Saturday Dec. 12 2009

You can see where the snow is in Michigan. Not a cloud in the sky right now.

What a beautiful day it is so far.
It's Saturday, got a busy day planned with the family. First, the wife is making a big breakfast right now, then we are off to do some shopping for more Christmas Decorations, gonna stop and visit the parents, then off to down our Christmas Tree. Tonight the tree should be up. I hope I can do this all with out my mid morning nap.

Hawaii; Biggest Waves in Five Years

This is a cool article. It also has some really awesome photos. I'd rather float on an iceberg rather than sitting on a stick in fifty foot waves.
Cool Photos

Thousands of spectators and surfers are flocking to Hawaii's beaches to see the biggest waves in years crash ashore.

Heavy traffic backed up for miles yesterday along roads leading to Oahu's North Shore. Some of the world's most daring surfers took on the powerful and dangerous waves, which forecasters say could reach heights of 50ft (15 metres) by tomorrow.

The surf grew so large that a few beaches on Oahu and Maui were closed because lifeguards feared inexperienced sightseers could drown, according to state officials.

Surf's up as biggest waves in five years come to Hawaii after North Pacific storm

Winter Storm December 8, 2009

It looks like we are going to see some weather over the next few days. This afternoon the wife and kids are going to put up the outdoor Christmas Lights. Hope they get it done before the storm hits. Remember to check your local weather for updates, listen to your weather radio. I am not a metorolgist, just a weather nut so seek professional weather reports. I have many links on my blog, I do not take responsibility if they are wrong or do not know what they say.

ICOM IC-706MKIIG Is to be No Longer

Amateur Radio Victoria reports that the Icom IC-706MkIIG transceiver will definately cease production.

In a news report just received, they say:

Despite deniers in the USA, it has been confirmed that Wednesday 9 December is the last day that the ICOM plant in Wakayama, Japan will produce the IC-706MKIIG transceiver.

ICOM Australia said it has checked with Japan and been reassured that the earlier advice received that the popular transceiver has been discontinued is correct.

The reason is that some components used in the IC-706MKIIG are no longer available and the model had to cease production.

For more on this story see the news section of the Amateur Radio Victoria website

My "No-Excuses" 160 Meter Vertical

I now have all the materials need to make my 160 meter vertical. I plan on starting this project with my son this Friday evening. Not for sure how long it will take, I plan on having it in use a week from now.
I will try to document our progress with photos and plan on posting them here.
Here are the plans that we will be using.
We may change a few things. Stay tuned.

The DX Zone

This is cool; my blog site is now listed on the USA : Ham Radio/Blogs/USA portion on the DX Zones blog list.
The DX Zone is a very helpful site with tons of information. I have a widget box on my side bar also.
When you’re on my blog give me a rating, the rating box is also on the side bar. If you give me a poor rating please let me know via guest book, e-mail or use the comments section.
Thanks to all of you for visiting.
73

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving.

He's Home

I am so happy, my dad was released from the hospital this afternoon. He still has a long road of recovery ahead. Thanks all for your support.

Hurricane Watch Net Event this Weekend

Hurricane Watch Net to Hold On the Air Event
Dave Lefavour, W7GOX, Manager of the Hurricane Watch Net, has announced that the HWN will be holding a two-day, on-the-air special event. “This event, which we’re calling ‘HWN/44,’ celebrates our 44th consecutive year of service. Our members will be using special event callsign K4H on 11/29 and 11/30. We’ll be operating on 14.325 MHz, of course, but, we’ll also have stations active on or near 7
More...

Myself, Looking forward to making the contact. Hope to hear you on HF.

ISS gets New Amateur Radio Antenna

New Ham Radio antenna installed on the ISS
New Ham Radio antenna installed on the ISS ARISS US Hardware Manager Lou McFadin, W5DID says that all the teamwork and effort to expand the ARISS amateur radio station aboard the ISS were successful this weekend when the new dual band 2m/70CM antenna was installed on the outside of ESA's Columbus module. Lou congratulated the team, "This is an example of what can be achieved by volunteer ham
More...

I like working the ISS. Always lots of fun working the birds.

My Day

I did not participate in the SSB November Sweepstakes today, however I did listen to it to see how a contest and those who did participate operated. I can not wait till the next contest. I think I will give it a try.

I did make many DX contacts today, a few special event stations and many tuning their rigs for the contest.
I’m hoping to get my 160 meter antenna up soon, maybe next week. Right now I am enjoying 20 and 40 meters.
10 and 15 meters dose not seem to be very active. Then again, I only have a vertical.

My Ham Shack

Please excuse the mess. This is my Ham Shack. It is a work in progress.
It is amazing, my ham shack photo has been downloaded 78 times since this was posted. I have actually ran across e-mails and other blogs where others claim my shack as their own.
Some people have no shame. 1/30/10

Equipment;
Yaesu FT-897D w/ AT-897 Plus by LDG
Yaesu FT-7800
Yaesu FT-8900R
Yaesu VX-7R
WiRES II
Yaesu FP-1030A Power supply
Radio Shack HTX-242 powered w/ Astron RS-7
MFJ-969 300W Roller Tuner
LDG FT-Meter
Pro Set Plus “HEIL"

SSB November Sweeps Contest

The SSB portion of the ARRL November Sweepstakes -- the premier domestic HF contest -- takes place this weekend, running 2100 UTC Saturday, November 21 to 0300 Monday, November 23 (or 4 PM Saturday to 10 PM Sunday EST).

According to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, the event -- first called "The January Contest" -- started back in 1929 as a competition for handling formal traffic messages. "Sweepstakes is one of the oldest traditions in Amateur Radio," Kutzko said. "The contest exchange contains more elements than usual, an homage to the traffic-handling days of yore. If you have never participated in Sweepstakes, you are really missing out on some serious fun!"

ARRL November Sweepstakes (Phone)		Rules

2009 Japan Ham Fair

This looks like a fun Hamfest to attend.
One of these years I will make it to the Dayton Hamfest. All depends on my health.
Check it out; The 2009 Japan Ham Fair.

SKYWARN Recognition Day

SKYWARN Recognition Day Set for December 5
The 11th Annual SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) Special Event will take place Saturday, December 5, 2009. SRD is co-sponsored by the ARRL and the National Weather Service (NWS) as a way to recognize the commitment made by Amateur Radio operators in helping to keep their communities safe. According to SRD Coordinator David Floyd, N5DBZ, Amateur Radio operators can visit their local participating NWS office, working as a team to contact other hams across the world throughout the 24 hour event.
Full Story

I did this a few years ago and it was really cool. I hope to do this again this year.