Posts Tagged ‘holiday’
Passover 2013
March 25th, 2013 | 
Author: 
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
Right place at the right time
I was able to get on the air for a bit this afternoon – I guess it would be more appropriate to say this evening, as it was getting dark. The Christmas lights in the neighborhood, or whatever, were playing havoc with my receiver tonight. It seems like there’s S9 noise no matter which band I go to and no matter which antenna I switch to.
However, on 17 Meters, blasting in above the noise was JN4MMO calling CQ. Japan! I have worked Japan before, but never QRP. Japan to New Jersey is always a long hop and with 5 Watts, I really had my fingers crossed.
It took some patience to be heard and then a few repeats – but Andy finally heard me! I gave him a 599 report and got a 539 in return. It was dusk here and just a tiny bit past dawn in Japan (according to DX Atlas) so I am willing to bet that there was some grayline influence there.
No matter! I will take a QSO with a Japanese op any day of the week. Now as far as I’m concerned, that’s DX! And it just goes to show (at least in my case anyway) that you don’t always have to be good, you just need to be lucky!
I am hoping for a bit more activity on 80 Meters tonight as we get further into the darkness. I would like to get some practice in tonight with the Bug, in anticipation of Straight Key Night tomorrow evening.
As the New Year approaches, I’d like to take the opportunity to wish all of you a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. May your days be filled with laughter and enjoyment, love and happiness. And may you always have numerous sunspots and really good propagation when you turn on your radios!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
Was Santa good to you?
He was to me. (Thanks to my beautiful wife Marianne and my great kids, Cara and Joey!)
I was gifted with a Kindle Fire HD which is one great lil’ tablet. I love to read and this is soooooo nice. I thought the touch screen would be more of a pain than the regular Kindle’s back and forth buttons. But the touch screen actually makes going from page to page of a book more effortless. The fact that I can also check my e-mail, surf the Web on it (read blogs) and even watch movies on it makes it all the more of a neat gift.
Marianne also bought me a few “QRP – When you care to send the very least” items from Cafe Press. The sweatshirts they sell are so nice! Thick and warm, not flimsy and thin. The design is big too, it takes up a major portion of the front of the shirt, so there’s no mistaking that QRP is the passion of the wearer. I was worried that when the design got enlarged to fill the front of a shirt that it might look fuzzy. It doesn’t! It’s sharp and prominent and other Hams will know right away what’s going on there.
She also brought me the carrying Field Bag, which will be great for carrying my Kindle Fire and my other Android tablet to and from work. My brief case was getting kind of ratty, so this is a good replacement.
Cafe Press does a great job and I’m very happy with both items that Marianne got for me.
I also got a nice pair of warm gloves and Joey gave me a “World’s Best Dad” poster and pen and Cara gave me a very cute “Dad” Christmas ornament for the tree. I did very, very well.
How did you all do in the Zombie Shuffle? Paul NA5N has posted the preliminary results here. I came in the middle of the pack, where is about where I expected to land. I know there are a few more great contesters (such as John K4BAI) who haven’t sent in summaries yet. I will be a happy camper if I remain within the top 20 when all is said and done.
Don’t forget that next Monday night is Straight Key Night. Time for me to get a little practice on the Bug again, before the big event. I sure hope that 2013 turns out to be less stress filled than 2012 was. I really would like to try the “QSO a day” thing for the entire year again. It’s hard to do that when every time you turn around, something comes up that eats up all your time and attention.
Here’s to a better 2013 for all of us!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
Christmas Eve 2012
The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Almost there!
Christmas is almost upon us.
Preparations are winding down. Hopefully, all your trees are trimmed, houses have been decorated, gifts bought and wrapped, and all baking done and goodies carefully put away.
As Mary and Joseph travel towards the star, may your hearts find wishes granted and prayers answered.
May you and your loved ones be blessed this Christmas with the Peace that is beyond all understanding.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
