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Bob K5DZE WELCOME! Thanks for stopping by my website! Here you will find information about my Amateur Radio QRP (low power) operations as well as my Amateur Astronomy efforts. Also, there is information about my first novel (I have another one in the works) and some other books I have available and most are free. I hope you find something of interest and please drop by anytime.
Currently, I have several rigs on SSB/CW/PSK-31 QRP and one running 100 watts. These can be seen on the QRP page of this site. After holding every Amateur License from Novice to Extra (including the Advanced) and over 50 years in Amateur Radio, I have come full circle from starting with a low powered CW transmitter and small receiver to running several different kilowatt rigs and numerous big antennas. Now I am again back to low power! While each level has it enjoyment, QRP has really put a lot of fun and the challenge back into my operating. This is something you will hear again and again from QRP operators, and I can tell you up front that it is true! I recommend this facet of Amateur Radio no matter how long you have been a Ham! Check out the QRP page link to the left for more details on equipment and QRP operations at my station. Are you familiar with the 10 Meter Beacon sub-band where numerous automated (but monitored) CW beacons transmit up 24/7?If not, you will enjoy the information on my 10 M Beacon web page that will bring you up to speed and tell you how to listen for these interesting signals. Signals are on-the-air right now and if the band is open, you likely can likely catch several of them! Conditions are poor right now, but improvements will be coming soon as the solar cycle begins its upturn. These beacons transmit signals as an aid to 10 Meter propagation monitoring to let anyone quickly check to see if the band is open and if so, to/from what area. It is not only helpful when checking the band, its fun to see how many of these rascals you can catch. Most are 5 watt beacons or less, and some run flea power. When the band opens up, it's not unusual to catch a dozen or so beacons. Information on this page will help you get a handle on what the "Beacon Band" is about and it will even tell you how to get started to put your own beacon on the air if you have an interest in doing so.
Like Amateur Radio, Amateur Astronomy has been an interest of mine for some time. In the past, I designed and supervised construction of a 1500 sq. ft. roll off roof observatory and Amateur Radio Club for the college where I was an administrator. That facility included a classroom, a multi-operator ARRL award winning club Ham Shack (W5CBC), as well as an optical and radio observatory area where a pair of Meade telescopes were in operation. We were also set up for Amateur Radio Astronomy with a 21 MHz radio telescope using an AZ-EL 7 element log periodic to listen to natural radio emissions from the planet Jupiter. Now that I am retired and relocated in KY, I have a new Celestron NexStar 6 SE telescope for personal use and for easy transport to remote darker sites. 2009 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Astronomy worldwide. Here in the US, there are many interesting astronomy activities being planned. For more information about these activities and how you and/or your astronomy group can join in, go to the IYA 2009 USA National Node website at: http://astronomy2009.us and/or the international website at http://astronomy2009. Probably the most enjoyable and useful astronomy related project I did recently was to assemble a small Portable Observatory for home and field use. It is built around a one person "privy" tent used when camping. This unlikely set up really is a great little asset in that it shuts out dew and the night breeze nicely, it offers a sheltered desk for your computer, and it provides a work space for your sky charts and log. A really neat feature is that it can be easily transported to another site, set up for use and then be easily taken down. To top it off, its relatively inexpensive. It makes great pop-up "Drive-Way" observatory for home use! Check it all out on my ASTRONOMY page.
THE BOOKSHELF - On this page of the website, you will find a number of free eBooks available written in popular Adobe .pdf eBook format for your pleasure and information. This includes two books for Amateur Radio operators and one for newly elected church board members who have never served on a board before. Additionally, there is a preview and ordering information of my first paperback novel, DEO VINDICE, a tale of people and events of the Civil War. If you are a knowledgeable student of this period of history, you will surely enjoy this novel the most since you will know the personalities in the book and what they would have likely said and done in various situations. For those not so well versed in the Civil War, the story will seem so plausible as to leave you wondering what is really true and what is fiction. Also read about my new novel, WAR THEY SHALL HAVE. My other new work is A CIVIL WAR REFERENCE FOR KINDLE, both to be released as Kindle Books for the Kindle Reader. As you can see, there is are several selections on The Bookshelf, so drop in and browse around.
I plan to update this site often, and I hope I can provide items of interest to you. Till next time...
73 and Clear Skies Bob
This site is always under construction... right after I have my coffee...
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