The fastest way to get a paper QSL is to save the above image, and print it out with your details. Easy. I trust you. (Even if the ARRL does not. We take ourselves, in this hobby, too seriously...)

NH7O was first licensed at age 13 as WN0WEZ (1968), then WA0WEZ (1969), K7TI (1977), K7TI/VS6 (1982), T32AG (1983), WH6B (1983), AH6SG (2005), and recently MM/AH6SG (2006) (Thanks to Ian, GM4YSN). This recent phase of activity has begun a renewed interest, after a long QRT of over 20 years.

Main rig is an Elecraft K3, which works very well. I also recently added an IF output to an LP Pan, so as to run an SDR, which makes for a complete radio. The amplifier is a homebrew version of the Motorola EB104 design, which runs 600W PEP using 4 MRF-150's. For an example of this, see the example at W6KAN, and also the reviews for Communications Concepts kits on eHam. I am pleased at how cool the amp runs. Given my power system (see below), the efficiency of this amp is appreciated.

I have (as of mid 2008) 23m of Rohn 45 tower. I managed to scrounge or salvage most of everything, but at a cost of large amounts of labor. That's OK, as I have much more time than money, and I much prefer to keep old things alive, rather than buying new. (There is plenty of stuff already on the planet!) All aspects of the tower are done by hand, as there are no cement trucks to fill the holes, or cranes to do the lifting. The holes were dug by hand, although really it is more chipping out rock, than digging, in our shallow volcanic mountainside. On top I have a 4el 15M yagi, and below is a wide spaced 4 el 20m yagi on a 12M boom, built from the remains of some storm crashed KLM's from the 80's. There is also a Cushcraft X9 at 11m which I am using for stacking experiments. It is fixed on stateside.

On the subject of software, I use Ubuntu Linux on my Gateway ML6872 laptop. It works very well for my needs. For Ham functions, I use: fldigi, xlog, MMSSTV, MMTTY, MMANA-GAL, xdx, Azmap, Linrad, and SDR-Shell. A number of other ham related programs are made for Linux, and many others work through the Wine software. I am pleased to be out of the MS domain and taking advantage of Open Source software. It is a big step forward and very much closer to the original ham ethic of tinkering and experimenting.

The antenna modeling software I use, MMANA-GAL is a very capable freeware program that is also a great way to learn about how antennas work. I have written a short tutorial on how to get started with the opening example models and use of the optimization engine in this program. It assumes you have some basic familiarity with antennas already. Most amateurs seem to have focused on the EZNEC software, but I highly recommend taking a look at MMANA-GAL as it has more sophisticated tools for design purposes.

These photos show the 40M yagi which was up until recently, but has now been taken down after some storm damage. The loading coils were made with #6 hard drawn wire, inspired by similar efforts of VE6WZ. As I am in a remote location, there are no helpers around (other than the XYL who is very willing to pull on ropes) so I am solo on the tower. Also, the site is quite vegetated, so each element goes up seperately and is fastened at the top. Not easy considering the element trusses and cap hats. Quite a bit of time was taken with tuning. The overall bandwidth of the antenna is improved as result of all this effort. Was it worthwhile? Yes, the performance is all I could ask for from a shorty forty. It will go back up after the sunspots are back on the way down.

On 40M, 80M, and 160M I have a set of wires forming a set of vee beams. Here you can see the open wire feed, which is fed in pairs from relays and a link coupled tuner. The unused wire seems not to radiate very much, which was a surprise. On a second MA-550 crank up tower I have a 5el 10m yagi at 17m high, interlaced with a 3el 6m yagi. 6m hasn't been worthwhile, so that will come down soon.

The left view shows what you will see from the road, if you ever drive by. The view on the right shows the antenna's outlook on the world to the south. Long path signals are quite strong as a result of the water shot. We don't work well to the north or northwest though, as the 3,300m bulk of Haleakala rises steeply behind.

Below are some views of the QTH of NH7O, also known as Kalepa Farm. It is located on the south side of the island of Maui, just across the channel from the Big Island. The area is very remote and isolated, and there is no grid energy available. All the electricity used on the farm is generated from alternative sources. We use a 2 KW windmill, which in our zone of strong trade winds, does very well. We also use solar panels for calm times, and there is a Pelton wheel which can generate power from the pressure in our water line.

Above left is the old Dunlite windmill on 20m of AB105 tower. These were excellent units made in the 70's, very robust and worth salvaging if found. The two solar arrays actively track the sun's motion. All energy is stored in lead acid batteries. Completely sunless, windless days are rare. In case of real energy droughts, we have a generator fueled by biodiesel. Above right shows the farm from the air. The windmill tower is visible next to the large roof, lower left. The shack is the roof uppermost in the picture. (No antenna when this was taken.) The climate is rainy and warm, and supports extensive rain forest from sea level up to 2500m on Mount Haleakala.

We have made long efforts towards creating a self sufficient homestead. It is quite possible to have a very good life, and also to live very lightly on the planet. As plant enthusiasts, we cultivate dozens of different species. We practice organic gardening, and raise a large variety of vegetables, some familiar to temperate gardeners, and some more familiar to the tropics. We also cultivate a wide variety of fruit trees, with all the usual suspects: mangoes, papayas, bananas, and many more rare and unusual.

We raise other species of economic interest, like structural and edible bamboo. Here is a newly constructed garden shed using bamboo and other woods from the land, and a bamboo chair just for the fun of it.

Aloha from wet and windy Kaupo, Maui.

In my work with alternative energy, I researched a bit into maintaining the health of lead-acid batteries.
You can learn about my circuit and testing on the Desulfator pages, hosted by a friend..