You're not really a good samaritan when you're using emergency frequencies without authorization. Sounds like he deserves the punishment.
I let my membership expire after they unilaterally cancelled my paper QST. I'm still mad about that, and the steady trickle of other news doesn't make me want to go back.
White Mountains SOTA Adventure
Three of us (AA6XA, KE6MT, N6RUN) spent a few days peakbagging and playing radio in California's White Mountains. The highlight was climbing White Mountain Peak, a 14er. Here are the videos from the trip
Day 1: https://youtu.be/N4vlB0vUXDM
Day 2: https://youtu.be/_MrAtT4pRhI
Day 3: https://youtu.be/XVUOeInevQY
Hope you enjoy!
Quansheng UV-K5
As you've probably heard, the Quansheng UV-K5 is the hot new HT. And there is a good reason it is so popular. I've been having a lot of fun with mine, and I would highly recommend getting one. 2m FM is fun, and 2m SSB or CW is even funner. And if you choose the same firmware to load as I did (uvk5cec), it will transmit APRS and SSTV.
I made a video going over how mine is setup. Hopefully it helps if you have one. And I'm sure there'll be more videos coming with it in use. The CQ VHF contest is just a week away....
Hopefully someone or some other business will buy them. Hate to see them go.
For POTA contacts I'd just fix it.
In a contest that would be cheating.
Some clubs meet in person and on zoom simultaneously, does your local one? I'd get in contact with them anyway, someone might have a loaner rig you can use to get on the air and see what interests you the most.
Parks on the Air and Summits on the Air are popular an a lot of fun, but you'd need a radio first.
With some basic tools you could build your own radio from a kit.
I'd get an SSB capable radio unless you're only interested in FSK modes.
Capacity Hats
I made and tested a couple of capacity hats for my loaded whip antenna to see how they'd do in the real world. Could you use one instead of paying Elecraft for their 40m coil? Maybe. Could you get on 30m and 40m with your KH1 whip? Might be a stretch... https://youtu.be/uYH9yit8jEo
I'm excited to see the new digital modes people bring to ham radio, or invent.
Every time I go out and play radio, I think of a new reason I really need a KH1.
It's pretty easy to create it if you want it. I've made a few communities 🤷♂️
New Elecraft KH1
I assume by now everyone's heard about the new Elecraft KH1 handheld transceiver. Offical Website Wayne N6KR is not a SOTA op, but he seems to know exactly what SOTA ops want.
I was able to hold one and play around a little at Pacificon today. Definitely a nice radio. Most of the internal volume is a giant battery. Due to space limitations, he said not to expect any other bands. But 40-15 is the sweet spot for QRP HF. Lightweight, and even with the whip extended doesn't feel heavy. Probably the closest thing the ham community has to an HT for HF, so far. I wouldn't mind having one; N6KR is a great salesman and engineer. I'm sure there are videos out showing it in action by now. We timed him going from packed to ready to transmit, it took him about 22 seconds. Most of that time was unwinding and tossing out the counterpoise wire.
The receiver is a superhet, similar to the MTR or KX1. Transmitter puts out 5W. There are two antenna conne
Do you really want to run JS8call? JS8Call and the Fundamental Problem with EmComm in Amateur Radio: Why I stopped using JS8 and why I think you should too.
No rain in NorCal, but people down south were making rain scatter contacts.
I made some decent contacts. My setup seems a bit deaf, so I'll have to figure out why.
Yes. Usually one person is on a mountain top, and the other is on a different mountain or the valley. Microwaves are mostly LOS, but can and do go farther. Mt Diablo to Frazier Mountain is a popular path here in CA. Last year I heard people coordinating contracts from Frazier to somewhere near Quartzite.
This weekend might provide a lot of rain scatter opportunities for the SoCal hams.
Yes, it is ham radio. I think some people were planning to go up Potosi, but changed their plans with the incoming hurricane. That's too far and too many mountains for NorCal, so I haven't been watching their plans closely.
Theoretically you could listen in, but you'd need to be somewhere in the beam of the stations. At 10GHz an 18" dish had a beamwidth of only a few degrees, so if you're even a little off you'll hear nothing.
I believe there are LNBs people have used to get on the band. Those are probably the cheapest. SBMS is probably the closest microwave club, is check out their website.
I have a video on YouTube of last year's contest: https://youtu.be/Ch_j_zfCYgI
10GHz and Up Contest
The first weekend of the ARRL 10GHz and Up Contest starts tomorrow (August 19) at 0600 local. https://contests.arrl.org/10g/ There will be plenty of activity in California, and probably other regions. It's a fun contest, and everyone should get on the band!
I'll be on a SOTA summit (W6/NC-151) on Saturday, not sure if I'll be able to get out on Sunday.
222 and Up Contest
The ARRL 222MHz and up contest is this weekend: http://www.arrl.org/222-mhz-and-up-distance-contest
I'm planning to get on from a summit with the lower four bands. Probably won't be as much activity as the regular VHF contest, but should be fun
My gear load really depends on the hike.
Short easy hike? I'll bring the KX3 and amplifier. Long hike? Just the MTR3B and lightweight antenna. Crowded or densely wooded summit? I'll bring an antenna with a small footprint. Having options is nice.
And of course all the jackets, water, food, and other stuff one needs to be safe in the woods.
The Pacific Northwest and SoCal groups also have events this weekend. Should be lots of SOTA action!
What laptop do you take into the field?
I bet the radio will be useless.
If you missed the broadcast, I got a recording: https://youtu.be/IgbggcpxrC0 The CW ends ~4:22 and I decode it after that, so stop there if you want to do it yourself.
SOTA Weekend North America
In case you missed it: (stolen from the ARRL weekly letter)
Summits on the Air (SOTA) in North America has three events scheduled between August 4 - 7, 2023. The Colorado 14er annual event will run from August 4 - 7, the SoCal SOTAFest in Southern California will run from August 4 - 6, and the Pacific Northwest Not-Quite-Fourteener event will run from August 5 - 6, and includes climbers in Washington and Oregon.
Many different frequencies and modes will be used during the August events, but the recommended 2-meter FM frequencies have been changed to 146.58, 146.55, and 146.49 MHz to align with the use of the North America Adventure Frequency for SOTA (146.58 MHz). Operation is also permitted on select HF frequencies. The National Simplex Frequency (146.52 MHz) may also be used. Each event website provides a list of operating frequencies. All amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners are invited to participate.
CQ VHF
The CQ VHF contest starts soon. Sadly, I'm not able to get on the air, but if you have 6&2 meters you should give it a try. https://cqww-vhf.com/
Spotting
Anyone know a reliable way to have RBN spot you during an activation? My activations are almost always CW.
Most of the POTA I do is during SOTA activationd, and there is not always cell service. And trying while camping in parks is even worse. SOTAwatch has RBNHole which is very reliable if you've put up an alert beforehand. I've been told there is something similar for POTA/WWFF, but it's never worked for me.
Kits and Parts back in business
Diz W8DIZ has retired from running kitsandparts.com, and KU4QO had taken over.
Good news if you need toroids and other small parts. And the 5watter is a great radio if you need a kit.
10MHz Video
Finished cutting together some clips from my 10MHz reference box construction: https://youtu.be/aVKIIHGPXMA
RF Power Meter
I was inspired to copy W1GHZ's power meter from April QST (pg 52). Seemed like it would be nice to know if my 10GHz rig (or any of them!) was putting out power. Got some bargraph boards from him, the rest of the parts from the internet, and finally built it today.
I had a bit of trouble cutting a square hole with only a hand drill, but I can see the bars. (If anyone likes designing and printing cases, let me know!)
Turns out I don't have any 9v batteries, so testing will have to wait until I go to the store. I don't expect to have any problems though, since the bargraph circuit is pretty simple, and the AD8317 board had everyone on it already.
Learning Morse
How are you learning CW?
Self study? CW Ops class?
New 10MHz Box
Finally mounted the 10MHz OCXO in a box. Now when I go do microwaves, I should be on frequency. 🥳
Now I have to set up the 10GHz system and look for the local beacons to see how it works.
Your Projects
Anyone working on anything fun or interesting?
Best DX
What's your best VHF DX?
For me, I've gotten QSOs 280km on both 2m FM and 1296 SSB.
On 10GHz my best so far is 213km, SSB.
All those contacts were from mountain tops, mostly to people on other mountains or ridges.
The Pixie2
For some reason (probably price!) the pixie is considered a good beginners kit. I would disagree. It is small and simple to the point of being practically useless. Get a Forty 9er instead. For a few bucks more you will have a decent radio when you're done.
But since it is popular, I made a few videos trying to explain how it works: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxpKweJs4V-1uTGK2TqhsQXCAd6eJtPhp
I think the way the designer was able to use a single transistor as both a mixer and power amplifier is pretty clever. Maybe some day I'll think of something that neat :D
June VHF Contest
The June VHF contest was this weekend. How'd you do?
I hooked up to a SOTA peak and brought 6 bands. Stayed on for about 6 hours, made 89 contacts. 6m was open for a while, and worked AZ and CO from northern California. Overall, a great day!
(the sun did come out later)New Communities
Are users allowed to create communities on this instance?