[Lowfer] first timers impression of FDIM

[Paul Daulton]

My first qrp convention was at Joplin,Mo in2007. Dave w0ch had invited me a couple of years earlier but I wasn't able to attend until after I retired. My friend Bill Allsopp W5TJI said it best, "going to Ozarkcon for the first time was like trying to drink from a fire hose, so much to comprehend in so little time".

After four Ozarkcons my first FDIM wasnt so intimidating. I particulary enjoyed the show and tell sessions at night. I was honored to be a presenter at Ozarkcon on my favorite subject- Low frequency beacons and weak signal reception.At show and tell I got a chance to display my workbench lowfer tx and a loading coil. I was joined by Mike WE0H who is another lowfer and 600 meter operator. I had lots of people stop by and chat. I handed out over 80 cards with my e-mail address and links to LWCA and our yahoogroup/part15 sites. Mike distributed info on ARRL 600 meter ops( he is WD2XSH/16). Some said they were unaware of our ops others said it was something they always wanted to try. Hans Summers talk about QRSS beacons on 30 meters really greased the wheels for me and Mike, since our beacon work is very similar.Mike and I bought two of Hans' 30 meter beacons.

It is hard to pick a favorite from the speakers, but Jim K8IKE and Jay K4ZLE gave a wonderful presentation on reciever and transmitter performance testing. Jim and I had a couple of chats thurday and friday evenings and I got a chance to show him my latest project, a superhet with singly balanced mixers instead of the usual ne602. Jim was very encouraging. I hope the program people at Ozarkcon will try to have Jim and Jay next year.

We had a fine dinner, great food, but remember those prime ribs at Branson ?.ummmmmm

Paul K5WMS
ps for the lowfer group FDIM is the annual qrp convention held by QRP amateur radio club international at Holiday Inn in Fairborn OH at the same time as the Dayton Hamvention. 
Ozarkcon is held at Branson Mo sponsored by the 4sqrp group. Google FDIM and 4sqrp or Ozarkcon for info.