KM1NDY
A Secret Little Adventure Ham Radio Blog
Category: Radio
Test Driving the IC-705: An Impromptu POTA of Purgatory Chasm State Reserve & Sutton State Forest
The best I can tell, Purgatory Chasm State Reserve and Sutton State Forest are the same place. Or, maybe it would be better to say that Purgatory Chasm is a subsection of Sutton State Forest in Sutton Massachusetts. As many portable ham radio operators bemoan though, sometimes half of a Parks-On-The-Air challenge is figuring out …
En Masse Activation: Amateur Radio Field Days Are Here!
A dozen or so hams went to play radio at the Dennison Lake Recreation Area of Otter River State Forest in Winchendon, MA. We took advantage of a Parks-On-The-Air activation (POTA K-4745) as well as the CQ Worldwide WPX contest to make some QSOs. The perfectly spring weather could almost make one forget the existence …
How To Assemble Powerpole Connectors: A Step-By-Step Pictoral Guide
I love Powerpoles. I powerpole everything and anything I can. But each time I do it, well, it feels like the first time. So here are the steps to help keep somewhat you, but mostly me, in order. First off, a Powerpole is a DC power connector that consists of a metal wire crimp contact …
The SOTA RaDAR Trifecta: Grace, Tully, & Prospect Hill
We did it! Three Summits-On-The-Air activations in a single day! Now, don’t get me wrong. We did not pick Everest, K2, and Denali as our destination peaks. In total, we hiked about 6.5 miles, with the hills all within a half hour drive from one another. But our February 13, 2021 RaDAR (Rapid Deployment Amateur …
VIDEO: Summits-On-The-Air (SOTA) Winter Activation of Mount Watatic in Ashburnham MA
A snowy hike in mild temperatures toward the end of winter while playing radio? Does it get any more New England than this? Watch WX1MAR and I on our Summits-On-The-Air journey on this classic loop hike of Mt. Watatic W1/CR-009 in Ashburnham MA on February 28, 2021.
Ham Radio IRL – An Open Letter to the “OTA” Chasers and Hunters
Dear [Fill-in-the-Blank]-On-The-Air Chasers and Hunters: I want to let you know how much you mean to me, so I thought I would write you a letter. The world sure has gone to Hades in a handcart lately, huh? I’ve been told that almost everyone is hiding inside watching the modern variant of the television and …
K1S Valentines Are (Almost) Out The Door!
Thank you POTA hunters for finding us at the Happy Hams Valentine’s Day Special Event Station on February 14, 2021. The QSL valentines are all set to go! I am looking forward to the next time we meet up on the air!
DIY 49:1 Unun Impedance Transformer For End-Fed Half Wave (EFWH) Antenna (Step-by-Step Instructions)
The following is a list of materials required to make a 49:1 unun impedance transformer for an end-fed half wave antenna. You will also need a half-wavelength length of wire (14 or 12 gauge typically) in order to construct an antenna radiator for whichever ham band you choose. Please note that I will not be …