No contests for You!!

A little funny title but does sum up My last weekends' inactivity. I had planned to participate in either or both RTTY and VHF contests but ended up being very busy with projects and Family time. Saturday night actually happened by the shack and heard the start of some good 6m propagation. Tough decision but I opted for excercise with My family. Call Me crazy :))
  I don't think conditions were very good for HF or VHF but I know the Weather was sure great for outside activities. We were just on the back side of extremely hot weather--and Saturday dropped to reasonable temperatures in the low 70's. I actually was able to mow grass,blaze some trails in the woods which had become very overgrown and continue work on the patio project. Plus the typical family activities of barbeque,exercise ( all of Us trying to get in shape ) and even a Movie night.--Wow.Great Summer weekend.  Guess contesting will have to wait till September.
   73--Tim

South Cook Islands

I had several QSO's with E51E on the South Cook Island of Aitutaki to give Me DXCC #97. Thanks to Norman- 5B4AIF for being a LOTW user. Our QSO on December 29, 2012 on 15m SSB was the credited QSO. Norman is from Cyprus-a DXCC I also need. Maybe down the log...
73---Tim

PS-Remember the CQ VHF contest this weekend starting at 1800 UTC Saturday and also the NA RTTY QSO party starting at the same time. Both should be fun and the VHF contest is only 6 and 2M, bands most of Us have. Good luck- hope to hear you on the bands!!

13 Colonies special event 2013

This is the Certificate for contacting even one of the 13 Colony stations or the WM3PEN station. The website is at http://www.13colonies.info/ and it has all the QSL and certificate info required.One contact or a sweep makes You eligible for this certificate.
 
I participated in this event last Year and had a blast so I decided to try My luck again this Year.The band conditions I thought we're poor compared to last year. Occasionally towards the end of the weekend the bands went long which gave us states away from the East Coast an advantage. Luckily I was chasing several stations during these times and was able to break some big pile ups.
  Last year I only managed 12 colonies and missed the WM3PEN station. This year I made a 13 colony sweep and snagged the WM3PEN station at 23:24 UTC Sunday. This event was supposed to be over at 0400 UTC on the 7th but was extended to 0100 UTC on the 8th!. I would have had the Colony sweep but not the WM3PEN contact.
  The operators were all first rate and I only had one QSO which had great diffuculty with My call. Sure hope He copied it correctly. I know how it is when certain letters are stuck on the brain!! All in all it was very fun and will probably participte next year. I will be sending for the certificate because not only is it well done but the whole event deserves My support!
  73---Tim

Happy July 4th

Enjoy this special holiday and remember as always why We celebrate this day. People around the World are in a constant battle for the Liberties We sometimes take for granted. Honor Our service Men and Women both past and present who protect Our great Nation.
  Keeping with the intent of this blog to not be covering topics other than radio-- remember the 13 Colonies Special event going on as this is written. I'll have a short write up later on My participation.
73s and God bless---Tim