SUMMER 2009 UPDATE: I am preparing to relocate my QTH from FM06kb to FM06ce. The move is a relo for the wife's job, but it will (hopefully) also provide more antenna opportunities. I need lower takeoff angles to increase my DXCC count, and my directional hex beam at 35 feet is not going to get me what I need. As long as the sunspots stay low, 20 meters is where the DX is going to be, and I will need takeoff angles below 15 degrees, which means getting the antenna higher. My fingers are crossed, and my sacrifices to the DX deities are ready.
I also started a blog: http://wd4elg.blogspot.com
SPRING 2009 UPDATE: The spring and summer of 2009 provided a new phase of excitement. First, I picked up a 6 meter hex antenna from Traffie Technologies (there is no better product out there, and Mike Traffie is the most honest vendor I have ever worked with). Wow, 6 meters during Es season is incredible. I did not work into Europe but I did get all over US and into Central America and Caribbean. Not bad for a 2 element at 40 feet and 100 watts.
I also picked up a software-defined radio (SDR) from Flex Technologies in Austin, TX. What an amazing bit of hardware (and software).
FALL 2008 UPDATE: Picked up a Zero-Five 43 foot multi-band vertical. Wrapped it in black electrical tape, hid it in the trees, put down 20 radials (each 50 foot in length), put in a remote tuner, and fired that baby up on 40. Wow! NOW we're cooking with GAS! Despite the doubters and nay-sayers, this thing DOES work. Only 100 watts and I am having a LOT of fun. On 80 I snagged my first JA and ZL. 40 into the far east and Indian Ocean. 20 into Africa and Middle East.
SUMMER 2008 UPDATE: I am officially hooked on SATCOM. I picked up an Arrow handheld dual-band yagi for 144 and 440. I use it with my VX6R handheld and I have worked many stations through AO-51 and AO-27. Amazing stuff, this AMSAT!
I was first licensed in 1977 at the young age of 13, and this hobby has changed my life in so many ways. It shaped my education and career, established friendships around the world, expanded my understanding of other cultures and geographies, and helped me to grow into a better person with an interest and respect for other cultures and peoples.
Here's a picture of me in my radio room at my house (also called my "shack"). the room is tucked away in a side-closet, because it provides easy access to the attic with my cables...and it is cozy!
In the picture, I am sending Morse Code (aka "CW" or "Continuous Wave") with a "keyer" to switch the transmitter on and off. Who am I talking to? Some other radio operator elsewhere in the world. Why am I smiling? Probably because the other operator is far away (probably the Indian Ocean, SE Asia, or Australia) and he is able to copy my modest signal on my simple wire antenna.
Why am I happy, why is it such a big deal? Because it's not easy. Radio signals on the shortwave bands are affected primarily by the sun and its impact upon the ionosphere above the earth. Propagation basics can be found here. I use simple wire antennas and no amplifiers. I am permitted to use lots of power and huge arrays, but FCC rules require I use the minimum power necessary. Also, I live in a neighborhood with covenants and restrictions; nobody wants to see a steel forest in their subdivision (although I think it is attractive), and I don't want to interfere with or overload the cable TV networks in the area. But why would anyone complain about this in their neighborhood? :)
Why Morse Code? Why not voice (aka "Single Sideband")? I can use voice, but Morse Code has some advantages. Plus, it takes some skill to learn and maintain proficiency. I enjoy using Morse Code for most of my communications - it's simple (clicking a switch), it gets through under marginal conditions, and operators in other countries can communicate in code even if they are not rapid, fluent speakers of English. Long before voices were heard over the airwaves, there was Morse Code.
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