The second Sunday Session, September 22nd, included an old antenna owned by Chris’s (K1WJY) grandfather and a new QRP Labs QMX transceiver with a small CW paddle brought in by Rob W8HAP. The ten hams who gathered enjoyed chatting while sharing projects and tinkering with items. Chris K1WJY set up the 20-year-old “Outbacker” antenna and was able to tune it for several bands. He then set up JS8Call and later WSJT-X.
Jeff KA1DBE demonstrated how he is able to run FT8 on his phone, and even made a contact with Chris K1WJY! Jeff set up his kit-built QRP Labs QDX Transceiver and used the display on his phone, running FT8CN to work FT8 QSOs during the session.
Another table at the Sunday Session found Dick W1KRP setting up CHIRP software and then programming local repeater addresses into a new Baofeng HT. Rob W8HAP brought in a Tufteln N6ARA TinyPaddle that can be used on portable rigs as well as few other items. In addition to demonstrations and set-ups, there are always small jobs to take care of such as changing batteries.
Conversations ranged from new DX QSOs to the upcoming Maine State QSO Party. Mel W1MEB and Stan W1BOY spent time discussing the troubleshooting options on an occasionally erratic automatic antenna tuner. Sunday Sessions are always a grab bag, and always worth the trip!
Written by Marion W1GRL
W1TU 