Author Archives: Keith (WH7GG)
Having a Field Day, 2012 – decisions, decisions
It’s time once again for that wonderful ham radio gathering known as Field Day, which takes place from 8:00 a.m. June 23, 2012 to 8:00 a.m. June 24. Hams from all over the U.S. and other countries will gather on … Continue reading
CQ Ham Radio, this is Bytemarks Cafe!
Burt Lum and Ryan Ozawa are both well-known among the technology community, and among geeks in general, here in Hawaii. Among other things, on Wednesday afternoons at 5:00 p.m. on 89.3 MHz (HPR-2), they can be heard on the Hawaii … Continue reading
It takes more than a big-gun station to make a top operator.
I happened across this article this afternoon on the ARRL website. I found it rather timely given a rather regrettable affair between two fellow hams (whose calls I will not name – they know who they are) that should have … Continue reading
Makani Pahili 2012
Every year, at the beginning of hurricane season, the emergency management agencies across the state participate in an annual exercise of emergency preparedness called Makani Pāhili (hurricane or cyclone in Hawaiian), testing the worst-case scenario – what if a category … Continue reading
“Transceiver does not have CB frequencies…”
OK, I admit it. Ham radio has a PR problem. Most people know more about its more free-wheeling cousin, CB. And others tend to mix the two up or think they’re one and the same. However, it’s one thing for … Continue reading
I should have kept my big mouth shut.
Since getting on HF, I’ve dabbled a bit in contesting. Not seriously, of course. There’s only so much I can do on 100 watts and with only a 20 meter antenna. But I try to work the stations I can … Continue reading
Five hams to activate Kalawao County on DX-pedition
It’s hard to get there. There’s a very small airport, and the only other way in by land is a mule trail down sheer sea cliffs. Access to the peninsula, strictly controlled by the Hawaii Department of Health, is possible … Continue reading
A time to be brief, a time to be polite…
So there I was, on a lazy summer afternoon at home in Hawaii, surfing the ionosphere for PSK31 contacts. One of the first things I say on my waterfall was a very strong booming signal: CQ CQ CQ de <other … Continue reading
A chance encouter on the airwaves in PDX
Portland, Oregon, has been my second hometown for many years. More recently, it’s become my favorite vacation spot. Even more so since there’s a Ham Radio Outlet located there. I bought both of my base station rigs there – my … Continue reading
Having a Field Day
Most people are familiar with the phrase “to have a field day” in various contexts – in some cases meaning experiencing freedom from responsibility, in other contexts referring to criticism, but in all cases to appear to enjoy oneself doing … Continue reading