Computerized Rig Control Video - How I do it

This is me doing a show and tell of my rig/computer setup. 


Having the rig control is an advantage to me because I am visually impaired and the computer can magnify elements of the radio making operation much easier.


Check it out:

Equipment Suggestions for working Amateur Radio Satellites

W3MAT describes the equipment he uses for working the 'birds'.

For Sale, by Me

If you are a contester or belong to a contest club, this mug may please you and/or your friends.


I did the artwork and provided fields for you to customize this mug with your name and callsign.


I get a small commission  with each mug sold.  


I have more mugs/t-shirts  and a link to my store, Observations,  on the right hand side of this page.


What you don't see below is the other side of the mug with the D-104 pic and the spot (like I said) for your club call sign.


Mug style and lolors are customizable as well.

Amateur Radio contest Club Mug by Observations
Print photos on mugs at zazzle.

Antenna Video - Using the 'Hope' Mounting System

KB5YEG, Carlos, came bye the shack this weekend and helped me get my IMAX-2000 back in the air.


I am very confident in the mast pole hardware, despite what the 'hope system'' implies.


Thank you, Carlos, for doing most of the work on this.  I really appreciate your efforts; not only on this project, but  over the years in getting me happily radio active.

Fixing Contest Logging Issues

I must say that one of the biggest reasons why I haven't participated in more contests is the logging.

First, you have to have logging software, then you have to be able to convert the log into strange entity known as Cabrillo file.

I have dabbled in contests before, but not to be competitive.  I mainly wanted to figure out how it was done.

Once I entered an IARU  Worldwide contest and won first place for my zone and category.  That said, I sent the Cabrillo file back to the entry point 10 times before it was right.  This part of the contest wasn't exactly fun.

Today I decided to try out the  DXCCSSB contest in which I decided to try a logging program that is new to me.

N1MM is the program.  Many people around my area have told me it is really good, so I attempted to figure it out ... during the contest.

I logged 18 contacts, and the more I logged, the more I felt uneasy about the format I was looking at.

I tried calling all my contesting buddies in the area, but none were available to help me figure out what I was doing wrong.  They were all engaged in the contest and having fun.

I finally was able to get a hold of a ham who set me strait on which contes I should have selected for configuring the contest log entry fields.

THIS IS IMPORTANT!

Bottom line, don't wait until the last minute to figure out your logging software.

Set aside half a day with someone you know who can explain to you how it is done.

73's and Good DX.

My Latest Interest: CW

I've been practicing CW more lately.  In fact, during the Freewheeler's net each evening (for the past week or so) I have been brushing up using a website devoted to the learning  this aspect of our hobby.


If you want to check out the site I've been using, CLICK HERE!


So, yesterday I made a contact with a fellow in Hammond, La.  I was actually able to copy most of his code, and he understood what I was sending.  


Today, I got on 40 meters, and made another CW contact.  This time it was with a person named Lynn in Lansing, MI.  


I had a lot of success taking Lynns code, but toward the end of the QSO, I started losing my concentration..


One of the main things I've learned is that the most difficult part of Copying CW is the idea that I have to concentrate for the entire QSO.  If my concentration  is lost for a second, I miss some letters.


My wife called me on the phone today when I was in the middle of tapping our a response to a question.  My wife sounded a little put off when I told her to hold on a minute.  Ha ha ah


I'm going to keep practicing on that web site linked above.  


I copy the rss headlines a couple times, then I copy the QSO. 


CW is kinda fun.  You aught to check it out, and give it a try.