And yet it moves…

There is no doubt that our Sun is finally got alive. There is no need to watch the charts or count the spots any more. The upper bands say everything. Especially the six meters is full of surprises. Magic band justified its nickname at last. Lots of TEP QSO with Africa stations it is a routine during March and April. So we reasonably expect  very good openings during sporadic E season as well. Please join the party.

Accordingly 10m band is in very good shape. Dxpeditions after many years are logging great numbers of QSOs in this band and finally we are hearing them. So everything is more exciting… Good news for our hobby that make us to forget a bit the unpleasant events around the world. 

But let’s focus….

The “gold standard” is obviously a dream. However, what maters is if this dream could  be true.But we must have dreams first, in order to expect to be true.

 

Well, there are some more steps to be done  to get this goal, but we are still walking, aren’t we?

Still going bad…

It seams that things are still  going wrong globally this year. Too many unpleasant events around the world. Most of them out of ham radio world, but severe ones to affect it. We are just sitting speechless waiting when things will get better.

A thing that kept me busy last days was the good TEP openings. Yes we are near the equinox and the sun is active enough to give us the opportunity to work again long distance stations on 6m. This is an example of how I caught ZS6CCY  on my 5 elements mono, a couple of days ago.

It is nice that whatever is happening, hams always have  a window to open in order to have fun.

Early 2011

This year started bad. The awaited DX0DX didn’t make it. That was a shame. On the other hand the VP8ORK turned out to be a complete disappointment.  Lack of propagation gave space for lot of complains. We had many expectations without fulfillment. My  sadness stirred up memories, some decades back, from a hobby of my youth. The picture gives a clue of my activities that time. I made this little boat by myself. She gave me lot of nice little trips around my island. I wish to all of you good winds through the rest of 2011.

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year

My friend Michael   (SV5BYR) recorded our RTTY QSO we had yesterday in 30m band. I post it as a season greeting card to all of you.

Warm wishes for Good DX, Health and Happiness during 2011… strictly in this order!

ARCALA-what a station!

This is the QSL card of Arcala radio, the biggest ham radio station in the world. I got it recently confirming our contacts in several bands and modes, mostly for QSO made during contests. Note that I never asked  a QSL from them, but a big station is big in everything.

The other side of the pile up

Some times it is very difficult to imagine what is going on in the other side of the pile up. Take a look to this sort video that Vicky (SV2KBS) sent me from Kermadec (Raoul island) recent major dxpedition.

Vicky in action

Come back safely Vicky!

Chasing Kermadec

To chase a rare dx  it is a very common thing for this station. Especially these days with so many helping tools in our disposal, it is a kind of  routine. But last Kermadec expedition has a particular interest for Greek amateur community: Vicky (SV2KBS) is a member of the team! I already spoke to her in 17m band. It is nice to hear a Greek voice coming so far away. Actually 18120 Km away! No matter what it is a really great expedition.  Propagation permitting they are going to a big success. Near 30000 QSO during the three first days of operation it is a guarantee for that.

I wish them all good luck and coming back with a record.