Author Archives: Bob Beatty

Solar Cycle 25 Prediction

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Bob Beatty

Not all predictions are accurate, of course, but I bet the folks at NASA and the Solar Observatory have a good handle on things.  This was one of their predictions from early last year, based on some new observations of … Continue reading →

Posted in Solar Cycles | Leave a comment

K2 Energy LiFePO4 going strong 9+ years later

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Bob Beatty

The first LiFePO4 battery I acquired was produced by k2battery.com back in 2011.  It was a drop-in replacement for the standard size 7 AH SLA battery, model K2B12V10EB.  It has served me well, all these years, being the primary battery … Continue reading →

Posted in Battery, LiFePO4 | Leave a comment

Renaming Audio In/Out in Win 10

Posted on July 7, 2020 by Bob Beatty

As I slowly change from older generation radios to newer ones, many of them come with a USB interface for Rig Control as well as modulation In and Out.  The trouble is that the vendors don’t do a good job … Continue reading →

Posted in FTDX-101MP, Gear, Sound, Win10 | Leave a comment

Six Meters Amazing

Posted on June 14, 2020 by Bob Beatty

I’m not really a 6m person, in fact I don’t have a decent antenna, but I have to admit things are hopping.  I’m seeing Spain, Canary Islands to the East, and California to the West. Decoding 24-30 stations each 15 … Continue reading →

Posted in 6-Meters, FT8 | Leave a comment

Zum AMBE3000 Server

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Bob Beatty

As I was configuring my BlueDV to work with my ancient DV 3000K USB AMBE3000 device, I notice some comments about using an “AMBE Server” which caused me to do some digging.  The early devices like my DV 3000K were … Continue reading →

Posted in D-Star, DMR, FUSION | 4 Comments

AMSAT Sexagesimal Award

Posted on May 24, 2020 by Bob Beatty

AMSAT has a Sexagesimal Award for satellite operators who have confirmed contacts with 60 different Canadian call areas, US States, or DX Countries. I figured I would check on my progress.  Turns out I’ve worked VE1, VE2, VE3, VE9, VO2 … Continue reading →

Posted in AMSAT, Awards, Satellite | Leave a comment

DXCC 275 Reached with 160-meter Guyana QSO

Posted on May 24, 2020 by Bob Beatty

A pleasant surprise awaited me today, a LotW confirmation from 8R1/AG6UT in Guyana.  This was confirming a QSO from last November on the 160-meter band, so it was a double bonus, leaving me with 12 more countries to complete my … Continue reading →

Posted in 160-Meters, DX | Leave a comment

Leo Bodnar mini GPS Reference Clock

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Bob Beatty

I finally powered up my Leo Bodnar mini-GPS Reference Clock yesterday.  It took only a few seconds to achieve lock and within 15 minutes it was stabilize to within 1 milliHertz.  I’m told by the factory that within a few … Continue reading →

Posted in FMT, Gear, IC-9700 | 8 Comments

Successful AMSAT Presentation Using Zoom

Posted on April 4, 2020 by Bob Beatty

I’m fortunate enough to be an AMSAT Ambassador, and from time to time, I get an opportunity to present to groups of hams that are interested in learning about how they can start using the dozen+ Amateur Radio Satellites.  This … Continue reading →

Posted in AMSAT, Presentations, Satellite | Leave a comment

A Ham has no end of things to do…

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Bob Beatty

With much of the world self-isolating during the COVID outbreak, some folks are understandably getting cabin fever.  My family and I try to reduce that as much as we can by getting outside in the fresh air on sunny days … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power, COVID-19, EU2000i | Leave a comment