VaQP 2017 KK4ZUU/M

Well, the Virginia QSO Party is coming up and this year I planned to be mobile again but a small health issue will prevent plans to rove SW VA. This will be year three for me as a licensed ham in this event, not sure how or how much I will participate.

VHF Packet

I still have my VHF packet node running 24x7 on the Virginia Digital Emergency Network (VDEN) but I need to contact the group to establish connectivity so I can receive bulletins, route mail, etc.

I operate the node as a digipeater, a PBBS TNC based node, and a VHF Winlink node.

1-26-2017 update: I took down packet (no activity) and setup an APRS igate on a raspberry pi/tnc pi instead. I also, almost never ever, run a Winlink node anymore.

73, David kk4zuu

VaQP 2016 Prep

Well, it's that time again for rover operations in the Virginia QSO Party!

I have a mobile rig this year (Icom 2730A) to use for the contest covering 2m and 70cm. The base is in the rear of the H3 and the head unit is mounted on a gooseneck stick upfront.

Icom 2730A and Nexus 7 tablet (aprsdroid)

You can also see my Android tablet running Aprsdroid, this uses either my Mobilinkd TNC2 Bluetooth TNC and a Yaesu FT-60 or my cell phones hotspot to transmit my location to aprs.fi.

I have my Icom IC-7200 for HF, I have a method to temporarily mount a hamstick off the trailer hitch for use with my antenna tuner if the bands cooperate this year.

My H3 with its temp (stationary) HF Hamstick (10M/6M) [pictured]

I plan to use allot of the same planning and operating tools I used last year (Google Earth, Google Maps) as well as the computer and Android apps I used last year. The voice recorder was worth its weight in gold when you're solo.

Hope to work you!

73, David

Packet Radio - Northern VA

My KPC-9612+ can hear the following packet nodes in and around Northern Virginia:

In the picture you can see N4YXM connected to my PBBS :)

Chuck and I have been trying to get packets (mail) routing between us, I bet this was fun before the internet and its SMTP email systems took over!

73, David kk4zuu

Virginia Emergency Digital Network (VDEN - 145.730 FM)

I discovered that Virgina is still using and supporting packet radio.

The Virginia Digital Emergency Network (VDEN) Website is http://www.vden.org/

I am testing to other packet nodes in my area with a Kantronics KPC-9612+ and a Yaesu FT-2900R.

It is interesting just how far 5 watts can go at 1200 baud, and that is only the initial testing phase.

My antenna is an attic mounted clone of an Arrow 2m/70cm j-pole.

Back to my testing...

David

Yaesu FT-2900R (Packet/WL2K)

I purchased a Yaesu FT-2900R to use as a packet/WL2K base station.

I sourced the DB9/RJ-12 (6 pair) adapter, a 7ft RJ-12/6 cable, and a 3.5mm stereo cable from Amazon. I have links to Amazon for these items above to help you find them, (disclaimer) I might make a penny from you if you use the links.

73, David

Middle Mountain Cabins, WV WVA DXpedition to FM08DQ (June 20-22, 2015)

WVA DXpedition to FM08DQ (June 20-22, 2015)
6M, 40M (JT65)

Middle Mountain Cabins, near Bartow, WV

I had three measly QSO's, rain and storms at my location and some technical issues but I plan to return!

The unique thing about this location is it's in the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ). It was really easy to obtain permission to operate at the cabins in-advance. I contacted two employees and they were both hams:

Jonah Bauserman (KW8V) and Paulette Woody (KD8NKC)

I advised them of my temporary, portable dipole setup, my max power and my planned operating frequencies. I was asked to point my signals away from the satellite dish and to have fun and enjoy our visit*. I ran low power (< 10 W).

*Please contact the officials yourself for your visit (nrao.edu)

It is a very remote location:

• It's a 12 mile drive along a well maintained dirt and gravel forest service road
• ABSOLUTELY NO cell phone service (NRQZ = no cell phone towers!)
• The nearest telephone is a curb side payphone about 16 miles away
• There is a science camp for kids at the bottom of the mountain 12 miles away, it had power lines and it looked like some telephone lines if there is an emergency in-season
• No electric (bring flashlights, lanterns)
• No running water (treat the water from the well pump out front per manual)
• No nearby store (bring everything you need, I used a separate deep cycle battery for my ham radio, which I accidentally drained)
• An outhouse is present (very well built)
• Three cabins (two are historical from the 1930's)
• I was able to use a 2M HT to contact a nearby repeater in Circleville, VA using 5 watts even with full foliage present and a stock antenna (elevation!)
• recreation.gov for cabin rental information (you get the entire site per rental)

I plan to return. Due to rain my son and I did not get to visit the Radio Telescope nearby in Green Bank, WV. It's on my list (rumors are the telescope may close in 2016).

73, David KK4ZUU