News
12/9/2007
Thanks to Ian GM0UHC the LNA has been repaired and placed in a weather proof metal box. After experiencing initial com port conflicts my laptop and interface are talking to each other. Cath PE1AHX
reports clean bursts with full decode. Tomorrow I will complete antenna checks and test the sequencer and 3cx800A7 :-)
13/9/2007
9 el Vargarda has been checked and working very well with no reflected power and a very clean pattern. Checked an
FT726R with Rune SM5CUI but DF and audio passband envelope is not as good as the FT736R so I will definately
take the FT736R. Need to go into Glasgow to obtain a replacement plug for the 12v LNA supply from the sequencer as the original
is missing.
I have not previously used my lightweight portable mast with a rotator (TV type!) and the 9el 2m beam and
I'm not happy with it. I will now run with 2" scaffold tube and an Emoto 103LBX rotator which will also permit an antenna height
increase.
The caravan has an awning and the antenna will be on the opposite side so it is easier for me to use a rotator
than to keep going outside to manually turn the antenna.
16/9/2007
Sequencer/LNA tested. OK.
3cx800A7 amplifier tested. OK
19/9/07
This is my first single-op expedition for FSK MS and it has been a learning curve!
I never realised collecting all the bits together and packing everything would be so time consuming. The
caravan is full of poles, the antenna in 3 parts, the wheel base mast support, table and rig whilst the boot of the car
is completely packed full of amplifier, pc, interface, co-ax, LNA, rotator and lots of ancilliary bits. My awning should look
either impressive or a mess tomorrow! The xyl has not said a lot!
20/9/2007
Arrived on site in absolute driving rain. Not the best weather for antenna work.
Station put together in the evening and tests show a high swr so as it is now dark and wet I will not work
on the finding the cause until tomorrow morning.
It is not at the shack end.
21/9/207
Antenna problem sorted but LNA is not working so I am using the pre-amp of the SSPA. Running now....good
luck!
22/9/2007
No sleep last night with a 12 hour continual operation.
I almost dropped off around 04.00z but the thought of the morning chorus of meteors kept me going. Had the
extremes of easy to difficult contacts to complete. In particular in my worst direction to the north of Sweden but patience
paid off despite feeling guilty some contacts with "easy" stations got missed.
I'll be sleeping tonight but will set the alarm early to catch more on Sunday morning.
23/9/2007
4 hours sleep helped last night but still a lot of catching up to do.
This mornings meteors were not as good as yesterday but a good number of contacts still got completed. Lots
of folk have said IO76 was a new square so that is very satisfactory. Away to sleep early tonight with alarm set for the final
session tomorrow morning. I will be active from 04.15z approximately. When things get quiet I will go QRT to dismantle the
station, mast and antenna for the journey back home.
24/9/2007
Closed down 09.00z. Last QSO 0824 and no more callers.
77 contacts by FSK441 on MS and 1 via JT65b tropo.
Thanks to all who called and I am sorry some stations missed me.
Ray GM4CXM
