Getting in some operating time
tonight, because according to Ron WB3AAL and a post he made to the Polar Bear reflector, band conditions might turn into a mess this weekend:
Space Weather News for June 14, 2012
http://spaceweather.com
DOUBLE CME: Active sunspot AR1504 is facing Earth and hurling coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in our direction. A fast-moving CME that left the sun on June 14th is expected to scoop up another CME already en route and deliver a double-blow to Earth’s magnetic field on June 16th. Weak-to-moderate geomagnetic storms are possible when the clouds arrive. Check http://spaceweather.com for images and updates.
Tonight, band conditions are nice and I am having a blast. I had a very brief QSO with TJ W0EA and this ended up being my first KX3 to KX3 QSO. I am also hearing a lot of European stations and am able to work quite a few. But this just goes to show you ………..
My QSO with TJ was very brief because my signal to him was exceptionally crappy. I looked down and realized that I was still on the EDZ for our QSO. After signing with him, I switched over to the Butternut, called CQ again and got a 559 from OM7DX in the Slovak Republic.
The other night was a first for me. I heard my very first VU station – ever! For whatever reason, I have never even heard a station from India before. Hearing one the other night was an exciting first for me.
Ah, yes …. it’s Friday night, the work week is done, the weather is nice and I get to go on the radio. Great way to start Father’s Day weekend!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
Happy Fathers Day Larry. I enjoy following your QRP operations. I went to a hamfest today and ended up solving a long time gripe about the FT817. I found someone selling a LiPo battery that fits into the battery compartment. This has had the effect of putting off the need to sell the FT817 to get a KX3 as the battery life was my biggest complaint about the rig. The KX3 is still on my list but without the urgency. I have had a chance to play with one and was really impressed. I have a K3 and am now content to wait until the the order pileup subsides.
73, Dave