Diamond DXCC Challenge | PJ4C | VP6T

What type of ham radio fun exists between RadioSport events? The challenge inside the shackadelic fun zone is listening for, chasing, then logging DX during rainy weekends such as this one. Tentatively, I logged PJ4C and VP6T this afternoon, both DXpeditions on 10m, both DXpeditions complimented by fine business operators inside the cans.

My Diamond DXCC total stands at 6 percent complete.

Technique
Be in the right place, at the right time, and listen, listen, listen.

Each respective DXpedition publishes their operating frequency table give or take a few kilocycles for noise. The game is different when one spun the dial across spectrum for hours listening for the rhino. Instead, given published frequencies overlapping wireless spotting networks, one looks square into the eye of today's swarm storm.

The game is listen according to published frequency tables and log the station before the storm arrives. Currently, I'm listening on each respective frequency, using an ample supply of memory channels on the Kenwood TS850S, to include scanning the channels as well.

Also, prior to engaging the swarm, ensure familiarity with operating split frequency because an instantaneous click method creates potential chaos especially when swarm fever is rampant. Furthermore, I'm curious if the swarm divvies itself up that is high power stations tend to cluster at the low end and low power stations cluster at the high end of the listening frequency?

Bagging The Rhino
The game really is technique and patience for low power to vapor power given the loudest signals are logged first during the early hours of the swarm storm. I keep in mind the following--

1. Listen.
2. Confirm DXpedition callsign. 
3. Listen to control operator direction.
4. Determine simplex or split?
5. Send entire callsign.
6. Listen.
7. Send required information only.
8. Listen.
9. Move frequency dial within the swarm if required.
10. Send required information only.
11. Listen.
12. Bag the rhino.

Stay thirsty for DX my friends.

DRR Atmospherics | America's Cup

Cycle 24 Screenshot Project

Good morning from inside the shackadelic where imagination meets ham radio. My geek cave is a fire with three monitors illuminating the shack while I sip DxCoffee from the Dashtoon mug while catching up on DX World news. I'm currently monitoring two clusters in addition to typing away on the blog. One might think of work week worth of mouse production was enough however there's nothing like my personalized geek cave.

Cycle 24 Screenshot Project
I want to introduce my Cycle 24 screenshot project. My motivation is to capture the ascent and inevitable decline of our current solar cycle. The best channel to present this project is visual. The goal is to catalog and archive our activity then present the project's completion as a video. I'll begin asking questions of the data and types of variables influencing our activity as the project gains momentum. Lastly, my screenshots will be taken on Saturday and Sunday.

Ham Radio Weekend
The wireless is silent because I'm waiting on the sun to crest the eastern ridge line before connecting its coaxial umbilical to the ionosphere. Solar numbers are satisfactory nowhere near epic or classic however I can hunt entities through the weekend in pursuit of my Diamond DXCC challenge.

73s from the shackadelic on the beach.

Northern California DX Foundation

I want to send my thank you to the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) for their generous $15,000 contribution to DXpedition HK0NA as mentioned in the Ohio/Penn Special DX bulletin No. 1043.1.

This DXpedition is a monumental effort for the benefit of all ham radio operators from heavy metal in the sky juiced by kilowatt amplifiers, to low power into verticals sandwiched between condominiums, to vapor power juicing attic dipoles. I'm keeping in mind that my operating technique has a two fold benefit.

First, it minimizes stress inside the cans for operators at the other end of the coax therefore improving operator efficiency at the receive end. Stress diminishes productivity. Secondly, my technique ensures the next operator can log the signal launched from Malpelo Island as a gesture of goodwill ensuring ham radio remains enjoyable for all who endeavor.

Thanks again NCDXF for helping HK0NA execute their mission.

Follow the code!

2012 NAQP CW Raw Results

A stellar WRTC2014 qualifying event and we're looking forward to an epic RadioSport season this year. I enjoyed each minute, on average, logging one station every two minutes for 10 hours. We are heavy into maintenance mode at SL's QTH with a new tower ready for the base, refurbished antennas for 15 and 20m, to include lubing moving parts for protection against our salt laden air.

I was surprised by the Q-loading on 15 and 80m this year. Currently, we matched the 80m dipole through the Icom 756ProIII using its internal tuner on 15 and 20 meters. The matched system played exceedingly well on 15m however it did not exceed performance expectations on 20m.

I hoped that 10m might produce and looking at 3830 scores this band probably fell below expectations. I listened on 10m on the hour and pumped radio frequency into the ionosphere as well. The band simply refused to play.

My biggest thrill in 2012 NAQP CW was 80m in the evening shortly after sunset. Q-loading and multiplier count was best ever and I was stoked to the maximum logging many FB/KB operators. It felt like 40m never really lived up to its renowned reputation however it maybe a result of the 3L beam frozen toward Malpelo Island.

We are going to work on the rotor at the old tower later this morning because of a wiring problem that wasn't solved as anticipated.

I operated 10 hours toward completing my 10,000 hour RadioSport challenge, logged 343 Qs, 120 multipliers, and nailed 41,846 points toward WRTC2014 qualifier weighting while completing 5 percent toward my DXCC Diamond Challenge effort. It's the game within the game that fires my wireless imagination.

By the way, my LoTW download was 120 Qs turned over in a little more than 24 hours, phenomenal.

Contest on.