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!

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.

Received QSl from:

KC9NEY - 20-meter SSB - Postcard
KE7OPV via NK7T Field Day - 20-meter SSB with SASE.  Andrea worked me with her dad, AD7PM, on Field Day and sent a nice photo.  Thanks.

OK, so I'm not blogging much...here is something!

8/20/2008 N7WZE 40 meter SSB Direct postcard - KA1LOR 20 meter SSB direct postcard
8/22/2008 H7/K9NW 30 & 15 meter CW - returned in 9 months
8/24/2008 KI6MQX 40 meter SSB direct
9/6/2008 - BIG Bureau Package: VB3A 20 meter CW & SSB - SM5CAK 20 meter CW - PY2IQ 10 meter RTTY - ZL1BYZ 15 meter CW - 9M2/JH3GCN 30 meter CW - JH4UYB 20 meter CW & SSB - 3XM6JR 20 meter CW & SSB - VC3A 80 meter SSB - ZS6DTS 15 meter PSK31 - JM1XCW 20 meter RTTY - JE0EHE 20 meter SSB - ON4UN 20 meter RTTY - ZL6LH 20 meter SSB - OZ1ADL 10 meter SSB - JS3CTQ 20 meter SSB & RTTY - ZL6QH 20 meter CW - JH6WMJ 30 meter CW - JH1CML 20 meter SSB

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.

Cards that have arrived in the last 2 weeks include:

K7PWL - 20 and 40 meter SSB direct w/sase
KF8UN - 6 meter SSB direct w/sase
N0VZJ - 6 meter SSB direct w/sase
KO9A - 6 meter SSB direct w/sase
N8IEZ - 6 meter SSB direct w/sase
KD4HCR - 20 meter SSB direct
KJ5OA - 20 meter SSB direct

Thanks for he FB cards

A bunch of cards came in last week while I was away.  I'm out of stamps and will report back on the list in a few days.

A busy Week of cards, especially with the 6-meter activity.

First NJ6P who I worked on 6-meters CW this week.  Leon left his card in my front door.  Thanks

K5WMH - 6-meter SSB with SASE Direct
K4EQH - 6-Meter SSB with SASE Direct
TO5RZ - 15 Meter CW (said my 17m QSO NIL) Returned direct in 3 months 2 days
N5ZMP - 6-Meter SSB direct
W7ZSL - 6-Meter SSB direct
K0SBV - 6-meter CW direct

Also LOTW has been busy with many returns recently/  Averaging on 12% return on LOTW.

Worked a brief 6 meter opening on Saturday afternoon during the SMIRK 6-meter contest.  I figured it might be worth submitting the score:
Q: 21 - Q Points: 24 - Mults 12.  Claimed score of 288

Heck it was lots of fun and worked a couple of XE grids in the process.

Today I received a QSL from VY1EI for a 20 meter CW QSO.  Thanks Eric.