On Sunday I was working on the bench and had my K2 turned on and was listening to the 30m band.  I had started working on a QRP WAS on Jan 1, 2008 and on Sunday I finally bagged my last state...Rhode Island.  This is the 4th WAS I completed QRP since 1999 and I can tell you, 1999 was MUCH easier than this latest attempt. Solar Condx are ruff right now but QRP is still working and I have a bunch of hams to thank, they worked very hard to pull me out of the noise sometimes. Other times I got 599's using my 5w or less.

Anyway...now to start on WAS 2009...

72 es OO

W8DIZ has a really cool looking 5w CW amp for your QRP rigs now.  You can check it out at http://www.kitsandparts.com

He has also added a few more new kits as well.

Every ARRL VE teams that I have served with, sent ALL the money to the VEC (ARRL).  We kept none.  We always donated our time, donated our materials, and donated our doughnuts. <grin>

The Ohio Slow Speed Net (OSN) is at 6:10PM EST every day on 3535 - it is a traffic net and there is no better way to sharpen your CW skills than by handling NTS traffic.  It's addictive and a lot of fun.

Wisconsin also has a Slow Speed Net (WSSN) on 3555 at 7:30PM EST

These nets are designed to help train new traffic handlers in the fine arts of traffic handling. <grin>

73

I have been a member of FISTS for about 10 years now.  For $15/yr you get a monthly newsletter, and access to the FISTS QSL Bureau.  I think it's one of the best bargains we have going in Amateur Radio these days.

I was cleaning out some stuff this weekend and I came across my Tuna Tin transmitter that I had built up Manhattan style back in 2001. So for the heck of it, I connected it to the power supply, added my key and an antenna and sent out a couple of CQ's.  Much to my surprise I got an answer on the first try, from AA2AD in Pennsylvania.  Pete is also a QRPer at times.  I was running just about 300 mW to the attic dipole and I was using my K2 for the receive function.  Pete said I was 579, which really blew me away, but soon after the RST and QTH exchange the QSB started to get me.  I switched to the K2 at 10w and we QSO'd for about 10 more minutes. So maybe there is hope for better conditions soon.  I was flabbergasted when he called me back...Pete has great ears and a good fist.

73 de KB9BVN

I've handed out close to 50 or 60 copies of the K7QO CW Training Courses in the last few years.  Out of that I know for a fact that at least 5 people have become regular CW operators.  

I think that's pretty good.  If we can all just get two ops to learn and use it, we're good for eternity.

Next month I will be one of the instructors in our local ARC's effort to bring more amateurs to the fold, we are holding our second licensing class of the year, and the class is already full.  There is hope, and I will try to get one of them to become a CW operator.

73

Fellow CW enthusiasts....I am looking for a 1960 vintage Vibroplex Vibrokeyer. I currently have a 1962 left handed model and I would like to add a 1960 any model to my collection.  The Vibrokeyer was introduced in January of 1960, the same time I was introduced BTW.

If you have one to trade or sell, let me know.


kb9bvn@gmail.com

NAQCC is a good organization, and they help to promote the use of CW with their monthly sprints and mini-contests.

I belong to NAQCC and FISTS, and I like taking part in events from both groups.  It is a lot of fun.

As for the election, if you had asked me about Palin, I would have said something like "awesome", "brilliant choice", or "Way to go McCain".  

As a democrat, I have to wonder what was going on in Denver when they pulled Biden out of the hat.  He was the worst possible option, and apparently he also thinks that as well.

NoBama 08

My K2 has the SSB module, and the audio filter.  I am considering adding the antenna tuner because I may be taking the K2 on some camping trips.

You used 50w on 2m with an indoor antenna?

Smell anything burning?

I like CW better than SSB because I have a hard time understanding the SSB operator most of the time.

My hearing is not what it used to be, and the SSB signal of a lot of ops I hear is usually weak or over powered and fraught with QRN, QSB...etc.  Then you get the guys that slur their words, speak too quickly, and are way too fast on the mic.

Not all SSB ops are like that...but on CW I have a much easier time copying the words they are sending.

I have never heard a racial slur on CW, unlike SSB.

 

Just because you can tune it, doesn't mean it will radiate.

I use a 20m hamstick on my car with decent results, just the body as a radial.

I'd hate to have to try using anything smaller than that.

I just built an OHR 100w dummy load kit, and it is good from HF to VHF.  Went together very easy and came with a nice vented case. I recommend it.  They also sell a 10w model as well.

http://www.ohr.com/rfl100.htm

73 de KB9BVN

Chrys

I just use an antenna switch. Mine has two connectors for two radios, and one connector for one antenna.

I have a homebrew transmitter and a seperate receiver that I use sometimes.  It's a matter of reaching up and manually switching the antenna from the RX to the TX and vice versa.

Sometimes though, I get caught up in the QSO and I forget to switch to TX before actually TXing...that can be bad for the transmitter, so you have to be alert.

There are all kinds of T/R switching circuits out there.