| January 05, 2026 11:34 UTC | 1 | Progress update... | @hamchallenge wait, we're already into week 2? Week 1 barely even started last week!
Normally I'm all for doing each challenge in the week it's presented, but I may bend that slightly due to calendar tomfoolery, doing HC01 and HC02 this week |
| January 11, 2026 21:51 UTC | 1 | Progress update... | Well, I think I'm just going to call HC01 and HC02 of the @hamchallenge both fails this year.
I got on Echolink, connected to a VK repeater on the Pride Radio Network. Unfortunately, no one else ended up being around, so that was a bust. I've also tried out the new "Call CQ" feature in Echolink, but wasn't matched and got tired of waiting. I'll probably get back on Echolink at some point, but not within the confines of the challenge |
| February 28, 2026 14:16 UTC | 9 | Success! | Well, finally getting back into the @hamchallenge again this week. And what a way to do it - with one of my favorite challenges.
I turned my IC-705 down to 1% output, which should be ~100mW output. Made contacts with KQ4ZCH (722 km) on 30m and AA2T (1140 km) on 20m.
Then, inspired by @qrper , I turned the power down to an indicated 0%, which I guess does still output ~50mW or so. Made contact (barely!) with NW1L (1560 km).
Screenshots below
HC09S !
#hamradio #amateurradio |
| March 15, 2026 21:09 UTC | 11 | Success! | @hamchallenge HC11S
I managed to spend most of the weekend tidying up the shack. I now have the HF cables for my FT-710 and TS-2000 separately labeled, so that I can plug either into my window passthrough.
I also managed to wrap up all of my spare USB cords, which I have now placed into an old popcorn tin. I will likely regret this decision later.
#hamchallenge |
| March 22, 2026 21:03 UTC | 12 | Progress update... | @hamchallenge Well, darn. Looks like HC12 will be a fail for me this week, as I've been too busy to get out and do a POTA this week, and band conditions look terrible to try and hunt today.
Not to say I won't do plenty of POTA in the future, just didn't pan out this week. |
| March 24, 2026 09:40 UTC | 13 | Success! | @hamchallenge HC13S. This week, our club is actively working on a joint project with our local Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, to bring children (and their Big Siblings) out for several radio activities.
The first will be the Michigan QSO party on April 18th, where it will likely be a smaller group, more interested in getting their license.
The second will be Field Day, where we have plans to host a much larger group. I'll continue working and encouraging them to actually get licensed. |