K2AS Ham Radio

In my early years as a ham, say from 1971 to 1997, I would occasionally work a DX station. Sometimes just randomly, or maybe during what little operating during a DX contest. I really didn’t actively chase DX. I personally kept a piece of paper with countries worked, but never pursued confirming the contacts as I never tried to get DXCC or any other certificates. I would occasionally get a DX QSL card, and I would send them off mine, but the hassle I perceived in sending cards to DX stations seemed to be not worth it. QSL Managers, DX stamps, IRC coupons, green stamps, and this was before the internet. You had no easy way to find out what the DX station preferred. To even find their address required buying a DX Callbook and hoping it was up-to-date. XARC used to buy callbooks for club member use. Probably the most effective way to get back a QSL was to send a self addressed stamped envelope. But getting stamps for each country you might want to get a QSL back from was not...

In the movie “Christmas Story”, the father character played by Darren McGavin, receives an unknown package in the mail. The infamous leg-lamp, which he called a major award, was apparently some sort of bowling trophy, which he wasn’t quite sure about. Operating the VHF Contest this weekend, mostly on 6 meters, reminded me of my special award. In 1996, we had an addition put on my last house, and I finally was able to have a real ham shack. I put up a 48 foot tower, and in the late 90s, had a 4 element 6 meter yagi, along with a 2 meter yagi. In the year 2000, I actually had a decent station to work the January VHF Contest. XARC was not putting in an effort anymore after we secured the Rochester Cup, and I may have been contributing my points to the Rochester VHF Group. It was nothing special, but a good effort for me. 8466 points, 166 Q’s, 51 grids, on 6 and 2 meters only. Overall, 3rd place in WNY for low power. Places 1 and 2 had more bands, so I guess...

Several weeks ago, I ordered a new HF amplifier. I have had an Ameritron AL-811 for several years, and it worked fine, but I realized a tube amplifier was not conducive to my typical operating. Which is to get on for short periods of time during the day, often not actually making a contact during these short windows. So a tube amp that requires warm-up, and re-tuning when changing frequencies meant that more often than not, I wouldn’t have the amp on when I needed it. But there is a price for convenience, as a solid state amp with about the same power (400 wats CW, 600 PEP), was more than double the cost, or triple if you compare what I paid in 2019 to what todays cost is. I did a bit of research, and decided the Elecraft KPA500 was the best choice for me. It interfaced fine with my radio, and can get automatic bandswitching as well. They have made the KPA500 for over 10 years now, and I’d think bugs have been worked out. It is also much smaller than the AL-811. So far,...