Note: the is a reprint about HT with some good info about HT antennas.

When limited to "barefoot" operation, with a "rubber duck" on simplex, HTs are not adequate as a primary rig for emergency communications. I started with an HT when I first got my license. I now recommend 50w mobiles as a first rig, but admit they don't work for everyone. If all you have is an HT, the following will help you to "make the most of it." An HT does make perfectly good sense for:

1. Anyone who doesn't drive;
2. Commuters who use public transportation;
3. Controlling a dual-band mobile in cross-band repeat or;
4. As a "spare," backup or loaner.

K5QE will be operating in the ARRL January VHF Contest and would really appreciate any contacts that we can make via FSK441 or EME for that "rare" grid. The contest begins 1900 UTC Saturday and ends 0400 UTC Monday (Jan 23rd - 25th, 2010). For those of us still on local time, that is 1PM Central Time on Saturday to 10PM CST Sunday night.

The WA4FC 440.750 (+5mhz in) portable repeater is on the air for a week or so for testing. The repeater runs a 100.0 hz PL on both the input and output. Please help test the repeater for operational readiness, range and report your findings. Please keep in mind this repeater is a set of Motorola handheld radios so please keep QSOs short. The repeater is located at the WA4FC shack in Prince George, connected to a Diamond X6000A at 80 feet (7/8 in hardline run) using 4.3 watts out. . Please see this page for more information on the portable repeater.

More N4MW/B GPS frequency locked beacons are now on the air from FM17kn, central Virginia.

Microwave CW beacons are on 1296.280 and 10368.280, the 2304.280 beacon will be on the air as soon as I install an antenna. Other beacons are on 144.280, 222.080, and a new one on 432.280 as of today.

The keying sequence now contains the 6 character grid and a somewhat longer key down period.

Updated info is at www.n4mw.com.

Source: Dave Meier, N4MW in New Kent County, Virginia

With 6 meters pretty much closed down for the season and HF DX continuing to be just so-so, I've been looking for other things to do. I've made my first few satellite QSOs after listening in on a few QSOs last fall. In this post, I am going to share my station details and tell you some of what I have learned.

List of 2009 6 meter Dxpeditions

Hello to all our friends in the VHF / WSJT world from the K5QE contest team....

K5QE will be operating in the ARRL June VHF Contest and would really appreciate any contacts that we can make via FSK441 or EME for that "rare" grid. The contest begins 1800 UTC Saturday and ends 0300 UTC Monday (June 13 - 15, 2009). For those of us still on local time, that is 1PM Central Daylight on Saturday to 10PM CDST Sunday night.

The annual ARRL June VHF contest is almost here, time to get that VHF gear warmed up!

The contest will start at 1200z on Saturday 6th of June and will end at 1200z on Sunday 7 th June. (24 hours). Check this link for more details.

Again one of my favorite amateur radio bloggers K7AGE turns out another great video on how to do stuff. This particular video details how to get on 6 meters and how it acts. Video is about 13 minutes long. Doug, George and myself have all made our first 6 meter QSOs of the season, including contacts to Central America and other points. Give it some thought if you aren't on the band! Also look at an article written by W4GNE on the subject that is also full of helpful points. Notes from K7AGE are in the expanded text.