Author Archives: robert

A Surprise From the ARRL

Posted on December 6, 2015 by robert

A large envelope from the ARRL arrived this weekend.  It look suspiciously like the kind they send out awards for states or sections in various contests, but I didn’t recall submitting a log recently.  I was pleasantly surprised to find … Continue reading →

Posted in ECOMM, Education, Public Service | Leave a comment

K1 Front Panel Completed

Posted on December 5, 2015 by robert

The Front Panel assembly had 75 components and took 265 minutes of assembly and verification time.  That works out to 3.5 minutes per component and 4.4 hours. At this point, I feel that I’m about halfway finished with the build … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Gear, Projects, QRP | Leave a comment

December Triple Play

Posted on December 4, 2015 by robert

I try to make at least one needed DX or stateside contact every month.  Some months are easier than others, mostly depending on how busy I am with other things.  Recognizing that I hadn’t made any December QSOs yet, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Mode, DX, Operating, Propagation | Leave a comment

K1 Front Panel Board Started

Posted on December 3, 2015 by robert

I continued to test and evaluate the audio level issue with the SCS P4 Dragon Modem today, so I didn’t have much time for assembly.  But I did get a start on the K1 Front Panel Board.  14 components (front … Continue reading →

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Pactor Modem Arrives

Posted on December 3, 2015 by robert

I had ordered a P4 Dragon Pactor modem which finally arrived a few days ago.  My intent was to hook it up to my IC-9100 so I can use either Pactor III on HF (P4 is not legal in the … Continue reading →

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K1 Filter Board Completed

Posted on December 2, 2015 by robert

I’d say this is about 1/6 of the work (2/6 for the Front Panel, and 3/6 for the RF board remaining).  It took a total of 255 minutes to complete the installation of 64 component, or about 4 minutes per part … Continue reading →

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November DX Wrapup

Posted on December 1, 2015 by robert

I’m definitely in the slow-crawl mode, but I did pick up a pair of all-time new ones that confirmed quickly.  With 5 QSLs in hand, that brings my confirmed total to 244, and 1155 band-points.

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K1 Assembly Burp #1

Posted on November 30, 2015 by robert

Things were going swimmingly with the K1 Filter Board assembly, still at a rate of 1 component per 3 minutes (I follow a 7-step process:  check value, check value, install, check value, solder, check value, check solder).  Then I hit a … Continue reading →

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Scratching the Itch…

Posted on November 29, 2015 by robert

Putting together a Doppler antenna switch for fox hunting (Handi-Finder) reminded me how fun making things can be.  It’s been many years since I’ve built a radio kit, and I’ve been itching to feel that “glow” you get when you … Continue reading →

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Second Envelope from Incoming Bureau Arrives

Posted on November 13, 2015 by robert

After getting back on the air and having more success with DX that I had in the prior 40 years, I figured I’d send some envelopes to my incoming bureau back in Jan of 2012.  I received my first envelope with … Continue reading →

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