WD4AHZ - Amateur Radio Blog

Still Around!

2009-04-13T09:59:00.002-04:00

Yes, we're still here ... just behind in making posts!

On the contest front, had another antenna issue that developed during the 10 Meter Contest in December ... which kept me out of it except for a handful of contacts. I believe I finally solved the issue, and fired up for the ARRL DX CW Contest, and finished off with 990 QSO's, 239 Mults, for a score of 709,830.

Next up is the Florida QSO Party on April 25 & 26.

On the Emergency Communications side of things, last week we helped installed dual-band antennas at another 7 Hurricane shelters. These will be part of the "backup" communications if everything else goes down. We just have to connect our radios and we're on the air!

We also participated in the County's yearly "Tactical First in Team" exercise last week, which went well.

November Sweepstakes

2008-11-26T10:21:00.003-05:00

A little late in on my posts about the CW and SSB editions of November Sweepstakes ... so figured I'd go ahead and combine the two.

The CW weekend wasn't too bad. 15 could have been better, as it only seemed to be open to the West Coast (not that there's anything wrong with that!). A very loud WP3R from Puerto Rico, was the only signal on for a while Sunday Morning.

Got to 78 mults Sunday morning (1545Z), which left VE4, Manitoba, and VE8/VY1, Northwest Territories/Yukon, as the last two needed. Frustrating to hear KE0Z/VE4 calling other stations, and never heard VE8/VY1. Started giving up hope for the sweep and the cool coffee mug ... when VY1EI called me (2322Z) with a big signal. Didn't work anyone else on my run frequency after that (found VY1EI running a few kHz away!), so decided to give 20 another sweep. i found VE4GV low in the band giving out low numbers and got him in the log - working the last 2 mults right after each other!

Noticed quite a bit of activity from Alaska, which was nice to hear.

Final numbers, 687 QSO's, 80 Sections, 109,920 points.

The SSB weekend, wasn't as good. Kept getting some reports of audio problems, but couldn't figure out why. Seemed to be a problem only on 20 Meters. Later, I seemed to have some problems with the logging computer locking up when I was on 40 Meters. Thinking they might be RFI related problems (which I've never had before), I wrapped an RF choke around the microphone and USB adapter cables, and that seemed to have cured the problems. Had hoped to put in some kind of serious effort, but with the problems, and it being an SSB contest (which for some reason, I just can't get into), it turned into more of a "part time" effort.

Final numbers, 138 QSO's, 57 sections, 15,732 points.

Getting ready for CQWW CW this weekend. Planning to put in as much time as I can.

CQWW Phone Wrapup

2008-11-01T12:49:00.003-04:00

What a great weekend! Several Florida Contest Group members got together at K1TO's station, and did a Multi/2 effort. Those involved were Julio, AD4Z/HI3A, Dan, K1TO, Fred, K4LQ, Tom, K4MM, Gary, N4DL, Terry, N4TB, John, W4IX, Jeff, WC4E, and Chris, WF3C.

In addition to operating, Julio was the chief "chef" and whipped up a great Dominican Spaghetti dish along with the occasional "shot" of Cuban coffee! Good stuff!

Final numbers for the contest, 3353 QSO's, 136 Zones, 507 Countries, and 5,097,061 points. Looks like we might stay in the "Top 10".

CQWW Phone

2008-10-24T15:20:00.003-04:00

The CQWW Phone contest starts tonight. A bunch of Florida Contest Group members are getting together to do a M/2 or M/M from K1TO's place, in memory of one of our members, Vic, N4TO.

Picture is of Dan's 160' tower I took a couple days ago while helping get things ready. Quality isn't too good ... took it with a cell phone.

Should be a fun weekend.

Tropical Storm Fay

2008-08-19T00:22:00.002-04:00

Writing this while on duty at the County EOC. Monitoring activities, but at the moment, not much going on. Storm has been, literally, all over the map ... and now it's forecast to pass off to our east ... and not much wind expected ... probably a lot of rain though. We'll keep our fingers crossed and see what happens.

DX Cluster Node

2008-08-04T14:35:00.003-04:00

Last week, I switched my DX Cluster node software over to AR-Cluster. In the process, I also changed the call sign over to K4FCG, which is the call of the Florida Contest Group. Did have a few things to work out, and it seems to continuously disconnect from the network, but it's not off-line for than a few seconds before it automatically reconnects again. Still trying to understand that issue. If you need a DX Cluster to connect to, feel free to telnet over to k4fcg.dyndns.org . It's set up to show only spots posted by US and Canadian stations.

NAQP CW

2008-08-04T14:23:00.003-04:00

Worked the North American QSO Party this past weekend. Started out pretty well, but things slowed down later in the evening ... once I had to go over to 40 & 80 Meters.

It was nice to hear 10 Meters open again ... sounds like there are starting to be more and more openings, which is a good sign that things are starting to come back ... C'mon sunspots!

Used the Windows logging program, N1MM for the first time, after using the DOS program NA for many years. Felt is was time to move into the 21st Century and try something different ... and maybe a bit more "modern"!

One neat thing you can do, is automatically post your "real time" score while operating. Kind of makes contesting a spectator sport!

Final numbers - 502 QSO's, 158 Multipliers, 79,316 points.

Time to get busy ....

2008-07-30T10:58:00.002-04:00

WOW ... can it be? Over a year since I last posted? That's not good. So, now it's time to get busy ... and stay current with this from now on.

Let's see ... the NAQP CW Contest is this weekend, and I'm planning on trying the N1MM logging program for the first time. Have been using NA forever ... but thought it was time to try something else. N1MM also has the ability to post your scores live, so I'm also going to give Live Scores a shot and see how that works.

I've also been running a DX Cluster node here, using WinCluster Lite, but it's no longer supported. So, I've been poking around the various other cluster software sites. Have one in mind, so we'll see how that works out.

Well, that's a start for today. Will be back ...

Still Alive!

2007-06-05T07:35:00.000-04:00

Yeah ... it's been a while since I've posted anything ... and intended to post as much as I can about what's been going on! But a real quick update ... did work a few contests since the last post (10 Meter, Florida QSO Party) ... but have had an annoying TVI problem that I haven't been able to fix ... so that's sort of made me cut back on my operating ... and taken some of the enjoyment away.

Other than that ... working and preparing our EmComm group for Hurricane season!

Our local club decided NOT to operate Field Day this year ... so time to go work on "Plan B"!

"The Contest" Music Video

2006-11-15T15:24:00.000-05:00

EmComm Activities

2006-11-06T15:48:00.000-05:00

Besides the occasional contest, have been also been busy working on several Emergency Communications projects. I guess that's been taking a lot of my time, but do enjoy it, so it's not too bad! Will report on those as we get back into the swing of things here and try to keep things current.

November Sweepstakes, CW

2006-11-06T15:34:00.000-05:00

Yeah ... it's been a while, and have missed posting several contest activities, so I guess I'll have to get back with the program.

Well, the November Sweepstakes were this past weekend. Had good intentions to get on and put in a decent effort ... but it was not to be. Had some TVI issues I was trying to solve at the last minute (thought I had fixed them already). With the TVI problems weighing on my mind, could never really get "into" the contest, and sort of lost focus. Took a break Saturday night and met up with a bunch of friends instead.

Got back on Sunday morning for a 7 1/2 hour stretch and snagged all but Alberta and Alaska for the "sweep". After a break to watch Football, got back on for a couple more hours, where I picked up two two guys in Alberta, and two in Alaska! I pretty much made my goal ... and after that, decided to go for 500 contacts ... and then hang it up for the weekend. All in all, not to bad ... 501 Q's, 80 sections, 80,160 points, 14 1/2 hours.

Only a couple problems with guys moving in on my frequency ... one even sent me a "QRL" after moving in on me (sorry dude, I've been here for an hour already!) ... but he eventually left to go bother someone else.

Firefox and Ham Radio

2006-04-02T22:35:00.000-04:00

Yea ... we're still here, just haven't been on the air much. Been keeping busy working on some EmComm things. Also, some TVI problems that I haven't been able to solve, has sort of kept me off the air (in order to keep peace). Need to figure out what the problem is, and get it fixed.

Anyway, just wanted to point out an article on the ARRL's Web site, "Surfin': Customizing Firefox for Ham Radio". I use Firefox as my browser, so it was interesting to read this article. Of course, it doesn't go into all the details of Firefox, but does mention some ham radio features you can add. I was already using 3 of the ones mentioned in the article.

Will try to get more "radio active", and get back on the air on a more regular basis.

CQWW CW Contest

2005-11-29T23:44:00.000-05:00

Wasn't sure if I was going to work this contest or not. Was able to partially solve my TVI problem (band specific on only one or two channels), so was able to get on and do some operating.

Was mostly a "Search & Pounce" effort, with some runs (or attempted runs), thrown in. Was able to put in about 18 hours, which resulted in 403 QSO's, 60 Zones, 171 Countries, for a claimed score of 258,489.

Sweepstakes CW

2005-11-08T11:55:00.000-05:00

Worked "Sweepstakes" over the weekend. Went in, wanting to put in a pretty decent effort ... but that sort of changed when I found out my TV interference problem was still causing me problems. That .. plus my not so great antenna on the low bands, made me shut things down Saturday night. Hit it pretty hard on Sunday, but seemed to be agonizingly slow at times. Once I got Alaska and Hawaii for my "sweep", and looking at the prospect of spending the rest of the contest on 40 or 80 Meters ... with the lousy antenna and TVI ... figured I'd pack it in. Ended up with 599 contacts and a "sweep" (my goal), so I was satisfied.

CQWW SSB Contest

2005-11-01T11:23:00.000-05:00

Spent most of CQWW weekend at Dan, K1TO's place, helping him with antenna work and other "projects" to get his station operational again. We knew we'd be doing some work, and get in a little part-time operating ... which is exactly what we did. Made our first contact at 0221Z Saturday night! Worked a few hours Saturday night ... and Sunday morning, before Dan had to catch a flight Sunday afternoon. Not a serious effort ... but got a lot of stuff done and had a little fun!

Hurricane Wilma

2005-10-23T18:53:00.000-04:00

Finally a little to write about, while manning our local EOC for Wilma's arrival. Currently have 4 Red Cross shelters open along with 2 "Special Needs" Shelters. Later this evening, the "Tactical Search & Rescue" teams will be deployed. Local Amateurs are handling communications for "most" of these. Unfortunately, it's been a bit difficult to muster up enough help for all of them.

Pretty Quiet

2005-08-28T08:24:00.000-04:00

Yeah, it's been a while siince I posted anything ... but it's been fairly quiet.

Have been working on restructuring our ARES and RACES programs ... we've turned them into the Sarasota County Auxiliary Communications Service. We do the same thing, but now it's one program instead of two! Makes things a little easier. There were also a few governmental "issues" that helped contribute to the changes ... which we hope, for the better!

Last Wednesday, had a little dinner "get together" with a couple of the local guys, Dan, K1TO, and George, K5KG. Mike, K9NW was in town for some business, and Dan arranged a meeting. Don't think I've met Mike before (unless he was one of the many I couldn't keep track of, that I met in Dayton a few years ago). It's always interesting to hear the stories being swapped!

NAQP

2005-08-12T10:06:00.000-04:00

Put in a "part time" effort during last weekend's North American QSO Party (NAQP). Started out pretty well, and was getting into the flow of things.

The Yaesu FT-1000MP's have a problem with a relay, that makes the receiver deaf after your done transmitting ... and that problem started to kick in, and wouldn't clear up. I knew there were guys calling me, but they were so weak in my dead receiver, was having trouble hearing them very well. After a few minutes of this frustration, and the radio not going back to "normal", I quit my "part time" effort sooner than I had planned.

The past couple days have been spent keying in the remaining paper logs from the Florida QSO Party. Will be getting back to those shortly ... maybe getting them finished this weekend (if nothing else comes up).

Also, spent the last few weeks working with our Emergency Management and Red Cross folks, trying to get some issues resolved about our ARES/RACES "volunteers". Had a good meeting Monday, and we got all the issues resolved.

Nice PR for contesters

2005-07-12T18:27:00.000-04:00

It was nice to read this on the ARRL Web site today.

Hurricane Watch Net Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP,
said he was pleased to report that participants in the IARU HF World Championship contest July 9 and 10 posed no problems for the HWN, although less-than-optimal band conditions and solar flares did complicate things.

"We received total and complete cooperation from the contesting community and were left with virtually a clear frequency on which to conduct our business," Pilgrim said. "Thanks to all those who demonstrated their respect for and belief in the ultimate value of Amateur Radio Service--our ability and dedication to render support and assistance during times of emergency."

Red Cross Duty

2005-07-12T17:07:00.000-04:00

Spent Saturday night and Sunday morning, pulling a shift in the radio room at the Red Cross. Hadn't worked there in a few years, so it was nice to see some of the "old gang"! Wasn't much going on ... but was there just in case. While everyone else slept, I spent some time llistening to some music, watching a little TV, or keying in FQP logs into the computer! They closed the shelter at 7 AM Sunday morning, and I left about 7:45. After a little breakfast, I got in a few hours sleep.

As far as Dennis, he wasn't a big problem. Just the usual rains and sometimes gusty winds ... a more "typical" Hurricane experience for us.

Hurricane Dennis

2005-07-09T17:41:00.000-04:00

Been keeping an eye on Hurricane Dennis the last few days. Currently riding out, what isn't much ... a few rain bands and winds that come with them. Other than that, not much else.

Do have one shelter open and staffed with radio operators and 12 "guests" (workers and evacuees), as well as Red Cross Headquarters. If the shelter remains open, I'm scheduled for a radio shift at the Red Cross tonight. If I do end up having to go over, will probably take a laptop and my stack of Florida QSO Party logs, and start keying those in.

Listened for about 30 seconds, to the IARU contest underway this weekend. Do miss not participating ... and had I know the minimal effects we'd have from Dennis, I probably would have gotten on this morning when it started. But at this point, it's too late in the game, and am not motivated enough to get on ... even for a short time.

Hurricane Dennis & IARU Contest

2005-07-07T08:40:00.000-04:00

Been keeping an eye on Hurricane Dennis the last couple days ... since it's expected to be in the neighborhood over the weekend. Have a meeting at the EOC later this afternoon, to discuss ARES/RACES functions during activations. Since there have been a few personnel changes at Emergency Management, this might just be to bring the new folks up to speed on what we do for them.

Besides a passing visit from Dennis (we hope), this weekend is also the IARU Contest. Will probably get on some ... just not sure how seriously. I suppose if conditions are good, might play a bit more ... if they are bad and I get bored, may just get on from time to time.

Field Day 2005

2005-07-07T00:29:00.000-04:00

Finally got around to getting all the paperwork together, and submitted everything to the ARRL today. Our combined Sarasota Ememrgency Radio Club and Florida Contest Group 2A effort, finshed with 1287 CW contacts and 1045 on phone. With 770 bonus points, we ended up with a score of 7,238.

Our group was a bit smaller than usual, so we had to scale our effort back a bit. Even so, things went well and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Even the weather cooperated ... no rain!

New Blog

2005-07-03T23:29:00.000-04:00

Decided to start a new blog, to highlight some of my Amateur Radio activities ... and who knows ... maybe get a visitor or two interested! Plan to post stuff about some of the activities I'm involved with ... contesting, emergency communications ... and who knows what else! Stay tuned.