Sometimes you have to have a come to Jesus meeting with yourself

 I am currently trying to up my CW head copy skills and bump my sending speed up a bit.  I am taking the LICW club's Advanced 1 class and it is a lot of fun, and a little humbling.  It is a challenge for me which is exactly what I need -- a reason to push myself.  The only person judging me is me.  In this part of my CW world I am doing fine. So, about the come to Jesus meeting.

I have a lot of nice radios.  I was nosing around the classified adds and found a Ten Tec Argonaut VI for sale at a reasonable price.  I was tempted to buy it. This is when I had the Come to Jesus Meeting.  It's amazing how you can rationalize yourself into to needing something. Yes there is a cool factor to own the Argonaut and yes, the QSK is very nice, but do I really need it.  Currently, I have a IC-7300 MK2, IC-7200, an IC-705, and a Kenwood TS-590sg to take to the field.  I mostly work out of my truck or my micro camper so weight and size is not an issue.  Shoot, I even have a buggy to put stuff in and lug it around. 

In a moment of clear thinking, I decided to pull out each of my field radios and hook them up and play with them for a few minutes.  I made a few contacts at 5-10 watts. I was reminded why I like big radios.  One they don't get hot or overheat.  Two, their displays are bigger and have more information, and three, the controls are easier to get to.  The IC-705 while small still has great ergonomics and its functionality is very similar to the IC-7300and IC-7300MK2.  

These radios were a joy to use and they sounded great. The only thing I might be giving up is they all have some relay clatter, but with headphones on (which I normally do), it all but disappears.

Sometimes the hardest thing to hear is the truth.  The truth is I have a bunch of fine radios and really have no need for another one (at least not now).  I have a trip coming up and it will be the IC-7300MK2's first time out.  I loved taking the IC-7300 out, and I expect a similar experience with theMK2.

Where does that leave me?  My CW journey is taking me down some different paths.  Bugs, Cooties, and Sideswipers along with Iambic twin paddles are in the mix.  I decided that using a Bug or a Cootie along with an Iambic Paddle really throws me off, so I won't be trying that for a while.  However, I am considering a single paddle sideswiper.  It is like an Iambic paddle without the squeeze keying.  Supposedly, you make fewer mistakes (I'm all for that).

A tip I learned from one of the LICW instructors was to send using a paddle with one hand and use the other hand for straight keys, bugs, and Cooties.  I may have to try that, but not today.  

CW and the Curve Ball

 Yesterday, I decided to join the Long Island CW Club (LICW).  I wanted to support them because they provide CW training for all levels.  Probably in the future I may take a course.  My own journey back into the land of CW has been fun -- and interesting.  I wanted to try my hand at straight keys.  In the beginning, many, many moons ago, I started with paddles and pretty much that is all I used.  I thought it was time to  look at straight keys again.  I broke out my sideswipers and bug out of mothballs and started practicing with them.

This is where I was thrown a curve.  After practicing with the bug, I decided to do some POTA hunting.  I went back to my paddles and made a contract with a friend and fellow blogger WB3GCK.  Band conditions were not good and I didn't want to muddy the water with my bug sending.  Well, I found out rather quickly that after using the bug, I had to relearn how to use paddles.  I made a few mistakes (more than usual).  I sent Craig an email apologizing for my QLF.  

After that exchange, I turned off the break-in on my radio to investigate.  Within a couple of minutes of practice, I got my paddle fist back.  I also had my sideswiper set up on the same radio.  My TS-890s has 2 ports, one for paddles and one for straight key.  I moved over to the sideswiper and sent some code -- no problem.  I switched back to the paddles -- no problem.  I went back and forth a few times and I was able to use either. So, the bug went back into the box.  I guess my old mind isn't quite what it used to be, but at least I can participate in straight key events and well as use my paddles when I want.

I have quite a few sets of paddles both desktop and portable.  I found that with a homemade switch or a stereo to mono plug adapter, I can use a set of paddles like a sideswiper.  I found it easier to use my hand held paddles as a sideswiper than my desktop paddles. Old brain thing.

I also broke out the IC-705 and made a few contacts. It has been a while since I did any QRP or played with the 705.  I forgot what a fun little radio it is. There you have it; everyday a learning day. Take care, be safe and Get out an operate - de Scott

CW the quest for fun

CW for me goes back to the beginning. To go from a Tech to a Tech+ I had to pass a 5 wpm code test.  That gave me limited HF privileges in Novice (CW) portions of the band.  I bought a Bencher paddle and off I went.  My first DX contact was with CW, a station in Yukon, Canada.  My next DX was Argentina, all the way to South America,  I remember being stoked with that contact.  I continued making contacts and ragchewing. When I progressed enough I went for my General.  On exam day while they were giving the 5 wpm code test, I took the written general test and passed.  Something went wrong and they had to redo the 5 wpm code test so the examiner asked if I wanted to try the advanced? I said sure.  I managed to pass it without studying and then when the 13 wpm code test came I passed it.  I went from KC5RKS to KM5AV.  

As life, family, job, and school took over CW fell away.  I really enjoyed being an advanced class operator.  When I moved to Georgia, I got a lot of kidding about my 5 call in a 4 call zone.  I decided to change calls but wanted it on my own terms.  I took the extra exam (code requirement then was 5 wpm). I passed and while I was waiting for my license I started checking for a vanity call.  I wanted a 1x2 or a 2x1 call.  I found one that wasn't being advertised on the databases so when I got my extra license I quietly submitted my vanity call application and received my current call sign.

Life was still hectic and it wasn't until the COVID era that I took up CW again.  POTA was running strong and that's the venue I chose to get back in.  I was real shaky at first, but I kept at it and now I am pretty comfortable with it.  I am no speed demon but I have fun.

Today, I am retired and enjoying ham radio.  I still do EmComm and I still due POTA using CW and FT8.  SSB is not for me anymore.  I wanted something more out of CW.  POTA is great if you like doing exchanges but it was getting monotonous.  I remember the days of the ragchew. I wanted more of that.  A couple of years ago I took the CW Innovations course to help improve my CW.  It was a lot of fun and I had a couple of code buddies for a while.  All of us being busy, we sometimes found it hard to maintain a sked.  So here I am.  One of the things I learned from CWI was SKCC or Straight Key Century Club.  They only use straight keys: straight key, bugs, and sideswiper/cooties allowed. Basically any key as long as the dits and dahs are controlled by the hand and not electronically.  

I dabbled in straight keys for a while, but went back to paddles because they are quicker.  I started looking at SKCC again and found I appreciate the community there.  There is more to CW than speed.  So I am heading back to SKCC.  I have to do some relearning.  With paddles I was a squeeze keyer.  You can't squeeze key a bug, it doesn't work, trust me.  I have been practicing with a bug, sideswiper, and cootie keys to retrain my muscle memory. A little more practice and I will be ready for prime time.  I am looking forward to this.

POTA?  I will still do POTA with FT8 and straight keys.  SKCC will give me the parts of CW I miss from my early days.  Keep a lookout, I am almost there.  SKCC 28264 - de Scott

Frankentenna Revisited

 The idea of the Frankentenna was to have multiple antenna options to apply to a given field situation.  Propagation (short path, long path, or NVIS) as well local environment must be considered.  An example might be having to setup in a parking lot with no trees for a dipole or EFHW antenna.  There may be space restrictions where there is not enough room to string a long antenna or a height restriction where overhead power lines may restrict how high an antenna can be.  Often when I go to a campsite for a weekend, I do not know what I will be facing.

Trees, power lines, and campsite space are often restrictions I face. Having multiple antenna options allows me to safely operate at my campsite.  An example is trees.  Sometimes I have to use the trailer hitch on my truck instead of the hitch on my camper to clear trees for a vertical antenna.  Sometimes I have to move the antenna away from both the truck and the camper.  If power lines are nearby, I am height restricted.

My kit hasn't changed much.  I did go to a bigger box mainly to fit my camera tripod and 17' whip antennas.  I still have a lot of free space in the new box.  The box will normally reside in my camper or the back of my truck.  Either way I am not carrying it far.

The top box is the old one.

This first image show the basic building blocks of the system.  Included are the tripod with adapter, mallet,  hardware kit, adjustable wrench, choke, throwing weight and line, twine, coax jumper, 25' coax, (2) 50' coax and a ground spike. 

Next are the antennas I use with a 31' push-up pole (kept in the camper), and the trailer hitch mount with extender kept in the truck.  Shown is the 9:1 UnUn with the trailer hitch adapter, 28.5' random wire antenna with a 16' counterpoise, 73' wire antenna with a 55' counterpoise, and a tent stake to secure the end of the 73' antenna.  The 73 footer is usually run as an inverted "L" or a long wire.  The short antenna is good for 40-6 meters and the long antenna is good for 160-6 meters.

Mainly for EmComm I include a 2-meter/440 MHz slim Jim antenna that can be hoisted into a tree or used with the push-up pole.

The next image shows parts to make a Tactical Delta Loop (TDL), 120' dipole or a 17' vertical antenna with a counterpoise.  Included is a Chameleon 5:1 Micro transformer, TDL spreader wire, TDL hub, (2) 17" whip antennas, (2) 60' antenna wires. I also have (4) 22" extensions to make a 25' vertical.  

This last image shows some new bits and bobs I added.  Shown are the (2) 17" whips (2 whips total in the kit), (4) 22" extensions, Chameleon Faraday Counterpoise system, Chameleon Blank adapter, and the Chameleon M-40 coil.  The BlankAdapter/M-40 coil promises 100 watts digital which I am going to try on my next outing if I have the clearance.  I can make 17' and 25' vertical with it. I am also looking forward to trying the Faraday counterpoise system.  I am hoping it will be better than stringing out wire on the ground.

There is the kit.  Lots of versatility allowing me to tailor my antenna to my circumstances at the time.  If I want I can pull a few pieces out for a particular trip and leave the rest at home.  But, The whole kit doesn't take up much space, I'm not carrying it anywhere, and It is the same system I can use for FunComm and EmComm.  The most important aspect of radio communication is knowing your equipment and what it can and cannot do. 

YMMV and I hope this will give you some ideas for your own system.  I encourage you to get out and operate.  Have fun and if you goof up, don't be afraid to laugh at your self.  It is fun to try new things. Personal satisfaction comes when your system works like you intend it to.  Carpe Diem, be safe, and have fun - de Scott

FunComm EmComm and the Frankentenna

 Most of my time in Amateur Radio had been involved with EmComm.  While I am getting on in years I still feel the need to keep my skills up at least until the body breaks down to the point where I might become part of the problem and not part of the solution.  I keep my skill set up by using the same gear I would use in a disaster, for more fun things like portable operating, POTA and such.  I bring the same radios, antennas, power supplies etc.  I give them a good wringing out and it helps me maintain and improve my gear.  Each year I try to add/replace a few things. 

This year is no different, I sold my Icom IC-7300 and bought an IC-7300 MK2.  I've been using it in the house but plan on taking it out on my next adventure.  I am also redoing my Frankentenna.  My Frankentenna is a system of parts that can be assembled in various ways to accommodate different sites and different conditions.  This year is a big redo because I've slowly gotten enough parts to improve the whole system. One area that needed improvement was digital.  Digital modes have become the standard in EmComm and indeed are used quite frequently for FunComm.  I have 1,000's of FT8 contacts for POTA.  I have found that typical antennas used for events like POTA activations, do not stand up well to hard digital use.  Over the past year or so I have had to bump the power up because of poor band conditions to make contacts.  This would heat up Baluns and UnUn's until the SWR would start climbing. For FunComm you can just stop but for EmComm... Even though many devices/antennas are rated for 100 watts SSB, they are often only rated for 20 watts or less for digital.  My solution was to get a bigger UnUn - bigger is better right!

I started with a Palomar Engineering 9:1 UnUn rated at 1.5 kW which gave about 250 watts or so for high duty cycle digital modes like FT8, JS8Call and others.  I normally run this as an inverted "L" with a 73' antenna and a 55' counterpoise.  This gives me 160-6 meters.  I use a trailer hitch flag pole stand with a push-up pole for the vertical section and then find a tree for the horizontal. 

The flag pole mount has two 5/16-16 threaded attachment points.  I had been using a stretch velcro band to hold the UnUn to the holder but felt it wasn't secure. A plan came together.

I decided to make a mount to attach the UnUn to the flagpole holder.  I had a couple of pieces of scrap angle aluminum so a couple of hours later, I had this.

A couple of coats of Zinc Chromate Primer followed by a couple of coats of Flat Black and she's done. I can run this as an inverted "L" or a 28.5' random wire vertical antenna.  The shorter antenna is good for 40 thru 6 meters.

That's it for today.  Over the next few days I will be going over the Frankentenna and getting it ready.

    

Getting Ready

 

I have a trip coming up, but more importantly, hurricane season is right around the corner. The start of the season, 01 June is less than 3 weeks away.  Today, I took a look at the Radio Flyer, my micro camper.  this camper is well suited for things like POTA activations and can serve as a place to operate and live in during a disaster response. I had recently washed the bedding and blankets for the camper so I brought them out and set them inside.  I recently put the battery on the charger to bring it up to a full charge.  I hooked the camper up to the house and ran the fridge and A/C. Both were working fine.

I checked the lights and the roof fan, all good to go.

The camper can run on battery (12 volt only, no A/C), 110v house current or campground 30/50 amp connection.  In addition, I have an adapter to run the camper off of a generator if need be.  The camper is small and lightweight, I only lose about mile to a mile and a half per gallon when pulled by my pickup truck.  

May is a good time to start going through your stuff.  The weather is pleasant while still warm enough to test the A/C.  If you are an EmComm/ARES type, now is the time to check your gear. Run your radios, check/test your antennas, charge your batteries and make sure everything works.  Inventory your gear, make sure everything is where it's supposed to be. Each year, I try to add/replace a few things. POTA is a great way to make sure your gear is in working order and it's fun.  During an activation, I run one of my EmComm radios.  I can use a "big" radio because the most I might carry it is 50 yds.  Most of the time it's from my truck to the camper.

While you are checking everything else out, how about you?  When was the last time you were to the doctor?  How is your weight? Blood pressure? Blood glucose? Are you exercising? There are stressors during a deployment that can put you over the edge.  Remember, you are there to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.  Granted, healthy people can keel over dead, but they are less likely to.  Take care of your self so you can take care of others.

One last tidbit.  If you haven't gotten one, consider getting a Starlink Mini.  They are cheap now.  They have a monthly maintenance program for $5.00/month that can be upgraded through Starlink.  In other words you stay on the maintenance program until you actually need more bandwidth and then turn it on, even from the disaster area.  The Mini is small and takes up almost no space.  It will run off of battery power.  Add a solar panel and Bob's your uncle.

There you have it, take some time and be ready.  If nothing happens, you still gain the knowledge that your gear is ready for any adventure be it fun or emergency. Know your gear, know how it works. How well can you operate your radio if you only pull it out every year or so?  Know yourself, how well you work, and how you operate in uncommon environments.  Get out and operate more than once a year or so. Stay safe, and stay ready - de Scott

Getting back into the Swing of Things

 I have been an away from fun Amateur Radio for a year or so.  I was doing a lot with Army MARS and SHARES. While I had a lot of fun and learned A LOT of good things, it was time to get back to my roots.  

A few months back I got an IC-7300MK2 with the MARS Mod.  I typically use the 7300 as a Field/Portable radio.  Yesterday, I hooked it up at home and thought I would give the CW decoder a try.  I was impressed! It works quite well, not as well as the human ear, but pretty darn good.  Since I had the radio turned on I gave the dial a spin and started listen to CW to see how well I can copy. Not too bad, I could tell I was rusty and couldn't quite keep up with the faster speeds.  When in practice, I could copy POTA exchanges up to 25 and sometimes higher wpm.  Conversational CW was a bit slower at around 18-20 wpm.

I didn't feel so bad and thought with some practice I thought I could get myself back up to speed.  To push the process along, I planned a couple of POTA trips to help "encourage" me.  When activating, I run either CW or FT8 depending on band conditions. What makes CW nice is it is pretty simple. Key (paddles), radio, antenna, battery, pen and paper.  Many people run QRP (less than 5 watts); however, I normally like to run about 20 watts which is plenty. 

I did find myself at a bit of a conundrum. Straight key or Iambic.  I have been a "squeeze" keyer since the beginning. I have a couple of straight keys, my favorites being sideswiper or cootie types.  The problem I run into with this old brain of mine is going back and forth between straight and iambic keying. Trying to squeeze a straight key or sideswipe paddles makes some ridiculous characters.  I have to take additional time to retrain myself when going back and forth. And somewhere deep inside I have a need for speed.  Straight keying, I top out at about 20 wpm and still be legible. Iambic, I am usually in the 20-22 wpm range and have gone as high as 25 wpm sending.  

I am making the journey back, one character at a time, one QSO at a time.  A short term goal is to get myself back up to my old speed and a longer range goal would be to get above 25 wpm. Maybe I'll get brave and sign up for a CWops Advanced course. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there (especially all the mom CW ops).  The fist that rocks the cradle is the fist that rules the bands :).

Best wishes es 73 de Scott

I have moved

 I recently moved back to Blogger.  Wordpress was a great host but the cost of maintaining it wasn't worth it since I do not monetize my blog.  I keep it free so my opinions remain honest.  I think Blogger will work just fine and I will add to it from time to time.  I haven't been traveling as much lately, but hopefully there will be a few trips in the future. 

Even in retirement, I find life busy.  However, it's a busy I enjoy doing the things I want to do and not have to do.  I will see you all out there.  de Scott