Author Archives: robert

FT4TA: Did I or didn’t I?

Posted on November 2, 2014 by robert

So I think I worked FT4TA, Tromelin Island, on 24.910 RTTY.  I say think because he had asked for a” WB4 WB4 WB4″, then when I replied, I saw “B4SON 599 WB4” then saw KB4SON TU FT4TA.  Gad I hope … Continue reading →

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Better Late Than Never!!

Posted on October 28, 2014 by robert

A LotW confirmation for a 80-meter CW QSO with 4L5O (Georgia, the country), just came in today.  This was confirmation for a contact made in November of 2012.  Maybe 4L5O just joined LotW, or perhaps he waits about 2 years … Continue reading →

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How many X-Class Solar Flares Can Come From One Region?

Posted on October 27, 2014 by robert

Six and counting (along with 17 M-Class Flares): X1.1 10/19 X1.6 10/22 X3.1 10/24 X1.0 10/25 X2.0 10/26 X2.0 10/27 This morning marked the sixth X-Class Solar Flare erupting from Solar Region 2192.  Amazingly enough, none of these flares have produced … Continue reading →

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Unexpected Surprise

Posted on October 23, 2014 by robert

So a large envelope from the ARRL showed up in the mail today.  Not entirely unusual as I teach classes, and am a VE, plus life members, etc.  However I wasn’t expecting anything. Imagine my surprise when I opened it … Continue reading →

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What a difference a day makes (actually two)…

Posted on October 13, 2014 by robert

One sure fire way to bust the barrier that prevents a bit of LotW activity is to draw a line in the sand and report out your current standings.  I did that two days ago, and today things look a … Continue reading →

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DXCC Update

Posted on October 11, 2014 by robert

Several of my ham buddies (including one at the top of the Honor Roll), have described the DXCC process as easy to get the first 100, then more effort to get the next.  They have warned me that after 200, … Continue reading →

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Amazingly High Attenuation

Posted on September 12, 2014 by robert

A series of solar flares in X/M have really messed up the ionosphere.  On top of that one Earth-directed CME struck about 12 hours ago and another larger one is due any moment. I don’t recall seeing Attenuation levels this … Continue reading →

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W1AW/Portable 50 States Confirmed!

Posted on September 4, 2014 by robert

I was a bit surprised to find two QSLs arrived this morning at about 5 AM in LotW confirming contacts with W1AW/1 from Maine.  This was the final state that I need for WAS W1AW/Portable. Oddly enough, despite the LotW confirmation, … Continue reading →

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Second Charge Doesn’t Fix Zippy – Capacity 77%/3.2 AH

Posted on August 28, 2014 by robert

A second charge cycle didn’t have much of an impact on the Zippy battery.  It showed a capacity of 76.7%, which is still considered failing (< 80% of rated capacity).  I carefully monitored the charge process, and couldn’t help but … Continue reading →

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Zippy Charge #1 After 18 Month Storage – 3 AH (73%)

Posted on August 27, 2014 by robert

After testing the remaining capacity following 18 months of storage, The Zippy battery was recharged, remained idle overnight, then retested under a 2.1 Amp load.  The capacity was up to 72.5% (3.0 AH), which is considered “failed” (less than 80% … Continue reading →

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