Author Archives: robert

GOTA Summary – Field Day 2015

Posted on July 3, 2015 by robert

I’ve been organizing the GOTA operation for my club’s Field Day for the past several years.  Each year our goal is to max out our GOTA contribution, a goal that we’ve never met.  Depending on your definition, we either did … Continue reading →

Posted in Contests, Operating, Public Service | Leave a comment

Cycle 24 Musings and Goal Review for 2015

Posted on July 1, 2015 by robert

The planet took a beating about ten days ago from Sunspot 2371, which produced one of the larger geomagnetic disturbances of the Cycle 24 when the CME hit the earth around noon local time on June 22.  This event and several others … Continue reading →

Posted in DX, Propagation | Leave a comment

Field Day Irony

Posted on June 29, 2015 by robert

Well Field Day 2015 has come and gone, and I was able to snag another satellite contact to help garner some bonus points for my club (Newport County Radio Club) — Thank you NX9B, I was W1LY on the other end. Despite … Continue reading →

Posted in Contests, Operating, Satellite | Leave a comment

Satellite Uplink Calibration

Posted on June 25, 2015 by robert

I finally had some time to ensure that my SatPC32 program was correctly calibrated to my Icom IC-9100 when using any of the three available linear transponder satellites.  While SatPC32 deals with doppler corrections (assuming the PC Clock is accurately set … Continue reading →

Posted in Contests, From the OM, Satellite | 2 Comments

Field Day 2015 Satellite Passes

Posted on June 24, 2015 by robert

With only a single operating FM satellite (FO-50), there is almost no chance to work it during Field Day.  The best chance is provided by one of the three operational analog satellites:  AO-7, FO-29 and AO-73.  AO-7 is an ancient … Continue reading →

Posted in Contests, Satellite | Leave a comment

Momento for W1AW/1 RI Operation

Posted on June 12, 2015 by robert

When I checked the mail today, I was pleasantly surprised to find a small desk plaque commemorating my participation this past year as a W1AW/1 – RI station.  They mounted a centennial and W1AW challenge coin into an engraved case … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Operating | 2 Comments

Worked All W1AW Plaque Arrives

Posted on June 11, 2015 by robert

Yesterday a box that was about a cubic foot showed up on my doorstep.  Expecting something heavy I almost tossed it over the roof when I picked it up — it weighed less than 2 pounds.  I didn’t recognize the … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Operating | Leave a comment

A Documentation Solution for Shelter Radios?

Posted on May 18, 2015 by robert

One of the hats I wear as a volunteer is supporting RI’s Red Cross communication (part of what ARC calls “DST” or Disaster Services Technology).  During a particularly bad winter storm, one of our shelter comms operators contacted me at the … Continue reading →

Posted in ECOMM, Public Service | Leave a comment

30-Meter WAS Completed — 33 Years Ago!

Posted on April 21, 2015 by robert

I’ve been parked at 6BWAS for several months, after completing the 5BWAS award and the 17-Meter band endorsement.  Since then I’ve gone from 8 states needed on 12-Meters, down to 2 (DE & WV), and also reduced my 30-Meter requirement … Continue reading →

Posted in DX, LotW, Operating | Leave a comment

5BDXCC Plaque #8,178 Arrives

Posted on April 20, 2015 by robert

The 5BDXCC Plaque, No. 8,178, arrived today (it was awarded on March 6, 2015).  Unfortunately, while the plaque arrived, the 30-Meter endorsement was “out of stock” and will be delivered at a later date.  Since the plaque was supplied as … Continue reading →

Posted in DX | 7 Comments