OK, time to catch up on the blog. The shack is fully operational. I have successfully had conversations with amateur radio operators in many foreign countries and many states using my radio. The shack consists of Kenwood TS-2000, SGC 237 smart antenna tuner, Astron RS-35M power supply, Kenwood SP-430 speaker, Heil HM-10 microphone with PTT base, Ham Radio Deluxe Computer Control, DM780 Digital Control Software, and Gateway GT-6545E Computer running Vista. The antenna is the 24 foot Force 12 flagpole antenna.
The first time I fired up all the components, I was able to have a 59-59 conversation with an operator doing a DX-pedition in Costa Rica. What a christening after laying down only 4 radials in the grass. I now have 8 radials and will install 4 more this weekend. The logbook is getting populated now with many European, Canadian, Mexican, Central and South American QSO’s. I have also dabbled in PSK-31 and got some good contacts there. Reaching California from South Carolina with PSK-31 is rewarding and validation I have made a good choice for my stealth antenna. I can’t wait to see the results of putting down four more radials.
This is way too much fun!
