Author Archives: robert

Zippy Battery Capacity Test After Eighteen Months of Storage

Posted on August 26, 2014 by robert

I had an opportunity to let my 4.2 AH Zippy battery sit unused after I last charged it on February 26 of 2013 — that was eighteen months ago. I had noted in earlier testing that the Zippy self-discharge seemed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power, From the OM | Leave a comment

Julian Plowright, N1UNP, Silent Key

Posted on August 20, 2014 by robert

A dear radio buddy, Julian Plowright, N1UHP, passed away last night.  Julian was quite active in my club (Newport County Radio Club).  He participated in our Field Day activities, most recently upgrading to Extra Class prior to this year’s event. … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM | Leave a comment

Sixth Band Completed on WAS

Posted on August 16, 2014 by robert

W1AW/1 worked out to be the final QSL needed to finish 17 Meter WAS, completing WAS on six bands (80/40/20/17/15/10 meters).  Still have a bunch of work to get to 9BWAS:  8 more needed on 12 meters, 3 more on 30 meters, … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Operating | Leave a comment

An Autonomous Automatic Satellite Tracker for a Small Crossed Beam

Posted on August 15, 2014 by robert

One of the goals I set for 2014 was to develop an antenna tracker that would be fully self-contained and not require an interface to a PC to obtain the tracking coordinates. The major components of the project are: Raspberry Pi … Continue reading →

Posted in Raspberry Pi, Satellite, Tracker | 3 Comments

Six Band WAS?

Posted on August 11, 2014 by robert

I have been missing only Vermont for 17 Meter WAS, which would be WAS on 6 bands.  Today I finally heard Vermont in the form of W1AW/1 running CW.  Very hard copy and a great OP on the other end … Continue reading →

Posted in LotW, Operating | Leave a comment

DXCC Update: 210 Confirmed, 870 Challenge Points

Posted on August 10, 2014 by robert

I dropped off a number of QSL cards that confirmed new countries, or band/mode contacts to the card checkers during the Centennial Convention.  While it took under 5 minutes at the Convention, the Online Application still needed to be processed … Continue reading →

Posted in DX | Leave a comment

Congratulations Team RI for Outstanding W1AW/1 Results

Posted on August 7, 2014 by robert

Team RI, managed by John, W1XX, of the CTRI Contest Group, posted a final QSO tally of 38,342 QSOs.  This puts RI in 11th place nationally, behind some huge large ham population states like PA and NJ.  That said we … Continue reading →

Posted in Contests, Operating | Leave a comment

A QSO with Joe Taylor, K1JT

Posted on July 31, 2014 by robert

So ever since I re-entered radio in 2011, and heard the strange (to me then) tones of JT65 on 80 meters, I’ve been hooked.  That mode, and JT9 that followed, enabled me to make WAS in a month on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Mode, From the OM | 2 Comments

GoKit Phase 1 – A long time coming

Posted on July 29, 2014 by robert

After participating in a multi-agency shelter communication drill this past weekend (which went quite well), I decided it was time to dust off my GoKit components.  I had originally intended to make a VHF-only kit using a Yaesu FT-2900R, then … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Gear, Public Service | Leave a comment

Operating W1AW/1 RI

Posted on July 23, 2014 by robert

Today (yesterday, actually) was the big day, and at 8 PM local time, the first RI stations were on the air operating as Centennial station W1AW/1 in Rhode Island.  From 8 PM until my time slot at 10 PM, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Contests, Operating | 2 Comments