Saturday was a GREAT day for ham radio, at least for me. I was able to participate in my first QSO Party. Technically three QSO parties. I was tuning around the bands and came across contesting on 20 meters that turned out to be the Minnesota QSO Party so I made several contacts. I tuned around some more and got W1AW/0 Minnesota Portable AND W1AW/5 Texas Portable!!! Thats three W1AW portable stations so far! After that I also had a few QSOs with stations working the Vermont QSO Party and the British Columbia QSO Party (My first Canadian QSO.) I even confirmed contact with one station on both 20 and 40 meters.
Then my ATAS 120 messed up and needed repairs so no further contacts after Saturday night. Luckily, I found Tom, W0EAJ, who repairs ATAS 120s. I rushed it off via UPS 2nd Day Air first thing Monday morning. Hopefully he can have it back in my mailbox by monday.
I have also decided to expand my 18-wheeled radio shack yet again. First, I will be getting a SignaLink Interface to hook up to the FT-857D. This will give me all those fun digital modes like RTTY, PSK31 and JT65 to name a few.
BUT WAIT! There's more! While 160 may be out of reach because of antenna requirements, 80 meters is not. So I will be mirror mounting an MFJ 80 Meter hamstick, attached to a MFJ 904H tuner. So I will be able to work 80 meters through 70cm Phone, RTTY, PSK31 and JT65! Plus I am still working on CW! I am also putting in a 40 and 20 meter hamstick.
As for my learning adventures, I spent a good hour reading my ARRL Basic Electronics book. I have now completed the first unit. Tomorrow I take a break from Basic Electronics and work on CW.
As a personal challenge, after I get everything installed, i will make a contact on every band and in every mode I can.
QSO's this week: N0HJS, AI0Q, KD3V, KC0RSX, K0YR, N0XT, W1AW/0, KX0A, KD0UWZ, KB1FRW (on 20 and 40 meters), W1AW/5, VE7GV,
WW1F QSL
WW1F QSL
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Weekly Update #5
Welcome back! Its been another long week. I have been put on a VERY long trip from El Paso, TX to Nogales, AZ then to Atlantic City, NJ. I have a fairly tight timeline so i have been putting in 11-12 hour days for the last few days, and will probably do so for the next few days as well.
I have been studying in my Basic Radio, Basic Electronics and Ham Radio for Dummies books but feel like I am spreading myself to thin, so I think I will ease back on two of them and focus on one until it is done. Not sure which one yet, but since Basic Electronics seems to be a good starting point, I am leaning toward that. I have been being lazy about learning morse code too so I have decided to put that in to the rotation, every other day for an hour. Lets see how it goes.
Noticing all the digital communications going on in the low part of 20 and 40 meters sparked an interest in me. So my next purchase, possibly next week but definitely before next month, will be a Tigertronics Signalink audio interface so that I can operate RTTY, PSK31, and other digital ham modes.
I don't know if I have ever mentioned it, but I bought a house that I have to rebuild but will eventually become my dream home. It is a large house so part of it will be my dream ham shack. I am going to ask for some advise from the other hams I know and the QRZ forums as to what should be included in this room, but I am sure a souped up electrical system, extra outlets and various connections for antennas and equipment will be included in my final design.
I have really fallen in love with HF and I don't believe I even turned my UHF/VHF rig on this week. I have also made the decision to sell my FT-2900 single bander. I may even trade it for some other items I have been wanting in the ham shack. I'll just have to see on that.
OH! Before I go! I have to tell everyone! I FINALLY placed an order for my QSL cards (pictured at the top of my blog.) They are being printed by Randy Dorman (KB3IFH) out in Maryland. Ironically, I will be driving within 50 miles of his QTH but won't have time to stop. His turnaround time is 2-3 weeks, but I asked him if he could rush and get them done in 1 week. I am going home in a week and would love to pick them up while i am there. He said he would do what he could, but couldn't make any promises. This is perfectly understandable. It is a slightly unreasonable request so we will see if he can pull off a miracle.
Well anyway, everyone have a good week, and thank you for reading!!
Contacts this week: K2JBX, K9IAC, WA1NRQ, KG4IGX, W0OOG, W6VAH, K0PAL
So until next time, DE WW1F 73
I have been studying in my Basic Radio, Basic Electronics and Ham Radio for Dummies books but feel like I am spreading myself to thin, so I think I will ease back on two of them and focus on one until it is done. Not sure which one yet, but since Basic Electronics seems to be a good starting point, I am leaning toward that. I have been being lazy about learning morse code too so I have decided to put that in to the rotation, every other day for an hour. Lets see how it goes.
Noticing all the digital communications going on in the low part of 20 and 40 meters sparked an interest in me. So my next purchase, possibly next week but definitely before next month, will be a Tigertronics Signalink audio interface so that I can operate RTTY, PSK31, and other digital ham modes.
I don't know if I have ever mentioned it, but I bought a house that I have to rebuild but will eventually become my dream home. It is a large house so part of it will be my dream ham shack. I am going to ask for some advise from the other hams I know and the QRZ forums as to what should be included in this room, but I am sure a souped up electrical system, extra outlets and various connections for antennas and equipment will be included in my final design.
I have really fallen in love with HF and I don't believe I even turned my UHF/VHF rig on this week. I have also made the decision to sell my FT-2900 single bander. I may even trade it for some other items I have been wanting in the ham shack. I'll just have to see on that.
OH! Before I go! I have to tell everyone! I FINALLY placed an order for my QSL cards (pictured at the top of my blog.) They are being printed by Randy Dorman (KB3IFH) out in Maryland. Ironically, I will be driving within 50 miles of his QTH but won't have time to stop. His turnaround time is 2-3 weeks, but I asked him if he could rush and get them done in 1 week. I am going home in a week and would love to pick them up while i am there. He said he would do what he could, but couldn't make any promises. This is perfectly understandable. It is a slightly unreasonable request so we will see if he can pull off a miracle.
Well anyway, everyone have a good week, and thank you for reading!!
Contacts this week: K2JBX, K9IAC, WA1NRQ, KG4IGX, W0OOG, W6VAH, K0PAL
So until next time, DE WW1F 73
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