I used to have a cell phone that would send S M S when I would get a text message.

I ended up making a 30m and a 40m dipole, got them tuned and ready to go.  I also made an 80m dipole cut for 3550 kHz but may not use it this weekend.
I am planning on being setup Friday evening and operating until sometime Sunday.  Hope to meet yall on the air!

Joel - N5XTR

I like your site John,
I am heading back to Okieland this weekend for some more QRPp at the Wichita Mtns.
I got it made because my Dad is the Assistant Manager at the Refuge.  I have to talk him
into getting me permission to stay at the summit of Mt. Scott.

I ended up getting a CW filter for the 817 (W4RT 300Hz) and a 1:1 ProBalun at a hamfest. 
Hopefully I can get at least a 40m/80m dipole cut.

73
Joel - N5XTR

I wait 2 seconds then call.  Most Big Gun stations will call immediately, and if I am lucky the DX will pick up the suffix of my call.  

Joel - N5XTR

Look up the K3UK Sked page.
There is a LoTW page where you can see which states are on the page and real time chat with the other stations.  It is how I finally landed #50 Delaware.  Good Luck!

Joel - N5XTR

Sounds like a Tak-tenna.
http://www.tak-tenna.com/

I have the same setup.
I use a small solar panel I bought at Harbor Freight for $15.  It is designed as a car battery maintainer.  12v 1.5w 120mA output.  It charged one of my 12v 7ah batteries in a few hours.

Joel - N5XTR

I always put my cards in envelopes.  I have the nice colorphoto cards and would hate to have one messed up by a machine.  I have received some beautiful cards that weren't in envelopes, a few were a little messed up.  I finally looked at their website so I now know what the cuban five are about.  I will send them another card but in a puffy envelope this time.  If that one comes back torn up also I think the PO owes me an explanation and some cash.

Joel - N5XTR

I received a card from them first.
QSL instructions are direct only.

Also look at Randy's videos on youtube K7AGE.

I forgot to mention the ink stamp on the remains of the cards.  Of course the Return to Sender, and Insufficient Contents.  Pretty weird I say.  
The cards were Direct as per the info on QRZ and the Card I received.
The call is CO2WL.
"Libertad para los Cinco"
www.antiterroristas.cu

I never looked at the website.

I ragchew on SKCC frequencies.  
But at my speed a simple QSO with the standard exchanges and detail can take a while.  I have had a few QSO's last over an hour.  Most are around 20 to 30 minutes each, but like I said I am really slow and I don't chase numbers but I do exchange them.
I am also a member of the 30 meter digital group which has numbers and many awards.  But I do not chase those either although I have applied for many.
Maybe I am just a rarity to be 30 years old, no code extra, and enjoy CW even though I have only been working CW for a few months.  I have already disconnected the mic on my rig and put it in the closet.
The WCC is another club like 30MDG, EPC, 070, and others...numbers, awards, and encouragement to use the warc bands.  Some of my most cherished DX was worked on 30m.  While I probably will not join the WCC I still think it is a good idea.  I think maybe the number thing was sprouted from the 10-10 guys, but you have to pay to play with them.  A shame really because I enjoy 10 meters also but 30m and 6m are my favorites.  I have thought about maybe a 6 meter group with grid awards and such like 30mdg but never followed through with it... Ok, I'm done.

73,
Joel - N5XTR
SKCC #6417
30MDG #632
EPC #8272

I received a QSL from a station in Cuba about a month ago for a 30 meter psk63 QSO.  I promptly returned a card with appropriate postage.  One week later I receive my card back in a plastic bag.  My QSL had been torn in half with the stamp side gone.  I sent another QSL the next day and about a week later my QSL was returned again torn in half, stamp side missing.  
The Cuban's card had something like "Five Men for Liberty" in spanish over a picture of five guys with a background of a Cuban flag.  
I cannot remember the call exactly but I am wondering if this is a political problem or just the post office screwing up.  Has anyone else had this problem with a DX card?

Joel - N5XTR
SKCC #6417

I recently bought a new FT-817nd for portable CW.  I really had a hard time choosing between the Elecraft K1 and the 817.  My favorite band is 6 meters so that knocked out the K1.  
I went camping in the Wichita Mountain in Oklahoma and took my new 817 and for antennas I used my old Hustler mobile antenna with resonators for 10, 15, 20, 40, and 80m.  The Hustler was ground mounted and had four 50' radials from the base.  The Hustler did receive better than I expected.  I managed to make one CW qso with KS8T.  He answered my 2 watt CQ on 40m.  I was thrilled but QRM from the DX contest wiped us out.  I had a really hard time with it because the stock FT817nd doesn't have DSP or filters.  I had been spoiled by the DSP in my FT450 at home.  But I did make a contact.  Here is what I learned from this experience.  Rig needs a CW filter and the Hustler mobile antennas are hard to jam in my pack.  Next time I will make some dipoles and shoot them in the trees.

I am new to CW and QRP but they are an outstanding combination.

On the 13th I worked Michigan and Indiana on 6m CW.  
Imagine my surprise to get a return to my slow CQ on 50.090!

Joel - N5XTR
SKCC # 6417