This weekend saw a casual entry into the CQ WW SSB contest, taking part with George M1GEO, Dave M0YOL, Dave G7UVW and Chris G8OCV. I used my TS990, 4e homebrew beam on 21 MHz and HAL 1200 solid state amplifier delivering 400w. 28 MHz was a vertical @ 12m and 1.9, 3.5 and 7 MHz […]
GB0SNB – Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker.
Spent some time this weekend operating from the Secret Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon with George M1GEO. The bunker has a permanent special call GB0SNB and we put this on the air both VHF and HF today. It was nice to see 7 MHz in good shape, full with the JOTA and WAG contest. Here are […]
Don’t get in the way of TX3X
Looking on 7 MHz RTTY today I noticed a cacophony of noise covering around 20 KHz of the band. I couldn’t hear the DX station but the DX cluster confirmed it was the DX station TX3X from Chesterfield Reef. The cluster suggested they were 7.045 and listening up, I could hear people calling from 7045 […]
RSGB 21/28 MHz contest
The RSGB contest provided an ideal opportunity to focus activity on the higher HF bands. Previous John M0UKD and I had built beams for 28 MHz 3e beam and 21 MHz 4e beam using the design on DK7ZB website. 28 MHz is a compact design using a 3m boom, and 21 MHz is somewhat bigger at […]
New antenna testing at GB0SNB
Exposed on the side of a 50 meter mast the antenna often requires maintenance. George M1GEO and Chris G8OCV have over the years perfected the best way to mount the antenna, and on this occasion is had lasted close on 2 years. Antenna maintenance in the afternoon sun is much preferable to winter rain, so […]
Practical Wireless 70 MHz contest
The popular shortwave and ham magazine Practical Wireless runs a 70 MHz contest once a year. The contest attracts a number of entries from all around the country, including one keen team who climb Helvelyn in the Lake District (M0BKQ/P). The entry from M0TAZ/P didn’t include a 900m accent to the top of a mountain, […]