The Year of 2010

[W8HDU]

Seems like it's been a little quiet here, so I thought I would toss in some food for thought.

Over the past few days I've been reflecting on the past decade and looking at what I've seen and done, as well as what the future might hold.

Political and personal views aside, I look back at the past decade and see that I got involved in DSTAR, and my kids purchased an Isotron antenna for me for the holiday. I've always been curious about how they work, and this will be a good opportunity to try it out. I also interfaced my Yaesu FT857D to a computer, and with a program called Log EQF, it keeps me honest on my contacts.

Nov 2009 was suppose to be my tower rebuild until the cold weather moved in too quickly to get antennas up. As soon as the weather clears up I have transmission line, antennas, and switches to install so I can get back on HF & 6 meters with some decency. Sadly I missed some great openings, but as they say in baseball, there is always next year.

2010, as I mentioned, will start off with a rebuilding of my antennas. I also want to get more active in CW, and to some extent traffic handling.

Just curious what some of you, particularity in the Middle East, have seen change over the past 10 years, and what your goals will be for ham radio in 2010.

Best to all on the forum. I pray for peace in our world.
73, and good DX to all.
Fred / W8HDU

[A71CV]

Dear Fred

It has been so quiet here. It seems that you having fun with radios recently and I wish good luck for your plan in 2010.

I could not answer your question regarding the past 10 years because I just have been ham radio for 1 year and few months.

In 2009 for me I was mostly active in contests with my friends under the call A73A and I participated in some big contest such as CQ WW and CQ WPX. I participated last month in a special event station for the national day under the call A71QND and I had a lot of fun as well.

For 2010 it should be more fun, right now I am working in my homemade project 3 elements cubical quad antenna (10,15,20) I hope everything goes fine. Lately I read a lot about satellite and I am thinking to have a small setup for satellite communications.

This just for now I will try to let you know what is going on later.

Happy 2010 for everyone and wish all the best for you guys.

Best 73s from Qatar
De A71CV, Abdulla

[Admin]

I am so sorry that I have been away for all of this time plus my health been so critical all time.

I am preparing to do some work here soon hopping my medical exams shows a sign of no death .

I am wishing you all a very happy and peaceful New Year.

Rashed

[W8HDU]

Rashed, I pray for you, my friend. I still look forward to working you on the bands some day. Get well soon, my friend.

Abdulla, thanks for the reply. Yes, it's been quite. Hopefully that means that a lot people are on the air. It's been quiet on the air when I have checked, but to be honest I've been very busy at work and have not had much time to get on the HF bands.

There is has been some interesting DX on 6 meters here in the United States. An opening down to Texas (1,970 km), and I talked to another fellow on 2-meter SSB (643 km). What was unusual about this last one was that both of us were vertical polarization with omni-directional antennas.

Hopefully 2010 brings us all peace.