Author Archives: robert

Bye Bye Solar Cycle 24 ?!?

Posted on July 16, 2014 by robert

Sad but true, as of today, July 16, 2014, the sun is spotless.  The last time that happened was on August 11, 2011.  SolarHam.com even compared the spotless sun to an orange today! You can clearly see the double peak … Continue reading →

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

Field Day 2014 Satellite Passes

Posted on June 17, 2014 by robert

This is a list of satellite passes that occur between 1400 Local on Saturday June 28 and 1400 Local on Sunday June 29 for the Rhode Island (FN41) area is shown below.  AO-7 will only be usable during daylight hours. … Continue reading →

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

Heatsink “Accessory” for KX3

Posted on May 16, 2014 by robert

I love my 2-year old KX3, simply the best all mode QRP portable rig I’ve ever used.  The popularity of the radio is evidenced by an ever-growing marketplace providing accessories.  Due to thermal issues experienced by those running digital modes … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Mode, Gear, JT65A-HF, JT9, QRP | 8 Comments

Capacity Test Results for Bioenno 30AH 12V LiFePO4

Posted on May 5, 2014 by robert

I finally had a chance to run a test on my Bioenno Power FL4S10PHCC 30 AH, 12 V, LiFePO4 battery this weekend.  I would normally do my testing at a C/2 rate, or 15 Amps in this case, but that exceeds … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power | 15 Comments

Update on 3 Year Old LiFePO4 Battery

Posted on May 3, 2014 by robert

Executive summary – Even a properly maintained (periodically charged) LiFePO4 battery should be undergo a charge/discharge/charge cycle to maximize performance after long periods of idle time. I’ve had a few entries concerning my original LiFePO4 battery, a 9.6AH  K2-Energy pack … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power | 6 Comments

Update on 60AH LiFePO4 Battery

Posted on April 28, 2014 by robert

About a year ago, I assembled a 60 AH 12V LiFePO4 battery to run the GOTA station during field day.  The battery was stored fully charged after field day then recharged on December 14.  I just took it out of storage … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power | Leave a comment

I’m a Sucker For a New Key

Posted on April 25, 2014 by robert

Within moments of the email from the ARRL hitting my inbox several months ago, I had ordered a Vibroplex ARRL 100th Commemorative Iambic Paddle.  Serial number 213 arrived today, with WB4SON engraved into the base.  Guess this is a key … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM | Leave a comment

Cute Card From Coventry Technician Class

Posted on April 21, 2014 by robert

I had an opportunity to teach a Technician class to a wonderful group of folks from Coventry and West Warwick, who were EOC, Shelter, and CERT volunteers.  We held the usual 6-week Technician Class every Wednesday (dodging snow storms), and 14 of … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Instruction | Leave a comment

When it rains it pours?

Posted on April 15, 2014 by robert

Man its a wet spring with more rain on the way (16+” year-to-date), but I’m not talking about the weather — I’m talking about DXCC Confirmations. Today I finally broke the 200 mark in LotW, with confirmations for QSOs from … Continue reading →

Posted in DX, From the OM | Leave a comment

Mellish Reef DXpedition and DX Summary

Posted on April 7, 2014 by robert

I was very fortunate to work Mellish Reef on 20 Meter CW around 0800Z April 4th.  While there was some discussion about them abandoning the reef due to very bad weather, they were still plugging away.  Propagation charts indicated that … Continue reading →

Posted in DX, From the OM | Leave a comment