Author Archives: robert

Reached CWops CWT Gold Award

Posted on October 5, 2023 by robert

As of 0300z today (11 PM last night, acutally), I completed my 120th CWT (CWops CW Contest).  There are four short 1 hour contests per day (1300, 1900, 0300, and 0700Z), so at least 208 each year.  CWops awards medals … Continue reading →

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Just passed 24,000 QSOs in LotW

Posted on September 20, 2023 by robert

I noticed that I passed 24,000 QSOs in LotW today.  Don’t recall what I had at the beginning of the year, sadly.  But I was at 16,000 QSOs in November of 2021, so I’ve added about 8,000 in the past … Continue reading →

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Completed Activated All RI Parks During Work All RI POTA Event

Posted on September 9, 2023 by robert

I started working POTA right before the pandemic, and have continued on.  I had managed to work 51 of the 52 parks in Rhode Island, and had activating Block Island as my goal for 2022.  Things didn’t work out last … Continue reading →

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POTA Hunter Award for 1000 Parks

Posted on August 22, 2023 by robert

I just received confirmation that I have 1,000 unique parks confirmed as a hunter.  That was also one of my goals for 2023.  At this point I only have one goal left: To build my QDX Digital Transceiver and get … Continue reading →

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CWops CWT Silver Medal Achieved

Posted on July 21, 2023 by robert

As of early yesterday morning (3 AM), I completed CWT #90 on the year.  This earns the Silver Medal (which I achieved my first year).  I need 30 more contests to get to 120 and earn the Gold Medal (which … Continue reading →

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Solar Cycle 25 now out of prediction bounds…

Posted on July 11, 2023 by robert

As I type this, my side of the planet has undergone a sudden R2 radio blackout due to a M 6.8 solar flare.  Sadly no 40/20/15 meter contacts for the next few hours. As I was confirming the flare, I … Continue reading →

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POTA Hunter Award for 900 parks

Posted on July 10, 2023 by robert

Yesterday I received confirmation for park #900 ().  This puts me closer to one of my goals for 2023, working 1000 parks. My goals for 2023 are: Teach a class (either Technician or CW Academy) Participate in 120+ CWTs for … Continue reading →

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Gold medal for 2022 CWTs

Posted on July 4, 2023 by robert

While I was taking the advanced CWops classes I started participating in their weekly CWTs (short one hour long CW sprint contests).  For the 2021 year, I finished with a silver medal (meaning I had participated in at least 90 … Continue reading →

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Meanwhile, quality LiFePO4 batteries last and last and la….

Posted on June 2, 2023 by robert

After reporting the failure of my Miady 16 AH battery (lightly used less than 3 years old), I dug out my “backup” battery: a 9.6 AH K2 Energy battery, purchased in mid 2011.  That battery is 12 years old.  It … Continue reading →

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Spoke too soon re: Miady 16 AH LiFePO4

Posted on June 1, 2023 by robert

After “fully” charging the battery, I put it into service during a POTA activation.  Imagine my surprise when 10 minutes into the activation my radio shut down.  I suspected a battery failure, but didn’t have a backup with me. When … Continue reading →

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