since 1990. Other folks have also posted their feelings on his blog as well...and it does make for some interesting reading.
Take a look here.
- Jeff -
Very interesting article on Spaceref.com concerning the use of radio telescopes to monitor Phoenix's landing on Mars. I wonder what power levels and antenna gains are used?
More can be read here.
- Jeff -
 As I had mentioned in a previous post, I was considering picking up a eeePC and last week I finally bit the bullet and picked on up. Yeah...I may have screwed up a bit and bought the cheap one (the 2G surfer) but after a week of playing with it, I am pleased with it and will most likely use it for my travel PC. I like the Xandros distro of Linux that is included, and so far it has been able to do anything that I need to do with it. In fact I am doing this post with it.
So far I have found a couple of cons on it that I think will take some adjustment on my part. First, the keyboard is a little cramped...but I am adjusting to it. Second, my eyes can only take so long of looking at the smaller screen. Both of these can be alleviated by using external devices, but to me that defeats the purpose of the ultra-small PC concept.
As I play a little more with it I will pass on tidbits as well as likes and dislikes. But as I have mentioned after a week, it has performed as well or better than I have expected.
- Jeff -
Just got this from the Contesting email reflector. Quite humorous! Enjoy!
Click Here
- Jeff -
Whilst browsing The League's website this morning I ran across an article that may be of interest to you. DX Summit, a web site and DX Spotting and information portal that I have used off and on for a number of years is making some improvements as of today. Read more about it here.
- Jeff -
This years HamVention© at Dayton, OH is now in the books. I thought I would take a moment or two to pass on my thoughts of this year’s festivities.
First, The Good
The Good for me this year was, Four Days In May (FDIM) hosted by the good folks at QRP ARCI. The speaker lineup was excellent, and I actually think that I may have learned a little about DSP and Software Defined Radios. At the very least, I now know what I & Q are…and they are more than just a couple of letters in the alphabet. Other good things were getting a chance to visit with Bud (K4ISV)…the person that gave me my Novice test in 1986…visiting with Hal (W8HC) who I had many keyboard to keyboard packet QSO’s back with packet radio on HF was considered cutting edge. And finally meeting new people for the first time. People like KG5E and his XYL Marty who had the chance to experience The Flying Pigs up close and personal when they joined us at our table at the QRP banquet. And of course there are the old friends like Lou McFadin (W5DID), Jim Randall (N3YDT), who I see on a regular basis anyway, and John Melton (N6LYT/G0ORX) whom I haven’t seen in a number of years.
It reminds me of what is the important part of our hobby….the PEOPLE!
The other good thing….the weather held out.
The Bad
Again this year I worked with Joel at The R. F. Connection. Normally, tickets and all administrative items are mailed out with plenty of time to spare. This year they were not. Given the cost of the spaces and tickets, one would think that they would have been. So upon arrival there was a hassle…not large for me…but a hassle anyway with just getting Vendor Badges. After retrieving this I learned that another friend, who had paperwork and documentation showing that payment was made and accepted, had his spaces sold from under him. DARA, the club that hosts the HamVention© made absolutely no effort to help him find other spaces. He was basically told too bad…can’t help you. Not only could they not help him….they didn’t even make an attempt. This is just plain wrong. The last straw happened on the final day, when we learned we couldn't bring the truck in to the North Hall to load. After attending the hamVention© since 1990, this is the first time this had happened. Overall, this would not have been so bad, had DARA communicated this before the Vendors were blindsided with the new rules 30 minutes before load up time. Then we at least could have been prepared. Given all that I encountered with the running of the event, I have a gut feeling that the folks at DARA are looking for a reason not to continue. I hope this is not the case, and if it isn’t, there needs to be some serious training in customer relations…and a willingness to help the vendors and attendees.
The Ugly
The Ugly award goes to the flea Market. I can remember when you had to wade through people to get a chance to see anything in the flea market. The past several years the folks that set up in the flea market had dwindled to almost nothing. This to me is sad…and I think this is a sign that the hamfests of long ago will cease to be. While I long for those days where the flea market is overloaded with buried treasure, I feel that this will not happen. So, for me, perhaps a change in expectations is in order.
Overall I really enjoyed my trip to Dayton this year. And I have the sore feet to prove it!
- Jeff -
One of my friends, who seems to be addicted to R. F. was seen walking about Hara Arena with his backpack amplifier. He paid a visit to the Alpha Power booth to measure the amplifier. The last time I saw him do this was a couple of years ago when he peaked out at 853 watts. This year he more than doubled it at 2089 watts. A photo of him can be seen here.
- Jeff -
I have just uploaded a few more pictures from FDIM. They can be seen here.
Enjoy,
- Jeff -
|
