Happy All Hallow's Eve!

 "Honey, have you seen my HT?"

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Ever feel like Homer?

 

I did. Last night.

Flashback to Saturday. I got all my chores done extra early, so I could spend the afternoon replacing the weed-whacked parts on the Butternut. You know what took the longest? Getting the tape off which was protecting the connection between the coax and the matching stub! I couldn't find or feel where my wrapping ended, so I ended up having to cut away the old tape. Talk about a sticky and gooey mess! When I finally got that done and connected the new matching stub, I left a tiny fold over flap of tape at the end of my new wrapping, so if I ever have to do something like this again, I'll have a tab to tell me where to begin unwrapping.

The job went quickly after that, but last night the Homer part came in. I was sitting on the living room couch, thinking about the weekend's events and I suddenly remembered that I forgot to re-attach my radial field to the antenna! DOH! I'll have to do that next weekend, weather permitting. I'll have to dig up the sink strainer that I used as a radial connection point and re-establish the connection to the earth side of the vertical. The strainer is not deep, just even with the surface of the ground so this chore shouldn't take very long at all. The problem is of course, that we have not had any rain since September 28th. So you know what's forecast for next Saturday .........right?

Now that I've displayed MY stupidity to the world, I want to tackle something I saw on Facebook yesterday that kind of irked me. Here's the post:....undoubtedly great intentions, but ............

As you can see, he got a lot of answers. I did not, because I would have undoubtedly been a bit sarcastic, and like Mom always said, "If you can't say something nice ........."

A - This guy is an Extra!!!!!!  He doesn't know this answer? This wasn't covered in any one of the three tests he had to have taken?

B - He doesn't know where to go to look up the answer? It HAS to have been covered in one of the license manuals that he studied from. Right?

Or here's the rub. Did he even use a license manual to study from? Or did he just go to one of the plethora of sites that just give you questions and answers that you can memorize until you feel ready enough to sit down and take the test?

Being an Extra class Ham used to mean something. I dare say it doesn't any more. It used to mean that you spent some time, years maybe, working your way up, gaining experience from operating and building, combined with studying to finally get to that top plateau.

Sadly, I personally know Extra class Hams who have no idea how to build a dipole, program an HT, or even put an HF station together, or how to put up an HF antenna, or even follow directions on how to check into a net! Each time, I've eagerly and courteously helped them all, but each time I also kind of internally shook my head that I even had to! A brand new Tech who has just been licensed for the first time? Yeah, I could see that - most definitely.  But an Extra class Ham who is supposed to have enough experience to be an Elmer (him or herself) to others?  They should know this basic stuff - and even if they don't know it, AT THE VERY LEAST, they should know where to go to find the information that they need (and I'm not talking about asking on Facebook)

It's a sad state of affairs. Really. And again, I'll say it. These stupid Ham Crams aren't helping any. Memorizing answers without learning the theory or practical what and why behind the questions is building up a class of operators who will undoubtedly just get frustrated with the hobby and leave before the first license renewal opportunity comes by.

Harumph!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Weekend of October 26th and 27th

Tonight is the Zombie Shuffle:

http://www.zianet.com/qrp/ZOMBIE/pg.html

I will not be able to join the BOOs tonight as I have a ETS of NJ meeting, and as Secretary .......... (goes without saying, right?) And we all know why it's the Zombie Shuffle, right? Because Zombies can't run! (Sorry for the Dad joke).

But as far as contests for the weekend - there's only one!

CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB - https://www.cqww.com/rules.htm

Special Events:

09/29/2024 | Re-enactment of the First Trans-Global Two-Way Radio Communication

Sep 29-Oct 26, 0000Z-2359Z, GB2NZ, Many locations, UNITED KINGDOM. Radio Society of Great Britain and New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (Otago Branch). All bands and all modes depending on operator availability. QSL. See website, for, information, UNITED KINGDOM. www.gb2nz.com

10/26/2024 | North Carolina State Fair Ham Radio Exhibit

Oct 26, 1000Z-1400Z, N4C, Raleigh, NC. NC Ham Radio Operators. 7.230 14.230. QSL. Travis Russell, 121 Pebble Dr, Clayton, NC 27520.

10/26/2024 | WOC-TV 75th Anniversary

Oct 26-Nov 11, 0000Z-2300Z, W0C, Davenport, IA. Davenport Radio Amateur Club. 14.310. QSL. Davenport Radio Amateur Club, P.O. Box 1523, Davenport, IA 52809. Recognizing the 75th anniversary of pioneer broadcaster WOC-TV (now KWQC). Multiple bands and modes depending on operator availability. Send SASE to: Davenport Radio Amateur Club, P.O. Box 1523, Davenport, IA 52809 drac.club

10/27/2024 | 86th Anniversary of the War of the Worlds Broadcast

Oct 27, 1600Z-2100Z, W0W, Grovers Mill, NJ. Delaware Valley Radio Association. 7.225 14.255 21.300. Certificate & QSL. Delaware Valley Radio Association, P.O. Box 7024, Trenton, NJ 08628. www.w2zq.com

This is a cool one! The DVRA will be operating from a park (non-POTA) in Grover's Mill, NJ - the landing spot for the Martians in Orson Welle's radio broadcast. It's a very nice park and I used to drive past it all the time when my Mom was still alive and was living in West Windsor. There's a nice pavilion there, where they will probably be setting up and the park itself edges a small lake. They should have a sunny dry day on Sunday for this event. They MAY be on CW as well, so look for W0W on the DX Cluster.

10/27/2024 | North Carolina State Fair Ham Radio Exhibit

Oct 27, 1000Z-1400Z, N4C, Raleigh, NC. NC Ham Radio Operators. 7.230 14.230. QSL. Travis Russell, 121 Pebble Dr, Clayton, NC 27520.

My main goal for the weekend is to get the HF9V up and running again. The long range forecast is calling for some rain next weekend. Finally!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Realization is settling in

that Autumn is actually here. We've been teased with Summer like temperatures for the past few days, and that's about to end. What's really announcing the change of seasons is the loss of daylight. The early first lights of Summer are long gone, and I leave for work in the morning in darkness. When I arrive home, the sun is already setting. Next weekend, we will change from Daylight Savings Time back to Standard Time and the sun will be setting as I start home from work, and the drive home will mostly be in darkness.

Not sure which I dislike more, the cold or the dark. Probably the dark, as one can always put on an extra sweater or a heavier coat or jacket, but you can't make the mornings or evenings brighter. That takes time and the Earth's axis to make that happen.

The silver lining is that as we head into colder temps, the static crash noise on 160 and 80 Meters goes "pretty much" away until next Spring. I like 80 Meters a lot. In fact I volunteered for Fox duty on 80 Meters for the 2024-2025 QRP Fox Hunt season a few weeks ago. It seemed they were desperate for Foxes, so I figured "Why not?". I was asked if I would do 40 Meters as well, and I agreed, although I stated that 80 Meters was my preference. I guess that must have annoyed "The Committee" as since then, I have not heard back, and I have not been placed on either band schedule, nor have I even been named as an alternate. 

Maybe that's their polite way of telling me that my services are not wanted. Whatever. It may seem like sour grapes, but that sure takes the wind out of my sails from even desiring to participate in the hunts. It's kind of like being picked last to be in the baseball or basketball game when you were in gym as a kid. I've had enough of being told I'm not good enough to last a lifetime.

A day later than expected, my HF9V parts arrived via FedEx from DX Engineering yesterday. As a bonus, the forecast for this Saturday now appears to be another dry day. I know we need rain desperately. It's to the point where New Jersey has instituted an open fire ban. The state is very dry and currently, two wildfires are being battled down in the Pine Barrens. So while I am hoping we get some much needed rain, I am selfishly hoping that it will hold off for just a few more days until after I get my HF9V repair out of the way.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

The dangers of lithium batteries

I don't know if I mentioned this or not, but while Marianne and I were away at Alexandria Bay, I was receiving notices from our Ring doorbell about heightened activity on our street. It turned out that our neighbors, two doors down had a fire in their garage. totally destroying it.

Luckily, the house was not involved as the garage is detached and no one was injured in the incident. According to reports I have heard, my neighbor thinks the blaze may have started from lithium batteries that were charging - possibly for his ride-on lawn mower. Or maybe from some kind of other yard tool. It's not totally clear at this point.

While I was putting up the MFJ-1982 HP antenna on Saturday, and I was moving that center support mast further back into our yard, I was able to see past my neighbor's backyard into theirs..

As you can see our common neighbor's vinyl fence melted, but what you can't see is that the vinyl siding on the back of the house where the garage fire occurred has totally melted, also. That's how intense the blaze was.

Call me paranoid, but this is why I NEVER leave lithium batteries charging at home if we're away. I don't care if it's HTs or laptop computers or tablets or phones. If we're away and no one is home, those devices are off and unplugged. Period. Same with any lithium batteries that I use for my HF radios. The risk is just not worth it.

Stay safe, my friends.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

When I was a kid

we used to call this "Indian Summer". I don't know why or how the term originated, and I suppose it's not politically correct to use it anymore. After the first frost or series of really cold nights of Autumn, there's usually a return to a few days of Summer like weather. We're going to experience that today, tomorrow with a tail off on Wednesday with a high of 81F (27C) today, 82F (28C) tomorrow and 78F (26C) on Wednesday. From there on it's down to seasonable temperatures again.  As much as I prefer the warm weather to the cold, I've started getting used to chillier "sweater weather", and the onset of early darkness. I wouldn't mind the warm up if it would hang around for more than just a few days. This is just a tease of my favorite season that I'd prefer to do without. Breakups are best when you don't look back. LOL!

I was delighted to see an e-mail from DXEngineering in my inbox this morning. I placed that order for the Butternut replacement parts yesterday morning and according to FedEx tracking, I will have them by end of day tomorrow. That is fast service! The extended outlook for Saturday is for partly cloudy skies with a high of 66F (18C), so it should be a good day for Butternut repairs. Not sure when Saturday as Hadley Communications Technologies, the 501 C3 company that provides funding for SPARC is having a clothing drive fund raiser and I promised to help out at the drop off point. I will get the repairs done on either Saturday or Sunday, though, as I don't want to place all my bets on continued good weather for the long term. I don't want to go the entire winter without having the HF9V available to me.

Speaking of the early darkness - that means that conditions for 80 and 160 Meters should be improving as we head further into Autumn and Winter. I checked into the St. Max Net last night which has been on 40 Meters for the Summer. The QRM from shortwave broadcast stations has been horrific. I hope the net plans to return to 80 Meters soon, as it was hard copying weaker stations over the heterodynes. 80 Meters may cut down on the reach of the Net a bit, but it's a lot more comfortable listening there.

So far my MFJ-1982 HP seems to be performing as well as KD2FSI's has been performing for SPARC Field Day the past few years.  The antenna fits nicely into a slightly different configuration, as it is a bit longer than the W3EDP. I had to get a little creative to make it fit. My midpoint mast used to be even with the backend of my neighbor's garage. Moving it to the last chain link fence upright post on that side of the yard did the trick.

Of course, the UNUN is bigger on this version, than the one on my 1982 LP, as that was designed to handle 20 Watts maximum. I had really wanted to purchase the MFJ-1982 MP version, which was designed to handle up to 200 Watts, but they were sold out already. Since I run up the power for the St. Max Net up to 85 Watts, the 1982 HP is a bit of overkill, but it was my only recourse.

I suppose I could have gone with an antenna from a different vendor, but I am familiar with the MFJ-1982's from Field Day, so it seemed to make sense to go with what you know that works.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

First the good:

The weather was perfect yesterday and down came the W3EDP and up went the MFJ-1982HP EFHW. The procedure wasn't quite as tortuous as I was anticipating. I'm currently bothered by some bursitis and arthritis in my left hip and bending over to pick up parts and pieces from the ground can be .... let's say extremely annoying, for lack of a better term.

I was able to move that midpoint supporting mast that I use farther back into the one corner of the backyard, so the entire antenna is more stealthy than ever. Not that I live in an HOA or anything, but from my experience from when I lived in East Brunswick before I got married, I don't need any imaginary RFI problems from neighbors.

After finishing the installation, I immediately ran down to the shack and completed a few quick POTA QSOs, just to make sure everything was working right. It was! I got a 559 from Dave AB9CA in Indiana and a 599 from another POTAteer in Virginia. Later in the evening, just for the heck of it, I tuned to 160 Meters to hear the Stew Perry Challenge in progress. The KX3 was able to get a 1.7:1 match and I even made a successful contact with K1EP in Massachusetts with 5 Watts, on the first call.

Now for the bad. As I was finishing up securing the end of the wire antenna to its end point, I happened to look down at my Butternut HF9V.  The coax was no longer at the bottom of the antenna! In fact it was neatly folded back onto one of the garden stakes that I use to keep the coax off the ground.

That's how it looks now after I took a closer look at it and fooled around with it for a bit. It was so neatly folded back that I didn't even notice it until yesterday. The landscapers we had do some cleanup obviously did a number on it with their weedwhackers, To err is human, so I'm not upset by the fact they mistakenly broke it; but I am bothered that they didn't say anything. I wouldn't have made a fuss, but I would have appreciated the honesty.

Now for the ugly. At first look, it didn't seem like such a bad repair. I was thinking that all I would have to do would be to strip back the wire a bit, put on a couple spade lugs and I'd be back in business. When I went out this morning to take a closer look, to see what tools I'd need to bring out, I was checking on the condition of the stainless steel hardware when the matching network coil snapped off in my hand. CRUD!

The antenna is over 20 years old and has survived some harsh winters and even about four hurricanes, so I'm really not surprised. When I bought my HF9V it cost me around $500. Today it is close to $1000, and I cannot afford to replace it.

I can afford replacement parts, however. So it was off to Google to find out the best bet for replacement parts was DXEngineering.  The matching network coil hasn't changed a bit, but the matching stub has undergone a serious design improvement!  The existing stub is just a piece of 75 Ohm coax with the two conductors exposed with spade lugs on each.  From the picture this upgrade looks tons nicer.

Delivery should be Tuesday or Wednesday and the 10 Day weather outlook for next weekend is looking favorable, so I should only be without my HF9V for a week. I can live with that. I've decided that in the meantime, I will purchase a small plastic flower pot, or perhaps a small plastic pail (small Trick or Treat buckets are in all the stores now, it seems). I will cut the bottom out and will cut a slit up the side so that I can effectively create a protective shield and place it around the matching network at the base of the antenna. Believe me, I know myself all too well, and that I am not beyond making the same mistake the landscapers made with their weedwhacker!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

The weekend - October 19th and 20th

 Contests filling the bands this weekend:

YBDXPI FT8 Contest - https://contest.ybdxpi.net/rules/

10-10 Int. Fall Contest, CW - http://www.ten-ten.org/index.php/activity/2013-07-22-20-26-48/qso-party-rules

New York QSO Party - https://www.nyqp.org/

Stew Perry Topband Challenge - http://www.kkn.net/stew/

Worked All Germany Contest - http://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/worked-all-germany-contest/en/rules/

Asia-Pacific Fall Sprint, CW - http://jsfc.org/apsprint/aprule.txt

Illinois QSO Party - https://w9awe.org/ilqp/

Run for the Bacon QRP Contest -  http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/

and not this weekend - but next Friday: 2024 Zombie Shuffle - the rules are at:

 http://www.zianet.com/qrp/ZOMBIE/pg.html

Special Event Stations:

10/17/2024 | Wooly Worm Celebration

Oct 18-Oct 19, 1600Z-2000Z, W4W, Johnson City, TN. Kingsport Amateur Radio Club. 7.187 MHz 14.240 MHz. Certificate. John Williams, 303 Autumn Creek Lane, Johnson City, TN 37615. jrwilliams37620@gmail.com

10/19/2024 | 90th Anniversary of Tri-County Radio Association

Oct 19-Oct 20, 1400Z-1800Z, W2LI, Union, NJ. Tri-County Radio Association. 14.250 7.250 other HF frequencies possible. QSL. Tri-County Radio Association, PO Box 3393, Union, NJ 07083. https://www.tricountyradio.org

10/19/2024 | Lester Dent - Doc Savage Special Event

Oct 19-Oct 21, 1400Z-0600Z, W0D, Macon, MO. Macon County ARC. 28.400 14.280 7.250 3.950. Certificate & QSL. Dale Bagley, K0KY, 1402 Eastern Dr., Macon, MO 63552. On October 19 to October 21, the Macon County Amateur Radio Club will operate the Lester Dent-Doc Savage Mystery Special Event WØD, in Macon MO. The purpose of the Special Event is to honor of the accomplishments of Lester Dent, one of the most prolific writers of Pulp Fiction, and an Amateur Radio Operator, WØCBL. It is also the 91st "Birthday" of his creation, the first modern "Superhero" Doc Savage https://www.maconcountymissouriarc.org/

10/19/2024 | North Carolina State Fair Ham Radio Exhibit

Oct 19, 1000Z-1400Z, N4C, Raleigh, NC. NC Ham Radio Operators. 7.230 14.230. QSL. NC Ham Radio Operators, 121 Pebble Dr, Clayton, NC 27520. Special Event stations running during the NC State Fair on multiple days, weekends only.

10/19/2024 | Yorktown Special Event

Oct 19, 1400Z-2000Z, K4RC, Williamsburg, VA. Williamsburg Area Amateur Radio Club. 7.265 14.265. Certificate & QSL. QSL Manager, WAARC, PO Box 1470, Williamsburg, VA 23187. Celebrating the 243rd anniversary of the British surrender to the joint American and French forces under Gen. George Washington in Yorktown, VA. This ended the American Revolutionary War on October 19, 1781. FOR CERTIFICATE: The Virginia Historic Triangle Certificate is available for contacting the Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown Special Event Stations. You don’t need to contact these stations in the same calendar year. For a Certificate send QSO info from the three stations to qslmgr@k4rc.net. https://www.k4rc.net/events/special-event-stations

10/20/2024 | North Carolina State Fair Ham Radio Exhibit

Oct 20, 1000Z-1400Z, N4C, Raleigh, NC. NC Ham Radio Operators. 7.230 14.230. QSL. Travis Russell, 121 Pebble Dr, Clayton, NC 27520.

Personally, another dry and warmish weekend (with not many commitments) may mean that I might finally get a chance to replace my W3EDP with the MFJ-1982 HP End Fed that I purchased a few months back. Marianne had a landscaper come by earlier this week to clean up all the overgrowth coming over from our neighbor's backyard. I think I may have better access to the "terminating mast" that I have in that corner of the backyard, with less of a chance for wires and ropes to get tangled up in foliage and branches.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Can't say enough about this stand

 The AX1 stand by TUFTELN, that is.

If you have an Elecraft AX1 antenna, and you are using the "adjustable bipod stand" that Elecraft supplies, you are going to love this stand.  This stand is way more robust, sturdy and just overall better! Use this once, and you will forget you ever used the Elecraft bipod stand.

The only caveat is you have to make sure you don't overtighten it. Because if you overtighten it, it can be very hard to unscrew the two pieces from each other without damaging it. Take it from me - wink, wink

The beauty of this stand is that it gives you a choice. Since it cradles the AX1 so nicely, you can either connect the AX1 to the radio directly, OR  if you so desire, you can use coax jumpers and connect to your radio with the antenna physically removed - as shown in the photo above (as well as my header photo). If the radio you're using doesn't have a built in autotuner, such as the QMX, this is an absolute necessity. The reason that I don't like the Elecraft bipod is that IMHO, it puts too much stress on the radio's BNC connector. I know that on the KX3, the BNC connector is held in place to the chassis by a nut and not just by solder joints, but even so, I feel that bipod is an awkward arrangement at best.

Again, not an agent for TUFTELN - no kickbacks here! Just a satisfied customer.

AND ..... an announcement from Paul NA5N - mark your calendars !

QRP Zombies,

The 27th annual (1998-2024) ZOMBIE SHUFFLE will be held FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2024.

Pretty much the same silly rules as always.

The QRP Contest that's actually fun. Pick some strange, ghoulish name to use on the air.

Full RULES ARE HERE:

http://www.zianet.com/qrp/ZOMBIE/pg.html

72 and BOO, Paul NA5N

and from me:

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Some new stuff

 from QRPbuilder.com.

An Iambic SOTA / POTA paddle, much like the ones made popular by Steve WG0AT. I like the look fo these - I just wonder if I could ever get used to using these!

QX1 Antenna - a very reasonably priced AX1 type of antenna for portable ops.

A MAGNETIC single lever paddle which can be used on the KX radios and if you house your (tr)uSDX radio in the QRPGuys housing.

'

Official Disclaimer - I am in NO WAY involved, associated with, or benefit from anything sold by QRPbuilder.com. Just bringing attention to some really nicely priced and useful items that might be right and fill a need for you readers out there. At the very least, you owe it to yourselves to check this stuff out.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

What is it about barricades?

Yesterday, the ARES/RACES members of the South Plainfield Amateur Radio Club (AB2ZK, K2VHW, KC2PLO, KC2PGX, KD2YYQ, W2LJ) held our SET, which coincided with a South Plainfield Volunteer Fire Department Drill. We were "activated" by the South Plainfield Office of Emergency Management to set up an On Site Command Post, provide security for that Command Post and to also assist with traffic and pedestrian control, as well as provide back up communications in the event that unforeseen circumstances developed.

The scenario involved the SPVFD having to put out a blaze at a propane sales and storage facility in town. While there was not an actual fire, the organizers of the event placed some dry ice in water in various places, to create the illusion of a smoky blaze. There were actors on scene to simulate wounded employees and even a belligerent employee who refused to evacuate. 

On Site Command Post (photo courtesy of SPVFD)

SPVFD Pumper

SPVFD member doing his thing (photo courtesy of SPVFD)

CERT members on traffic control duty (photo courtesy of SPVFD)

Yours truly, for a moment taking his eyes off the cars that want to cream him. (photo courtesy of Marv K2VHW)

Marv K2VHW as our CERT trailer arrives on scene

I was on duty with Marv K2VHW and our assignment was to signal to drivers that they could not drive down South Clinton Avenue - where the drill was taking place. As you can see from the photos, there were plenty of barricades, but that did not stop umpteen drivers trying to make the turn onto the street where all this was going down.

What is it about barricades? What is it that seems to signal to drivers, "OK, I get it, the road is closed .......but certainly you don't mean that it's closed to me !?!?!?!?!?!" After a while, it actually got kind of comical. But there were enough drivers trying to go where they couldn't to keep Marv and I busy for the four hours that the drill lasted. 99% of the people were cooperative, but there were a couple of times we had to call upon the South Plainfield Police Dept. officer on duty so that he could more adamantly explain things. That blue uniform (and gun) always seems to carry more weight than citizen volunteers explaining things.

For communications we had the County OEM repeater available for our use as the Middlesex County Hazmat Team was also invited to take part in the drill, However, since the County EOC was not activated, we didn't need to make use of the frequency. We were cleared by the South Plainfield OEM to use the Department of Public Works frequency, as we are able to program that into our HTs and the Police and Fire Depts have that frequency in their radios. The area of the drill was so confined that simplex communications were more than enough to handle the situation.

So as I stated in the opening of this post, in essence, we got a "two-fer" with the drill. We helped the Emergency Services Departments of South Plainfield and this also nicely doubled as our yearly Simulated Emergency Test. Better and more realistic than any of the simulated table top exercises that we've held in past years.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

POTA equipment bugaboo

Yesterday I went down the street, right around the corner from my house to the South Plainfield PAL parking lot.

Where you see the little bus stop icon is just about where I parked, the extreme corner of the parking lot, which is less than 25 feet from Maple Avenue. Maple Avenue is part of the Washington-Rochambeau National Historical Trail, US-4582.

I was today years old when I realized I had great access to a POTA site so close to home! The times I activated it for NPOTA, I travelled into neighboring Scotch Plains. It never occurred to me to work the Trail from the PAL parking lot. Talk about losing sight of the forest for the trees!

In any event, my activation was a failure as one of the BNC connectors on my 4 States tuner wobbled a bit loose. Lousy soldering job by yours truly.  I ended up making only 3 contacts before the SWR started to become flaky, sending the QMX into SWR protection mode. Lesson learned - going forward do NOT remove the BNC to UHF adapters from the tuner. Leave them on and don't stress to solder joints!

The good new is that the repair was easier than falling from a log, AND that I now realize I have a convenient POTA setup spot so close to home. Busy day tomorrow, but if the weather is decent next weekend, I'll give it another shot.

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP  - When you care to send the very least!

QMX pack is lighter now.

I ditched the "AA" lithium batteries for another of the exact same battery that I use with the KX3. (Boy, did it drop in price since I last purchased one!) I mentioned before of having to make an adapter from 3.5mm to 2.1mm for the QMX and it came out fine. I couldn't just change the plug outright because it's used not only to power out, but also to charge the battery. So I took what I needed from an older one that bulged and cobbled together what I needed.

And I also acquired a smaller key that I first saw on Craig WB3GCK's blog:

Craig had some issues with getting used to the action on his, and I assume the action on mine is identical to his - but I'm fine with the stiffer feel. I adjusted the contact spacing to the point where I was getting continuous dis and dahs and then backed off a 1/2 turn with the Allen wrench. I like the feel of this much better than the other paddle that I had used in Upstate NY. The Morse I was sending from my two POTA activations in NY was atrocious and embarrassing, in my own estimation. This stiffer spring pressure allows me to send with less errors. When the tension is soft, I get sloppy. To make sure, I plugged this little guy into my shack KX3, turned off the VOX to essentially turn the KX3 into a code practice oscillator and was able to send Morse comfortably at up to 25 WPM with no extra dits or dahs. I can show my face on the bands again!

Here's a video from YouTube that i found about the paddle.

'I disagree with him on several points, but like he said - it's his opinion. I think it's a great little portable ops paddle, the price was right, and I think it will hold up well -it's not like i'm going to be using is 365 days a year.. The magnet on the bottom of mine seems to be on very securely - I'm going to disagree with his "F" for mounting. And I stated above, what was most important to me was the feel.

I've got a VE session this morning, followed by grocery shopping. I'm hoping that maybe I can get away for an hour or two to activate either the Edison Memorial or perhaps the Washington-Rochambeau Trail, which is a lot closer to my house.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

The Weekend - October 12th & 13th

If the Sun calms down by the weekend! Severe geomagnetic storms are a happenin'!

Severe enough that we actually did get to see aurora over New Jersey last night! It was beautiful while it lasted, which was not long at all.  I thought the Northern Lights were something that lasted for a bit longer than what we saw last night. I'm hoping we get another view tonight.

Contests:

QRP  Fall QSO Party - http://qrparci.org/contest/fall-qso-party

Nevada QSO Party - http://nvqso.com/contest-rules/

Oceania DX Contest, CW - https://www.oceaniadxcontest.com/

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon - https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/

Arizona QSO Party - https://www.azqp.org/

Pennsylvania QSO Party - http://paqso.org/pa-qso-party-rules.html

South Dakota QSO Party - http://www.sdqsoparty.com/ - This is a prime opportunity for those chasing WAS QRP to get one of the rare ones.

4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint - http://www.4sqrp.com/SSS/sss_rules.pdf

Special Event Stations:

10/12/2024 | 3rd Annual Scratching Post QSL Party in the Lucedale City Park

Oct 12, 1300Z-2300Z, K5K, Lucedale, MS. George County Mississippi Amateur Radio Emergency Service (A.R.E.S.) Group. 14.275 28.390 7.265 7.074. QSL. KD4VVZ, 258 Geiger Rd. , Lucedale, MS 39452. gcmsares.org

10/12/2024 | BIG (Believe in Girls) Event

Oct 12, 1400Z-1930Z, W5YL, Thibodaux, LA. Ascension and Thibodaux Amateur Radio Clubs. 14.290 14.230 SSTV 18.125 DMR TG 907. QSL. AARC, PO BOX 1617, Gonzales, LA 70707. Ascension & Thibodaux Amateur Radio Clubs will combine to showcase STEM in amateur radio to approximately 2,000 Girl Scouts at the BIG (Believe in Girls) Expo from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux LA

10/12/2024 | Collins Radio 91st Anniversary

Oct 12, 1400Z-1700Z, W0CXX, Cedar Rapids, IA. Collins Amateur Radio Club. 14.263 MHz. QSL. Brice AntonJensen, 1110 Lyndhurst Dr, Hiawatha, IA 52233. www.qrz.com/db/W0CXX

10/12/2024 | Commemorating the Birthday of the US Navy on 10/13/1775

Oct 12, 1600Z-2300Z, NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS Midway Museum Ship. 7.250 14.320 14.070 PSK31 DSTAR on Papa system repeaters. QSL. USS Midway Museum Ship COMEDTRA, 910 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. www.qrz.com/db/ni6iw

10/12/2024 | Cruising the Coast OTA

Oct 12, 1300Z-1859Z, N5OS, Ocean Springs, MS. Jackson County Amateur Radio Association. 14.074 14.270 14.334. Certificate. Jerry Davis, 1017 Margaret St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. This OTA event coincides with the Annual Cruisin' the Coast event which is unrelated to this event. https://jcmsara.org/ctcota

10/12/2024 | Ham Radio Day at the Library

Oct 12, 1500Z-2100Z, N4V, Nokomis, FL. Tamiami ARC. 14.319 21.040. QSL. Tamiami ARC, PO Box 976, Nokomis, FL 34273. Commemorating the First "Ham Radio Day" at the Sarasota County Library tamiamiarc.org

10/12/2024 | Knights of Columbus Celebration of Columbus Day

Oct 12-Oct 14, 0000Z-2359Z, K0C, Bridgeton, NJ. New Jersey Knights of Columbus Amateur Radio Club . 7.185 14.250 18.140 21.350. Certificate & QSL. Thomas M. Perrotti, N2JIE, 785 Vineland Ave, Bridgeton, NJ 08302-4822. NJ2KC.org

10/12/2024 | Little David Special Event Station

Oct 12, 1300Z-1800Z, N4HLH, North Charleston, SC. Trident Amateur Radio Club. 14.262. QSL. Chris Benoit - KC4NW, PO Box 60732, North Charleston, SC 29419. https://www.tridenthams.org/w4d-ses; w4d@tridenthams.org; tridenthams.org

10/12/2024 | President Ike Eisenhower's Birthday

Oct 12, 1300Z-2100Z, K3S, Baltimore, MD. Nuclear Ship Savannah ARC. 7.1 14.1 21.1 28.1. QSL. K3LU, 980 PATUXENT ROAD, Odenton, MD 21113. Single transmitter SSB and CW aboard N/S Savannah. Please check spotting networks for frequencies. Info on QRZ.com www.qrz.com/db/k3s

10/12/2024 | Re-enactment of the First Trans-Global Two-Way Radio Communication

Oct 12-Oct 20, 0000Z-2359Z, ZL4AA, Shag Valley Sheep Station, NEW ZEALAND. Radio Society of Great Britain and New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (Otago Branch). All bands and all modes depending on operator avilability. QSL. See website, for, information, NEW ZEALAND. www.gb2nz.com

10/12/2024 | Rocklin Maker Faire

Oct 12, 1700Z-2200Z, N6M, Rocklin, CA. ARRL Sacramento Valley Section. 146.520 14.074 14.290. Certificate. Carol F Milazzo, PO Box 665, Citrus Heights, CA 95611. ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Exhibit at Rocklin Maker Faire. Send inquiries to KP4MD https://rocklin.makerfaire.com

10/12/2024 | Rogersville TN Heritage Days

Oct 12-Oct 13, 1400Z-2100Z, N2H, Rogersville, TN. Handcock-Hawkins Amateur Radio Team. 7.120 7.123 7.126 7.130. QSL. David Broome, 360 Rogers Road, Rogersville, TN 37857. Heritage Days in Rogersville, TN, a 3 day celebration that whisks you away to a bygone era, where community, tradition, and good old-fashioned fun reign supreme. It weaves a vibrant tapestry of history, where the aroma of apple cider mingles with the lively tunes of Appalachian fiddles mebtfs@yahoo.com

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

QRP Image of the Day

The photographer inside of me is captivated by images, And if the old adage is true that "A picture is worth 1,000 words:, then these two images are examples of what come to my mind when I think about QRP.

This image from the SOTA Facebook page, in fact it's now their cover page image. Didn't Steven pick a wonderful image? Who doesn't dream of someday taking a minimalistic set up to the top of a mountain and communicating with the world? I know I do, but I'm also wise enough to know my limitations and that I'm no Steve Galchutt WG0AT and the closest I'm ever going to get to this is operating portable from a picnic table somewhere. Still, the thrill is there, even if the panoramic vistas aren't!

The second image:

Isn't Alexey's station just grand? A One Watt homebrewed QRP transmitter. He posted a video of it on Facebook and it sounded oh, so sweet! Again, the closest I'm ever going to get to this is by building a kit of someone else's design. I'm not an Alexey UY1IF or a Bob W3BBO who can seem to cobble up working equipment just about every other day. I'm no engineer or designer - God didn't grace me with that kind of talent. But still, I can build some things (although with SMD, that's becoming harder and harder every day for my poor skill set) and when they actually work, the satisfaction is there that I didn't totally screw things up.

QRP is not for everyone. Sometimes it's actually rather easy, sometimes it's challenging, sometimes it's frustrating, but it's also always immensely rewarding. Whether you're working from a mountain top or from your basement, whether you're operating something you designed and built all by yourself; or maybe just from a kit you bought and built ........ the Ham Radio experience you can get from QRP is like no other.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

So yesterday

I mentioned yesterday that I was probably a day late and a dollar short and with all the geomagnetic activity, the Northern Lights must have been pretty up in the 1,000 Islands .........right?

This was posted to Facebook by K & N photography - of course this happened  AFTER we left.

Of course!  Of course!

I guess the silver lining is that the geomagnetic activity that promulgated these auroral displays did not happen until after my two successful POTA activations. So for bands that were in decent shape and allowed for some amazing contacts ....... I am grateful. (Always have to look at the bright side!)

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Maps a lot

No. Not the Monty Python musical Spamalot - this is Maps a Lot. A comparison of RBN Maps vs. QSO maps from my POTA Activations last week. Just to see if and how they differ.

First - Keewaydin State Park, US-2088:

The Reverse Beacon Network Map

Actual QSO Map including the Alaska QSO

Closer look at just the Continental US QSOs

And now Kring Point State Park, US-2091:

The Reverse Beacon Network Map

The QSO Map

The QSO maps (courtesy of Log Analyzer 3.2 by DL4MFM) pretty much gibe with the skimmer maps, just as you'd expect. There are some discrepancies, though. From Keewaydin, I made it to Alaska, a bit farther than the skimmer in the Canadian North West that picked me up. Also, the RBN map didn't show me as getting out to the South West, but I did have a QSO with Oklahoma.

The RBN Map for Kring Point had no skimmers in the Western US pick me up, but yet I had a QSO with California. And I had a QSO with Arkansas, where the RBN map showed no skimmers picking me up. But even with the discrepancies, the Reverse Beacon Network is a great tool which allows you to get an idea of how your RF is getting out.

 

Just for reference, I was located in NY State right at the border with Canada, pretty much opposite of Ottawa. The RBN Maps are showing my signals as originating from my home QTH in New Jersey, so there's a bit of inaccuracy there.  The QSO maps show the origination point accurately. I think RBM goes by your call sign info, not where you're actually located at the time.0

Lesson learned from all this? You're definitely getting out and being heard to where the skimmers can capture you, and if your snr figures are in double digits- probably a lot farther.

A week later and I'm still astounded that the AX1 table top antenna completed QSOs with Alaska and California. As Craig WB3GCK says, "It defies logic."

Final thought - with all this geomagnetic activity happening right now, I'll bet the Northern Lights are quite pretty up in Alexandria Bay. Sigh. Seems I'm always a day late and a dollar short.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Wouldn't you know it?

My anticipation was growing last week in Upstate NY as Geomagnetic activity was getting greater and greater all week long. My SpaceWeather Live app was going off all week with news of flares, CMEs and such. Finally, there was a better than good chance that I would finally get to see the Northern Lights on Friday night - the last night before we left to return to New Jersey.

Upstate NY decided to pull a New Jersey on me and it clouded up and rained Friday night.

Sheesh.

In any event, I got my POTA logs uploaded yesterday as well as getting them into AC Log. Tonight, I want to make QSO maps for both activations and see how they compare to the RBN maps that I captured. I'll post them here.

The long range forecast for this week is showing the upcoming weekend to be nice. Maybe I can get away for an hour or two to activate Washington Rock, or perhaps the Washington-Rochambeau Trail. Doing POTA activations is kind of like eating Lays potato chips - You can't do just one! It's super easy o get hooked.

But as far as activations go, I'm not one of these guys that needs to get triple digit QSOs in the log. I'm quite happy getting my 10 or more, enjoying the outdoors and nice weather. If 20, 30, or 40 come easy because the bands are good .......great! If the bands are crappy and I only make 10 or 11 contacts, I'm fine with that, too. I'm in it for the experience and the fun.

The 4States QRP Group has come out with a new kit designed by Dave Cripe, NM0S - a CW VOX keyer. For those who may not be able to send Morse in the traditional way due to disabilities  - this will allow Morse to be sent by your transceiver by speaking into it. According to the 4States website: "The CWvox is a unique solution that leverages the ability of Morse Code operators to vocalize Morse Code using "da" for dashes and "dit" for dots. This practice isn't just a novelty; it's a skill that, when done correctly, mirrors the proper length ratio of dashes and dots in Morse Code."

The kit is available for $40 and all the details can be found here - https://www.4sqrp.com/kits/CW-VOX/4SQRP_CW_VOX_%20Manual.pdf

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

I guess I learned a few things about my POTA setup and a few changes that need to be made.

First, these battery packs I am currently using don't last long at all. I've decided to purchase another of the small blue lithium packs like I use with the KX3. The only problem there is that I will have to build an adapter cable as they come with a 3.5mm plug, while the QMX uses a 2.1mm plug. I have plenty of 2.1mm plugs and I have an old battery that bulged and is no longer usable. I'll scavenge the 3.5mm charging socket off of that, solder on a 2.1mm plug and I'll have the adapter cable I'll need.

Second, I'm not thrilled with the paddle I had recently purchased.  I'm having a hard time adjusting it to the feel that I want, and as I was putting it back into the QMX bag yesterday after the Kring Point activation, a small nut dropped out of it and landed on the picnic tabel - not good. I still have a Whiterook single lever paddle kicking around somewhere and I also have the Bulldog Clip key. I can use either one of those. My American Morse DCP paddle will remain exclusively with the KX3.

Lastly, I have not fallen in love with the QMX to the point to replace my KX3 with it. For POTA activations, it's great because you generally find a clear frequency, call "CQ POTA" and don't move around too much. The KX3 is way more easier to tune. For general operating, and for hunting and pouncing in Sprints the KX3 is the way to go. Plus the KX3 gives me access to bands that the QMX does not. The QMX will be my "in the car, operate at the spur of a moment" rig. The KX3 will remain the weapon of choice for serious operating. 

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

OK, I'm sold!

Yesterday was a rainy day, and Marianne and I vegged out for most of the day. The skies started clearing out in the late afternoon:

And we were rewarded with yet another beautiful sunset a few hours later:

This morning dawned sunny, bright and a tad on the chilly side. After breakfast and a few stops, Marianne and I headed out to Kring Point State Park, US-2091 for the second activation of our wedding anniversary getaway.

This time, I did not bring the AlexLoop along, only the Elecraft AX1. I was impressed by its performance on Tuesday and I was not to be disappointed this time, either!

Here are some photos that Marianne took of me doing the POTA thing:

And here are some photos that I took of the setup:

We arrived at the park at about 11:00 (15:00 UTC) and stopped at the Park Ranger booth only to be told that the picnic area was closed for renovation and construction, but that we were free to drive around and look at the park. That's when Marianne noticed quite a few vacant campsites that sure enough had picnic tables! So we stopped at campsite #12 and I headed off to the picnic bench while Marianne did some exploring,

I was set up by15:25 UTC, spotted myself on the POTA app and after calling CQ POTA on 14.062 MHz, I was immediately greeted by Hunters. I didn't want to stay too long as today is actually our anniversary and I didn't think it was polite and proper for Marianne to be bored out of her skull.

I quickly racked up another 14 QSOs in just 32 minutes and I pulled the plug when my batteries started going wonky. More about that in a minute. QSOs were made with New Jersey (NY to NJ on 20 Meters - strange!), WI, a Park to Park with WA9LEY at US-7256 in IL, SC, CA, GA, OH, VA, NC and AR.

The performance from this little antenna just blows my mind. As Craig WB3GCK said to me, "It defies all logic.", but there you have it, the proof is in the pudding. The AX1 will be my go to whenever I activate picnic table portable, The RBN map wasn't as impressive as Tuesday's but the snr figures were very nice! There was not a single skimmer that picked me up with a single digit snr report.

Regarding the batteries. I made sure they were fully charged and they did not last at all. That's probably due to the fact that they've been sitting in the shack for years without being used. I'll have to go to eBay to pick up some fresh ones or perhaps something else that will last a bit longer, but is still small enough to fit in my QMX bag.

Thanks to all the Hunters who worked me this week! My activations were not long or filled with triple digit QSO numbers, but they are valid activations and I had a lot of fun!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Unpopular opinion?

Maybe. But I'm going to state it anyway. After what's happened recently to Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee.....

You want an EMCOMM Team capable of setting up fast, with a minimum of effort and fuss that can go virtually anywhere at a moments notice?

Recruit some POTA people for your team.

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP - When you care to say the very least.

Success!

Around 10:00 this morning, Marianne looked at me and said, "So you want to go to one of those parks you were talking about?" Of course, I didn't miss a heartbeat and answered in the affirmative, so I placed the gear in the Jeep and we headed off for Keewaydin State Park, US-2088, which only a few miles down the road.

We drove to the lot where people park their boat trailers. Right next to it was a children's playground, a community pool and a very nice pavillion with plenty of picnic tables. The pavillion is all wooden, so no Faraday Cage syndrome.

I began by setting up the AlexLoop. It doesn't take long and I was on the air a few minutes before 11:00 AM - 15:00 UTC. At first, the calls came easy as I worked to really loud N9 stations out of Indiana. But after those two contacts I was calling "CQ POTA" a lot with little to show for it, and I was starting to worry that this was going to turn into a busted activation.

That's when I decided to break out the AX1, From previous posts you all know I've had mixed results and have been ........skeptical about its ability. I have to adnit that once I swithed over, the QSOs just started rolling in, one right after another! I worked stations in Virginia, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Oklahoma, Michigan and Ohio. I worked NL7V who according to QRZ is in Alaska, but I have to believe he was down here in the lower 48 somewhere on vacation. I didn't catch the state when he sent it. Alaska would be a dream QSO!

I didn't want to stay too long, as Marianne has no interest in Amateur Radio whatsoever. In just over a little over an hour, I made 14 contacts which is nothibg as far as POTA activations go, but still it counts as a valid activation.

The good news is that Marianne has agreed to accompany me to Krings Point State park later this week. The bad news is that since I only brought my aging Samsung tablet with me (and no laptop) my log submissions will have to wait a few days. My tablet doesn't have the display format size required to display the log upload page.

Here's the Reverse Beacon Network report for the day:

As you can see, the snr dB figures are pretty good for QRP. This AX1 is starting to turn me into a beleiver!

The rest of the day was spent doing things that Marianne had an interest in, and it turned out to be a very nice day. As we headed out to dinner this evening, we were rewarded with another gorgeous sunset.

Perfect ending to a great Amateur Radio day!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP = When you care to send the very least!