tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55740880716562102252024-03-19T07:23:18.860-04:00CQ DE KS4TDSeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-17401222885969948602023-10-14T13:32:00.003-04:002023-10-14T13:33:03.205-04:00Bad news<p>So it looks like I'm still off the air. One of my HF rigs is dead and the other has issues working with my computer. A new HF rig is going to be in my future someday. With ICOM suddenly discontinuing my beloved IC-718, I'll be looking for a used rig.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>If not a 718, I'd like to get a Yaesu FT-891. I've heard a lot of good things about it and flrig has a lot of control over the radio which makes it easier for me to operate. It's all a matter of money.</p><p>I have to fix the Apartment Antenna as its wander lead broke off. I should go out and fix it this coming week when nicer weather is here (fall is approaching quickly here at my home QTH).</p><p>Just wanting to have a radio during the cold months. Without a vehicle, not much to do when it's cold except stay inside and stay warm.</p><p>I am pivoting towards writing more ham radio software. Not a lot but things I hope others will find handy. My software will have binaries available for 16-bit DOS, Win32, 64-bit Linux, FreeBSD, and OS/2 (eComStation, ArcaOS). If you want to roll your own, the Pascal-based source code will be available under the <a href="https://mit-license.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MIT License</a>. I use Turbo Pascal 7 for DOS and Free Pascal for all other operating systems.</p><p>I'm in the process of moving my computers back to <a href="https://www.devuan.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Devuan Linux</a>. I do not like the way Windows is progressing being full of ads and now an AI bot (Copilot).</p><p>Back to amateur radio, I'm going to sell my SignaLink USB soundcard and buy a <a href="https://digirig.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DigiRig</a>. I like how a DigiRig is tiny, open source, and has all the features I need. From its website: "As a differentiating feature, Digirig only requires a single USB connection to the computer with all the digital goodness packed in a single small enclosure. The internals include a USB hub, audio codec, a fully featured serial CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) interface, and potentially other modules such as GPS receiver for time synchronization." A much better design and it's a tiny little box.</p><p>I'm really looking forward to getting back on the air!</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-52344971652280556972023-09-15T20:53:00.002-04:002023-09-15T21:04:05.569-04:00Almost there!<p>I'm nearly complete getting my station set up but I still need a few more items and to permanently mount my antenna...</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>The radio is fully set up, but I couldn't find my CAT control cable for the 706 so I ordered another one off of eBay. It should be here sometime this next week. I need to permanently mount the antenna on my ramp and am waiting until I get a ride to Harbor Freight to get a few things as well as buying an additional window feed-thru jumper so I can run HF at 100W (<a href="https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/cma-ctc-50m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/cma-ctc-50m</a>). The nice thing about using my ramp is that I can use it for a big ol' counterpoise for my antenna along with my antenna matcher. I still have to go out and change the wander lead on my antenna when I change bands if I'm going to transmit, but that's a small price to pay.</p><p>Here's the antenna I have, the MFJ Apartment Antenna:</p><p><a href="https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-1622" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-1622</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mfjenterprises.com/cdn/shop/products/MFJ-1622_1024x1024@2x.jpg?v=1578508774" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="458" height="374" src="https://mfjenterprises.com/cdn/shop/products/MFJ-1622_1024x1024@2x.jpg?v=1578508774" width="458" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I really want to get the Comet CHA-250HD antenna but at $400, that's going to have to wait.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://cometantenna.com/amateur-radio/base-antennas/multi-band-hfvhfuhf-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://cometantenna.com/amateur-radio/base-antennas/multi-band-hfvhfuhf-2/</a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://cometantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CHA-250B-e1560896776792.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="150" height="386" src="https://cometantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CHA-250B-e1560896776792.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Some day...</p><p>I did get my SignaLink set up and I'm ready for digital modes once again.</p><p>I'm hoping to participate in the ARRL November Sweepstakes this year. It's been a long while since I<span>'ve been in any on-air contests.</span></p><p><span>Thinking about putting this sign next to my antenna...<br /><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hamcrazy.com/images/SIGNRFWARN1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="449" height="650" src="https://www.hamcrazy.com/images/SIGNRFWARN1.jpg" width="449" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That should make the neighbors stay away...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's the current setup. It's not perfect but it works and for now, that's what matters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJUN1SS2hy8oUsqKyu18wbdi6ZA-Mdc4dHhlV6pcOrvMDidPnxxEk90GRiIipsmgTZhGilTc2AOtL7vt6xzW-iHdm9tEfZPIGurC71qkxxxyCv375GagH5Z-RUgueaZnnWPykt_y8Qg7LSJ1Q8Pf_gWhUua46CGokvDoWXQnAzMAk_wYEfwPf4Dn9R9c-/s4160/IMG_20230915_210017263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1872" data-original-width="4160" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJUN1SS2hy8oUsqKyu18wbdi6ZA-Mdc4dHhlV6pcOrvMDidPnxxEk90GRiIipsmgTZhGilTc2AOtL7vt6xzW-iHdm9tEfZPIGurC71qkxxxyCv375GagH5Z-RUgueaZnnWPykt_y8Qg7LSJ1Q8Pf_gWhUua46CGokvDoWXQnAzMAk_wYEfwPf4Dn9R9c-/s320/IMG_20230915_210017263.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p></div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-36403501564092551612023-09-04T16:59:00.006-04:002023-09-04T17:02:22.845-04:00Slowly returning<p>It has been a very long time since I have provided an update. A lot has happened since my last update. I'm now medically retired and living in a small apartment which presents its own unique challenges to operating on the air. I recently purchased a good used HM-103 mic for my IC-706MKII rig which I am hoping to get up and running soon.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I'm not sure if the radio is still fully functioning so I am going to try to get it on the air for some tests. I do have a 2-meter antenna mounted on my aluminum access ramp (I now require the use of a mobility scooter) and am looking at pressing my old MFJ Apartment Antenna into service for HF until I can get something better, such as a <a href="https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/cma-cha-250hd" target="_blank">Comet CHA-250HD antenna</a> since I can't put up my 135' EFHW wire antenna. I could try to hang up a short dipole using my Jetstream 1:1 balun but I have a lot of metal around my porch. The Comet mounted on my access ramp is the best solution and it is, by far, the most expensive.</p><p>I'm trying to find my Signalink and related hardware also. I have a feeling I am going to have massive QRM/QRN here so digital modes may be all I can do on HF until a miracle happens and I can move.</p><p>Still, even having limited HF capability is better than nothing at all. So I am looking forward to trying to get on the air after three or four years of silence.</p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-19977350786926025042021-11-21T17:49:00.003-05:002021-11-21T18:02:01.811-05:00Installing Pat (open source Winlink client) in FreeBSD<div><p>I decided to tinker around today and installed Pat, an open source Winlink2000 client written in Go, on my FreeBSD 13-powered desktop. It's quite simple. The directions to install Go under FreeBSD do not exist on the Pat website so I'll put them here for you.</p><p>The three-step process:</p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Install Go:<br /><span style="font-family: courier;"># pkg install go</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Set up needed paths in <span style="font-family: courier;">~/.profile<span style="font-family: verdana;">:<br /></span></span></span> export GOROOT=/usr/local/go<br />export GOPATH=/$HOME/goprojects<br />export PATH=$GOPATH/bin:$GOROOT/bin:$PATH</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Run this command to download the code and compile it:<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;">go install github.com/la5nta/pat@latest </span></span></span></li></ol><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Note on step 2: you can use whatever name you want for the directory.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Your binary will be hiding out in the <span style="font-family: courier;">bin <span style="font-family: verdana;">directory in the GOPATH path.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then <a href="https://github.com/la5nta/pat/wiki/The-command-line-interface#configure" target="_blank">configure</a> Pat and you should be good to go.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Webpages used for this little FAQ:</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://github.com/la5nta/pat/wiki/Building-from-source"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://github.com/la5nta/pat/wiki/Building-from-source</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.jeremymorgan.com/tutorials/golang/how-to-install-go-freebsd/" target="_blank">https://www.jeremymorgan.com/tutorials/golang/how-to-install-go-freebsd/</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope this helps!<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-32778069272653946892021-11-21T17:29:00.001-05:002021-11-21T17:29:01.991-05:00Still off the air<p> I haven't been on the air since April 2021 when I lost my IC-718 to lightning. I'm still waiting on Social Security as I can't work anymore. One of these days and hopefully soon I'll get back on the air!<br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-34211664042861919282021-08-22T16:15:00.001-04:002021-08-22T16:15:50.635-04:00Waiting patiently<p>I'm still around...just off the air. Since my radios got hit by lightning April 9, I've simply not had the money to fix them, sadly. I have also moved into Johnson City in a small one-bedroom apartment and can't put an external antenna up so once I can get a radio going, I'll figure out a way to get back on the air.<br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-4977172063669864242021-03-21T20:39:00.004-04:002021-03-21T20:39:41.217-04:00New QRM<p>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.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>With the stimulus, I decided splurge a little more and renewed my ARRL and QRZ subscriptions. The ARRL has helped me a lot even when I was not a member and the XML data lookup on QRZ is very nice with my logging software. I went ahead and invested in things I may not be able to get again for a while yet so I can enjoy my operating time a lot more. I don't mind working that rare distant DX with my modest station. I'd like to get a small amp — about 300-500 watts — to help me get out with distant DX. I still do not believe in using an amp in a contest as I consider that cheating.</p><p>I'm looking forward to solar cycle 25. It would be great to get some of that rare DX going to put in my log. Now to get a more comfortable chair for my tiny shack...</p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-61577871477985485142021-03-20T17:52:00.004-04:002021-03-20T17:52:56.138-04:00New headphones<p>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.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I also renewed my ARRL membership. The ARRL has helped me out in many ways even when I was not a member so I am glad I was able to renew. I do use the outbound bureau and stuff.</p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-38875895765148394152021-03-16T12:26:00.002-04:002021-03-16T12:26:46.104-04:00Busy busy<p>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.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I have several other radio-related projects I want to get to if I can. I need to shorten both my HF and 2 meter antennas' coax cables to fit my shack. They're both too long and I think that might be causing problem with RFI I'm having in the shack. I also have found a public domain bearing calculator from the early 90s written in Turbo Pascal that I'd like to update and colorize then release for DOS, OS/2, Windows, and Linux. It might be something worthwhile for operators who don't always want to use GUI programs.</p><p>Another long-shelved project is my text-based casual logging program I have had an idea for. I found some code I'd started to work on quite a while ago which is a very basic shell of a program. The program itself is nothing fancy though I will eventually add the ability to import and export ADIF 2.0 files.</p><p>So there's lots of stuff to do. I just have to get organized (and feel well enough) to work on it all.</p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-15549603935307422252021-03-07T18:30:00.004-05:002021-03-07T18:30:58.899-05:00CQ CONTEST<p>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.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>For this year, I worked 18 different countries. My total score this year is 1998 points. The score I won with in 2016 was 432 points. The only difference between the two contests, besides my score, is that I made a single contact on 40 meters while the rest were all on 20 meters so I am in a different category. I hope I win again this year also! It would be fun.</p><p>I had to dig through some serious QRN and QRM (atmospheric and man-made noise) this year as well as a lot of QSB (fading) on the incoming signals. There were the usual idiots in the US who think because they're running 1500 watts in a contest—which, to me, defeats the purpose of a contest—and the same idiots who are rude and think again that if they have power to use that they can just stomp over everyone else. Then there were the idiots who can't follow the law … and others who just shouldn't be on the air. But that's how it is in every contest I participate in now, sadly. No respect or common courtesy.</p><p>Even with all that, I had fun. I ran the contest for about four and a half hours and enjoyed it tremendously. I'd love to have a small amp to help reach some places that I have issues getting to on the air such as Brazil and Chile. I believe in using as little power as possible when operating, contest or not.</p><p>I did hear someone running QRP (5 watts) from Spain in the contest.</p><p>I am very interested in getting my Mosley RV-4C vertical antenna set up and using it in a contest to see if it works better than my 80 meter EFHW dipole.</p><p>My little IC-718 did great in the contest as always as did <a href="https://www.n3fjp.com/intdx.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">N3FJP's ARRL International DX Contest logging software</a>.</p><p>I'm looking forward to next year's contest already!</p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0Limestone, TN 37681, USA36.2252228 -82.63156697.9149889638211519 -117.7878169 64.53545663617885 -47.475316899999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-35785400399272518252021-01-06T16:40:00.001-05:002021-01-06T16:40:42.209-05:00Got the 706 set up<p>I set up my ICOM IC-706MKII in the old motorhome I live in currently. So far, it's working nicely on HF.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I am waiting for a warmer day to put a 2 meter mobile antenna on the roof of the motorhome. I need to find my USB CI-V control cable for the 706 and bring in my Signalink USB to set up in here. I do have a Signalink SL-1+ "around here somewhere" that I should set up for the shack. I'm also setting up all of my favorite software on my laptop for ham radio.</p><p>It will be nice to operate from a warm place instead of the cold shack (it's currently not heated) and if I get tired, I can go lay down without having to walk from the shack in my shed to my motorhome. </p><p>I ordered a new knock-off microphone for the 706 as the original mic isn't working as well as it should. The new mic should be here this Saturday. Looking forward to it.</p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-38071643340344957092020-12-27T15:44:00.005-05:002020-12-27T15:45:23.459-05:00Still alive<p>I haven't been on the air too much lately because of the cold (my shack isn't heated) and physical issues with getting in and out of my old motorhome and the shed my shack is in. I am hoping to change that by setting up my ICOM IC-706MKII in the motorhome. I updated <a href="https://www.qsl.net/ks4td" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">my ham radio website</a> today. I added manuals for my two older Kenwood and one of my KEK 2 meter mobile radios. Surprisingly enough, two of the three radios works great and I have to find a microphone for my Kenwood TR-7400 then I can test it. Hopefully when I get the IC-706 set up I'll be a lot more active on the air.</p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-66125122199527405362020-11-26T14:09:00.001-05:002020-11-26T14:09:05.158-05:00Been busy<p>I haven't been active at all on the air lately. I have been dealing with a lot of health and personal issues but I am hoping to work the ARRL Sweepstakes this weekend and SKYWARN Recognition Day on Friday/Saturday December 3/4 (owing to UTC time). I've not done any work on the station lately and the antenna's support is bent ... I need to get up there and fix it but the weather is getting colder quickly and I am loathe to get up on the top of the shed but I guess I should do it soon.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I haven't sent out any QSL cards or such since I have no income right now and it doesn't look like I'll be able to do anything about it soon. I am now permanently disabled and unemployable. I have put in a Social Security claim but who knows when I'll actually hear back about it. So I have just been keeping a low profile. I may also be moving into an apartment soon and that will affect how I operate also. I may wind up pressing my <a href="https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-1622" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MFJ Apartment Antenna</a> back into service. It's nothing like my current antenna setup but it will do until other arrangements can be made.</p><p>I'd like to get an ICOM IC-7100 one of these days and connect to it via the Internet to my parents' house where I could have access to my current antenna setup which is a myantennas.com 80-6M EFHW antenna up about 60'. That's not perfect either but at least I'd not have to worry about putting an antenna out my back window every time I wanted to operate. I do have my ICOM IC-718 and my <a href="https://www.buddipole.com/debupa.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buddipole Deluxe antenna</a> that I could use to operate out in the woods also. Lots of ideas.</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-83572303325397722362020-09-27T16:21:00.002-04:002020-09-27T16:21:27.112-04:00Back again<p> I've decided to start using this blog again for my ham radio activities. I am now officially medically retired (I am permanently disabled and unemployable) so I will have more time soon to enjoy amateur radio.</p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-6317124889370783722020-07-14T16:22:00.000-04:002020-07-14T16:22:04.598-04:00New blog!To celebrate my new callsign and give me additional functionality with my blog, I have registered ks4td.com and set up a WordPress blog. <a href="https://ks4td.com/" target="_blank">Please visit my new blog as I will no longer be updating this one.</a>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-78924305999324790552020-07-10T06:46:00.000-04:002020-07-10T06:46:36.818-04:00KS4TDI checked my email this morning and my new amateur radio license was waiting for me. I am now KS4TD. After 23 years, I decided to change my callsign since I have lived in 4 land for close to 20 years now. So I am beginning the process of changing everything over ... and there is a lot to do. The FCC public database is lagging behind so if you look up my new call right now, it will show that it's expired from a ham (former ham) in Columbia, TN. I'll start to use my new call immediately. Yes, those are my initials ... STD. Yes, haha, I get the joke but remember when I was born, those initials didn't have a negative stigma attached to them. But still, I'm proud of my name, so my callsign is mine. Now I won't confuse people by being a 5 call in 4 land either.Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-87226306887644984252020-07-09T18:08:00.000-04:002020-07-09T18:08:36.011-04:00SRY NILI have been receiving a <b><i>lot</i></b> of QSL requests for contacts I made in contests or in weekly nets, especially via eQSL. I do not count contacts made during contests or nets as part of my normal contact log so please do not send me confirmation requests for those types of contacts. If, during a contest, we're in a QSO, please ask me to do a separate contact for your purpose (DXCC, grid square, et cetera) and I will be happy to do that and log it.Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-41474201906438688882020-07-03T14:07:00.000-04:002020-07-03T15:07:02.565-04:00Week of contestsSo, after Field Day, I've participated in the RAC Canada Day contest (my first time; enjoyed it; adding it to my calendar) and am now in with the 13 Colonies contest which is going well. I've worked 11 out of the 13 stations and the bonus WM3PEN station ... now to work VA and NJ then try to grab the GB13COL (in England) bonus station ... another clean sweep! I've participated in the <a href="http://www.13colonies.us/" target="_blank">13 Colonies contest</a> since it started twelve years ago off and on and, save for the boorish behavior of way too many contest participants, have had a lot of fun with it.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>This marks the start of "contest season" for me. I do a good bit of contesting in June and July then move on to fall and early spring. There's a lot of contests I'm wanting to try this year. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm also participating in the monthly Feld Hell sprints.<br />
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All of the contests are available on the WA7BNM Contest Calendar at <a href="https://www.contestcalendar.com/" target="_blank">contestcalendar.com</a>. You can also add the entire year's worth of contests to your Google Calendar. That's how I keep track.<br />
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So, for the rest of the year, besides the monthly Feld Hell sprints, I'll be participating in these contests:<br />
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<ul>
<li>North American QSO Party: I'll be in both RTTY (July 2020/February 2021) and SSB (August 2020/January 2021)</li>
<li>Tennessee QSO Party (6 Sept. to 7 Sept.)</li>
<li>CQ Worldwide DX Contest RTTY (26 Sept-7 Sept)</li>
<li>CQ Worldwide DX Contest SSB (24 Oct-25 Oct)</li>
<li>ARRL Sweepstakes Contest SSB (21 Nov-23 Nov)</li>
<li>ARRL RTTY Roundup (2 Jan-3 Jan)</li>
<li>Winter Field Day (30 Jan-31 Jan)</li>
<li>ARRL International DX Contest SSB* (6 Mar-7 Mar)</li>
<li>CQ WWW WPX Contest SSB (27 Mar-28 Mar)</li>
</ul>
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* = I won this contest in my section and division in 2016. Time for another win!</div>
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Of course, this all depends if I'll be able to get into the shack after my foot surgery, if I'm working or not on weekends (IT is good for ruining your weekend plans), and a host of other "ifs". Still, it's a good thing to look forward to.</div>
Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-31663607365456908422020-06-28T13:42:00.001-04:002020-06-28T13:42:25.739-04:00Field Day 2020I was going to join my local club for Field Day this year but I wasn't (and am still not) feeling so well with my broken foot. I decided to stay home but I had the most successful solo Field Day operation yet. I submitted my entry form online and have a total combined score of 284. Not a huge score but I worked hard for with with the lousy propagation and working conditions during the contest. Keep reading for a full breakdown and a map of the sections I worked.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>So my score breakdown is I had 109 voice contacts and 4 digital contacts (two using Feld Hell!). 109 points for the voice QSOs and 8 points for the digital QSOs ... that's 117 points. Add on the low power (under 150 watts) 2x power multiplier, that brings my score to 234 points. Add 50 points for submitting my entry form online and that brings my score to 284 points. I'm proud of myself for hanging in there and doing this.<br />
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Here's a map of the sections I worked courtesy N3FJP's Field Day logging software:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HrEG-Ddn7gzL6r248UD1keUDY5mh2gb4FFd0q39nkKK2eccQIevKmmS2cryO_l7S17WTkw8IIegWrAx6Ldhq-bWptePtVGEbnVLr0KRuUvsR7xmDMP6U5T4cBsG89T0BiHLmPl3xO52F/s1600/fd_2020_final.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1290" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HrEG-Ddn7gzL6r248UD1keUDY5mh2gb4FFd0q39nkKK2eccQIevKmmS2cryO_l7S17WTkw8IIegWrAx6Ldhq-bWptePtVGEbnVLr0KRuUvsR7xmDMP6U5T4cBsG89T0BiHLmPl3xO52F/s320/fd_2020_final.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Click on the picture to expand it to full size ... it's easier to make out the sections that way.<br />
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For some reason, I heard Michigan and Iowa and couldn't work them. I didn't hear a peep from the northern New York (NNY) section. I was pleasantly surprised to work all of Texas and most of California. I did hear a few Quebecers calling but they couldn't hear me. I did hear a station from New Brunswick (MAR) early this morning but the conditions on 20 meter were rotten. Unfortunately, I have a lot of local QRM on 20 and that can hammer weak stations.<br />
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The only thing that irritated me was because of the 1D exception this year, there were a lot of stations running amps at what sounded like near legal limit and they drowned out lower power stations like me. My solution: let the amped guys get it over with and move on ... be patient and bust a pileup. I waited nearly 30 minutes to work my Puerto Rico contact but it was worth the wait. I watched part of a movie while I was waiting ... multitasking, you know.<br />
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I was impressed with the performance of my antenna and am glad I invested in it earlier this year. For what it is, it does an amazing job. The proof is above in that map.<br />
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I wasn't feeling very well yesterday and am not today—the joys of having chronic illnesses—so that makes me even happier that I was able to work so many stations. I'm sure if I had a big Yagi antenna up at 100 feet it'd be even better but you know, the purpose of Field Day is emergency communications. Perhaps if things go well, next year I can take my trusty IC-718 radio out into the sticks somewhere and operate using battery power or something. Hopefully I'll be physically up to doing that in the heat and humidity that are ever-present this time of year here.<br />
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Something funny: I worked Scott Davis N3FJP, the author of the Field Day logging software I used this year, on 20 meters this morning. When I typed in Scott's call into the program, the program popped up a little screen that said something to the effect of "Scott is the author of this program. Please tell him hello!" So during our QSO, I mentioned that to Scott and he chuckled, telling me that he appreciated me using his program. Something small but memorable.<br />
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Another thing that I enjoy about Field Day is that it helps hone my operating and listening skills. I always use a pair of headphones during Field Day so I can make out weak stations and work them. It's not easy and I do occasionally get headaches from the drone of QRM (local man-made noise) and QRN (atmospheric noise) but in the end, it's all worth it to me. I walk away from the contest with a feeling of accomplishment and thoughts of what I can do to improve my score next year.<br />
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If you're an amateur radio operator and have never participated in Field Day, give it a try sometime. You'll enjoy it.<br />
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<br />Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-79388601304593224982020-06-21T13:13:00.003-04:002020-06-21T13:14:01.935-04:00Why?I just contacted a station that was activating a nature preserve in Indiana for Parks On The Air. He was getting some steam going with people contacting him then some idiot started tuning up on top of him for no reason at all; this was malicious interference and not someone being an idiot just for tuning on top of a frequency in use. The activating station gave up and shut down because of the malicious interference. I cannot understand why these jackasses have a license only to run around QRMing everyone they think they don't like. It makes me upset to hear that happening and it's happened to me before for no reason.<div><br /></div><div>That's why I adhere to the <a href="https://www.qsl.net/kd5col/dxcode.html" target="_blank">DX Code of Conduct</a>. I give other amateur radio operators the same respect I want them to give me. However, in today's world, it seems there's little respect to go around, especially in amateur radio, and it's really disheartening to see that.</div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-84098162276228369102020-06-14T01:04:00.001-04:002020-06-14T01:04:21.684-04:00Been busyI've been busy on the air! I've been doing a lot of digital modes as of late but still making a few SSB contacts here and there. Been cleaning up the shack, rearranging things, doing little stuff to keep me busy. I switched my shack computer back to Windows 10 and installed all of my favorite software. I even installed Echolink and RMS Express (Winlink) finally. So far, so good. Getting ready for Field Day. I am considering going to a Field Day setup with a local club but it all depends if I can get a ride there and how the weather is. If not, I'll run Field Day from home. This year, for the first time, I'll give digital modes a try for Field Day.<span><a name='more'></a></span><div>I have been working on writing some software also. I found a very nice bearing calculator that was originally written in Turbo Pascal in 1993 and even got a write-up in QST that year that is public domain. I am working on cleaning up the code and I'm going to recompile it for 32-bit Windows, 32-bit OS/2, and 16-bit DOS. There's nothing really like this around that can do what this software can. The original code compiles nicely without any modifications but the source code is messy so I'd like to clean it up and optimize things if I can. I'll then release it as public domain again so more amateurs can enjoy this software.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh yes, I'll compile it for Linux also. I just need to install Debian via WSL and then fire up Free Pascal. This would be great for Linux also. This will be a static build without any dependencies.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another program I am working on is a simple "holiday-style" console mode (text-based) logging program. Nothing fancy but it will handle multiple logs, ADIF import and export, and the basic features with searching, editing, and printing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've also been busy calling CQ with Feld Hell, FSK Hell 105, and Olivia at various times of the day on 20 and 40 meters with varying success.</div><div><br /></div><div>So there you have it. Nothing huge going on but plenty of little things to keep me going.</div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-53234160005892769292020-05-24T22:27:00.000-04:002020-05-24T22:27:00.415-04:00Caught upI finally uploaded to LoTW and eQSL my logs for the past few days. I've been busy elsewhere and just fell behind. I have several direct and bureau DX QSL cards to work on as well. I'll try to get to those tomorrow. There's been a lot of good DX popping up all over the bands lately. I use dxspots.com for my DX cluster and hamspots.net/hell for my Feld Hell spotting. It's nice having a working station again.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I switched computers in the shack. I am now using a Dell Optiplex 390 (3.2 gHz, 8GB RAM, 250GB hard drive) running Slackware 64 Linux 14.2. It's funny that I'm using this computer as it had a problem with not being able to do a reboot from software. I finally went researching on Google and discovered it's a bug in the computer's bios having to do with virtualization being turned on. I need virtualization as I have a Windows 7 Professional VM I use N3FJP's specialty logging software (Field Day, ARRL November Sweepstakes, et ceteral) with so turning that off is not an option. I discovered that if you add "reboot=pci" to the kernel initialization string in LILO, the computer will reboot via software just fine.<br />
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So far so good with the new computer. It does everything I need in the shack. I really don't need anything high-powered though having another monitor would be great for when I'm doing my "hunt and pounce" DX using xdx and xlog. One of these days!<br />
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I have been doing more digital work with Feld Hell, FSK Hell 105, and PSK31. I made a PSK31 contact in Venezuela today which was fun.<br />
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I am also going to go through what little I have of logs for the past ten years, input them into xlog, and try to get it all uploaded to LoTW and eQSL. Unfortunately, I haven't been the best with logs and I've lost a lot of contacts. I am doing better this time around though.<br />
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For now, it's been a long but good day. I'm going to go relax. I might watch a movie then go to bed. I'll definitely be on the air tomorrow though.<br />
Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-32909653422300203722020-05-17T20:30:00.000-04:002020-05-17T20:30:06.988-04:00Busy on the airMy new antenna has been working quite nicely for me. I have been busy making a lot of contacts and it's been fun. I've worked all over the world even with not-so-good propagation though 20 meters seems to be doing better. I've sent out at least 20 QSL cards this week and half of those via the bureau. That new antenna seems to be making all the difference. Tonight I worked Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Haiti, and Hungary. I heard a station from Chile calling CQ but I couldn't work him unfortunately but I tried. Been doing a lot of digital work with Hell and PSK31 which is a first for me. A good way to pass the time while I am waiting to get my foot reconstructive surgery.Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-81488190310519470692020-05-01T19:25:00.001-04:002020-05-01T19:25:23.091-04:00Antenna is almost finishedDad and I got the antenna mounted on the shed today but by the time we were done, we were both completely exhausted. We will shoot the other end into a tall tree tomorrow but for tonight, I tied that end to a branch on that tree about six feet off the ground. I went into my shack, connected the antenna to my antenna matcher and switched it to bypass (no matching needed), and immediately worked PB5X in the Netherlands, 4207 miles east of me, on 14.194 with a full 59 signal both ways. So I'm already thoroughly impressed! I then worked GB1954PJ in Bristol, England, and then worked PV8AL in Brazil, both on 20 meters.<br />
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I'm quite happy. It's nice to be back on the air with my own antenna! I'll try to get pictures of the antenna in the morning when there's no glare behind the antenna.Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574088071656210225.post-23939640264250112342020-05-01T00:51:00.002-04:002020-05-01T00:53:38.019-04:00Antenna workDad and I worked on putting up the new antenna on Tuesday (April 28) and got as far as getting the antenna tripod and my aluminum conduit secured together then installing the antenna balun on the conduit. Here's what it looks like from the ground:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCtLzBNfT0dbO5Iw04BbZMvPuCJldtuh1TkPQs6HewLbrC5zbxBr41LFjX81X3ZoyiMwfT0PHB6IHnSPSxgvJdrfq0FfyjfbDaiqtNG_LoeRaFq2h_owl1lFwp_JRyXpkelmssSBS0WGM/s1600/efhw_resized.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="395" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCtLzBNfT0dbO5Iw04BbZMvPuCJldtuh1TkPQs6HewLbrC5zbxBr41LFjX81X3ZoyiMwfT0PHB6IHnSPSxgvJdrfq0FfyjfbDaiqtNG_LoeRaFq2h_owl1lFwp_JRyXpkelmssSBS0WGM/s320/efhw_resized.JPG" width="79" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unfinished antenna in all of its glory.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The antenna's quite sturdy though it doesn't look like it from the picture. The antenna will be mounted on the shed that is behind it, giving me roughly 40 feet in height on this end. The far end will be shot over a tree to be tied off on. We're hoping Saturday, which is supposed to be sunny and 74 degrees, will be a good day to finish mounting the antenna. I can't wait to try the new antenna out! I've been waiting a very long time for this.<br />
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I still have my Mosley RV-4C 10-40 meter vertical antenna, which includes an optional 80 meter coil, to install. It requires a lot more work and also a new antenna base which is around $50 with shipping direct from the Mosley factory. Once I have my needed foot reconstruction surgery on my right foot and I'm able to use it, I may go ahead and set this up permanently at my parents' home (where I am at now) so my dad can use it if he wants.<br />
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I am also considering setting up my Raspberry Pi 3B+ with Slackware./ARM Linux and using it for a shack computer. Considering I have a little eight-foot by eight-foot room to myself, that would save a lot of space for me. I'd still be able to do everything I wanted on the little Pi though. Another project to think about.Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16084502237208877208noreply@blogger.com0