Just my opinion...

Last night, QSY Society had our regular monthly meeting and the topic for the evening was a conversation among the members regarding the things about Ham Radio that they particularly enjoy. Everyone in the room was given an opportunity to speak for a few minutes about the hobby as it pertains to them.

There were a few recurring themes that were discussed that I'd like to address. Several members indicated that one of their goals is to learn or increase speed in CW operating. I know that there used to be (still is??) a "QSY Society CW Net" on 3,576 KHz that meets every night at 9:00pm. This net was designed for anyone who wanted to practice their CW operating skills. If this net isn't active currently, it is simply due to under use. A link for more information about this net follows... QSY CW Net. If that time slot doesn’t work for you, make a sked with someone else in the club.

Another topic mentioned by several members was the fact that they do not have an antenna up. My suggestion is that if you want to get an antenna up before the winter comes, LET OTHERS KNOW!! If you do not have an antenna to put up, there are members that will help you build one. Alternatively, you can purchase one and solicit some help to put it up. I am guilty of not taking action in my own shack when it comes to this but listening to others during the meeting made me realize that we are all in the hobby together. Pick a day that works for you, then send an email out (or a message on the reflector), or make a couple of phone calls. I am certain that you would be able to get a couple of people to help out for a while and get you on the air.

I think that Shirley is going to include as part of the meeting minutes, a list of members who were at the meeting and the topics each person discussed. For example, I talked about digital modes and operating portable. I would be happy to assist anyone who is trying to get on the digital modes. I am by no means an expert but I would be happy to try and help. Fred, KC2QFR is another member who is active with digital modes and I know he is willing to help others as well. Use this list.

I want to thank everyone that came to the meeting and participated. I heard several good comments from folks and I for one, thoroughly enjoyed listening to everyone. We had members present who are very newly licensed and we had members who have been licensed over 50 years! The one last thing I’d like to stress is that this is YOUR club and don’t be afraid to tap into the resources that are available. 73.

John N2QMT

QSY Special Event Station

QSY Society Amateur Radio Club: Get on the Air!

The QSY Society Amateur Radio Club demonstrates an amateur radio station at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum (MHCM) on Saturday, September 26. The club is promoting awareness of Henry Hudson's 400th anniversary voyage of discovery, as well as encouraging others to try amateur radio and foster goodwill.

We expect to be on 40m CW, SSB + 20M CW, SSB, PSK31 + expect to also be on 2m SSB & FM intermittently from 11AM to 5PM

Special Event Call sign N2H and K2QS our club station.

Our club station will be operating to get "Kids on The Air" so if you hear them calling CQ K2QS please return their call. QSL to KC2QFR for the K2QS call.

QSL info on N2H.us and additional details on qrz special events forum.

More Details & Flyer

30 meter fun activity this weekend

30 meter fun activity this weekend.

Here is the flyer: tinyurl.com/mjkb6f

Also visit the 30M Digital Group at www.30meterdigital.org

73 de Fred KC2QFR

August Meeting WSPR Mode Presentation/Demo

At the QSY meeting on Tuesday I will be doing a presentation and demo of WSPR Weak Signal Propagation reporter. Runs QRP so it is good for all. I will explain how to use it for your own propagation and antenna studies/evaluation.

See http://wsprnet.org and http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/ for some reading before the meeting.

If someone has a portable MP-1 vertical, hamstick or buddipole, anything else thats a quick setup (for 30m QRP) I can have it running live on 30m where most activity occurs, otherwise I will run on 20m with my hamsticks.

To see the propagation reporter database go here:

http://wsprnet.org/meptspots.php?mode=html&band=all&limit=50&findcall=kc2qfr&findreporter=kc2qfr&sort=date

It should come up live for my call but if not put my call in as follows then push go to see how the system works for reporting.

Search for call:
Show spots heard by:

You can also go to wsprnet.org and do the same thing (database link).
Click activity to see who is on what band.

73 de Fred KC2QFR

This was only a test...

Friday, June 26th was a test to see that everyone could find the Field Day site. I am pleased to say that everyone passed! Now that the storms are gone, it's time to kick things into high gear and get ourselves ready for Field Day! See you at 8:00.

Interesting P.S.

I saw this super compact power supply mentioned in the Elecraft forum. Sounds interesting but is not cheap. Good for portable ops.

See www.gammaresearch.net

Getting ready for Spring & Summer OPs

With the warmer weather approaching I figured its time for change. Enter the Icom IC 703+:


Just picked it up from HRO last week and can't wait to start backpacking with it! For a qrp rig it seems to fit me better than my FT 817 but weighs a ton! First impression seemed good - I like the dsp features and built in auto "tuner". I also like the low current drain compared to the 817, ~300-350ma on receive with muted audio, tx at 5 watts is about 1.5 amps, 10 watts is around 2 amps with a load voltage of ~13.5 volts. This rig can also run off of ~9.6 volts and still put out 4 to 5 watts which works for me as I happen to have some spare vex 9.6v nicad 1A power packs not being used(another battery pack to be built!).

Still the 817 has its place as a portable 6m, 2m, and 70cm all mode rig with just the basics. Just yesterday I took it to the top of Mt. Taurus for some weekend spring qrp action:


Even the 817 still weighs a bit - any serious operating will require an external power source - I use a homebrew 2A 12v regulated battery pack. This adds considerable weight and you'll begin to feel it in no time when trekking about. For an antenna I just use 22g speaker wire that I had laying around as an end fed wire to my homebrew t transmatch. I usually work on 20m , 10m, 6m, and 2m - give me a call if you hear me!

I've finally gotten around to fixing up that nice 1919 Vibroplex Original, here it is:
















I replaced the feet since they were worn out with ones found at Home Depot - at the time they had only white feet, a bit oversized but they actually work far better than the stock ones and they manage to hold their grip pretty well. Can't wait to start operating some more after this semster is out! Until then,

73 de KC2BNX