12 m to USA is buzzing

Had a half an hour of fun on 12 m to USA.





There was huge QSB on signals both ways... but it was nice string of QSOs.

KX3 on Barrenjoey Lighhouse

"How about a walk to Barrenjoey at Palm beach?" I had suggested to Heidi on Thursday morning.


I've put water-bottle and the KX3 into the rucksack. And so we went. After all it was very nice day.

The National Parks rangers repaired the track to the top (thank you rangers) and the walk is very easy now.

The views are sensational.  The area must be one of the most attractive around Sydney. A must on any tourist list.  If you have visitors... You have to take this walk.

Upon arrival to the top the Lighthouse greets you.  Ah... what a photogenic sight.

I've unpacked the KX3 and called Matt VK2ACL on SSB.  He had a little problem to copy me on 7045, but we exchanged reports and then switched to CW (of course).

There was a small family having a picnic and most obviously there were questions.
What are you doing?
What are the diddly sounds coming out of that "thing"?

Pure good fun in the sun....!!

The antenna packed and ready to take home.  I think there is room for improvement, however the concept is good.

Heidi reading the local information

Pactor 4 - SCS DR-7800 Dragon

I visited Horst VK2HL to have a look at the Pactor modem which he had on loan from James VK2JN.  I was very impressed be the performance of the machine.  It is very very good.

I'm very tempted to go and buy one... But the big question is: Do I really need the modem.  I use Pactor 3 a lot while we are caravaning in the Outback, but the existing modem is doing sterling job for the last  twelve plus years...
Not sure if I need one, but it is tempting.

While there we played with the KX3 and I could say that Horst was also very impressed by the little radio..

The latest rumor is that Horst VK2HL is getting one too...

John Blackman in Sydney

Garold VK2AGS is in Manly Waters hospital recuperating from a nasty accident in which he gashed his right leg.

John VK2KJB and Kevin VK2BKG arrived in Manly to pay Gerry a visit.  The good news is that Gerry is getting better and even this morning when I visited him was considering the date when he will be allowed to go home.  So things are looking up.

I had taken John to the club (Manly Warringah Radio Society) for a social chat.  John is a past member and a president of the above-mentioned establishment.  It was a very happy reunion.  As much we all keep in touch via radio the eye to eye QSO is priceless.

We had several nice glasses of red after return.  All good fun.

John was able to run the net from Sydney location

Thanks for the visit.

Remembrance Day contest from the bush

On a recent trip in the outback I tried to operate QRP portable in the RD contest...

The location was in South Australia in a place called Parachilna Gorge.  On a gravel road between Blinman and Parachilna.

I was using the KX3 into a dipole antenna and on one side (towards VK2) I had very tall mountain.  I got surprisingly good reports from VK7, VK4 and of course locals VK5.

The image above shows the antenna and the camper.  Great spot to spend afternoon and play radios.