Looking Back:

Well tomorrow is the last day of 2011 and for those reading this we are still standing so give yourself a pat on the back. 2011 showed us that mother nature tested us by showing us that we are merely human. From the earth quake and tsunami in Japan, the tornado in Joplin, MO, one of the worst droughts in Texas (still under twenty-four inches for our annual rain fall for the year), and the fires in Texas.

Since gaining my Amateur Radio Element 3 (General Class) license back in March I have successfully logged seventy-one contacts with twenty-seven percent confirmed via ARRL’s Logbook of the World. Majority of my contacts are via SSB but with the acquisition of an ICOM IC-735, MFJ-986 Tuner and a Tigertronics SignaLink USB (in October) hooked to a homebrew slinky dipole antenna tucked into my attic (due to deed restrictions) I have started making psk31 contacts using either fldigi or cocoaModem running on my mac mini with logging chores being handled by MacLoggerDX.

Accomplishments for 2011

• Obtained Amateur Radio Element 2 (Technician Class) license in January. (Many thanks to N5BJL for showing me the light.)
• Obtained Amateur Radio Element 3 (General Class) license in March. (Many thanks to my lovely wife for helping me study)
• Joined South East Texas Amateur Club (aka SETAC)
• Participated in my first field day. (Many thanks to KA5MEI for taking the time to show me the ropes)
• Took on the duties of SETAC Club Secretary, Web Designer, List Manager

Looking Forward:

• With a new to me stealth antenna design in the works I plan on replacing the slinky dipole in the attic to improve my station.
• Obtaining my Amateur Radio Element 4 (Extra Class) license before the test pool changes in June.
• Become an ARRL Volunteer Examiner (VE).
• Keep improving my station.
• Keep improving myself as an Amateur Radio Operator.

May 2012 bring all health, happiness, and prosperity.

73′s de KF5JRA (aka Ron)

Being a newly licensed Amateur Radio operator (Jan 2011) this was my first field day. As a member of the South East Texas Amateur Club (S.E.T.A.C) I was very excited to attend this event. Our location for this years “Field Day” was Damon, TX and we operated as a 4A class station. It was a great site that provided plenty of trees to support the wire antennas that we used.

From this field day I gained a lot of knowledge from my fellow club members ranging from:

• wire antenna construction
• contesting (chasing contacts as well as have them come to you)
• digital mode (psk31) setup using HRD (remember I use OSX)
• how not to be a lid (inside joke)

My hat goes off to my fellow club members that found the time to cook the food (Smoked Brisket & Pork Ribs with all the trimmings) that we feasted on.

Enjoyed the camaraderie and I already cannot wait till the next Field Day.  

Back in late January I obtained my Technician Class Amateur Radio License. This was brought on by a good friend of mine who I work with that holds his General Class license. Long story short when I mentioned to him that my father has been an amateur radio operator for over 30 years he had me take an online practice exam and I passed. So with a little studying I was able to get my license (ticket).

In less than two months and a lot of studying I was able to upgrade to the General Class license. Upon obtaining my license I was given my first HF rig by my proud father. With the radio in my possession and my vehicle outfitted with the antennas for VHF/UHF/HF I have started talking all over the world. There is nothing like thrill of making contacts in other parts of the world.

In being a mac user I have found a few programs that will allow my computer and radio to communicate and work together.

As I find more to blog about concerning my new found hobby I will post more.

With the recent redesign of “oneinsane dot net” I decided to start trying to blog again. At a minimum it will give me a place to put my opinions on what I read and feel I would like to voice my perspective.