PSKeeping On

I am having some fun with the PSK20. My first contact with it was XE1REW who was operating portable from Tlaxcala, Mexico. Tuesday I QSOed with KO6JC in Moreno Valley, CA, from the truck during my lunch break at work. Today I heard lots of DX stations (Germany, Poland, Scotland) from the truck but didn't work anyone, but tonight during a certain televised speech I was not interested in listening to, I was able to work TG9AHM in Guatemala City, a new country for me.

I will be trying again tomorrow at lunchtime so see if I can pick up some more, all while running 1~2 watts output. That's only 17 dB down from 100 watts, about 3 S-units, as they say.

Updating the Case

I have been off for a while - the 7000 decided to blow a final 3 weeks ago and just came back from the hospital. All's well now, it seems, but now I'm a little gunshy since I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary when it all went south.

While I was waiting for the 7K to come home, I scored a PSK-20, the Small Wonders Labs psk transceiver. I tried it out tonight and managed to work XE1REW while running 2 watts. Two watts - just like the old days when I ran 2 on 20 with a DSW, also from Small Wonders.

PSK is getting easier for me to handle and I expect to have some fun with the PSK so look for a really small trace in the waterfall - that's probably me.

See you on the bands.

Turn That Thing Off

Do you ever leave the audio from the receiver on while working PSK?

Do you notice the occasional "Windows Sound" mixed in there with the warblers?

Not cool, guys. Go to the Windows control panel and turn the system sounds off.

Productive Night

I downloaded the new version of Ham Radio Deluxe to try out the new Digital Master software that comes with it.

It looks impressive, but I couldn't work out the PTT for the new package. Since I was already hooked up, I pulled up Digipan to see who was around the waterfall on 20 meters.

I was able to work VA2BBW, CO2WL, and KB3OSP before going in for the night. I also managed a QSO with KL7DX on 20 SSB while I was at it. Four QSOs in one session without a contest going on may be a record for me.

More new stuff

So I'm not good with entry titles. Worked my 1st ever RTTY QSO today, with XE3DX. I have had the XGGCOMM interface for some time but only in the last couple of days finally made the connection that what would work for PSK would work just as well for AFSK.

So I hooked everything up, heard Dave calling CQ, and gave him a call. Took a few tries, not least because I can't seem to get everything coordinated when it comes to working the digital modes, but managed a QSO at last.

Later, while out driving, worked Eduardo, CO8LY on 17m SSB. He was solid 5 by 9 as usual. This is the 4th or 5th contact I've had with Ed.

I heard some activity on 6 meters so I drug out my new portable dipole, made with MFJ telescopic 10-foot whips, and worked WB5KIA, who is about 35 miles from me. It turns out Steve and I attended LSU at the same time in the 70s.

New Stuff

There are new entries in the log: go look at it here.

I'm particularly pleased with the VK7ZE entry. I had walked out to put the truck in the garage and turned on the radio to do a quick check; it was already tuned up on 17 meters and there he was - solid S9+ copy, very friendly operator. We chatted for 4 or 5 minutes with solid copy both ways, on 17 meters, at 10:45 PM local time my end.

Next goal is ZL.

Back on the Air!

I have the radio in the truck:

Here's the antenna mount from REP Designs with the new coax run:

Here's a view of the inside operating position. Note it's tuned to my new favorite band:

So after 3 months I am finally able to get on the air from the truck again. I have a flexible floor mount on the way so the control head won't be staying on the dash if that works out. The install was done by a local commercial installer and only took about an hour to finish.

The antenna/tuner is a little quirky but I'm sure I can get it working.

Success!

Well, someone heard me! I worked an SO-50 pass today at 5:30 local time and heard KE5GDB come back to my call. It was not a favorable pass for my location, with a maximum elevation of about 30 degrees shooting through the trees, but I was heard! I am using the Yaesu VX2R habndheld with the Arrow antenna at about 3 watts.

Now that Echo is rebooted and available again, I should be able to get a few more satellite QSOs in the book.

Now I need to pick up some accessories for my new operating mode - a bag for the antenna especially, and an SMA to BNC adapter for the VX2R. I am hoping I can find something at Ham Com in 3 weeks.

Still No Progress, But a New Toy?

I am still looking for an opportunity to get the equipment installed in the new truck, so no operating on HF yet. All I basically need are entry holes for the DC power through the firewall in front and for the RF/antenna control cables in the rear to be up and running again. I am not confident of my own skills in punching holes in a new truck so I plan on using a commercial installation company to do the work and I have not had a chance to schedule the necessary time yet.

But I may have an opportunity to do some operating in a brand new mode for me soon. I was able to win an auction for an Arrow II satellite antenna on Ebay so I will be looking for satellite passes before long. See you on the birds? Maybe.

New Shack - also nice truck

Here's the reason I haven't been active lately. Hopefully I can get the equipment installed before too much more time passes.

Detour

I have encountered a detour in my comeback: a new truck.

I traded my 2002 Chevy S-10 antenna platform/shack for a 2008 Titan. The short term result of this is that all of the equipment: antennas, radio, etc., are in the garage waiting for when I figure out how to remount everything in a new vehicle.

The layout of the Titan is considerably different from the S-10, so this could take a while.

Discuss among yourselves. I'll be back later.