05/29/2017

This morning I found my way back on the air.  I sat outside for breakfast hooked from the SW+ to my Hustler vertical.  I called CQ and had the good fortune to have Jim K4WOP respond.  Jim is from Mercersburg, PA where he teaches music at the .  Jim said Mercersburg Academy.  It is a small town and the best part is being able to walk or ride a bike around town to get to things.  I told Jim that I play the cello.  We definitely had things in common.  Thank you Jim for being a music educator.  The arts are very important for us in so many ways.  If I ever make it to Mercersburg I will have to take a look at the academy. 

05/14/2017

Today is Mother's Day.  I doubt any mom's read my blog but it was a wonderful day in central Indiana.  Today I got a chance to sit outside in the backyard and play with the radio.  I haven't been active with the SW+ this past week.  Last Saturday was the Indiana QSO party.  I operated with my Elecraft K2 so none counted for my SW+ WAS challenge.

The QSO of today is with KG4IUQ/Mark in Shelby, NC.  I was set up in the back yard with the SW+ going to my Hustler Vertical antenna.  It is such a nice day today.  I called CQ and Mark gave me a shout.  As it turns out we have a lot in common.  We are both musicians with music degrees.  We talked for an hour!  That is a fantastic QSO with any radio.  It is such a great feeling when you really start connecting with someone during a rag chew.  It doesn't happen all that much so I will remember Mark.  Shelby, NC has some very historic homes but I thought I would talk about the Anne Dover Bailey Carrousel Pavilion and Rotary Train.  The city park Carrousel is a year round carrousel with Twenty-nine original horses and three hand carved replacements.  It was built in 1919 and what a bargain at only $.50 a ride!  I'll stop there if I get to Shelby someday.  

Pictures taken by W9ODX

Within the same Zulu day I also went Hiking with my local ham friend Mike W9ODX.  We made a trip to the Morgan Monroe State Forest with the MFJ 9040.  Mike and I both made a QSO with a new portable dipole Mike got.  We suspected it was not quite long enough and sure enough, when we got back to my place and we measured it it was short.  The antenna still tuned and we got a SKCC QSO and one in the AR QSO Party.  The mosquitoes are out!  I'll suffer from that trip for a little bit.  However, it was very nice to be in the woods again.

05/04/2017z

I have taken a little break from radio the last couple days.  It feels good to take a little break.  I always enjoy making QSO's and look forward to talking to someone after awhile.  

Tonight I had the pleasure of meeting Mike/AA4MC in South Boston, VA. Mike told me I was 569 when he answered me but after the first exchange I fell to 339.  However, he said the noise reduction in the IC7300 is very good and he had me solid.  On my end we have storms moving in which made the noise level high.  QSB was working against his signal and two other stations were calling CQ in my bandpass.  I struggled.  The IC7300 must be a great radio.  I have been hearing a lot of them lately on the air.  I would look seriously at one if I were in the market for a new radio at that level.  

South Boston, VA is where the "Crossing of the Dan" took place which is the turning point of the Revolutionary war.  General Greene was able to split his army and distract the British while his main body crossed the river.  This maneuver was advantageous for much needed rest and reinforcements which let to the British to finally leave the Carolinas and move into VA.  It would be worth a trip to visit South Boston.