Tuesday 1 May 2018

CQWW Wall paper

the score database for CQWW 2017 SSB/CW is now available, HERE,

M7O (M0VKY) came 2nd G in SSB and 1st G CW. both HIGH POWER ASSISTED 20M only.
very pleased with that. the OP-DES yagi by Innovantennas is a real performer. INNOV OP-DES YAGI

conditions of late have not been the best.

CQWW log entry stats HERE


73, SI..

Thursday 1 February 2018

Russian DX Contest 2017

as I have already posted about the Russian DX Contest. this one goes in the diary at the end of each RDXC contest. excellent contest and good support.

I entered SINGLE OP-ALL BAND-MIXED
everyone is deemed to be assisted in the RDXC, no non-assisted category.

results are in



pleased with that.
as I remember 20, 40 were the money bands. no QSO's on 10 and a handful for Mults on 160.

roll on march 2018. Russian DX Contest Page

73....

Innov Antennas OP-DES Yagi

first outing for my 4 element OP-DES 14Mhz Yagi, was in the ARRL DX CW contest last February.
I entered in SINGLE BAND, 14MHZ.
results are in,


First in G-20Mtr's, a good number of QSO's and score.

this shot is ALL G and ALL class of entry.


very pleased with that.

Innov OP-DES YAGI


73.....

Wednesday 11 October 2017

40mtr vertical antenna

after taking down a 2 ele yagi for 40 and replacing it with the OP-DES 14mhz yagi I needed another 40mtr antenna. I decided to put up a quarter wave vertical. I had thought of a 2 ele array switchable, end fire and broadside.
after looking at the logistics and control required, compared to gain, I just went with a single quarter wave radiator.
I had already 120 10mter radials for a 40mtr vertical in the shed.
I made the radiator from 2" aluminium rubing 7mtr's, then a fiberglass fish pole to make up the remainder with #12 copper wire taped to the outside of it.

I installed a 100x100x2.6mtr post to hold the radiator, buried 4ft in the ground.
the copper pipe bus bar was already made.
stauff clamps purchased from antenna engineering. not sure if this company is still trading.
#18 single wire radials.

after installing and testing with MFJ259, resonance was to high. so I lengthened the radiator 0.4mtr to drop resonance to 7.120mhz.
1.1:1 from 7.06 to 7.170. no higher than 1.2:1 between 7.0 and 7.2mhz.
happy with that.

some photos below








73. si......



Friday 6 October 2017

UKEICC Random numbers contest

The UKEICC are trial running a contest but with a difference.
serial numbers are randomly generated. this imposes more skill on the operator, less so in a normal serial number sequence starting at 001.

they are using a four digit serial number, each QSO it changes.
the problem at the moment is that only two log book suites fully support these contests.
SD Log and Skookumlogger for mac.

I have however found a work around for these trial runs.
I tried this in DXLog and it will work in Wintest. N1MM wont allow you to do this.

heres what to do.

  1. open a new log in CQWW WPX CW or SSB, whichever mode the UKEICC contest is in.
  2. CLICK EDIT
  3. EDIT SERIAL NUMBER
  4. input a four digit number, any
  5. CLICK OK
now your logbook will start from the number you just entered.
although it will still only increment by ONE each QSO at least you are generating a four digit serial number.
 
give it a try.
 
 
73.... 

Friday 8 September 2017

28Mhz Yagi Cont.....

here are a few more photos of the build.

Feed point detail.




Finally in the air under a 3 ele for 21Mhz.

 
 
On air it has been performing very well. F/B I am seeing 3 to 4 S units difference and 5 to 6 S units side rejection.
the VSWR is also very good. no higher than 1.4:1 between 28 and  29Mhz. it dips 1.1:1 at 28.480.
 
although there hasn't been much propagation for 28Mhz I have made some QSO's on SSB. unprompted reports of very loud, good signal cant be bad for something I made out of the shed.
 
Link for MMANA GAL
 
 
73....