In the past few days I have made the most progress yet with respect to ham radio logging and signal monitoring tools. I can now run WSJT-X by itself. I can run WSJT-X from N1MM logger. Or, I can run WSJT-X from Log4OM. I have CAT control through N1MM. And, I have CAT control through Log4OM via OmniRig. Additionally, I have GridTracker working, and am able to quickly identify my working contacts, and better visualize areas of the country/continent I'm working in. Substantial progress was made in just the past few days. But, it feels like its been a long time coming.
I obtained my General class operator license on March 19, 2021. I had never been a "ham" prior to this. So, essentially it has taken me a year to get to this point of comfort with digital modes. For many months I heard fellow hams talking about FT8 digital mode. But, I had it in my head that voice communications (i.e. "phone") was the "real" ham radio operating mode. Through the Spring and Summer I got involved in doing POTA (Parks on The Air) from nearby State parks. It was great fun and provided me with many good opportunities to setup a mobile ham radio operating station.
During the course of the year I gradually built up my home "shack" in the basement family room. I installed an antenna junction box on the outside wall and drilled through a 2 inch hole for my coax to get into the shack. I got each of my antennas hooked up to a lightning protector mounted on a copper plate, and tied the plate into a copper ground wire that runs to a buried 8 foot ground rod. Indoors, I mounted a copper grounding plate on the wall and connected all my equipment via straps, and ran a ground wire from that over to my incoming main water pipe.
My next objective was to get to know my equipment better. The main radio in my shack at present is the Yeasu FT-991a. Since I have a variety of antennas, I also use an MFG antenna tuner. Initially, I was using a logging program called RumLogNg on my Macbook Pro. But, as time progressed, and so too my operating interests, such as contesting and using digital modes, I turned to the Windows 10 OS and programs such as N1MM logger, WSJT-X digital communications, and Log4OM (log-4-old-man).
Clearly, I have moved from "phone is the only real ham communications" to embracing weak signal digital modes. I have to admit I resisted this direction for sometime. While I enjoyed excellent propagation and contact with other hams doing POTA, once I got home and CQ'd with my more limited HOA antennas it was a far different experience. Eventually, I wanted to try doing contests, like the November Sweepstakes. To get decent propagation I had to temporarily put up my longer 10 to 80 meter EFHW. Unfortunately, that's not the kind of antenna I can keep up year round with the limited space I have at my town-home. Finally, the thought of more contacts through weak signal digital communications seemed like an approach worth trying.
I'm happy to report that WSJT-X and FT8/FT4 have become very good friends. I am making far more contacts through them, and some at much greater distances. My first year in ham radio has been filled with much learning and exploration and many new friends. Ham Harder! 73
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