Last night, I was asked to run the monthly county ARES net. After that I attended our Assembly's Knights of Columbus 4th Degree meeting. A pronouncement has come from K of C HQ in Connecticut which has not gone over well with the membership. I won't bore you with the details, but the meeting was interesting.
When I returned home, I went down the basement to add a link to the Skeeter Hunt roster on the Skeeter Hunt Website. While I was doing that, I decided to join in on the monthly NAQCC sprint. A few weeks ago, I received my W2WK straight key, so I decided to take it for a spin.
The key is a beauty, a sight to behold. The action and feel are superb. My fist is not. Sadly, I've gotten so comfortable with paddles and keyer that my "manual" fist has atrophied. It improved a little bit as the night went along; but I have to publicly apologize to the NAQCC members who worked me last night. You know your fist is bad when you feel yourself grimacing while you're sending. I think that if you looked up the word "ugly" in the dictionary, there would have been a picture of me behind the key last night.
I am terribly sorry for my crummy fist and the torture I put you through. I need to practice more and hopefully, by next month's sprint, I will sound a whole lot better. When you've hit rock bottom, there's no place to go but "up".
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Showing posts with label fists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fists. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 09, 2017
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Spacing - the most important thing.
I don't know about you guys, but for me, "written" Morse is almost impossible for me to decode. Someone posted this to one of the Amateur Radio groups that I belong to in Facebook:
It took me a while to figure out that this said "Merry Christmas". At first, I thought it was starting with a "g" - to me the spacing was off. So. of course, I had to comment - which I shouldn't have done. I always get in trouble when I comment. I posted, "Same to you, but your spacing is off.". Which probably went over like a lead balloon.
So the person came back a little later with:
It took me a while to figure out that this said "Merry Christmas". At first, I thought it was starting with a "g" - to me the spacing was off. So. of course, I had to comment - which I shouldn't have done. I always get in trouble when I comment. I posted, "Same to you, but your spacing is off.". Which probably went over like a lead balloon.
So the person came back a little later with:
Which to my eye was a whole lot better. Morse is hard enough for me to "read", but when it gets jumbled up, it makes it even harder. But then someone posted this:
"It was great the first time also. A good CW operator can copy no matter what the spacing of the characters. Thanks for sending."
Really? Wow - then I am definitely not as good a CW operator as I had thought myself to be. To me, spacing is everything. If the Morse is "run on", whether it's typed or pounded, then I can't read it and I can't copy it aurally, either. I wonder .... am I alone in that?
So here's a question, a hypothesis for you, if you will. Feel free to comment, The gentleman who posted that comment may have a very valid point. Have we (I) gotten spoiled by keyers and paddles? Do we (I) expect more "perfect" code than we used to get in the days when straight keys and bugs dominated the landscape? Have our ears (at least maybe my ears) gotten to the point where they're spoiled by perfectly produced electronic dits and dahs?
Maybe back in the days when almost everyone was mechanically sending Morse Code, it was easier to decode a fist that was less than perfect - because less than perfect was the norm. Spacing as well as the length of dits and dahs was all over the place and ears were used to copying Morse sent "all over the place" - especially on the Novice bands In fact, this is how we came up with the concept of someone's "fist". Do you think this is a reasonable theory? That a really good CW operator should be able to copy a variety of fists, even lousy (sorry!) ones?
I think I can do that, at least I used to think I could do that, but I have to admit - when the spacing is terrible, and sometimes it is, I am at an utter and complete loss. If I hear Morse that soundsmorelikethis,allditsanddahsrunningonwithoutanyspaces - then it's as hard for me to copy as it was for you to read that last little bit. And to be honest with you, if it's that bad, than I simply would rather not even try. I hope that's not perceived as uppity or condescending - it's probably more of a lack of ability on my part. I marvel at the stories of the "pros" who could copy Morse at 40 WPM while making coffee, eating breakfast, walking the dog and chatting with the mailman. I'm lucky if I don't get distracted by a mosquito or an itch or the urge to sneeze - all of which can totally mess me up. I wish I was that good - sadly, I am not. Maybe I'm just getting old, and my powers of concentration are not what they used to be.
Anyway, skipping to a different topic, I had two nice short little "ragchew" type conversations during lunch today. One was with Mike WB0AGU near Kansas City, MO and the other was with David N4IVE in NC. The QSO with David was 2X QRP. He was using an OHR homebuilt kit radio to a full sized 20 Meter loop antenna. His 3 Watts was coming in like gangbusters. I told David that I used to have the OHR 20/40 and thought it to be an excellent radio. OHR offers good stuff.
Then David asked where my OHR went. Truth be told, it was sold to provide financing for other radio purchases. Another point of wondering ..... I wonder how many of us (if any of us) are lucky enough to have every radio ever purchased? I think the norm is to buy, sell and buy up - at least that's been my experience. How about you?
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Wednesday, December 03, 2014
FISTS / SKCC Joint Sprint this Saturday
For all the details: http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/fists-skcc_sprint/
Looks like I'll have to get some bug practice in before the weekend. This is going to be a toughie, though - a Saturday afternoon before Christmas. I definitely won't be able to put in a full four hours, but I am a member of both organizations and I do need to start working on my SKCC Tribune award. I've been treading water as a Centurion for years now.
72 de Larry W2LJ - FISTS 1469 - SKCC 49C
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Tuesday, March 04, 2014
Nancy, WZ8C/SK - It's a sad sad day
Msg from Dennis, K6DF follows:
To All FISTS Members: Early this afternoon I received a phone call from Tim, Nancy's husband. I am very sad to report that Nancy WZ8C, is now a silent key. Nancy passed away last night and will be missed very much by all FISTS members worldwide.
If you wish to send condolences to her family, please send them to the following address:
Tim Lange and Family
P.O. Box 47
Hadley, MI, 48440.
Please send this notice to any and all FISTS groups and members to disseminate this information as much as possible.
I sadly send 73, God's Speed Nancy, 88's . . . Dennis Franklin K6DF FISTS Awards Mgr /Webmaster
End MSG
Nancy was only 58 according to her obituary. Way too young to pass. She will be missed by all FISTS members.
73, Nancy de Larry W2LJ
FISTS #1469- dit dit
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The opposite of the other night
It's like going from the ridiculous to the sublime.
Tonight a real treat was in store. My CQ on 40 Meters (yes, 40 Meters was quiet tonight, yay!) was answered by K4BXN, Crit who hails from Hendersonville, NC . Crit and I have QSO'ed a few times before; and as always, listening to his fist is pure pleasure. Crit was using an old bug with his K3, and if he hadn't mentioned it, you would have thought for sure that he was using an electronic keyer and paddles.
Perfect spacing and perfect sending - period. Music to my ears. And sending Morse like that with a bug is no mean feat. From my own experience, I know it's so easy to develop a swing. Not that a swing is necessarily a bad thing - but it can be if you're not careful. It takes a lot of practice and a lot of skill to be as good as K4BXN. But boy, is it a treat to listen to!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Tonight a real treat was in store. My CQ on 40 Meters (yes, 40 Meters was quiet tonight, yay!) was answered by K4BXN, Crit who hails from Hendersonville, NC . Crit and I have QSO'ed a few times before; and as always, listening to his fist is pure pleasure. Crit was using an old bug with his K3, and if he hadn't mentioned it, you would have thought for sure that he was using an electronic keyer and paddles.
Courtesy of K4BXN and QRZ.com
Perfect spacing and perfect sending - period. Music to my ears. And sending Morse like that with a bug is no mean feat. From my own experience, I know it's so easy to develop a swing. Not that a swing is necessarily a bad thing - but it can be if you're not careful. It takes a lot of practice and a lot of skill to be as good as K4BXN. But boy, is it a treat to listen to!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Oh my!
Listening on 20 Meters, right now, there's a DX station calling CQ, and all I can say is "Wow!". He's way loud and should be at the bottom of a pile up. Why not? Because he's sending way too fast with no spacing whatsoever. I was finally able to make out the call; but he was getting very few takers. Once he switched over to the memory keyer (which had some spacing in there, which made it legible), I can see that he's not only getting more takers, but that he has also been spotted on the DX cluster.
You know, if you want to be a speed demon, that's one thing. But spacing is so important. There's no point in sending so fast that you send gibberish. Even if there are no actual errors, no one is going to want to work you if they can't understand you.
So any time advantage that you feel you're gaining is probably lost by either A) repeats or B) lost opportunities due to no one wanting to work a fist like that.
You know, I'm not not an expert, by any means. But I do know bad Morse when I hear it; and that was bad. A shame really, because it could mean the difference between a lot of contacts and just a few.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
You know, if you want to be a speed demon, that's one thing. But spacing is so important. There's no point in sending so fast that you send gibberish. Even if there are no actual errors, no one is going to want to work you if they can't understand you.
So any time advantage that you feel you're gaining is probably lost by either A) repeats or B) lost opportunities due to no one wanting to work a fist like that.
You know, I'm not not an expert, by any means. But I do know bad Morse when I hear it; and that was bad. A shame really, because it could mean the difference between a lot of contacts and just a few.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Deuce !!!!
Great success in the 80 Meter Fox hunt tonight, due to the great ears of Dave N1IX and Tom KV2X. The fact that Dave lives in New Hampshire and Tom in New York was to my benefit as these are pretty easy hops for me on 80 Meters.
I went to the ARRL's Web page today and downloaded the Diamond DXCC (DDXCC) Scorecard, which is an Excel file that you can use to keep track of the entities that you have worked towards the award. So far in January, I worked 15 entities that count. So I am 15% of the way there. Not a terrible start and we have the major DX contests still to come - the ARRL DX Contest coming up in February as a matter of fact. I don't know if I will be able to achieve the certificate; but it is a worthwhile and fun goal for the year.
15 Meters did not seem as active this morning as yesterday morning. I did manage to get Cuba in the log, working CO6WD before heading off to work. Down the band, there was a huge pileup, spanning many kHz; but for the life of me, I don't know who everyone was trying to work. I couldn't hear the quarry (and I didn't have the DX Cluster up on screen); but I would assume it was most likely either HK0NA, TN2T or perhaps VP6T. These seem to be the three "biggies" right now.
The more that I am on the air this year, the more I am coming to realize that "Happiness is listening to a good fist". I hope that I fall into that category; but I can sure tell you that there are a lot of folks out there who don't seem to. And that's a shame.
The problem seems to be spacing and "hurrying up". And I think I make that mistake myself from time to time, especially if I'm a bit tired and not paying attention to what I am doing. A long time ago, my Mom gave me a little angel that hung from the rear view mirror in my car that said, "Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly". I think we Morse Code enthusiasts should have something along the same lines. "Never send faster than your fist can send" (or something like that!). If you get sloppy, or take for granted what you are doing and don't pay attention to the task at hand, you're going to sound pretty awful. And that's not fun for anybody.
Sending good Morse is an art. It is a deliberate act that takes concentration and diligence and practice. Spacing is just as important if not more important than anything else. It's a good thing to remind ourselves, from time to time.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
I went to the ARRL's Web page today and downloaded the Diamond DXCC (DDXCC) Scorecard, which is an Excel file that you can use to keep track of the entities that you have worked towards the award. So far in January, I worked 15 entities that count. So I am 15% of the way there. Not a terrible start and we have the major DX contests still to come - the ARRL DX Contest coming up in February as a matter of fact. I don't know if I will be able to achieve the certificate; but it is a worthwhile and fun goal for the year.
15 Meters did not seem as active this morning as yesterday morning. I did manage to get Cuba in the log, working CO6WD before heading off to work. Down the band, there was a huge pileup, spanning many kHz; but for the life of me, I don't know who everyone was trying to work. I couldn't hear the quarry (and I didn't have the DX Cluster up on screen); but I would assume it was most likely either HK0NA, TN2T or perhaps VP6T. These seem to be the three "biggies" right now.
The more that I am on the air this year, the more I am coming to realize that "Happiness is listening to a good fist". I hope that I fall into that category; but I can sure tell you that there are a lot of folks out there who don't seem to. And that's a shame.
The problem seems to be spacing and "hurrying up". And I think I make that mistake myself from time to time, especially if I'm a bit tired and not paying attention to what I am doing. A long time ago, my Mom gave me a little angel that hung from the rear view mirror in my car that said, "Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly". I think we Morse Code enthusiasts should have something along the same lines. "Never send faster than your fist can send" (or something like that!). If you get sloppy, or take for granted what you are doing and don't pay attention to the task at hand, you're going to sound pretty awful. And that's not fun for anybody.
Sending good Morse is an art. It is a deliberate act that takes concentration and diligence and practice. Spacing is just as important if not more important than anything else. It's a good thing to remind ourselves, from time to time.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Driving you buggy
On AmateurRadio.com, another venue where this blog shows iself, a comment was left by Ernest, AA1IK with regard to my posting about WB9LPU's new bugs:
Ah-dunno-Larry! It seems to me the last thing this ham world needs is another bug on the air.
Didididididididididididididididid - DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAh,dididididididididiidi-Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah - ddidididi,
When I hear stuff like this I shut the rig off and play my clarinet!
Charter member of the Dead Bug Society! I can hear it now! 'There are lots of good bub ops out there, sure there are!
Ernest does have a point, and I sure as heck won't deny it. You will run into guys who use a bug badly, and it can be painful to listen to. At times like those, I 'd be right next to Ernest, playing the clarinet. But since I don't know how to play the clarinet - the bad bug fists would probably sound better! But in all seriousness, it's not the bug that causes the bad sounding fist. It's the fist that causes the bad sounding fist. If you learn the proper technique and then work at it, there is positively no reason that a bug fist should sound any different than a keyer and paddles or a good straight key fist.
Rich WB9LPU goes out of his way to eliminate those variables in his designs. He responded thusly:
Hi, Ernest
I couldn't agree more with you about the pain of hearing (let alone trying to copy) bad bug sending.
Ever since I began designing bugs, my goal was to keep them from sounding like typical bugs - using features like independent control of dot duration and dot spacing. You are welcome to search YouTube to hear a variety of bugs from my workshop. It is very difficult to hear the "bug signature" or the "Lake Erie swing" in any of them - they do sound like straight keys (well handled, I hope).
But I do wish that I could play the clarinet!
So to borrow a cliche' - bugs don't cause swing ... people cause swing. Used correctly, bugs ARE sweet to listen to; and I've heard a number to excellent fists who just happened to be bug users. Just wish mine was one of them!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Ah-dunno-Larry! It seems to me the last thing this ham world needs is another bug on the air.
Didididididididididididididididid - DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAh,dididididididididiidi-Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah - ddidididi,
When I hear stuff like this I shut the rig off and play my clarinet!
Charter member of the Dead Bug Society! I can hear it now! 'There are lots of good bub ops out there, sure there are!
Ernest does have a point, and I sure as heck won't deny it. You will run into guys who use a bug badly, and it can be painful to listen to. At times like those, I 'd be right next to Ernest, playing the clarinet. But since I don't know how to play the clarinet - the bad bug fists would probably sound better! But in all seriousness, it's not the bug that causes the bad sounding fist. It's the fist that causes the bad sounding fist. If you learn the proper technique and then work at it, there is positively no reason that a bug fist should sound any different than a keyer and paddles or a good straight key fist.
Rich WB9LPU goes out of his way to eliminate those variables in his designs. He responded thusly:
Hi, Ernest
I couldn't agree more with you about the pain of hearing (let alone trying to copy) bad bug sending.
Ever since I began designing bugs, my goal was to keep them from sounding like typical bugs - using features like independent control of dot duration and dot spacing. You are welcome to search YouTube to hear a variety of bugs from my workshop. It is very difficult to hear the "bug signature" or the "Lake Erie swing" in any of them - they do sound like straight keys (well handled, I hope).
But I do wish that I could play the clarinet!
So to borrow a cliche' - bugs don't cause swing ... people cause swing. Used correctly, bugs ARE sweet to listen to; and I've heard a number to excellent fists who just happened to be bug users. Just wish mine was one of them!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Warmth of a Friendly QSO
The chores and preparation for Easter are many; but I managed to get on the radio for a few brief minutes before heading out to Church for Good Friday evening prayer.
On 40 Meters, I called CQ for a bit to be answered by Buzz WA4AIM. Something about that call seemed familiar and the mention of his name really jogged my memory. The shack laptop was busy doing the latest updates to Windows XP; so even though I didn't have Ham Radio Deluxe to rely on, I could sense that I was in familiar territory.
Buzz and I had last QSOed about three years ago. Evidently though, Buzz keeps a lot of notes in his log, like I do. He asked if I was still using the K2 and even asked me about Joey and Cara, my two kids. That was really nice and during the conversation, I was able to start up the logging program. Turns out that Buzz was still using his Ten Tec Omni 6 and his 80 Meter dipole. The exciting news is that he's contemplating the possibility of a K3 in the near future.
Isn't this hobby neat? Three years go by and you can pick up a conversation where you left off with it. There's something quite reassuring and nice about that. Amateur Radio has its share of quick, rapid "TU UR 599 NJ 73" type of QSOs; but it also has it share of "How are the wife and kids?" type of QSOs, too. Those gems are what makes this all worthwhile. And when you get to share the air with a really good fist, that makes it even more special! Thanks for the QSO, Buzz - sure hope it's not another three years before we hook up again.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
On 40 Meters, I called CQ for a bit to be answered by Buzz WA4AIM. Something about that call seemed familiar and the mention of his name really jogged my memory. The shack laptop was busy doing the latest updates to Windows XP; so even though I didn't have Ham Radio Deluxe to rely on, I could sense that I was in familiar territory.
WA4AIM courtesy of QRZ
Buzz and I had last QSOed about three years ago. Evidently though, Buzz keeps a lot of notes in his log, like I do. He asked if I was still using the K2 and even asked me about Joey and Cara, my two kids. That was really nice and during the conversation, I was able to start up the logging program. Turns out that Buzz was still using his Ten Tec Omni 6 and his 80 Meter dipole. The exciting news is that he's contemplating the possibility of a K3 in the near future.
Isn't this hobby neat? Three years go by and you can pick up a conversation where you left off with it. There's something quite reassuring and nice about that. Amateur Radio has its share of quick, rapid "TU UR 599 NJ 73" type of QSOs; but it also has it share of "How are the wife and kids?" type of QSOs, too. Those gems are what makes this all worthwhile. And when you get to share the air with a really good fist, that makes it even more special! Thanks for the QSO, Buzz - sure hope it's not another three years before we hook up again.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Woo Hoo !!!!
The mailman was good to W2LJ today! The Ladder-Grabber arrived today as well as the Vibroplex bug weights (which I never DID find, BTW - although I'm certain they'll pop up now!). I have a meeting tonight; or else I'd be down in the basement playing with the Bug-Napper that Rich WB9LPU sent me. That will be my treat to look forward to tomorrow night. I will let you all know how it goes; and maybe I can even post some video.
I've gotten some nice comments about last night's post referencing the importance of spacing in sending good code. I have to relate this. About an hour or so after I posted that, I was back on 40 Meters working Randy K7TQ as K6JSS/7 (I posted that as a "PS"). After working him, I was listening to a Ham (I'm so sorry that I did not catch the call sign) on down the band who had the most beautiful fist I've heard in such a long time. He was sending between 35-40 WPM (that's the "fringe zone" for me); but it was sent so wonderfully that the words were just popping into my brain like I was reading a printed page. I don't think it was keyboard sending as the gent made a few mistakes so you could tell he was sending with either paddles or perfectly with a bug.
What a delight! And the other person that he was communicating with was no slouch, either. They both sent beautifully and it was just a pleasure to listen to this ragchew between two really superb fists. You could tell these two folks have taken a lot of time and have given a lot of effort to perfect their craft.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
I've gotten some nice comments about last night's post referencing the importance of spacing in sending good code. I have to relate this. About an hour or so after I posted that, I was back on 40 Meters working Randy K7TQ as K6JSS/7 (I posted that as a "PS"). After working him, I was listening to a Ham (I'm so sorry that I did not catch the call sign) on down the band who had the most beautiful fist I've heard in such a long time. He was sending between 35-40 WPM (that's the "fringe zone" for me); but it was sent so wonderfully that the words were just popping into my brain like I was reading a printed page. I don't think it was keyboard sending as the gent made a few mistakes so you could tell he was sending with either paddles or perfectly with a bug.
What a delight! And the other person that he was communicating with was no slouch, either. They both sent beautifully and it was just a pleasure to listen to this ragchew between two really superb fists. You could tell these two folks have taken a lot of time and have given a lot of effort to perfect their craft.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Monday, March 07, 2011
There was a saying
on a little plaque that my Mom gave me for my car, when I was younger. "Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly." I would have to say the same applies to some of the fists I am hearing on 40 Meters CW tonight.
Before I continue, let me be the first to admit that my fist is FAR from perfect. And there are nights when my hands just won't work and my fist is atrocious. But when that happens, I try to slow down a bit and do my best to make it sound good.
I guess what I am listening to is some guys who fancy themselves as fledgling QRQ ops. Wow! In an effort to increase speed, it appears that spacing has gone out the window. What's the point at going a blazing 35 - 40 WPM if you leave the guy on the other end shaking his head because he can't quite make out exactly what you're sending? And if you have to send a "?" or "......" indicating an error every third word or so, what's the point?
Slow it down a tad, and remember that spacing is as important if not more important than the lengths of your dits and dahs. From time to time, I send into my own laptop through the soundcard. If CW Get can decipher what I am sending, then I feel I am doing pretty well. Before the dawn of computers, I used to use a cassette tape recorder to record some of my own sending for my own critiquing purposes.
The FISTS motto is one to live by and remember - "Accuracy transcends speed".
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
PS: The streak is intact! Worked K6JSS/7 - Randy K7TQ in Idaho during the ARS Spartan Sprint on 40 Meters. On the flip side, 4A4A was loud on 20 Meters but still couldn't break the pileup. My turn will probably come towards the end of the DXpedition, when they are begging for Qs.
Before I continue, let me be the first to admit that my fist is FAR from perfect. And there are nights when my hands just won't work and my fist is atrocious. But when that happens, I try to slow down a bit and do my best to make it sound good.
I guess what I am listening to is some guys who fancy themselves as fledgling QRQ ops. Wow! In an effort to increase speed, it appears that spacing has gone out the window. What's the point at going a blazing 35 - 40 WPM if you leave the guy on the other end shaking his head because he can't quite make out exactly what you're sending? And if you have to send a "?" or "......" indicating an error every third word or so, what's the point?
Slow it down a tad, and remember that spacing is as important if not more important than the lengths of your dits and dahs. From time to time, I send into my own laptop through the soundcard. If CW Get can decipher what I am sending, then I feel I am doing pretty well. Before the dawn of computers, I used to use a cassette tape recorder to record some of my own sending for my own critiquing purposes.
The FISTS motto is one to live by and remember - "Accuracy transcends speed".
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
PS: The streak is intact! Worked K6JSS/7 - Randy K7TQ in Idaho during the ARS Spartan Sprint on 40 Meters. On the flip side, 4A4A was loud on 20 Meters but still couldn't break the pileup. My turn will probably come towards the end of the DXpedition, when they are begging for Qs.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Any wannabe bug ops out there?
So you always wanted to try a bug, but were scared off the speed? Here's a new approach by Rich WB9LPU.
It looks like a great idea and I'll have to get one of these! I currently use a tube that extends the pendulum to slow down my Vibroplex Original to a more comfortable sending speed for me. This is much more elegant (as the video states). I sure hope that Rich plans to offer these in the near future. I'd PayPal for one of these in a heartbeat!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
It looks like a great idea and I'll have to get one of these! I currently use a tube that extends the pendulum to slow down my Vibroplex Original to a more comfortable sending speed for me. This is much more elegant (as the video states). I sure hope that Rich plans to offer these in the near future. I'd PayPal for one of these in a heartbeat!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Friday, January 21, 2011
K6JSS/4 - in the log!
QRPSPOTS is a wonderful thing! Jim W4QO posted his schedule for tonight; and I found K6JSS/4 exactly where and when he said he would be. After listening to Jim work a station in Omaha, NE, I gave him a call. I was awarded with a QSO and a 569 signal report. Jim was 579 during the QSO with Omaha and increased to a 589 during our QSO. Whoever thinks QRP signals can't be loud as all get-out is sadly mistaken!
Even after all these years as a Ham, the way propagation works constantly amazes me. A few hours ago, I could barely hear K4BKD operating as K6JSS/4 - you'll remember that I noted the nearby Bulgarian station was louder. Let some time go by and things changed to the point where Georgia was its old "pipeline" self. This is another reminder of why one has to stick with it during the QRP Foxhunts. Band conditions can change dramatically in a very short time. Just when you think things aren't going to work - WHAM! The band changes and a QSO is possible.
The steady, armchair copy of Mr. Jim Stafford was quite appreciated too. There's a very good reason why he was named "Amateur of the Year" last year and why he's a member of the QRP Hall of Fame. Jim is a dependable, "steady as a rock" operator. In fact, as I am typing this, I am enjoying listening to him work other stations. A great fist is a wonderful thing, and it's a pleasure to QSO with him - anytime! But this time was all the more sweet!
The first three K6JSS Golden Anniversary states are in the log. It's the little things that keep this QRPer very happy!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Even after all these years as a Ham, the way propagation works constantly amazes me. A few hours ago, I could barely hear K4BKD operating as K6JSS/4 - you'll remember that I noted the nearby Bulgarian station was louder. Let some time go by and things changed to the point where Georgia was its old "pipeline" self. This is another reminder of why one has to stick with it during the QRP Foxhunts. Band conditions can change dramatically in a very short time. Just when you think things aren't going to work - WHAM! The band changes and a QSO is possible.
The steady, armchair copy of Mr. Jim Stafford was quite appreciated too. There's a very good reason why he was named "Amateur of the Year" last year and why he's a member of the QRP Hall of Fame. Jim is a dependable, "steady as a rock" operator. In fact, as I am typing this, I am enjoying listening to him work other stations. A great fist is a wonderful thing, and it's a pleasure to QSO with him - anytime! But this time was all the more sweet!
The first three K6JSS Golden Anniversary states are in the log. It's the little things that keep this QRPer very happy!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
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