A-1 Operator Club

Latest Rig at N4LA

Yes I sold my K3 !!

But 

No Regrets

This is a awesome radio !!

Scouting for SOTA Spots !!

New

 SOTA Activations 

COMING SOON

Looking up to the top of Comers Rock W4V/WV013  (10pts)

Accompanied by W4TJE & NW4N

A view from the top !!

Saturday Hike

Saturday after lunch, my 14 yr old decided she wanted to go hiking. And I decided to take some of my portable radio gear along on the hike. My portable set up included a Yaesu 857d @ 50 watts, a Buddipole A123 lithium battery pack.... and 20 meter end fed antenna from LnR Precision.I logged all contacts with my smartphone and piglet interface from Pignology Inc. I made 6 contacts with the following stations ...
N8DNX ... W3JA ... KD0ETC ... NV2K ...
W4CBS ... KA7BSA
Thanks guys for giving me a call.
73 de N4LA

HamQSLer ?

HamQSLer is the premier free, open source program for designing and printing your QSL cards. HamQSLer allows you to design professional looking QSL cards, and then either print them with QSO information added on your own printer, or save them to JPEG files for forwarding to a QSL print shop.
Below are 3 more examples of simple QSL cards you can create in minutes, after you get familiar with the software.

I was almost out of QSL cards ... so I started looking for something more than a basic design. Which I have used for years. I wanted one of those nice picture cards ...  until I checked the price ! Then I stumbled across a program called HamQSLer.

The software is not complicated at all, but I do recommend reading the PDF help files before you attempt to create your own QSL card.

One of the neat features I liked was creating a picture within a picture.You can also control the size of both pictures !

You can even download your adif log file into the program and it will print your qso's on your QSL card for you. 

You can add,  logo's .... designs ...... make 2 sided cards .... create photo cards .... etc.

Sure you have to buy printer ink and good card stock or photo paper .... but it's a lot of fun designing any card you want.You can have a different card for each ham event. The possibilities are endless !!

It has plenty of features that I haven't mentioned. So go to the website and check it out !

Click on the link below

HamQSLer

Remember

73 de N4LA

"Get RADIO-ACTIVE"

Another 2014 Ice Storm !

Well spring starts this week. Or at least that's what they say. Here's a picture of my multiband yagi covered with ice ! I sure hope the wind doesn't get up. Or I'm in trouble !

A testimonial of the new Key Concepts straight key !!

Hi Todd ...

Hope u are well. At long last a parcel arrived today! I must say it was well wrapped, well this magnificent key emerged from the box, a CW masterpiece of engineering! I must commend you on a wonderful ham radio product full of quality, after reading start up procedure it was into the shack to hook it up, WOW! CW sending never felted this good. My old German junker was the standard for nice sending but pro pump key smashes that now! What a joy it is to use this key and to look at, just had to mention it, sending u some photos me using key and my collection best regards ..... Romano (EI5EN).

This is Todd at Key Concepts .......

Many of you already know that I am now producing custom made CW KEYS ... exclusively for LNR Precsion in Randleman NC. Our (NT9K Design) "Pro Pump" is the 1st new production key of 2014. It includes solid brass components, with a "clear" satin brass sealant applied, to protect and prevent the key from tarnishing.. The base is made of top quality cold rolled steel with a crinkle black, powder coat finish. This key was designed for those old school operators who love to "pound brass". It weighs in at nearly four and a half pounds ! We hope to design and build more keys in the near future, including single lever paddles ... and small portable keys as well. 

All of our keys are hand crafted ... one at a time. 

They are also individually tested before shipping. 

For info on how to purchase ... click on the link below.

www.keyconcepts.us

73 de N4LA

Todd