Deciding priorities

It was great to make my first QSO with the K1 earlier this evening. I've still got a bunch of things to do with it: build and test the ATU; build and test the noise blanker; double check power output on all bands; get really used to its controls.

But then I'll need to decide what to do next on the construction and, indeed, operating front. One goal to aim for is a successful CW operation while on holiday in Menorca in July. "Successful" would mean (a) a decent number of QSOs, (b) on more than one band, and (c) with me managing to copy a high proportion of the QSOs :-)

Another goal is to take my satellite operating to the next stage. Some options here. First, getting 9600bps data reception going, receiving GO-32 for example. Second, achieving a transatlantic QSO, which in practice means operating /P given the buildings that surround my QTH. And I think it will take a fairly high-spec portable configuration, rather than a simple Arrow antenna and a handy-talky. Third, S-band operation, though AO-51 is only rarely configured in this mode.

And a final goal is to do more soldering! I get itchy fingers when I go near the Elecraft website (a K1 beckons). But I also feel I should do something a bit more "scratch built" - perhaps the BITX20 SSB transceiver.

Decisions, decisions.