2011 CQWW DX Contest...

After a wonderful Thanksgiving (see post below), I participated in the 2011 CQWW DX contest.

This is a contest where ham radio stations from all over the world try to contact each other. It's held the 4th weekend of November, which is usually right after Thanksgiving.

I've operated in most of these DX contests over the past 15-20 years. This is the first year that I decided to do a "single band" entry, instead of working on all 6 ham bands.

As the chart shows, I contacted 144 stations in 72 different countries and 29 Zones on 10 meters (28mc). The world is divided into 40 ham radio zones, so working 29 of them on a single band is pretty good.

Christmas Time is Near...

A busy week for the Albrant family in Murrieta...

On Thursday we had Thanksgiving dinner at our house.

Everyone brought an appetizer, which included bacon wrapped shrimp, meatballs and gravy, a cheese/meat and cracker plate, Robbins famous cream cheese with Raspberry topping, plus lots of other good eats!

Instead of turkey for the main course we opted instead for a giant Rib Roast, served with all the trimmings.

Daughters Carrie Renee and Kristen came with their families, plus Robbin's sister Patty and her son Kelly and his family also attended. It was nice to have everyone here for most of the day and well into the evening! Daughter Carrie Ann and sons Bill Jr. and Matthew couldn't make it (Bill Jr. and his family were in Palmer, Alaska while Matthew and a friend went to Las Vegas to celebrate his birthday).

Kelly was the designated chef this year so I was pretty much standing around looking for something to do. Forgot to take any pictures :O(

The day after Thanksgiving I burned off some calories and put up the Christmas tree while Robbin started decorating throughout the house.

We wish you all Happy Holidays and good fortune in the coming year!

T2T, Tuvalu Island... Another Ham Radio Expedition...

During the past week I've been working T2T, a ham radio expedition to Tuvalu Island, out in the Pacific. They're pretty easy to work from my California location.

Tuvalu Island may disappear! It is only a few feet above sea level. Recent events indicate that Global Warming is causing the sea level to rise and, at some point, the island may actually disappear. Also, the ham operators are reporting there is a very serious fresh water shortage, which is another issue facing this very small country.

The video above was shot by BYU and shows some of the beauty, and some of the problems, this island and it's people are facing. It's worth watching!

Here is a chart showing the bands I've worked them on so far. I added 10 meters today and expect to work them on 30 and 40 meters -- if they don't go underwater first!