Author Archives: robert

Field Day Satellite Success

Posted on June 25, 2012 by robert

After operating Field Day last year by myself (Category 1E) and remembering back to the fun I had with my fellow club members during FD with K4BFT in Huntsville, AL and K2AE in Schenectady, NY, I sought out a club … Continue reading →

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A 12 Ounce QRP Antenna

Posted on June 22, 2012 by robert

My KX3 fits in a small video camera bag, along with all the accessories (mike, paddle, PC cables, DC cord, spare batteries, solar charger, etc.), with room to spare.  I wanted to add a light-weight antenna to make a complete … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Gear, QRP | 2 Comments

A RI DMV Update concerning “Amateur Radio Operator Plates”

Posted on June 9, 2012 by robert

I received another phone call from the RI DMV.  This time it was from one of the employees in the finance office.  He had contacted the department lawyer, and informed me that there are really only three fees associated with … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM | 3 Comments

The IC-9100 gets added to the D-Star list

Posted on June 9, 2012 by robert

With the VHF/UHF contest this weekend, I figured I would dust off the IC-9100 and see if I could scare up a few SSB QSOs.   Within a couple of minutes I had a two on 2 meters and one … Continue reading →

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Using D-PRS with the Icom IC-80AD in DVG Mode

Posted on June 6, 2012 by robert

When running in the Digital Voice (DV) mode, the IC-80AD is capable of sending “low-speed” data along with the voice stream.  One of the possible uses for that data is position reporting.  That position data can be shared over the … Continue reading →

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D-Star and the Icom IC-80AD

Posted on June 5, 2012 by robert

“I’d send it back if I were you” — was probably the best advice I received this past weekend, after voicing my frustration over setting up the Icom IC-80AD handheld to access my local D-Star repeaters.  (The manual is poorly … Continue reading →

Posted in D-Star, From the OM | 2 Comments

Obtaining a RI “Amateur Radio Operator Plate” from the new DMV

Posted on June 5, 2012 by robert

Let me begin by saying that Rhode Island has totally rebuilt their DMV — once the butt of thousands of jokes, and a prime example of government incompetence at its worst, it has morphed into an example that proves government … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM | 1 Comment

KX3 in the CW CQ WPX Contest

Posted on May 28, 2012 by robert

Many things test the metal of receiver.  The ability of a receiver to survive a busy contest is certainly a key test. I had the opportunity to use my KX3 in the CW CQ WPX Contest this weekend.  20 and … Continue reading →

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Rocking the QRP World

Posted on May 6, 2012 by robert

So after a busy weekend I had 4 hours to mess with the KX3.  It is simply amazing.  Of course this is still very early in the product release cycle and parts of the firmware have yet to be completed, … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Gear, QRP | 2 Comments

QRP Nirvana – the KX3 has landed!

Posted on May 4, 2012 by robert

After finishing work today, I was surprised to see a FedEx package from Elecraft — My KX3 had arrived.  I spent an hour getting used to things, checking out the sensitivity and filtering, determining the current consumption,  and figuring out … Continue reading →

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