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April QRP Quarterly
开云体育Table of ContentsThe Joy of Brackets—KA9P Tinkering with an Antenna—KB6NU "How Low Can You Go” Chart—K4OCE Wisprry Pi: A No-Radio WSPR Solution—KN?CK 10M End-Fed Halfwave Antenna—K6STR Si5351a Arduino VFO and Keyer System—WA5BDU Easy-Up 40-10 Meter Antenna—W7DB Tool-Free Portable Antenna—K1SWL Classic QQ – A “Building Day” Xmitter—AA4BW Meaning of the Pronoun “QRP+”—VE3IPS The Future of Ham Radio in Our Schools—VA2KFU The Art of Electronics: The X-Chapters—WA8MCQ Knots for Portable Ham Radio—VA7SNJ SI4732 Mini Radio:The Tiny SDR—KN?CK The issue will be going to the mailing company Monday or Tuesday. de KB9BVN Brian Murrey -- 72 de KB9BVN |
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The April 2025 Bacon Bits Quarterly newsletter is out!
开云体育Alan Jones N8WQ has just published the latest copy of the April BBQ.The BBQ is the quarterly newsletter of the Flying Pigs QRP Club International. It's a great issue and it's free. Just go to and click on Bacon Bits on the left. de KB9BVN Brian Murrey FP -57 -- 72 de KB9BVN |
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Last Minute Change CW Practice / Rag Chew 15:00 EDT 19:00Z
开云体育SORRY,Life got in the way. I had to change the time. It is now 15:00 EDT / 19:00 UTC Ed AB8DF On 4/9/2025 11:39 AM, AB8DF Ed Kwik via
groups.io wrote:
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Re: QRP-ARCI Spring QSO Party!!
Worked 7 stations in the limited time I had on 40M, but did not log anything but calls and times. I really liked the patience people had. I was using an old QCX with the micro switch as the key...I'm getting rusty! Still, nice to be heard with just 5W. Jack, W8TEE
On Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 08:03:12 AM EDT, Harv K2PI via groups.io <gadgetlust@...> wrote:
[Edited Message Follows] Was a good party, but wish I’d started earlier and others stayed longer. ?By late evening everyone was gone.?
Should just use pen and paper logs from now on! ?N1MM is too fast in ESM mode to change the 5NN sometimes! ? Not that things were moving fast enough, but old habits…
?
Heard a lot of really light signals, but not one I could not pull out, which tickled me to no end. ?QRP really puts the magic and wonder back into radio!
?
--
73
Harv K2PI QRPARCI?12464 |
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Re: QRP-ARCI Spring QSO Party!!
开云体育I got on at 00:00Z and ran until 02:00Z and had to QRT.? I had intentions to sneak back on at about 04:00Z but the sandman showed up and it just didn't happen.I had a blast though, 40m was busy and from the QTH here in central Indiana I was able to work NY to OK with the KX-2, 5w, and my mojo encrusted attic dipole. I worked 17 ARCI ops and 15 other QRPers with 20 SPC's....from the looks of the logs coming in, a lot of ops had good runs. You can see the soapbox comments and the logs here:? So far 15 logs have been turned in but from what I heard last night we should be seeing more as the day unwinds. 72 de KB9BVN Brian ARCI 10223 On 4/12/2025 8:02 AM, Harv K2PI via
groups.io wrote:
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72 de KB9BVN |
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Re: QRP-ARCI Spring QSO Party!!
Was a good party, but wish I’d started earlier and others stayed longer. ?By late evening everyone was gone.?
Should just use pen and paper logs from now on! ?N1MM is too fast in ESM mode to change the 5NN sometimes! ? Not that things were moving fast enough, but old habits…
?
Heard a lot of really light signals, but not one I could not pull out, which tickled me to no end. ?QRP really puts the magic and wonder back into radio!
?
--
73 Harv K2PI QRPARCI?12464 |
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Spring QSO Party
开云体育Man...I got on 20m at 00:00Z and it was dreadful.? At about 00:15Z I moved to 40m and found the QRPers!I had to QRT at 02:00z...the Party runs until 06:00 so maybe I? get back on in a while. So far I have worked: 17 ARCI Members 15 Non ARCI QRPers 20 SPC's All but one on 40m. The band is operating...get on the air! KUDOS to Larry W2LJ for doing a great job promoting the QSO Party.? I hope to see a bunch of logs tomorrow. de KB9BVN Brian Murrey -- 72 de KB9BVN |
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QRP-ARCI Spring QSO Party!!
开云体育Starts at 00:00Z tonight and runs until 06:00ZThat's 8PM EDT to 2AM EDT Use the autologger at Rules can be found here: 72 de KB9BVN Brian Murrey ARCI 10223 -- 72 de KB9BVN |
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Re: FDIM Build-a-Thon Question
?Naw...I figured that you'd know all about assembly. My first commercial rig was a Heathkit DX-20. I built my first transmitter (homebrew 15W) when I passed my Novice exam in 1953. As I mowed more lawns, I went from DX-20 to DX-40 to DX-60 and then a GT550 when I got my first full time job. Went to QRP after I retired in 2009. Jack, W8TEE
On Friday, April 11, 2025 at 12:23:35 PM EDT, Brian N4TRB via groups.io <brpjournalist@...> wrote:
Ha!? That's great...? But what's happening is that she's pressing down with so much force that it liquifies the solder.? Gotta be... I think I'll be okay.? I've been building?since 1965, Heathkits of course, back then. Anyway, looking forward to seeing everyone at FDIM. Thanks for the advice everyone. Brian N4TRB On Thu, Apr 10, 2025 at 10:46?PM jjpurdum via <jjpurdum=[email protected]> wrote:
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Re: FDIM Build-a-Thon Question
Ha!? That's great...? But what's happening is that she's pressing down with so much force that it liquifies the solder.? Gotta be... I think I'll be okay.? I've been building?since 1965, Heathkits of course, back then. Anyway, looking forward to seeing everyone at FDIM. Thanks for the advice everyone. Brian N4TRB On Thu, Apr 10, 2025 at 10:46?PM jjpurdum via <jjpurdum=[email protected]> wrote:
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CW Practice / Rag Chew
开云体育On 4/11/25 I had a CW practice / rag chew session on 30 meters. I worked five stations:
Conditions were OK. SSN = 112, SFI = 153, A = 17, K = 2. My next CW practice session will be?April 12 at 20:00 EDT / 00:00 UTC on 30 meters.?Anyone and everyone is welcome. This practice is intended for operators who are new to CW or they need some practice. IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW POOR YOUR CW IS. Mistakes are OK. Poor fists are OK. Slow speed is OK. Really slow speed is OK. This practice is meant for you to improve your CW. I will do my best to adjust to your skill level. Operate at any power level. If several stations show up, I will operate as a round-table control station. I will do it as a round-table so everyone gets a chance to transmit. Please listen to my directions. Details: Date - April 12 2025 Time - 20:00 EDT ?00:00 UTC Band - 30 Meters How to find me - I will find a clear frequency and call CQ. Go to the Reverse Beacon Network and search for my call sign AB8DF. That will tell you what frequency I am on. Tune your station to that frequency and if you hear me give me a call. If there is a QSO in progress, please wait for a break in the action. Then send your callsign. If I hear you, I will invite you to join the QSO and start a round-table QSO. Reply to this email if you have questions. IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW POOR CW IS Ed AB8DF _._,_._,_ |
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Re: FDIM Build-a-Thon Question
On Fri, Apr 11, 2025 at 04:48 AM, David Wilcox K8WPE wrote:
That soldering photo should be part of a question in every ham radio exam.When I worked at RCA Astro in the '80s, we had an post-grad intern for the summer.? Bright kid, working on his master's at a prestigious engineering/technology institute in Massachusetts, asked me,? ?
"Do you have any of that shiny silver stuff you melt onto the wires, or do you just melt the wires together?"?
?
Sadly, it was a serious question, this guy had his BSEET from a top school and had never made a soldered joint in his life.? At least he knew to ask.....
73, Don N2VGU |
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Re: FDIM Build-a-Thon Question
How sad is that... Jack, W8TEE
On Friday, April 11, 2025 at 04:48:44 AM EDT, David Wilcox K8WPE via groups.io <djwilcox01@...> wrote:
Jack, Brian, That soldering photo should be part of a question in every ham radio exam. I know many Extra Class hams that wouldn’t able to see the issue in the photo. Dave K8WPE On Apr 10, 2025, at 10:46?PM, jjpurdum via groups.io <jjpurdum@...> wrote:
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Re: FDIM Build-a-Thon Question
I think I'd know it long before the olfactory sensors had a clue!  Jack, W8TEE
On Friday, April 11, 2025 at 07:04:17 AM EDT, Brian KB9BVN via groups.io <kb9bvn@...> wrote:
My rule of thumb:? If I smell chicken frying, I'm holding the iron
wrong. On 4/11/2025 4:48 AM, David Wilcox
K8WPE via groups.io wrote:
Jack, Brian,
That soldering photo should be part of a question in every
ham radio exam. I know many Extra Class hams that wouldn’t able
to see the issue in the photo.
Dave K8WPE
On Apr 10, 2025, at 10:46?PM, jjpurdum via groups.io <jjpurdum@...> wrote:
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72 de KB9BVN |
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Re: FDIM Build-a-Thon Question
开云体育My rule of thumb:? If I smell chicken frying, I'm holding the iron wrong.On 4/11/2025 4:48 AM, David Wilcox
K8WPE via groups.io wrote:
Jack, Brian, --
72 de KB9BVN |
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Re: FDIM Build-a-Thon Question
开云体育Jack, Brian,That soldering photo should be part of a question in every ham radio exam. I know many Extra Class hams that wouldn’t able to see the issue in the photo. Dave K8WPE On Apr 10, 2025, at 10:46?PM, jjpurdum via groups.io <jjpurdum@...> wrote:
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Re: FDIM Build-a-Thon Question
Wow - SuperWoman is in disguise there!!!!? 73 de Lee KX4TT
On Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 10:46:21 PM EDT, jjpurdum via groups.io <jjpurdum@...> wrote:
Brian: I would confirm with Rex that he has space reserved for you. In the past, the projects were handed out at the start of the Build-a-thon. Most people bring their own tools, but Rex usually has a few spares. Rex assumes that attendees can spot the problem in this picture: Jack, W8TEE
On Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 10:00:27 PM EDT, Brian N4TRB via groups.io <brpjournalist@...> wrote:
Hello! This isn't my first FDIM, but it is my first Build-a-Thon.? So, a couple of questions for those more experienced.
Thanks, Brian Brian R. Page, N4TRB Threads:? +1.678.427.1719 |
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Re: FDIM Build-a-Thon Question
Brian: I would confirm with Rex that he has space reserved for you. In the past, the projects were handed out at the start of the Build-a-thon. Most people bring their own tools, but Rex usually has a few spares. Rex assumes that attendees can spot the problem in this picture: Jack, W8TEE
On Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 10:00:27 PM EDT, Brian N4TRB via groups.io <brpjournalist@...> wrote:
Hello! This isn't my first FDIM, but it is my first Build-a-Thon.? So, a couple of questions for those more experienced.
Thanks, Brian Brian R. Page, N4TRB Threads:? +1.678.427.1719 |
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FDIM Build-a-Thon Question
Hello! This isn't my first FDIM, but it is my first Build-a-Thon.? So, a couple of questions for those more experienced.
Thanks, Brian Brian R. Page, N4TRB Threads:? +1.678.427.1719 |
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QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party tomorrow night
The QRP-ARCI Spring QSO Party starts tomorrow evening on Aprll 12th at 0000 UTC
That's 8:00 PM EDT, 7:00 PM CDT, 6:00 PM MDT, 5:00 PM PDT - the Sprint Runs for 6 hours. All the details can be found at: https://www.qrparci.org/contest/spring-qso-party Spend as little or as much time as you can, but please try to get on the air and participate. These events are always much, much more fun when the bands are buzzing - so let's all have some fun! AND you don't need to be a QRP-ARCI member to participate. All QRP'ers are more than welcome! When you're done, please make sure to enter your score at http://www.qrpcontest.com/ Hope to hear you on the bands, making QRP QSOs this weekend. 72 de Larry W2LJ - QRP-ARCI Contest Manager |
Brian KB9BVN
jjpurdum
Harv K2PI
Brian N4TRB
Don N2VGU
David Wilcox K8WPE
Lee KX4TT
Larry W2LJ