New QRM

So I have found that there is some sort of new RFI bleeding into my receive signal.  I'm not sure what it is exactly but it sounds like some sort of 60 Hz tone.  It's a rough, pulsating tone and I am wondering if it's from some sort of wallwort in my shack.  Unfortunately, I have all of my computers and everything plugged in my shack but I am hoping that, with the purchase of a "new to me" used HP Z210 workstation to put the BBS on, I can put it outside of the shack or that with a newer computer there will be less RFI.  I will just kill the electricity to the entire shed and run my IC-718 on a battery to listen to what might be causing the issue.

New headphones

I decided to splurge with this stimulus and bought myself a Heil Sound Pro Micro dual side headset.  It was $120 after tax with free shipping so not a bad deal.  I really need a better headset and mic to work DX with and for the price, I'm looking forward to much better listening and clearer audio output.  This headset has a microphone element designed to work with ICOM radios.  My dad gave me a footswitch so now I will me able to operate with both hands free.  I really like that; it will make it less stressful for me when I participate in contests, especially Field Day.  With an additional adapter, I can use this headset with m IC-706MKII which makes me happy as I will be able to get outdoors and operate.

Busy busy

I have not been on the air very much lately.  I have been busy with a lot of other things but I am going to try to get on the air and work some DX this weekend.  I need to get up on my shed and fix my HF antenna.  I bent the aluminum conduit that the antenna is mounted on by cranking down too hard on its support line and not putting a countersupport line on the other side.  Saturday it's supposed to be sunny and 57F (14C).  If I am feeling up to it, I'm going to try to get that done.

CQ CONTEST

So after a long hiatus, I decided to run a contest again.  This weekend, from 7 PM EST Saturday to 7 PM EST, was the ARRL International DX Contest.  This one is where all of the stations in North America, save for Alaska, Hawaii, and a few other places (these are treated as DX for the contest), try to contact stations in other countries.  The premise of the contest is to improve operating skills and I do enjoy that aspect but I also enjoy the thrill of the chase, if you will.  I won this contest in my state and in my ARRL Division (Delta Division which is Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi) in 2016 "by accident".  I'm hoping to win this year also though in in a different operating category.