Posts Tagged ‘W1AW/0’
KDØBIK operating as W1AW/Ø
May 28th, 2014 | 
Author: Colorado’s first week to host the W1AW/Ø portable station in celebration of the ARRL Centennial events has come and gone. This particular week was a busy week for me both at work and in the hobby of amateur radio. In addition to working two shifts operating W1AW/Ø, I also presented the Summits on the Air program presentation to two area amateur radio clubs. Yes…I also managed to keep my streak of at least one QSO a day alive.
As Colorado began hosting the W1AW/Ø portable operations, we also fell right into the middle of a weather pattern which almost like clockwork the heavy storms would roll into the Denver area from the west. These storms produced all your typical spring storm weather scenarios including rain (lots of rain in some areas), hail (enough to bring out the snow plows), thunder bolts and lightning (all very, very frightening) and yes…tornados. Tornados are somewhat rare in the metro Denver area, but this particular week we had sightings just about every day.
My first shift to operate W1AW/Ø was scheduled to begin at 0000z on Friday, (Thursday evening local). The storms rolled through Denver right on cue with tornado sirens and flashing of lightning around the area. Below radar image captured about two hours before my shift would start.
Thankfully the clouds parted just before the start of my shift.
On time, I began calling CQ on 20m. There had been a short gap between operators and our fellow hams were ready to attempt to work Colorado. Quickly I built a small pileup and began operating the strongest stations I could hear. I’m really glad I spent many evenings operating just as my own callsign and sharpening my skills in working small pileups.
If you’ve been listening to the HF bands in the past week or two, you certainly know conditions have been poor with noise levels very high on the bands. Of course the storms which had moved through Colorado certainly were not helping with overall conditions.
My friend Martin, W3MLK was my first contact and he was kind enough to run a few minutes of video/audio and posted on YouTube. Martin’s QTH is in Delaware. Thank you Martin for recording my audio.
Statistically speaking, my Thursday shift was far easier and a lot more enjoyable as band conditions were stronger. I managed 348 QSO’s during my three hour shift compared to only 156 on Sunday morning (1500 – 1800z). While I’m not sure how this compares with other operators, I enjoyed my time operating W1AW/Ø and representing the Centennial State of Colorado in the ARRL Centennial Event. It was a lot of fun!
OK….it’s now time to get back to work. My lunch break is over and this is another busy week in the office.
Until next time…
73 de KDØBIK
W1AW/Ø Change in Schedule
I posted my planned intentions of operating W1AW/Ø from Colorado last week. Unfortunately I’ve had to make a slight change to my on-air schedule to accommodate a scheduling conflict which will allow me to speak to a local amateur radio club about SOTA or Summits on the Air.
As it stands today, I will operate W1AW/Ø on the following dates/times/bands/modes:
23 May 0000z – 0300z – 20m – phone
25 May 1500z – 1800z – 20m – phone
I may sign up for additional time slots if needed. I’ll post an update the week before Colorado will be on the air. In the mean time, I’m getting on the air as much as possible and working as many stations as I can for the ARRL Centennial QSO Party. I hope to work you either during my time operating W1AW/Ø or as KDØBIK. Either way, ain’t this hobby great?
Until next time…
73 de KDØBIK
Yaesu FT-950 Headed to California
Unfortunately, I must report the change of power supply did not correct my issues I had experienced with my Yaesu FT-950. I blogged yesterday about the chain of events which took place over the weekend and my intentions of trying another power supply in the event my main unit is going defective. I had prepared myself for the worse case scenario and unfortunately that is what is going to happen.
I have boxed up my FT-950 in the original box (thankfully I keep these things) and will ship it out today. In an earlier telephone conversation with the Yaesu amateur service dept. I should expect a 10 day (or less) turnaround. As for repair costs, Yaesu charges $35.00 just to look at the radio and then $70.00 per hour labor. I’ll keep you posted.
I would like to just thank those who reached out to me via email and posted comments with suggestions of things to try. I’m fairly confident I’ve exhausted all options I’m capable of performing (or feel comfortable performing) on the 950 and all results remain the same. Something is preventing the 950 from operating at full power on 10 – 20 meters and zero power output on 30 – 160 meters.
Meanwhile, the 2014 QSO a day challenge does continue. I still have access to other HF rigs and will do my best to limp along working mostly digital modes and a few SSB QSO’s here and there. Based on the expected turnaround time from Yaesu, my 950 should be back in the shack well before I’m scheduled to operate W1AW/Ø the week of 21 May.
Until next time…
73 de KDØBIK
W1AW/Ø is coming to Colorado
Mark your calendars, the ARRL Centennial QSO Party will make a stop in the Centennial State of Colorado in May. The dates are 21-27 May and yours truly has signed up to represent Colorado in this incredible event.
I’m sure by now you’ve already heard about the ARRL Centennial QSO Party and hopefully you’ve already been busy making contacts. I’m slightly behind schedule, but thankfully each of the 50 states will be on the air twice during the calendar year. My goal is to work them all.
When I first learned of the opportunity to represent Colorado in this event I knew I wanted to sign up for a operating slot or two. While my station is a small pistol in the world of high power contest stations, I’m still excited to put the Centennial State of Colorado on the air from my home QTH during the ARRL Centennial QSO Party.
Currently my on-air timeslots are 22 May (00:00 – 03:00 z) 20m Phone and 25 May (15:00 – 18:00 z) 20m Phone. You can learn more about this year long event by visiting the ARRL Centennial QSO Party website.
I may sign up for additional timeslots if the need requires. As we get closer to the event date, I’ll be sure to post a reminder. You can also follow me on Twitter and Facebook where I’ll post real time information on where you can find me on the bands.
Until next time…
73 de KDØBIK
