Nice job on that.  I like ugly construction.

I built my AADE LC Meter about ten years ago.  It's one of the most used tools on my bench.  I always take it to the hamfests so I can identify caps and coils.  It's great to know if that air variable is good or not...before you buy it.

73

Put them up in the air about 40-50 feet high.  Buy or borrow an antenna analyzer and check them out.  The analyzer will tell you exactly what you have, and where it is resonant.

The 50 footer is most likely a 30m antenna...I can only guess at the other one based on your info.

I don't see how a Chinese company can ever become the next Elecraft...at least not here in the US.

A new slow code traffic net has begun in Indiana. ICN will meet every evening on 3535 Khz at 00:00Z. CW speeds max out at about 13 wpm, slower ops are always welcome. Come to ICN and learn how to pass traffic the NTS way, and practice your CW at the same time. Check ins are always welcomed if you have traffic or not. This net is not just limited to Indiana hams...if you can hear us, then feel free to QNI (check in).

See Section II of the ARRL Public Service Communication Manual for NTS operations. It's fun, it's easy, and great practice for your fist!

73 de KB9BVN

KE7WAV,

AWESOME dude!  Seriously, there is not much out there that can compare to a QRP to QRP CW QSO for excitement, especially when you get some distance.  Just stick around, if we ever start getting a few more sun spots things will be even better.

Nice job!

See the awards section at  http://www.qrparci.org

QRP ARCI is pleased to announce their sponsorship of the Iowa High Altitude Balloon (iHAB) project.  This sponsorship is for the second launch by iHAB.  This launch will provide improvements over their first launch to include better APRS tracking, an improved 20 meter beacon and better camera clarity.

The launch is scheduled for October 2, 2010 at 14:00Z (9AM CDT) from the Ottumwa Industrial Airport (OTM) IHCC North Campus Aviation Building.  Preflight will begin at 13:00Z (8AM CDT). Should weather prevent the launch, the fall back date will be Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the same times.

The QRP Beacon (1.6 watts) will be on 14.059.0 MHz signing (the QRP ARCI Club call sign) “K6JSS iHAB 2”

Please go to http://www.qrparci.org/ for more information on the flight and special recognition for reception reports.

The MARC is located in Franklin Indiana, the heart of Johnson County. We will be starting a weekly CW lesson net on our 2m repeater the first week of December.  If you are interested in learning CW and you are in the central Indiana area, contact KB9BVN at kb9bvn@gmail.com and let him know.  We will be using the Chuck Adams K7QO CW Code Course. Students will be encouraged to study on their own through the week, and then on Sunday nights we will have some one the air practice sessions.

Don't miss out on the fun!

73 de KB9BVN
Brian Murrey

This coming weekend is the BIG ONE from the QRP-ARCI Contest side of things.

With the Worked All ARCI Challenge going on as well, this is a tremendous opportunity to get a bunch of numbers in a short period of time.

2009 QRP-ARCI(sm) Fall QSO Party

Date/Time:

1200Z on 17 October 2009 through 2400Z on 18 October 2009.  You may work a maximum of 24 hours of the 36 hour period.

Mode:

HF CW only.

Exchange:

Members send:  RST, State/Province/Country, ARCI member number
Non-Members send:  RST, State/Province/Country, Power Out

QSO Points:

Member = 5 points
Non-Member, Different Continent = 4 points
Non-Member, Same Continent = 2 points

Multiplier:

SPC (State/Province/Country) total for all bands.  The same station may be worked on multiple bands for QSO points and SPC credit.

Power Multiplier:

>5 Watts = x1
>1 - 5 Watts = x7
>250 mW - 1 Watt = x10
>55 mW - 250 mW = x15
55 mW or less = x20

Suggested Frequencies:

160m    1810 kHz
80m     3560 kHz
40m     7030 kHz (please listen at 7040 kHz for rock bound participants)
20m     14060 kHz
15m     21060 kHz
10m     28060 kHz

Score:

Final Score = Points (total for all bands) x SPCs (total for all bands) x Power Multiplier.

Teams:

You may enter as a team with an unlimited number of operators as long as no more than 5 transmitters are on the air concurrently.  You compete individually as well as on the team.  Teams need not be in the same location.  Team captains must send a list of members to the Contest Manager before the contest.

Categories:

Entry may be All-Band, Single Band, High Bands (10m-15m-20m) or Low Bands (40m-80m)

How to Participate:

Get on any of the HF bands except the WARC bands and hang out near the QRP frequencies.  Work as many stations calling CQ QRP or CQ TEST as possible, or call CQ QRP or CQ TEST yourself!  You can work a station for credit once on each band.

Worked All ARCI Challenge:  With the current WAAC challenge running this a chance to pick up huge numbers towards your challenge score.  Details are at:  http://www.qrparci.org/content/view/8350/132/

Email Log Submission:

Submit Logs in plain text format along with a summary stating your Callsign, Entry Category, Actual Power and Station Description along with score calculation to contest@qrparci.org


Snail mail Log Submission:

Submit Logs along with a summary stating your Callsign, Entry Category, Actual Power and Station Description along with score calculation to:

ARCI Fall QSO Party
c/o Jeff Hetherington, VA3JFF
139 Elizabeth St. W.
Welland, Ontario
Canada  L3C 4M3

Deadline:

Entries must be postmarked on or before 18 November 2009.

Results:

Will be published in QRP Quarterly and shown on the QRP-ARCI website.

Certificates:

Will be awarded to the top scoring entrant in each category.  Certificates may be awarded for 2nd and 3rd place if entries are sufficient in a category.


==========================================
 L. Jeffrey Hetherington - VA3JFF / VE3CW
      QRP-ARCI(sm) Contest Manager

The Summer 2009 QRP Quarterly has a two or three page article about the new Chinese rig.  They don't get into the electronic specifics, and that may be due to the maker not furnishing them with any.

In a nutshell, the rig doesn't offer 80m, and it doesn't offer an automatic tuner.  So if you're wanting a very small all in one rig, the KX1 might still be a better choice.  Since there is no auto tuner, there is room for a full compliment of 8 batteries, thus handing you a full 12VDC for s smidge more power out, if you use 1.5vdc cells.  Your basic NiMH cells are 1.2vdc so you're back to under 10vdc for power with those.  

QRP Quarterly is the newsletter for the QRP Amateur Radio Club International.  (QRP-ARCI) You can join by visiting the website at http://www.qrparci.org

I love to ragchew. I used to keep a date book near the operating position and if I found a good ragchew I'd ask the Op if he'd like to go in my sched book for a weekly or bi-weekly QSO.  80% of the time they said yes...and after a few months of this I had stations to chat with almost every night. I kind of got sidetracked and haven't done that in a few years, worked so well I quit...I guess.  I have found the best way to get a Wisconsin OP to chew the rag, is to just mention the Green Bay Packers...then sit back and get ready to copy. I also QRS on most ragchews...it makes us both a little comfortable, and the QSO lasts longer.

I would like to see more specs on it as well.  Also some of the reviews mention it has SSB capability...I am assuming that is for receive only, like the KX-1...is that correct?  I have used my KX-1 to check into SSB nets with CW...that's a lot of fun.

Build this one:

http://www.w5usj.com/images/zmatch/l-tunerrfcs.pdf

Uses molded RF chokes.

Hi Bill,

Have you made any Pixie contacts yet?  I built mine for 40m and one for 80, Manhattan style.  They are no match for a FT1000 <grin> but I get a huge kick out of making a  QSO with them.  What are you using for the PA? I have been using metal 2N2222's but I am only getting about 220 mW out. I may build one with a socket for the PA, crystal, and filter...so I can experiment some.

73

Do what I do...live trap them...then carry them to the garage, shut the door, and dispatch them.  I do the same with rabbits that eat my garden.  After a few weeks, the problem seems to go away.