At the last QSY meeting we talked a little about creating maps of call signs.
This following site lets you map call signs in a zip code: vanityhq.com. You can also create a certificate with you call sign if you like hanging wallpaper.
73 de Fred KC2QFR
As we discussed at the November 6, 2008 QSY Society meeting, I am investigating interest in a operating a special event station as part of the 2009 Centennial Celebration for Fire Towers in New York State, as well as the Hudson Valley Quadricentennial.
The Mt. Beacon Fire tower restoration is expected to be completed sometime in July 2009. See their website: www.beaconfiretower.org
If anyone has an interest in participating, and organizing a special event station at the site please contact me, Fred, KC2QFR via email: fred@dutchesstourism.com. It may become a qrp event so please indicate if you are are an active qrp operator.
If you have any other suggestions or interests in special events during 2009, the year that marks the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage along the river, please let me know.
Thanks & 73, Fred, KC2QFR
P.S. For those of you that do not know me I work for Dutchess County Tourism and we are preparing for the 400th celebrations in 2009.
Check out this mobile station. Is it possible the guy really drives it or does he just operate in his driveway.... 73 de Fred KC2QFR
Duffle Bag Surplus store in Paterson - Some Military Radios
http://www.thedufflebaginc.com/
Super antenna site with MP1 demonstrated at meeting:
http://www.superantennas.com/
We are looking at having our meetings during the Winter season on Saturdays and are looking for member feedback. Please take the survey so we can make a decision. If you previously took the survey please retake it. Since the service is free, it is limited to 100 responses, so please only take the survey if there is a possibility that you will attend meetings to be held January 2009 throught December 2009. If you have other comments regarding the schedules you can email them to Shirley N2SKP....
Just click the following link to take the survey. Click Here to take the Winter Meeting Time Schedule Survey
Thanks for participating and 73 de Fred KC2QFR
At http://www.morseresource.com are daily podcasts in CW of quotes of the day, at various speeds. It's helpful for learning, getting your speed up, or just for fun.
Here's a very nice eHam.net article from Eric N2RRA. JB invited him to take part in Field Day with QSY at Bowdoin Park - Eric had never done FD and didn't know any QSY members, but brought a complete station, 3 element beam, and a boatload of enthusiasm and competitiveness to help make it a great event. Thanks Eric and come back often!
We primarily operated an Icom 746, using an ocf dipole for 10-80 meters, set up by JB and Fred. No pileups but we had fun nevertheless.
It was a beautiful day with cool breezes off the river, and we all had a great time, whether we operated or not.
A special thank you to Scenic Hudson for suggesting their park, to the Clearwater for allowing us use of the porch, facilities and electric, and to Save Esopus Lighthouse Commission for their ongoing work on restoring the lighthouse.
Please click on the title link to visit our photo album!
ARLHS CONTEST AND ABBREVIATED EVENT LOG
STATION: K2QS, National Lighthouse/Lightship week
QTH: Esopus Meadows Preserve, activating the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse #USA 276
DATE: Saturday 8/9/08
OPS: N2SKP, N2QZ, WA2JTX, KC2BNX, KC2QFR, WA2WMJ, N2LTV, Leslie
BANDS/MODES: all contacts were 20M SSB except as noted.
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: WB2UWU, Lilli, Meg, Tori, Jude, Sue, Joanne, KC2QFS, KC2BNW, KC2IJE, K2JIM
CONTACTS:
VO2A, Paul Island, Labrador, IOTA NA 205 (DXpedition)
MW0OPS/MM, member 513, LH# ENG 118, Round Island Light, Isles of Scilly, England
N1QRL(?), LH# USA 442, Little River Lighthouse, Cutler ME
AA1KS, member #1058, LH# USA 459, Lubec Channel Light, Moose Island, Maine, Op: Rick
KC8IDS, MI
N1EZZ, OH
VA6FUN, member #1445, Alberta, Canada
KB3ITJ, PA, Op: Jerry
OM8A, Slovak Rep, serial #316 Worked all Europe contest (20m CW)
DL1A, Germany, serial #719 Worked all Europe contest (20m CW)
N4BFD, NC, Op: Jesse (20m SB, PSK 31)
N4GM, member # 1439, LH# USA 558, Oak Island Lighthouse, NC (20m SB, PSK 31)
A team of 'early career engineers' at Lockheed Martin who are also pursuing graduate degrees at Cornell University has broken the world amateur high altitude balloon record in a "near space" flight that exceeded 125,000 feet.
QSY's John Ceccherelli N2XE emailed me: Yep, I'm the advisor/mentor/subcontractor for the project. We broke the altitude record and next year we're shooting to cross the atlantic.
We flew some flights with HF and I made the students use CW (we used my DSW-20 and a MFJ morse decoder for command and control)
I want to make a meeting and tell you all about it if my schedule will ever ease up.
XE fans can read more, with photos at http://tinyurl.com/6xlfa6
I wonder if you know about this. It has been around for quite a while. Check out questions 306 through 319 on the test. (link from Chet AB2FF)
From the online pages of Electronic Design, discussion regarding the rejuvenation of amateur radio, seen in Silicon Valley. (link from Chet AB2FF)
A never-before-seen look at the most dangerous job in America -- airs Monday, July 21 at 10 p.m. ET on Channel 4.
An upcoming "Dateline Presents" takes a never-before-seen journey into the perilous world of the tower climbers who work on the frontlines of America's high-tech communications system.
Check out the QRP Adventures of Rooster and Peanut, with Steve N0TU, in the video bar to the left, or hit the link in the title for the whole story! Hysterical and amazing!
Here's a link to the QSY Field Day 2008 web album. I tried to put them in chronological order, if you have any photos, send them to me at n2skp@arrl.net and I'll try to include them as well.
Thank goodness Bob N2YYI and JB WA2WMJ shared their photos with me, or else you'd be seeing a lot less radio / antenna shots! Also thanks to the Poughkeepsie Journal for their photos, too.
Looking back at Field Day, Bob N2YYI sent me this informative website about operating procedures, primarily DX but other areas of operating - VHF/UHF and more.
Tri-Square is making interesting 900mhz frequency hopping, digital private channel HT's with texting and weather radio. They have two different models and accessories. They are marketed as an alternative to the crowded FRS/GMRS bands. I believe these are part 15 devices.
My friend is using them for racing communications - they are pretty slick. I'll try to borrow a pair for the July meeting.
For more info: http://www.trisquare.us/
Recently I have been working the HELLSCHREIBER mode on 20m. visit the club site http://feldhellclub.org for more info. They have a monthly sprint and nets. but so far I have only operated during the last two sprints.
All you need is a sound card interface, pc, some free software and an hf rig.
I will update this post with links as soon as I get a few free minutes.
See my QSO from the April Held-Hell Sprint using using MultiPSK, SignaLink USB interface, IC7000 @30W, 66ft OCF up 35ft (4:1 current balun), and LDG Z11 Pro ATU. Also Ham Radio Deluxe(HRD) for rig control. HRD now supports Hell but I have verified its operation. It does work fine for PSK31 and other digital modes.
We're listed at the ARRL Field Day website - just click on the above link and type in K2QS, then click on the marker for more information!
By Bob & Jean Arenella, N2OAM & N2UWJ
Bill & I started doing Ham fests about 1990. It's
been a terrific experience & we have learned
a lot. Here's a few tips that may enhance your
Ham fest experience:
IF you're going as a buyer:
Are you looking for bargains? If you are, your best
bet is to get there when the hamfest opens for
sellers & PURCHASE A TABLE. The typical fest
opens at 0600 for sellers & 0800 for buyers. There
is a flurry of buying & selling that goes on during
that time. By the time the doors open to buyers,
all those bargains are long gone.
If you're going to pick up some coax, connectors
or maybe an HT, there is no need to get up early
as vendors such a KJI, Quicksilver Radio or Radio
Oasis will have plenty of what you need.
So you're at the fest & found something you
really want. Remember one thing: You are not
shopping at NEIMAN MARCUS. Bargain with the
seller to arrive at a price you both can live with.
The asking price is just that, most vendors welcome
SOME negotiation. There is not a lot of wiggle room
on a 1 or 2 dollar item, but most sellers are flexible
on more expensive items.
Some sellers have a very high opinion of the items on
their table & will not move from the price on their stuff.
Unless it is a must-have item & the price is right, just
walk away. If the item is still on his table at the end
the fest, try again, as most sellers really don't want to
lug that boat anchor back home.
Some hamfests have a tech table & can check out
basic functions of HT's, HF rigs, mobile rigs &
some amplifiers. Ask the seller if the tech guy
can check out the rig / amp. If he refuses, RUN
AWAY!
I've found most sellers to be pretty honest, but there
are some rotten apples.
IF you're going as a seller:
Reserve your table(s) in advance. Many Ham fests sell
out & may have no tables available on the day of the
fest.
A hand truck is really handy if you have a lot of older
(Read: HEAVY) stuff to bring. Or take home.
If you're married to a non-Ham, REMEMBER:
nothing you bring home EVER cost more than $50.
Your spouse will appreciate you not spending a
boatload of money on "that junk"!
Price your items reasonably, with some wiggle room.
Buyers like to think they got a fair deal. If you price
your items at eBay prices, you will take home every-
thing you brought.
If you have more than a few items on one table, a
partner can be a big help.
Tailgating is a less expensive alternative to indoor
tables, but weather can play havoc here.
If you're selling parts & pieces, have plastic bags
with you.
We all know hams love to eat........having a bowl of
donut holes, pretzels or lifesavers can help draw
buyers in.
And finally........some hams go to Ham fests for the
camaraderie......kind of like rag chewing in person!
We hope this helps with your Ham fest experience!
73 de Bob & Jean Arenella
N2OAM & N2UWJ
I have set up a personal blog at:
http://www.kc2rad.net
If anyone wants to comment on the blog, email me at markalewis@kc2rad.net and I will set up an account for you.
Excuse me while I go out in the garage and get
the parts for a new morse key :
Make a morse key
Primo PDF is free software that enables you to create pdf files. I have been using it for years and it works well. I suggest anyone submitting documents to be placed on the QSY Society website submit pdf files, as they make it much easier for everyone to print.
For more info and to get it visit primopdf.com
The video of ARRL 2007 Field Day featuring QSY Society and PEARL stations is now available online.
(from Shirley N2SKP) I thought I'd share this email and link from Kurt W2MW:
Greetings all; As everyone may or may not know I've been involved in Amateur Radio for over 20 years. Here is something that I've participated in for at least 10 years... it is called the "3 Steves and Kurt" Amateur Radio Adventures at W1AW. Take a moment to check out this Youtube video which was taken on 12/26/2007.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZc08faIENM
You will get a glimpse of me operating on the 30 meter band using one of my favorite modes, Morse Code. At the time I was working other Amateur Radio operators around the United States and various other countries around the world. I had made over 100 contacts on12/26 and had contacted other countries such as South America, Mexico, Canada, England, Italy, South Africa, Germany, Bulgaria & Hungary. Between the other "3Steves" and myself we contacted over 500 other Amateur Radio stations around the world. Enjoy. Happy Holidays and have a great New Year. Kurt - W2MW
Other links of Interest from Kurt: http://www.qrz.com/w2mw
http://www.qrz.com/wk3ss
http://www.the3stevesarc.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBzefGyJs20&NR=1
this one of Jay Leno which may really surprise you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhsSgcsTMd4
