I really haven't been all that fair with my posts on here so I have decided that instead of pushing myself for a daily post (and then getting frustrated with not getting first one, then a second, then on and on done, only to give up), I will post occasionally during the week, but push myself for a weekly update.
So, this week was all about anticipation. Funny how when I earned my Tech license and then again with my General, I burned up the web checking out the FCC's ULS to see "my name in lights." I figured that Extra would be different, but that was not to be. I searched several times a day, every day, until I saw it posted there on Friday evening. Like the school kid looking for that first day of class each year, I was anticipating and hoping that I would see my upgrade and elated when it came through on Friday. Now you can only guess how many times a day I am checking the mailbox to see if the hard copy has arrived yet.
The only unfortunate part of seeing my upgrade appear on the ULS is that I did not get to work any stations as KDØMCV/AE. I really wanted to, but time constraints with work and exhaustion didn't allow for that. Minor detail, I guess. What matters most is that I can use all of the frequencies now.
I did spend a bit of time listening around on the bands to see what all was out there this weekend. I noticed that the bands were, for the most part, somewhat quiet and open. Even 10m has been active which is a good sign. I did work the DX-pedition station, T32C at East Kiribati on Kiritimati (Christmas) Island on 15m. Here I am, sitting in the parking lot of the local Walmart and worked a station in the South Pacific. Gotta love mobile ops.
I have been experimenting with different tools that are out there - tools on the internet and specifically, social media. I have been tweeting a lot more and following some of the hams that are also on Twitter - namely @NW7US and @amatradio. Reading on Amateurradio.com, I came across an article about having the confidence to use low power more than "defaulting" to 100W. It fell right in with what I have been reading about QRP and so I figured I would give it a try. That Q with T32C was made using 50W. I was so excited when the op said my report was 5/9 that I am going to start trying to work my way down to 25W. Mind you, I am mobile all of the time, so it is a bit harder to make those Q's as the ground plane is minimal, but I will work at it nonetheless.
Also, I cam across a station working 40m on Sunday morning that I thought was really odd sounding. When he called out his CQ, I heard that he was AM. Really? I changed modes to AM (never done that before) and he was crystal clear. I was fascinated and listened for over half an hour and I also pulled his call, WB9ECK up on QRZ. This led to his website and all I can say is that you really have to read it for yourself. I will tell you that he built his rig from scratch and even built his own crystals. I am wanting to get up there and see that thing in person. Maybe, someday soon.
When I was visiting with the Rock Island (IL) EC last Sunday, he gave me a starter kit for an NVIS antenna for working 80m and 40m. I have started to get this project complete and am looking to get it tuned this week and maybe use it this coming weekend to see how I did. More on that later.
I also met a guy at the Radio Shack (buying a couple parts for another antenna I am putting together for a fellow ham up the street from me). The kid told me that he was interested in being a ham, but that it cost too much as a hobby. He attends a local community college here and we all know about the finances of a struggling student. Chris' uncle is a ham and has a large station setup and naturally Chris thought that you would have to have all of that just to get into the hobby. I really shocked him when I told him that all you need is a little time to study and the price of the test. That got his curiosity and so (hopefully) he is studying for his Tech license. I guess I will have to find something else to buy at Radio Shack later this week. HI HI.
Well, back to work so I can support my wonderful hobby.
73 de KDØMCV
No comments:
Post a Comment