AmateurRadio.com

Mobile device disruption of current social and/or business models is a brave new future, perhaps, ultimately displacing one’s desktop computer. Frankly, in comparison, my Droid can accomplish most tasks albeit with a much smaller screen and miniaturized QWERTY keyboard.

I’m impressed with my Droid thus far and can’t help drawing parallels between it and Issac Asimov’s iRobot in addition to Star Trek communicators.

Reviews.

• Engadget Motorola DROID review (link).
• Gizmodo Motorola Droid review (link).
• Ubergizmo Motorola Droid review (link).

The last thing needed in my life is a device that drains scarce time from the mortal hourglass. I want my Droid to accomplish the following tasks —

1. Synchronize email.
2. Content production.
3. Integration with recreational activities specifically ham radio and surfing.
4. Social network integration when mobile.
5. Decision data such as product and/or service(s) review.

I’m observing a mobile device viewing trend using Google analytics. I recommend thinking about one’s blog layout through the lens of Droid-like devices. Likewise, the presentation of one’s introduction, body, and conclusion as viewed on these screens.

Additionally, when producing video for YouTube, compare it against a desktop monitor and a mobile device screen.

Overall, with 24-hours of experience, I’m pleased with Droid’s near intuitive Google operating system, connectivity to the Internet, its baseline package of applications, and industrial design.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

I wanted to take an opportunity at thanking Bruce Horn, WA7BNM for maintaining RadioSport’s competitive schedule. The WA7BNM Contest Calendar was recently revised and Bruce’s craftsmanship scores big time -Qs in the shack relaxation zone.

Immediately, on the landing page, one discovers niches occupying RadioSport space inside ham radio. Secondly, a schedule table is available with time bar graphic in each respective row — one can quickly analyze a weekend’s worth of activity at a glance. Furthermore, one can receive either a weekly schedule via email or subscribe to the calendar using really simple syndication.

Lastly, one can customize their calendar for specific events while toggling between custom and full calendar as well.

A job well done indeed! Thank you Bruce.

RadioSport EU | LZ Open 40m Sprint.
The heavyweight exchange is back for a little fun on a low band space this weekend. This one is seeded number one USA East Coast conference against the 12th seed West Coast who may generate a few signals against that radio frequency wall.

LZ Open is all about -Qs not multipliers because everyone can log everyone. A station can be logged after a lapse of 30-minutes on the same band.

This event is not accepting paper logs.

Rules (link).

RadioSport EU | SP DX.
This event is straightforward in its scoring system that is log Polish stations for three points in the log. Given current conditions, our East Coast competitors can pass out valuable -Q points too participating stations, it’s an event to practice, practice, practice one’s search and pounce skill.

Rules (link).

SFI = 76 | A- index = 15 | K-index = 2 | Current Sunspot Count is 25 @0011UTC.

International Single Operator All Band.

• P49Y (AE6Y) | 3842 Qs | 1048 Prefixes | 36hrs | 13,657,536 Points [NCCC].
• 3V8SS (KF5EYY) | 1577 Qs | 691 Prefixes | 30h29min| 4,036,822 Points [RR DX].
• PY2NY | 1622 Qs | 726 Prefixes | 32hours | 3,442,692 Points [Araucaria DX].

n = 14 scores submitted in this category.

Options there are options for low power, low profile RadioSport operators. One can operate from a DX location to satisfy the competitive spirit and Andy, P49Y entered an ionospheric score from his Aruba location. In addition, he lead the Northern California Contest Club to a banner position fulfilling the club’s motto, “Excellence In Amateur Radio Contesting.“

An accomplishment well done!

Believe in your signal.

USA Single Operator All Band.

• KR5X (K1BX) | 1974 Qs | 868 Prefixes | 36hrs | 4,463,256 Points [YCCC].
• NV1N (N1UR) | 1761 Qs | 805 Prefixes | 36hrs | 3,761,185 Points [YCCC].
• KW3W | 574 Qs | 366 Prefixes | 18hrs | 552,294 Points [PVRC].

n = 33 scores submitted in this category.

The climatic ionospheric event of the season guaranteed ham radio fun and CQ WPX SSB delivered on the promise. Prefix multipliers added extra value even if one operated from their apartment balcony or with a long wire with counterpoise from a college room in a dormitory.

Congratulations K1BX who piloted KR5X to a 3830 Claimed Score first place finish while leading the Yankee Clipper Contest Club to its banner position for the year.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

Who owns the single operator all band low power record? Is 60 million points possible for a multi-multi station? Who will log 1,528 prefixes or more this weekend?

It’s aggro prefix time for high frequency airwaves and operators are transmitting unusual prefixes from their callsign quivers. Everyone is a multiplier. It is important to listen first after clicking that flash spot before pushing to talk.

No one likes a busted call when log adjudication rolls around. One pays a penalty in points, ouch, especially when operators are chasing records or looking to establish a personal best.

Rules (link).

Have fun, double check receiver filter settings, check audio, and listen first. Everyone likes a clean log.

Contest on!

Multi Single.

• N5AW | 678 CW | 158 SSB | 197 DXCC | 76 Oblast | 22hr | 1,185,093 Points.

n = 1 score submitted in this category.

Single Operator.

• YT3M (YU2FG) | 1543 CW | 220 DXCC | 232 Oblast | 24hrs | 4,124,952 Points [SKY CC].
• US0HZ | 1270 CW | 174 DXCC | 206 Oblast | 20hrs | 2,967,800 Points.
• S56A | 817 CW | 216 DXCC | 185 Oblast | 18hrs | 2,286,502 Points.

n = 32 scores submitted in this category.

Single Operator Mixed.

• XU7ACY | 865 CW | 60 SSB | 130 DXCC | 157 Oblast | 10hrs | 1,910,846 Points [FRC].
• EI4CF | 296 CW | 449 SSB | 185 DXCC | 140 Oblast | 17hrs | 1,552,984 Points.
• PY2NY | 450 CW | 225 SSB | 130 DXCC | 81 Oblast | 14hrs | 844,844 Points [Araucaria DX].

n = 9 scores submitted in this category.

Congratulations YT3M for leading Club SKY to a first place finish while Team N5AW scored a top slot with heavy metal in the aire! An accomplishment well done from both sides of the Atlantic while XU7ACY rocked the Asian multiplier grid with his stellar CW effort.

Contest on!

I removed my Rip Curl 4×3 wetsuit from storage and discovered some serious funk growth since my last session. My sabbatical from surfing was more of a sabbatical from physical fitness in general. I was seriously burnt out from my military years in the Air Force however something happened between then and now.

It’s called middle age and those calories do not burn away like those invincible years of youth. My waist line has grown substantially since the days of the battle dress uniform. Likewise, I have things to consider like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and relaxation.

I have surfed up and down the central coast of California although age brings on a different perspective. The urge to chase big waves has since retired itself instead I’m looking for the soulful, don’t harsh my mellow, surfing experience. Relaxation out in the ocean searching for the perfect Old Man wave is the goal.

I’m introducing GroundWave with further copy to follow at Jeff, K1NSS’s DashToons as well.

I want to promote in addition to ham radio, a healthy lifestyle, and surfing is a perfect fit at achieving this goal. Afterall, blogging is a personal journal, one that is shared with a community of friends. I hope you will enjoy the life and times of a middle aged surfer who happens to love ham radio.

Surf to live, live to surf.

P.S. The serious funky mold was cleaned from the wetsuit including my rash guard and booties as seen in photograph number two.