Google News and Webcams

I use Google news and was surprised to find that noone had created an Amateur Radio News Section so I got to work and now there is one! You can add this as a section. Here is a link.
http://news.google.com/news/section?...b048ef4240801d

Also I wanted a way for folks to get a glimpse into my world so I added the Webcams to the blog, interesting to see the snow building up here and there. 73 enjoy

Are YOU DX!

With many Hams using logging software and live spotting networks I was not surprised to see myself listed as DX on DXWatch and DX Summit, I had seen the spots from Mt. Lassen last year. Its cool to see the spots from Taiwan and Europe and the qso's during the California QSO Party. Just for the heck of it I checked on some friends and I was surprised. So check DXWatch, top left corner, dx spots, spot search , and then type in callsign. ( I am listed as both k6lsn and k6lsn/m ) Here is a link to the search. 73 (Oh, and a friend asked me if I was bragging, well kinda! But really I just thought it was interesting)
http://www.dxwatch.com/srch.php

CQP Final Results for K6LSN/M

Lassen County-

Shasta County-
Total Points = 26,116

Thanks, It was a blast! Now I need to shut the hell up and relax for a bit....qsl?....73

2009 California QSO Party (CQP) Update

Will be operating as K6LSN/M ( Single Op. Low Power. SSB) from both Lassen and Shasta Counties. Lassen on Saturday then Shasta on Sunday. For more info/rules on the Contest and the Northern California Contest Club visit the link below. 73

http://www.cqp.org/Rules.html

Buddistick Antenna on steroids!!!!

Tested the Buddistick with a 9 foot telescopic whip today and I am very pleased! Today was a chance to make sure my operating station in the K6LSN Mobile was comfortable and cozy! Here is a map of where the test went down today and a summary log of the fun I had today on 20M.( I was parked in the middle of that lot in the shade! ) Thanks everyone and 73

Oh, and note IW6DRH, Claudio, in the Mobile on the coast of Italy!

And W3FF Bicycle Mobile!

k5bzh, iw6drh, kl7yk, kc0yhn, w6i, w6p, w3ff, kd0acr


View Larger Map

Crater Lake Map and Video!

View Larger Map
Took a trip up to Crater Lake today. This is in Northern California, Not to be confused with the one in Oregon. Will be working the California QSO Party from here! You can see the Trout roaming around, just incredible. The road up and over the rim was just awesome. The video does it no justice. Take care!

Whiskeytown Lake Bear Cub

Filmed by John Hewitt ( K6LSN ) on August 18th 2009

Just a brief view of the Mobile on Lassen. 73

IOTA update 7-26-2009

I had a chance to work some of the Stations in the Contest and I was really looking forward to a contact with John Boudreau VE8EV, who activated Banks Island (NA-129) as VC8B. I heard him breifly on Friday evening here and so I knew my best shot would be Saturday evening given the Greyline, MUF, and other conditions here. Well I was right and got a contact after a few calls! I have been following Johns Blog since he activated VX8X (NA-182). Check it out and read his article about how he managed VX8X, It's a very good article!(With some real cool pictures of the Trailer Ham Shack out on the ICE! ( www.ve8ev.blogspot.com Also if you go to QRZ.com and lookup VC8B you can click on the detail line and then see a Google Map of where he was).

I was finally able to get up the Buddistick Vertical with a new 9 Foot whip and an adapter for a painters pole mast and I am happy with the performance once again. Conditions were very noisy here yet I managed to work all the stations I chose to work over the weekend with 100 watts.

73 Everyone.

Islands On The Air

Don't miss the Contest this weekend!
RSGB IOTA Contest: 1200Z, Jul 25 to 1200Z, Jul 26
http://www.vhfcc.org/hfcc/rules/2009/riota.shtml
http://www.rsgbiota.org/

Outgoing QSL's

Will be sending out QSL cards and I have an envelope containing some Lassen Volcanic Memorabilia going out to Jeff KE6FHZ who was able to work the K6LSN Mobile on Mt. Lassen twice on June 16th 2009 from his home QTH and later in his Mobile! Its always fun when other operators join in the fun!

Buddistick with an attitude!

By the way, I finally got into town and met with the Redding Old timers group that meets on Thursday morning and they are a great bunch! I finally got to meet Budd W3FF who is the owner of Buddipole Antennas and he is also a great guy in person as well as a great business owner. Many of us as customers know all too well of the stories of companies never returning emails or never getting anywhere when questions or problems arise but Budd has always been great and I know all his customers feel the same way! I was talking with him about picking up a new 6 foot whip and he turned me onto a Long 9 Foot Telescopic Whip. I am going to put that bad boy to use at some point and hope to show it off a little
to some of the big DXers on the air! ( I love working guys that are running 1500 watts with a beam and telling them my 5/9+ signal is coming from a portable antenna and barefoot! ) hehehehehe. Its all good! Check out Buddipole Antennas if you have not done so yet, I have a great time everytime I use mine.

Mt. Shasta and the Upper Sacramento River near Dunsmuir

Took a quick trip up to Mt. Shasta City, McCloud and Dunsmuir in the good weather we are having and spent some time in the woods and on the river. I need a new tri-pod for the camera so please excuse this shakey video! I know what you are thinking... What, no DX ? Sorry, I had a little mishap with the Buddistick and need a new whip which I am going to pick up tommorrow. 73

Field Day Part 2 / K6LSN 1C SV

Worked for 2 Hours from Mt. Lassen in the Mobile, Got a good spot near the peak, snow was still in drifts on the ground about 3 feet deep, parked in the sun and I got pretty toasty sitting in the back of the van so I quit at 72 Qs. Not a bad run for 2 hours, I was trying to keep it at 50 an hour but I got invaded after a time by other stations calling near me. Had a clear spot for quite some time on 20M and then finished on 15M. The move to 15M was nice because it was less noisy and less crowded, though my rate dropped quite a bit. Its about 106 Degrees F. here( 7:15 p.m.) and it got to 83 on Mt. Lassen at 8500 feet, still a beautiful place to visit up there! I love the meadows with the ice cold creeks running through them. I will get some Video the next time I go up, I promise. 73

Field Day Part 1 With NC6I

Drove up Highway 44 past Lassen Volcanic National Park to Hat Creek Campground to visit and meet Shasta County Amateur Radio Operators who were set up in the Redwoods near the creek in the group campground. Great location and they did a great job with the four stations they had.
I soon found myself at the NC6I 20 Meter station and had 2 other operators logging for their first time which was fun. It was not too long before we reached 50 Qs and then I was left alone to make it to 85. I really didnt go there to operate but I couldnt leave that 20 Meter station just sitting there!!!! Really, I appreciate Carl, the owner of the station, for letting folks operate and enjoy the excitemant. Thanks guys and Gals!
Check out this video shot by Steve KE6DOA!

06/19/2009

Had a beautiful day but the conditions were not good at the time we decided to hit the air. We started too early for the 20M band. The time after was well spent taking photos and video which was a whole lot of fun so we were still rewarded for the effort. What a beautiful mystical time to be on the mountain! Lots of different weather and climates as you change elevations and move to different areas of the park. As for contacts, Here's the log. 73

KE6FHZ 18:11, 5/9 ( Jeff, Thanks)
W6DOM 18:17 5/9 ( Will, Thanks)
AD7DP 18:35 5/9 +10 ( John, Thanks)
N7MRN 18:37 5/9 +10 (Larry, Thanks)
KE6FHZ/M 18:40 5/9 ( Jeff, good job snagging us in the mobile too!)
N6AWD 18:59 5/9 +10 (Fred, Thanks)
K6SMF 19:15 5/9 ( Neil, Thanks)
AC6JK 19:29 5/9 ( Mike, Thanks)

qso w/ kb9wlf

Mobile in the driveway?

Set up real quick for a minute in the driveway and heard John K3JTF calling CQ and had a quick exchange that I cut short because I could hear some other stations in the noise. Sorry John, but we will do it again soon hopefully.( Will get you a card in the mail and I sent an eQSL ) 73

DX Links

I have added some links that I have used for some time to improve my Operating Skills and Knowledge. The NG3K Announced DX Operations link has been a great way to keep track of upcoming dxpeditions and I have learned many things by visiting the webpages of those dxpeditions such as Propagation and Equipment and Antennas.( Look for DX calls in BLUE that you can click to view their homepage).
The Contest Calendar by Bruce Horn is awesome. It gives me a chance to look at the contest rules and Exchanges and also to visit the webpages of the club or sponsor of the contest and learn even more.(Like where and how to submit your log). You can subscribe for an email version which helps alot.
The DX Watch spotter is another tool that I use only as a way to see who hears what and keep track of Propagation and different openings as they come along, I do not Operate in front of the spotter! Some folks do, but I mostly operate portable and therefore I have learned to do my homework before hand and I really enjoy the excitemant of spinning and calling for DX and ragchews.( Do a search for spots and type in my callsign! hehehe) Seriously, I hear alot of folks sitting in front of the computer waiting to hear or see something and never calling CQ! Try it, you'll like it! ( Persistence pays too).
If you are not sure about calling cq or a little shy, its cool to be humble, but do a search on how to call cq, there are some good articles on EHAM.NET . ( http://www.eham.net/articles/7952 ). Read a little and then get the Mic and start calling!
If you have some links you use, let me know by clicking the comments tab below, Thanks 73

Thunder

Well I have not been on the HF band for a couple days though I have met some folks talking in the evenings on the local repeaters. Honestly, I have been busy working on the garden and landscaping in between getting the DSL and Dish hooked up and have been getting a good workout doing so. This stuff is rough, like trimming the berry bushes back! Anyway, its really booming Thunder outside! Lots of showers in the mountains lately which is really good news. I will try to make some time to get some video up soon so you can see the place. 73

Missing QSOs

Have not been on the HF Bands due to the moving North. Hope to get on-the-air asap. Should hear me after June 1st 2009 , from the new QTH.
I will be working on a new WAS (worked all states). Should be fun! 73

QTH

A quick peak at the new QTH, On 3 acres.Out in the sticks! Thank god, now I can get some peace and- Shut that damn rooster up! and whose damn dog is barkin! hihi 73