Buddipole Deluxe Arrived

After selling a bunch of nice but unused stuff on eBay I just received my deluxe buddipole package in the mail.

Packaging was super. I got the 18 foot mast.

I hope this will help me get out in my town home.

I also plan to do some remote QRP work with my FT-817 now that the bands are improving.

DXCC Countries List & Personalized Beam Headings

The New Jersey DX Association has a web page that will generate a personalized beam heading list vs DXCC country. Many log programs will do this but I still like to see a listing--even though my Iso-Loop antenna is hardly a beam.

DXCC Countries List & Personalized Beam Headings

Yuri Gagarin Special Event Stations

If you are into space exploration, ham radio and special call signs this event is a triple play. Check out the bands for Yuri Gagarin Special Event Stations.

The bands have been pretty good and I have heard--but not yet worked--several of these event stations on 20 meters

Yuri Gagarin Special Event Stations: Ari OH3KAV has posted this list of Russian stations that will be active:

R50YG 'Yuri Gagarin'
R50SK 'Sergey Korolev'
RG50D
RG50K
RG50F Star City training center
RG50C Landing Site
RG50G
R1961G
U5ARTEK/A
R3K Energija Space Flight Control Center

What will be here?

As the new sun spot cycle begins, my radio activity will increase. I like dx work although my ground mounted AEA IsoLoop antenna and 100 watt IC-735 faces tough competition in the pile ups.

I recently bought a FT-817 for portable QRP work and have started to look at Buddipole and home brew alternatives. I am beginning to think that a Buddipole is a better--and lower cost--alternative given the limited altitude of the dipole.

I also have interest in SDR and software. Several unbuilt kits purchased several years need some soldering.