ARRL SSB Sweepstakes 2023

 This contest started at 21:00 UTC November 18th and continues until 03:00 UTC November 22 and I forgot until 22:00 on Saturday to participate. It really didn't matter much since I only wanted to operate for a short time at the beginning. I've found being the new guy on the second day improves My chances of breaking pile ups. My actual operating time was short with many breaks helping decorate for Christmas some outside chores and other distractions. A nice casual contest which is how I like it!

 The exchange for this contest is a challenge for Me to keep straight and type correctly so I usually never attempt to get a run started but use search and pounce instead. My typing skills are very bad! I also do not have a HF amplifier and only have a 10m Yagi at 25 feet and no tri bander in the air. So, I always hope for a good 10m opening. My other go to antenna is a ground mounted HF6V ground mounted vertical which at times surprises me with its ability to cut through pile ups. 

I quickly checked the bands and settled on starting with 10m, eventually towards sunset changed to 15m before that band closed. Then I decided to pull the plug till the next day and head upstairs. Sunday conditions started rather slow and I almost called it quits but checked back later and had some renewed success on 20m which is usually difficult and eventually went to 40m after dark.

 I ended up with 105 QSO's and 54 sections for a total score of 11,340--not a great score and less sections than I've achieved in previous sweepstakes but it was still a lot of fun! I'm always grateful when My radios and antennas perform well. 

 73---Tim

Uniden HP 2 Scanner review

 I've now had this scanner for many months and I'm very pleased with the setup and capabilities of it. So far, I've only used this unit as a standalone and not with the Sentinel software which during initial setup it wants to install. You can bypass this by just continuing thru the menu to complete installation. I eventually will need to update the database so the software will be needed to do so.

 This scanner is very automatic finding channels and groups to scan in the surrounding area. You can increase or decrease the area included but I would recommend at first using the default. I tried increasing the area included and it was too much scan time needed and the unit gave a warning about this exact problem. The default settings seemed to work the best although some manual manipulation of new frequencies can be done if desired. 

 I have this scanner on most times I'm in the ham shack and a charge will last 6-8 hours and it will beep to indicate to plug it in for recharging. I've also tried the included antenna and also an external antenna I have mounted on an outside building. Surprisingly I preferred the inside antenna because having a greater range also picked up more marginal signals and some interference. 

 This scanner works very well for My needs, along with several ham radios I use. I also have an older scanner for some specialized frequencies that I don't always want part of a scanning group.

happy listening--Tim

MacBook Pro battery replacement

 

I am still using hand me down MacBook Pro PCs from 2010. I've replaced the internal batteries once before and it needed a replacement again. Luckily, I found the original seller on the internet where I purchased from before and the price was still very cheap. It included the necessary tools for replacement, and I watched an IFixit video for a detailed explanation. The last battery lasted for about 5 years so I think My MacBook will be beyond end of life by then!

CQ WW RTTY & SSB contests 2023

 I forgot to post for the RTTY contest so I thought I would include it here. Both contests were fun, and conditions seemed to be similar. The number of QSO's and points were close although the SSB part I managed to contact 33 zones , ten more than the RTTY part.

 The 10m band was again the money band for Me and that's where I spent the majority of My time.

I didn't spend much time after sundown in either contest but did try 40m early morning and had some success. The 20m band as always was difficult competing with the big gun stations and 15m when open was just okay. 

 Next contest for Me is probably November sweepstakes-- till then.

 73--Tim 

13Colonies Special Event 2023

 

  This was the 15th annual 13 colonies Special Event and the 13th time I have participated. It was another fun time and unlike previous years I was able to participate all seven days although July 4th was limited time. I managed to contact 5 of the 13 colonies on the first day and added to that amount each day. Some stations seemed very easy and available but several were very difficult to either find operating or hear loud enough to have a contact. New York and New Jersey were both difficult to find and contact unlike previous years when I contacted them usually within the first day. The three bonus stations as always were hard to hear and I didn't manage a contact although the WM3PEN station I did hear but the pile up was big so no QSO for Me!

 The last day I had 12 colonies in the logbook and was hoping to find K2I which was the New Jersey station when I found Him on 20 meters and there was no  pile up  and first call I got Him! I haven't achieved a clean sweep for many years so that was very satisfying. I do wonder if I should try one of the new digital modes like FT8 since this mode was being used by more stations operating than in years past.

 Fun time with dedicated operators giving up their time to make this event successful.

73---Tim