@IrrationalMethod Thanks!

Yeah, that's 720 elements! That's like 700 more than I have. LOL!

@croyle What can I say, you're just a popular guy!

@croyle I have to admit I do that sometimes, but just one call to let the station know I'm waiting in the wings, and then I'd tail on your 73 message.

Especially on VHF+ this is very effective and often necessary to make sure the station I try to work doesn't change their beam before working me.

I agree with your point though that it can be very annoying.

This is the QSL I got today for my best DX ever! My signal traveled about 480,000 miles or 770.000 km to reach my neighbor 148 miles/237km from me. 😄

This is for my first ever EME QSO. The QSO took place on 70cm using the Q65 mode on 1/4/2026. It's so cool that these digital modes make it possible for little pistols like me to at least work very large stations via the moon.

#Hamradio bucket list item achieved.

Just so you know, we're still doing this thing on #6m #FT8, including double hops into AZ and CA.

#hamradio #AmateurRadio

@gmoretti @KZ4LN I sure hope to work you some time! I don't think I have JS8Call installed, but will check into it. 10m was open here before too, but mostly to the Caribbean and South America.

@gmoretti @KZ4LN It's closed for me right now, but I just saw VE3EJ working ZL3RC and ZL3OY still.

I dropped a note on the email lists of the local VHF+ clubs to alert them.

My antenna is a 3 element yagi at 9m, and was running 750W. 100W would have been plenty, but my amp is always on when I'm on 6m and didn't even think to turn it off.

I don't know what the ham population spread is in New Zealand, but this opening was laser sharp for me. All stations were from the Christchurch area.

@KZ4LN No kidding!

I should've known something was up ever since I worked MN on 6m this morning. 😁

@KZ4LN Yeah, this is bonkers, especially in February!

I was doing something else and then I looked over my shoulder to the sceen and see the ZL stations. I figured I was on HF still as I was poking around on HF listening to some SSB, but didn't know how fast to hit the TX button once I realized I was on 6m. 😂 Indeed 🤯

I think they're just as surprised as I am about this opening as two of them worked me a second time. LOL! 😀 Amazing!

Whoa Nelly! Just worked six New Zealand stations on #6m #FT8!

Speaking of being in the right place at the right time...WOW!

#hamradio #amateurradio

@n6utc I get a decent 70 degree pass from it tonight, but my sat rotator is frozen.

@IU2THY That's a very nice antenna system you have! I hope to replace my satellite antennas for something like you have someday.

@PE4KH @pa8mm Same here. HI is the only state I still need on 6m and I can't tell you how many of them I worked that were really somewhere on the West Coast (same beam heading for me). Now when I work a KH or similar prefix, I just assume they're not in Hawaii.

@HopelessDemigod Dialup ISP?

@pa8e I've known CW for over 25 years, and really only use it for VHF+ at times, and I'm still very nervous when I make a CW QSO on HF, which is very very rare. Not afraid to admit that. 😄

The cheat sheet is a great idea. Someone showed that to me many years ago too. I also like his worse case scenario story. Very funny! 😄

@pa8e That's indeed a great video. I hope that one day you get to make your own documentary and look forward to watching it. Maybe you can help break down the stereotype of a hamradio operator in Holland.

@n8dmt @kilroy_was_here @KD3BTG I see folks making lots of cool things with their 3D printers and at times I wish I had one myself. Someone once mentioned 3D printing at the library. I still have to check into that.

When it comes to cost effectiveness, hamradio is definitely not the hobby to be in. 😀 (I guess it depend on to what extend you practice the hobb.)

@bitsplusatoms I really miss Adam Farson's (AB4OJ/VA7OJ) test reports on Icom radios. I also like the reviews by RSGB's Peter Hart.

I'm in the same boat. I'd like to replace the 7300 I have now with a MK2.

@kilroy_was_here You are already going a different route, so this is a bit less relevant...one thing to keep in mind is that most remote coax switches are only meant to switch antenna systems that have a very low SWR. Even though you don't switch a hot load, the contacts may not be rated for whatever crazy load you present the switch with in an unmatched situation. I've remotely switched window line fed doublets before, but made sure to use beefy relays.