WSPR'ing & 29,147 DXCC Certificates Later

WSPR 20 Meters

The bands have been less than favorable but I've left my rig on 20 meters with the beam pointed to Europe. I decided to leave WSPR running for a few days this past week to see how well the European path was doing. WSPR is another mode that will have difficulties when decoding signals if there is an auroral presence. But, as the solar shake up calmed, callsigns were beginning to populate on my WSPR screen. I spent more time listening than transmitting but my power output was 10 watts when operating WSPR. I fed that to my 4 element tri-bander, which normally is parked at the 43 foot level on my tower.

Decoding WSPR

 WSPR is a great tool for weak signal propagation testing. Now that we officially entered into Spring (still looks and feels like winter around these parts) propagation will begin to take a different look when it comes to decoding signals. By May, the snow will begin to melt and it will be time to welcome back the return of the midnight sun. I very much enjoy the 24 hours of daylight in June. This enjoyment will keep me from occupying my ham shack but I've done enough of that all winter. As contest season wraps up, my sights will be on getting our camper ready for camping season. My goal is to head out earlier this year and break my portable station out of mothballs. Nothing better than to be camping in a remote location working DX from an unofficial campsite.

The DX talk of late is the operation of XR0YG on Easter Island. I was lucky enough to work the DXpedition team on 20 meter CW last night. Crazy pile-up but the operator was doing an awesome job. I knew I would have my work cut out for me as the pile-up was pretty big. I tried, gave up, tried, gave up and finally snagged em on my 3rd attempt. I hope to get them on a few more bands and modes before they depart. I heard them on 17 meters this past weekend but with my low antenna and power, they were well out of my reach. 

I've caught up with all of my QSL card requests and my next batch of replies will be headed out to the bureau this week. Activity level and QSL reception go hand in hand. At least from my operation here, as activity level directly correlates to how full my Post Office Box gets. 

Our weekly trip to the Post Office yielded a small tube with my name on it. It seems my DXCC certificate has arrived. My very first certificate, number 28,436, was dated February 10th, 1989. Today, I received my first DXCC certificate from this location, numbered 57,583. I also received two, 150 Endorsement Stickers (I assume the League meant to send me a 125 & 150 but instead, sent me two 150's by mistake). I remember sending my QSL cards via Express Mail and doing all the paperwork by hand. Then, patiently waiting for their return. Now, with LOTW, my certificate was achieved simply with a few mouse clicks and referencing my credit card number. Oh how times have changed.

Computers are pretty old around here and our main "family" computer just bit the dust (again). So, I will be in the market for one. Now I just need to decide if I want to stick with a desktop or transition to a laptop. I'm thinking laptop and docking station but it will come down to what I can afford. Thankfully, I had most of the stuff backed up. I'm still hoping I can retrieve my most recent data off of the hard drive. I had installed a second hard drive which was basically a mirror to the first. I think I might rebuild that computer and put it here in the shack. I need more horsepower that my aged shack Dell's can produce. My world is about multitasking and my abilities have been limited to my processor speed and RAM here in the shack. Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) is my logging program of choice but it taxes my aging computer to no end. Especially if I'm also running DM780 having fun on the digital modes.

I woke up this morning to find 20 meters in pretty good shape toward Europe. It's been snowing all day and most of the night. Working a few stations this morning and waking up to a nice hot cup off coffee helped start the new week off on the right foot. The DXCC certificate sent it to the next level. Now it's time to bundle up and head out into the single digits to plow snow. The calendar might of said "First Day of Spring" on March 20th but by Alaskan standards, that does not happen before April 20th. Officially it's here but unofficially, we have a month or more.   

Finished!!

I was a bit behind on my latest LOTW upload and upon entering into the website, it told me that I had one message pending. Seems I forgot about my DXCC application and the message told me that it was finished. When I checked my status, I found the following as shown to the left.

Since I applied for my DXCC, it just so happens that I added another entity to my list as seen to the right. I have not chased the DXpeditions like I used to but if opportunity knocks, I will sure try to open the DX door. I can't compete with the big stations but if a new one happens to be in the Pacific or west of here, I can normally be successful in adding that new one to my logbook. The thrill of the hunt is fun as long as the pile-up remains orderly. All to often things get out of hand and now that technology spots a CQ'n station within seconds, it does not take long before the crowd arrives. But if the DXpedition is well organized and the operator controls the masses well, chasing a new one can sure be fun. I will continue my quest to add new entities to my list. Not all of them use LOTW so this is not an accurate reflection of my total confirmed. I will worry about the paper QSL's at some later date, much later. And speaking of DXpeditions, make sure you check out the latest blog by my buddy Scot, KA3DRR! 

Our days are getting longer and warmer, so my operating is starting to dwindle a bit. Now this weekend, with the increase in the solar wind, the bands have been totally (yes, totally) dead here. Having taken the day off of work, my initial plans changed so the dead radio has helped keep me focused on our never ending home improvement projects. Once the weather warms up enough, I plan on working on my low band wire antenna's which have taken a beating this winter. Right now, I'm operational on the high bands only.  

My remaining updated weekend plans will leave little time for radio. With the crappy news out of Washington today, it was nice to log into the LOTW website and receive a bit of good news. 

DXCC Application

ARRL LOTW

This morning I decided to go ahead and apply for my DXCC using those countries confirmed on LOTW. I've been considering my application for well over a year now but since my DXCC number seems to have been pretty static for the last several months, (not really chasing DX either) I decided to go ahead and submit. I submitted for my DXCC Mixed Award only at this point. I have DXCC with CW (Morse Code) and also Digital with most of my digital QSO's confirmed with RTTY (Radio Teletype). I previously applied for my Worked All States (WAS) awards in the same manner. Simply select and submit (and of course payment is a must). This will be my second DXCC award as I have one from my days of operating from Northern Ohio. I had 306 countries approved with that award but my effort from Alaska won't even be close to that.

My application consisted of the country (entity) list below; 

LoTW Application # 32571
Status Sent
Timestamp 2013-01-19 16:52:58
ARRL Member Look up
Diamond Club/Maxim no
Applying for Mixed
Call Sign KL8DX
Address Denali National Park AK 99755  USA
# LoTW QSO Credits Sent 177
Payment by Mail No
Fees:
Application Fee $10.00
LoTW Payment Credit Fee $21.24
Certificates Fee $14.00
Total $45.24

QSL JA1CQK - JAPAN - 30M CW (CW) [DXCC-30,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL VE6YR - CANADA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL UA3TCJ - EUROPEAN RUSSIA - 40M CW (CW) [DXCC-40,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL OH3UU - FINLAND - 40M CW (CW) [DXCC-40,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL 4U1ITU - ITU HQ - 30M CW (CW) [DXCC-30,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL I2DMI - ITALY - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL EY8MM - TAJIKISTAN - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL ZP6CW - PARAGUAY - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL ZL6QH - NEW ZEALAND - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL SM6CNN - SWEDEN - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL D4B - CAPE VERDE - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL 5W0DL - SAMOA - 40M CW (CW) [DXCC-40,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL 9Y4/AJ9C - TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL DF0CG - FED REP OF GERMANY - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL KL7DX - ALASKA - 40M CW (CW) [DXCC-40,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL XE2K - MEXICO - 20M PHONE (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL PJ2T - BONAIRE,CURACAO (NETH ANTILLES) (DELETED) - 20M PHONE (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL HC8N - GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL WP2Z - US VIRGIN ISLANDS - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL 8P5A - BARBADOS - 20M PHONE (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL VP5/N0VD - TURKS & CAICOS ISL - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL GB5HQ - ENGLAND - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL PS2T - BRAZIL - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL TF3YH - ICELAND - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL K7C - KURE ISLAND - 40M CW (CW) [DXCC-40,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL RU0SN - ASIATIC RUSSIA - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL KH6FI - HAWAII - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL LY9A - LITHUANIA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL ZF1A - CAYMAN ISLANDS - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL VK1AA/4 - AUSTRALIA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL SN2B - POLAND - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL OX3DB - GREENLAND - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL 9A8A - CROATIA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL EU1PA - BELARUS - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL JW/G7VJR - SVALBARD - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL 4O6T - MONTENEGRO - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL J39BS - GRENADA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL YV5AAX - VENEZUELA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL ZS2EZ - REP OF SOUTH AFRICA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL OZ5NJ - DENMARK - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL BX5AA - TAIWAN - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL LV5V - ARGENTINA - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL KP4ED - PUERTO RICO - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL OQ5A - BELGIUM - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL HL3AMO - REPUBLIC OF KOREA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL HI3T - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL H40MY - TEMOTU PROVINCE - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL VR2C - HONG KONG - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL HQ2A - HONDURAS - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL F6HRP - FRANCE - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL HA7TM - HUNGARY - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL V73RY - MARSHALL ISLANDS - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL PD0LGG - NETHERLANDS - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL N8S - SWAINS ISLAND - 40M CW (CW) [DXCC-40,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL MI0LLL - NORTHERN IRELAND - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL SV1DPI - GREECE - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL FG5FI - GUADELOUPE - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL OH0Z - ALAND ISLAND - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL YO8WW - ROMANIA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL HB9BZA - SWITZERLAND - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL YT2U - SERBIA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL OK3C - CZECH REPUBLIC - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL LZ8A - BULGARIA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL EC2AFI - SPAIN - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL BA4RF - CHINA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL VP6DX - DUCIE ISLAND - 15M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-15,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL YL5T - LATVIA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL LA6CF - NORWAY - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL GM7V - SCOTLAND - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL MD0CCE - ISLE OF MAN - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL OE2S - AUSTRIA - 20M PHONE (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL OM5TX - SLOVAK REPUBLIC - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL GW3JXN - WALES - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL LX1EA - LUXEMBOURG - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL TK5IH - CORSICA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL UT7UW - UKRAINE - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL SV9GPV - CRETE - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL CE1VCZ - CHILE - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL GU0SUP - GUERNSEY - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL HZ1PS - SAUDI ARABIA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL KG6DX - GUAM - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL CT1IZW - PORTUGAL - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL S52QM - SLOVENIA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL 9K2HN - KUWAIT - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL IS0GQX - SARDINIA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL EI6IZ - IRELAND - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL P40L - ARUBA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL H7/K9GY - NICARAGUA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL TX5C - CLIPPERTON ISLAND - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL WB2KSK - UNITED STATES - 20M DATA (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL HK3O - COLOMBIA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL ZC4LI - U K BASES ON CYPRUS - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL VP2MRM - MONTSERRAT - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL VP9/IK2RZP - BERMUDA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL T32YA - EASTERN KIRIBATI - 30M CW (CW) [DXCC-30,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL 4U1UN - UNITED NATIONS HQ - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL KG4SS - GUANTANAMO BAY - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL CQ3T - MADEIRA ISLANDS - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL 4X0V - ISRAEL - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL V26B - ANTIGUA & BARBUDA - 15M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-15,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL CN3A - MOROCCO - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL 9V1YC - SINGAPORE - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL JT1CD - MONGOLIA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL CW7T - URUGUAY - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL TG9/IV3IYH - GUATEMALA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL OA4SS - PERU - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL 3X5A - GUINEA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL UN7GCE - KAZAKHSTAN - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL VK9DWX - WILLIS ISLAND - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL 9M6XRO - EAST MALAYSIA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL V8FEO - BRUNEI - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL R1FJT - FRANZ JOSEF LAND - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL DV1JM - PHILIPPINES - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL V31TB - BELIZE - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL EA8OM - CANARY ISLANDS - 15M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-15,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL 9H1SP - MALTA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL VK9GMW - MELLISH REEF - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL CU2JT - AZORES - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL C6DX - BAHAMAS - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL A92GE - BAHRAIN - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL ZK2V - NIUE - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL H44MY - SOLOMON ISLANDS - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL PY0FF - FERNANDO DE NORONHA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL FY5KE - FRENCH GUIANA - 15M PHONE (PHONE) [DXCC-15,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL J5UAP - GUINEA-BISSAU - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL ER5DX - MOLDOVA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL P33W - CYPRUS - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL E21YDP - THAILAND - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL FM5CD - MARTINIQUE - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL K4M - MIDWAY ISLAND - 80M CW (CW) [DXCC-80,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL HC2SA - ECUADOR - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL 4L8A - GEORGIA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL EA6IB - BALEARIC ISLAND - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL HB0CC - LIECHTENSTEIN - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL 9L5A - SIERRA LEONE - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL VP2E - ANGUILLA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL K5D - DESECHEO ISLAND - 30M CW (CW) [DXCC-30,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL J6/N7UN - SAINT LUCIA - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL DP1POL - ANTARCTICA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL TX5SPA - AUSTRAL ISLAND - 40M CW (CW) [DXCC-40,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL TX5SPM - MARQUESAS ISLAND - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL CE0Y/SM6CUK - EASTER ISLAND - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL FO8RZ - FRENCH POLYNESIA - 30M CW (CW) [DXCC-30,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL ES5RW - ESTONIA - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL ZK3YA - TOKELAU ISLANDS - 40M CW (CW) [DXCC-40,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL E51XIW - SOUTH COOK ISLANDS - 80M CW (CW) [DXCC-80,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL T77C - SAN MARINO - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL FW5RE - WALLIS & FUTUNA ISLAND - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL TI2JCY - COSTA RICA - 15M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-15,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL VP8NO - FALKLAND ISLANDS - 10M CW (CW) [DXCC-10,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL OJ0B - MARKET REEF - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL ZL8X - KERMADEC ISLAND - 10M CW (CW) [DXCC-10,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL A65BR - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - 40M JT65 (DATA) [DXCC-40,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL AH0BT - MARIANA ISLANDS - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL PJ2T - CURACAO - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL T31A - CENTRAL KIRIBATI - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL E77DX - BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL V48M - SAINT KITTS & NEVIS - 15M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-15,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL CP1FF - BOLIVIA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL YJ0ABP - VANUATU - 17M CW (CW) [DXCC-17,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL 6V7Q - SENEGAL - 10M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-10,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL V55A - NAMIBIA - 10M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-10,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL ZD8F - ASCENSION ISLAND - 15M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-15,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL VP8ORK - SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS - 20M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL YB0ECT - INDONESIA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL Z37M - MACEDONIA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL PJ4LS - BONAIRE - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL YS1GR - EL SALVADOR - 10M CW (CW) [DXCC-10,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL C37N - ANDORRA - 10M SSB (PHONE) [DXCC-10,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-PH]
QSL E51MAN - NORTH COOK ISLANDS - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL KH8/K6SRZ - AMERICAN SAMOA - 40M CW (CW) [DXCC-40,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL VP6T - PITCAIRN ISLAND - 15M CW (CW) [DXCC-15,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL 6Y1X - JAMAICA - 15M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-15,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL 3D2ZW - FIJI ISLANDS - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL CO2VE - CUBA - 20M RTTY (DATA) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-M,DXCC-RTTY]
QSL 5N6/YL2SW - NIGERIA - 20M CW (CW) [DXCC-20,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]
QSL EL2A - LIBERIA - 15M CW (CW) [DXCC-15,DXCC-CHAL,DXCC-CW,DXCC-M]

2012 Year in Review - Out Like a Lion, In Like a...Ham?

NOAA Denali Forecast 

The weather for our part of Alaska has been pretty quiet for several weeks. Or at least, until recently. We have been effected by a Chinook system moving in from the south and it not only brings strong winds, but much warmer temperatures. The warmer temperatures are a welcome break from -20F to -40F that we have been experiencing. But as ham radio operators know, high winds are not ham friendly. That being said, my HF beam has been nested just above my roof level as we were forecasted to receive 80 mph wind gusts, as seen in the forecast listed to the left. Thankfully we did not see gusts that strong but anything above 55 mph has me lowering my antenna. The latest system is exiting but there is another system on it's heels that will bring strong winds once again for New Years day and probably into the night. Since my strongest gust today was only 45 mph, I took advantage of a snow blown roof and warm temperatures to tighten my driven element and then crank my beam back to its 43 feet normal operational level. 

Cell Photo by KL8DX

The view to the right is from the 25 foot level or so (standing on my roof getting a beams eye view) looking ENE from my QTH. As you may notice, the trees around here are not very tall. Also, just visible are the two overhead power lines that cut through the heart of where I would run many of my wire antennas, if I could. Not only do I have these lines which run to a neighbors house to contend with, I also have my own service line which is not seen in this photo. In looking back, placing my tower on the south side of the house would have been a much better choice, for various reasons.

Cell Photo by KL8DX

The view to the left here is looking south toward Mount Healy. Denali National Park has a great information page detailing Mount Healy (Unit 24) and in the top photograph on that page, you can see Otto Lake, or the reverse of what you are seeing to the left. My home is on on side of this mountain and my office is on the other. I took these photos just before noon and as you can see, there is no direct sunlight. This time of year, I can tell by the clouds the sun is there but we won't see direct sunlight here at this QTH until February. The happy thought we keep is that the sun is slowly making its way back toward Alaska and the midnight sun will once again be filling out days with warmth and funshine!

Club Log Stats for KL8DX

When looking at my 2012 statistics available to me using Club Log, I've worked 106 different entities and had a grand total of 8,184 QSO's. As you can see from the graph to the right, I'm not a big SSB operator however, I do find my microphone from time to time. As mentioned in a previous blog posting, I did hit my personal milestone of 50,000 QSO's recently operating from here in Alaska. I've accomplished DXCC but have yet to apply. I've managed to work 203 towards my 2nd ARRL DXCC Award and 177 of those Entities have wonderfully been confirmed via Log Book Of The World (LOTW). With US postage rates climbing again in January of 2013, I'm a firm believer in electronic QSL'ing with LOTW. I will always maintain hard QSL cards. I enjoy receiving them and will return QSL for those who follow my instructions on QRZ, but my days of sending direct for each new Entity worked are long gone. Especially if it requires the always rising return postage fee, typically running $3.00 USD or more nowadays, from outside the United States anyhow. I don't chase new ones like I used to either. After moving to Alaska, my focus has changed to more of a contesting perspective than DX'ing perspective. Not that you can't accomplish both of these at the same time but basically, I spend less time "on air" during the weekdays chasing, and more time on the weekends being chased. Life of a double multiplier can be stressful but fun!

Twitter QSO with Martin, W3MLK today

Bringing in the New Year like a Ham is simply getting on the air and operating and for me, Straight Key Night (SKN) is just the ticket! I love CW anyhow and I've really grown attached to my Navy Flameproof keys. And heck, my Icom 756PRO, by today's electronic standards, is nearly vintage! I don't own anything that will chirp or has tubes that give off a warm glow. But that's what I love about SKN, hearing all that manually generated Morse Code and hearing those old radios come to life. Martin, W3MLK asked me what SKN stood for as I had mentioned it in one of my previous "Tweets". This was my personal explanation to him, highlighting the festivities about to begin in a matter of hours. I had worries of missing it this year due to high winds and a 24 hour bout with the flu bug. Thankfully, it appears I will be making contacts and enjoying a fresh new year enjoying the hobby I'm still addicted to after 25 years! 

In a day of live news feeds that seem to carry mostly bad news, ham radio is a way to escape all that, for me anyhow. Sharing bandwidth with those all around the world who enjoy the same, fun through ham radio. I don't know what 2013 will bring, but it will have its ups and downs I'm sure. We can hope for more ups though, nothing wrong with hoping! I appreciate those who read my ramblings on with this blog as I sure don't do it for me. As long as someone is interested, I will continue to detail my Alaskan radio adventures as I experience them. Thanks for all the QSO's and I'm hopeful for many more in 2013. I'm not sure on a theme for 2013 yet, but I have a few hours left to think about it. Not only does the wind around these parts bring warmth, something tells me change is in the wind as well for next year. Happy New Year my friends!