Besides Ham Radio, my wife and I run a small farm. We have chickens and goats and dogs and cats, and we have a lot of fun with it. We get milk from the goats and eggs from the chickens - all fresh, all natural. After all, a fellow has to keep up his strength so he can play radio, right?
Over the weekend, We had 23 eggs hatch, doubling our current flock of egg laying hens. This was the first time we tried to incubate and hatch eggs. I must say it was pretty cool. Take a look at the video and see if you don't agree that these are the cutest little things ever.
73 and God Bless,
George
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Get your WAS quickly and make life long friends while doing it!
Old Man International Sideband Society
I have recently discovered a group of amateurs that work together to help each other get their WAS quickly and they have a great time while doing it. I have found these HAMs to be supportive and encouraging - Something that is hard for new HAMs to find on the HF bands anymore. Let me list one example from a member. After reading it, I hope you will tune in and give them a shout! As for me? I am sold. Sending my application in today!
This is what John, K0JDD has to say about the OMISS group:
I became a new Ham in May 2007 as a General Class licensee. I had
dreams of working HF and "seeing the world" via radio! I had a pretty
good idea of what I wanted to accomplish in my first year on HF but I
had no real idea on how to go about it. I didn't know when to listen, on
which bands, or where stations calling CQ were likely to be found. Sunspots
were just something that I had learned about in preparing for the
test. Between June and early October of 2007 I managed to make just 12
HF contacts primarily during big events like Field Day and various State
QSO Parties. It was disheartening…
On October 13, 2007, I discovered OMISS. In three short months I
completed the Basic WAS (Worked All States) by checking into the
OMISS nets whenever I could. I now have 42 states worked on 80 meters
and a Single Band WAS is now within my grasp. I have a way to go on the
40-meter and 20-meter bands but the path to get there is very clear. I have
even worked Canada, Cuba, and The Azores! I would not have done any
of this by now without participating in the OMISS nets.
Now I admit that I like awards — and on the surface OMISS is about
awards — but I think OMISS has more to offer than just the awards. It
has given me some unexpected benefits, which I hope you will agree, are
worth more than any award certificate.
Confidence—Although I was never what you would call mic-shy, I was
worried I would make stupid mistakes and come off as a LID! OMISS has
allowed me to learn and practice good operating procedures and build
confidence in my operating skills in an environment that is easy-going and
non-judgmental.
Patient Encouragement—Without exception ALL of the OM’s (and
Ladies) I have encountered on OMISS have been patient with new operators
and in the true HAM sprit they are more than willing to offer a good
word or help out. Even if they should need to correct someone for failing
to follow good operating practices they do it with class and respect.
Role Models—Even a non-ham can pick out the A1 operators just by
listening. They are smooth, efficient, they get the job done correctly, they
have fun doing it and they make it all seem effortless: They are people you
want to be like. I will not name names here but there are many OMISS
members that I want to be like. I learn from them every time I hear them,
I try to remember what I have learned and then put it into practice.
Fellowship—Between the on-air banter and the Internet chat room that
is used as a back channel, there is a feeling of camaraderie within OMISS.
I have a many new ham friends at OMISS and as time goes on I am sure I
will have a lot more. I have tried other organizations with similar nets but,
quite frankly, they do not feel the same to me.
OMISS makes you feel welcome. It is a friendly place to visit. If you visit
once I guarantee that you will want to come back. The net schedule is
printed elsewhere in this brochure and is also available on the OMISS
web site at www.omiss.net.
Next time you are itching to make a QSO take my advice and check out
OMISS. Tell them K0JDD sent you! I am certain you will have a good
time and I look forward to our first contact. See you on the Net!
73 de K0JDD #6066
I have recently discovered a group of amateurs that work together to help each other get their WAS quickly and they have a great time while doing it. I have found these HAMs to be supportive and encouraging - Something that is hard for new HAMs to find on the HF bands anymore. Let me list one example from a member. After reading it, I hope you will tune in and give them a shout! As for me? I am sold. Sending my application in today!
This is what John, K0JDD has to say about the OMISS group:
I became a new Ham in May 2007 as a General Class licensee. I had
dreams of working HF and "seeing the world" via radio! I had a pretty
good idea of what I wanted to accomplish in my first year on HF but I
had no real idea on how to go about it. I didn't know when to listen, on
which bands, or where stations calling CQ were likely to be found. Sunspots
were just something that I had learned about in preparing for the
test. Between June and early October of 2007 I managed to make just 12
HF contacts primarily during big events like Field Day and various State
QSO Parties. It was disheartening…
On October 13, 2007, I discovered OMISS. In three short months I
completed the Basic WAS (Worked All States) by checking into the
OMISS nets whenever I could. I now have 42 states worked on 80 meters
and a Single Band WAS is now within my grasp. I have a way to go on the
40-meter and 20-meter bands but the path to get there is very clear. I have
even worked Canada, Cuba, and The Azores! I would not have done any
of this by now without participating in the OMISS nets.
Now I admit that I like awards — and on the surface OMISS is about
awards — but I think OMISS has more to offer than just the awards. It
has given me some unexpected benefits, which I hope you will agree, are
worth more than any award certificate.
Confidence—Although I was never what you would call mic-shy, I was
worried I would make stupid mistakes and come off as a LID! OMISS has
allowed me to learn and practice good operating procedures and build
confidence in my operating skills in an environment that is easy-going and
non-judgmental.
Patient Encouragement—Without exception ALL of the OM’s (and
Ladies) I have encountered on OMISS have been patient with new operators
and in the true HAM sprit they are more than willing to offer a good
word or help out. Even if they should need to correct someone for failing
to follow good operating practices they do it with class and respect.
Role Models—Even a non-ham can pick out the A1 operators just by
listening. They are smooth, efficient, they get the job done correctly, they
have fun doing it and they make it all seem effortless: They are people you
want to be like. I will not name names here but there are many OMISS
members that I want to be like. I learn from them every time I hear them,
I try to remember what I have learned and then put it into practice.
Fellowship—Between the on-air banter and the Internet chat room that
is used as a back channel, there is a feeling of camaraderie within OMISS.
I have a many new ham friends at OMISS and as time goes on I am sure I
will have a lot more. I have tried other organizations with similar nets but,
quite frankly, they do not feel the same to me.
OMISS makes you feel welcome. It is a friendly place to visit. If you visit
once I guarantee that you will want to come back. The net schedule is
printed elsewhere in this brochure and is also available on the OMISS
web site at www.omiss.net.
Next time you are itching to make a QSO take my advice and check out
OMISS. Tell them K0JDD sent you! I am certain you will have a good
time and I look forward to our first contact. See you on the Net!
73 de K0JDD #6066
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Good weekend for DX - Happy 4th
There are a lot of special event stations this 4th of July weekend, and throughout the week. You might want to try seeing how many of the original 13 colonies you can work. Go here for the details. Even if you only work one station you will qualify for a very nice certificate shown below.
I ahve worked 2 stations on the old Swan 500. Broke two really good pile ups. I also worked N. Ireland and Portugal, all on 20 meters and all at night. It was a lot of fun.
Happy 4th everyone and God Bless!
I ahve worked 2 stations on the old Swan 500. Broke two really good pile ups. I also worked N. Ireland and Portugal, all on 20 meters and all at night. It was a lot of fun.
Happy 4th everyone and God Bless!
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