My old keys

This is the first key I ever used when I was first licensed in 1969 as WN2MFW in New York. My Dad had this key from when he was a radioman in the US Coast Guard during WWII. Although the plastic housing on the back of the unit is cracked, the rest of the key is built like a tank and still has a great feel.

I removed the large knob mounted on top of the large disk. I still have this key at my operating position, ready for straight key nights.

The second key I owned was a Vibroplex, a real pleasure to use and, sad to say, after all these years I lost track of it somewhere along the way in all the moves we did from NY to FL to CT to MI to CT to MA and finally to ID.

Nice to stroll down memory lane occasionally.

20m: poor propagation

Got on 20m tonight for the first time with my newly-cut 20m resonant
antenna at around 0500Z.

Effectively zero propagation. Also scanned 30 and 17m but nothing
there as well.

I need to see what propagation is like on 20 during early AM hours
too. Might give it a shot tomorrow.

The move to 20 meters

After a day spent fine-tuning my 40m indoor dipole (plus an aborted attempt to mount it outside near the house) I got the SWR down to about 1.5/1, but realized that with the added length to improve SWR the antenna is just too unwieldy for indoor installation. I even tried running the extended length out the windows! That's when I knew I had taken it as far as I could. Time to step back and reconsider.

So, I went ahead and cut a quarter-wave 20m dipole (a bit over 16 feet long in total). SWR was perfect and mounting it up near the ceiling was simple. No bending!

Got on the IC 706-MKII running QRP at about 0200Z and immediately heard (but did not work) stations in Alaska, Texas and Indiana under clear, mild wx conditions. The antenna (14-gage insulated, stranded copper) is oriented roughly broadside to SW - NE.

I'm looking forward to operating later tonight to see if I can actually work some stations, especially now that there is actually some sunspot activity.

2009 Spokane Hamfest

Although I've been continuously licensed since 1969 the Spokane Hamfest was my first.

It seemed like a pretty modest affair, but I thoroughly enjoyed it because it got me back in touch with my early roots in amateur radio. I attended several sessions.

The first was by K7MM, Dan Ransom: QRP Contesting University.

There were about 20 folks in the session. I was impressed with the strong interest in QRP operating. Dan did a fine job touching on many of the finer points of QRP contesting, from multiple perspectives including propagation, equipment, antennas, logging software, and operating.

He really made a strong case for why QRP can be so much fun and a good challenge. As he repeated throughout the session, "Remember, you are LOUD." And he had us all repeating that throughout the session. I have to admit, it's a great way to think about yourself as a QRP station. Ultimately, as Dan said, it gets down to understanding the interplay of propagation, skilled listening, using good antennas and expert operating technique.

I was intrigued by Dan's description of what he called a "bobtail" antenna, basically a longwire with quarter wavelength "tails" dropping down at quarter wavelength intervals. The "tails" give the longwire gain off its end by acting as directors. Can't wait to set one up!

All in all a very lively and information session. Thanks, Dan!

Next session was "When Giants Walked the Bands", a fascinating presentation by LaMar Ray, WA7LT. The presentation was an amazing collection of photographs from the 1950s to the mid 1980s showing the growth and development of multi-multi (multi-operators / multiu-transmitters) contesting in the US. It was fabulous to see shots of vintage gear, and ham shacks. But the real stars of the show were the unbelievable antennas and towers these fellows built. Have to be seen to be believed. Great stuff!

As for the hamfest itself, here's a look at the main floor with all the tables set up:

At one of the tables a guy a a complete HW-9 set: transceiver, antenna tuner, and

power supply. The HW-9 was the my first kit and I still regret that I lost track of

my rig over the years. But, great memories seeing this equipment.

Follow-on to 2005 paper on sunspots, solar wind and Propagation

New research finds that the number of sunspots provides an incomplete measure of changes in the Sun's impact on Earth over the course of the 11-year solar cycle. The study, led by scientists at the High Altitude Observatory of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the University of Michigan, finds that Earth was bombarded last year with high levels of solar energy at a time when the Sun was in an unusually quiet phase and sunspots had virtually disappeared.

Scientists previously thought that the streams largely disappeared as the solar cycle approached minimum. But when the study team compared measurements within the current solar minimum interval, taken in 2008, with measurements of the last solar minimum in 1996, they found that Earth in 2008 was continuing to resonate with the effects of the streams. Although the current solar minimum has fewer sunspots than any minimum in 75 years, the Sun's effect on Earth's outer radiation belt, as measured by electron fluxes, was more than three times greater last year than in 1996.

When the solar cycle was at a minimum level in 1996, the Sun sprayed Earth with relatively few, weak high-speed streams containing turbulent magnetic fields (left). In contrast, the Sun bombarded Earth with stronger and longer-lasting streams last year (right) even though the solar cycle was again at a minimum level. The streams affected Earth's outer radiation belt, posing a threat to earth-orbiting satellites, and triggered space weather disturbances, lighting up auroras in the sky at higher latitudes. (Illustration by Janet Kozyra with images from NASA, courtesy Journal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics.)

Original article

If you want to really understand the interaction of solar activity and HF propagation read this very well written article by Paul Harden, NA5N. The 8-page PDF is a paper presented at the 2005 Dayton Hamfest FDIM Symposium and is entitled, "Solar Acitivty & HF Propagation". Paul provides excellent diagrams, examples and explanations in a style that's very accessible. He also offers valuable insights for QRP operators. This is a must read paper.

Lofty goal

One of my goals over the next year is to operate QRP from as many
3,000+ foot mountains/buttes around my area as possible.

My gear will include homebrew antennas and a highly portable kit-based
xcvr. Still have not decided which rig I'm going to build but I'm
considering Elecraft, Hendricks, MFJ and several others.

I want to keep the set-up as simple and lightweight as possible as
some expeditions we be done on foot or on a bicycle.

QSO

Date: 17 SEP 09
Time: 2109 GMT-7
Freq: 7.001
Mode: A1

Call: NH7O
His RST: 339
My RST: 439
QTH: Hana, HI
Name: Al

Ant: Indoor dipole
Rig: Icom IC706MKII
Pwr: QRP

Cndx: Hvy QRN & QSB
Wx: Clear and mild

Comments: More activity on 40m tonight. Heard stations in AZ, CA & MD. Good to see the approach of the equinox...now if we can get some sun spots.

QSO

Date: 16 SEP 09
Time: 2140 GMT-8
Freq: 7.026
Mode: A1

Call: K6LEC
RST: 459
QTH: Los Angeles
Name: Len

Ant: Indoor dipole
Rig: Icom IC706MKII
Pwr: QRP

Cndx: Hvy QRN & QSB
Wx: Clear and mild

Comments: Also heard a station from Kansas City, Kansas. Called him but he did not hear my signal.

Operating mobile

One of the reasons I want to build a highly portable QRP rig is so I can operate mobile from a bicycle. The area where I live in North Idaho offers many biking trails, like the Palouse Trail, and the Hiawatha Trail, where it's easy to pull off, set up and operate mobile.

I still need to devise portable antennas for HF, 6m and 2m, but a lot of the antenna work I'm doing around the house is giving me ideas, since I'm pretty much forced to devise antennas that are lightweight, compact and easy to set-up and take down. I'm reading Lew McCoy's book on antennas which has good ideas on design and construction techniques.

The bike I ride now is actually my Dad's old Fuji which he bought in the late 1960s or early 1970s. It's old but rides well. The major drawback to using it to operate mobile is that it's a touring road bike with narrow tires, not good for riding on unpaved surfaces. At some point I'll have to get a good off-road bike. But for now the Fuji is fine.

I could probably operate mobile now with the IC 706MKII but I need to obtain gel cells for power. The motorcycle battery I'm using is not practical for mobile operation on a bike. Ideally, I'd like to obtain some kind of flexible, portable solar panel for power, but that technology is still a bit pricey for my budget.

Antenna down

Awoke this morning to the sound of my indoor dipole popping off the wall. The 3M Command strips I'd use to mount the antenna to the walls are obviously not up to the job. I was using them to avoid putting nails into the walls.

I guess that's more motivation to figure out how to grow an antenna farm in the attic. The first part of that solution is to figure out how to move around in an attic with 18 inches of blown-in insulation on the floor, which has no floor boards and no artificial or natural lighting.

Sounds like a weekend project.

QSO

DATE: 13 SEP 09

TIME: 2125 GMT -8

FREQ: 07.027 MHz

CALL: WA6PBJ

QTH: Grass Valley, CA

NAME: Dave

BAND CONDX: Heavy QRN, QSB

MODE: A1

PWR: QRP

WX: Partly cloudy, 70s

ANT: Dipole mounted indoors @ 25 feet

RIG: Icom IC-706MKII

QSO

DATE: 13 SEP 09 | TIME: 2110 GMT -8 | FREQ: 07.004 MHz

CALL: KH7XS | QTH: Laupahoihoi, HI | RST: 579 | NAME: Unknown

BAND CONDX: QRN, QSB | MODE: A1 | PWR: QRP | WX: Clear, 70s

ANT: Dipole mounted indoors @ 25 feet | RIG: Icom IC-706MKII

Elmers make a difference

One evening, about 6 months ago, my wife and I had dinner at a
friend's home in Idaho. I knew he was active in the radio club at work
but hadn't really thought too much about it but was curious to see his
operating position.

At one point in the evening he was showing us his home and he briefly
showed me his modest station. I don't know what happened but from that
point I knew I wanted to become active in ham radio again after about
a 20 year break.

I thought my license had expired so I bought study guides to prepare
for the technician and general class exams. I studied hard for weeks.
Then, a few days before the exam I decided, on a whim, to check the
FCC database to see if I was still listed.

To my shock I discovered my license had not expired! So, I turned my
efforts toward upgrading to Extra Class. I passed on the first try and
couldn't wait to get on the air. Unfortunately I lost all my radio
gear somewhere between New England and the Pacific Northwest. My HW-9,
SWR meter, signal strength meter, multimeter, etc. were history.

That's where my Elmer came. He graciously loaned me his Icom
IC706MKII, 50 feet of coax and a balun to get me started.

The icing on the cake was changing my call from KG8DH to N7RCS in
honor of my Dad.

I've since joined the radio clubs at work and in town and am really
enjoying being back on the air again running QRP CW.

Elmers do make a difference. Thanks!

40m continues to amaze

Tonight at 2110 GMT-8 I worked KH7XS (Hawaii) I was running QRP on
7.004 MHz into an indoor dipole about 25 feet off the ground. Wow.

Preparing to build my first kit

I'm preparing to build a QRP transceiver from a kit. Over the past few months I've been learning about the tools I'll need and gathering tips on building from fellow hams. I'm trying to buy the best tools and equipment I can afford with the thinking that I'll get better results and can avoid buying tools two or three times if I go too cheap. So far I've gotten an ESD -safe Hakko soldering station with adjustable temperature. I've obtained several ESD-safe tools like screw drivers, probes and tweezers that are lightweight and meant for doing light kit construction work. I also obtained an anti-static mat with a ground strip and a grounding clip to minimize electro-static discharges from myself while kit building. My shack is in a room with a pile rug and with the dry air in this part of the country I figure ESD could be a significant issue when I'm assembling electronic kits.

I chose Kester, rosin-core eutectic lead solder over the more standard 60-40 blend because eutectic solders are easier to work with from the perspective that eutectic solders go from a solid to liquid to solid with almost no transitional plasma state.

I also picked up a third hand tool with a magnifying glass which has already come in handy for work in which you need to hold the soldering iron while trying to join to parts. Invaluable aid at the work bench.

My initial goal is to build some small kits before attempting the transceiver in order to perfect my soldering technique.

I still need to purchase a good Digital Multi Meter and am planning to go with a Fluke 100 series (140 or 150). These cost more, but in the long run they are built better and will be the first and last DMM I'll need to buy ever. So it's worth it to me to pay good money up front.

Two more tools I bought: a good paid of small cutters for clipping leads close to circuit boards and a small pair of needle nose pliers for bending leads, reaching into small spaces and picking up parts. Both are ESD safe as well.

More later.

First contact in over 20 years!

On Thursday evening, September 10, 2009 I had my first QSO in over 20 years. The station was KE6GG in Fremont, CA. I was operating on 40 meters from my home in Moscow, ID running QRP from an Icom IC-706MKII into a homebrew dipole strung up inside the second floor of my home. I was so excited I forgot to note the frequency and the QSO was cut short when my power supply (a motorcycle battery) ran low on power. All the same it was great to get back on the air again.