I checked the FCC database daily to see if my callsign had changed. Yesterday it reported that I was WB2CNF, then this morning it showed me as W2PI. Now all I have to do is reprogram about four TNC's, re-register DX4WIN and WinAPRS, change my license plates when I get the new license, design new QSL cards, and take care of about a million details. This page will have to be reconstructed as well... oh well: prioritize, then act.
(6 July 1999)
Upgraded to Extra! It's only been a month since I upgraded to
Advanced... The ink is still wet on my new license! Spent much of my spare
time practicing code (the hardest part seemed to be NOT paying attention
to what I was copying until it was done) using AA9PW's
web page and tapes borrowed from Allen, W2AEW,
running simualted Extra
exams on the Internet, and browsing the ARRL Extra Class License Manual.
Located a VE session that was convenient (thanks, TCRA)...
Looked up directions on the Internet and got totally lost trying to find
the Union County EOC (Union Township Police sent me to the wrong North
Ave!). I had given up and was making my way home when I stumbled across
the Union County Police complex. I was an hour late, but found a friendly
group of VEs willing to wait for me.
I was so frustrated with the tour I'd been on that I didn't think I'd pass. If I'd had to copy a solid minute of code I know I would have failed the code test. In the end, I passed (39 out of 40 on the theory test and 9 out of 10 on the code) and brought home another CSCE... Now I have to reprogram the scan channels on my rig... Again!
CQ DX DE WB2CNF/AE
(5 June 1999) Upgraded to Advanced! Almost 22 years after passing the General test, I decided it was time for some new opportunities. Spent a couple of days boning up from the ARRL Advanced Class Study Guide and took the test at the Bergen Amateur Radio Association Hamfest in Teaneck, New Jersey. Passed the test with an 86 (43 out of 50).
CQ DX DE WB2CNF/AA
(8 May 1999)
Shack Computer Replaced: The computer that I have been using
for the last four years, an 80MHz AMD 486, was superseded by a new 450MHz
AMD K6-II-based PC. I had been running out of RAM, disk space and serial
ports. We went to the Trenton Computer Festival intending to upgrade the
existing machine to buy at least another year's service... when we looked
at the prices for new systems, it just didn't seem worth upgrading the
old one.
I am still installing software, but APRS and the logging program that I just purchased, DX4WIN, were the first applications up and running.
(3 April 1999)
TS-520S Up In Smoke: One of the power supply filter capacitors
in my TS-520S released a cloud of smoke on Tuesday night, 30 March 1999,
and made a real mess inside the cabinet. After diagnosing the problem I
concluded that, although it is probably repairable, it is time to seriously
think about replacing the rig that has served me well on and off for since
I bought it, used, on 7 April, 1981. I guess 18 years isn't too bad.
After studying the QST reviews for the Kenwood TS-570D/S, Yaesu FT-920, and Icom IC-746, I decided to drive down to Ham Radio Outlet in Delaware. After spending about three hours playing with all three radios, reading their manuals and talking to other customers and the salespeople, I made a decision. I chose the TS-570D because it seemed to offer the best price/performance ratio and because my neighbors would rather watch TV than listen to me on 6 meters (the other rigs include 6-, and in the case of the Icom unit, 2-meters).
The first contact with the new radio was DL1JTK (thanks, Freed) in Germany, closely followed by Chris, LX1KC in Luxembourg, both gave 57 signal reports on 20 meters.