CQ WW DX CW 2014 results were out last week.

I was very pleased to see this:

A.R.I. Italian DX contest.

This weekend was A.R.I. Italian DX contest.  I had few hours to play with... so I played..  I've spent at the radio exactly two hours and 57 minutes.

Summary:

             Band     QSOs     Pts    DXC   Pro
               14         121     601       26      29
               21            7        19        5        0
              Total     128     620       31      29

            Score : 37,200

The condx were OK, but there was nothing  on 10 m and very little on 40 (during the times I was on).
Surprising the high number of US stations participating.

It was time well spent and a good practice.

I should mention I've installed the new KSYN3A Synthesizer Upgrade Kit for K3, KRX3 and was very pleasantly surprised with the improvement of my Elecraft K3 radio.  It was expensive, but the radio subjectively on receive is significantly improved.  The audio has less hash/noise and the tone of CW feels cleaner and easier to listen to.   I had no means to check the improvement on transmit.

Hex is back and working.

Yes.... it was hard work to fix it but it all went without any problems and surprises.

First I had to repair the three broken rods by ramming 19 mm stainless tube in:

Aluminium parts are repainted:

During the rainy weekend I've manufactured the new set of wires. Long slow process and almost 60 m of wire.

Early this morning (nice and sunny and only light breeze) I've carried all the gear to the roof and started the assembly:

Had to use PVC tube for the P-clamp insulator, because the original rubber perished:

The Hex is taking shape:

Here it is:

Most amazing was that all bands have low SWR and I did not have any problems during the process.

73
P

The Hex is destroyed.

The wind was simply too strong.

Storm in Sydney.

It is 20:34 and the wind is rattling the building and the antenna.

Please note the 104  km/h wind gust.  I'm sure that is the highest wind gusts I've ever experienced from this QTH.

Ouch.

73
p

Managed to work DX0P on SSB Pagasa island in Spratleys.

On their first day:

Working simplex... "kinda" hard.

Thanks guys... good signals in Sydney.

73
P

Easter 2015 camping near Murrumbidgee and playing radio.

As most Easter breaks in the past few years I've joined our camping group for the annual trip.  Heidi "the lucky/unlucky is currently in Mexico".  So it was solo for me.

Our little van plus folding hex antenna and G5RV.  I'm still amazed by the difference in QRN and QRM in Sydney and in the bush... Just can't compare.

My little Elecraft KX3, PX3 and KXPA100 got some good workout.  I even worked couple of pileups of DX expeditions.  It is a good setup and very versatile radio.

There  is no phone coverage in the area that means no internet... However I was able to link with the Pactor magic and receive and send email (however slow it was).

Airmail running on a little secondhand laptop.

Morning at the Murrumbidgee.

73
P