So here I am and finally have something to say that won't bore you to death. Well, at least if you're a ham radio operator. Today was actually up in the 60 degree range, so it was a great day for some mobile work. I recently did a little wheeling and dealing, got rid of a few older LARGE radios and ended up with a small new radio. Yaesu ft-8900 to be exact. And it so happens my matching antenna, the diamond CR8900a arrived from Gigaparts today. So I did what any ham would do, I quickly assembled it and marveled at it for a moment. What instructions? Anyway I ripped the old 6 meter quarter wave off its mount (well, more like unscrewed)and with the help of an NMO to SO-239 adapter (Comet brand, and it seemed to play well with the rival antenna)I got a shiny new beefy antenna sticking up from my trunk. Long story short, I now have quad band capability after a little tweaking and sniffing with the analyzer. So there is half the battle, the radio is a whole other story....... and blog. Stay tuned.

finally something to talk about

Well, I've been quiet for some time, but think it's time to spew some more ramblings upon anyone that may read this (if anyone does, maybe I'm just talking to myself)

Anyway I decided to plop a chunk of change down on a "modern" HF rig. I've never had anything "modern" so I figured it's about time. After much reading of reviews and specs I decided the FT-450D was as close to a perfect fit I would find for under (barely) a grand. I can say I am very pleased with this rig! The filtering is great, memories are very helpful and the inclusion of 6 and 60 meters opened up a new realm for me to tromp through. I had never paid much attention to the 5 channels of the 60 meter band, but when I realized they were included on this radio I figured I'd see what it's all about. I was very pleased at what I found. A nice band nestled between 48 and 80 meters with a lot less QRM. I've made many nice contacts on this band and it continues to consume the majority of my "radio time". So stop on 60 meters and say HI!

So now I'm off to explore more of my new toy!

Ya, I'm still here

Sometimes life happens, and I don't have time, ambition to blog. (ok, I forgot too)
Mini update on LF conditions here as of late...... They suck. There, I said it. Noise, low signals and more noise. Looks like the "good" season is behind, and it's time to get some sun finally.

Time to wake up

Gotta dust off the blog and say something. New year, and soon new radio. Last month was my all-time high of 104 logs for the month. Maybe I'll break that this month with my new arsenal of programs driving an SDR-IQ. Although I can't complain about the trusty modded FRG-7 I am definitely looking forward to the new realm of software defined radio. I've gotten heavy into the using of software to visualize and filter the airwaves and this is the logical next step. Now to await that box from HRO that will be dropped off tomorrow by some guy in a big square brown truck........ "What can brown do for you?"....... Bring me my damn radio, that's what they can do!
Now to get some logging in with the new toy. Maybe that'll give me something to write about :)

FZ!

Yes, I'm hearing the familiar FZ for the first time since summer. My time has been consumed by much work / overtime and such, but manage to turn the FRG on once in a while.

slacker

Yes, I'm a slacker. I finally hit 100 NDBs, did I blog? no..... I have hower worked ridiculous overtime, so I'll use that as an excuse. Tomorrow, 23OCT FZ is supposedly supposed to awaken from its long slumber since the summer. Is it bad that that is my excitement planned for tomorrow? Maybe I just need a hobby. errrr.... wait. This IS my hobby. Anyway up to 103 unique NDBs and finally plunked down a few bucks for a better set of 'phones. Radioshack has their 40 or 50 dollar "race headphones" on clearance for $20... great headset! gel earpads, the behind the head spring with strap over the head. seals out the outside noise and just feels damn secure. Sounds fine too! So tomorrow I'll await with baited breath for the return of FZ and suppose I'll blog yay or nay.

LF is alive!

You've all been there..... 4am and you awake to nature calling. Most just go back to bed after, but not me. It's a perfect time to ambush those beacons! Just to reiterate the awesomeness of the new antenna I'll point out that my early morn' listening event netted me 14 new beacons :) Now I realize that these longer nights are starting to help too, but if I credit mainly the antenna I feel better about the $$ I shelled out for it. Even during the week these middle-of-the-night awakenings account for most of my catches lately. I flip on the FRG late evening quite a bit, but those wee hours seem to be much more productive.
Another thing of note is 454 Khz. I began to hear what at first I beleived was local noise. But the more I listened to the bursts the more I thought it may be some form of data. After much searching I finally stumbled upon the answer. The Hagerstown MD DGPS site is testing a new HADGPS signal. Now I can stop wondering what may be raising all that ruckus on that freq in the 'hood.