MAPA = Make America Poor Again! A Lame Duck is nothing more than a Left-Over Turkey!

Join the G-QRP Club   If you are interested in getting the most bang for your buck, then join the G-QRP Club and get the benefit of the superb quarterly publication called SPRAT . Covering many facets of our hobby SPRAT features info on simple receivers, transmitters, antennas and test equipment. The Winter 2025/26 issue arrived at my QTH yesterday. Note the contents of the publication on the front cover. As I said... many facets. I looked at the photo but that was not one of the articles, but close inspection of the photo really shocked me!  The modules were unmistakable as it was my P3ST design and some of the boards even had my call sign on them. With a tip of the cap to mm0sjn, Stuart who modified the design to 40M and renamed it SP3ST with the S for Scottish. Bravo Stuart. Hybrid Wireless Also, a shock was to see a photo of the Hybrid Wireless on Page 3. I sent an email to the editor who covers "valve projects". My intent was only to share that some of us have built va...

  BB An Icon of the Screen has passed on 12/28/2025. Rip In Peace BB. Building a SSB Transceiver Stay tuned as I continue to work on the list of Boat Anchors for sale. This is a rare opportunity to move radios from my garage to your garage. The sale info will be fully published on 1/2/2026. Them that know will make you a deal! 73's Pete N6QW Then

Preceding the giant N6QW boat anchor sale which will commence on January 2nd, 2026, I wanted to clearly state the Conditions of Sale. (Subject to updating.) The equipment condition is for parts , repair and/or restoration . There is no implication that the equipment is in working condition nor meets original factory specifications. There is a small probability that the rigs could be made operational but that is not guaranteed. There is no warranty with all items sold "as is", and all sales are final. Most of the equipment is complete with all internal hardware (filters, tubes and transistors) and where it is not it will be so specified.  Radios are sold less power supplies, power or connecting cables, speakers, microphones, mobile mounts or brackets, accessories and/or antennas. Some of the radios have manuals and the majority do not but most manuals are available on the internet Sales are limited to the lower 48 continental United States and sorry but no Foreign Sales. Paym...

All of you blog readers to the right of the left coast facing north... strap in for some rough weather. We had lots of rain which means in the next 72 hours you will have that joy. A Gift to N6QW from Son #2 We all receive an array of Christmas presents ranging from the obscene, to the ridiculous to the really "hits the sweet spot". In this last category is the Precise Electric Screwdriver shown above. The bits are geared to those teeny tiny screws seen in many electronic assemblies. It is USB C rechargeable. A one-word description is PERFECT.  My daughter provided some clothing gifts that make me look cool... but I already thought I was cool. That said one gift from her was a warm Navy type watch cap with a built in LED flashlight. This is a really cool gift as I often walk in the early morning hours as that seems to be the schedule of some neighborhood YL's who have that walking schedule. Not only practical but certainly makes you noticed. I did think of one product imp...

A very Merry Christmas to all! Retrofitting OT Radios with New Tech Here we have a Digital Dial fitted inside a Tuning Knob. The photo is courtesy of a ham from France. Thanks Gilles! Person of the Year Confident, Cogent, Congenial, Creative, Concerned, Collaborative, Consummate, Cute and Connected.  Boo Boo Bear This Bear is Running for President in 2028 Positive thoughts to everyone today. 73's Pete N6QW

Despite the terrible events of 2025, such as assassinations, sky high food prices and a healthcare system on life support most of you still have their family base. Family is the most important item in our lives. Part of my family is missing this year, and I will have an empty seat at my Christmas dinner table. It is not in my power to reverse that situation. What I wouldn't give to just have one more Christmas with the XYL. So, if you have a wife, GF or partner (or maybe one of each) spend the day with them and celebrate to the fullest. Missing a Christmas Day sporting event on TV is no big deal when compared to spending time with someone very special.  A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. From N2CQR's Blog My Comment about this amazing rig... A tip of the cap to the person creating such a marvel of electronics. That said there is a risk of confiscation by the EPA, FCC, ICE, IRS, DHS, HHS, Proud Boys  and/or POTUS. That Mercury Switch for starters and the open wir...

It Arrived! My $39 LARCSet 40M SSB/CW arrived yesterday. I haven't unboxed it yet but it sure is a small box. It won't be until after Christmas that I will get a chance to build it so stay tuned. The Rigging of the Courts Many Americans have experienced an awful 2025. This is not some unforeseen event like Covid 19, but more a direct result of the governance.  As the year draws to a close you need to ask what happened. The answer to that query will impact the decisions you make in the 2026 Mid-Terms.  Go to your favorite AI Program and ask about the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation. What do they do and how do these non-government units actually impact the judiciary.  You might also ask what the tenor of the Supreme Court is on cases that involve presidential powers. It is hoped their deliberations involve "just the facts, mam" and not favor what party put them on the court. The final outcome of Trump v Slaughter appears that it will likely fit the patter...

I have become redundant and no longer relevant as today's posting is mostly AI Generated. My effort essentially has been eliminated! N6QW's KX3 Almost 10 years ago I was gifted a KX3, which is one FB radio. I haven't use it much as it is one of those menu driven radios where you have to always get into the manual just to use it in a regular fashion. It even has a button marked Menu.  The curve ball is that the controls can have multiple functions and unless it is used daily you have to have the manual handy or you end up in never, never land. It is not a shortcoming of the radio but the responsibility for manual ignorance rests on my shoulders. Today I took it for a spin and running 10 watts had a nice QSO with a station in New Jersey on 10 Meters. I was heard and got a complimentary signal report. I guess that will be a New Years Resolution for me to learn more of the routine operations sans having to use the manual.  Then next section is a treatise entirely from copilot w...

Time is close to see the results of your carefully planned yearlong strategy to get a new POTA friendly radio from your family for Christmas. You are hoping for a KX3, but you will settle for a Xeigu G90. Now, so you don't get caught with your undershorts at ankle level you have three days to think about an antenna you could use for that POTA event. You don't have much time and of course the 1st POTA opportunity would be Friday, December 26, 2025. You better get cracking today! EFHW Antenna from BOZOS about $90 You have thoroughly thought out the parity of this transactional encounter. You get a KX3 and the XYL gets a new hand operated lawn mower. BTW in the Left Coast State sales of new gasoline powered lawn mowers is outlawed. You don't want to buy a battery powered unit as then the XYL (GF or partner) would have to know about charging the battery. This opens a path that you might have to get involved so hand powered means the other party needs no instructions, no battery...

If you have not bought that special gift for your partner, XYL, or GF... start stressing. Needless to say, it is bad form is to buy the GF and XYL the same present. This not about buying a gift for you such as this high end SDR. While my XYL was still with us, I really enjoyed buying her Christmas presents. Often it would be clothes as I was dialed in to what she liked. I knew that to be true because she would actually wear the clothes, I bought for her. This is the first time in 57 years there is no shopping to be done for her.   Relish the opportunity to buy that very special person a meaningful gift. While you have convinced the XYL, GF or partner that it is her duty to mow the lawn, a new lawnmower is not in that meaningful gift category. GF Partner XYL Also resist the cruel, old trick of buying a new truck and saying to that special person: Look what I bought us for Christmas, and your intent is to never let her drive it. Stunning news as two high profile YL MAGA acolytes...

BC-348, Rx (bottom) and BC-375E, Tx (top) Now is the time for a Christmas wish and some wishes would be to have this station. It would be perfect to check into POTA Net stations using AM and for those stupid closed "red hat" nets on 40M check in on CW. Click the Link under the photo. This is a typical WW2 large aircraft (B17, B25, B29) radio setup. You can find the BC-348 and the BC-375E on eBay and with about $1500 you could snag this pair today. In 1946-47 you could buy the same for about $50. This would be a hoot to operate and if anything is a trip back in time when this radio was key to the crew's survival.  I am just dying to hear about your BC-375E As we move into the last two weeks of 2025, stay focused on the 2026 Mid-terms and what must get changed. A lame duck is nothing more than a leftover Turkey. What is your trust level in the individuals running the current administration? Be honest! Them that know can make things go. Blog Post Update: The blog post featu...