Thursday, November 20, 2008

Early Morning Openings On 20M Working /Mobile and RXing WX FAX


My journey to work on my Kawasaki Z750 was becoming unnecessary now that the dark nights and late sunrises have got under way and we are now into Winter. So for the last couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to use the FT-857 on 20m and 2M from in my Toyota Estima Lucida mobile Ham shack.

Conditions have been quite remarkable most mornings at around 8.00utc as I embark on my work bound journey, I am listening up and down 20m ever hopeful of some distant signals. Recently without to much tuning around I have come across some big signals, real 5/9 from the Far East.

Last week I heard a few VKs on the morning run as well as ZL1BD, who boomed through and as usual with a large following from G-land and Europe.
I worked AL ZL1BD some time last year when conditions were good in my old mobile RAV-4 using the FT-100. It will be good to make the QSO on the FT-857 and latest Toyota, I will get lucky one of these fine mornings I am sure! h.i
AL ZL1BD was loud again this morning at around 8.15utc on 20M, but my 50w doesn't always manage the job.
:-( Especially during the early morning pile ups h.i!

The biggest surprise this week was again around 8.10 utc, when I heard Bejing-China and also Japan both on separate occasions with 5/9 signals. Unfortunately only received and again did not quite make the journey back, but as and when the cycle gains momentum I will stand a better chance.

I did manage to make QSO with Satellite confirmed qsl and fellow Ham jose EA3AGH, this morning on 20m. It was great to hear Jose on 20m instead of the usual AO-51 amateur satellite, Jose EA3AGH was coming through very well on HF.

I have still got the same antenna, Maldol HFC-20 and as previously reviewed, it still works very well indeed! The HMS-6S will get a good trying out as soon as I get some spare time.

Other activities
WEATHER FAX IMAGES & RECEIVING
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been considerably busy with little time available to play radio in the evenings. Even so, I have managed one or two PSK31 contacts on 40M and 80M as well as receiving weather Fax's from NORTHWOOD's nautical, meteorological and information centre.

The Fax's show detailed images and information regarding weather fronts and can be very interesting as well as very easy to receive. NORTHWOOD is just one of the many Ground Stations transmitting weather FAX and DATA.

Signals can be easily received on multiple bands at the same time during each transmission, ensuring good reception at any time of the day depending on which particular band provides the best conditions to your location. The short wave band is very accommodating and you will find plenty of signals to receive and decode. I use Radio Com 5.2 to decode the Fax transmissions, just the same way as the NOOA weather satellite transmissions.
NORTHWOOD DAILY SCHEDULE

RADIO COM SOFTWARE RECEIVING NORTHWOOD FAX TRANSMISSIONS

TODAY'S NORTHWOOD Fax's RX On 8.038.1 USB AT 2E0HTS QTH 21.00-21.30 utc






EQUIPMENT USED

Radio: Yaesu FT-847.

Antenna: Hustler 6BTV Vertical.

Computer: 3800 Dual Core, 2 Gig Ram, 512MB Graphics, Creative Sound Blaster Sound card, 160Gb HD, Window XP SE.

Interface: Phono leads, TX via CAT Cable and Nomic Rig Blaster.

Software: Radio Com 5.2.

I find this side of the hobby equally as interesting as the many other forms of radio communications, I hope you find this interesting and look forward to hearing about any of your experiences and comments.

OTHER NEWS
Check out M1PAC new web blog with some interesting antenna arrays as well as other goodies! IT Is Well worth a look!!

73 tnx

Sunday, November 09, 2008

NOOA 17 at 10.00 utc

I have had a passion for tracking and receiving NOOA weather Satellites for a few years and have tried a few different antenna's along the way with some reasonable images being received. I have had the home brew IOIo beam up for the last two months and have been pleasantly surprised with its performance. The best way to ensure a clear image is achieved by having an almost inaudible sound level from the output of your radio to the sound card. In other words make sure the sound-in to your computer is set very low from the radio.

The software I have been running since 2004 is Radio Com 5.2 which has now been superseded by version 6.0. Radio Com 5.2 seems to work exceptionally well still, and I have had a lot of Radio Hams around the world getting in touch with me since they have watched the Weather Satellite videos I did for this site and Youtube.

A lot of other Hams told me that they were using WXtoIMG decoding software which allowed the user to play around with the received image and also add colour. The main concern using the WXtoIMG software was that the image quality was not so great compared to the images I had received using Radio Com. However it does work and can be downloaded free if you fancy trying it?

Radio Com 5.2 and 6.0 allows image manipulation and also provides a pallet of colours, which can be edited in once the image has been received and saved.

The only down side to Radio Com software is paying for it! The software gives you full rig control of two radios at the same time and multi mode decoding for just about everything from CW, PSK, SSTV to RTTY it has a built in digital filter as well as spectrum analyser. The actual screen is very pleasant to the eye and simple to use, however the program will not run without the Radio Com Dongle which is a serial type fitting to your computer.(Preventing any coping/pirating of the program).

Here is the Pass and course of NOOA 17 at 10.00 utc

Here is this mornings image from NOOA 17 showing North Europe to North Africa received on 137.620 FM.

I will be listening out for more passes whilst awaiting the solar cycle to provide some good propagation here in North England. So far a slow start!

73

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Maldol HMC-6 S and HMC-14 C Add On




I’ve been using the Multi band Maldol HMC-6 S antenna, for the last 3 years at my QTH as a stand by antenna and have been pleasantly surprised with its overall performance.

The Vertical Mobile/Portable antenna covers 6 bands, 40M, 15M, 10M, 6M (HF) and (VHF) 2M & 70CMS.

I’ve used it a lot for listening across the HF bands as well as some short wave frequencies, I’ve also put out some good signals and made some good DX contacts on 40M, 15M and 10M as well as 6M using a good ground plane system (20 foot Metal Container). It even Works well on 2M, I have not tried 70cms but the SWR appeared to be good across the band.

I have also got a range of Maldol Mono band mobile HF antenna’s and have been planning to try the HMC-6 fitted to the Toyota’s rear fixing instead of the mono bander’s. This has proven to be difficult to stop running the mono band Maldols, down to the good results that I can honestly say I have had. The Mono band Maldol,s especially 40M, 20M and 15M will be a hard act to follow for any mobile antenna.

This plan is now beginning to take shape mainly due to Phil M1PAC’s generous influence as Phil managed to obtain the HMC-14 C add on part, which replaces the 40M coil/whip. It turns the HFC-6 S into a 20M, 15M, 10M, 6M & 2/70CM banded antenna. Phil told me that since Maldol no longer make antennas it is virtually impossible to obtain a new HMC-6 S, but there are a few Ham Shops with a few accessories/add on bands if you look hard enough. I was definitely feeling lucky that day. If you want one, you will have to keep an eye on EBay etc.

M1PAC Phil gave me the Maldol 20M attachment as a gift, I was extremely surprised, very pleased as well as grateful as you know what! Thanks Phil, I owe you one!.

So the next stage will probably have to wait until the weekend when I can try it out on the Toyota’s, Yaesu FT-857. I am fairly confident it will work well, but I will know soon enough. If it performs as well on 20M as it does with the 40M section attached, I will be more than happy.

Any results will be posted here at HamRadioOperator.Blogspot.Com and PlanetHam.Org. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
73

Monday, November 03, 2008

Visit To The Great Northern Hamfest

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.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

2008 CQ World Wide Contest, Thought's and Report's by 2E0HTS

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. ;-)

Callsign- Date- Time- Band- Power- Report- Zone- Country
VA2ZM 25/10/2008 1617 14 50 59 2 Canada
N2IC 25/10/2008 1351 21 50 59 4 U.S.A.
K5TR 25/10/2008 1432 21 50 59 4 U.S.A.
VA3SK 25/10/2008 1457 14 50 59 4 Canada
VE3RM 25/10/2008 1613 14 50 59 4 Canada
CK3AT 25/10/2008 1854 14 50 59 4 Canada
VA3DX 25/10/2008 1857 14 50 59 4 Canada
W9RE 26/10/2008 1604 21 50 59 4 U.S.A.
K8AZ 26/10/2008 1609 21 50 59 4 U.S.A.
K1LZ 25/10/2008 1031 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
KY2ZM 25/10/2008 1043 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
K1TTT 25/10/2008 1314 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
K1KP 25/10/2008 1338 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
N4T 25/10/2008 1414 21 50 59 5 U.S.A.
WE3C 25/10/2008 1416 21 50 59 5 U.S.A.
VY2ZM 25/10/2008 1418 21 50 59 5 Canada
VO1TA 25/10/2008 1420 21 50 59 5 Canada
K3LR 25/10/2008 1422 21 50 59 5 U.S.A.
K1DG 25/10/2008 1607 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
KC1XX 25/10/2008 1611 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
VO1MP 25/10/2008 1615 14 50 59 5 Canada
W3LPL 25/10/2008 1628 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
KQ2M 25/10/2008 1630 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
K3CR 25/10/2008 1719 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
K3NA 25/10/2008 1900 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
K1IM 25/10/2008 1907 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
N3RS 25/10/2008 1910 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
K5ZD 25/10/2008 1926 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
K1RX 25/10/2008 2038 7 50 59 5 U.S.A.
K1TTT 25/10/2008 2040 7 50 59 5 U.S.A.
N1SV 25/10/2008 2042 7 50 59 5 U.S.A.
VY2ZM 26/10/2008 1114 14 50 59 5 Canada
W4RM 26/10/2008 1333 21 50 59 5 U.S.A.
WA3EKL 26/10/2008 1337 21 50 59 5 U.S.A.
AJ3G 26/10/2008 1349 21 50 59 5 U.S.A.
AA1K 26/10/2008 1353 21 50 59 5 U.S.A.
W2GB 26/10/2008 1620 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
K3WW 26/10/2008 1630 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
N2RM 26/10/2008 1848 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
K1RX 26/10/2008 1850 14 50 59 5 U.S.A.
VP2E 25/10/2008 1051 14 50 59 8 Anguilla
6Y1V 25/10/2008 1317 21 50 59 8 Jamaica
VP5T 25/10/2008 1342 21 50 59 8 Turks & Caicos Is
HI3T 25/10/2008 1400 21 50 59 8 Dominican Republic
V48M 25/10/2008 1623 14 50 59 8 St. Kitts and Nevis
TO5DX 26/10/2008 1345 18 50 59 8 St Barthelemy
KP2M 26/10/2008 1853 14 50 59 8 U.S. Virgin Is
9YD 25/10/2008 1017 14 50 59 9 Trinidad & Tobago
9Y4D 25/10/2008 1946 14 50 59 9 Trinidad & Tobago
PJ2T 25/10/2008 1951 14 50 59 9 Netherlands Antilles
FY55KE 26/10/2008 1329 21 50 59 9 French Guiana
YV4A 26/10/2008 1855 14 50 59 9 Venezuela
9Y4LDK 26/10/2008 1950 14 50 59 9 Trinidad & Tobago
HC2SA 25/10/2008 1957 14 50 59 10 Ecuador
OA3WW 25/10/2008 2008 14 50 59 10 Peru
ZY7C 25/10/2008 1024 14 50 59 11 Brazil
ZW5R 25/10/2008 2005 14 50 59 11 Brazil
ZX5J 26/10/2008 1148 21 50 59 11 Brazil
LP1H 25/10/2008 1439 21 50 59 13 Argentina
LU7MCJ 25/10/2008 1442 21 50 59 13 Argentina
LT1F 25/10/2008 1444 21 50 59 13 Argentina
LR2F 25/10/2008 1448 21 50 59 13 Argentina
CT8K 25/10/2008 1010 14 50 59 14 Azores
EE7X 25/10/2008 1014 14 50 59 14 Spain
AO5B 25/10/2008 1033 14 50 59 14 Spain
EE2W 25/10/2008 1141 21 50 59 14 Spain
MW0JRX 25/10/2008 1509 3.5 50 59 14 Wales
OO6U 25/10/2008 1511 3.5 50 59 14 Belgium
DL3KZA 25/10/2008 1513 3.5 50 59 14 Federal Republic of Germany
PA0IJM 25/10/2008 1514 3.5 50 59 14 Netherlands
OT5A 25/10/2008 1518 3.5 50 59 14 Belgium
PA3EWP 25/10/2008 1520 3.5 50 59 14 Netherlands
DF0HQ 25/10/2008 1522 3.5 50 59 14 Federal Republic of Germany
GI0KOW 25/10/2008 1524 3.5 50 59 14 Northern Ireland
GM0B 25/10/2008 1525 3.5 50 59 14 Scotland
PI4ZI 25/10/2008 1527 3.5 50 59 14 Netherlands
EA4KD 25/10/2008 1534 14 50 59 14 Spain
TM9R 25/10/2008 1920 7 50 59 14 France
EB1WW 25/10/2008 2035 7 50 59 14 Spain
5Q1A 25/10/2008 2048 3.5 50 59 14 Denmark
DR1A 25/10/2008 2049 3.5 50 59 14 Federal Republic of Germany
LX7I 25/10/2008 2052 3.5 50 59 14 Luxembourg
DK1QH 25/10/2008 2055 3.5 50 59 14 Federal Republic of Germany
TM7F 25/10/2008 2056 3.5 50 59 14 France
DR2W 25/10/2008 2058 3.5 50 59 14 Federal Republic of Germany
DL6EZ 25/10/2008 2100 3.5 50 59 14 Federal Republic of Germany
DL1QQ 25/10/2008 2101 3.5 50 59 14 Federal Republic of Germany
TM2B 25/10/2008 2108 3.5 50 59 14 France
CT1DIZ 26/10/2008 1111 14 50 59 14 Portugal
CTDIZ 26/10/2008 1612 14 50 59 14 Portugal
EA3RR 26/10/2008 1622 14 50 59 14 Spain
EA3DUM 26/10/2008 1624 14 50 59 14 Spain
AO7T 26/10/2008 1625 14 50 59 14 Spain
HB0/HB9AO 26/10/2008 1900 7 50 59 14 Liechtenstein
LN3Z 26/10/2008 1908 3.5 50 59 14 Norway
LA4FPA 26/10/2008 1944 144 50 59 14 Norway
DL1YAL 26/10/2008 1944 144 50 59 14 Federal Republic of Germany
OG1M 25/10/2008 1010 14 50 59 15 Finland
OK1OUE 25/10/2008 1011 14 50 59 15 Czech Republic
9A5W 25/10/2008 1139 21 50 59 15 Croatia
OK1BN 25/10/2008 1530 3.5 50 59 15 Czech Republic
4O3A 25/10/2008 1536 14 50 59 15 Montenegro
IZ6FXP 25/10/2008 2028 7 50 59 15 Italy
YL3FT 25/10/2008 2106 3.5 50 59 15 Latvia
YU1EL 26/10/2008 1033 21 50 59 15 Serbia
OH4XX 26/10/2008 1112 14 50 59 15 Finland
IZ2FOS 26/10/2008 1904 7 50 59 15 Italy
RK3DZB 25/10/2008 955 21 50 59 16 European Russia
UZ2M 25/10/2008 1000 21 50 59 16 Ukraine
RT6A 25/10/2008 1105 14 50 59 16 European Russia
RT6A 26/10/2008 1038 21 50 59 16 European Russia
RA3CM 26/10/2008 1113 14 50 59 16 European Russia
UT2II 26/10/2008 1902 7 50 59 16 Ukraine
EV1R 26/10/2008 1909 3.5 50 59 16 Belarus
UP2L 25/10/2008 1042 14 50 59 17 Kazakstan
YR1C 25/10/2008 956 21 50 59 20 Romania
LZ9W 25/10/2008 1137 21 50 59 20 Bulgaria
J42T 25/10/2008 1144 21 50 59 20 Greece
SV9CVY 25/10/2008 1153 21 50 59 20 Crete
LZ9W 25/10/2008 2026 7 50 59 20 Bulgaria
5B4AII 26/10/2008 1027 21 50 59 20 Cyprus
P33W 26/10/2008 1035 21 50 59 20 Cyprus
SV9CVY 26/10/2008 1040 21 50 59 20 Crete
SX5P 26/10/2008 1042 21 50 59 20 Dodecanese Is
CQ9K 25/10/2008 1141 21 50 59 33 Madeira
3V8BB 25/10/2008 1555 14 50 59 33 Tunisia
CQ3T 25/10/2008 1614 14 50 59 33 Madeira
AO8A 25/10/2008 1715 14 50 59 33 Canary Is
AO8A 25/10/2008 2033 7 50 59 33 Canary Is
CN4P 26/10/2008 1615 14 50 59 33 Morocco
D4C 26/10/2008 1202 21 50 59 35 Cape Verde Is

Gonna be giving Our ears a rest for the moment and catching some serious Z's.

73

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

NA1SS over Europe at 10.11utc


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.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

NA1SS Making Multiple Contacts Over Europe

NA1SS Working Multiple Contacts and Sending SSTV Images Of The Earth


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.

73

Thursday, October 16, 2008

20M PSK31 QSO N3TEE and 2E0HTS On Sched

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 ÃŽ 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.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Shack Activity

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.

73

Monday, October 13, 2008

Ham Radio Poems by M3TLL (Louise)

Ham Radio HF

There's a voice inside the static
And it's calling out CQ
CQ DX is anyone there?
He wants to speak to you

You've set up your antenna
You're receiving loud and clear
You're going to call out to the voice
That you can loudly hear

You shout out your callsign
He says he can hear you fine
Receiving you above the noise
Your signal's 5 and 9

You exchange all of your info
Find out what you want to know
Say 73s and 88s
QSL via the bureau


Ham Radio 2 Metres

There's a voice on 145.500
He's calling out CQ
CQ DX is anyone there?

No.


For more non-radio related poetry and articles visit Louise's Helium site here or maybe if you're lucky you'll catch her on air some day.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

New Hardware Installation Gives Improved Performance

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.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Sunshine, Sausages and Satellites

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.

ISS SSTV Awards/Diploma

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