ARRL Sweepstakes Complete!

Just finished my first partial attempt at contesting in many years. This weekend was the ARRL SSB Sweepstakes. Basically it is a North American HF contest and you try to contact as many different stations you can in all the ARRL Sections. Because of everything else going on, I knew I wouldn't be able to be on for the whole contest. Didn't really plan on it anyway. Going into the contest, I set a goal of 100 contacts. I surpassed that at 1am today. By the time I sent my log into the ARRL, I had 208 contacts and 29k points! I was thrilled with my success.

Weekend is over and time to get back to work...

The Re-building Begins...

Some of my favorite years in this great hobby were spent experimenting with amateur satellites. I have not had a working satellite station in ten years. When I was on the air, I loved working AO-10 and AO-13. Both satellites provided a means of communicating with other hams all over the world. There was something about being able to build my own equipment and then use it to relay my signal through a space bound computer 50,000 miles out in space. Call me a Geek if you want, but the thrill is there.

Many of you know that in 2003 I sold off my whole Ham Radio station to generate money to invest in our photography studio. I cried when I shipped the last radio then. Although my focus has been on my photography, I always knew that I would make it back into ham radio. Couple of years ago I was lucky enough to purchase a Ten Tec Titan IV digital HF radio. Of all the HF radios I have owned, it is by far my favorite. Chasing states and DX on HF is great. I love it. In fact I look forward to the ARRL DX contest this coming weekend! Yet I cannot ignore the fire in me to build a station capable of working through any amateur satellite, ISS or even the moon.

To build a station with those type of capabilities is not an easy task. Because of the weak signals, frequencies and funds available. Now that does not mean it has to be expensive, just built correctly. Did I mention the funds are limited? ; ) . I have spent the past several weeks thinking of what my end goal is and what do I want to be able to do with the finished station. Sometimes it is easier to write down things to help you remember, keep focused and plan out a project of this magnitude. I hope to use this blog to document the process. I will share my thoughts, production, experiments and qso's with you. There are many others doing the same and as I find their stories, I will share them with you here. So what are my goals...

My Goals...

• Dedicated Satellite radios
• Voice and Data capable
• Azimuth and Elevation Controls
• 145mhz Uplink/Downlink
• 435mhz Uplink/Downlink
• 2.4ghz Downlink
• 10m Downlink
• Tower Webcam

The Breakdown...

• Satellite Radios - This is probably the hardest decision for me, which radios to use. Again, not having a great amount to spend, I have to figure out which radios to use yet. I really want an Icom IC-706 or a Kenwood TR-751a for 2m.
  
• Voice and Data Capable - Be able to work most if not all the amateur satellites through voice including the International Space Station. Also be able to receive data from any of the digital satellites.
• Azimuth and Elevation Controls - Computer controlled az/el controls. Desired unit is the Yaesu 5400 series rotors. Initial controllers will be the trusty old Alliance U-110's. Controllers should allow for small incremental degree changes.
• 145mhz Uplink/Downlink - I believe in well designed and built antennas. My original antenna was a 12el K1FO designed antenna for 145mhz. I will use the same design, only now the antennas will be circular polarized. Relay's will be added to allow pre-amps and the ability to switch from RHP to LHP polarization.
• 435mhz Uplink/Downlink - Original antenna's was a 19el K9RIW designed antenna. I will use the same design, only now the antennas will be circular polarized. Relay's will be added to allow pre-amps and the ability to switch from RHP to LHP polarization.
• 2.4ghz Downlink - Antenna will be a 2ft mesh dish with a RHP feed. Downlink will be to a 2.4ghz-144mhz transverter.
• 10m Downlink - Antenna will be a dipole feeding signal into the HF radio.
• Tower Webcam - I have always wanted a camera on the tower. No real logical reason, just thought it would be cool. It would allow me to watch the tower and make sure it turns. Also when I do want to listen for echos off the moon, I can use it to aim the antennas! I will use a cheap webcam that I already have.

Funds for this project are low if non-existent. I will be selling and bartering for pieces as we go. The project won't happen over night and that is fine. Building a station like this is exciting and fun. I can't wait to get started...

73's

Chad

kg0mw

Wow has it been 25 years?

Last month marked my 25th year as a licensed Amateur Radio Operator. To me it is amazing looking back at what I accomplished in this great hobby. Over the years I have worked moon bounce, talked to astronauts, chased high altitude balloons and worked my fair share of DX.

The best part by far is meeting people and new friends. Even after all these years, I find it exciting to talk with other hams all over the world.

Today I worked France, Azores, Argentina. Least that's all I can remember for now! Will post an article on my new mic setup soon.

Yesterday was a great day. Picked up an old stash of radios from a neighbor. Hallicrafters nt-40 and an old Hammerlund receiver.

Back To The Basics.......

I have spent a number of recent months studying, reflecting and making decisions. It is hard to decide which step to make getting back into our great hobby. My funds are limited so any choices have to be made wisely.
My initial return is going to be into HF. Those who know me will remember that my main interests have been in the Sats and VHF+. However I also feel that any station worth its salt needs to have a working HF station at it's core. Right now I am looking at either the time proven Kenwood TS-520 or an Icom IC-706.
Antenna is going to be one of my favorites, the G5RV dipole. Couple of weeks ago we had a large tree cut down in our backyard and that really opened up antenna possibilities for me. Considering the neighbor has given me permission to run a wire through his yard!
I have two computers setup and ready. One will be for general logging, clusters, etc. The other is a server that can be used for IRLP, Winlink or other totally Ham Radio geek stuff.
The contest season is coming soon and I hope to make my first entries later this fall. Our business is starting to slow a bit for the fall and I may finally have some free time to play around once again.......

9 Months Later.......

I started this blog to record my adventure back into this awesome hobby. My last and first post stated that I have a HW-104 radio. While I have made a couple of contacts with it, I really want something a bit newer.
I strongly feel that the basis of any Amateur Radio shack should be an emergency ready HF station. I have finally gotten around to looking for such a radio. Right now I am looking at a Kenwood TS-440SAT, or an older Kenwood or Icom radio. Antenna is going to be a time tested G5RV up 40 feetish.
My goal is to finish my Worked All States award and get back into dxing.......