AmateurRadio.com

Driving home this evening, I had the second VFO scanning through the 50 or so memories across 29/50/145 and 433MHz, with a few in between!

It doesn’t often stop on 51.51 the 50MHz FM calling frequency, but I heard a loud voice ask someone to move to 51.530. I stopped the scan and tuned there.

The station had an English accent, so I guessed it was a local or an expat. Of course, it turned out to be the latter; EA7/G0WHX. He was a great signal working a G4 I couldn’t hear. There was a little fading, but I listened to the QSO for around 15 minutes.

A great reminder to call on 51.510 a bit more often! You never know who’s listening!

Tim Kirby, G4VXE, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Oxfordshire, England. Contact him at [email protected].

http://www.nj2bb.org/museum/index.html

Beginning at 0000Z June 1 through 2359Z June 2, 2013 102 ships will be participating in the Museum Ships Weekend. 

There will be Aircraft Carriers, Battleships, Cruisers, Destroyers, Submarines and more participating on most ham bands.

The details about the ships, frequencies, and certificate information has been listed on the Battleship New Jersey’s NJ2BB.org web site.

This looks like a lot of fun and a good opportunity to teach our kids and grandkids about our amazing maritime history!

Thanks to Ron, AA2RR, for reminding us of this fun weekend opportunity!

Matt Thomas, W1MST, is the managing editor of AmateurRadio.com. Contact him at [email protected].

I don’t know why it is, but whenever I buy some piece of gear I always seem to end up with duff stuff. My weather station that I received a few days ago will not register any rain. A little voice says “why do you need a gadget to tell you if it’s raining in Cumbria?” but that’s not the point. I would really like it to work. I have sent an email to Nevada (the dealer not the US state) but have yet to receive a reply. Watch this space.

My UV-3R+ has also developed a fault, or at least its battery has. It started having a flat battery when I didn’t expect it, but irregularly enough for me to think that perhaps I forgot to switch it off. But now the battery won’t charge up. The charger works and I can measure a charging voltage on the battery pins but when I remove the battery from the charger the voltage across the two internal contacts is about 1.3V. I’ve ordered a replacement from 409Shop.

Julian Moss, G4ILO, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Cumbria, England. Contact him at [email protected].

 

Well its happening again. The computer which started out life nice and zippy like a gazelle in the morning sunshine, joyfully springing across the warm savannah has me wondering what I’ve done to inherit its predictable slow down. More time now is spent watching a little blue circle than is good for anyone

If I were a real cynic I’d think that these things are made to self destruct slow enough for you not to really notice but fast enough for you to buy a new one every few years to keep the silicon industry happy. Still, its a good time to buy a new machine as there’s a sale on…..That’s it no more sarcasm, I promise, honest.

Alex Hill, G7KSE, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Cumbria, UK. Contact him at [email protected].

Pat Tice, WA0TDA, is the manager of HANDI-HAM and a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com. Contact him at [email protected].

This certificate for the CQ Worldwide VHF Contest arrived in the mail today, 1st Place Single Operator All Band for Colorado. Most of these contest awards take so long to arrive, I have usually forgotten all about the contest by the time they show up in the mail.

Last year, I had a pretty good run at it with an excellent 50 MHz sporadic-e opening on Saturday that ran up the QSO and grid totals. See my previous report on the contest here.

   73, Bob K0NR

Bob Witte, KØNR, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Colorado, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

When deciding what to take on a QRP field trip any number of variables must be considered and planned for; will you unload it from the car or carry it on your back, will you operate inside or out, use an antenna already in place or put one up yourself? I guess it is these variables and our finding solutions for the circumstance of the day that keeps QRP interesting. As one QRP'er put it, QRO is just too easy. Of course there isn't necessarily any one answer to any of these situations, it usually is a matter of personal preference and/or how strong your back is. This post is not intended to present any grand solution but simply to capture some of the alternatives.

In the picture below there are two keys, actually three if you count the Begali Adventure key on the KX3. Also in the picture, on the left side,  is the Te Ne Ke and next to it is the Micro Key. Clearly a size difference, but also a weight difference. Also in the picture is the KX3 (160 - 6m)and the KD1JV designed Mountain Top'er Rig (MTR), (40m/20m CW only). Again, the bigger radio brings more options, the smaller one easier to carry.



Of course you must have an antenna support. Below are three telescoping poles to choose from,  a 33ft. MFJ Telecsoping Pole, a 20ft Black Widow and a 13ft Spirit of Air. Again, size, weight and optionality.


So many options and so little time. As WA0ITP says, "I like this radio stuff".
Mike Crownover, AD5A, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Texas, USA. Contact him at [email protected].