I feel the same way. When it comes to nostalgia, one thing I would like even more, is for the SWBC bands to be as full of signals as they were in the 70's and 80's, as well as an FRG-7 to listen to them on. Now THAT would be something!
There are times in my homebrew life when I feel like giving it a big, long break, temporarily giving up, and buying a commercially manufactured rig 😄
But then, I think of all the parts I could buy with that money...........
Builders - is it just me, or are you also often surprised at how heavy a board gets as you build a circuit on it? Parts are heavy!
I knew what you meant 😊
Equally important, at the very least
We are so much at the mercy of the propagation gods!
I've only read his books Naked, and Me Talk Pretty One Day, but they are both engaging and hilarious. There is a rip-roaringly funny story about his experience working as a Christmas elf at Macy's. He did a reading at the record store I used to work at, many moons ago. Very gifted writer!
I have long read that stations with excellent antennas are able to take advantage of band openings the rest of us are barely aware exist. It was instructive to know that my QRP sigs and simple wire antenna can make the 1500 miles from CA to TX just before sunrise on 15M - tnx to the RBN and K5TR.
New Blog-Post - A Daily-Use Vintage High Impedance Headset -
aa7ee.wordpress.com/2025/10/20/a...
HamAlert is great! I've worked a few people I otherwise wouldn't have, because of it. I'll be looking out for you Brian. Just look for the sending that sounds proficient until someone calls him back, and that'll be me! 😆
Listening to 40 on my new 2-transistor regen and just heard W9KNI. He's the author of "The Complete DX'er, a must-read for any HF enthusiast. There's a thrill in hearing amateur radio "celebrities", especially on simple homebrew sets. Just like the thrill I got from working Paul NA5N, a QRP titan.
Yours looks to have been in excellent condition. The copper plating was in great shape.
A local amateur lent me his for a few weeks when I was a teenage SWL in the 70's. Owning one has been on my mind ever since.
Dagnabbit. I think I need a Drake 2B in excellent condition, preferably with the Q multiplier.
Other kids had that pen. I never reached those lofty heights. Not that I had an impoverished childhood; I had everything I needed. I just never had one of those magical pens.........
Wow, the fast and deep QSB on 12M is fun. I should spend more time on this band.
QRP ops - do you ever have those moments in which you think, "To heck with it. I'll just buy a 500W amp." I don't think I could ever quite bring myself to do it, as I feel as if I'd be giving up but sometimes, it sure is tempting! 😆
WOOF! Got V6D (Federated States of Micronesia) in the log with 5W. That's a new one for me. I'm going to get QRP DXCC CW this fall/winter season. I can feel it in my bones!
One of the advantages of insomnia is the welcome surprise of listening to the V6D DX-pedition on 20M at 1:15am. Nice to hear 20M open in the middle of the night. I sure am looking forward to this DX season!
Worked FP5KE on CW on 3 band slots so far. It can be tough going, as I think they are favoring EU over the US in their beam headings and probably also band/time of day selections. Happy to have another entity in the log.
Yesterday was the first day of fall, and the HF bands do seem to be perking up. I sure hope so. These last few months have been a little grim at times!
w00t! Just snagged KP5FE. Got 'em on 2 bands now, on CW (pretty much the only mode I operate). One step closer to QRP DXCC!
Seen while standing in line at the supermarket checkout today: Pumpkin Spice Twinkies. The box was marked "Limited Edition".
I don't know, but I think that was the moment at which I realized we as a civilization have truly jumped the shark.
New Blog-Post - "The Jingy 40" - A Two Transistor Regen.
aa7ee.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/t...
Somebody's cat fell asleep on the dit paddle on 14052.6. I wonder when it'll wake up from it's nap?
That's a nifty-looking QSL card Chris!
I really want to like the LM386 in high-gain mode. I really do...........
Oh gosh, I just love these things. Cadmium-plated brass vanes, ceramic end-plate. There might be something wrong with me.
The joy of listening to 40M CW and SSB on a single FET and 9V battery is a new one for me. I owe it all to N0WVA, G3XBM, and N2CQR.
I'm going to think about it and tell my pals that I should have gone. That'll work won't it?
Sitting here with my morning coffee and trusty shack cat Sprout, listening to the Voice of Korea on 9435 on the regen, and reading "Us And Them" by Bill N2CQR (@soldersmoke.bsky.social) on my Kindle. Why did I wait so long to read this book? It's a wonderful read! Bill is a great storyteller.
