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First Flying Rockmite QSO!

I made my first QSO with WD8AFB of Orlando, FL with the new Rockmite 20 yesterday. That's 974 miles from Sound Beach, NY on about half a watt. The antenna design is a little different. Instead of running coax from the radio up to the antenna, the radio is part of the antenna.  A hijacked length of cat-5 ethernet cable brings the control and power lines down from above.



I used Dashtoons brand antenna insulators as quick disconnects so I can take the radio down during our frequent rains here on Long Island.



The keyer was a bit primitive for this first QSO:


Map of the QSO:
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Comments

  1. KC4ETWMay 10, 2011 at 4:43 AM

    That is a very interesting ham radio story.Anyone can buy an expensive radio and be a top gun with a tower and a beam etc.But this guy used his head and skill sets to do something really fun an interesting.God speed to this ham and I hope to follow the story and one day soon build my own rockmite.
    Kenneth
    KC4ETW

    ReplyDelete
  2. antigrav_kids KD0FNRMay 10, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    Thanks Kenneth! Please keep me posted on how your rockmite goes!

    ReplyDelete

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