N7OC

On this 28th day of February, the CW QRP Contest of the MBARC came to a close along with the 2010 Olympics.

I hope you enjoyed the Olympics as much as I did. What a Hockey game for a grand overtime finish! Perhaps by next year I will be able to use my Vibroplex Champion Bug. For now it just sits on my operating table and looks challenging like a Champion should.

I finished up the last day with four contacts.

WB8RTJ Jim in Amhurst, Ohio, 2009 miles. 20 meters

W5QEPRoger in Rayne, Louisiana, 2046 miles. 20 meters

KH6ZM Max in Volcano, Hawaii, at 2724 miles. 20 meters

W0CML Jim near Denver, Colorado, 1098 miles. 80 meters

This was the first Hawaii station I heard this month.*

Thanks to all for participating, even though you didn’t post your contacts on the blog.

Send your logs to me during the next month,  please.

*Max said he had all of the models of Vibroplex Bugs ever made except for two. Guess what he was using!

72/73 until next year, Stan.

N7OC

One more day in the contest, but I’ll have to make sure to watch the Gold Metal final hockey game between Canada and the USA. Go Red, White and Blue. First things first………

My best effort for the day was KB4JR in Wales, Fl. at 2609 miles.

Next worked W3HBM in Bar Harbor, Me. at 2539 miles.

Worked AK2B in New York City at 2404 miles with his 2 watts.

Next worked K1TG in Naugatuck, Ct. at 2424 miles.

Ran into my neighbor Frank in Custer again on 30 meters, 2 miles away. He was in the bathroom trimming his mustache when he heard me and couldn’t resist telling me about his latest purchase, a FlameProof Navy Straight Key.

I told him I also received a new “old” Vibroplex Champion Bug in the mail yesterday.

Worked a couple more guys in California on 80 meters.

Have to admit, since I found no takers on 160 CW, I worked a dozen on LSB in the contest there on 160.

Its been fun, and have had some interesting rag chews and met some great guys on the air.

Some of the “Old Timers” can put up better stories than any I can come up with.

Since its already tomorrow I better sign off, N7OC, Stan.

N7OC

Feb. 26, 2010.

Only a couple of days to go!

I’ve been enjoying the Olympics – GO USA HOCKEY! Also metal #8 for Ohno, thinking of retiring at 27!

This morning I talked to Gary in Cleveland and he said they were having heavy snow and high winds there with low temperatures. Had not lost their power and were warm.

I heard a station calling CQ and noticed it was Victor, IK4CIE from Parma, Italy. We seemed to have a pipeline between us. He must have been the second hop from the east coast, and due East of me. (5371 miles)

Most of my contacts in Ohio, Missouri, Colorado, Michigan, and North Carolina were having snow and wind today.

Worked VE7KBN in WetRock, B.C. and he was having rain!

8 contacts in all today.

Stan.

N7OC

After starting out with Brugge, Belgium this morning at 4811 miles, I ended the day with a QSO to my friend Frank in Custer, only 2 miles away.

More interesting places today were: Dent in Minnesota, Temperance in Michigan, Golden Valley in Arizona, and West Plains in Missouri.

Post your contacts Rodger.

Only 3 days to go????????

Where did February go?

N7OC

Something interesting happened on the way to turning on my computer this morning.

I turned the switch to the 20 meter radio on and low and behold there was a weak signal calling CQ.

It was an ON5 running 10 watts on his ship as a Merchant Marine radio operator. He came back to my 5 watt call and gave me a 449 rpt. He was 559 here. Turns out he was from near Brussels at a place called Brugge, Belgium.

I couldn’t get the attention of F8AVO, but W1SV called me from Granby, Ct. I had a nice rag chew with George who was using his old Drake TR-4 and 80 watts to his dipole. He was a shipboard Merchant Marine telegrapher during WW2.

It is still winter back there, aren’t we lucky here?

Stan.

N7OC

Hi gang. Sometimes I’m more intrigued by the name of the city than in other parts of the QSO.  I just let my imagination run as to how their town got named. (They probably do the same when they hear “CUSTER”)

How about these to get your imagination going……………………………………

Cooperstown, Chattanooga, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Leavittown, White Salmon, Riverbank, Stevensville, Holland, Round Rock, Lead, Rayne, Anchorage, Brights Grove, Newark, Carrollton, Twin Falls, Winfield, Williamson, Liberal, Ivy, Colorado Springs, St. Paul, Riverside, Battle Ground, Santa Claus, Rapid City, Santa Fe, Penobscot Bay, St. Joseph, Atlantic City, Laurenceville, Fredericksburg, Ashville, Pueblo, Galena, Beaver Falls, York Town, Mt. Pleasant, Rockville, Larkspur, Beach Lake, Tahachapi, Grand Rapids, Salt Lake City, New Field, Rome, Vicksburg, Columbus, Roseville, Youngstown, Fair Oaks, Eagle River, Cedar Rapids, Plainfield, White Lake, Estes Park, Chambersburg, Newton, Garfield, Springfield, Free Port, Monument, Fountain Valley, Blue Ridge, Long Beach, Rhinelander, Kingstown, Smithville, Cold Water, Flint, Clarks Grove, Blacksburg, Hillsborough, Beacon Falls.

Kinda sounds like the song “I’ve Been Everywhere, Man…”

I have tried to work a few each day of February, but some days went by with no time for radio.

Many of the colorful folks I’ve met do CW only, so there would never be any way to talk to them unless done this mode, some of them in their 90’s with amazing fists.  Some of them are scratch builders who love to operate QRP only and have nothing else in their shack other than QRP Homebrew equipment. Some still pound a straight key while others try to hang onto wild bugs needing taming. Speaking of which, I should have a new “old” Vibroplex Champion Bug arriving this week.

Good to see your posts Rodger, keep them coming. Lets get more guys on here.

Stan.

N7OC

Worked Steve from south of Denver, Co. again. He is now WG0AT (does that look like goat) and we worked two way 5 watts.

He says he may be coming to SalmonCon this year to be held at Valley Camp, Wa. He plans to bring his com-padres, Rooster and Peanut his pack goats. He had just returned from a DXpedition in the Carribean where he did a lot of DXing from the beach with QRP CW of course. I worked Steve last year about this time while he was 5 watts Pedistrian Mobile in Co.

I’ve been hearing some pretty grim stories from the east coast regarding the blizzards. We should really be doing this contest like the FYBO (Freeze Your Bunns Off) guys do from a tailgate or picnic table in a park  since we’ve been having such nice weather.

Nothing exotic to report since last post, mostly stateside. I try to get on each day, but this weekend is another CW contest, so will stay away from the radio.

VE testing went well today at the library with all but one passing.

Where are your posts, Rodger?

Valentines Day

Managed to work N.D., CA., and UT.

Watched some Olympics instead of pounding brass.

n7oc

Hi Brian and Rdger,

How is it going for you this year?

Stan.

n7oc

Things are a bit slower than last year. I’ve been on 20 meters mostly. Lots of QSB but little DX.

Worked UA0EZ in Sakhalin Island, Russia.

XE1CQ in Leon, Mexico.

TG9AWS in Guatemala City, Guat.

PA0ALW in Terneuzen, Netherlands.

Working 5 watts on 20 meters with beam stuck east – don’t know of too many DX countries east of here!

Due to poor conditions again this year it is a challenge to work anybody unless it is local on a wire.

I’ve been “rag chewing” with a lot of old friends again this year which I find enjoyable.

I turned 70 this week, so since I’m now over the hill, I’ll let you know how it is when I get down at 140!

Where is everybody? Give a call and lets have a QSO.

72/73 Stan.