Ramblings by K6RJ

One of the more fun contests of the year is this weekend, March 27-28, 2010.  It’s the CQ WPX SSB contest.  The goal of the contest is for amateurs world wide to contact as many amateurs and call prefixes as possible during the contest period.  If you are new to contesting, chasing awards or [...]

The FCC’s new Spectrum Dashboard allows new ways for citizens to search spectrum in the United States. Use the dashboard to find out how spectrum is being used, who owns spectrum licenses around the country, and what spectrum is available in your county.
Below is a screen print of the Spectrum Dashboard when browsing by spectrum [...]

Jim Briggs, WA9TIR of Bensenville, Illinois is the rightfully proud owner of this beautiful console installation.  How I wish I had the skills to produce something like this!  Great job, Jim!

There is an interesting article on PHYSORG.COM that may shed some light on the extended solar minimum we experienced between solar cycles 23 and 24.  That minimum lasted 15 months longer than was expected.  Unfortunately, and let’s hope they are wrong,  researchers Lisa Rightmire of the University of Memphis, Tennessee, and David Hathaway of the [...]

I must admit to having a lot of fun with my new Yaesu FT-450.  This rig has been extremely easy to operate remotely and I finally got around to trying the Ham Radio Deluxe software by HB9DRV.  I found the software very easy to install and configure.  I had it up an running within 15 [...]

This contest was a lot of fun.  I ran the whole time using the new Yaesu FT-450.  I must say it performed quite well.  The receiver is much quieter than the Alinco DX-70 it replaced and the IF DSP functions really helped separate out the weak signals.  All in all, I am quite impressed with [...]

I recently acquired a Yaesu FT-450 HF + 6m transceiver to replace the aging Alinco DX-70 as my back up rig in my shack.  I’ve only had the 450 for a few days but I’ve already discovered there is a lot to like about this little rig.  First is it’s size.  It doesn’t take up [...]

I don’t know about you but I don’t get a lot of radio operating time during the week or most weekends.  My long commute and busy family life prevent me from getting on the air as much as I would like.  That is why I enjoy operating contests when I can.  I really enjoy chasing [...]

This beautiful shack belongs to Fulvio Galli, HB9DHG, of Origlio, Switzerland.  You can see more pictures of his shack on his equally impressive website.  Great job on the shack and the  website Fulvio!

The IARU Region 2 and the Radio Club de Chile request that all amateurs monitor and keep clear the following frequencies, 3.738, 3.750, 7.050, 7.100, 14.200, 14.350, 21.200, 21.350, for emergency traffic following the massive 8.8 earthquake which struck Chile this past weekend.  The full article can be found here on the ARRL web site.
NOTE: [...]