KD4HXT Blog

Class: SOAB LP

QTH: CA-SJV

Operating Time (hrs): 27.25

Summary:

 Band  QSOs

------------

  160:    0

   80:    4

   40:  104

   20:  169

   15:   76

   10:   31

------------

Total:  384  Prefixes = 185  Total Score = 134,310

Comments:

Best ever CW effort. Still have a lot to learn.  Made some bad typing errors.

Stupid stuff like KR70 instead of KR7O or W04O instead of WO4O.  Sorry if I drove you guys nuts with dupes. I had trouble with NH6X and NH6V.

I can't "Run" very well.  Can't pull calls out real well yet, so back to simulator to keep working on it.  Seems EZ on phone to me however.

New radio (FT-950) is my new best friend.  Wow, what a difference in what I can hear.  New layers of stations.  I'm not sure what to make of propagation.

worked all kinds of OC stations on 20 at 2 in the morning, while I only worked a few EU stations.  The openings on 10 were great and 15 was fun too at times.

 Had a few RF issues with computer interface, but I think I found the RF holes and got my chokes to filter it out.  This was my first LP event at this QTH, having been QRP for the last year.

Each new contest is a learning experience for me, and I have a blast while I learn.

Today the ARRL delivered my basic WAS certificate for the California QTH.  This was earned using just LOTW QSL cards over the past 13 months of casual operating. My original WAS awards were issued in 1993 when I lived in Florida. Back then postage for direct QSL's would amount to about $28.00.  Today it would have been $41 plus materials cost.  The LOTW fee was $15.  It Works!

I'm very close to WAS RTTY and CW, just awaiting a few more LOTW confirms.

At the bottom of the cycle, what's not suppose to happen, happened!  20 Meters opened at 11pm at night!  The Flux was 71 and you're not usually able to work EU, AS, and VK all at the same time with a low loop antenna. but I did.  I don't think it was "F" layer propagation because the MUF was too low.  "E" layer maybe, but it would have to be a once in a lifetime opening. In a 30 minute period we worked BT, VK, XE, YT, and SM.  Talk about wide spaced DX in different directions. and all were very loud.  We had short skip too as I heard Larry, N7DD in Tucson, Arizona 20over talking to Europe and commenting on how these conditions so late at night don't even happen during solar max.

The longer I'm in this fantastic hobby, the more I need to learn.

The same day that my new radio arrived, I received a special gift.  I had entered a contest (I don't remember doing it) during the NRB Convention in March.  K-Love and AIR-1 radio called and said I had won the I-phone giveaway.

I've never been an Apple guy and always resented that you could only use I-Tunes with an I-pod.  So at first I though that I would just sell the phone.  It was going to cost to activate the phone with AT&T and that was another restrictive issue since I'm cheep.  I've loved the Smart Phones I've been using and was very happy with them.

But the Apple spell started to take over.  When I saw the screen, the ease of use, the call quality, WiFi, I-Pod, and Internet - I swallowed the blue pill.  I've not looked back.  I'm the envy of every 12 year old I've encountered!  My daughter thinks I'm cool - AND I can make and receive calls without reading glasses!  Apple has not used that feature to market the phone as of yet!

I may be damaged goods, I looked at Mac laptops and desktops at Best Buy over the weekend.

So you might have noticed a lack of posts.  On Thursday May 1st, my new radio arrived from HRO.  So I've been spending a great deal of time setting it up and operating.  I have about 75 SSB, CW, RTTY, and PSK31 logged contacts on the radio.  Numerous un logged 6-meter SSB, CW and FM contacts.  My initial impressions are outstanding and I'm very happy to have this radio in the shack.

1st Impressions:

• This has been a very easy radio to get up and operating.  Controls are in good spots.  Display is excellent and very easy to read.  Fine tuning does require digging into the menu, but it's logical and a breeze to use after some practice/experience.
• The receiver has a very low noise floor.  Example: 40-meters has been a joy to listen too.  I'm hearing layers of stations that I never heard before.  The DSP Contour really keeps it quite.  Wide range audio is another great advantage, when you need it.
• Selectivity seems great.  Now the only contest like situation has been the Thursday night CE sprint, but I was able to separate and pull out stations with no problem.
• Great transmitted audio.  Lots of great reports.
• PSK31 and RTTY work extremely well.  Interface was easy with my Digi Keyer. 
• CW keying sounds great.  Memory keyer a joy to use.  Glad I got the keypad.
• Tweaked the NB (Noise Blanker) and it works on pulse noise very nicely now.  set menu setting to 200.
• Overshoot of the AGC does happen as reported by others.  Set it to fast and not a problem.  I think a firmware fix is on the way.

Obviously band conditions have been about as bad as it comes.  I'm waiting for contest conditions, but no doubt this was a big upgrade for my shack.