A DX-er’s Lament: There has to be a better way
Working DX can be really frustrating these days. Ham radio is supposed to be fun, talking to stations in far off parts of the world, using equipment you have built yourself, and so on! But sometimes contacting DX these days has evolved into a real mess. Let me describe how this has come about and […]
Chasing DX: Christmas Joy! (Maybe)
Late Breaking News! You may remember my previous post where I tried to work Rotuma Island to no avail. Well, I think, maybe, I have finally worked the station!!! A few days ago I was idly tuning the bands when I came upon a huge pileup in the CW portion of the17 meter band. From […]
Putting the “human” back into human interfaces
In the latest QST, Frank Columbus, WA2KWR, writes the following: “— I find the current lot of handheld and mobile Amateur Radios to be overly complex.” Frank goes on for a page describing the failure of modern radios to provide a workable human interface. His words echo mine of a decade or so ago. Those […]
Chasing DX
First real test of the new antenna system did not turn out as good as I would have wished. The DX station I was chasing is 3D2R on Rotuma Island in the South Pacific. It is just about on the International Dateline and 10 degrees south of the equator. It and Conway reef to the […]
Back in Operation!
Well, the station is back in operation after being pretty much trashed all summer. Talked with Pan, BD4QH in China last week, and an Aussie, and a station in Timor Este. All on 20 meters and the rig worked pretty much like in old times. Running about 800 watts output which is about 2 db off […]