Extra Class Test

Wanted to pass along that I passed the Extra Class examination this afternoon. The project started 31 years ago after passing the General and, finally, persistence paid its handsome dividend. I'm looking forward to the lower 25 and taking on the responsibilities that follow my new privilege.

My introduction into the hobby started in our neighborhood located along Edgewood Road in Sharon, Pennsylvania. My Grandfather, KA9EEU, drove from Waukegan, Illinois and tutored me for two days of Morse code and Novice theory. Then, another opened the door into competitive RadioSport and the rest will be posted on the blog.

I want to thank John, W6SL for his support and mentorship.

Contest on because life is wireless.

Cycle 24 Screenshot Project | 21 April 2012

A good day for RadioSport as global activity begins building momentum as Cycle 24 sunspots are counted at 162 before CQ MM CW and the Ontario QSO Party fire up the ionosphere. I'm sitting with my DxCoffee after reading DX World news report while the beach marine layer creates a cozy shackadelic vibration. My Kenwood TS850S is currently scanning 15m searching for the first signal in the Saturday log.

Are there two wireless activities that heavily influence global activity on a weekend? I have observed either RadioSport or DXpeditions make a difference at least from a point of view of Five Cities enthusiasm and conversation. This weekend, in anticipation of CQ MM CW and the Ontario QSO Party, signal density on 20m and 15m is notable.

9M0L
Likewise, the 9M0L DXpedition generated a conversation topic in the Five Cities because of operating technique, following propagation, and signal disappearance for unexplained reasons. Two thought lines appeared in our conversation. The first line was team experience when pulling signals out of the swarm. The location demand exceeded experience level. The second line was accepted conventions when operating from a wanted location were ignored.

For example, low band gray line into North America, as one local DXer noted the 80m opening was a complete loss from the central coast of California. In either case, the 9M0L DXpedition took a commentary pounding, as information flowed across connected clusters and streamed on the network.

162
Our Cycle 24 numbers are hot at least for 24 hours before a coronal mass ejection may glance our magnetosphere. There is plenty of opportunity for one to relax with their wireless set this weekend. Enjoy the stoke and has anyone heard anything about a new Kenwood TS990S? Has Kenwood re-invented itself?

Definition
According to the Glossary of Solar Terrestrial Terms a coronal mass ejection (CME) is, "An outflow of plasma from or through the solar corona. CMEs are often, but not always, associated with erupting prominences, disappearing solar filaments, and/or flares. CMEs vary widely in structure, density, and velocity."  

Prop is up!  

Five Cities 2014WRTC Standings

The drive toward my best 2014WRTC position in California continues as current qualification standings were recently published. I'm stoked because a shout rose up from the noise floor at room temperature inside shackadelic. It wasn't a negative 174 dBm either and my current 93rd position leaves plenty of potential energy. I hit my target that is qualifying within the first 100 in 6-land after tightly holding 135th position.

Never stop and there remains 33 events prior to counting one's best 12 scores for the big event. The new regenerative goal prior to the next 2014WRTC matrix generation is to establish enough qualifying points for a top 50 position within California.

I want to thank Dan Street, K1TO for powering Friday lights in the shackadelic and my mentor John Baer, W6SL for time in pilot's seat.

Contest on. 

DRR Atmospherics | TAG Heuer

Is setting the tone for our RadioSport weekend because life is wireless.

RadioSport South America | CQMM DX CW

A stunning day at the beach with clear blue sky and a warm southerly flow blowing offshore. Our anticipated high is 85 plus degrees going into gray line. The waves are standing up with glassy faces as seen from the shackadelic and Cycle 24 sunspots are going aggro in anticipation of CQMM DX CW scheduled this weekend.

RadioSport Brazil hit the propagation sweet spot with the potential of stable east-to-west and north-to-south paths developing over the weekend. The current sunspot count is 122 with a declining A- and K-index that's blistering hot news after a few grim weeks of doubting Cycle 24 resilience.

CQMM DX CW is open to global competition that is one scores points for each successfully logged Q in the RadioSport log. The use of spotting networks for example SpotCollector, DX Summit, and/or DX Sherlock is permissible however it is a violation of the rules to self-spot or solicit Qs on social networks such as Twitter.

Let's look at the point matrix for CQMM DX CW--

1. QSO with same DXCC = 1 point
2. QSO with same DXCC, different continent = 2 points on (10, 15, 20m)
3. QSO with same DXCC, different continent = 4 points on (40 and 80m)
4. QSO with different continent = 3 points (10, 15, 20m)
5. QSO with different continent = 6 points (40 and 80m)
6. Confirmed Q with CWJF member = 10 points
7. Confirmed QRP Q = 10 points
8. Confirmed YL Q = 10 points

This type of point matrix is a lot of RadioSport fun while acknowledging competition at all levels.

RadioSport Brazil is on the rise and CQMM DX CW is one jewel of ham radio fun for our global wireless community. Log lots of Qs. And KB.

Contest on.

DRR Atmospherics | Patagonia

Wanted to start the day with powerful images and good music while scanning 17m  because propagation is up!

Turn on, tune up, operate.

Special Event Stations | W0S | K1T

Logged two Titanic special event stations W0S and K1T both this weekend while in the operating chair at SL's shack.

According to W0S website, those who logged this special event station, are asked to make a contribution between $3 to $5 dollars as a minimum including a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE) when seeking traditional confirmation, in order to help defray cost.

On the other hand, according to K1T facebook page, one is to QSL via Barbara A. Dougan, N1NS and include a SASE as return insurance however; a SASE statement was not issued on the page.

I enjoyed logging both stations and I'm looking forward to collecting their traditional QSL cards. Personally, as Internet driven confirmations monopolize the final courtesy to include escalating tangible costs such as envelopes, stamps, and printing; traditional cards will increase in scarcity.

Don't throw out the traditional QSL card collection because in the coming decades tangibles like a printed card are more than likely to increase in personal value and prestige.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

Cycle 24 Screenshot Project | 15 April 2012

Sunspots are climbing and it's like waiting for ground swell following a fetch that finally opens the Refugio point break off of Highway 101 southbound into Santa Barbara. Operated in the Japan International DX Contest CW and Georgia QSO Party through yesterday afternoon. I'll have an update on activities through both events on my 10,000 Hour RadioSport Challenge post.

I fueled up with a multi-berry smoothie from the condo galley and now it's time for trenching 160m radials at my mentor's antenna farm.

Contest on!

Cycle 24 Screenshot Project | 7 April 2012

10m going sketchy. 15m signal traffic sparse. 20m #hamr local spot. Okay, something is with Cycle 24, can't say what it is and it's not epic either.

Surf ionosphere.

DRR Atmospherics | The North Face

My #hamr vacation begins, first, minor knee surgery on Tuesday afternoon to repair a 20 plus year old injury that I ignored through my late 20s into early forties. My right knee sounds like a snapping rubber band at the moment. Enjoy the North Face Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc video because it is inspirational at least for me.