Lunchtime QRP has still been good - and some announcements

The weather lately has been very early Springlike. Cooler than I would like, but suitable for QRP in the car without being uncomfortable. AND, the upper bands are still very active, which is nice to see. I thought I read somewhere yesterday that there was a massive solar flare headed our way. If that was the case, you wouldn't have known it from 10 Meters this afternoon. I worked SV1CQN, LI8OM, and UY6IM all on 10 Meters.Tuning around the bands, 12 and 15 Meters seemed to be jumping too.

A couple of things for this weekend. First from my friend Greg N4GKL:

Are you ready for a exciting amateur radio challenge? Deploy as a portable station make five contacts walk one kilometer deploy again and make five contacts. Continue for the four hour period. You could do the same moving three kilometers via car, motorcycle, bicycle or other vehicle. You have entered the world of Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio aka RaDAR. You will enjoy making tradeoffs in radio, antennas, and choice of operating frequencies. The four hour period puts you under a little stress to manage all the factors in real time. Hams worldwide practice RaDAR any time they can but there is the four hour RaDAR contest the first Saturday of April and November. The next RaDAR Contest is April 5th 1400 UTC to 1800 UTC.

In addition to on foot and vehicle categories, there are also portable and at home categories. Each category has a multiplier. Power is your choice QRP and up with multipliers. All amateur bands, besides the WARC bands, are allowed including cross band contacts via amateur radio satellites. Modes – CW, SSB, AM, FM or any digital mode. QSOs via terrestrial repeaters will NOT be allowed. Call sign, Name, RS(T) Report, QTH and grid locator at least 6 characters and 10 preferred. There is a bonus for your first satellite or digital mode QSO. Also there is a bonus for your first RaDAR to RaDAR intercontinental QSO.

There are two contest managers: Eddie Leighton ZS6BNE for IARU 1 - see http://zs6bne.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/radar-the-new-contest-april-2014/ and Marcus Kessler NX5MK for RaDAR America see http://radar-america.blogspot.com/2014/02/radar-america-contest-april-2014.html You will find the contest details at those links.

RaDAR originated in South Africa headed up by Eddie ZS6BNE. It has spread to the Americas with the efforts of Marcus NX5MK. There is a growing worldwide participation with the RaDAR Community on Google+.  See https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109283065808971118728

Here's another link that Greg provided: http://www.n4kgl.info/2014/03/april-5th-rapid-deployment-amateur.html

And, secondly from Karel OK1CF:

Hello!

I'm the HF manager of Czech Radioclub (ČRK). Let me tell you to announced that the first OK-OM DX SSB Contest 2014 will be held second weekend in April (12-13.04.2014) http://www.crk.cz/FILES/CZECH_DX_SSB_CONTEST.pdf

http://okomdx.crk.cz/index.php?page=englis

Thank you - I look forward to hearing from you!

73,Karel OK1CF HF Manager of CRK


72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

A couple of things

1) Worked a few more DX stations today during lunch. The bands were decent again.Had QSOs with TI8/AA1M in Costa Rica, LZ2HR in Bulgaria and F6ALQ in France.  The QSO with Bernard in Soissons, France was a bit more than just your typical "599 TU" DX QSO. We actually conversed a bit! Wow .... Amateur Radio is actually well suited for conversation, don't ya know?!?  Next few days look like rain, so I probably won't take the gear with me to work tomorrow.

2) Got skunked in the 80 Meter Fox Hunt tonight. I almost worked Ray K9XE in Illinois as he had three out of the four characters of my call sign several times.  But he stated more than a few times throughout the hunt that he had S9 noise on his end. Oh well, he tried and I tried - no fault in that.

3) The date and time are set for the 2014 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt - Sunday, August 10th. You can check either  http://www.qsl.net/w2lj/, or the Skeeter Hunt page of this blog.  The exchange is a bit different this year. Instead of RST, I decided to go with the op's first name instead. Just trying to be a little different this year. Oh, and Skeeter numbers will be given out starting on June 21st, the First Day of Summer - so please, don't try to sweet talk a number out of me before then, OK?

Oh, and I had a Skeeter professionally drawn for this year's logo. Here he is:

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Got 'em!

A very big "Thank You" and a tip o' the old callsign cap to Will NQ2W who sent me an e-mail letting me know that he had worked TX6G from his home near Albany, NY with 5 Watts on 10 Meters.

I just ran down the basement, and after figuring out the pattern, also snagged them with 5 Watts.

Thanks again, Will!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Thoughts

I was able to go out again at lunchtime today for another QRP session. We lucked out and the Nor'Easter in our vicinity stayed far enough off the coast so as to spare us from any snowfall. SE New Jersey, closest to the shore, was not so lucky. Very windy conditions today in the storm's wake. And while it wasn't as cold as it has been, the wind made it feel bitterly cold, even though the thermometer would have us convinced otherwise.

The SideKX plates and cover really do a great job protecting the KX3 within my "carry case". The elevated sides do not impair me from accessing and correctly pressing any of the KX3's buttons. Some have asked me about that, and there's the official answer - no problems, at least for me, anyway. The cover keeps the KX3's face nice and dust free - a much more elegant and practical solution compared to using a freezer bag.

I worked HI3/N3SY in the Dominican Republic on 15 Meters and ZF35LC in the Caymans on both 10 and 15 meters. I also worked LY24A on 15 Meters - a special event station celebrating Lithuania's 24th Anniversary of reclaimed independence.

Which brings me to my final thought. I have worked a lot of special event stations from Eastern Europe lately. Mostly from Poland and Lithuania as they celebrate their re-gained independence and/or their joining NATO. These events happened in relatively recent history, but these people are proud none-the-less. They have gone through a period of not having that independence; and it is still fresh in their memories what it's like not to have that freedom and liberty. I am so happy for them. At the same time, I fear there are a lot of folks in this country and in "the West" who don't really appreciate what they have and don't realize what has been earned for them through the continual blood, sweat and tears of many brave men and women. Or even worse, maybe they have become complacent about it.

I have no idea how to turn that around except to teach the younger generations as much as possible about the events that happened, especially over the last 60 years or so ago. As someone much wiser than I once said (and I paraphrase), "If we fail to learn from history, then we are doomed to repeat it."

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

The allure of DX

is a very good thing, but can be bad at times.  My buddy W3BBO describes it as an "obsession" or an "addiction".  I'd have to agree with him there. Once you get your first taste and get hooked, there's no turning back. Add QRP power to the mix and,  if you're addicted to challenges - stick a fork in you, you're done.

The bands were alive with signals again during lunchtime today.  But yet, I only worked two stations. My addiction got in the way. I worked Laci HA0NAR in Hungary, who I have worked many times before. I also worked LY10NATO, who asked me to spot him, as he was calling CQ without many takers.  Being in the car, away from the Internet, I didn't have that luxury.

My downfall came when I heard TX6G on 12 Meters. He was LOUD. 599+ loud at times.  I immediately thought, "Wow! THAT loud, here's my chance to work them QRP.".  Not today, Grasshopper, not today.

Undoubtedly, if I wasn't so hard headed, I could have worked at least three or four more stations in my limited time allotment.  However, my stubborn Polish side got the better of me, and I did a Don Quixote, and chased a windmill. 

The windmill won.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Two more pileups busted tonight.

Ten Meters was busy after I got home from work - plenty of signals.  I heard TX6G but they were kind of weak, so I decided to check 15 Meters.  They were louder there and their pileup wasn't quite as busy as on 10 Meters.  So, I started sending my call, with no luck. After a bit, I noticed their signal was starting to fade. Not wanting to lose them, I decided to go QRO and bumped up the power to 75 Watts. Bingo on the first call at higher power - TX6G is in the log for a new DXCC Entity. The group is there until April 1st, which is a week from tomorrow - so I will try throughout the week to try and get them via QRP. That's a tall order, but do-able if the pileups get smaller as the DXpedition draws to a close.

From there I went back to 10 Meters and listened more than anything.  I heard quite the few JAs and tried calling a few, but 5 Watts just wasn't cutting it.  Then, I heard a fierce pileup for VP2V/SP6CIK.  I managed to bust that pileup with 5 Watts.

I was amazed at the ferocity of that pileup.  While the British Virgin Islands are an easy hop from the US, I guess they are a rarer entity from Europe and Asia.  I heard quite the few JAs being answered as well as a lot of European stations. Whoever was behind the key was handling the pileup methodically and precisely. Very good pileup management and very good pileup discipline.  I only heard a few "UP"s from the Pileup Police.  All in all, it was a well behaved group.

I didn't go out to the car at lunchtime today, as winter has returned for a brief visit. It was 27F (-3C) and I just wasn't in the mood to freeze.  Tomorrow we're supposed to get anywhere from a dusting to 3 inches (7.5 cm) of snow.  BUT, by Friday and Saturday, it's supposed to be back up near 60F (16C). That's the only good thing about late March snows in New Jersey - they tend to disappear fast.

I guess the old Mark Twain quote about the weather in New England holds true for New Jersey, too. If you don't like the weather in New Jersey, just wait a few hours. It will change - especially this time of year.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Disappointment and then .... jubilation!

Amateur Radio is lot like other areas in life. There highs and there are lows - there are valleys and there are peaks.  Often, the journey from one extreme to the other takes places within minutes of each other.

This evening, I was tooling around 10 Meters late. It was after 7:00 PM local time. The sun was already down, but sometimes - just sometimes, this is when the good ones can be heard.  Twiddling the dial, I heard a very weak BY5WJ. China!  So I turned up the power, as I've never worked China and started tapping out my call,  Woo hoo!  Success!  "W2LJ UR 579 TNX LARRY DE JOSH".

Josh? In China?  Me, 579? Can't be! Then I realized it was 6Y5WJ - not BY5WJ. It was Josh in Jamaica, and we have worked a few times before.  Obviously, being in his log, my info popped up and that's why he answered me by name. After a few minutes, the band changed, and he became "normally loud" for what I would have expected a Jamaican station to sound like in New Jersey. So in a few seconds, I raced around the globe from the exotic Far East to the warm shores of the Caribbean.  A bit of a disappointment, to say the least (no offense, Josh!).

At that point I started switching bands. 12 Meters - not much. 15 Meters - W1AW/5 in New Mexico is coming in strong. 17 Meters - not much.  20 Meters - OK, a lot more signals than the other bands (as we all know, 20 Meters is usually open to somewhere). What's that? VU2what?  A few more seconds of listening - it was VU2PHD, Mat in India.  Wow!  I very rarely ever hear India on the air. Still set at 75 Watts from my failed China QSO, I tapped out my call.  Holy crow - I hear "W2?" coming back. I sent out my call a few more times, following up with my suffix twice, "W2LJ W2LJ LJ LJ".  I got a "W2LJ UR 559 QSB. UR CALL AGN?"  I immediately sent back "DE W2LJ W2LJ UR 579 579 IN NJ NJ. OP LARRY LARRY". Or something like that, I'm so exhilarated right now, I can't even remember the exact exchange. All I know is that this was my first QSO with the Indian sub-continent, and is only about the second or third time I have even heard them on the air! And I'm in his log!

I immediately ran over to my e-mail program to send a quick note to my buddy Bob W3BBO in Erie, PA. Bob is my friend, my DX Guru, and is the only person I actually know who is on the DXCC Honor Roll.  To my surprise he had already written me, "Did I hear what I think I heard on 20 Meters?"

I was able to answer in the affirmative and asked him how he happened to be listening. He had worked Mat earlier in the week and was going to make another attempt, as he wasn't sure that Mat got his call correctly the first time. He had heard Mat come back to me and sent a quick e-mail to confirm. Whatever the reason, one of my best friends was on the scene to hear me work a new one. It just doesn't get much better than that!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

80 Meter fun and disappointment

Last night was my last stint as a Fox in the QRP Fox hunts for the 2013/2014 season. I served as the 80 Meter Fox last night, and I was chomping at the bit, all ready to have a fantastic night handing out pelts. I've been having very good success nabbing the 80 Meter Foxes this season as a Hound, so I was expecting reciprocity last night as Fox. When I turned the radio on at about 0045 UTC and heard a very low noise floor, I was happy. I was also a bit surprised as we're now officially in Spring and I was expecting it to be way noisier. I should have know something would be "off".

I started right on the mark and was off to a running start, but then about 0120 UTC, it seemed like the bottom of the band fell out. I went from a decent pileup to calling CQ over and over. Switching between the vertical and the wire seemed to not make much of a difference. I was surprised that the QSB was so deep and sharp. My buddy, Bob W3BBO joined the fray last night, and using him as an example - when he called me, the W3 was a good and honest 579 - the BBO was ESP!

And so it went for the last hour - calling CQ over and over with takers here and there. A very short mini pileup at about 0150 UTC for a few minutes and back to calling CQ. In all, I handed out 41 pelts. While I had a ton of fun, it was also a huge disappointment to me as I had set a personal goal of handing out 60. After the hunt, I took a look at my spots on RBN. I was heard by skimmers up and down the East coast and out as far as Illinois. My best DX for the night was working Dale WC7S in Wyoming and Tim KR0U in Colorado.

Afterwards, I was reading e-mails on the Q-FOX reflector, where most of the Hounds were reporting very high noise levels on 80 Meters last night. I guess that added to the misery for the night. My fellow Fox, Jim KG0PP handed out only two more pelts than I did, so it's obvious that he had to face the same obstacles in Colorado that I faced in New Jersey.

It's funny how perspective can change. Last month, when I was serving as 40 Meter Fox and band conditions were excellent, it seemed that 90 minutes for the hunt was nowhere long enough. Last night, with lousy band conditions, that same 90 minutes was interminable.

Ending the season as a Fox on a low note was not what I had in mind, but as the Brooklyn Dodger fans used to say - "Wait 'til next year!"

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Another good day!

Two for two Thursday, let's call it!

Second day back to lunchtime QRP operating, and another good day.  The higher bands were alive again. This time I worked Russia R2014ME (I had worked R2014E yesterday), Belarus EW8O and Mexico XE2I.  And .... for the heck of it, I wanted to see if I could break the monstrous pileup that was foisting itself upon W1AW/5 in New Mexico. 15 Meters was hot and the band was long. The amount of European stations calling W1AW/5 was huge and LOUD!  Would it be possible for a QRP station, powered at 5 Watts to break that melee?

Not only was is possible, but it happened.  I made it into the log.  But it took some listening and some figuring. The W1AW/5 station set up a pattern. He was working split, and was announcing "U", which of course meant that he was listening up.  But he was listening "in an race track pattern" as it were. By carefully listening for a while, I was able to determine a pattern:

1) W1AW/5 works a station
2) W1AW/5 moves the listening frequency up a few Hertz
3) W1AW/5 works the next station
4) W1AW/5 moves the listening frequency up a few Hertz
5) W1AW/5 works the next station

But he did this only to a point. Once he reached a point known only to him, he reversed the procedure.  He would work a station and then listen a few Hertz DOWN from the last station he worked. He kept doing this until he reached a "lower UP frequency" that he determined and then started the whole business over again.  

If I didn't make myself clear (sometimes I have a problem doing that), what he was doing was changing his listening frequency in a circular pattern, even though he was always listening "UP".  For example - W1AW/5 was on, let's say 21.030 MHZ - he was working stations between 21.031 and 21.034 MHz.  And he was ping-ponging between the two. He would start listening up at 21.031 Hz and would keep moving his listening frequency until he hit 21.034 and then work back down to 21.031 and then back up to 21.034 and so on and so on and so on.

After determining what he was doing, I adjusted my transmit frequency to "get in his way". After about three or four minutes of trying, I was able to make myself heard. Now I suppose that if I didn't listen as much as I did, I might have made it into the log anyway, just by sheer dumb luck. But by determining what he was doing, I shortened the time (considerably, I think) that it took to get into his log. And during these lunchtime QRP sessions, time is a precious commodity, so saving time is a very good thing.

As I've stated before, I'm not going out of my way to take the pains to work all 50 W1AW stations.  However, today I sensed a challenge that I felt like taking on.  It's good practice for the Fox hunts and those pesky DXpedition pileups.

Speaking of the QRP Fox hunts, I am one of the two 80 Meter Foxes tonight. This is my last stint of the 2013/2014 season.  It's been fun and I hope to hand out a lot of pelts tonight.  As a Hound, this has been a particularly exhilarating season!  According to the last tally - I have worked 25 out of 32 Foxes on 40 Meters (78%). On 80 Meters, I have worked 24 out of 30 Foxes (80%).  This has been my best season - ever! The season ends in just a few weeks, and I hope to continue with a strong finish. Wait a second, I probably just went and jinxed myself!  Then again, I guess I can't really jinx myself as I owe all my success to the extraordinary ears and antennas of the Foxes.

One last note.  If you get a chance, take a gander at the February 2014 edition of CQ magazine, if you can get your hands on one.  There's an article on my lunchtime QRP sessions that was written and submitted by yours truly. Rich W2VU felt it was worth including - hopefully by accepting my article, he's not scraping the bottom of the barrel too hard!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Back in the saddle again!

You have probably noticed my lack of activity on the blog for the past little while.  It's been a hectic, topsy-turvy couple of months.  Let me explain.

On New Year's Eve, my co-worker left work early, telling me that he "might be back" in a few hours.  Turns out that he was having some medical difficulties and checked himself into a hospital.  Fortunately, he healed and got better.  Unfortunately, he decided not to return to work, at least not where we work anyway.. So, since the beginning of the year, I have been alone at work, and have been busier than the proverbial "one armed wallpaper hanger". One man doing the work of two made the possibility of leaving my desk for the car during lunch just a wistful desire.  Add to that, numerous snows, a colder than normal January and February, and I'm not so sure I would have headed out there, even if I could have!

A replacement co-worker was hired and started yesterday. So today, even though it's overcast, it is warm (comparatively). It was 40F (4C) at lunchtime and I took advantage of not being alone anymore and headed out to the car for some lunchtime QRP for the first time since last December.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but boy howdy, did it turn out to be great!

It seemed liked all the higher bands were just jumping with activity - 10, 12 and 15 Meters were alive with signals and I worked someone on each band.  I worked  CO6RD and R2014E on 15 meters. I worked HA9RT and OH4MDY on 12 Meters, and OK1DMZ on 10 Meters. I wish I had more time as it seemed like there were people from just about everywhere on the bands!

Whoopi-ty-aye-oh
Rockin' to and fro
Back in the saddle again
Whoopi-ty-aye-yay
I go my way
Back in the saddle again  

 And it feels so good!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Like ..... only the best Birthday present evhur!

My question ....... how did he know?

QRPTTF Saturday May 3, 2014

A "heads up" announcement.

Due to concerns about the "Polar Vortex" still being around in April in some areas, both privately and on QRP-L, I have decided to move QRPTTF this year up two weeks to:

SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 1200-2359 UTC.

Hopefully, this will bring warmer weather to most of you.  Following weekends are Mother's Day and some RTTY, etc. contests.  Turns out, a good weekend for some great opportunities for some special QRP DX contacts.  That weekend is the 10-10 contest, which normally attracts many DX stations on the "wet noodle" band.  Also, it is the SOTA International Day, which puts plenty of EU DX stations on the air, many running QRP.  SOTA in Europe has already been alerted to participate in QRPTTF as well, as they have in the past.

I will ensure our exchange is compatible with these two DX events to avoid any lengthy discussions.  This information has already been submitted to Hornucopia (WA7BNM) Contest site and the ARRL for their Contest Calendar.

Frankly, I haven't even come up with a theme or the rules yet.  But will soon.  With the uncertain weather and predictions of late snows in some areas, nothing exotic to cause any hardships.  If you have an idea or two, please let me know.

Mostly, since May 3 is moving it "up" more than most would expect, I wanted to get the word out ASAP.
I don't know how much this will help us out here in the west (MDT and PDT), but it should really allow those in the CDT and EDT time zones to work some good EU DX, and hopefully give you a few new countries.

Rules will be posted in the usual place: http://www.zianet.com/qrp/

I hope everyone will find this change agreeable, and at least a bit warmer.

72, Paul NA5N

Thankls Paul, but you really didn't have to do this on my account! (grin!)

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

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

Snow is coming

And I certainly hope this is the last blast for the Winter of 2013/2014.  The Equinox is less than three weeks away, and I am ready - perhaps readier than I've been in a while.  The snow that is forecast to start this afternoon, and last into Tuesday morning my bring us 4 inches - and then again may bring us 14-18 inches. The meteorologists just cannot seem to agree on this one. So that tells you the situation is extremely volatile, and we'll just have to wait until after it's over to see who was right.

But in the meantime, here are some warm weather thoughts from the Buddies in the Caribbean from LAST Winter.  Barbados seems like a good place to be right about now!

I was able to get on the air for a bit yesterday afternoon. The CW portion of the bands were kind of on the barren side, as the ARRL DX SSB was going on.  I could swear I heard a tumbleweed or two blow through.  But I did manage to work W1AW/7 in Washington State on both 12 and 15 Meters - first call with QRP each time.  I also worked HK7/AL4Q - an Alaskan call in Colombia - that's different!  I also worked EA6BH in Mallorca.  That's probably another wonderful place to be this time of year.

Clear away those dishes after a delightful dinner - enjoy some wine and set up the KX3, throw an EFHW over the railing, and we're good to go!

I can dream ..... can't I?

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Thank you Pietro and Bruna!

Thanks for the sexy, royal blue aluminum finger pieces!  I removed the black plastic ones and put these on. Oh, and by the way, they also sent me a spare pair of black aluminum ones, too!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

I guess I am not the hardiest individual

This past weekend, we enjoyed some temperatures in the upper 40s and lower 50s (9 to 12C) and we had a lot of snow melt. I've even seen some robins hopping about - a sure sign that Spring is on the way.  These Polar Vortices that we have been enduring, bringing bone chilling cold and snow down into our midst have sure taken a bite out of my lunch time QRP operating sessions.

I guess I am not the hardiest individual.  While I love QRP and CW, and getting on the air as much as I can, I do not cherish the cold weather. I have not been on the air at lunchtime since last December. Way back then, daytime temperatures were tolerable, and I didn't mind sitting in the car and pounding brass. It was chilly, but not mind numbingly cold.

The past few Winters spoiled me.  I look back at my logbook, and I see that there were actually days that were so mild in January and February, that I actually spent some lunch hours out of doors in the local park!  This year, that would have been the height of insanity.  Hating the cold weather as much as I do, even Amateur Radio is not enjoyable for me if I am not comfortable.  Operating under adverse conditions during an emergency is one thing. Doing it when you're supposed to be just having everyday fun is not my cup of tea.

The good news is that, if the weather prognosticators are correct, we should be heading into more normal temperatures come maybe the second week of March.  So even if it isn't balmy, it will be more than warm enough to head out to the car for some daily lunch hour QRP.  The old 60's song rings true - "Don't it always seem to go that you don't what you've got 'til it's gone?"  I really miss my daily fix of QRP.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Between a rock and a hard place

That's where I found myself tonight, as one of the two Foxes in the 40 Meter QRP Fox Hunt. As a Fox, you try to find a relatively clear frequency, where you can work the Hounds rather easily. And that's precisely what I thought I did tonight. I found a frequency, called "QRL?", and hearing no response in the negative, I began working Hounds. For the first few minutes, things were going great. Then I found myself giving the Fox exchange to stations who weren't coming back to me.

After that sinking-in-the-pit-of-my-stomach "uh oh" feeling quickly passed by, I snuck a peak at the Cluster, to realize that I was being encroached by one of the W1AW/X pileups! A lot of those stations had no interest in me, and probably couldn't even hear me, for that matter.

So I quickly QSYed to calmer waters and decided to operate simplex instead of split. Even though there was a lot of QRM and the band was treating me to a lot of QSB, a very quick after-the-event count shows that I handed out close to 60 pelts.

A post-hunt e-mail from Todd N9NE informed me that I had managed to position myself right in between W1AW/8 and W1AW/4. I'm glad I didn't know that! Some things you're better off not knowing, and I think that is one of them.

My ears hurt a little bit from trying to pull out some weaker call signs from among the loud QRM, but I am pretty satisfied by my effort. I wanted to work at least 60 stations going in, and I made that a goal for myself. Looks like I just made it.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Location, location, location

I might not be in the best location for the QRP Fox hunts, but I do have to admit that I am blessed when it came to achieving QRP DXCC.  Those of us in the Northeast definitely do not have the edge in Fox hunting that our fellow Hounds from the Midwest have.  When you look at the Hound's scores, the guys "who get 'em all" are usually, if not exclusively, from the middle of the US.  But those of us in the Northeast, and on the East coast in general have the edge when working Europe and the Caribbean.  I believe that Jim W4QO in Georgia posted that he worked over 100 different DXCC entities just this past weekend.  That's nothing to sneeze at and is a great accomplishment!

But if your a new QRPer you may be saying to yourself, "That's all well and good, but I'm just starting out and I don't have a tower and a beam or a fancy antenna farm." I'm not saying that those wouldn't be helpful, but you can achieve a lot with simple antennas.  I posted yesterday that I worked about half a DXCC award this past weekend.  I did it with a Butternut HF9V antenna and a home brewed 88' Extended Double Zepp antenna.  These antennas are surely within the reach of beginner QRPers (HOAs notwithstanding). With 5 Watts, I worked (in no particular order):

Estonia
Norway
France
Czech Republic
Belgium
Columbia
Italy
Slovenia
Bulgaria
Poland
Spain
Bahamas
Puerto Rico
The Ukraine
European Russia
The Azores
Mexico
Brazil
Chile
Morocco
The Turks & Caicos
The Cayman Islands
Alaska
Madeira Island
Portugal
US Virgin Islands
Sweden
Nicaragua
French Guiana
Lithiuania
Aruba
Curacao
Anguilla
Finland
Atigua & Barbuda
England
Scotland
The Balearic Islands
Germany
Jamaica
Belize
The Canary Islands
Bonaire
Belarus
Denmark

That's 45 DXCC entities in just around four hours of operating.  So I don't want to hear about how QRP DXCC is hard or impossible.  I've done it and believe me, if a ham and egger like me can work 100 different countries using 5 Watts, then you can do better!  And when you come down to it, my performance this past weekend was really nothing to crow about.  If you want to read a great story, then make sure to read Phil AK2MA's recount of his ARRL DX Contest effort - 150 QSOs and 57 countries worked with an INDOOR Buddipole on just one band (15 Meters)! THAT my friends is an achievement!

There is a price to pay, however, and that is you're going to have to work on your Morse Code. Life is not a dish of assorted fancy cashews. QRP DXing and CW go together like hand and glove. Some of these contest stations were sending so fast that it took me 7 or 8 listens to get their calls right.  Normally I am comfortable copying up to 25-28 WPM; and on a good day, I can stretch that to 35 WPM if the code being sent well and the exchange is short (like a contest exchange). Some of these guys were sending around the 40 WPM stratosphere and I had to just pass them by.  But with dedication and practice you can get to the "mere human neighborhood" of 25 WPM without going crazy.

And that's part of what this is all about, too. Constantly improving your station, your antennas, and yourself!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

That was fun!

That accurate description of the ARRL DX Contest was penned by Dale WC7S in a posting to the QRP-L email reflector. While my results are not even in the same zip code as Dale's, I have to agree with his assessment. The ARRL DX Contest was fun.

Not a contester by any stretch of the imagination, I set a goal for myself of making at least 100 contest contacts. In a little over 4 hours of operating time, I did just that, and a few more for good measure. 10 and 15 Meters were alive, hot and fantastic. I tuned up and down the bands, and I was able to work just about anyone that I tried to.

More than 90% of my QSOs were accomplished with QRP power. There were instances where I turned up the power to 75 Watts in order to complete the exchange. I didn't tally how many different countries I worked, but it had to be more than 50. So, if I was new to QRP DX hunting, and had decided to begin trying for QRP DXCC, I would have been more than halfway there in one weekend.

I jumped to 20 Meters late in the game. The band seemed to be just as active as 10 and 15. There were a few stations there that I had heard on the other two bands.

Lessons learned:

1) All the station equipment is working well, especially the new KXPA100.
2) Both my antennas are still working well.
3) QRP DXing is a hoot, even when you work countries that you have worked before.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Up and running

Today, after completing a few chores, I finally got a chance to assemble my KXPA100. For the record, I did not pre-download the assembly or instruction manuals. Maybe I should have, but I didn't. I decided to just wing it and go with the flow after opening the box.

A few guys on the KX3 e-mail reflector claimed an assembly time of two hours. I completed mine in just a little over one hour. Basically, all you're doing is securing the autotuner board to the amplifier, and then putting the housing on. Not much work, easy as pie to do, and you end up saving a couple hundred dollars.

I learned a few things the hard way:

1) Don't assume you have the latest firmware in your KX3 just because you normally upgrade often.  I thought I had the latest version, only to discover I didn't. When I couldn't get my KX3 to go above the 12 Watt level, I knew something was wrong. A firmware update took care of that.

2) Keep the KXPA tuned "off". Sounds strange, doesn't it? There is an "On/Off" switch on the KXPA100, but it is meant for when you are using the amp with a radio other than a KX3.  If you use a KX3, it totally controls the amp.  Turning on the KX3 turns on the KXPA100. Turning off the KX3 turns off the KXPA100. If you have the "On/Off" switch turned on while using the KXPA100 with a KX3, the LED indicators don't work properly. You may set the KX3 for, say 75 Watts - but the LED indicators won't light up properly. Turnng the switch off remedies that.

Item 1 was prominently mentioned in the manual. I had assumed something, and you know what happens when you assume.  I didn't see anything about the "On/Off" switch in the manual, but admittedly, I glossed through it and did not read it as carefully as I should have - again, my fault.

It is working properly, and I did give it a trial run my making some ARRL DX Contest QSOs at higher power just because I could - not because I needed to. I think in most cases, QRP would have worked. Tomorrow, however, I want to take the amp on a "shake down cruise" and really give it a go - just to see how these boots feel and break them in a bit.

Not that I am abandoning QRP - by no means. For 95 to 99% of the time, my KX3 will continue to purr along at the 5 Watt or less level.  But having this amp sure would have been handy a week ago for adding FT5ZM to my log. I'm enough of a DXer to regret having missed that opportunity.

73 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Snow bound - not quite.

Yesterday was a day spent working from home - as much as I could via my company issued laptop. We received about 14 inches of snow.

I am back at the office today and am looking forward to the upcoming three day weekend.  There's lots of Amateur Radio stuff to look forward to.

1) This weekend is the big ARRL CW DX contest.

2) This weekend is the monthly Polar Bear Moonlight Madness Event

3) This is the weekend my KXPA100 gets built and put online.

I am NOT looking forward to another 2-4" of snow tomorrow, along with the necessary snow removal chores. BUT Spring is closer than farther away at this point, so you have to keep your eyes on the prize.

I did manage to get on the air last night for the 80 Meter QRP Fox Hunt and bagged both Foxes - Dave N1IX in NH and Rick NK9G in WI.  I was able to get on between bouts of thundersnow.  Yes, that's right - thundersnow.  As the big Nor'Easter rotated around, the rain that had started falling changed back to snow as the low pressure system started siphoning cold air.  The warmer/colder air mix started a little battle which generated a few instances of lightning and thunder during a snow event.  Not common, but not the rarest, either.

I do have to admit that I was spoiled rotten by the last few years of drier, milder Winters that we have been experiencing. This year, we have made up for that in spades, and I am more ready for Spring than I have been in a while!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

2 Foxes in the bag

OK, so I couldn't get into FT5ZM's log ... but I did snare both Foxes in the 40 Meter Fox hunt tonight. So I guess not all is lost. The fact is that both Paul K4FB and Kevin W9CF have fantastic ears, and I owe my call in their logs to that fact.

I used my new Begali Simplex Mono as my CW sending weapon of choice. It took a lot of trial and error over the last few days to get it set up the way I wanted. But now that I have it set up to my liking, I have to say that, "Yes, Begali keys ARE what they are cracked up to be."

The key is silky smooth with a minimum of movement. It feels as close to using a touch paddle as you can get without actually using one. I can send at about 25 to 28 WPM effortlessly, even though I prefer my cruising altitude of about 23 WPM. The paddle's sexy good looks don't hurt, either. I would not hesitate recommending a Begali to anyone.

And to think, I bought the econo model. I can only imagine how the luxury version drives!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

It came!

One KXPA100 kit from Aptos, California.  It will be assembled this coming weekend. Tonight, I am listening for FT5ZM, and they are nowhere to be found, that I can hear them (of course). They seem to be concentrating on 17 Meters tonight, and all I can hear is their pileup - not them. Crud buckets!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

A day late and a dollar short

And that seems to be my story regarding FT5ZM, and I'm sticking to it. Last night, I heard them well and couldn't work them. Tonight, I've gone back to not being able to hear them. According to the DXCluster, they are active on 14.023 MHz. They might as well be on the other side of Jupiter, for all that I can hear. I'm not hearing any activity on 30 Meters, either.

Ironically, tomorrow is their last full day of activity before going QRT. And tomorrow is the day my KXPA100 kit is due to arrive from Elecraft. What a coincidence, eh?

I am fairly confident that if I had 100 Watts last night, I would have been able to break through the pileup. There's no way that I can be 100% certain of that, but you can't be in this hobby for 35 years without building up an innate sense of these things.

No use crying over spilled milk. Keep your ears open on the bands every day this coming week, QRPers. Next weekend is the big ARRL DX Contest, CW portion. I am already hearing some familiar calls in some familiar places as folks set up and gear up for the big event. Working these stations as they get ready, and then working the contest itself is a great way to earn yourself a QRP DXCC Certificate.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Addendum: I went back to the basement to find that FT5ZM came up nicely on 20 Meters. I heard them work my buddy, Bob W3BBO, and fellow blogger and QRPer, Chris KQ2RP. Still no joy for W2LJ, though. I guess tomorrow night will be my last shot, if they're even on the air at that point.

Getting to be crunch time

For working FT5ZM, and it looks like I may not get them. I spent three hours tonight, trying to work them on both 20 and 30 Meters - no dice. They QRT on Tuesday, so time is running short. I would really like to work them, as most of the QRPers that I know are in their log book. But if it turns out that I don't ..... well, the sun will still keep shining, the Earth will still keep spinning, and come Springtime, bunnies and birdies will dance on the lawn. And come 500 years from now, no one will know who W2LJ was, or how many countries he worked and at what power. You have to keep your eye on the bigger prize.

That's like at the VE session that I worked this morning ..... there was a Ham there who was quite disappointed about being a General Class operator. This person has tried to upgrade to Extra, but is having a hard time of it, and is getting discouraged with the whole deal.

Goals are a good thing, but you have to remember that this is a hobby. We're not looking for a cure for cancer here. It's high time to enjoy what you have and not worry too much about what you don't. Once you have fun with where you are, that just may take off enough self inflicted pressure to allow you accomplish what you feel is an impossibility.

As they say, the joy is in the journey, not the destination, whether that be an Extra class license or DXCC Honor Roll.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

First QSO with the Begali

was with Hiram who was operating W1AW/4 in Georgia. Actually, it was with John Laney K4BAI, who was using the ARRL Centennial W1AW/4 call in tonight's 40 Meter QRP Foxhunt. Instead of sending "John" as his name, he was sending Hiram. It was fun to work "The Old Man", kinda sorta.

The Begali is a sweet piece, and I still have to play with the adjustments some. But where I have it right now, it's pretty silky smooth. It's definitely heavy enough to stay put in one place without walking. Once I finally get it where I want it, it will be the primary key.

One thing that surprised me though. They supply a three conductor cable with two male stereo plugs. You have to lop one end off, strip and bare the wires, and solder them in place. Not that soldering is a big deal, but for some reason, I thought the key would come pre-cabled.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

FYBO 2014

I didn't have a whole lot of time to spend, so I did FYBO "down and dirty" this year. I operated for about an hour from my driveway using the same setup that I use from the parking lot at work - the KX3 with the Buddistick mounted on top of the Jeep. It seems to work fine for me there, so I figured "What the heck".

I stayed on 20 Meters the whole time and made about 8 or so contacts, and called CQ a lot! Among others, I QSOed with Steve K4JPN, Jim N0UR, Dave AB9CA and Greg N4KGL. Not really an FYBO QSO, but by far the best DX was with Guru EA2IF, who is located in Navarra, which is in the western part of Spain in the Pyrenees. Guru, who was also QRP was using a 3 element Yagi. Obviously his altitude and his antenna made the big difference. I gave him 559 and got the same in return.

My reported temperature was 45F. I was a bit surprised when Jim N0UR sent me a 55F from Minnesota. I was not surprised at all that the QSOs from the South were all in the 60s and 70s. Even though it felt chilly after a while, on the whole it sure felt warmer than it has in weeks. This looks to be a brief respite only, as we are being told that there's a chance for more snow on Monday.

Later on this evening, I was able to hear FT5ZM on 30 Meters, the best that I have heard them so far. They were 559 and the QSB was bad. But they were readable. In fact, I heard them work fellow Fox hunter, Steve WX2S. Unfortunately, I was not able to break the pileup ....yet. But I will get there!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least.

Double Red Letter Day!

Wow!  I received two of the best e-mails of the young year today!

The first was from Bruna Begali telling me that my Simplex Mono would be shipping within the next few days.  From the e-mail, it became apparent that they keep a stockpile of keys located somewhere in the US, in order to keep delivery times down. Also, she asked me which aluminum finger pieces I would like as she would be sending those from Italy.  I didn't even realize that I was entitled to those!  Unexpected bonus!

The second e-mail came this afternoon and it was "the" e-mail from Elecraft. My KXPA100 kit (with autotuner) is ready to ship within the next 1-5 business days.  A pdf of my order was attached to review and confirm.  I did that faster than you could say "Jack Robinson". Wow, if I can get that next week, and then build it next weekend, I just might be able to have it up and running should I have to resort to QRO power to get FT5ZM in the log.

Definitely a "Happy Dance" day! 

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP - When you care to send the very least! 

Of course ........

The annual Freeze Your Butt Off contest, which is sponsored by the Arizona ScQRPions is this Saturday.  QRPers are very familiar with this Wintertime outdoor QRP operating event.  The lower the temperature at your operating position, the higher your multiplier, and hence, the higher your score. Your reward for braving the outdoors during the coldness and enduring the misery.

For the last three weeks in New Jersey, I think it has gone above the freezing mark of 32F (0C), maybe once. We have been in the deep freeze for a while now. So what's the forecast for FYBO day?  Rain and 45F (7C).  Compared to the last three weeks, it's going to feel like Springtime!  Of course, there's no multiplier given for enduring wet, sloppy conditions.  So if it's pouring, I guess I'll give it a go from indoors, and save my KX3 from making like a duck.

I guess I should keep my mouth shut and not complain, but couldn't the thaw come the day AFTER the FYBO Sprint?  I'm just a giver of points, but it would be nice to have the bigger multiplier so I could at least halfway compete with the Big Boys!  ;)

I took the plunge and ordered the Begali Simplex Mono tonight with the palladium base, and the gold contacts (30 Euros extra).  I did not get the key engraved with my callsign. I was tempted, but I wanted to keep the price down as much as I could.  I figured that going with the gold contacts was the better option for more reliable keying.  Function over form, I guess. I am really excited now and am looking forward to finally having a Begali key.  This is something I have wanted for a long time, but could never bring myself to actually purchase until now.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP- When you care to send the very least!

Tough Winter

As with most of the USA, this Winter of 2013/2014 sure has been a rough one! The cold snaps have been harsh and long lasting. And this has been causing the snow that we have gotten to stick around longer than usual for this area. Pardon the pun, but this Winter has been about 180 degrees different from last year, when we had only one minor snowfall. And for the most part, last Winter was downright balmy!

The extra cold weather has been kind of keeping me out of my basement shack. Thanks to our efficient gas furnace, all the heat goes to the upper floors, while the basement remains chilly. When the outside temperatures approach the single digits, my shack thermometer registers about 55F (13C), definitely not the most comfortable.  Even with wearing a long sleeved T-shirt, a polo, AND a sweatshirt, I get to the point where my hands get cold and sending without errors becomes a chore.

Thanks to all of you who have been sending comments and emails with regard to my quest for a single lever paddle. I am still leading towards the Begali, but looking at some other manufacturers has been fun. It seems I always hesitate before making a purchase like this, as I am not used to spending money on myself. Plus the fact that I'm concerned about the cost of all the natural gas I'm burning this heating season, I have to double and triple think purchases like this.

The QRP Fox Hunt season enters the second half tonight. With the two pelts I nabbed on 40 Meters tonight, I have 16 pelts in 22 hunts for a .727 batting average. In the 80 Meter hunts, I have snared 13 out of 16 possible pelts for a .8125 batting average. Thanks to good propagation and the excellent ears of our Foxes, I am having one of the best seasons I have had in a while.

The last good news that I have for the night is that Jim W4QO posted on the North Georgia QRP Group email reflector that he has successfully worked Amsterdam Island FT5ZM with QRP, not once - but twice! Since Jim is a fellow Eastern Seaborder, that gives me hope. Amsterdam Island is close to 10,000 miles away from New Jersey, so that's a long haul by any standard. Right there, that puts you close to 2,000 miles per Watt. With my dinky antenna farm, I am sure that if I work them at all, it will be during the second half of their stay on the Island. I read somewhere that if all goes well, the DXpedition will remain in place until about February 20th. So that gives me some time, and I will do my best to get them in the log.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Pondering

I am pondering the possibility of acquiring a single lever paddle, possibly the Bengali Simplex Mono, with the palladium base.

I have always been more comfortable with single lever paddles, and have always used any iambic paddles that I have owned that way. I am not a squeeze keyer.

The Sculpture Mono would be great, but the price tag is too hefty for my wallet. Any of you readers have a recommendation for a good single lever paddle other than Begali? Maybe there's a good one out there that I am not aware of?

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Miscellania

As I type this on my tablet, it is -2F (-19C) outside. The furnace is running its little heart out and I just can't wait for the next utility bill. On second thought, instead of complaining, I'll just be happy that it's warm inside! Although I do get tempted every now and then to dream of what Amateur Radio goody that I could buy with the money that is literally going up in flames.

A little bird brought to my attention that congratulations are in order, as a milestone has been reached. Charles Moizeau, W2SH is celebrating his 80th birthday. Chas, as he is affectionately known, is a fellow New Jersey QRPer. He is very active and very successful in the QRP Fox Hunts. Charles is also quite active in NAQCC activities as well as being a regular check in in many QRP CW nets. Happy birthday, Charles, with wishes for many more!

Speaking of the Fox Hunts, last night was a success as I managed to work both Foxes. The surprise of the evening was working Dale WC7S in Wyoming on 80 Meters. Dale was at ESP levels for most of the night. I could tell where he was, but that was about it. Towards the end, the band started going long and Dale's signal grew stronger. With less than 15 minutes to go, Dale actually approached 599 levels (I confess that I turned my AGC off, so that I could hear him better. I know ..... risky move!) and I was able to sneak into his log.

The QRP ARCI Fireside Sprint is this weekend. I might give it a go. I have never participated in it before, as it is an SSB sprint. But I do have a microphone for the KX3, and the weather outside is supposed to be less than stellar, so maybe I'll try something different.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Shocked and saddened

I was shocked and saddened to discover through Facebook, that fellow QRPer and Amateur Radio blogger, Ron Bowman W8VZM became a Silent Key today. From the information that appeared on his timeline, it was revealed that Ron was involved in a fatal car crash.

I had worked Ron a few times on the air and we kept in touch through Facebook, commenting on each other's posts. Ron was a QRPer, a CW and an HW-8 fan, and was an all around good person, admired by his friends and coworkers.

My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his surviving family, as they go through this time of mourning and loss.

73, Ron. It was my pleasure to have made your acquaintance and to have known you.

Eternal rest, grant unto him, Lord
And may perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.

72 de Larry W2LJ
Take time to let your family and friends know how much you love them. Our time on this Earth is way too short. And to all my Catholic friends out there - as Fr. Z. says .... go to Confession. You never know when you'll be called Home.

A little bit of operating

I was actually able took get on the air for a bit today! A Saturday that's not full of obligations and chores is a rarity for me.

And I got a new one via QRP! Paraguay, by working ZP6CW on 12 Meters. And I got a 579 report to boot, so since it wasn't the automatic 599, I will take him at his word. The antenna was the Butternut HF9V.

A little while later, I worked KH7Y in Hawaii, so the bands were open. With the NAQP SSB, going on, the CW portion of the bands was not as crowded as usual.

I worked a few QRP Polar Bears today, as well - WA8REI, VA2SG and K3Y/1 who was Pete N1ABS, who is also a Polar Bear.

I have decided that I am going to be countercultural, and I am NOT going to try and work all 50 W1AW stations this year. A few years ago, I worked 48 states for the K6JSS anniversary event that QRP ARCI held, and besides, I have two ARRL WAS certificates already. I earned one as N2ELW, and I got another as W2LJ. The W2LJ certificate was earned by working all 50 via CW and QRP. I don't need another, even though having a special certificate for the ARRL's Centennial would be nice. I'm just not in the mood to break another 50 different pileups for another WAS certificate. Bah humbug!

I have tomorrow and Monday off, so hopefully, I will get more air time this long weekend.  Oh! I just remembered .... tomorrow is the third Sunday of the month. Join us for the Flying Pigs Run for the Bacon tomorrow night.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Thoughts

Some random thoughts before turning in.

Just when you think you have a handle on this propagation thing. The 80 Meter Fox Hunt was especially and  surprisingly tough tonight. The Fox that I thought was going to be easy pickings was a lot tougher to nab than expected, Ray K9XE in Illinois.

Usually, Illinois is a cakewalk from NJ. Signals between the two states are usually decent and reliable. Not so tonight! I tried nabbing Ray for most of the first hour without success. At that point, I figured I'd better try the other Fox, John N4KV before time ran out. I didn't want to flip the big switch with no pelts in the bag. Luckily, I was able to work John in TN after only a few calls, so I was "going home" with at least one fur.

I then switched back to Ray's frequency to find that he had QSYed a bit up to try and end run some QRM, and he went simplex. After a few calls, I got a W2?J.  So I put out my call a few times more. Finally, Ray got my call and sent my exchange. And as I was sending mine ...... wouldn't you just know it? A net barged on frequency without checking to see if anyone was there. Ray eventually copied my exchange despite the net QRM, but it took us about a good two or three minutes to get it done. Usually, a two way exchange occurs in well under a minute. In spite of it all, I brought two pelts home, but the one I thought would be easy was painful, while the one I expected to be trouble was far easier. So much for expectations and conventional wisdom.

The other thing going through my mind concerns this year's Skeeter Hunt. Yes, it's still seven months away, but the wheels are already turning. I am toying with the idea of changing the exchange this year. Up until now, I have gone with the conventional RST, S/P/C, Skeeter # or power output. I am thinking of ditching the RST and using the op's first name instead. I am also thinking of seeing if I can get plaques donated for the top CW and SSB finishers.

Oh well, time to hit the sack. I am looking at a potential 12+ hour work day tomorrow. Ugh!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

We've come full circle

Back in the day, we Hams used to get blamed for everything!

Now, it's come full circle and all these new fangled electronic devices seem to be polluting our bands with all kinds of RF noise.

It used to be that we had to prove that we weren't the "interferers", and now we have to prove that they are! Who would have thought that one day, the tables would be turned?

I remember when I lived in East Brunswick, I lived a couple of houses away from the only guy in New Jersey that didn't have cable TV. He used to gnaw on my ear all the time that I was interfering with his TV. I even had him over to the shack to show him that my station wasn't interfering with a small portable TV that I had set up there. That the TV picture didn't so much as flicker when I transmitted didn't convince him in the least.

But the funniest time (and you really just had to shake your head and laugh) was once when he confronted me as I pulled into my driveway. He was standing at the fence and was literally yelling at me how he couldn't even use his TV the past couple of days because I was "screwing it up so bad".

"Really, Bob?" I asked, "The past few days have been really bad?"

"You're darn (he didn't use "darn", but this is a family friendly blog) right. I haven't been able to watch TV the past four nights because of you and that Ham Radio of yours".

I smiled (which made him angrier, but I couldn't help myself) and answered, "Then that's a pretty good trick, Bob, because I've been out of the country for the past two weeks. I just got back from the airport." I had been in Switzerland on a training session for my old job.

Of course, the facts made no difference. I was still to blame as far as he was concerned. I can chuckle about it now, but back then it was annoying and upsetting to always be harped on for something that wasn't my fault. It got to be that I hated walking out my own back door, dreading the next needless confrontation. I think that experience is one of the factors that drove me to go QRP full time, as I never want to go through that again.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Just checking!

I got curious and sent an e-mail to Elecraft asking them when I might expect my KXPA100 kit, that I ordered in October.

Good news! Only about another month or so!

To be honest with you, I wasn't expecting such a quick response. I got my e-mail answer in less than 24 hours. Kudos to Dean and the Elecraft Sales Team.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

QRP Kit News

As announced by the Four States QRP Group today:

The Four State QRP Group is very pleased to announce that Dave Benson's, Freq-Mite kit has been added to the lineup of Four State kits. Upon retirement, Dave, K1SWL, graciously offered the kit to us to continue production. Along with his SW+ transceiver series, the Freq-Mite is one of his signature designs. The Freq-Mite provides audio frequency annunciation, and is intended to be installed as a frequency counter inside a rig. Thus providing an inexpensive alternative to an LCD display. It is easily installed in new or existing rigs and easy to understand installation notes for many rigs are included on the web site.

The kit sells for only $22 US, which includes shipping, and may be ordered from it's home page http://www.4sqrp.com/freq-mite.php All of the Four State kit offerings may be found on this page http://www.4sqrp.com/kitIndex.php Additional kits are in the pipeline and will be made available as soon as possible.

As always, thank you for supporting Four State. All proceeds go to funding OzarkCon, the largest and best QRP conference in the Central Time Zone. Hope to cu in Branson on April 4t and 5th.

de Terry WAØITP

Between the Four States Group and QRPMe, it's good to see Dave Benson's designs not being lost to oblivion.  On a side note, K1SWL posted on QRP-L that he participated in the North American QSO Party this weekend - first time he's been on the air in about 10 years. Good for him!  Personally, I am glad to see Dave enjoying Amateur Radio and QRPing again - he deserves as much for all his dedicated service to the QRP community over the years.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Procrastination

Sometimes I wonder if that's truly my problem, or if I just have too many irons in the fire.  I don't LIKE to put things off - it's just that sometimes I am forced to because something else comes up that has to be dealt with NOW. Then I lose my place and that's how things go by the wayside for me. Maybe I need to take courses in multi-tasking - do they offer those?  ;-)

Another thing that I did today (besides finish printing the Skeeter certificates) was to finally do something with my Christmas present.  That's right - I haven't written about my Christmas present, have I?

Marianne had no idea what to get me, so I made it simple for her. I made it super simple for her!  I ordered a set of SideKX cover plates for my "portable" KX3, the one I take to work with me everyday, and I had them sent here to the house to her attention. I installed them today (super easy!) and instead of sticking my KX3 inside a ziploc bag inside my LowePro bag, it is now protected by the SideKX.

The KX3 before surgery:

And the KX3 after surgery - now fully protected:

The silkscreening on the SideKX plates is virtually identical to the silkscreening on the original Elecraft side plates.  It would take an expert with a lot keener eye than mine to be able to see any differences.  The price was very reasonale for the extra protection that you get. Of course, I had to put the radio on the air after its operation, just to make sure I didn't screw anything up.  A couple of quick NAQP contacts on 20 Meters confirmed that I hadn't!

Oh, one other thing that I got to see today.  At this morning's VE session that I attended and helped at, fellow Volunteer Examiner Bob KB2VMG brought along his KXPA100 that had just arrived yesterday.  He ordered his as a pre-built unit in June.  I ordered mine as a kit in October.  I was hoping to have mine by the end of January, but if Bob just got his, which he ordered four months earlier than I did, I am now hoping to see mine by Easter.  Anyway, I got to see one live and up close and personal and got to drool for a little while!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Oh my Heavens - mea culpa!

I received a gentle nudge from one of the 2013 Skeeter Hunt participants this week via an e-mail, "Did you ever get the certificates out?".

Oh my gosh!  No, I hadn't and for that, I deeply and sincerely apologize to all of you!  I had about half of them printed out and then got busy with life and other things, and they got pushed to the side, on the backburner. But no excuses, this was totally a lack of focus and concentration on my part.  For that, I beg your indulgence and thank you all for your patience and understanding.

Certficate Numero Uno for the top 2013 Finisher - Sean Kutzko KX9X. Who will finish on top this year?

There are approximately 50 certificates that will be in the mail over the next series of days.  The top five overall finishers, as well as the top finishers of each state, province or country that entered as well as some other categories, have all been printed. Now comes the envelope stuffing, addressing, and going to the Post Office.

News about the 2014 Skeeter Hunt - yes, there will be one this year!  It's tentatively scheduled for Sunday August 10th - the second Sunday in August, just like the previous two years.  The only big contests on the air that weekend are the Worked All Europe Contest and the Maryland-DC QSO Party, so no big competition from anywhere else to keep you from participating.  :-)

There will be a new logo this year, as I had one drawn by a professional cartoonist.  There will be T-shirts and other apparel available if you're so inclined, through Cafe Press.  Keep your eye on the look out for that - that will appear in the Spring.

Sign ups for Skeeter numbers will commence on the First Day of Summer, in keeping with the season.  So again, keep your eyes open for that as we come closer to June 21st.  Plenty of annuncements will appear on the various e-mail reflectors.

So ....... here comes the big question.  Any changes to the Skeeter Hunt that you would like to see for 2014? Do any of you have an idea for a theme for this year?  I have a neat one in mind that I am still fleshing out, but if someone thinks that they might have a cool idea - I'll be glad to consider it.  Send me an e-mail or make use of the comment box!

Oh, and for 2014, I promise to have the certificates out on a more timely basis - you have my word of honor!

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very east!

Good article in the January 2014 edition of WorldRadio Online

If you're a subscriber to WorldRadio Online, be sure to check out the article on Page 16 in the January 2014 edition. There's an article by Cory GB Sickles, WA3UUV, which is entitled ""Elmering" in the Age of the Internet", and it deserves your attention.

Prominently featured are several folks who should be easily recognized by just about any serious QRPer, and they are Rem Donnelly K6BBQ (whose videos are often posted here), Steve Galchutt WG0AT (ditto), and Chuck Carpenter W5USJ.  Also mentioned is Randy Hall K7AGE. Rem, Steve and Randy are noted for their informative, fun and educational videos that appear on YouTube (and here).  Chuck is noted for his great website and all the informative and helpful topics that he covers there. And the help and advice he offers in the Rockmite and other e-mail reflectors is worth its weight in gold.

These guys deserve the title "Elmer" which is so sorely needed this day and age.  When I attended an Amateur Radio licensing course back in the late 1970's, I had a course teacher, but no true "Elmer".  After I got my ticket, most of what I learned was by trial and error, often proverbially hitting my thumb with that hammer.  Things would have gone infinitely smoother (but not necessarily better!) had there be someone I could go to, to ask for advice and encouragement.

These days, however, it seems that when people seek new knowledge, the first place they head to is Google, Bing or some other search engine.  The service that the above mentioned Hams provide is so invaluable - and by no means are they the only ones.  There are so many great resources of Amateur Radio information out there, like we've never had before.  The Internet is ripe for the picking of this treasure trove of information.

That being said, what are you doing to help this effort along?  Don't think you don't have anything valuable to add, because you do.  Your help is constantly needed not only to encourage those who are thinking of getting licensed, but also those who are recently licensed and are unsure of themselves.  There are so many things you can do, I'll list just a few here:

1) Become a Volunteer Examiner.  Not only will you meet people who are just entering the hobby, but you can befriend them and explain to them about the whole new world that is opening up to them.  Tell them about local clubs and Ham Radio activities, invite them to come out to a local Hamfest or club meeting, or even the occasional Saturday breakfast "with the guys" - remember, for the bit of time that they are taking "The Exam", they are a captive audience. Strike while the iron is hot.

2) Make a YouTube video and share it with the world.  Got a new idea, process or invention?  Have a unique or new way of doing something in Amateur radio that's never been done before?  Make a video and post it!  They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that's true, then a good video is worth about ten million!  To this day, I owe as great deal of thanks to TJ W0EA, for posting a video about the LowePro Traveler 150 camera bag and how he uses it to carry his QRP gear.  It convinced me to go out and buy mine, and as of now, I wouldn't think of using anything else for that purpose.  I had been struggling to find a good solution for quite some time when I happened upon his video, it was just what I needed to see, at just the right time.

3) Start a Website or a blog.  A fine example is Chuck's website, and for a fine example of Amateur Radio blogs - just look down the right edge of this site.  You think I list a lot?  Maybe, but even more are needed.  Do you have a new or unique idea that no one's covered before, that's just waiting to be shared?  You say that you don't want to start a blog, but have something you'd like to cover and are not sure how to do it?  Contact me.  I'll gladly lend you space here. (or see #5 below). I'll even help you put your idea into words if you like, and YOU'LL receive all the credit that you'll so richly deserve!  And your story needn't be technically minded.  Just sharing a story of how you accomplished hanging your antenna or putting together your station or how you configured your computer and radio for WSPR or PSK31 may be all the encouragement that is needed by someone who is attempting to do the same thing - but has no one to ask, or may be too shy to ask, or maybe has been reading articles, but just doesn't "get it".

4) Get on your local repeater, ESPECIALLY when you hear a "new" call.  Nothing is more special that being welcomed and acknowledged on the air.  Don't be afraid to talk to new and any younger voices that you hear on the air.  The welcome that you extend today will exist long into the future, and will be an inspiration as to how new Hams years down the road will be treated.

5) Write an article, as mentioned above in bullet point #3.  Have a unique idea or maybe a new perspective on something that's tried and true?  Write something about it!  While it would be nice to see your name in QST or CQ, there are other "niche" publications out there - literally begging for contributions.  For the CW and QRP crowd, right off the top of my head, I can think of The Keynote (FISTS), SPRAT (GQRP),  QRP Quarterly (QRP ARCI), and the K9YA Telegraph e-zine (CW enthusiasts).  For other facets of the hobby, I am sure there are just as many outlets available.

6) Always keep the kids in mind.  If you get the opportunity to demonstrate this hobby to kids, especially younger ones - don't let the chance slip through your fingers.  You may think that kids look upon this hobby as "dull", "uninteresting", or "ancient".  Maybe some do, but even more don't.  Some of the best times I've had have been explaining Amateur Radio to school kids, Boy Scouts, etc.  The looks on the their faces, and their enthusiasm will warm your heart and will in turn, encourage you and keep you young.

7) Teach a license class.  This is maybe one of the best ways to pass along your love of this hobby to the next generation of Hams.  Don't know where to begin?  Get in touch with the ARRL, they have a whole department that is willing to help you get started.  And it doesn't have to be just kids that you aim your teaching sights on.  Most high schools give opportunities for free or low cost continuing education courses for adults. often held on weekday evenings.  Offer to teach a radio license course for them.  They'll do a lot of the groundwork and advertising for you - you just need to supply the teaching part.  You'd be very surprised how many retired folks there are out there, looking for a new hobby.

The main idea here is to share, to help not only those thinking about becoming Hams, but also to put out the helping hand to those who are recently licensed. And you'll also find that you'll be helping yourself by keeping your enthusiasm for this wonderful hobby vibrant in your own life.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Too important to wait for tonight

As seen on QRP-L this morning, by Paul NA5N:

Solar flares and a heads up

Gang,
Ole Sol has awoken with three large flares in the past 18 hours, an M3, M6 and an X1.  There may be more to come.  The active solar region is in the center of the sun, looking right at us, meaning any CMEs (and future flares/CMEs) will most likely deliver a shock wave to planet Earth on Friday and/or Saturday with some geomagnetic storming.

But more exciting is how these flares have gushed waves of ionizing radiation into our ionosphere. The average solar flux for the past 90 days has been a count of 150.  Today's flares increased the solar flux to *237*, though short lived as local sunset occurred not long after in North America with EU already in the dark.

However, the prediction for the next two days is a solar flux of 195.  This is about the highest it has been this solar cycle and sufficient for 10M openings in local daylight hours.  So for those of you snow bound, freezing your coax off and otherwise bored Wednesday in the Eastern U.S., turn on that rig during daylight hours and enjoy some very likely good conditions from 20-10M.  Daytime conditions should be very favorable until late Friday, when the shock wave from the X1 flare is expected to arrive.  The CME left the sun at about 1,100 km/sec - a pretty decent shock wave.  NOAA is predicting a moderate geomagnetic storm, but it could get worse, though short lived.

These favorable conditions apply to all areas, Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia, etc. during daylight hours.  The proton count is also fairly high, meaning signals may be very attenuated in the polar latitudes and causing some fading (QSB) in the middle latitudes.  If the proton count remains high and the CMEs hit Friday night, it could mean some impressive northern lights, perhaps extending into the northern tier of U.S. states or northern EU (depending on when it hits).

If you're new to ham radio or QRP, check out 15M and 10M next couple of days.  If those bands are open and the solar flux indeed comes in around 190-200, you should be able to easily work some nice DX with your 5 watts.  This is the first such opportunity I have seen in a long time.  Unfortunately, I will be at work tomorrow, installing some experimental 74 and 300 MHz receivers onto some VLA antennas.  Maybe I can sneak my 817 into one of the tool bags?

Let us know if you snag any good catches, or how conditions sound at your QTH. The way I figure it for right now ... turning on your 100W coffee pot and 500W shack heater to get your 5W on the air will be worth it -hi.

GL to all.
72, Paul

Current solar and geophysical conditions are always here:
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html
or ... http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/SWN/index.html

Alerts and warning here:
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/alerts/warnings_timeline.html

And, current solar flux values here:
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpdir/latest/curind.txt
-1 means no data or the station is currently "in the dark"

Good news! Too bad I am stuck here at work!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Roller Coaster

Like a lot of you in other places, we've been on a bit of a temperature roller coaster lately.  Last weekend, after Christmas, it was up in the mid 50s (12C) here in New Jersey. This weekend, after New Year, we went as low as -3F (-19C) and our high for the day on Saturday was about 20F (-6C). That was just two days ago.

This morning, when I drove into work, it was 54F (12C).  Now, after lunch, it is 38F (3C) and the temperature continues to free fall.  By the time I leave to go home, I am sure that the temperature will be somewhere around the mid-20s (-4C).  And over the next 24 hours, we're supposed to get some of the coldest weather we've had here in over 20 years.  The temperatures are expected to go below 0F (-17C) at night again, but this time with wind chills way lower than that. Tomorrow's high is supposed to be only somewhere around 11F (-11C).  But then, later towards the upcoming weekend, it's supposed to warm up again to more like springtime temperatures.

Stop the roller coaster, I want to get off!  I am NOT a big fan of the cold, but I sure wish that it would already stay one way or the other for a while.  It's winter time, so even though I don't like it, I can deal with the cold for a bit.  This teasing of Spring, and then the plunge back into the deep freeze is just cruel.

On a radio note, I was looking at the solar conditions yesterday and I was licking my lips.  High SFI, a goodly number of sun spots and low A and K values. Having some free time for a change,  I got on the air, expecting to hear a lot, and for a while I thought ALL my antennas were on the fritz!  Nothing much heard yesterday, and nothing much worked.  What a let down.  At first I thought maybe everyone was working the ARRL RTTY Roundup, but even RTTY signals seemed sparse to me.  In a major RTTY contest, we often get interlopers all the way down to the lowest of the low part of the bands. Yesterday, all the RTTY stations that I heard seemed to be staying way above the .060, QRP Watering Hole areas.

Maybe all the RF is freezing from the cold air and is just dropping out of the sky.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Antenna repair work

always seems to be conducted when weather is less than optimal for such things.

You may remember me telling how I had to temporarily re-hang my 88' EDZ wire last Saturday. Just a week ago, we were enjoying weather in the low 50s (11C), it was a good day to perform that task.  But then during the week, I noticed it wasn't working right and seemed to be deaf.  I thought initially that there was a short in the PL-259 connector.  I changed that out and it made no difference.  I suspected a fault maybe a bit farther back in the coax, as feedlines always seem to be a probem, but then I thought - what if the problem is with the window line and not the coax?

So today, I headed outside and this weekend, the weather is quite a bit colder than last. In fact, it's quite the opposite of last weekend. Last night we had a low of -3F (-20C) and today's high was about 20F (-6C), so where did I find myself?  Of course, in the back yard, freezing in the new fallen snow, inspecting my antenna to see where the fault might lay. And since I work better without gloves, that just added to the pleasure!

Fortunately, the fault was found quickly and it was an easy fix.  When I was re-hoisting the antenna, the window line must have flexed and stressed badly at the BALUN terminals, and on one side, the wire had snapped.  It proved to be a simple matter of loosening the screw, removing the old tiny bit of wire, stripping back a bit more of the insulation on that side of the window line and re-screwing the bare wire back down in place.  I needed tools no more sophisticated than the Swiss Army Knife that I always carry.  (You can't work for a Swiss firm for 22 years of your life and NOT carry a Swiss Army Knife with you wherever you go.)

I went to my basement shack, where it's a balmy 58F (15C) and was delighted to see the KX3 deliver a match in literally, just a couple of seconds.  My preferred wire is now back in action and I am quite a happy camper.  Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed that my temporary support line will hold for the rest of the winter!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Happy New Year!

My best wishes for a very Happy and Healthy New Year to all of you out there!  May 2014 bring plenty of rare DX, ragchews, contest QSOs and all nice things to your logs.

I started the year out on a good note by working VK2DX on 12 Meters this afternoon, just as the gray line was approaching both of us.  Nick was a good 579/599 here in New Jersey, but I daresay that I was 339 or worse on his end.  Lots of repeats to get him to pull me out, but thanks to Nick's more than excellent ears, I am now able to add Australia to the "worked via QRP" list.  That's almost 2,000 miles per Watt, as Australia is just about as "on the other side of the world" as you can get from New Jersey.

Not looking forward to the next couple of days, as we're looking at some significant snow here tomorrow night into Friday. A possible 6-12 inches is forecast.  New York City and Long Island are supposed to get the worst of this storm with possible blizzard conditions for them.  This storm seems to be tracking a bit off the coast, so the farther inland you are from the Atlantic, the less snow you will see.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

QRP Fox Hunt & Straight Key Night

Not so perfect together.

I hate to end 2013 / begin 2014 on a negative note, but it was not the best idea to hold a QRP Fox Hunt tonight. And I speak from the perspective of being one of the two Foxes.

Yes, SKN is a wonderful thing. Yes, it brings out so many to the bands. Yes, SKN has become a tradition and an institution. But let me tell you from the eyes of a QRP Fox, it wasn't the most fun thing I've ever had to deal with.

I must have had to QSY at least half a dozen times. Every time I would find a relatively clear frequency and run it, inevitably, within five or ten minutes, some 20 over 9 station would come on and start calling "CQ SKN" without so much as a "?", let alone a "QRL?".

There were a few who asked if the frequency was occupied, but they were in the minority. And I know that SKN has become an opportunity to bust out and operate the vintage gear, but there were quite a few signals out there that sounded really bad.

In all, I think I worked about 30 stations. I was feeling badly about such a stinky total, and then I traded e-mails with Don NK6A, who was the other Fox. Not only did he have to QSY more than I did, but he only worked about 38 stations. NK6A is a top notch caliber QRPer. For me to get only about 8 or so fewer QSOs than him is a major feat. That definitely takes some of the sting away.

But a note to the Fox Hunt Committee? Avoid having a Hunt on Straight Key Night like the plague!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!