HamClock lives on

 

With Elwood (the creator of HamClock) now SK, HamClock is set to stop functioning in June 2026. Fortunately, several alternatives and workarounds exist for those looking to continue using similar features. Here’s a summary based on my experience and research:

1. Open HamClock

• Feature-rich: Offers extensive customization and configuration.
• Spotting Control: Ability to turn off spotting to de-clutter the map.
• Setup: Easy setup process; remembers your preferences if saved.
• Full Screen: Can be run in full-screen mode.
• Updates: Regular updates with clear notifications and instructions.
• VOACAP Display: Improved propagation prediction display.

ARRL DX CW contest

 

I spent a lot of time in the contest chair this weekend. While the Olympics were on and on Sunday, the much-anticipated U.S. vs. Canada hockey matchup sparked sports fever in our house, but it belongs to my wife, not me. For me, it was all about contesting, so I happily settled behind the radio.

I began early Saturday morning and continued until Sunday evening, wrapping up at 23:45. Conditions fluctuated significantly: on Sunday morning, I noticed a lot of what I call “wobbling” in station signals. Solar activity picked up on Sunday, and I found many stations calling me were just above the noise floor. I ran for about 90% of the contest and enjoyed every minute. I can always tell when I’m spotted suddenly as the floodgates open with callers!

 

By the end of each evening, fatigue started to set in, and I found myself mixing up S and H or 7 and 8. When that happens, I know it’s time to pull the plug and walk away before frustration takes over.

The station, PC, and antenna all operated flawlessly. I had contacts from South America, Hawaii, and even Africa. There were also quite a few QRP stations reporting just 5 watts I double-checked, thinking they meant 500, but nope, it was 5! One of my many pins now claims South Korea, though I know that’s not accurate. When I looked up the call, I realized my mistake, but by then, the station had already moved on.

All in all, it was a memorable weekend of contesting, full of challenges and highlights.

 

RFI issue solved!

 

For those of you who are consistent readers of my blog, you may remember that for some time now, I have had an issue with RFI. The problem it caused was that my contesting program N1MM+ would freeze while CW contesting on 15m and sometimes on 20m and 40m. As well, the Reverse Beacon Network website would get hung up while refreshing the world map and not stop trying to refresh the page. I would just see a spinning hourglass on the map. This only happened when I was on 15m, unlike the issues with N1MM+. I determined it was due to RFI, as when I dropped my power output to 60 watts, the issue was gone. Now, some might say just operate at 60 watts and FORGET ABOUT IT, as was said on The Sopranos, but as for me, I just can’t do that.

Having Blog issues

 

 While taking part of my morning brew I noticed an issue with my blog. I have a list of the blogs that I follow and blogger calls it a blog list gadget. The little squares beside each of the blogs I follow is supposed to be a solid color and it is not. That is not a big deal but at the bottom of the blog list is a link that says "Show all". Now when I click on it the remainder of the followed blogs do not appear, nothing happens. I tried it both on my Windows and Mac pc with the same results. The max blogs you can show it 10 that you follow. When the Show all link is clicked the rest of the followed blogs should appear. I went to the gadget and played around with different settings and nothing was successful. I then went to AE5X blog  who has the same setup for followers as mine. His too the squares were not a solid color and the link at the bottom of the blog list did not work either. Now I am not sure if it is just an issue here or if it is wide spread across all blogger blogs? If you have a blogger blog with this gadget give it a try, give the link on my blog a try at your end and if this is a wide spread issue does anyone have a fix.