Author Archives: robert

Where Did March Go?

Posted on April 7, 2014 by robert

I was planning to make a DX update in March, being the end of the first quarter of 2014, and hoping to have completed several projects.  I did manage to give a presentation on Digital Modes at my club (Software … Continue reading →

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5BWAS #3,167 Received Today

Posted on February 21, 2014 by robert

I was pleased to have my favorite brown truck show up today with a package containing my 5BWAS award.  Thanks to all the 250 stations along the way, and especially to KL7J, who worked very hard with me to get … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Operating | Leave a comment

Senegal QSL boosts 80m Count to 79

Posted on February 3, 2014 by robert

I received a beautiful QSL from 6V7S, Vlad, in Senegal West Africa today.  I had worked Vlad on 80/40/30/20/15/10 meters (on SSB/CW/RTTY).  This boosts my 80 meter count to 79 confirmed countries, so I need 21 more to complete my … Continue reading →

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Success with Amsterdam Island, FT5ZM

Posted on February 3, 2014 by robert

I’m a bit late in posting this, but I was lucky enough to work FT5ZM about 18 hours after they went on the air.  Since the path from New England is right through the heart of Europe, breaking through is … Continue reading →

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5BWAS Issued on Feb 2, 2014

Posted on February 3, 2014 by robert

It was Super Sunday in more ways that one.  I received a message from Bill Moore, NC1L, that my application for 5BWAS had been approved and the plaque/pins/certificate were on the way.

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Les, KL7J, Comes Through in a Big Way on 80 Meters

Posted on January 26, 2014 by robert

My journey to 5BWAS ended at 1050 UTC (5:50 AM Local Time) Jan 26, 2014, when Les Buchholz sent CQ on 3.577.269 MHz.  Six minutes later, signal levels of -14 and -16 were exchanged and confirmed, and 73 send round … Continue reading →

Posted in DX, From the OM, JT65A-HF, LotW, Propagation | Leave a comment

Algeria Brings DXCC to 200

Posted on January 24, 2014 by robert

With the receipt of a QSL from 7X5QB in Algeria, my DXCC count reached 200 today.  A friend of mine, K1SEA, had suggested I quit being lazy and start sending out QSLs.  He was right.  About three weeks after sending … Continue reading →

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Midpoint of Solar Cycle 24 reached at end of December

Posted on January 7, 2014 by robert

The official definition of the midpoint of a solar cycle is when both halves of the sun have reversed magnetic poles.  Up until recently, just the upper half had reversed.  But in late December, the lower half finally caught up. … Continue reading →

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2013 Wrap-up and 2014 Goals

Posted on January 1, 2014 by robert

Happy New Year!!! 2013 was a good ham radio year, even with somewhat disappointing solar activity.  Last year I set the following goals: Get 175 confirmed countries in LotW √ (Have 193 confirmed in LotW and 2 QSLs for a … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, History, Operating | 2 Comments

AO-73 Working Just Fine

Posted on December 4, 2013 by robert

I’ve left my rig on during the daylight hours to automatically collect telemetry packets, and have now received over 1100 of them.  And at night, I’ve had successful contacts with a half dozen people. The biggest challenge continues to be … Continue reading →

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