The Next Level

The heart of ham radio beats strong and the next level awaits. The
North American QSO Party CW is less than 24 hours away when operators
will compete for Box positions. Our high frequency spectrum will
ignite with signals juiced by the awesome power of solar Cycle Twenty
Four. The competive spirit of RadioSport underpinned by good
sportsmanship will certainly drive the beginning of our fall and
winter season.

There is something to be said about being in the right place at the right time.

I logged a station in Mexico this afternoon on 10m and it is a first
since my re-entry into ham radio. The numbers are steadily improving
with glimpses of epic high frequency conditions. I'd like at least one
of those memorable events worthy of three cups of Starbucks and better
than the best fish story. Perhaps?

Strategy is straightforward that is be in the right place at the right
time. I'm looking forward to moving to the next level and having a lot
of ham radio fun through Saturday evening. Also, the biggest secret in
RadioSport that does not require a non-disclosure statement is, call
CQ a lot.

73 from the anywhere, anytime shack.

Riders On The Storm

Who rode the storm to destinations unknown? I was surprised when Cycle
24 decided to awaken its fury for benefit of some and the
consternation of a few. The coronal mass ejection was enough of a
sensation that it snatched a few brief minutes on the nightly news.

However, ham radio operators surfed some of the best VHF conditions
yet seen much like a powerful southern hemi arriving along the central
coast of California.

I called Fred, KI6QDH and he was stoked because 10m delivered point
break like surf with strong signals arriving from the midwest. VHFDX
was lit up east of the great propagation divide and why so? I wonder
what factors contribute to this difference between west and east coast
propagation? The 'e' MUF map intensified across the south while barely
a flicker was seen in the south west.

The storm raged above yet I could only look at the map while the magic
band went aggro for a day. It was one to remember for riders on the
storm.

73 from the anywhere, anytime shack.

2010 WRTC MP3s Are Hot

Thanks to Randy, K5ZD and his Internet team for providing the hottest
playlist in RadioSport. One receives the full range of excitement and
intensity as heard in the cans of WRTC competitors. Their rate is an
education for those who want to dare the challenge of the Box. I
downloaded the entire collection of recordings to begin the pump prior
to NAQP CW weekend.

I spent the greater portion of the weekend working my logbook and
updating my award endeavors. My inventory of traditional cards arrived
earlier in the week prompting several SASE envelopes to stateside
managers.

Six meters needs a flare because the magic band remained quiet through
the weekend. It makes the Q all that sweeter when all the elements
converge for a whole lot of ham radio fun.

73 from the anywhere, anytime shack.