Still on 17 meters

Thank goodness for the Ukraine as that area of East Europe has been my only Euro DX recently. Several stations there but no other European country.

I did work 8P9BG for the first time early morning the other day. My 20-watt CW signal still manages to get into that area of the Caribbean including a Reverse Beacon monitor down there. Nothing in Central or South America.

The state of our mother has deteriorated to the point where she must be put into a full-service nursing home. Fortunately we were able to find a good one, though some 40 miles from our own homes. The move takes place this coming Friday. Much to do over the next few days.

73 Dick

Two hits and a near miss

Worked SA6AUT and OE3DIA today. The near miss was with F5SGI. Very weak initial connection, then QSB and QRN killed the QSO before a satisfactory conclusion. Very rainy day here but a nice sunset through partly cloudy sky.

17 meters at 20 watts.

73 Dick

Late entry. Been looking forward to working the Caribbean and Central/South America again. Got a start this evening with FG5FR; still on 17 meters.

Ukraine on 17 meters

73 Dick

I've been disappointed with my Buddistick on 20 meters, so I exchanged that coil for the MP-1 version. Kept the Buddi arms and whip, but attached the MP-1 coil. Resonated it as best possible on 17 meters with a power level of 20 watts. Very nearly nil reflected power.

A little before 2200 GMT I stuck the thing out the window again and heard UT6UD calling CQ on 17M. He came back to me with a 579 report. he was 599. So after a dry DX spell, with the MP-1 and 20 watts I managed my first 2-way DX QSO. This time on 17M.

I was pleased to finally make it across the Atlantic and into East Europe. Think I will leave it on 17M for a while.

The Queen

Conditions not very good at my NY QTH. I think the antenna needs better "ears". Probably as good as can be expected. Had a couple QSOs into LA and FL.

I called CQ on 20 meters late this afternoon and was answered by W6RO on board the Queen Mary in Long Beach. First contact with the ship. Unfortunetely, I will not be getting a QSL as the operating practice from the ship is to send a QSO number. That number must be provided and confirmed on a QSL from the station on the other end. I had the number, then promptly lost the scratch paper it was written on. That's the way it goes. Oh well, I made the contact.


I viewed the reverse beacon and was observed in sereral States including CA and NV, plus Wales, Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, and Curacao.

73 and a great weekend Dick

Just a bit of operating

Looks like a thunderstorm heading this way so just disconnected antenna.

I had, until now been operating on 20 meters with the Buddistick. I wasn't really happy though I did have a QSO with California the other day. A couple more closer in, too. Reports were only fair and QSB was observed.

I decided to see if I could get this antenna resonant on 30 meters. I did and contacted VE1OK, John on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia with a 579/QSB report given me. Not great distance, but I always enjoy contacting the Maritimes. Of course it was special fun contacting Cape Breton Island, and me most of the year living in Brittany, France. Still, though I am now in central NY state, I was satisfied with my 20 watts to the Buddistick on the window-sill.

73 Dick

On the air.

I put the FT-857 on the air today, Saturday. I turned the Buddistick into a quarter-wave vertical out the window. No coil. Put my collection of Buddistick arms together, along with a ten-foot MFJ whip to get the approximate length for the 20-meter band. Then a couple counterpoise wires outside sitting on a lower roof. I have no means of fine tuning the antenna properly and only being able to run the rig at 20-watts tops (7 amp supply), I can't determine what my SWR would be at 100 watts. But after much trial and error, the SWR is flat at that 20-watt level.

I had two QSOs one to MN and another into FL. That was before a contest began and it was CQ TEST from that point on.

The reverse beacon was interesting. My CW signal was heard by three stations in Germany, one station in Wales, one station in Curacao, a number of USA west- and east-coast stations and, interestingly enough, KH6LC in Hawaii. I was running between 5 and 15 watts. I know the Hawaii station heard me at my 15-watt output. I know the German stations heard me at five-watts.

Would have preferred those stations as two-way but it was somewhat satisfying to know that I was heard with 5 to 15 watts, especially with that aluminum pole-thing out the window.

The two hugh trees that sat on the edge of a neighbor's property came down today. I observed that the larger branches were rotten, actually hollow on the inside. I guess it was necessary in order to avoid the tree falling over in our next windstorm but I felt badly for the amusing squirrels that used to scamper around the branches chasing each other. A small personal benefit for me may be that of less obstruction to my pipe antenna.

On a personal business level learned from my sister that mom must now find a full care facility. She has fallen several times at her current home and the administration has advised us that their regulations require that all the ladies be mobile even if a walker is necessary. Those falls required hospital visits. So now we three kids (all seniors) must find her a full-care facility. At age 94, this will be her final home.

73 Dick

Back in the USA

Left Benodet for Brest where I picked up my shared ride to Paris. Cheaper than taking the train or airplane. The flight from CDG to JFK was good but seemed much longer than usual. I think my age has caught up with me as international travel has become really fatiguing. Then a rental car for the drive into central New York State in very rough weather. Exhausted after all of that.

The Buddistick was set up out the window and, as usual, no Par end-fed in performance! Worked a fellow in Minnesota on 20 meters which was my QSO of the day.

My sister will be drivng me to the Motor Vehicle Department this morning, where I will get the plates for my car. Then, to her garage where my car is stored. Take her to lunch, later.

Now, to face all the family problems that we must all resolve here.

73
Dick