follow that qar!

SV1BSX on Antenna Circular Polarization .

The WA5VJB pair has been wonderful for a year, but taking a step to an Arrow II 146/437-10BP satellite antenna, sans duplexer, would enhance enjoyment and, quite likely, signals received via the birds. EDIT: Ordered, arrived, and mostly assembled. New feedlines will be necessary. Thanks, KT. WB1AAT summarized Arrow versus Elk on the AMSAT-BB... ELK + cheaper all around + can be easily set up for permanent use + easier to aim due to wider beam width. Log periodic are like this. + smaller and very fast setup/teardown + one connector for dual band. - no handle for handheld use. You have to make one, but it's extremely easy to do. And no threads for tripod. - inconvenient if using 2 rigs. Must buy a separate duplexer. ARROW + copies a few degrees (just a few) lower than the Elk at my QTH + convenient built in handle and built in threads for tripod - narrower beam width - have to "aim" better. - not easily set up for permanent use. No simple mount and y...

I've claimed 198 QSOs for my most serious SS effort since 2001. As the lines in the log filled, my attention increasingly went to the checks. So many from the 50s through the 70s and almost none from the present decade. My soapbox for the event simply says I'd plot the curve. I don't have a plotting program and can't bother right now with trying to figure out if OO Calc will let me draw a bell curve, but a couple of key statistics are these: Number of Years Since First Licensed mean ±SD = 40.38 ±12.58 Just a single check from the 21st century. That's about one-half of one percent. On the other end of the spectrum, it was very nice to work W4KFC, licensed 75 years in 2008 and 5-time CW Sweepstakes winner.

[acidfree:271]The AMSAT SSTV gallery holds images sent by Richard Garriott from the International Space Station and copied by earthbound hams. My receptions were few and not especially impressive . I failed to make a voice contact in perhaps 45 minutes of calling with QRP and a 3-element beam.

Based on selections heard, or simply rumor, these are artists or collections I would like to get to know -- or know better -- in no particular order. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory Various Artists - Classic Appalachian Blues Dizzy Gillespie - on Verve Miike Snow - Downtown Various Artists - What is Hip? Remix Volume 1 Tnx X **** Voltaire Brothers - I Sing the Booty Electric Choral - Mountains Tnx MT **** The Asteroids Galaxy Tour - Fruit Tnx MT Various Artists - War Child Heroes Rokia Traore, Tchamantche Ntjrosie, Atouba Jeremy J? On K? Ran Dass? Trentemoller - The Last Resort Murcof - Cosmos Tnx X North Sea Radio Orchestra (see below) Various Artists - A Treasury of Tall Tales ( here ) Fridge - Happiness Anjulie - Ep Tnx X ** Martin Simpson & Wu Man - Music for the Motherless Child Tony Bennett - Crazy Rhythm Pine Top's Boogie Woogie The Sound of Jazz: Complete Edition (2005) (DVD) Charlie Haden - Rambling Boy Tnx X *** Mike Auldridge...

Wouldn't it be great to be able to support the Summit County Democratic Party next Friday? Just not possible, I'm afraid.

I have watched Obama and McCain repeat themselves ad nauseum . They stay on message, churning out the same arguments, phrases, and misrepresentations of each other, regardless of the questions posed. One more chance next Wednesday to talk to those of us who have registered the message and want more depth, substance, and inspiration.