This weekend has been a mixed bag of weather. Saturday (yesterday) it was snowing and sleeting in the morning and today it was sunny and almost 65F. I had too much to do today so I didn't get to got out and play POTA today. I did manage to get one of my Vibrokeyers working again, I have another one sent to Vibroplex for clean up and repair currently. A few months ago I accidentally knocked them off the desk and messed them both up.
Here's a look at the one I have working now, pictured here with my Elecraft K1 (SN 1205), I built the K1 20 years ago after buying it from Wayne Burdick N6KR at the 2002 Dayton Hamvention.
My Elecraft K1 and the Vibrokeyer SN 216228, made in 1960 |
As I had previously noted, my K1 needed some technical care beyond my ability, so I sent it to Dale Putnam WC7S of Quality Electronics in Cheyenne Wyoming. He did a great job getting the filters set just right, the offset just right, and put a good alignment on it for me. Very reasonable fee too. If you have a K1 or even a K2 that needs checked out, send it to Dale. You can always contact Dale at this email address daleputnam@hotmail.com
One other thing of note, I was issued the following award from Parks on the Air this week. I got the certificate today. This is for HUNTING 400 different Parks or references. It took me about 2 years of very casual hunting to get that many in the log book.
POTA Award for hunting 400 different Parks |
I am currently at 412 different parks hunted, with 533 total hunted contacts, 40 states, with 401 contacts on 40m, 28 on 30m, 102 on 20m, 9 on 17m, and one each on 15m and 12m. These are all QRP contacts from my home with the K2, or K1, or Hilltopper rigs.
Looks like the weather is going to start getting better later this week, once Easter weekend is over I will be doing more activating from the parks in Indiana, and maybe a few in Ohio and Kentucky.
Happy Easter to you all!
de KB9BVN