Monday, February 19, 2018

 ARRL DX CW 2018



Band     QSOs     Pts  Cty  Pt/Q
   3.5      35     105   25   3.0
     7      35     105   25   3.0
    14      78     234   45   3.0
    21      27      81   16   3.0
 Total     175     525  111   3.0
Score: 58,275
1 Mult = 1.6 Q's

Made a few contacts to keep up the CW ability.  Most contacts made (using N1MM) at 30+ WPM but did slow down for a few ops and the noise on 80M,  This was the first time in a while that I had at least a semi resonate antenna on 80.  Hoping to get a few new ones on 80 but I think only manged 1.


Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Waiex Trip to Ocracoke NC
Fall 2014


Took Trish to Ocracoke for a couple of days for our anniversary.  She really does not like to fly with me but was amazed at how it looked from the air and how much faster it was compared to last time we went in the VW Camper.  The weather was really good and I decided to go at the last min so I did not get my 1st or 2nd choice of hotel but did get a room at the Pony Island which we would recomend to anyone flying down.  The desk dispatched on of the hotel people to pick us up at the airport.  The hotel also has rental bikes and their resturant is a local hotspot for breakfast.  You can ride 'downtown' and to the tourist spots on the bicycles.  We went to Dajio's for a nice Anniversary dinner.  We could ride to the beach which is right next to the airport.  


Flying over Cape Point Light


Bicycle ride to Ocracoke Light


Beach right by airport


Trish at the Beach


Rental Bike at the airport


Using the secret code to use airport lobby


Pony Island Inn


From the pilot seat

Bike Florida 2014

Bike Flordia 2014

This was my second time to Bike Florida and it was different going by myself on Amtrak.  Had to ride a rental bike as Amtrak would not load my boxed bicycle so I brought my pedals, seat and handlebar bag.  Other highlights were teaching Yoga everyday in exchange for cost of Bike Florida pass.  I did still purchase the meal plan.  Slept on the gym floor on my yoga mat and blanket with a light sleeping bag.  After riding 35-65 miles per day and a Yoga class I slept fine.  Riding on the Speedway was interesting.  The banks are steeper than they look on TV.  Fish Taco's, something I had never tried were available at the beach Taco shop in Flagler Beach and other places, found out that I often like them.  Do not miss one of the Bike Flordia tours if you can fit one it.  Lots of nice people breathing too much O2 and enjoying life!


 Riding on the Daytona Speedway





My old Brooks Seat that I brought with me to use on a rental bike failed!  Do not buy these seats it only lasted for 40 years! 

 First Class accomodations at Bike Florida bring your 'sleep music' and eyeshades.
Riding up the coast 60 miles with a nice headwind.  Felt like a hundred by the end..