AmateurRadio.com

I’m late in getting this update published.  I was on vacation (staycation at home) as June ended and July began.  This past week was my first week back and I was swamped at work.  But all is on track and I’ve completed at least one QSO each and every day in 2014 and the challenge is well over 50% complete. 

In addition, to keeping my QSO per day streak alive…I’ve also managed to add at least one new DX entity each month in 2014.  June was no exception with the addition of Saint Lucia.   This makes 10 new DX entities added to my log this year. 

As I started with my May update, my progress in the 2014 ARRL Centennial QSO Party continues to progress.   The numbers below are as of mid July.

Centennial Points Score:  9,049

Total QSO’s:  1,539

Rank (All): 1,230

Rank (Colorado): 14th

The QSO breakdown for June is as follows:

Mode  Number QSO’s

JT65 20

JT9 32

SSB 538

PSK31 0

MFSK16 0

RTTY 0

2m FM 0

Additional notes of interest:

DX Stations Worked in June – 44

New DX Entities in June – 1

New DX Entities for 2014 – 10

Total QSO’s for June – 590

Total QSO’s for 2014 – 2,234

Total consecutive QSO days – 181

Days left in 2014 – 184

Until next time…

73 de KDØBIK

You may remember from the April update regarding my QSO a day goal, that I had broke my monthly QSO record (which was 393 in November 2013) with a whopping 599 QSO’s in April.  Well that record didn’t stand long.  My total QSO numbers for May topped out with 826 QSO’s.  However, I also made 504 QSO’s while operating as W1AW/Ø on two different shifts the week Colorado hosted the portable operation.  While the 504 Q’s will be kept separate and not included in my main log, I’m honestly pleased to have made a total of 1,330 QSO’s in the month of May 2014.   Again, this monthly report will only address the 826 QSO’s from my own callsign (KD0BIK).

In addition to a QSO each and every day in April, I also managed to add a few new DX entities to my growing list and quest for DXCC status.  I worked stations for the first time in Antigua & Barbuda, Lithuania and Lebanon.  May marks the 5th consecutive month of adding at least one new DX entity to my list. 

Starting with this months update, I will also list my ongoing progress in the ARRL Centennial QSO Party.  I’m not a big contester, but I am really having fun getting on the air as much as possible and making contacts.  As a VE I’m worth 5 points and sure….it’s also fun to accumulate the points.  I’ve been successful at working a few “big point stations”, but I’ve found most of my contacts are with ARRL Members (1 pts.), ARRL Life Members (2 pts.) and Fellow ARRL VE’s (5 pts).  As of the end of May, my results are as follows:

Centennial Points Score:  6,664

Total QSO’s:  1,201

Rank (All): 1,495

Rank (Colorado): 18th

Finally, since really getting a lot more “radio active” in the past few months I’ve heard from many who listen to my podcast (Practical Amateur Radio Podcast) and readers of my blogs.  I’ve also worked many of you on the air in the past 2-3 months.  Most all tell me the same thing and that is I’ve inspired them to do their own QSO a day challenge and you are all on track to making it happen.   Keep it up!  But make sure you are having fun while doing it. 

The QSO breakdown for May is as follows:

Mode  Number QSO’s

JT65 62

JT9 0

SSB 463

PSK31 0

MFSK16 1

RTTY 0

2m FM 0

Additional notes of interest:

DX Stations Worked in May – 75

New DX Entities in May – 3

Total QSO’s for May – 826

Total QSO’s for 2014 – 1,644

Total consecutive QSO days – 151

Days left in 2014 – 214

Until next time…

73 de KDØBIK

Another month is in the books and the QSO a day goal for 2014 continues.  April was successful in many different ways.  First, it moves me one month closer to ending the year with a QSO each and every day.  I also added two new DX entities to my DX list (Crete and Saint Kitts & Nevis) and I managed to get one state closer to WAS on a few different categories.  Finally, I beat my monthly total QSO record of 393 (set in November 2013) with a grand total of 599 total QSO’s. 

The surge in QSO’s for April is primarily due to my wanting to be better prepared in working contest pileup situations when it’s my turn to operate W1AW/Ø later in May.  I’ve been getting on the air and operating the ARRL Centennial QSO Party as much as possible and as much as band conditions have allowed.  It’s been fun.  I’d love to work you and give you my 5 points as a VE.

I’ve also been successful at chasing (and catching) all the W1AW portable stations.  I will need to make sure I catch a few states on their second time around later in the year.  But my goal is to work them all. 

The QSO breakdown for April is as follows:

Mode  Number QSO’s

JT65 149

JT9 3

SSB 441

PSK31 5

RTTY 1

2m FM 0

Additional notes of interest:

DX Stations Worked in March – 46

New DX Entities in March – 2

Total QSO’s for March – 599

Total QSO’s for 2014 – 818

Total consecutive QSO days – 120

Days left in 2014 – 245

Until next time…

73 de KDØBIK

My quest for a QSO a Day in 2014 is going well.  The first quarter is complete and by far March was my best month in the shack.  I also continued my streak of adding at least one new DX entity to my logbook each month with March receiving two.  During the CQ WPX contest I managed to add Ceuta & Melilla and Balearic Is.   I’ll be honest…I had to look both of these up on the map.   But that’s the fun of amateur radio.

I’ve started April off on the right foot with getting W1AW/1 (Vermont) and W1AW/0 (Iowa) in the logbook.  I must also admit that I’m slightly behind on the ARRL Centennial QSO Party.  I’m currently sitting at four worked including Texas, Georgia, Iowa and Vermont.  Just 46 more to go…..

The QSO breakdown for March is as follows:

Mode
Number QSO’s

JT65
63

JT9
1

SSB
40

PSK31
5

2m FM
0

Additional notes of interest:

DX Stations Worked in March – 22

New DX Entities in March – 2

Total QSO’s for March – 109

Total QSO’s for 2014 – 219

Total consecutive QSO days – 90

Days left in 2014 – 331

Until next time…

73 de KD0BIK (Jerry)

Yes..I know this blog update is late by several weeks.  But the good news is I’m still on track to complete my 2014 QSO a Day challenge.  As I write this, I’ve nearing the 90 day mark and all has been smooth sailing.   Hopefully my March update will hit your blog catchers in a more timely manner.

While my total QSO count is low for February, I did manage one new DX and added the Philippians to my logbook.

The QSO breakdown for February is as follows:

Mode
Number QSO’s

JT65
34

SSB  
3

PSK31
0

2m FM
0

Additional notes of interest:

DX Stations Worked in February – 1

New DX Entities in February – 1

Total QSO’s for February – 37

Total QSO’s for 2014 – 110

Total consecutive QSO days – 59

Days left in 2014 – 334

Until next time…

73 de KD0BIK (Jerry)

As previously mentioned, I successfully completed a QSO a Day goal in 2012 and was brave enough (or perhaps crazy enough) to attempt it once again in 2014. 

With January officially behind me, I’ve managed to get on the air and make at least one QSO each and every day for each of the 31 days in January.   I’ll admit…I’m starting out slow and pacing myself.  Most days its been “one and done” but a few other days I’ve managed to spend more time on the air. 

For January 2014, I’ve worked 73 (great number) QSO’s and all have been using the JT65 mode.  While each successful day was a high point, the greatest success was working French Polynesia and increasing my DXCC count by one more. 

While my actual “on air” time has been limited, I have been spending time assisting a new startup amateur radio club and completing a few projects related to the hobby.  

The QSO breakdown for January is as follows:

Mode
Number QSO’s

JT65
73

SSB   
0

PSK31
0

2m FM 
0

Additional notes of interest:

DX Stations Worked in January – 1

New DX Entities in January – 1

Total QSO’s for 2014 – 73

Total consecutive QSO days – 31

Days left in 2014 – 334

Until next time…

73 de KD0BIK (Jerry)

The New Year (UTC time) begins just after 5 PM local time and when I’ll begin my 2014 QSO A Day challenge.  I successfully completed a QSO a Day back in 2012 and it was a lot of fun.  It also helped me meet several smaller goals of achieving my first WAS and build on my DXCC list. 

For 2014, I’ve stepped up my goals slightly and would like to achieve WAS in six different categories and of course also move me closer to DXCC. 

I have a brand new QSL card which I’ll start using in the new year (shown below).  Randy Dorman, KB3IFH did an excellent job on the card.  If you need QSL cards for the new year, please contact Randy.  You won’t be disappointed.

I also have to get back on track with my diet and exercise routines.  I had a stumble on the ice just after Thanksgiving and have been moving slower than normal and consuming more “comfort food” than I should.  However, with the new year comes new goals and new energy to achieve these goals.  The back and tailbone are better and I’m ready to get back to 10,000 Steps per Day.

Happy New Year!  Happy Amateur Radio!

73,

Jerry