Weekly Update #6

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,