My Most Recent QSO's

Sunday, January 27, 2013

My Morning DX Contact

This morning before the first cup of coffee, I found HB9CVQ calling from Berikon Switzerland. He had an excellent signal from that part of the world and responded immediately when I returned my call sign. The solar flux index is only 99 this morning, the A index is steady at 18 and the K index is rising but at only 2.

I didn't expect to hear this strong of a signal at 4,342 miles.

Switzerland makes over half the watches in the world but another well know product from there is the Swiss Army Knife. I have one, and I'd bet just about every day hiker around here has the same. The world is constantly changing, and with these changes, businesses adapt to new markets.

The knife above is a novel idea, and a good example of the changing world. It's a novel idea, but , of course, you wouldn't be able to fly with one of these, no matter how hard you argued about a thumb drive for your computer.


The "Swiss Omega Speedmaster" is the watch worn on the Apollo Space Missions. It's been to the moon and back. I bet it still keeps perfect time.

13 comments:

Bert, PA1B said...

Hello John, nice DX again. You can also use the laser of the knife, to make a visual QSO. hi 73, Bert

Jspiker said...

Hello Bert,

One of the most versatile knife companies in the world!

Jeff Davis, KE9V said...

John - I knew you had put another one in the log before you posted this to your blog. Happened to notice in the Twitter client your spot from QRPSPOTS and thought, "John must have snagged another one".

:-)

Good to know the path to Europe remains open yet another day.

73, Jeff KE9V

KL8DX said...

Hi John! I've been chasing France stations in the REF this morning. I was on 17 meters and CQ'd for awhile but it was unsuccessful. Went back to 15 and 20 meters toward Europe with much better results. Having a "Do It All" knife is like the radios of today, multiple bands and receivers crammed into a nice package. I'm always looking forward to your next post to see where your DX wave surfing takes you!

PE4BAS, Bas said...

Hello John, The IC-706 and FT-817 are just like the swiss army knife. I've a Victorinox Mechanic myself. There are 2 main knife compagnies i Switzerland Wenger (the one on your photo) and Victorinox. But they are not the inventors. You can read the article on wikipedia. I was in HB a few years ago and bought my knife there much cheaper as in the Netherlands. It took my a while as there are so many different types, incredible. 73, Bas

VE9KK said...

Good evening John, very nice contact into Switzerland. With the conditions they way the they were even a K count of 2 can reduce one chances of getting any DX. Nice background on the watch and knife as well.
Mike

Jspiker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jspiker said...

Hello Jeff,

I'm really hoping for at least ONE more contact in the morning before the band vanishes but tomorrow is the day I play Bridge with some folks at 10:30 am, so early contact, or nothing!

It's amazing to me how you knew about my "catch" before my blog post. In many ways, I'm a little behind on that technology. I know my way around a computer but rarely use a cell phone. (twitter)

When I retired, my parting gift to the company was pitching my old phone in the river. hihi

Jspiker said...

Hello Phil,

My multi-band 703 is the godsend of my DX contacts. Before I retired from the paint company, my shack was a single band 40 meter MFJ transciever. Although it was great for sharpening my CW skills, it was very limited for HF work.

I bought the Icom 703 right before I retired and have never regretted it. Yes, a multi-band radio is the way to go; just like the Swiss Army Knives.

Wish me luck with my continued string of DX contacts. If I make a contact tomorrow, it will be # 30; so good for an entire month.

I'm looking forward to a contact tomorrow anywhere and anyplace!

I'm glad you're enjoying reading the blog. Thank You!

Jspiker said...

Hello Bas,

Thank you for the information about the beginning of the company!

I envy you folks in Europe that travel to different countries so easily, and find it amazing how so many of you speak several languages. I struggle with only Spanish.

Here in West Virginia, owning your first knife is like the beginning step down the path of adulthood. It's much like "bagging your first buck". (West Virginians call that shooting your first deer) hihi

When I day-hike, I carry mine to open a can of food, a bottle of wine, sharpen a skewer, filet a fish, and even start a fire.

It's one of the most useful items I own!

Jspiker said...

Hello Mike,

I've worked Switzerland twice now. This station was by far the strongest.

The Swiss make fine watches and knives. I've had my Swiss Military watch for over 15 years and it still keeps perfect time. I've owned my Swiss knife since I was a kid.

They're both quality products!

PE4BAS, Bas said...

Amazing accomplishment John. Really enjy to read what you worked the last 30 days. 73, Bas

Jspiker said...

Hello Bas,

I could see some changes in the band this week and don't know how much longer I might have kept the daily DX contact going. Tomorrow morning I have dental work and will NOT be able to get on the air till the evening hours. It will be very unlikely to work much except the Caribbean area.

I'm going somewhere warm the next week, so NO radio at all. I'm glad you enjoyed reading about my 30 day contacts since they're about to end now. hihi

BTW/ I've really enjoy looking at all those QSL cards of yours! You've got a very nice collection of them!

I put a copy of all mine on a memory stick which makes a nice slide presentation for a club meeting!