Russian RTTY Contest on the weekend

On Saturday afternoon I had a few hours without "supervision" and could play radios for a while.  Checking around the bands, I've discovered the Russian RTTY contest in full swing and pointed my fldigi at it and discovered that Steve VK3TDX was having a good time running.  I've started the N1MM, set is for RTTY (my first) and discovered that it was not very difficult (gosh it is a good program).  Had some more play with selection of the TTY modem... N1MM can use the MTTY, MMVARI and fldigi as the soundcard modem.  I've played with all three and found that the fldigi is the easiest to use with N1MM (for me).

I was quite surprised how easy it is to setup and operate.  I started cautiously with S&P and then after gaining more confidence started running...  Pleasant surprise.. it went like a rocket..

Hmmm ... I think I can get used to it... Not as high buzz as CW contesting, but good fun.  With CW one has to be concentrating 100% all the time.

    RUSDXRTTY Summary Sheet

       Start Date : 2013-09-07

    CallSign Used : VK2PN
      Operator(s) : VK2PN

Operator Category : SINGLE-OP
             Band : ALL
            Power : HIGH
             Mode : RTTY
       Default Exchange : 30
     
         
      ARRL Section : DX
        Club/Team : VK Contest Club
         Software : N1MM Logger V13.7.3

        Band    QSOs    Pts   DXC   OBL
          14       80      800    25    14
          21       23      220     5      2
       Total     103    1020   30   16
       Score : 46,920

             

Hard work of a DXer. Yoshi FO/KH0PR

As some of you may know that there is mini-expedition in Polynesia.  Look at the pile up.  The guy (Yoshi) is having a big battle here:
 
It is one of the biggest pileups I've seen from my home QTH.

 

By the end I managed to work him too.  I had an easy job day earlier on 30 m.  I think I got in on a third call then.

It was not like that yesterday.  The EU stations are very strong in Oceania this time of the day - late afternoon on the long path.

Just a small recording of the hard work Yoshi had to put in.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KjrThBoFD4

73 to all

Patrick

The new HexBeam is up and working

In the last few months the old Traffie Hex was getting sick.  The corrosion of the wires made it unreliable.  When I've removed it from the mast some of the wire elements broke to pieces.  However the rods and the rest of the hardware is still in a good condition.  Will find a way how to replace the wires and will keep the hex as a spare.

A new K4KIO hex was waiting for me when we got back from the Outback trip. During the last week I started the work and today I've completed the swap.

Had to straighten the mast and clean the trust bearings.  Today I've assembled the new hex and mounted in on.

Here the rods are attached to the base plate and the shape is formed

The band wires are in place.

This was the hardest part of the job.  Attaching to the mast.

It is now upright and ready for work.  Quick trip down to the shack to check if it hears and transmits.

Beautiful sight... isn't it?

Rememberance Contest 2013 in the Outback

We were in Innamincka when the date for the contest came up.  Interesting QTH to be and to operate radio.  Hot during the day, freezing at night, incessant flies, snakes, dust and everything else the outback has to offer.
I had all the adverse effects in one day.

First my "antenna erecting device" broke.

Then the flies found me.

With the sun setting the flies "dropped" and the cold got me.  You can see my teeth chattering.

The little KX3 performed well, logging done by VKCL log.  The antenna was G5RV  with the apex about 7 m up.

Thanks everybody for listening to my weak signal and taking the pains to make the QSO (especially Tommy VK2IR).  In all it was fun from very EXOTIC location.

Ah... Alan VK4SN .... I demand extra points for all that "hardship".. <grin>

Another for the collection..

In Birdsville we have met another traveling amateur.  Joe VK7JG picked me on the account of the antenna (the Outbacker on the nudge bar).

Please note that with the "silly" grin is me again...

cheers 73
P

Another ham I have met on the way

In South West Queensland we met another amateur who spotted my "fishing rod antenna".

Greg VK2JCT from Nelson's Bay.

 I apologize for the silly grin on my face... I'm simply not photogenic and can't smile for the camera.  Greg makes up for both of us.

Boulia caravan park on Tuesday.

Chance meeting in Cunnamulla

We are away five days now... had a few nice places to overnight and enjoy the nature.  The country is fascinating.

In the caravan park in Cunnamulla I've met a ham operating his FT-817 into a Buddistick.

Ian VK3FD and I had nice chat.

Thanks Ian and hope to meet you again on the road or on the air.

73