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# W3ATB

Adventures and Advice from QRP amateur radio operator Tim Carter

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://w3atb.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Somes Sound Fjord MDI](https://w3atb.com/somes-sound-fjord-mdi/) - Somes Sound Fjord MDI I dusted off my outdoor radio skills on Saturday, June 13, 2026. It's been quite some time since my last adventure. It was a stunning summer day to be on Somes Sound in the heart of Mt Desert Island in Downeast Maine. The scent of seawater floated up into my nostrils.
- [CNHARC 2013 Field Day - Tricks and Treats](https://w3atb.com/cnharc-field-day-tricks-and-treats/) - “I’ve got to take Ed to the hospital,” I urgently uttered through the narrow door opening of Jim Cluett’s, W1PID camouflaged VW vanagon. He was focused on dih’s and dah’s that were filling his camper van like ZZZZZZZZs in an army barracks after the first hard day of basic training. It was a balmy evening,
- [Chesterfield Gorge State Park](https://w3atb.com/chesterfield-gorge-state-park/) - Chesterfield Gorge State Park - POTA K-8027 Activation Yesterday, in the middle of a winter storm, I decided to do a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation at Chesterfield Gorge State Park just west of Keene, New Hampshire. I was traveling from my home in Meredith, NH to Holyoke, MA and carved out the time
- [Ham Radio and Road Rally NEFR](https://w3atb.com/ham-radio-and-road-rally-nefr/) - Ham radio is needed in road rally events. I'm Chief of Communications for the NEFR. Watch this video to see what's involved. You'll be amazed.
- [Meshtastic in New Hampshire](https://w3atb.com/meshtastic-in-new-hampshire/) - Meshtastic in New Hampshire - Blazing a Trail Yesterday I dipped my toe into the warm waters of Meshtastic. Two weeks ago my mentor, Jim Cluett - W1PID, put on a magic show with two tiny Meshtastic radios during a pizza party in Andover, NH. Dave Benson, K1SWL, was also in the audience. Jim brought
- [Working K6KPH Maritime Radio Historical Society](https://w3atb.com/working-k6kph-maritime-radio-historical-society/) - Ring..... ring....... ring "Talk to me." Using the caller ID on his phone, my mentor Jim Cluett, W1PID, knew it was me calling. "Jim, guess who I just worked! K6KPH!!! The Maritime Radio Historical Society!" "Tim, that's great! Congratulations. Many operators love to work them." I was just ten days into my CW (Morse code)
- [QSL Card Printing](https://w3atb.com/qsl-card-printing/) - I started my journey down the path of sending and receiving Morse Code in the waning days of the winter of 2012-2013. During the month of March, 2013 I was getting help and encouragement from Hanz Busch, W1JSB and Jim Cluett, W1PID. On April 6, 2013 I made my first unofficial QSO with Bob
- [Adventures & Advice Newsletter](https://w3atb.com/adventures-advice-newsletter/) - Tim Carter's Adventures & Advice Newsletter Use the following form below to sign up for my NEW Adventures & Advice newsletter. The first issue was published Sunday, May 7, 2023. It's FREE for life. My new newsletter is going to cover an almost infinite amount of topics. Each issue is going to put a grin
- [New England Forest Rally Ham Radio](https://w3atb.com/new-england-forest-rally-ham-radio/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, describes why you should volunteer to be part of the emergency communications team at the New England Forest Rally. GREAT PHOTOS/VIDEO here.
- [NEFR South Arm 80-Meter NVIS Test](https://w3atb.com/nefr-south-arm-80-meter-nvis-test/) - On Saturday, October 10, 2020 I (Tim Carter - W3ATB) met with four other dedicated radio operators in Bethel, Maine. Our goal was to solve a pesky communications issue that has plagued the New England Forest Rally (NEFR) for many years. CLICK or TAP HERE to read about the conundrum. A year before at the
- [Boston Marathon 2013 - Bombs, Carnage and Amateur Radio Operators](https://w3atb.com/boston-marathon-2013-bombs-carnage-and-amateur-radio-operators/) - by: Tim Carter, W3ATB (C)Copyright 2013 Tim Carter All Rights Reserved Author's Note: April 16, 2023 - It's come to my attention via an email from one of my newsletter subscribers that ALL of us were most likely pranked on April 16, 2013. There is clear undeniable evidence that the Boston Marathon bombing was a
- [El Yunque National Forest Puerto Rico Adventure](https://w3atb.com/el-yunque-national-forest-puerto-rico-adventure/) - AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is a story about doing outdoor radio at the El Yunque National Rain Forest in Puerto Rico, but the radio operation was a tiny part of the overall experience. It’s my hope you savor the story and are lucky enough to walk away with prizes like I did. “Where are your adventure
- [Star Island Isle of Shoals Mini DXpedition](https://w3atb.com/star-island-isle-of-shoals-mini-dxpedition/) - It all started four or five years ago when my mentor Jim Cluett, W1PID, suggested we take a day trip out to the Isle of Shoals off the seacoast of Rye, New Hampshire. The plan was to setup and do radio using the saltwater and clear view of the horizon to our advantage. I'm always Tim Carter, W3ATB, and Jim Cluett, W1PID visit Star Island at the Isle of Shoals to do outdoor amateur radio.
- [Star Island Isle of Shoals Mini DXpedition](https://w3atb.com/star-island-isle-of-shoals-mini-dxpedition/) - It all started four or five years ago when my mentor Jim Cluett, W1PID, suggested we take a day trip out to the Isle of Shoals off the seacoast of Rye, New Hampshire. The plan was to setup and do radio using the saltwater and clear view of the horizon to our advantage. I'm always Tim Carter, W3ATB, and Jim Cluett, W1PID visit Star Island at the Isle of Shoals to do outdoor amateur radio.
- [Inspiring Kaylee to Learn Morse Code](https://w3atb.com/inspiring-kaylee-to-learn-morse-code/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, creates a new Morse code operator at the Ashland NH railroad station. Kaylee was with her mom while Tim was dressed up as a telegrapher.
- [Cannon Mountain POTA](https://w3atb.com/cannon-mountain-pota/) - Cannon Mountain POTA - Three in One On the first day of autumn 2022, September 21, I had the pleasure to go to the top of Cannon Mountain with Frank Towle, WF1T. Frank and I are fairly active in Parks on the Air (POTA) and we wanted to be the first operators to activate the
- [Livermore Falls State Forest POTA Activation](https://w3atb.com/livermore-falls-state-forest-pota-activation/) - Livermore Falls State Forest - A Hidden Jewel Yesterday I had the pleasure of activating Livermore Falls State Forest K-4924 as part of the popular, and growing, Parks on the Air amateur radio phenomenon. This is a popular swimming site for hundreds of people who want to cool off on a hot day in the
- [Height of Land](https://w3atb.com/height-of-land/) - A 2-meter radio antenna was hoisted 50 feet up into a tree to provide emergency communications for the New England Forest Rally by W3ATB and WF1T.
- [Odiorne State Park Ham Radio Adventure](https://w3atb.com/odiorne-state-park-ham-radio-adventure/) - Odiorne State Park, Kites, and Ham Radio Jim Cluett, W1PID, and I finally got to the beach yesterday at Odiorne State Park in Portsmouth, NH. We had talked and talked about this outing for years, but my new roof, my new deck, a scenic train and other obstacles got in our way. The previous five
- [Acadia National Park POTA Activation](https://w3atb.com/acadia-national-park-pota-activation/) - Acadia National Park Seawall POTA Activation On June 29 and 30th, 2022 I was lucky enough to be on Mt. Desert Island (MDI) in Downeast Maine visiting my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. I had the early morning to myself each day and was staying in Southwest Harbor only four miles from the Seawall picnic area
- [Cookie Crumble 2021 Scores](https://w3atb.com/cookie-crumble-2021-scores/) - Cookie Crumble 2021 Scores Call Sign Name Score K4BAI Judge Lanley 13124 N6WT Kent Olsen 12877 W0ITT Gary Freeman 12573 WO9B Mike 12199 W4KAC Ken 9523 KE3V Kevin McKenna 7615 AC2YD Ben Cahill 5978 W1ND Glen 4926 KC3RN Kevin 4349 W4NLT Andy Kubishen 4182 WA4AAK Evan 4114 VE2DDZ Malcolm Harper 3857 KA1CPR Wayne 3842 N4ARY
- [Cookie Crumble 2020 Scores](https://w3atb.com/cookie-crumble-2020-scores/) - Call Sign Name Scores 2020 AF1N Ralph Williams 18173 W4MPS 15133 N3AO Carter Craige 12342 WC3R Emily Saldana 10057 WB3GCK Craig LeBarge 9878 VE2DDZ Malcolm Harper 9592 W2LJ Larry Makowski 9354 K4BAI Judge Lanley 9131 KE3V Kevin McKenna 7342 W1PID Jim Cluett 7321 NJ3K B. Manning 7310 N6WT Kent Olsen 7279 AC2YD Ben Cahill 6429
- [History of Marine Radio as Experienced by Jeff Herman, KH6O](https://w3atb.com/history-of-marine-radio-as-experienced-by-jeff-herman-kh6o/) - Reprinted with permission of the author, Jeff Herman, KH60. Jeff granted me permission so that his personal maritime radio experiences will not be taken to the grave with him. I've added the large descriptive paragraph headers to help maintain reader interest and engagement. Thank you Mr. Herman for allowing me to curate your unique and
- [Three Amigos and One Radio at Profile Falls NH](https://w3atb.com/three-amigos-and-one-radio-at-profile-falls-nh/) - Tim Carter, Jim Cluett, and Dave Benson doing outdoor low-powered radio from Profile Falls in NH. They make contact with Carter Craige in Virginia.
- [Mt. Sunapee State Park POTA K-2666](https://w3atb.com/mt-sunapee-state-park-pota-k-2666/) - Mt. Sunapee State Park Beach - POTA Activation K-2666 Dave Benson, K1SWL, and I met up at Mt. Sunapee State Park on Friday, February 11, 2022 for a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation. It was a sunny and relatively warm day for the middle of winter in New Hampshire. Dave lives nearby and had
- [Katahdin Woods and Waters NPOTA Activation](https://w3atb.com/katahdin-woods-and-waters-npota-activation/) - To activate Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument as part of the American Radio Relay League's (ARRL) 2016 National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) event, you have to want it bad. Really bad. More so than the chasers that want you in their logbooks so they can claw their way up and over other operators trying
- [Veteran's Memorial Ski Area](https://w3atb.com/veterans-memorial-ski-area/) - Yesterday my good friend Jim Cluett, W1PID, and I got a respite from the bitterly cold winter that's gripped central NH like an eagle's talons hold onto a fish plucked from Newfound Lake. We basked in glorious warm sunshine at the base of a tiny ski hill with the temperature nudging 50 F. To put
- [A Warm November Day along the Pemi](https://w3atb.com/a-warm-november-day-along-the-pemi/) - Yesterday my mentor, Jim Cluett W1PID, and I strolled down to the bank of the Pemigewasset River within the US Army Corps of Engineers Hill Village flood-control area in central NH. The temperature was a stunning 62 F and brilliant sunshine washed over us as we tried our luck at snaring contacts out of thin
- [Leaf Peepers 2020 Scores](https://w3atb.com/leaf-peepers-2020-scores/) - Call Sign Name Score AA1SB Neil Collesidis 352 N4ARY Aaron Ray 255 NN9K Peter 231 KA3D Dan Farrell 186 N8BB Werner Haschke 180 AD4CW Marc Richardson 60 W1PID Jim Cluett 52 N8RVE John Morris 45 W2JEK Donald Younger 40 AD4CW Marc Richardson 12 K7ULM Dick Wendell 0 KK4ITX John Leahy 0 AJ4UQ Tom 0
- [South Arm Stage NEFR Radio Challenge](https://w3atb.com/south-arm-stage-nefr-radio-challenge/) - South Arm NEFR - A Tough Radio Challenge The South Arm and Icicle Brook stages of the New England Forest Rally (NEFR) present challenging communications issues for radio operators. The communications for this gravel-road racecourse have been done for years using 2-meter simplex. This radio frequency is considered very high frequency (VHF) as it's in
- [Wellington State Park POTA and WW-FF Activation](https://w3atb.com/wellington-state-park-pota-and-ww-ff-activation/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, and Dave Benson, K1SWL, do a joint Parks on the Air outdoor radio activation at Wellington State Park on Newfound Lake in NH. Video here.
- [Mt. Cardigan NH POTA and WW-FF Activation](https://w3atb.com/mt-cardigan-nh-pota-and-ww-ff-activation/) - Dave Benson, Jim Cluett and Tim Carter do outdoor radio at Mt. Cardigan SP in central NH. It was a wonderful summer day and a POTA and WW-FF radio activation.
- [2021 Cookie Crumble QRP Contest Days Away](https://w3atb.com/2021-cookie-crumble-qrp-contest-days-away/) - The 2021 Cookie Crumble QRP contest is on Sunday, June 6, 2021. CLICK or TAP HERE for rules. Be sure you check to see if you already have your Cookie Crumble Number before signing up again.
- [Morse Code and Boy Scout Troop 68 - Laconia, NH](https://w3atb.com/morse-code-and-boy-scout-troop-68-laconia-nh/) - On Monday night, February 18, 2013, I had the pleasure to assist four other ham radio operators at Boy Scout Troop 68's meeting in Laconia, NH. It was Show and Tell night, and the topic was amateur radio. Believe it or not, the Scout Troop has a very nice little ham shack equipped with a very
- [How To Crossband Repeat Ham Radio](https://w3atb.com/how-to-cross-band-repeat-ham-radio/) - What is Crossband Repeat? Crossband repeat is the re-transmission in real-time of one signal from one band, typically UHF, on another band often VHF. Imagine talking into your HT using just one watt of power on a 70-cm frequency. Your dual-band mobile or base-station VHF radio hears your 70-cm transmission and immediately re-transmits it on
- [New England Forest Rally - Radio Equipment](https://w3atb.com/new-england-forest-rally-radio-equipment/) - New England Forest Rally - Radio Equipment The radio equipment you bring to the New England Forest Rally (NEFR) is of the utmost importance. Here are just a few reasons: Your radio equipment may save someone's life You need to be able to communicate with all other operators in case something happens at or near
- [80 Meter NVIS Antenna](https://w3atb.com/80-meter-nvis-antenna/) - 80 Meter NVIS Antenna - Don't Get Hung Up on Theory UPDATE: Since this article was originally published, I went to the pesky South Arm NEFR stage and did an official 80-meter NVIS test with four other seasoned operators. CLICK or TAP HERE to read about the successful test and listen to the actual audio
- [Gardner Memorial Wayside Park](https://w3atb.com/gardner-memorial-wayside-park/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, set up his radio at Gardner Memorial Wayside State Park and talked with 26 other people in 46 minutes. Great photos and video here.
- [Newport NH Airport Ham Radio Outing](https://w3atb.com/newport-nh-airport-ham-radio-outing/) - Newport NH Airport - Antenna Training Ground Today the signals radiating off my 20-meter resonant dipole antenna were really taking off. It was hung straight down from a majestic pine tree branch next to the grass runway at the Newport, NH airport. The end of the grass strip is adjacent to the Sugar River which you cross using
- [Cannon Mountain Intense DX](https://w3atb.com/cannon-mountain-intense-dx/) - "Tell me everything." That's what I heard when I answered the phone yesterday morning. It was my pal and good friend Jim Cluett, W1PID. He wanted to know how we could take advantage of a stunning summer day here in central NH. The forecast was for 80 F and sunny skies. We both know from
- [Cannon Mountain and The Flume Adventure](https://w3atb.com/cannon-mountain-and-the-flume-adventure/) - "Hey, where's your rig?" Jim Cluett, W1PID, was asking his long-time friend Dick Christopher, N1LT, that question as we were gathered outside all our cars in the NH Park-n-Ride lot at exit 23 on I-93. It was just before 10 a.m. on a sunny late-August day, August 28, 2014 to be exact. "I didn't bring
- [The Mysterious Ledges Sanbornton, NH](https://w3atb.com/the-mysterious-ledges-sanbornton-nh/) - "I can go out today around 2 p.m. I'll have all my work finished by then." I was talking on the phone to my very good friend and QRP outdoor radio buddy Jim Cluett, W1PID. We were going to take advantage of an exceptional late-summer bluebird day even though the temperatures in the upper 50's
- [Sky Pond State Forest Amateur Radio](https://w3atb.com/sky-pond-state-forest-amateur-radio/) - Tim Carter does amateur radio from Sky Pond State Forest in New Hampton, NH. It was a gorgeous spring day and he made 14 contacts.
- [William Thomas State Forest NH](https://w3atb.com/william-thomas-state-forest-nh/) - William Thomas State Forest is a POTA and WW-FF entity. It had never been activated. I may have been the first radio operator to ever set up in the forest!
- [Chemung State Forest Ham Radio POTA Activation](https://w3atb.com/chemung-state-forest-ham-radio-pota-activation/) - Chemung State Forest K-4884 - POTA Activation Today I completed a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation at Chemung State Forest on Chemung Road in Meredith, New Hampshire. Rumor has it this forest has the only nesting site of the last pair of mating New Hampshire flamingos. I have a picture of the nest in
- [Opechee Bay State Forest POTA Activation](https://w3atb.com/opechee-bay-state-forest-pota-activation/) - Opechee Bay State Forest POTA Activation K-4939 - Spring is Here! Today I did a very fast activation of Opechee Bay State Forest in Laconia, New Hampshire. I've driven by this parcel of land for twelve years and never realized until the past week it was a state forest! I thought it was just some
- [Belknap Mountain State Forest](https://w3atb.com/belknap-mountain-state-forest/) - Belknap Mountain Ham Radio | Tim Carter, W3ATB, set up his radio and contacted 40 other operators including ones in foreign lands!
- [Swain State Forest](https://w3atb.com/swain-state-forest/) - Swain State Forest is in central New Hampshire next to Lake Winnisquam. Tim Carter, W3ATB, did outdoor radio from the forest floor.
- [Endicott Rock Ham Radio](https://w3atb.com/endicott-rock-ham-radio/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, set up his outdoor radio at Endicott Rock Historic Site in central New Hampshire. He talked with 15 other radio operators.
- [Outdoor Ham Radio](https://w3atb.com/outdoor-ham-radio/) - Outdoor ham radio is lots of fun. The radios are small, the antennas can be as thin as a piece of string, and you can connect with others across the world.
- [Ellacoya State Park K 2651 Parks on the Air](https://w3atb.com/ellacoya-state-park-k-2651-parks-on-the-air/) - Today was a remarkable weather day here in central New Hampshire. It got up to 61 F but to us locals, it felt like a sweltering 90 F summer day. When you've been tolerating below-freezing weather for months, anytime you get sunshine and temperatures in the 60s with snow still on the ground, it's hot
- [The Former, Probably Original, W3ATB](https://w3atb.com/the-former-w3atb/) - The former W3ATB appears to have been Bill Houck. He emailed me in early February 2021 to let me know. He then mailed one of his original QSL cards. Amazing!
- [Ahern State Park K-2641 POTA and KFF Activation](https://w3atb.com/ahern-state-park-k-2641-pota-and-kff-activation/) - Ahern State Park K-2641 POTA and KFF Activation - Wind and Mud! Today was another rare late-winter stunning warm day here in central New Hampshire. After doing yesterday's activation of Ellacoya State Park I knew I'd go out today. After all, Ahern is just across and down Lake Winnisquam from my house! I pass the
- [Morse Code The Office Segment](https://w3atb.com/morse-code-the-office-segment/) - Morse Code The Office - Morse is not Outmoded, Jim Morse code was featured in an episode of the hit show The Office. Husband and wife team Jim and Pam work together to drive Dwight crazy. Jim Halpert says to Dwight after being accused of sending Morse clicking a ball-point pen, "...and we took a
- [Winter Field Day 2021](https://w3atb.com/winter-field-day-2021/) - Winter Field Day 2021 - Tim Carter, W3ATB, shares his adventure of operating outdoors in New Hampshire on a cold blustery day.
- [Mystery of Mountain Pond](https://w3atb.com/mystery-of-mountain-pond/) - Yesterday, November 7, 2020, my good friend Jim Cluett and I finally hiked to Mountain Pond deep in the woods of New Hampton, New Hampshire. We had been denied this achievement no less than two times in the past two years. Twice before we attempted to get to Mountain Pond from another direction other than
- [Joshua Tree NPOTA Amateur Radio Activation W3ATB](https://w3atb.com/joshua-tree-npota-amateur-radio-activation-w3atb/) - Two weeks ago I was in southern California. I was starting day eight of a ten-day vacation with my youngest daughter Kelly. We were going to see as much of Joshua Tree National Park as possible and I was going to try to activate it as part of the National Parks on the Air year-long celebration
- [Hersey Mountain Hike SOTA](https://w3atb.com/hersey-mountain-hike-sota/) - On Friday, October 9, 2020 I joined my very good friend Jim Cluett, W1PID, on our first outing of the year. Our goal was to get to the top of Hersey Mountain which straddles both Sanbornton and New Hampton, New Hampshire. It was a stunning autumn day with the temperature in the mid-50s. The sun
- [Tiger Tail Antenna](https://w3atb.com/tiger-tail-antenna/) - "It's probably best to just use a length of 19 and 1/4 inches to put you right about in the middle of the 2-meter frequencies." A Tiger Tail Antenna Boosts HT Output - HT on Steroids! A tiger tail antenna is a short piece of flexible wire that connects to the ground side of your
- [SOTA Activation - W6/CT-226 Cerro Negro Benchmark](https://w3atb.com/failed-sota-activation-w6ct-226-cerro-negro-benchmark/) - On Valentines Day, February 14, 2014, I found myself 3,000 miles away from my sweetheart trying to activate a Summits on the Air (SOTA) peak in southern California. My goal was to get at least four contacts from the summit of Cerro Negro Benchmark, W6/CT-226. I failed at achieving the minimum required contacts to get the points for
- [Wire Antenna Winder - A 3:1 Geared Carpenter's Chalk Reel is Perfect](https://w3atb.com/wire-antenna-winder/) - A wire antenna winder can be made using common carpenter's chalk box. The key is to use the correct-sized wire so it winds fast with no snags.
- [Leaf Peepers 2018 Scores](https://w3atb.com/leaf-peepers-2018-scores/) - Call Sign Name Score N2CX Joe Everhart 3264 WA4GIR Joe White 1180 NJ3K Bruce Manning 1152 WB3GCK Craig LaBarge 882 W2RAN Ran 630 N8BB Werner Haschke 320 K1SWL Dave 276 WA1HRH Tom Barker 150 N6IET/P #N/A 96 KE3V Kevin McKenna 75 K8TCS Tad Smedes 72 N8XX Sqawker 48 N8RVE John Morris 45 K0EMT Bryan Nehl
- [Leaf Peepers 2019 Scores](https://w3atb.com/leaf-peepers-2019-scores/) - Call Sign Name Score W4MPS MARC 840 W0ITT Gary Freeman 455 KE3V Kevin McKenna 208 W3ATB Tim Carter 192 W3BBO Bob Reisenweber 90 N8RVE John Morris 10 KK4ITX #N/A 0
- [QRP Afield 2020 Sleepy Tale](https://w3atb.com/qrp-afield-2020-sleepy-tale/) - Yesterday I participated in the QRP Club of New England's annual QRP Afield contest. This low-intensity end-of-summer low-powered radio contest is always scheduled for the third Saturday in September. It turns out it coincided with several other contests. Here are a few that came through my Elecraft KX2 speaker: Scandinavian Activity Contest Iowa QSO Party
- [Zombie Shuffle QRP](https://w3atb.com/zombie-shuffle-qrp/) - "Be brave." Those words were spoken to me many moons ago by my CW, QRP and outdoor radio sensei Jim Cluett, W1PID. He wasn't talking about the Zombie Shuffle, a fun low-intensity contest that's held each year on the Friday night that's closest to Halloween. This year the shuffle was on Halloween Eve, a perfect dark
- [Skeeter Hunt 2020](https://w3atb.com/skeeter-hunt-2020/) - I participated in the Skeeter Hunt low-powered amateur radio contest today set up on a 90-acre tract of land I own in central New Hampshire. Well over two hundred radio operators spread across North America, and possibly other countries, had signed up to see how many contacts they could make in just four hours. I
- [Install MFJ Cub 20M Transceiver in a Clear Box](https://w3atb.com/install-mfj-cub-20m-transceiver-in-a-clear-box/) - A little over two years ago I saw the coolest radio ever. It was a small QRP rig in a clear plastic water-resistant box built by Hanz Busch, W1JSB. I wrote about the experience of seeing this magical radio and you can read my previous post here. Here's a video of what I saw: I was
- [Cheap HF Antenna](https://w3atb.com/cheap-hf-antenna/) - Cheap HF Antenna - Just Use A Simple Wire A cheap HF antenna can be made using a simple piece of wire. You can't get much cheaper than that. Yes, a giant yagi antenna on a tower would be ideal, but you said you wanted cheap. The key is the wire can only be one
- [Cookie Crumble 2018 Scores](https://w3atb.com/cookie-crumble-2018-scores/) - Call Sign Name 2018 Score N3JJT Scott McCamish 10082 W9CC Larry Card 9854 NJ3K B. Manning 9302 N2CX Joe Everhart (SK) 8521 K3SVA Gene Messick 7751 W8RES Bob Stothfang 7749 W8KJ Kevin Jones 6418 KE3V Kevin Noname 6109 KM3D Harry Bump 6006 AB9CA Dave Hottell 5978 WC3R Emily Saldana 5301 N6WT Kent Olsen 4981 W3ATB
- [Cookie Crumble 2019 Scores](https://w3atb.com/cookie-crumble-2019-scores/) - Call Sign Name 2019 Score KE3V Kevin Noname 5147 WC3R 4358 NJ3K B. Manning 3958 W3ATB Tim Carter 3369 KA3D Dan Farrell 3308 KC3FVN Keith Comp 1910 W5QLF Joe Noname 1682 K5LRW 1430 KC7FCW Heidi Morton 1380 W1PID Jim Cluett 1318 K0EMT Bryan Nehl 1225 N3CU Ken MacIntire 1100 WI1G 1054 KM3D Harry Bump 1038
- [Cookie Crumble 2017 Scores](https://w3atb.com/cookie-crumble-2017-scores/) - CALL SIGN NAME SCORE KB3VVE Emily Saldana 12054 KE3V Kevin McKenna 11734 AF1N Ralph Williams 10684 W0IS Richard Clem 7896 W2LJ Larry Makoski 7720 W3ATB Tim Carter 5787 KC3FVN Keith Comp 5783 N3CU Ken MacIntire 5322 KA3D Dan Farrell 5273 W1PID Jim Cluett 5141 K9PH Phil 4673 VA3KOT John 4139 KA1PPV Joseph Molon 4019 KS4YX
- [Dearborn Pond Adventure](https://w3atb.com/dearborn-pond-adventure/) - Dearborn Pond NH - A Mystical Mountain Oasis "I've not yet done my required walk today, so that's number one on my list of things to do," I said as I answered Jim's phone call. "Listen. Let's go hike up to Dearborn Pond. It's the perfect length and I've not been there for going on
- [Tim the Telegrapher](https://w3atb.com/tim-the-telegrapher/) - Ashland Railroad Station 150th Anniversary - Tim Carter the Telegrapher On September 14, 2019, I had the distinct honor to sit at the actual telegrapher's desk in the historic and restored Ashland NH, railroad station as part of their 150th anniversary. A member of the Ashland Historical Society, John Dufrat, applied for a special event
- [Sandia Peak SOTA Activation](https://w3atb.com/sandia-peak-sota-activation/) - Sandia Peak SOTA - See 11,000 Square Miles At Once On Saturday, September 28, 2019, I found myself riding up the Sandia Peak Tram. Here's a video of the tram about to dock at the top of Sandia Peak. This was the last stop in a week-long vacation to northern New Mexico. It was a
- [QRP from KP4 - Puerto Rico](https://w3atb.com/qrp-from-kp4-puerto-rico/) - QRP Radio from KP4 - Puerto Rico On Thursday, October 17, 2019 I found myself gazing out across acres of green lawn washed by the early morning sunlight at Castillo San Felipe del Morro. I had come to Old San Juan Puerto Rico to visit my youngest daughter and re-enact some of my youth
- [The Pemigewasset River Adventure](https://w3atb.com/the-pemigewasset-river-adventure/) - Jim Cluett, W1PID, and I took a walk down to the banks of the Pemigewasset River this afternoon. We were parked at Profile Falls, a recreation area under the supervision of the Corps of Engineers just south of Bristol, NH. The day started off with a magnificent sunrise and when the adventure plan was hatched
- [A QRP Test at New Hampton Meeting House](https://w3atb.com/a-qrp-test-at-new-hampton-meeting-house/) - "Listen, I've got this small Pelican 1120 case with an LNR Mountain Topper rig in it. I have everything in the case to make a fast emergency contact. Let's test it today." This plan was hatched early in the morning as part of the secret message CW training Jim does for me to help improve
- [QRP Aluminum Boat Dock Antenna](https://w3atb.com/qrp-aluminum-boat-dock-antenna/) - Today my good buddy and tormentor, Jim Cluett - W1PID, and I did a fun experiment. We used my 40-foot aluminum crank-out boat dock as an antenna. Watch this video for the full story, then continue to read below. We changed the feed point halfway through the experiment and had success. It's important to realize
- [Antenna in Tree Video](https://w3atb.com/antenna-in-tree-video/) - Antenna in Tree - A Water Bottle Makes it Possible I recorded this video with the help of my good friend Dan Murray in Santa Fe, NM on September 26, 2019. We were at the Randall Davey Audobon Center just up Canyon Road. We had decided to give our wives a well-deserved break and set
- [Cannon Mountain Workout](https://w3atb.com/cannon-mountain-workout/) - Cannon Mountain - Capturing Contacts Challenging My good buddy and friend Jim Cluett, W1PID, and I made a return trip to Cannon Mountain yesterday. It was important for me to be there as I needed to minimize the distance between me and the ionosphere. When you do this, you're above the fray and all of
- [A Perfect Day on the Pemigewasset River](https://w3atb.com/a-perfect-day-on-the-pemigewasset-river/) - Today was another grand summer day here in central New Hampshire. Jim Cluett, W1PID, and I went to one of our favorite hidden gems, the picnic tables next to the canoe and kayak launch ramp along the Pemigewasset River at Profile Falls. The locals call it the Pemi. You can drive right up to the
- [HB1B QRP Radio Audio and Sound Output](https://w3atb.com/hb1b-qrp-radio-audio-and-sound-output/) - I purchased a used HB-1B Four Band CW QRP Quad-Band transceiver in December of 2013. It was in mint condition. Today I finally got to spend some time with the little rig. I was trying to figure out how to switch between the internal speaker and the headphones. The distributor of the HB-1B, Ten-Tech has
- [Winnipesaukee River Trail Radio Adventure](https://w3atb.com/winnipesaukee-river-trail-radio-adventure/) - Today my mentor Jim Cluett, W1PID, took me to one of his favorite hidden places to operate. We were along the bank of the Winnipesaukee River near the boundary of Tilton and Franklin, NH. We had to hike about 1/4 mile along an abandoned spur of the Boston & Maine Railroad line. The mainline tracks
- [Squelch Ham Radio and NEFR](https://w3atb.com/squelch-ham-radio-and-nefr/) - Squelch Ham Radio - Don't Make it Too Tight The 2017 ARRL Handbook defines squelch succinctly: Squelch is the circuit in FM radios that turns off the loud rush of noise with no signal present. The squelch on almost all modern ham radios is adjustable. This is a handy feature but it can also work
- [Ham Radios and the TSA](https://w3atb.com/ham-radios-and-the-tsa/) - Have you wondered if it's okay to take ham radio equipment on commercial airplanes? Will the TSA confiscate the radios from your checked luggage or after they scan them in your carry-on luggage? Guess what, as of December 2013, it's not an issue, even though the radios, antenna wires, and other gear might look very
- [Ken Block 2018 NEFR Crash](https://w3atb.com/ken-block-2018-nefr-crash/) - Ken Block NEFR Crash and Burn Ken Block, a world-class rally driver, crashed at the 2018 New England Forest Rally. His car caught fire immediately. Watch the quick video just below. Then I want you to imagine you're a ham radio operator standing within 100 feet of the burning car. What would you do as
- [NEFR Rally Radio Antennas](https://w3atb.com/nefr-rally-radio-antennas/) - NEFR Rally Radio Antennas - Bigger and Taller is Better Watch this video. It says it all: Here's an EASY-TO-BUILD 2M 1/4-wave ground-plane antenna that could be just the ticket for you:
- [How to Build a 2M J-Pole with Ladder Line](https://w3atb.com/how-to-build-a-2m-j-pole-with-ladder-line/) - Ladder Line 2M J Pole Antenna - Easy to Build Ladder line is heavy duty and can easily handle the 50 watts put out by most mobile radios. A ladder line 2M j pole antenna is a perfect antenna to hang from a tall tree branch to boost your outgoing transmissions and to help you
- [Alvaro Maria Brignone - IU1DUB](https://w3atb.com/alvaro-maria-brignone-iu1dub/) - Alvaro Maria Brignone IU1DUB/MM - Amatuer Radio Operator & Chief Engineer Yesterday I had the unique pleasure of contacting Alvaro while he was sailing on the Atlantic Ocean aboard the MSC Titanio. CLICK HERE to read about my adventure. After publishing the above story, I emailed Alvaro to show him where I was operating from.
- [QRP Longest Streak](https://w3atb.com/qrp-longest-streak/) - QRP Streak - K3WWP John Shannon's Incredible Feat Note from Publisher, W3ATB - Tim Carter: John Shannon, K3WWP, granted me permission to reprint this story about his incredible feat of making at least one QRP contact every day for over 24 years. It's a record that may stand for many many years. I asked for
- [Wellington State Park | Wind and Chilly](https://w3atb.com/wellington-state-park-wind-and-chilly/) - Yesterday I set up at Wellington State Park on a gorgeous mid-October day in central New Hampshire. Wellington State Park is on the west shore of Newfound Lake. Local lore has it that this body of water has the cleanest and purest water of any lake in the state. Joining me on the adventure was
- [Potter Place Sans W1PID](https://w3atb.com/potter-place-sans-w1pid/) - Potter Place NH - A Railroad Museum Today I set up at Potter Place just west of Andover, New Hampshire. I've always come here in the past with my good friend Jim Cluett, W1PID, but today he was not feeling well. Before arriving I had driven northwest to Gardner Memorial Wayside Park. I was on
- [Bald Ledge NH QRP Afield 2018](https://w3atb.com/bald-ledge-nh-qrp-afield-2018/) - Bald Ledge NH - Outdoor Radio Adventure Today Jim Cluett, W1PID, and I hiked to the scenic Bald Ledge overlook about one mile east of Sky Pond in central NH. It was a perfect late-summer day with the temperature just above 80 F and a crystal-blue sky. We intended to participate in the QRP-Afield event
- [Ellacoya State Park POTA Activation K-2651](https://w3atb.com/ellacoya-state-park-pota-activation-k-2651/) - This afternoon I was fortunate to activate Ellacoya State Park in central New Hampshire. I had all sorts of help from Jim Cluett, W1PID and Norman Jackson, K1NAJ. Norman had reached out to me itching to participate with an activation and I was determined to introduce him to the outdoor aspect of Parks on the
- [Ahern State Park POTA Activation K-2641](https://w3atb.com/ahern-state-park-pota-activation-k-2641/) - Ahern State Park - Beauty Beyond the Beach Yesterday my good buddy Jim Cluett, W1PID, and I decided to try to activate Ahern State Park along the eastern shore of Lake Winnisquam in central New Hampshire. I'd been there at least three other times, but it was a first for Jim even though this magical
- [KX2 Case](https://w3atb.com/kx2-case/) - KX2 Case - For Durability Use a Pelican 1200 Case My Elecraft KX2 is protected from damage because it fits snugly and securely inside a Pelican 1200 case. I don't want my radio damaged if I slip and fall on a muddy or icy trail out in the wilderness. What Fits in the KX2 Case?
- [Fay State Forest NH - K-4900 POTA](https://w3atb.com/fay-state-forest-nh-k-4900-pota/) - Fay State Forest - An Enchanted Tiny Woodland Today I activated Fay State Forest in New Hampshire as part of the Parks on the Air (POTA) program. I did it with loads of help from my outdoor radio and CW mentor, Jim Cluett - W1PID. Kay State Forest is a small 200-acre piece of pristine
- [2018 NJ Skeeter Hunt](https://w3atb.com/2018-nj-skeeter-hunt/) - The 2018 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt radio contest was a huge success here in central New Hampshire. It was one of the best times I've had outdoors in a few years because I was able to operate with the two men, Dick Christopher and Jim Cluett, who have offered me the most amateur radio guidance in
- [Flight of the Bumblebees QRP Contest 2018](https://w3atb.com/flight-of-the-bumblebees-qrp-contest-2018/) - Flight of the Bumblebees 2018 Contest "I'm a flippin' operator." I was proclaiming this as I stood over Jim Cluett, W1PID. He was sitting in the warm grass on a knoll on the flanks of Mt. Kearsarge. Jim and I were here with our mutual friend Dave Benson, K1SWL. The three of us were bumblebees
- [Ham Radio Antenna Orientation](https://w3atb.com/ham-radio-antenna-orientation/) - Ham Radio Antenna Orientation - Very Important for 2-Meter Communications Your ham radio will transmit and receive much better if you have the antenna in the proper orientation. Watch this video to get a good understanding of how important ham radio antenna orientation is. What is the Antenna Orientation for 2 Meters? You should hold your handheld
- [Lady the Dog](https://w3atb.com/lady-the-dog/) - Lady the Dog - July 27, 2008 | March 12, 2018 I remember when Meghan, Brent, and I first held you. You had that puppy-fat belly and wanted to get down to run and play with your sister. Do you remember jumping off that retaining wall only to hurt your shoulder? I remember how happy
- [Carter Mountain Road Meadow](https://w3atb.com/carter-mountain-road-meadow/) - Tuesday, April 24, 2018 was the second day of glorious spring here in central New Hampshire. Winters are typically long in Northern New England and just one week before we were dealing with a wretched sleet, ice and freezing-rain storm that spanned two days. We thought spring was never going to show up. Carter Mountain
- [Livermore Falls Campton, NH QRP Adventure](https://w3atb.com/livermore-falls-campton-nh-qrp-adventure/) - The hot temperatures today gave me a chance to do a much-needed outdoor radio adventure with Jim, W1PID at the stunning Livermore Falls located in a deep gorge of metamorphic rock sliced in two by the Pemigewasset River. Livermore Falls Features the Pumpkin Seed Lenticular Arch Bridge Livermore Falls are located within the
- [Nearly Skunked at Livermore Falls October 2015](https://w3atb.com/nearly-skunked-at-livermore-falls-october-2015/) - Jim Cluett, W1PID, and I went to the jaw-dropping Livermore Falls today. It was a bright cloud-free day and even though we're just days away from November, there was still lots of color on the trees. Fall came late this year because of a very warm September. We met to go to the falls after
- [Another Great Day at Livermore Falls NH](https://w3atb.com/another-great-day-at-livermore-falls-nh/) - Two days ago Jim Cluett, W1PID, and I went back to Livermore Falls in Campton, NH. We were blessed with what I thought might be our last really warm day of the year. The temperature was in the mid 60's and had there been no clouds, there's no doubt the thermometer would have climbed above
- [Potter Place - First Outdoor Radio 2018](https://w3atb.com/potter-place-first-outdoor-radio-2018/) - “Listen, I’ll get on your shoulders and I can reach it using the shovel.” Jim Cluett, W1PID, was serious. But keep in mind he’s 71 and I’m a spry 65 years of age and there were at least 12 inches of snow on the ground. No, we weren’t reenacting a segment of some old Laurel
- [Pemigewasset River and Profile Falls Outdoor Radio](https://w3atb.com/pemigewasset-river-profile-falls-outdoor-radio/) - Just as I was getting ready to move two water softener drain lines, I got a text message from my friend Jim Cluett, W1PID. The plan was to set up along the shore of the Pemigewasset River just east of Profile Falls. Profile Falls is one of New Hampshire's many dramatic waterfalls and is located
- [How to Add Call Sign to Facebook Page](https://w3atb.com/how-to-add-call-sign-to-facebook-page/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, shows you the three easy steps to add your call sign to the top of your Facebook page. It's caveman simple.
- [Winter Field Day 2018 Acadia National Park](https://w3atb.com/winter-field-day-2018-acadia-national-park/) - Winter field day 2018 found me 250 miles from home at Acadia National Park. Earlier in the day I was scouting a building lot for my daughter.
- [Portable Multiband Antenna Mast and Support](https://w3atb.com/portable-multiband-antenna-mast-and-support/) - A portable antenna mast is a great thing for public service amateur radio events. You can make one from many materials. GREAT VIDEO HERE.
- [KA9BBQ Matt Steffen and Flight 93 National Memorial](https://w3atb.com/ka9bbq-matt-steffen-and-flight-93-national-memorial/) - NPOTA Flight 93 Activation by W3ATB Each time I think I've syphoned the most pleasure out of the magical happiness machine of ham radio, I get yet another surprise. On Tuesday July 19, 2016 I found myself once again alone at the hallowed ground of the Flight 93 National Memorial. Little did I know that
- [K3Y SKCC Event](https://w3atb.com/k3y-skcc-event/) - I discovered the K3Y SKCC Event in January of 2018. Within 24 hours I was signed up as one of the operators allowed to use the special-event call sign K3Y.
- [Straight Key Night 2018](https://w3atb.com/straight-key-night-2018/) - Straight Key Night is a 24-hour period on January 1st where amateur radio operators keep alive the spirt of Morse code sent with straight keys and bugs.
- [SOTA Activation Mt. Morgan NH W1/NL-009](https://w3atb.com/sota-activation-mt-morgan-nh-w1nl-009/) - Author's Note: My very good friend and mentor Jim Cluett, W1PID, said, as I was writing this story, "Why is it taking so long? It's simple. You hiked, it was hard going in the snow, you got to the top much later than you thought, you were too tired to operate HF and you took
- [Head of the Charles Regatta Ham Radio Beginners Guide](https://w3atb.com/head-of-the-charles-regatta-ham-radio-beginners-guide/) - Tim Carter - W3ATB - shares tips how to survive your first experience as an amateur radio operator at this world-class public service event. PHOTOS and VIDEO
- [Testing Two QRP Antennas](https://w3atb.com/testing-two-qrp-antennas/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, tests a 20-meter resonant dipole antenna against a vertical 33-foot wire that Jim Cluett, W1PID was using. Both were using Elecraft radios.
- [Mt. Washington Bicycle Hill Climb 2017](https://w3atb.com/mt-washington-bicycle-hill-climb-2017/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, volunteered to work emergency communications at the annual Mt. Washington Bicycle Hill Climb. GREAT PHOTOS HERE.
- [Russian Gulch POTA Activation KFF-1192](https://w3atb.com/russian-gulch-pota-activation-kff-1192/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, shares a story about setting up his small radio at Russian Gulch State Park north of Mendocino, CA. GREAT PHOTOS HERE.
- [Mendocino Woodlands POTA Activation KFF-1173](https://w3atb.com/mendocino-woodlands-pota-activation-kff-1173/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, shares a tale of a remarkable POTA activation that happened in the deep redwood forest east of Mendocino, California. GREAT PHOTOS HERE
- [Point Cabrillo Light Station POTA Activation KFF-3536](https://w3atb.com/point-cabrillo-light-station-pota-activation-kff-3536/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, set up his radio at Point Cabrillo Light Station on the California coast. He was trying to make 10 contacts in the POTA program. GREAT PHOTOS
- [Ft. Humboldt POTA Activation - Eureka, CA](https://w3atb.com/ft-humboldt-pota-activation-eureka-ca/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, set up his Elecraft KX3 at Fort Humboldt State Park in Eureka, CA. Using invisible radio waves, he communicated with eight different people.
- [Custom Ham Radio Hats](https://w3atb.com/custom-ham-radio-hats/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, got a surprise custom ham radio hat in the mail the day before his birthday. Who was it from? Turns out it was from W2AYV.
- [Mt. Washington Road Race 2017](https://w3atb.com/mt-washington-road-race-2017/) - I didn't see the sun rise on Saturday June 17, 2017 as I was up early to drive to Mt. Washington. The clouds were thick, low and it felt like it could rain at any moment. With the official start to summer just days away, this was the first radio event of the 2017 season
- [Lamprey Wild and Scenic River WR23 Activation](https://w3atb.com/lamprey-wild-and-scenic-river-wr23-activation/) - The middle of November in New Hampshire is normally a raw and wet time of year. One can expect temperatures in the 40 F range, rain and wind. It's a chill that cuts to the bone. But on Saturday November 19, 2016, Mother Nature treated Nick Mollo, KC1KDY, and me to a stunning sunny, warm
- [NPOTA Greater Boston Activations](https://w3atb.com/npota-greater-boston-activations/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, spins a yarn about his adventure to transmit from for National Park properties in and around Boston, MA on December 28, 2016. GREAT PHOTOS
- [Bald Ledge Scenic Vista](https://w3atb.com/bald-ledge-scenic-vista/) - On Wednesday, October 19, 2016 I hiked with Jim Cluett, W1PID and Dave Benson, K1SWL up to the Bald Ledge scenic vista. We were blessed with a bright sunny day with temperatures pressing up against 70 F. In the sun it felt more like 80 F. The fall color was at its peak and it
- [NPOTA Saint Gaudens NPS Centennial Activation](https://w3atb.com/npota-saint-gaudens-nps-centennial-activation/) - Yesterday, August 25, 2016, I had the pleasure of activating Saint Gaudens National Historic Site with Barry Green, W1JFK and Frank Towle, KC1AAQ. It was my fourth time at this delightful jewel National Park Service (NPS) property. It was even more special because the three of us were there on the 100th birthday of the
- [2016 Flight of the Bumblebees FOBB](https://w3atb.com/2016-flight-of-the-bumblebees-fobb/) - Jim Cluett, W1PID, and I decided to operate together for the annual Flight of the Bumblebees. It's a low-intensity and fun contest. Operators like Jim and myself are some of the bees because we go out into the wild and operate portable. All who are participating in the event want to put as many bees
- [KB3VVE and KC3FVN at the Appalachian Trail](https://w3atb.com/kb3vve-and-kc3fvn-at-the-appalachian-trail/) - I talk to strangers on elevators. Really. It drives my wife Kathy insane. You need to know that to understand how it was that I came to meet Emily Saldana, KB3VVE and her husband Keith Comp KC3FVN in person on a warm summer day in the middle of rural Pennsylvania. I'm an extrovert and I'm
- [Carl, VE3DZB, Canadian Club and a Hustler Whip](https://w3atb.com/carl-ve3dzb-canadian-club-and-a-hustler-whip/) - CW, or Morse code, is a magical form of communication. You just hear a single tone that's interrupted by spaces of different lengths. If you're listening to a person, you can often sense emotion by the changing tone and pitch of her/his voice. While it's possible to do this with CW, it's not practical. That
- [The Magic of NPOTA](https://w3atb.com/the-magic-of-npota/) - "I just QSOd Devil's Tower, Wyoming NPOTA - MN23, 14.275!!!!!! Wa-hoo! Another park, and a first for me to Wyoming!!!" That's the text message I received from Aleda Nichols, KC1CCU, last night as I was relaxing in my living room after dinner. If you were to meet Aleda you'll notice right away she's a shy person,
- [Yosemite NPOTA Amateur Radio Activation](https://w3atb.com/yosemite-npota-amateur-radio-activation/) - On Friday morning, April 29, 2016 I had the distinct pleasure to be high on a ridge just a hundred feet inside the southwest border of Yosemite National Park. I was there with my Elecraft KX3 ready to communicate with at least ten other radio operators. If this happened, I'd successfully *activate* Yosemite
- [Death Valley NPOTA Amateur Radio Activation W3ATB](https://w3atb.com/death-valley-npota-amateur-radio-activation-w3atb/) - Your vision of Death Valley National Park might be like the one I had if you've never visited it before. I equated the name to a place so harsh nothing lives there, not a bush, tree nor creature of importance. I was wrong. Dead wrong. Believe it or not, there's a natural oasis, probably more than
- [Jim Massara N2EST](https://w3atb.com/jim-massara-n2est/) - Jim Massara, N2EST, is a talented artist. I've never met him in person, but hope to one day. I've created this post because if you're an amateur radio operator who loves the QSL card aspect of our hobby, then you need to know about Jim. Just a little under three weeks ago I became
- [STEM Day at Belmont NH Middle School](https://w3atb.com/stem-day-at-belmont-nh-middle-school/) - I spent the better part of yesterday with three other club members, Jim Cluett - W1PID, Glen Aldrich - KC1AAI, and Jim Robinton - N1CRZ in a classroom at the Belmont Middle School in central New Hampshire. We were invited to the school to participate in the STEM day of fun learning. Over twenty regular
- [PD9ZM, A CW Video and Inspiration Magic](https://w3atb.com/pd9zm-a-cw-video-and-inspiration-magic/) - This afternoon, after I finished taping a video about installing expanding foam under a concrete slab, I opened my email to discover a letter written by André Erkelens who lives in Arnhem, Netherlands. I only made it about one third of the way into it before I got choked up. A tsunami of emotions
- [LZ2RS Magic from Bulgaria](https://w3atb.com/lz2rs-magic-from-bulgaria/) - In my last post I mentioned how I made a new goal to do at least one QSO a day. So far I've had no trouble meeting the goal. Surprisingly I'm getting lots of great DX contacts. It really helps to keep the radio on while I'm working and when I hear a strong
- [GM0LVI and the Czech Army Pump Key](https://w3atb.com/gm0lvi-and-the-czech-army-pump-key/) - Just about five years ago, in June of 2011, I was re-introduced back into amateur radio. For the first two years I used my Technician's privileges at outdoor public service events. I had never done any HF and was unaware of its mystic power. That all changed in February of 2013 when I saw
- [Saint Gaudens NPOTA SSB Activation](https://w3atb.com/saint-gaudens-npota-ssb-activation/) - Yesterday Dave Benson - K1SWL, Jim Cluett - W1PID, and myself traveled once again to the peaceful Saint Gaudens National Historic Site. We were there just over a month ago when the harsh New Hampshire winter was interrupted by a warmer day. CLICK HERE to read about that adventure. Typically it would be 41-43 F
- [Profile Falls Ham Radio February 2016](https://w3atb.com/profile-falls-ham-radio-february-2016/) - Today it was 54 F in central New Hampshire at Profile Falls, just south of Bristol, NH when Jim Cluett, W1PID and I decided to take my new Elecraft KX3 radio out for it's outdoor christening. Normally the outdoor temperature would be 20 F or lower and there could be 3 feet of snow everywhere
- [Saint Gaudens NPOTA Activation](https://w3atb.com/saint-gaudens-npota-activation/) - A little over a month ago the plans to activate Saint Gaudens National Historic Site as part of the ARRL's National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) year-long event were proposed by Dave Benson, K1SWL and Jim Cluett, W1PID. When the NPOTA announcement came out, Dave was quick to recognize there were two, maybe three places in all
- [RST Ham Radio Explained](https://w3atb.com/rst-ham-radio-explained/) - If you're just getting into amateur radio and Morse code, then you'll need to get up to speed on what RST means and how to use it properly. The acronym RST stands for: Readability - Signal Strength - Tone If you're operating phone or voice, you'll give just the first two, the R and the
- [Hunkins Pond and Ham Radio Sanbornton NH](https://w3atb.com/hunkins-pond-and-ham-radio-sanbornton-nh/) - If you had asked me two months ago if I'd be out in a snowless field in central New Hampshire kneeling on dry grass with just a partially zipped hoodie on the day after Christmas, I'd have thought you had taken a strong hallucinogenic drug. By this time of year, the grass is almost always
- [Profile Falls Christmas Eve 2015 and Little Buddy](https://w3atb.com/profile-falls-christmas-eve-2015-and-little-buddy/) - There are only a few days left in the year 2015. It's already in the record books here in the Northeast USA as one of the warmest autumns and early winters in living memory. An historic El Nino' weather pattern is blessing us with very warm weather allowing us to get out to do
- [NAQCC December 2015 Mw Sprint](https://w3atb.com/naqcc-december-2015-mw-sprint/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, recounts his time on the air during the NAQCC 2015 Mw Sprint on December 16, 2015.
- [New Hampton NH Old Bristol Road Ham Radio](https://w3atb.com/new-hampton-nh-old-bristol-road-ham-radio/) - Tim Carter, W3ATB, was out on a balmy December day doing ham radio with W1PID on 90 acres that Tim owns.
- [Mt. Kearsarge Ham Radio W1PID, K1SWL and W1JSB](https://w3atb.com/mt-kearsarge-ham-radio-w1pid-k1swl-and-w1jsb/) - Yesterday, the day after Thanksgiving, I had the rare opportunity to do outdoor radio with three seasoned QRP operators: W1PID - Jim Cluett, K1SWL - Dave Benson and W1JSB - Hanz Busch. We decided to meet at Winslow State Park on the northwest flank of Mt. Kearsarge in Winslow, NH. The WX was forecast to be
- [Cincinnati Nature Center Ham Radio](https://w3atb.com/cincinnati-nature-center-ham-radio/) - Yesterday, while on a vacation to Cincinnati, OH with my wife, I operated from a serene limestone bench at the Cincinnati Nature Center. Joining us were my oldest daughter Meghan and her husband Brent. Twenty years ago, maybe more, Kathy and I used to take our kids here for hikes through the woods in this
- [Ham Radio in the Brambles at Profile Falls NH](https://w3atb.com/ham-radio-in-the-brambles-at-profile-falls-nh/) - Today I was bumbling in the brambles next to the rushing waters of the Pemigewasset River adjacent to Profile Falls just three miles south of Bristol, NH. Jim Cluett, W1PID, provided that apt description above of me setting up my resonant 20-meter dipole antenna as we drove back away from the falls. When we made
- [Ham Radio at Presque Isle State Park](https://w3atb.com/ham-radio-at-presque-isle-state-park/) - Yesterday before sunrise I was one of the few people at blustery and chilly Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA. The lake water crashing on the beach was screaming that winter is coming. Yes it is. My wife Kathy and I had stopped in Erie to break up the fifteen-hour drive between our home
- [Flight of the Bumblebees 2015](https://w3atb.com/flight-of-the-bumblebees-2015/) - Yesterday was the 2015 Flight of the Bumblebees. It's a fun short contest put on by the Adventure Radio Society. Richard Fisher, KI6SN does most / all of the heavy lifting to make it happen. For that, I and many other hams who participate, are grateful. "So you're going out to be a bumblebee? What's
- [Lobstercon 2015](https://w3atb.com/lobstercon-2015/) - On Friday, July 10, 2015 I was loading up a few last-minute things into my Super Duty Ford F-250 4x4 truck. At 8:00 a.m. I was supposed to pick up my good friend Jim Cluett, W1PID, at his home. We were then off to Lobstercon! This event has been happening for nearly twenty years and
- [QRP from Screw Auger Falls Newry, ME](https://w3atb.com/qrp-from-screw-auger-falls-newry-me/) - Today I found myself in western Maine helping to get communications set up for a world-class racing event - the New England Forest Rally. I was with two fellow hams, Mark Kerrigan - K1MLK, and Ryan Freise - KB1VLC. We had to drive from the Sunday River ski resort in Newry, ME up past Errol, NH
- [Mt. Washington 2015 Foot Race](https://w3atb.com/mt-washington-2015-foot-race/) - "Put me on the spare board for this one, Cliff." That's what I said to Cliff Dickinson, N1RCQ, back a month or so ago about the first public-service ham radio event of the year on the flanks of Mt. Washington. It was time for over 1,200 people to run, run/walk or walk to the top
- [Antigua QRP Adventure](https://w3atb.com/antigua-qrp-adventure/) - On May 14, 2015 I whisked through immigration and customs at the John Bird International Airport in St. John's, Antigua for the second time in three years. Business as an expert witness in a trial concerning construction defects in the home of the Brazilian Ambassador drew me to this island that's part of the Lesser
- [Winslow State Park Mt. Kearsarge Outing](https://w3atb.com/winslow-state-park-mt-kearsarge-outing/) - Yesterday I had a chance to test my determination to avoid a QSO skunk and to eat at least one third of two bags of potato chips I purchased for a special outing with an icon and a titan in QRP (low power) outdoor radio. I was headed to the trailhead of the paths that lead
- [Antigua Call Sign - How to Get One](https://w3atb.com/antigua-call-sign-how-to-get-one/) - In early April of 2015 I discovered I needed to go back to Antigua to testify in a court case as an expert witness. I've done expert witness work for years in residential construction cases, but this was my first international foray. I had visited the gorgeous island three years earlier to do the required
- [New Hampshire Old Man Collapse Special Event](https://w3atb.com/new-hampshire-old-man-collapse-special-event/) - The iconic granite face of the Old Man of the Mountains was created by the last continental glacier 15,000 years ago. He collapsed alone in the middle of the night to the base of Franconia Notch, NH on May 3, 2003. The Old Man is the NH state symbol and his image is on road signs
- [QRP in Milwaukee](https://w3atb.com/qrp-in-milwaukee/) - Day One: Yesterday I flew into Milwaukee, WI on business. The marketing folks at Briggs & Stratton invited me to their factory to see new products and to discuss ways to help each of our businesses to grow and thrive. I was lucky to get flights that allowed me to land in the early afternoon
- [A Cold But Sunny Day Next To the Pemi](https://w3atb.com/a-cold-but-sunny-day-next-to-the-pemi/) - Last year the first day I operated outdoors was on March 17th. My outdoor radio colleague, Jim Cluett, W1PID was itching to get out because it's been such a wretched winter here in the Northeast. The brilliant sun spoke to Jim in the morning like a singing siren serenades a sailor. We were soon both to discover
- [FYBO Ham Radio Freeze Your Butt Off 2015 NH](https://w3atb.com/fybo-ham-radio-freeze-your-butt-off-2015-nh/) - Yesterday was the 2015 Freeze Your Butt Off amateur radio contest hosted by the warm and cozy members of the AZ ScQRPions Club. Let's see, it was a frigid 81 F in the valley yesterday in Phoenix, while the mercury in central NH was clawing it's way at Noon past 20 F. It's no wonder the
- [Profile Falls in the Rain and Snow](https://w3atb.com/profile-falls-in-the-rain-and-snow/) - "This could go on record as the worst day of the year to operate. I used to do this on my own years ago just to see if I could operate in bad weather. I'm only out here today because you're here," proclaimed Jim Cluett, W1PID. It was a raw day indeed here in central
- [The Ham Radio Teepee, Cold and Wind](https://w3atb.com/the-ham-radio-teepee-cold-and-wind/) - There's not much I can say with the written word that would outdo what you can see in the video below. Suffice it to say we had lots of fun building the teepee frame. Jim Cluett, W1PID, was not feeling well that day and even still we completed the frame in just 45 minutes. The
- [Winter QRP Challenges and Staying Warm](https://w3atb.com/winter-qrp-challenges-and-staying-warm/) - At 7:35 a.m. this morning I was greeted with an email from my great QRP mentor Jim Cluett, W1PID. He's always pithy and often has secret messages embedded his email. Here's what he sent: "There is some chance I'll go up the hill in Franklin today." That cryptic message really meant: "Do you want to come
- [CNHARC 2014 Membership Survey](https://w3atb.com/cnharc-2014-membership-survey/) - The following survey has been developed in an attempt to make the Central New Hampshire Amateur Radio Club (CNHARC) one of the best in New England. We're trying to match up club members with similar interests. If you're a member of CNHARC, please take the survey. If you're NOT a member, consider joining the club
- [CNHARC Fox Hunt Prizes](https://w3atb.com/cnharc-fox-hunt-prizes/) - The Central New Hampshire Amateur Radio Club will have a fox hunt on Tuesday, August 5th. Below are prizes that will be given away to some lucky club members. The impact driver, linesman's pliers and wire cutters go to the top teams finding the fox. The actual winner of the prize will the the team
- [ARRL Centennial Convention Full Report](https://w3atb.com/arrl-centennial-convention-full-report/) - "Hey you guys. We should go to the ARRL Centennial Convention in Hartford, CT in July. It's an historic event - 100 years of amateur radio. I can stay with my kids and you two can bunk in a nearby motel." Those words of wisdom were spoken by Dick Christopher, N1LT, the founder of
- [CRK-10A CW Transceiver Review](https://w3atb.com/crk-10a-cw-transceiver-review/) - Yesterday my good friend Jim Cluett, W1PID, gave me a very cool present. It's a crystal-controlled tiny pocket radio - the CRK-10A CW transceiver. It transmits on a single frequency, 7.030 Mhz, and it receives across a wider band. The CRK is an acronym for Chinese Radio Kits. The tiny rig operates on a
- [Breathe NH Seacoast Bike Tour 2014](https://w3atb.com/breathe-nh-seacoast-bike-tour-2014/) - "W3ATB, KA1VJU calling. Where are you?" I could barely hear Dave Megin, the CNHARC club president, over the pounding raindrops pelting my Ford Super Duty F-250 truck and the windshield wipers swishing back and forth at their highest speed. It was 6:15 a.m. Saturday May 17, 2014 and I was straining to see through the sheets
- [Sky Pond NH, Lunch and Black Flies](https://w3atb.com/sky-pond-nh-lunch-and-black-flies/) - The morning of May 12, 2014 my Morsementor (new word) and good friend Jim Cluett, W1PID, emailed me asking about going out for the day to do low-powered QRP radio. The forecast was excellent. The temperature was going to be close to 80 F and abundant sunshine was in store. After five months of the white
- [Two Different Days at Old Hill Village, NH](https://w3atb.com/two-different-days-at-old-hill-village-nh/) - Just two days before, Jim Cluett - W1PID, and I had come to the empty fields and lots that just seventy-five years ago were filled with cows, sheep, schools, stores, people and wagons. But now tall grass, massive trees and peepers call this giant flood plain home. Jim and I were drawn back to the
- [Knox Mountain, Lady and the Landslide](https://w3atb.com/knox-mountain-lady-and-the-landslide/) - Two days ago Jim Cluett, W1PID, and I were on top of Steele Hill where Steele Hill Resorts treats its guests to commanding views of the area. We had met with the owner, William Cutillo, finalizing the details concerning the installation of a D-STAR digital repeater up on this very high point in central New Hampshire.
- [Sore Butts Potter Place Eagle Pond and QRP](https://w3atb.com/sore-butts-potter-place-eagle-pond-and-qrp/) - Just after 8:30 am yesterday an email dropped into my inbox from my outdoor radio mentor and friend Jim Cluett, W1PID. Journalism was one of Jim's many jobs before retirement, and he excels at using a few watts of power with radio waves as well as with words when communicating clearly with the written language.
- [Old Hill Village in Central New Hampshire](https://w3atb.com/old-hill-village-in-central-new-hampshire/) - Yesterday I visited old Hill Village for the first time. My mentor, Jim Cluett- W1PID, invited me on this scenic and peaceful hike on an early spring day. It was the first day of the year you could be comfortable outdoors in short sleeves. We were going to try to operate our small portable outdoor
- [How to Talk Simplex on Ham Radio](https://w3atb.com/how-to-talk-simplex-on-ham-radio/) - A few years ago I re-immersed myself into ham radio. The hobby is quite complex and I was born at night but not last night, so how hard could it be to talk simplex to another operator just a half-mile away? Well, sit down as you might learn something. I passed my technician's test on
- [QRP Radio, Snow and the Pemigewasset River](https://w3atb.com/qrp-radio-snow-and-the-pemigewasset-river/) - "What are you doing?" Jim Cluett, W1PID, was calling me at 10:00 a.m. on this brilliant sunny day just after St. Patrick's Day. Just hours before it was only 9 F outdoors, but the temperature was climbing rapidly as spring is nearly here. "Well, my to-do list is pretty long, why do you ask?" "I
- [A European CW Pileup](https://w3atb.com/a-european-cw-pileup/) - Yesterday was a cold winter afternoon. I had been working all day and decided to go up to the shack before leaving for afternoon mass. I had maybe 40 minutes or so of play time before I had to jump in the shower. Twenty meters was hopping. I started to listen and copied a few
- [D-STAR Repeater Repair Franklin, NH](https://w3atb.com/d-star-repeater-repair-franklin-nh/) - Doink. I glanced down and my chat window had opened. Who was it but W1DDI, Mark Persson. Mark is the repeater coordinator for the Central New Hampshire Amateur Radio Club and he was planning a trip to the club's W1JY 147.3000 FM repeater and the W1VN 449.6750 D-Star digital voice repeater site, to see
- [CW Pileup Story and Tips](https://w3atb.com/cw-pileup-story-and-tips/) - It happened so fast it was over before I knew it. I had about ten minutes to kill before I had to eat dinner and scoot to my monthly Central New Hampshire Amateur Radio Club meeting. Moments before I had raced up to my shack to drop off some 1-cent stamps for my QSL cards.
- [Morse Code 6 WPM Alphabet and Punctuation](https://w3atb.com/morse-code-6-wpm-alphabet-and-punctuation/) - Here's a quick demonstration of Morse Code at 6 words per minute (WPM). I just cover the alphabet and a few punctuation marks in this video. Your takeaway should be that it's not too hard to learn Morse code. Years ago to get your novice license, you just had to be proficient at 5 WPM.
- [My First QRP QSO](https://w3atb.com/my-first-qrp-qso/) - It was a warm, sunny, 70 F-degree day in Sin City on January 22, 2014. I'll remember the day, the place and everything around me just like that night in my father-in-law's basement where I stole the first kiss from my wife. You may think I'm nuts, but traveling 2,731 miles with all my tiny
- [SOTA Activation Belknap Mountain W1 NL-002](https://w3atb.com/sota-activation-belknap-mountain-w1-nl-002/) - Tuesday, August 6, 2013 couldn't have been a more perfect day to hike to the summit of Belknap Mountain, a small peak I can easily see from the rear deck of my home. The temperature not too long after sunrise was just under 50 F, the wind was light to calm, and the humidity was
- [NEARfest Fall 2013 - Sell Old, See Latest and Peek at Future Ham Gear](https://w3atb.com/nearfest-fall-2013-sell-old-see-latest-and-peek-at-future-ham-gear/) - by: Tim Carter, W3ATB © Copyright 2013 Tim Carter - All Rights Reserved "The copper in those cables came from the famous, and now-closed, Anaconda Copper Mine in Butte, MT. You can't get that copper anymore," I exclaimed with a straight face. It was late morning on the first day of New England Amateur Radio
- [Learning Morse Code - Part One](https://w3atb.com/learning-morse-code-part-one/) - My first introduction to Morse code was in the early 1960's. I was a lad of perhaps 10 years old. I have a dim memory of being in a car with my childhood friend Roger Boncutter. He suggested we get our ham radio licenses. "We'll have to learn Morse code," Roger said. Roger was
- [Elecraft KX3 Transceiver and W1PID](https://w3atb.com/elecraft-kx3-transceiver-and-w1pid/) - “Tim, look at this. It’s tinder fungus. Do you know what that is?” My Morse code mentor and good friend Jim Cluett, W1PID, was pointing to crescent-shaped growths on the outside of a 12-inch diameter birch tree. He and I had just spent a few minutes admiring the tall waterfalls on my 90
- [M0UAL - My First European QSO](https://w3atb.com/m0ual-my-first-european-qso/) - It was bound to happen. My zepp dipole antenna is oriented so it sends a strong signal to the northeast. Northeast of me is 2500 miles of Atlantic Ocean. This afternoon I sent CQ CQ CQ DE W3ATB W3ATB and who came back? Alasdair Campbell, M0UAL ! He lives in Shrewsbury, Shropshire UK.
- [Learning Morse Code - Part Two](https://w3atb.com/learning-morse-code-part-two/) - Are you ready to jump in? What's the first thing you need to do to become proficient at Morse code? Well, the first thing is attitude. We discussed that in Part One. You must have the right attitude. You must develop the passion to learn. Did you see the movie Patton with George C.
- [Learning Morse Code - Part Three](https://w3atb.com/learning-morse-code-part-three/) - None of us can remember when we were babies. Think about that. How did you learn to talk when you were a toddler? Toddlers learn to talk - communicate - by LISTENING to those around them TALK and equating those sounds to objects, feelings, smells, and ????. There's no piece of paper. You can
- [Building the MFJ QRP Cub 20 Meter Transceiver](https://w3atb.com/building-the-mfj-qrp-cub-20-meter-transceiver/) - CAVEAT: This is not going to be a huge step-by-step article telling you the process I went through to build the MFJ QRP Cub 20-meter transceiver. It's an article I decided to write to help bolster your confidence to start and finish this project. If you've never been around electronics - that's me -
- [Mount Washington Road Race - Youngest and Oldest Runners](https://w3atb.com/mount-washington-road-race-youngest-and-oldest-runners/) - "Tim, you're working at the finish line again. I need you to get up there and check in immediately with the head race official and the Auto Road supervisor. Let them know you're the finish line radio operator and where they can find you," exclaimed Cliff Dickinson, N1RCQ. Cliff was head of operations for amateur
- [Learning CW or Morse Code](https://w3atb.com/learning-cw-or-morse-code/) - Back in February, 2013 I went to a boy scout meeting where two other ham radio friends of mine did a demonstration of Morse Code for the young boys. I was bitten by the CW bug that night just like the black flies bite here in New Hampshire in the month of May. I started
- [Laconia Sled Dog Races and Ham Radio](https://w3atb.com/laconia-sled-dog-races-and-ham-radio/) - On Friday, March 1, 2013 and Saturday, March 2, 2013 I had the pleasure of providing safety communications for the 84th Laconia Sled Dog Championship Races. It's a sprint-type race for the dogs and mushers, and I can tell you that you need to be paying attention as a ham radio operator. Each day I
- [Moving W1JY 2-Meter and W1VN 440 MHz Repeaters Outdoors on Gunstock Mountain](https://w3atb.com/moving-w1jy-2-meter-and-w1vn-440-mhz-repeaters-outdoors-on-gunstock-mountain/) - By: Tim Carter, W3ATB Copyright 2012 With the 6-foot outdoor cabinet secure on the quad lift chair behind us I murmurred, "So tell me again why we didn't install this outdoor repeater cabinet back in October on one of the nice 70-degree days?" Suspended 20 feet in the air I was racing up to the
- [Helicopter Lift - Belknap Mountain Communications Upgrade](https://w3atb.com/helicopter-lift-belknap-mountain-communications-upgrade/) - On a frosty January morning, the 4th of January to be precise, I was in the Alpine Ridge parking lot just below Gunstock Mountain in Gilford, NH. I was there to capture a helicopter lifting new communications gear to the top of adjacent Belknap Mountain. It was well worth freezing my feet off.
- [Laconia 911 Center and Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid Comm Center](https://w3atb.com/laconia-911-center-and-lakes-region-mutual-fire-aid-comm-center/) - On Tuesday, December 4th, thirty-five members of the Central New Hampshire Amateur Radio Club (CNHARC) toured the state-of-the-art 911 and Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid Communications centers in Laconia, NH. Both facilities are housed in nondescript buildings at the former state prison just north of Laconia. The evening started off with a fact session about

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