What's New

Starting A New Company?

Then check out my new blog by clicking Should You Start A Company?

Manuals

I've set up a page that has downloads of various manuals in Acrobat format. All of these are for equipment I have owned with lots on Yaesu...but other stuff is there too. Click Manuals.

Shack-N-Bag

Just added a new page with lots of photos showing my easy to "grab and go" portable station. Click Shack-N-Bag for details.

El Cheapo AZ-EL Rotor System for Satellites

Details on how to assemble my under $50 approach for my AA5FR El Cheapo AZ-EL rotor system for working the LEO (low earth orbit) AMSAT birds. Click Cheapo.

ATAS-120a Antenna

I have gotten so many requests for info and photos on the ATAS antenna, I've created a separate page. Click ATAS to see!

New Shack Additions

Just bought the Kenwood TH-F6A HT to add to my minimalist lineup where less is more. Great little radio in an incredibly small package. Just added the Diamond CR320A Tri-band Mobile Antenna to the car to run this as an easy mobile. Covers the same 144/220/440 as the TH-F6A HT and works MUCH better than the cheapie MFJ dual bander mag mount.

Going HF Mobile

Also, just convinced the XYL that an HF mobile mount is a good idea, especially for mountain topping (she is less convinced about using it while driving)! That way, we can operate portable in the comfort of the car with the top down on the convertible.

Just got the Comet CP-5 and the Yaesu ATAS-120A auto tune antenna. Will also be using the ATAS for portable operation. Update: Just added the Diamond K-400C Mount for the ATAS as I was finding the Comet CP-5 not quite good enough. See new test results now that I have installed the K-400. Will dedicate the CP-5 to the CR320A by clicking ATAS.

I have gotten so many requests for info and photos on the ATAS antenna, I've created a separate page. Click ATAS to see!

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Email:

You can email me by clicking on my eyeball contacts (yep, really my eyes.)

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A Gift - Even If There Is Less Than A Zero Chance We Will Work Together

This is one of the ways that I am "paying it forward."

Zero cost. Zero expectations - except that it is with my hope that it helps improve your life - and more quickly gets you from your current Point A to your desired Point B. Click the Five Year Life Book Cover to download this 82 Question Pop Quiz.

Don't even think about starting a company or new venture - or even a new romantic relationship without answering these 82 questions about your life - five years from right now! Make sure your personal life goals, your romantic goals and your new business goals are totally congruent.

Click the book cover to download your free Workbook with my compliments.

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Follow Me On Twitter

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Video Of Some Of My Photography Of The Smoky Mountains In Gatlinburg, Tennessee Here's some of my own photography done as a video set to music on YouTube.com. (Best seen in full screen and hi def mode.) You can view this bigger by clicking BIG!

 

I just uploaded this - and would appreciate your viewing it and leaving your comments on YouTube!

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Check out our new webcam for the current view from our balcony!

Just click the photo for the most recent update. Updated every 5 minutes.

Our new Cobbly Nob TN site was just chosen as an Earthcam Top 10 Webcam!

All of this in just our first two weeks of operation - and before we install our new wide angle, high definition lens! Stay tuned for even better images!

EarthCam, Inc. is the global leader in providing webcam content, technology and services and ranks among the top 1% of all websites. EarthCam.com is the world’s favorite webcam network and the EarthCam Network cameras have been seen on top news shows, including CNN’s Headline News.

Name:

Robert

QTH:

Clearwater Beach, Florida and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Locator:

EL87NO - FL
EM85HS - TN
IOTA - NA34 - FL.

Rigs:

Yaesu FT-897D, usually running only 20 watts. My main HF rig at my base station.

Yaesu FT-857D. This is my mobile rig working with the ATAS-120. Amazing result with the two - my first three contacts sitting in my Florida parking lot: Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Ukraine.

I also use the FT-857D as the main component of my "grab and go" "Shack-N-Bag" for easy portable operations.

Typically, using a SignaLink USB for all the digital stuff - especially PSK-31 and more recently JT65. MFJ-1026 for noise control. Both are amazing devices worth their weight in DXCC certificates.

Auto antenna tuner: The battery-powered LDG Z-11 Pro for the often portable FT-857D.

Antennae:

MFJ-1786 Magnetic Loop - Mounted on balcony about 30' above the sloping ground on the top of a mountain at 1,800' elevation.

Arrow J-Pole for 144/440 - Mounted on balcony about 30' above the sloping ground on the top of a mountain at 1,800' elevation.

Yaesu ATAS-120a for mobile and portable operations - which does a surprisingly amazing job for both. Best DX so far: Mobile from the top of the Smokies to VP8, Falkland Islands - with 10 watts - even at the bottom of this sunspot cycle. I have gotten so many requests for info and photos on the ATAS-120 antenna, I've created a separate page. Click ATAS to see!

Interests:

Everything! including my wife (absolutely my #1 favorite way to spend my time), digital photography, Photoshop, mountain hiking, sailing, biking, scuba diving, computers, writing, helping start up companies really get started and, of course, ham radio!

Previous Calls:

WN4LEJ - Novice
WA4YFH - General
KD5SB - Advanced
AA5FR - Extra

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Don't Waste Another
Sunset!

Now available in paperback, eBook and Kindle editions! Click the book cover to find out more about my latest book on Efficient Love:

Click eBook if you prefer to get your own Efficient Love in the next five minutes as an eBook - with a 60 day risk free guarantee. Paperback edition of book in stock and now IMMEDIATELY available from Amazon. Also available from Barnes and Noble and most bookstores for only $19.97! Click Kindle for the JUST RELEASED Kindle edition to immediately download your own copy of Efficient Love to your Kindle from Amazon!

If it's not in stock at your local bookstore just have them order
ISBN # 978-0-9792952-0-1

Email:

You can email me by clicking on my eyeball contacts (yep, really my eyes.)

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Sunsets:

Click for a slideshow of my sunset photos:

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