I have not been active on the bands lately. I hope to fix all of that after the start of the new year.
Until then have a safe and happy holiday season. Best wishes to you and your's.
72 and talk to you soon!
Steve
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
November PBMME
I will not be able to operate in the Polar Bear event today. My Marine Corps turned 234 years old on November 10th and we are celebrating tonight. The birthday ball is a time honored tradition amongst Marines and is ALWAYS a good time!
So while I toast one (or more) to the Marine Corps tonight, I will make sure to sneak one in for all of you guys out on the ice shelf. Best of luck and 72!
Steve
So while I toast one (or more) to the Marine Corps tonight, I will make sure to sneak one in for all of you guys out on the ice shelf. Best of luck and 72!
Steve
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Hurricane Ida Postmortem
All is well in Baker, FL. We had minimal wind and maximum rain! No damage to report. Hope to be QRP/p soon. Will keep you updated. 72!
Steve
Steve
Monday, November 9, 2009
Hurricane Ida
Hurricane Ida is due to hit some time tonight. My house is in the area of the Northeast quadrant of the storm. I don't believe that it will be too bad but never the less.
I will have my Sierra setup in the garage. I have a 40M dipole in the attic for this specific purpose. She does not run much power and the antenna is not the greatest but it is something.
I do not have a 2M rig in the house so in the event that power/phones go out I will be using that setup as my communication means. Please consider monitoring 7.040+/- because this is where I will be in the event of any emergency communication needs.
Best of luck and see you when the dust settles.
Steve
I will have my Sierra setup in the garage. I have a 40M dipole in the attic for this specific purpose. She does not run much power and the antenna is not the greatest but it is something.
I do not have a 2M rig in the house so in the event that power/phones go out I will be using that setup as my communication means. Please consider monitoring 7.040+/- because this is where I will be in the event of any emergency communication needs.
Best of luck and see you when the dust settles.
Steve
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
AC/DC THIS FRIDAY!!!
I'm headed to Jacksonville, FL this Friday to see my all time favorite band, AC/DC. Will catch up with you when I get back.
Steve
Steve
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Snakes, Family & Ham Radio
Quick update with interesting pictures from the river this past Sunday. With the PA QSO Party going it was no suprise that all of my contacts were from PA. The following stations are listed in my log book. All contacts were made on 20m CW.
KC3M - PA QSOP
KA3BMV - PA QSOP
K3QIA - PA QSOP
N3BNA - PA QSOP
K3CHR - John from Philadelphia & fellow QRPer. John was using a FT-817. It sounded good John and keep up the good work!
Conditions were good. The PA stations were like shooting fish in a barrel!
Ann, Tyler & Sand Castle
On the way home from the river we ran into a very ornery fellow. When we pulled up he wouldn't look at us. When I asked him how he was doing he gave me a "come any closer and you're dead" look. So I gave him plenty of space.
He was an Eastern Diamondback. He was about 3' long (small) and had aproximately 4 rattles. I have mentioned before on this blog how much I like snakes. My opinon hasn't changed.
Hope you enjoy and 72!
Steve
KC3M - PA QSOP
KA3BMV - PA QSOP
K3QIA - PA QSOP
N3BNA - PA QSOP
K3CHR - John from Philadelphia & fellow QRPer. John was using a FT-817. It sounded good John and keep up the good work!
Conditions were good. The PA stations were like shooting fish in a barrel!
Ann, Tyler & Sand Castle
On the way home from the river we ran into a very ornery fellow. When we pulled up he wouldn't look at us. When I asked him how he was doing he gave me a "come any closer and you're dead" look. So I gave him plenty of space.
He was an Eastern Diamondback. He was about 3' long (small) and had aproximately 4 rattles. I have mentioned before on this blog how much I like snakes. My opinon hasn't changed.
Hope you enjoy and 72!
Steve
Sunday, October 4, 2009
October PBMME
We made it to our spot on the river and had a heck of a good time. Since the kid's return from Oregon & Washington we have not been able to get to the river. Starting in July we have had lots of rain that has kept the river high. I won't let the kids swim in the river when it is high for obvious reasons.
Our drive in was eventful. I have mentioned before that to get to the spot on the river you have to drive through the bottoms to get there. There are a few bumpy, muddy, deep etc holes to pass to get there. They are not anywhere close to the worst roads I have driven but yesterday they made their case for it.
We worked our way in like always. 4WD High for a couple of the holes and 4Low for the bad one.
The last one was deep! Usually there is not much water in it or it is fairly hard bottomed. Not anymore. This hole has been rutted up and the mud is really thick. You drive up and then immediatly down to get through it. The "down" is at a steep angle and with nasty mud waiting for you it requires a bit of speed vs creeping through it. We heard a thud as we passed through the hole. Reba shot me a dirty look!
From there it is easy sailing. We arrived and setup all of our gear. Before I can think about the radio I have to get the chairs, umbrellas, cooler and shovels setup. If I were to reverse these steps I would be in deep Kim Chee!
The kids were thrilled to be back at the river and they wasted no time jumping in. The went to their favorite log and started doing their "1,2,3...JUMP!!!" game that they play.
Meanwhile I made it over to my operating position and got started on my setup. Reba had the camera and snapped the pictures of the setup.
Setting up my antenna launcher. Setup consists of a water bottle, rope and the "Armstrong Method".
Antenna launcher in action.
Once the rope was in the trees all I had to do was tie off and pull the antenna up. The antenna for the day was 44' doublet fed with Radio Shack twin lead.
After I finished the setup I tuned up on 20M. I couldn't believe how much activity was centered around 14.060mhz. CQP was all I could hear. I did not check the contest calender prior to leaving the house so I had no idea what was going on. For all I knew these guys were looking for Portable Operaters. Either way there wasn't a whole lot of room for us PB's.
I was about to change bands when I heard a "CQ CQ CQ PB". THIS WAS GREAT! It was Martin VA3SIE/VE2 PB#20. I replyed and he came right back to me. He sent me a 559 RST and I sent him the same. Martin's KX-1 was sounding great! We had an great ragchew. Martin mentioned that it was 17C, hot and sunny. I got a chuckle because I guess in Canada in October that is a bit warm. This was the best PB QSO I've had to date. QSB was not terrible and it was not a generic conversation. Thank you for the QSO Martin.
By this point the kids were really starting to get loud in their log jumping game. I decided to run full speed in and join them. The weather has been freezing lately. 85F highs during the day and 50's at night. Well I forgot all about that during my run into the water. I was reminded instantly. The water was cold! I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin! For some reason Ann & Ty thought this was really funny.
Once I had my fill of cold water I got out. I decided a cold beer and more PBMME was what I needed. I sat down and tuned up on 30M this time to avoid the mad house of CQPers. I found some room on 10.115.5mhz and gave a couple of "CQ CQ CQ PB PB". Just like clockwork Aaron N9SKN PB #126 replyed back. I really enjoy a QSO with Aaron. I sent him a 559 RST and received the same. We had a great chance to talk about the weather, antennas and our radios. Aaron knew where I was and asked how the family was doing. It was about that time that the skeeters showed up in full force. I was trying to work my keyer and kill mosquitos at the same time. I am certain that my CW reflected my inability to do two things at the same time. Thanks for hanging in there with me Aaron.
In QSO with N9SKN wishing the skeeters would leave me alone.
It was starting to get on in the day so I made it a point to play with the kids some more. I didn't want the radio to eat up all of my time. We played in the sand, and I punished myself by jumping back in the freezing Blackwater River. With the sun falling below the tops of the trees I decided to get out of the water and start to pack it up.
After the pack up we headed out. When we arrived back to the bad mud hole I noticed something in the road. It was a black plastic piece.
I got out to see what it was. After all I did hear a "thud" on our way in.
Oh great! The front license plate had come off!
Ann, Tyler and I thought it was pretty funny. Reba didn't. We made it home with no problems. Everyone was tired so the mission was accomplished! I was really happy to get out with the family and do some QRP/p ops.
The bands were in good shape here in Florida. I didn't hear near as many PB's as I had hoped but I got two great ragchew QSO's with two really cool PB's. Equipment today was:
Rig: PFR-3
Ant: 44' Doublet w/twin lead feeder
Key: PFR key from Hendricks
Hope to hear you next time and 72!
Steve
Our drive in was eventful. I have mentioned before that to get to the spot on the river you have to drive through the bottoms to get there. There are a few bumpy, muddy, deep etc holes to pass to get there. They are not anywhere close to the worst roads I have driven but yesterday they made their case for it.
We worked our way in like always. 4WD High for a couple of the holes and 4Low for the bad one.
The last one was deep! Usually there is not much water in it or it is fairly hard bottomed. Not anymore. This hole has been rutted up and the mud is really thick. You drive up and then immediatly down to get through it. The "down" is at a steep angle and with nasty mud waiting for you it requires a bit of speed vs creeping through it. We heard a thud as we passed through the hole. Reba shot me a dirty look!
From there it is easy sailing. We arrived and setup all of our gear. Before I can think about the radio I have to get the chairs, umbrellas, cooler and shovels setup. If I were to reverse these steps I would be in deep Kim Chee!
The kids were thrilled to be back at the river and they wasted no time jumping in. The went to their favorite log and started doing their "1,2,3...JUMP!!!" game that they play.
Meanwhile I made it over to my operating position and got started on my setup. Reba had the camera and snapped the pictures of the setup.
Setting up my antenna launcher. Setup consists of a water bottle, rope and the "Armstrong Method".
Antenna launcher in action.
Once the rope was in the trees all I had to do was tie off and pull the antenna up. The antenna for the day was 44' doublet fed with Radio Shack twin lead.
After I finished the setup I tuned up on 20M. I couldn't believe how much activity was centered around 14.060mhz. CQP was all I could hear. I did not check the contest calender prior to leaving the house so I had no idea what was going on. For all I knew these guys were looking for Portable Operaters. Either way there wasn't a whole lot of room for us PB's.
I was about to change bands when I heard a "CQ CQ CQ PB". THIS WAS GREAT! It was Martin VA3SIE/VE2 PB#20. I replyed and he came right back to me. He sent me a 559 RST and I sent him the same. Martin's KX-1 was sounding great! We had an great ragchew. Martin mentioned that it was 17C, hot and sunny. I got a chuckle because I guess in Canada in October that is a bit warm. This was the best PB QSO I've had to date. QSB was not terrible and it was not a generic conversation. Thank you for the QSO Martin.
By this point the kids were really starting to get loud in their log jumping game. I decided to run full speed in and join them. The weather has been freezing lately. 85F highs during the day and 50's at night. Well I forgot all about that during my run into the water. I was reminded instantly. The water was cold! I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin! For some reason Ann & Ty thought this was really funny.
Once I had my fill of cold water I got out. I decided a cold beer and more PBMME was what I needed. I sat down and tuned up on 30M this time to avoid the mad house of CQPers. I found some room on 10.115.5mhz and gave a couple of "CQ CQ CQ PB PB". Just like clockwork Aaron N9SKN PB #126 replyed back. I really enjoy a QSO with Aaron. I sent him a 559 RST and received the same. We had a great chance to talk about the weather, antennas and our radios. Aaron knew where I was and asked how the family was doing. It was about that time that the skeeters showed up in full force. I was trying to work my keyer and kill mosquitos at the same time. I am certain that my CW reflected my inability to do two things at the same time. Thanks for hanging in there with me Aaron.
In QSO with N9SKN wishing the skeeters would leave me alone.
It was starting to get on in the day so I made it a point to play with the kids some more. I didn't want the radio to eat up all of my time. We played in the sand, and I punished myself by jumping back in the freezing Blackwater River. With the sun falling below the tops of the trees I decided to get out of the water and start to pack it up.
After the pack up we headed out. When we arrived back to the bad mud hole I noticed something in the road. It was a black plastic piece.
I got out to see what it was. After all I did hear a "thud" on our way in.
Oh great! The front license plate had come off!
Ann, Tyler and I thought it was pretty funny. Reba didn't. We made it home with no problems. Everyone was tired so the mission was accomplished! I was really happy to get out with the family and do some QRP/p ops.
The bands were in good shape here in Florida. I didn't hear near as many PB's as I had hoped but I got two great ragchew QSO's with two really cool PB's. Equipment today was:
Rig: PFR-3
Ant: 44' Doublet w/twin lead feeder
Key: PFR key from Hendricks
Hope to hear you next time and 72!
Steve
Monday, September 28, 2009
River Ops This Weekend
The plan is to be on the river this weekend with the family. As long as the weather cooperates I do not foresee anything changing the plan. I plan on making a QSO with Kelly K4UPG. Kelly is a fellow QRP guy and his website is http://k4upg.com/ . We both have Wilderness Sierra QRP rigs http://www.fix.net/~jparker/wilderness/sierra.htm . The goal is to get a Sierra to Sierra QSO. I'll also have the PFR-3 out with me. I hope to hear you on the air and of course a full report will be posted after we get back. 72!
Steve
Steve
Monday, August 24, 2009
Oregon/Washington Trip
What a great 10 days back home! I flew out of New Orleans on August 12th bound for Portland, OR and returned to Florida on August 23rd. The main purpose of the trip was to pick up the kids and bring them home from their summer up in Oregon. I love getting back to my home. The weather, people and scenery can't be beat! The weather was perfect. I also took the kids along with lots of my family to some of the best places in western Oregon and Washington.
I arrived late on Wed the 12th. My Dad picked me up from the airport. I was amazed at how much cooler the weather was than in Florida. This summer has been a hot one in NW Florida. I had to get my fleece out of my luggage to keep from freezing to death. The temp was around 58f that night! As soon as we got to my parent's place I went to bed. I was tired from traveling.
The next morning my Dad dropped me off at Ham Radio Outlet in Portland, OR. I was waiting for my father in law to pick me up. He is a recently licensed ham. He is Mike KF7EFU from Eugene, OR. I had a good time looking around the store while waiting for him to arrive. I took the oppurtunity to show the guys my PFR-3 which they liked. Once Mike showed up we walked around the store and I explained everything to him. From there we loaded up and went to Eugene where the XYL's family lives.
I spent the next few days with the kids running around the Oregon coast and Willamette Valley. I always make it a point to head over to Florence, OR to see the beaches and beautiful coast line. The huge trees, hills and sheer cliffs above the ocean are an amazing sight. Ann has been hounding us to death for a couple of years to take her to the Sea Lion Caves. I finally gave in and took her. We also went to Bob Creek. This is a spot on the beach north of Florence, OR that has some great tide pools for the kids to explore.
Ann taking a moment to pose at the Sea Lion Caves.
Neat picture of the inside of the cave.
Heceta Head Lighthouse from inside the caves.
Bob Creek
Tyler and Daddy at the tide pools.
Ann posing again.
From Oregon the kids and I went back to Washington where my family lives. We spent the next two days in Woodland, WA on the Columbia River in their RV. The RV site was very nice and it was located right on the river. I was able to get on the air twice while there. While the conditions were tough the following pictures will show you how much fun it was to get on the air.
Tyler and Daddy making contacts on the Columbia River.
Sunset on the Columbia River
During the two days that we were in Woodland my Dad and I took the kids to the Johnston Observatory at Mount St. Helens. More info is located here http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/NatMonument/PointsInterest/johnston_ridge.html . What a truly amazing place! We also took Ann & Tyler to the Portland Zoo. The kids had a great time and Tyler had a chance to see his favorite animal of them all. The elephant.
Mt St. Helens from the Johnston Observatory
Elephants at the Portland Zoo.
Tyler on the train at the zoo.
From Woodland we went up to Forks, WA. Forks sits way up on the NW side of the Olympic Penninsula. If you like rain, rivers, trees and everything green then this is the place for you. It is truly an amazing place. My Dad and I took the kids to Rialto Beach and The Hoh Rainforest while we were there. More information on the Olympic Penninsula can be found here http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm and here http://www.olympicpeninsula.org/ .
Driving through Aberdeen, WA.
Me and the Welcome to Forks sign.
]
Main St. Forks, WA
Ann & Tyler in front of the truck used in the movie "Twilight"
Pictures of Rialto Beach.
Ann posing on a HUGE piece of driftwood.
Ann showing off her driftwood house.
Tyler enjoying the driftwood.
W6EOD at Rialto Beach.
Sunset at Rialto.
My Dad and Tyler the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center sign.
Hoh River
Tyler trying to climb a 200' spruce tree.
Phone booth at the Hoh Rainforest visitor center. Remember that this place gets 100+ inches of rain every year!
Pictures of us on the Hall of Mosses trail.
This trip was definitely about being with family and having a good time. I did enjoy the small amount of time I spent on my PFR-3. I managed a few contacts into Texas and the midwest. One thing that really supprised me about making contacts up in the NW is how much quieter the bands are than back home in Florida. I know that the Pacific NW doesn't have nearly the amount of hams as 4 land, but I never expected there to be that little activity.
Awesome trip back to my home state. It was also a great opportunity to spend the time with my family that I don't get very often. Hope you enjoy the read and hope to work you soon. 72!
Steve
I arrived late on Wed the 12th. My Dad picked me up from the airport. I was amazed at how much cooler the weather was than in Florida. This summer has been a hot one in NW Florida. I had to get my fleece out of my luggage to keep from freezing to death. The temp was around 58f that night! As soon as we got to my parent's place I went to bed. I was tired from traveling.
The next morning my Dad dropped me off at Ham Radio Outlet in Portland, OR. I was waiting for my father in law to pick me up. He is a recently licensed ham. He is Mike KF7EFU from Eugene, OR. I had a good time looking around the store while waiting for him to arrive. I took the oppurtunity to show the guys my PFR-3 which they liked. Once Mike showed up we walked around the store and I explained everything to him. From there we loaded up and went to Eugene where the XYL's family lives.
I spent the next few days with the kids running around the Oregon coast and Willamette Valley. I always make it a point to head over to Florence, OR to see the beaches and beautiful coast line. The huge trees, hills and sheer cliffs above the ocean are an amazing sight. Ann has been hounding us to death for a couple of years to take her to the Sea Lion Caves. I finally gave in and took her. We also went to Bob Creek. This is a spot on the beach north of Florence, OR that has some great tide pools for the kids to explore.
Ann taking a moment to pose at the Sea Lion Caves.
Neat picture of the inside of the cave.
Heceta Head Lighthouse from inside the caves.
Bob Creek
Tyler and Daddy at the tide pools.
Ann posing again.
From Oregon the kids and I went back to Washington where my family lives. We spent the next two days in Woodland, WA on the Columbia River in their RV. The RV site was very nice and it was located right on the river. I was able to get on the air twice while there. While the conditions were tough the following pictures will show you how much fun it was to get on the air.
Tyler and Daddy making contacts on the Columbia River.
Sunset on the Columbia River
During the two days that we were in Woodland my Dad and I took the kids to the Johnston Observatory at Mount St. Helens. More info is located here http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/NatMonument/PointsInterest/johnston_ridge.html . What a truly amazing place! We also took Ann & Tyler to the Portland Zoo. The kids had a great time and Tyler had a chance to see his favorite animal of them all. The elephant.
Mt St. Helens from the Johnston Observatory
Elephants at the Portland Zoo.
Tyler on the train at the zoo.
From Woodland we went up to Forks, WA. Forks sits way up on the NW side of the Olympic Penninsula. If you like rain, rivers, trees and everything green then this is the place for you. It is truly an amazing place. My Dad and I took the kids to Rialto Beach and The Hoh Rainforest while we were there. More information on the Olympic Penninsula can be found here http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm and here http://www.olympicpeninsula.org/ .
Driving through Aberdeen, WA.
Me and the Welcome to Forks sign.
]Main St. Forks, WA
Ann & Tyler in front of the truck used in the movie "Twilight"
Pictures of Rialto Beach.
Ann posing on a HUGE piece of driftwood.
Ann showing off her driftwood house.
Tyler enjoying the driftwood.
W6EOD at Rialto Beach.
Sunset at Rialto.
My Dad and Tyler the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center sign.
Hoh River
Tyler trying to climb a 200' spruce tree.
Phone booth at the Hoh Rainforest visitor center. Remember that this place gets 100+ inches of rain every year!
Pictures of us on the Hall of Mosses trail.
This trip was definitely about being with family and having a good time. I did enjoy the small amount of time I spent on my PFR-3. I managed a few contacts into Texas and the midwest. One thing that really supprised me about making contacts up in the NW is how much quieter the bands are than back home in Florida. I know that the Pacific NW doesn't have nearly the amount of hams as 4 land, but I never expected there to be that little activity.
Awesome trip back to my home state. It was also a great opportunity to spend the time with my family that I don't get very often. Hope you enjoy the read and hope to work you soon. 72!
Steve
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Water falls near Gotemba, Japan
