Category Archives: Ham Radio

CQWW SSB 2014

I’ve been doing CQWW as a somewhat casual attempt to work some DX for the past few years, but this year I took it to the next level to organise an event with my local radio club.

There is a full analysis of the log for the weekend, including the KML files from which the following were taken. Where information is not available for a given callsign, the pin has been inserted into the centre of each country with an asterisk or question mark to indicate.

For the rest of the log analysis, please click 2014 CQWW SSB

Friedrichshafen 2014

From 28 June to 2 July 2014, a few of us where about and about in Europe! I drove to the Ham Radio Friedrichshafen International Exhibition for the second time, this time leaving a few days each side to recover from the long drive. In the first spare day we drove into Italy, stopping in Liechtenstein (to say we had been). Going, we drove over the Alps and returned back via the tunnels through the Alps (as it was dark). Utterly amazing drive! As evidence, I offer the pictures below!

Driving through the Swiss Alps Driving to Italy

144 MHz 1.25 kW Amplifier

Over the weekend I worked on my 1.25 kW solid state PA based on F1JRD’s design from Dubus using a MRFE6VP61K25H. I bought a complete kit at the Friedrichshafen Hamfest 2012 from F1JRD and F5CYS and built it up late 2013 but due to problems, I never had more than around 40W output. This weekend, with a new set of capacitors from ATC I rebuilt the output matching and fired it up once again. With my 1kW/50V power-supply I can get around 600W output, which his more than enough. This is still a work in progress, but things are moving forward with the project.

CQWW SSB 2013

This map shows some of the stations worked during CQWW SSB Contest, 26-27 October 2013. Operations using M0STO’s tri-band 4-ele Yagi and 300W from the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker (GB0SNB) operating as G3XBF.

We set out with the aim to work as many DXCC entries as we could within the 24 hours we were able to operate. Operations started at 16:40 UTC on the Saturday an finished at 15:10 UTC on the Sunday; operating most of the night. 54 DXCC entries worked.

The location details are from QRZ.com, where possible.

Map

Click the map once for image details, and again for high resolution image.

Photos

Here are a few pictures from the 2013 CQWW contest, taken by Peter Allen, G0IAP.

Pictures from CQWW 2013

M0STO setting up the EME SCAM 12 on the top field
Pictures from CQWW 2013

Moving the SCAM 12 to a lower field because of high winds
Pictures from CQWW 2013

M0YOL guiding M0STO in moving the beam in his car
Pictures from CQWW 2013

Erecting the HF beam on another SCAM 12
Pictures from CQWW 2013

G7UVW and M0STO tuning the beam & checking the SWR
Pictures from CQWW 2013

G7UVW and M0STO reflecting on the erection of HF beam and VHF EME beams (background)
Pictures from CQWW 2013

Inside the lockup at GB0SNB
Pictures from CQWW 2013

Tuning the linear up
Pictures from CQWW 2013

2m Yagi looking a bit bent, on the Az/Ele rotator for EME
Pictures from CQWW 2013

Both beams as coax is run into lockup
Pictures from CQWW 2013

G7UVW operating and logging
Pictures from CQWW 2013

M1GEO swinging the beam as G7UVW is operating
Pictures from CQWW 2013

G7UVW logging as M1GEO operates
Pictures from CQWW 2013

G7UVW drinking tea as M1GEO operates
Pictures from CQWW 2013

M0STO setting up EME equipment
Pictures from CQWW 2013

M0STO configuring HRD to track the moon
Pictures from CQWW 2013

M0STO deep in the settings!
Pictures from CQWW 2013

G7UVW and M1GEO tidying their “private” log, collecting their own DXCCs!