EQSL card from VK3AUQ

 It was great to receive a eQSL card from Kevin (VK3AUQ). There wasn't too much on the 10m band at the time, so hearing Kevin calling out was great. Unfortunately we had to cut it short do to my XYL calling for a hand with a job.

Thanks for the card Kevin.

I just killed my 41 db step attenuator - whoops

 

Mucking around last night on 20m, whilst tuning up I smelt this faint tinge of smoke in the air. Looking around the equipment, I couldn't see anything so I continued eventually powering up to 100 watts (SSB). 

Later that evening, I decided to go down to 1/2 watt (CW) as I heard this loud station and thought maybe I could get him. After going down to 5 watts on the Icom 7300, I switched on the Attenuator and ...nothing. No power. After a bit of clicking the switches on and off (they can get "sticky" at times) I then realized that it was switched on when I went up in power previously. Whoops....I just FRIED it. 

I had a feeling this was going to happen sooner or later with those push button switches. They are just too small and finicky and can get stuck "on" due to being "sticky"

Anyway... time to build a new one. Only better

Here's a couple of good sites out there on the web regarding attenuators. 

https://www.pasternack.com/t-calculator-pi-attn.aspx

https://a29.veron.nl/hams/pa1b/

I also had a look around on you tube for a few ideas and found WV2YAU who had build his own. It looked nice and robust with good switches. He uses 1 watt resistors which is good for 1 to 2 watt tx power output,  but I'll use 2 watt resistors (better suited for the 5 watt output of my TX). Overall.. a nice unit

Anyway.. made a list of the required parts. Stay tuned

EQSL card from JF7RJM/7

 Yesterday whilst playing around with the new Icom 7300, learning all its functions, I heard Naoto (JF7RJM) call out CQ from a park in Japan (Matsushima Prefectural Nature Park  (WWFF:JAFF-0156). So to get his numbers up to activate the park, I gave him a quick call. Good to get a 559 in return. I didn't want to rag chew as he was chasing contacts. Thanks for the contact Naoto!

Later that day I decided to go SSB ( I haven't done SSB in 21 years) and I heard a French station calling out "contest". So I gave a quick reply and it was great to hear him come back with a "59". I can't remember the stations call sign as it all happened so fast and I wasn't writing anything down (I didn't have a pen handy at the time). Now whether of not it was really a 59, who knows when it comes to contestors, but it was good to hear I was getting thru easy. 

My new Icom 7300 arrived

 Today was a great day. My new Icom 7300 finally arrived.

After spending the day playing around with it, reading the manual etc and then setting it all up, it was time to crank it up. As Graeme (VK5GG) was on air down in South Australia, I decided to answer him and he came straight back.

Initially I decided to go with 30 watts, but as we tapped away to each other, I began to reduce my power output (using my attentuator), finally getting down to 100 milliwatts. I was stocked. !!!

The problem is, I can't count it as an award or anything as the QSO wasn't totally QRPp.
Anyway...who cares.
It was just great to get back on the air again.

So what do I think of the Icom 7300.?
I love it. My old Kenwood TS140 was like a dinosaur when compared. Mind you though.. it was 35 years old. How technology has changed.  

Anyway.. It great to beak on the air again.

Many thanks go to Graeme (VK5GG) who got me onto the Icom 7300 in the first place, when I was initially looking around for a new radio. .
Thanks Graeme.
Appreciated it 

My Old Kenwood TS-140 finally died

 Over the past few weeks, I've been having issues with my old Kenwood TS-140 and after pulling it apart numerous times, it's finally kicked the bucket. (its now 35 years old, so time to upgrade).

What I didn't realize is that its been on it way out for a long time. So many times I would be speaking to other hammies whereby they would be hearing Europe/ USA or whatever and on my end..nothing.

At first I thought it was my antenna, So after building new antennas one after the other, it wasn't until recently that I realized that the old Kenwood was dying. 

So time to buy a new TX.

After looking around and speaking to a mate of mine... Graeme (VK5GG who has one), I finally decided on the Icom 7300. Why? Most radio's have a minimum power output of 10 watts, whereby the Icom goes down to 1 watt. If I want to go QRPp, I can simply use my attenuator.

Anyway. its now on order and I should be able to receive it mid Feb/ end Feb when they come back in stock. Until then.. I'm off the air