Big Guns And Little Pistols

Good morning from the shackadelic where anything is possible when running low power, low profile against the big guns. My first cup of CQ WW DX CW coffee is in hand and I'm scanning 20m at the moment. I enjoyed a little pistol start on Friday evening when 20m opened into South America and Asia. It was RadioSport fun bagging those zones and countries using my 3-band trapped vertical with 25 radials cut a quarter wavelengths.

You can see my current numbers at GetScores.

There is a beautiful Shell Beach sky beyond my sliding glass doors. A mix of sunshine with storm like clouds throwing a perfect glow of orange against the pine trees. The day is shaping up as expected rain then clearing off later in the afternoon.

Alright, now back to my wireless set and lots of RadioSport fun through the weekend.

Contest on.

P.S. The goal this weekend is high band operation only with my sights on 5 new DXCC counters.

Happy Thanksgiving

We are getting ready for our micro road trip on Highway 101 in the
meantime I'm watching the Cowboys and taking time to be thankful. I
know there are lots of events influencing my life right now and going
into the future as well. I'm not sure my life is like that of my Dad
who experienced the deep recession in the 70s and its energy crisis. I
was, so to speak, along for the ride however I'm probably experiencing
the same stress, frustration, and anxiety given current economic
conditions.

I'm thankful for the bounty of food to be enjoyed later this
afternoon. I'm thankful for my health and for those who share their
love in good and bad times with me. I'm thankful for Radio Dawg who is
totally zonked next to me while I write this post.

I'm experiencing a beautiful sunny day in Shell Beach this afternoon
while looking forward to sharing Thanksgiving with family and friends
in a few hours. Wishing everyone a wonderful day from the shackadelic.

73 from the anywhere, anytime shack.

2010 CQ World Wide DX CW

My favorite because this video captures the meaning of ham radio.





I totally dig RadioSport and this weekend thousands of us will bounce our signals off the ionosphere. Why face sleepless nights? Why sit in an uncomfortable chair for endless hours? Because we love our sport. Because we are passionate about ham radio.

The goal at the end of the day is international goodwill and friendship. RadioSport reaches across borders, melts away barriers, and unites everyone around one common purpose that is ham radio is a lot of fun!

Contest on.

Sweepstakes SSB Weekend

We are between rain showers as my weekend is quietly winding down. I'm
notching states off my list and the traditional QSL return rate is
looking pretty good. My self addressed stamped envelopes stand out in
the mail. I guess writing a letter is really part of my personal past
because I cannot remember the last time one was written or received.
I'm living in the age of right now communications.

I have to comment that little romance remains when emailing because
one does not receive a perfumed or sealed with a kiss or cleverly
decorated envelope anymore. An email stares at me through the glow of
my computer screen without any creative attributes as suggested in
one's personally crafted letter.

However if receiving a traditional QSL card is the last refuge against
an ever increasing digital world then I accept. There is so little
mail in the box with personal relevance. I'm either paying something
or asked to pay something or borrow something. My mailbox reflects the
digital that is cold and mechanical. Frankly, I'm noting a significant
decline in personal email perhaps reflecting the rise of social
network communications?

I enjoyed a few hours in front of the boom microphone this weekend.
One more DXCC entity was confirmed and I filled out another batch of
traditional QSL cards for mailing. Radio Dawg, on the other hand, is
taking a snooze next to me while composing my post and I'm having fun
with the Echolink application.

73 from the anywhere, anytime shack.