Goodbye Stripes

This week one of Our Hen's-- "Stripes" started having breathing issues and We assumed She had a cold or worse so We gave Her some anti-biotic in Her water. Unfortunately She didn't recover and passed away last night. She was with Us from a little chick to a full grown hen. Her personality was unique and at times very cranky but still she will be missed. Five years old- now we only have four birds left.One less egg layer- bummer!

73--Tim

Swapfest 2013

Our local Swapfest was today and even though I didn't really need any equipment I went to have eyeball QSO's with many Hams I chat with during the Year . I even managed to meet several Hams I've only talked to over the airwaves plus many I only seem to ever see face to face at doings like this. A decent sized crowd although not as many "young" Hams as I'd like to see. Lots of good old equipment brings back memories! I bought some connectors and a cup of coffee- so no huge purchase but fun had by all!
  73---Tim
PS--I also want to acknowledge finally meeting K0SIX ( Vince)  with one of many eyeball QSO's
  He brought His Daughter who is also a Ham and I finally also met Wes- KA9JLN who I've talked with ona local net but never met! What a wonderful Hobby!!.

April Showers ?!?!?

Some smaller amounts plus 9" + 18" + about another 8" = a very dissappointing April!! Way too much snow removal!!  Soon it will be May........
  73---Tim
Update-- official totals--50.2" making this the snowiest month of any on record in Duluth.About 129" for the season makes this the Third highest overall total ever! Wow!

Azores is #95 !

A casual quick contact with Jose, CU2CE from the Azores on 17m SSB resulted in another confirmation for DXCC # 95. I see this was on December 30 2012 so it was just cruising the bands-no contest contact.His QRZ account doesn't show him as a LOTW user but He did use  this time. Just proves  you never can tell . I hold out hope for more confirmations of any of the over 110 DXCC contacts I've made. 73---Tim

#94 DXCC

I contacted VP2V/KE2VB during the recent ARRL International SSB DX contest for #94 confirmed! He was operating from the British Virgin Islands and happens to be a Log book of the World user. I've been real happy with the frequent LOTW confirmations from the contesting community and also the occasional DXpedition! I expect several more confirmations soon but will probably fall short of 100 until next contest season. Thats Ok - more DX chasing to look forward too!
73---Tim