LDG AT-897

I lost a lot of radio time today (on my day off, no less) trying to cure the problem of my AT-897 tripping relays and de-tuning during transmissions. A few months ago, RF chokes on the DC power cord and increased RF grounding seemed to improve the problem. At the time it was only occuring on the higher bands such as 10-Meters and 6-Meters. Recently, it has begun doing it again, with the problem extending to down to 20-Meters and 40-Meters.

I called LDG this afternoon and explained my problem. They advised me to package the unit up and return it to them, which I have done. I'll be interested to see how the problem is handled and how it works when it comes back.

Thus, I'll probably be off the air on HF for a few weeks... I'll see you on 6-Meters, 2-Meters, and 70cm.


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Update on Savannah Approach/Departure UHF Frequencies

This morning I was out in the Pooler area, so I took a side trip by Savannah IAP and listened in on the ground side of the Approach frequencies. Based on my monitoring, here is what the new pairings are:

120.400/353.775
125.300/371.875
118.400/307.225

It seems that 125.300/371.875 and 118.400/307.225 are patched together to the same controller and 120.400/353.775 goes to another controller.

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Savannah Approach/Departure UHF Changes

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed that the UHF approach and departure frequencies for Savannah have changed. The NOTAMs for Savannah IAP list the following:

353.775 vice 380.025
307.225 vice 371.875
387.100 OTS use 371.875

Monitoring experience seems to indicate that 353.775 has replaced 380.025 and 371.875 has replaced 387.100. 307.225 may still be in use, but I haven't had the chance to check it for multicast activity on the ground side. 307.225 never was used frequently in the first place, so it may not be heard on the air side immediately if it is still being used.

I'll post updates as I figure out the changes more completely.


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

AH-64s Back at Hunter AAF

While I was working a lot of 7-3 shifts in recent weeks, it seems that the 1-3 AVN AH-64s have returned to Hunter AAF. So far I've only heard ARMY/VIPER 25305 and ARMY/VIPER 25306, but I would assume that the unit's other AH-64s are back as well.

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

DX Logs - 24, 27, and 28 October 2008

24 October 2008
SP5KP, 1330, 14.285, 55, Chris in Poland


27 October 2008
PZ5Z, 2146, 18.135, 59, OM0C Contest Team in Suriname


28 October, 2008
PZ5Z, 2040, 14.251, 59, OM0C Contest Team in Suriname


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

CQ Worldwide DX Contest 2008

Over the weekend of 25/26 October, 2008 I took advantage of the CQ WW DX Contest to put some DX stations in my logbook. I found that I didn't really enjoy contesting (too many folks in too small an amount of spectrum!), but I did enjoy working the contest for short periods of time and putting some DX in the log.

Here's what I was able to do, listed by band:

20 Meters
PW2D, Brazil
VP2E, Anguilla
HI3CCP, Dominican Republic
PJ4E, Bonaire, Curacao
DR1A, Germany
M6T, England
ZF2AH, Cayman Islands
94YD, Trinidad & Tobago
VE7SV, Britsh Columbia, Canada
9A7A, Croatia
E73M, Bosnia-Herzegovina
GI5K, Northern Ireland
HQ3Z, Honduras
VP5DX, Turks and Caicos
IS0T, Sardinia
IR2C, Italy
4O3A, Montenegro
EE2W, Spain
CQ9K, Madeira Island
VE1DX, Nova Scotia, Canada

15 Meters
NH6P, Hawaii
PJ4E, Bonaire, Curacao
YV4A, Venezuela
VE7SV, British Columbia, Canada
8P5A, Barbados
TO8Z,
VC6R, Alberta, Canada
EA1EEY, Spain
TM7F, France
GW4BLE, Wales
M6T, England
PA0AA, Netherlands
HC8A, Galapagos Islands
HQ3Z, Honduras
HK3RA, Colombia
TM7F, France

40 Meters
C6APR, Bahamas
IZ6FXP, Italy
CN3A, Morocco
EI7M, Ireland
IW2LLH, Italy
CS2P, Portugal
6Y1V, Jamaica
I2VRN, Italy
OE4A, Austria
9A1P, Croatia
HK3O, Colombia
CU2X, Azores

80 Meters
VP2V/SP7VC, British Virgin Islands

Thanks to Jere, KT4ZB for his email heads up and information about the contest.


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

DX Logs - 22 and 23 October 2008

22 October 2008
LX1AX, 1319, 18.142 USB, 56, Alain in Luxembourg

23 October 2008
Thursday morning, 23 October, was great for DX. Conditions were good, but I think it was mostly due to a lot of operators getting ready for the weekend's CQ Worldwide DX contest.

RZ3TZZ, 1324, 14.329 USB, 45, Nick in Russia
E77A, 1346, 21.279.3 USB, 59, Slaven in Bosnia-Herzegovina
HA5BSW, 1404, 18.128 USB, 59, Tibi in Hungary
TG9ADM, 1420, 18.138 USB, 59, Dante in Guatemala
OR4U, 1602, 18.160 USB, 58, Jean in Belgium
OZ7AKT, 1644, 14.280 USB, 59, Mikkel in Denmark

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

DX Logs - 20 and 21 October 2008

20 October 2008
DJ3JH, 1551, 18.118 USB, 57, Rudi in Breisach, Germany


21 October 2008
TG9NX, 1323, 18.139 USB, 59, Francisco in Guatemala City, Guatemala

HB9FAX, 1405, 14.267 USB, 59, Jacky in Southern Switzerland


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Military Monitoring Recap; 01-15 October 2008

Hunter AAF
124.975 - Tower
279.575 - Tower
285.425 - Tower
121.800 - Ground
291.675 - Ground
126.200 - Base Ops
309.000 - PMSV
406.1625 - Tower/Base Ops
406.7625 - POL
415.1625 - Trans Alert
30.30 - 4-3 AVN air-to-air
38.150 - B-169 AVN "HURRICANE OPS"
345.000 - USCG Air Station Savanah Ops

ARMY 26558 (UH-60L, A/2-3 AVN)
ARMY 26596 (UH-60L, A/2-3 AVN)
HOOKER ## (CH-47D, B/2-3 AVN)
ARMY 24636 (UH-60A, C/2-3 AVN)
ARMY 24637 (UH-60A, C/2-3 AVN)
ARMY 26444 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 26503 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 26512 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 26513 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 26528 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 26543 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 26546 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 26585 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 26631 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 26633 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 27040 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 27064 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 27066 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 03747 (MH-47G, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 03748 (MH-47G, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 03751 (MH-47G, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 03752 (MH-47G, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 26286 (MH-60L, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 26360 (MH-60L, 3-160 SOAR)
SUNNY ## (RC-12N, 224 MI Bn)
GUARD 249 (CH-47D, B-169 AVN)
TESTHOOK ## (CH-47, OLR)
COAST GUARD 6548 (HH-65C, Savannah)
COAST GUARD 6553 (HH-65C, Savannah)
GUARD 15279
GUARD 26662 (UH-60)
JENA 124 (Dash-8, FBI)
NAVY LL 66 (P-3C, VP-30)
PEACH 81 (E-8C, 128 ACCS)


Savannah IAP/CRTC
119.100 - Tower
257.800 - Tower
121.900 - Ground
348.600 - Ground
120.400 - Approach/Departure
380.025 - Approach/Departure
244.875 - Approach/Departure
125.300 - Approach/Departure
387.100 - Approach/Departure
118.400 - Approach/Departure
307.225 - Approach/Departure
371.875 - Approach/Departure
225.750 - 165 AW CP
225.050 - 165 AW
123.575 - Gulfstream Test Ops
128,925 - Gulfstream Service Center

DAWG 0# (C-130H, 165 AW)
GULF TEST ## (Gulfstream Test)
ARMY 1778 (G-IV)
MACE 99 (C-130, SC ANG)
NAVY HR 503 (SH-60, HSL-48)
TROUT 98 (KC-135)


Fort Stewart/Wright AAF
127.350 - Marne Radio
279.626 - Marne Radio
126.250 - Wright AAF Tower
269.275 - Wright AAF Tower


MCAS Beaufort
328.425 - Approach/Departure
292.125 - Approach/Departure
281.800 - Base Ops
264.500 - PMSV
361.800 - VMFA-115 Base
339.500 - VMFA-115 Tac 1
344.200 - VMFA(AW)-224 Base
250.300 - VMFA(AW)-224 Tac 1
258.900 - VMFA(AW)-224 Tac 2
313.800 - VMFA-251 Base
290.000 - VMFA-251 Tac 1
327.475 - VMFA-251 Tac 2
228.200 - VMFA-312 Base
301.950 - VMFA-312 Tac 1
320.300 - VMFA-312 Tac 2
310.200 - VNFA(AW)-533 Base
299.300 - VMFA(AW)-533 Tac 1
354.400 - VFA-86 Base
308.925 - VFA-86 Tac 1
363.825 - VFA-86 Tac 2

BLADE 2# (F/A-18C, VMFA-115)
BENGAL 4# (F/A-18D, VMFA-224)
TBOLT 5# (F/A-18C, VMFA-251)
CHECK 6# (F/A-18, VMFA-312)
HAWK 8# (F/A-18D, VMFA-533)
WINDER ## (F/A-18C, VFA-86)


Shaw AFB
320.525 - 55th FS air-to-air
139.925 - 79th FS air-to-air
141.550 - 79th FS air-to-air
141.600 - 79th FS air-to-air
141.700 - 79th FS air-to-air

BEAST ## (F-16CJ, 79th FS)
CLAW (F-16CJ, 79th FS)
SLASH ## (F-16CJ, 79th FS)
TALON ## (F-16CJ, 79th FS)


McIntire JNGB
298.300 - 169th FW "SWAMP FOX OPS"
141.825 - 169th FW V14
143.625 - 169th FW V15
143.250 - 169th FW V16

MACE ## (F-16CJ, 169th FW)
VIPER ## (F-16CJ, 169th FW)
DEMON ## (F-16CJ, 169th FW)


Jacksonville IAP
251.250 - 125th FW Maintenance/Ops
234.800 - 125th FW Aux 6
253.700 - 125th FW Aux 7
314.200 - 125th FS Aux 8
343.000 - 125th FW Aux 9


Robins AFB/JSTARS
293.525 - 116th ACW "PEACHTRE OPS"
324.650 - JSTARS Discrete
341.750 - JSTARS Discrete
372.150 - JSTARS Discrete
376.125 - JSTARS Discrete
388.225 - JSTARS Discrete
395.150 - JSTARS Discrete

PEACH 88 (E-8C, 128th ACCS Front End)
ALLEYCAT (E-8C, 128th ACCS)
STARGATE (E-8C, 330th CTS Back End)


Ranges/Military Operating Areas
119.225 - Townsend Range
228.400 - Townsend Range
343.750 - Bulldog MOA


SEALORD (USN FACSFAC Jax)
120.950 - North Primary
284.500 - North Primary
267.500 - South Primary
313.700 - North Secondary
385.300 - W-157 Discrete
376.900 - W-157 Discrete
349.800 - W-157 Discrete
301.000 - S. TACTS Range
381.875 - N. TACTS Range
311.500 - BRISTOL Discrete
320.500 - BRISTOL Discrete


DOUBLESHOT (W-161/177)
127.725 - Primary
279.725 - Primary
258.400 - Discrete
381.350 - Discrete


Miscellaneous
BACKY 41 (KC-135, 916 ARW)
BRUTUS (E-3?)
CARDFILE 712 (P-3C, USN)
KING 16 (HC-130, 71 RQS)
MASH 61 (KC-135, 319 ARW)
MASH 81 (KC-135, 319 ARW)
ROMAN 71 (F/A-18, VFA-106)

364.200 - NORAD AICC
285.000 - USN TSC Jacksonville "FIDDLE"
348.900 - AR-600
228.225 - 23rd Wing "ANGEL OPS"


ARTCC
256.900 - Jax Center
269.550 - Jax Center Columbia Low
277.400 - Jax Center Brunswick Low
281.550 - Jax Center Columbia Low
282.200 - Jax Center Jekyll Low
282.300 - Jax Center Alma High
285.650 - Jax Center Statesboro High
290.400 - Jax Center Waycross Low
319.200 - Jax Center Aiken High
322.500 - Jax Center Savannah Low
346.250 - Jax Center St. Augustine
351.700 - Jax Center Summerville High
363.200 - Jax Center Allendale Low
370.950 - Jax Center Georgetown High
379.100 - Jax Center Charleston Low

323.000 - Atlanta Center Macon

255.400 - Flight Service


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

DX Logs - 19 October 2008

PA3GSU, 1353, 18.140 USB, 58, Ietsen in Netherlands

DL1A, 1410, 14.242 USB, 57, Club Station C-30 in Munich, Germany

DF8WZ, 1458, 18.134 USB, 58, Stan in Edertal-Bergheim, Germany

CO4LS, 2042, 14.260 USB, 59, Jorge in Isla de la Juventud, Cuba


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

K4S - Boy Scouts Jamboree on the Air Station, 18 October 2008

Saturday morning broke with rainy skies and muddy ground out at the Oglethorpe Speedway in Pooler, GA. Despite the conditions, we were still determined to get on the air with the Boy Scouts. We hung sides on the tent shelters to keep the equipment dry, fought the mud, and started making contacts. Band conditions were good on Saturday morning and there was plenty of activity.

We had four stations set up this year. Philip, KA4KOE had his "Green" military HF radio set up for HF contacts. Ralph, W4REQ had his FT-857 set up for HF and 6 meters. Dan, KF4MND brought his Echolink equipment out and set up an Echolink node. The fourth station was my FT-897 for HF and 6 meters. I brought a G5RV Jr. (40-meters through 10-meters) to use with my station and I couldn't have been more happy with how it performed. I used it on 40, 20, and 17 meters with excellent signal reports when we weren't fighting QSB. In addition to working the radios with the Scouts, Philip also gave some soldering demonstrations and lessons.

It was great fun working with the Scouts. We were able to qualify several Scouts for their radio badges and started others on the road toward theirs. Several Scouts were really enthusiastic about amateur radio and seemed to be prospective hams. I enjoyed working with the Scouts just as much as I did working with the radios.

I would like the thank a couple of stations in particular for helping the Scouts get contacts: KE4AMC and W4C. KE4AMC, Darryll worked five of the Scouts on Saturday morning. W4C, the USCG Auxiliary 69th Anniversary Special Event Station in Merritt, NC took time out of working contacts with the special event station to work three of the Scouts.

The day began with rain, turning the ground in the foreground to mud.

The mud in evidence on my boot!

Dan, KF4MND gets some Scouts on the air at the Echolink node.

Philip, KA4KOE teaches soldering skills.

Ralph, W4REQ explains the spectrum and band plans.

Guy, K4GTM and Ted, KJ4EGZ get Ted's son Shane another contact.

Ralph, W4REQ and a Scout make a 6-Meter contact; Jerry, W4SGA was on the other end.

Ryan, KJ4EIC gives a demonstration of Philip's "Green" radio.

Ryan, KJ4EIC and Ted, KJ4EGZ attempt a contact with the International Space Station

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT

kf4lmt@comcast.net

K4S Jamboree on the Air Station is on the Air

This afternoon Philip, KA4KOE, Ralph W4REQ, Doug KF4EFP, and myself hung antennas at the Oglethorpe Speedway JOTA site and got two stations on the air. Murphy's Law was in full effect as several problems popped up while hanging antennas (line failures and equipment failures!). Philip also had some problems getting his "Green" radio up and running, but it did get going on 80-meters using his homebrew antenna. We also got my FT-897D up and running on a G5RV Jr. antenna.

Operating as K4S, we made a few contacts in the evening on 40-meters and 20-meters. On 40-meters we worked N2Y, another JOTA station in Syracuse, NY. On 20-meters, I got an initial signal check from the Maritime Mobile Service Net on 14.300 then worked K7P, the Cama Beach Special Event Station in Washington state followed by WD5JB and KE5SPE in Texas.

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

K5S - East Ship Island, MS Activation

This afternoon while dialing through the 40m band, I happened upon the station K5S calling CQ on 7.243 LSB. Hearing a 1x1 callsign, I answered his CQ passing and receiving a 59 signal report. After I made my contact with the station, it immediately became apparent that he had a good sized pileup.

I had not yet had the chance to look them up when K5S announced that they were a special event station activating East Ship Island, MS. The further explained that this was the first time that East Ship Island had been activated. The island has the IOTA number NA-082, US Island Number MS009S, and Lighthouse number USA-756.

For more information, take a look at their website: http://www.k5s-na082.com/

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

DX Log - 16 October 2008

LU5FC, 2031, 28.430 USB, 59, Jesus in Rosario, Argentina

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Boy Scouts Jamboree on the Air "JOTA" on October 18, 2008

This Saturday, Savannah area amateur radio operators will be at the Boy Scouts Camporee at Oglethorpe Speedway providing amateur radio stations and other radio related activities to support the Boy Scouts JOTA, or Jamboree on the Air. Some of us will be there Friday afternoon to help set up the stations and other equipment while other will join us on Saturday morning (18 October 2008) to get on the air.

We'll be using the special event callsign K4S, so listen out for us on the HF bands as well as 2-Meters. 2-Meter communications out from the JOTA will be on the 146.970 repeater, on site 2-Meter communications will be on 146.520. HF frequencies have not been predetermined, so look for us throughout the bands. In addition to getting the scouts on the air and helping them make contacts for their radio badges, we'll also be doing radio direction finding and educating them on the RF spectrum.

Personally, I'll be on the air sometime Sunday with my nephew Kaleb. He's a new Cub Scout and I'll be trying to get him some JOTA contacts from the home station, so please listen out for KF4LMT on Sunday.


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Misadventures in Amateur Radio

For the last few days I'd been receiving poor signal reports on HF after initially getting good signal reports after I started operating on HF back on 4 October 2008. I was beginning to wonder if there was a problem with the radio or the antenna. What really topped things off was when I said hello to Heyward, KT4RW on 40 meters this afternoon. Heyward lives over around 307 and I-16 and told me he couldn't hear me very well.

This evening I finally found out why I was getting the poor reports like the 22 I got from W4TDC on 17 meters. Back on 11 October, my father, AF4KL was using the 897 to try to make a QRP contact on 10 meters. To operate QRP, of course, he dialed the power back to 5 watts. I forgot to dial it back up, so I've been working on 5 watts for the better part of a week!

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Savannah Fire and Emergency Services Truck 16

A couple of days ago, I posted about my father hearing an ENGINE 16 on Savannah Fire talkgroups. I must admit that I got that wrong, he told me TRUCK 16, not ENGINE 16 and I just didn't remember the conversation correctly once I got around to blogging about it.

This evening, I got an email from the Savannah Fire and Emergency Service Public Information Officer, Captain Matthew Stanley. Capt. Stanley said that TRUCK 16 is currently operating out of Station 6, which is at Liberty Parkway and Ogeechee Rd. They have put TRUCK 16 in service to better protect the new growth in the areas of Ogeechee Rd. and Chatham Parkway. Eventually they will locate it at a new station on Chatham Parkway for which they are currently searching for a location.

Thanks to Captain Stanley for the information!

Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Recently Modified Shack Layout

I recently made some changes to my monitoring/amateur radio shack. I had several goals in mind: 1) reduce RFI and heat from the old CRT monitor, 2) facilitate dual monitoring/use of the 2 Meters and HF amateur bands, and 3) make use of the radio controls more convenient. All three of the goals were accomplished with minimal effort.


The photo above shows the full station layout. To the left is a new 15" Acer LCD monitor for the computer. The LCD takes up less space, generates far less heat, and is much lighter than the old CRT. It has taken stress off of the desk, reduced the temperature around the radios, and has allowed me to move the radios closer to my seating position. I've angled the radios toward me to allow for easier viewing. The first bank of scanners next to the LCD are (top to bottom) 2 Uniden BC780XLTs and a Uniden BC796D. The second bank of scanners are a Radio Shack Pro-2050, a Radio Shack Pro-2052, and a Radio Shack Pro-2005. On the far right end of the desk is a Yaesu FT-897D with an LDG AT-897 tuner and a Yaesu FT-2800 (the speaker goes to the 897, I'm using the internal speaker for the 2800).

The two BC780XLTs scan military aviation. One is programmed with unit frequencies, the other is programmed with operating area, range, and aerial refueling frequencies. The BC796D is programmed with the Chatham-Effingham TRS, the Fort Stewart-Hunter AAF TRS, and various conventional VHF/UHF frequencies. The Pro-2050 is more or less a reserve radio that gets pressed into occaisonal use for finding new analog TGs or scanning VHF/UHF public safety conventional frequencies. The Pro-2052 is used to scan military low band frequencies and some UHF military airband frequencies.


The Yaesu FT-897D is fed from a G5RV inverted vee for HF. It shares a Jetstream JTB4 triband vertical with the FT-2800 for the 6 Meter, 2 Meter, and 70cm bands. Under normal operating conditions, the triband vertical stays connected to the FT-2800. I use the FT-897D for both amateur radio operations and utility monitoring. The FT-2800 also has marine VHF frequencies programmed in for monitoring the Coast Guard. Despite being at the far end of the desk, my long arms are able to work all of the controls on both radios. Many of the FT-897s functions can also be controlled by the computer with Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD). I usually have HRD running, but I generally use it only for logging purposes; there is still something fun about touching the radio and spinning the dial.


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Skywarn Spotter Class - 13 November 2008

A Skywarn Weather Spotters Class is being offered on 13 November 2008 by the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service in Charleston. Chatham County ARES is trying to get a group of amateur radio operators together to take the course; if you are interested, contact the Chatham County Emergency Coordinator, Guy McDonald at guy@guymcdonald.net to get on the list.

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Savannah Fire and Emergency Services Engine 16?

On Friday, my father reported hearing Savannah Fire and Emergency Services operating an ENGINE 16. From what he heard it could possibly be operating on the westside of the city limits.

Has anyone else heard ENGINE 16 or does anyone have any information on where it may be operating out of?

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

DX Logs - 11 October 2008

TI7/N5BEK, 2011Z, 28.505 USB, 59, Phil in Costa Rica

EB7DX, 2135Z, 14.250 USB, 58, David in Huelva, Spain

KG4WV, 2242Z, 18.119 USB, 59, Bill in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

IK4GRO, 2249, 14.242 USB, 59, Lauro in Northern Italy


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

DX Logs - 10 October 2008

HG1848I, 1314Z, 14.250.6 USB, 59, Hungary, Special Event Station Commemorating the 160th Anniversary of 1848 Hungarian War of Independance

F5RQQ, 1347Z, 18.126 USB, 57, Jean, 300km south of Paris

F2YT, 1358Z, 18.139 USB, 59, Paul, 200km north of Paris

YN2BT, 1608Z, 14.238 USB, 59, Fernando in Nicaragua

V31BG, 2202Z, 18.155 USB, 59, Bill in Belize


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

HF Radio Operations

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I upgraded my amateur radio license from Technician class to General Class this past Saturday. The FCC ULS showed by upgrade by Tuesday afternoon, so I was able to drop the /AG designation quicker than I thought I would be able to.

Over the week, I've done some HF operating to exercise my new band priveleges. I got a warm welcome from the Georgia Cracker net on 3.995 LSB and the South CARS Net on 7.251 LSB on Sunday morning. I've also developed a routine of checking into the Maritime Mobile Service Net on 14.300 USB in the afternoons (as I type, I'm monitoring them handling emergency traffic from a 41' Sloop in the North Pacific).

Sunday was also the California QSO Party, so I was able to collect a number of California contacts over my first weekend with HF privleges.

I've also managed to work a bit of DX on 20 meters and 15 meters:

CU2A - Martti in the Azores
TI2CCC - Gene in Costa Rica
JW8DW - Karl in Svalbard (Yeah, I had to look it up too!)
KP4ZY - Jose in Puerto Rico
FG/DM2KJ - Jens in Guadeloupe
IZ6BXV - Tony in Italy
IW3SNW - Giorgio in Italy
SV9CVY - Mike in Crete

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

I Passed the General Test

This morning, after working the midnight shift, I took my General Class amateur radio test at the Coastal Amateur Radio Society VE session at Southside Fire Station #1. I managed to pass the test, missing only one question (I was tripped up on a question about parallel conductor feedline).

I tried to get some sleep this morning, but a yard crew next door made too much noise; it's hard to sleep when someone is running a blower right outside of your window! I decided to sleep after lunch and turned on the FT-897 to try out my new priveleges. First, I checked into the Georgia ARES Simulated Emergency Test net on 3.975 LSB. After listening to the net for a bit, I made contacts with two special event stations on 40 meters: the Thomas Jefferson Poplar Forest station N4J on 7.265 LSB and one of the Motorola 80th Anniversary stations K9MOT on 7.280 LSB.

Later in the evening, after waking up I tried my hand at 20 and 15 meters. I made two contacts in California via the California QSO Party on 20 meters: W6YI ad KS6T. I also made a DX Contact to the Azores, working CU2A on 14.291. Next I tried 15 meters, making a contact with Gene, TI2CCC in Costa Rica.

I also decided to try 60 meters. Research on the internet showed that a G5RV has only slightly more gain than a 60 meter dipole, so I dialed the power back to 40 watts and gave it a try. Many thanks go to Larry, KC0TPP and Jerry, KB0WVI for answering my call on 5.373.

Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

USS Arleigh Burke in Savannah

The USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) is visiting Savannah this weekend for Oktoberfest.

This morning on 156.650, Marine VHF Ch. 13, I heard USS WARSHIP 51 moving up the Savannah River. A quick check of the Naval Vessel Registry showed the FFG-51, which is a Pacific ship and DDG-51, which is a the Arleigh Burke out of Norfolk. A quick check of the shipping schedule in the newspaper doubly confirmed it as the DDG-51.

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Military Monitoring Recap; 15-30 September 2008

Hunter AAF
124.975 - Tower
279.575 - Tower
285.425 - Tower
121.800 - Ground
291.675 - Ground
126.200 - Base Ops
309.000 - PMSV
406.1625 - Tower/Base Ops
406.7625 - POL
415.1625 - Trans Alert
77.725 - 224 MI Bn "SUNNY OPS"
345.000 - USCG Air Station Savanah Ops


ARMY 26558 (UH-60L, A/2-3 AVN)
ARMY 26596 (UH-60L, A/2-3 AVN)
ARMY 26456 (UH-60L, 4-3 AVN)
ARMY 45462 (AH-64D, 1-10 AVN)
ARMY 45479 (AH-64D, 1-10 AVN)
ARMY 57007 (AH-64D, 1-10 AVN)
ARMY 57012 (AH-64D, 1-10 AVN)
ARMY 75503 (AH-64D, 1-10 AVN)
ARMY 75505 (AH-64D, 1-10 AVN)
ARMY 75516 (AH-64D, 1-10 AVN)
ARMY 03750 (MH-47G, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 03751 (MH-47G, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 26286 (MH-60L, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 26350 (MH-60L, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 26408 (MH-60L, 3-160 SOAR)
SUNNY ## (RC-12N, 224 MI Bn)
GUARD 295 (CH-47D, B-169 AVN)
COAST GUARD 6548 (HH-65C, Savannah)
COAST GUARD 6560 (HH-65C, Savannah)
COAST GUARD 6575 (HH-65C, Savannah)
COAST GUARD 6581 (HH-65C, Savannah)
NAVY 7B 146
NAVY LL 11 (P-3C, VP-30)
NAVY LL 23 (P-3C, VP-30)
PAT 0507
PELICAN 85 (P-3C, VP-45)


Savannah IAP/CRTC
119.100 - Tower
257.800 - Tower
121.900 - Ground
348.600 - Ground
120.400 - Approach/Departure
380.025 - Approach/Departure
244.875 - Approach/Departure
125.300 - Approach/Departure
387.100 - Approach/Departure
118.400 - Approach/Departure
307.225 - Approach/Departure
225.750 - 165 AW CP
225.050 - 165 AW air-to-air, air-to-ground
237.000 - CRTC Ops
123.575 - Gulfstream Test Ops


DAWG 0# (C-130H, 165 AW)
GULF TEST ## (Gulfstream Test)
NAVY LA 051 (P-3C, VP-5)
PAT 049
RICAN 76 (C-130, 156 AW)
RICAN 77 (C-130, 156 AW)
COAST GUARD AUXILIARY N7041C
GEORGIA CAP 921


Fort Stewart/Wright AAF
127.350 - Marne Radio
279.626 - Marne Radio
126.250 - Wright AAF Tower
269.275 - Wright AAF Tower
271.100 - Range Control
280.088 - Range Control


MCAS Beaufort
328.425 - Approach/Departure
292.125 - Approach/Departure
281.800 - Base Ops
264.500 - PMSV
344.200 - VMFA(AW)-224 Base
250.300 - VMFA(AW)-224 Tac 1
258.900 - VMFA(AW)-224 Tac 2
313.800 - VMFA-251 Base
327.475 - VMFA-251 Tac 2
228.200 - VMFA-312 Base
301.950 - VMFA-312 Tac 1
320.300 - VMFA-312 Tac 2
354.400 - VFA-86 Base
308.925 - VFA-86 Tac 1
363.825 - VFA-86 Tac 2

KAISER 1# (F/A-18, MAG-31)
BENGAL 4# (F/A-18D, VMFA-224)
TBOLT 5# (F/A-18C, VMFA-251)
CHECK 6# (F/A-18, VMFA-312)
WINDER ## (F/A-18C, VFA-86)


Charelston AFB
349.400 - Command Post "PALMETTO OPS"
134.100 - Command Post "PALMETTO OPS"
372.200 - PTD
118.150 - North Field CCT
235.775 - North Field CCT

GRITS ## (C-17, 437th AW/315th AW)
LIFTR ## (C-17, 437th AW/315th AW)



Shaw AFB
381.300 - Shaw AFB CP
252.100 - Shaw SOF
140.200 - Shaw SOF
342.500 - Shaw PMSV
311.200 - 55th FS "SHOOTER OPS"
139.975 - 55th FS air-to-air
142.400 - 55th FS air-to-air
320.525 - 55th FS air-to-air
138.150 - 79th FS air-to-air
139.925 - 79th FS air-to-air
141.550 - 79th FS air-to-air
141.600 - 79th FS air-to-air
141.700 - 79th FS air-to-air

COBRA ## (F-16CJ, 55th FS)
CUSTER ## (F-16CJ, 55th FS)
FLEX ## (F-16CJ, 55th FS)
SHOOTER ## (F-16CJ, 55th FS)
STRUT (F-16CJ, 55th FS)
BEAST ## (F-16CJ, 79th FS)
BRONCO ## (F-16CJ, 79th FS)
BULL ## (F-16CJ, 79th FS)
CLAW ## (F-16CJ, 79th FS)
POUNCE ## (F-16CJ, 79th FS)
SLASH ## (F-16CJ, 79th FS)
TIGER ## (F-16CJ, 79th FS)
VIPER ## (F-16CJ, 79th FS)


McIntire JNGB
298.300 - 169th FW "SWAMP FOX OPS"
125.125 - 169th FW V1
141.825 - 169th FW V14
143.625 - 169th FW V15
143.250 - 169th FW V16
149.625 - 169th FW V19
138.025 - 169th FS air-to-air

MACE ## (F-16CJ, 169th FW)
VIPER ## (F-16CJ, 169th FW)


125th Fighter Wing, FL ANG
251.250 - 125th FW Ops/Maintenance
234.800 - 125th FW Aux 6
253.700 - 125th FW Aux 7
343.000 - 125th FW Aux 9

FANG ## (F-15, 125th FW)
SNAKE ## (F-15, 125th FW)


Robins AFB/JSTARS
293.525 - 116th ACW "PEACHTRE OPS"
225.725 - JSTARS Discrete
235.325 - JSTARS Discrete
328.025 - JSTARS Discrete
341.750 - JSTARS Discrete
355.250 - JSTARS Discrete
372.150 - JSTARS Discrete
376.125 - JSTARS Discrete
388.225 - JSTARS Discrete
395.150 - JSTARS Discrete

ALLEYCAT (E-8C, 128th ACCS)
NIGHTSTAR (E-8C, 12th ACCS)
STARGATE (E-8C, 330th CTS Back End)
STRIKESTAR (E-8C, 16th ACCS)
WILEY 89 (KC-135, 190th ARW)


Ranges/Military Operating Areas
119.225 - Townsend Range
228.400 - Townsend Range
343.750 - Bulldog MOA
269.000 - Gamecock D MOA


SEALORD (USN FACSFAC Jax)
120.950 - North Primary
284.500 - North Primary
267.500 - South Primary
313.700 - North Secondary
385.300 - W-157 Discrete
376.900 - W-157 Discrete
349.800 - W-157 Discrete
339.700 - SEALORD Discrete
320.500 - BRISTOL Discrete


DOUBLESHOT (W-161/177)
127.725 - Primary
279.725 - Primary
258.400 - Discrete
381.350 - Discrete


Miscellaneous
ADVANCE (JTAC)
BOLT ## (KC-135, 6th ARW)
CARDFILE 711 (P-3C)
DARKSTAR (E-3, 965 ACCS)
JAKE 14 (KC-135, 186 ARW)
KING 15 (HC-130, 71 RQS)
KING 55 (HC-130, 920 RQW)
MASH 31 (KC-135, 319 ARW)
NAVY LA 49 (P-3C, VP-49)
RAWHIDE 53 (C-2, VRC-40)
ROMAN ## (F/A-18, VFA-106)
TEAL 77 (WC-130J, 53 WRS)


364.200 - NORAD AICC
260.900 - NORAD Discrete
285.000 - USN TSC Jacksonville "FIDDLE"
348.900 - AR-600
228.225 - 23rd Wing "ANGEL OPS"


ARTCC
256.900 - Jax Center
269.550 - Jax Center Columbia Low
277.400 - Jax Center Brunswick Low
281.550 - Jax Center Columbia Low
282.200 - Jax Center Jekyll Low
282.300 - Jax Center Alma High
285.650 - Jax Center Statesboro High
290.400 - Jax Center Waycross Low
319.200 - Jax Center Aiken High
322.500 - Jax Center Savannah Low
346.250 - Jax Center St. Augustine
351.700 - Jax Center Summerville High
363.200 - Jax Center Allendale Low
370.950 - Jax Center Georgetown High
379.100 - Jax Center Charleston Low

323.000 - Atlanta Center Macon

255.400 - Flight Service


Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

K4S - Citizens Conservation Corps/Bacon Park Special Event Station, 27 September 2008

Last Saturday, I participated in an amateur radio special event station commemorating the 75th Anniversay of the CCC (Citizens Conservation Corps) and the Bacon Park Recreation Area. I was only able to stay from around 0900 to 1100, but I enjoyed my time there even though the bands seemed to be in poor condition. I think there were around 20 contacts made from 0900 to around 1400, mostly on 40 meters. 15 and 20 meters were both quite uncooperative.

The first task was to get a dipole up for 40 meters and a vertical up for other bands:

Mac - AF4KL, Guy - K4GTM, and Mac - KF4LMT

Ed - W4MMQ and Mark - KA4CID help hang the 40m dipole

Bill - K4WP and Kevin - WD0GFG get the vertical ready

Once the antennas were up and the stations assembled, it was time to make some contacts. As I mentioned above, band conditions on Saturday weren't all that good. 40 meters saw some success, but the higher bands like 15 and 20 meters were hit and miss.

Bill - K4WP trying to work 20 meters and Philip - KA4KOE working 40 meters

Bill - AD4AZ tries 20 meters

Kevin - WD0GFG working 40 meters with one of the students from the latest Technician Class License class

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT

kf4lmt@comcast.net