Alex KR1ST/PA1ST

Dutch expat now hamradioactive from North East PA. I was first licensed in 1987 as PE1MBI but didn't really become active until the late 90's as KG4ECV and now KR1ST and PA1ST.

I'm interested in more things than can be explored in a single human lifetime.

Do not take anything I write as advice. I'm not an expert in anything.

73,
--Alex KR1ST

TheHamLab: https://thehamlab.com/
KR1ST @QRZ.com: https://www.qrz.com/db/KR1ST

Last Notes

2026-10-22 00:05:17 UTC

The #vinyl loot scored on our trip yesterday. We checked out a new-to-me record store, Latchkey, in South Philly. It's a nice store that sells mostly re-issued albums but there's also a good selection of used records in the back. All their new stuff can be seen and purchased online and they also ship. We also had a great linner at the Triangle Tavern that's just a 3 minute walk from Latchkey's. They serve an excellent selection of vegan food, but also have options for non-vegan/vegetarian folks.
https://mastodon.radio/system/media_attachments/files/117/481/600/420/696/249/original/943012a89b66a3fd.jpg
https://mastodon.radio/system/media_attachments/files/117/481/609/568/143/626/original/8f98fbf64ca8893e.jpg
https://mastodon.radio/system/media_attachments/files/117/481/611/725/456/010/original/752fab08c6383a26.jpg

2026-04-14 18:13:59 UTC

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Looks like someone tried to push a PL-259 in there. Odd that it was on a new radio. Wouldn't be surprised if it was QA that caused it.
I've had it happen on amp where some of the tongues broke off due to a N connector of which the center pin stuck out too much. You can guess what a broken off tongue will do in a connector.

2026-04-10 20:47:39 UTC

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It's always handy to have a discone antenna around, especially when you want to play with an SDR. It may not be the most efficient antenna, but you can't beat the band coverage for a single antenna. Same for log periodics. Funny thing, they work surprisingly well for satellite reception. I always thought they would be practically deaf overhead, but they are far from that.
I should've bought the D3000 for my temporary shack in NL, but instead got a cheaper Albrecht one. SMH

2025-11-30 00:49:16 UTC

Found a new tiny-tool I know I can't live without, the TinyGTC:
https://www.tinydevices.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=TinyGTC.Homepage
It a very accurate counter developed by Erik Kaashoek, PD0EK, of nanoVNA/TinySA fame.

2025-10-25 14:31:50 UTC

"Wot you looking at?"
Happy #Caturday!
#CatsOfMastodon
https://mastodon.radio/system/media_attachments/files/115/435/279/237/731/704/original/efca45f70e895896.jpg

2025-07-19 19:24:20 UTC

True colors.
Happy #Caturday !
#CatsOfMastodon
https://mastodon.radio/system/media_attachments/files/114/881/528/915/861/179/original/22c8f524494624b2.jpg

2025-02-10 18:28:39 UTC

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Last week I was talking to someone who was very excited about how the AI application they're using at their corporation made it so easy to write briefs etc with just a few prompts. They added "of course it sucks for the editors and proof readers who we don't need anymore".
So I asked, how long do you think it will take them before they realize they can just generate the prompts you enter? ...silence...
Indeed, critical thinking leaves the building when AI enters.

2025-01-04 21:22:43 UTC

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I agree, it's excellent. I got two copies of that book, both in German. The top one is from 1991and is about half the size of the "new" one at the bottom from 2014. Can't believe it 10 years old already
https://mastodon.radio/system/media_attachments/files/113/772/163/168/934/433/original/088eccebe160d8fe.jpg

2025-01-04 20:03:20 UTC

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That's good to know about the F/B ratio. I never really compared the HB9CV with the Moxon myself. I should check my Rothammel copy and see what it has to say about them. I really like that book! I always wanted to build a HB9CV for 2 meters, but for one reason or another never did.

2025-01-04 19:29:30 UTC

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Very nice! A Moxon antenna has a very similar radiation pattern with a very deep null, but I'm sure you know that. I wonder which has the deepest null.
Thanks for sharing!

2024-12-05 23:55:32 UTC

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Very cool! Now if you could somehow use that to measure the light captured by a telescope I bet you could do some interesting experiments.

2024-11-26 22:26:12 UTC

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We got a Vitamix and it'll make smoothies out of 2x4's and ball bearings. 😄
We actually use the Magic Bullet more for smoothies, but if we need power to say crush Ice, the overpriced Vitamix is the tool of choice for us.

2024-10-20 14:51:17 UTC

#silentsunday
https://mastodon.radio/system/media_attachments/files/113/340/281/168/877/041/original/12f567a55031869e.jpg

2024-09-03 17:22:56 UTC

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It's nice at least that they leave 20m (and presumably all other ham bands) alone. I would scan everything up to 50 MHz just to see who they are trying to avoid interfering with.
The previous owners of the house I'm in now put coax for cable in every single room and I'm thinking of getting a couple of MoCA devices and see if I can run gigabit over it without it generating RFI. I don't really need it, but it would be nice to run the backhaul over it for the meshed AP.