KI7KF

Some times it seems that all is right with the world, lets say the 1980's ham radio is good, solar cycle is heading for the top, ham friends going on off road trips to the wilds of Owyhee County in there Jeeps and all is good....One of those friends is now gone...to soon.

I lost a friend today, Dale Long KI7KF a one of a kind guy that I will have with me the rest of my life. Dale and I became friends in the 70's and remained so until his passing some 40 years later. Dale was not a ham at the time but had a keen interest in the hobby. He spent much time in my shack and got his license in the 80's......But this is not only a ham radio thing we were friends, co-workers and neighbors. Our children grew up together, we saw each other through bad times and had some wonderful adventures in the great outdoors of Idaho.....I will Cherish every moment....Field Day with Dale and his Dad, and others who have passed will forever be special to me, his son Chris and my son Fred...Field Day was radio, camping, dirt bikes and just a hell of a good time.

So 73 my old friend, I will miss you, remember you and each contest and field day from now on will be dedicated to you......Jim N7OKG left, Dale KI7KF (SK) center, his Dad Gene KB7SQH (SK) right. On one of our many Field Days.....

Cycle 24...hummmm

Well a little fall is in the air after a scorching summer....so much so I have put my wire in the tree for the fall/winter operating season. The wire in the tree represents a hope for some 40-160 operating in the weeks and months to come....However : (
Read a good article today about what a bust cycle 24 has been...wow, band conditions have been so bad for being a year out from solar max just a bummer....today the solar number was 44...it was 13 on field day this year...remember we are one year out from max....

Old friend K7BUY and I were talking one day about working JA (Japan) stations on 6m daily in the 80's
well with some research the solar numbers back then, I think it was cycle 22 at the max was near 200...
wow... Well with all that I feel bad for many new hams that wanted so bad to work a pile of DX on 10m and it just has been thin at best...many days have been poor 20m, no 15-10m...just not good...

Well with that a solar cycle being 11 years so if all forecasts are true next max will be 2024...just hope to be around for another one...So I hope winter propagation is good and will make the best of it....good luck and remember 2013 solar max lets keep our fingers crossed that it will be a good year....73