N8ZYA's QRP Radio Blog

Politics on Radio Sites

2012-01-25T13:09:00.000-08:00

QRZ.com is one of the most visited Ham Radio sites in the world. I use it every day I'm on the air to view FCC license information. It enables me to learn about the lives, and often diverse hobbies, of my fellow radio enthusiasts. It's a GREAT website.

A few days ago, I made a post about QRZ.com being in danger of being dismantled because of new "internet piracy" laws, but I removed it because the threat, at least for now, has been diluted due to public outrage. When Wikipedia shut down in protest, I was actually depressed.

I would prefer to not have "political discussions” on a radio blog because one thing I've learned, in this short life on earth, is there are two issues which are the most divisive things on the face of the planet; namely politics and religion. But speaking of such, (out of necessity) has anyone noticed the "political advertisements" on QRZ.com?

I'm seeing daily PAC advertisements from "Restore our Future Inc". Not only is it promoting (who else) Mick Romney, it's also bashing Newt Gingrich.

I hate seeing this on their site. I hope they take steps to quickly eliminate this before it migrates to the ARRL site, or Buckmaster, or personal web blogs?

This forces me to look for alternatives.

Anastasia Island

2012-01-22T11:19:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed working W0RW/PM/4 this morning from Anastasia Island in Florida. Paul is one of those operators that really loves the outdoors, and is a master of the art of "pedestrial mobile".

I saw him posted on "QRP Spots" and heard him VERY well here in the Kanawha Valley of West Virginia. He gave me a 599 signal report and said it was a lot "warmer" in sunny Florida than the mountains of WV today. This morning in Charleston, it was a crisp 32 degrees.

I've worked Paul a few other times from his home location in Colorado. Always a favorite station in the QRP circles, everyone tries to work him when he's on the air.

Some people say the Anastasia Lighthouse is "haunted". Although I don't believe in this kind of stuff, it makes interesting conversation and especially good campfire stories. You should take a few minutes to "google" it. (and W0RW).

I love to "surf the web" and learn about the places and people I've contacted on the air. I'm sure glad to see the Wikipedia site back up and running. I can't imagine a world without it since I use a lot of "graphics" from there. (the above picture of the lighthouse).

It's a wonderful thing when amateur writers and photographers allow their work to placed in the public domain and be shared with others in the world. It makes the world a better place for all.....

Hungary for DX

2012-01-21T11:59:00.000-08:00

It was another delightful morning on 15 meters today. I added six new DX contacts to the log book! I was hearing several Italian stations and worked I2PJA. I also worked OK7O in the Czech Republic.

The card doesn't match because this was a "engineering school club station".

I was very pleased when UW5ZM from the Ukraine answered me. Eugene had worked me before on 20 meters, and responded with "hello John, nice to hear you again. I remember Charleston WV". When there's a contest going on and an operator takes a moment to say HI, it really makes a person feel good.

I desperately tried to work PJ4C in Bonair , E77DX, and a super station in Hungary (HA4XH) but couldn't do it. I don't hear strong stations in Hungary often, so really wanted that one. I didn't give up....

I made a contact with DL5AXX in Germany soon afterwards.

Just when I thought the band was closing, I heard (and worked) these two good stations (HA0LC and HA5SE) in Hungary. I considered these my "best" catches.

I continue to be amazed with the results of my 15 meter dipole which is stretched out in the upstairs rooms. It's SO simple and yet very effective.

Today makes my 166th DX contact with "simple wire antennas" and QRP power.

Michigan Automobile Contact

2012-01-14T15:49:00.000-08:00

As I've written before, I often take a look at the cities where the stations I've worked live, work, or retire. For me, this is another "fun" part of the radio hobby. This mornings contact with W8RP in Ypsilanti, Michigan led me to this interesting car.

Ypsilanti Michigan is the place where the Tucker automobile was designed.

I was born in year 1948 when the car was first produced. If you don't know about the 1948 TUCKER , take a few minutes and look at this machine. It had three headlights. The center "headlight" actually moved in the direction the steering wheel to help night driver vision. The engine was in the "rear" and there's an interesting "radio" in the dash. Look for it when you view the above link.

All my contacts today were on 40 meters.

Another interesting contact was NT8P in Ohio. Ron was also QRP @ 5 watts and using a dipole. He's also a member of the North American QRP Club. It's my favorite club because everyone uses CW and is also QRP.

Ron has some interesting information on his QRZ bio. http://www.qrz.com/db/nt8p

I still get an enormous "kick" out of working another QRP operator, whether they be 100 miles or 1000 miles from me. The "brass key" on his desk looks very much like mine. If so, it's a Brunnell key made in Long Island NY and a little over 100 years old.

9A204W Isle of Brac in Croatia

2012-01-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

Today was my second contact with a station on this Croatian Island. My earlier contact on the Isle of Brac (9A4W) was made on 10 meters a few weeks before Christmas.

Although 15 meters wasn't in good shape today, I always like working islands, so was very happy to make this contact. This Croatian station is another one of many, celebrating 20 years of Ham radio (the 9A call sign) in Croatia. I've heard a lot of these stations on the air recently, and worked seven of them.

I had high hopes of working another Sweden station, (SM5CZQ) but a Canadian station was having a long QSO with him. I wasn't able to follow up afterwards, even though I had a good signal on him.

I also heard two new countries this morning. One in Estonia, and much to my disbelief, a station in Qatar (A7ICT) . The Qatar station was much too weak for me to even think of working, but I could hear him.

I finished off this morning with a German contact. DO4DXA was near Munich.

The 15 meter dipole continues to be the best DX antenna I use here in the house. I really don't mind taking a few minutes every morning, to set it up, and take it down. Only 22 feet long, it's a "piece of cake" to get on the air. I wonder what it would do, hung outdoors, in the clear, where there's no electrical noise. So far, I've found it quite "easy" to work a DX station every morning. Even with 5 watts (or less) of power.....

SM5CAK with 4 watts

2012-01-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

Lars (SM5CAK) and I have worked before, (2-11) but this time, I had my power reduced to 4 watts and it's always nice when someone remembers me and my QRP station on a contact. I was surprised when he mentioned my name when I returned his call on 21.033. It's the same frequency we worked last year.

The band wasn't very good this morning. I was hearing a strong HA3FTA in Hungary (SSB) but my choice was to work only CW today.

I felt good about working this station in Sweden. He's a little over 4,200 miles from me and qualifies for another "1000 MPW" contact. It's always fun to work a station with a great pair of ears like him. He has a lot of aluminum in the air....

Wheeling West Virginia Radio Stations

2012-01-07T08:37:00.000-08:00

I had a really nice chat yesterday evening with a "local" ham on 40 meters. I say "local" because it's rare for me to work another station this close to me. Ron (N8KZH) is located in Wheeling West Virginia, which is in the extreme northern panhandle of our state. In a straight line, it's less than a hundred fifty miles from me.

The QSO this evening made me think of several things.

First and foremost, it's a real pleasure to work a station with an "excellent" fist. Ron was using an old "German Military Key". I wish I had "special award" for those with the ability to send flawless CW, (especially with a straight key) but the best I can do is highlight a really good operator when I hear one.

Ron was working me with 50 watts and using a simple dipole antenna, which was pointed away from me. (right off the end).

Also, Wheeling WV is the home of AM radio station WWVA (1170 on the radio dial) which I once listened to in my younger years. There's a lot of history about this station. It was started in 1926, with a home built 50 watt transmitter, which operated from the basement of a home. It had a "citizens band radio" in the studio which allowed "truckers" to communicate with the station. Taking this into the future, it was a pioneer of the "coast to coast" AM trucking radio network.

In 1941 it progressed into a 50,000 watt station which could be heard over most of the United States. It's specialty was "country music" which was broadcast from " Capitol Music Hall " , which at the time, was the largest civic center in West Virginia. In August of 2010, the stations towers were destroyed by a severe wind storm. It's operating now with temporary equipment at reduced power.

Sad to say (in my opinion) the station is now owned (1997) and operated by "Clear Channel Communications" and has become, like most other AM radio station in the United States, a mouth piece for conservative radio broadcasters like Rush Limbaugh. I'm not part of the wealthy 1% of the American population they reflect with their programming. I DO NOT listen to it, and in extreme cases, will boycott business that advertise on their stations.

Similar to Clear Channel Communications, in my home city of Charleston, the AM radio market is virtually "monopolized" by the same owner, who, by the way, was nearly elected "governor" in the last WV election. He actually lives in Florida............

Although I can't hear the station WWVA now, I've found a great alternative to "canned broadcasting". I recently bought a " WiFi Radio " which I enjoy very much.

I often "google" the home towns of hams that I work on the air. (especially those with excellent operating skills). Yesterdays contact brought back memories from days past gone. I wish it weren't so.......

F6HKA on 15 meters

2012-01-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

I heard a familiar call this morning on 15 meters. F6HKA (Bert) was sending a "whooping" signal into West Virginia and asking for SKCC numbers. He heard me very well with my 5 watts and the indoor dipole. We exchanged SKCC numbers and I went on to work several other DX stations. I've worked Bert four times now, but this was my first contact on 15 meters.

He usually sends me an electronic "card". I'll post it when it arrives.

This morning I also worked EC7DZZ and EA1EJ in Spain, LA4UOA in Norway, and IZ4NPE in Italy.

I tried desperately to work S57WJ in Slovenia but couldn't get him to hear me well enough for a good exchange.

My DX contacts are now 155. (Nine of them have been for the new year of 2012).

Some Great Contacts for the New Year

2012-01-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

The first contact this morning on 15 meters was this beauty from Croatia, and an interesting call sign. This is a special event station (9A203BIM). This was my only SSB station this morning.

I wanted to do some "real radio" today and tuned into the CW portion of the band. I heard I3CTX calling from Italy (Padova). Didn't get him at first but a few minutes later, I decided to call CQ a few times, to see if anyone could hear me, and he returned my call sign.

Soon afterwards, I heard a VERY strong Scotland station (GM0UDL). We've worked before on 20 meters and Andrew immediately asked "QRP this AM John?". I excitedly responded with QSL Andrew, it's snowing here this morning in West Virginia (WV).

Andrew was operating from home today but I especially like this picture of him operating portable from the mountains in Scotland. I remember this part of Scotland from a trip there a few years ago.

My last contact this morning was DL4NBE from Germany. Leo was "county" hunting and asked for mine. I sent "Kanawha" for him. This contact was on the QRP frequency of 21.040.

I'm sure I could have worked a few more DX stations, but the "Rose Bowl" parade is on the television this morning. I turned it off watch it with the wife.

This morning was a great way to start the new year!

More E-QSL Cards with /QRP

2012-01-01T13:46:00.000-08:00

Here's a few more cards with the /QRP designation. I discovered them yesterday. Personally, I find NO difference between these and a "printed card". I find it's worth a little extra effort to design my own and give the receiver the option of "printing yourself" or saving to their hard disc.

Notice the /QRP designation on these:

Here's a copy of the card I usually send to confirm my QSO's.

E-QSL Cards

2011-12-31T16:47:00.000-08:00

Looking around on the E-QSL site, I noticed a feature which looks for variations of your call sign. Many times, I make a special effort to let stations know I'm operating "portable" or "QRP".

This program takes a few minutes to run but happily, I found seven new cards on the site with the /QRP or /P after my call sign. Three of them were DX contacts....

I love the E-QSL site and use it exclusively for my radio contacts. In these days of soaring (especially international postage) rates, I see no reason to use anything else for confirmations.

I'll always return a paper QSL card when receiving a SASE for those who still like them.

I had no idea this was an option available to "QRP" and "portable" operators. I like it very much....

LX1DA Luxembourg

2011-12-30T08:47:00.000-08:00

I heard this station (LX1DA) yesterday but couldn't work him. This morning was a successful contact (CW) on 15 meters. I'm finding 15 meters to be a very good band for me in the morning.

I also worked ON7USB in Belgium and another Switzerland station HB9TJR, but they were SSB contacts. SSB isn't much of a challenge for me. Quite honestly, anyone can speak into a microphone. I'll work a few for amusement, but there's nothing in my book like CW. I simply like dots and dashes.

I heard a strong Hungary station (HA5AWT) in CW and a strong (SSB) station in Newfoundland (VO1KVT) but couldn't work them.

The contacts this morning puts me at 150 in the DX log book. A lot of people with mega stations, running mega power, would laugh at this, but I'm quite happy to have done this with QRP power and "non-gain" antennas. It's been very fun for me....

Two new DX Countries

2011-12-29T11:06:00.000-08:00

I hit the jackpot this morning on 15 meters with 5 DX stations. Two of them were new countries for me. I used the 15 meter dipole again stretched out inside the upstairs rooms. Today I moved it to the same location as the 10 meter end fed wire. There's hardly any space to spare but I was able to use it by adding another 10 feet of coax to feed the center point of the dipole.

My first contact was IT9KCD in Italy (SSB) followed almost immediately by GW0TAU (CW) in Whales. I've worked both these countries but soon afterwards I worked my first contact in Switzerland (HB9AOF) SSB. About 10 minutes later I heard a VERY strong French station (F5IN). He was so strong that I immediately dropped my power to around 3 watts. I actually sent my power to him as 4 watts during the contact but the meter on the rig was much less than 4....regardless, this makes my 15th "1000 MPW" contact.

My other new country was 5Q4B in Denmark.

I'm ecstatic about all these contacts. Switzerland and Denmark and another French "1000 MPW" station. It was a very good day for me.

I heard (but couldn't work) TK5EP in Corsica, CT1EHI in Portugal, RW2A in Russia, LX1DA in Luxembourger, EU7A in Belrus, and another station in Austria (couldn't find the call sign).

EI5DR Ireland and my 2011 QSO's

2011-12-28T08:56:00.000-08:00

I worked a new DX entity this morning on 15 (CW) meters. ED (EI5DR) was my first contact into Ireland.

The "year end" totals for my station this year (just a few more days left in 2011) are much better this year than any other year. I'm sure most of it has been the result of better band propagation and the addition of a 10 meter end fed wire. I've also started hanging my 15 meter dipole inside the house. .

Thanks to some fantastic "ears" in Europe, I've worked 108 DX stations in 2011. My QSO totals (all years) are now 1231, and of those, 276 have been 2x QRP QSO's. Last year I worked a total of 297 stations and this year, I've worked 399 stations. I've actually worked 15 stations now at "1000 miles per watt". (the last contact was made at 5 watts and reduced to one watt)

I do VERY little contesting due to poor filtering on my rig.

I think, by far, the best contact this year was RD3A in Moscow Russia. I say this because, although I've worked many stations at the 5,000+ range on the upper bands, this station was a contact I made using my 40 meter Isotron antenna. I've actually had one ham accuse me of "fabricating" this contact. In my almost 20 year ham radio career, this is the first time I've ever had this happen.

The facts are the facts tho...the card is visible to anyone on the world wide web.

This bring me to an interesting point, of which is puzzling to me. Contesting has never been a "hi-point" for me, but I understand and accept those who live for this and nothing else. If "money was no object", I was born rich, and owned enough land to plant an antenna farm the size of a city block, I still wouldn't invest thousands and thousands of dollars into a hobby than demanded I sit in front of a computer and punched "buttons" all day long when the band was open. This just isn't my "cup of tea".

Four of my DX contacts this year were fellow QRP operators and I got more excitement out of working those than all the others combined. To me, there's still nothing (after almost 20 years) more exciting than working a "portable" station operating low power from a picnic table, an island, or a cabin in the woods.

Looking at the "other side of the coin" this is such a great hobby, there's more than enough fun for everyone. (regardless of the expense) Keeping it "simple" is still admirable to many.

15 Meter Dipole Contacts

2011-12-24T18:20:00.000-08:00

I had some fun this morning when I stretched my 15 meter dipole out in the upstairs room. This antenna is only seven feet longer than the end fed 10 meter wire and I easily found the extra space I needed by running it from the bathroom window sill to the bedroom curtain railing. (very much like the end fed wire for 10 meters)

My only fear was that the wire might be too close to the metal medicine cabinet and absorb my radio signal. Happily, that didn't seem to happen when I got on the air.

Although I didn't hear, or work any DX, I heard some good strong stations in New Mexico (KE1R) and the state of Washington. My last contact was a friend and fellow blogger in California. Dave (AA7EE) was operating QRP with a vertical antenna. It's always good to work a "coast to coast" QRP station. We immediately recognized each others calls and it was a real joy to say hello.

The Washington state contact (WA7UQE) was a "FISTS" club member and we exchanged club numbers. We both had such good signals from each other that I decided to drop my power down to one watt. He could still hear me well even though QSB was causing a small problem.

I missed an opportunity for a "1000 MPW" contact with this station. If I had originally responded with one watt, at a little over 2,000 miles, he would have made # 15 for me.

When I find the band open, I'll be using the 15 meter dipole again . Although I missed the opportunity for a 2,000 miles with a watt contact, when I hear the next strong station on 15 meters, I'll immediately drop power to the very minimum.

An Old Tune on the Guitar

2011-12-19T16:48:00.000-08:00

On the BIO section of the QRZ site, I have a picture of me and my guitar. I'm sitting on the back porch steps of a mountain cabin. Often times, when I'm having a QSO, someone asks me what kind of music I play on the guitar. My best explanation is that I like to modify old songs.

I think everyone should have their own style, and strive to play uniquely, according to what they hear in their head. I never play a song the way it was originally written.

Here's my version of an old tune called "Misty". It's done with an old acoustical guitar made by a company called EKO. It was made in Italy and I bought there in 1970.

This video is done with a cheap little pocket camera ($100) that I recently bought. I don't play professionally, and this video is no more than an amateur attempt to do a little strumming for my own pleasure. I play just for fun and with a few friends when we have the time.

RD3A Moscow Russia

2011-12-17T19:53:00.000-08:00

I still can't believe RD3A in Moscow Russia returned my call on 40 meters CW this evening. Of course, he's a contest station calling (and obviously pointing at the US) with a massive antenna array. It's by far, my best contact on 40 meters at a little over 5,000 miles. I'm amazed as he was the only station I'm hearing on the entire 40 meters band. Maybe that's why I was able to work him?

My wife and I had been out playing bridge with a local group of Grandparents. I'm glad I was lucky enough to work this station. I NEVER expected this surprise on 40 meters. It's NOT my best band by far but the conditions must be just right tonight.

F5UKL QRP Pau, France

2011-12-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

Although all the propagation forecasts predict only "good" conditions for 10 meters this morning, I stretched out the indoor end fed wire again, between the bedroom and the bathroom.

I had no intention of working more "SSB" stations on this band. I was fishing for "normal" contacts with simple stations using simple equipment.

I was intentionally looking for CW contacts and it paid off when I heard, (F5UKL) in Pau, France using a K2 with only 5 watts of power.

This was actually a "QSO".

Andre (F5UKL) is located near Lescar, a commune on the far side of the Pyrenees Mountains, which is between Spain and France. He was weak but was hearing me very well (549). I didn't copy everything he sent, but I got the jest of it, especially when he sent a weather report, repeated my home city, and replied to my QRP designation with his QRP designation. At times, his signal peaked to 339, but it was difficult to copy as the signal dropped into and out of the noise.

My friend Dick (F8WBD) recently made a comment about DX contacts which I think is appropriate in this case. I agree that it's a "relative" term. This contact is certainly not my longest contact but it is my longest contact with another QRP operator. In my humble opinion at least, this one falls into that category.

I've always said QRP work is a lot like fishing. You never know what you will catch when you throw the line in the water. This morning, I've heard hardly another station on the 10 meter band. I was very fortunate to catch this DX QRP station from France.

I got more excitement working this simple QRP station in France, than all the other "big guns" stations I've worked the last few weeks on this band. To me, this is the ultimate DX, and as my friend Dick said, it's very relative as far as distance is concerned. This one was a real hoot!

More DX on 10 meters

2011-12-10T08:56:00.000-08:00

As expected, I found 10 meters very crowded this morning. All the big guns were out, and it made for a frustrating attempt at a few contacts.

I worked two stations with CW this morning. One in Germany (DL6WT), and another in the Czech Republic (OK2PDT). Morse code was the solution to the problem as it was nearly impossible to compete with all the heavy SSB stations running high power and massive gain antennas.

I also think I've about worked my limit, as far as DX is concerned on the HF bands. Of course, there's always the rare station which is in the right place at the right time, but mostly I'm limited to around 5,000 miles using indoor antennas here in the valley. I would however, like to work more stations in Southern hemisphere and I've still not worked Alaska and Hawaii. (which would easily give me my WAS award)

I find myself loosing interest in the "59" SSB contacts, with a brief exchanges of call signs,....and nothing more. It's just not my cup of tea.

Ten meters has been an interesting band for experimenting, and it's so simple to set up and operate with QRP power. ( 17 ft is very short piece of wire)

There's different things for different people, but for me, long conversations with a good operator are still my prize catches. Yesterday afternoon, I worked NK1V in Winsted, CT who was running a mighty 4 watts into an OHR kit with an OFC dipole. At only 500 miles, I enjoyed this 2 X QRP contact immensely.

I've always thought of radio as a "portable mode" with low power. Distance isn't necessarily the goal for me. I like to keep it simple, and thankfully, there are thousands of other operators out there thinking the same thoughts.

E77DX Bosnia Herzegovina

2011-12-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

I didn't find the band in good shape this morning but managed to work E77DX in Bosnia Herzegovina. This was another SSB contact using 10 watts. I almost worked LZ2JJ in Bulgaria with CW. He could tell I was there but couldn't pull me out of the noise. I heard several Italian stations also and a few in Germany. Perhaps tomorrow morning, the band will be in better shape.

More 10 Meter Contacts

2011-12-08T08:55:00.000-08:00

The band was hot again this morning. I was listening for France or The Netherlands, but didn't hear one station. I was, however, able to work two stations in Croatia 9A1A and 9A4W. Both were monster stations with great signals here in West Virginia. 9A4A was actually on the Isle of Brac. I always like to work islands. The 9A1A station has one of the most elaborate beam antenna's I've ever seen on the web. It's no wonder he had a +20 signal.

Other stations I was able to work were YU1JW in Serbia, LY2BAW in Lithuania and OE8SKQ in Austria.
I heard, but couldn't work, several stations in Italy. Another in Puerto Rico, and a very strong F5/TU5KG in Africa.

All my contacts this morning were near 5,000 miles. Again, all were SSB contacts. The end fed wire seems to be doing a great job for me. The weather is cold today and the ground soggy and muddy. I'd love to get the wire outdoors, but for now, I'm satisfied with it stretched indoors, between the bathroom and the bedroom.

More 10 Meter Contacts

2011-12-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

This morning I could tell 10 meters was open, just by listening with my normal antennas, so I took a few minutes and hung the end fed wire inside the hallway again. I worked two stations in Germany and two stations in France before the band closed down around noon.

My first was DL8YBM and soon followed by DG0OBU (both in Germany)

Both with great signals. I appreciated them listening for this QRP station with all the other stations on the air.
I heard lot's of stations on the air this morning. Some were OK2JS-YT1E (great signal)-403A-9A9DX and GD6IA.

Before the band started to shut down, I was able to work F8EZE and F5BZB.

These were easy stations to work with 10w SSB, but I still fail to work CW ops here. I heard several in Spain and Africa but was not able to work them. I'm hearing several beacons in Mexico, which surprises me.

Today it's pouring the rain here at home but I've found a really good place to operate outdoors portable. It's close to home also. During the civil war days here in the valley, the union army created a "cannon site" on a prominent hill overlooking the Kanawha and Elk rivers. While driving around looking for good operating spots, I found it at the end of a "dead end" street. I'm looking forward to trying this antenna outdoors where the electrical noise is much less. For now, I'll have to be content to operate with the wire stretched indoors...

More on the new Antenna

2011-11-20T12:59:00.000-08:00

It doesn't get any easier to get on the air than using this basic, but functional, 10 meter end fed dipole. This morning, I had intended to get outside with the radio but when I looked out the window, it was raining. The weather report said "sunshine" and temp in the mid 60's, it's a shame it's in liquid form.

Not to despair, it took only 5 minutes to string up the new antenna, and being only 17 ft long, it's a "piece of cake" to get up and running. I've installed a "hook" in the bathroom door frame now, but this morning, I still used a piece of "kite string" wrapped around an ink pen which I placed behind the door and drew tight with an old Navy knot called a "taunt line hitch". It allows the knot to slide along but remain steadfast when pressure is applied on the line. (that's just a simple loop around the ink pen)

Another few seconds to attach the coax, and I'm on the air again.

I didn't find the band in good shape this morning, but I immediately worked DG1KAH in Germany. (SSB) She gave me a good signal report.

This weekend, there's a "SS" contest here in the United States and it made it difficult for me to make DX contacts. I don't have "filters" in the radio but I heard strong French, Ireland, and English stations.

I feel confident I could have worked (if not for the noise) GI0AIJ in Northern Ireland, who by the way, sounded much better than 99% of the US stations. I also heard a very strong VO1KVT in Newfoundland.

I heard several Caribbean stations and worked NP2B in St. Criox, the Virgin Islands, with just 4 watts. (SSB)

It's puzzling, but I did not hear many "CW" operators on the band. There were a few "beacons", but they were "few" CW operators. I don't quite understand this, since it was quite easy to work anything in the United States and Western Canada with single side band. (cw is twice the distance with half the power)

Now that I have the "hook" installed in the top of the bathroom door facing, I'll be looking forward to spending more time on 10 meters. As I said earlier, set up and take down is less than 5 minutes, and it seems, with good conditions, I should be able to work many DX stations.

This is going to be lots of fun.

New 10 Meter End Fed Dipole Contacts

2011-11-19T10:09:00.000-08:00

This morning (about 11am) I decided to stretch the new end fed 10 meter dipole out, and see if anyone was on the air. It's 30 degrees this morning, so, just for fun, I stretched it out inside the house between the bathroom window and the bedroom window with some string. (yea...I'm chicken and didn't want to brave the elements)

I really had no expectations of hearing much, but I immediately worked PI4DX in the Netherlands. I don't work there often, and was just ecstatic when he returned my signal report as 59.

A few moments later, I worked EA2AAZ in Spain. Another good signal report of 57 and I was shaking my head in wonderment.

For the very first effort with this end fed dipole, I'm very pleased. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon, I can head out to the local park and do much better. I'm looking forward to playing with this antenna since it's only 17 ft long. If I can find the right tree limb, I'll hang it vertically.

I also heard strong stations in France, England, and Germany.

A Nice Card AA1IK

2011-11-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterdays DX contacts were a nice addition to the log book, but just before sunset, I heard what I thought was probably a QRP station sending CQ from the upper parts of the US. But when I answered the call, Ernest (AA1IK) gave me a QTH in Florida. Not a real long distance, but, for me at least, another 2 x QRP contact is a prized catch. This is a really nice "card" in my book.....especially coming from another QRP station using a simple antenna. (actually a mag loop)

I've worked 121 DX stations now, but every time I work another QRP station using a "simple wire antenna", I get just as much an adrenalin rush as those "big gun" stations across the pond. This Florida contact was a difficult catch (both of us were 229) but, to me at least, this is the ultimate pleasure on the air waves.

Ernest (AA1IK) has an especially nice QSL card (above). It's a great example of what I think makes a "good" card. Being a fellow QRP operator, I'll always remember this one. He is also my 267th 2 X QRP QSO. I'm not talking about "contest contacts" here. These are actual "QSO's". I cherish every one of them.

S58N Slovenia

2011-11-11T12:36:00.000-08:00

Almost before I could turn off the rig, Mike (S58N) from Slovenia blasted into the room. I seem to be on a quick run this afternoon.

EC6AAE Balearic Islands Spain

2011-11-11T12:16:00.000-08:00

I had no intention of chasing DX this afternoon but Joe (EC6AAE) in the Balearic Islands, on the far side of Spain, was just booming in on the east coast. Joe is in the town of Pollensa, on the northern tip of one of the big islands. I sent a confirmation e-qsl card with the hopes of receiving his in a few days.

The Czech Republic and the Netherlands---Portable From the Field

2011-11-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

As expected, I made a couple of nice contacts today when I drove out of the valley and into the mountains with my QRP rig, a good battery and several antennas in the trunk. The Hawks Nest State Park is about an hours drive from home and as an additional pleasure, my 91 year old father came along for the ride.

I was able to get the G5RV antenna into the air with just a couple of quick shots from my slingshot and then I was "on the air". The last time I used this antenna was on a "beach trip" to the outer banks of North Carolina which was several years ago. I've had it a long time and bought it because its a "multi band" antenna.

I had trouble with it today. It wouldn't tune up properly and my standing wave was terrible on a several bands. At best, I could put 3 watts into it without having severe problems. Today might be the last time I use this antenna. I think the problem is "cheap wire". It's very brittle, difficult to work with and difficult to erect without "pinching" the wire. I think there's a "break" somewhere and will have to look closely at it later this week.

For my money, I just don't think you can beat my PAR antenna which is cut for 40-20 and 10 meters.

My first good contact was with Wolfgang (OK1IWS) in the Czech Republic. There's a picture above of their rail system. Sure wish we had something like that here in West Virginia. About an hour later, I worked Ton PA1CC in Tilburg, the Netherlands.

I hate the stiff difficult wire that's used in my G5RV antenna. I probably will not take it along on the next field outing. I've learned something today. For me, it's best to stay with a dedicated band antenna. I was happy to be outside operating today. I could have worked many US stations today but searched for the good DX catches. Although I've worked the Czech Republic several times earlier, today was only the second time I've worked the Netherlands.

My father enjoyed sitting in the sunshine and listening to the obvious Spanish, French, German, and even Australian accents. He finds it fascinating that I can carry on a conversation with many of these people with 10 watts of power, sitting in a park, using a car battery, and using such a small radio.

I'll always take my PAR antenna along on future trips but will use a dedicated dipole for 30 and 15 meters.

N8F Special Event and The "Edmund Fitzgerald"

2011-11-04T14:55:00.000-07:00

The 20 meter band was absolutely dismal this afternoon but I managed to work this Special Event Station on the Great Lakes. (N8F) was actually W8VS working SSB from the Great Lakes Ship Museum. I've always liked worked "Special Event Stations", and especially ships, (obviously not this one) so I dusted off the microphone.

The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was a modern day tragedy when it sank in a winter storm on Nov 10th, 1975 with the loss of all shipmates. It went down quickly. The cause is still unknown but theories suggest hitting a reef, being pounded by a "rogue wave", or faulty hatch covers. The wreckage was found in about 530 ft of water. It's sitting on the bottom of the lake in two large pieces. The ships bell was recovered on July 4th, 1995.

I've been watching the DX clusters this afternoon and see lot's of activity on 15 and 10 meters. The weather is supposed to be fair tomorrow. I plan to drive out of the valley and set up my G5RV antenna. I should be on the air around 18:00 GMT.

The only other station I worked today was AK9A near Madison Wisconsin. He was QRP but only a short distance in 20 meter terms. Hopefully tomorrow, on either 15 or 10 meters, I'll be able to jump across the pond.

OK7FL Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic

2011-11-02T12:46:00.000-07:00

A New York station just finished a QSO with this station and I was lucky enough for OK7FL in Mlada Boleslav of the Czech Republic to hear me on the same frequency. (14.026)

This is one of the riches cities in the Czech Republic due to a large automobile factory. Skoda is a Volkwagen Group Subsidiary and sold 762,500 automobiles worldwide in the year 2010.

Vasek usually QSL's via E-QSL so hope to have a return card soon. Although the solar flux numbers don't look that encouraging, I kept hearing LX1NO in Luxembourg yesterday but couldn't work him.

DL4KCA Germany..again

2011-11-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I worked Joe (DL4KCA) for the third time this year. I was using 4 watts again and he had a good copy on me. (549) . Joe always surprises me by asking if I'm still using my QRP rig to make the contact. He says "Hello John in Charleston, WV". Since I don't usually have my "net book" in front of me, it startles me a bit. hihi The call sounded familiar, but I'm never sure when I work a station in Germany. Today was my 15th German contact. Yesterday, Joe was my 116th DX contact.

Joe (DL4KCA) and I exchanged weather reports and talked for a moment about my radio blog. It seems that he reads it regularly. It was great to hear him again and I look forward to more contacts when the band is up. He had an excellent signal here, 350 miles inland from the coastline of the USA. I would have considered him a local if not for the DL in the call. Yesterday he was 579 into West Virginia.

I'm not sure about his power level but he uses a G5RV for an antenna.

I've not been on the radio a lot lately, (at least 20 meters) I've been chatting on 40 meters again. I find most 20 meter contacts very brief. (usually a name and signal report). Contacts like Joe are rare on 20 meters. With the exception of OK1KW in the Czech Republic, most don't take the time to say hello. It's a real pleasure to work a DX station like these, who take a few minutes to chat.

I can understand the difficulty of working a 5 watts station at 4000 + miles. But it sure makes it fun for me.

LZ1MS Sofia Bulgaria

2011-10-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

I was amazed this afternoon when I heard this station (LZ1MS) calling (and answering) many CQ's on 14.028 MHz. I thought he was local with a 579 signal.

As I listened, I soon realized he was in Bulgaria, had an excellent fist, and enjoyed his conversations. As he finished a long QSO, and asked for another station, I was surprised when he answered my call almost immediately.

During the chat, I mentioned my 5 watt QRP signal and he asked for my antenna. I sent "Indoor Isotron" and he repeated it back to me to confirm. I think he was surprised. For those unfamiliar with an Isotron antenna, my 20 meter antenna is about the length of a roll of paper towels.

He's very well known in Bulgaria. He is a professor of Economics and International Business at the University of National and World Economy. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, a past member of Parliament and past Chairman of the Commission on Sustainable Development. UN.

Ramen (LZ1MS) was running a kilowatt into a six element beam up about 75 feet.He had the best signal I've ever heard from distance of over 5,000 miles. He is my fourth contact in Bulgaria, and qualifies for another "thousand miles per watt award". (#13)

My other contacts have been LZ3YP, LZ2SO and LZ2B.

He's also my 115th DX QRP Contact.

RA1AL Saint Petersburg Russia

2011-10-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

The contact this afternoon brought back a lot of memories for me. This was a difficult contact but, after several attempts, Max (RA1AL) in Saint Petersburg Russia, pulled me out of the noise.

Several years ago, my wife and I cruised down the Volga River from Moscow to Saint Petersburg. While in Moscow, we spent a couple of nights in a hospital. For both of us, it was an "eye opener" as far as health care is concerned. I have to honest about this and give credit where credit is due. I don't want to get into details but.... those in this country who believe we have the best medicine in the world are kidding themselves. We received better medical care at the hospital in Moscow than I've ever had in this country. And it was much less expensive.

We cruised into Saint Petersburg in an air foil like this one:

The trip to Russia was very interesting. It's citizens have lived a very difficult life and overcome some major political and economic problems. I'm glad to see their lives are improving now. The Russians have an interesting custom when they marry. They attach a padlock to bridges over the local canals. The bride and groom both have keys to the lock. If life continues to be good for both of them, the lock stays.

If you pass the bridge on your walk home from work, and the lock is gone, expect your bags to be on the porch.

9A7R Croatia

2011-10-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

Mystery solved, thanks to the QRP Spots Cluster. Just after working the Ukraine station yesterday, I worked this station in Croatia but could not, for the life of me, get this call sign correct. I posted what I thought I heard (9AZR) with the hopes that others could work him. Fortunately, N4BP figured it out.

Sometimes my brain just won't distinguish an extra "dot" in a high speed exchange. I listened very carefully and still could not hear the difference between Z and 7. Sometimes even posting the wrong call on a cluster can lead to a good thing. Yesterday was my third contact in Croatia.

UR3HC Ukraine

2011-10-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

I had just finished a short range QSO on 40 meters with a fellow who said 10 meter SSB was open today. Although I don't have a 10 meter antenna at home, I was able to work this fellow (UR3HC) in Kremenchug, Ukraine with my 20 meter antenna. It felt good to work him this early in the afternoon. Most of my DX contacts have been around sunset. A few watts CW goes a long way. In this case 5,023 miles. Today makes my third contact in the Ukraine. The two previous contacts were UW5ZM and UR5ZVP.

Interesting picture here....I'm sure there is a long story behind it.

The New River Gorge

2011-10-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

Our Anniversary is this upcoming Oct 11th, the weather was beautiful today, so my wife and I decided to head into the mountains to enjoy a day in the New River Gorge. The New River (one of the oldest in the US) is below this canyon rim, and is about 700 feet below us. This place has special memories for us because we took our first hike here.

As you can see from the above picture, this is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It's a quite place although there are railroad tracks on both sides of the gorge. It actually adds to the nostalgia when they lumber along the river with hundreds of coal cars destined for the big cities.

There's always a cool breeze rising along the face of the rock cliffs and we gaze for hours at the hawks soaring along the edge of the massive rocks. We often take a spotting scope with us to watch the birds, watch the rafts and kayaks traverse the white water rapids, or observe the rock climbers in this area.

I don't take a radio with me when we hike in this part of the gorge. This is a place of peace and harmony, where, if you're silent and able to listen, you can hear all the important things in life speak to you.

Marilyn and I always enjoy our time here. With our anniversary rapidly approaching, we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the day.

Train Wreck

2011-10-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

I've been very busy attending family gatherings the last few weeks. Most of the of the time has been "on the road" between West Virginia, Philadelphia, New York, and Cincinnati. Families are an important part of life and I've enjoyed the time with the relatives. Among the several events I've attended were two nice weddings. Hopefully, I'll return to my radio routine (especially at sunrise and sunset) and make some more DX contacts.

Today, I'm "out on the bike", trying to take advantage of a really nice sunny day and getting used to a new set of tires. I've had an unusually bad spell with "flats" this season, and purchased tires with "Kevlar" to eliminate this problem. These tires are extremely durable and should "wear like iron". In essence, they should be almost "bullet proof".

As I rode over the bridge towards the railroad that runs the length of the valley, I came onto an unexpected coal train derailment. Wow.....what a mess. There's probably a dozen coal cars scattered along this road. A few of them, if not stopped by a few large trees, would have ended up in the yards (or houses) of those living next to the railroad.

I'm glad these new tires are on the bike. They’re being tested as I ride through the spilled coal, the heavy equipment, and the debris in the road.

Brazil PT7ZT

2011-09-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

Despite good propagation this evening, I wasn't hearing anything on the CW portion of the band. A quick look on the DX Cluster quickly showed this station in Eusebio, Brazil using the SSB mode. Carlos (PT7ZT) was working many stations in the US but I was hearing very few. I did however, hear him quite plainly when he said those magic words "QRP only--QRP only".

I don't hear this very often, so I was very happy when he returned my call sign on my first attempt. John in West Virginia your 5x7 into Brazil.

Thank you Carlos for taking the time to listen for the small guys running QRP.

A Slow (QRP) Boat Heading Home

2011-09-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

I got these two "cards" from the E-QSL site this afternoon. As you can see, this was another 2xQRP contact. I worked this station back in May, while Oleg (UR5FA/MM) was steaming from South America to the Ukraine. (see previous post)

I felt incredibly lucky to work him "twice" (within two different days) while in the same approximate area. (Grid square GK 57 and GK 91). The black square is where his Yeasu FT-817 ND @ 5 watts with a long wire stretched among the rigging.

This is a regularly scheduled "trip" which he makes between the Ukraine and South America. I'm sure someone will "spot" him on the DX Clusters when he's within QRP range of North America.(on his next trip) I was VERY happy to get these cards today. I sent him one of my "custom" cards in return.

A Coast to Coast QRP Contact

2011-09-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

Now THIS....is the way to operate QRP !!

This evening I worked KE7LKW in White Salmon Washington. (the state) I'm not sure Stewart was in this exact mode but definitely QRP. He was VERY difficult to copy, but finally got it on the high peaks after several attempts. 2xQRP contacts like this is what it's all about.....
Stewart is NAQCC member # 1975.

Here's a picture of his camping friend:

From a "follow-up" e-mail I sent....Stewart was using a K3, 5 watts, and a dipole! Elevation of a little over 700 feet! A great contact in my book....

YV5HUJ Venezuela

2011-09-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

I've been away again, for about a week, so this evening when I scanned the 20 meter band, I was happy to work YV5HUJ in Caracas, Venezuela. Although only a few thousand miles distance, I'm always happy to work another station in South America.

BTW/ this call is a nightmare for CW......really tuff for me to get it right but was finally successful after several attempts. Here's a view of the downtown section of Caracas:

Edwin (YV5HUJ) does a lot of QRP but this evening he was using about 90 watts. He is a member of the North American CW QRP Club (NAQCC) of which I am also a member. Edwin is NAQCC # 4881. On a follow up e-mail, he said that he was hearing me quite clearly with my 5 watts of power.

CT1BQH Portugal

2011-08-31T17:05:00.000-07:00

Another DX station this evening. Carlos (CT1BQH) was finishing a QSO with another station and I decided to try my luck again. Another congratulations from him about my QRP status as he was running about 90 watts. Carlos was sending much faster than I'm comfortable with, but slowed it down enough for a short conversation. I really appreciated this.....

SM7ZDI Sweden

2011-08-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

It was a real joy to work Vic (SM7ZDI) in Sweden this afternoon. We actually took a few minutes to chat. He congratulated my on my indoor Isotron antenna and my 5 watts of power. Vic is running 250 watts into a Windom antenna. (which by the way, is an excellent antenna for DX).

I've desperately tried to work YU2VZ (I've worked him before) He can tell I'm there but can't pull me out of the noise. I'm persistent tho....He's on the same frequency, at the same time, every evening looking for SKCC #'s. I just can't give up on trying again.

Hurricanes and Earthquakes

2011-08-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

I feel fortunate that the Kanawha Valley is nearly 350 miles inland from the Eastern Coast. This morning as I watch the news channel, I see the winds and water surge in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Virginia Beach. The hurricane is expected to directly hit New York City.

We have friends and relatives (a lot in the New York area) who are facing a disaster unlike any other in the last three decades. Never, has the transportation system been closed in New York City. They expect major flooding in the low areas of the city.

We actually felt the tremors of an earthquake a few days ago here in the valley. Personally, I wasn't aware of anything, but walking out of the local shopping mall, there were hundreds of people in the street, who as a precaution, were forced outside until buildings could be checked for damage.

Not much happening here on the radio the last week. I've heard DX but my focus is back on the 40 meter band. My pleasure is from working a "good fist", not a long distance contact.

Recently, I worked this "lighthouse" station. (VE3RAM/LT) Unfortunately, they're right in the path of the upcoming hurricane.

CT9/IZ2DPX Madeira Island

2011-08-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

I easily worked this island, due to a contest happening this weekend. The Italian call isn't significant. It's the location that's important to me. This is my first CT9 call and another new DX entity (45) for my log book. This island is known for it's wine....

ZF1DJ Cayman Islands

2011-08-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

The last several weeks I've been cruising around Germany on the Danube and Rhine Rivers. It was an interesting trip which brought back memories (of earlier days) hauling coal on small boats here in West Virginia.

We traveled almost a thousand miles and passed through many sets of locks from Vienna to Amsterdam. Some of them were difficult to traverse, and sometimes, it was difficult to pass another boat on the narrow canals that linked these two rivers.

I've missed the radio the last few weeks so this afternoon, I immediately tuned into the 20 meter QRP frequency where I heard a strong Cayman Islands station (ZF1DJ).

I was able to work him with 5 watts.

It feels good to be back on the air.

My favorite city along the route was Amsterdam. They really know how to enjoy life there!

KPH- Marine Morse Station

2011-07-15T06:02:00.000-07:00

The link below is to an interesting article from the "New York Times". It's a story about a radio station (KPH) built by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). It was famous for always signing off with the following statement.

"We wish you fair winds and following seas".

The story is about "Morse Code"...

Here's the link: For a Night Each Year, the Airwaves Buzz With Morse Code - NYTimes.com

Well worth reading, I particularly like the statement " “You had to think of it as a rhythm,” “You had to kind of be a musician.” as a description of Morse Code.

N4S Special Event Station

2011-07-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

I worked N4S this morning on the SSB portion of 20 meters. (14.280) Sadly, this is the LAST launch of this spacecraft but all is not lost. The International Space Station is still in the sky, and will continue to be for many years. Unfortunately (most people say) our focus has changed.

I enjoy watching the "International Space Station" as it crosses the early evening, or early morning sky here in the valley. Sometimes it's as bright as the landing lights on a normal "jet" as they approach our airport. It's easily seen with the naked eye and a simple "scanner" is all that's needed to hear communications for a brief moment. But it's a short "window" since it's moving about 17,000 mph.

When I first got into the hobby, I used a "portable packet" station for hiking on the Appalachian Trail. When the Russian MIR space station was in the sky, I dropped a letter in it's "mail box" while sitting in a "cow pasture" near Charleston. I did it with a handi-talkie and a small three element beam. A short story about that was published in the local newspaper. (front page). I also wrote a short story for the ARRL about the event.

I've been hearing this "special event station" for several days but in the evenings, there's an enormous "pile up" for the contact. This morning, I worked it (N4S) on the third attempt with 10 watts.

I'll miss not seeing our "space shuttle" in the sky but I'll still watch for the "International Space Station", hopefully, for many more years. There's a link on this blog for "Heavens-Above". You can set up your QTH to see it's "visible passes" from your city.

If you're lucky, you will also "hear" it by tuning into the VHF frequency.

PR2B Brazil

2011-07-10T18:54:00.001-07:00

Last but not least PR2B was a new country also, and # 104 in the log book. I'll be gathering my information for the DXCC award now. It may take awhile but just knowing I have finally worked over 100 DX contacts with an 18" antenna and QRP power makes me happy.

E7HQ Bosnia-Herzegovina

2011-07-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

Another new country for me....this station was difficult to work and a rare contact. E7HQ was # 103 in the logbook. At 5,870 miles, I think this is my most distant contact.

EF8HQ The Canary Islands

2011-07-10T18:53:00.000-07:00

I've worked the Canary Islands several times this year but last night this station became #102 in the log book. I worked a QRP operator from here a few weeks ago that was using a random wire from a hotel balcony. Last night the signal was much stronger...

ZF1A Cayman Islands

2011-07-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evenings DX contacts started with CE4CT in Chili but it didn't take me much longer to hear (and work) this VERY strong station (ZF1A) in the Cayman Islands. This island is famous for its "banks". I'm probably exaggerating a bit when I say there's nearly a "bank" for every citizen that lives here. But not much....and that's all I have to say about that.

CE4CT Chili-- My 100th QRP DX Contact!

2011-07-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

My 100th QRP DX Contact!

A toast of fine red Chilean wine for the occasion!

It was quite by accident that I happened to tune into the 20 meter SSB band so late in the evening. (01:15z) But last night, I worked FIVE new DX stations!

I was totally unaware of the "IARU HF World Championships" contest. I don't participate in many of these because I'm limited to 10 watts and don't have "filters" installed in my radio. I also don't pick up the microphone very often. This was like shooting fish in a barrel but a fish, is a fish, is a fish, when it comes to DX Stations right now. I've been terrified at the latest "dismal propagation forecasts" about the solar cycle.

CE4CT was my first contact in South America and my farthest southern station last night. I was amazed at his signal strength from a distance over 5,000 miles. It took several tries but I eventually worked him.

This is a milestone for me.

The vast majority of my DXCC efforts started to materialize just this year. These five new DX stations now leave my total at 104. While I would have preferred CW contacts, I felt like NOW was the time to act.

I'll post about the other four contacts later. One in Brazil, one in the Cayman Islands, one in the Canary Islands, and the other in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Last night was a VERY good night!

LZ3YP Bulgaria

2011-07-08T16:36:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing a few DX stations the last several days but haven't been able to work them. This evening I heard LZ3YP in Bulgaria (all by herself) on 14.053. I was ecstatic to work another "1000 MPW" station at 5,126 miles with my 5 watts of power. Ana was nice enough to repeat her call sign for me, to make sure I had it correctly. I was careful to put the / QRP at the end of my exchange.

My goal of 100 DX contacts is very close now. This is my third contact in Bulgaria. I also have LZ2BE and LZ2SO in the log book. These have been my most distant contacts on 20 meters. I'm proud of all three of them.

Ana (LZ3YP) is DX contact number 99......just one more to go.

I hope this weekend will complete my quest.

YT9M Serbia

2011-07-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

This was a VERY difficult contact as he was hearing me much better than I was hearing him. I asked him to repeat his call several times but I kept missing it. I was hearing YE0M, which I couldn't find ANYWHERE in the books.

I find myself pushing the envelope with many "fast" code operators. Just a small lapse in concentration and an E becomes a T and a 0 becomes a 9. It took me several times to distinguish the "T" and the number "9".

Maybe I'm just getting older (and the ears aren't what they used to be) but sometimes I find myself not able to distinguish "dots and dashes" correctly at high speed. On my keyer, (to allow for this) I have the length for the dashes set a little longer than normal and find this to be useful when above the 20 wpm speed.

YT9M is just short of 5,000 miles and another good catch.

E-mail from Panama

2011-07-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I worked this station in Panama City. Sergio (HP1/IZ6BRN) sent me a nice note from his work site near the Panama Canal. Panama is a "rare" contact and I feel fortunate to have added him to my log book. In his e-mail, Sergio says he is going to be there for a couple of years working on the upgrade to the canal.

With his permission, I thought I would share this e-mail with the readers of this blog with the hope that others can work him. He's using a 10 element multi-band antenna. When I worked him a few days ago, he was 599 here on the east coast.

Hi John, here is Sergio HP1/IZ6BRN. I am very sorry that I just exchange the report with you during our QSO and moved to another station. I am novice in CW and still I am not ready to support a full QSO. And also as Panama is quite rare in CW I always suffering some noise due to the pile up. By the way, I try to do my best, even with short QSO, to be active in all band giving as much confirmation is possible using LOTW.I think I will stay here in Panama for the next couple of years (I am working in the construction of the new Canal). My equipment is a Yaesu FT2000D and antenna is Optibeam OBW10-5 (10 elements – 5 bands)Hope to heard you soon again I send you my best 73Sergio HP1/IZ6BRN

IK2HDF Italy

2011-07-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

I worked three stations yesterday but can only confirm this one (IK2HDF) from Italy.

There were several "special event stations" on the air. I've looked everywhere for K4F in Tennessee but can't find it anywhere on the web. The other confusing station is DL4IAC, which should be in Germany. Perhaps it's DL3IAC but will have to wait on an e-mail with the hopes that I missed a critical "dot".

There's some strong Mexican stations on the air today but they're running 1500 watts into a beam. I don't feel that bad not being able to work them with QRP power.

K6JSS/8 WV

2011-06-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

No DX today but it's always nice to work another QRP station, especially when it's one in my home state of West Virginia. I've worked several of these event stations and have recently joined this QRP club. I'm looking forward to the quarterly magazine which comes with the membership.

The operator this evening was KD8G who is located in Washington, West Virginia. He's located close to my sisters place in Parkersburg WV. We were both using 5 watts of power.

HP1/IZ6BRN Panama City

2011-06-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

I never expected to work another DX Station today. I didn't think the band was there. I was only hearing very weak stations in Spain, but Sergio (HP1/IZ6BRN) nearly burst my eardrums when I tuned to the 14.061 QRP frequency just after dinner. We both exchanged 599 reports and he quickly moved on to more stations.

I rarely get into South America but he obviously was pointed right at me. Panama is a completely new (radio) country for me but working this station brought back some old memories.

This is the bridge spanning North and South America. I can still clearly remember sailing under it 43 years ago. I was barely 20 years old and had absolutely no concept of life or the real world. Some people say "life is like a box of chocolates, 'ya never know what 'ya 'gona get".

I wish I could live that part of life again but in a different way.

DL4KCA Germany

2011-06-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

I was busy most of the day with activities here in Charleston, (not ham radio related) but when I returned early this afternoon, and tuned across the bands, I heard (for the second time this week) YU2VZ in Serbia. Without success (again) I was about to pull the plug.

With the field day activities, it's nearly useless for me to compete with hundreds of stations with a five watt signal and an indoor antenna. The Serbian station was VERY weak this afternoon, and I desperately powered up to my maximum 10 watts. Just wasn't meant to be....

When I tuned down a few kc's, this fellow in Germany (DL4KCA) was nearly 599 into the valley. My immediate response was to quickly give it a shot at current power levels, but with my past success with less than 5 watts, I took the extra time to reduce to 4 watts.

Joe (DL4KCA) immediately answered my call....

Not only did he answer, but he said "hello John, nice to hear you again. We worked last April 6th and UR 349 this evening. Are you still QRP?" (the April contact was 539)

I was flabbergasted at this....

I answered yes/ QRP at 4 watts this time. Nice to hear you FB QSL and my antenna indoor Isotron. I must have sent three or four TU's FB TNX Joe. I remember working you too. GE and TNX agn.

I doesn't get any better than this.

Joe is DX contact #95 and another "1000 MPW" at 4,165 miles.

Field Day 2011

2011-06-26T05:22:00.000-07:00

I liked this new card (on the web) from the ARRL station in Newington CT, so I made a special effort to work them today. I was lucky to work them with 10 watts using battery power.

EA4FLY Spain

2011-06-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

An unusual catch this evening, EA4FLY was very weak and only audible for a couple of minutes. I was barely able to copy him, although he gave me a 549 report. This antenna is a mystery to me. (Anyone familiar with this one might let me know). Jose (EA4FLY) is from the small town on Pinto, near Madrid Spain. It's the home of the 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador.

This race is one of my favorites. I'm amazed that riders can cover such long distances, over various terrain, and at such fast speeds. It's just astounding to me.

Just as mysteriously as this Spanish station was to catch, I heard a very strong DF4FQ in Germany. He heard me but the band died so quickly I thought for a moment I had imagined it. No kidding....he was gone before I could answer.

I feel real good with this DX (#94) contact. It gives me hope again.

Poor Conditions

2011-06-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

Last nights NAQCC mw sprint produced NO results for me. Surprisingly, I could hear VE2ZAZ in Canada, K2ZC in New York, and AF4LB in Virginia but I couldn't make ANY contacts with less than 1 watt. Sometimes, the band just isn't there and last night was one of them.

As for DX....today seems to be another one, which I'm hearing very little activity on any band. Is this the beginning of the end? I'm about ready to rely on the phone lines for any long distance calls.

NAQCC 40 Meter CW Net

2011-06-19T19:35:00.000-07:00

The North American QRP CW Club has started their 40 meter nets for the summer season. Tonight I joined in on the fun. The net control operator was AF4LB near Yorktown, Va. It was especially interesting for me, since I once lived near Yorktown and worked at the Newport News shipyards. One of the many hats I've worn over the years was as a "turret lathe" operator making precision bolts and parts for ships and submarines.

I'll be checking into this net more often now. I enjoyed the format and listening to the other members on the net. Dan (AF4LB) did an excellent job and was able to copy and work all the stations. I received a 559 report with my 10 watts and indoor antenna. A Canadian station checked in (VE3FUJ) and another in Maine (K1IEE). Also on board was KA9VSF and AC8AP. There were several others but I didn't jot down the call signs. However, It was really interesting to look at the Bio's on the web as they talked with net control.
My little net book worked perfectly.

The reason I haven't been checking into the net before now is that I no longer have the 80 meter antenna. I don't care for 80 meters so I sold it last year. I've also sold off nearly all my old MFJ gear, a portable antenna and a TNC that I used to contact the Russian Space Station many years ago. I have some old 2 meter gear that is going soon also. I just don't use it anymore except for a little MW handi-talkie.

DX was totally dismal tonight....nothing on 20 meters at all. The worst I've heard in several days now. I mean...not even a peep anywhere....bummer.

I spent the earlier part of the day visiting with my son, at my daughter in laws parents home. Of course, the excuse was "fathers day" but I was surprised to find another musician there with two guitars. I don't have any pictures but it was a very nice time for both of us as we exchanged tunes with each other. He was a very good lead guitar player.

West Virginia is an amazing place for music...it's almost a state pastime where everyone seems to pick and grin.

EG8LP Canary Islands

2011-06-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

"The Amateur Radio Union of Las Palmas has the honor to provide assistance to the City of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the promotion to radio amateurs around the world. This is why this partnership works with the spread of the Application for European Cultural City 2016 with the special callsign EG8LP."

EG8LP is a special event station in the Canary Islands and the only station I heard on the entire band this evening. (other than W1AW) ...but I was able to work him! There's a very interesting "video" (captions in English) explaining the celebration of this European City Cultural Event via their website. You should take the time to view it by "cutting and pasting" the call sign (EG8LP) into the search engine of the QRZ.com website. It's very interesting, and hopefully, a vision of the future for us.

I did something rare for me this evening. I confirmed the call sign through a DX Cluster, and somehow, I don't feel the sense of accomplishment, which I normally have when making a DX contact. Although I coped the call correctly (he was sending very fast), and I returned my call at better than 20 wpm, I find the excitement of chasing DX diminished when watching "DX" scroll down the long list on the cluster. Seeing the calls and the spotters, for me at least, takes the challenge out of working DX.

I have a fear of the bands "going to pot" since reading about the latest sunspot forecasts. (pretty dismal) Tonight's contact makes number 93 for me and the thought of a dismal ending of DX'ing (without making my goal of 100 contacts) is a bit too much to bear.

Still, the DX Cluster makes it almost "to easy" and I don't plan to rely on it anymore.

OK1KW CZECH REPUBLIC

2011-06-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

Wow....speaking of drooling.

I hear Milan (OK1KW) just about every evening on 14.058. He's always calling CQ Fists. Earlier today (mentioned in previous entry) I heard him, but never thought I'd get another shot at him until the band changes.

Spent the early evening having dinner with my Son and Daughter in law, took a nice walk afterwards, returned home, turned the radio back to the fists frequency, and what did I hear?

He was 599 into good old West Virginia! The best I've ever heard him!

I was ecstatic with a 449 report with my 4 watts into the Czech Republic! ---4,488 miles.

We all know what that means.....

GM0UDL SCOTLAND

2011-06-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

I liked this picture so much that I decided to show it for my contact today. But you can be sure that Andrew (GM0UDL) wasn't in the field. My QRP station was a difficult contact for him today from Northern Scotland. He has a magnificent array of antennas showing on the QRZ.com site.

He was my only shot across the Atlantic for several days now. The band is just terrible....

I almost drool when I hear OK1KW (Czech Republic) calling CQ every evening, but know he will never hear me under these conditions. I had a copy also on DJ9IE in Germany with the same results.

Because of the poor band conditions, I was overjoyed to make this QSO. I really needed it. Psychologically ....these last few DX contacts have me really keyed up.

Solar Cycle Bad News

2011-06-15T06:05:00.000-07:00

There's unbelievable bad news circulating the web about the upcoming (or not upcoming) next solar cycle. I first saw it on W2LJ's blog, and since, several others now.

You can read it here: What's down with the Sun? Major drop in solar activity predicted

To say the least, it's depressing!

I got into the hobby at the end of the last solar cycle. I've never experienced really GOOD DX, but I'm very close to my 100th QRP DX contact. I've noticed that last week, the bands just seemed to stop. In short, they've been terrible the last few days. I'm still hearing the occasional "big stations" on 20 meters, but they're too weak for me to work.

You can be sure I'll pull out all the plugs to get my next 10 DX contacts.

My normal operating procedures don't include a computer, but now (with this current "bad news" about the solar cycle) I plan to have a DX Cluster available at a moments notice. I'll have it right beside me with the hopes of increasing my chances for successfully completing my quest.

This new "bad news" is really depressing.

F6HKA FRANCE

2011-06-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

There was a horrendous storm brewing in the valley, but I wasn't overly concerned since my antenna is mounted on a painters pole, which is bungee corded to a bed post, in a spare room. (my station is VERY simple) Hihi The chances of me being struck by lightening in this situation isn't very likely. Maybe that's why I wasn't hearing a lot of stations on the air?

For that reason, I was very surprised to hear Bert (F6HKA) calling CQ WES from France.

I've previously worked Bert twice. (both with 5 watts) but today (I'm happy to say) the rig was set at 4 watts! Bert (F6HKA) is my 9th "1000 mile per watt" contact since his distance is 4,086 miles!

The difference in signal strength? My previous two contacts brought me 559 reports. Today Bert sent me 549! That's one "S" unit difference.... but what a thrill it is for my 90 DX contact!

We exchanged SKCC Numbers. He is # 6069 T

Just 10 more DX contacts until that magic #100 (which I've been looking for about 2 years now) .

N4EX/P - WA2USA SOTA

2011-06-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Photo from Wikipedia

Yesterday, I found N4EX/P participating in a special event with "Summits On The Air" He was transmitting from "Split Rock Mountain" (W2/GA-467) in upper New York state. It appears to be a "first time activation" according to the SOTA website. His partner (WA2USA) wasn't on the key at the time, but I have a common connection with him because of his affiliation with "WW2LST". If you look back on this blog, you will find me using the ships transmitter while it was docked on the Ohio River near my sisters home.

Living in West Virginia, mountains have a special appeal to me. From a radio operators perspective, mountains are the ultimate transmitting locations but I fear they are rapidly vanishing.

This video is a short explanation:

VA1CHP Nova Scotia

2011-06-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

No DX today but I'm having fun with the Maritime stations. This one (VA1CHP) is in Shad Bay, Nova Scotia. Immediately followed by VE1RGB in Wellington, NS. Might pick up a few more tomorrow but time to stop for the day now. I've tried to work VE2RCN twice but no go. It's been fun...

W1NLS Nantucket Lightship ARC

2011-06-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

I seem to be on a roll for Nautical stations today. You should look this one up on the QRZ.Com site (or cut and paste the call sign into the search engine on the right side my blog) to get all the specifics about this station. It's undoubtedly, one of the most famous lightships in the world. Millions of immigrants have depended on this lightship for critical navigation into America.

She was on the 20 QRP frequency of 14.060, A fine catch for me!

The ship is now moored in Boston Harbor.

Navy Contact K1USN

2011-06-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

I was happy to work this old Destroyer (DD-8) celebrating the "International Museum Ships" this morning. It jumped out at me when I heard the USN designation. (K1USN)

Here's a picture of the club building. It brings back a lot of memories for me. In the late '60's, I was a signalman on the USS Corry (DD-817). Speaking of that, I've been informed lately, that our ship was fortuitously sprayed with bug killer while we were in the middle of the Saigon River. I'm not going to dwell on that...

The Alabama QSO Party is also active today and I worked several of those stations. So far, I have KM4JA, N4JF and K4AB in the log book. Contesting isn't my thing, but I do like to work "Special Event Stations".

Earlier this morning, on 40 meters, I heard VE2RCN/ Warship but couldn't work him. Instead, I had a nice talk with another QRP station in Kentucky. (always the most fun for me)

Norm, (K4YKI/ QRP) had built his own K-1, many years ago, and we talked at length, about his station and antenna.

My New Vibroplex Square Racer

2011-06-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

I've been using this new key long enough now to get a "feeling" for it. My decision to buy it was due to two things.

First, was my desire for a quality "magnetic action" key.

Second, was my desire to have a "collectors item".

There was nothing "wrong" with my old Iambic paddle, but I was selling off a lot of my old "two meter" gear, and I had a few spare bucks in my pocket.

I've found this key (paddle) to be faster than my former "spring action" paddle. It's increased my comfort level by several words per minute. I think the "magnetic" action begs for speed...

I rarely send faster than 17 wpm, but in a DX pile up, I can comfortably attain speeds in the mid twenties now.

But...all that said, a "paddle" is still "just a paddle". (spring action or magnetic action).

The real reason I bought this paddle is because I wanted a stalwart American made key. The Vibroplex Square Racer fits this category. Here's a picture of the new "trademark label" for this company.

I'm proud to be the new owner of the Vibroplex Square Racer # 113442.

It's a well made "solid" precision key which I hope to use for many many years.

The Bike in Hot Weather

2011-06-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

I get plenty of exercise in the summer months, despite the HOT weather here in the valley. Most of my riding is done in the city limits, but occasionally, I get off the beaten path, a risk a ride into the country. Such was the case a few days ago when the temperature reached the mid 90's.

My ride ended at "Coonskin Park" which is near the landing strip for Yeager Airport. Taking the back roads allows me to avoid the busy highway which is the normal route into this area.

The round trip for this ride is about 20 miles. I had the "dog spray" in my pocket when I exited the city limits (this time) because I took a "bite" when I failed to be prepared for these critters last year. This years ride was uneventful, and I enjoyed myself while sitting around the swimming pool and golf course at the park.

On the return trip, I rewarded myself with "ice cream" from the local "Farmer Market" in downtown Charleston.

For those who find "signs" interesting, I like this one.

The Vandalia Gathering

2011-06-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

It was a busy time this weekend at the state capitol. I played a bit (not on the video) and had a good time wandering around the "Vandalia Gathering" This is a musical event featuring "old time music".

You can dance here too:

Sometimes it's fun to just watch people.

The temperature was in the sweltering 90's.

A Confusing Situation

2011-05-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

I found these websites by running a simple search on my call sign and discovered that some of my "blog pictures" are being used by at least two websites. I don't have a problem with anyone "sharing" my photos (free) but it seems to me, these are being commercially exploited.

Into The Trees Wallpapers @ Muzic-World.com :

Fonds d'écran de Rig 1 @ Musique-Monde :

I don't know whether to be angry, amused or both. I'm looking for answers....

S50XX Slovenia

2011-05-26T18:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it takes a few months for stations to upload log books in a big contest. Such was the case when I received this electronic card from E-QSL today. I worked him in the ARRL DX CW contest a while back. Always nice to get another DX contact...

Hope a few more come along!

DM8YL/SV2KBS/DR1A GERMANY

2011-05-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

Another 1000 mpw contact into Germany (DM8YL) this afternoon on 20 meters. I had the rig set at 4 watts when I worked this station at 4,122 miles. Victoria was send at 34 wpm and I thought that I might have missed the call. That's WAY too fast for me.

I know the title of this post is confusing, and in case you're wondering...No, she wasn't sending all those letters and numbers when I copied her. Here's the explanation...

Victoria was originally licensed as SV2KBS in Greece. She is an avid hiker and traveler. She worked my 4 watts from the Super Station DR1A in Germany.

As I feared I might have missed the call, I sent an e-mail to confirm the contact. She said I was weak, but perfectly readable. Copied all....name, RST and QTH. She also says:

Will be QRV this weekend with the DR1A crew for WPXCW as M/M. If u r on, give us a call !

Yes, I'll be listening but hope she slows it down a bit. Hihi
This evening she was using a keyboard for all the contacts. It was all I could do to reply at 21 WPM....she copied all correctly the very first time!

I say congratulations to her for hearing this weak 4 watt signal here in the valley.

Victoria (DM8YL) makes my 8th 1000 MPW contact!

An Odd Looking Tower

2011-05-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

While working WB9CTP this early evening, I did my customary inquiry into his home city of Bloomington, Illinois. (which I do quite often when I work any station)

I don't ever remember seeing a structure like this? It's actually called the TeleCourier Tower, and I would imagine, a tuff one to erect. Bloomington is home to State Farm Insurance company which employs a LOT of people here.

Ron spent many years in the Broadcast radio industry. He recently retired and is enjoying life very much now.

QRP DX Contacts

2011-05-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

I'm a new member of the ARCI club, so this was a treat to catch last night. Kevin (K6JSS/0) was transmitting from Iowa. He even mentioned me on "QRP Spots" since it was such a difficult contact for both of us.

Another QRP contact last night was a station in Kentville, Nova Scotia. (VE1QY). This was my fist contact with Barry but I work another station in Kingston Nova Scotia (VE1BA) quite regularly. (are these technically DX?)

Yesterday, my friend Dick (N2UGB) asked me about working DX QRP stations. It took me a few minutes to think about it. What I call a "true" QRP DX station is one using 5 watts or less, with a (most important) "simple wire antenna". Those are the ones which are truly amazing to me. To date, there's only been three. EA8/OK1DMP/QRP, and UR5FA/MM/QRP (twice). I've also worked a French station (F6DCD/ QRP) but he was using a Yagi antenna.

The EA8 station was using a long wire from the balcony of a resort in the Canary Islands, and the "marine mobile" station was using a windom antenna, near the coast of Brazil in South America.

Which brings me to my point.

What are my most exciting contacts?

Despite the joy of working DX stations at nearly 5,000 miles, (all the glory is in the receiver, amps, and antennas of those monster stations) I still get the ultimate thrill when I work another QRP station which is using a "simple wire antenna".

Of all my contacts (1,043) now, the 240 which are "QRP" are always my prized possessions. I do little "contests" because of the filters in my 703 (don't have any). But even if I did, the QRP contacts are always the best.

I continue to listen to the 20 meter QRP frequency (14.060) with the hopes of working more QRP stations. My immediate goal is to work 100 DX stations, (I'm at 84 now) but every time I hear a CQ on this frequency, I look forward to another 5 watt contact above all others.

EA3GHZ Spain

2011-05-24T16:53:00.000-07:00

Another quick one (EA3GHZ) this evening. Fantastic signal here on the east coast!

Working DX around sunset, has become quite common. I've also heard XE2MW (Mexico) and EA5UM in Spain. I'm getting close to my 100th DX contact now.

This is addictive....I look forward to every evening!

I got into the hobby at the end of the last solar cycle and never dreamed this would be so much fun.

OL100VP Special Event Station Czech Rebublic

2011-05-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy the last few days, it's been difficult to listen to the band, but I was able to work this "Special Event Station" celebrating 100 years of football this evening. The station (OL100VP) is in the Czech Republic.

This is one of the recent contacts I've made with my new Vibroplex Square Racer ,which I'm still getting to know. I like the feel of it. It's a solid key with a different action from my old "spring action" MFJ key. The magnetic draw is very quick and I find myself sending faster already. It begs me to send faster with it's sharp precise releases from the contact pegs.

It will still take me some time to maximize it's qualities but I like it more every time I make a contact.

There's a music festival at the state capitol next week. I will be picking and grinning for a bit. We have relatives coming in, so will not be much time for radio.

I've also been selling off some old radio gear which I don't use anymore. Several pieces have gone already and I plan to sell off much more. I still have both MFJ QRP rigs. (CW and SSB)

Another Nice QSL

2011-05-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

Started the morning with a nice 4 watt QSO with this fellow in Georgia. I like those "customized cards". They remind me of some good times I've had in this short life.

Here's a picture of my '70 model EKO guitar. It's been re-worked completely and plays like a new one. My specialty is sitting around a campfire, picking a few tunes, with good friends.

VE7YMM QRP BRITISH COLUMBIA

2011-05-19T18:09:00.000-07:00

When I can't work anything else on 20 meters, it seems I can always work a station on the west coast. Puzzling, but that's the way it is today. The bands not in good shape and I hear no DX.

I always can work Texas and Florida, (and most of the time) the state of Washington. This evening it was another QRP station just a little short of Vancouver BC. VE7YMM/ QRP was a my best catch today.

(Especially since he was only using 2 watts with his K2).

I bought myself a new toy this evening. It should arrive by Saturday afternoon. It makes me feel a little better about not getting to Dayton this year.

It's my first Vibroplex key.

I still don't feel comfortable sending or receiving much over 20 wpm....so I didn't buy the "standard bug".

My key is a magnetic action Iambic key called a "square racer".

I'm looking forward to using it.

Hiking in the New River Gorge

2011-05-18T15:54:00.000-07:00

The New River Gorge ( in West Virginia) has always been one of my favorite hiking areas, but a few years ago, “back problems” started to limit my excursions here. Several of the “discs” in my lower back are severely distorted. Sometimes I can hardly walk, but after lot’s of physical therapy, I can day hike (with light gear) and I can bicycle without too much difficulty.

When Marilyn and I decided to meet some fellow Sierra Club hikers in the gorge last weekend, I was pleased to discover a possible solution for this problem.

I’ve known about hiking with goats for some time by reading the WG0AT blog. They're excellent pack animals and have a pleasant personality. When our Sierra Club friends brought along this little five week old youngster, it was a welcome surprise.

As we hiked along the rim of the gorge, we met a group of rock climbers. In this picture, you can sense their excitement when they saw the little goat.

I’m convinced this future hiker (the goat) would become a perfect companion for future radio excursions.

Here's a picture of myself a few years ago when I was hiking in this part of the gorge. The "endless wall" is a three mile section of good climbing rock that's used by climbers from all over the world. The New River Gorge is also the best white water rafting area in the Eastern United States.

If I only owned a farm….

OK1KW CZECH REPUBLIC

2011-05-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

I was extremely excited to find OK1K1 on the 14.058 Fist frequency again this evening. (We've worked before). The really nice thing about this contact was that we took quite a few minutes to "chat". Exchanged info about rig and antennas, WX and the good unexpected propagation.

Both of us have Fists and Century Club numbers that we exchanged. Milan was very complimentary about my 5 watts and my antenna. This is one of the rare times I've had a chat with anyone almost 5,000 miles distance with good signals both ways.

This QSO really made my day!

EA5DD SPAIN

2011-05-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

Another contact in Spain this evening. EE5DA looks like an outdoors man. Transmitting from Alecante. Heard several England stations but couldn't work them. I see someone is the mid west worked UR5FA/MM on QRP Spots but I wasn't in the right place at the right time.

EA5AVL SPAIN

2011-05-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

Strange band conditions this evening but I managed to work Les (EA5AVL) near Madrid Spain. Very loud, although he was hearing me at 529. We actually took a minute to chat, as I listened to his 400 watts into a Quad antenna.

He congratulated me on my 5 watts and the indoor Isotron antenna.

I was very happy to hear my friend in New York (N2UGB) was able to work the slow freighter (UR5FA/MM) near Brazil and get a good signal report. It seems the ship will around South America for a few more days. There might be a chance for me to work him again, before he gets out of range.

(If you can work him QRP to QRP, it's a real hoot!)

I also worked two stations in the mid west today. One in Idaho (AB7VS) and the other (W5IQS) in Texas. Finished the evening working a Louisville Kentucky (AE4RV) but QRM shut me down. Sure wish I had bought those extra filters....

PB2JJ NETHERLANDS

2011-05-15T04:51:00.000-07:00

Strange happenings on the band yesterday. There's a lot of contesting this weekend, but I heard this guy sending CQ Test all in the clear, and hardly anyone making an effort to return his call. It took me many many times but finally made the connection.

UR5FA/MM QRP- a little closer to South America

2011-05-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

I was able to work this Marine Mobile QRP station again this evening. It's a slow moving ship now in grid square GK 90. Oleg (UR5FA/MM/QRP) is using a Yeasu FT 817 @ 5 watts with a Windom antenna. He's very weak but workable. His signal was a little better this evening but still heavy QSB and at best 229.

Evidently he hears me much better than I hear him. This evening the frequency was 14.060 @ 21:50z.

He's a fine catch....a little closer to South America tonight.

The Taste of Crow

2011-05-12T04:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterdays entry about the Ukraine QRP station (UR5FA/MM) has turned out to be false.

Late last night, after seeing an entry on another DX Cluster, I found the e-mail address of the strong 5 station (W5JAY) who worked this station just before me. Indeed (and I'm grateful he noted this on the cluster entry) UR5FA/MM was transmitting from grid square GK57 which is just above South America and about midway between it and Africa.

This explains (perfectly) why I was able to work him at a mere 2500 miles. It also explains why I've found only three entries for this station. Hihi

While a disappointment for me, I seem to be the most distant station to make the contact. Brazil was fairly close for him, one station was in the gulf coast, and another was in North Carolina.

I'm sure this QRP station will be an interesting contact for a few more fellows here in the United States as he steams towards Africa. He's worth listening for and will probably transmit again on the 14.060 frequency. I worked him at 22:25 GMT.

I think the ship is MV Anni S. It's listed on the E-QSL site as an alternate operating site.

This morning I'm having crow for breakfast.

UR5FA/MM QRP UKRAINE

2011-05-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

Back from the beach and on 20 meters again. Yes, I missed the radio and it's great to be back on the air.

I don't think I will EVER figure out propagation!

This afternoon the solar flux is 94, the A index is 5, and the K index is 1. I'm certainly not an expert on the index's, but it seems completely illogical that I've worked my BEST "1000 mile per watt" contact now.
(see following entry about this station)

This is a Marine Mobile QRP Station !

I've sent a follow up e-mail, along with an E-QSL confirmation, to this station operating from (what I thought was) Odessa in the Ukraine. I hope to find out what antenna he was using since I'm sure of his QRP status. I can't imagine anything but a "wire antenna" operating from a boat.

A few moments before I worked him, a heard a strong 5 station (here in the US) exchange info and when I checked the DX cluster, I discovered he worked another QRP station (PY4ZO) in Brazil about 15 minutes before me.

Oleg (UR5FA/MM) was hearing me fairly well but I had a VERY difficult time hearing him. He repeated his call many times until I finally repeated it back correctly. He really deserves "congratulations" on a job well done while waiting for the signal to peak just right.

Yesterday evening, I worked an Italian station (IT9NMJ) but not sure he copied everything correctly. Still a nice try at ONE mile short of another 1000 mpw.

I received a nice e-mail from F6DCD/ QRP (France) who I worked just before leaving for the beach.

He sez:

Hello John,
> Thanks for this info and the nice qso. Your signal was really solid & nice to copy here with the indoor ant & 4W ! I like qrp and the K2 is a super trx. My ant is not 2 él but 3 él/ 3 bands (FB33 - Fritzel) at 15m high (see photo).
> Wish you all the best + vy 73
>
> Denis F6DCD

I also worked the French station F5NBX again....seems anytime he points the antenna towards the east coast, I seem to work him.

Todays contact with the Ukraine station (UR5FA/MM) makes my 80th DX contact.

GB4SWF Scotland

2011-04-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

I imagine these boys (and gals) are having a grand 'ol time at the "Spirit of Speyside Whiskey Festival" in Scotland?

I would be, if I were there. Hihi

Early this afternoon I heard a very weak GB4SWF calling with the "Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society". It took me several attempts to hear the call correctly. I had trouble hearing the 'WF' and Bill had problems hearing my call. (correct at first but at last was N8ZYI).

By the way, I'm still at 4 watts.

I don't know how much he copied (after sending my RST and his QTH and his name) since the band changed suddenly, and he vanished into thin air. I sent an e-mail with the hopes of confirmation. The band is really crummy today. All the DX I'm hearing is there only for a brief moment.

Yesterday evening I heard HA8KW (in Hungary) several times but couldn't work him.

This is going to be my last entry for several days. I'm off to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I won't be taking the radio this year since there's not a lot of extra room in the new vehicle. Not complaining tho....we get almost 60 miles to the gallon on a nice flat trip like this. Around 37 mpg in town.

With gas at nearly $4.00 a gallon, I'm happy to just be going.

Fantastic DX Day (1000 MPW)

2011-04-27T17:39:00.000-07:00

The twenty meter band really opened up this afternoon and I've come to the realization, that when the band is open, I can easily work "across the pond" with four watts of power.

In the beginning, I worked CU2AK in Portugal with my normal five watts of power. I could tell the band was up, so I got brave, and lowered my power another watt to take advantage of the good conditions. The rest of the evening, I worked all my stations with 4 watts of power.

It wasn't long until I recognized a familiar French call F5NBX and he had no trouble hearing me. I was overjoyed when we exchanged the basics. Fred is at 4,103 miles distance from me. This guy has an incredible signal here on the east coast!

It wasn't long until I heard VE1BA/ QRP in Kingston, Nova Scotia calling, and we said a quick hello. (John and I have worked many many times with his 3 watts).

It wasn't long (after that) until I worked EA4TX in Spain. Paul is 4,030 miles with my 4 watts. (need I say more)

But my best contact was still yet to come....

On the 146.060 QRP frequency, I heard F6DCD/ qrp calling! It took a few minutes, to make sure our calls were correct, but we were finally able confirm his 4,262 mile QRP signal from France. Denis was using a 2 element Yagi.

The 2 x QRP was the most exciting for me.

I tried VERY hard to work RT5A in Moscow. Maybe next time? ...

Three More DX Stations

2011-04-23T17:34:00.000-07:00

I've been busy with some inside house painting this afternoon. I finished early and tuned into twenty meters but didn't hear a lot. I worked another QRP station in Vermont with an unusual call sign. I had to listen carefully as he sent KX9X/1 from Vermont.

It's always nice to work another QRP station.

Then I had a short QSO with W5ZR in St Martinville Louisiana. We exchanged SKCC numbers.

It was right after that I noticed some of the "big boys" knocking out stations "fast as a jack rabbit can run". They were sending VERY fast. Hihi

Two of the stations I worked this evening were causing large "pile ups" but I was hearing them clearly and despite the "blistering" speed they were sending, I was able to work them.

It took me several times before SP5S, (in Poland) returned my call, but he returned my call clearly (along with some more stuff that I couldn't copy). I still wonder how he heard me. I sent back 559 WV and John and he was off to the next station.

I was just recovering from the first exchange when, a few moments later, I heard a "blistering fast" station from Italy. (IK2CIO)

He was sending so fast that it took me (literally) a good 5 minutes before I was sure that I the call correct. When he answered my call, It was all I could do to respond fast enough not to embarrass myself. My gut feeling says he was at about 35 wpm. This contact was a real challenge but well worth the effort.

It was a welcome relief when I heard OK3AA sending at a slower pace which I could follow easily. Milan was in the Czech Republic and we actually took a minute to say hello. He asked me how much power I was running when I sent my /QRP on the end of my call. I responded with 5 watts and an indoor antenna. Hihi He also got a chuckle out of it. Milan was just 3 miles short of another 5,000 mile contact for me. (should have been at 4 watts. hihi)

That's three more DX stations this afternoon.

I'm glad I finished my painting. (I primed a window and will put the finishing coat on tomorrow) We had a tremendous storm this evening. It brought down some of the neighbors tree limbs on our property. No real damage, but I removed a small branch from the cable TV wire. I was afraid it would break the wire as it blew in the wind.

I might have worked a few more DX stations (if I had the perseverance) but I'm quite happy with these. The band was in very good shape again.

My 1000 th QSO in 2 Years

2011-04-22T21:44:00.000-07:00

Although I've been a Ham for a little over 15 years now, I wasn't "radio active" until I retired from the Paint store a few years ago. I've lived in apartment buildings most of my life, and setting up anything "permanent" has been a real problem. Most of those early years, I set up using a random wire, or "bungee corded" my antenna to an outside "stair" railing, on the weekends, when I had the time to operate.

Many times, I set it up and took it down within a few hours.

My log book didn't start (earnestly) until 2009 and I'm happy to say that I worked my 1000 th station yesterday. It was a casual QSO on 40 meters, and I didn't realize the number "1000" until I looked at the "categories" in the log book. I've worked a few contests...., but most of my QSO's have been actual "chats", with some of them being over an hour long. (It's not unusual for me to talk at least half and hour.)

I've used the Microsoft Outlook program as my log book and , for my needs, like it very much. I've created a number of "categories", so I can tell at a glance, who I've talked to, brief notes, countries, states, clubs and the years I've made the contacts. It's full of useful information, which I can sort in a number of different ways.

To date, I've now worked : 1004 contacts (99% CW), 369 FISTS members, 207 NAQCC members, 230 QRP stations, and 285 SKCC members.

But my most surprising log entries have been the DX contacts this year. Total is 71, but of those, 37 have been this year.

Yes...the bands are finally picking up!

The winning station (# 1000) was KC9KOJ in McHenery Illinois.

OH3RM FINLAND

2011-04-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

Been out riding the bike most of the day but tuned into 20 meters again this evening. I heard Marckus (OH3RM) calling CQ DX but he stopped, and in the clear space, I sent out my CQ. It's difficult for me to copy a DX station at around 25 wpm, but he immediately matched my speed and we exchanged the basics.

At about 17 wpm, I copied that he preferred the buro for QSL'ing. I said OK and he acknowledged my QRP status and wished me the best.

There's still plenty of sunshine this afternoon. I've had my DX fix for the day, so out again on the bike for more city riding before sunset.

Picture of the bike to come later:

SQ8MZW Poland

2011-04-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

Without a doubt, (SQ8MZW) the most difficult QSO I've made in a long time....but worth every minute of it! I listened carefully as he finished up another QSO and then sent my call sign.

This guy deserves an extra bonus for working this QRP station!

We must have sent a dozen repetitions before we both copied each others names, states and rigs. I really have to give credit where due for pulling my weak signal out of the air! My signal 339.....
I really don't know how he did it!

A few minutes earlier I heard CO2KK in Habana Cuba but still couldn't work him no matter how hard I tried.

F5NBX Neuzac France

2011-04-19T14:07:00.000-07:00

An absolutely astounding signal....... again!

Worked him twice this month.