Igate Update

After seeing the APRSIS32 software on Ham Nation I decided to give it a try.  I currently have it loaded and running as my Igate.  It seems to be working very well at this point.  If it continues to run without any problems I will switch to it permanently and not use AGWTracker or AGWUIDigi anymore.

73s.com

Check out www.73s.com.  It's a social media site just for ham radio operators.  I set my profile up today and have had a blast so far!

Come check my 73s profile page out by clicking here.

November Update

October was a busy month.  I haven't been on the air much but working on projects around the ham shack non-the-less.

Fall/Winter Projects I'm Working On:

• Plan and purchase coax for VHF/UHF antenna projects
• Move Ventenna VT-27 from vent to pipe mount above 6 meter beam
• Put Cushcraft AR270-10S up above 6 meter beam
• Move G5RV farther away from the house to reduce noise

Future Projects (No Timeline Yet)

• Loop antenna for HF
• Permanent APRS Igate station with Icom IC-2100H & a Microsat - WX3in1 interface
• HF mobile antenna mount

As I get projects done I will post photos on the site!

73 for now and I hope to catch you down the dial!

Hoodoo Repeater Back In Service

The Oregon Connection Hoodoo Butte repeater (441.625) is back online.  K7UND made the trip up to put the refurbished controller in the rack.  Tested it with him this evening and it sounds great!  The HIDARG net on Tuesdays will now have access to the Oregon Connection.

Thanks K7UND!

Igate Online

The Igate station is back online.  My general plan is to shut down the station during thunderstorms to reduce the chance of lightning damage.

Igate Offline

There is an active thunderstorm moving through the area. The APRS Igate has been taken offline and disconnected from the antenna system.

APRS I-GATE

I have turned on my I-gate for APRS in Central Oregon. The system I'm currently using is AGW Packet Engine connected to my Kenwood TM-D700A.  I-gate software is AGWUIDigi. In the near future the switch will be made to the MFJ-1278 TNC and IC-2100H radio. Software will remain the same.

I want to send a shout out to KF7ELY, Carroll, who has been sending me DX spots via e-mail.  Thanks man!  Working on a new project to add a Cushcraft A270-10S yagi for 2m and 70cm SSB work.  Currently working on drawing plans for the mounting mast to go above my Cushcraft A50-5S on the rotor.

On a different (non-ham radio note) on April 24, 2012 I became a dad!  Connor and Asher (twins boys!) were born.

This is the view from the window of my ham shack in Crooked River Ranch, Oregon, looking out at Mount Jefferson.

Finished remodeling/reorganizing the ham shack desk this weekend.  Included in the remodel was a redesigned station grounding system, addition of the shelves, and clean up of the wiring rats nest.  Still a little more to do on the wiring but station is up and operating again.

My station includes the following equipment:

• Alinco DM-330MV power supply
• Kenwood TM-D700A dual bander for 2m/70cm operations
• Yaesu FT-897D HF/VHF/UHF all-mode radio with LDG AT-897Plus and LDG FT-Meter
• CDE Antenna Rotor controller
• Icom 2100H 2m with MFJ-1278 which is in the process of being setup as my primary APRS station
• Yaesu VX-8DR 6m/2m/1.25m/70cm handheld
• Yaesu VX-5R 6m/2m/70cm handheld

Antennas for my station currently are:

• Ventenna VT-27 for 2m/70cm voice and APRS via the D700
• Cushcraft A50-5S 6m beam at 25'
• G5RV for 80-10m HF operation

QTH Photo

The antenna is a Cushcraft A50-5S, 5 element 6 meter yagi.  The photo was taken shortly after the antenna was put up.

Welcome to the K7TYE Amateur Radio Station Blog.  This will be a new endeavor for me as I move away from my old website and move all my stuff here to the blog.  I plan to keep a record of not only my ham radio activity but also my other hobbies and interests as well.  Keep checking back for updates and new stuff!

73
Sean, K7TYE