Sunday, February 19, 2017

Delta loop for 30 m.

As a cure for post contest blues, I've decided to put up a 30 m loop antenna.  Checked the stock of wire and decided that delta loop will be the best design.

To my surprise it works like the proverbial charm.


The VP6 I got on a second call and Craig ZF6 on about third or fourth.  Tomorrow I may put it little higher.

73
P

ARRL DX CW contest

The weekend just past was the famous ARRL DX CW contest.  I've entered only as low key, low effort.  Using  new radio for contesting:




The TS990 proved to be a good radio for CW contesting. Used it only barefoot 150W. (I still feel that my K3 is a better rig for CW contesting).

        ARRL Section : DX
        Club/Team : VK Contest Club
         Software : N1MM Logger+ 1.0.6044.0

        Band     QSOs     Pts  Sec  Pt/Q
           7          34        102   20   3.0
          14         37        105   23   2.8
          21         37        111   10   3.0
       Total      108       318   53   2.9

            Score : 16,854
              Rig :  TS-990
         Antennas :     Hex + G5RV


Had lot of problems with the old hex and above the rotator.  The weather was not help at all.  We had to big storms passing through in the contest period and about for hours blackout on Saturday night.  Mind you it was not a great hindrance,  I simply QSYed to a dinner table and glass of a good red.


Anyway it was nice time at the radio.  Working real gentlemen was pleasure.

73
P

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Replaced a rotator on the tower.

The Hex stopped turning and pointed to the east.  Three days before ARRL CW contest.  My favourite.  First I thought that the cable was defective (had a bad kink in it).  But replacing cable did not make any difference.  So backup rotator was called for.

 Antenna lowered.

 The old offending box removed.

 Had to be creative to save me removing the Hex.

 The new rotator ready to be installed.

The antenna is "proudly" working again.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Barry VK2BJ has a new bug.

On one of my now almost regular visits, Barry demonstrated his new toy.


The amazing quality of finish of the key is close to perfection.



The results of the Commonwealth contest were published.

  As I member of the team Australia 2, I was quite pleased with the result.