Category Archives: Operating

Seeking new wallpaper for shack

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Bob Beatty

Like a lot of hams, you will find my station in the utility room in my basement.  Read that concrete floors, walls, bare studs, no ceiling tiles, buzzing shop lights, etc.  I’m always looking for something to hang up to … Continue reading →

Posted in AMSAT, Operating, Satellite, VUCC | Leave a comment

10,000 QSOs in the Log

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Bob Beatty

How appropriate, on the first day of winter, for a non-fan of cold weather, snow & ice, that I should reach QSO #10,000 in my logbook?  My small contribution to the one billion QSOs entered into LotW as of 12/19. … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, FT8, LotW, Operating | Leave a comment

LotW Rapidly Approaching a BILLION QSOs

Posted on December 1, 2018 by Bob Beatty

As of today, LotW is sitting at 993,013,173 QSOs in the database.  A bit more than two days ago it was at 991,853,472 QSO.  In other words, adding about a million QSOs every 2-3 days.  At that rate, we might … Continue reading →

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Someone Trying To Tell Me Something?

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Bob Beatty

My Inverted L antenna begins its journey skyward at the base of an old oak tree.  A 600 watt remote tuner is installed there, along with multiple radials into the woods and yard.  The “L” wire comes down from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Antennas, Computers, Operating | Leave a comment

Nice Day at RI ARES Beavertail Picnic

Posted on July 21, 2018 by robert

My thanks to Paul N1PSX, our RI SEC (Section Emergency Coordinator), and the ARES team for a nice time this Saturday at their annual picnic/get-together.  There were lots of folks from each corner of the state, most of them bringing … Continue reading →

Posted in ILLW, IOTA, Operating, Portable, USIslands | Leave a comment

QSO #9,000 in LotW

Posted on May 29, 2018 by robert

Silly, I suppose, but I note almost every accomplishment.  I’m happy to say that today I worked Ron, K4AKK, from Savannah, TN on 15-Meter FT-8.  He found his way into my LotW database as Contact #9,000 (since I started back … Continue reading →

Posted in ARRL, FT8, LotW, Operating | Leave a comment

Thanks to Tom, AB8RL, for 12-meter WAS

Posted on May 20, 2018 by robert

FT-8 has proven its worth over and over again during this bottom part of the solar cycle.  I’ve been having fun noticing the frequent short openings on 10-meters and 12-meters the past few months.  I’m convinced that we think the … Continue reading →

Posted in FT8, Operating, WAS, WSJT-X | Leave a comment

CQ WAZ #9417 Issued – Thanks CQ & ARRL!!!

Posted on April 3, 2018 by robert

Yesterday, the ARRL announced that they had completed a 3+ month long period of Beta Testing, and had opened up the processing of LotW confirmations for the CQ Magazine WAZ (Worked All Zones) Award. Within a few moments of receiving … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards, LotW, Operating | Leave a comment

Contact #8000 Uploaded to LotW

Posted on January 31, 2018 by robert

Back on Oct 3, 120 days ago, I noted that I had uploaded my 7,000th contact into LotW.  Today I am happy to note that contact 8,000 has been uploaded.  Many of those QSOs (654 of them) are a result … Continue reading →

Posted in DX, FT8, Grid Chase, Operating | Leave a comment

ARRL International Grid Chase Underway!

Posted on January 3, 2018 by robert

Don’t forget that the ARRL International Grid Chase is now underway and runs all of 2018.  While there is an implication that this is a “special” event, it really isn’t.  Any contact you make that is confirmed in LotW counts.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Contests, Grid Chase, Operating | Leave a comment