KH8/M1KTA

January 14, 2013, 9:27 am

≫ Next: Appear in RadCom QRP column for 6W and C5 trip

Notes (as asked).

Needed to be up 08:00 - 18:00 UTC or 17:00 - 07:00 Local time so nearly all the operation was overnight.

Local sunset was about 6pm local time with dust between 5:30pm and 7pm, total darkness after that until runrise near 6am.

I visited several stores in Pago Pago, a hardware store just past the MacDonalds on the road towards PAgo PAgo centre from Sadies where I bought the battery jump leads I used to recharge the KX3 batteries.

The SUV I rented was from Dollar. You REALLY need to arrange rental cars well before arriving as they usually all get rented out between the flights (bi-weekly) into and out of American Samoa.

On the North side of American Somoa main island, north east shore beach nights of 8th, 9th and 10th October. QRV 07:00 UTC 8th (about 3am local time masts broke), 05:00 UTC 9th (mast broke again during night) 05:39 RV9CPB was first QSO followed by UN7TW and 06:02 UTC on 10th.

Both before 8th and after 10th I operated from the South shore near Sadies.

Long way for 3 nights operating :-)

Similar to 6W and C5 operating for 15m and 20m frequencies were:

14.055 CW although I was QRV 14.015-14.035 as well (G3SXW recommendation).
21.055 CW although I was QRV 21.015-21.035 as well (G3SXW recommendation).

The beach location would be great for 40m, 80m and 160m but when I was there the night time winds were too strong to allow me to support the 10m poles I had taken for a phased 40m/80m antenna and broke, if I had planned better before hand (trip was very hastily put together) I would have made sure I had adequate guys. There is plenty of availability of stranded insulated wire, e.g. US mains zip cord can be obtained in long lengths from numerous locations as well as various guy cord as the island main export is tuna so there are hardware stores selling all manner of suitable materials. The local garages and car sales all have surplus, some brand new but not current model, car and larger vehicle batteries as there is no local recycling so a power supply that is suitable to float charge one of these batteries might be advisable. Note they WILL BE much more expensive that might be obtained in EU/UK or US. I never found a source of long poles although it was possible to obtain lengths of Aluminum and Steel tubing up to 2" diameter from some of the hardware stores.

It would seem that a number of business were still effected by the 2009 Tsunami that ruined much of the island. See this for an idea what it was like:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riomze4qKvg

↧

Appear in RadCom QRP column for 6W and C5 trip

January 17, 2013, 6:44 am

≫ Next: PS-SPS250A back to life

≪ Previous: KH8/M1KTA

Rev George Dobbs (G3RJV) has added my note to him about C5 and 6W trip with new KX3 last Summer to his RSGB QRP Column. It perhaps shows that DX trips are not only for those with a dozen members and 400W although maybe not that rare a location. Given recent events maybe I should have tried harder for TZ.

Hoping to manage a couple trips this year.

BERU in March (9th/10th) hoping to get away from all the snow and ice and will be somewhere suitably warm, QRS and QRP only of course.

First will be Portugal CT (Not that DX but I'll be on a beach again), might also try to get to ZB2 but not sure if can be QRV. I will be in Sweden during June and last w/e in July planning to be on an island off UK coast line (puffins and seal allowing of course). Later in the year hoping for something more DX though.

↧

PS-SPS250A back to life

January 19, 2013, 5:06 am

≫ Next: 5MHz & 472kHz NoVs

≪ Previous: Appear in RadCom QRP column for 6W and C5 trip

Replaced the NPN transistors but no change....

So went further and looked as discrete resistors about the transistors (R5,R6,R7,R8,R9,R10,R12)... one of the 1/2w resistors was open circuit. (R6) Visually did not look like there was a problem. Value was 2.2ohms 1/2W so not one I have normally but I do have 1/4W versions... so I did the parallel/series dodge and using four 2R2 1/4W made up a 2R2 resistor.... I have at least 1/2W capacity and should be fine.

Rebuiilt and plugged in, switched on and supply jumped back into life... :-)

Those transistors are rated at 15A and 25A surge, the power supply is supposed to be 25amp... hum... so I think I'll be careful.

↧

5MHz & 472kHz NoVs

January 21, 2013, 8:48 am

≫ Next: 472KHz TX

≪ Previous: PS-SPS250A back to life

Yippee... after being monumentally stupid and entering the wrong email address so the NoV ended up in some void I was sent them...

So I expect to be qrv on 472KHz and 5MHz shortly.

I will not run some MOPA station (i.e QRSS or WSPR beacon) but will be a real op at a key (472KHz) or on a mic (AM 5MHz).

Will try a modification of the ZL2BMI on 5MHz perhaps..

↧

472KHz TX

January 22, 2013, 12:34 am

≫ Next: 472KHz KX3 Transverter

≪ Previous: 5MHz & 472kHz NoVs

Mine is based on the 472KHz VFO http://www.gw3uep.ukfsn.org/100W_QTX/472_kHz_vfo.htm and 25W PA http://www.gw3uep.ukfsn.org/25W_QTX/472_25W_QTX/472_kHz_25W_PA.htm from GW3UEP.

I have the PA from the 500KHz TX that is in this blog based on a M0MBU design as well.

The capacitors and IC I picked up from Rapid.(Bought 2 sets)


Line No.  Product Code  Description  Quantity  Each  Total
1 83-0354 4024b 7 Stage Binary Counter         2 £0.358 £0.716
2 83-0380 4049ub Hex Inverters/buffers         2 £0.262 £0.524
3 10-1455 6n8 100v Polypropylene Capacitor 8 £0.126 £1.01
4 10-1795 1uf 100v Mks4 Poly Capacitor Case L 2 £0.271 £0.542
5 10-1805 100n 250v Mks4 Poly Capacitor Case B 4 £0.148 £0.592
6 62-2162 22k 0.6w Metal Film Resistor - Pack of 100 £1.63 £1.63

I have a number of variable capacitors and a die cast box fore the VFO stage.

↧

472KHz KX3 Transverter

January 24, 2013, 1:02 am

≫ Next: 472KHz KX3 Transverter - update

≪ Previous: 472KHz TX

Started to layout a manhatten construction last night, I might transfer to a PCB and 'pretty' the build eventually. I am going to use my KX3 as the RX and drive of the TX side of a 472KHz setup. I also have an Softrock V6.2 I modified for 500KHz already but it is a bit high I can lower it a bit which might be good as a second RX and sort of panadapter.

The KX3 will require an external transverter setup as the LPF would never fit inside.

The design is loosely...

RX side:
A main HF band colpitts LO, exact frequency will be down to the mixing schema and the KX3 transverter options then use a DBM either one made from torroids and diodes or a packaged version I will look at 602/612 and ADE-1 or and SBL-1 to mix UP the RX 472KHz signals to the KX3 RX IF. It all depends on the response to tests. I have a 500KHz xtal in a test oscillator that I can pull DOWN and I will add attenuation so can do the typical 1uV and 50uV S meter calibration tests to determine which has the better response.

On the TX side:
Use the same HF band LO as RX, and DBM (decision to be defined) to mix DOWN the KX3 TX IF to 472KHz. As G3XBM has pointed out and it is in the spec sheets you need to limit the input power to the mixers to c10mW so I will need to 'play' with attenuation. The output will be followed by a 1W PA and then a 25W PA using IFR510 and output LPF similar to the GW3UEP versions in an earlier post. SM7UCZ gave me some interesting BUZ MOSFET so I might also try one of them.

ATU (see G3XBM ferrite rod design) and antenna will as per 500KHz either be /P beach thing using a 10m pole and loading coil (I used a 2 litre coke bottle wound with tapes every 10 turns) or a 140ft LF long wire I have used successfully at home, with a homebrew variometer made from a section of 6" Yellow gas pipe (when they replaced the mains to the street I asked for an off cut if they had one and was given a couple 6 foot lengths!) and a smaller 3" white PVC pipe that would go inside.

The easiest HF LO to choose might be 28MHz so that the dial reads 28.472 to 28.479 giving 472 to 479 KHz but as I mentioned it depends on the KX3 transverter setup Elecraft said if you want 472KHz build a transverter and use 7MHz IF.

I have a second KX3 that does not have the AUTO ATU so will need to make sure the transverter matches well.

KX3 RX on 472KHz directly is poor so you could not use it as you might an FT817. As the circuit has not been released and there is no obvious place where you could inject a 472KHz RX signal. I am sure it is possible but it is not recommended that you bypass the KX3 front end filters that will effect normal operation.

It 'might' be possible to control from the KX3 menu system..

From KX3 manual..Revision B4 June 1, 2012
Copyright © 2012, Elecraft, Inc.

Page 5

Keyline Out and GPIO (ACC2)
The 2.5-mm stereo ACC2 jack provides a keyline
output (ring contact) and a general-purpose 3-volt
logic signal (tip contact).
The keyline output goes low during transmit, and
can be used for transmit/receive switching of linear
amplifiers and transverters. For keyline voltage and
current limits, see Specifications.
The general-purpose signal, GPIO, can be set up for
various equipment control functions. For example,
it can send band-change information to Elecraft
XV-series transverters. See the ACC2 IO menu
entry for a full list of uses for this signal, as well as
hardware interface requirements.

Page 9

Transverter Bands
Nine user-definable bands are provided for use with
transverters. These can be used with the Elecraft
KX3-2M internal 2-m module, Elecraft XV-Series,
or other transverters.
The KX3 does not have a low-level
transverter output; transverters are driven from
the main antenna jack. This requires the use of
transverters that have a common receive/transmit
antenna jack and associated T/R switching. Consult
the transverter manual for drive power limitations
and switching requirements.
The ACC2 jack provides a keyline output for
keying transverters. The ACC2 jack also provides a
GPIO pin that can be used to select among multiple
transverters based on the band selected at the KX3.
This is further explained below.

Transverter Band Setup

Transverter bands are set up using the XV menu
entries, as follows:
? Locate the XVn ON menu entry. Tap 1 – 9 to
specify which transverter band to configure. Set
the parameter to YES to enable band n.
? XVn RF sets the operating frequency (MHz).
? XVn IF specifies the I.F. band (7, 14, 21, 28, or
50 MHz). Use 50 MHz for the KX3-2M option.
? XVn PWR sets maximum KX3 power output
for the current transverter band in watts (0-1).
Use 0.3 watts for the KX3-2M option.
? XVn OFS can compensate for frequency offset
in the transverter’s oscillator. (An offset is not
required for the KX3-2M module, since its
oscillator signal is derived from the KX3’s
main synthesizer. If there is a frequency error,
calibrate synthesizer using REF CAL.)
? XVn ADR should be set to TRN 0 for use with
the KX3-2M module. It can also be used to
specify an optional Elecraft XV-series
transverter selection address. Only addresses
TRN1-TRN7 are recognized for this purpose.
To select XV-series transverters using this
method, set MENU:ACC2 IO to TRN CTRL,
and connect the ACC2 jack’s GPIO pin to the
transverter’s auxBus line.

Page 35

Entry:
ACC2
Default:
IO OFF

Determines the function of the GPIO signal (ACC2 jack, left side panel):
OFF (output, 0 V), ON (output, 3 V), LO=PTT (input; apply 0 V or ground to
activate PTT), HI=PTT (input; apply 3 to 5 V to activate PTT), LO=Inh (input;
0 V inhibits transmit), HI=Inh (input; 3 to 5 V inhibits transmit), TRN CTRL
(output; XV-series transverter control using Elecraft auxBus prototcol). If the
GPIO signal is inhibiting transmit, the TX icon will flash as a reminder.

NOTE: External interface circuitry may be required. The GPIO pin is a 3-V
logic input/output with a 500-ohm series current-limiting resistor. It is tolerant of
0-5.5 VDC when used as an input. If a voltage outside this range is to be used,
insert a larger series resistor. (Example: when an RS232 RTS signal is used to
activate PTT, use a 2.2 to 10 K series resistor.) When the GPIO pin is used as an
output, its 3-V logic high may not be sufficient for use with some equipment. In
this case a 3-V to 5-V level translation circuit can be used.

Page 37

Entry:
BND MAP
Default:
{band} In

Allows you to remove one or more bands from the BAND rotation. Use BAND
up/down to select bands, then set them to In or Out using VFO A. (Works with
transverter bands, too.) You can still get to mapped-out bands using memory
recall, direct frequency entry, or computer-control commands.

Page 39

Entry:
TUN PWR
Default:
NOR

If set to NOR, TUNE power level follows the POWER knob. Otherwise,
establishes a fixed power level for TUNE, overriding the present POWER knob
setting. Note1: TUN PWR does not pertain to ATU TUNE , which always uses 2
or 3 watts and is internally controlled. It also does not apply to transverter bands
using the low-power KXV3 output (XVTR OUT).

Page 40

Entry:
XVn ON
Default:
NO

Tap 1 – 9 to select the applicable transverter band (1 - 9). Set parameter to YES
to turn the transverter band on.

Entry:
XVn RF
Default:
144

Lower edge for transverter band n (1-9); 0-24999 MHz. (Tap 1 – 9 to select
applicable transverter band.) Normally, 144 would be used for the K144XV
internal 2-m module. But if the K144XV is being used as an IF for a higher-band
transverter, you can set it to the lower edge of the higher band.

Entry:
XVn IF
Default:
28

Specify KX3 band to use as the I.F. for transverter band n (1-9) . (Tap 1 – 9 to
select the transverter band.) I.F. selections include 7, 14, 21, 28, and 50 MHz.
Use 50 MHz for the K144XV internal 2-m module.

Entry:
XVn PWR
Default:
H 0.1

Sets upper limit on power level in watts for XVTR band n. Applicable only to
external transverters, not the KX3-2M module. Tap 1 – 9 to select band.
The KX3 does not have a low-level transverter port, so external transverters must
have their own T/R switching and be able to handle the specified power level.

Entry:
XVn OFS
Defaukt:
0.00
Offset (–9.99 to +9.99 kHz) for transverter band n (1-9). (Tap 1 – 9 to select
transverter band.) Compensates for oscillator/multiplier chain errors in external
transverters. Not applicable to the internal KX3-2M module, which derives its
signal from the KX3’s synthesizer.

Entry:
XVn ADR
Default:
TRNn

Assigns optional band-decode addresses to transverter bands. Addresses TRN1-7
can be used to select Elecraft XV-series transverters if the ACC2 IO menu entry
is set to TRN CTRL and the transverters are connected to the ACC2 jack
(tip=auxBus, ring=key out). TRN0 is used with the KX3-2M module (internal).
Tap 1 – 9 to select the transverter band; rotate VFO A to select the address.
To configure an Elecraft KX3-2M 2 m module as XVTR band 1, set XV1 ON to
YES, XV1 RF to 144 MHz, XV1 IF to 50 MHz, and XV1 ADR to TRN0. The
XV1 OFS and XV1 PWR menu entries are not applicable in this case.

↧

472KHz KX3 Transverter - update

January 25, 2013, 3:42 am

≫ Next: CQWW 160 Contest

≪ Previous: 472KHz KX3 Transverter

Few emails about this so a couple more comments:

1. It seems Elecraft have not got the XV transverter functionality working as it might be expected in the KX3. In K3 one option is to use the internal 10MHz as a LO which would be rather nice but that is not available ffrom KX3 at this time.

2. LO will be using a crystal oven. The 472KHz band is 7KHz wide so drift is not an option.

3. No I do not intend including a power output as per XV but I expect that could be added.

4. I 'might' allow input power up to the full output from the KX3 so 12W but it would be safe to stick to lower input. Some sort of intelligent attenuation will add a lot of complexity.

The likely LO will be 28MHz put that down to availability of LO and other components.

↧

CQWW 160 Contest

January 26, 2013, 11:33 pm

≫ Next: AD9850 DDS

≪ Previous: 472KHz KX3 Transverter - update

Was about to go qrt this morning when heard a EI6 calling right where I had been so quickly responded and bagged DXCC 23 :-)

69 (some dupes) QSO and 24 DXCC in 4 hours 11 minutes all qrp.

This is wintest sound recording of my whole contest. Sound from 22 secs in.

Log:

1 2013-01-26 20:27:27 160 1818.5 CW YU7AV 599 599
2 2013-01-26 20:30:29 160 1817.0 CW SV3RE 599 599
3 2013-01-26 20:33:26 160 1817.2 CW LY7M 599 599
4 2013-01-26 20:35:27 160 1816.5 CW F5IN 599 599
5 2013-01-26 20:38:17 160 1815.3 CW SN2M 599 599
6 2013-01-26 20:46:43 160 1811.0 CW YT0A 599 599
7 2013-01-26 20:55:24 160 1811.9 CW UT5A 599 599
8 2013-01-26 21:03:33 160 1813.0 CW 9A1A 599 599
9 2013-01-26 21:05:00 160 1813.6 CW CS2F 599 599
10 2013-01-26 21:08:53 160 1814.5 CW G5W 599 599
11 2013-01-26 21:18:48 160 1816.1 CW 9A7T 599 599
12 2013-01-26 21:23:25 160 1818.2 CW DL0GL 599 599
13 2013-01-26 21:25:37 160 1818.8 CW E71A 599 599
14 2013-01-26 21:27:21 160 1819.3 CW OK2D 599 599
15 2013-01-26 21:36:21 160 1820.8 CW DL7ON 599 599
16 2013-01-26 21:38:48 160 1825.4 CW HB9JOE 599 599
17 2013-01-26 21:41:25 160 1825.7 CW DL5LYM 599 599
18 2013-01-26 21:44:08 160 1826.0 CW SK7DX 599 599
19 2013-01-26 21:45:20 160 1826.5 CW DM0B 599 599
20 2013-01-26 21:46:30 160 1826.8 CW YL9T 599 599
21 2013-01-26 21:47:41 160 1827.1 CW PA5KT 599 599
22 2013-01-26 21:49:03 160 1827.4 CW DK5DQ 599 599
23 2013-01-26 21:50:55 160 1827.7 CW OM6A 599 599
24 2013-01-26 21:57:41 160 1828.3 CW G4AQG 599 599
25 2013-01-26 22:00:18 160 1831.0 CW OM3GI 599 599
26 2013-01-26 22:01:55 160 1831.2 CW 9A3TR 599 599
27 2013-01-26 22:05:00 160 1831.5 CW YU1LA 599 599
28 2013-01-26 22:06:05 160 1831.9 CW F5UFX 599 599
29 2013-01-27 05:44:54 160 1835.1 CW ON9CC 599 599
30 2013-01-27 05:46:56 160 1835.4 CW S53APR 599 599
31 2013-01-27 05:47:36 160 1836.7 CW ON7TK 599 599
32 2013-01-27 05:51:12 160 1837.4 CW EA5RS 599 599
33 2013-01-27 05:53:08 160 1841.8 CW DL4MCF 599 599
34 2013-01-27 05:55:27 160 1843.5 CW DL2CC 599 599
35 2013-01-27 06:02:13 160 1845.1 CW S50A 599 599
36 2013-01-27 06:09:19 160 1839.7 CW VY2ZM 599 599
37 2013-01-27 06:19:21 160 1839.3 CW SN3R 599 599
38 2013-01-27 06:21:35 160 1811.5 CW OZ7YY 599 599
39 2013-01-27 06:25:57 160 1812.1 CW DJ3CQ 599 599
40 2013-01-27 06:28:04 160 1814.1 CW OL4W 599 599
41 2013-01-27 06:29:23 160 1814.6 CW 9A1P 599 599
42 2013-01-27 06:32:58 160 1816.0 CW DR1A 599 599
43 2013-01-27 06:36:50 160 1816.0 CW DK6WL 599 599
44 2013-01-27 06:38:28 160 1816.0 CW OM7M 599 599
45 2013-01-27 06:52:18 160 1818.4 CW OK1DCF 599 599
46 2013-01-27 06:54:56 160 1818.8 CW 9A4M 599 599
47 2013-01-27 06:56:40 160 1819.9 CW I1EIS 599 599
48 2013-01-27 06:58:09 160 1822.1 CW DM0B 599 599
49 2013-01-27 06:59:52 160 1824.4 CW E7DX 599 599
50 2013-01-27 07:02:03 160 1827.3 CW S51V 599 599
51 2013-01-27 07:03:30 160 1827.8 CW DR4W 599 599
52 2013-01-27 07:09:16 160 1831.6 CW DL5AXX 599 599
53 2013-01-27 07:10:34 160 1831.6 CW DL6RAI 599 599
54 2013-01-27 07:16:01 160 1843.0 CW DJ9CN 599 599
55 2013-01-27 07:19:17 160 1843.0 CW F5BBD 599 599
56 2013-01-27 07:24:44 160 1843.0 CW EI6IZ 599 599
57 2013-01-27 18:45:20 160 1843.0 CW OK5Z 599 599
58 2013-01-27 18:45:42 160 1843.0 CW HA30S 599 599
59 2013-01-27 18:46:42 160 1843.0 CW S53O 599 599
60 2013-01-27 18:47:46 160 1843.0 CW OL7M 599 599
61 2013-01-27 18:51:50 160 1843.0 CW OM7RU 599 599
62 2013-01-27 18:56:20 160 1843.0 CW DL0CS 599 599
63 2013-01-27 18:59:40 160 1842.2 CW DL0GL 599 599
64 2013-01-27 19:10:35 160 1841.0 CW G3UHU 599 599
65 2013-01-27 19:13:26 160 1841.0 CW UZ2M 599 599
66 2013-01-27 19:18:00 160 1841.0 CW SM5CZQ 599 599
67 2013-01-27 19:19:36 160 1841.0 CW DL1DTL 599 599
68 2013-01-27 19:22:20 160 1841.0 CW DL3DTH 599 599
69 2013-01-27 19:24:29 160 1841.0 CW LY2W 599 599
70 2013-01-27 19:30:59 160 1836.4 CW HB9ARF 599 599
71 2013-01-27 19:32:24 160 1835.3 CW DL1ET 599 599
72 2013-01-27 19:34:47 160 1832.2 CW DK5DQ 599 599

160m was/is very lively. Dies a bit during daylight. I woke up at 5:30 am
(went QRT at 10pm) and went to the shack just to see if things
improved. The shack is COLD COLD COLD and 50m from house and no
heating so looked like a Michelen man!

Not sure why couple comment about it being really hard work.. still I never managed any NA stations (except VY2ZM), heard some (on the recording) and JA's. Almost every station came back first call (no kidding) sometimes some fluff on the exchange. This morning I even thought what the heck and called CQ :-)

KX3 and only 5W into a Z11Pro (not the internal KX3 ATU) into the LF
longwire (140ft abt 20ft AGL).

Sure plenty will beat my score but it is the taking part that matters.

I even sat on 1.843 (1836 is QRP CoA) for a bit, see my log. S&P more like
rotate tune up khz or so find next station, wait for the blah TEST and send
M1KTA and sometimes full response othertimes ?KTA

↧

AD9850 DDS

January 29, 2013, 4:49 am

≫ Next: More HamRadio lists hacked on yahoo

≪ Previous: CQWW 160 Contest

I picked up on G4JNT's Feb 2013 RadCom article on the ebay AD9850 modules.

Alan's original project http://www.g4jnt.com/9850DDS.htm gives some extra information.

I obtained a couple of sample AD chips at the time and also played with the AMQRP DDS-30 and DDS-60 modules and then the PIC-ELIII development board. Most of the modules I sold at GQRP Rishworth raly.

Anyway from ebay I bought half a dozen, just turned up.... not bad for £3 a piece. This is an image of the ebay listing.

These are one of the boards.

The boards do look the same.

There are two 10 pin SIL pins either side so the boards can just plug into a breadboard. They come from china in a jiffy bag so watch out for the pins as some were bent.

An alternative method to drive is an Arduino version
http://nr8o.dhlpilotcentral.com/?p=83

↧

More HamRadio lists hacked on yahoo

February 1, 2013, 1:34 am

≫ Next: Finally got Win-Test running on Linux

≪ Previous: AD9850 DDS

After having a mail box full of more SPAM rubbish this time prescription drugs from Canada I am beginning to get fed up with this happening so I post MY solution ... if you read and use yahoo please do something to stop the problem for the rest of us.

To stop the yahoo email hacks effecting your contacts ... which is all they really want... your email list.

Go to the yahoo webmail login, download the address/contacts to your PC, then install thunderbird email (free and runs in Windows or Linux)... then delete the online address book... they can hack your yahoo account but send nothing to your contacts so we do not get spam from your account :-)

Do NOT select to auto add respondees to your contact list on the yahoo webmail pages and regularly check your contact list is empty.

And change your password to something decent not the same as your pet cat's name perhaps some combination of callsign, locator, a date and a special character (one of these !"£$ etc).

Thanks

↧

Finally got Win-Test running on Linux

February 1, 2013, 3:09 am

≫ Next: CQWW-160 CW QRP entry

≪ Previous: More HamRadio lists hacked on yahoo

Using Wine and a bit of messing about with folder permissions but it works...

I had to recreate my CQWW 160m CW logs in Cabrillo for submission and so I did it whilst at work :-)

It does work under linux.

↧

CQWW-160 CW QRP entry

February 2, 2013, 5:17 am

≫ Next: My long wire

≪ Previous: Finally got Win-Test running on Linux

I will come suitably low on the list.

http://cq160.com/logs_received_cw.shtml

Congrats VE3MGY (for now he is highest qrp op) almost 40 times my score :-)

↧

My long wire

February 3, 2013, 5:50 am

≫ Next: 472Khz 25W PA

≪ Previous: CQWW-160 CW QRP entry

I was asked could I put up some technical analysis of the long wire...

Here is the plot between 1MHz and 2MHz.

It is a little low and not resonant on 160m

Here is is after the Z11ProII tuner.

As you can see much better.

The 140ft ong wire is fed against a bunch of radials and a fairly decent RF earth but no tuned radials.

↧

472Khz 25W PA

February 3, 2013, 6:56 am

≫ Next: PTO update - From F8DYR

≪ Previous: My long wire

The 25W PA for the KX3 472KHz transverter is a clone of the GW3UEP version http://www.gw3uep.ukfsn.org/25W_QTX/472_25W_QTX/472_kHz_25W_PA.htm so I'll not repeat the circuit diagram.

It is getting a bit cold in the workshop and soldering doesn't work as it should right now so will complete this later but the basic layout is complete.

I have used M3 Nylon screws as stand offs for the horizontal coils. The vertical coil I started it 15mm or so up and glued (hot melt glue) it to the PCB.

↧

PTO update - From F8DYR

February 3, 2013, 10:14 am

≫ Next: M1KTA in CT

≪ Previous: 472Khz 25W PA

F8DYR updated me that he had also worked on a PTO and used an interesting assembly.

"I saw on your blog that 3 years ago, you worked on a PTO oscillator. I worked too on this PTO (Same design) and found a useful mecanism to operate it, discarded from an old AM/FM car radio."

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M1KTA in CT

February 8, 2013, 5:17 am

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Not remotely rare as there are loads of CT on the bands.... I will be qrv from CT as CT7/M1KTA/P next week 10th to 16th. Looks like Colin (G8TMV) will be there same week 30 miles west of me.

Rig will be KX3, qrp from the beach but should be up and running 160-6m (no 5MHz!) although expect 20m and 15m SSB mostly.

The KX3 has the new software so will be trying out the Voice Keyer on SSB.

Look for me about qrp freq or ??8 (e.g. 14.188, 14.288, 18.068, 21.288) on SSB and 15 (14.015, 7.015) on CW. I tend to stear clear of qrp freq if looks like there are lots of callers.

If can operate from villa will try data modes.

ZB2 licence for 6m is in progress but not sure will come back in time (no HF possible anyway) for a day trip.

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CT7/M1KTA diary so far

February 14, 2013, 1:54 am

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10/2/2013

Ilha Deserta
Island south of Faro

IZ8TDP 15:25 SSB RX 57 TX 59 21.262
W9FFA 15:29 SSB RX 53 TX 59 21.260 Bill QSO??
4U1GSC 15:37 SSB RX 57 TX 59 21.252
G4NVY 15:56 SSB RX 51-57 Deep QSB TX 59 18.142 Mike 110W Gloucester, amazed by QRP signal
kept cq cq cq batteries low... dropped to 3W from 5W
G1UKZ 16:10 RX 21-53 Deep SLOW QSB TX 59 Phil 100W Manchester TS850 Loop antenna, also amazed by qsp qso.

Missed OX3MC, M1AQD, 7X5JF all 14.260-14.263...

batteries died. QRT 16:25

11/2/2013

Beach west of Albefura (what a pit that place is!)

14.285 called CQ - nil
18.142 called CQ - nil
21.285 called CQ - nil

Heard a few stations calling but no responses.

OZ7YY, KE4SW, LX1HD (21.289), also PY3, IV3...

Was all about 4:30pm.

12/2/2013

Beach by Quateria about mile East of the main front so no buildings, about 15m from sea and antenna W3EDP E-W with rig at W end, centre at 6m and counterpoise to sea at 90 degrees from antenna.

KX3 internal (old) batteries and just 3W to make them last a bit longer.

11 AM start

18.130 heard MI0SDR call CQ tried but no response.

11:02 14.285 called CQ - nil

11:07 21.26739 heard PY1ZRT (Bob) working UR5ZFU. Bob had HB 5 el monoband on 12m boom, elements were wire on fibre glass poles, kenwood rig with Ameriton PA. Both 59+
11:14 21.270 PY1ZRT worked Nigel GW4FOK (400W) WX in Uk near Swansea was 4 degrees. Both 59+

11:18 started to call CQ 21.285
11:20 G1EBW Pete in Rugby gave me a 55. He was 30W initially and gave him 57, dropped to 5w for 2xqrp and he was 42. Ant was dipole. He visits CT either 4/4/2013 and 6/4/2013
11:24 M0YBC David from North Yorkshire thought we had finshed and broke in... gave me 57 he was a 43
11:29 G0TRB gave me 58 he was 57-58 QSB
11:29 G3WYN gave 56 Ken was a 57
11:30 very loud signal from ON9CFG Bjorn gave me a 5658 he was 59+10 with me, 100W and 100% sure his antenna made all the difference.
quiet for a bit few more CQ then
11:38 CU7CG (Azores) Gomes gave me 55-57 QSB he was a good 58.
Called CQ on 15m for a while but no response

11:45 18.130 called CQ
11:54 SM5X sent 57 I gave him 58 but then he evaporated.... batteries died shortly after.

New 8xAA put in place

Called CQ on 14.285 12:05 for a while - NIL
Called CQ on 7.090 12:10 for a while - NIL
scanned 40m 7.1561 heard EA1GXX calling CQ 59+ tried but no response.
Called CQ 18.130 12:15 - NIL
Called CQ on 21.285 12:17 -nil then IK4JPK started calling CQ right over me... getting cold and few rain drops so QRT.

13/2/2013

Drove over to the Spanish border and walked about the Castle near Castron Marim, walked onto the beach at Manta Rota.

Started with a CQ on 21.285 @ 13:00 - NIL

18.130 huge pile up calling someone I could not hear, picked out G3SJH from the scrum I listened but could not hear who it was.
18.133 F5BBD calling CQ but no response.
18.1423 ES1QX/5 (500W, 3 el yagi) called CQ no response but heard him work G7TPL (Simon, Manchester 13:24), KI4YY (Blair, Virginia 13:26 100W 2el quad), SP7ATA (13:28), W3UA (13:29)
18.14510 Called CQ 13:30 - NIL
Back down the band a heard a loud signal PA3GSU 18.140 so called him once, back he comes! R 59 S 59+60 Op IETSEN 120km from Amsterdam, 4 el monoband and big PA... laughed when said was QRP
18.143 Called CQ 13:42 NIL

21.285 Called CW 13:47 NIL

18.110 TM850N was in QSO with YO8YW (Op Iulian) 13:52
18.110 TM850N 14:00 850years of Notre Dame... email to confirm contact. I think he thought my call was CT7/GM1KTA!

18.113 CQ NIL
18.117 14:11 Heard OE5GYL and GU4OUK Op Alan in QSL... tail ended and worked OE5GYL Op TONY QTH Linz, KX3 user but had 200W PA attached. Signal report R39 to R54 but deep qsb and sometimes down to noise.
18.117 called CQ 14:22
18.117 14:22 after 3 calls G0NEY Mike sent 58 I was just under noise but if concentrated could hear me. He said was 100W

Very sad as frequencies clear either side of 21.285 load of idiots all at least 100W some 400W+ G0TGR David, G0LVX Tom, G7NLP and W4IOW Ray talking all over the QRP SSB frequency about 14:40.

A guy walked up whilst on the beach and said hello. Turns out he is PD1MC and on holiday, his antennas also fishing poles but campsite in further inland and he said could not hear much, I showed him the bands were very lively... the W3EDP antenna was E-W rig at west end on WET SAND right at high tide mark.

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CT7/M1KTA update 14/2/2013

February 15, 2013, 12:52 am

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14/2/2013

W3EDP and KX3 from Hotel

CW sessions:

11:20 CQ 21.060 - NIL
11:32 CQ 18.0725
11:36 DF1PY 579 18.072.520 5W
11:44 HA7MW 579 18.072.520 5W
11:50 CQ 10.116
11:53 someone there but too weak to copy
11:56 CQ 7.030.000 - NIL
12:08 CQ 18.07250 3W
12:10 9A2UU (need to be 100% on call to relisten to recording) 18.072.520 579 3W
12:16 OM3EY 18.072.520 579 3W

Went out to Olhao the fishing shop near the quay had 7m poles 17.90 euros if anyone needs one.

Back at hotel CW again...

17:43 CQ 18.072.520 5W
17:48 DL1SVB 579 QSB 5W 18.072.520
Sun setting SS time 18:10 but just went below horizon
17:55 CQ 10.116 -NIL
17:59 CQ 7.030 - NIL
18:02 CQ 3.560 - NIL
18:08 CQ 7.030 - NIL
18:17 CQ OO 14.030.700 FP call but NIL
18:22 CQ 21.060 - NIL
18:27 CQ 10.116
18:34 UR5ZO or UW5ZO check recording 579 10.116 CW
18:37 DL5CU 10.116 579 5W

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6W QSL cards have been sent out

February 18, 2013, 2:10 am

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≪ Previous: CT7/M1KTA update 14/2/2013

Just back from CT7 trip and a few tnx for qsl cards I sent out before the trip...

"...Good evening Dom!

Received QSLs 6W/M1KTA IOTA AF-045 from you today.

Many thanks!

73! Anatoly UU7JM, Rustam, UU2JQ...."

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CT7/M1KTA diary so far

February 27, 2013, 5:48 am

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≪ Previous: 6W QSL cards have been sent out

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