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"Less Filling = Less Weight for Ham on a Bike"

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  Since 99% of my portable Ham Radio operating is primarily done by bicycle; I'm always looking to lighten the load of what I carry. As we move more and more toward the doldrums of Solar Cycle 25, the Amateur Radio HF frequencies have a tendency not to provide continuous favorable propagation for SSB and CW.  During the previous lull in between Solar Cycles, most of my operating in the shack and portable was digital. And all of that portable digital operating was via my FT-817 utilizing a Signalink as my sound card. Lo and Behold along came Hans with his fantastic line of QRP kits the QDX Digital Transceiver and the Multi-Mode QMX Transceiver. For years I've used different laptops for my digital portable operations for RTTY, PSK31, WSJT-X, SSTV, HF/VHF Packet, Winlink  and APRS. It worked out okay. A few years ago I purchased a Panasonic ToughPad FZ-G1.  It is a GREAT rugged piece of equipment. Smaller in size than laptops, but quite a bit heavier.  A few years ...
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Bye Bye Bye Windows

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For several months I had planned to make a change of Operating System for my non-ham radio tower computer. I had purchased a couple of portable Multi TeraByte Portable Hard Drives and a 138 TB SSD drives to backup that computer. During a September thunderstorm a nearby lightning strike fried the motherboard in that main computer. The strike didn't bother my router, television or my Ham Radio computer. It is weird how electricity can effect some items but not others. Like many of you, I've become tired of Windows restarts happening right in the middle of something I'm doing.  I'm finally making the switch to the Raspberry Pi OS for Windows. I'm disappointed with myself in respect that in aging I've gotten used to some of the conveniences of today's technology.  And one of those has been becoming too comfortable with MicroSoft and Windows.  As a result; my programming skills have eroded over the years and I have spent most of this summer trying to replenish so...
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"JTTY": A NEW Tool In Our Ham Radio Box!

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I had to get the word out about this new tool for our ham radio box.  This mode falls somewhat inline with my previous blogpost about what bands/modes you may use in between Solar Cycles.  JTTY falls into that category. What is JTTY?  JTTY is NEW part of the WSJT-X suite of Digital Modes.  It is keyboard-to-keyboard Digital Mode transmissions without synchronized time slots as we have been accustomed to with FT4 and FT8 transmissions. That means you can start fast RTTY-style real-time operator-to-operator chats or contest style exchanges at ANY time. This mode uses uses 4-tone GSFK with a bandwidth of about 125 Hz  to 127 Hz, which can deliver about 30 WPM random text and up to 60 WPM for contest exchanges. For 20 meters the QSJT-X teams suggest starting at about 14.090 MHz.  Other suggested frequencies can be found at the following link by  DX Zone JTTY Frequencies Robert W5ITR  " Digital Rancher " has compiled a couple of YouTube videos about th...
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What Modes/Bands Will You Use IN BETWEEN Solar Cycle 25 & 26?

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What Bands/Modes Will You Use IN BETWEEN  Solar Cycle 25 & 26? As we continue to experience unpredictable HF propagation of Solar Cycle 25, it is not too early to start thinking about the bands and modes that you might find to be the best to operate as we move to that IN BETWEEN period of Solar Cycle 25 & 26.  The last few weeks have been rather challenging on the HF bands with lower Solar Flux Indices and lower Sun Spot numbers and consistent high Solar Winds.   As an avid QRP operator it can make for some dismal days. So here is part of my plan for the impending lull of favorable HF band conditions. It was during in between Solar Cycle 23 and Solar Cycle 24 when I became acquainted with an operator who had become frustrated with trying to make SSB/CW contacts with his FT-817 which he rarely used and was eager to get rid of it. I felt bad about the price he asked for as I knew he could get more but he was VERY eager to be relieved of the FT-817. After receiv...
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Autumn Equinox 9/22/2026 - Start Of Kit Building Season

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Its that time of year for most of the Western Hemisphere. AUTUMN!  Shorter cooler days and in some areas frosty. Its the season where some of us cut back on our portable activities and operate from the warmth and comfort of our shacks.  Its also the season when some of us pull out our soldering irons and put them to work.  Be it , repairs or maybe kit building, Autumn can be the start of Kit Building Season. For me, I've got a few projects on my To-Do-List. At the top is the completion of my 2nd Low Band QRP Labs QDX Digital Transceiver.  Since we are moving toward the IN BETWEEN of Solar Cycle 25 and Solar Cycle 26 area, it is likely that I'll be operating more Digital Modes and Satellites than Morse Code and SSB. During the Autumn and Winter months my plan is to run the 2nd QDX unit via Raspberry Pi in JS8Call digital mode from my shack; especialy overnight. I may also look at assembling some other kits.  I came across a YouTube video from the guys at Ham Radi...
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Location: Louisville, KY, USA
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Are You Inclined to Assist In During A STATE OF EMERGENCY?"

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  Are you aware that in the U.S., August is National Emergency Management Awareness Month.  Emergency Management Awareness   National Emergency Management Awareness Month This organization will conduct a coordinated, industry-wide awareness and advocacy campaign to promote the capabilities of emergency management.  As Amateur Radio Operators this is something we should be aware and and ready to assist when needed. I t is in our DNA.     My question to YOU:  Are You Inclined to Assist In During A STATE OF EMERGENCY?" 2026 may seem like the entire world is under some sort of daily natural disaster, threat or emergency. Recent earthquakes in Japan, earthquakes in Venezuela, earthquakes in Columbia   Extreme heat conditions around the earth are deeply pushing our power grids to the brink of collapse. Drought conditions around many parts of the world causing widespread wildfires. Recent weather conditions in the U.S. have produced record rainfal...
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Ham Radio Record Keeping: It's Still Important To Me!

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  Many years ago the Federal Communications Commission in the U.S. eliminated their logging requirements for Amateur Radio. Most of us continue to keep logging records for Awards.   For me record keeping has always been an integral part of my ham radio activities.  When I began my Commercial Radio Broadcast career in my late teens, I was blessed to have a Program Director, Broadcast Engineer, Traffic, Business and General Manager that stressed the importance of Record Keeping. To that end it has continually been a part of my life and is basically second nature. Recently I had an occasion where that Record Keeping came into play.  For the last couple of years in late July to late August, I've worked my Sunrise grayline HF propagation from Kentucky USA into JA, VK and ZL lands. Thanks to my record keeping I have a history of knowing there is an excellent probability of making contacts in the Japan and the South Pacific during this window. Additionally I ...
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