Justin - KD0COV
@kd0cov.mastodon.hams.social.ap.brid.gy
Just getting back into things.
(occasionally silly, never intentionally mean-spirited or annoying. I'll try to hashtag these things as #silly if it's not […]
🌉 bridged from https://mastodon.hams.social/@kd0cov on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/
(occasionally silly, never intentionally mean-spirited or annoying. I'll try to hashtag these things as #silly if it's not […]
🌉 bridged from https://mastodon.hams.social/@kd0cov on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/
Sometimes you think it's a massive problem with the transmitter requiring solder, unscrewing, guessing, new parts, etc...
Other times it's just a tiny cable that needs replacing and you're back in business.
Today it's thankfully the latter […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
Other times it's just a tiny cable that needs replacing and you're back in business.
Today it's thankfully the latter […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
December 20, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Sometimes you think it's a massive problem with the transmitter requiring solder, unscrewing, guessing, new parts, etc...
Other times it's just a tiny cable that needs replacing and you're back in business.
Today it's thankfully the latter […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
Other times it's just a tiny cable that needs replacing and you're back in business.
Today it's thankfully the latter […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
Just me looking at a fan timer in a restroom and realizing it has nothing to do with an antenna tuning system.
December 19, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Just me looking at a fan timer in a restroom and realizing it has nothing to do with an antenna tuning system.
Making QSOs on 40m in the middle of the day.
Testing my homemade 10m antenna after dark in an attempt to at least get spotted.
Testing my homemade 10m antenna after dark in an attempt to at least get spotted.
December 18, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Making QSOs on 40m in the middle of the day.
Testing my homemade 10m antenna after dark in an attempt to at least get spotted.
Testing my homemade 10m antenna after dark in an attempt to at least get spotted.
Me: Man the 40m antenna is only 1.75:1 SWR. I should go out and work on that.
Outside: -10F, Windy, 12 inches of snow on the ground.
Me: You know, it's not going to make THAT much of a difference...
Outside: -10F, Windy, 12 inches of snow on the ground.
Me: You know, it's not going to make THAT much of a difference...
December 14, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Me: Man the 40m antenna is only 1.75:1 SWR. I should go out and work on that.
Outside: -10F, Windy, 12 inches of snow on the ground.
Me: You know, it's not going to make THAT much of a difference...
Outside: -10F, Windy, 12 inches of snow on the ground.
Me: You know, it's not going to make THAT much of a difference...
So yeah, wintertime POTA. but first:
Any and all Minnesotans, Iowans, and Western Wisconsinites: Run, don't walk to The Jazz Shepard Cafe in Elgin, MN.
It is one block from US-9382 Great River Ridge State Trail.
It combines three beautiful things […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
Any and all Minnesotans, Iowans, and Western Wisconsinites: Run, don't walk to The Jazz Shepard Cafe in Elgin, MN.
It is one block from US-9382 Great River Ridge State Trail.
It combines three beautiful things […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
December 7, 2025 at 3:55 AM
So yeah, wintertime POTA. but first:
Any and all Minnesotans, Iowans, and Western Wisconsinites: Run, don't walk to The Jazz Shepard Cafe in Elgin, MN.
It is one block from US-9382 Great River Ridge State Trail.
It combines three beautiful things […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
Any and all Minnesotans, Iowans, and Western Wisconsinites: Run, don't walk to The Jazz Shepard Cafe in Elgin, MN.
It is one block from US-9382 Great River Ridge State Trail.
It combines three beautiful things […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
Every POTA spot should have a Jazz Cafe just one block away.
More later, but this was a nice treat
More later, but this was a nice treat
December 6, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Every POTA spot should have a Jazz Cafe just one block away.
More later, but this was a nice treat
More later, but this was a nice treat
More snow in the Twin Cities. Ugh.
Time for a flashback to summer POTA on Lake Superior at dusk, a few miles from the Canadian border.
Looking forward to this again.
Time for a flashback to summer POTA on Lake Superior at dusk, a few miles from the Canadian border.
Looking forward to this again.
December 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
More snow in the Twin Cities. Ugh.
Time for a flashback to summer POTA on Lake Superior at dusk, a few miles from the Canadian border.
Looking forward to this again.
Time for a flashback to summer POTA on Lake Superior at dusk, a few miles from the Canadian border.
Looking forward to this again.
Sent out a few cards, wondering if they were received.
Don't know how far down to take this rabbit hole:
"Did you get my QSL?"
"I'm QSLing that you got my QSL"
"Thanks. QSL on your QSLing on my QSL."
"QSL. 73."
"73, QSL."
Don't know how far down to take this rabbit hole:
"Did you get my QSL?"
"I'm QSLing that you got my QSL"
"Thanks. QSL on your QSLing on my QSL."
"QSL. 73."
"73, QSL."
December 3, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Sent out a few cards, wondering if they were received.
Don't know how far down to take this rabbit hole:
"Did you get my QSL?"
"I'm QSLing that you got my QSL"
"Thanks. QSL on your QSLing on my QSL."
"QSL. 73."
"73, QSL."
Don't know how far down to take this rabbit hole:
"Did you get my QSL?"
"I'm QSLing that you got my QSL"
"Thanks. QSL on your QSLing on my QSL."
"QSL. 73."
"73, QSL."
5 days of a bad cold has left me with little/no voice. Digital modes it is tonight.
On the upside I'm hanging out on JS8 frequencies on 40m in between hanging lights on a tree, so if you see my Heartbeat come say hi!
On the upside I'm hanging out on JS8 frequencies on 40m in between hanging lights on a tree, so if you see my Heartbeat come say hi!
November 29, 2025 at 11:37 PM
5 days of a bad cold has left me with little/no voice. Digital modes it is tonight.
On the upside I'm hanging out on JS8 frequencies on 40m in between hanging lights on a tree, so if you see my Heartbeat come say hi!
On the upside I'm hanging out on JS8 frequencies on 40m in between hanging lights on a tree, so if you see my Heartbeat come say hi!
[Not ham but tech]
Dusted off my 17 year old HDHomeRun Network box.
Recent Linux programs aren't great with this thing, so I found the old one.
VLC being fussy, making it cooperate with mpv.
It's going.
Time to watch the Parade and get some turkey cooked!
(Families appreciate the nerdiness […]
Dusted off my 17 year old HDHomeRun Network box.
Recent Linux programs aren't great with this thing, so I found the old one.
VLC being fussy, making it cooperate with mpv.
It's going.
Time to watch the Parade and get some turkey cooked!
(Families appreciate the nerdiness […]
Original post on mastodon.hams.social
mastodon.hams.social
November 27, 2025 at 2:52 PM
[Not ham but tech]
Dusted off my 17 year old HDHomeRun Network box.
Recent Linux programs aren't great with this thing, so I found the old one.
VLC being fussy, making it cooperate with mpv.
It's going.
Time to watch the Parade and get some turkey cooked!
(Families appreciate the nerdiness […]
Dusted off my 17 year old HDHomeRun Network box.
Recent Linux programs aren't great with this thing, so I found the old one.
VLC being fussy, making it cooperate with mpv.
It's going.
Time to watch the Parade and get some turkey cooked!
(Families appreciate the nerdiness […]
After a long wait...it's finally here!
My first-ever QSL card. If I've had a QSO with you, let me know and I'll get it in the mail. No SASE needed for Fedi people's =D
My first-ever QSL card. If I've had a QSO with you, let me know and I'll get it in the mail. No SASE needed for Fedi people's =D
November 26, 2025 at 11:14 PM
After a long wait...it's finally here!
My first-ever QSL card. If I've had a QSO with you, let me know and I'll get it in the mail. No SASE needed for Fedi people's =D
My first-ever QSL card. If I've had a QSO with you, let me know and I'll get it in the mail. No SASE needed for Fedi people's =D
It turns out that FT8TW has a beta version that works with FT4. I think it's got a few little bugs still, but I am super happy to have this extra mode in my pocket.
Honestly, any modern phone has the power to do a ton of digital modes. My dream is to get WoAD going on here.
Honestly, any modern phone has the power to do a ton of digital modes. My dream is to get WoAD going on here.
November 25, 2025 at 6:49 PM
It turns out that FT8TW has a beta version that works with FT4. I think it's got a few little bugs still, but I am super happy to have this extra mode in my pocket.
Honestly, any modern phone has the power to do a ton of digital modes. My dream is to get WoAD going on here.
Honestly, any modern phone has the power to do a ton of digital modes. My dream is to get WoAD going on here.
Me: I should go out and do POTA on my work break at the 4 parks by my office! Maybe bike and QRP? Ooh, I should explore obscure bands.
Reality: It's windy, cold out, and gets dark by 4pm.
Me: Can I work remotely from Guam for 4 months? I hear the weather's nice and there's a few parks rarely […]
Reality: It's windy, cold out, and gets dark by 4pm.
Me: Can I work remotely from Guam for 4 months? I hear the weather's nice and there's a few parks rarely […]
Original post on mastodon.hams.social
mastodon.hams.social
November 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Me: I should go out and do POTA on my work break at the 4 parks by my office! Maybe bike and QRP? Ooh, I should explore obscure bands.
Reality: It's windy, cold out, and gets dark by 4pm.
Me: Can I work remotely from Guam for 4 months? I hear the weather's nice and there's a few parks rarely […]
Reality: It's windy, cold out, and gets dark by 4pm.
Me: Can I work remotely from Guam for 4 months? I hear the weather's nice and there's a few parks rarely […]
If yesterday was the last day of outside/backyard radio fun for the year at least it was a good one.
(Current "big" setup: FT-891, Pi/Digirig, portable power, Lifepo4 battery, JPC-12 antenna)
(Current "big" setup: FT-891, Pi/Digirig, portable power, Lifepo4 battery, JPC-12 antenna)
November 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
If yesterday was the last day of outside/backyard radio fun for the year at least it was a good one.
(Current "big" setup: FT-891, Pi/Digirig, portable power, Lifepo4 battery, JPC-12 antenna)
(Current "big" setup: FT-891, Pi/Digirig, portable power, Lifepo4 battery, JPC-12 antenna)
Alright, let's do this.
Park 1 in 20m.
Park 1 in 20m.
November 13, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Alright, let's do this.
Park 1 in 20m.
Park 1 in 20m.
Looking at the solar forecasts.
Looking at my plans for tomorrow afternoon with one more warm day in the forecast.
Looking at my plans for tomorrow afternoon with one more warm day in the forecast.
November 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Looking at the solar forecasts.
Looking at my plans for tomorrow afternoon with one more warm day in the forecast.
Looking at my plans for tomorrow afternoon with one more warm day in the forecast.
Good news: The lights are amazing in central Minnesota.
Bad News: The bands are pretty rough - I got all of one QSO tonight that wasn't 3-5 miles away.
Bad News: The bands are pretty rough - I got all of one QSO tonight that wasn't 3-5 miles away.
November 12, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Good news: The lights are amazing in central Minnesota.
Bad News: The bands are pretty rough - I got all of one QSO tonight that wasn't 3-5 miles away.
Bad News: The bands are pretty rough - I got all of one QSO tonight that wasn't 3-5 miles away.
Been meaning to stop here, wonder if they'll let me bring my QRP rig and activate from the outside seating?
November 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Been meaning to stop here, wonder if they'll let me bring my QRP rig and activate from the outside seating?
Watching one of my favorite shows tonight and got inspired.
November 11, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Watching one of my favorite shows tonight and got inspired.
By the way - "Poor Conditions" on 20m apparently means "Lots of contacts in different modes with Central and South America" tonight.
November 6, 2025 at 4:39 AM
By the way - "Poor Conditions" on 20m apparently means "Lots of contacts in different modes with Central and South America" tonight.
Prescribed burn at the SNA today! Hopefully 10m is also on fire this afternoon.
#pota ar Pine Bend Bluffs SNA on 10m shortly.
(And always remember to check with rangers/officials if they're doing work!)
#pota ar Pine Bend Bluffs SNA on 10m shortly.
(And always remember to check with rangers/officials if they're doing work!)
November 5, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Prescribed burn at the SNA today! Hopefully 10m is also on fire this afternoon.
#pota ar Pine Bend Bluffs SNA on 10m shortly.
(And always remember to check with rangers/officials if they're doing work!)
#pota ar Pine Bend Bluffs SNA on 10m shortly.
(And always remember to check with rangers/officials if they're doing work!)
Live shot of me finally getting a QSO callback after a big pileup.
October 30, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Live shot of me finally getting a QSO callback after a big pileup.
Little POTA on the Prairie.
20m at sunset at the Shurburne National Wildlife Refuge.
20m at sunset at the Shurburne National Wildlife Refuge.
October 26, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Little POTA on the Prairie.
20m at sunset at the Shurburne National Wildlife Refuge.
20m at sunset at the Shurburne National Wildlife Refuge.
A beautiful day at the SNA.
A 4-band activation for US-10727
A 4-band activation for US-10727
October 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
A beautiful day at the SNA.
A 4-band activation for US-10727
A 4-band activation for US-10727
The 2 Best parts of last weekend's POTA activation:
- Catching a guy at a park 20 miles south on 10 Meters.
- Talking to a man celebrating his 90th birthday. He wanted to hunt POTA stations for part of the day and was having fun scanning the bands. I hope I'm that enjoyable on the air at 90!
- Catching a guy at a park 20 miles south on 10 Meters.
- Talking to a man celebrating his 90th birthday. He wanted to hunt POTA stations for part of the day and was having fun scanning the bands. I hope I'm that enjoyable on the air at 90!
October 22, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The 2 Best parts of last weekend's POTA activation:
- Catching a guy at a park 20 miles south on 10 Meters.
- Talking to a man celebrating his 90th birthday. He wanted to hunt POTA stations for part of the day and was having fun scanning the bands. I hope I'm that enjoyable on the air at 90!
- Catching a guy at a park 20 miles south on 10 Meters.
- Talking to a man celebrating his 90th birthday. He wanted to hunt POTA stations for part of the day and was having fun scanning the bands. I hope I'm that enjoyable on the air at 90!