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

Nothing Like Some Confirmation

I continue to be amazed with what 5 Watts and a wire out a window can do!

Tnx guys, 73 de Rob

Well Now, Wasn't That Fun?

The big storm left us without power from 1900 Friday till 0430 Wednesday. No ham radio heroics, but the skill set allowed the ginning up of a charging station for electronics-we still had some cell service. Now I know that the rule is you are on your own for the first three days but we never saw FEMA, the National Guard nor the Red Cross. The local Volunteer Fire Department carried the load, emergency medical services, distributing food and water and trying to provide accurate information. Meanwhile NPR and other big outlets were giving infrequent bulletins that sounded like press releases. A local sports/talk radio station improvised a studio and tried to get out and receive information with call ins, local emergency officials and business that had emergency power so they could provide some services. Again no big ticket relief organizations involved. 

I'm no stranger to relief efforts, as a ham in a major flood and data infrastructure reconstruction after Andrew and the big organization and agencies can work but they are hard to get started and aren't too flexible but that was no excuse for their conspicuous absence.

I think I'll take a check to the VFD tomorrow.

Nuttin to do with Ham Radio, 73 de Rob