03/27/17z
I have taken a little break from the journal, but not from making my QSO a day with the SW40+. 3/23 - AC4CA, 03/24-N2ATB, 03/25 - N5PHT, 3/26 K7JKZ. On the 25th I also got WK2G in the Bill Windle QSO Party in Ohio. Another new state. That puts me to 29 states with the Small Wonder Labs radio. Tonight's QSO was with K4LXY/Howard in VA. Howard was using his Elecraft K2 at 5 watts. He answered my CQ. The band held very nicely. Howard shared with me that he will be doing a Mag loop antenna presentation at FDIM and he is a photographer. He is doing a show on typewriters. I love typewriters and he shared the flyer with me. I love getting to know those I QSO with while on the air. It can be very personal and interesting.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
03/22/2017z
Today the OHR400 arrived! It has been quite a trip for the little radio. It got delayed in the east coast snow storm. It went through NJ, OH, and to me at work.
It looks like I remembered and maybe a little better. I got it home after playing cello duets with my friend Lynn. I really didn't have much time to mess with it. I forgot the manual at work but it seems to be a mono headphone plug. Everything seems to work fine. I put my MFJ manual tuner with it and see it puts out plenty of power. It sounds very quiet. A nice receiver. I couldn't tell much difference flipping in and out the filter but I will have a good time playing with things more when I have time. I will hook it up to a program called spectrogram and see on the computer what the filters are doing. It has plenty of audio and it will take some getting used to. I have been using my SW40+ exclusively daily for quite awhile. It is funny how I get used to the sound of a radio. The receiver and side tone. They are all different. It is what makes getting a new radio so much fun.
I plugged back in my SW40+ and heard W1ZT on 7.040 calling "fox"! Oh boy.... the QRP fox hunt! Get gave me a 559 / MA/ Geo/ 5 watts. I replied with an honest 599 / IN/ Ivin/ 1.5 watts. The fox hunts seem to be very exciting this year. I should follow it more closely. It is a lot of fun. They alternate 40 and 80 meters. I didn't need MA but it's another daily QSO with the SWL radio. I am undecided how to proceed with daily QSO's and the WAS contest with KB9BVN. The OHR is interesting but I sure have gotten used to my SW40+.
Today the OHR400 arrived! It has been quite a trip for the little radio. It got delayed in the east coast snow storm. It went through NJ, OH, and to me at work.
I plugged back in my SW40+ and heard W1ZT on 7.040 calling "fox"! Oh boy.... the QRP fox hunt! Get gave me a 559 / MA/ Geo/ 5 watts. I replied with an honest 599 / IN/ Ivin/ 1.5 watts. The fox hunts seem to be very exciting this year. I should follow it more closely. It is a lot of fun. They alternate 40 and 80 meters. I didn't need MA but it's another daily QSO with the SWL radio. I am undecided how to proceed with daily QSO's and the WAS contest with KB9BVN. The OHR is interesting but I sure have gotten used to my SW40+.
Monday, March 20, 2017
03/21/2017z
I got home from Orchestra rehearsal pretty tired and hungry. I really am not much in the mood for a QSO but I want to keep the daily streak going. I put some eggs in a pan to boil. It is just a salad tonight. While that was going I turned on the radio and before heading back to the kitchen I thought I would take a quick listen to see what I might snag. Lucky for me I heard N9MM calling POTA. I have worked some POTA lately. "Parks On The Air". So I sent my call. It took a little work but I got in his log. It was Lake Arrowhead, TX. I worked N9MM when he was in NM. I didn't need a TX QTH for WAS, but very happy to work him again and get a station logged and not worry about a QSO for another 24 hours.
I got home from Orchestra rehearsal pretty tired and hungry. I really am not much in the mood for a QSO but I want to keep the daily streak going. I put some eggs in a pan to boil. It is just a salad tonight. While that was going I turned on the radio and before heading back to the kitchen I thought I would take a quick listen to see what I might snag. Lucky for me I heard N9MM calling POTA. I have worked some POTA lately. "Parks On The Air". So I sent my call. It took a little work but I got in his log. It was Lake Arrowhead, TX. I worked N9MM when he was in NM. I didn't need a TX QTH for WAS, but very happy to work him again and get a station logged and not worry about a QSO for another 24 hours.
03/20/2017z
Tonight I got my QSO's from the Flying Pigs "RUN FOR THE BACON" sprint. I made a QSO with PA, MS, FL, and NH. None were new states. The band was pretty active. From 7.036 up through 7.045 it was all digital. Below 7.030 DX was going on. That left a fairly narrow part of the band for the sprint and anyone else trying to make a QSO on the lower part of the band. In my opinion with that kind of crowding the QRP sprint might have better luck up where the SKCC guys hang out. 7.100 and up.
I gave up after close to an hour. Then I heard a strong DX station and I answered. It was PV8ADI. I have worked this station many times lately. It is cool though to get Brazil in the log with the SW+ 1.5 watts. That is pretty good DX.
Tonight I got my QSO's from the Flying Pigs "RUN FOR THE BACON" sprint. I made a QSO with PA, MS, FL, and NH. None were new states. The band was pretty active. From 7.036 up through 7.045 it was all digital. Below 7.030 DX was going on. That left a fairly narrow part of the band for the sprint and anyone else trying to make a QSO on the lower part of the band. In my opinion with that kind of crowding the QRP sprint might have better luck up where the SKCC guys hang out. 7.100 and up.
I gave up after close to an hour. Then I heard a strong DX station and I answered. It was PV8ADI. I have worked this station many times lately. It is cool though to get Brazil in the log with the SW+ 1.5 watts. That is pretty good DX.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
03/19/2017z
Today I logged a new state! W0DQ/Ray in Johnston, IA! It only lasted one round. I did get confirmation that Ray copied the RST/Name/QTH. That was about all that I got. I don't normally email a station after a QSO, but in this case I couldn't help but confirm I was in the log. Ray replied with confirmation and that he would be happy to QSL for WAS.
I made three QSO's in the VA QSO party and also had a chat with W9IK/Steve in MS. That is it for the day.
Today I logged a new state! W0DQ/Ray in Johnston, IA! It only lasted one round. I did get confirmation that Ray copied the RST/Name/QTH. That was about all that I got. I don't normally email a station after a QSO, but in this case I couldn't help but confirm I was in the log. Ray replied with confirmation and that he would be happy to QSL for WAS.
I made three QSO's in the VA QSO party and also had a chat with W9IK/Steve in MS. That is it for the day.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
03/18/2017z
Remember yesterday I wrote I am enjoying seeing what I can copy on HF? I am interested in listening to weak stations I think I can complete a QSO with. I was just listening to a podcast called "Meet The Composer". It was talking about electronic sounds and really actively listening. They dedicated the episode called "The Performer Part 2" to the composer Pauline Oliveros. She was a super listener. It was inspiring to hear this podcast not only for appreciating music sounds but all sounds and how interesting sounds all around us are. The HF bands can be super interesting to listen to. Not just the voices or tones that are man made, but also the atmosphere sounds that are in the background. One thing about not having AGC (Automatic Gain Control) is that the receiver does not diminish it's sound level or desensitize the receiver to compensate for a sudden loud burst of sound. That sound could be another very close station or static crash from a local thunderstorm. When I have my headphones on and the
again turned up to listen very intensely to a station I know there is that chance a strong station or static crash could really pound through the receiver and it literally hurts my ears. It is stunning and makes me angry at first. However, when a stronger station starts to crowd us but I can still hang onto what I am listening to it is pure joy.
Today's QSO's are K5BAK/Doug in Starkville, MS. W2XB/Don in Buffalo, NY. K3AFS/Bill in Latrobe, PA. All seem to have been good but the QSB is making it difficult to talk for any length of time. I solid copy through the weak part of their signal but they are loosing some of what I am saying. Hopefully the bands will improve more and I can have a nice ragchew.
The mail came! What a great Card from Joe in MD.
I mentioned Joe sent me a email during the NAQCC and that we had talked earlier by chance both using our SW40+ radios. I must say I love the vintage look of this card! Thanks Joe! I'm looking forward to more QSO's with you using our radios.
Remember yesterday I wrote I am enjoying seeing what I can copy on HF? I am interested in listening to weak stations I think I can complete a QSO with. I was just listening to a podcast called "Meet The Composer". It was talking about electronic sounds and really actively listening. They dedicated the episode called "The Performer Part 2" to the composer Pauline Oliveros. She was a super listener. It was inspiring to hear this podcast not only for appreciating music sounds but all sounds and how interesting sounds all around us are. The HF bands can be super interesting to listen to. Not just the voices or tones that are man made, but also the atmosphere sounds that are in the background. One thing about not having AGC (Automatic Gain Control) is that the receiver does not diminish it's sound level or desensitize the receiver to compensate for a sudden loud burst of sound. That sound could be another very close station or static crash from a local thunderstorm. When I have my headphones on and the
again turned up to listen very intensely to a station I know there is that chance a strong station or static crash could really pound through the receiver and it literally hurts my ears. It is stunning and makes me angry at first. However, when a stronger station starts to crowd us but I can still hang onto what I am listening to it is pure joy.
Today's QSO's are K5BAK/Doug in Starkville, MS. W2XB/Don in Buffalo, NY. K3AFS/Bill in Latrobe, PA. All seem to have been good but the QSB is making it difficult to talk for any length of time. I solid copy through the weak part of their signal but they are loosing some of what I am saying. Hopefully the bands will improve more and I can have a nice ragchew.
I mentioned Joe sent me a email during the NAQCC and that we had talked earlier by chance both using our SW40+ radios. I must say I love the vintage look of this card! Thanks Joe! I'm looking forward to more QSO's with you using our radios.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
03/17/17z
It has been a fun radio day. I got my results in for the NAQCC and have been watching to see when my log would be posted. It did happen tonight. I am not a fan of how the NAQCC has split out so many categories from key type, antenna type, and call zone. I'm not sure there is ever a declared overall winner of the sprint. It is good for seeing how my station is doing compared to others. However I have no idea how much power different stations are running.
I got my QSO for the day quickly. It was a SKCC station. Just a quick exchange with a station in VA. I thought of shutting down right away and taking a break for the night. Instead I tuned around a little and dug VE3SO out of the noise. I am starting to really enjoy seeing what I can copy. Peter wanted to exchange SKCC numbers also. I love hearing the band noise and even the stations surrounding who I want to hear. They are only close but not right on our frequency. They have no idea I am listening past them. They would be "arm chair" copy but I am not interested in them. The QSO was barely completed. I looked up VE3SO and it states "NO QSL". Unfortunate. I would have enjoyed sending my card to him.
The mail came! I like how simple this card is. I appreciate each QSL card that is delivered.
It has been a fun radio day. I got my results in for the NAQCC and have been watching to see when my log would be posted. It did happen tonight. I am not a fan of how the NAQCC has split out so many categories from key type, antenna type, and call zone. I'm not sure there is ever a declared overall winner of the sprint. It is good for seeing how my station is doing compared to others. However I have no idea how much power different stations are running.
I got my QSO for the day quickly. It was a SKCC station. Just a quick exchange with a station in VA. I thought of shutting down right away and taking a break for the night. Instead I tuned around a little and dug VE3SO out of the noise. I am starting to really enjoy seeing what I can copy. Peter wanted to exchange SKCC numbers also. I love hearing the band noise and even the stations surrounding who I want to hear. They are only close but not right on our frequency. They have no idea I am listening past them. They would be "arm chair" copy but I am not interested in them. The QSO was barely completed. I looked up VE3SO and it states "NO QSL". Unfortunate. I would have enjoyed sending my card to him.
The mail came! I like how simple this card is. I appreciate each QSL card that is delivered.
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