2E0HTS Homebrew 4 Element Yagi Project

The past few weeks I have been exploring the world of VHF by listening and playing around on 2M SSB as well as VO-52. I have had some success on 144.300 with my vertical and home brew Loop with DX opportunities such as GM4PPT (Richard) located in Scotland near to Ayr and one or two other interesting QSOs.

The rest of the time apart from HF operations, I have been tracking VO-52 and trying my best to put a signal into its Transponder and making some QSOs. I successfully had a QSO with DL6HP via VO-52 and tonight's pass brought signals to my Earth Station once again but this time I received them with my new home brew 2M Yagi. Tonight's contact was with G7BTA (Dave) who was approximately 200 miles south of my QTH down in Hereford.

The Home brew Yagi received well but my TX was still going through my vertical so you guessed it, the next job is a 433/70CM Yagi.

Here is the story so far, I used a broom handle, some 3mm thick aluminium sheet, and some 3mm Brass sheet.

I cut the sheet on a 6mm capacity guillotine with a 3 meter wide bed, which allowed a full 3X2 meter sheet to be cut. The aluminium elements are 15mm wide and the brass driven element was cut at 20mm wide.

The above diagram shows the element sizes and the element spacings.

The Image below shows the finished project assembled to the Broom Stick.
You can see the Three 15mm x 3mm Aluminium elements and the Brass 20mm x 3mm active driven element which is folded at one side creating optimum performance as well as 1.1 SWR across 144-146 MHZ.
The total length is 960mm wide + 480mm (folded element) + 35mm space between top element and bottom folded element. Total size was 1475mm.
Here you can see Me holding the Broom Stick Yagi, with My Dog Dudley assisting the installation.
I used the flat strip rather than round bar mainly because it was at my disposal at the time.

I will probably build the 433- 437 MHz Yagi from welding rods which are round. This Yagi was simple to build using screws and the wooden broom, but now I can no longer sweep out the shack as the broom has now become my Boom. h.i
The next stage is where I fixed some box section to the base of the Broom-Boom, here you see the yagi in its horizontal state.

The next image shows the Coaxial feed line which the braid is taken to the centre of the top part of the Brass Driven Element. Here you can see the Coaxial inner which is connected to the bottom folded part of the Driven Element. I used a plastic spacer to obtain the 35mm clearance from the top part of the Element
Another view of the Feeder which is 50 ohm Coax. And of course as usual ,I like my antennas away from nagging/complaints so once again the Tree provides height a well as stealth. ( I did straighten and line up the elements once I set everything up)
This one is a prototype, Once I have given it a serious testing I may construct a Dual band yagi similar to the LEO (Low Earth Orbiting) Satellite antenna, which should be arriving from Antenna warehouse USA any day soon. I am hoping to use the commercial Arrow antenna which is hand held with my Hand Held Radios and operate via AO-51, more about that in the near future and maybe I'll try to make something similar.

In the meantime thanks for reading and if your thinking about trying a Broom stick Yagi like this one, I hope you have as much fun and enjoyment making it like I just have had.

It does seem to work very well within the short time I have tested it, and I am feeling confident it will be a big improvement especially on SSB.

73 de Simon 2E0HTS

SO-50, AO-51, VO-52 Transponder Frequencies and Rig settings

The best way to work Amateur Satellites is to program your radios memory with the up links, down links and any necessary PL tones required to activate the Transponders.

Here is the result, which if you are new or are just getting in to Satellite Communications, you may find the frequencies shown helpful. The rig seen in the pictures is an FT-847.
SO-50 AMATEUR SATELLITE

TX Up Link 145.850 FM 67HZ Tone. RX Down Link 436.795 FM +/-

AO-51 AMATEUR SATELLITE

TX Up Link 145.920 FM 67HZ Tone. RX Down Link 435.300 FM +/-

VO-52 AMATEUR SATELLITE

TX Up Link 435.250 LSB RX Down Link 145.900 USB+/-
Hello to All at Planet Ham and Tnx for linking to Ham Radio Blogspot

73

NOAA-15, AO-51, VO-52 & ISS In Range With The Latest SATSCAPE At 2E0HTS Earth Station

For those of you that like working satellite or possibly the ISS, have you come across the latest version of SATSCAPE?

SATSCAPE has been around for years and is now written in Java which allows a better graphic display to be used whilst tracking your favourite NOAA Satellites and the ISS as well as other Space Comms such as AO-51 and VO-52.

I use SATSCAPE to assist me when trying to call CQ on the Earth Orbiting Voice repeaters which are FM and SSB, so far success on SSB but still trying to make it on FM.

The new version can be downloaded via the link with support and updates also found at the SATSCAPE Website


AS you can see it looks very nice

Satscape screen shot
click to enlarge

Here you can see the ISS's Orbit and course
click to enlarge

ISS Zoomed closer and over Europe in Range of 2E0HTS Earth station
click to enlarge

FT-847 Yaesu Radio is listening on 145.800 the ISS downlink but no signals are being transmitted by the crew during the overhead pass which is plotted and tracked using my 3800 dual core P.C and SATSCAPE.
click to enlarge

The ISS International Space Station NA1SS

I've heard NA1SS on both voice and packet many times using Satscape to know when to try but have yet to make a QSO!
Satscape is very good for tracking NOAA WX Satellites which provide excellent images of the ever changing weather. Here I am using Radio com 5.2 to decode live transmissions coming from NOOA-15 Low Earth Orbiting Satellites camera equipment.
click to enlarge

Here is the image I received which was quite a long RX covering Africa to the North Arctic which is amazing reception for a home made Vertical (Not Supposed to work well) Antenna. Radio Com 5.2 RX NOAA 15 for 20mins with this TX at my QTH. Some passes only provide short reception openings which can be considered and reviewed using Satscape to ensure optimum RX time.
click to enlarge

The U.K and our stormy Weather front
click to enlarge


Ideas and different dedicated Satellite Antenna
This design of satellite communication antenna is a Double Cross Four Dipole Sat RX ANT by KD6JDJ who actually got in touch and sent me the design. TNX
click to enlarge
Here is another type of antenna known as an Egg Beater which are used in Satellite operations and can be constructed fairly easily.

click to enlarge


FT-857 In Test Mode
The other evening VC1T, Fred operating from Bon Portage (Outer) Islands (IOTA NA-126) in southwest Nova Scotia, came through great whilst I was playing around with my little FT-857.

The FT-857 fed by the home brew 20M Loop, permitted a nice couple of over’s where Fred commented on my nice 5/9 signal produced by just 50 W.

VC1T, Fred's QTH click to enlarge

I also managed QSOs with AD1L James and for the 3rd time this month KP2/AA1BU Joe operating from the U.S Virgin Islands. I was again on the FT-857 running the Loop.

Earlier I had tried the FT-857 on the lower HF band 80m, where I used the same output power, this time with the G5RV.

At a 1000 feet ASL and a severe drop off of 500ft below my antennas, you can imagine they work well up here at Baildon Moor running QRP set ups.

On 80m I made two QSO, first EW1MM, Gary from Minsk city. This was a pleasant surprise as we catch each other regularly on 20 M when I am mobile too and from Work.

The second contact saw a battle of signals through lightning crashes that were loud on the band.

Despite this I was able to have a lengthy QSO with Hans, MM0XAU, from the Shetland Islands with again 5/9 + at times.

I enjoyed the QSO with Hans as he described his spectacular location which I hope to visit one day.

Hans MM0XAU

With good reports especially regarding audio received on the Yaesu FT-857 I will now consider installing this rig in the mobile replacing the FT-100.

The last time I tried it in my mobile I was running the Toyota RAV4 and I had some issues with my audio quality and RFI problems.

This time I have had the option of setting things up as in running now without any processor, to produce a better quality audio level on HF.

The new Toyota also has been RFI combated with a clean new precise installation. Hopefully I will post some info featuring the installation in the not so distant future.

England to France Mobile to Mobile with Local Ham Holidaying

Whilst Driving back from a pleasant walk in the Dales I operated /mobile on 20M when I was Called by local Ham and popular RSGB NEWS NET Controller / News Reader M5AEH, operating F/M5AEH/M.

COLIN from near by Queensbury Yorkshire, was Holidaying and playing radio whilst cooling down in the shade at 32 degrees in the South of France.

Colin f/M5AEH/mobile came through 5/2 to 5/9 whilst I was Mobile near Bolton Abbey in North York’s just as I was signing with Harald, LA9VK from Norway.

Exactly Two Years previous Colin was again 5/9 in F/ France working 20M mobile back to my mobile station 10 miles away from our recent contact which was near by at Malham.

We seem to catch each other each time One or the Other goes off Holidaying h.i

Especially funny as we can virtually shine a light across the Valleys to each other and we rarely catch each other on.

I will try awake slightly earlier on a Sunday morning and make the effort by calling in to Colin's lively little Net. 73 & TNX to the Two Bills, Colin and all the Sunday Morning Crew for a pleasant start to the day!

That’s all for now 73 tnx for passing by!

QRP Portable Contact with C.R.A.G Member M3XLG

This afternoons walk was another chance to make a video and play radio using my little hand held transceiver.

We headed up to Bardon Moor from our QTH of Baildon Moor.

Yes we are Moorland addicts due to the peace and quiet, tranquility and the spectacular views you get in the unspoilt Moorland Country side.

Bardon Moor is even higher than our QTH(1000 ft) with heights of 1600 ft in places which work well for VHF hand held equipment.

I did'nt quite get to the maximum altitude as we only had a couple of hours and one bottle of drink each, which was needed at 23.5 degrees in the shade!

We got to 1165 feet and with a scenic view in all directions I decided to get the little 5watt Kenwood out of the bag and I commenced calling CQ CQ.

As usual on 2m FM there was an abundance of listeners but no takers, until after three or four shout outs were I received a reply.

The Station that had returned to my call was Chris M3XLG who put a 5/9+ signal to the TH-F7 with its Diamond SRH771 Aftermarket antenna I had fitted.

Chris M3XLG reply was well appreciated by myself it was a real pleasure having a nice rag chew with Chris as we have had a few QSOs in the past and it had been a while.

Chris was running 10 watts from an FT-857 and as you can see in the video His audio was excellent with a solid signal.

Chris M3XLG is also a member of the Craven Radio Amateur Group (C.R.A.G) which is a busy group of keen and dedicated radio hams that like to get out and about and also host many special events.

I often work the C.R.A.G operators during there expeditions across the bands and you can usually rely on some one from the group returning to your CQ call unlike other locals and Clubs.

Thanks guys and keep up the good work.

You can find out more at theC.R.A.G website
.

Here is the video I made whilst in QSO with M3XLG high up on Bardon Moor

Now where is my Telescope!

73 thanks for visiting.

Propagation Paradise on HF 20m & 40m

Since my return from EA6 the propagation seems to have improved substantially with terrific openings on 20m, and 40m late at night here at Baildon Moor U.K.
click on log to enlarge


I have had some amazing DX contacts each evening as I have operated into the early hours of the morning with contacts into Martinique and Netherlands Antilles on 40M using the G5RV. The biggest surprise happened whilst in SWL mode as I came across a nice informal Net on 7.185 lsb consisting of a nice group of US Hams. I have worked the US on 40m before during WWCQ Contest but this opportunity was not to be missed. I managed three different stations WA3QPX, K4KOM and W3ZKY with successful reports exchanged, the other guys were just in the noise as I was to them. The US guys were very pleased to be picking up little station 2E0HTS on 50watts and I went on to work more DX as you can see in the above log.

I also got the opportunity to work Ian VK3MO from Oz again as well as the other DX stations confirmed by the log. The propagation has definitely been favorable from around 2200 UTC in my home QTH, I hope things are now finally beginning to stabilise on the HF bands. It is great when you can generate a decent signal fairly QRP (50watts) and work stations like Joe KP2/AA1BU for the third year running in the month of July. I can almost set my calender by Joe's signal each July h.i. Other nice DX contacts include TI8II from Costa Rica which again was made on 20M with the home brew Delta loop antenna.

The next few evenings will be spent listening out SWLing and hopefully there will be more propagation paradise to be had.

Tonight is a beautiful sunny evening so if the sky is clear I shall be experimenting with my telescope catching up with the Astronomy hobbie by viewing the stars and observing some Low Earth Orbiting Satellites.

73 enjoy the Contest for those who are participating, myself I probably will give some points away but only for fun as I have not got my Contest serious head on at the moment.

Ham Radio Blogspot goes on a Tour of EA6 Mallorca

click any image to Enlarge
We had a nice week in EA6-Mallorca and are now re-vitalised and ready to make some noise up on the Amateur Radio Bands from my Licenced Station here in the U.K

During the last week we covered over 350 KM on two motorcycles, Kawasaki KLE 5oo and a Suzuki Marauder whilst touring the Island of Mallorca. We both got a great Sun tan and met some very nice Mallorcan people.

So hopefully I should have some energy and new experiences to try out regarding Radio and get some inspiration to blog here on ham Radio Blogspot. ;-)



There were opportunities to look out for Antennas, I saw quite a few on our travels. One antenna sighting you can see here at the old town of Alcudia. I spotted some interesting Arrays up and down the Island.

There were some very nice locations to operate radio but my Licence allows all bands and modes but only in the U.K so it was just pure holidaying for me!!

Other News
Thanks to Eric PA1TNO for commenting regarding our recent QSO via VO-52, Hope to do it again Eric and anyone else who may be interested in satellite Communications.

Also Thanks to Nash JN4VWH for sending me his lovely QSL card which confirms our contact back in March when we used repeaters and echolink.

Tonight's Radio News

I just made a 5/7 QSO with YV5MSG Werther from Venezuela this evening at 22.19 UTC, which makes our 3rd QSO this year.
picture of YV5MSG Werther.

At 11.08 UTC also on 20M I bumped into VK3MO Ian near Melbourne for the second time this year working long path.

Ian's antenna array from below


Ian and I exchanged 5/8 reports and had good couple of overs each, tonight's DX contacts after a week in EA6 certainly fired the enthusiasm levels! Hooray for Ham Radio!

Hopefully the next few evenings will be interesting on 20M and I will get the chance to make some new contacts and DX? 73 to all and hopefully good DX.

2E0HTS makes QSO with PA1TNO via VO-52 Satellite

Today I successfully managed a contact using my FT-847 and vertical antenna by connecting with Earth orbiting satellite VO-52.

I monitored VO-52s location using satscape and once the satellite was in range I called cq on VFO B which was set at 435.250mhz lsb (uplink frequency)and at the same time I was tuning around VFO A set at 145.900mhz usb +or- 10kilo cycles.

You have to search up and down the receive frequency + or - 10ish quickly whilst transmitting audio, I did this until I heard my self on the downlink signal.

Once my voice was clear on the downlink I was called by PA1TNO-Eric who was located in Amsterdam in the NETHERLANDS.

Eric's signal and my own were constantly shifting frequency in an upward motion due to the speed of the travelling VO-52 satellite creating the Doppler effect.

I maintained continuous adjustment to the downlink RX signal but kept the uplink signal fixed on 435.250mhz lsb.

We both exchanged reports and locator's without any problems, I was excited and pleased with this kind of amateur radio activity, I had finally managed to make a successful DX QSO with Space communications and technology for the first time.

I have listened to many QSOs taking place on V0-52 and AO-51 and other satellites for many years, so at last Patience has paid off and enthusiasm to try more satellite communication has sparked so don't be to surprised if I post more on the subject.

73 and here is some techie stuff regarding VO-52.

VO-52 specs:

The satellite is spin stabilized. It spins at about 4 RPM.

UHF Uplink and VHF Downlink

Uplink transponder frequency: 435.250 MHz

Downlink transponder frequency: 145.900 MHz

Beacon frequencies: 145.860 MHz CW telemetry and 145.936 MHz unmodulated carrier

Transponder bandwidth: 60 kHz

Transmitter output power: 1 watt

Antennas: VHF and UHF turnstiles

Communication modes: CW, SSB, FM

Electrical power: Gallium Arsenide solar panels charging a Lithium Ion battery

Onboard computer: MAR 31750 processor in the spacecraft's electronic bus management

unit for attitude control, telemetry, telecommand for ground control, sensor and actuator functions.

Each transponder is recognized by its beacon.

The Indian transponder has an unmodulated carrier on 145.940 MHz.
The Dutch transponder is modulated with telemetry information on 145.860 MHz.

Both are linear transponders offering the CW, USB and FM modes of amateur radio communication. They operate Mode-B for U-V operation with UHF uplink and VHF downlink.

Amateur Radio Field Day 2008

Great video created by Kevin(stormspotterkwp) which promotes Amateur Radio.

You can also catch me in there somewhere if your quick ;-)

73 have a good weekend.

Solar Activity Creates DX Opportunities

click on log to enlarge......... (blue spots highlight propagation peaks on 20m)



The last week has kept me active a lot on some of the HF bands due to some great openings into South America as well as VK.

I have noticed some interesting findings regarding the use of my Vertical Antennas and the home made full wave 20m Delta Loop, at different times during the day due to the ionospheres variable F layer.

Up until this weekend the WX has been good with sunshine and pleasant conditions. The bands have definitely begun to improve especially at my QTH on most Evenings. During daytime conditions I have experimented around on 20m with a Mono Band ½ wave vertical and the Infamous Loop.

With the second F layer seemingly being present at this time I have found the Vertical to perform noticeably better than the loop on 20m into Europe and the Middle East.

But from 1800 UTC there is a sudden change of received angle of radiated signal and the Delta Loop is phenomenal and provides outstanding performance on RX and TX with no comparison from the Hustler 6btv or mono banded vertical antenna from all directions.

This must be when the second F layer becomes unstable and allows signals to penetrate through, reaching the outer F layer with a different angle of radiation (Take off angle of signal from my antenna) which is more favourable to the Delta Loop as it seems?????.

Here is some more about those elusive layers of the Ionosphere that we love to bounce our signals off of.


The Ionosphere reflective layers

Solar radiation, acting on the different compositions of the atmosphere with height, generates layers of ionization.

Known more commonly as:

D layer

The D layer is the innermost layer, 50 km to 90 km above the surface of the Earth.

E layer

The E layer is the middle layer, 90 km to 120 km above the surface of the Earth.

Sporadic E

Sporadic E propagation is characterized by small clouds of intense ionization, which can support radio wave reflections from 25 – 225 MHz.

Sporadic-E events may last for just a few minutes to several hours and make us radio amateurs very excited, as propagation paths which are generally unreachable, can open up. There are multiple causes of sporadic-E that are still being pursued by researchers. This propagation occurs most frequently during the summer months with major occurrences during the summer, and minor occurrences during the winter. During the summer, this mode is popular due to its high signal levels. The skip distances are generally around 1000km (620 miles). VHF TV and FM broadcast DX'ers also get excited as their signals can be bounced back to earth by Es. Distances for short hop events can be as close as 500 miles or up to 1,400 (or more) for a long, single hop. Double-hop reception over 2,000 miles is possible, too. Hopefully things will continue to improve and bands such as 12M, 10M, 6M, & 2M increase in activity with regular openings.

F layer

The F layer, is 120 km to 400 km above the surface of the Earth. It is the top most layer of the ionosphere.

The F region is the most important part of the ionosphere in terms of HF communications.

The F layer combines into one layer at night, and in the presence of sunlight (during daytime), it divides into two layers, the F1 and F2. The F layers are responsible for most skywave propagation of radio waves, and are thickest and most reflective of radio on the side of the Earth facing the sun.

I usually listen to the RSGB news on Sunday mornings 9.30 local time on 145.525 fm operating as GB2RS.

The local broadcast covers information related to the Ham Radio hobby from solar forecasts, Dxpeditions, to local Events organized by Clubs etc.

You can also catch other GB2RS News readers at various times on different bands during sunday, or via the HamInfoBar i player. If you like reading only, check out the RSGB site via the link on the right side of this page.

I often find the solar forecast quite reliable as the recent sun spot activity reported was coincidental to the contact made into VK earlier last week.

It is always amazing as well as exciting to be able to put a reasonably low powered signal into Countries at the opposite side of the world.
Using simple home made delta loop antennas and the good old F layer with some freshly charged particles to Ionize and reflect!

Four stacked five element 20 meter yagi antennas

Ian VK3MOs Tower and four stacked five element 20 meter yagi antennas
worked by 2E0HTS using a Home brew 20M Delta Loop


Last Night I battled with the sleep that was forming in my Eyes and stayed up late working a few Distant DX Stations that were coming through on 20m SSB.

I worked Argentina first, LU2QC Osvaldo, with a 5/9 signal, followed by W1/GI0MPT Eamon, 5/9+ from south of Boston. Just after that my luck continued and got even better with VK3MO Ian, at 11.11pm UTC (12.11 Local time BST) who gave me a 5/9 report on 14.177.30. USB using his awesome antenna array, 100 watts and I think Ian was running an Icom rig and was also 5/9.

I used the good old ft767, 50w, with my full wave vertical home made delta loop to make both contacts.Whilst in RX, I compared the Loop to the Mono band vertical 20m ant, G5RV, and the Hustler.

Sorry Guys the home made Delta loop(vertically configured) put them all to Shame with no comparison, in fact none of the other antennas came close to the Loop's performance.

VK3MO, Ian is located in Melbourne Australia and he was a booming signal creating a nice little pile up, as you can see he runs an impressive antenna array so you should hear him fairly easily, where ever you are in the World.

73 and I hope to hear and work more nice DX signals to blog about in the near future.

HamInfoBar Web Tool Bar Browser, Proves To Be A Valuable Tool For Radio Enthusiasts

Greetings and 73

Just a quickie to share this great little tool for our Computers with those of you that like experimenting a little.


click on image to enlarge



I came across this useful addition to the Shack Computer and have found it to be a very useful and interesting tool for all Radio enthusiasts.

It is called "HamInfoBar" and can be downloaded here

HamInfoBar

The Tool bar doesn't seem to cause any conflicts and offers a wide range of Ham radio and radio related content.

It is neat to look at and simple to explore, there are many useful and innovative features, too many too mention.

So far I have come across cool things such as links whilst browsing, these have taken me to some interesting up to date Ham Radio Information.

Feeds, Propagation Forecasts, DX Clusters, DXpeditions for LF, HF, VHF, UHF and everything else that Ham Radio is involved with, including techy stuff.

Have a look yourself and I can honestly say I was nicely surprised with the Tool bars gadgets and features.

I am grateful to the creators of the HamInfoBar along side the many other Hams that have left there comments on the HaminfoBar Web Site. HamInfoBar


Best 73 de Simon and Company

eQSLing

eQsL Log on Screen


eQSL Home Page


My eQSL Design. Here Is Where You Create Your Card Design


eQSL Log


eQSL Archives

eQSL The Effective and Quickest Way To Confirm your DX and Local Ham Radio Contacts

There are lots more functions and pages as well as programs to check out on eQSLs web site once you become a registered member. It is best to send information about your Licence to become AG (Authenticity Guaranteed). It makes claiming eQSL Awards much easier. SWL (Short Wave Listeners Can Also Use eQSL and Obtain a Unique SWL Call Sign)

Countries Confirmed by eQSL by My Base Station

1 ALGERIA
2 ARGENTINA
3 AUSTRALIA
4 AUSTRIA
5 AZORES
6 BELARUS
7 BELGIUM
8 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
9 CANADA
10 CEUTA AND MELILLA
11 COLOMBIA
12 CRETE
13 CROATIA
14 CZECH REP.
15 DENMARK
16 DOMINICA
17 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
18 ECUADOR
19 ENGLAND
20 FINLAND
21 FRANCE
22 GERMANY
23 GREECE
24 GUADELOUPE
25 GUERNSEY (BAILIWICK OF)
26 HONDURAS
27 HUNGARY
28 IRELAND
29 ISLE OF MAN
30 ISRAEL
31 ITALY
32 JERSEY (CHANNEL ISL.)
33 KAZAKHSTAN
34 LATVIA
35 LITHUANIA
36 LUXEMBOURG
37 MACEDONIA FORMER YUGOSLAV REP
38 MADEIRA ISL.
39 MONTENEGRO
40 MOROCCO
41 NETHERLANDS
42 NORTHERN IRELAND
43 OMAN
44 PARAGUAY
45 POLAND
46 PORTUGAL
47 PUERTO RICO
48 ROMANIA
49 RUSSIA (EUROPEAN)
50 SAUDI ARABIA
51 SCOTLAND
52 SERBIA
53 SLOVAK REP.
54 SLOVENIA
55 SPAIN
56 ST. LUCIA
57 SWEDEN
58 SWITZERLAND
59 THE GAMBIA
60 USA
61 VENEZUELA
62 WALES


1808 Stations have been QSL confirmed using eQSL since I have been a member (4 Years), and there are more and more Radio Amateurs joining every day. You can see if there is a card waiting to be retrieved by yourself by following this link
Eqsl
Registration is simple enough and doesn’t take too long. I have many outstanding eQSL cards sent to far away DXCC that are still in the system waiting for the particular Stations to join eQSL. The good thing is when a new member returns your eQSL maybe 2 years later, as the card’s you send remain in the system until they are claimed by the recipient. eQSL is free to send and receive cards and for a small donation you can upload your own graphics/designs. There are simple step by step instructions helping you design your own QSL card as well as other interesting Ham related stuff on the eQSL web site.

I hope those of you who dont use eQSL already, found this useful.

73 have a nice weekend de Simon 2E0HTS

The Sunday Afternoon 2 Meter Loop Project

Watch to see how I spent my Sunday afternoon making a simple full wave 2 meter Delta Loop and then make a 200 mile QSO with MM0GPZ/P in Scotland on 144.285 usb.

OX4BX friend of Hamradio.blogspot.com worked on 40M

Tonight I had the pleasure of working Tomas OK4BX who regularly shares information here on Hamradio.blogspot. Tomas came through 5/8 on 40m (7.093 LSB)at around 19.50 UTC, we tried 20 meters and was unsuccessful but managed it on 40 meters. I was using 50 watts, a 102 ft G5RV, and the FT-767 with the Heil Goldline Mic.
Hopefully Tomas will leave a comment containing his Station equipment used to make this QSO.

Thanks Tomas and hope to hear you again on the bands soon. 73 de Simon

HF pile up from 2M0HTS mobile in the North West of Scotland

A chance to view the beatiful scenery whilst seeing 2M0HTS/mobile in action


We have just returned from a weeks Camping in the Scottish Highlands and had a fantastic time. The WX (weather) was good and we both managed to obtain a sun tan as well as a paddle in the lovely Arisaig Sea. We stayed at a lovely campsite over looking the Isle of Skye, Isle of Eigg, and the Isle of Muck, which is situated 6 miles south of Malaig and is called Portnadoran and is locally known as Portnalucaig. This fabulous location was very beautiful, we managed lots of touring, walking and quite a bit of ham radio. I got the opportunity to use the Call 2M for Scotland which caused quite a bit of pile up on a few occasions from some remote places in the North West Highlands operating 2M0HTS/M.

Here is what happened during our stay, Thank you to all who managed to make the QSO it sure was fun! We can’t wait until we go back up there and do it all again! It was very beautiful and also an excellent radio operation location.

Weds on 20Meters – 2M0HTS
Mobile on the way to Oban, Fort William, and then Stationary from our Camp site at Portnadoran near Skye. (We watched a Herron fish for its supper whilst playing radio)
1. G0OKD John 5/7 QSB
2. M3DFW Darren 12 Miles North of Newcastle 5/9+
3. M0GIQ in Scunthorpe Gordon 5/7
4. IZ0IMU 5/3
5. GI6DCC 5/9+ Charlie in Omagh
6. G6BDV Rob located in St Albans was 5/9 with QSB
7. G0BSD Dave near Liverpool 5/9+ *Dave stayed on frequency and continued having a good rag chew with us. Hope to hear him again!*
8. 2E0JJB John in Bridlington 5/9
9. M0WHC Bill near the Liverpool football ground 5/9+20
10. 2E0ZMS Matt in Kirkby Moorside near York 5/9+10
11. G0BSD Dave near Liverpool 5/9+ asking how our BBQ went
12. M1AZZ 5/9 Tom South of Bridlington
13. 2E0LSB Andy from Dudley 5/9
14. 2E0CSG Derrick 5/9 from Burnley * I know Derrick we sat our Exam together*
15. M0HRC Wayne from Neverton 5/9
16. M0KOM Lenny from Middlesbrough 5/9+
17. G1KVQ Tony 5/9
18. 2E0NCH Nathan from Middlesbrough 5/8
19. G0OWU Rick from Dudley 5/9
20. PA/DK1GLM/M 5/9 Ludwig
21. EB1BSU 5/5
22. M0JHA Billy from Manchester operating QRP (5 watts) 5/9
23. EA3/GI3NVW Bill 5/9
24. 4U1ITU Geneva 5/9
25. HB2008FS 5/9
26. OS??? QSB sorry!

Thursday on 40m
Tried My Maldol HFC-40 Antenna near Mallaig, (I saw a pack of Stags and Deer roaming r the hillside)
27. OT2A 5/9

Friday morning on 20m
Heading To Ardnamurchan
28. PA0?KO Gerard on 5 watts 5/5 QSB
29. PD1LVK Louis 5/5 with QSB
30. PC4U Marc in the Netherlands 5/9
31. G4WQZ John in Portsmouth 5/9+20 with QSB
32. G4ACS Geoff in Kidderminster 5/8 - 5/9+
33. DL4EDC 5/8
34. DL4DZL Fred 200km South of Berlin 5/9
35. M1CXK Dartford 5/9
36. M0WYB Russ 5 miles South of Bath 5/9 *Told Me I was on the DX cluster*
37. PD0RXK Jan Netherlands 5/5 – 5/7
38. PA9RB Luuk operating QRP (5 watts) 5/9
39. G3RWF Nick in Canterbury 5/9
40. M1CXK Dartford 5/9

Friday Afternoon 20m
Near to Loch Moidart and then Portnadoran (We saw a Golden Eagle looking for its lunch)
41. MU3VWQ 5/9
42. G7JAK David in Lowestoft 5/9
43. M3KUZ Ken in Newquay, Cornwall 5/9
44. DL2FJK 5/8
45. OO4P/m Phil 5/8 – 5/9 * Mobile to Mobile*
46. PA3FRD Brian 5/9
47. PA0KT Jan 5/9
48. DL7UCW Ben collecting WAB squares 5/7 5/9 * gave Ben 2 new rare WAB squares *

Friday Evening 20m
Near Mallaig and Portnadoran
49. IZ6BXU 5/8
Heard JY4CI Rafiq in Amman Jordan 5/9 on 1421205 with a massive pile-up
50. OM2VL Lotti 5/9
51. 3A2MD Laura in Monaco 5/7
Heard A61I Hammed in the UAE 1417642 with a massive pile-up 5/9
52. CX1TG 5/5

Saturday 20m
On The Return Journey whilst approaching Fort William
53. EG8CID Gran Canaries 5/9
54. ON4TWS/P – contest VB031 – 01 5/9
55. ON6VG/P Gilbert – contest VB033 018 - 02 5/8
56. ON4DST/P 132 IM3113 – 03 5/9
57. OZ7AM Alex in Copenhagen 5/9
58. ON7IDX Hans in Antwerp 5/9

Saturday 20m M74 Southbound
59. 9H4CM Charlie in Gozo 5/9
60. OZ1JVX/P – contest EU171 – 04

Saturday 2m – 2E0HTS– English Scottish Border signing as 2E0HTS/M

61. G7THI/M Frank near Penrith knows an old work colleague from my plumbing days Eric Spofforth (Mountain Search and Rescue)


Saturday 20m – 2E0HTS
Whilst passing through the Lake District on the way home Heard HZ1ZH Maan 1429500 59 big pile up, and also on the M6 near Lancaster I worked
62. CT7LTZ 59
63. E73DP Zoki 59
64. DL3AO Rolf from Stuttgart 59
65. EA3AS Mike 59
66. DL5MU 59
67. UA4CA Nick 55 – 58

I also worked a few other Stations that were not recorded and as you know it is difficult enough just getting the call signs correct whilst on the move in the mobile. A Big Thanks to Louise (M3TLL) most of you are mentioned above, Louise did a great job of managing the mobile operations and has a fantastic tolerance of radio.

We covered almost 1000 miles during our travels, the return journey took 10 hours I was grateful of all the fantastic QSOs I made which kept me awake and alert for the complete journey arriving back in Baildon West Yorkshire safe and sound.

View from Portnadoran beach looking out to the Isle of Eigg

Scotland is one of my favorite places, thanks to all of the locals for making our stay brilliant!

73 for now I am feeling recharged and ready to work some more stations.

de Simon