Wallpaper

I've never considered myself a big "competitor" but these two certificates are cherished by me.

They're the first I've received from the International Morse Code Preservation Society. I love this club and the activities they promote.



I consider Morse Code, not only another of many languages, but also the "classic" mode for Amateur Radio. It's one of the most efficient and practical modes of communications ever devised in the world.




I have my sights on other awards with this club and hope to add a few more soon. You can learn more about the "FISTS" club from the link on the right side of this page.

Hiker Contact

I was pleasantly surprised to work a "portable QRP station" on 20 meters today. Guy (N7UN/P) is a fine example of why I love QRP operations. He was operating in the field (I assume) and since he was using a #7 call, I thought he was probably a western station near Oregon, Washington, or Alaska. (You can't do that these days).

The signal was pretty weak. Not because of the distance, but because we were too close to each other. I don't work a lot of stations, on 20 meters, less than 500 miles away and he was in West New Jersey. I actually had to ask for his name twice because of QSB.

I've been trying to work a Colorado Station (WG0AT) for several years but can't find myself at the right place and the right time when he's hiking in the mountains with his two "goat" companions.

After looking up Guys web site: http://n7un.blogspot.com, it became obvious that Guy has done some hiking with him and the goats.

Guy (N7UN/P) is quite the hiker and takes his radio along on DX'peditions, mountain vista's, and on long distance hiking trails. (the Appalachian Trail being one of many). He uses a "Buddipole" for his antenna or a dipole many times.

You should take some time (assuming you're interested in QRP operations) to view his web site. It's a classic example of why QRP ops love to spend a day outdoors with a radio. It's often been said that "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words"...you can't get a view like this operating the 'big' stuff.

I've placed a link to his site on the right hand side of this page.

On August 9th of this year, he will be on one of the 14,000 ft mountain peaks of Colorado.

Info is on his web site....

My 400th QSO

This afternoon, I worked KG4LLQ (Ken) in Asheboro, North Carolina. Ken is my 400th QSO. Not only was it a joy to work him (and get a 579 signal report) but he was also a FISTS member and a new Century club contact.

I doesn't get much better than that. He was also the first contact I've given out my new Century club number. (2066)

On another note, this morning I took an early walk before the heat set in and took the handi-talkie with me. It's was nice to talk to an old friend, and another chap, as I enjoyed the cool morning air. (I'm on 2 meters VERY seldom). They were going to work....yes, it's NICE to be retired.

There's a tremendous amount of misinformation, about QRP, being passed around on the air and my friend was amazed I had worked so many stations the last few years. A lot of folks (especially those not on the HF bands) think QRP means rare contacts, and only a few hundred miles distance. If they only realized....I've worked several 4,000 mile + stations with terrible band conditions.

I mentioned working California twice this year (on 40 meters). I've also worked 20 Canadian stations, and 15 DX stations. I really don't see much difference between 5 watts and 100 watts....I use an indoor mounted "simple antenna". With CW...it's really not an issue. I don't intend to ever operate anything other than QRP.

Ken, in Asheboro, was also the 171st FISTS member I've worked. Another 25, and I'll be hanging some more wallpaper!

Ken KG4LLQ was using an Icom 718 @ 25 watts into a dipole.

FISTS # 10360 and CC # 1666.

500 Miles @ 1 Watt

I worked N9HAL (again) last night on 40 meters. It seems he's always on 7056 Mhz listening with the 'ol Hammurland receiver. The really exciting thing (about the contact this time) was that I was only using one watt of power. He's just a few miles short of the "magic" 500 mile mark from me in West Virginia. I'm sure I could have worked him with 500 mw..... and I'm still trying for the 1,000 mile a watt award. Bob is 498.8 miles from me.....

There's a lot to be said about the old tube gear. My most distant contacts, on 40 meters, have been made with guys using the "old stuff". I just can't say enough about the Drake and Collins filtering. My distant contacts in California this year have been with those using old Collins gear.

I also worked another Canadian station yesterday (VE3SOR) on 7028. Although we both had good signal reports on each other (579-599), I couldn't continue until we shifted up about 30 kc because of QRM. I just don't have the filtering for all the big guys on this freq.

I continue to be amazed at the 1 watt or less contacts...what a hoot!

It really makes me want to get into the woods with a good antenna. My friend Gari (K8KFJ) and I talked yesterday about how "quiet" operations are when getting away from all the electrical noise in town.

Sure hope there isn't any more talk about 'broadband' over the phone lines. A friend of mine in England (G4ILO) recently went QRT due to electrical noise. It's going to be the 'nail in the coffin' for those of us using indoor antenna's.

CQ FFS

Yesterday was a busy day for me and it was nearly 10 PM (est) before I could tune the rig into the FISTS Summer Sprint freqs. I still wasn't able to devote "serious time" to this contest, but felt I should hand out a few "West Virginia" contacts for the event. (I've recently became aware of how important an extra state or two can be to the log books).

This isn't a QRP event, so the competition is with the 'big guys'. They need "very good ears" to hear a 5 watt signal in the midst of the pack.

I worked two stations that I've worked before, in the mid west, on different circumstances. My hat's off to N5DY (Jack in Oklahoma) and also K0LUM (Russ in Nebraska). In all, I worked five stations (this isn't going to be a prize winner) but still, for me, lot's of fun.

My biggest "catch" was working a "Fists Club Station". At three minutes till the final bell, I worked W4FFF in North Carolina. This is my second "fists club station". The last two weeks, I've made a special effort to check into the "slow CW net" of the NAQCC club. It's club call is N3AQC.

As an added benefit, I was able to collect two new "CC" numbers. This contest was a good way to add more "FISTS" contacts to the log book!

In the Mail

Wow...it didn't take FISTS very long to get the certificates in the mail. My numbers for the Century award will be # 2006 and the 1 X QRP is #119.

I'll work towards the silver and 2 X QRP awards now. Still hoping for the 1,000 per watt award (solar flux still not there) but am VERY close to WAS QRP. I think all except Alaska and Hawaii?

This has been fun and I'll look forward to persuing a few SKCC now.

FISTS Century Club and 1 x QRP Awards

The last few weeks, I've been spending a lot of time on the log books. Since submitting my first logs to the NAQCC club, it's been very motivational to see my call sign on both the 50 and 100 point QRP pages on the NAQCC club site.

Now, after looking up my contacts for the FISTS club, I've discovered I have enough contacts for two of thier awards. I'm a little confused about the Century Club Award but have about 150 contacts (all QRP on this end of course) and will be sending in the log soon. The Century award is the first of several awards but I don't understand how to let other members know of my "Century" status.

I've never considered myself a big competitor (and still don't) but it's really NICE to achieve these beginning awards with another club now. I'm amazed at how many CW ops are members of both the NAQCC and the FISTS club...

Both of these clubs (and they work very well together) are shinning examples of the fun a QRP operator can have on the bands. They both do a great job of promoting and encouraging the preservation of Morse Code. I'm proud to be a member of both these clubs.