Amateur Radio Station N7CZ/Ø

What a bust…

N7CZ — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:51:46 +0000

What a bust. I made no contacts on this trip dispite hours and hours of calling CQ. The band just didn’t open for me. I did hear Jim K9PPY while I was in DN70 on my way north, however was unable to complete.

I got a phone call from Richard K7TNT when I was in DN72 who said he was tracking me and needed the grid. No joy there either.

Thanks to anyone who was listening for me. If you heard me at all, please post a comment here to let me know.

Thanks,

Bob N7CZ

Denver, COBismark, ND Grid’expedition

N7CZ — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:04:06 +0000

Friday May 22, 2009 into May 23, 2009 UTC

2200z - Depart Denver, CO (DM79) I anticipate activating the following Grids in route to Bismark, ND:

DM79,
DN70, 71,72,73, 74(?), 83, 84 85, 86, 96

Monday May 25, 2009 into May 26, 1009 UTC1200z - Depart Mandan, ND (DN96) The Grids above will be reactivated as I expect to take the same route back to Denver.

OPS: Look for me around 50.125MHz (+/-) on SSB or CW. I will QSY to .140 if the band opens.

EQ: ICOM IC-706MKiiG 100W to 6M Hamstick on the roof of SUV. 2M 50W to Comet 5/8 wave. 70cm 30W to Comet stacked 5/8 waves.

(note: I also will have Hamsticks for 40, 20, & 10M along with me. However, I have not had time to get them working correctly in the mount I installed on the SUV.)

If I’m in range of an iGate, you should be able track my location here.
I will post updates below (comments section) if things change or via Twitter (@n7cz) once I’m on the road.

This should be fun! Now all we need is a good E-cloud or some GREAT meteors!
73,

Bob N7CZ

I just couldn’t do it.

N7CZ — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:52:19 +0000

I withdrew my application with the FCC to change my call sign. Then longer it took, and the more I thought about it, the more I didn’t want it to be. What finally sealed the deal was when I saw a guy in the 8th call district has put MY call on HIS vanity application. No way! This call means nothing to him. And appearenlty means way more to me than I had thought. I guess 10 years with a call will do that to a guy.

N7CZ’s Location via APRS

N7CZ — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:16:30 +0000

APRS Tracker now working!

N7CZ — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:10:28 +0000

The APRS Tracker is now working.

This means that as I’m traveling to remote GRIDS for GRID’xpiditions, you will be able to see my location. Even better will be when I’m operating mobile on 6M you can see my location as well. It is a cool toy to play with.

The equipment is a Garmin eTrex GPS receiver and a Kenwood TH-D7a running up to 5W to a small dual band antenna. I’ll post photos soon.

N4DSS EM63DM79 on 6M Es

N7CZ — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:33:22 +0000

I was pleased to work John N4DSS from the mobile on my way home from work this afternoon. This was my first QSO on 6M this season. Just put the antenna on the car after work while still in the parking lot. What a nice treat!

My 2M Au CW signal

N7CZ — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:53:30 +0000

I wish I could remember the details of this recording. I know it was recorded by a fellow VHF’r in BC one night near the last solar maximum. I have always loved Au. I was transmitting from Great Falls, Montana DN47 using an FT-736R to a 3219@65′ with 160W. You can see the setup by clicking the “Montana Station Pics” link on the right hand menu.

(click here to play) -> N7CZ 2M Au CW signal recorded in British Columbia, Canada

Amended my vanity application

N7CZ — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:14:53 +0000

I amended my vanity appliction to include several Ø calls that will most likely be granted. My #1 pick is AGØRA. It has a good rhythm on CW and is pretty short. Good phonetics as well. I’m pretty sure it will be granted.

The move is finally over.

N7CZ — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:34:21 +0000

We spend this past weekend moving into our new apartment. Now that the move is over, I hope to be able to get the mount on the car for the hamsticks. I’m going to mount it on the bike rack on the back of the Mountaineer. This should give me good clearance from the car body and make it easy to swap sticks for the different bands.

Was thinking about getting KB6KQ (sk) halo antennas again for 6M, 2M, & 70cm. Ran them in Montana and had geat luck with them.

Now an ARRL Life Member.

N7CZ — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:58:13 +0000