N4MQU

Detecting the invisible

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Amateur Radio

 

N4mqu at the shack

N4MQU Mark Gibson VFN #72 BH #19 sitting in front of his ham radio in his office.

For no charge amateur radio exams exams in central North Carolina see Five County HRE website  

 

 

My personal station is a Icom 7100 with a Buckmaster   4-band OCF Dipole Antenna, 300 Watts . I can operate on 75, 40, 20, 17 without a tuner.  I like the 7100 because  it has HF/UHF/VHF all in the same unit but I do understand why you would want to have a different radio for UHF/ VHF.  I have used the 7100 portable and operate Satellite  with it. When I got my license we had to learn Morse code and I am so happy I did. I don’t use it too much but happy I know it.  I also still remember simophore from scouting.  I am an astronomy and radio merit badge counselor if you need my services.

 

Parks on the Air

N4MQU_POTA_Diamond_Hunter

 

I recently became involved with Parks on the air (POTA).  I had always tried to answer someone when I heard them call parks on the air so when we started planning the camping trip and a friend wanted to activate the Staunton River State Park, I finally activated my membership in September.  I was surpised to find I had 26 contacts that is the reason for the awards close together.

  1. Silver Hunter 9/13/2021
  2. Bronze Hunter 9/13/2021
  3. Gold Hunter 9/13/2021
  4. Platinum Hunter 9/19/21
  5. Diamond Hunter 9/25/21

I have been licensed since 1980.  How did I get started in amateur radio? I was at a star party in the middle of nowhere (near Tidewater, VA) so I could view some astronomical objects away from city lights. I was about 25 years old at that time and a friend needed to call home. This was before cell phones so my friend Don Wright used his amateur radio to allow my friend to call home. Shortly after that event I started studying for my license. Speaking of ham radio, are you currently licensed or do you need to upgrade? For free? Be sure to navigate to my Five County Ham Radio Enthusiasts club page. A lot of information on how to study and resources you can use for this new adventure you are about to take. The FCC allows Volunteer Examiner Clubs to charge a fee to help offset the cost of processing the exam. I never felt right about charging. I had noticed a couple of years ago one of the biggest Hamfest does not charge. I started checking and found out the Laurel VEC did not charge. I found out who to contact and after getting information I signed up. It turned out I started the first free team in North Carolina. We have so far administered 80 exams saving our applicants $1200. There now have 7 free teams in North Carolina.

I am also a member of the Johnston Amateur Radio Society (JARS).  In 2018 I was interviewed about the Hambulance a converted ambulance with radio equipment on the Amateur Radio Newsline .

At the end of June will be field day.  Be sure to sign up here.

I started a new Facebook group called  Astronomy Meets Amateur Radio. This group is for individuals interested in astronomy and amateur radio. 

I hope you enjoy my website.

 

Recent Posts

  • Ham Radio At the Aycock Birthplace Country Fair
  • Celebrating Opening Day of Summer 2022
  • K-8007 #1 22020209
  • K-7787 #1 20211027
  • K-4853 #1 20210930

Widgets
Jun
26

Ham Radio At the Aycock Birthplace Country Fair

Jun
24

Celebrating Opening Day of Summer 2022

    First Night Tuesday June 21 A short time for planning this solo camping trip. I had just made reservations a couple of days before the actual camping trip.  I decided to make a reservation for POTA park K-1303 Hungry Mother State Park in Virginia. I don’t ever remember us going camping here as…

May
30

K-8007 #1 22020209

This activation was a lot of fun.  I was in a totally new area. I was combining two hobbies for the trip. A friend invited me to come help with a new to him telescope and the trip included a place to stay.  Since I’ve been in POTA, a new thing I am doing is…

May
30

K-7787 #1 20211027

This was a SOLO activation in Virginia.  

May
30

K-4853 #1 20210930

    This was the first time we found out they will lock the gates at closing time so you have to make sure you are packed up and out of there.  

May
30

K-3854 #1 20220919

This was a joint activation with N4AED and N4MQU.  

May
30

K-3854 #4 20220208

My fourth activation  I added a trailer hitch mount to my car.

May
30

K-3854 #3 20220130

My third activation at this park.

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