Mattes's Musings by KC2GIK

My dad called me from downstairs just now saying I had mail. I wasn't excepting a license plate, all my magazines for the month had arrived, so what could this possibly be? As soon as he handed me the envelope my eyes widened. It was a long lost QSL card from W7YES from Oregon!!! This was truly a rare contact that lasted all of thirty seconds, just enough time to exchange the correct QSL information and fade away into the airwaves. I was so exciting when I bagged the contact, I raced to get the QSL -out in the mail. After quickly typing and p rinting out one of my trademark cards, it was more than a pleasant surpri0se to finally get the card six months after I sent one out. I have commented on a few contacts I have made on PSK, but this one definite is one of the more rewarding QSOS since making my first contact a little over a year ago!!

By now you have heard Steve Fossett, the great aviator Steve Fossett is missing somewhere in the mountians of Nevada. What was suppose to be a simple scouting expedition for his next daredevil stunt has turned into another famous person gone missing mediafest. Fossett's air achievments have been extrodinary, I especially liked the last one he did, flying around the world nonstop in 76 hours. Maybe it's because the native Aussie has choosen the good o-ld USA as his launchpad for these achievments or maybe like countless other people I have a genuine interest in general aeronautics. Although there is a small part of me that is amazed people are horrified that his missing. I am concerned for his safety and hope he is found, although thre's a small part of me that scratches my head when I hear that people really are upset before we know what really happened in those mountians . Fossett was known for his attention to detail when breaking all these records. From an outsider...

I have been practicing my photography a little more. Here is the Woodcliff Lake Fire Department Chuef's truck parked where else but outside Fusco's Market. The Fire Chief is busy in his store watching the Yankees get killed. He's making sandwhiches too, but the TV is always going in the background. That and a scanner to keep an ear on what's going on around town no wonder why I'm there so often!! It takes about any hour round trip however I usually chat for awhile before going on my merry way back home. I usally stop in a few times a week for a root beer and to catch up on the news around town. I also get a behind the scenes story about the lastest fire call. My goal has always been to photographer every fire chief's vehicle in the county. I shot the truck during the Memorial Day Parade but because it was moving, it didn't come out right. The difference on this shot was I had all the time in the world. My photography is getting better and at times I fi...

A few days ago I was listening on the national simple frequency, 146.5200 and heard a mobile station going over the Tappan Zee Bridge. I was intrigued because the c'allsign was from "3land" meaning the station was from either Pennslyvania, Delaware or Maryland. He said he was on his way to Vermont with his friend who was also a ham. The conversation was the usually chit chat which I have had before. However this time, as a person who is starting to acquire QSL card I was excited these two gentlemen were willing to chew the fat for a few rounds. It's also nice to see my radio can work simplex from that distance Although it hasn't been the first time I have worked far away on this Kenwood has gotten into the city and even down to to Manahawkin in Monmouth County on simplex. Then there's a guy in the city who has linked simplexes on different bands. Pretty neat talking through a linked system. I was talking to a guy on 440 via a 2 meter link. The RACES net I...

Seriously I know I should have written this before the Huntsville entry because this was the weekend before Huntsville, but I needed to think about compose my thoughts. Since Isaac went back to Germany, Howie picked me up this year to make the trek up to Capmgaw Ski Lodge in Mahwah. I spent the night before packing up my radios and trying to figure out if I forgot anything. Howie pulled in the drive at 9:30 am Saturday morning to find me still half asleep and woofing down some crumb cake. He actually left with out me, but a quick call on the W2PQG repeater brought him back. I threw my stuff in the back of his car and we were on the mountain a little after 10. Rocky greeted us with a laptop, note to self next year bring the USB driver. This year I truly flew solo and got my prime spot in the lodge right behind the registration desk, which housed the ATV station last year. I also brought my old 2m/440 radio, so I ran the Field Day talk-in station as well. People usually have their ...

Alright this SHOULD be an easy fix.....but it's not!! My aunt got me a subscription to ScanningUSA for Christmas. She gave them my address but they sent the magazine to her house, no big deal I thought I would just e-mail them my address . That was back in Janaury, I have e-mailed them every month since NO REPLY AND THEY STILL SEND IT T O HER HOUSE!! The e-mails DO NOT BOUNCE, I just don't get a reply I called, she has called, NO ANSWER I have to go to her house every month to pick up the magazine. Can someone give me the magic trick to contact the subscription department over there? Also th e magazine is ripped EVERY month?? I don't know what's up because when I buy it in the store it comes in one of those annoying plastic bags.! When they mail it out they don't use the plastic bags!!! Bottom line I like their magazine but their customer service STINKS!! I will continue to be a loyal reader, but maybe I won't renew my subscription because I really don't see...

Yes I made it there and back in one piece thanks to Tim Stentiford, I can't begin explain how happy I was to get there. Tim, his son Kurt (one of the kids running around the auction floor and won a junior award for his display) and I had an incredible journey there and back. We got delayed in Memphis Saturday night, but otherwise the flights were smooth and we couldn't ask for better assistance at the airports. Although the folks at La Gaurdia seem to forget the phrase "handle with care". Like on family vacation my scooter became a luggage cart and Tim had so much trade stock, it actually slowed me down, my dad is going to have to remember that! For the record it was heavier on the way down than on the way up!! As for Kurt he gave me a hand a couple of times, if he is an reflection of the next generation of plate collectors, our hobby will continue to grow. I saw something I never paid attention to before, such a young man taking such pride in something....