We are underdogs on the band. This morning, we had a 20-meter POTA contact in Illinois and SKCC in TX while on Rosemont Drive. Then a 17-meter ragchew with K3PR in Texas while on Gardenia Drive. The rig is Elecraft's new KX1. It comes with a 46 inch whip and a 13 foot drag wire counterpoise. The KH1 is a five-watt CW rig 40-15 meters. I should get lots of use out of it since Suzy insists on a walk every morning. It comes with a paddle but I am using a straight key.
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Sunday, November 5, 2023
N4KGL's Nov 4, 2023 RaDAR Rally Report
It was perfect weather for the Rally in Florida, with cool temps and sunshine. I was pleased to have RaDAR to RaDAR contacts Pat N5VMO once and Chris VA3ECO in his canoe twice. WE4BY in California was almost R to R, but I only got six digits of his grid square. Indeed, the POTA activity on 20 meters helped with thirteen Park to Park QSOs. I alternated between the Grand Lagoon Pier and the sand near Sandy Point, one kilometer to the East. I had the benefit of a light backpack and carried the Alexloop assembled. There was little time to set up at the fifth stop. So I talked a local Bob AB4OB into a 2-meter FM simplex contact. I had no problem making QSOs with the Chinese FX-4CR at twenty watts and the Alexloop magnetic loop. It never hurts to be near the saltwater.
St. Andrews S.P. Pier on Grand Lagoon |
- Name: Greg Lane
- Call: N4KGL
- Day (Sat or Sun): Saturday
- Venue: St Andrews State Park, Florida
- Start UTC: 1500
- Conveyances used: On Foot
- Bands: 20 meter
- Modes: SSB
- QRP (Y or N): No, 20 watts
- # R to R QSOs =3, # Pota/SOTA QSOs =14, # other QSOs =3, # Deployments =5, Bonus Points= 12
- Eight-digit grid squares for your deployments Stop 1,3 and 5 EM70DD22 Stop 2 and 4 EM70DD31
Grand Lagoon near Sandy Point |
Bob KK4DIV and Scott K7DIA had great results in the same county here in Florida, and Ken KX4BT in Alabama. Of course, Chris had it good in his canoe in Ontario. I got reports from Bob LB4FH in Norway and Lucy M6ECG in England, who had to deal with stormy or rainy weather. I also appreciate a report from Eddie ZS6BNE in South Africa. There will be more reports and follow-ups. Thanks for all the participation across the globe.
Many R2R & 73,
Greg N4KGL
Friday, November 3, 2023
N4KGL's RaDAR Rally Plan Nov 4th, 2023
I plan to do the rally at St Andrews State Park near Panama City, Florida. I will walk between two spots, one at the marina area and the other at Sandy Point. Those are on the saltwater shore of Grand Lagoon to take advantage of the saltwater effect. I'll need five contacts at each stop to move to the next. The rig will be my FX-4CR, and the antenna will be the Alexloop magnetic loop. The hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT. Look for my spots on the RaDAR Spots page: https://www.radarrally.info/p/
Please read the rules httpwww.radarrally.info/
Review the roster for the registered RaDAR participants at https://www.radarrally.
Good luck and stay safe
Greg N4KGL
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Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Is the Saltwater Effect advantageous for the RaDAR Rally?
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Registration is open for the Nov 4th, 2023, RaDAR Rally
RaDAR is Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio conceived by Eddie Leighton ZS6BNE. RaDAR encourages outdoor operating with a unique challenge: make five contacts and redeploy as fast as possible in four hours. The RaDAR Challenge has become the RaDAR Rally with some rule tweaks. Please take a look at the complete rules here. If you are interested, could you make your plans and register? Registration will facilitate RaDAR to RaDAR contacts. Email your registration info below to the RaDAR Rally POC, Greg Lane, at lanekg@gmail.com. I'll accept registrations through November 3rd UTC. If your plans change, send me an update. This is not a contest; it is just for fun! Check out this intro video and the Fall 2023 roster here.
- Name
- Call
- Day (Sat or Sun),
- Venue,
- Start UTC
- Conveyances
- Bands
- Modes
- QRP (Y or N)
- Spotting method (optional)
Saturday, July 1, 2023
Our 2023 ARRL Field Day at Eastbank Campground, Georgia
This is our setup at campsite C-33. It has lots of bonus green space we used for antennas. |
The Buddipole Buddihex hex beam is a real winner for field day. |
I enjoyed a visit from Micky Baker, the ARRL Southeast Director. |
We look forward to Winter Field Day, likely from the same campsite. |
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Field Day Countdown
I tested N1MM Logger + networking with two Toughbook laptops. The two laptops are tied together with an ethernet crossover cable. |
A nice satellite station, the Icom 9700, Arrow antenna, and CSN S.A.T box. |
What could be better than a view of the Buddihex at sunset over Lake Seminole? |
Rick, NZ2I |