Category Archives: From the OM

A QSL from the distant past…

Posted on April 5, 2013 by robert

I received a post-comment from John Boyd who mentioned that he recalled working a WN4SON back in the day.  While I’ve misplaced my log and original license (I know they are packed in a box from one of my moves), … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, History | Leave a comment

Class Begins…I pity the students

Posted on April 1, 2013 by robert

I’m teaching a Technician Class on behalf of the Newport County Radio Club, and the first class begins tonight. Over the years I’ve taught many classes in various different subjects (micro-controller applications, celestial navigation, boy scout merit badges, boating safety, etc.) .  But … Continue reading →

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

XT2TT Confirmation completes TWO goals for 2013

Posted on March 22, 2013 by robert

I just received LotW confirmations from XT2TT, Burkina Faso, that included a RTTY digital contact.  That confirmation actually completes my first goal for the year; getting 175 countries confirmed in LotW.  It also completes a second goal; getting Digital DXCC … Continue reading →

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15-Meter WAS: Thanks Steven, W3SFG

Posted on March 20, 2013 by robert

In the march toward 5BWAS, 15-meters was crossed off the list this morning when W3SFG, Steven in Maryland, confirmed our contact made 10 days prior. I had been watching LotW closely, waiting for that contact to be confirmed, and became … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, LotW, Operating | Leave a comment

A Clean Sweep for Clipperton TX5K

Posted on March 8, 2013 by robert

I have been spending a bit of time since Monday trying to work the Clipperton Island DXpediton, TX5K, on all bands and modes.  I was finally able to accomplish that during lunch today, with a 10-meter CW contact completing the … Continue reading →

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A Repeater Finder App for IOS and Android (and the web)

Posted on March 8, 2013 by robert

While I had programmed every repeater in my local area into my IC880H before installing it in the truck, I had no idea exactly where the repeaters were located, and I discovered that I was not able to bring all … Continue reading →

Posted in D-Star, From the OM, Gear, Operating | Leave a comment

Mounting a VHF/UHF Gain Antenna on a Chevy Avalanche

Posted on March 4, 2013 by robert

My WB4SON-mobile is a Chevrolet Avalanche.  Despite the fact that I’ve owned that truck for over a decade, I’ve never had a permanently mounted rig or antenna, relying instead on my handheld with a mag-mount antenna.  After about the sixth … Continue reading →

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TX5K 18 MHz P3 Capture

Posted on March 4, 2013 by robert

The KX5K DXpedition is creating a rather wide pileup on the 18 MHz band as you can see from the screen-capture below.  The Green and Red cursors are about 7.3 KHz apart.  The Green cursor is on TX5K signal, which … Continue reading →

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Clipperton, TX5K, has fantastic real-time world view

Posted on March 4, 2013 by robert

After begin “slimmed” by a pirate on 3/1, followed by a busy family weekend, I finally had an opportunity to work TX5K on Clipperton Island (for real) using 30m CW.  Despite the relative calm of the 30 meter band, the … Continue reading →

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Zippy LiFe 4200 Battery Self-discharge Test: 4% perMonth

Posted on February 28, 2013 by robert

A month ago I published some test results indicating a Zippy LiFe 4200 battery did have a capacity near its manufacturer’s claims (in fact slightly better than the claim at a C/2 discharge rate (2.1 Amps).  That original curve is … Continue reading →

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