Rich/KY6R, that would be incredible...3 DXpeditions to 3 most-wanted islands going on at one time?  Talk about adrenaline rush!

1. Can somebody explain what packet is used for these days?  I know we have APRS, but is packet even used?  I thought ALE had replaced it on HF?

2. There are already some great remote control options out there for HF.

I guess I am missing a piece of the puzzle.  I would like to help you with the remote stuff since I do that a lot, but please help me understand the packet dimension.  Thanks.

Mark Lunday, WD4ELG

W1JKA, that is terrific guidance!  Thanks.

WB3HUS, that should work...especially since I see so many folks leaving their Christmas lights up all year long!

Mark Lunday, WD4ELG

Yep, ATNO for me also.  Can't believe I have not worked Mayotte yet...but it will be good to get them in the log.

The Hi-Z arrays work quite well, I am thrilled with the performance of mine.  It was not cheap, but the quality and performance are there.  Some juicy stuff from this past season with mine:

1. XU long-path on 80 SSB, and I could not even hear him on my inverted L (and not many other folks could hear him either).
2. V5, ZL and ZS on 160 that I could not hear consistently on my inverted L.  Also heard but could not break the pileups on 160 for 9K2, A6, A4.  And I finally climbed over 100 worked on 160.

I thought Clipperton included scientific research work to help get additional grants.  For southern latitude islands, imagine the scientific research that could be done down there!  Global climate studies, sea current data collection, wildlife analysis.  With all the money being spent on studying climate change, how many observations are being made in the areas in the deep southern hemisphere?  Just sayin'

Mark Lunday, WD4ELG

It was a classic.  Not much on TV worth watching these days...which is good because it is a distraction from hamming!

Back to the topic of this thread (sorry for the diversion by me), I have seen several websites on the proper way to display and care for the flag.  A really good one talked about when to dispose of the flag when it is deteriorating (and offered to take care of that task as part of ordering a new flag).  http://www.replaceyourflag.com/ 

If a ham chooses to purchase a flagpole antenna and decides to fly the American flag, then that ham has an obligation to do it properly.

In fact, why only put up a flagpole antenna?  Why not just put up a flagpole or display one from the porch, without the need for an antenna?  (Flag holder = $8, US Flag $10 at Walmart or Home Depot)?  Our hobby is a great example of the freedoms we enjoy in this country.  How cool would it be if every ham displayed an American flag to reflect this?

OK, enough soapbox.  Back to the rig.

I told my wife: "A group of hams is going to Banaba soon.  I need Banaba."

She was in the other room, and misunderstood/misheard me.  She said "Why would hams talk to fruit?  Your hobby is so hard to understand"

Chris, I had forgotten about that X-files episode.  LOL that was a good one.

9M6XRO/John, THANK YOU FOR AN OUTSTANDING OPERATION FROM 9M4SLL.  Way to show us how it is done, from start to finish.

Wow.  20 meters to Asiatic Russia was incredible tonight.  I finally had to shut off the rig to go to sleep for work tomorrow.  I called CQ on 20 CW (normally I don't call CQ), and had a string of UA0 come back to me.  Signal strengths were S5 to S9, with UA0SM S9+ and RW0SC an incredible S9+20.  One of the stronger stations was running 15 watts.

If not for the polar flutter, I would have thought he was stateside.   One of the UA0 ops was zone 23, that thin sliver of Russia right above Mongolia.

So maybe there is hope for me and VK9C yet.

As usual, Chris, your post gives us a lot to think about.  Thanks for that.  And I agree 100% that if a ham is going to use a flagpole as an antenna, at least pay the modicum of respect and fly the flag properly and care for it in the correct manner.  Good suggestion about including instructions with flag pole antennas.

I was an Eagle Scout (learned a LOT about flag decorum), but I was a ham even before that.  When I was first licensed in 1977, I never considered using a flagpole as an antenna.  The flagpole had one purpose - show the flag properly and with pride.

The concept of flagpole antennas appears to have arisen since the whole CC&R coverage has increased.  Or at least the popularity has exploded since the late 1990's.  (The whole CC&R issue will never end.)

What is ironic to me is that CC&R's, which the ham claims are an infringement upon his personal freedom, are being circumvented with a vertical antenna disguised as a flagpole flying our American flag...which is a symbol of personal freedom.  

N4CR, now I am worried.  We have gone from discussing the flying flags to talking about stone-throwing on this thread.  Since my aim is off and I bruise easily, I better finish this thread and head for cover. 

Perhaps a better flag to be flown on the flagpole would be a "don't tread on me" flag for the CC&R ham, if he wants to give the "middle finger" to the HOA.

(Yes, I live in a CC&R neighborhood.  No, I don't have a flagpole antenna.  Yes, flagpoles are allowed in my neighborhood.  No, I would not use a flagpole as an antenna....just not something I would do, there are easier ways to get on the air.)

I was looking at one of those Sturba curtain wire antennas with 15dBi gain on 10 meters, but no way to rotate it and with the sunspots not looking too promising...

I might try to do some sort of wire beam inverted L yagi for 40 meters, pointed towards Heard Island in the hope that this gives me a leg up and increases my probability.  Hex beam might not make it for 20-10.  Try to get that together and up before September.

Was also considering some sort of moxon for 15 meters by Memorial Day.  But probably same perf as the hex., unless it's a three element.

Guy, that is usually what happens to K3 owners.  It becomes a love-at-first-listen.  Same thing with Flex radios, which is what happened to me.

Did you get the second receiver?

Good info, thanks Clint