WAS basic Award

After last weekends RTTY contest I realized I had finally contacted the state of Wyoming- twice!! I didn't realize this operator was also a Log Book of the World user. Imagine my surprise when checking My LOTW awards , it showed all 50 states. Its always a dilemna when I realize a contact will never be confirmed unless i go to extra measures. Maybe that would make all confirmed contacts sweeter-- that's what all Hams seeking awards had to do in the old days.
Why was Wyoming difficult ? Voice and RTTY both show 45 and 46 confirmed- the mixing of the two filled the holes for the Basic award. Hawaii and Alaska were confirmed a while ago but i guess Wyoming just doesn't have the percentage of active Hams. No matter-- Award has been applied for and greenbacks sent on their merry way--- money's been sent!!
73---Tim
PS- From the last post-- found out a of group Guys operating from the Woods out east were signing "Bambi" making it have a whole new meaning!!-LOL

NAQP-RTTY 2011

I decided to try this contest and also the VHF contest that was happening about the same time. I haven't played with any RTTY since April and this seemed like a good test for My set up to make sure its still working OK. The outside heat and humidity made this a nice reason to be in the Ham shack although I still needed to do outside chores. I operated for a bit, then was outside for a bit and so on.
The contest times for both contests was 1800 UTC and i first talked to several locals on 6m and 2m but that ended up being the only action for Me on VHF. Not having a working 6m beam limits Me and it didn't seem like My 2m beam was up to its usual distance-- signals were very weak on it!
The RTTY contest was already going strong when I switched to it. I was decoding signals OK but had forgot to reprogramm the digital messages. They were still set to the previous contest. Eventually after correcting this issue and taking care of some outside chores I was able to begin. The bands were only average with no RTTY being heard on either 10 or 15m so I settled on 20m which was not too bad. The winter RTTY contests have alot more activity but it also means I was able to be heard easier. It could also be because all entrants are limited to 100w max!!
My original goal was to test My set up and achieve at least 60 QSO's. This I did do and and ended up with 80 QSO's, 40 multipliers and 1 DX. Yes- the lack of DX was very dissapointing to Me but on the up side- last state for WAS -- Wyoming- I worked twice!!
As usual this contest was fun for the limited time operating and everyone was pleasant-- I enjoy the extra chatter some Hams include. I even worked one named "Bambi"-- hmmm.
73---Tim

Success!!

My Nephew and I finally were successful in completing a QSO on the HF bands. We had trouble using Our Verticals but He bought a G5RV and installed it recently. Last night He texted Me that He had it installed and conditions seemed good for a 75m contact. We both tuned up on 3.810 and I checked to make sure the frequency was clear. He heard Me at about S9 but I could just hear a whisper of signal I assumed was from Him. Eventually We had to use the semi-reliable cell phone to discuss the situation.
By this time someone was now on frequency so We moved up 2 and both retuned and tried again. Still a one-ended conversation so He tried switching Mikes. No luck!
What was going on?? Next He tuned up into the dummy load portion of his Ebay bought tuner and noticed it tuned up nice . Lots better than thru the matching network of the tuner. Switching to direct and using the rig's auto tuner did find a good match. luckily We seemed to be trying our test on a portion of the band this G5RV antenna worked OK. I heard him at about s9 and He now was receiving Me at about 10-20 over! Tuner has an issue in the matching network or switches, but works in "direct "mode.
I was now officially his first HF contact!! Tonight I filled out a QSL card and will send it out tomorrow. The G5RV antenna is a compromised antenna on several bands but because of the coax feed makes it a very good choice in some applications-- this one for sure!! Now He has a good domestic antenna , and with the vertical, a good DX antenna. Should be fun!!
73--Tim

Fireworks!

My Daughter took these pictures last night. Good weather, nice display and then later a storm passed thru. Have a great week!

73---Tim

June & July!!

We went to see Michael Buble' in concert and really enjoyed the performance. I like most music styles and this concert fit My tastes to a "T". It was different to see the majority of attendees dressed up so smartly, last concert was a rock and roller and ...well not the same styles at all-LOL!!
Summer has finally arrived in the northland- mid 90's on Friday with high humidity--yuck!! Today is much more reasonable and it looks to be a very nice day. We plan on a Duluth Huskies game and fireworks later. Very lucky to have several community fireworks within driving distance to pick from although that could change if rain rears its ugly head!!
Not too much radio related doings lately. I have checked into several HF and VHF nets and also have plans to pass along My old tri-pod , a much too big tri-bander and other ham stuff. I've decided to try to keep My antennas to a reasonable amount. Also need to be easily worked on by ME. That excludes high towers and big arrays!! :))
Have a safe July 4th-- thanks to all those who have sacrificed so much to keep Us free!!!
73---Tim