Well, I am back on Pine Island for a few more days but just could not resist a few photos of this very unique, "Hemingwayesque" spot. Here is a shot of the Northern tip of the island.

One of the reason to be here is the fishing. Here is a 33 inch redfish I caught in about a foot of water.

The sunsets here are usually spectacular, especially in the summer months.

Not sure where I even came across this, but thought it pretty interesting.  This is our beloved Professor Morse with the beard, and a rather mysterious Miss S.E. Cornwell (far right) at the key who just might prove to be the first YL in history?  All this took place in New York City on July 8, 1871.

I am always fiddling with antennas. The one's that I like the best are the ones that experts tell me won't work. I have been playing around with an end fed half wave wire. No balun. Just hook it to your tuner. Well, you might want a choke balun (coil of coax) to keep rf off the feedline, but no real legit balun (like a 4 to 1 etc.). I like this end fed because it makes a perfect portable QRP antenna. Pretty easy to throw a line over a palm tree (or whatever tree is unique to your area) and pull up the "business" end of the antenna. Below is a drawing of the antenna I am using. OK. Maybe a windom has more gain, maybe a dipole cut to a frequency will do better?? Or maybe, well, you get the idea. Tunes 60m up to 6m. Little short for 80m. I like it, and last time I checked, I am the only guy I need to please.

For contacts in NH or CO, QSL to P.O. Box 133, Goshen, NH 03752.FL QSO's can get a card to me here at the Bokeelia address above.

Please note: Bokeelia is on Pine Island which is IOTA NA-069.

Pine Island is in Lee Country in Florida.

Goshen is in Sullivan County in NH.

The Cayo Costa (a.k.a. Lacosta) Island QTH and the East Part Island QTH are also IOTA NA-069.

Member of A-1 Operator Club.

A few numbers for those interested: 10-10: 8274, QRP ARCI: 3788, FISTS: 6198, NE QRP: 41, FPQRP: 1042, NA-QRP: 481, SKCC: 1234, CW Ops: 182, FOC: 1734.

Rev: W4MQC - Saturday, May 17, 2010