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.
But the activation had some firsts:
- First winter activation. I got the spike about 2" into the frozen ground and the radials on the snow. It worked for 20m, but I couldn't get 10m to tune for anything.
- First time using the Raspberry Pi/DigiPi with […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
- First winter activation. I got the spike about 2" into the frozen ground and the radials on the snow. It worked for 20m, but I couldn't get 10m to tune for anything.
- First time using the Raspberry Pi/DigiPi with […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
December 7, 2025 at 4:40 AM
But the activation had some firsts:
- First winter activation. I got the spike about 2" into the frozen ground and the radials on the snow. It worked for 20m, but I couldn't get 10m to tune for anything.
- First time using the Raspberry Pi/DigiPi with […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
- First winter activation. I got the spike about 2" into the frozen ground and the radials on the snow. It worked for 20m, but I couldn't get 10m to tune for anything.
- First time using the Raspberry Pi/DigiPi with […]
[Original post on mastodon.hams.social]
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."
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.
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)
And the second park is in the books. Two nice forested places on the edge of the Twon Cities.
November 13, 2025 at 9:22 PM
And the second park is in the books. Two nice forested places on the edge of the Twon Cities.
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.
See, this is just begging me to bring my HackRF and putting some Part15 transmissions on it.
November 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
See, this is just begging me to bring my HackRF and putting some Part15 transmissions on it.
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.
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
For fun, here's where One watt gets you on 30 Meters in the evening, using FT8 and JS8Call. Antenna is a EFHW out a window.
QTH = Minneapolis, Minnesota (or close enough)
Started with a Canadian QSO and ended with one 2 hours and 9 QSOs later.
#qrpp
QTH = Minneapolis, Minnesota (or close enough)
Started with a Canadian QSO and ended with one 2 hours and 9 QSOs later.
#qrpp
October 18, 2025 at 5:48 AM
For fun, here's where One watt gets you on 30 Meters in the evening, using FT8 and JS8Call. Antenna is a EFHW out a window.
QTH = Minneapolis, Minnesota (or close enough)
Started with a Canadian QSO and ended with one 2 hours and 9 QSOs later.
#qrpp
QTH = Minneapolis, Minnesota (or close enough)
Started with a Canadian QSO and ended with one 2 hours and 9 QSOs later.
#qrpp
I wish this was where I finished my activation today, but I wasn't having much luck & there were gardeners starting to need the parking space.
Went to my usual spot on the Gateway instead. 10m only but open to South America.
Went to my usual spot on the Gateway instead. 10m only but open to South America.
October 15, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I wish this was where I finished my activation today, but I wasn't having much luck & there were gardeners starting to need the parking space.
Went to my usual spot on the Gateway instead. 10m only but open to South America.
Went to my usual spot on the Gateway instead. 10m only but open to South America.