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

Activated Park K-4371 LBJ National Grasslands this morning. Beautiful National park just a few miles north of Decatur, TX. I’ve driven past the signs for this park maybe a hundred times in the past 30 years but was always to busy to stop!   82 QSOs in 90 Minutes including 15 park to park contacts. Thanks to all the hunters who helped make my activation a successful and fun one! Yaesu-991a transmitting at 50w into my Wolf River Coil antenna, standard 102” whip. 73 Chris de WX7V

Fun activation yesterday at Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area reference K-6596.   41 QSOs in 45 minutes with several Park to Park.   Parks on the Air (POTA).  All 20m SSB.  Wolf River Coil with 103” whip fed into my Yaesu 991a. No park tables or chairs so operated out of the back of my Jeep and used the toolbox as a seat.  Permits required for entry into WMAs so please check requirements or your state ahead of time.  I already have the Texas State Park Pass but you also need either a LPU or an AHP with valid hunting license.  Both can be purchased on line. c

Spent the afternoon at Cedar Hill State Park K-2996 for a Parks on the Air (POTA) activity. I made 40 QSOs on my Yaesu 991a HF radio using the new Wolf River Coil vertical antenna - the combo worked very well at 50 watts on 20M. Thanks to all the Hunters who helped make my first activation a success!!!

 I've really learned alot about CW over the past month, exchanging QSOs in 31 states and 19 countries.  One think I've noticed is most people like to ragchew, and are a bit relaxed on the CW script I was focused on memorizing when I started out. I have read a two good CW operations books that are short and sweet, and full of useful information: Morse Code Operating for Amateur Radio  by ARRL. CW Geek's Guide to Having Fun with Morse Code  by Dan Romanchik.  I exchanged a nice QSO with Dan (KB6NU) on 8/3 and saw reference to this book on his QRZ page. Personal rules of thumb: -Use 3x2 when calling CQ.  example cq cq cq de wx7v wx7v k -Use 1x2 when answering CQ.  example TheirCall de wx7v wx7v k -Answering a cq or being answered  - repeat rst, name and qts 2 times. -Stick to the  pro-signs R (Roger), BT  (new thought), K (over), SK (done), ee (two bits, really done) -Use the macros for RIG, ANT and WX only if it seems the other statio...

Copied from this flexradio helpdesk forum for reference. https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/204923669-How-to-determine-the-amount-of-RF-Preamp-gain-to-apply-for-band-conditions As a rule of thumb, you want your antenna noise to show an increase in your S-meter by 8-10 dB and no more. If the noise goes up more than 10 dB with the RF preamp and antenna, you have too much RF gain and the SNR is degraded. Find a clear frequency on your VFO. Set the slice receiver mode to CW and the receiver passband filter to 500 Hz. Turn off any noise reduction, APF, RX EQ that will add gain to the receive audio. Disconnect the antenna - You can select an antenna input with no antenna on it like RXA or XVTA. Note the dBm reading with no antenna connected. Connect the antenna. Note the reading in dBm. This is where an accurate dBm calibrated S meter really counts. Ours is truly 6 dB per S unit and measures the actual receiver sensitivity in the selected bandwidth. If the noise goes up about...

  Contests - 2021 ARRL June VHF Contest - Logs Received Entry received at: 2021-06-27 22:51:40 Call Used: WX7V GOTA Station Call: (NONE) ARRL/RAC Section: NTX Class: 1D Participants: 1 Club/Group Name: Richardson Wireless Klub Power Source(s): Commercial Power Multiplier: 2X Preliminary Total Score: 158 Bonus Points: Entry submitted via web 50 Total bonus points 50 Score Summary: (Cabrillo log/dupe sheet file: WX7V.dup) CW Digital Phone Total Total QSOs 3 0 48 Total Points 6 0 48 54 Claimed Score = (QSO points x power mult) = 108 Submitted by: Chris L White, WX7V chrislwhite93@gmail.com

I worked the ARRLs VHF JUNE Contest this weekend. Single Operator, Low Power, 6M Band via Digital Modes (FT8 via WSJT-X and GridTracker logging program). I made my first dozen or so contacts before I remembered to put my WSJT-X in VHF-NA mode. That greatly simplified operations.  Rules for the contest are Grid Square Exchange Only. Signal strength optional (and not recommended during the context).  Cabrillo formatted logs are submitted online via the web app at contest-log-submission.arrl.org/ . I was only able to spend 4 or 5 hours "butt in chair" time and of course my score shows that! This was my very first contest to actually participate and submit logs in.  Special thanks to Joe NN5T for encouragement in the early hours of the context and Jim K5ND for the inspiration and cool roving set up!       https://www.k5nd.net/2021/06/arrl-2021-june-vhf-contest-rover-route/ Operated my station as WX7V with my Flexradio 6400M at 75w and an OCF Dipo...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morse_code_abbreviations  http://lidscw.org/resources/cq-qso-template CQ call / answer RST / Name / QTH Rig / Power / Antenna / WX Thanks / QSL info / 73 Pro-signs have been underlined. BT new section of message AR  signifies the end of the message KN end of your transmission and an invitation to the other station to reply, SK end of the contact and your last transmission to that station. Example CW QSO: ME: CQ CQ CQ DE WX7V WX7V WX7V K JOHN: WX7V DE M0ABC M0ABC M0ABC KN ME: M0ABC DE WX7V BT GA ES TNX FER CALL BT UR RST 599 599 BT NAME IS CHRIS CHRIS QTH DALLAS TX, DALLAS TX BT HW? AR M0ABC DE WX7V KN JOHN: WX7V DE M0ABC BT GA CHRIS TNX FB RPT UR RST 579 579 BT OP JOHN ES QTH YORK YORK THE OLD ONE HI BT HW? AR WX7V DE M0ABC KN ME: M0ABC DE WX7V BT R TNX RPT ES INFO JOHN BT RIG IS FLEX 6400 PWR 100W ANT IS OCF DIPOLE BT WX IS SUNNY ES WARM BT HW? AR M0ABC DE WX7V KN JOHN: WX7V DE M0ABC BT RIG IS FT817 5W ES ANT IS DIPOLE BT WX IS WET AND COLD ...

Ken Wells, NM9P has posted several good videos showing how to use FDX on the flexradio to hear your own audio signal as it sounds on the air, post processing vs the MON function with is pre-audio signal processing Set up 2 slices on the same frequency and same mode on a clear frequency On Slice A, select that as TX and reduce your RF power to 1 or 2 watts into a dummy load or resonant antenna On Slice B select the RX antenna (blue) to XVTA. Turn On FDX Set the receive volume - when you transmit on Slice A you'll be able to hear your self on Slice B. There will be a slight delay in the received audio.   Use the quick record / playback function built into the flex radio slice if you want to transmit first and listen again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LytzQGpE5ZM https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/8014278/using-fdx-to-set-up-your-tx-audio https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/7987118/nm9p-videos-on-adjusting-the-flex-6000-series-transmit-audio

The FlexRadio 6400 uses a ‘pseudo-balanced’ MIC input but the manual is not very helpful when it describes this as “ mic (+) and mic (-) lines are balanced all the way to the input of the A/D converter, where the mic (-) line is DC grounded.” Fortunately I was able find this circuit from Dale K4DC on the flexradio community support forum originally designed for the Yamaha CM-500.  This design works with my Bose QC-25 headset (2014) and my Koss SB 45 (2021).   I made two adapters, first one without the 10pF capacitor because I didn’t have one on hand.  I did not notice any impact on transmit audio quality.  I added the capacitor a few days later for permanent use.  I get great audio reports.  Reminder that the electret MIC requires you to enable BIAS voltage in SmartSDR radio set up.  For the BOSE headset I’m using this mic boom adapter (2021): https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Boom-Microphone-Playstation-QuietComfort/dp/B07W3W9LHV 73 Chris de WX7V Ref...

 Episode 14 of Ask Dave.  Good beginners guide on how to complete a simple QSO on CW.   Includes the proper abbreviations, pro-signs, and Q-signals.  Full Video is here.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY6Q9_Qmk8Q 1. Calling CQ / Answering CQ: 2. Exchanging Signal Report, Name and QTH: 3. Brag to extend the QSO by exchanging Rig, Antenna and Weather info: 4. Completing the QSO 73 and Two Bits!

I've received the ARRL DX Century Club Award on LoTW.  The DX Century Club DXCC is Amateur Radio's premier award that hams can earn by confirming on the air contacts with 100 countries.   This is the world map with pins showing the contacts I submitted as part of the award logged at QTH EM12, with station callsign WX7V granted on 11/4/2020. All with 100 watts and a wire antenna,  no power amplifier.   This was the moment I worked 9K2OW in Kuwait, which would become my 100th confirmed DXCC on LoTW. ARRL approved my DX Century Club Award application the following morning.   Thank you Hamad! I have the DX Century Club framed in my office, right above my graduate degree from SMU.  The certificate is dated 5/10/21, but its still 59 in my logbook, and mighty FB too! From here on out I can focus on my voice and CW skills using my new Mercury IIIs Power Amplifier I built a few weeks ago.   Also RTTY,  PSK31 and of course hunting park...

I found this cool mapping tool on the FT8 Digital Mod Club Facebook Group.   Download is from QRZ Logbook.   All you need is to import your logbook to ADIF (QRZ or LoTW) to the mapping tool and add your call sign and grid locator (optional).   The QSOs in 2020 were made with my end fed half wave multi-band antenna between 25-100W.  The rest were made with my off-center-fed dipole (OCFD).  Both antennas perform well- the key change in 2021 was raising my feed point from about 20’ (under the eaves of the house) to 43’ using a fiberglass mast.   http://tools.adventureradio.de/analyzer/ Chris de WX7V

I received my 1200 watt HF amplifier kit on Thursday and completed the build on Friday afternoon.  Start to finish was about 5 hours, with breaks, taking it slow, and a glass of wine!  Basic power on test was successful but I wasn't able to complete the first test, 1W RTTY, till Sunday, due to time constraints Friday evening. I had a few minor issues, but nothing with the build or quality of the components except for the rear case fan was dead on arrival.  Kenny had a new one shipped the next day.   The first test instructions required some additional tweaking on my end since I'm using a software defined radio.   I used FLDIGI from my PCs to generate the recommended 1W RTTY modulated signal into the Flexradio 6400M. Overall, the component quality is top notch, and Kenny does a nice job with the instructions, high resolution pictures, and assembly videos that are included with the kit on a USB drive.  The link to the full kit of parts are...

Edited 5/26.  The  ARRL has provided notice that these QSOs will not be counted towards DXCC.   Luckily I already had Fiji in my logbook.   We'll see how this pans out.  http://3z9dx-busted.com/    I've worked 3D2ZK Joanna "JK" Korczak twice now in Fiji Islands (40M and 30M) and learned of her opportunity to join the Polish Dxpedition to Bouvet Island.    Bouvet is the most remote island in the world the the #2 most wanted DXCC (after North Korea).  With 30YJ also planned in 2023 these groups will present a very rare opportunity for ham radio operators to add Bouvet to their logs! About:  Bouvet Island (Bouvetøya) is an uninhabited sub-Antarctic volcanic island that belongs to Norway . Discovered on 1 January, 1739, by Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier, commander of the French ships Aigle and Marie, it was the first landmass spotted south of the 50th parallel south. 3D2ZK operating from Denarau Island (Fiji). Wh...