Dipper build

We had a GREAT Easter dinner with all of the kids and grandkids at noon today. After the visiting was done and the mess cleaned up. The kids all had other activities this afternoon. I took this time to build my DeluxeTenna Dipper Kit. The build went perfect and powered up on the first go. It should be a neat tool to use when playing with different antennas. I had built the 4SQRP Tenna Dipper kit but never got on with the tiny switches and such. This one seems to be much more user friendly but the cost was 3 times more.. Oh well here are some pictures and I am hoping for fishing weather this week de Paul N0NBD

Saturday fishing with the boys

It stormed last night and Buffalo was a little stired up but we managed to catch a few fish.
Les and Richard were in Les's boat and I was in my toon boat. It was overcast and cool but we had a good time. Les caught a couple white bass, Richard caught a greenie and I caught a nice bass... it was a fun morning... Some kit building on a Delux Tenna Dipper will take place after a nap de Paul N0NBD

Tenna Dipper kit arrived

In the mail today my Tenna Dipper was delivered. I inventoried the parts and they were all there... I am anxious to get started on the build. Will post more later.
We have Friday off so I think I will go to Buffalo and see if the white bass still will bite de Paul N0NBD

This is a cool kit sold by Hendricks QRP kits and designed by KD1JV

So far I have the case sanded, cleaned and 3 coats of clear on it so I will get started with the build soon. de Paul N0NBD

Saturday fishing at Buffalo

This morning dawned cold and windy. Les and I kicked for Buffalo lake and were on the water by 7:30. We caught some greenies and bass. Les caught a monster wiper and I caught a dandy white bass. it was great fishing. The sun came up after while and warmed up some but the air was cool.

No Radio Tonight

Man the storms whopped through here tonight with rain and wind but no damage that I can see. The storms were purple on the TV radar... I think that is pretty intense. I hope to report some QRP contacts tomorrow night and a fishing repoort on Saturday. de N0NBD

New Black Widow ready for tonights nets

I have a new cord on the Black Widow paddle and it is ready to go in a few minutes... Man it is purty and feels nice de Paul N0NBD

Black Widow built

I got the Black Widow done tonight. I had my OHR on 80 meters and I found John K3WWP working the NAQCC sprint. We had a quick sprint exchange and we both moved on. I will try to post a picture of the paddle tomorrow/ de Paul N0NBD

I got started on the Black Widow paddle

Among other things i got the paddle parts sanded, cleaned and a couple coats of Krylon sprayed on today. I am anxious to get to use it... More later. I did bring more station down stairs today and have the OHR 400 hooked up and running. Will make some contacts tomorrow. de Paul N0NBD

Ozarkcon 2011 is history

Ozarkcon 2011 was great! There were many good speakers at the sessions,  the banquet food was really good. The brisket was the best I have ever had! I did enter a few projects in the home brew contest but they paled in the presence of some other work. Nick WA5BDU entered his 1929 Hartley. It was BEAUTIFUL! Herb WR9H entered a RX manhattan style that was pretty. He won the section with it. Congrats Herb. I was honored with a plaque for QRPer of the year 2011.... Man, I am still flabbergasted!... I was lucky in the prize drawing and won a W5JH Black Widow paddle.... Man that is cool. This paddle will join my AZ paddle and Baby Black Widow on my PFR 3... I am looking forward to next year... Thanks to Terry WA0ITP and the Ozarkcon crew! de Paul N0NBD ar sk..