Some fun on 10M today

Today I put my 10M W5OLF WSPR beacon on and started to notice some distances with just the endfed wire when I checked the map earlier in the day.

500mW

 

So I decided to shut the WSPR transmitter down and switch on my IC-703 to see what I could work. Most of my activity was on CW and one SSB QSO. It was nice to have had 5 CW QSO's with stations from the States all with my 10watts. 

One of the stations from the States was K3Y/3 (Straight Key Century Club) 17th annual Straight Key Month event operators during January. 

 

I'm thinking of a dedicated antenna for 10M like 2 element beam or maybe rebuild another halo ??

My least used rig!

As most of my operating is with CW or SSB on HF I'm finding one rig that hasn't seen much use at all recently. I don't know why but I feel the magic/appeal of the radio has disappeared.

When the pre release information came out about the ICOM IC-705 I knew it was a radio that fitted my requirements and was happy to sell other radio's I had to fund it. Once I got it this was my favorite rig not so long ago but as I got a excellent condition IC-703 Plus and 4 band Elecraft K1 second hand I just find myself not really using the IC-705.

The lack of a built in ATU and low activity on VHF/UHF is probably two reasons why it doesn't get used and once I plug the interface cable into the PC the noise floor increases slighty even though I purchased a decent USB cable and wrapped it around a ferrite core.

Is this a faze at the moment as I'm leaning towards selling it but wonder if I'll regret it!

For me the IC-703 does everything I need as I fitted the 500Hz CW filter, I even bought a another IC-703 for mobile use due to it having the ATU as the Comet HF mobile antenna is narrow on some bands. My K1 mainly gets used on the 40M/20M QRP frequencies and the Yaesu FT-817ND get used on 40MHz, VHF/UHF or HF WSPR. 

Closure of some UK AM Broadcaster stations

In the UK, I have heard automated messages from two radio stations stating that "the radio station your tuned to is no longer available on AM frequency".

Absolute radio 1215KHz and Greatest Hits Radio 1170Khz (Teesside) are closing down there AM transmitter service. Both stations are owned by Bauer Media Audio UK and they do seem to own quite a few radio stations!

Absolute Radio 1215KHz is quite a well known frequency and had good coverage across the UK and also some parts of Europe aswell. I have listened to this station a fair bit and was a good signal source to test any receiver I bought and wanted a referance point.

I have read on some forums of the "delight" to hear of the closure of the 1215KHz transmitter network as it hindered DXers from DXing on the AM broadcast band. In a way I agree with the Dxers but also think it's a shame that these services are disappearing from the airwaves as the alternative service of DAB doesn't serve the purpose for motorist who listen to the radio. I tend to travel to remote places in the North East of England and after quite a few miles DAB just drops out and then displays "no signal" and that when I switch to AM. With both automated messages it also advised the listeners to use a app that can be downloaded onto your phone but I personally don't want to use my "included data" to stream music plus I don't use my phone while driving.

Bauer Media Audio UK state that only 2% listen to there AM where 35% of their cost goes to fund it. I know I use it as a back up when DAB is no good but what about the people who are in the remote areas of the UK and the long distance drivers who use services like this?

I wonder if the BBC will follow suit with Radio 4 as I know they have shut down their local BBC AM stations.

One thing I do hope of this closures, is that Ofcom opening the AM broadcast band for low power community stations like the Dutch system or a licence free system as the AM broadcast band during the day is starting to become very scarce with UK output and low power stations could provide a vital service for remote areas.

The RSGB Morse Certificate of Competency

Went I first got licence as Foundation licensee in 2002 there was talk that the Morse test was going to be dropped. When I went to sit my Intermediate licence, on the day the instructor said if I pass I won't need to sit the 5wpm morse test and will have FULL HF access with 50watts. I passed so never got the opportunity to do a morse test and as there was no need I concentrated on studing for my FULL licence in 2004.

Well nearly 20 years later I got a keen interest in wanting to learn the code and in August 2021 with help from a local ham and 30mins practicing every night I finally learnt and comfortable sending and receiving at 12-15WPM depending on the person sending the code. I have been able to copy people having QSO's at 18wpm but after a period of time I start losing the conversation if they are ragchewing.

I have always wanted to have been able to sit a test and recently saw that the RSGB was offering a Morse Certificate of Competency and you have the options to be tested at 5/10/12/15/20/25/30WPM. So I completed the form and my proficiency test was arranged by Eric M0KZB and on Tuesday evening Pete G0PMN carried out the assessment. 

Yesterday I received my certificate of proficiency for 12WPM.

 It was well organised and worth doing so recommend it to anyone who hasn't sat a test to apply.

10M - Band starting to show good signs

10m is showing good signs this weekend, it has been open to across Europe and as far as Uzbekistan.

The New York repeater (29.620MHz) was readable with loads of UK stations working through it.

Today (Sunday) has loads of CW and SSB QSO's happening today and I can hear a few AM QSO's happening too ie CT1EHI on 29.020MHz running 200watts.

Update 1845z

Worked a few stations on SSB. I did try on CW but 5watts wasn't making through the pile ups

Moonraker HLP-2 2M halo antenna

I used to have a Wimo big wheel for 2M but at the new QTH I didn't have room for it and wasn't using 2M that much so sold it on. On a return visit to see family from London I popped into Moonraker in Woburn Sands as I've never visited there showroom before. I picked up some bits and decided to buy a 2M halo antenna (HLP-2) as it was only £25 and I didn't fancy buying another bigwheel with the current costs plus import duty.

I remember seeing a Youtube video by "TECHMINDS" and his assembly and review of one. He contructed the antenna and directly connected the coax to the tabs but was getting an SWR of 2.1 with 50watts. Yes it was close to a roof of an out building but I personally thought that was abit high and would like to see a better match than that!.

My friend used to own the 4M version and he had a beehive capacitor connected to the coax and the feed point so with my 2M version I decided to do the same thing. 

Feed point with beehive

Another view with braid connected

 

To help with any possible RF coming back down the coax I added 6 ferrite sleeve that I picked up at a rally years ago that where ideal for putting over RG-58 coax.

Up close to the feed point

Yes I know RG-58 coax but its a short run and I'm not really after doing DXing on the band. The SWR is a lot better as you can see below and that inside the house. 

When the weather is better I'll get it installed on the side of the house and hopefully it will work ok for a horizontal antenna.

Great match for the SSB section of 2M