Over the weekend we managed to team up with Phil M1PAC and Craig M3CSD and headed off South in Convoy style to The Great Northern Hamfest located in Barnsley South Yorkshire. The drive took just short of an hour and passed by quickly as we enjoyed rag chewing on 2M FM.
On arriving we were joined on the frequency by Mick a local G station who kindly refreshed our memory's of the rally's location and best parking positions, which proved to be very helpful. On entering the rally I began searching the different stalls with the aid of Louise M3TLL and it wasn't long before we both spotted some bargains.
The first of three nice extension speakers I picked up was this heavy little maxon at the cost of £1.00. This had made the trip well worthwhile and is now connected to the FT-847. I picked up at CAT interface lead for the FT-847, some dipole centre's, Coaxial plugs and some wire type antenna insulators, all in mind for further projects.
As well as grabbing some bargains I bumped into some friends. Here is a regular rag chewer every Sunday evening on sked, Jeff, G0GNU inside the rally. As I walked around the rally, Steve M1ERS recognised me from the Youtube video's I've made and introduced himself. It was a real pleasure meeting Steve and putting a face to the name I've been seeing on my video comments.
Steve, M1ERS and myself Simon, 2E0HTS at Steve and company's D-STAR Stand inside the rally. Craig, M3CSD and Phil, M1PAC Carrying new radio goodies. The Barnsley people were very friendly and helpful, all in all it was a good day out and great to get another excuse to tinker around with the bits and pieces I picked up in Barnsley's Hamfest.
CQ World Wide Contest Every year I look forward to using my HF Ham Radio Station during the World Wide CQ Contest. CQ WW is where World Wide participation makes it possible to work new DX locations and rare activations brought to life by enthusiastic radio amateurs from all nations spread around the globe. The Contest lasts all weekend, 48 hours in total.
This year's Contest brought some new Countries and call signs into the humble 2E0HTS station. In total I worked 15 Zones and 64 different Countries without trying too hard. I managed 131 different QSO's in between the constant searching up and down the bands, compared to most Station's I was only playing h.i Some Station's make Thousands of QSO's as we Ham's Know already! ;-)
I really enjoyed giving a few points away during the Contest and it was nice hearing some of the regular Contest Station's as well as the new ones of course!
One big Thank you to All Station's worked!
I did manage to get some of the World Wide CQ Contest on video later on in the Contest. Watch the video to see for yourself, the splatter and pile ups at my QTH using my Yaesu FT-767GX, Home brewed Delta Loop, G5RV and Hustler Vertical. CQ WW VIDEO
Here is my Log created by Winlog32 and converted for the internet by Louise M3TLL. Thanks to Louise for putting up with the roar of HF all weekend as well as all the encouragement and support. ;-)
Today's SSTV transmission received from NA1SS at 10.11utc with a 5/9+40 signal at 2E0HTS Simon's QTH.
I also heard Richard call out and I managed to get into the ISS and Richard came back, but it was very quick as half of Europe was calling at the same time. Hopefully I will get a better QSO next time. Thanks Richard and all at ARISS.
We have all been reading about the latest radio activity on board the ISS and many of us have been following the passes of the ISS, whilst waiting in anticipation to see if we can hear any interesting transmissions from the other side of the Ionosphere.
Today I got lucky and managed to not only receive a couple of Earth Shots from space, I also heard Richard Garriot (W5KWQ) working multiple contacts across Europe under the International Space Stations call sign, NA1SS.
Here MMSSTV Software is decoding the received ISS transmission A closer look at the received image of N.West Europe An image of the Atlantic Satscape Screen shot of the position of the ISS as it moves away. I used Yaesu the FT-847, the home brew IOIo beam, GS 250 rotator and MMSSTV to decode the images whilst tracking the ISS with Satscape. Incidentally I recently un-installed the Java version of Satscape and reverted to the previous version, as I found the Java version slowed down my connection speed an awful lot? My Computer is now running back at its normal speed (Broadband Connection) with the earlier Satscape program.
I will be listening out for the ISS as well as the usual bands, have a nice weekend.
The past few days have seen some good openings on HF for me especially on 20M, with QSOs being made from my Mobile Station as well as from inside the Shack.
Shawn N3TEE from Newark in the USA and myself 2E0HTS, have been exchanging emails ever since Shawn commented on one of my videos. We have been trying to make QSO on 20 and 40M over the last couple of evenings and tonight using PSK31 we finaly made the QSO!
Shawn N3TEE came through quite loud at times 57-599 running an Icom Rig but there was slight QSB. Nether the less, we managed a 10 min QSO and can now exchange QSL. N3TEE Shawn Click to Enlarge, Shawn N3TEE's Lap Top p.c screen in RX with myself 2E0HTS coming through in The USA. Click to Enlarge,Simon 2E0HTS's Screen with Shawn N3TEE coming in loud and clear. I used my FT-767, Nomic Rigblaster, 3800Dual Core Computer,40-50 Watts through a Full wave Delta LOOP Vertically polarised.
The Actual Transmission received and transmitted at N3TEE's QTH 2E0HTS 2E0HTS 2E0HTS DE N3TEE N3TEE N3TEE K
Callsign> de 2E0HTS 2E0HTS pse k
N3TEE N3TEE de 2E0HTS 2E0HTS pse k Qe |
O
!
2E0HTS DE N3TEE
Hi Simon how are you finally made it.. HI HI
I like this mode your about a 559 559 559
BTU 2E0HTS DE N3TEE BK
N3TEE n3TEE de 2E0HTS 2E0HTS
Hello Shawn, it is great to hear you in psk loud and clea et you about a 55 report at the moment how do you copy BTU N3TEE de 2E0HTS kt ott
I copy 100 %,
Thanks for the come back..
You might want to try WSJT software
It is very good for very weak signals
But not qso's only contacts.
Here is my brag file.
16 Oct 2008 19:14:29z
2E0HTS 2E0HTS DE N3TEE N3TEE
Your RST: 559 559 559 My Name: Shawn Shawn My QTH: Newark, Delaware, USA Grid Locator: FM29do
The equipment is as follows: Rig: ICOM-706MKIIG RF Power: 25 watts Antenna: 40m Homebrew Ground Plane up 10 ft/3m Computer: Laptop/HP Pavilion AMD Turion64 Interface: Buck Rascal Software: Digipan 2.0
Operator:
Created in the Netherlands, born in the USA Age: 39 Year Old Ham Since: September 1997
QSL via Bureau, LOTW or Direct (See www.QRZ.com
2E0HTS 2E0HTS DE N3TEE N3TEE BK
N3TEE N3TEE de 2E0HTS eiE0HTS
Ok Shawn great copy your re7-599
I'm running PSK31 Deluxe vX ou just townloaded it last night it seemyytod so far.
P at autgite to work you I will be pe otinoeblog entry regarding our QuO o
I am using - oeed FT-767 and 50 e Watts into a home brew DEts eop for 20 G NAND moaete.a…IL
Ok Sha eG2 e U
Lx3TEE de 2E0HTS kuh p ER
Ok Simom,
I am starting to loose your signal I send you a screen capture of this qso.
But we made the contact!!
The other day had a contact with north dakoda
I was -24 Db below the noise when he received my signal on JT65
Great software.
BTU 2E0HTS DE N3TEE BK
N3TmQt ose,oawfa bittn ÙSB on tt e
T . But I got most of it e o
O3nd your eiSL cnra
! Please email bour address IIlo
T N3TEE N3TEE de m e9e I S
My sU e-- rA pow r 0, t-a e =PSK31 DelubiV4.0
Ide
E a Loop, 6BTV, G5RV, IOIo, locator = IO93CU and web www.ham=ediooperator.blogspot.compi r ToeiE de 2E0HTS Ke e (be
I am looseing your signal not very good cpy now.
I will email you.
BTU 2E0HTS DE N3TEE BK
N3TEE N3TEE de 2E0HTS 2uTS
Tegrnuewn TNX for th qSO it is a pleasure AI hope we make it agn soon
73 all the best and tnx ag
Ne£TEE d l2E0HTS SC e i.e.,i.e. E
Thanks again Simon I get out your blog.
73 2E0HTS DE N3TEE Have a nice Day and thank you for the nice QSO SK
CWID: de N3TEE
Bye Bye Î wn Good ONE ne3TEE de 2E0HT
Tnx to Shawn and everyone else I have been working using PSK31 Deluxe v4.0 and listen out for 2E0HTS in the very near future on the PSK bands.
Latest Satellite confirmed QSL cards<As usual the radio's have been in use during the evenings after a days work and I have been working various Bands and Modes making some good QSOs.
I also made a number of QSO's into the USA via Echolink. During one of the QSO's I tried to arrange a PSK sched with N3TEE-Shawn, but with one or two QSB issues we still have to make the QSO. Echolink can be a very useful tool for arranging radio contacts with DX Stations.
I also received two nice QSL Cards sent direct to me confirming Satellite Contacts from AO-51 and VO-52. The Cards were from IK3VZS-Vinicio and EA3AGH-Jose, Thanks Guys my QSL cards have been posted and should be with you soon!
With the propagation offering some reasonable evening openings and my Amateur satellite addiction still maintaining a good hold over my radio operations, I had to get back on HF and give my FT-767 a good airing off.h.i. So I have tried to do what us Men are not supposed to be able too do which is multi-tasking. I did this in the form of sending PSK on HF via the FT-767, and at the same time I tracked and worked a few Satellites . It worked out well with the one Microphone to work with in my hand, whilst using my Nomic Rig blaster in a semi automatic mode interfaced to my P.C. ( How many of us Hams have tried returning with an over holding the wrong microphone? h.i Me for one!
Here is the Waterfall in full flow as I receive lots of big signals from around the Globe using WinPSKse. Here My most recent log entry's are showing various methods of making QSOs with some nice DX being worked at the same time. click on Log to Enlarge WinLog32 Thanks to all of you that have been emailing me telling me about your Satellite antenna's, Home brew projects and general radio news. Please continue to communicate with myself, all emails, information, advice and idea's are appreciated.
Computers have been running many amateur radio programs since the birth of the P.C. I have always tried to keep reasonably up to date with most software and recently decided to give my Intel Dual Core 3800 some new hardware which was to be some more Ram memory and a HD Graphics adaptor.
I compared the required hardware on the net where I got a good insight into the specifications available as well as the costs. Once I new what I wanted, I set off to my local shop and came away with both. 1 gig of ram memory(DDR) this was to compliment the existing memory, now doubling up to give 2 gigabytes of ram memory. The graphics adaptor is a NVDIA 9600 GT 512 Megabytes HD card, I fitted it and with both items installed correctly the computer should give excellent performance.
With the new hardware installed i decided to back up my logs/data and then I formatted the C: drive completely wiping it clean ready for a fresh install.
The re-installation takes some time but is well worth it once all software/drivers are updated giving fast and reliable performance for a long time, whilst running all my favorite radio programs.
Here the mother board is exposed displaying the dual core processor(3800), the creative sound card used for all radio software and the ram hidden under the harnesses. The NVIDIA GT 9600 512MB Card before the installation.
With the new Autumn beginning the WX (weather) is not expected to allow outdoor operations to continue as regularly as the last months Satellite operations here at the 2E0HTS QTH.
With this in mind Louise(M3TLL) and I decided to invite our friends/fellow Radio Hams, Phil-M1PAC and Josh-M0DIT to a last bash of BBQ, Out Door fun and some Radio QSOs using my ARROW LEO set up and Phil's IOIo set up. We also had a play around with the FT-847, GS-250 and IOIo during the busy day.
The WX was great, the sausages, burgers, steak and corn also went down great! We had lots of contacts on the FM SATs outside and a couple of VO-52 passes were worked inside the shack.
We also heard Scotland-GM4PPT from up near AYR on 2M SSB (144.300) and on the FT-767 the US stations were coming through well as were stations from Brazil on 20M HF.
The Sun was on our side, here Louise-M3TLL is busy taking pictures and enjoying the day.
Myself-2E0HTS re-positioning the ARROW. Operating as BBQ Chef In Between passes and whilst awaiting some food we got the opportunity to have a rag chew and take in some rays of sunshine. /Portable, Running to get that Pass! IOIo and ARROW, M1PAC, M0DIT & 2E0HTS. In QSO during a Pass. M0DIT-Josh, QTH Keighley in Yorkshire N.England. M1PAC-Phil,QTH Keighley in Yorkshire N.England. It is definitely a lot of fun when a few Hams get together and play radio, tnx for coming up guys and I am looking forward to doing it all again.
After watching a selection of second hand antenna rotators on eBay, I decided to go for a brand new model which I got through Nevada's eBay shop at a buy it now price. Nevada have been selling the Yaesu G-250 Rotators at a promotional discounted price so it wasn't to hard to decide to purchase a new item rather than a used one which gave me peace of mind instead of not knowing the life expectancy of a pre owned unit.
I've been using the recently purchased antenna rotator for the last 10 days and have found it to be excellent value for money. I installed the recently mentioned IOIo beam on the GS-250 and have had successfully greatly improved 5/9 exchanges on the LEO Satellites, as well as the DX worked on 2m SSB.
The Rotator is well constructed and assembles easily in minuets, it comes with u-bolts ready to fix to your poles. Its design and choice of material has been well thought out as its shape is pleasant to the eye as well as practical and usable with good water resistance.
The GS-250 is a six pole 24 volt set up and 7-core trailer cable is the cheapest option to feed your rotator. The terminals are good quality and are numbered 1-6 which is repeated at the termination point on the Controller unit. I soldered some small terminal connectors which are normally crimped on to each end of the 6 core cable. The 7th core was cut at the end of the sheath and discarded.
The Controller is retro style simple and basic which may not suit all, but for myself it compliments the rest of my kit- FT-767, MD1, and SP-102 matching speaker, as it is exactly the same colour as the rest of the set up. I use the Rotator/IoIo with the FT-847 and it already looks like its always been part of the shack. h.i The dial is definitely retro design and is very basic in display showing N E S W and has marks set at 15 degree increments. The idea of learning my 15 X table all those years ago at first school, now seems all worth while. I have been enjoying using my brain power to calculate the sums, track the 'Birds' and noting Call Signs whilst in QSO. Extremely good fun.
All in all, the complete set up looks well and comes with Yaesu's usual quality build reputation performing smoothly and quietly as well as being accurate.
100% Rating from me and I would recommend it to anyone wishing to use it with a light weight antenna up to 25 kG total weight. The ROTATOR and IOIo Home Brew Beam
After progressing from my vertical to the broom stick yagi and then experimenting with the IOIo beam, I finally ended up using some 10mm alum bar for the 144-145 Loop and Reflector and 6mm alum bar for the 435-436 Loop and Reflector. Mainly to stand up to the WX and Winter.
The finished model of the IOIo beam was then mounted at 20 degrees elevation on the new Yaesu gS-250 rotator that I have just added to my Shacks equipment list.
With the new antenna and rotator installation I have made many QSOs over the last weekend and found it to be very successful on VO-52 using SSB.
At present I have not experimented fully on the FM SATS such as AO-51 and SO-50. I have made a few QSOs on both of the FM birds and have so far noticed that the horizontal polarisation on the RX 435-436 Loop is not as good as the Vertically polarised previous design. I might consider altering the antenna but it's too early to say at the moment, as you can see in the video it does a good job and is working very well using SSB into VO-52.
