After procrastinating for a long time, I've almost got my last batch of QSL cards ready to mail. I have somewhere between 20-30 stateside cards to mail. All the overseas cards went out about 2 weeks ago, and I got one from France at the end of last week. I'm expecting cards from several other countries in that part of Europe, as well as from Mexico, as well as one more hardcopy card from the ILLW event. At least I hope so, considering the amount of postage I spent money on...
Back in the summer, I sent one guy an IRC and SAE. I won't name him by name. I never got a card back from him, and he didn't email me. Later, I discovered that he only does Buro. If somebody accident sends me a card, not knowing that, and I only do Buro, I'd feel an obligation to make an exception and take that IRC to the post office and send the person a card. At the very least, I'd email that person and explain. Anyway, to get the country, I guess I'll either have to pay $2 and send one card to the Buro, or not get the card from Italy (if that were the country). That's my gripe for the day.
I suppose I'll start sending cards via the Buro, but I'd like to get my foreign DX cards built up a bit. I have had good luck with Canada. With one reminder letter, I've had 100% so far. eQSL cards are another story. I can't get my printer to not cut the edges off. So, I usually end up sending a card to them anyway. I have noticed that nobody ever sends me a card first. Wonder why that is?
The last thought for the day: The Bureau is referred to as the Burro as it is slow. However, it is usually spelled Buro. Any ideas why?
Merry Christmas!
Steve
About Me
- Steve, KJ4KKI
- Welcome to my little piece of the cyberworld. I am an Amateur Extra Class ham radio operator from Kentucky. In addition to ham radio, other interests include paddling kayaks and canoes, camping, flyfishing, shooting and photography...I am a major Jimmy Buffett fan (fans are known as Parrotheads). But, location, work and finances sort of got in the way of being a beach bum as a career. I am also an animal lover and have several pets. I also have a Facebook page at steve.kj4kki.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Recent Events
Well, the last month or so hasn't been totally productive. No major ham events to report...just an update. I of course aggravated my torn meniscus in my knee climbing my tower, thus making any new climbs in the near future out of the question. We decided that we didn't like where my OCFD was so, a friend was going to change it. He injured his leg. Then, I got the Par OA-50 and as we can't get up the tower, it will be on a painter pole, hoping for some luck.
O.K., then I get to feeling crappy and my legs start to bother me. Turns out I had cellulitis in both legs = trip to hospital and light duty for several weeks. So, I'm hobbling around with wraps on my legs and ankles to keep them stable, as I realize both how much money I didn't make during my time off, and how huge the hospital bill will be.
The good news is that I finally got a QSL card from one of my very first DX contacts in the Ukraine. I had forgotten about him as it had been so long. I also got a neat card for a maritime mobile contact during museum ships weekend. I was looking at my own log, and the stack of contacts that I've never sent QSL cards to is scary. I guess I'll have to devote a few hours to it until they get mailed.
Anyway, it's now November; Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. That means turkey, stuffing, pumpkin and pecan pie! Oh, let's not forget Black Friday sales. Anyway, I hope everybody has a great rest of the year, and holiday seasons.
73,
Steve
O.K., then I get to feeling crappy and my legs start to bother me. Turns out I had cellulitis in both legs = trip to hospital and light duty for several weeks. So, I'm hobbling around with wraps on my legs and ankles to keep them stable, as I realize both how much money I didn't make during my time off, and how huge the hospital bill will be.
The good news is that I finally got a QSL card from one of my very first DX contacts in the Ukraine. I had forgotten about him as it had been so long. I also got a neat card for a maritime mobile contact during museum ships weekend. I was looking at my own log, and the stack of contacts that I've never sent QSL cards to is scary. I guess I'll have to devote a few hours to it until they get mailed.
Anyway, it's now November; Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. That means turkey, stuffing, pumpkin and pecan pie! Oh, let's not forget Black Friday sales. Anyway, I hope everybody has a great rest of the year, and holiday seasons.
73,
Steve
Thursday, September 1, 2011
20 Meter EndFedz Works Great
I did some more experimenting with my EndFedz. I finally got the standoff at the top of my tower, so I fastened it to the rope and pulled it up to the pulley. At about 32 feet high and sloping to about 15 feet, I made some successful QSOs from Mexico City to California, to Maine and to Europe. I checked in on the Maritime, SATERN and Intercon nets.
Regarding SWR, I haven't used an analyzer yet, but I measured it, used it with a tuner for a while just in case the SWR was a bit high (no, a tuner won't hurt it; you don't need one). After a while, I shortened it by an inch or so, and my FT-450 meter only shows one bar when I key and talk.
To test it further, I started at the top of the band, and went all the way through the data section with the tuner. It tuned it without any problems, so I know it was under a 3:1 SWR. With a stated SWR of 1.5:1 for 300 kHz, that goes to within 50 kHz of the bottom of the 20 meter band. It seems logical that it will perform sufficiently to the bottom edge, given that small amount of difference.
At QRP, the Maritime Net gave me a a copy, but the band static and other stations made it difficult to copy all of my call sign. Cranking it up to 100 watts solved that problem.
I plan on trying it out in the different configurations, such as an L, horizontal, and vertical as soon as I can. I suspect using it as an L would give it more of a directional approach, but don't quote me on that... I'd also like to see how much adjusting the takeoff angle actually affects it, as well as height above ground. The direction it is pointed as a sloper does seem to affect the direction somewhat. I'll update the blog as I get more results to share.
Regarding SWR, I haven't used an analyzer yet, but I measured it, used it with a tuner for a while just in case the SWR was a bit high (no, a tuner won't hurt it; you don't need one). After a while, I shortened it by an inch or so, and my FT-450 meter only shows one bar when I key and talk.
To test it further, I started at the top of the band, and went all the way through the data section with the tuner. It tuned it without any problems, so I know it was under a 3:1 SWR. With a stated SWR of 1.5:1 for 300 kHz, that goes to within 50 kHz of the bottom of the 20 meter band. It seems logical that it will perform sufficiently to the bottom edge, given that small amount of difference.
At QRP, the Maritime Net gave me a a copy, but the band static and other stations made it difficult to copy all of my call sign. Cranking it up to 100 watts solved that problem.
I plan on trying it out in the different configurations, such as an L, horizontal, and vertical as soon as I can. I suspect using it as an L would give it more of a directional approach, but don't quote me on that... I'd also like to see how much adjusting the takeoff angle actually affects it, as well as height above ground. The direction it is pointed as a sloper does seem to affect the direction somewhat. I'll update the blog as I get more results to share.
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