Store Bought Tuner

Retired the homebrewed junque-box special after 60 DX countries, it just would not tune below 40M without a lot of tweaking and not 80M or 160M at all. The new one is as simple as a rock and gives an acceptable or better match 10M to 80M (haven't tried 60M) and I think I need more wire for 160M, or at least measured for a critical length. I have noticed folks are more prone to ragchewing on 80M which means I need to work on the typing.

73 de Rob

HELL I did it again!

Merci Didier!

73 de Rob

Well Hell(screiber that is)

Thanks to Raffaele I completed my first, and only, Hellschreiber contact. And DX at that! It's an interesting mode, dating from the 1920's and tolerant of low power, poor selectivity and less than optimal band conditions-ideal for a pissweaker, like yours truly. While there is some interest stateside, the reflector suggests more interest in Europe and Africa. I did note the day of the QSO, I had been unable to raise EU on PSK. The Op. at the other end was patient and the DX mode on Hellschreiber was useful but I couldn't even get a QRZ? on PSK31. Anyway, gonna keep trying on this mode.

Grazi Raffaele!

73 de Rob

Getting That Urge

To start chasing meteors with equipment ill suited to the task-in the 90's it was with 10 watts SSB and a cross polarized omni antenna. But I live in a valley now-not on a ridge so I may have to gin up an antenna with some gain and aimed over the ridges.

Tnx Michael

73 de Rob

Now, That's A Zaggy Prefix!

Thanks Mike, 73 de  Rob

Buy Her Book-Buy me a Tower II

The YL has a new one out there.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/B007JCG9MK/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link




73 es tnx  Rob

Interlude

Spent the last few days chasing after and feeding copious quantities of grilled cheese sandwiches to the grandsons. When I got home had almost as much fun with my first Tasmania QSO!  Thanks Doug

73 de Rob