A Confusing Situation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)