Wow. I can't believe how long it's been since my last post! I have gone from a "newly licensed ham" to a "Rookie ham" and from KG7LNG to W7CYL, my new vanity call sign. Choosing a new call sign is a story in itself and a lesson in navigating the somewhat confusing world of the FCC.
For my first 25 call sign choices, I carefully arranged my favorites, mostly 1 x 2's (a girl can dream), from most desired to least desired; paid my $16.10, one of the highest fees in several years; and waited for good news. Unfortunately, I was not chosen to receive any of my 25 choices, so ...
For my second 25 call sign choices, I carefully arranged my favorites, this time mostly 1 x 3's, from most desired to least desired; paid my $21.40, the highest fee in several years; and waited for good news ... this time successfully ... I would now be known as W7CYL ... my first choice.
When trying to pick my favorite from the list of available 1 x 3's, I first narrowed it down to any W7's (just personal preference), then started looking for combinations that stood out to me ... and YL, of course, immediately resonated ... Young Lady.
As for the C, I like to think, Cute as in Cute Young Lady, but I have discovered that CYL can actually accommodate any given mood of mine on any given day of the week ...
Cute Young Lady on Sunday, Cranky Young Lady on Monday, Creative Young Lady on Tuesday, Crazy Young Lady on Wednesday, Caring Young Lady on Thursday, Capable Young Lady on Friday, and Captivating Young Lady on Saturday ... hence, seven call signs in one ... approximately $3 per call sign! (Perhaps, Cheap Young Lady is most fitting.)
(Note: Effective 9-3-15, the FCC eliminated the regulatory fee for vanity call signs ... applicants are now able to file all vanity applications, new and renewal, free of charge.)
73, W7CYL
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Sunday, July 27, 2014
13 Colonies Event
The annual 13 Colonies Special Event took place July 1 - July 7. This year’s theme was “Revolutionary War Era Colonial Currency.”
Special events stations were K2A (New York), K2B (Virginia), K2C (Rhode Island), K2D (Connecticut), K2E (Delaware), K2F (Maryland), K2G (Georgia), K2H (Massachusetts), K2I (New Jersey), K2J (North Carolina), K2K (New Hampshire), K2L (South Carolina) and K2M (Pennsylvania).
This year, more than 108,000 contacts were made during the 13 Colonies Special Event. On my first attempt, I am happy to report that I contacted all 13 colonies, to earn a certificate with a "Clean Sweep" endorsement. Yeah! For me, as a new ham, contacting 13 colonies also means 13 new states toward my WAS (Worked all States). Pretty sweet.
Field Day 2014 in Photos
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| First thing we noticed upon arriving at Field Day sight was the elaborate "antenna farm" for such a remote location. 6m Antenna Flying High |
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| All stations were clearly marked with bands and operator. Station 5, SSB, 40 m Operated by Owen, AK7AR |
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| W7AH checking out 50 m antenna high in the trees. |
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| Chatting about new antenna going up. |
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| Everyone helps out at Field Day. W7AH helping with antenna raising. 73, KG7LNG |
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Field Day Preparations
2014 Catalina Radio Club (W7SA) and Radio Society of Tucson (K7RST) Field Day
Mt. Bigelow, June 28-29, 2014
Days until ARRL Field Day! - 0 Days
Field Day Provisions
History
Field Day is the largest single emergency preparedness exercise in the country, with over 30,000 operators participating each year. Since the first ARRL Field Day in 1933, radio amateurs have practiced the rapid deployment of radio communications equipment in environments ranging from operations under tents in remote areas to operations inside Emergency Operations Centers. Operations using emergency and alternative power sources are highly encouraged, since electricity and other public infrastructures are often among the first to fail during a natural disaster or severe weather.To determine the effectiveness of the exercise and of each participant's operations, there is a contesting component. Many clubs also engage in concurrent leisure activities (camping out, cookouts, etc.). Operations typically last a continuous twenty-four hours, requiring scheduled relief operators to keep stations on the air. Additional contest points are awarded for experimenting with unusual modes, making contacts via satellite, and involving youth in the activity.
Preparations
I was feeling pretty good about field day, seeing it as an opportunity to have some fun, make new friends, and learn a few things. Then, I watched George Thomas describe his field day preparations on HamNation last night. George and friends, Tommy and Wayne, will be setting off for the woods of Mississipi to get "completely off the grid." With more than 50 items on the list of items they plan to take to with them, I began feeling my "take with me stash" (handheld, cooler, hat and name tag) was seriously lacking.
But, never fear, I have a team (actually two teams) behind me. This year, my club K7RST will be joining W7SA on Mt. Bigelow for Field Day fun. So, off I (and W7AH) go. Wish us luck and stay tuned.
73, KG7LNG
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| Field Day Provisions |
Field Day is the largest single emergency preparedness exercise in the country, with over 30,000 operators participating each year. Since the first ARRL Field Day in 1933, radio amateurs have practiced the rapid deployment of radio communications equipment in environments ranging from operations under tents in remote areas to operations inside Emergency Operations Centers. Operations using emergency and alternative power sources are highly encouraged, since electricity and other public infrastructures are often among the first to fail during a natural disaster or severe weather.To determine the effectiveness of the exercise and of each participant's operations, there is a contesting component. Many clubs also engage in concurrent leisure activities (camping out, cookouts, etc.). Operations typically last a continuous twenty-four hours, requiring scheduled relief operators to keep stations on the air. Additional contest points are awarded for experimenting with unusual modes, making contacts via satellite, and involving youth in the activity.
Preparations
I was feeling pretty good about field day, seeing it as an opportunity to have some fun, make new friends, and learn a few things. Then, I watched George Thomas describe his field day preparations on HamNation last night. George and friends, Tommy and Wayne, will be setting off for the woods of Mississipi to get "completely off the grid." With more than 50 items on the list of items they plan to take to with them, I began feeling my "take with me stash" (handheld, cooler, hat and name tag) was seriously lacking.
But, never fear, I have a team (actually two teams) behind me. This year, my club K7RST will be joining W7SA on Mt. Bigelow for Field Day fun. So, off I (and W7AH) go. Wish us luck and stay tuned.
73, KG7LNG
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Hamventure with Antennas
After a whirlwind of ham radio activity over the last couple of months: three exams in pursuit of my Extra class license, the Hamvention in Dayton, purchasing my first handheld, my first QSO, setting up my Ham Chair and dabbling in HF, I am settling in and feeling somewhat like a "real ham." But, as every seasoned ham knows, being a ham radio operator, is not just about QSOs and Hamventions, there's some real work involved, especially to keep equipment and antennas up and running in tip-top condition. My first lesson ... helping replace W7AH's antenna rotator.
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| Outside Antenna Work Has to Start Early in Arizona |
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| W7AH's 5-Band Beam Antenna Up |
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| Half Hour Later ... W7AH's 5-Band Beam Antenna Down |
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| Have to Keep Critters (Coyotes, Javelinas, Raccoons) from Nibbling Cables |
W7AH Installing Temporary 40m Antenna
While New Rotator is on Order
Time to Test on 40m
KG7LNG Testing Vertical Antenna for 2m and 70cm
To be Installed on Roof Later
(I like to think of this as being "Outstanding in my Field" ... hi hi)
73, KG7LNG
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Have Handheld, Will Travel
Hamventure to Yosemite National Park
June 12th - 15th
On a recent trip to Yosemite National Park with W7AH for some hiking and relaxation, it became apparent to me that the "ham radio bug" has bitten me badly. The first hint ... packed in my suitcase, along-side my hiking boots and sunscreen, was my Kenwood TH-F6A. The final give-away ... one of the highlights of the trip turned out to be the ham shack at the B & B where we stayed. Wish I could say we actually picked the Yosemite Rose B & B in Groveland, CA because of the ham shack (how cool would that be) but it just happened to be a lucky coincidence I discovered while checking out their website after reservations were made based on promises of beautiful rooms, amazing views, and scrumptious breakfasts (all, and more, which were delivered). (http://www.yosemiterose.com)
Innkeeper, WJ6WHQ (aka Don), took time to talk to us about his own hamventures and show us around his shack. I even had a QSO using his rig.
73, KG7LNG
June 12th - 15th
On a recent trip to Yosemite National Park with W7AH for some hiking and relaxation, it became apparent to me that the "ham radio bug" has bitten me badly. The first hint ... packed in my suitcase, along-side my hiking boots and sunscreen, was my Kenwood TH-F6A. The final give-away ... one of the highlights of the trip turned out to be the ham shack at the B & B where we stayed. Wish I could say we actually picked the Yosemite Rose B & B in Groveland, CA because of the ham shack (how cool would that be) but it just happened to be a lucky coincidence I discovered while checking out their website after reservations were made based on promises of beautiful rooms, amazing views, and scrumptious breakfasts (all, and more, which were delivered). (http://www.yosemiterose.com)
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| Yosemite Rose Bed and Breakfast |
Innkeeper, WJ6WHQ (aka Don), took time to talk to us about his own hamventures and show us around his shack. I even had a QSO using his rig.
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| WJ6WHQ and W7AH Swapping Stories |
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| KG7LNG and WJ6WHQ Hamming it Up |
After spending a couple of hours talking with
WJ6WHQ, I came away with an entirely new appreciation for the role ham radio plays
in so many lives. For me right now, it’s a fun hobby with the added benefits of
learning something new and expanding my group of friends. For Don, living in a
remote area high in the mountains above Yosemite National Park, ham radio plays
an essential role in his community. As a member of TCARES (Toulumne County
Amateur Radio Electronic Society) WJ6WHQ and his fellow hams provide communications
assistance with fires, floods, search & rescue, and health & welfare
message assistance to the Red Cross. These dedicated hams do so using their own
equipment, without pay, and usually in 12-hour shifts.
As W7AH and I drove in and out of the park on Hwy 120, we saw the devastation caused by last year's Rim Fire, the third largest fire in California history, burning over 250,000 acres in Tuolumne and Mariposa counties. There were spots the fire skipped, but others where the trees had burned all the way up into the crowns. Imagine looking out your back window and seeing a fire of that magnitude approaching your home as WJ6WHQ and many of his neighbors and friends did. Essential supplemental radio coverage was provided by TCARES.
Luckily for us, the fire was finally contained and Yosemite is still spectacular. I'll end this post with a couple of my favorite photos from our trip.
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| Aftermath of 2013 Yosemite Rim Fire |
Luckily for us, the fire was finally contained and Yosemite is still spectacular. I'll end this post with a couple of my favorite photos from our trip.
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| Glacier Point |
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| Mirror Lake Trail |
Friday, June 20, 2014
Hamventuring into the World of HF
June 4, 2014
Since purchasing my TH-F6A at the Dayton Hamvention, I have been having a blast tuning into frequencies that are relayed to other ham radio operators via repeaters. I have, especially, had luck with the AZ Repeaters EAARS linked system. Given, that I am in East Tucson, the Mt. Lemmon repeater, 146.160, seems to be an easy target for me. I have talked to many hams in Tucson and a few as far away as New Mexico.
But once I became comfortable with "radio protocol" and had firmly memorized my new call sign, including phonetics, I was ready to expand ... into the world of HF ... and W7AH's ham shack. (I only hoped his chair was as comfortable as my Ham Chair ... hi hi.) So, after a crash course in the operation of W7AH's equipment, the big moment finally arrived and I was ready to take my newly acquired HF privileges out for a spin!
My first CQ call on 20m ("New Ham looking for her first HF contact.") was answered by N3BUO in Venus, Texas. I enjoyed chatting with him and, later, with his friend WA5FWC. Both were great contacts for my first HF experience. They seemed to really enjoy aiding my hamventure and first taste of long distance skywave communications.
Since purchasing my TH-F6A at the Dayton Hamvention, I have been having a blast tuning into frequencies that are relayed to other ham radio operators via repeaters. I have, especially, had luck with the AZ Repeaters EAARS linked system. Given, that I am in East Tucson, the Mt. Lemmon repeater, 146.160, seems to be an easy target for me. I have talked to many hams in Tucson and a few as far away as New Mexico.
But once I became comfortable with "radio protocol" and had firmly memorized my new call sign, including phonetics, I was ready to expand ... into the world of HF ... and W7AH's ham shack. (I only hoped his chair was as comfortable as my Ham Chair ... hi hi.) So, after a crash course in the operation of W7AH's equipment, the big moment finally arrived and I was ready to take my newly acquired HF privileges out for a spin!
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| First HF QSO |
Next hamventure goals ... (1) Become proficient operating W7AH's equipment solo and (2) Earn my Worked All States (WAS) award certificate by confirming QSOs with all 50 U.S. States. Stay tuned.
73, KG7LNG
73, KG7LNG
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