My Amateur Radio Life

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Sunday morning in the "Shack"

Posted: 23 Feb 2020 08:31 AM PST
https://va3qv.wordpress.com/2020/02/...-in-the-shack/


First off.Â* It has been a while since I last postedÂ* I will be honest and
say that in my case not much has been happening in the RV Department as we
did sell the old rig and have not replaced it yet.Â* We have been looking
(and drooling) on line but so far have not found what we are looking for.



Also we are not sure how much free time we will have this summer and I dont
really want to start making payments on a new (to us) rig that I am going
be storing more than I am using.

On the VHF/UHF/WIRES X RF side of things..Â* Not much has changed.Â* My WIRES
X node is now up and running more than it was before.



We changed internet providers which immediately helped connectivity and
along with an external USB fan to keep the node radio running cooler gives
me piece of mind.Â* I chose the USB fan as I keep it plugged into the laptop
that is hosting the node.

If the laptop is turned on the fan has power and the radio is automatically
cooled.Â* Turn off the laptop and the fan stopsÂ* Fairly idiot (Bob) proof.

I am still a big fan of this C4FM WIRES X style of communicating.Â* Not for
rare DX but just for having a conversation that is clear and crisp.Â* The
other morning while driving to work I had a great 10 minute ragchew with a
VE1 mobile station who also was driving to work but he was in the Halifax
area.Â* Easy armchair copy and with the clarity of a Digital signal.

The HF RFÂ* has not changed.Â* The Yaesu FT450 is doing a great job feeding
the SGC237 auto tuner but there is a limit to what I can get away with
(wire wise) without alerting the Condo Cops so for now I am still on the
air with a bad antenna. but I am on the air (at least).Â* Â* Normally the
weakest signal that the Net Control Station has to deal with but at least I
get heard.

The family is still debating about a move from the Condo to a larger place
a little further out of town so at some time I might have room to stretch
out wire.Â* Heres hoping that happens

I have been looking for a new (to me) HF radio either for the house or
VA3QV/m



(Put the new one in the shack and move the FT 450 into the truck or just
put the new one into the truck) but so far the ones that interest me seem
to interest everyone else and by the time I send out an inquiry emailÂ* the
reply always seems to be sorry but it already sold.Â* One of these days I
will be in the right place at the right time

Thats about it for now.Â* Passing thru Kingston try calling me on the
146.805-Â* C4FM repeater.Â* If you have access to Wires X then you might find
me in either the CQ Canada Room (40678) or the Canada Wide Room (40505).

If the band co operates I still try and check into the 3730 Group which is
still running on 3.730 lsb (+ or depending on QRM) and for now they are
calling the net at 530 pm eastern.Â* Once the band shortens up a bit it
should go back to a later evening start.Â* Just remember that with my poor
antenna I need great conditions or I just hear static.

73bob