Author Archives: robert

Standby Power Draw for a few rigs

Posted on August 4, 2022 by robert

In testing the linear vs. switching power supply consumption I determined the following standby power draws: Astron RS-35M: 25 watts/hour; 600 watts a day Powerwerx SS-30DV: 5 watts/hour: 120 watts a day Kenwood TM-D710G: 15 watts/hour: 360 watts a day … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power | Leave a comment

Difference in Standby Current Draw: Linear vs. Switching

Posted on August 4, 2022 by robert

When I restarted my hobby back in 2011, I had recalled the horror stories of folks using switching power supplies and having RFI all over the HF and VHF bands.  So I decided to use a traditional linear power supply … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM | Leave a comment

Another Surprise POTA Award

Posted on July 13, 2022 by robert

Jason and his gang have been working hard to keep POTA interesting.  A DX award just popped up a couple of weeks ago:

Posted in POTA | Leave a comment

Bands dead for Field Day?

Posted on June 25, 2022 by robert

Conditions don’t seem very good.  G0 magnetic, but almost no absorption.  Critical frequency 5 MHz, MUF 18 MHz.  A-Index 10, Kp 3, SFI/SFN 115/60, Absorption very low. Don’t understand things. Total global spots on 80/40/20/15/10: My spots on 40m:  

Posted in Field Day | Leave a comment

Tuner Improvements with Flex V3.3.32

Posted on June 20, 2022 by robert

A few weeks ago, I posted that owning a Flex was a mixed bag – a very interesting radio, but very buggy software.  The update from that time completely broke the ability to run CW over the internet (but did … Continue reading →

Posted in FlexRadio | Leave a comment

Back on the birds!

Posted on June 7, 2022 by robert

I’ve been using an ancient Panasonic ToughBook (CF-31) as the computer to control my IC-9700 for satellite work.  I liked the TB because the screen is readable in full daylight.  That particular computer was never fully supported by Panasonic to … Continue reading →

Posted in AMSAT, AO-7, AO-73, CAS-4A, CAS-4B, CF31, Satellite, SatPC32, SO-50, Toughbook, XW-2C | Leave a comment

DVMEGA Cast Up and Running!

Posted on June 4, 2022 by robert

I’ve used a number of digital radios/modes, but have settled into using a local Hotspot and a HT (either DSTAR, Fusion, or DMR, of course).  The Hotspot worked very well, but it seemed like the radio was never in the … Continue reading →

Posted in AMBE3000, D-Star, Digital Mode, DMR, FUSION | Leave a comment

Silver Medal for CWT 2021

Posted on May 20, 2022 by robert

A few days ago I received a package in the mail from CWops.  It contained a Silver Medal Participation Award for 2021. CWops does a lot to further interest in Morse Code.  To begin with they offer a very comprehensive … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards, CW, CW Academy, CWops, CWT, From the OM | Leave a comment

Outstanding DX!

Posted on May 5, 2022 by robert

It has been very exciting to participate in 17/15/12/10-meter openings these days.  China, Indonesia, Nepal, etc. are pretty easy pickings.  I’ve started running 15 and 10m on the CWT contests. The image below is 17-meter FT8 – wall to wall … Continue reading →

Posted in CWT, DX, FT8 | Leave a comment

Park #51 in Rhode Island Activated

Posted on April 2, 2022 by robert

I had forgotten how long it had been since my last activation (November 9, 2021), and how nice it was to be outside.  My wife, dog Jaclyn, and I drove to Beach Pond (K-6980) which is on the boarder of … Continue reading →

Posted in Activation, HamStick, IC-7300, Portable, POTA, Propagation | 3 Comments