The First 100 Years Are The Hardest

There was a time when I only focused on digital modes;  not so much any more I am 99.9% into SSB and CW (yes the original digital mode).  I'll still tune up WSJT-X when I see a POTA activation on FT8  or FT4 to help a fellow activator out but that's about it.  Oh yes and to remember how to "do it" HiHi. However, I was intrigued by this weekend's RTTY roundup.  RTTY used to be the mainstay of digital HF transmissions, but is all but gone now, edged out by the simplicity and ubiquity of FT8 on the ham bands.  There's nothing wrong with FT8 - that's where the DX is these days.  Its just not that interesting  to me after working 1500 contacts and confirming QSLs in 100+ countries.  But I digress. The annual ARRL RTTY Roundup began tonight.   As Jon NN5T said,  " Its the best opportunity to work really hard into RTTY.   CQ WW DX RTTY begins on this Friday 7 pm CDT and ends on this Sunday 7 pm CDT, you can operate the entir...

 I've been having a lot of fun and success in the POTA program that I realized my OCF dipole at home is just not cutting it.  Not only is the noise level too high on 20m for any SSB contacts,  the performance of my ground mounted WRC out in the field  really has me spoiled for a better performing antenna that is suitable for my home QTH where I am limited to CW (and more and more rarely digital modes) most days and I rarely get good SSB contacts at home. I've been in touch with Art M0PLK to get a kit of parts of build a new multi-band Delta Loop antenna to replace the OCF dipole I've relied on for the past year.    Reviews on eHam are pretty consistent in  reporting that this a great loop antenna for compromised spaces, and much quieter than a dipole.  Downside is that its not-resonant on any and requires a tuner for reasonable performance.  I've ordered a Palstar AT2DK tuner for my shack.  Delivery time is 4-6 weeks per HRO. Materials...

Activated K-4423 Spring Creek Forest State Preserve in Dallas County hunting park to park activators only. Equipment today was my Yaesu 991a, 50w fed into Wolf River Coil TIA. Good to see fellow RWK Club Member Don Weeks N5SKT who is working on his Kilo award at K-4423 today. GL today Don! This park is pretty special. Today I learned the land was conserved after much effort because it contains an old-growth virgin forest. According to Wikipedia the existence of virgin forest within city limits is highly unusual, as the 19th Century settlers in the area typically cut down the forests for use in construction or to clear land for farming. I took some extra pictures to document the beauty of this park. 73, Chris de WX7V