“K4UPG” (Kelly for Unreached People Groups)
Posted by cmack on 23 Jan 2009 at 10:16 pm | Tagged as: Family & Friends, Other Stuff, Technology
Hurray! Kelly did pass his test and was able to renew his old Amateur Radio license. He has new “call letters” now, “K4UPG,” as you saw in the title. If you understand the kind of missions work we do, you would agree K4UPG is very apropos for him. Possibly there will be opportunities to share about the Lord to other “hams” when they ask him about his call letters.
As Kelly reacquaints himself with his old hobby of 30 some years ago, he has had to reacquire various items, parts and tools of the trade. EBay has been a great resource and it is easy on the pocketbook.
This last weekend we had our first Amateur Radio outing so Kelly could test his radio. Our housing community has a 30 acre lake just a couple of blocks from us with a small and simple park area overlooking the lake. (Simple means: 3 weather worn park benches & 2 small picnic tables.) It is a very “open” area without electrical wires or tall buildings that would interfere with his reception, ideal for what he needed.
The Lake
It was extremely windy so we had to set up in an area a little more protected by trees. “Set up” meant, stringing his antenna coax between two trees about 60 feet apart. And, the higher up the antenna, the better the reception. With the wind, this was a challenge!
Kelly, Throwing The Line Over The Limb
Ally-oop, And He Makes It Over The Limb
The 2nd Tree about 60 ft Away From The First
Kelly Attaches Antenna Ends To The 2 Lines
Since last weekend, he has been researching different ways to get his antenna strung between the trees without throwing his arm out of joint. He has come up with some ingenious ways, so the next post about his radio adventures will probably introduce you to one of these.
For this outing, he was testing his transceiver and mostly just listening. (He’s still working on the “tuna can” transmitter, waiting on parts. NOT- kelly it is done!) With the receiver he was able to “listen” to the chatter over the airwaves. He actually heard other amateur operators transmitting from the Falkland Islands, Costa Rica and from different states all over the US. The day was a success.
The Alcove Protected From The Wind By A Tree Line
Close Up, And He's Getting A Signal!
Look Close: The Black Antenna Wire Is Hanging From the Line Above In Font Of Kelly
Kelly's View Of The Lake & My Park Bench Between The 2 Trees
While Kelly was having fun I was doing one of my favorite things, sitting on one of those weather worn park benches reading a good book and trying to keep warm. The book was “The Lotus and the Cross” by Ravi Zacharias, which I highly recommend.
Self Portrait: Connie Sitting On The Park Bench And It's Windy & Cold
Connie's View Of The Lake On Park Bench As She Reads
It was a great weekend and we both enjoyed that day. We look forward to many more.
Connie – You are such a good wife for Kelly —- I know u would rather have been sitting in your recliner in your nice warm home reading than out there in the windy cold. When it is cold in Florida – it is very cold. I am glad for Kelly – I know he loves the Ham Radio stuff – He did as a kid and am glad in his older years he is finding a hobby to relieve some of the stress of the everyday world. Love you both – Jean
hope you get some QSLs this weekend, Kelly. Love the setup.
hehe – Don’t freak out the locals – in this day and age they won’t have a clue what you are doing and you’ll have a tactical swat team sweeping in on your to make sure you aren’t wire tapping the residents and such! I’ve taken the practice test like a bagillion times – is the real test just like the online practice tests or should I actually get a book and study more!? haha
Hi Jean, it was pretty cold but the book was good (and so was the company).
Hey Matt, once you get your rig set up, we’ll have to do a joint outing!
Erin, Don’t think I didn’t think about those neighbors wondering what in the world we were doing. I half expected the security guy to drive up and ask to see our ID.
Thanks guys for checking out the blog. Guess I’m not just talking to empty air out there. At least not all the time.
Connie
hahaha Oh boy. Kelly you crack me up everytime I see these pictures. One thing I have to say, I am so glad you are driven as I see it in your wonderful son on a daily basis. I am also seeing it in the grandson. Thank goodness for good genes. I love you both
Connie, if it would be helpful or encouraging to know if people are reading your blog – and where they are coming from – set up “Google Analytics” for your page. It’s a little tricky and technical to get it set up but once you do it’s easy to use. Then you can see how many hits you are getting, how often people check it, where they are coming from, what people search for or what links they follow that lead them there, etc.
Lisa, amazing how these characteristics get passed on…
Marti, thanks for the advice. Now you are the true blogger, I love reading your blog!
Kelly,
Congratulations and Welcome back to a fantastic hobby/public service. It is great to get back on the air after a period of being dormant.
A few years ago I returned after almost ten years. I purchased a Heathkit HW7. It arrived on Friday and I spent all day working on a three band parallel dipole for it. On Saturday I hooked it all up and turned it on. I was hoping to find a few slow cw operators so I could work off the rust. The first thing I heard made me sink in my seat — CQFD. No contest for me hihi. I had to wait a few days to try again.
Since then I upgraded to Amateur Extra Class and have had a great time with radio again.
Don’t tell my wife, but I am secretly working on stocking up enough cash to buy an FT-817ND and put together a portable station for portable QRP operations.
Welcome back
73 & God Bless
Buck
N4PGW
Thanks Buck! Great to hear from you and very encouraging. I am sad my cw has slipped so much but enjoying working it back up to par. Looking forward to Hamcation next weekend.
It is great to be back on the air and meet people like you! Blessings & 73, Kelly K4UPG