Monthly Archives: December 2017

Year-end DX/WAS Summary

Posted on December 31, 2017 by robert

2017 was a slow year for DX & WAS.  I suspect due to a combination of working most of the easy ones and a rapidly declining Solar Cycle 24.  It is hard to imagine how poor things will be for … Continue reading →

Posted in 160-Meters, DX, Propagation, Satellite, Solar Cycles, WAS | Leave a comment

Configuring TM-D710GA for APRS Indoors

Posted on December 20, 2017 by robert

That last word “Indoors”is the clue… The TM-D710GA has a built-in GPS.  Not surprisingly, it does not receive indoors, and it has no provisions for an external antenna (only an external GPS receiver). I had setup the radio for A-side … Continue reading →

Posted in APRS, Gear, TM-D710GA | Leave a comment

A Few More AO-91 QSOs

Posted on December 5, 2017 by robert

There was another high pass of AO-91 around noon today, from 1716 to 1730 UTC. I worked Dave NA2AA (FN20/NJ) at 17:23 and Phil W1EME (FN32/MA) at 1726.  I only had audio copy from about 1722-1726.  Even with a mast … Continue reading →

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First AO-91 QSOs

Posted on December 4, 2017 by robert

I’ve managed to miss every pass of AO-91 either due schedule conflicts or incompetence on my part.  I finally set an alarm to go off before a 41 degree high pass today starting at 16:54 UTC. At first I was … Continue reading →

Posted in AMSAT, AO-91, Satellite | Leave a comment

160 Meter Contest in the Bag

Posted on December 3, 2017 by robert

The contest ended at 11 AM local time, so it’s in the bag.  I finished with 302 contacts (only 17 DX contacts).  I was on for 5.75 hours on Friday and 5.25 hours on Saturday, so 11 total.  Probably spent … Continue reading →

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Wonderful Band Conditions for 160 Meter Contest

Posted on December 1, 2017 by robert

I’m only noodling around, running S&P mostly to find new states or countries.  Band noise floor is about -110 dBm, which is pretty quiet.  A few signals are 70 dB above that.  Most are 35 dB above the noise floor.  … Continue reading →

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First Practice FMT Run

Posted on December 1, 2017 by robert

A good friend of mine, John WA1ABI, is responsible for planting the FMT bug in my head.  I’ve been admiring his results in the ARRL FMTs for years — he is constantly an outstanding performer.  John graciously suggested that we … Continue reading →

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