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| Antenna: 9:1 unun with 53ft, inverted-L |
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| Operating position with my Xiegu G90 |
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| The castle ruins and view from the top |
Originally posted on 'The wet string chronicles' in January 2010.
I like to confirm as many of my amateur radio contacts as possible by traditional paper QSL cards. It’s always good to receive them back direct from another amateur radio operator and the card that arrived today (seen below) from Andy, KB1KYN on Nantucket Island, was a particularly nice surprise.
This QSL card confirms a contact mentioned earlier in this blog back in September 2009 when operating portable from Barr Beacon. The location is seen in this picture taken on the day of the contact in question. Running about 80w SSB on 17m into a vertical dipole antenna from a battery powered Yaesu FT-857.
This is the view (see below) to the south overlooking Oldbury and West Bromwich. These picnic tables make for ideal operating positions and there is lots of space for erecting antennas. While I tend to operate HF from this location other operators enjoy working VHF, UHF and microwave bands from this lofty position.
On a nice sunny summers day this is a very enjoyable way of getting on the bands with a modest radio and a simple wire antenna and seeing what DX can be worked while you enjoy the view.
I’d like to thank Andy for the card and for the contact back in September last year.
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I discovered recently while browsing the awards section of the LoTW website that I have confirmed contacts for all CQ zones with the exception of zone 29. Now all I have to do to qualify for the WAZ (Mixed) award is work someone in western Australia and get that contact confirmed. Hence CQ VK6!
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| CQ Zone 29 |
As you can see from the map here, CQ zone 29 also includes Christmas Island (VK9X), the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (VK9C), but very little else, so I'm pinning my hopes on snagging a VK6 or VK8 contact over either of those relatively rare entities.
In terms of optimising my chances I am thinking that the best bands will probably be 20m and up around times of optimal long-path propagation early in the morning or late in the evening (UK time).
As I am power-limited (20w maximum output) I will most likely focus my efforts on CW and FT8.
I'll be paying particular to all Australian stations I hear in future as I have previously not been aware that I just need a VK6 for WAZ.
Despite also being a little bit antenna constrained, I do expect that my simple quarter-wave vertical antennas for the higher bands will be beneficial in terms of working DX stations such as VK6.
Originally posted on 'The wet string chronicles' in June 2010.
Approaching 75,000 QSO’s in their log and less than 12 hours before they go QRT. The E4X operation will soon be a thing of the past.
Pushing 80 watts into my bit of wet string I managed to snag them twice - 20m RTTY and 30m CW on two separate evenings. The RTTY contact was plain sailing but the CW contact was a bit hairy.
Conditions were never really great and there was some fading (QSB) on 30m on the night of my QSO. I’d been calling in the pile for a while before operator Bernard (F9IE) came back to me with ‘RIF?” to which I replied ‘G0RIF”, hoping he’d confirm my call, give me my report and I’d just send the usual ‘5nn tu‘ and log him. As luck would have it though the fading coincided with his confirming my call and although I thought he’d got it right I wasn’t 100% sure of the last character. Had I heard an F‘…or a U‘, an R…or something else?
I erred on the side of caution, just in case he still didn’t have the call entirely correct, and sent ‘de G0RIF 5nn tu‘ only to hear the back end of his ‘tu‘ call as my TX dropped out. Did he have my call correct or not? A slightly nervy wait to see if I was in the log but it was all okay in the end.
The E4X ops seem to have done a good job of working band/mode combinations. I see that some stations have as many as 23 band/mode contacts logged, quite an achievement!
I’m pleased with my 2 contacts though, so much so I didn’t even bother chasing a 20m CW contact when they were loud with me on Saturday, having worked them on 20m previously for my RTTY contact and with CW in the bag by virtue of my 30m contact.
I like chasing DX and I’m always interested to see what DXpeditions are planned for the months ahead. A good resource for this information is provided by Bill Feidt, NG3K, on his website. The ‘Announced DX Operations’ page lists most of the scheduled DXpeditions.
I regularly scan the listed operations to see if there are any scheduled to DXCC entities I need. There usually are! I then break this down into those I ‘expect’ to be able to work and those I don’t expect to be able to work, based on my setup and my experience of relative strength (or absence of) signals heard from those parts of the world.
I then also consider which modes the respective operations prefer because I know I’m unlikely to work many on SSB, due in large part to my operating mostly at night when the rest of the house is asleep, but also due to my relatively poor signal. I find that CW really is my best option most of the time!
Armed with this information I will then look out for those callsigns on DX spotting clusters and also listen for those stations on the bands. By this means I can usually work a few new ones that I might otherwise not have.
For instance, as it stands today, I hope to be able to work the following listed operations (in what would be new DXCC entities for me).
There are many more but as I said previously, I’m mindful of which of all those listed I might actually hear. I’ll usually listen for those I see spotted but I’m more often than not, not at all surprised when I can’t hear them on my antenna!
I’ll be happy to snag any 5 of the 7 entities listed and, things being what they are, hopefully a few not listed. Good DX!
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| FT8 activity on 40m 2024-10-20 |
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| 40m spots 2024-10-20 |
1. Back to basics: Ears over eyes
Radio is fundamentally about listening. A band scope encourages you to watch rather than listen. By relying on your ears instead of a visual display, you'll develop better listening skills and a deeper understanding of band conditions.
Adding a band scope introduces another layer of complexity to your radio. More features mean more buttons, menus, and potential points of failure. Keeping it simple allows you to focus on operating rather than fiddling with settings.
For portable operations, every bit of power counts. Band scopes, with their constant scanning and bright displays, can significantly reduce your battery life. Skip the scope, and you'll stay on the air longer.
Radios with band scopes generally cost more than their simpler counterparts. The second-hand market is awash with older radios that do not have band scopes and prices for these older (and very capable) radios can be very attractive. If you're on a budget or just starting out, the money saved could then be spent on antennas or station accessories.
Part of the excitement in ham radio is stumbling upon unexpected contacts. A band scope can spoil this by showing you everything at once. Without it, each spin of the dial brings the potential for surprise.
While band scopes may look impressive, they're far from essential for enjoying amateur radio. By focusing on developing your listening skills and embracing the core aspects of the hobby, you'll likely find yourself having more fun and making more contacts – no fancy display required.
In the world of amateur radio, choosing a new HF rig in 2024 feels a lot like picking out the last piece of gear you'll ever buy. In my case, that’s not far from the truth—I want this radio to last me a lifetime, and so it’s no small decision. After hours upon hours of poring over reviews, spec sheets, and YouTube demos, I'm finding myself in a frustrating conundrum. With options like the Icom IC-7300, IC-7610, Kenwood TS-890S, Yaesu FTDX10, FT-710, and FTDX101 on the table, you'd think one of them would clearly stand out. But alas, none of these radios ticks all of the boxes I’ve set.
Nice Screen: These days, I feel like a decent screen with a good waterfall display isn't too much to ask for, right? But it’s not just about having one—it needs to be visually pleasing and offer the right mix of data at a glance without overwhelming me.
RF Performance: I primarily chase DX using SSB, CW, and data modes like FT8. That means I need a rig with excellent sensitivity, good dynamic range, and the ability to handle crowded bands without folding under the pressure. It’s crucial for me that this radio pulls signals out of the noise, even with my relatively simple wire antennas.
Connectivity: As someone who likes to use digital modes, I need seamless CAT control and straightforward data mode connectivity. Plugging in and getting my PC to talk to the radio shouldn’t be an adventure every time.
Longevity: This is a big one. I’m planning to invest in a radio that will see me through the rest of my days on the air. I want something that’s not only durable but also future-proof in terms of features and firmware updates.
-Icom IC-7300
It’s hard not to love this little radio. The RF performance, especially for its price, is incredible. The user interface is clean, and Icom's touchscreen is a big selling point. However, the 7300 lacks some of the more robust features found in higher-end radios. Also, its display, while good, is not quite up to the level of the pricier rigs.
-Icom IC-7610
The IC-7610 almost ticks all the boxes. Dual receivers, a better screen than the 7300, and excellent performance on CW and data modes. But then again, it’s a hefty investment. Is it that much better than the IC-7300 to justify the extra cost? Two receivers is a must for many people but not for me.
-Kenwood TS-890S
Fantastic RF performance, one of the best CW rigs out there, and a solid user interface. Price wise it's close to the IC-7610, and it’s just as visually striking. The lack of dual receive isn't a problem for me and I've had a number of Kenwood radios in the past and all were lovely to operate and listen to for extended periods (TS140,TS440,TS480,TS870).
-Yaesu FTDX10
The FTDX10 intrigues me with its compact size and strong RF performance. The screen is good, and the waterfall is smooth. But again, the lack of dedicated knobs for some frequently-used features forces me into menus, which is a pet peeve. It's a great radio, but is it a great fit?
-Yaesu FT-710
The FT-710 feels like a trimmed-down version of the FTDX10, and while it’s got some strong points, it doesn’t quite measure up in the areas that matter most to me—especially in terms of user controls and overall refinement.
-Yaesu FTDX101
The hybrid SDR architecture gives it that edge in dynamic range, and the display is stunning. The downside? It’s big, heavy, and has a price tag to match. And do I really need a rig that complex? There’s a fine line between having advanced features and having so many that I’ll spend half my time figuring out how to use them!
Each of these radios excels in some areas but falls short in others. The Icoms win on the display and general usability front, but I feel like the Yaesu models might have the edge when it comes to pulling in weak DX signals. The TS890s, meanwhile, offer that classic feel and stellar CW performance, coupled with that classic Kenwood audio on SSB.
What’s keeping me stuck in analysis paralysis is the fact that no radio ticks every single box. If only I could combine the best features of each into a custom rig tailored perfectly to my needs! But alas, I’m left weighing trade-offs and wondering if I’ll ever find a radio that feels like 'the one'.
Maybe that’s just the nature of the hobby—there’s always going to be something better on the horizon. But for now, I’ll keep plugging away at reviews, weighing features, and trying to picture which radio will be my companion for the years to come.
I'm hoping very much that when I am finally able to choose, I’ll spend more time on the air and less time wishing I’d picked something else!
Got thoughts on any of these rigs? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear from fellow hams wrestling with the same decision!
Originally posted on 'The wet string chronicles' in May 2009.
Day 1: Clear blue skies & soaring temperatures outside but I managed several hours on 20m with brief excursions to 15 and 40m. I managed to work 2 all time new ones in the form of A62A (UAE) and VE3DZ/VP9 (Bermuda) and the overall QSO/country count for my modest first day effort was 91 contacts in 43 different countries.
Day 2: Mindful of being out for much of the day it was an early start for day 2 of my contest effort. They say that the early bird catches the worm and it was oh so true on this occasion when I snagged KL7RA in Alaska for another all time new one at 06:33 UTC followed by KH6MB in Hawaii a few minutes later.
I managed about 4 hours in total, on and off through the day, finally shutting down around 21:30 UTC mindful of work the next morning. In total over the two days I logged 122 contacts in 52 countries with 3 all time new ones and 1 new US state (Idaho), not bad for a seriously compromised antenna and no more than 75 watts output.
Link to CQ WPX contest website: CQ World Wide WPX Contest
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| CQ World Wide WPX (CW 2009) - the 52 countries worked |
As an amateur radio operator, I've spent countless hours tinkering with various software tools to enhance my operating experience. Over the years, I've come to rely on three essential types of software that I believe every ham should have in their digital toolbox. Let me share my personal favorites and experiences with each.
Since 2005, N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log has been my go-to logging software. It's user-friendly, feature-rich, and has stood the test of time. What I love most about it is its ability to handle both casual contacts and contest logging with equal ease. The interface is intuitive, making it simple to enter QSO details quickly, which is crucial during fast-paced contest operations.
The software's integration with various transceivers for frequency and mode tracking is a huge time-saver. Plus, its ability to generate reports and statistics has helped me track my progress towards awards like DXCC and WAS. While there are newer options on the market, N3FJP's reliability and regular updates have kept me a loyal user for nearly two decades. Thanks Scott!
When it comes to digital modes, I've found that no single software can do it all. My journey started with Digipan, which served me well for basic PSK31 operations. However, as I delved deeper into the world of digital modes, I expanded my toolkit.
Currently, I use a combination of:
Airlink Express has become my primary software for PSK31 and AFSK RTTY. Its clean interface and robust decoding capabilities making it a joy to use.
MMTTY is my go-to for FSK RTTY. Its superior decoding algorithms have helped me pull out signals from the noise that other software missed. The ability to fine-tune various parameters gives me the edge I need during tough band conditions.
For FT8, JTDX has been a game-changer. Its efficient use of system resources and excellent weak signal performance have allowed me to make contacts I never thought possible. The integration with logging software and online resources like PSK Reporter are also really worthwhile features.
Last but certainly not least, my web browser is an indispensable tool in my shack. It's my gateway to a wealth of resources that enhance my operating experience:
The beauty of using a web browser is that it's always up-to-date and provides access to the latest information and tools without the need for constant software updates.
No...not for me. Well not yet at least. I've tried various rig control software over the years but never really taken to them because I very much enjoy the hands-on tactile approach of actually touching and using the radio. Slowly tuning across the bands listening deep into the noise for those distant stations and then using the rig's controls to dig out the signals with filters and noise reduction. I just get a far greater sense of achievement doing it that way.
In conclusion, while the hardware in our shacks often gets the spotlight, these software tools are the unsung heroes that make modern amateur radio operation efficient, enjoyable, and endlessly fascinating. Whether you're a seasoned operator or just starting out, I highly recommend exploring the myriad different software offerings to find those which best suit your operating habits.
