Author Archives: robert

WPX Award of Excellence

Posted on January 3, 2019 by robert

I really can’t make this a goal for a single year, because I think it will take several to complete.  I really would like to achieve the CQ Magazine WPX Award of Excellence.  This is far from trivial as has … Continue reading →

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2019 Goals

Posted on January 1, 2019 by robert

It is time to set my goals for 2019.  This year, they will be somewhat reduced due to health limitations. Teach a Technician Class Reach 270 Confirmed Countries in DXCC Reach 60 Confirmed Countries on 160-Meters Reach 1375 Band-Points in … Continue reading →

Posted in DX, Education, From the OM, Goals, Satellite | Leave a comment

2018 Goals in Review

Posted on January 1, 2019 by robert

Happy New Year!!! Hard to believe another year is here, even after being tired from accomplishing so much in 2018 — all but one goal was completed. Teach a Technician Class 265 Confirmed Countries in DXCC (made 268) 1,290 Challenge Band-Points (made … Continue reading →

Posted in 160-Meters, 3D Printing, Awards, DX, Education, From the OM | Leave a comment

Fumbling through ZumSpot setup and DMR

Posted on December 24, 2018 by robert

So the next step was to enable DMR services on the ZumSpot.  That was easy, but several more menu items relating to DMR popped up.  Suspecting that I didn’t want to be linked to Europe, I changed over to some … Continue reading →

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

Initial Impression Alinco DJ-MD5

Posted on December 24, 2018 by robert

During one of the almost endless sales, I purchased an Alinco DJ-MD5 about a month ago.  It came in today, I started the process of trying to figure out the radio (from a perspective of someone who never used DMR … Continue reading →

Posted in DJ-MD5, DMR, From the OM | 10 Comments

ONE BILLION QSOs in LotW

Posted on December 19, 2018 by robert

I’ve been a little obsessed making year-end QSOs for the International Grid Chase, and watching LotW count up to ONE BILLION QSOs. It happened at 23:32:06 UTC on December 19, 2018 (6:32:06 PM EST). Fantastic job ARRL and IT staff … Continue reading →

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Only one million to go in LotW

Posted on December 17, 2018 by robert

At approximately 10:15 AM EST (15:15 UTC), the QSO count in Logbook of the World rolled over to 999 million, only 1 million QSOs to go before it hits a BILLION. LotW has been going up about 3 million QSOs … Continue reading →

Posted in ARRL, LotW | Leave a comment

Clearing the air on FT8

Posted on December 11, 2018 by robert

I follow a fairly large number of groups that are associated with various aspects of Amateur Radio or Electronics. I’ve seen a lot of discussing pro and con about FT8.  My personal view is that Amateur Radio should be as … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Mode, From the OM, FT8 | Leave a comment

Has Solar Cycle 25 begun?

Posted on November 19, 2018 by robert

From SpaceWeather.com Over the weekend, a magnetically reversed sunspot appeared in the sun’s northern hemisphere. Its high latitude and “backwards” magnetic polarity mark it as a member of the next solar cycle. Is Solar Minimum over? Not even close, but … Continue reading →

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Mobile ZumSpot

Posted on November 19, 2018 by robert

I’ve been using my ZumSpot on my home WiFi network for a few months.  I’ve heard several folks use their’s with their cell phone internet connection (Hotspot), and started to mess with that a couple of weeks ago.  It didn’t work … Continue reading →

Posted in DMR, YSF, ZumSpot | 6 Comments