W0̷JLT

Since getting my general ticket, I have tried the Buddipole on HF outdoors a couple of times.  I was able to make a couple of contacts but I always got low signal reports and generally wasn’t able to complete the contact, and I didn’t get responses for my CQ calls.  I was following the instructions for the Buddipole but not having much luck.

I had ordered the MFJ-223 from a local dealer and it took awhile to get in stock.  Once I got it, I realized how priceless an analyzer is.  I realized I was likely operating with 2:1 to 3:1 SWR- and my low signal reports had something to do with my rig holding back the power due to SWR. What I really like about the MFJ-223 is the graph.  I can scan up to 24 MHz of spectrum and see the results plotted out instantly.  I found that due operating in the woods with several nearby trees, I had to make the antenna slightly shorter than the instructions recommended.

At the park I was at, using the stock Buddipole horizontal dipole setup for 17 meters, my antenna was resonant at 17.7660 MHz- far below the 17 meter voice range.  SWR was 2.17 at 18.110 MHz and 2.42 at 18.168 MHz.  After some experimenting, I ended up leaving everything the same except for the red side element- I shortened that to about 4.6 sections vs. the 5 recommended.  This solved everything, my antenna was now resonant at 18.0860 MHz, and SWR at the voice band edges were 1.09 and 1.19.

Suddenly I had people responding to my CQ calls.  From Great River Bluffs State Park in MN, I was able to contact California, Vancouver Island, and Rarotonga Island.  I was getting some 5×9 reports at the highest, and 4×4 reports at the lowest.  In one contact I had he was running 700 watts, I was running 50 watts, and we were both 5×9 to each other.

I can’ t wait to get outdoors again and try some more bands. More to come.

I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.

I just picked up the last half of an SSTV image and the first part of another from the International Space Station.  This is crazy.  I just picked something up from orbit.  Mind = blown.

The majority of the time the ISS was overhead it was silent between the two images.  When the second image started, the ISS was already on its way out.  Too bad, when the signal was strong I got a clear image.    I can’t wait to try this again.

From a second pass below.  This pass was much lower to the horizon, and as I’m operating out of my apartment in Minnapolis, my guess is the patterns where the signal dropped were buildings in the way.

I heard for the first time last night Hobart Radio International via WRMI on 9955khz. It was their UFO special, and by far one of the best shows I’ve ever listened to on shortwave.  Very unique and very interesting to listen to.

I can’t wait to listen to HRI’s next show.

After much consideration, this is my new rig:

• Yaesu FT-857D
• QJE PS23SWI Power Supply
• Buddipole Deluxe – Long
• MFJ-223 Analyzer

Just waiting on the last two to arrive, and then I can’t wait to play.

I finally decided on the Yaesu FT-857D.  I also purchased a MFJ-1728B 6m/2m mag mount antenna.  I’m going to get some wires run in my car soon and test it out on 6m mobile.  In the meantime I’m using the new radio on 2m/70cm and have already made some contacts.

Doing a little more research- I’m contemplating the Allinco DX-SR8 and an MFJ-1622 indoor antenna.

I finally got back on the air over the weekend and made some contacts.  The next thing I knew it was 1:00AM and i needed to crash.  It was fun to get back on and I’ll be back very soon.

I received in the mail the other day the ARRL General Class License Manual and I’m working on it.  I can’t wait to be able to transmit on HF, however I need to find a rig.  I’m currently thinking the Yaesu FT-857D but I’m going to need to save some money up first.  Also TBD is what antenna and other gear I will need (tuners, wire, etc.).  I’m not sure exactly what to get right now, my operations will either be indoors in my apartment (no balcony) or based out of my car.

I’ll admit the Yaesu FT-817ND looks interesting, but I don’t want to be limited to 5W.  The battery operation would be nice, but from what I read they need to be upgraded to last more than 60 minutes.  When it comes down to it, 100W vs. 60 minutes of portability, I think I’ll take the 100W.

I’m picking a lot up tonight on shortwave. Making recordings, here’s what I am working on:

• Radio Romania International, 7340khz, 4:26-4:57, Signal started strong and clear and gradually got worse.  They played a lot of music.
• BBC, 7445khz, 5:00- , It’s rare I pick up the BBC from my apartment, fun to listen tonight.

I haven’t had good luck on shortwave recently, it seems every time I listened I got static lately, so tonight is much more fun.  The challenge for me is I live in an apartment, so my options for antennas are severely limited.  The AN-LP1 antenna really helps pull in signals better than the whip antenna or a wire.  I’ve used it camping outdoors and I can listen to so many different stations.

For me the fun of shortwave is how far around the world I can listen to.  No infastructure, no subscriptions, just a radio that pulls signals from everywhere.  Tonight I’ve listened to stations that are a distance of 5219 miles (Țigănești, Romania) and 6017 miles (BBC- Ascension Island).

I listened to Area 51 tonight from WBCQ on 5110khz, Radio Newyork International was on, but this was before I pulled my recorder out.