AmateurRadio.com

Congratulations from the low power, low profile shack to Scott Robbins, W4PA who acquired SpiderBeam, USA according to a recent email from the company. Scott also owns Vibroplex as well. One might say there is something fascinating going on in Knoxville, Tennessee and a ham radio entrepreneur is leading the way.

I want to send all the best success to Scott, W4PA as he leads the way into ham radio's future.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

73 from the anywhere, anytime shack.

Continuing my series of posts from my Droid mobile device while watching Garbage Moguls on National Geographic this evening.

My first attempt at docking the Droid failed. Why so? Accessories are as important to the bottomline as the device itself. I bought one of those nifty protective shells, hip, slick, and cool. The red casing dressed up the Droid however someone in engineering obviously did not dress their device to the nines.

The red casing was an eighth inch to big for the dock. Yes, Houston, no go on docking the Droid.

Gene Kranz would never tolerate such a situation even though we fly missions to space based on the bottom line of the lowest bidder. Well, I made a command decision that is, remove one part of the case and continue the mission.

Success, if only partial, because mission critical software was not installed on the mothership. I fired up my wireless connection and contacted Motorola for a device driver. They delivered bits and bytes of required code necessary for docking.

Mission success as Droid spoke with mothership and downloaded essential life support software such as R34P and SolderSmoke recordings. My ear buds hummed with dual channel CW/SSB from WRTC 2010 and SolderSmoke. There is yet one more piece of mothership software missing to complete my mission portfolio.

73 from the anywhere, anytime shack.

It's not writer's block well may it is writer's block? It's not hobby burn out because I'm totally into traditional QSL cards while getting after core shack awards. Recent confirmations include KL8DX, AL1G, FS5KA, and HC8GR. Additionally, I'm into data compiling inside the log database as I'm adding grid squares, counties, propagation numbers, verifying three different QSL channels like eQSL, LoTW, and traditional.

The fall/winter RadioSport schedule spells improved long skip conditions from the shack relaxation zone. I'm listening for DX signals during the weekend on multiple spectrum spaces as 10, 15, and 20m yet faint, ever so faint, are those signals.

I added 6m into my quiver of ham radio activities but it was too late as the e season faded into the summer sunset. There is magic band opportunity later in the year and, hopefully, Cycle 24 will cooperate with an epic weekend. I logged one -Q related to sporadic e propagation before this space went silent.

There is antenna lab and we are nearing completion of K6MM's No Excuses 160m Vertical. We have the upper section to wind and the final touches on the capacitance hat. My fiberglass push-up mast needs replaced because it wore out sooner than expected. My Kenwood TS850S will arrive later next month and the TS830S which powered my /DV2 activity and /0 South Dakota season, remains in storage.

On the other hand, I'm experimenting with mobile blogging using my Motorola Droid, and the results are changing my computing behavior. Seriously, I'm spending less time in front of the personal computer during the week using instead my mobile device to access the net. I purchased the last docking station just today.

The final days of summer are at hand and the shack relaxation zone enjoyed several changes this season. I'm looking forward to the 2010 - 2011 RadioSport schedule!

Contest on.

I downloaded the complete Radio Three Four Papa set at K5ZD's website
as a learning tool. Athletes watch hours of video in order to gain an
understanding of their opponent's skill and strategy. I lost a lot of
points last weekend when I failed to search for additional
multipliers. My Q count was sufficient however I did not log enough
mults when 15m opened to the east and midwest.

When do I shift from a calling CQ strategy to a search for multiplier strategy?

My NAQP rate was a thrill beyond 50 watts into a ground mounted
vertical. I blissfully called CQ while I heard in the corner of my
competitive mind, "Search for multipliers."

I continued calling CQ instead of bagging a few 15m rhinos for the
long haul score. I'm listening intently to Radio Three Four Papa as
the team moves between CQ and hunting for multipliers. Rate is nearly
everything in RadioSport however an extra section or zone usually
decides a top ten finish.

73 from the anywhere, anytime shack.

My weekend is wrapping itself up and NAQP CW delivered a lot of ham
radio fun. I'm also grateful for the friendships that follow our
hobby. Whatever one's passion there is another who shares the same
albeit RadioSport or chasing DX or logging grid squares on 2 meters
when the 'e' goes plasmic on very high frequency.

I had fun this weekend sitting in front of a high frequency
transceiver pumping radio frequency toward destinations unknown. A
local ham opened his station for guest operation and my cans jumped to
the next level when monoband antennas surfed some serious radio waves.
It felt tubular and hang ten like while Q after Q went into N1MM
Logger.

Sometimes I wonder if ham radio forgets to emphasize friendship from
across the miles. I enjoyed making new friends this weekend especially
when a QRP operator in Texas mentions in his e-QSL, "Good ears. I
enjoy reading your blog."

I want to say you are welcome and it is my pleasure sharing a personal
journal about ham radio. Our hobby is not for everyone that is okay. I
would like one Texan QRP operator committed to their passion instead
of ten Paris Hilton types committed to nothing other than nothing.
What will those new numbers translate into over the next five years?

The heart of ham radio beats strong and the next level awaits. The
North American QSO Party CW is less than 24 hours away when operators
will compete for Box positions. Our high frequency spectrum will
ignite with signals juiced by the awesome power of solar Cycle Twenty
Four. The competive spirit of RadioSport underpinned by good
sportsmanship will certainly drive the beginning of our fall and
winter season.

There is something to be said about being in the right place at the right time.

I logged a station in Mexico this afternoon on 10m and it is a first
since my re-entry into ham radio. The numbers are steadily improving
with glimpses of epic high frequency conditions. I'd like at least one
of those memorable events worthy of three cups of Starbucks and better
than the best fish story. Perhaps?

Strategy is straightforward that is be in the right place at the right
time. I'm looking forward to moving to the next level and having a lot
of ham radio fun through Saturday evening. Also, the biggest secret in
RadioSport that does not require a non-disclosure statement is, call
CQ a lot.

73 from the anywhere, anytime shack.

Who rode the storm to destinations unknown? I was surprised when Cycle
24 decided to awaken its fury for benefit of some and the
consternation of a few. The coronal mass ejection was enough of a
sensation that it snatched a few brief minutes on the nightly news.

However, ham radio operators surfed some of the best VHF conditions
yet seen much like a powerful southern hemi arriving along the central
coast of California.

I called Fred, KI6QDH and he was stoked because 10m delivered point
break like surf with strong signals arriving from the midwest. VHFDX
was lit up east of the great propagation divide and why so? I wonder
what factors contribute to this difference between west and east coast
propagation? The 'e' MUF map intensified across the south while barely
a flicker was seen in the south west.

The storm raged above yet I could only look at the map while the magic
band went aggro for a day. It was one to remember for riders on the
storm.

73 from the anywhere, anytime shack.

Thanks to Randy, K5ZD and his Internet team for providing the hottest
playlist in RadioSport. One receives the full range of excitement and
intensity as heard in the cans of WRTC competitors. Their rate is an
education for those who want to dare the challenge of the Box. I
downloaded the entire collection of recordings to begin the pump prior
to NAQP CW weekend.

I spent the greater portion of the weekend working my logbook and
updating my award endeavors. My inventory of traditional cards arrived
earlier in the week prompting several SASE envelopes to stateside
managers.

Six meters needs a flare because the magic band remained quiet through
the weekend. It makes the Q all that sweeter when all the elements
converge for a whole lot of ham radio fun.

73 from the anywhere, anytime shack.

I'm writing my post off my Droid keyboard this evening after
activating the mobile features at my blog. The new world of mobile
blogging has taken hold afterall the world is our shack. Mobile
wireless is the frontier of today and likely tomorrow as well.

There is much to explore with this device held in the palm of my hand.
It is the power to transform and communicate ideas from anywhere,
anytime that makes this technology so compelling.

I caught up with my bureau QSLing this morning and have a shipment
ready for the League later this week. Six meters west of the great
propagation divide was rather quiet through the day. I maybe a little
impatient at the moment.

This is a Droid test message from the anywhere, anytime shack. 73.

Has anyone noticed a lot of broken links after Newington rolled out
its new website? There are a lot of dead ends on the digital highway
leading to headquarters.

The whims of Cycle 24 presents a challenge for my low power, low profile station. Likewise, the difference between a vertical antenna and a horizontal wire antenna, is most notable during the summer from my location. The difference is becoming evident in terms of logged contacts during an event between summer and winter.

Polarization?
My production slopes toward the negative or dwells at the bottom in the summer. Winter conditions are favorable for my vertical antenna system and its low take-off angle. Additionally, I recently read W1ZR's article on Antenna Polarization -- What Does it Mean and When is it Important?

I'm curious if my vertically polarized signal takes a beating during the summer? I had a dickens of a time during the IARU HF World Championship against horizontal antenna systems. I logged a stunning 7 contacts in 5 hours of operation on the high bands. Perhaps, my doublet is better at focusing radio frequency energy, during the summer when it is really critical given conditions?

Shackadelic Update.
I thought again about a QSL card and Fred, KI6QDH inspired my approach given time budget and resources. Likewise, neither Global QSL or Cheap QSL, are sponsoring my recommendation. However, I chose Global QSL as my bureau manager for DX contacts and Cheap QSL for their thrifty price per unit (10 cents per card) for 100 cards.

Why our stateside bureau(s) are not moving into the space of domestic QSLing is something to think about given today's austerity. The cost of confirming a domestic contact would fall dramatically when factoring bulk mailings.

I would gladly trade a little more patience for the price of one pound bulk mail. Would staff at the bureau(s) be willing to help out in driving down cost?

TS850S.
I have a few payments left and the shack relaxation zone will sport a used Kenwood TS850S in the near future. My FT100 will move into a pelican case for portable operations especially for 6m during the summer.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

I'm trying something new this weekend and operating VHF RadioSport is a first inside the shack relaxation zone. My operating location isn't a hilltop nor am I located inside my vehicle either. It is one of those fantastic days when weather conditions fall into place. The marine layer isn't rolling in early or lingering late without a hint of sunshine.

Our Cycle 24 generator has heated ambient air into the comfortable seventies. The sound of Morse code mingles with finches and scrub jays creating wonderful conditions both inside and outside the shack.

CQ World Wide VHF Contest (link).

VHFDX (link).

Certainly, this weekend isn't going down as epic 6m, instead, it is taking on a new challenge and propagating a little radio frequency toward unknown destinations.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

SFI = 79 | A-index = 1 | K-index = 0 | Sunspot count is 17 @ 2111UTC.

Atlantic Single Operator.

• N4AF | 60 Qs | 44 Mults | 2,640 Points [PVRC].
• NO3M | 60 Qs | 42 Mults | 2,520 Points [NCC].
• W4OC | 54 | 40 Mults | 2,160 Points [SECC].

n = 11 scores submitted in this division.

East Central Single Operator.

• N8EA | 53 Qs | 40 Mults | 2,120 Points [MRRC].
• N4OGW | 56 Qs | 36 Mults | 2,016 Points [ACG].
• K9BGL | 48 Qs | 38 Mults | 1,824 Points [SMC].

n = 14 scores submitted in this division.

West Central Single Operator.

• N3BB | 58 Qs | 42 Mults | 2,436 Points [CTDXCC].
• KZ5D | 51 Qs | 39 Mults | 1,989 Points [CTDXCC].
• N0AX | 39 Qs | 30 Mults | 1,170 Points.

n = 8 scores submitted in this division.

West Single Operator.

• W7WHY | 36 Qs | 21 Mults | 756 Points [WVDXC].
• KI7Y | 20 Qs | 9 Mults | 180 Points [WVDXC].

n = 2 scores submitted in this division.

NCCC in CA/NV Single Operator.

• N6RO | 45 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,575 Points.
• K6VVA | 44 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,540 Points.
• K6RB | 47 Qs | 31 Mults | 1,457 Points.

n = 8 scores submitted in this division.

The fastest 30 minutes in RadioSport concluded its 8th successful season and Howie, N4AF garnered banner position for the Potomac Valley Radio Club. A job well executed given the stellar group of master RadioSport operators within the game.

The Mad River Radio Club scored first place within East Central and I'm wondering if this had something to do with my Hawaiian print shirt? Kudos to Joe, N8EA for his effort!

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

A monumental task well executed this weekend as competitors from all over the globe competed for the top slot in the game. Thank you RadioSport Russia for delivering an excellent interactive Internet product! The team of volunteers who labored behind the scenes certainly set the standard for the next global competition.

Admittedly, are there any plans to merchandise WRTC ball caps and t-shirts in the future? Each rate shackadelic right on in my logbook!

Please check out WRTC photo gallery because the spirit of ham radio and the intensity of competition is found within; note Tim, K3LR and Andy, N2NT.

From my perspective, ham radio operating inside tents beneath the ionospheric dome, really captured the essence of RadioSport. The photographs of tents illuminated by the glow of transceivers and liquid crystal displays against the canvass of sunset sparked a kilowatt worth of inspiration.

Contest on!

I'm scanning 20m spectrum space this morning while the event of the summer season is underway. The IARU HF World Championship in addition to the World Radio Team Championship (WRTC) guarantees a lot ham radio fun. I'm waiting for conditions to improve through the morning with a cup of coffee in one hand and my ears inside the cans listening to the music of Morse code.

My thought turns to the competitors in and around Moscow. Conditions are nowhere near epic however reflector chatter suggests heightened sporadic-e activity and not to ignore 15 or 10m this weekend. Likewise, competing with 100 watts against what one might call flat conditions, will certainly push the skill sets of all WRTC competitors.

Signals are beginning to rise above the receiver noise floor and my cup of coffee is nearly drained -- first contact is logged!

An Idea.
My field day experience was a great teacher. Our operation, under the umbrella of emergency communications, provided insight into planning an expedition. It is not an easy task assembling equipment, antenna systems, power systems, and operators then operate in the field. The challenge was rewarding and field day opened a new path of ideas.

6m.
The charm of 50 MHz presents new opportunities and possibilities to consider over the summer season. Its portfolio of modes, fascinating conditions, and wide open frequency vistas is a relief from the doldrums of the current cycle and spectrum space gridlock. Likewise, 6m does not require a lot of aluminum or power, to enjoy ham radio at its finest.

I prefer the challenge of this frequency allocation because of propagation specifically sporadic-e, back scatter, and meteor scatter. Basically, one sends signal report and grid square, as measure against a fading signal. Potentially, every grid square is a rare grid square, and I enjoy logging each one as well.

Try 6m this summer season and consider CQ WW VHF next weekend because the magic band is waiting.

Meanwhile, teams are competing for the top slot in RadioSport this weekend in conjunction with the IARU HF World Championship, and I'm ready for another cup of coffee.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.