Morning QSO on 40 Meters

This morning, waiting on bacon and eggs (just kidding) , I heard the sound of another familiar call sign!

Gary (N2ESE) and I have talked before but never this long a QSO. We discussed a variety of subjects revolving around the FISTS Club I've recently joined. I had to increase my power to the maximun 10 watts because of QSB but we chatted for almost an hour before calling it quits! Gary (N2ESE) lives in Stanhope, NJ and is FISTS # 12806.

I have his card in my BURO envelope now. I'll send it when I get another 6 or 7 contacts.

I told him about my faint 80 meter results and added the 20 meter band to those I can work from here. I can work three bands with my Isotron Antenna's (40-20-80) and just about ALL bands with the G5RV when operating in the field.

My friend Gari (K8KFJ) did a good job in the Straight Key Century Club (SKCC) contest last night. If I remember right, I think 13 QSO's in 11 states! I entered my results in the contest logbook and was amused at the QRP stations that made decent scores!

I wasn't very amused at my 2 contacts...but it was fun!
One of these days, I'll set up outdoors, in the woods, with the G5RV, and make a good score!

SKCC Sprint

I'm actually quite shocked that I worked a few stations on 80 meters tonight!

80 meters is my worst band and I hardly ever transmit there.....but the stations I've caught have been good ones.

Of course, all my contacts are at QRP levels, and tonight's SKCC Sprint was my first with this club. The goal is to make as many contacts as possible, in a 2 hour time frame, but Marilyn and I were at a retirement dinner for about half of the contest. I only worked the contest for about an hour but caught two stations.

When we returned home, I tuned around on the 40 meter band and I didn't hear much. In desperation, I listened on the 80 meter band and heard stations everywhere.

I heard KC2KY (Neil) in New York work my friend Gari (K8KFJ) here in the next town about 15 miles from me. What 'da heck, I'll give it a try! (Gari is my mentor, and the guy that keeps me motivated).

It took about 10 minutes to get his attention, but I finally heard my call repeated back and I sent my Name, State, and SKCC number. He returned with the same (I already knew it and had it written down in the log when he worked Gari).

About 10 minutes after that, I heard K4ZGB (Tom) in Alabama. WOW....was he strong!

I never expected him to hear me at this distance with 5 watts but he came right back when I sent N8 ?........ We exchanged the same Name, State and SKCC number and GL TU. (Good Heavens...what a pair or ears)!

It was all over in about 30 seconds but that's the way it works......quick, and on to the next station!

I sent my log into the club and imagine there are those who will chuckle about 2 contacts...

But I'm happy.....I'm not a real competitive contester. I don't do it with the expectations of a big score, I do it just for one reason.......it's fun to me!

I run all these with 5 watts and a simple indoor wire antenna.

72's

Jamboree on the Air

Scout Oath:

On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Law:

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty,brave, clean, and reverent.

I remember those words, not from my youth, but actually, my middle age years.

I was working on heavy equipment at that time and a few of my fellow workers were leaders of a Scout Troop in my town. It was natural for me to help out since we were all outdoors people.

It was especially rewarding to hear Scouts, (Boys and Girls) all over the world participate in a yearly Ham radio event called the "Jamboree on the Air" this weekend. It allows kids to talk to each other over Ham radio stations set up and sponsored by the Amateur Radio Relay League.

This weekend I heard a bunch of them excitedly chatting to all parts of the world with each other over the air waves. I even talked to a few of them myself.

Where did I first learn Morse Code?

I learned it from the Boy Scout Handbook, as a kid, although I wasn't able to join in the fun!

While in the Navy in the late 60's I re-discovered that I could still read Morse Code sent on the searchlights of other ships sending info back and forth between themselves.

When my shipmates discovered my talents, it's was a quick move to the Signal Bridge!

It's funny how simple things can develop into useful service to others in emergencies.
I hope some of those I heard this weekend do the same!

My Morning QSO

I quickly worked KM4VX in Willmington, NC this morning while waiting for breakfast. It's a morning ritual where I wait 30 minutes after taking my cholesterol pill. Hey....got to do something, and can't think of a better way to spend a little radio time! I like working the "coastal areas" and Willmington was a good catch this morning. (My RST 479)

I get down that neck of the woods, at least once a year, and it brings back good memories about radio etc. (I hear a lot of Carribean stations)

But I'm amazed at QRM at times.... It's not that some stations can't hear me, (and Ron had a good signal) but I think....some operators just don't take the time to listen for a few minutes. (no QRL or nothing, they just start sending)

We exchanged the "basic" call sign and QTH etc, and then were pounced upon. We cut it short because of interference and I went downstairs for "bacon and eggs"....

I'm just kidding here, can't eat much of that kind of stuff.....

My 6 month check up, with the VA a few days ago, was the best news I've had all year.
Cholesterol is a genetic thing with me. I eat healthy and exercise when ever possible. (My Sciatic nerve flares up sometimes). But my Cholesterol is usually sky high....

My check up this year was within guidelines! Unbelievable....it's taken 2 years to find the right combinations of medications.

I'm enjoying the low Cholesterol numbers now!

A Morning QRP x QRP QSO

I've worked Walt (WA9LT) before, but this morning it was especially nice to hear his QRP rig again from Geneseo Illinois.

Last night, just before turning in, I worked a Texas station at 1100 miles, but there's NOTHING like a QRP contact to start off the day!

QRP x QRP contacts are special!

I remembered Walt as soon as I heard the call. How can anyone forget a call like this?

WA9LT--Walt-- get it? The first time I worked him I had a hard time getting his name because of noise here in the middle of town. He came back to me with W A L T (without the 9).

He actually spelled the entire thing out to me.

I don't know how some Hams are lucky enough to get a call like this, but it's something you won't forget when you work them on the air!

Great FIST too !!

Nice spacing and a pleasure to listen to, especially first thing in the morning, in this cool foggy Kanawha Valley.

Nice to hear you again Walt !!

Long Texas QSO

Just what I needed to cheer me up a bit after the disastrous contest this weekend!

About 10 pm this evening I was tuning a little high of the Fists frequency (7062 Mhz) and heard a 5 call with pretty good signal strength. (449)

I always give these things a "shot" with the assumption that if I can hear a station, they can hear me. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.....

Wayne (W5WRF) in Argyle, Texas and I carried on a QSO for about half an hour. He was using a Kenwood at about 70 watts. I was, of course, operating with 5 watts. The band shifted slightly and I decided to use the max 10 watts because his signal dropped to a 229, but I copied 90% or more of the entire conversation by tweaking the knobs a bit.
Jim was 1100 miles from me here in West Virginia.
Oh.....by the way, my RST was 589!

I really needed that one!

A Bee Hive

I wasn’t able to make a single contact with the NAQCC contest this weekend. Of course, all the participants were running QRP (5 watts or less), which make it a little tuff, but, in the past, I’ve worked several QRP stations at 1000 miles.

The problem was a horrendous noise level at my QTH…. It was so bad I couldn’t hear a thing on 40 meters (where I make most of those contacts) and my antenna doesn’t function well on 80 meters.

I could hear many stations on 80 meters, but I don’t have extra filtering on my rig.
I was hearing the sound of a “bee hive” and that was about it.

The bands have been just horrible the last few days but I’ve managed to work at least a station a day this month (and there have been several days I’ve not been on the air). I'm having fun tho....and that's all that matters!

Fox Hunting season (on 40 meters) is about to open and I'll be looking forward to tanning a few hides! This month I’ve worked stations in MO, NY (2), NJ, TN, IN, IL (2), NC, and IA.

Today, I mailed out an envelope of QSL cards for FISTS members.
One of the stations (KB9VTM) had a nice picture of his shack on the web:

It was also a joy to work K2GTC (again) in New York City last week. I’ve worked him before and I travel to the “big city” several times a year. Most Hams are familiar with “Google Earth” program. I use it for hiking sometimes and, just out of curiosity, I looked up his QTH .

I’ve walked right by his place several times. The last time I was there, I recognized his apartment building from the "Google Earth" program. I’m not sure, but I thought I saw his "random wire" , blowing in the wind, from the 6th floor window.

You don’t hear many Hams in this neck of the woods!

The BURO's

Today, my pre-breakfast QSO was K0MAF in Windsor, Missouri. (At least a brief exchange of call signs and QTH) I had an important phone call, that interrupted things, and I left him hanging in mid air. I hate those things but sometimes it happens. I sent the standard AS and hoped he would be there when I returned, but the frequency was in use by another station. Jack was about 850 miles from me and I had a great signal on him!

The last few days have been really busy here. Our Anniversary was on Saturday (the 11th) and my wife and I spent the entire day together. We took a great to hike in the New River Gorge. (That’s where we first met). Sometimes when we go there, we stay all day and watch the sunset, but that evening we had dinner and listened to some VERY good music in Charleston.

I’ve worked several stations the last several days and I’m surprised at the number of them that are either FISTS members or SKCC members.

While working KA1OX , a few days ago, in Old Suybrook, CT, Wayne mentioned the FIST QSL BURO.

The “ Buros ”, as they are known, is a great idea that makes exchanging QSL cards more economical to members. It allows members to exchange six or seven cards with ONE envelope!

With today’s postage rates, this saves a lot of bucks!

Last night I addressed envelopes, to myself , to both organizations.

I’ll get those in the mail today!

The Sound of a "Straight Key"

My pre-breakfast QSO this morning was with KD0V in Minnesota. (I’ve also worked Merlin before) (Sept. 30th). He had a good copy on me (569) but I kept the power at my maximum 10 watts. (I usually reduce power when I get a reception report like this).

We exchanged the usual weather, rig specs, and antenna and then it was time for breakfast.

Merlin uses a Tentec Jupiter at 100 watts and a G5RV antenna. He lives about 750 miles from me in a small town a little south of St Paul, MN.

I love those Tentec rigs because the keying is so sharp. I can usually recognize one immediately when I hear the first “dot”. It’s an incredibly sharp, crisp, “chirp” that’s very distinctive.

The more I operate on the ham bands, the more I recognize different “tones”. Some home built QRP rigs have a sloppy “fuzzy” tone and they "drift" a little, when in a long QSO. Sometimes I hear a “keyboard” CW operator. They’re “typing” on a computer with a program that sends it on the air. I can’t really describe it in words but I recognize the sounds. It has a “mechanical” sound that’s “too perfect” for a normal operator to achieve.

I used “iambic paddles” for many years before I retired from the paint store. In a contest, an "exchange" can be in the neighborhood of about 20 wpm or faster. But I wouldn’t try to carry on a conversation at this speed. It's also discouraging to new operators....

I’ve found the most "enjoyable" CW mode is a “straight key” at about 13 wpm. I bought an imitation “Navy Training Key” several months ago, and rarely use the "paddles" anymore. I can tell quickly who is using the same type of key. There’s something special about the sound of a “straight key”. There’s a “personality” that comes across on the air with this type of key and it’s enjoyable to hear on the bands.

A few months ago, I removed the microphone from my rig. I’ll still use it occasionally (probably for DX on the 20 meter band) but I don’t miss it…..

Merlin (KD0V) is a member of the “Straight Key Century Club”, the “FISTS” Club and the North American QRP CW Club.

You can learn more about a "Straight Key" here:

SKCC

QRP x QRP Georgia

Every Ham has their specialty in the hobby and mine has always been portable equipment. So when I make a contact with another “portable” operator, it’s especially rewarding.

This morning, as I was waiting for breakfast, I tuned across the 40 meter band and put out my call (CQ) to any station.

(You never know what direction the band is leaning towards, and this morning it seemed the South. I have no idea why the band favors different directions, on different days, but I imagine there are those in the hobby that can explain this in great detail).

But I enjoy the mystery of never knowing what I’m going to catch when I throw my call out into the air. To me, it’s part of the magic of a radio signal.....

This morning as I exchanged my call and QTH with another station, I immediately recognized the home town of “Cartersville Georgia”. I talked to Jim last December, and at that time, I joked with him about the possibility of living in the same town as our past President “Jimmy Carter”.

This morning, Jim (AE4DT) was doing the same thing as I was doing, getting ready for breakfast. He was using a K2 and an 80 meter loop. And guess what…

He was running QRP at 3 watts!

My reception report was 579, so I immediately started reducing power. Just before we both quit, for bacon and eggs, we were both QSO'ing at 3 watts.

Jim and I are members of the North American QRP CW Club (NAQCC) which is especially devoted to “low power” operations.

Jim and I are also a members of the Straight Key Century Club. (SKCC)

He lives a few miles north of Atlanta and is about 350 miles from me.

Illinois Contacts

Today I made two contacts into Illinois. Something, when time permits, I try to do on a daily basis. This doesn’t happen every day, but more times than not, at least two on a good day.

I’ve worked as many as five when conditions were favorable.

A lot of hams don’t realize how effective a 5 watt signal can be with a “simple wire antenna” but I got excellent signal reports from both these stations which were about 500 miles from me.

On 40 meters, I like to hang around the FISTS frequency (7058 MHz) or the SKCC frequency (7055 MHz).

This morning I worked W9SJW in Freeport and just before dinner N9TMU in Jerseyville.

One ham on each frequency!

Both hams were FISTS members!

QRP from the Outer Banks of NC

My trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina last week was my second activity from the “edge of the pond” this year. (My first was from the New York City area where I worked Spain and Italy)

I was near the beach at Nags Head and operating from the balcony of a rental home.
I found it easy to work Puerto Rico (KP4DKE) and Cuba (CO8LY) with a simple wire antenna and 5 watts of power.

This was my first use of my G5RV antenna and I heard a lot of Spanish speaking stations in the Caribbean. Because of length restrictions, I couldn’t properly orient the antenna towards Europe and besides, 20 meters, was hardly active last week. (Sometimes it’s there…and sometimes it not) I had hoped for the Eastern-Western direction but with a solar flux in the low to mid 60’s, I was happy to work these two guys on 40 meters.

I also had a great QSO with fellow NAQCC member N1LT who was running 4 watts from his location in Laconia, New Hampshire. Despite those more distant contacts, QRP X QRP contacts are always the best and most challenging.

(This was my most prized catch on the sea)

In the mornings, I was able to check into the Navy Amateur Radio net on 7245. A lot of these guys are in the Georgia and Florida area, and with me running QRP, sometimes it’s difficult to do from West Virginia.

As I was sitting on the balcony, near my last day at the beach, exchanging the essentials with a station at Pocona Summit, PA (WB2KKI), the rain started to heavily fall. I had to break down the radio, key, and battery and run inside to dry ground.

I was able to break down, and reconnect everything, from inside, in about 10 minutes. I sent the call sign again and Mike answered immediately. We continued the QSO for almost half an hour laughing about QRP and the weather.

Then the tornado moved in…..

It crossed the inlet about 10 miles below us, without any damage.
I’m now glad to be back in the mountains.

I see no reason to ever run more than 5 watts QRP with a simple wire antenna.
The G5RV gave me the option of operating on all bands and the scenery outside was wonderful.

I much prefer my radio shack in the great outdoors!

SKCC Event

Just listening to the 40 meter band today, I've worked five different stations on 7055 Mhz. Not a contest...but nice to meet other SKCC members. All my contacts today have been nice QSO's with my 10 watts and an indoor Isotron antenna.

I worked one station in Tennessee that would have been a possible QRPp contact if not for the other party leaving for work. (I'm glad I'm retired now and enjoying the radio). I received a 599 report (both ways) and an e-mail confirmation suggested our next QSO possibly with 500 mw.

I worked an "Outer Banks" island station with a good report. My last contact this evening was Chillicothe, Iowa. It's been fun working SKCC members on 40 meters. Perhaps next month I'll try a few more bands but 40 is my favorite. Even with these 60 solar flux days, it's fun to QRP.

I encouraged one station (really really slow CW) to try the 7114 freq.

That's a nice quiet section to operate now.

In the Beginning

I bought this little Rig when I retired and haven't had the time to play with it. As a matter of fact, I still don't know how to use all the buttons. But I know enough about it, to use the basics, and decided to try my luck again last night.

I've been frustrated with the antenna that came with it and decided to experiment with a special antenna called an Isotron. I've used it before and knew it would perform if "push came to shove".

The 40 meter band was horrible last night but my first contact was a 5 watt station about 100 miles below Richmond VA. The noise level was almost an S-7 but I was able to work him. This is about 400 miles away from my location in Charleston.

My next contact was on the border of Canada near the tip of Michigan. As a matter of fact, the town has the same name on both sides of the toll bridge leaving the United States. Sault Saint Marie is about 600 miles in a straight line from here.

Just as I was about to shut down, I heard a "0" call from the Midwest. My signal report was a RST of "489". For you "non radio folks"- that's pretty darn good considering Minot,North Dakota is 1200 miles from me.

Needless to say....I'm a happy camper.

I will be able to operate this rig with a simple battery pack and hike with it to a better location. Away from all these "city power lines" that are SO interfering!
My frustration began while listening to a corporate jet at 35,000 ft, talking to two fellows in England last week. I knocked myself out trying to get thier attention with the "portable whip".The next time I'll be ready to snare them and get those famous QSL cards confirming the contact.
My most prized QSL card so far,has been from the Russian (MIR) Space Station. I worked them from a cow pasture, "Sitting Around the Campfire", as they crossed the early evening sky, with a walkie talkie, and a 30 watt amplifier.

Shortwave Radio

Radio has come a long way since the old days. It is a powerful medium to share our culture with people in other parts of the world. With the invention of the “computer chip”, the prices have become so cheap, that nearly everyone can afford to buy one now.

Several months ago, while watching the evening news, I saw an Iraqi Insurgent busting one of these into a million pieces on the ground with a hammer. He wasn’t destroying it because he didn’t like our music. It was because he was afraid people would be able to hear news from all over the world. These radios can receive both the AM and FM bands and most of the International Short-Wave bands.

We have given hundreds of these to tribal leaders.

This radio is a little different from most others. It doesn’t need batteries! The “crank” on the side of the radio is actually an electric generator. When cranked, it produces electricity to run the radio.

It’s a long way to “Radio Shack” to get AA batteries out here.

This radio and those like it has been the key to freedom in many parts of the world. I’ve always believed that people have more in common than they do differences. I have a strong hope, that with communication, we can all get along together.

I hope we can make these as common as Camels in a desert!

AM Radio

I listen to the AM radio bands at night and I really like the big 50,000 watt stations. Some HAMS can hear European stations, with the right gear and antennas, but they can be expensive and complicated to operate. You can spend a fortune on receivers but I’ve always adhered to the KISS principle. (Keep it Simple Stupid).

One of the best, and cheapest radios on the market, is the GE Super Radio. I bought mine for $40 bucks at the local Circuit City store many years ago. It’s an ugly - black- plastic- lunchbox- looking thing but the “circuitry” inside is AMAZING ! It has a BIG speaker and is pleasant to listen to. It’s GREAT for talk radio!

There were all kinds of stations popping up on the new 1700 MHz area when it was expanded by the FCC several years ago. I could hear a little 10 watt tourist information station (TIS) at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and another TIS station on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a Grand Turk and Caicos Island station hiding behind the KDKA station on 1020 MHz. Sometimes around sunset, you can hear it on your car radio in West Virginia. It’s always been fun logging them.

You hear an exchange of ideas on talk radio. Not always the ones you want to hear, but nevertheless different views. I can hear the weather, traffic, and sports. And I can do it while working on the computer or playing the guitar. Radio is NOT confining.
This evening I’ve heard Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, New York, Illinois, Virginia, and Iowa. Several years ago, I even logged California.

That cheap ugly radio is one of the best investments I’ve ever made!

The next time you are tuning around the band and hear the call letters of a station in the far distance...

Click here: Radio-Locator

You can enter the call sign, frequency, or zip code. This site will even show you the radiation pattern of the antenna's and the power levels of the transmitters.

Skipping Across the Pond

I took my Icom 703 QRP rig with me while traveling recently near New York City. I also took an "end fed dipole" cut for 10-20-40 meters. It is made by the PAR company and it is just the right length to install in the upstairs attic. The "coax end" was just a few feet outside the "attic ventilation window", and was easily run down the side of the house and into the living room, where the radio sat on an old desk. The antenna was oriented towards the east and west.This month, the "solar flux" has been a little more cooperative. I think the bands are beginning to change, and are more favorable for longer distance contacts.

This has been an incredible radio year for me. I've worked my first DX stations and also had some great QRP CW contacts. Since February, I've worked Jamaica, Poland, Croatia, Italy, and Spain. I've also worked several 40-meter QRP stations at over 1000 miles. (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Texas, and Colorado).I am desperately trying to work N0TU (The Goat Man) in Colorado and have actually worked the "Spy" near Pikes Peak. (W0RM). He is using an old CIA spy radio and operates as a "pedestrian mobile".I've also been successful working my first "QRP Contests". One of my most exhilarating moments this year was hearing my call sign during "The 40 Meter Fox Hunt" from near Houston Texas. That call sign was AE5BH and he was my first "pelt". I also worked Texas in the "Spartan Sprint" (W5ROK) this year.Needless to say, working a 3 watt station in Florida this year was also a real hoot. (WA3SCM). Dave Slater was using a random wire from a motel room. (my Isotron Antenna was quite enough to hear him). I've also worked a Washington DC 1/2 watt station several times this year. (AI4OT) It looks like a GREAT year for radio and I'm looking forward to many more contacts, as I travel with the radio, and a simple antenna....

I've had so much fun with QRP this year. I recently joined the North American QRP CW Club and will be the featured member in June.

I'll be at the Outer Banks in May. I hope my "right on the water" QTH will allow some Caribbean, Mexican, and South American stations for the log book. Last year, from Nags Head, I worked most of the US on 40 meters and 20 meters. I'll be looking forward to the "Solar Flux" increases this summer.

I also hope to do some "portable operations" from West Virginia.

My 100th QSO for 2008

This morning I worked KI4RNY in Alabama. This was my second contact with him, on the same frequency and almost the same time as a week earlier. This week, the signal was a little weaker (229 at best) and band conditions were very, very, poor!
The band was just horrible, and we both had difficulty exchanging the basics, but we sent and received our Calls, Names, and QTH's. Not much more......QSB and QRN were discouraging.

Bill was number 100 in my 2008 log book!

I had hoped for a QRP contact and CQ’d several times earlier on the 40 meter calling frequency. But when sending CQ a little further up the band, there were several signals responding in the noise, and Bill was the "first" I thought I could copy and exchange the “basics” for a contact.

I'm amazed at the QRP contacts I've made this year, with “poor” propagation, and a solar flux mostly in the 60's. I use an "indoor mounted Isotron antenna" for the majority of my contacts. My home, in a "historic district" in Charleston, doesn't encourage outdoor wires or antennas.

I've worked 10 DX stations this year, (most with a little 18” 20 meter Isotron antenna) and 25 of those 100 stations, I’ve worked so far this year, have been using 5 watts or less....

Of those 25 QRP stations, 3 were QRPp. (all on 40 meters)

I worked those QRPp stations while using one watt of power.

International Morse Code

I must admit it was a pleasure to work WY3H (Tom in PA) this evening on 80 meters and an unexpected privilege to hear the "President" of the NAQCC club!

My QRP rig and antenna is not very good on 80 meters and I hardly EVER make a contact on this band! I've only worked a few stations here. (a spy station --paraset---is the exception to the rule)

So why was I operating there?

I checked the FISTS search page, just a few minutes ago, and they had my new number posted on the site. The 7058 frequency was busy on 40 meters, so I decided to make a "one time effort" on the 3558 frequency.

I truly never expected to hear anyone answer my call....especially a QRP station!!

(I'm a little disappointed with my 80 meter antenna. It doesn't perform like my 40 and 20 meter antennas).

But to have been lucky enough to work the president of the NAQCC club as my first "fists" contact is something I will never forget!

He suddenly disappeared into the noise on the third exchange and I sent SRI I lost U. Your RST was a 229 with heavy QSB....I copied my RST and your city but copied his name as "OTTO".....

BTW/ I'm totally devoted the NAQCC group and have written several items for the "member news". (I have one now as a current news item)

I worked Portugal, Finland, two stations in Germany, and Hungary this weekend (SSB) on the European DX contest. Certainly not on 80 meters

I was using an 18" Isotron on 20 meters!

NAQCC # 2279
Fist's # 13968