See? I told you I was bad at blogging! Updates!

So, as usual, I've neglected my blog. Actually, I had neglected amateur radio for a solid six months - work, life, etc. took priority for a bit.

I spent the last year acquiring new HF gear. Some of it stuck around and others were sold/traded for rigs that were more fitting for what I wanted to do. In the end, I only kept two transceivers:
  • An Elecraft KX3/PX3/KPA100 combo
  • A FlexRadio Systems 6600M
Since I acquired the Flex, the KX3 has taken a back seat for a while. I'm no stranger to SDR, but the capabilities of the 6600M are phenomenal! 

Antenna-wise, I've still been using my Alpha Loop Sr., which tunes from 10m-80m. Unfortunately, the great ATU in the KPA100 and the Flex 6600M aren't being used as I have to manually tune the loop; but, I'm still making contacts from Canada to Cuba!

...which leads up to today: I need a better antenna. I've been talking with local Elmers and I believe I'm going to give the Alpha Delta DXCC a try up in my attic. While I don't have an attic with a length of 83 feet, I do know how to zig zag a fan dipole! Since my shack/office is on the second floor, running the coax from the attic shouldn't be too terribly difficult. Once we start transitioning to Fall and cooler temperatures, I'm going to venture up there and see what I can do! Tapping the gutters on the first and second level of the house has also crossed my mind one or two times.

More updates coming and hopefully I'll be able to start coherently posting a thing or two about some of the fun activities I've been doing with the 6600M! I also am hoping to pass my Extra in November, so I need to keep doing my hour's-worth of studying per night for that.

73s for now!

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