Before getting into weekend happenings - the NorCal 40 is back - this time offered by NM0S Electronics, with the express permission of Wayne Burdick N6KR. Details at:
Contests
SARL Field Day Contest - http://www.sarl.org.za/public/contests/contestrules.asp
LZ DX Contest - http://lzdx.bfra.org/rulesen.html
ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB - http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes
Special Event Stations
11/18/2023 | 1st Transatlantic Ham Radio QSO (1923)
Nov 18, 1400Z-2200Z, K3S, Baltimore, MD. Nuclear Ship Savannah ARC. 7 14 21 28. QSL. ULIS FLEMING, 980 PATUXENT ROAD, Odenton, MD 21113. Operating from the ship. Please check the spotting networks since we may be operating anywhere on 40, 20, 15, or 10m SSB or CW. qrz.com/db/k3s
11/18/2023 | Collins ARC 40th Anniversary
Nov 18, 1400Z-2000Z, W0CXX, Cedar Rapids, IA. Collins Amateur Radio Club. 7.180 MHz 14.263 MHz 21.380 MHz 28.380 MHz. QSL. Collins ARC 40th Anniversary SES, 1110 Lyndhurst Dr, Hiawatha, IA 52233. https://www.qrz.com/db/W0CXX
11/18/2023 | Liga Colombiana de Radioaficionados 90th Anniversary
Nov 18-Nov 19, 1700Z-2359Z, 5J3L*, Bogota, COLOMBIA. Liga de Radioaficionados de Bogota. 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters; CW, FT8, and SSB. Certificate. See website, for , information, COLOMBIA. *And an additional 10 call signs: 5K0LR, 5K1LR, 5K2LR, 5K3LR, 5K4LR, 5K5LR, 5K6LR, 5K7LR, 5K8LR, and 5K9LR. This is an operating event. www.ligaradiobogota.org.co
11/18/2023 | November 2023 Bug Roundup
Nov 18-Nov 20, 0000Z-0000Z, W6SFM, Fair Oaks, CA. Samuel F. Morse Amateur Radio Club. 14.033 7.033 3.533. QSL. John E. Geyer, Samuel F. Morse Amateur Radio Club, 4901 Minnesota Ave, Fair Oaks, CA 95628. Grab that bug, clean those contacts, and let'er fly! Let's hear that "Banana Boat/Erie Swing" or that commercial KPH/WCC quality fist. Switch off that keyer! Fill the ionosphere with home grown digital music and have some fun! No exchange for the event, just a relaxed QSO talking about whatever you want. https://w6sfm.org/bug-roundup
Hmmmmmmmmm - I remember every year (when I wore a younger man's clothes) there was a club that held a special event from Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts to celebrate Thanksgiving. It doesn't appear on the ARRL Special Event schedule. I used to enjoy trying to work them every year.
And my Fox Hunt streak did come to an end last night, with my getting only one Fox pelt - that of Jim N0UR in Minnesota. Jim heard me relatively early at 0213 UTC, and the exchange went like a breeze. Jim's signal was not overpowering, (and I'm sure mine wasn't either), it was a true 559, and that was enough to get a "mission accomplished".
Wayne N4FP was another matter. He was barely audible at my QTH. I had to turn on the KX3's APF (Automatic Peak Frequency) feature to even hear him. Switching between the W3EDP and the Butternut did not help in any shape, way or form. I threw my callsign out several times when I felt he was decently audible, and that I might hear a reply. I did get admonished with an "UP" after I called him on his frequency once thinking that he had switched operating from split to simplex. No - that was a goof on my part and I apologize if I QRM'ed anyone. I have no idea why Wayne was so weak at my end, when all the other NJ Hounds managed to work him. I truly believe that sometimes South Plainfield is an RF black hole.
I listened intently and tried until about 0320 UTC and hung it up with only the solitary Fox pelt with 10 minutes to go. It was a long day at work, and after, I went for a hearing evaluation. It was determined that I have minor hearing loss in my left ear and significant hearing loss in my right ear. I will need hearing aids, but I need to save up some $$$ and check out my options. I can't afford to spend 5K on hearing aids right now.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Good morning Larry, I am one with hearing loss and thank goodness that my benefit plan paid for my hearing aids. Having said that I always use headphones when I am on the radio and I have a very decent pair of headphones. Have you tried a good pair of headphones in the short term? It sure is cheaper than springing for hearing aids. As a side note I am not able to wear my hearing aids with my headphones as I get very bad feedback. But there are ways to connect up via blue tooth to a rig but I have not looked into that as the headphones are the answer.
ReplyDeleteMy two cents worth...
73,
Mike
VE9KK
Hey Mike! I use head phones when I'm on the radio - that's not the problem. The problem is everyday life where hearing my wife, son or daughter can be difficult. Having to turn up the volume on the TV and that sort of thing. Hearing conversations in a crowded room (like a restaurant?) - almost impossible!
DeleteHi Larry, ok I misunderstood and thought it was to do with listening to CW on the radio. Well you were me before I had hearing aids. They have come a long way Larry, they can be controlled by your iPhone or android. You have lots of settings and when you have them setup let say for your living room it can store the setting. Also they have GPS location and if you turn it on as soon as you enter a place that has preset adjustments it automatically sets everything up for you to the saved settings. I will say they do amplify everything and after a day of having them in sometimes its a relief to take them out. As for the TV I have headphones, I tried the hearing aids but they just don't do the trick.
ReplyDeleteAnyway have a good weekend.
73,
Mike
VE9KK
Hi Larry
ReplyDeleteIt was great to hear you tonight and was fun to get W2LJ in my log. Thanks for hunting and I hope we can do it a few more times!
73
Nick
KC0MYW