07/23/2017

Today my friends Mike W9ODX and Garry KA9ZYL visited in the evening to play with some QRP.  We set up the Elecraft K2 in my back yard and the buddistick antenna.  Mike wanted to see how the buddistick worked.  I set up on 20 meters and we listened a little.  I then answered a station and talked with Andy AB1BX in Warren, RI.  I was set at less than 2 watts.  Andy was running a little more at 100 watts.  We had a couple rounds and then we said  goodby.  

Warren, RI is a very old town.  It was established in the early 17th century.  In the 18th century it was a prosperous wailing port and ship building was a good industry for it.  As wailing declined Warren moved toward textile manufacturing.  I must say with the history of Warren it would be fantastic to visit some of it’s historic buildings and take a look around.  I also would love to try some fresh seafood while there.  I put it on the list of places I want to visit!   

For this QSO I used my cheap, cruddy, tarnished, but trusty Ameco straight key.  It has been awhile since I pounded brass with it but it strangely felt good.  The simple action of a straight key is a nice change to a paddle or even a bug.  It’s nice and simple.  After the QSO I tried to get Mike to try the straight key.  He sent a couple CQ’s but he was having none of it.  We moved on to the Vibroplex Vibrokeyer.  I really like that key too.  I have not had that many paddles, but the Vibrokeyer has been my favorite.  It’s even on my SW+ QSL card.  Mike made a couple 40 meter QSO’s and we listened to a couple stations sending.   It was so humid that by the time the sun set the fog started rolling in and before long it was time Mike and Garry to say 73 to my QTH and head back home.  What a fun evening!

07/22/2017

At 0053z today I talked with Rick KC4KNN in Weaverville, NC.  It has been a little bit since I was last on the air.  The SW+ was a lot of fun to use again.  My MFJ Cub project has hit a snag.  I was not able to get it to receive any stations or hear it with another radio.  It does have power out and I can hear some digital noise as well as background noise so it must be a tuning issue.  I worked on it for a couple days and then called MFJ.  They tried to help but then finally recommended I just mail it to them for inspection.  So I am waiting and without the new radio for a while.  I sure hope it works when I get it back and it is a good trail radio.  

Anyway, Weaverville, NC looks like a nice little town.  It is in the Blue Ridge mountains.  They have a bed and breakfast and some industry.  There is a school and it is known for it’s beautiful scenery.  

07/13/2017

It came!  I got home late tonight but went out to the mail box and the MFJ Cub was sitting in my crappy white mailbox waiting for me in the drizzling rain.  I am really looking forward to starting the build.  I was able to at least open things up and see how big the radio will be but unfortunately I will have to wait until tomorrow before I can start melting solder.

07/11/2017

Yesterday I went to my friend Mike W9ODX’s house.  We played with his hamstick antenna set up and the MFJ 9040.  The 9040 is a very simple but fun radio.  It has 5 watts, internal keyer, and 500hz filter.  Mike is borrowing it right now, but I have really used this radio to death.  It isn’t collectible or valuable.  I have enjoyed the 9040 for probably 10 years.  It was just a great value as a used purchase of $100.00.  

The last few years I have thought about trying a MFJ Cub off and on.  I ordered one for 20 meters and it is due to arrive Wednesday.  I could use a 20 meter backpacking radio.  I think it will be a nice simple build.  It is simple.  I can throw it in a pack without worrying about scratching it up or anything.  Like my MFJ 9040, my plan it just to use it up and get a lot of fun operating out of it.  I have no delusion that it will perform like an Elecraft radio, but I also don’t need to take care of it like an Elecraft.  I will try documenting the build and it is another 1.5 watt radio more or less so it fits with spirit of this blog.  Stay tuned.

07/06/2017z

Tonight the SW+ traveled to the state of New York with my outdoor home made dipole.  I got in the log of K2A the NY station for the 13 colonies event.  This is a popular event every year.  If you can log all 13 colonies you can apply for a special certificate.  It is very possible to do this from Indiana with some dedication and a modest station.  However, using the SW+ would be a big challenge.  I logged NH, GA, VA, and PA with my Elecraft K2.  NH was on 20 meters and the rest have been on 40.  I was running 5 watts also for NH but then less than 2 watts on the rest.  It was really a nice surprise to get in each log with the amount of activity the stations were getting.  The K2 can filter and has a dynamic range to hear the calling station amazingly better than the SW+.  I think now that Independence Day July 4th has passed and the weekend is over there is less interest in chasing these stations.  There was only a few stations calling for NY tonight.  I must say, however, that there is something very satisfying using the SW+ to get a special event station.  

In 1624 the Dutch settled along the Hudson River.  In 1664 the English took it and renamed it New York.

06/29/2017

Today I went to the Morgan Monroe State Forest.  It is the closest forest to where I live.  I unusually go there.  It is the place I go to try out equipment and enjoy the outdoors.  I took the  K2 with me.  I made two QSO’s while there.  One was to Sherbrooke, QC.  Pierre was using his KX3 at 5 watts.  I was running 2 watts.  My antenna was a dipole and Pierre was using a yagi antenna.  Sherbrooke has some wonderful history and culture.  Pierre does SOTA work with QRP.  What a wonderful QSO for me!!   We met on 20 meters.  

My 2nd QSO was to Harrington, CT to Henry K1PUG.  He was running 100 watts with his Ten Tec Omni D.  Another fun QSO at 2 watts. 

I knew the key was very heavy.  If I should find a light weight key.  The other thing I notices was that the battery drained quicker than the KX1 I used before.  I had shut off the bar graph and turned the performance to battery operation.  I operated at 2 watts but the battery still would not have lasted a weekend of casual use.  I’m not sure the K2 for that reason can be a backpacking radio for me but I will keep working with it.  

          

       On the way home I was suddenly stopped by a tree that fell across the road while I was on the trail.  It was a windy day but I am amazed to find myself having to look for an alternate route home.  A trip into the woods with a radio always feels like a success if you make at least one QSO as a reward for the effort.