Monthly Archives: January 2019

Psst — Secret Goal Completed!

Posted on January 31, 2019 by Bob Beatty

In addition to my yearly goals, I often have a few in my back pocket that I am working on.  One of those was working at least one station every day for a month (pretty easy), and having at least … Continue reading →

Posted in AMSAT, AO-92, Goals, Satellite | 1 Comment

112 Different Folks on Sat

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Bob Beatty

I was curious to see how many different people I’ve worked on the various satellites since getting back on the air in 2011.  In the past 8 years I’ve worked 112 different stations.  Some of the birds are no longer … Continue reading →

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CW QSO via AO-7 Old Lady

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Bob Beatty

It is always exciting to make a contact through AO-7, a satellite that was launched in 1974.  It died due to battery failure about five years later (batteries shorted), exceeding its design goals. Amazingly, 21 years after its launch, in … Continue reading →

Posted in AO-7, Satellite | Leave a comment

I have no pride…Doppler.sqf File Messup

Posted on January 27, 2019 by robert

I have two satellite stations: a portable one using an Icom -910H, and my home station using an Icom-9100.  The portable one usually works better because I’ll be in open areas with no trees, and using a beam (either fixed … Continue reading →

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WFD 2019 Satellite QSO Completed

Posted on January 26, 2019 by robert

My thanks to the crew in NH working N1FD (4O NH) during Winter Field Day this year.  There was a decent CAS-4B pass that began 13 min after WFD got underway, the first pass of the contest.  I was able … Continue reading →

Posted in AMSAT, Antennas, CAS-4B, Contests, Satellite, WFD | Leave a comment

How much power does a ZumSpot/PiZero need?

Posted on January 21, 2019 by robert

I’ve received several inquiries about using my ZumSpot mobile (from a USB Battery Pack). Inevitably the conversation turns around to the size of the power supply required.  It doesn’t help matters that the US vendors sell a 3-amp USB wall … Continue reading →

Posted in Raspberry Pi, YSF, ZumSpot | 2 Comments

Having fun DXing this January

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Bob Beatty

I spent far too much time hunting grids down in 2018.  I will say it upped my DXCC Challenge points (by about 85), but it wasn’t very fruitful for finding ATNOs. Thankfully, January has proven to be opportunity-rich.  I’ve worked … Continue reading →

Posted in 160-Meters, DX, From the OM | Leave a comment

Using a K1EL WKmini with HRD (And CW KY Cmd Fix)

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Bob Beatty

A while back, when I had my K3, I used a rig interface that had a WinKeyer built-in and it worked fabulously.  But when I changed over to a K3s, I was never able to get HRD to work in … Continue reading →

Posted in CW, HRD, K1EL, WinKeyer | Leave a comment

WPX Award of Excellence

Posted on January 3, 2019 by robert

I really can’t make this a goal for a single year, because I think it will take several to complete.  I really would like to achieve the CQ Magazine WPX Award of Excellence.  This is far from trivial as has … Continue reading →

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2019 Goals

Posted on January 1, 2019 by robert

It is time to set my goals for 2019.  This year, they will be somewhat reduced due to health limitations. Teach a Technician Class Reach 270 Confirmed Countries in DXCC Reach 60 Confirmed Countries on 160-Meters Reach 1375 Band-Points in … Continue reading →

Posted in DX, Education, From the OM, Goals, Satellite | Leave a comment