Some of you heard me talk about number 3 son also named Bob who is licensed as N7ND. Bob was 15 years old and licensed almost 30 years ago as a Novice reaching Extra before the year was over. He was very active for about three years and then put the gear aside to pursue an education. Ten years later, after he settled in Boulder, Colorado, he went back on the air and has been working the lower bands even though he lives in an area where space is very limited. The following are excerpts from e-mails we exchanged starting after Thanksgiving.

Thursday, December 1st

I will try to get on 160m this weekend during the contest. I don't have a permanent antenna but if the winds are calm during the evening (they frequently are this time of year because we get cooler, stable air near the surface after the sun sets) I'll send up a wire on some balloons. I am missing only Maine for 160m WAS. Maybe I can get it this year? Bob, N7ND

Friday, December 2nd

I just got Maine for my 160m WAS!

My balloon antenna didn't work as planned but it did well enough for this purpose. I had a thin wire attached on top of a 32' aluminum pole and hooked the wire up 10 helium balloons. The wind is pretty calm tonight but not calm enough for 10 balloons---the wire got hung up in a tree around 40' so I had sort of an inverted L antenna --- which isn't too bad. It would take about 20 balloons to get the wire up quickly so that it cleared the trees and I might try that tomorrow. But anyhow, I tried the L antenna and heard quite a few east coast stations (not so much west coast---which was nice) and after a few hours I heard K1PQS in the clear and what is more amazing, he heard me.

Now I'll probably set up a proper 160m antenna and wonder what all the fuss was about. Bob, N7ND

Congratulations! What were your previous antennas? Bob, N7KTP

Thursday, December 8th

I didn't imagine it would be as difficult as it was when I first started but in retrospect, I should have. My antenna is 32' on 160m – that’s like 16' on 80m, 8' on 40m, 4' on 20m and 2' on 10m. Plus 160m has the most atmospheric noise.

part for long range communication) of the antennas in both cases should be similar. I think you can see this readily using EZNEC Bob, N7ND

Bob, N7ND, accomplished this with a Kenwood TS-520 which he bought brand new. Moral of the story is that in ham radio innovation and persistence will lead to success no matter how long it takes.

Bob, N7KTP

The following equipment is surplus to my needs and is for sale. I am one of the VE group in Bremerton.

Kenwood TS-50S -- This is almost new in the box quality has all the factory goodies and original packaging. $500 is my asking price, but open to offers. Product description at http://www.eham.net/reviews/review/40020

Hi-Q 2.5 RT (screwdriver type) mobile 80-6 mtrs. Used but in good shape. Asking $260 Product description at http://www.hiqantennas.com/Hi-Q-RT-S.htm 

k7rlk@kalkwarf.com

bob@kalkwarf.com 

Or call me 360-377-6903

Visit the NKARC domain: at: http://www.nkarc.org and take a look at what is there.

If you have any items advertised on the site and they have been sold, please notify the webmaster to remove them. If you have any questions or ideas, email webmaster Bill,W7ARC at:

webmaster@nkarc.org.