KD4HXT Blog

This is the year for a new ARRL operating award.  I've already heard several stations working on this today.

It may be the best idea yet to promote Logbook of the World usage.  I've been a LOTW user since 2005.  I have over 2100 QSL's returned in the system in over 21,000 QSO's.  So far, since moving to California and starting operations in December of 2006, I've collected a DXCC Mixed and WAS Mixed all using only LOTW contacts.  My experience has been the RTTY ops are the best users of LOTW.  Many contesters and more DX stations are starting to use it.  What I don't see is a lot of return on CW QSO's.  We need a whole lot more LOTW CW returns for this new award to work in 2009.

Triple play is a three mode WAS program.  Work all fifty states on SSB, CW, and RTTY in 2009, starting today.  No paper QSL's needed.  All QSO's must be reported to LOTW.

So in 2009, PLEASE QSL via LOTW in 2009!

The latest updates to the KD4HXT Bakersfield Ham Radio and Scanner frequencies has been updated on the website: www.davekalahar.com

Several new repeaters have been added and several updates made.  The down loadable zip files has the xls database for import into your favorite radio software.  I also included database files for FT7800, VX-7, and G707 radio software and links to those software sites

Please enjoy, and keep me up to date on changes you come across.

As a weather "enthusiast" and "radio guy" the combo of using radio equipment to pick up satellite's has always been an interest of mine.  It started with NASA's SAREX program.  Working the Space Shuttle from home with modest equipment has always been a thrill.  I've been lucky enough to have the opportunity to help as a QSL manager for one SAREX mission and through that met Astronaut Jay Apt.  Working packet and voice through armature satellites has been a blast.  We had several FM QSO's through AO-51 ths past week in fact.

Now, through a generous donation of equipment from Terry, W6WTG, we're in the process of installing and evaluating equipment to receive direct images from the NOAA POES (Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites) NOAA-15, NOAA-16, NOAA-17 and NOAA-18.
 See this example image:

This image from from NOAA-18 on December 29, 2008.

 

I've been collecting some terrific presentations and whitepaprs on ham radio over the last few years.  These files are scattered all over the web, so I always wanted to centralize a repository.  I finally did something about it and it's available at my web site: http://davekalahar.com/KD4HXT.htm

It's a collection of Powerpoints, files, Whitepapers, and articles that I've found to be informative and very helpful.  Mostly advanced topic stuff found at Dayton Forums, the Visalia DX Convention and contest club meetings.  I've also added an area for documents and files used by the Yaesu FT-950 radio.

I'll be adding more as I find them and I hope you find it useful.

About a week ago, I used the very nice DXCC Award tracker inside of Logger32 software to get up to date on my needed QSL's.  This program makes it easy to track confirmed countries, in any band or mode.  I always send paper QSL requests for new ones, plus any more difficult band or mode country that I don't think LOTW will provide.  I sent about 65 bureau requests and 15 SASE direct request to fill our my needs.

I mailed the SASE directs last Monday, November 3rd.  Today, 3 envelopes were returned with QSL's! 

ZF2DF via W4YCH.  17-meters SSB, 20-meters SSB, and 20-meters RTTY.  Thanks Don.
E51NOU via N7OU.  40-meter and 17-meter CW.  Thanks Bill.
VP5/W4OV (30-meter CW) and W4OV/VP9 (10-meter SSB) from Bruce, W4OV. Thanks.

You may have noticed that my blog entries have slowed a little.  I've been spending what little free time I have evaluating software for logging and rig control.  It's been a real eye opener.

First, I've been very happy since 2004 using the N3FJP software 'ACLog".  It's done a terrific job of logging QSO's, being a CW machine, Cluster browser, QSL generator, and rig control.  Why change? I was starting to feel like it was getting a little outdated and my needs began to change.  I also wanted better control of software features of my new FT-950 radio.  We had to rely on other software for RTTY, PSK31 and SSTV when I wanted to use those modes.  Scott had built a nice software package and I was using his contest software as well.

Earlier this year I switched to the N1MM Contest software package.  It's been terrific and a real help in getting better scores in some contest effort.  The fact that it interfaced so well with MMITY was a real plus and it worked great in the RTTY Roundup.  That opened my eyes to taking a look at what was out there.

You should know that from 1993 through 2003 I used some old DOS programs.  Hyperlog for general logging and CT for contesting.  Both served me very well for over 10 years.

I'm going to attempt to report on what I've found and the the process I've been through to evaluate these logging programs.  Some requirements:

• Basic Logging on All Data including Grids, 10-10, IOTA, Sats, etc.
• Interface to Rig
• Interface and graphic display of Packet Cluster
• Manage and Print QSL's
• Interface with LOTW
• Built in CW machine
• Ability to manage multiple sound cards
• Built in or interface to RTTY, PSK31, and SSTV

We looked at the following packages:

• Easy Log
• WinLog32
• NGenLog
• Logger 32
• Ham Radio Deluxe
• Mix-W
• DXLab
• ComCat
• Omni Rig
• Logic

We looked at the freeware, shareware and paid programs that had evaluation software available.  As time permits, I'll go over each package and try to explain the strong points and weak points of each.  At the end, I'll reveal my choice.

It seems like I've been gone forever.  Several trips, relatives, and work have kept me away from the radio.  The lousy band conditions don't help.

We have had some interesting QSL's arrive in the mail.  The VP6DX QSL booklet is about the best I've ever seen.  Very well done with a ton of photos and information about the expedition to Ducie Island.  I think most DXers would agree that it was the best run operation ever.  This QSL just backs up the memories!  Well done!

Also received in the past week or so:
TX5C - 30 CW, 20 SSB.  Request sent in March.  Nice card for a big operation.
NS7P - 6 meter SSB - Direct
AE7V - 6 meter SSB - Direct
KD0CIU - 20 meter SSB - Direct with SASE
KI6HLB - 40 meter SSB - Direct with SASE

LOTW continues to bring in confirmations on a regular basis.

I've been in Austin, TX for the last week at the Metro Media Ministers summer conference.  Just now getting this contest report out.

Best score ever in this event:

Class: SO Mixed LP

QTH: SJV

Operating Time (hrs): 19

 

Summary:

 Band  CW Qs  Ph Qs  Mults

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

   40:   62    155     21       

   20:  103     87     26       

   15:   17      8      6       

   10:    4      1      1       

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

Total:  186    292     54   Total Score = 57,078

  

Comments:

 

Wow. At first I thought this event was a bust.  Than the Saturday night 40-meter run was a blast.  The sun went down and the band opened up.  Never even looked at 80.  Missed any openings on 10 or 15. Band condx will make log checking reports interesting.

 

Proof that you can have fun with a Low Loop and 100 watts.

This morning I went to update the software on my I-phone.  Now my phone is rendered useless.  An I-Brick!  Way to go Apple.  Apparently, the Apple servers became overloaded, rendering tens of thousands of phones useless.  Even though I have the older i-phone, Apple wants you to re-authorize the phone.  Why?  This is a huge blunder by Apple.  I left completely un-connected for an un-known amount of time.

Makes Microsoft look much better.

I got home tonight about 6pm.  After doing a few chores I turned on the rig to check 6-meters.  It was wide open.  After finding a clear spot I called CQ and ran 70 QSO's in a couple of hours.   The opening ranged from LA (EL59) through the Midwest up to SASK (DO59) into WA.  Best opening of the e-skip season for me.  Several new grid squares tonight.  Really a blast.