2013-08-24

Several more Brazil QSOs on 10 meters! The where having a contest called CVA  (Concurso Verde e Amarelo: Green and Yellow Contest... the Brazilian colors) I am puzzled about something: They were obviously having a hard time hearing my 8 watts since that asked me to repeat my call many times. However, they all gave me a 59 signal report. For you who do not know what that means: "5" is for readability (1-5 so perfect) and "9" for signal strength (1-9 so super strong)!! I am not sure how valid the RS reports can be if people are not honest. I have to admit that I rarely give the right report. I just do not want to hurt people's feelings, I guess. Here is what the system is supposed to be:

R = READABILITY
1-- Unreadable
2-- Barely readable, occasionally words distinguishable
3-- Readable with considerable difficulty
4-- Readable with practically no difficulty
5-- Perfectly readable

S = SIGNAL STRENGHT
1-- Faint signal, barely perceptible
2-- Very weak signal
3-- Weak signal
4-- Fair signal
5-- Fairly good signal
6-- Good signal
7-- Moderately strong signal
8-- Strong signal
9-- Extremely strong signal

T = TONE (Only used with CW)
1-- Sixty cycle a.c. or less, very rough and broad
2-- Very rough a.c., very hash and broad
3-- Rough a.c. tone, rectified but not filtered
4-- Rough note, some trace of filtering
5-- Filtered rectified a.c. but strongly rippled-modulated
6-- Filtered tone, definite trace of ripple modulation
7-- Near pure tone, slight trace of modulation
8-- Near perfect tone, slight trace of modulation
9-- Perfect tone, no trace of ripple or modulation of any kind

Source: List produced by N4UJW

201-08-25

It was a great day for DX! There were at least two QSO Parties going on. I made at least 15 DX contacts including Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Denmark, Romania, and Croatia... all of these new countries for me.

I also went to our MARC Radio Class. It really is just for people preparing for their Technician and General Licenses. I am just using the classes as refreshers and a way to encourage me to study for my Extra examination. I should be ready to take the test in November or December.

I have received several new QSL cards though eQSL. There are still many hams that do not use this system but not having money for regular cards and stamps, it is the option I have chosen almost exclusively.

2013-08-22

I heard an amateur from Brazil and one from Argentina on 10 meters yesterday. Both reported that the band was open to North America. They were giving 59 to all contacts. They were also putting out 500W and coming in strong. However, I was unable to break through the pileups. My signal is very weak on 10 meters for some reason. I am only able to put out less than 20W! I think I remember Wade (owner of the TX I am using) told me something was wrong with the radio but not sure). I would love to get back on 10 meters.

FIELD DAY 2013

This was the first year I have been able to be a part of the ARRL Field Day from beginning to end. I have to say it was a lot of fun! I love the challenge of seeing how many contacts I can make. During the night before the contest started, I did take advantage of the HF radios to make personal contacts. It was thrilling to make so many contacts on 20m. I especially loved the DX contacts with Hungary and Ecuador.

2013 MARC ANTENNA PARTY

In preparation for the 2013 Field Day later in June, a group of us gathered that the Maury County Park to check out our antennas. It was a beautiful day to enjoy the company of friends.

Getting ready of the launch. 

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a dipole! 

It's a.... WHAT?! 

Paul checking an antenna.

MY DRAKE TR-4

A few months ago, Paul, WB0CJB contacted me on the local repeater and offered to help me restore my Drake TR-4 to working order! Paul is a very enthusiastic Drake owner. He has a TR-4C but without the noise banker. He has really had a lot of fun working on my radio. Several Saturday afternoons I went to his home to work on the radio. After just a little work, I knew that I had a great chance of getting back on HF. The most expensive part of the project was parts for the power supply. Paul made many contacts to check things out. I had 1 QSO with a man in Canada. When I got home, I signed up for eCards and got my first card in a very long time.

Today, I got my TR-4 home! I am the proud owner of a functioning Drake TR-4!! I will have to wait until mid January to host an antenna party to figure out the best setup for my situation. I am so excited! It will be hard to wait.

PADUCAH DAYS

In 1990, I moved to Paducah, KY. For a couple of years, I did not have time for Amateur Radio. The exception was the time I was in Officer's Basic Training. I was stationed first at Fort Monmouth and then Fort Dix, both in New Jersey. While there I worked in their MARS stations every weekend. We placed thousands of phone patch call for our troops stationed in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War.

Back in Paducah, I finally had a large yard but small house. With 3 kids, room was very limited. I finally installed the station in an un-insulated, un-air conditioned, and un-heated detached garage. I had enough room for a half-wave 80 meter antenna. I used a balanced feed-line into an MFJ tuner. I also had a great ground system. I dug a square hole about 1 foot deep, drove in 9 ground rods, and interconnected them with copper strap.

The only issue was that my power supply was already old and the oil filled capacitors had deteriorated. There was so much AC noise that it was next to impossible to hear anyone. Over the next 8 years, I did make a lot of contacts. However, I did not take any pictures or save the few QSL cards I received. Although I did join the local club, I did not get involved. I lived too far from the repeated and my HT could not get into it so did not operate on 2 meters.