Fox hunt 14JUL2016

The third Fox hunt of the 2016 summer season is behind me.  The hunt starts at 8PM Central time and lasts for 90 minutes.  The two Fox were Brian, K0DTJ, near Half Moon Bay in California and Paul, K4FB, operating from the Polk County EOC (between Orlando and Tampa, FL).

I needed to mow at the XYLs Mom's house (2 + acres) so I was busy for a couple of hours before the hunt and finished at 830PM.  I threw a rope into a tree in her front yard and pulled an EFHW up to about 20 feet.  The other end stretched out in a north/south alignment along the driveway and was hooked via bungee cord to the bed of my truck.

I pulled the K2 out and setup in the bed of the truck to operate.  Here's a picture taken after the hunt was over.

As you can see, it is a working truck.  From this spot, yes standing, I operated. 

I found Brian immediately and bagged my first pelt at 01:54Z (8:54PM local)  Then spent the next 20 minutes looking for Paul.  Finally found him, but he kept rising in and out of the noise, never hearing my call. Ah well.....  9:30PM arrived and the hunt ended.

So hunt #3 is done and I bagged one pelt.  Not too bad for operating pickup portable.  And having fun at the same time!

For information on the QRP Foxhunt, check the web page here.

Hope to see you on the air.

Mike

N5BGZ

Four Days In May 2016

My trip to Dayton was combined with FDIM.  I've been a QRP'er for many years and had been hearing and reading about FDIM since it began.  This year I made it to Dayton AND FDIM!

The plan was to arrive Wednesday night and register.  Then spend Thursday at the hotel attending the forums.

The drive over from the Dallas area took 2 days.  First day we made it Dickson, TN, (just west of Nashville) and spent the night.  Then on to the hotel in Dayton on Wednesday.

One of the highlights was the Worlds Biggest Build-athon.  Here's a picture of my build during the build-athon..

And another picture with a slightly different view.

It's a small 20meter transmitter built by pushing the leads of the parts into SIP sockets.  Only problem I had (along with a whole bunch of us) was reading the part values.  These eyes are OLD!  Thank goodness for the folks helping.  Rex (W1REX) did warn us to bring a good magnifying glass (I did).  Superb job with the kitting and WBB by Rex and the group.

In the build-athon Friday we built a pico keyer with built in paddles.  W1REX did this one, too.  Great time building.

Mike
N5BGZ

The QRP Fox hunt

The Fox hunt has begun again for the summer.  As usual we meet on 20 meters on Thursday night and look for the two designated Foxii.  They are usually lurking somewhere near 14.060 (+/- 10kc) calling CQ Fox.  When you find them you make contact and put them in your log. 

The hunt lasts for 90 minutes.  It is all CW and everyone operates at a comfortable speed, adjusting up or down as needed for comfortable operating.  At the end of the hunt each Fox posts their log to the QFox email list so we can all see how everyone did. 

The basis for the hunt started out as a fun 90 minute get together that would give us an idea of propagation during the hunt.  That was 20 years ago and the hunt, and propagation study, continues.  I participated a few times back then as KE4PC.

More information can be found at this web site:

http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/

Including how to sign up for the email list and how to participate.  Come join us!

Mike N5BGZ

Dayton 2016

Finally went this year.  Paul Nix (WB5AGF) and I drove to Dayton and participated in the FDIM get together along with the regular Dayton festivities.  Here are some pictures from the Dayton Hamfest:

A nice fellow operating pedestrian mobile.  I don't remember his call and the picture is a bit too grainy to make it out.  Can someone let me know who this is?  One thing I noticed, he had a trailing wire behind him that acted as a counterpoise.  It worked very well except when someone stepped on it when he was walking.

If you need cash for your purchases, it is available!  Here's the ATM trailer!

On Saturday a group of us who participate in the Fox hunts got together to visit and eat in the flea market.  Here's the first of two shot of the group.

From left to right they are: Charles Moizeau [W2SH], John Laney [K4BAI], Mike Dooley [N5BGZ], Gilbert VanBlaricom [WD9TFH], and Mike Broga [W9QS]. 

Rick Mc Gaver [NK9G] and Terry Fletcher [WA0ITP].

Also in attendance, but not pictured, Gilbert VanBlaricom's wife Donna [WB9TFF], Julie Janzer [KF5FLZ] and Mark Janzer [K5MGJ] (this update provided by Mark.  Thanks!)

And in case you missed her, here is the tower lady.

That is some amazing hair!  That is Kristen Andrews [KB3OQV].  Google her call for more information on her tower hair. Apparently she's been doing this for a awhile.  I thought it was great!

Last, I ran into an old friend I had not seen in quite a few years.  Here's me with Larry Limle [N4TAC].  Good to see you Larry!

We had so much fun in the FDIM and Hamvention I believe we will be returning next year!  Hope to see you there!

Mike
N5BGZ

Another small ham rig

I bought another used ham radio a few months ago. It is an HB1A and can operate on 3 of the ham bands ( 20, 30, and 40 meters ).

I've used it a half dozen times and it works well.  It has a builtin keyer and puts out right at 4 watts so it is perfect for portable use. Here's a picture showing it with an MFJ tuner and my Kent key.

The LCD display shows your frequency, mode ( CW or sideband ) and has a passable swr meter when transmitting. If you do a Google search you'll find lots of good information on the radio and it's successor the HB1B ( 4 bands versus 3 ).

Check it out.
Mike Dooley
N5BGZ