BOB solomon K7HLN
“It’s addicting,” said Bob. He was demonstrating the new FT-8 mode, dubbed the “latest digital bauble” on the “News” page of www.arrl.org, 8/1/2017. An FT-8 contact can take place in just one minute, faster than the five-minute contacts on JT-65 or JT-9. FT-8 is a great mode for 6 meters, the “magic band,” Bob’s favorite. But if no contacts are available, his waterfall display usually shows a stream of activity on 20 meters.
In Bob’s shack he uses one computer to monitor Logbook of the World (LoTW) and Summits on the Air (SOTA.) Also on this computer he brings up DX Maps to map his QSOs, and DX Heat to monitor band and solar activity. On his other desktop computer Bob usually keeps a log on DX Keeper and consults the Amateur Radio Callbook. Bob’s portable station is his Yaesu 8800 dual band transceiver and a 5/8 wavelength mag mount antenna. His base station is a Kenwood TM-281 two-meter radio, and he uses his Kenwood TS 480 SAT for digital. The KT-100 LDG tuner connects to his 42-foot 5-band slope antenna. An Elecraft K3/100 transceiver with a P3 Panadapter is his preferred HF rig for working special events and contests. Asked why he invests so much time and effort into being a ham, Bob confessed that he has always had many interests and always has an absorbing hobby. For years he was deep into model railroading, and also loves and has studied real trains. When he and Barb are not RVing, they may be taking a train trip. Before he retired, Bob worked with John KS7R in the Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, and for years John urged Bob to try amateur radio. He laughs about it now, but learning Morse code turned out to be a lot harder than he expected. He struggled with it for five long years. Finally he had the idea that he could take the Morse code test in Bozeman, and if he didn’t pass he could take it again in Helena the same month. One night in Bozeman, the examiner looked up from the completed tests and exclaimed, “Bob! You passed!” Of course the multiple choice questions were never a problem, and he completed his General in 1999. Among the many recognitions he has received over the years, one of Bob’s proudest achievements is his Shack Sloth award, given to SOTA chasers who accumulate 1000 points. His hand-carved Ice Block glass trophy commemorating that achievement was crafted in Scotland. After SOTA, Bob’s next love is QSO parties, and he has many certificates to prove it. In fact, he has binders full of certificates and QSO cards, and ham friends all over the US and Canada. He has served as both President and Emergency Coordinator of CCARC, and is always on hand when the club needs help with an event. He is easy to spot at Saturday morning coffee. Bob is the one telling a good story. December 2017 |
Governor's Cup Volunteer of the Year
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Bob and Barb W7WON
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QSO card from USS Pampanito - Don W7MRI was once stationed on this sub. https://maritime.org/pamphist/
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