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Hanz W1JSB and I hiked to Knox Mountain this afternoon. What a day! We worked England, Italy, Hungary and Spain… but that was only part of it. This was the most stunning early fall day. Perfect for a hike. We walked along the brook, sparking in gold sunlight. The greenest moss I’ve ever seen adorned the rocks. Piercingly blue gentians were in full bloom below the dam as we approached the pond. It was a dazzling view.

We walked around the pond and came to the two small cabins that overlook the water.

We set up between the cabins, in front, toward the lake. We threw a water bottle over a 40 foot high branch on the large cherry tree. I used the KX3 at 5 watts. The antenna was a 33 foot wire connected to the rig through an earchi.org 9:1 unun. I started on 15 meters with a quick contact with G3PJT. Bob gave me a 559 and he was a 599. Then I gave the key to Hanz.

We switched to 17 meters and right away Hanz worked Laci, HA0NAR in Hungary. Laci was very strong and gave Hanz a 579. It’s really exciting to set up portable gear from a small backpack and work across Europe with a few minutes’ effort.

Hanz handed the key back and I worked IK5ZWU, Walter in Italy. I was 559 and he was a 589. “FB UR 5 WATTS,” he sent before we signed.

I made one more quick QSO with Vic in Spain before packing up. EA3MM gave me a 559 and he was a 599.

We paused on the way back to take one more photo of the pond.

Hanz and I talked about the places we want to hike to during the fall… the ledges, mountain pond, and, of course, a return to Knox Mountain.

Wayne Green, W2NSD, died Friday, September 13th at the age of 91.

This from his blog:

Wayne Green passed away this morning in a peaceful, painless transition from this life on Earth. An eternal optimist, and one who loved to share his neverending zest for life, he was a friend to many and will be missed greatly. Wayne was not afraid of dying and was very much ready to embark on his next great adventure to the afterlife.
73,
W2NSD

Wayne’s contributions to Amateur Radio simply cannot be overstated. As a former editor of CQ Magazine and founder of 73, he helped to inform the views of an entire generation of ham radio operators in the United States and beyond.

Rest in peace, my friend.

This afternoon Judy and I rode our bikes a couple of miles to Old Hill Village. I worked Greece, Poland, Venezuela, Ukraine and Steve WG0AT in Colorado.

It was a cool afternoon, but warm enough in the sun. I set up alongside a field with the KX3 and a 33 foot wire. I won’t detail each QSO; here’s the log:

15 Sep-13 1956 18.085 YV5YMA CW 599 599 Venezuela
15 Sep-13 2000 18.078 SV2CQB CW 569 599 Greece
15 Sep-13 2007 18.076 UY2UQ CW 599 599 Ukraine
15 Sep-13 2009 14.004 SV2CQB CW 599 599 Greece
15 Sep-13 2012 14.060 WG0AT CW 559 559 CO
15 Sep-13 2022 14.024 SP2EFU CW 599 599 Poland

I actually worked SV2CQB twice… once on 17M and again on 20 meters. He was strong both times. The real surprise was working Steve WG0AT. I had just looked up his QTH this morning to see if he was in the flood zone. I don’t think he is. He sent, “CAN’T STAY X JUST WANTED TO SAY HI.” I told him I was operating /P in the field. Judy got a quick snapshot of me right after I worked Steve.

The clouds seemed to take over the sky at about the time I decided to pack up and head back. As always, it’s great to get out and operate a little.

Judy and I went to the beach today. I launched my antenna with a kite and worked Greenland, Greece and Italy in less than 10 minutes.

It was a remarkable day. In the mid-90s and not a cloud in the sky. We headed to the New Hampshire coast and arrived at Rye Harbor for a picnic lunch. After a walk on the beach, Judy went for a swim, and I went up to the point and launched a parafoil kite.

There was a good breeze and it went up in a jiffy. I had it up about 120 feet. At about mid-point I placed a loop in the line and tied my 33 foot wire to the loop. I had a nice vertical and set up the KX3 right below the wire.

I started on 15 meters and heard Peter OX3XR in Greenland with a strong signal. He returned my call and gave me a 599. He went on to the next station. I was thrilled.

I switched then to 17 meters and quickly worked a special event station SV130PAP in Greece. Again there was a quick exchange of 599 and we signed. Back to 15 meters and I heard IK3VUT in Italy calling CQ. Luca gave me a 559 and I gave him a solid 599.

With that I shut the station down. In barely 10 minutes I had worked three nice DX stations with the kite wire and I was pretty excited. Who could ask for more? Besides I had agreed to meet Judy in a few minutes.

This should have been a piece about my adventurous adventures in radio land. But alas, last week during the reception of a Wefax image the display of my not-very-trusty TS-440S went completely blank. It is not the first time this 23 year old rig is going cold on me and – yes, I know – if I want reliability I should buy myself a new rig. No problemo! I have money in the bank and could buy the new IC-7100 right away. But that is money we put in the bank for our first house, the kids tuition, a new second hand car and what not. It’s not easy being a poor ham, but I won’t bother you with my misery. Time for ACTION! If I really want that new rig then I have to make some extra money on the side. So I dug out my investment portfolio details, but…..no win, no loss. So, I took an extra hour of teaching English, but that is only making me 10 dollars per week. By the time I have enough money for a new rig the next solar maximum is already upon us.

Then I stumbled onto this video by VK3YE, Peter Parker in Melbourne, Australia. If you never seen any of his videos, then it is heartily recommended you check them out. His unique presenting style, clever video editing and outdoor QRP operations make them very entertaining and interesting. And this video is especially unique in that he is wearing a suit! You don’t see hams in suits often, so grab the opportunity.

But….making money with ham radio? I don’t think it is for me. So, after a deep sigh I dug out my TS-130V and also put the FRG-7 back on my desk. The TS-130V is only putting out 15 Watts so it feels like I am working QRP right now. But….but….I don’t want to be a QRPer! I want my 440 back!! MOMMY!!!!!

This afternoon Judy and I hiked on Shute Hill. I worked Italy, France, Russia, Slovenia and Sardinia.

It was a cool but beautiful day. The trail is lined with wildflowers… asters, goldenrod, and jewel weed. We stop to enjoy the brook that flows out of the beaver pond.

About a mile up the trail there is a rich fragrance permeating everywhere. It is a vast field of goldenrod.

At the top of the hill there is a clearing. We will stop here. I heave a wire in an old butternut tree. Judy finishes up some knitting in the warm sun.

I have brought the KX3. I pull up 33 feet of wire and begin operating on 17 meters. The band is excellent. I make six contacts in about 25 minutes. Here is my log.

8 Sep-13 1948 18.075 IK2CIO CW 599 599 Italy
8 Sep-13 1950 14.011 F8DGY CW 549 599 France
8 Sep-13 1956 14.060 W9PP CW 569 599 Ind
8 Sep-13 2008 14.037 UA0IT/6 CW 559 599 Russia
8 Sep-13 2011 18.072 S51WO CW 589 599 Slovenia
8 Sep-13 2016 18.074 IS0GQX CW 599 599 Sardinia

Now I pack up the gear. It is a perfect afternoon. I glance behind before starting the hike back.

You’d have to be crazy to stay indoors today! I rode my bike along the Pemigewasset River… on the other side… in Hill Village. I worked Poland, Russia, Italy and Croatia.

Judy and I took the old road south toward Franklin. We passed Bennett’s Brook and I took a quick photo. After riding two miles, we pulled over near a field along the river. There’s an old butternut tree alongside the lane. I stopped here to setup the KX3.

I tossed a line over the top branch and pulled up 33 feet of wire. I started on 17 meters and worked SP1JPQ in Poland. Jerry gave me a 439. He was only 569 and I decided to try 15 meters. That was much better. I called RX6AM after he finished a QSO. Mike gave me a 569. We’ve worked many times before. When I told him I was QRP at 5W, he sent: “Hi 5W great sigs Jim.”

Next I had a QSO with IZ8BRI in Italy. Egi and I quickly exchanged 599’s and then I worked Croatia. 9A2AJ, Tom and I also exchanged 599s. “FB WID UR QRP,” he sent when I told him I was operating portable with 5W. With that I packed up. Judy took a quick photo before we rode back.

Today was much cooler… in the 60s. Here and there a few leaves have started changing color. I’m trying to make the best of the warm days.