Elections in Iraq and Ham radio

I watched in amazement as the elections unfolded in Iraq. The Iraqi people stood up to the insurgents and sent a clear message. Being a part of history is pretty nice, too.

The CQ Worldwide 160-meter CW Contest ran this weekend (29-30 JAN) and I participated. I had 62 contacts and ended up with a little over 15000 points. My goal was 5000!

Calculated QSO totals for the past 2 months are:

DEC 2004--224
JAN 2005--645

CW TOTAL 587
SSB TOTAL 282

TOTAL QSO'S 869

I've been posting all my contacts to EQSL. So far I've confirmed 17 countries out of 76 submitted. My goal is to reach the EDX-100 award.

As soon as my new computer-radio interface arrives I'll start on digital modes such as RTTY and PSK. More digital mode operators seem to use the EQSL system.

BTW.....I want to personally thank YI9KT (Dick) from Al Hillah, Iraq for working me in the contest. It was a pleasant suprise! Iraq was well represented this year!

We have a winner....

The new Windom antenna I put together yesterday is awesome. Last night I tried it out and found out it really improves my signal--both outgoing and incoming.

I checked in with some friends on 80 meters last night. One of them, Murtada (9K2MU), suggested we try 160-meters and try out my new antenna. I met him on CW and he became my very first QSO on 160 (both for here and the states). It sure is nice to have the space to put up an extremely long wire!

The rest of the night was spent just cruising around the bands. I happened to stop and talk to a Swedish ham who suggested I try to pick up a "few" Europeans who might be on the frequency. That turn out to be about the biggest SSB pileup I've heard so far. I worked about 47 stations before heading off for bed.

Well, now that HF is up and running I think I'll concentrate on trying to get a signal into Baghdad on 2 meters. There's an Echolink RF link located there and it would be great to be able to contact the 440 machine back in Fayetteville. Let's see how big of a beam I can construct.

Hammin' it up!

Korey

Good Day / Bad Day

I put together a Windom antenna for 160-meters today. One looooong antenna will now cover all the frequencies I can operate on my radio. My first 2 QSO's on the new antenna were on 20 meters and I was given S9+ reports. That was good.

Bad thing was that a bunch of mortars landed today and they were close as hell. Close enough that I headed for the bunker. I hope our gunships messed the insurgent's day up real bad.

United States Postal Service

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!

My package sent by Phoebe came today. I now have my external hard drive and all my favorite music!

Thank you so much, Phoebe, for all you do for me!

Dustin and I completed wiring the living compound for internet access today. Everybody should quit bitching now LOL. Nearly every soldier in my platoon has a laptop and the network is quite large. It was nice to be able to help our guys stay in touch with friends and family. That's what keeps us going.

My dad retired this week. I've always admired how he worked so hard over the years to take care of us. He really deserves a nice break. I look forward to coming home for a visit in June. We should be able to actually fish like we always wanted to. That is---just get lost and let the sheriff have to come find us!

Ham Radio in Iraq

I had the pleasure of working YI9KT, Richard, who is a Polish gentleman working in Al Hillah, Iraq.

It would be cool to get a QSL card (contact confirmation) from him.

BTW, today I ordered a key called the Bulldog. It it a miniature iambic key with my callsign engraved on the base. I asked them to put YI9VCQ so I'll have a momento when I leave. I also bought an electronic memory keyer. High speed CW is fun but I can hardly send as fast as I can copy.

Hungry?

I sure am!

The chowhall was closed this morning. We had 11 incoming mortars. Nothing near us though.

Thank the Lord!