Tuesday 12 December 2023
Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.032 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.
Monday 11 December 2023
Razvan IU1HCC in Italy on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.
Friday 08 December 2023
Chris F6IIA in France on 7.036 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.
Andreas DL1DUS in Germany on 14.051 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.
Thursday 30 November 2023
Algis LY2NK in Lithuania on 28.433 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.
Vladimir UA3GT in Russia on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.
Friday 24 November 2023
Peter G0GYY in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.
Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 14.211 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.
Wednesday 22 November 2023
Sim IS0HFE in Sardinia on 7.03 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.
Sunday 05 November 2023
Didi DL2SBA in Germany on 10.124 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Filderstadt
Lindy G0GZN in England on 7.19 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Marconi Cottage, Lizard Point, Cornwall
Andrew M0ABG in England on 10.109 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Theberton
Friday 03 November 2023
Florian ON3FLD in Belgium on 10.124 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Blankenberge
Wednesday 18 October 2023
Joao CT1EYQ in Portugal on 14.053 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH St Andre. Joao in Slow Morse Club.
Reik DF2ZY in Germany on 14.019 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Wiesbaden
Jean- Jacques F6DWI in France on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Coulommiers
Tuesday 17 October 2023
Robin G4DNP in England on 14.0515 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Wembley
Friday 13 October 2023
Richard M0RJP in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Lincolnshire
Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 10.115 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Enniscorthy, Wexford
Thursday 12 October 2023
Anatoly UT1EK in Ukraine on 28.393 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Krivoy Rog (2367km)
Vladimir UT5MD in Ukraine on 28.483 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Kremenchuck. 2367km
Alexey R6TX in Russia on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Stavropol (2566km)
Sunday 08 October 2023
Bert DF7DJ in Germany on 10.12 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Kamen
Timo DL1STI in Germany on 28.393 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Wertach
Friday 06 October 2023
John G4YTJ in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Birmingham
Monday 02 October 2023
Peter G0GYY in England on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Essex
Saturday 30 September 2023
Lars SM6NT in Sweden on 18.071 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Vegby
Georgios SM5OMP in Sweden on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Skärblacka
Friday 29 September 2023
Richard M0RJP in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Lincolnshire
Andre PA4OES in Netherlands on 14.013 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Emmen
Gregor DF2IC in Germany on 10.114 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Rimbach
Friday 22 September 2023
Will GM0HKS in Scotland on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH N Lanarkshire
Saturday 16 September 2023
Barrie G4PCK in England on 14.264 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Torquay
G8TA in England on 7.146 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.
Mark G0CMQ in England on 7.15 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Bacup
Darren M0DCX in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Bury St Edmunds
Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Enniscorthy, Wexford
Tuesday 29 August 2023
2E0PKK in England on 7.037 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Southampton
Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.175 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Enniscorthy, Wexford
Saturday 26 August 2023
John EI3HQB in Ireland on 7.117 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Tramore, Co Waterford
Cormac MI3JXG in Northern Ireland on 7.168 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Irvinestown
GB5CAD in England on 7.1385 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Cadover Lakes, Devon. Special station for BIWOTA.
G8FAK in England on 7.027 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Milton Keynes
Danny M0SDB in England on 7.037 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH South Yorkshire
Thursday 24 August 2023
G4AFR in England on 7.1625 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Barrow in Furness
Andy G3SVD in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Newbury
Wednesday 23 August 2023
Gwyn G4FKH in England on 7.162 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Chelmsford
Robert M0ITR in England on 7.162 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Perranporth
G G0GWY in England on 7.162 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH N Lincolnshire
Tom G0FGI in England on 7.162 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH S Molton, Devon
Tony G3XKT in England on 7.162 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Derbyshire
Karl 2E0FEH in England on 7.162 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Saltash, Cornwall
Phil G0JSB in England on 7.162 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Merseyside
Bill M0DXT in England on 7.14 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Cumbria, operating /P
Hassan MW3HAS in Wales on 7.156 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Cardiff
Doug G6INU in England on 7.03 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Kent
Tuesday 22 August 2023
Richard M0RJP in England on 7.0185 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Lincolnshire
Monday 21 August 2023
Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.144 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Enniscorthy, Wexford.
Chris G0LOL in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH South Yorkshire
Saturday 19 August 2023
I moved the half-size G5RV antenna through 90 degrees. It now runs NW-SE, so runs perpendicular to the overhead phone line with its noisy VDSL signals. It performed much better here and I got a new record DX QSO of over 2100 miles to central Russia. I could hear stations in all directions on 40m.
Rudolf RW4W in Russia on 7.029 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: G5RV, pwr: 20W. He was operating /p. Home address is Izhevsk, which is 2163 miles. My farthest yet.
F6KMB in France on 7.118 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: G5RV, pwr: 20W. QTH Dunkirk. My first CW QSO outside British Isles.
Jeff GW3UZS in Wales on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: G5RV, pwr: 20W. QTH Whitchurch, Cardiff
Friday 18 August 2023
Kevin M0MCL in England on 14.213 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Worthing
Saturday 12 August 2023
GB1CWC in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Throsk, Nr Stirling. SES for Cycling World Championships op by Stirling & District ARS
Tuesday 18 July 2023
Ian G7HFS in England on 7.164 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NE-SW, pwr: 20W. QTH, Beachy Head
Thursday 13 July 2023
Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.0329 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NE-SW, pwr: 20W. QTH Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. My first QSO with Keith.
Tuesday 11 July 2023
The half-size G5RV is working reasonably well. I bought a 15mm diameter 2.4m long dowel which fits snugly into the 20mm conduit to give the centre feed pole some reinforcement. This stopped it flapping in the breeze.
Friday 07 July 2023
Olivier ON4EI in Belgium on 14.19 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NE-SW, pwr: 20W. QTH Brussels
Johannes I4/PA5X in Italy on 7.0329 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NE-SW, pwr: 20W.
Tuesday 04 July 2023
Paul G0OER in England on 7.172 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NE-SW, pwr: 20W. QTH Coombe Dingle, Bristol. Paul of Trinty College.
Wednesday 28 June 2023
I finally took the plunge and made my first CW contact. The poor victim on the other end was John MW0BFY. I'm not sure what he made of my stammering Morse but we managed a couple of exchanges. I may not have breathed during the QSO, I was so tense! It feels very good to reach this milestone.
John MW0BFY in Wales on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NE-SW, pwr: 20W. QTH Ruthin. My first CW QSO.
Monday 26 June 2023
Vernon M3YSB in England on 7.017 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NE-SW, pwr: 20W. QTH N. Devon
Monday 19 June 2023
I built a half-size G5RV antenna but when erected NE to SW direction under the telephone line, it worked no better than the fence-top dipole.
Saturday 17 June 2023
Christian ON4LAN in Belgium on 7.127 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NE-SW, pwr: 20W. QTH Vaulx (Tournai)
Friday 16 June 2023
G6UT in England on 7.194 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Harlow
Darren M0DCX in England on 7.154 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Moreton Hall, BSE
Sunday 11 June 2023
Jean-Michel ON4BW in Belgium on 7.16 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Braine l'Alleud
GM0SGB in Scotland on 7.113 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. Operating /p
GB1TGC in England on 7.167 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Lutterworth. SES The Gliding Centre 70 Years.
Robbie MM0UDI in Scotland on 7.17 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Turriff
Rob M0KPD in England on 7.19 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. Working /p in Sussex
Friday 09 June 2023
Darren M0DCX in England on 7.187 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Moreton Hall, BSE
Malc MW0NLG in Wales on 7.132 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Caernarfon
Graham MM0GHM in Scotland on 7.187 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Galston
John 2E1DNH in England on 7.188 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Brighton
Monday 05 June 2023
GB9AFD in England on 7.132 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Lisburn. SES Armed Forces Day Northern Ireland
1 June 2023
Diagnosed that the interference causing 2-3 S points of noise on the 40m band is due to the proximity of the overhead phone lines, which carry VDSL broadband. Running an antenna directly beneath and parallel to a phone line is not optimal!
Saturday 27 May 2023
John M0HEM in England on 7.124 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Dagenham. Op used MR0HEM for coronation.
2E1FUE in England on 7.155 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Buxton. Op used 2R1FUE for coronation.
Friday 26 May 2023
G8MNY in England on 7.1895 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH S. Croydon
Darren M0DCX in England on 7.182 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Moreton Hall, BSE
Tony G1RBO in England on 7.182 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Saffron Walden
Mark M0XIC in England on 7.185 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Stourbridge
John M6WYD in England on 7.183 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Ripon
Ricardo LX2AM in Luxembourg on 7.168 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Petange, Luxembourg
GB2HSL in England on 7.17 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. Humber Fortress DX Radio Club. QTH The Mill House, Patrington.
Thursday 25 May 2023
Giles 2E0DNU in England on 7.165 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Chelmsford
Paul M0PVN in England on 7.2 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Northfield, Birmingham
Wednesday 24 May 2023
Shabu M0KRI in England on 7.184 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Addington, Surrey
club G0BRA in England on 7.144 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. Banbury ARS, QTH Banbury
Sunday 21 May 2023
G8MNY in England on 7.173 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH South Croydon
Rob M0KPD in England on 7.137 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. Operating /p from W Sussex
Roger HB9GHR in Switzerland on 7.137 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Zurich
Sid G1SDK in England on 7.173 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Hoddesdon
Lubos OK1APB in Czech Republic on 7.173 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Prague
Frans PD5FS in Netherlands on 7.169 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Sint Michielsgestel
Saturday 20 May 2023
David M0GDX in England on 7.193 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Sheffield
Roy G0OVK in England on 7.193 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Willenhall
Thursday 18 May 2023
Bill ON9CGB in Belgium on 7.16 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Marke
Carl M0ICR in England on 7.16 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Middlesex
G0GWY in England on 7.16 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH N. Lincolnshire
Steve G4HPE in England on 7.1191 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Royston
Tuesday 16 May 2023
Kevin MM6EQY in Scotland on 7.192 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Livingston
Des G4OBB in England on 7.165 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Glemsford, Suffolk
Monday 15 May 2023
Tilen S52OW in Slovenia on 7.131 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W.
Sunday 14 May 2023
Rob M0KPD in England on 7.186 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Worthing
Jennifer M7OAR in England on 7.186 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Shoreham by Sea
Sid G1SDK in England on 7.186 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Hoddesdon
Julien MM7JNT in Scotland on 7.186 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Stranraer
Adrian 2E0HZA in England on 14.219 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Swindon
Wednesday 10 May 2023
Andre G1KDU in England on 7.185 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Warwickshire
Shabu M0KRI in England on 7.19 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Surrey
Andrew M0ABG in England on 7.186 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Theberton
Tuesday 09 May 2023
I added some additional elements to my fence-top antenna to make a linked dipole for work on 40m as well as 20m. For 7173kHz, the dipole leg length for 40m is 9.944m. At 14100kHz, the dipole leg length is 5.059m. I added 4.885m extensions on each leg using push connectors for easy band swapping.
Cormac MI3JXG in Northern Ireland on 7.192 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Irvinestown, Enniskillen
Vaughan M0VRR in England on 7.173 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Louth. Vaughan Ravenscroft, president of WARS.
Darren M0DCX in England on 7.151 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Moreton Hall, BSE
Robert 2E0PVK in England on 7.182 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 40m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Ashford, Kent
Thursday 04 May 2023
I moved the 1-1 balun for HF inside the shed and ran the antenna wires out through the gap between the top of the shed wall and the roof. One element ran across to the fence and NE. The other ran around the back two sides of the shed and onto the fence next door. All of the antenna was just 2m above the ground. I tested this briefly and got a QSO into Venice.
I have come to realise that questing for the perfect antenna isn't necessary. A resonant dipole works well under good propagation conditions, even a few feet off the ground.
Enrico IZ3WUW in Italy on 7.112 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 20m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Venice. Operating /p.
Friday 28 April 2023
I attached my inverted V dipole for 20m to the fence panels at the end of the garden just 2m above the ground to see what happened. I didn't expect much, especially as my G90 was only running 10W. To my surprise, I made 8 SSB QSOs into Andorra, Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Bosnia Herzegovina.
II2VNG in Italy on 14.265 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 20m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Busto
Primoz S58WW in Slovenia on 14.275 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 20m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Dob
II4PNF in Italy on 14.245 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 20m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Pavullo Nel Frignano
Jaume C31LK in Andorra on 14.24 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 20m on fence, pwr: 20W.
Janez S52DX in Slovenia on 14.27 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 20m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Vrhnika
II1CAI in Italy on 14.203 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 20m on fence, pwr: 20W. SES
Mehmed E74MK in Bosnia-Hercegovina on 14.222 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 20m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Hadzici
Walter OE2AOP in Austria on 14.25 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole 20m on fence, pwr: 20W. QTH Lofer
Wednesday 19 April 2023
Lorenzo IZ2FOS in Italy on 14.293 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: EFHW NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Calcinato
Kari OH6LHB in Finland on 14.245 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: EFHW NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Lapua
Amanzino IK0BAL in Italy on 14.224 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: EFHW NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Gualdo Cattaneo
Thursday 13 April 2023
My first time using my new G90 radio, which I bought second-hand from the estate sale of a silent key.
I heard that the radio was for sale and was immediately interested. I spent a few days thinking through whether or not to go for it. I decided that I should - it's the cheapest way for me to get into HF voice operations. I'm steadily learning CW but it's going to take a long time. I'm not all that interested in talking with locals on 2m VHF, which is very quiet apart from the club net on Sunday evenings.
I thought I'd check first of all whether it would work with my bench power supply. I connected a dummy load and powered up the radio successfully. Good news. The weather wasn't good enough for me to take the rig outside.
I got out the end-fed half-wave antenna that I bought last August and haven't yet used. I used the radio in my upstairs bedroom and ran the antenna wire through the window.
With the wire dangling vertically onto the ground, I heard stations but things improved dramatically when I attached the free end of the antenna to a pole in the garden. Now I could hear stations in Europe and the NW of Canada. The antenna is only rated for 10W so I had to limet the power but I was still able to make some great SSB contacts across Europe.
The first was with Tina DL5YL who was operating a special events station DA23WARD from Berlin for World Amateur Radio Day. Tina was very friendly and warmly congratulated me on my first HF QSO with my own callsign. It feels like a really good achievement.
I'm really pleased with the little G90. I had hoped that I might be able to get a bigger and more powerful base station transceiver but this is all I can afford. Still, I now know that 10W from the top of my garden fence is enough to get me into Europe on SSB. It feels like a huge step forwards.
Tina DL5YL in Germany on 14.241 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: EFHW NW-SE, pwr: 10W.
DA23WARD in Germany on 14.185 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: EFHW NW-SE, pwr: 10W. SES for World Amateur Radio Day
Philipp OE3JOO in Austria on 14.222 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: EFHW NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Hausleiten
Keith LZ4DJ in Bulgaria on 14.244 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: EFHW NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Vetrino Varna
Simone IU2ROG in Italy on 14.2745 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: EFHW NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Brescia
S50WARD in Slovenia on 14.215 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: EFHW NW-SE, pwr: 10W. SES for World Amateur Radio Day
Friday 31 March 2023
I found a good video about CW speed vs proficiency which led me to download Kurt Zoglmann's Morse Code Ninja course podcasts.
Thursday 9 March 2023
I'm drawn to CW but feel I have a long way to go to learn. I completed all the lessons in the Morse Mentor app but at a speed of around 15wpm but with long Farnsworth spacing. I could decode words in the practice sessions but I was counting the dits and dahs rather than instantly recognising the characters. The mental work in decoding the signals in this way is huge, requiring lots of concentration and, frankly, it's a bit of a strain.
I've now switched the program to give a speed of 20wpm with no Farnsworth spacing. It produces Morse that sounds just like what I hear on the bands and is impossibly fast for me to decode. I'm going to try a new idea: Letting the app play R, M and K characters at random in the background. My idea is to accustom my ear to the sound, to relax and to absorb the rhythms and patterns without over-exerting myself.
Friday 13 January 2023
Tony M0TBA in England from Bushbury on 145.525 MHz, using Senhaix 8600, ant: RH770, pwr: 5W. QTH Sedgley