Blog Post

Sunday, July 3, 2016 - The bands have been silent for most of the afternoon.  I completed one brief QSO with K2G in Georgia (Thirteen Colonies Special Event), monitored some stations on 6M SSB and then things became eerily silent.

It seems I search the internet for clear and hopeful insight on HF band conditions. It's pointless, yet I'm curious to learn ... so I continue searching and reading.  Still, I yearn for the conditions from three years ago -- I was able to make QSO's from the back yard using a long wire and operating QRP.

Lately, I've enjoyed the real time data from K7RA.  He writes:

• There were eight days without sunspots
• Sunspots during Field Day Weekend - none
• Slight improvement is expected today

K7RA mentioned that conditions were good last weekend, during Field Day. Unfortunately, things were not very good when I was monitoring HF bands and the DX cluster. I hope things will improve, even just a little, in the coming weeks.

Here's the K7RA band stability data (as of the time of my writing):

Cook, P. P., III. (2016, June 24). LATEST K7RA HF Propagation Bulletin. Retrieved July 3, 2016, from http://www.bandconditions.com/NEWS.htm

Blog Post

June 25, 2016 - It's Field Day weekend.  I've always enjoyed FD, but haven't been affiliated with a club in recent years. One local group sent out a request for helpers to "tear down" ... huh.

So, I'm in the shack a few hours before the official "start" of FD and I hear static.  Plenty of static. I'm almost wondering if my antenna is working. A few friends on a local list serve responded to an email. Everyone wrote there were few stations on 6-20M, and some signals increasing on 40M SSB. I've not been so fortunate here.  My long wire and HEX are only copying faint signals and static.

Here's the latest report on propagation from K7RA:

"This weekend is ARRL Field Day. Good conditions are expected, but on Thursday prior to this weekend there were no sunspots visible. But the forecast is for a rising solar flux over the weekend with no geomagnetic upsets expected."

The current graphic summary (below) doesn't look good, nor does my current observation of 10-20M SSB.  Maybe it's time for a new hobby.

Cook, P. P., III. (2016, June 24). LATEST K7RA HF Propagation Bulletin. Retrieved June 25, 2016, from http://www.bandconditions.com/NEWS.htm

Blog Post

June 19, 2016 - With poor band conditions, I decided to review my WAS Award status on LoTW (8Band SSB).  Here's what's still needed:

• 80M Missing: AK, AZ, CO, ID, NE, SD, UT, WA, WY
• 40M Missing: CO, ID, ND, OR, SD, UT, WY
• 20M Completed
• 17M Missing: FL, GA, HI, MI
• 15M Completed
• 12M Missing: AL, HI, IL, IA, ME, MA, NE, NH, SD
• 10M Completed
• 6M   Missing: AK, AZ, CA, CT, HI, ID, ME, MA, MT, NE, NH, NC, ND, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WY

Blog Post

June 19, 2016 - Yuck!  HF bands are dead.  I updated LoTW and confirmed more eQSL's, which was nice. I've not been in the shack for months because of a busy schedule and poor band conditions. Perhaps 6M SSB will open later this afternoon.

Thus far, I've only copied W5RF (Texas, weak readable) making a QSO with T77LA (San Marino) at 12:24PM EDT.  Otherwise, the bands are flat here at my station.











Tad Cook, K7RA offered the following statement yesterday:

"That was a little scary seeing the daily sunspot number at zero for four days, June 3 to 6, but conditions seem to have recovered nicely."

The following graphic is from K7RA's webpage (it's a nice graphic resource). Looks like 160M and 15M may be the only possibilities right now.  I'm off to listen on 15M SSB.

Cook, P. P., III. (2016, June 18). LATEST K7RA HF Propagation Bulletin. Retrieved June 19, 2016, from http://www.bandconditions.com/NEWS.htm 

Blog Post

April 24, 2016 - Well, it's been several months since I've had time to log time in my shack. It's a shame -- my first day back on HF bands and the HF bands are serving up a lousy afternoon for DX. A quick look at "the numbers" better explains my disappointment:

There's no way around it. HF propagation stinks. I'll take some time to read up on recent trends and forecasts, to see what the the next few weeks will offer. I have a hunch this is destined to be a quiet summer.

WANTED: ZONE 23

October 31, 2015 - QSL arrived!

MONGOLIA   JV5A   20M SSB

November 1, 2014

End of Winter Hiatus

May 17, 2015 - Three months have passed since my last QSO. The winter was long and my attention was focused elsewhere. I'm glad things are settling down.

I managed to fire up my gear, test repairs on the HEX Beam and make a QSO earlier today. All works well. John (HK3C) and I had a brief chat on 15M Phone. And I was delighted that Merri (one of two cats who became quite ill earlier today) was in my lap, purring and appearing healthier again.

It's good to be back on the bands again!

Update

January 24, 2015 - It's been quiet on the bands in my "neck of the woods." I'm surprised that the HF bands, including WARC, are very quiet. I'm spending the day listening to some QSO's, following the weather forecast and recharging battery-packs that are used for my EmComm station.

2014 Year in Review

January 4, 2015 - Each year, I enjoy taking time to review my goals and accomplishments as a radio amateur operator. 2014 was an especially fun year during which I accomplished several goals for my primary station located in my station log (Grid: FM19la):

• Surpassed 200 DXCC Entities contacted, 
• Added seventeen new DXCC Entities contacted,
• Confirmed 240+ DXCC Entities, and
• Made significant progress toward accomplishing 5 Band WAS Phone!

I'm especially proud to add seventeen new DXCC Entities to my primary station log (Grid: FM19la):

• V73TM (MARSHALL ISLANDS) 10M SSB,
• 3A2NG (MONACO) 15M SSB,
• A35DX (TONGA) 10M SSB,
• 5Z4FV (KENYA) 20M SSB,
• T6T (AFGHANISTAN) 12M SSB, 
• FT4TA (TROMELIN ISLAND) 17M SSB,
• C91C (MOZAMBIQUE) 15M SSB,
• S79K (SEYCHELLES ISLANDS) 10M SSB, 
• T88HZ (PALAU) 10M SSB, 
• S0S (WESTERN SAHARA) 10M SSB, 
• ZK3E (TOKELAU ISLANDS) 10M SSB, 
• VK9DLX (LORD HOWE ISLAND) 12M SSB, 
• T30D (WESTERN KIRIBATI) 10M SSB, 
• TY2BP (BENIN) 17M SSB, 
• 9M2ESM (WEST MALAYSIA) 15M SSB, 
• CY0/VA1AXC (SABLE ISLAND) 20M SSB, and
• 1A0KM (SOV MILITARY ORDER OF MALTA) 12M SSB. 

The following new QSL's also arrived last year: Tanzania, Vatican, Sardinia, Benin, Macedonia, Madagascar, Tokelau, American Samoa and Afghanistan are just a few "highly desired." In sum, 2014 was a good year for my radio amateur DX activities!

Here's hoping the new year is equally rewarding.

SWEEPSTAKES 2014

November 16, 2014 - Once again, I dabbled with the annual 2014 ARRL Sweepstakes SSB contest. My logging software was functional, antennas were tweaked, snacks were prepared and I was well-rested. There was plenty of time to participate and I was eager. Forty Meters is a "golden band" for the evening hours here in the Mid Atlantic. It offers one an ability to accumulate several QSO's during the evening hours and I planned on spending most of Saturday evening on 40M SSB.

Scott (N3FJP) and Gary (WC3N) were running tests on 40M SSB yesterday afternoon, so I joined them for a nice QSO. Unfortunately, during the middle of our testing, I developed terrible RFI in my shack -- just an hours prior to the contest! The configuration of my end fed wire -- which was ideal during the summer months -- wasn't working now. The RFI caused my computer to freeze / crash. It distorted the audio in my transceiver monitor circuit so badly that I couldn't wear headphones (thankfully, reports from other stations confirmed my transmit signal was "clean").

WIND DAMAGE

November 7, 2014 - Wind gusts have returned to the region and my 40/80M wire antennas have been compromised. The forecast this afternoon states NW wind around 18 kt, with gusts as high as 27 kt, are possible. An old branch has fallen in the back yard and twisted some wire antennas.



The forecast warns for colder than seasonal temperatures next week, so I hope to make adjustments and repairs this weekend when conditions improve.

WAS 20M PHONE COMPLETED!

Jay, WB2MKX

November 2, 2014 - I set a goal o work as many states as possible bands (Worked All Stated - 5 Band Certificate) and I was determined to complete WAS 20M PHONE. New Jersey was the last remaining state and tonight was a delightful success. While skimming the band for Tomelin, I copied New Jersey. You bet I jumped on NJ!

I sent an SWL report via email to radio amateur WB2MKX who is located in Randolph, NJ. Jay kindly responded and we set up a quick sked on 20M SSB. We chatted until band conditions deteriorated (things worsened here in Silver Spring, MD). Thanks for helping me with this 20M achievement, Jay!

WORKED ALL ZONES (Progress)

November 2, 2014 - I've uploaded the QSO to LOTW. Let's hope JV5A updates his log and confirms the contact soon!

October 27, 2014 - Success! I contacted JV5A (Mongolia) on 20M SSB (yesterday evening). The QRZ profile indicates JV5A is a LOTW user, so I'm hopeful to receive an electronic confirmation for this QSO.

MONGOLIA   JV5A   20M SSB

November 1, 2014

SOME HELP IN THE SHACK

Miss Bebe is helping work W1AW/KP2

CQWW SSB CONTEST 2014

October 26, 2014 - The CQWW SSB 2014 "snuck-up" on me this year.  I was focused on other items and was "taken" by surprise. Rather than participating as a contestant, I spent time searching for "new" DXCC Entities. It worked: I contacted four new Entities this weekend.

My primary station is modest when compared with stations used by those considered "serious" DX'ers or contesters.  A "HEX" beam (6M-20M) is suspended from a tree branch in the back yard and this antenna is manually rotated. I was on 40/80M as sunrise approached the east coast, and then I would spend the remainder of daytime and evening hours searching for contacts on 20M, 15M and 10M.

Four radio amateur contacts deserve special emphasis: MOZAMBIQUE (181 C9), PALAU (22 T8), SEYCHELLES (379 S7) and WESTERN SAHARA (302 S0) are my first-ever DXCC QSO's with each Entity. Here are pictures of the automated Tweets via ClubLog:

I also completed (yet another) contact with a radio amateur located in CQ Zone 23. I've done this before, yet, Zone 23 remains the only CQ Zone from which I've not yet received an electronic confirmation (LOTW). Fortunately, Tom [JV5A MONGOLIA (363 JT)] was active on several bands. It took several hours and I was finally able to completed a contact with him on 20M SSB. The CQ "Worked All Zone" award may finally arrive in 2015!

Here are some other noteworthy accomplishments:

• While still not "officially" recognized by the UN, and therefore not granted status as an independent DXCC Entity, I was pleased to complete a successful contact with an operator in the REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO (Z61). 
• DODECANESE (45 SV5), TAJIKISTAN (262 E), THAILAND (387 HS), JAPAN (339 JA), CHINA (318 BA), LIECHTENSTEIN (251 HB0), MARIANA ISLANDS (166 KH0) and QATAR (376 A7) were other pleasant "surprises." 
• I also successfully contacted two radio amateurs on ASCENSION ISLAND (205 ZD8) who I hope will finally confirm this DXCC Entity via LOTW.

The radio waves were "buzzing" with radio amateur station from Oceania (South Pacific) and Asia. New contacts for "band/mode" DXCC "credits" were added. These rare contacts include:

• LORD HOWE ISLAND (147 VK9L) 
• MARIANA ISLANDS (166 KH0)
• MARQUESAS ISLANDS (509 FO/M, TX7)
• SOUTH COOK IS. (234 E5/S)
• WALLIS & FUTUNA ISLANDS 298 FW 

At times, I was able to have a "solid copy" on radio amateurs in LAOS, MOZAMBIQUE and SEYCHELLES -- all would have been desirable and "new-to-me" DXCC Entities. Despite valiant efforts, I just wasn't able to contact several other "wanted" stations (MALAYSIA, VIETNAM, SOUTH KOREA and PHILIPPINES) due to QRM.

Finally, I created a map (courtesy of www.QSOmap.org) showing all of the contacts from the past two weekends. The result is pretty amazing!

INCREDIBLE DX WEEKEND

October 20, 2014 - I accomplished significant progress contacting new DXCC entities this weekend. I'm delighted to add three new entities to my "first ever" contacted list! Thanks to the operators, support team and sponsors of these DXpeditions. I eagerly await confirmation via LoTW.

MARQUESAS ISLANDS 509 FO/M, TX7

• TX7G   Band: 20M USB 
• TX7G   Band: 15M USB 

LORD HOWE ISLAND 147 VK9L

• VK9DLX   Band: 20M USB
• VK9DLX   Band: 10M USB
• VK9DLX   Band: 12M USB

TOKELAU ISLANDS 270 ZK3

• ZK3E   Band: 10M USB 

INTERESTING DX, NC 15M SSB

"Miss Bebe"

October 18, 2914 - It's a lovely day outside and an interesting day for DX. Right now, our 
youngest cat is sitting on my lap as I work some DX on 10/12M SSB. 

Earlier today I successfully contacted N1LN (Bruce) in North Carolina on 12M SSB. 

Other contacts include a few new DXCC entities. Each QSO had "something to offer" in terms of a new island, entity / new band, etc.:

• ALGERIA 400 7X

• BAHRAIN 304 A9

• BALEARIC ISLANDS 21 EA6

• BELARUS 27 EU

• CRETE 40 SV9

• CROATIA 497 9A (Island)

• EGYPT 478 SU

• GUYANA 129 8R

• MALTA 257 9H

• MOROCCO 446 CN

• SAINT HELENA 250 ZD7

• TUNISIA 474 3V

While attempting to upload contacts to LoTW, the system generated an error and I learned my certificate expired today. I use Aether to submit eQSL and LoTW confirmations (my primary log is maintained by MacLoggerDX) and it allowed me to request an updated certificate electronically. Pretty cool. I hope it arrives soon.

Update 2145Z - Yes, a new DXCC entity!

Update 2215Z - And another one! Although, the operator started calling NP4L immediately after responding to my call ... and I'm suspect he may not have logged our QSO properly. I'll keep checking the online log book to confirm the QSO.

"CURSES, FOILED AGAIN!"

October 12, 2014 - I've had great "DX success" these past few weeks -- including adding T30D 2014 DXpedition Western Kiribati (WESTERN KIRIBATI 301 T30, IOTA OC017) as a New DXCC Entity and W1AW/KH0 (MARIANA ISLANDS 166 KH0). And I've also had some disappointments:

• YJ0X (VANUATU) stopped calling about two minutes after I spotted him on 10/12/14 (approximately 5:30am EDT)! Propagation shifted as sunrise approached (7:14 AM in Washington, DC) and the operator went QRT!
• C21CG (NAURU) has been frequently spotted, yet I've never been able to "copy" this 2014 DXpedition.
• 3D2YA (FIGI) came and went without a single readable copy at my station.
• A35RT (TONGA) seems to be a rare spot that I've not been able to contact.
• W1AW/0 (MISSOURI) has been curiously elusive.

I hope some of the upcoming DXpeditions offer better success! I'll be looking for: ZK3 TOKELAU, VK9DLX CHRISTMAS IS, TX7G FRANCE, 4W TIMOR LESTE, KH8B AMER SAMOA, XX9 MACAU and FT4TA AMST ST PAUL.

October 12, 2014 (Addendum 1815Z) - I stumbled upon 5Z4/DJ4EL (KENYA) -- another new entity that I seek -- and he took his last contact for the day. Alas, I hope to try again tomorrow!

VANUATU 158 YJ

Oct. 12, 2014 - I woke up early this morning with hopes to contact YJ0X (VANUATU) on 20M SSB. The operator was calling "CQ" on 20M SSB and the frequency was clear. 

Unfortunately, YJ0X  stopped calling about two minutes after I spotted him! Propagation is shifting as we approach sunrise in approximately one hour and fifteen minutes (7:14 AM
in Washington, DC). 

Sadly, I just read the group will stop operating on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 0000Z. It's unlikely I'll make a successful contact with the VANUATU 2014 DXpedition.