Jan 26, 2003 - I woke up at 03:30 local thinking about the RM-20. I could not get the radio off my mind as I lay in bed. What could be wrong with the RM and how do I fix it. The schematics floated through my head as I thought. Finally I got up and started looking over the schematics. I pulled out my meter and began testing points. I checked the resistors, and transistors, following the path from beginning to end to make sure I had made all the proper connections and placed all the parts correctly with no solder joints. Everything looked good. The RM-20 should work. A little breakfast and then back to work. Double checking all the work I had done. I was sure that the RM was working but with out a watt meter at the time I had no way to know for sure. I fired up the rig one more time before church and called CQ. And what to my surprise did I hear but "?? DE N1OGL K". Was she calling me. I responded "N1OGL DE KE4QDM K". She then came back with my call. We attempted to converse for about 10 minutes. My code is still slow and I was able to get her call and that she wanted to know my QTH. She had my name right and was copying me just fine. I still had trouble copying her. Need to work on the Code, but nevertheless, I had JOY. My first contact with the Rock-Mite Expedition.
I obtained a Power/SWR/Field Strenght Meter from a friend latter that evening and was able to confirm with the meter that I was definitely getting a signal out. I was putting 100mW into a Dipole with a 1.4/1 SWR at 18 ft. Is that right. I need to do further checks to make sure the meter is reading accurately. Well, that's all for now. Hope to hear you on the bands, 73, KE4QDM.