tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21287729524589929472024-03-12T17:51:02.359-07:00K6CUBill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17391809499603918298noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-62003697873148229952012-10-18T20:19:00.002-07:002012-10-18T20:22:46.540-07:00JIDX 2011 Contest...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmbP3BqWwgU/UIDEoqGZkVI/AAAAAAAAAdc/e30o6iunKY8/s1600/2011+JIDX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmbP3BqWwgU/UIDEoqGZkVI/AAAAAAAAAdc/e30o6iunKY8/s320/2011+JIDX.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
Today I received a nice certificate from the Japan International DX Contest group for my 2011 participation in their annual contest.<br />
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I was #1 in California, and #4 in North America in the All Band Low Power classification.<br />
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Back in the 1990's I won #1 North America for several consecutive years. But that was with a great antenna and high power (1500 watts). In those contests I received a very nice brass and wood plaque. Now I compete with an antenna in a poor location and only 100 watts. Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-22136697695880641222012-09-26T16:22:00.003-07:002012-09-26T16:22:52.114-07:00We Are Not Allies...<span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"</span></b><b><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">We Are Not Allies, We Are Still The Infidels</span></b><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"</span></b><b><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"><span> </span> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">By Major General Jerry Curry, USA, Ret. Published:</span></b><b><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">The
great British poet Rudyard Kipling, understanding todays situation in
Afghanistan better than our State Department wrote, "I have eaten your
bread and salt. I have drunk your water and wine. The deaths ye died I
have watched beside. And the lives ye led were mine."</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">There
are two points the President and the Secretaries of State and Defense
may want to keep in mind as they evaluate future problems in the Middle
East and How to successfully address them. Both are easiest illustrated
by real life happenings.</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Many
years ago I attended the Infantry officer Advanced Course at Fort
Benning, Georgia. Probably ten percent of the students attending that
ten month course of instruction were from foreign countries. For about
half of the course my table mate was an Arab. We studied together,
completed homework assignments together, got to know each other's
families and generally enjoyed each other's company.</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Part
of that time we students were immersed in reading about, researching
and discussing wars and problems of the Middle East. By this time my
Arab Classmate and I had, I thought, become close friends. A question
popped into my mind and without evaluating it I said, I have a question
to ask you, but you may find it a little impertinent . or, perhaps,
offensive.</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">That's
quite alright, he replied. We know each other well enough to be honest
with each other. So go ahead and ask your question.</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Well,
I began. Each time you Arabs start a war with Israel, they beat your
socks off. Why don't you learn your lesson and quit making war on them?</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">The
words hadn't passed my lips before I knew that I shouldn't have asked
that particular question. But I was wrong. My Arab officer friend didn't
get</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">angry. He didn't even think before replying.</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">My
dear friend, he said in his British accent, You are absolutely right.
Each time we attack the Israelis they whip our asses. But have you
noticed that with each loss we get better. We get whipped not as badly
as in the war before.</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Then he got a faraway look in his eyes, pounded on the table and said, Sometime in the next thousand years . we will win!</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Up
until then I had never thought in terms of a thousand years, and I
don'tthink I'm very good at it today. But for those formulating foreign
and defense policy for the nation, it is worth making the effort. For it
is difficult to think in terms of the immediate future while
negotiating with a nation whose leaders are thinking in terms of
hundreds or thousands of years.</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Point
two: during the first Gulf War U.S. and Arab forces fought side by side
and some of the officers became close friends. When the war ended in
victory there was a celebration in the officers' club with everyone
congratulating each other. A lot of handshaking and hugging was going
on. It was a time of displaying real brotherly love. Seeing this, one of
the senior Arab generals felt the need to set the record straight.
Look, he said to a small cluster of American generals. We have fought
together and some of us have died together. I know you feel that makes
us brothers. But that is not the way it is in my world.</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">He
looked around the circle making eye contact with all of them. I don't
want to see you hurt so I need to share this with you. There will be no
tomorrow for us jointly. No matter how much you have helped my country
and you came and helped us when we desperately needed your help and no
matter how friendly you feel toward us, we are still Muslims and you are
still Christians. That means that in our eyes, we can never be
brothers. I'm sorry but to us, you will always be Infidels!</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">And
so we Infidels have liberated Iraq and Afghanistan, but we have not
made their countries nor their people depositories of freedom and
liberty. No matter how hard we work to rebuild their governments,
infrastructure, educational and medical institutions, and no matter how
desperately they need our help as The Arab general pointedly noted we
can never be brothers to each other.</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Also,
I learned what Kipling meant when he wrote, "East is East, and West is
West, and never the twain shall meet." He was pointing out to the
western world that to Muslims, we Christians will always be infidels!</span></b><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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</span>Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-9932607608488382152012-07-09T15:32:00.000-07:002012-07-09T16:21:42.977-07:00WC Albrant I, Biography...<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We are working on the biography of William C. Albrant I, who was a well-known architect in the Fargo, ND area in the early 1900's. This is a work in progress, and additional information will be added as it becomes available. </span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 16pt;">BIOGRAPHY</span></u></div>
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William Colston Albrant</div>
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Born: June 24, 1871</div>
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Died: August 3, 1905</div>
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Parents:</div>
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Father:
Azasiah Albrant. Born: 1834. Origin: German. Occupation: Farmer.</div>
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Mother:
Susanna Albrant. Born 1843. Origin: Scottish</div>
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Brothers/Sisters:</div>
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Anne E;
born 1861</div>
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James;
born 1863 (twin)</div>
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Mary;
born 1863 (twin)</div>
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Kattie;
born 1865</div>
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Charles
E; born 1869</div>
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Robert
D; born 1875</div>
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Richard
J; born 1876</div>
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Jessie
A; born 1879</div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1881/001049-119.02-e.php?id=ON_2867817&PHPSESSID=i0svvr753clsde0eqggi3o3804">http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1881/001049-119.02-e.php?id=ON_2867817&PHPSESSID=i0svvr753clsde0eqggi3o3804</a></div>
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<b>ALBRANT, William C.</b> (1871-1905), an
architect of Fargo, North Dakota, was born in Winchester, Ontario on 24 June
1871 and moved west after 1895 to briefly engage in farming activity before
registering at North Dakota State University in the Division of Mechanical Arts
(a forerunner of the School of Architecture at that institution). He opened his
own office in Fargo, North Dakota in 1900, and obtained his first important
commission in Canada in 1904 for the City Hall, MOOSE JAW, SASK. (Moose Jaw
Times, 5 Jan. 1905). This imposing but somewhat eclectic work, with its domed
tower, remained a distinctive civic landmark in that city for nearly a decade
until the completion of the Post Office in 1913. Albrant also designed N.J.
Porter's Photographic Studio, MOOSE JAW, SASK., (1905; altered), and was
responsible for several major designs in Fargo including First Baptist Church
(1904), the Normal School at Maryville State College (1904), and the Carnegie
Library buildings at Fargo, Valley City and at Grandin, North Dakota. He died
suddenly on 3 August 1905 at Fargo, N.D. (obituary in Fargo Forum, 3 & 4
Aug. l905; inf. from Ronald L.M. Ramsay, Fargo, N.D.).</div>
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Source: <a href="http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/architects/view/18">http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/architects/view/18</a></div>
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Additional
Links: </div>
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Carnegie Library (now known as
Putnam Hall): </div>
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<a href="http://www.fargo-history.com/ndac/ndac-library.htm">http://www.fargo-history.com/ndac/ndac-library.htm</a></div>
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<a href="http://ndsuwiki.ndsusg.com/index.php?title=Putnam_Hall">http://ndsuwiki.ndsusg.com/index.php?title=Putnam_Hall</a><br />
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Northern School Supply (NDSU downtown campus):</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/uw&CISOPTR=5579&CISOBOX=1&REC=1">http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/uw&CISOPTR=5579&CISOBOX=1&REC=1</a></span><br />
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Three buildings designed by him are currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places: </div>
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Mayville Public Library (<span style="color: red;">see
page 4</span> <span style="color: red;">of document</span>): </div>
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Document: <a href="http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/77001034.pdf" target="_new">http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/77001034.pdf</a></div>
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Photo: <a href="http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Photos/77001034.pdf" target="_new">http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Photos/77001034.pdf</a></div>
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Union
Block (<span style="color: red;">see page 3</span> <span style="color: red;">of document</span>): </div>
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Document:
<a href="http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/85003353.pdf">http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/85003353.pdf</a></div>
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Photo: <a href="http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Photos/85003353.pdf" target="_new">http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Photos/85003353.pdf</a></div>
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Laura Building (<span style="color: red;">see page 3 of document</span>):<br />
Document: <a href="http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/85002794.pdf">http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/85002794.pdf</a></div>
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Photo: <a href="http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Photos/85002794.pdf" target="_new">http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Photos/85002794.pdf</a></div>
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In 1890, William C. and his mother, Susanna, immigrated
to the USA, followed in 1893 by his brother, Richard J. Albrant.</div>
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Source: <a href="https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12045-47642-37?cc=1325221">https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12045-47642-37?cc=1325221</a></div>
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In 1904 he married Francis Ellen Gillespie. She was born
in 1874 in Ireland and immigrated to this country in 1887 with her parents,
Huburt (born 1838) and Fannie E. Gillespie (born 1838). Huburt and Fannie, both
born in Ireland, had 10 children -- only 4 were still living in 1900. </div>
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Source: <a href="https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11855-77576-90?cc=1325221">https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11855-77576-90?cc=1325221</a></div>
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<br /></div>Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-63846581375771763912012-06-17T14:51:00.001-07:002012-06-17T14:56:14.050-07:00Father's Day 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu2lDMoEFWM/T95QJPpJR9I/AAAAAAAAAdE/L35aqOPSbFE/s1600/2012+Father%27s+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu2lDMoEFWM/T95QJPpJR9I/AAAAAAAAAdE/L35aqOPSbFE/s400/2012+Father%27s+Day.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I am lucky enough to have some pretty creative folks in my family. Above is a collage of some of the cards/gifts I received this year for Father's Day.<br />
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At the top, daughter Carrie Renee gave me a card with a beautiful message, and topped it off with a box of Ritz crackers and spray-on cheese spread. That gal knows the way to my heart!<br />
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Below left, son Matthew created a card using a photo from years ago showing him and me at the radio desk in Brea, CA. The message "Happy Fathers Day" was spelled out in morse code. Matt made my day with a nice "thank you" note for being a good dad. Neat!<br />
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The card at lower right is from our granddaughter Kayla, age 18. I love her stick figures with the "you" and "me" labels! She wrote a lovely message inside.<br />
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I'll keep these cards forever!Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-74079205059249877382012-06-13T11:11:00.002-07:002012-06-13T11:13:33.489-07:00Quinton Graduates!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1mxGp-H4Nk/T9jWllP15yI/AAAAAAAAAcw/sJExI-yZ9ec/s1600/2012+Quinton+High+School+Graduation+%283%29-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1mxGp-H4Nk/T9jWllP15yI/AAAAAAAAAcw/sJExI-yZ9ec/s320/2012+Quinton+High+School+Graduation+%283%29-1.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
Our grandson Quinton Hancock graduated from Creekside High School here in Murrieta recently.<br />
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Picture at left shows him walking down the aisle towards the stage. A dashing figure, don't you think?<br />
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His family, plus Robbin and I, attended the ceremonies which included a great slide show of the school and students activities, with several shots of our man Quinton.<br />
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Quinton has plans to join the military now that his high school days are over.<br />
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The photo below is a shot of the Daily Californian newspaper with Quinton the featured character, of course!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4KxuN3tOF0/T9jXyFx7HTI/AAAAAAAAAc4/kY_VOVLt3NM/s1600/Daily+Californian+Article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4KxuN3tOF0/T9jXyFx7HTI/AAAAAAAAAc4/kY_VOVLt3NM/s320/Daily+Californian+Article.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-43341866940483973902012-05-30T06:46:00.001-07:002012-05-30T09:53:04.447-07:00William Colston Albrant, Architect - Fargo, ND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R73UOzdRGb4/T8YjmLjhXgI/AAAAAAAAAck/D6Qp1fkHoxo/s1600/WC+Albrant+%283%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R73UOzdRGb4/T8YjmLjhXgI/AAAAAAAAAck/D6Qp1fkHoxo/s400/WC+Albrant+%283%29.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
I thought it was about time to offer a little tribute to the original William Colston Albrant. He died at age 35, just two months before his only child, William C. Albrant II, was born. <br />
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He was a well-known architect in and around Fargo, ND, and designed some major buildings, including Minard Hall, North Dakota State University, the Robb Lawrence Building, Union Block, Putnam Hall, Mayville Public Library, several churches and schools, and numerous other buildings, many of which are still standing today!<br />
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Here's a link to some photos and documents that might be of interest:<br />
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<a href="http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb270/k6cu/WC%20Albrant/#%21cpZZ1QQtppZZ20">http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb270/k6cu/WC%20Albrant/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ20</a><br />
<br />Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-42066686247672997162012-04-25T15:50:00.001-07:002012-04-25T15:52:40.138-07:00Found my antenna!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dhqZ5Sgi640/T5h-OwEm3zI/AAAAAAAAAcU/lXLXBmgML_c/s1600/downsized_0425121539a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dhqZ5Sgi640/T5h-OwEm3zI/AAAAAAAAAcU/lXLXBmgML_c/s320/downsized_0425121539a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This week we cut down ALL the bushes along the north side fence. Not only does this make things look a little different, but now my HF6-V vertical antenna is more exposed and not surrounded by Honeysuckle plants.<br />
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In the picture at right, you can just see the vertical antenna between the two palm trees.<br />
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It didn't happen without problems. After doing some work on the coax, and adding two more radials, the antenna just didn't work right. I made several adjustments with no success.<br />
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Finally I found the "ground" connection from the coax to the antenna had broken, effectively turning my vertical into a piece of tubing at the end of a wire. A quick fix with the soldering iron and it works as good as new!<br />
<br />Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-81438806250512997742012-04-07T16:16:00.005-07:002012-04-14T16:46:13.816-07:00The Santa Rosa Plateau...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVdAG18Q0eg/T4DLFS1RPPI/AAAAAAAAAcM/j4SrWihePuk/s1600/DSCN3247.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVdAG18Q0eg/T4DLFS1RPPI/AAAAAAAAAcM/j4SrWihePuk/s320/DSCN3247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728802017830321394" border="0" /></a>Today Robbin and I finally visited the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve. It's only 4 miles from our home, but in the 12 years we've lived here we haven't visited :)<br /><br />It's over 9,000 acres. In late spring (after we get some solid rain) several large "vernal" pools form. A unique shrimp, found only in this area, hatches during this time. Perhaps we'll go back and watch the action!<br /><br />The trails are well maintained, and there are many of them, so seasoned hikers can spend all day (from sunup to sundown) and still not see it all. After Santa Rosa we took the back roads to Temecula, then south to Fallbrook for lunch and shopping. With weather in the 80's, it was a beautiful day indeed.Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-86806291031429749972012-03-21T11:08:00.004-07:002012-03-21T11:21:24.302-07:00DXCC Honor Roll Sticker<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5eJgH--aJqk/T2oZlPPJk5I/AAAAAAAAAbc/M3eYA4zWJOU/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5eJgH--aJqk/T2oZlPPJk5I/AAAAAAAAAbc/M3eYA4zWJOU/s320/IMG_0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722414404063564690" border="0" /></a>It may not look like much, but this little sticker is valuable -- at least to ham radio operators. Today I received the much coveted DXCC Honor Roll sticker, confirming that I've worked 331 entities (countries). They offer a nice bronze plaque, but it has a $60 price tag, and guess I'm too cheap to buy it!<br /><br />There are several hundred hams (out of over a million) who have reached Honor Roll status. Many of them have large antenna systems, and amplifiers, and make Honor Roll in a matter of a decade or so.<br /><br />My station is only 100 watts with a small vertical antenna so the effort took a little longer -- 50 years to be exact. In reality, I only started "chasing" the DXCC award when I got back on the air in 1985.Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-80374574357769229722012-03-05T10:39:00.014-08:002012-03-05T16:34:10.966-08:00DXCC Honor Roll... Finally!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJqJV4xyFtE/T1VZ9tWKvfI/AAAAAAAAAbE/zQU5Z4DGVQc/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 80px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJqJV4xyFtE/T1VZ9tWKvfI/AAAAAAAAAbE/zQU5Z4DGVQc/s320/Capture.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716574218696179186" border="0" /></a>Just received an email from the ARRL DXCC desk, confirming that I've <span style="font-style: italic;">finally</span> made the DXCC Honor Roll, with 331 current entities (countries) confirmed!<br /><br />This is a life-long effort in my ham radio career that started over 50 years ago! So, if you don't mind, I'm going to give myself a big pat on the back!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ut3DciwZHGg/T1UIeSxktaI/AAAAAAAAAa4/PpsT8E4KS5Q/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 154px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ut3DciwZHGg/T1UIeSxktaI/AAAAAAAAAa4/PpsT8E4KS5Q/s320/Capture.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716484618545575330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The chart above shows Total 339 and Current 331 (some countries/entities have been deleted over the years). The screen capture shows the email from ARRL confirming my award.Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-7273014151898093842012-02-28T12:05:00.005-08:002012-02-28T14:21:16.277-08:00The New Look...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pVv5RYAJzHs/T00zthj8diI/AAAAAAAAAas/9XGcdDu5PG0/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pVv5RYAJzHs/T00zthj8diI/AAAAAAAAAas/9XGcdDu5PG0/s320/Capture.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714280359399290402" border="0" /></a>Using the miracle of PhotoShop, the K6CU Blog page has been updated. It also makes the page load much faster than the old design.<br /><br />Let me know what you think... good? bad?<br /><br />By the way, this is the same photo that ran in QST magazine, February 2012 issue.Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-83903378928661342832012-02-22T15:08:00.000-08:002012-02-22T15:33:55.675-08:00DX Contest A Success!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GztEJMVxes/T0V2Nfds7CI/AAAAAAAAAYw/t-uKcipmsM8/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 159px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GztEJMVxes/T0V2Nfds7CI/AAAAAAAAAYw/t-uKcipmsM8/s320/Capture.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712101676545797154" border="0" /></a>Last weekend I participated in the ARRL DX Contest. This is a contest where stations in the USA try to work as many foreign stations as possible. I enter this annual contest almost every year as a casual operator, and not as a competitive station. My only goal is to try and improve on my previous scores.<br /><br />The 2012 contest score was the best ever, with 362 contacts and 186,792 points. That's almost double my score last year of 95,066 points!<br /><br />Some of the more interesting countries I contacted include Madeira Island, Ascension Island, Senegal, Antarctica, Surinam, Aland Island, Svalbard, Palau, plus numerous countries in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Pacific.<br /><br />The contest lasts 48 hours, but I only actually operated for about 20 hours.<br /><br />All the logging is done with a computer program called WinTest, which saves a whole lot of time, plus it prevents working "duplicate" contacts, which can lower your score.Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-11281030130102007482012-01-27T15:59:00.001-08:002012-01-27T16:08:24.920-08:00VP6T on Pitcairn Island...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDHFd6oQlEE/TyM6l8veh2I/AAAAAAAAAYA/35k60R8aTIM/s1600/web_pitcairn_photo.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDHFd6oQlEE/TyM6l8veh2I/AAAAAAAAAYA/35k60R8aTIM/s320/web_pitcairn_photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702465976816011106" border="0" /></a>Another great DXpedition is currently in operation -- this one from Pitcairn Island in the south Pacific, and home to "Mutiny on the Bounty" fame.<br /><br />So far I've worked them on 4 bands. I'll probably end up getting them on 20, 30, 40 and 80 meters as well as the lower bands are usually easier to work that area from this location.<br /><br />Below is a map showing the location of Pitcairn Island, and a chart showing the contacts I've made. The photo (above) shows the island. Very interesting place, but somewhat difficult get to.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stmJvOFETB8/TyM7b27QY1I/AAAAAAAAAYM/n5GYWDdLm00/s1600/Capture1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stmJvOFETB8/TyM7b27QY1I/AAAAAAAAAYM/n5GYWDdLm00/s320/Capture1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702466902967739218" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3b87QJ9YSHE/TyM7rhpFZBI/AAAAAAAAAYY/7lbuw4p-lu8/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 176px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3b87QJ9YSHE/TyM7rhpFZBI/AAAAAAAAAYY/7lbuw4p-lu8/s320/Capture.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702467172132283410" border="0" /></a>Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-11748104704997895152012-01-13T13:57:00.000-08:002012-01-13T20:10:51.750-08:00K6CU In QST Magazine<div style="text-align: left;">The new issue of QST magazine (the largest magazine for this hobby) has a nice little article that includes my station, and a brief quote from me. Guess I'm almost famous?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtw_1-o4lr0/TxCqecqIj0I/AAAAAAAAAX0/RsxXrtqAodY/s1600/2012%2BQST%2BArticle%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 248px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtw_1-o4lr0/TxCqecqIj0I/AAAAAAAAAX0/RsxXrtqAodY/s400/2012%2BQST%2BArticle%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697240968689389378" border="0" /></a>To see the image enlarged, click on it. Then right click on the photo and select "View Photo" and then click on the + sign.<br /></div>Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-45910272946788650062011-12-31T10:03:00.001-08:002011-12-31T10:05:54.347-08:00Happy New Year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKZKyWKcO2Q/Tv9O_V8yMJI/AAAAAAAAAXo/IFXmoF8ndck/s1600/YEAR-OF-THE-DRAGON-GOOD-LUCK-WISH-2012.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 341px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKZKyWKcO2Q/Tv9O_V8yMJI/AAAAAAAAAXo/IFXmoF8ndck/s400/YEAR-OF-THE-DRAGON-GOOD-LUCK-WISH-2012.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692355304150413458" border="0" /></a>Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-73256282606689362192011-12-27T09:27:00.001-08:002011-12-27T09:38:51.298-08:00Christmas, 2011...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gIz4s7GD1rU/TvoAmd2a40I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/_Dw0UL1KKaQ/s1600/2011%2BChristmas%2B%25289%2529.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gIz4s7GD1rU/TvoAmd2a40I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/_Dw0UL1KKaQ/s320/2011%2BChristmas%2B%25289%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690861739983954754" border="0" /></a>Mother Nature cooperated by providing near 70 degree weather for our Christmas 2011 in Murrieta!<br /><br />While the individual families had their Christmas gift exchange on Christmas eve or early Christmas day, we all gathered at our home in Murrieta to celebrate, open gifts and enjoy a wonderful dinner.<br /><br />Families attending this year included the Cordray's from Murrieta, the Davis' clan from Hemet and the Duffy's from Riverside. Altogether it was a pretty large group. The dinner was a potluck affair, with plenty of great left-overs to be taken home.<br /><br />In the photo above Steve, Kayla, Haylie, Kristopher, Colston and Quinton show off their new bathrobes from the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas -- courtesy of our son Matthew. What a fun gift!Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-89773701801135766282011-11-28T08:59:00.001-08:002011-11-28T16:19:53.371-08:002011 CQWW DX Contest...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XnfUQYxARqQ/TtO-FVmrNoI/AAAAAAAAAXE/F4vfGnwL-6Q/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 169px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XnfUQYxARqQ/TtO-FVmrNoI/AAAAAAAAAXE/F4vfGnwL-6Q/s320/Capture.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680092553952310914" border="0" /></a>After a wonderful Thanksgiving (see post below), I participated in the 2011 CQWW DX contest.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-37436258718570456312011-11-26T19:21:00.001-08:002011-11-26T19:42:40.735-08:00Christmas Time is Near...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLgKSj3nZsA/TtGszT6P9II/AAAAAAAAAW4/xjXJDJyVs70/s1600/downsized.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLgKSj3nZsA/TtGszT6P9II/AAAAAAAAAW4/xjXJDJyVs70/s320/downsized.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679510602608800898" border="0" /></a>A busy week for the Albrant family in Murrieta...<br /><br />On Thursday we had Thanksgiving dinner at our house.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Instead of turkey for the main course we opted instead for a giant Rib Roast, served with all the trimmings.<br /><br />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).<br /><br />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(<br /><br />The day after Thanksgiving I burned off some calories and put up the Christmas tree while Robbin started decorating throughout the house.<br /><br />We wish you all Happy Holidays and good fortune in the coming year!Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-84883791493149487702011-11-15T15:41:00.000-08:002011-11-15T17:15:22.201-08:00T2T, Tuvalu Island... Another Ham Radio Expedition...<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ADs4qNe9vR4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0m8-RjLa04/TsL6adqfzRI/AAAAAAAAAWs/8rOU_mhhaeo/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 117px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0m8-RjLa04/TsL6adqfzRI/AAAAAAAAAWs/8rOU_mhhaeo/s320/Capture.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675373812986662162" border="0" /></a><br />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!Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-49604799898787918802011-10-25T09:13:00.000-07:002011-10-31T13:45:53.568-07:00TX7M DXpedition to Marquesas Islands Worked<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKEr0MB4Hh8/TqbgiAliihI/AAAAAAAAAWE/_9T0bMtpoF8/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKEr0MB4Hh8/TqbgiAliihI/AAAAAAAAAWE/_9T0bMtpoF8/s320/Capture.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667464055969974802" border="0" /></a>TX7M is the callsign of another big ham radio dx-pedition, this one going to the Marquesas Islands, out in the Pacific Ocean near Tahiti. I've worked them on 8 bands (see chart at right) using CW (morse code).<br /><br />This is a major effort is being put on by a group of Russian radio operators.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5p75fkRRB3g/TqbidThhY6I/AAAAAAAAAWc/m0gTjJqMUIA/s1600/tumb_6267.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 218px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5p75fkRRB3g/TqbidThhY6I/AAAAAAAAAWc/m0gTjJqMUIA/s320/tumb_6267.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667466174177305506" border="0" /></a>In recent years it's been difficult to work foreign stations on the higher bands (10, 12 and 15 meters) due to a lack of sunspots. With the 11 year solar cycle coming into full bloom, these bands are now open and stations all over the world can be contacted.<br /><br /><br />The photo shows one of their antennas used on the 10 meter band hanging from some palm trees.Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-5586836225778360812011-10-06T10:53:00.000-07:002011-10-06T14:20:33.914-07:00T32C, Kiritimati Island Worked On 8 Bands!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WnOUvC_Oajs/To3ta-i1DRI/AAAAAAAAAV8/lb9Yse5AwpA/s1600/755px-Kiritimati-EO.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 227px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WnOUvC_Oajs/To3ta-i1DRI/AAAAAAAAAV8/lb9Yse5AwpA/s320/755px-Kiritimati-EO.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660441354396044562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:arial;">Below is a chart showing contacts I made with T32C during the past week.This is an Amateur Radio DXpedition to Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the Northern Line Islands, a part of the Republic of Kiribati.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The chart is from their on-line log, which they uploaded daily, and shows I worked them on 8 bands using CW (morse code). The only band I have not worked them on is 160m because I don't have an antenna for that band.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This was a HUGE operation, with 15 stations set up and 41 operators participating, mostly Europeans. The map above shows the island. They located their stations at the top right part of the island.</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xkyhNpegUE/To3rZVFjNkI/AAAAAAAAAV0/_DpFwGOh2lY/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 132px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xkyhNpegUE/To3rZVFjNkI/AAAAAAAAAV0/_DpFwGOh2lY/s320/Capture.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660439127064262210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Christmas Island is a very isolated, but interesting place.<br /><br />Here's a link to Wikipedia with more information:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiritimati">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiritimati</a></span><br /><br /><br /></span></span>Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-52791367231788632442011-09-30T10:37:00.001-07:002011-10-28T15:07:42.300-07:00Scan, Scan, Scan!Earlier this month Robbin and I started scanning photos from our old photo albums.<br /><br />I had no idea we had so many pictures! So far we've completed 11 albums, with a total of 2,141 photos!<br /><br />Many of the photos need "work", so after we get the scanning done, we use PhotoShop to correct color, remove "uggies" (blemishes), crop and do whatever we can to make them as good as possible.<br /><br />There are companies that do photo scanning, at a price of about 28 cents per picture. That doesn't include any kind of corrections or adjustments. So far that would have cost us $599.48. It's more work -- and time -- to do it ourselves, but the results are worth it.Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-57468763927043732042011-08-26T09:08:00.000-07:002011-10-06T11:20:29.623-07:00Worth A Look...<div class="mvm uiStreamAttachments clearfix fbMainStreamAttachment" ft="{"type":10}"><div class="UIImageBlock clearfix"><a class="uiVideoThumb UIImageBlock_Image UIImageBlock_MED_Image" rel="async" href="http://www.facebook.com/" id="u496240_14" target="_blank" ft="{"type":42,"video_type":"share"}" tabindex="-1"><img style="width: 253px; height: 190px;" class="img" src="http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQBSImBmdMHpiY8P&w=130&h=130&url=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F5-AJYi-wzpA%2Fdefault.jpg" alt="" /></a><div class="UIImageBlock_Content UIImageBlock_MED_Content fsm fwn fcg"><div class="uiAttachmentTitle" ft="{"type":11}"><strong><br />Click on the link below:<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-AJYi-wzpA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Advice to live by</a><br /><br /></strong> </div>Everyone wishes they could go back in time knowing what they know now. Since that's not possible, the next best thing is to listen to advice from those that have been there ...</div></div></div>Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-22831399885292811252011-08-18T12:32:00.000-07:002011-10-10T09:12:12.604-07:00The Last Frontier!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stGqig8a63E/Tk1q_1SefwI/AAAAAAAAAU0/uWOcQxJPy0o/s1600/downsized_0813111941.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stGqig8a63E/Tk1q_1SefwI/AAAAAAAAAU0/uWOcQxJPy0o/s320/downsized_0813111941.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642283553033977602" border="0" /></a>We're home at last... after 17 hours of travel on the return flights! Our plane from Ketchikan was delayed by several hours due to bad weather in Juneau, which means we missed the early flight from Seattle to Ontario. Arrived home at 1 am!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLWUgyT16dM/Tk1rRSLjLeI/AAAAAAAAAU8/idtddVZ-i-o/s1600/DSCN3203.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLWUgyT16dM/Tk1rRSLjLeI/AAAAAAAAAU8/idtddVZ-i-o/s320/DSCN3203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642283852847328738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Would we do it again? Absolutely!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Our visit with Bill, Becca and the kids was awesome! And Bill is a fantastic chef (who knew?). He prepared his soon-to-be famous Curry Chicken, and we even managed to snag the recipe for the glaze. Thanks Bill!<br /><br />Becca had a welcome basket waiting for us, with towels, newspaper and flyers on things to do in the area. It was our first time seeing Liam in person. What a cutie he is. The girls were equally fun to be with.<br /><br />Our hosts took us to visit downtown, then out south of town to see a group of bears out in the wild! Another trip with Becca took us to the far north of town to Settlers Cove, which is a beautiful camping area.<br /><br />During our visit several people asked about the original "Ketchikan" hoodies Robbin and I were wearing (shown in the top photo). We proudly told them that Becca was the designer, and had them available for sale. Luckily we got ours before she was sold out!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Ketchikan area is absolutely beautiful with lots of forest and wide open spaces. We have a DVD with many pictures and lots of video. If you're interested, let me know. Here are a few photos from our trip to Alaska.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLr5wv0tWLo/Tk1r1Y1Gx7I/AAAAAAAAAVM/fKwcaN2gbQc/s1600/DSCN3231.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLr5wv0tWLo/Tk1r1Y1Gx7I/AAAAAAAAAVM/fKwcaN2gbQc/s320/DSCN3231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642284473107531698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IbLz65k2KhM/Tk1rldV6AHI/AAAAAAAAAVE/bAhBWiLLKGk/s1600/DSCN3206.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 194px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IbLz65k2KhM/Tk1rldV6AHI/AAAAAAAAAVE/bAhBWiLLKGk/s320/DSCN3206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642284199440941170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-euSt4WuBfLU/Tk1v1XKtOzI/AAAAAAAAAVk/SbYX6cpqq7M/s1600/DSCN3199.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 187px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-euSt4WuBfLU/Tk1v1XKtOzI/AAAAAAAAAVk/SbYX6cpqq7M/s320/DSCN3199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642288870707772210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecM-zmJUsEc/Tk1sM9SscbI/AAAAAAAAAVU/_PPl7CWPyF4/s1600/downsized_0816111115.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 188px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecM-zmJUsEc/Tk1sM9SscbI/AAAAAAAAAVU/_PPl7CWPyF4/s320/downsized_0816111115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642284878032302514" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Photos include "bath night" for Liam; Becca with wild huckleberries in the forest; Bill with Liam at the library; Artwork by Becca on display at a local gallery. We also got some great video on our trip and I'll be making a DVD for our memory collection.<br /><br />Here's a link to all the photos on PhotoBucket: <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb270/k6cu/2011%20Ketchikan/">KETCHIKAN</a>Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128772952458992947.post-38957347175481194922011-08-16T07:04:00.000-07:002011-08-16T07:18:38.314-07:00Visiting Bill & BeccaHere are some random shots from our visit with Bill, Becca, Bailey, Bristol and Liam. You can click on any of them to enlarge the photo. We leave for home tomorrow.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNuGud0RxLY/Tkp6kP4KsFI/AAAAAAAAAUc/oqQjIl5Ff8w/s1600/DSCN3188.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNuGud0RxLY/Tkp6kP4KsFI/AAAAAAAAAUc/oqQjIl5Ff8w/s200/DSCN3188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641456246390960210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdSK84-XzMg/Tkp6LLAfelI/AAAAAAAAAUU/Q8CeMNAHuY0/s1600/DSCN3186.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdSK84-XzMg/Tkp6LLAfelI/AAAAAAAAAUU/Q8CeMNAHuY0/s200/DSCN3186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641455815586970194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O2s_02yawTo/Tkp7Fqs3cCI/AAAAAAAAAUs/3xcv_iQcy_s/s1600/DSCN3208.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O2s_02yawTo/Tkp7Fqs3cCI/AAAAAAAAAUs/3xcv_iQcy_s/s200/DSCN3208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641456820527001634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AdoFT-hf7Yg/Tkp5tshrwOI/AAAAAAAAAUM/IyGN0HRVbd8/s1600/DSCN3176.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 158px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AdoFT-hf7Yg/Tkp5tshrwOI/AAAAAAAAAUM/IyGN0HRVbd8/s200/DSCN3176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641455309188481250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waHzJQao0ks/Tkp6w3OJgjI/AAAAAAAAAUk/vb1haqI0oLo/s1600/DSCN3201.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waHzJQao0ks/Tkp6w3OJgjI/AAAAAAAAAUk/vb1haqI0oLo/s200/DSCN3201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641456463110570546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUV5iBWHqMo/Tkp5bKeOSaI/AAAAAAAAAUE/xHzSIrsaUC8/s1600/DSCN3171.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 161px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUV5iBWHqMo/Tkp5bKeOSaI/AAAAAAAAAUE/xHzSIrsaUC8/s320/DSCN3171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641454990809516450" border="0" /></a>Bill Albranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13481426932019059753noreply@blogger.com