@KC8JC@mastodon.radio
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KC8JC

@KC8JC@mastodon.radio

A ham interested in HF, Digital Modes, and Community Service through amateur radio.

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N4JAW, to amateurradio
@N4JAW@mastodon.radio avatar

Yucky and . No or Home operating today. My QTH antenna has been disconnected for days due to and rain with imbedded thunderstorms.

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KC8JC,
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@N4JAW @kelvin0mql

Great question! When I get on 17 or 15 it takes forever to make contacts. I can call for a long time between QSOs. I have to think there's something about most home setups that makes those bands less popular.

KC8JC, to random
@KC8JC@mastodon.radio avatar

Well. Gorgeous weather all week while I'm working.

Light rain ALL DAY Saturday AND Sunday.

That's... That's just dandy.

N4JAW, to amateurradio
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How to throw a line into a tree to raise your antenna. I won't win any Olympic medals but it gets the job down. @POTAspots

Throwing an arborist line into a tree

KC8JC,
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@N4JAW Excellent technique! And you got it on the first try!

I never get it on the first try if anyone is within a mile of me...

KC8JC,
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@N4JAW Too honest for your own good!

N4JAW, to amateurradio
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Different antenna for today's activation. with 40-15m mini tuner

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KC8JC,
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@N4JAW How do you like the tuner? I love their kits.

KC8JC, to hamradio
@KC8JC@mastodon.radio avatar

When I first got licensed, my wife and kids bought me an ICOM IC-7100 for Fathers Day. That was in 2017. I still think it's an amazing radio as a base station. It has a million options and can really do anything that I ask of it. It's been great for experimenting and trying new avenues in the hobby.

Of course, mostly I'm a QRP portable guy these days, but I really do love this rig. Rock solid and fun.

Geojoek, to amateurradio
@Geojoek@mastodon.hams.social avatar

So what's a cheap, small, light plastic container folks might use as an enclosure for a balun / unun for portable ops than one might have lying around the house or could get at a hardware store?

Outdoor junction boxes are too big and bulky / not great to throw in a backpack.

KC8JC,
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@Geojoek

This is where 3D printing shows up, I think?

N4JAW, to random
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My Lifelong Morse Code Journey "Down the BRICK Road" BlogPost

https://hamonabike.blogspot.com/2024/04/my-lifelong-morse-code-journey-down.html

KC8JC,
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@N4JAW Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing your story!

N4JAW, to amateurradio
@N4JAW@mastodon.radio avatar

is bad this morning on all making for a failed activation. No worries, just blessed to enjoy the freshness of the early morning along

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KC8JC,
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@N4JAW

Difficult to call it a failure when you're outside with your radio, right? Looks like you had some great scenery!

KC8JC, to random
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Learning Morse Code is a process. Along with learning to operate CW come lessons for life. One of those is, if you hear an operator going 15 wpm and you fly in at close to 25-30 wpm, you can expect to have a rough time.

Caught myself laughing out loud. I’m not entirely sure it wasn’t a computer sending the code. More of that is out there than I thought.

N4JAW, to random
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"Return of a Wanna-Be Jedi"

https://hamonabike.blogspot.com/2024/03/return-of-wanna-be-jedi.html

KC8JC,
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@N4JAW Great news! So glad to hear that things are improving and equally excited to see you here again! I hope to get you in the log soon!

Geojoek, to random
@Geojoek@mastodon.hams.social avatar

Reading all the lovely tributes to Bob Heil has me testing out using software EQs to improve HF SSB audio / legibility on a webSDR, wondering if I should buy a cheap 12V car audio EQ to put in the shack.

But it occurs to me, I could run the audio through my Linux shack computer and use a Pulse or ALSA equalizer, plus maybe DNR software: it's probably a lot more bang for 0 bucks. I'm concerned about latency and ground loop hum, though.

Folks' thoughts on software vs. hardware EQs for this?

KC8JC,
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@Geojoek I’d go software. The price is right and latency shouldn’t be awful.

KC8JC, to amateurradio
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It’s 24dF and sunny. Go to the park and sit outside? Why not?!

It’s POTA time!

Give me an hour and I’ll be on the air.

KC8JC, to hamradio
@KC8JC@mastodon.radio avatar

What would it take to build a LoTW replacement?

What about a print on demand service for QSL cards that replaces the bureau?

And do we have enough engaged, technically adept, and interesting hams out here in this Fedi space to put together a monthly web magazine of sorts filled with the stuff that we want to read?

I know there was talk before. I'm wondering if we really need to wait for the big org to fail before we start.

sergio_101, to amateurradio
@sergio_101@mastodon.social avatar

Looks like i got running and i am decoding packets from 14.105.

KC8JC,
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@ve3qbz @sergio_101 Whoa! Bookmarked!

KC8JC, to hamradio
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I checked into the - did you?

It's a great time to see if your station is ready to send email. It keeps your skills and station sharp.

And it keeps the conversation about Winlink and the community's concerns about it alive. Which is also good.

Follow for details!

KC8JC,
@KC8JC@mastodon.radio avatar

@W1CDN That interleaved with "I will never use Winlink". Yeah.

In my dreams, someone with the relevant skill and/or experience takes note and something changes. Hope isn't a strategy, but...

KC8JC,
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@bud_t @W1CDN

Agreed. My hope is that if we keep discussing it, it will become clear that the thinking about the platform and its approach is outdated and needs a fresh approach from the tech leadership perspective.

Nothing will change if we don't discuss it. So...yeah...we're in agreement.

KC8JC,
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@bud_t @W1CDN

That background. Ooh man...

KC8JC,
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@bud_t @W1CDN

Very On Brand for a lot of ham radio projects.

It makes me think things.

KC8JC, to amateurradio
@KC8JC@mastodon.radio avatar

I see the sun!

Gonna have to POTA.

KC8JC,
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@k8vsy Thanks! Might even take a tablet for FT8. WHO KNOWS?!

KC8JC,
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@bud_t @kilroy_was_here @k8vsy

I got a MS Surface Go 2 and it runts Ubuntu like a dream. It’s the perfect size and has all the features I need for digital field work. Can recommend. And that model is like $200 for a refurbished on certain websites.

Geojoek, to random
@Geojoek@mastodon.hams.social avatar

So you're telling me the vanity callsign N1NNY has been available since March of this year...

KC8JC,
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@N0ZB @tsherrygeo @Geojoek

OK, but imagine your disappointment if it weren't taken, right?

KC8JC, to random
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For no reason I was thinking about the Ham Radio Magazine that I want to read. I'm thinking:

1/3 portable/QRP content

1/3 news items and feature content

1/3 cool tech stuff and reviews

So what I'm saying is NOT QST.

Maybe I'll start my own quarterly. That'll show 'em!

KC8JC,
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@dcreemer @kelvin0mql @n8gnj

Indeed I am aware of that newsletter and it does tick a few of those boxes. But Substack, yeah. I just got done purging myself of that platform.

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