Blog of the Log

Tuesday 31 December 2024

It's been a brilliant year in amateur radio for me. There are too many highlights for me to list them all but at the turn of a New Year, at least a little bit of celebratory retrospection is called for.

Back in January, CW was firmly established as my favourite mode. I was enjoying gentle ragchews on 40m with a group of operators who use the Slow Morse Group on Facebook and a handful of others who were prepared to slow down for me. I guess my effective Farnsworth copy speed was barely 10wpm. I had to write everything down to make sense of what I was hearing. In truth, I could probably copy only about a third of what I received but it was still fun. One year on, I'm copying reliably at about 17wmpm, sometimes more. It's made a big difference. I find that my concentration has improved and without the frustration of missing lots of words, I enjoy the QSOs even more. I rarely write down anything now, apart from logging information.

I joined the National Radio Centre as a volunteer in January and it's been a great pleasure to meet thousands of visitors and to learn from my companions. The two Saturdays that I work each month are long days but very worthwhile.

In terms of equipment, I have made some small but really helpful investments. £10 was very well spent on my first proper straight key and rather more on my fabulous Putikeeg heavy duty paddle. The little Xiegu G90 has continued to perform wonderfully. When I bought it in 2023, I thought it would be a very compromised radio. My friends were spending large sums on much more powerful HF rigs for SSB operating and achieving great success with them. I thought that my signals would never get out of Europe, especially with my half-size G5RV antenna, so to discover that I could reliably make contacts to Australia was astonishing. It was a particular thrill to reach New Zealand, almost exactly on the one hundredth anniversary of the first two-way contact from the UK. The JPC-12 portable antenna enabled me to get out and about much more easily. I have decided that I am too old to be throwing wire into trees. Just recently, I have discovered the joys of very low power and made contacts of almost a thousand miles with just 1W. The full 20W of which the G90 is capable now seems huge and mostly unnecessary. I ended the year by getting the first HF radio that I built, the QRP Labs QCX+, on the air for its first CW QSOs.

Of course, starting this blog in the autumn was another big development in my hobby and telling the story of my ups and downs is great fun. It doesn't matter that there is barely an audience for it. I just like the writing process and sharing links to posts is a way of thanking people for their contacts - think of it like an extended QSL card.

What adventures will 2025 bring? I will be travelling across France and Italy in a few months and will definitely take a radio. Perhaps when I get back, I'd love to make a radio of my own design. (When I received a lovely tin of biscuits and treats at Christmas, my first thought was, "This would make a great enclosure for a radio project!")

Thank you to the many people who have given me encouragement along the way, including friends at the Wolverhampton Amateur Radio Society, the National Radio Centre and the many stations with whom I have shared a speck of bandwidth.

Statistics for 2024

• QSOs: 455
• CW QSOs: 382
• SSB QSOs: 71
• Other modes: 0
• Countries: 44
• Unique stations worked: 353
• Bands used: 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m
• Most frequently contacted: Keith EI5KJ, John G4FZA, Patrick VK2IOW and Mike M0MDS.
• Highest power used as M0KBJ: 20W. Lowest power: 1W
• Most distant contact: Brian ZL3XDJ in New Zealand (13003 miles, 20925km).

Monday 30 December 2024

I spent half an hour calling CQ with the little QCX+ but with such limited power I didn't get any replies. I switched back to the G90 to get a comparison in similar conditions.

Obviously, the G90 is a much more capable radio and it makes operating much easier. I used its full 20W power to contact the Radio Club Porte Des Alpes F6KEX/P which was working portable. I will be travelling through their region, south of Lyon, in a few months.

I then dropped onto the 40m band, hoping for something more than a brief exchange. I found Ken GM4JMU calling CQ and we had a great chat, both using 3W power. He lives near Troon and was using separate TX and RX rigs which he built himself, never using any more than 3W.

Sunday 29 December 2024

The O-QRP contest finishes in a few minutes, so I thought I'd make the most of the busy bands and give the QCX+ another run. I made QSOs with DK2FM, Axel DL5EBD, Dieter SA4ATT and Santa Claus who was operating from his Lapland base as OF9X.

Saturday 28 December 2024

When I first began the amateur radio hobby, my goal was to work CW QRP on a small budget. The QRP Labs QCX+ seemed ideal: A 5W single-band radio with an excellent reputation that I could build myself for £100. I bought one in 2022 and I set about building it a few weeks later. It's a beautifully documented kit which came together well. My only mistake was damaging a rotary encoder. I ordered a replacement part, which came quickly. Being unable to send or copy CW, I tested my new transceiver with a WSPR transmission. It was great to know that it worked. I also experimented with FT8 (thereby learning that it has no appeal for me) and I blew the BS170 FETs in the final PA stage. I repaired these in May 2024 but long before then the QCX+ had sat neglected on my shelf. I was having fun with my Xiegu G90, which is a much easier beginner's radio, giving more power and more bands to explore.

Having recently had great fun with very low power, I decided it is time to get the little QCX+ on the air. Just before Christmas I received a Z-Match matching unit, which means that I can hook up the radio to the G5RV antenna with some confidence that I won't damage it.

Band conditions aren't took good today but I did manage to work Hannu OH6LD in Finland, some 1130 miles away. It's a great start for the tiny rig and I will be sure to pack it for my forthcoming trip to Europe. I quite fancy building the QRP Labs QMX multi-band radio soon as well.

It's the weekend of the O-QRP contest for low power stations. I haven't participated in a contest before so it was with some trepidation that I answered three CQ calls. Once I got the hang of the exchanges, it was okay. I doubt that it's going to be something I do often though.

Using the QCX+ on 20m, I worked Martin HB9CYN, the Czech OK QRP Club OL40QRP and Paul DK8SX.

Friday 27 December 2024

Just one in the log today, after a week's break. Alan G0TAM near Cromer in Norfolk on a fairly quiet 40m band.

Thursday 26 December 2024

No time for radio over Christmas so far and with a guest sleeping in the room that I use for radio, my gear is out of reach for a few days. I was pleased to receive a UMPP-1 miniature paddle as a Christmas present from my wife. I'll be using it for working portable, instead of the bulky Putikeeg paddle, which I'll keep on the desk.

Friday 20 December 2024

The fading of signals is something that all operators on the HF bands are used to. Sometimes it's so severe that a strong station can barely be heard a few minutes later. Today, I encountered the most dramatic fading in my experience so far. I was enjoying Rolf DL4GCR's crystal-clear CW when he disappeared within a second. He had given me a signal report, his name, location and details of his radio but within the time that it took for him to send "ANT", all was gone. I listened for a few more minutes but we were working on 20m an hour after sunset here and I was using just 1W, so after I was sure his signal wouldn't return, I gave up.

Before capricious propagation robbed Rolf and me of our fun, I worked Fabio IW2BTA in Melegnagno, near Milan. He gave me a full 599 report for my 1W.

Thursday 19 December 2024

On the air at sunset again today and using just 1W for three QSOs. First was an operator from Radio Klub Celje S53EOP in Slovenia, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Then my farthest contact yet with this power. I reached Afonso CT1ACS in central Portugal. That's a distance of 942.7 miles (1517km). Finally, it was nice to find Manu ON4EM/P working portable from near Brussels.

Tuesday 17 December 2024

Another four low-power ragchews on the 20m band in the log.

I used 1W to answer Gerhard DJ2GS in Feldberg, Germany. I thought I'd try calling CQ but with such low power I really wasn't sure anyone would hear me. On 14060kHz I put out a call and was pleased to hear Mo DG1HTT reply using 5W. I pushed the power up to 3W to work Tomaso IZ4EKI in Bologna, for which he gave me a 5NN signal report and then back on 1W power I had a great chat with Werner DL4ISX near Fulda. He told me he was using his Junker straight key, so I plugged in my WT8 Amp straight key and finished our QSO with that. This was my 400th QSO in CW mode.

I've learned today that using very low power is perfectly possible, even when calling CQ.

Monday 16 December 2024

In the quest for the biggest thrills on the lowest number of milliwatts, I kept the Xiegu G90 at 1W and caught Steve M0STN just after he finished with Mac G3ZHZ. Steve gave me a 599 from Northampton. His Yaesu was pushing out 50W for a nice loud 599 +10dB.

I shuffled up to the 20m band and listened on the QRP centre of activity, 14060kHz. Hans OE5BAY started calling from 840 miles (1350 km) away in Austria. He copied my 1W reply and we gave each other a 539 report. He told me he was using 5W of power. Sadly, QSB parted us and we couldn't continue but we had three overs so it definitely counts as a QSO. This is my record QRPp transmission so far. The next challenge will be trying to break the 1 mile per milliwatt barrier.

Earlier, I had fun watching videos and reading about the Radioberry SDR transceiver. I really fancy building my own one day. I have decided that I shall call it a kedger, which is a nautical term for a light-weight boat anchor.

Wednesday 11 December 2024

This afternoon I had another radio experience that made me hold my breath. I kicked off with an easy exchange on 20m with Andrea IK3GHZ who was making the first POTA activation of Parco San Lorenzo, Pegognaga, in the region of Lombardy. I was using just 5W power.

I dropped down to the 40m band and worked Horst DK4AC for the fourth time. He told me that his FT1000ES was putting out 150W. On the last over, I dropped my power from 5W to 1W and he could still copy me.

With that encouragement, when I heard Steve G0EAT finish a call I followed on and used just 1W for the whole QSO. Steve gave me a 599 signal report and told me that I was peaking +5 to +10dB over that. He was using 70W into his dipole, one hundred miles away in Yorkshire and his super-strong signal was peaking at +40dB over S9. What an achievement by a pair of home-brewed wire antennas!

Tuesday 10 December 2024

At 0730, I checked the International Beacon Project signals on 14100kHz and couldn't hear any at all. I thought it was going to be a poor morning but I was pleased my persistence was rewarded. It just shows how the bands can open up very quickly.

Half an hour later and with the teapot poured, my weekly 20m rendevouz with stations in Australia got underway with a good natter with Pat VK2IOW. Incredibly, he is now my third-most-worked station. We have made seven QSOs in the last few weeks. He was still able to copy me when I dropped my power to 10W during the QSO.

I decided to call CQ at a very gentle pace. I have found that whenever I call at 10wpm or less, there are stations who answer. It just shows that there are many novice CW operators who are looking for an opportunity to practise their skills.

John DL5JP answered my call with his wonderful brand-new IC-7610. He sent an email to tell me that our QSO was the first that he has made with it. I am honoured!

I followed up with a nice chat with Mike F8DFP.

Another first for me: While I set my K1EL keyer to send a CQ call, I recorded my signals on the Ironstone Range Kiwi-SDR. It's great to hear how our own signals sound half a planet away.

Saturday 7 December 2024

With Storm Darragh blasting in from the west, my 6am journey to the NRC wasn't at all pleasant. Visitor numbers were down but we still had a good day.

I made some contacts operating as GB3RS, including one with Jozef OM6TC who was using 500mW power from his FT817 and loop antenna on 14060kHz, the QRP centre of activity.

In the late afternoon I met Ron W9XS from Chicago and his wife, Roselle. Ron has held a licence for 65 years and his preferred mode with a very fine station is CW contesting. I showed him to the Flex 6600 and he made three high-speed QSOs.

Tuesday 3 December 2024

Propagation looked quite good this morning but for the first time since I joined the CQ QRS Ragchew DXperiment, I failed to make a contact with an Australian station.

I was in the mood to send with my straight key today. I'm not very good at it but the only way to improve is to practice so I ploughed on. My first telegraphic correspondent was special event station AN46CE which is celebrating the anniversary of the Spanish constitution, operating in Malaga. It was a very brief exchange with unequal speeds (30wpm versus 12wpm).

With the radio warmed up, I found my frequency on and QSOed with Polish station SP9DC, whose name I thought was "Warm".

The highlight of the day was to chat with Wilfred LA1QFA in Sorreisa, Norway, where the sun set for the last time this year three days ago. Wilfred will not see it again until 11 January when it will make a brief appearance on the horizon at noon. At a latitude of 69 degrees, he's my most northerly contact so far.

I finished off on 20m and looked for a more local station to end the morning. I found Gerald PA3GEG on 7027kHz and exchanged greetings.

Monday 2 December 2024

It's been several months since I have worked Will GM0HKS in Motherwell. I found him briskly chatting with another Scot, Norman GM4KGK on 7028kHz. I managed to copy around half of what they were sending at, I guess, around 20wpm. I tail-ended and worked Will, who kindly dropped his pace.

7028kHz is a favourite watering hole for many operators as it is both the QRP centre of activity and is often used by members of the FISTS Club. Will was using 5W so that makes sense.

Sunday 1 December 2024

Have you tried switching it off and on again?

While explaining various forms of modulation to visitors at the NRC yesterday, I heard myself say that the most primitive way to modulate a carrier signal is simply to turn it on and off, which is what we do when sending information in Morse Code. This being true, I suppose the modulator in the signal chain is the sender’s fingers on the key and the demodulation stage is comprised of the receiver’s ears. It truly is an uncomplicated way to do things.

Saturday 30 November 2024

I had the pleasure of operating as GB3RS at the National Radio Centre again. After a slow start, we were quite busy with visitors and as the radio room was being used for teaching students I had to squeeze QSOs in where I could.

I demonstrated the QO-100 satellite with Primoz OE1BHP then during the students’ lunch break I jumped on the FTDX5000 to see what I could manage on 40m with a straight key. I was delighted to find Ron G4ASE, who was working at a nice steady pace. Once again, the beautiful sound of Morse drew a crowd and before long, around twenty visitors were watching me. John, a volunteer colleague, easily read my slow CW and gave them a commentary on what Ron and I were up to. Sitting next to me was a retired merchant navy wireless officer, who was smiling with a far-away look in his eyes. I like to think he was remembering voyages to distant shores but he may just have been tickled by my wobbly sending.

Ron told me that he was using 5W with a homebrewed set. Jolly nice it sounded too. I learned in a subsequent exchange of email that Ron built himself a T41-EP software defined transceiver, following the brilliant designs of Jack Purdum W8TEE and Al Peter AC8GY. I’d love to construct something like that.

I got just one more QSO in the GB3RS log, a quick SSB exchange of season’s greetings with II2XMAS in Milan.

Tuesday 26 November 2024

I went hunting for DX along the greyline this morning, operating on 14044-14046kHz between 0730 and 0900.

As winter approaches, the later sunrise time means that the 20m band opens a little later each week. I called CQ for over 45 minutes this morning without reply. The chore was made easier by using my K1EL keyer module. With the push of its buttons I can send pre-programmed messages, so a long 'CQ CQ CQ DX DE M0KBJ M0KBJ M0KBJ K' was effortless.

Patrick VK2IOW came to my aid at 0808 and his signal improved as we chatted. Patrick was the very first VK station that I was able to contact last month but his signals are so reliable we have already managed half-a-dozen contacts.

Using the CW Club RBN Spotter I saw that David VK3DBD was on air just 1kHz away from my spot. I was struggling with a dollop of QRN interference on my frequency, so I dropped down the dial and pounced on David as he finished. I couldn't quite copy him on my receiver so I used the KiwiSDR in Staffordshire to listen on each over. I had to ask him to slow for me and we had a good natter.

With not much else happening on 20m, I retuned for 40m and called on 7035kHz. I was delighted that Ian M7OPR replied and we had a good half-hour chat for the second time. Ian loves his G90 as much as I love mine. He's a new operator and is doing incredibly well.

A quick blog update. I've added a Contact page so you can easily send me a comment or ask a question.

Monday 25 November 2024

All of my operating so far has been in the UK but in the spring my wife and I are travelling in Europe by car. There’ll certainly be room in the boot for a modest radio station and I have been looking into the requirements for operating overseas.

The RSGB is always a good place to start and its Operating Abroad webpage confirms that, under the CEPT arrangements, I can operate temporarily in any of the countries that I’m likely to pass through: France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy.

I will need to operate using my own callsign, prefixed with the country identifier, so F/M0KBJ/P in France. Italy has regional prefixes and although they’re optional, I understand it is courteous to include them. I know how proud the Italians are of their regional identities. Besides, it all adds to the fun. In the Napoli region for example, I expect to be I8/M0KBJ/P and in Tuscany, I5/M0KBJ/P.

Amateur radio organisations are quite good at international cooperation, which is refreshing at a time of international tension. The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was founded almost 100 years ago, as its website says,

The IARU was founded at a meeting in Paris in 1925 as the international representative of the Amateur Radio movement. At the time the “short waves” were just beginning to be understood and to be exploited for global communication using power levels and antennas that were within reach of private individuals operating from their own homes. These radio amateurs needed an organization to coordinate their activities and to be their voice at international conferences.

Operating on HF gives operators the opportunity to make friendships across national boundaries and I’m really looking forward to planting a temporary antenna on another shore. I have even bought a union jack pennant for it.

Sunday 24 November 2024

I prefer a ragchew to a brief exchange, so I sometimes use the HamAlert app to tell me when one of my CW operator friends is on the air. This morning, my phone alerted me to the fact that Paul G0OER was calling CQ on 30m again.

I had already checked that my antenna hadn't come down in the very strong winds that we have had overnight, so I pulled the coax cable through the upstairs window and hooked up the G90.

While Paul and I were chatting in CW, I received a message to say that Bletchley Park was having to close to visitors due to the strong winds. I hope the problems can be overcome quickly and that the NRC's antennas are okay.

Saturday 23 November 2024

Paul and I were on the radio before we’d had breakfast. While I was shaving, I heard the sound of CW coming upstairs and he was eager for me to get on the IC-7300 while he made us toast.

The 20m and 40m bands were chock-full of CQ World Wide DX contest stations so we found a place on 30m. I made a QSO with Ivan RN3DA using Paul’s lovely large straight key before swapping to my own Putikeeg paddle for Joao CT1EYQ and Lutz DL6BBT.

It was a brief trip but a good one. I drove home through the wind and rain of Storm Bert with my mind racing about the possibilities of integrating my ESP-32 projects with radio transceivers.

Friday 22 November 2024

How many radios are enough?

My 20W Xiegu G90 really does everything that I need to operate from home and portably. Sure, I could sometimes usefully push a higher output but at this point in the solar cycle great low-power contacts are possible.

The QCX+ that I built as my first HF radio sits on a shelf and rarely gets used. The idea of working at 5W appeals but I think I would miss the G90’s display and power if I didn’t take it when I am out and about. And while the QCX+ is nice and small, it would only make a difference if I was hiking or climbing big hills. Besides, I don’t have a tuner and I’ve already blown the radio’s final transistors into a high-SWR antenna.

Like most, I have my niche in the radio hobby and I don't work a whole range of modes and bands, so how many radios is enough? Could one be sufficient?

The answer from all the hams I know is 'no'. Many collect many more radios than they actually require for their rational, operational needs. We’re in the territory of emotional attachment here! Radio amateurs often cherish their equipment, especially if it’s a little quirky or unusual. Perhaps they have a nostalgic feeling for a radio that they have operated for decades. Whatever the reasons, a good many amateurs spend time attending to, repairing and lavishing love on their radios more than operating them. And I get it. This observation comes without a hint of criticism. After all, this is a hobby and it's meant to be fun.

I don’t feel the need to add to my collection of two just yet, but I do understand the thrill of the hunt that drives collectors to seek out more for their shack. And I guess if you have a particular preference, the more exciting it is to find one that fills a gap.

Collectors become experts. They acquire knowledge of the subtle differences between models and their expertise is enjoyable for others.

So it was with wide-eyed fascination that I stood in Ben Nock G4BXD’s amazing Military Wireless Museum at his home in Kidderminster.

From floor to ceiling, many hundreds of radios and related objects are presented, some in pristine condition, some carefully and skilfully restored, others have remained in the bashed-about state in which they arrived, as projects yet to be started.

Ben himself gave me a two-hour tour. He let me lead and whenever I had questions, told me the story of an acquisition or explained the technology that featured in a particular set. I was gripped.

It’s so nice to be in the company of a passionate and knowledgeable radio amateur. Half-way through, his wife Gloria arrived with a mug of tea and a plate of biscuits. She enjoys Ben’s collection as much as he does and has been on adventures around the world to acquire new items.

From Ben’s and Gloria’s home, I headed another hour farther south west to Bristol, to meet up with an old friend, Paul G0OER. Paul is a theologian and liturgist who teaches at Trinity College, where I studied more twenty-five years ago. I hadn’t realised that he had been an amateur radio operator since his teenage years, nor that he had taken up the CW mode in recent years. My second CW QSO was with Paul in 2022.

He showed me his shack, which is comfortably accommodated in an extension to his house. It’s clean, brightly-lit and is divided between benches for operating and construction. I was extremely impressed.

He’s built much of the equipment that he uses and is as comfortable constructing valve-QRP rigs as coding microcontrollers for his self-designed interfaces and home-brewed rigs.

So far, I haven’t combined my interests in microcontrollers and radio to any great extent but Paul has inspired me to do much more.

Paul took me to the friendly weekly meeting of the Shirehampton Amateur Radio Club. Fifteen members squeezed into their meeting room and I was impressed with the skill and knowledge of those who build their own gear. A high proportion of members are CW operators too.

Will I enlarge my radio collection? Well, I don’t have the space for anything substantial but I really do think that I’ll try to tackle some construction projects of my own next year.

Tuesday 19 November 2024

Snow on the antenna didn't seem to stop my signals getting out this morning but propagation to the southern hemisphere wasn't quite as good as in previous weeks.

I replied to Ando LZ3QE's CQ call on the 20m band, then found my place ready for the CQ QRS Ragchew.

The only VK contact that I was able to make was with Patrick VK2IOW.

I dropped onto the 40m band and caught up on the WX situation with John G4FZA and a first-time contact with Ken G7FTD, who coped with a noisy band.

Monday 18 November 2024

It's been a while since I had a QSO with old friend John G4FZA and good to be reunited this morning on 7035kHz. I say 'old friend' - we actually only met last year and only twice in person. But there's something intimate about CW as a communications mode. I think it's because we are connected by what feels like a very thin and fragile link. People describe how text messaging on smartphone apps is convenient but poor compared with richer forms of communication such as video chat because it's difficult to give context in plain text. Using slow Morse is even more limiting but the shared awareness of this by both operators makes for a deeper kind of connection.

It was also very pleasant to QSO with the National Radio Centre GB3RS, where I volunteer twice a month, for the very first time. This morning, Paddy G4MAD was on the straight key and FTDX5000. We chatted away for a good twenty minutes on 7035kHz, at a speed which was just about comfortable for me.

I'll be in the warmth of my home QTH for tomorrow's CQ QRS Ragchew net, operating on 14.044 to 14.046kHz between 0700 and 0900. It was good to check that the radio all works this morning, so that I can be QRV tomorrow.

Wednesday 13 November 2024

My Norfolk expedition came to a close with a very pleasant couple of hours in a glade of trees among scrunchy leaves at Bucks Common, which is south of Cromer.

The weather was beautiful: No wind, sunshine and 12C. I walked about a mile from the car park with my shack-in-a-backpack. That's farther than I've taken it before and I was pleased it was manageable. Just off the path, I found a fallen tree trunk to sit on. Another kind of amateur radio log.

First up was Ale IK2WSG near Milan and then Karel OK2CLL, both on 20m.

I tuned around the bands and listened in to some other stations. On 40m, HB9APJ and DC5GD were sending nice slow CW in German. I could work out most of what they were saying.

I didn't worry that I only had a couple of QSOs in the log, on my log. It was all about the scene, not the quantity of calls, and about savouring a bright Autumn day ahead of next week's predicted chill.

Tuesday 12 November 2024

After a slow start, I made another successful attempt to span the world in Morse code.

Yesterday I had recce'd Strumpshaw Fen car park as a reasonable location. It's compromised by an adjacent railway line, which created an S4 swoosh of noise every fifteen minutes when a train passed. Still, it was good enough for me to get two new Australian stations in the log and I heard others.

I could tell from the Reverse Beacon Network that my signals on 14045kHz were getting out all over Europe and into Russia but were they reaching Australia and New Zealand? I monitored the WhatsApp channel of the CQ QRS Ragchew gang and read that they were struggling to pick me up.

I heard Brian ZL3XDJ calling me but he couldn't hear my replies. Mark VK2KI tried several times but again, although he was perfectly readable by me, he couldn't hear me.

Manny VK3DRQ and I attempted a QSO but although I copied him at RST539, he replied "SRI QNP QNP" meaning, sorry I don't copy you.

Finally, Mark's persistence paid off and we had a brief exchange, having to send my signal report many times for it to break through.

I had resigned myself to the fact that conditions were against us. After all, no European stations had even attempted to answer my calls. Then, just before 0800, David VK3DBD came through clear and strong. He gave me RST559 for my 20W signal and we chatted for twenty minutes. David is near Albury in Victoria and he held a UK callsign, G3SCD when he lived in Lincolnshire.

What have I learned? Well, that patience and persistence pays off. I was disappointed yesterday at learning that the shoreline QTH wasn't going to work but it was well worth taking the trouble to do a recce. Today's location was among trees and that can't have helped, though the surrounding wet fenland probably gave me a good ground plane.

In the log today:

David VK3DBD in Australia from Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk on 14.045 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: JPC-12, pwr: 20W. QTH Yackandandah nr Albury, Victoria

Mark VK2KI in Australia from Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk on 14.045MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: JPC-12, pwr: 20W.

Monday 11 November 2024

Well, some days in amateur radio are quite straightforward. Today was not one of them.

My wife and I are in Norfolk for a few days. She has gone to a retreat house for a few nights which gives me a couple of days to work portable.

I thought it would be good to try working from the beach, to make the most of the 'salt water amplifier' that enables very low power signals to propagate well. I used satellite view on Google Maps to try and find suitable locations.

My first port of call was Hemsby Beach. Like a lot of resorts on this coast, it's a place of static caravans, holiday chalets, fried food and amusement arcades. I discovered that the car park closes overnight and doesn't open until 7am, so that wouldn't do for my early start.

I headed a few miles up the coast to Sea Palling, where the car park is open 24 hours. I pulled on the rucksack with all my gear and headed into the fresh breeze to find as sheltered a spot as possible.

When I reached the beach I was quite excited to see the tide was in. I thought that being so close to the water would help my signals propagate. I'm quite quick at setting up the JPC-12 portable antenna but I had to take special care not to lose things in the wind.

I switched on and tuned up on the 20m band but the wind and breaking waves were so loud I couldn't hear the weakest signals in my headphones. I was wearing plenty of layers and I wasn't cold but I was far from comfortable.

As the water began to lap around the antenna pole, I decided to abandon the attempt and head for a quieter spot inland.

I reached Strumpshaw Fen Nature Reserve and used the radio from the car but without success. To be honest, by then I wasn't really in the mood and as the sun began to set, I headed for my hotel. Let's hope tomorrow morning's adventures with the antipodean stations is more fruitful.

Friday 8 November 2024

Brian ZL3XDJ makes interesting points in this video about his contacts with the UK this week. When conditions are favourable:

• Working the long path along the greyline (dawn in the UK, dusk in New Zealand) offers the best chance of a contact.
• Simple wire antennas are sufficient.
• Low power, even QRP, contacts are possible.
• NZ operators like Brian are just as excited by these contacts as British operators like me.

Wednesday 6 November 2024

The biggest thrills in amateur radio for me come when, despite all the difficulty, I make a connection with another person. It's a communications medium after all and communicating is innately human. It's what people do. And in amateur radio, we push to the limits of what our skills, equipment and propagation will allow, precisely to make that human connection. Working at the limits is hard and that's what brings the fun.

So it was sheer joy this morning to be able to work Brian ZL3XDJ in Waikiouaiti, near Dunedin, in New Zealand's South Island.

Reaching New Zealand has been my goal for a long time, especially as the first UK-NZ radio contact was made almost exactly 100 years ago in October 1924 (see below) and because my wife is from that beautiful country.

At 0730z I saw Brian's callsign on the RBN Club Spotter and powered up the G90. My noise floor at home is about S4, so it was only just possible to copy him. Conditions improved and after he finished his QSO with a German station, I called him.

To my joy, Brian replied and we had a brief QSO, followed up with an exchange of email. It's remarkable that we were both using simple home-brewed wire antennas. Brian has recently started using an elevated vertical, as he describes in this video.

By a wonderful coincidence Brian lives only few minutes' drive from the Shag Valley sheep station on which Frank and Brenda Bell used their radio to make the historic contact with Cecil Goyder at Mill Hill School a century ago. You can read read more about that story here and hear Brenda Bell describe "the most thrilling moment of my life" in her own words.

Here's a screenshot of Brian's log on his QRZ.com page, which I'll look at whenever I doubt that it really happened!

I was pleased to finish an exciting morning with a nice QSO with an old friend Mike M0MDS on 40m. He has been busy with work and it's nice to hear him back on the key.

Tuesday 5 November 2024

0620: Up nice and early to see if I can work some VK and ZL stations. From 0700z I'll be around 14.045MHz and from 0800 to 0900z I'll be around 18.085MHz. I am working from home with my half-size G5RV, which is up 8m in the autumn gloom. We haven't seen the sun or felt a breeze for days as a patch of high pressure has settled across the UK.

UPDATE 0930:

At 0650z I saw on the RBN club call logger that ZL3XDJ was on 14033 but I couldn't reach him.

Back to my allocated frequency of 14.045MHz, first up was Patrick VK2IOW, who's signal started at 539 but became 599 as the 20m band opened up. We were perfectly aligned on the greyzone during our QSO. Pat told me that the temperature west of Sydney was 25C as the sun set. It was just 9C under our flat grey sky.

I heard a very faint signal and just about made out VK2WP, which is the callsign of Wallis in Bathurst, not far from Pat. It took me a while to pick out his callsign and we couldn't get much farther into the QSO. I think he sent me RST 419. I sent 519 back.

I switched to the 17m band at 0800z and worked:

• Claude F6IHU in Burgundy, under thick fog and cooler than the UK at 7C.
• Esa OH1GU in Turku, SE Finland, with a very strong signal for his 8W.
• Valery UB3DRM near Moscow.
• Wolfgang DM2GYN in eastern Germany on a homebrew set. I was on 18.085.4MHz and heard clicking. I found him TXing on 18.085.1 so I had to keep re-tuning on each over. I must find out how to use RIT on the G90.

Monday 4 November 2024

I put the radio back on the bench and tested it ahead of tomorrow's CQ QRS Ragchew and put out some calls. Mac G3ZHZ answered and we chatted for the second time. An M6 station followed on but was far to fast for me and didn't slow when I asked so I bid him '73'. This is unusual. Almost every operator will slow down to the pace at which I am sending. I don't worry that a station can't or won't slow down. If I'm feeling charitable, I'll assume they are using a bug key that's difficult to adjust.

More concerningly, Mac mentioned that he could hear a hum on my signal.

After lunch I answered Horst DK4AC's CQ call. He was using 150W with his FT100 from near Hannover but was still able to give me 439 for my 10W and copy everything I sent.

I've just tried keying up at 1W power and listened to my signal on a web SDR to see if I could hear any humming. All seems fine.

I followed on with Roy G4DMC in Melksham and then a longer ragchew with Simon G0FOZ in Christchurch on the south coast. He was using just 4W from his QMX radio and it sounded great to me.

Simon kindly responded to an email to say that he couldn't hear any humming on my signal, so I'm reassured. He tells me that he uses a G90 in his Land Rover but is addicted to his QMX at home and he's enjoying using QRP power levels (less than 5W). Meanwhile his FTDX10 is a bit neglected.

Update: Mac kindly confirmed my email that what I heard as "hum on your sig" was actually "QSB on your sig". I'm glad I'm not decoding CW for anything remotely important!

Friday 1 November 2024

I took my G90 and JPC-12 antenna out to Cannock Chase again, this time putting them in the shack-in-a-backpack and working from a bench, rather than in the car. The topsoil was rather thin for a securely rooted antenna spike so I found a patch of gorse to hold it firm. The spot overlooked a valley and I was visited by several deer during my two-and-a-half-hour stay.

I announced my arrival to friends who volunteer at the National Radio Centre (NRC) via WhatsApp. I fancied using the straight key today - the first time that I have used it working portable - and left the paddle in the bag. My first QSO was with Rien PA7RA with a very strong signal and he gave me 599 for my 10W. Next up was Chris G7BED, an NRC friend. We had a nice ragchew with Chris slowing for me. Chris said he hoped I would keep warm. It was actually getting quite cool under the heavy cloud and I was grateful that there was no wind. The weather app on my phone told me it was 12C but sitting on a metal bench for a couple of hours chilled me.

I noticed that I was being watched by a couple sitting on another bench about 50m away. While I was chatting with Cliff GI4CZW they approached in a friendly way and asked what I was doing. They were amazed that I was chatting to Cliff in Enniskillen. I like being approached by people who are curious about amateur radio and about Morse code in particular. Cliff and I ragchewed for about fifteen minutes. I had dropped my power to 5W and was pleased with the RST449 signal report that I received. We exchanged emails and I learned that Cliff was using a Mk123 clandestine transceiver, which was developed in the 1950s for use by the UK's special forces and intelligence services. Great fun!

I began a QSO with G0GGA/P but he was struggling to hear me and then it seemed another station took the frequency. (It's a pity because from his QRZ page, it looks like he may have been using a valve set while portable, which is quite rare.)

I switched to the 20m band and as soon as I changed the antenna and tuned up I heard Salvatore IT9DNW calling CQ from Messina on the north eastern tip of Sicily. I answered with 10W and he got me straight away for a good chat.

My only disappointment was not being able to work David G4TVH, another NRC friend, who valiantly tried to copy me on 20m and on 40m. I could hear him on both bands but he wasn't able to hear me.

I noticed that my battery, which was only about 70% full when I started, had reduced its voltage to the point where the G90 was displaying less than 12V on receive and less than 11V on transmit, so I called it a day. I've been really pleased with the DCHouse 6Ah LiFePo4 battery, which gives me about five hours of operating time.

A solar flare was reported last night which may have impact radio communications this weekend. This has happened frequently this year as we're at the maximum of the solar cyle. It didn't seem to spoil my fun today.

Thursday 31 October 2024

I tested the G90 with a dummy load on the 17m band to see if I could replicate Tuesday's difficulties. It worked fine. I dialled the power down a bit and tried keying on and off for about ten minutes, in case there was a thermal issue and the radio hadn't had chance to warm up. No problems. Tried it on the battery. Again, no difficulty at all. Moved to 20m, no problems.

Connected my half-size G5RV antenna and keyed for a few seconds on 17m. No problem.

So what to conclude? I have three theories as to what could have happened on Tuesday:

1. After an hour of solid use, perhaps the G90 got itself a bit too warm. It felt just warm to the touch, not hot, though and it feels unlikely.
2. There is some strange interaction with the tuner and the JPC-12 on 17m, which is causing the G90 to back off the power. I can't think of any solution to that, except to use another band or antenna.
3. Common mode current flowing back through the coax. There is no balun on the JPC-12. To mitigate this, I could use a balun or a choke on the feedline near the transceiver.

The bands weren't in great shape but with the radio on and antenna connected, I put out a few CQ calls. I was answered on 17m by an Irish station. I thought his callsign was EI4DO but his signal was so low in the noise, I couldn't copy much at all.

Wednesday 30 October 2024

I had so much fun yesterday that I thought I'd like to make it even easier to go portable. For the trip to Cannock Chase, I took a large drawer of kit from a stackable shelf unit, plus the JPC-12 antenna in its bag, together with another plastic bag with the RG58 coax in it.

I realised two things:

1. I had too much stuff. It made it harder to find the things I needed because they hid themselves under the rest.
2. While it was fine to have enough to make several trips from the house to the car, it wouldn't be practical if I was going to be working truly portable, i.e. away from the car.

So today I managed to pack my radio, antenna, cables, battery, paddle and sundry items into a photography rucksack. It weighs 6.5kg and while I won't be climbing mountains with it or disappearing into the wilderness, I should be able to easily move a few hundred metres from the car. That creates a lot of opportunity, at least when the weather is clement.

I also decided that the Putikeeg paddle is not really a portable key. It worked fine yesterday but it's a bit too large and too nice to take outdoors. I ordered a UMPP-1 miniature paddle from Peter GMOEUL for £50.

Tuesday 29 October 2024

What an autumn adventure!

It was a fun first session with the CQ QRS group of operators in Australia and New Zealand.

An early start was needed. I woke at 0510 and drove 20km through the darkness and rain to the Aspen car park at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire. It's a peaceful spot, not far from the German Military Cemetery, and the leaves that were still on the trees were all shades of yellow, brown and gold. For radio, it has a deliciously low noise floor.

I was using my Xiegu G90 radio and Putikeeg paddle in the passenger seat of my car with 10m of coax to my JPC-12 loaded coil vertical antenna. I had three radial wires as a counterpoise lying on the (very wet) grass and there was no difficulty in pushing the spike into the saturated soil.

The first snag: I had left my reading glasses at home. That meant I would be squinting at the radio and my log sheet for the next two hours.

I had just about set up at 0700z, the time that I had been allocated by Mike DL3YZ to work the 20m band. It's so nice to turn on the radio and hear no noise at all. I found that 14.0455MHz was free, tuned up and sent a couple of quick CQ calls to ensure that I was being picked up on the Reverse Beacon Network. I then called CQ DX DE M0KBJ and was first answered by Samir E73KW in Bosnia-Hercegovina.

A few minutes later I was thrilled to hear Patrick VK2IOW answer. We had a nice short QSO and he let me go to work other stations.

Sure enough, Manny VK3DRQ followed on as soon as Patrick and I had finished.

I ran into problems after 0800z when I switched to 17m. I adjusted the JPC-12 (reducing the height of its loading coil, changing to a different number of windings and shortening the telescopic upper section). My rig permits an SWR check and I was pleased to see an SWR reading between 1 and 1.2 across the 17m band. I tuned up and all seemed well at first. However, I noticed that my output power meter was swinging between 2W and 20W about once per second. I did lots of checks but found nothing, so switched to an empty frequency and tried keying down for a couple of seconds. Sure enough, the same problem. It's a pity as I did hear Mark and another VK station but they couldn't hear my replies. Mike emailed to say that my tone was strangely distorted.

I'll need to do some more experimenting but I have found another G90 user who's struggled with issues only on 17m, so we'll see.

It wasn't enough to prevent me from working Patrick again. This time he was using his loop antenna. He couldn't hear my signal very well, probably because of the problems I was having.

Never mind, I had three VK QSOs in the log and I heard two more VK stations. That's better than I could have hoped for.

Things to remember for next time:

• take a towel to dry the cables and antenna before packing away. I had to use tissues instead.
• don't forget to take my reading glasses.
• wear old shoes when the weather is wet

Monday 28 October 2024

I listened on 17m this morning and could just about hear Brian ZL3XDJ's signal from Dunedin. It was too weak to make out what he was saying though, so I didn't try to return.

I retuned to 40m and tried putting out a very slow CQ call. I was hoping that a novice might want to have a go, so I also posted the frequency on the Slow Morse Club Messenger chat. Sure enough, after a few minutes, Ian M7OPR answered and we chatted for a few minutes. I remember what it was like to be very new and sent my characters at about 17wpm with spacing so that the overall speed was about 5wpm.

Ian has only been operating CW for a few weeks and it's really nice to encourage these new ops, just as I was encouraged last year. We exchanged emails afterwards and he told me that he was browsing the bands, not particularly looking for a QSO but heard my very slow code and thought he'd have a go. It just shows how important it is to slow down sometimes.

Sunday 27 October 2024

Yesterday I had a nice shift at NRC. We had a good number of visitors and I made five QSOs, three in CW mode.

I have signed up with Mike DL3YZ to do a couple of hours on the DXperiment scheduled QSOs with him and Ross M0NNK on Tuesday, using the 20m and 17m bands. I heard a ZL station for the first time on my radio this morning. Brian ZL3XDJ was working a station in Birmingham on the 17m band from his home in Dunedin. He was too faint for me to QSO but we exchanged emails and he's happy to see if we can connect soon.

I have repositioned the head unit of my G90 radio to the desk instead of the shelf, using a stand to angle the display. It works very nicely and I should also be able to use it on a small tray on my lap when working portable.

I worked today:

Alexander R1CCE in Russia on 18.0806 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH St Petersburg

Markus DC1MTS/P in Germany on 7.029 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH nr Goslar, Upper Saxony

Saturday 26 October 2024

Nicos SV1RXI in Greece from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Karpenisi, high in mountains

Luca IU3PUB in Italy from NRC on 7.03 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Padova. School station. I sent email.

Martin G4ZXN in England from NRC on 14.058 MHz as GB3RS, using Yaesu FTDX5000, ant: Dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Coventry

Alain F6HBR in France from NRC on 14.055 MHz as GB3RS, using Yaesu FTDX5000, ant: Dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Provence

Eric F4IAW in France from NRC on 18.081 MHz as GB3RS, using Yaesu FTDX5000, ant: Dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Strasbourg

Thursday 17 October 2024

Jacques PA0QAW in Netherlands on 14.036 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Brunssum. Sent QSL card

Vlad EW6RU in Belarus on 7.0353 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Vitebsk

Chris F6IVT in France on 7.036 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Finistere. 5W.

Olivier ON4ZO in Belgium on 2400 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 5W. QTH Luttre, nr Brussels. His power 9W.

Monday 14 October 2024

Roy G4DMC in England on 7.0365 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Melksham. Ex- Royal Sigs.

Ed G3ZLX in England on 14.04987 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. Ed from NRC.

Pierre F5LLY in France on 14.0575 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Theys, nr Grenoble in French Alps

Ghis F4JKY in France on 7.0348 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Istres, near Marseille. His power 5W.

Saturday 12 October 2024

Zolt HA2RQ in Hungary from NRC on 14.0545 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 80W.

Alex RX6MY in Russia from NRC on 14.04025 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 80W.

Georgios SM5OMP in Sweden from NRC on 14.2 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 80W.

Jens DL0IU in Germany from NRC on 14.055 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 400W.

Klaus OE6KYG/P in Austria from NRC on 14.042 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 80W.

S570CST in Slovenia from NRC on 14.042 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 80W.

Joe DK1WV in Germany from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 80W.

Gunther DL6YCL in Germany from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W.

Andy SP5EBH in Poland from NRC on 14.052 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. Warsaw

Eric F4IAW in France from NRC on 14.052 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 80W.

Chris F6DHD in France from NRC on 14.0545 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 80W.

Andreas DM3AA/P in Germany from NRC on 7.0365 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 80W.

Thursday 10 October 2024

Uwe and I had our second CW QSO last night. A large solar storm disrupted us and he reported that my signals faded away. Sure enough, the aurora was visible in the clear skies over the whole country, though I couldn't see it past the streetlights here.

Wednesday 9 October 2024

I took the radio to the club last night and worked as G8TA, the callsign of Wolverhampton Amateur Radio Society. I managed QSOs with Gerald G3MCK in Oakham on 40m and with Jim SV8ANW on 20m to a Greek island. Another first country for me. It's nice to use the key at the club. There's only one other CW operator member and a couple more are interested.

Gerald G3MCK in England from RBL on 14.052 MHz as G8TA, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Jim SV8ANW in Greece from RBL on 7.0375 MHz as G8TA, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Evia.

Friday 4 October 2024

I saw on the Slow Morse Facebook group that Pete M3KXZ/P was looking for a QSO from Winshields campsite near Hadrian's Wall. I jumped on the radio and we had a good exchange. He was pretty cold in his tent but he told me that after our QSO he would join his friends in the pub.

A second QSO of the evening with Nick, EU1AFR, in Minsk - one of the farthest contacts I have made on the 40m band, at 1200 miles. My first contact with a Belarussian station.

Pete M3KXZ/P in England on 7.0295 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Winshields, Cumbria in a tent! 3W power

Nick EU1AFR in Belarus on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Minsk

Thursday 3 October 2024

I had thought that my compromised station with its urban noise levels, half-size G5RV antenna and 20 Watt Xiegu G90 radio wouldn't be capable of much DX. I've been happily and slowly building my CW skills for a year, mostly using the 40m band for chats with UK and Western European stations. Once or twice, listening on 20m at UK breakfast time has sometimes allowed me to hear VK stations on the long path but I've never been able to reach them until 3 October when I came across Patrick VK2IOW, working another European. I tail-ended his QSO without much hope, willing my 20W to stretch 14,000 miles.

To my utter joy, Patrick responded and gave me a 559. With no QSB, we chatted for a full 24 minutes at a very nice steady pace. My hands were shaking as much as they were in my very first CW QSO last year!

My wife is a Kiwi and when I mentioned my new hobby to my mother-in-law a couple of years ago, she told me that her dad used to be an amateur radio op. She'd forgotten his callsign but with a bit of detective work and the help of NZART local branch member Gavin ZL2TVM, I found that Barrie Jackson held callsign ZL2FJ. With a bit more online searching, I discovered that he was President of NZART in 1940!

It would be wonderful to make a ZL contact 100 years since the first two-way radio contact between the UK and New Zealand.

Pat VK2IOW in Australia on 7.133 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Millthorpe, NSW. 3-el beam. Sent QSL card My first real DX!

Roger G8VLR in England on 7.0305 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. NRC net.

Uwe DJ2PH in Germany on 7.0375 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Mannheim. This was Uwe's 9th CW QSO.

Wednesday 02 October 2024

Evgennii US1EC in Ukraine on 24.902 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W.

Oleg UB6C in Russia on 14.054 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Nr Krasnodar. My first contact on 12m band.

Tuesday 01 October 2024

Alan G4BLI/P in England on 18.079 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH nr Plymouth with 5W

Joe EC6AAE in Balearic Islands on 21.03 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Mallorca

OE1XTU in Austria on 7.03 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Vienna

Jean F6GLZ in France on 21.0354 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 5W. QTH on Swiss border

Monday 30 September 2024

Peter M0LRQ in England on 14.055 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Wellingborough

Angelo IN3RWF in Italy on 14.042 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. My 300th CW QSO. Sent QSL card. QTH Trento

Max DL3RDM in Germany on 18.069 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH nr Munich.

Kris SP8GSC in Poland on 7.03 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Lublin. Sent QSL card.

Friday 27 September 2024

Marian M0URA in England on 7.029 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Liverpool with 300W

Fred GM3JKS in Scotland on 7.029 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Dumfries. First licensed in 1953!

Thursday 26 September 2024

Al GM4ENF in Scotland on 7.0305 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Cupar, nr St Andrews

Tuesday 24 September 2024

I had a nice couple of relaxed CW QSOs this evening, lasting about an hour in total. I haven't been on the air much since we got back from holiday but I have been practising head copying. I didn't feel like going on the radio but listened into G4DYA's web-SDR in Stone, Staffs, and heard GW2CWO calling CQ with a really nice fist. After a minute, I decided to go upstairs and connect up the coax. GW2CWO was just finishing his QSO. When he called CQ again, I answered and we had a nice chat. The callsign was being operated by Stew, GW0ETF, who is president of CWOPS. I was talking with CW royalty! Stew told me that he was born in Wolverhampton and lived in Wombourne before moving to Bangor. He was very complimentary about my code and told me that he was sending at 15wpm. We finished and I heard Keith send 'M0KBJ DE EI5KJ'. I replied with 'PSE UP 1 DE M0KBJ' and we QSY'd up 1KHz. It's the first time that I've done that. Keith and I chatted away and gave me 579 for my 5W. I even dropped the power to 2W and, while he could copy me, he could only give me a 529 report. I sent Stew, GW0ETF, an email and he confirmed that I had heard him correctly. He was using 600W power!

Stew GW2CWO in Wales on 7.0382 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Bangor. Personal call GW0ETF, President of CWOPS.

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.0266 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 5W. Keith gave me 529 when I dropped power to 2W (my lowest yet)

Thursday 19 September 2024

Francisco EA5BH in Spain from RBL on 14.1935 MHz as G8TA, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole, pwr: 10W. QTH Alicante

LZ1515IW in Bulgaria from RBL on 7.0372 MHz as G8TA, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole, pwr: 20W.

Wednesday 18 September 2024

I took my Xiegu G90 to the club meeting last night and, for the first time, used the club's antenna to operate as G8TA using CW. It drew some interest from my friends and I made contacts into Corsica and Spain on the 20m band.

Daniel F5SMO in France on 7.039 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Misson, SW France

Angel EA4XT in Spain on 7.0285 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Cuenca, central Spain

Mike M6MPC in England on 7.0295 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH, Tintwistle nr Glossop

Wanda G4GBX in England on 7.021 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Devizes

Horst DK4AC in Germany on 14.048 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH nr Hannover

TK/HB9LCA in Corsica from RBL on 14.055 MHz as G8TA, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole, pwr: 10W. My first call from the RBL using the G90

Tuesday 17 September 2024

DM70LSC in Germany on 7.045 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W.

Monday 09 September 2024

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.0144 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 3W. I used my lowest power yet

Saturday 07 September 2024

I took my G90 radio out to Cannock Chase again today. I found a nice spot and although I only got one QSO in before the battery died, it was a good trip. I had deliberately not topped-up the battery before I left home because I wanted to get some idea of how much use it would provide. I'd say that I got at least five hours of operating with it.

Ian GB5ODC in England from Cannock Chase GB-0261 on 7.025 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 5W. Denby Dale Radio Club DDARC

Friday 06 September 2024

Feeling much better after Covid. Managed to walk to supermarket and back and enjoy some CW for the first time in a week. Weather is unusually warm, so I made a couple of outdoor QSOs by candlelight with 5W of TX power on the G90.

Wolf DK2KV in Germany on 14.0595 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH nr Munich

Paulo IU2KBN in Italy on 14.043 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH nr Milan

Bent OZ1IPP/P in Denmark on 14.065 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. WWFF

SM5DXT in Sweden on 7.023 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 5W.

David M0WDD in England on 7.027 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 5W. QTH Salford

Saturday 31 August 2024

I switched the radio on just now and made contact with Xavier ON6XB. He gave me a 599 signal report for my 10W signal, which is pretty good. I was also really pleased to hear Carl G4GTW's beacon clearly but only running 500mW from Southampton on 7042kHz.

Xavier ON6XB in Belgium on 7.0315 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Kortrijk. Pleased with my sig rprt with 10W

Ian G4HJM in England on 14.058 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Leicester

Vanni I5ECW in Italy on 10.122 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH nr Florence

Wednesday 28 August 2024

I'm pleased with the 6Ah LiFePO4 battery that arrived today from Amazon. I paid £30 for it, plus £18 for a charger. It's only around 700g and should power my [G90 radio](G90.md) for around six hours of use. Plenty for a day's working portable or even a weekend.

Earlier I fitted the audio switches that I bought a couple of months ago to the side of my drawer unit, under my desk. It tidies things up nicely.

Tuesday 27 August 2024

Today I made further improvements to the mounting of my antenna. I fitted galvanised steel strips to secure the pole into the wall, so that I could dispense with the guy rope.

Luka HB9HZU in Switzerland on 7.0425 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Olten. He was using 4W

Peter G5DWS in England on 7.029 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Howey, Wales

Yann F5LAW in France on 7.0237 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Lille

Paul G0OER in England on 7.018 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Bristol. Nice long 1hr ragchew

Sunday 25 August 2024

I completely re-rigged my antenna today. One leg had parted company with the cord that I had used to tie it off to the handle of the window in my room. I have drilled the wall above the window to fit two small eye-bolts and have run the cord to the first leg of the antenna onto the roof via a length of shock-cord. I also swapped the bright blue polyester cord at the bottom of the garden for a more subdued para-cord. I switched on the radio and made a QSO with Tony G4DEE and all seems well

Tony G4DEE in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Bury, Lancs

Saturday 17 August 2024

Richard G4AWP in England on 7.0319 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH nr York. IC705 pwr 10W

Friday 16 August 2024

Harry G3RTY in England on 7.038 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Burntwood. Ann's Uncle Harry

Thursday 15 August 2024

Graham M7LWE in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Wednesday 14 August 2024

Austin M0MNE in England on 7.0435 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH South Shields

Tuesday 13 August 2024

Kevin M0MCL in England on 7.0282 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W.

Rune SM5COP in Sweden on 14.052 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Stockholm

Alex UA2FAI in Russia on 14.06 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Kaliningrad

Marco IU4PTG in Italy on 7.029 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Modena

Bernard F6GPG in France on 7.032 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Lille

David M0WDD in England on 7.023 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Manchester

Sunday 11 August 2024

John G0UBE in England on 14.055 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Birmingham. Used straight key.

Ferdi IT9QAU in Italy on 7.0306 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Catania, Sicily

Doru G0CAT in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Sheffield. Faded into QSB. Sent email. Does not do QSL cards.

Saturday 10 August 2024

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland from NRC on 14.056 MHz as GB3RS, using Yaesu FTDX5000, ant: Dipole, pwr: 400W.

Piero IK1YEV in Italy from NRC on 14.057 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 100W. QTH Cressa, nr Milan

Germany DL4SO in Germany from NRC on 14.057 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6601, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 100W. QTH Bad Waldsee, south Germany

Jan PA2JJB in Netherlands from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6602, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 100W. QTH Texel Island

Deepak VU2BUK in India from NRC on 7.0315 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Rajasthan

Thursday 08 August 2024

Gunnar SM55EIE in Sweden on 7.0265 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. Nr Stockholm

Paul G4LNA in England on 7.0265 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH St Albans

Ian M0RZE in England on 7.0265 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Durham

Peter DK0FWS in Germany on 7.031 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Storkow, nr Berlin

Saturday 03 August 2024

F6DTU in France from NRC on 7.133 MHz as GB3RS, using Yaesu FTDX5000, ant: Dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Chalette

Darren M0DCX in England from NRC on 14.17 MHz as GB3RS, using Yaesu FTDX5000, ant: Dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Bury St Edmunds

Dan OK2BXU in Czech Republic from NRC on 14.059 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 300W. QTH Prerov

DL1GBZ in Germany from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 300W. QTH Black Forest

Uli DF5SF in Germany from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Stuttgart

Reme TM29OG in France from NRC on 7.037 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Fouesnant

Friday 02 August 2024

Rien PA7RA in Netherlands on 7.026 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Bergen Op Zoom, south Netherlands. Rien sent an email with an eQSL card.

Thursday 01 August 2024

I moved the half-size G5RV antenna from the halyard on the gutter bracket to the top of my telescopic pole, at a height of about 8m. This brings the antenna away from the house. Using the scanner on the Xiegu G90, I saw that the SWR fell to 1.6:1 at 7MHz.

Sam (Samantha) 2E1OCT in England on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Hythe, Kent

Kevin M0MCL in England on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Worthing

Mike G0POT in England on 14.056 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Thatcham, Surrey. He used 5W. Nice long chat

Robert F6EJN in France on 7.031 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Puylaurens, nr Toulouse

Tuesday 30 July 2024

Dennis EI6IF in Ireland from Windsor Gt Pk GB-0185 on 14.034 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: JPC-12, pwr: 15W. QTH Co Kildare

Nikolaj UA3OT in Russia from Windsor Gt Pk GB-0185 on 7.0355 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: JPC-12, pwr: 15W. nr Voronezh

Uwe DL6AAF in Germany from Windsor Gt Pk GB-0185 on 7.035 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: JPC-12, pwr: 15W. QTH Karlsruhe

Giuseppe I3JUK in Italy from Windsor Gt Pk GB-0185 on 7.035 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: JPC-12, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Padua

Bo DL2FCN in Germany from Windsor Gt Pk GB-0185 on 7.034 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: JPC-12, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Darmstadt

Sunday 28 July 2024

Ian G0EQC in England on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Prudhoe, Northumberland

Phil M0PBZ in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 10W. QTH Swindon. Just caught him at the end of the FISTS ladder. Sent QSL card.

Saturday 27 July 2024

Sam VU2SAA in India from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Chennai

7E4K in Indonesia from NRC on 7.034 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. Ketawai Island Expedition, Indonesia

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Yaesu FTDX5000, ant: Dipole, pwr: 50W. Using straight key at NRC

F2FVI in France from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W.

M0XVT in England from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W.

YU0W in Serbia from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W.

F4FVI/P in France from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W.

Wolfgang DL1WWE in Germany from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W.

SP2YWL in Poland from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W.

Doron 4X5DF in Israel from NRC on 7.033 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Ashkelon

Thursday 25 July 2024

Graham M7LWE in England on 7.0355 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W.

Hans PD4HJB in Netherlands on 7.0235 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Hoorn

Peter OO7Z/P in Belgium on 2400 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W.

Tuesday 23 July 2024

Graham M7LWE in England from Cannock Chase GB-0261 on 7.0345 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: JPC-12, pwr: 15W. QTH Aldridge. Used my JPC-12 for the first time.

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland from Cannock Chase GB-0261 on 7.036 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: JPC-12, pwr: 15W.

Sunday 21 July 2024

Laura MM7BFL in Scotland from Bantock Park on 7.0345 MHz as G8TA, using IC-7300, ant: Buddipole W3-BP dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Girvan. My first CW QSO as G8TA

Danny ON4ON in Belgium from Bantock Park on 7.0335 MHz as G8TA, using IC-7300, ant: Buddipole W3-BP dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Dadizele

William GM4M in Scotland from Bantock Park on 7.034 MHz as G8TA, using IC-7300, ant: Buddipole W3-BP dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Motherwell

Denis EI6IF in Ireland from Bantock Park on 14.058 MHz as G8TA, using IC-7300, ant: Buddipole W3-BP dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Co, Kildare

Falco DL0RCP in Germany from Bantock Park on 14.058 MHz as G8TA, using IC-7300, ant: Buddipole W3-BP dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Leipzig

Hristo LZ1HM in Bulgaria from Bantock Park on 14.061 MHz as G8TA, using IC-7300, ant: Buddipole W3-BP dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Sliven

Marco IU4PTG in Italy from Bantock Park on 14.0565 MHz as G8TA, using IC-7300, ant: Buddipole W3-BP dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Modena

Raz IU1HCC in Italy from Bantock Park on 7.0345 MHz as G8TA, using IC-7300, ant: Buddipole W3-BP dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Savona

Friday 19 July 2024

Wim PD0HRS in Netherlands on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Amsterdam

Ray G3LNM in England on 7.024 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Norwich. Used to live in Smethwick. Licensed in 1957. Chatted for 40 mins. Sent QSl card.

Mark M0ZMX in England on 7.033 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Rochester. No QSL cards.

David M0WDD in England on 7.0325 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Salford.

Richard G4ICP/P in England on 10.1085 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH woods nr Colchester. GB-1307

Willy LY2PX in Lithuania on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Vilnius. Sent QSL card.

Wednesday 17 July 2024

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W.

Simon G0FOZ in England on 7.0335 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Christchurch, Dorset

Mervyn G4KLE in England on 10.119 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Huntingdon

Bob DL4HRM in Germany on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Halle, nr Leipzig. Sent QSL card.

Tuesday 16 July 2024

Fernando EA5C in Spain on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Burriana, nr Valencia

Bjorn LA9QJA in Norway on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Vestby, nr Oslo. Sent QSL card.

Tony GW3TOW in Wales on 7.0353 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Wrexham

Rune SM5COP in Sweden on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Styckebruk, nr Stockholm. Sent QSL card.

Peter G0GYY in England on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Walton on Naze

Chris M0AWN in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Chessington. Using 2W Rooster. Sent QSL card.

Monday 15 July 2024

Jan PA0SIM in Netherlands on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Venlo. Sent QSL card

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.03 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W.

Danny M0SDB in England on 7.037 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. Danny using his Rooster with 2W pwr. Sent QSL card.

David M0DNE in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Sheffield

Friday 12 July 2024

I've just had a CW QSO using my new audio switch to swap between the webSDR running on the laptop when receiving and my radio when sending. The webSDR from G4YDA in Stone gives me a cleaner signal. There's barely a half-second delay so it wasn't difficult to turn the selector dial to change between receive and transmit, similar to the way that operators used to do in the days of separate transmitters and receivers.

Stefan DF6SU in Germany on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Bonn

Monday 08 July 2024

Hans PD4HJB in Netherlands on 7.015 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Hoorn

TM41JO in France on 18.0899 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. French station celebrating the Olympic torch route.

LZ302IT in Bulgaria on 14.024 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Karlovo

IS0AFM in Sardinia on 7.0315 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Cagliari

G4NCU in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Misterton, Somerset. My 200th QSO.

Saturday 06 July 2024

Bob G0FGX in England from NRC on 14.24 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Helston

II6WWA in Italy from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 400W. QTH Abruzzo

Abdullah A41KB in Oman from NRC on 7.0345 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Oman

Gerrit PA3AM in Netherlands from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Yaesu FTDX5000, ant: Dipole, pwr: 50W. QTH Hattem. My first CW QSO as GB3RS

Dave MX0HJS in England from NRC on 240 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Wincanton

Martin PE2D in Netherlands on 7.0335 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Amsterdam.

Wednesday 03 July 2024

Jon G4NEY in England on 2400 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Cambridge

Monday 01 July 2024

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Saturday 29 June 2024

Tibi HA7TM in Hungary from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 400W. QTH Erd

Andy DK2JS in Germany from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Pulheim, nr Cologne

Pierre F6KJS/P in France from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Bourban Lancy

Jussi OH5LK in Finland from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Helsinki

David Holman M0YDH in England from NRC on 7.037 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 15W. QTH Oxley, Wolverhampton

Wednesday 26 June 2024

Will GM0HKS in Scotland on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Motherwell

Graham M7LWE in England on 14.2225 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Aldridge

Tuesday 25 June 2024

Kev G4BUW in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Totton, Hants

Bob PA80DD in Netherlands on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH nr Gouda

Monday 24 June 2024

Andy F4IPG in France on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. no QTH given

Mike M0MDS in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W.

Tuesday 18 June 2024

David M0WDD in England on 7.039 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH Salford

DJ6UX in Germany on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 15W. QTH Bramfeld

Monday 17 June 2024

Jean F6FAI in France on 7.033 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH Paris

Saturday 15 June 2024

Mira OK1UFC in Czech Republic from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Ceske Budejovice

Darko E70A in Bosnia-Hercegovina from NRC on 14.26 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Lukavac

Julian TK4QL in Corsica from NRC on 14.25 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 400W. QTH Porticcio

YQ0RN in Romania from NRC on 14.255 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 400W. Radio museum special event station https://radionostalgia-brusturi.ro/

Nicolino IT9ECY in Italy from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 400W. Sicily

TA1NSG in Turkey from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Istanbul

Mike DB1JAW in Germany from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Moers

Czeslaw HF9MUZEUM in Poland from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Gliwice

Deepak VU2BK in India from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Mount Abu, Rajasthan. Club station

Neil GB0BUS in England from NRC on 7.036 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Transport Museum, Wythall, Birmingham

Thursday 06 June 2024

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.031 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W.

Ned EI5DS in Ireland on 7.03 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH Dublin. Ex Merchant navy. Sent QSL card.

- TM56JO in France on 7.0335 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. Olympic flame special stn

Gerard F4HOR in France on 2400 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH Cosnes, on Luxembourg border. Sent QSL card.

Monday 03 June 2024

Bryan G0GSY in England on 7.0284 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH nr Grimsby. Used my state capacitance audio filter for 1st time.

Martin G4ZXN in England on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH Coventry. He was using a homebrew Paraset 5W. Very chirpy but marvellous. QSL email.

John G1VRJ in England on 10.1104 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH Swindon

Walter DK4RB in Germany on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH Bad Griesbach, in SE Germany. 728 miles. Sent QSL card.

Ian M0RZE in England on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH Durham. Sent QSL card.

John EI3HQB in Ireland on 7.031 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH Tramore. Sent QSL card.

Friday 31 May 2024

David M0WDD in England on 7.0365 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH Salford

Ryan M0RSU in England on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W. QTH nr Cambridge. Perfect speed for me. Half-hour ragchew.

Richard M0RJP in England on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 18W.

Wednesday 29 May 2024

I took my G90 out and worked CW portable in a car park in Cannock Chase. It went well and I enjoyed the S0-S1 noise floor. Although the bands were quiet, I made five contacts over two hours.

EI3KA/P in Ireland from Cannock Chase GB-0261 on 7.02 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole on push-up pole, pwr: 18W.

Bryan G0GSY in England from Cannock Chase GB-0262 on 7.0365 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole on push-up pole, pwr: 18W. QTH nr Grimsby

Steve M0STN in England from Cannock Chase GB-0263 on 7.0365 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole on push-up pole, pwr: 18W. QTH Northampton

Pete G4SBT in England from Cannock Chase GB-0264 on 7.029 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole on push-up pole, pwr: 18W. QTH nr Southampton

Ian G4MLW in England from Cannock Chase GB-0265 on 7.033 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole on push-up pole, pwr: 18W. QTH York

Saturday 25 May 2024

Abdullah A41KB in Oman from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Muscat, Oman

Doron 4X5DF in Israel from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Ashkelon, Southern Israel

Bob G0FGX in England from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Helston, Cornwall

Nicola IQORU in Italy from NRC on 14.178 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Perugia

Mario SO9P/P in Poland from NRC on 14.178 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 400W. Operating a SOTA summit

- OE8SPECK in Austria from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 400W. Austrian bacon festival special event station

Stephan F4KIR/P in France from NRC on 14.152 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH St Malo

Andrea IU4RWN in Italy from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 400W. QTH Carpi, nr Bologna

Kamil OM0CS in Slovakia from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Bardejov

Alain F6BFH in France from NRC on 7.035 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Oleron, nr La Rochelle

Friday 24 May 2024

Lars SM6NT in Sweden on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH

Frank OV1CDX in Denmark on 2400 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Lunby

Thursday 23 May 2024

Chris G3SJJ in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Nottingham

Si G0FOZ in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Christchurch, Dorset. Nice long ragchew (40 min)

John G4FZA in England on 7.037 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Tuesday 21 May 2024

Brian G0SZR in England on 14.022 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH York. Very nice steady CW.

Eduardo EA1FL in Spain on 14.033 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Palencia.

Marco IK2MMM in Italy on 21.023 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Bagnolo Mella nr Brescia

Steve G4YTK in England on 21.014 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Cannock

DD100FK in Germany on 7.025 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Frankfurt

Friday 17 May 2024

I've just had a QSO with Mike M0MDS, after hearing him on 40m. When he only gave me a 339 report, I realised that I had left the TX power at just 1W. I'm amazed that such a small signal, 13dB down on my normal 20W, reached him at all. I got a 559 when I raised it to the full 20W.

I swapped the four FETs in the final output stage of my QCX+ radio yesterday. It seems to work but I didn't get any calls on 20m.

Mike M0MDS in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. I was using only 1W to start with and got a 339 report!

Wednesday 15 May 2024

Fred G4HOM in England on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Birmingham

Peter G0GYY in England on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Walton

Ray G3AGF in England on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Seaford, Sussex. Licensed since 1946! We exchanged email.

Rich G0ROS in England on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Abingdon

Tuesday 14 May 2024

Peter PA0PZD in Netherlands on 7.031 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Havelterberg. He was using vintage military aircraft gear, which drifted.

Ian G4HJM in England on 7.0344 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Leicester. Excellent speed for me.

Alan G3KSU in England on 7.0325 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Devizes. 150th CW QSO.

Monday 13 May 2024

Rudolf OL87OZ in Czech Republic from West Bromwich on 7.035 MHz, using FTDX101MP, ant: EFLW, pwr: 120W. Used Mat's Yaesu FTDX10MP

Thursday 09 May 2024

Nick 2E0NJK in England on 7.032 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Plymouth

Alan M7TSM in England on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Peter G0GYY in England on 14.18 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Used straight key for second time

Wednesday 08 May 2024

Louis PA0LCE in Netherlands on 7.036 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. My first QSO with a straight key! Louis is 90 years old.

I bought the WT 8Amp MK2 morse key from eBay. It bears the markings, "UNIT OPERATOR NO.1 MKII" and the Nato part number "6940-99-419-3370". It's identical to the one described on this page.

Saturday 04 May 2024

Branco YU1FW in Serbia from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH Belgrade

Ludvic DK7UC in Germany from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W. QTH SW Germany

Wednesday 01 May 2024

AO275AZ in Spain on 10.109 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Marco IZ3CLE in Italy on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Treviso, nr Venice

Mike G4NCU in England on 2400 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Misterton, Somerset

Tuesday 30 April 2024

I've had a great time on the radio today, making seven QSOs across two sessions. I think that's the most I have made on a single day. It's been the most pleasant weather for weeks too.

OS5Z in Belgium on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH

Drew G0CZE in England on 7.022 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH nr Hertford

Gerald PA3GEG in Netherlands on 7.036 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Aadorp

Kevin MW0KXN in Wales on 14.053 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Cardiff

Marco IU4PTG in Italy on 10.125 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Modena

AO75CT in Spain on 10.123 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Madrid

Matt DL1YGH in Germany on 10.111 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Bielefeld. Lovely long ragchew. Matt is a chemistry teacher.

Tuesday 23 April 2024

We drove to Seahouses and bought delicious kipper sandwiches at the renowned Swallow Fish. After exploring the town on foot we drove back up the coast road for a mile or so and I set up my radio to work portable for the first time. I used the push-up pole and a simple dipole for 40m. It was amazing to listen without any background noise at all. I only made two contacts—one to Moscow and another to Hastings. It took about half an hour to set up the station and fifteen minutes to pack away, so that's all straightforward enough.

Andy R5EM in Russia from Seahouses on 7.03 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole on push-up pole, pwr: 20W. QTH Moscow. My first QSO operating /P. My first QSO on 15m.

Michael G0JHK in England from Seahouses on 7.021 MHz as M0KBJ/P, using Xiegu G90, ant: Dipole on push-up pole, pwr: 20W. QTH Hastings

Sunday 21 April 2024

PE75NATO in Netherlands on 21.025 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Saturday 20 April 2024

DL75BRD in Germany from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W.

PE75NATO in Netherlands from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W.

Gunther DL6YCL in Germany from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W.

Mo DO5MB in Germany from NRC on 7.031 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: 20W.

Friday 19 April 2024

Peter G0GYY in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. A bit fast for me again.

F6GNG in France on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Too fast

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 2400 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Tuesday 16 April 2024

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Keith going on hol to Devon in June.

Sunday 14 April 2024

Joao CT1EYQ in Portugal on 18.084 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Lisbon. Very weak, I had to use web SDR. Joao confirmed on FB Messenger.

AO7H in Spain on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Spanish contest station. Atlantis DX Club. My briefest exchange yet. QTH Huelva on southern Spanish coast

Saturday 13 April 2024

Mike M0MDS in England on 10.114 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Mike was operating /MM from his boat ""Field Day"

Friday 12 April 2024

Mike M0MDS in England on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Alexandra Palace

Lindy G0GZN in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Poole. Son is a Wolves fan.

Thursday 11 April 2024

Mac G3ZHZ in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Eastbourne

Aime ON4AIM in Belgium on 7.036 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Ostend

Wednesday 10 April 2024

Ian G4HJM in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Leicester

Peter M0EJL in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Lincoln

Saturday 06 April 2024

Toni EA3KE in Spain from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Flex 6600, ant: Steppir 3-el Yagi, pwr: 20W. QTH Barcelona

OP24WARD in Belgium from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: W. Special event station Marconi's 150th anniversary

Kadri TA1D in Turkey from NRC on 2400 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: W. QTH Antalya

Uwe DK1KQ in Germany from NRC on 7.035 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: W. QTH Cuxhaven, nr Bremen

Tuesday 02 April 2024

Wayne M7WLH in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Wednesfield, very weak signal.

Doru M7IMX in England on 14.265 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Sheffield. A CW novice with a good speed for me.

Saturday 30 March 2024

Bob G0FGX in England from NRC on 7.133 MHz as GB3RS, using Satellite stn, ant: Dish to QO-100 sat stn, pwr: W. QTH Cornwall, via Oscar-100 at NRC

Friday 29 March 2024

Kar IK2JTU in Italy on 7.0355 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Brescia

Kevin M0MCL in England on 7.029 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Worthing. Nice chat, good speed for me.

Peter G3OJV in England on 2400 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Hockley, Essex. Peter presents the videos for Waters and Stanton.

Thursday 28 March 2024

Matthew M0MZB in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Too fast for me but at least he slowed a bit.

Sam 2E1OCT in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Perfect speed. QTH Kent. Sam is Samantha!

John M0ASN in England on 7.0355 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Stockton. Just about kept up with him. Nice long QSO.

Wednesday 27 March 2024

M6MPC in England on 7.029 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Vy fast.

Jon 2E0CNJ in England on 7.025 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. fast. QTH Bolton

Saturday 23 March 2024

Simon M0XLZ in England on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Chester-le-Street

Friday 22 March 2024

Wim PD0HRS in Netherlands on 7.037 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Monnickendam

John MW0BFY in Wales on 10.1187 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Ruthin. John was my first CW QSO in July 2023. A bit fast.

Yves ON4KCY in Belgium on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Keerbergen

Thursday 21 March 2024

Regis F5MAI in France on 7.0317 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH NOUVION LE VINEUX, northern France.

Wednesday 20 March 2024

John G4FZA in England on 7.032 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Monday 18 March 2024

Shabu M0KRI in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Croydon

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.033 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Sunday 17 March 2024

Just reached a personal milestone, making my 100th CW QSO to date. I had six in the log today, which is also a daily record for me.

Florian ON3FLD in Belgium on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Used web-sdr for the first time as his signal was too faint for me to copy on the radio.

Mike M0MDS in England on 14.0616 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Muswell Hill. Perfect speed for me. Mike is member of Slow Morse Club and participates in the skeds chat

Emilio EB4IC in Spain on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Badajoz, on the Portugese border. My first QSO with Spain.

Mike M0MDS in England on 7.0365 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Alan M7TSM in England on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH near Bristol

Chris G3XIZ in England on 7.0366 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. 100th CW QSO

Friday 15 March 2024

Paul G7BNU in England on 7.037 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Bradford

Eric F4IAW in France on 7.03 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH nr Strasbourg

Wednesday 13 March 2024

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.033 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. For the first time, I didn't write anything down apart from sig reports.

Tuesday 12 March 2024

Joao CT1EYQ in Portugal on 10.11 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Vila Nova Santo Andre. Very weak in QSB & QRM

Michael DL8FBH in Germany on 10.118 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Buedingen. Perfunctory QSO.

Gerd DJ3GS in Germany on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Could not make out his QTH

John G4FZA in England on 10.115 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Harry DL1YBO in Germany on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Heek, his pwr 100W

Monday 11 March 2024

Austin M0MNE in England on 10.119 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH South Shields. Nice ragchew.

DM100FK in Germany on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Berlin. Perfunctory QSO.

Sunday 10 March 2024

John GM3ZSH in Scotland on 10.12 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Dunfermline

Chris SM4LRA in Sweden on 7.0345 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Lindesberg. Elecraft K3

Saturday 09 March 2024

Robert GI3TME in Northern Ireland on 10.119 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Derry

Anton OE7BAI in Austria on 10.121 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Polling-in-Tirol

Thursday 07 March 2024

Ian 2E0ISD in England on 7.0285 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Gorple Lower reservoir near Hebden Bridge with 4W QCX+

Peter G3JRH in England on 10.119 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Winchester. Kenwood TS590.

Sunday 03 March 2024

Jan PA3GSV in Netherlands on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Alphen aan den Rijn.

Thursday 29 February 2024

Phil DB3LMN in Germany on 7.027 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH near Hamburg.

Tuesday 27 February 2024

Nigel M0NJW in England on 14.057 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Operating /p from POTA G-0395 Hardcastle Crags Country Park with 5W.

Saturday 24 February 2024

Georgios SM5OMP in Sweden on 24.912 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Skärblacka

Erkki OH7QR in Finland on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Tuusjarvi. Nice long QSO. Erkki slowed for me. He is 85 and was licensed in 1961, a former ship's radio officer. My first QSO on 12m band.

Friday 23 February 2024

Stefan MI0PYN in Northern Ireland on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Newry. Vy QRM. Novice CW op. Elecraft K1 on batteries faded and drifted.

Jaco PE2JB in Netherlands on 18.084 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Katwijk aan zee on the Netherlands coast. Too fast for me. Received his QSL card.

Thursday 22 February 2024

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.032 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Quick QSO as he's about to go shopping.

Wednesday 21 February 2024

Fred G4HOM in England on 7.0315 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Birmingham. Lots of noise made it very hard.

Namal M7NML in England on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Also uses G90. Member of North Bristol Radio Society. 5W with mag loop.

Sunday 18 February 2024

Danny M0SDB in England on 10.121 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Danny operating his new Rooster 30m for the first time /p near Doncaster. I used my new Putikeeg heavy duty paddle for the first time. It's so much better than the flimsy cheap little paddle that I have been using.

Steve MW0SAW in Wales on 14.058 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Pontypridd

Wednesday 14 February 2024

I worked Chris ON8VA in Belgium and Edward G3ZLX in England on 10.1165 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Bletchley. Edward also volunteers at NRC.

Tuesday 13 February 2024

Kevin MW0KXN in Wales on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Cardiff. QRP. Also a novice. Well-spaced code was easy to copy.

Monday 12 February 2024

Will GM0HKS in Scotland on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Motherwell

Simon GM0SCA in Scotland on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Broughton. John G4FZA is helping him with CW

John G4FZA in England on 7.03 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Using his bug key

Thursday 08 February 2024

Chris G0SDD in England on 7.0245 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Bream, Gloucestershire. Didn't slow for me!

Wednesday 07 February 2024

John G4FZA in England on 7.036 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Mike G4NCU in England on 7.033 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Somerset

Tuesday 06 February 2024

Simon GM0SCA in Scotland on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Broughton in the Scottish borders

John G4FZA in England on 7.036 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. John Bladen from NRC

Friday 02 February 2024

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Jorge M6FWO in England on 7.034 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Barrow-in-Furness

Tuesday 30 January 2024

Aime OS75ENSOR in Belgium on 7.007 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. SES 75 years James Ensor. QTH Ostend. Op is ON4AIM

Paul GW0TAU in Wales on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Swansea

Friday 26 January 2024

Nigel G0IIK in England on 7.022 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Nice and slow ragchew. Nigel licensed in early 70s. QTH nr Heathrow.

Thursday 25 January 2024

The K1EL K16-EXT Keyer that I ordered from Kanga Products arrived this morning and I'm happy with it. I want to have a consistent keying experience no matter what radio I use. It's in the small plastic box which my [key](QU-7025 CW paddle.md) was delivered, which is perfect for the circuit board and 9V battery. I've ordered some switches and 3.5mmm jack sockets to finish it properly.

Tuesday 23 January 2024

Alan M7TSM in England on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Monday 22 January 2024

Mary G0BQV in England on 7.032 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. 60 minutes ragchew. Mary offered practice sked.

I dropped the Filtered S-Band driver amplifier to David M0YDH and he was pleased with the results. It works, giving a steady 473mW output for a 1.6mW input at 2405 MHz.

Sunday 21 January 2024

Horst DK4AC in Germany on 7.028 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. Nr Hannover

Friday 19 January 2024

G3VGU in England on 7.037 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

I spent three hours constructing the pre-amplifier for the 2.4GHz amsat transceiver that I built for the club. It was really fiddly to do - lots of very small 0603 components—just 0.6mm x 0.3mm. Still, I think it's going to work. I quite enjoyed it.

Thursday 18 January 2024

John G4FZA in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. John volunteers at NRC. Ex Whaddon Hall and Diplomatic Wire Service.

Wednesday 17 January 2024

Roy OP5K in Belgium on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Tuesday 16 January 2024

Colin G4LJU in England on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.0185 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W. QTH Enniscorthy, Wexford

Monday 15 January 2024

Keith EI5KJ in Ireland on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.

Sunday 14 January 2024

Jon GW0FJT in Wales on 7.035 MHz, using Xiegu G90, ant: ½ G5RV NW-SE, pwr: 20W.