New QRP and Hamvention Soapbox

We've had storms here for a solid week.  So I have not had the opportunity to get on the air much with all the thundering and lightning out and about.  I have still been QRPing though.  Last night a new group of QRPers met at The Knuckle Sandwich near Mooresville Indiana.  The HoosierQRP Group was officially formed and the membership present included Don W9DEW, Ivin W9ILF, Gary KA9ZYL, Jeff KD9FTA, Michael W9ODX, and Brian KB9BVN.   We elected Michael W9ODX as our new president, and his first official act was to resign and abolish the office.  Which suits us just fine since we're really more interested in operating QRP outdoors and having fun with radio.  Steve W9BRI was sadly unable to attend as he was teaching a motorcycle riding course for Harley Davidson over in Southport. 

We discussed the advantages and disadvantages of portable antennas...we decided the dipole would work better but it requires trees, whereas the portable vertical did not...but it was more to carry.  We also took a look at my portable operations bag, noting the battery, the Norcal 40a, the Parkwood Paddles, and the ZM-2 antenna tuner.  It was advised to all that before hitting the dusty trail for the first time this year, it would be a great idea to take ones portable pack to the backyard, pretend you are 100 miles from home, and then assemble your working station...you will ALWAYS forget something and you do not want to hike back 8-10 miles to find out you can't operate because you left the feed line at home or the earphones are missing.

Several members are planning an all out assault on the state parks in Indiana, and getting as many of them activated with the POTA program as possible.  Sounds like a fun filled summer.  So stay tuned.

WA4FAT sent me a BEAUTIFUL QSL card with a really nice photo of the Birmingham Alabama skyline.  I'll get it posted up soon.

On the subject of the Hamvention.  Yes, it's in a new venue.  Yes, there will probably be some bugs.  Yes I think you should still go.  I am amazed at the number of bloggers and forum writers that are just wringing their hands at the prospect of a Hamvention failure at the new location.  Face it, Hara Arena was the place we all LOVED to HATE on.  It was nasty, smelly, dirty, falling apart...it was a breeding ground for tetanus...we get it.  This new facility is somewhat smaller but heck the bone yard at Hara hasn't been wall to wall since the 90's.  Maybe some physical downsize is in order.  I say give the Hamvention a chance, we can't afford to lose it.  We have nothing that even comes close in the midwest.  So try to remain positive and less persnickity about the 2017 Hamvention, the DARA guys have been doing this a long time...it'll be better next year.

73 de KB9BVN