THE STATION / EAST TEXAS
Signal first. Fundamentals always.
K0AXX is the amateur station of Will in Southeast Texas, grid EM20VJ. Originally licensed KE5OGY in 2007, I received K0AXX in 2008 and earned Amateur Extra privileges in 2023. I enjoy experimenting across 160 meters through 23 centimeters, from HF DX to weak-signal VHF/UHF and microwave projects.
The operating side
HF DX, Field Day, contesting, rover outings, meteor scatter, Sporadic-E, tropospheric enhancement and EME experiments. There is always another path to test.
The engineering side
Antennas, preamplifiers, feed systems, power dividers, sequencing and measurements. Good communication starts with understanding the entire RF path.
Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
THE SOFTWARE WORKSHOP / WINDOWS + EXPERIMENTAL MOBILE
Practical software for radio operators.
Tools for propagation awareness, path planning, packet/APRS and experimental digital communications. Explore the purpose of each program, operating concept and known limitations. Public installers will only appear after the actual release package and checksum have been verified.
K0AXX DX Watch
General and target-grid awareness, activity-source health, space-weather and weather context.
Read project page →DX Path Analyzer
Grid- and place-based path planning, seasonal opportunities, gray-line and solar context.
Read project page →KPS1200
Bell 202 AFSK, APRS fields, radio-audio workflows and practical test notes.
Read project page →TACREP / TACMODE26
VOX-oriented digital reports, short-message workflow and Windows/Android experiments.
Read project page →K0AXX Digital Mail
Message folders, transfers, acknowledgments and HF/VHF operating research.
Read project page →BANDS / MODES / THE PATH
What makes the difference?
01 / ANTENNA SYSTEMS
Build for the band.
Radiation pattern, polarization, height, terrain clearance and feed-line performance matter before increasing transmitter power.
02 / RECEIVING SYSTEMS
Protect the noise floor.
Gain is not the same as sensitivity. Evaluate system noise, preamp location, noise figure, front-end protection and transmit/receive sequencing.
03 / PROPAGATION
Recognize the opening.
Paths change with frequency, season, solar conditions and weather. Real activity reports should be distinguished from predicted conditions.
CURRENT PROJECTS / IN THE WORKSHOP
Work in progress, not marketing promises.
K0AXX DX Watch
A Windows-focused path and activity monitor with general-coverage and target-grid views, source health reporting, and weather/space-weather context.
Rover and weak-signal station
Band-by-band plans and experiments in antenna placement, transverters, relay protection and RF performance for VHF/UHF and 902/1296 MHz.
Station plans and software features may evolve. Project pages distinguish goals from verified results.
REMEMBERING AN ELMER
Marshall Williams, K5QE (SK)
Marshall introduced me to VHF/UHF/SHF contesting. Though he thought of himself as a VHF operator, he also enjoyed the competitive spirit of HF Field Day and the North American QSO Party. His enthusiasm for radio and willingness to share it made a lasting difference. Marshall is truly missed.
Read more on the About page → or visit the K5QE archive.