W2LJ's Blog - QRP - Do More With Less.

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0 sunspots

Posted: 05 Jul 2016 01:30 PM PDT
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But, with only 5 Watts, I still managed to work 6Y7R and PJ2/K3NK at
lunchtime today on 17 Meters. And I also worked KI9W/2 on 40 Meters SSB
for an ATNO NPOTA entity. So even though the official prognosticator said
this:


I was still able to get out and be heard, using only the Hamstick and the
Buddistick on the top of the Jeep.

Kind of like how the Bumble Bee doesn't know it's not supposed to be able
to fly, eh? (Yeah, that's a myth .... I know ..... just trying to make a
point.) ;-)

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

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I told myself

Posted: 05 Jul 2016 07:08 AM PDT
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"You're not gonna do this, this year. You have the certificate and QSLs
from last year. You don't need to do this again!"

So much for listening to myself!

Maybe because it's the weekend after Field Day and the pileup juices are
still flowing? I don't know - but experimenting with my newly built
magnetic loop on Sunday ....... I worked one. And after that, it was just
all downhill. I found it to be just like that old Lay's Potato Chip
commercial from the 1960s - "Bet you can't eat just one!"

After the first, I was committed. Probably my OCD, kicking in. Soon there
was another in the log, then another and then another. Last night I was
hunting for K2D for the last of the Colonies. I found him working LSB on 40
Meters. I must have shouted into that darn microphone for over an hour. I
was shaking my head thinking, "Oh Lord, what have I done to myself?"

Then the Cluster showed K2D on 80 Meter CW. I figured that having been
spotted there would be a gigantic pile up, but to my delight, there was
only a medium sized pileup. Being in "home turf'" felt oh, so good! I
threw out my call once - and I was answered with " W2LJ 599 CT".

Cool beans!

So I have all 13 Colonies and WM3PEN in the log. I suppose if I want a
true "Clean Sweep" that I will have to work GB13COL in Britain. Trouble
is, I've only heard them 2 or 3 times on 20 Meters and each time they were
so weak, I doubted that I'd hear my call were it to come back to me.

I believe the Special Event runs until Midnight Wednesday into Thursday, so
I will listen. But if I don't work them, my OCD will have to be satisfied
with what we've gotten already.

And yes, "In for a penny, in for a pound." I will send away for the 2016
certificate, but I don't think I'm going to pop for postage for 14
individual QSL cards.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!