Author Archives: robert

Update on DMR and ZumSpot

Posted on April 5, 2019 by robert

Back in December, I wrote a post about my initial impressions of the Alinco DJ-MD5GP Type 90 approved DMR/Analog Dual Band HT.  With no DMR repeaters nearby (and only a couple in all of RI), I needed to use this … Continue reading →

Posted in DJ-MD5, DMR, ZumSpot | Leave a comment

So what was going on in solar weather today?

Posted on April 2, 2019 by robert

I thought it might be useful to see what the solar conditions were this morning when I worked Alaska on 160-m.  We had a solar disturbance and sunspot making things interesting for us a few days ago (spot 2736), but … Continue reading →

Posted in 160-Meters, Solar Cycles | Leave a comment

Dreams do come true: Alaska on 160-meters

Posted on April 2, 2019 by robert

With age comes experience and also a smaller bladder.  I often check my radio at odd hours of the morning because of the latter.  Today happened to be a first for me; when I checked, I saw that Alaska had … Continue reading →

Posted in 160-Meters, DX | Leave a comment

More ARISS Mentoring

Posted on March 4, 2019 by robert

I’m so happy to be working with the University of Colorado Amateur Radio Club, Boulder Amateur Radio Club, and Northridge Elementary School, toward an International Space Station radio contact later this fall as an ARISS Mentor. The Technical Team had … Continue reading →

Posted in ARISS, ISS | Leave a comment

Why it is going to be so hard to work Alaska on 160-meters

Posted on February 19, 2019 by robert

160-meter communication between New England states and Alaska can be very challenging due to its high latitude and proximity to the magnetic pole. To begin with, the path distance is approximately 3,400 miles, which is going to require at least … Continue reading →

Posted in 160-Meters, Propagation | 2 Comments

And then there was one…

Posted on February 19, 2019 by robert

A dear friend of mine, John WA1aBI, always told me that the best DX on 160 meters came on chilly winter nights at the bottom of the solar cycle.  He certainly was right. Today, shortly after midnight, I worked Hawaii … Continue reading →

Posted in 160-Meters, DX | 1 Comment

2019 Goals 1 month later

Posted on February 1, 2019 by robert

I think I set goals that were a tad low for this year, but DXing and state hunting is so hit or miss (also lots of folks go on holiday in the beginning of the year). Four of my 2019 … Continue reading →

Posted in DX, Goals | Leave a comment

I have no pride…Doppler.sqf File Messup

Posted on January 27, 2019 by robert

I have two satellite stations: a portable one using an Icom -910H, and my home station using an Icom-9100.  The portable one usually works better because I’ll be in open areas with no trees, and using a beam (either fixed … Continue reading →

Posted in Satellite | Leave a comment

WFD 2019 Satellite QSO Completed

Posted on January 26, 2019 by robert

My thanks to the crew in NH working N1FD (4O NH) during Winter Field Day this year.  There was a decent CAS-4B pass that began 13 min after WFD got underway, the first pass of the contest.  I was able … Continue reading →

Posted in AMSAT, Antennas, CAS-4B, Contests, Satellite, WFD | Leave a comment

How much power does a ZumSpot/PiZero need?

Posted on January 21, 2019 by robert

I’ve received several inquiries about using my ZumSpot mobile (from a USB Battery Pack). Inevitably the conversation turns around to the size of the power supply required.  It doesn’t help matters that the US vendors sell a 3-amp USB wall … Continue reading →

Posted in Raspberry Pi, YSF, ZumSpot | 2 Comments