Skeeters found near Alabama Lake

The QRP Skeeter Hunt 2013 was August 11th. I had fun with co-operator Thomas WD0HBR hunting skeeters. This site at Jessie Forrester Lake is near Thomas' home in Dothan, AL. I looked for the prize skeeter Eddie ZS6BNE but no luck. I did find a dozen skeeters plus Bert F6HKA who was doing SKCC. I was not working stations that easily on the broadside doublet and switched to the Alexloop. I worked F6HKA on the loop. I also worked WQ4RP in NC on the loop on 40 meters. It took lots of repeats. The skies were clear and it was hot but some cool breezes helped. This was a great QRP event and another enjoyable portable outing.

72  Greg N4KGL

WD0HBR

N4KGL

Greg N4KGL AL
Skeeter #96 - All CW
Skeeter QSOs - 12
Non-Skeeter QSOs - 1
DX QSOs - 1
S/P/Cs - 10
Station Class Multiplier X3
Claiming Bonus - Yes

12X2 = 24  

Plus 1 Non-Skeeter = 25

Plus 1 DX = 28

28X10 = 280

280 X 3 = 840 plus 500 points for the bonus = 1340 final score.

20M
KX0R CO 78
K3RLL PA 25
N0SS MO 20
VE3WDM ON 3
K9DXA WI 36
VA3SIE ON 54
VE3EDX ON 138
AI4HV DE 85
NE5DL TX 34

15 M

F6HKA FRA 500W

40M
WQ4RP NC 122
AK4VL NC 61
AD4S GA 96

S/P/C CO PA MO ON WI DE TX FRA NC GA (10)

RaDAR 40 Meter Meetup Operations

The Google+ RaDAR community had a 40 meter on-the-air meet up built around my visit to Top Sail Preserve State Park near Destin, FL. I had a two hour window to operate and I operated Parking Lot Portable (PLP).  We had Manfred DJ1SJ and Eddie ZS6BNE staying up quite late listening in but conditions were not favorable for DX. I did have success with a 40 meter dipole up 20 feet. Most contacts were within 200 miles. I also had a buddistick up at 20 feet but did not work anyone one with it.

The first hour starting a 5 PM was fruitful. On SSB, I worked KK4DIV who was QRP mobile likely within about 50 miles of me. It was rough copy. Then Don KK4QAM from Sweetwater AL called me. He attended the RaDAR talk in Huntsville. Next a big surpirse Curtis WB4SHX called me. He lives in Lucedale, MS. Curtis and I went to high school together in Dothan, AL. We were both hams back then. KG4GTR called Curtis and me. He was in Beverly Hills, FL.

At the half hour I switched to CW and Tom WD0HBR in Dothan was on 7.050 to greet me, Tom and I do QRP outings together. Then Bob WB4BLX back in Panama City called me. The Ohio QSO Party was on-going and I worked K8B.

Most of the 40 meter signals were strong S9 or better. I guess I had a pretty good NVIS antenna with the dipole. So no luck with the other RaDAR folks that got on. I did not work anybody during the second hour. I was visited by a park volunteer who was inactive ham. I also met a park ranger who is working on the tech license so he can do live video from his R/C planes.

This PLP was the type of operating I have done a lot in the past and is not very light weight. I have another visit to the park planned for August 31st. I plan going pedestrian mobile and trying for one contact per kilometer.

The RaDAR concept was originated by Eddie ZS6BNE. See Eddie's blog at this link. Marcus now NX5MK introduced RaDAR in America. See the site at http://radar-america.blogspot.com/ There was a RaDAR contest in April and will be another in November. These parallel contests in South Africa. Meanwhile there is RaDAR Challenge. See this link for the updated Monthly RaDAR Challenge rules. If this RaDAR idea appeals to you checkout the RaDAR community on Google plus at this link Note, you do not have to join the community to participate in RaDAR.

Huntsville Hamfest 2013

I was fortunate to make the annual vigil to Huntsville this year. Marv KK4DKT and I drive up from Panama City FL together.  Friday night we setup portable behind the La Quinta. Marv deployed his Ham Box 1000 and did DSTAR back to Panama City and I worked a Cuban Station on 20 meters SSB with the Alexloop.

It is always a pleasure to meetup with my buddy John K4KQZ from Columbia TN. We all do our best to simulate the economy. This year I bought a Heathkit Solid State Dip Meter in good shape for antenna work.. When I saw the LNR Precision Trail-Friendly 40/20/10 End Fed, I could not leave without it. It looks perfect for Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR). I threw away the box and put it in my pocket.

Craig NM4T my Huntsville Buddy hosted a Build-A-Thon with Rex W1REX on Monte Sano Saturday night. It was good to see several young folks do a good job on the tuna tins. Hey did you know those kits can be built in the dark with penlights. We were joined by Jerry N4EO also from Columbia TN. He bought three military PRC type radios. One was a Navaho Code Talker Set. They were awesome.

Sunday, I gave a QRP Forum presentation on RaDAR to about 20 hams. It was fun sharing the RaDAR concepts Eddie ZS6BNE has given us from South Africa. Mike N4MHO from the RaDAR Google+ Community attended and we also had an eyeball QSO Saturday. I also enjoyed Craig NM4T's presentation on salt water operations. Craig NM4Tdoes an outstanding job with the QRP forums and the Monte Sano activity. It has become to be known as Two Days in Huntsville (TDiH). There were prizes at the forums and I won a digital subscription to CQ magazine.

I saw a presentation on kit building by Joe K0NEB fron Lincoln Nebraska. Since Joe was from Lincoln, I asked him if he knew Thomas WD0HBR my Dothan buddy who moved to AL from Lincoln. Sure enough Joe was one of Tom's students when he taught broadcasting in college there. 

I am looking forward to Orlando Hamcation in February and a return to Huntsville next year!

Greg N4KGL

Three Amigos: Greg N4KGL, John K4KQZ and Marv KK4DKT

The cabin on Monte Sano used for the W1REX Build-A-Thon

Tuna Tin Build-A-Thon

Jerry N4EOs Navaho Code Talker Set

RaDAR Outing at Topsail State Park

The Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR) Challenge is in effect with new rules. The rules encourage combining a walk with your portable operations.  I decided to visit Topsail State Park while my wife worked a four hour shift a Miramar Beach, FL. I know from previous visits to Topsail there is a nice picnic area 2.6 km from the parking area. I decided to make the hike with my minimal pack up; KX3, Alexloop and external battery in my backpack. Upon arrival at the picnic area I discovered I forgot to include the camera tripod that supports the AlexLoop. This was scary because I did not bring any backup wire antennas. Well a search of the area did yield a stick that I could wedge between the slats on the picnic table see photo. The AlexLoop was cocked a bit but who knows this might be advantageous.

I also advertised this outing as a on-the-air meetup with hams in the RaDAR google plus community. I chose 17 meters as the band for the meet up. I did not snag any of them. But I was also bouncing around to try to get five contacts in any case. My SSB CQ did yield XE2YWB. He gave me a 57. Then K0BLT called. He gave me a 57 to 59. SSB played out and I went to CW and answered N1EP in Maine. He was QRP on a FT 817 so that was a two way QRP QSO. I called CQ on PSK with no luck but I did snag CO8LY Cuba on PSK. The final QSO was KW7D in NM on CW. BTW my minimal pack up does include the Ham Central Terminal HCT. I use it for PSK support and logging.

I was very pleased to get five QSOs. The time at the picnic area was limited to about 1.5 hours as I needed to exit the park before sundown and meet my wife. Being late was not an option you know. As far as the Radar challenge if you walk 1 kilometer and setup the QSOs are 2 contact points each. There are bonuses in the challenge 7 for at least one digital contact, 3 for at least one CW contact and 5 for at least one QRP contact. So contact points plus bonus is 10 + 15 = 25 total.

The RaDAR concept was originated by Eddie ZS6BNE. See Eddie's blog at this link. Marcus KD0JKM introduced RaDAR in America. See the site at http://radar-america.blogspot.com/ There was a RaDAR contest in April and will be another in November. These parallel contests in South Africa. Meanwhile there is RaDAR Challenge. See this link for the updated Monthly RaDAR Challenge rules.

RaDAR encourages taking portable ops a bit further to include a hike. It helps to make sure you have all you gear in the pack up. I squeezed by on forgetting my tripod. I should have brought some wire in case there was no option to support the loop. If this RaDAR idea appeals to you checkout the RaDAR community on Google plus at this link You do not have to join the group to participate in RaDAR.

2.6 kilometer hike from parking to picnic area by the lake.

Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR) Monthly Challenge

The Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR) program is a great way to exercise your portable operating skills and equipment. See this link for the updated Monthly RaDAR Challenge rules. In addition, there is a Google+ Community for sharing your RaDAR operations at link You don't have to join the community to participate in RaDAR. The RaDAR program is administered by Marcus KD0JKM. The RaDAR concept was originated by Eddie ZS6BNE. See Eddie' blog at this link.

Have Fun with RaDAR!

Greg N4KGL

QRPWorks Ham Central Terminal (HCT) for KX3 Portable Ops

The Elecraft KX3 is capable of decoding and transmitting CW, PSK and RTTY without a computer. The KX3 modes that achieve this are PSK-D and FSK-D. Eliminating the computer is an advantage to portable operation. There are some caveats to be aware of. The success on decoding CW varies with the sender but is still useful. The display of decoded signals is on a short scrolling display. You don't have a waterfall display on PSK. But this does not mean you can have fun with these modes. The input for PSK-D and FSK-D is via the paddle inputs. For me, I have yet to fully master the paddles.

Perhaps a portable computer such as a laptop, tablet or smart phone could be used for more capability. My issue with that is I can't see the display in direct sunlight. So this is where the Ham Central Terminal (HCT) comes in. This is a new product from QRPworks. It has a sunlight readable display and works at night as well. The display can provide 80 characters at a time with scrolling memory. It will accept a PS/2 computer keyboard so paddle inputs are not required. The other value added is it will capture frequency and mode from the KX3 to allow keeping a log of up to 1200 QSOs. The capabilities are well described on the QRPWorks.com web site.

I have a HCT and the good news is with a mini keyboard it fits in my backpack with the KX3, Alexloop and external battery. The keyboard and display make PSK a bit more user friendly and I enjoy the logger. It has some limitations in fields but the essentials are there including the time of day which is available if you install a CR type cell internal to the HCT. I have been making PSK QSOs but for me perhaps the logging is my favorite feature. 

The unit has ten memories for messages usable for CW, PSK and RTTY. They are easy to edit and do not require any additional software. You access them with one press of a function key. This is better than the two presses required on the KX3. You can also stack the memory messages not just the same message but combinations. I don't think the KX3 will let you stack mixed memory messages yet but it is on Wayne's list. It will also substitute a call or serial number in the messages. I am not a big time contester but I could see the memory capabilities as very handy for Field Day.

I am impressed with the job QRPWorks has done with the HCT. I prefer a firmware approach over the mix and match of software and interfaces. I have not covered every detail but I am having fun with mine. So check it out.

RaDAR Outing at Falling Waters State Park

With several consecutive rainy days and rain in the forecast, I was doubtful that the rains would let up enough to allow an outing to Falling Waters State Park near Chipley FL. But I arrived at 8 AM and the rains held off until 2PM. I would have been hiking with the gear but with the threat of rain I setup at a pavilion.  The setup was the the usual KX3 and the Alexloop.

I started on 40 meters thinking I could catch the Central FL QRP Group on but I had the weekends mixed up. I did snag Jerry AB4ZB in Smithville TN. He was at the Fiddler's Jamboree. So on to 30 meters. I worked WW4DX John in Advance, NC. He was running 2 watts. Then Lee K5LY in New Hope TX. On to 20 meters CW, I worked John KG9HV in Lafayette IN. He gave me a 419 but we made a go of it. He commented on conditions not being very good. There was not much going on 20 CW.

Things got interesting on 17 SSB. I worked HH5/KC0W in Haiti with no problem. Then on to 15 meters. I had a good QSO with KE4RG in Gretna VA. He said it was his first CW QSO in 30 years. So that was a special QSO for both of us. Next I worked KX0R doing SOTA. Well what about 10 meters. There were some signals on SSB. I gave N9NUQ a call and he turned his big beam around for me. The KX3 only lets me load 5 watts into the Alexloop on 10 meters but it was enough for a nice SSB QSO.

Now what had I overlooked? Well on to 20 meters SSB. I was able to work three Colonies Special Event stations; K2K, K2J and K2F. One last shot on 20 meters CW yielded WW2SUB which is the Batfish submarine in OK. At 2PM the rains picked up, a crowd gathered under the pavillion and not having lunch yet, this made it time to go. 

I'd say that this was above average outing. Once again I am pleased with the convenience and performance of the Alexloop. The pavillion had a metal roof and I was moving the loop under the pavillion when we had light sprinkles. But it still worked well.

The Rapid Deployment Amateur radio (RaDAR) program is a good way to exercise your portable operating skills and equipment.  See this link for the RaDAR Program rules. In addition, there is a Google+ Community for sharing your RaDAR operations at this link You don't have to join the community to participate in RaDAR. The RaDAR program is administered by Markus KD0JKM. The RaDAR concept was originated by Eddie ZS6BNE.