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Full list of discussion topics| Post by G3CWI on 20th November 2010 at 15:35 |
| My first outing for the Challenge today. Stats: Battery: #1 Activation: #1 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Starting Voltage: 9.65V (no load) Finish Voltage: 9.02V (room temp - measured in shack) QSOs: 17 DXCCs: 6 (G, DK, I, LA, F, OE) Cumulative QSOs: 17 Cumulative DXCC: 6 Battery type: Energizer Hi Tech (Alkaline) http://shop.eurobatteries.com/pp3-energizer-high-tech-single-pack-p-2584.html Rig: homebrew, designed specially for Challenge Antenna: dipole The rig worked really well. The narrow filtering and high efficiency PA are doing a good job. Hope to be QRV again tomorrow. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 21st November 2010 at 11:48 |
| Dr OM G3CWI Richard. Fine start . compliments on your achievement on first activation. I give you a tip from my father: reheat the battery in the sunlight or on a oven. Well he is a economic man and it may also work on the new type battery. Other tip is high speed Cw. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 21st November 2010 at 15:07 |
| Sunday 21 November Stats: Battery: #1 Activation: #2 Summit: G/SP-017 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 7 DXCCs: 5 (DK, F, HB9, HA, SM) Cumulative QSOs: 24 Cumulative DXCC: 9 (G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM) Stats: Battery: #1 Activation: #3 Summit: G/SP-010 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.7V (room temp) QSOs: 11 DXCCs: 5 (DK, F, HB9, G, LA) Cumulative QSOs: 35 Cumulative DXCC: 9 (G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM) Looks like I will be growing some nice potatoes Kjell. Incidentally, what is your current record? 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 21st November 2010 at 18:54 |
| First Philips Extreme life PP3 Cumulative QSOs: 51 Cumulative DXCC: 11 (DL,EI,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,OE,ON,S5) Logg see sota or below. Rig Rockmite on 10.120 Stats:10/11/2009 Battery: #1 Activation: #1 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 8 DXCCs: 5 DL,F,G,ON,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 8 Cumulative DXCC: 5 (DL,F,G,ON,S5) Stats:12/11/2009 Battery: #1 Activation: #2 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 10 DXCCs: 8 DL, EI, F, G,HB9, LA, ON, and S5 Cumulative QSOs: 18 Cumulative DXCC: 8 (DL,EI,F,G,HB9,LA,ON,S5) Stats:13/11/2009 Battery: #1 Activation: #3 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 6 DXCCs: 5 DL, F, G, I and LA Cumulative QSOs: 24 Cumulative DXCC: 9 (DL,EI,F,G,HB9,I,LA,ON,S5) Stats:13/11/2009 Battery: #1 Activation: #4 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 13 DXCCs: 10 DL, F, G, GW, HA, HB9,LA,OE, ON and S5 Cumulative QSOs: 37 Cumulative DXCC: 11 (DL,EI,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,OE,ON,S5) Stats:15/11/2009 Battery: #1 Activation: #5 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 9 DXCCs: 10 DL, G,HA and ON Cumulative QSOs: 46 Cumulative DXCC: 11 (DL,EI,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,OE,ON,S5) Stats:17/11/2009 Battery: #1 Activation: #6 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 5 DXCCs: 10 DL,ON,I,LA and S5 Cumulative QSOs: 51 Cumulative DXCC: 11 (DL,EI,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,OE,ON,S5) |
| Post by G3CWI on 27th November 2010 at 16:29 |
| Stats: Battery: #1 Activation: #4 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.6V (room temp) QSOs: 9 DXCCs: 7 (DK, F, OE, OK, G, LA, SM) Cumulative QSOs: 44 Cumulative DXCC: 10 (OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM) Relaxed activation in the sunshine. Slow QSO rate but most enjoyable. Thanks to all the callers for their support! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by G3CWI on 28th November 2010 at 13:12 |
| Stats: Battery: #1 Activation: #5 Summit: G/SP-004 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.5V (room temp) QSOs: 12 DXCCs: 8 (DK, F, OE, ON, G, HB9, HA, S5) Cumulative QSOs: 56 (a new World Record?) Cumulative DXCC: 12 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM) Yet another relaxed activation in the sunshine. Still plenty of life in the battery. Disappointing that no-one else seems to have taken up Kjell's Challenge. Thanks to all the callers for their support! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by MM0FMF on 28th November 2010 at 14:53 |
| In reply to G3CWI: I might not have taken the challenge but am finding the results fascinating. Andy MM0FMF |
| Post by M6LEP on 28th November 2010 at 15:19 |
| In reply to G3CWI: > Disappointing that no-one else seems to have taken up Kjell's > Challenge. I'm still trying to learn the code and to build a working Rock Mite... ;) ...but it's interesting to follow this. It would also be interesting to know something about the rigs folks are using. :) |
| Post by G3CWI on 28th November 2010 at 15:34 |
| In reply to M6LEP: Kjell uses a standard Rockmite (as far as I'm aware). My rig is homemade and was designed specially for the Challenge. RX: Two-crystal ladder filter at signal frequency, NE602 mixer. Low noise AF amplifier, active lowpass filter (700Hz cut off). All AF processing done with CMOS op-amps. TX: Crystal osc, bi-polar buffer, bi-polar amp, FET class E PA (300mW). Internal Tick1 keyer. Design optimised for operation at 8.5 Volts (roughly the mid-point of the discharge curve of an Alkaline 9V PP3). Good luck with learning CW. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by G3CWI on 5th December 2010 at 12:53 |
| Today's Stats: Battery: #1 Activation: #6 Summit: G/SP-015 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.5V (room temp) QSOs: 5 DXCCs: 3 (DK, LA, HB9) Cumulative QSOs: 61 Cumulative DXCCs: 12 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM) Cndx seemed poor. Battery still lively. Are 100 QSOs possible? 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 5th December 2010 at 19:06 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Your homemade 9v rig are a hard competitor.Looking like you have and edge now. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 11th December 2010 at 19:04 |
| Just back home. This was in my in-box: Ric, Heard U on 10116.4 this morning at 1110Z +- with ur 300 mW Tried to answer U but a 9A7W kept coming back to me. Oh well? Never knew if ya heard me or not but that 300 mW was an accomplishment in any case. Jim WA6TFZ |
| Post by G3CWI on 11th December 2010 at 19:44 |
| Today's Stats: Battery: #1 Activation: #7 Summit: G/WB-010 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 14 DXCCs: 9 (DK, LA, HB9, S51, F, OK, HA, 9A, SM) + reception report from W6 Cumulative QSOs: 75 Cumulative DXCCs: 13 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A) Battery: #1 Activation: #8 Summit: G/WB-005 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.4V (room temp) QSOs: 9 DXCCs: 6 (DK, I, HB9, LA, S51, EV) Cumulative QSOs: 84 Cumulative DXCCs: 14 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV) Two enjoyable activations. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by G3CWI on 26th December 2010 at 15:55 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Battery: #1 Activation: #9 Summit: G/SP-004 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 8.5V - (it's increased, how odd) QSOs: 4 DXCCs: 3 (DK, HB9, SM) Cumulative QSOs: 88 Cumulative DXCCs: 14 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV) Battery still going; seems to have recovered after last activations. More to come! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M1EYP on 26th December 2010 at 17:08 |
| In reply to G3CWI: At this stage, I think I would be disappointed if it didn't last 100 QSOs! 20 DXCCs might be asking a bit too much - unless you manage to find GW, GM, EI, PA, UR and SP before it runs out. You must also be making some critical decisions about when to "give up" rather than continue calling without reply, in order to optimise battery life. Are you using an algorithm-based strategy for this, or just calling it a day when you get fed up? Tom M1EYP |
| Post by G3CWI on 26th December 2010 at 17:27 |
| In reply to M1EYP: I have a strict rule that I only ever call CQ for 5 minutes. If no contacts result I go QRT. That means that over the 9 activations I have spent at least 45 minutes calling CQ (5 minutes at the end of each activation). I will actually have spent a good deal more time calling CQ over all the activations as many CQs resulted in QSOs before the five minutes was up. The interesting thing (from an engineering perspective) is that the radio is far from optimised in several key areas and, were there to be a serious challenger I could dramatically improve the performance. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by G3CWI on 2nd January 2011 at 16:15 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Activations using single PP3/MN1604 battery: Battery: #1 Activation: #10 Summit: G/SP-015 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 8.5V - when will it fall off the plateau? QSOs: 15 DXCCs: 7 (OE, G, HA, F, DK, HB9, SM) Cumulative QSOs: 103 Cumulative DXCCs: 14 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV) Battery still going. It really can't last much longer - can it? 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M1EYP on 2nd January 2011 at 16:29 |
| More to the point, is anyone else's PP3 still going? I suspect you've won this one Richard. No word from Kjell for a while... Tom M1EYP |
| Post by LA1TPA on 2nd January 2011 at 21:54 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Congratulations Richard! Over 100 QSOs on a PP3 battery! This has to be a world record. 72/73! Mads, la1tpa |
| Post by G3CWI on 9th January 2011 at 14:45 |
| In reply to LA1TPA: The journey continues: Activations using single PP3/MN1604 battery: Battery: #1 Activation: #11 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 8.4V QSOs: 12 DXCCs: 7 (G, HA, F, DK, HB9, SM, I) Cumulative QSOs: 115 Cumulative DXCCs: 14 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV) The battery remains in good condition. I always keep it warm in my pocket before and during every activation. I am now thinking of a new design of radio which will have every stage optimised for a balance of performance and low current. The acquistion of a vector network analyser for the G3CWI shack will probably make this easier (but will no doubt create its own set of inponderables and scary scenarios). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_analyzer_%28electrical%29 I have ordered a special low-drop out regulator for the present radio which will help prolong the life of the battery even more. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 9th January 2011 at 16:05 |
| Dr om G3CWI: This is really impressive. I know that one can make a lot of qso s on a PP battery, but 100 ore more is amazing. Would be mice to see the schematic of the British marvel. Still using only unconverted Rockemite here, but I believe I should improve it. Must try to get a xtal switch so I can try s2s with you dr Rick. Also keaping the PA to run 100mw and some arangemet to reduse power to 50mW I tryed to get a permit to operate a qrpp bacon on 10MHz some years ago, but was turned down by PT and NRRL. Plan was that it shoud xmit 100mw , 10mw and 1mw. My log on todays activation later. My compliments on your achievement Rick. LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 9th January 2011 at 16:21 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Kjell The best thing to do is to improve the PA (that takes the most current). I would not be surprised if the efficiency of your PA at 50mW is very low indeed whereas mine was carefully optimised at a specific power level and voltage. The only other major change was to use a CMOS op-amp in the audio stage. That saves around 5mA - which is useful as it is on all the time. I also did not use the zener diode voltage regulation scheme in the Rockmite. Each diode is taking 3-4mA. I have a 5 Volt low current regulator - although the one that I used has a 2V drop out and thus I have ordered something better. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 9th January 2011 at 21:45 |
| Thanks for input dr om Richard. Vy Sri for using wrong name. I believe that keeping output under 100mW is useful for battery. Hope to have some time to try to improve/ play with the Rockmite radio, but days go so quickly. LA1ENA Aage will be active with a Rockmite on 10.116MHz. He took it up to LA/TM-013 1.January but the 100KW TV transmitter and all the other commercial and governmental installations up there makes it impossible to use Rockemite and SW+ there. Even my Yaesu VX3 was so muted that VHF band was nearly impossible to use. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 9th January 2011 at 21:46 |
| My logg for 2.nd battery Foto http://www.flickr.com/photos/28342011@N06/5338640215/ Stats:20/04/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #4 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 15 DXCCs: 8 F,DL,OE,OK,G,HA, HB9,9A Cumulative QSOs: 35 Cumulative DXCC: 9 (DL,F,G,GJ,HA, HB9,OE,OK,9A ) Stats:21/04/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #5 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 12 DXCCs: 8 F,DL,OE,OK,G,HA,I,LA Cumulative QSOs: 47 Cumulative DXCC: 11 (DL,F,G,GJ,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,9A ) Stats:22/04/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #6 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.3 QSOs: 6 DXCCs: 4 DL,G,HA,LA Cumulative QSOs: 53 Cumulative DXCC: 11 (DL,F,G,GJ,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,9A ) Stats:22/04/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #7 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.3 QSOs: 10 DXCCs: 9 EI,F,DL,G,HA,HB9,LA,OK, ON Cumulative QSOs: 63 Cumulative DXCC: 13 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,9A ) Stats:29/04/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #8 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.3 QSOs: 4 DXCCs: 3 F,LA,OE Cumulative QSOs: 67 Cumulative DXCC: 13 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,9A ) Stats:12/07/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #9 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 4 DXCCs: 3 DL,G,HA Cumulative QSOs: 71 Cumulative DXCC: 13 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,9A ) Stats:20/08/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #10 Summit: OZ/OZ-001 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 3 DXCCs:3 F,G,OE Cumulative QSOs: 74 Cumulative DXCC: 13 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,9A ) Stats:01/09/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #11 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 7 DXCCs:5 DL,G,OE,ON,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 81 Cumulative DXCC: 14 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,S5,9A ) Stats:02/09/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #12 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 9 DXCCs:4 DL,G,HB9,LA Cumulative QSOs: 90 Cumulative DXCC: 14 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,S5,9A ) Stats:03/09/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #13 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 5 DXCCs:2 G,LA Cumulative QSOs: 95 Cumulative DXCC: 14 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,S5,9A ) Stats:18/09/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #14 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 5 DXCCs: 4 DL,F,G,HA Cumulative QSOs: 94 Cumulative DXCC: 14 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,S5,9A ) Stats:29/09/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #15 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 20 DXCCs: 8 DL,G,GW,HB9,YL,S5,OK,UT Cumulative QSOs: 114 Cumulative DXCC: 17 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,GW,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,S5,YL,UT,9A ) Stats:25/10/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #16 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 4 DXCCs:3 G,PA,LA Cumulative QSOs: 118 Cumulative DXCC: 18 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,GW,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,PA,S5,YL,UT,9A ) Stats:31/10/2010 Battery: #2 Activation: #17 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 6 DXCCs:5 DL,G,HA,PA,LA Cumulative QSOs: 124 Cumulative DXCC: 17 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,GW,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,S5,YL,UT,9A ) Stats:09/01/2011 Battery: #2 Activation: #18 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 15 DXCCs:5 DL,F,G,HA,OE Cumulative QSOs: 139 Cumulative DXCC: 17 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,GW,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,S5,YL,UT,9A ) |
| Post by LA1KHA on 11th January 2011 at 07:38 |
| Few stations , Radio Moscow 59+, Stats:10/01/2011 Battery: #2 Activation: #19 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 5 DXCCs:5 DL,G,PA Cumulative QSOs: 144 Cumulative DXCC: 17 (DL,EI,F,G,GJ,GW,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,S5,YL,UT,9A ) cu all tnx 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by M1EYP on 11th January 2011 at 09:44 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Amazing results Kjell and Richard. Now we have a real contest on our hands! GL, Tom M1EYP |
| Post by LA1KHA on 11th January 2011 at 17:48 |
| Tanks Tom. Please do not forget all those skilled and willing activators. They must do all the hard work shorting out the weak signals. Possible also many making call also, without getting through.When this battery is dry I will make activations so more can get chasers point. Today battery was 7.61 volt one hour after activation. Hmmm power must be quite low now. Stats:11/01/2011 Battery: #2 Activation: #20 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 7,61v QSOs: 6 DXCCs:5 EU,DL,G,LA Cumulative QSOs: 150 Cumulative DXCC: 18 (DL,EI,EU,F,G,GJ,GW,HA, HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,ON,S5,YL,UT,9A ) See also: LA/TM-049 Holtankollen in Telemark 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 11th January 2011 at 18:09 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Hi Kjell I'm a bit confused. On the 21st November you said your record was 51 (battery #1) whereas your new data shows that you were already at 124 contacts with battery #2. Have you been teasing me? I missed your foxing around last night. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 11th January 2011 at 21:55 |
| I will invest in new battery and take up challenge. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G0VOF on 11th January 2011 at 21:58 |
| In reply to G3CWI: It had me puzzled for a while but it's all down to the year. Kjell's Battery #1 was used in 2009, Battery #2 has been in use during 2010 / 2011. There are some pretty remarkable statistics here, it certainly makes charging up a 7Ah Slab or two for a single activation look a bit OTT. 73, Mark G0VOF |
| Post by LA1KHA on 15th January 2011 at 10:21 |
| New battery here and challenge is on.Still unmodified Rockemite on 10.120 xtal. Dipole antenna some 3-4 meter (10-12 feet) up. BATTERY 3 Philips Extreme life PP3 Cumulative QSOs:10 Cumulative DXCC:8 Stats:14/01/201 Battery: #3 Activation: #1 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 10 DXCCs: 8 DL,EA,G,GI,HA,HB9,OM,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 10 Cumulative DXCC: 8 (DL,EA,G,GI,HA,HB9,OM,S5 ) Soon back on summit for more fun. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1ENA on 15th January 2011 at 14:30 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: My first activation for the PP3 challenge. Rig unmodified Rockemite with 10.116 xtal. Dipole antenna. Battery: #1 BATTERY: Panasonic Xtreme power Activation: #1 QSOs:9 DXCC:5 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8,69 QSOs: 9 DXCCs: 5 (G,PA,UA2,GW,DL) Cumulative QSOs: 9 Cumulative DXCC: 5 (G,PA,UA2,GW,DL) Qrv only short time. Started to snow, temperature abt. minus 4C 73 de Aage LA1ENA |
| Post by LA1KHA on 15th January 2011 at 20:04 |
| To LA1ENA Aage , my compliments on nice activation with 9v battery. My logg Stats:15/01/201 Battery: #3 Activation: #2 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish 8.71 QSOs: 11 (+ONE DUBLETT) DXCCs: 5 F,HA,HB9,OK,LA Cumulative QSOs: 21 Cumulative DXCC: 11 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,HA,HB9,OK,OM,LA,S5 ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell Photo of yesterdays activation. http://www.flickr.com/photos/28342011@N06/5356782724/in/pool-sota_pics#/photos/28342011@N06/5356782724/in/pool-640391@N21/ |
| Post by LA1KHA on 16th January 2011 at 19:24 |
| Activation to day: Stats:16/01/201 Battery: #3 Activation: #3 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: QSOs: 15 DXCCs: 7 DL,F,G,HA,OK,LA,PA Cumulative QSOs: 36 Cumulative DXCC: 12 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,HA,HB9,OK,OM,LA,PA,S5 ) |
| Post by G4DDL on 17th January 2011 at 10:16 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Hi Kjell, It was great to work your QRPP on Sunday. I was running 50W from my FTDX5000 and had lots of the bells and whistles turned on to drag you out of the noise which prevails at my urban location. The antenna here was a 30 metre long longwire at about 8m high at its highest point. Your success has given me more encoragement to go out with my KX1 which usually stays in the rucksack, with the FT817 being the rig of choice. I can see that getting the weight down would get me up more summits!! 73 and thanks for the points Mike G4DDL |
| Post by LA1KHA on 17th January 2011 at 22:03 |
| Tanks for info G4DDL Mike. Newer seen one of the FTDX 5000 other than on photos. But I owned a FTDX500 once, (Now antique) My log Stats:17/01/2011 Battery: #3 Activation: #4 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:8.58V QSOs: 7 DXCCs: 6 EA,G,GM,HA,I,LA, Cumulative QSOs: 43 Cumulative DXCC: 14 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OK,OM,LA,PA,S5 ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by F5JKK on 17th January 2011 at 23:15 |
| For all the chasers, the important thing is to lower the power. After that... you can feel a disturbance when you hear other chasers, with nearly KW (1 or 2 maybe) do their daily trophy (several times a year, a month, a week as if the activator could not do this 4 QSOs ), you'll be very frustrated I am sure, but who cares when you reach that coveted unique summit ... who is the silly after all ... The important thing in my opinion, is to be happy to have succeeded with so little means - it's for me the QRP spirit. "Put yourself in the range of the station which is up there on the summit with the means that are known". LA1KHA - Kjell and G3CWI - Richard, soon as they can show us, the chink in the armor, and I'm very happy because if you do not understand this... you can go back and hunt DX0DX and latest DX... ! I'm Eric F5JKK/QRP I think my post is appropriate, constructive, friendly and suitable for all ages because it's true. |
| Post by LA1KHA on 18th January 2011 at 20:52 |
My logg for to day , but first :F5JKK Eric. It has always been good HAM spirit ( and also may have been in PT rules) that you must not/ should not use more power than necessary neither more than legal limit.Hope all think about this. I leave it up to each and one to think abt this. But I admire many of the chaser witch are skilled in art of communication. It bee either phone or cw. Stats:18/01/2011 Battery: #3 Activation: #5 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: QSOs: 9 DXCCs:7 EA,F,G,HA,LA,OE,9A Cumulative QSOs: 52 Cumulative DXCC: 16 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,OM,LA,PA,S5,9A ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 19th January 2011 at 20:01 |
| Stats:19/01/2011 Battery: #3 Activation: #6 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:8.21 TEMP -8C QSOs: 12 DXCCs:8 DL,EA,F,G,HA,HB9,OE,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 64 Cumulative DXCC: 16 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,OM,LA,PA,S5,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA |
| Post by LA1KHA on 20th January 2011 at 19:24 |
Stats:20/01/2011 Battery: #3 Activation: #7 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:8.15 TEMP -8C QSOs: 3 DXCCs:3 DL,HA,LA Cumulative QSOs: 67 Cumulative DXCC: 16 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,OM,LA,PA,S5,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA |
| Post by LA1KHA on 21st January 2011 at 21:33 |
| Stats:21/01/2011 Battery: #3 Activation: #8 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:8.25 TEMP -5C QSOs: 6 DXCCs:4 DL,G,HA,LA Cumulative QSOs: 73 Cumulative DXCC: 16 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,OM,LA,PA,S5,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA |
| Post by LA1ENA on 22nd January 2011 at 18:02 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Battery: #1 BATTERY: Panasonic Xtreme power Activation: #2 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8,69 QSOs: 10 DXCCs: 5 (DL,G,HB9,ON) Cumulative QSOs: 19 Cumulative DXCC: 5 (G,PA,UA2,GW,DL,HB9,ON) 73 de Aage |
| Post by LA1KHA on 22nd January 2011 at 19:54 |
| Stats:22/01/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #9 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: QSOs: 10 DXCCs:7 DL,G,HA,HB9,I,LA,PA Cumulative QSOs: 83 Cumulative DXCC: 16 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,OM,LA,PA,S5,9A ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 23rd January 2011 at 22:26 |
| Stats:23/01/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #10 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: QSOs: 13 DXCCs:10 DL,G,HA,I,LA,OE,ON,OK,S5, SP Cumulative QSOs: 96 Cumulative DXCC: 18 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,PA,S5,SP,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA |
| Post by LA1KHA on 24th January 2011 at 19:40 |
| Stats:24/01/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #11 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: QSOs: 7 DXCCs:6 G,HA,I,LA,,S5, UR Cumulative QSOs: 103 Cumulative DXCC: 19 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,PA,S5,SP,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA |
| Post by LA1KHA on 25th January 2011 at 22:01 |
| Stats:25/01/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #12 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: QSOs: 8 DXCCs:6 F,DL,G,HA,HB9,LA Cumulative QSOs: 111 Cumulative DXCC: 19 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,PA,S5,SP,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA |
| Post by LA1KHA on 26th January 2011 at 16:42 |
| Stats:26/01/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #13 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:8.12V @-10c QSOs: 9 DXCCs:6 ,DL,G,HA,OE,LA,UA Cumulative QSOs: 120 Cumulative DXCC: 20 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA |
| Post by LA1KHA on 28th January 2011 at 18:42 |
| Stats:28/01/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #14 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:8.10V @-9c QSOs: 8 DXCCs:5 ,DL,HA,,LA,LZ,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 128 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA |
| Post by LA1KHA on 30th January 2011 at 03:03 |
| Stats:29/01/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #15 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: QSOs: 5 DXCCs:5 ,G,HA,OE,LA,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 133 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 30th January 2011 at 13:10 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Battery: #1 Activation: #12 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 8.4V QSOs: 9 DXCCs: 7 (G, HA, DK, EA, OZ, SP, OK) Cumulative QSOs: 124 Cumulative DXCCs: 16 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ) Current Records: LA1KHA: Batt#1 51Q: Batt#2 ***150Q - WORLD RECORD*** : Batt#3 133Q LA1ENA: Batt#1 19Q G3CWI: Batt#1 124Q Pretty amazing for a 9V battery. As far as I'm aware every activation has been a success. The secret ingredient is use of SOTAwatch and the SMSbot plus supportive chasers. Thanks! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1ENA on 30th January 2011 at 17:26 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Battery: #1 BATTERY: Panasonic Xtreme power Activation: #3 Summit: LA/TM-015 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8,73 QSOs: 8 DXCCs: 5 (G,DL,F,OK,PA) Cumulative QSOs: 27 Cumulative DXCC: 8 (G,PA,UA2,GW,DL,HB9,ON,OK) 73 de Aage |
| Post by LA1KHA on 31st January 2011 at 20:48 |
| Stats:30/01/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #16 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: QSOs: 5 DXCCs:3 DL,G,OE, Cumulative QSOs: 138 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 31st January 2011 at 20:52 |
| Stats:31/01/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #17 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: 7.98V@-3C QSOs: 8 DXCCs:7 DL,F,G,HA,HB9,OK,LA Cumulative QSOs: 146 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 1st February 2011 at 17:51 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Looks like a new record is within reach for you Kjell with battery #3. I am progressing with my new design. So far the first mixer/oscillator is complete (2.2mA). If all goes well I should be able to make a complete superhet with high performance ladder crystal filters that will take around 7mA. I may take on your suggestion and reduce the TX power a bit from my current 300mW to about 150mW. I suspect that will take quite a bit of experimenting to get right. In theory I should be able to get the TX current down below 50mA at that level. That would allow many hours of operating from a PP3. Is 300 QSOs possible? 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 1st February 2011 at 21:01 |
| Tanks for info G3CWI Richard. I think your low power TRX would be most successful.This rig would be a real Rockmite killer. My plan is to go other way around.Even cruder design with less power and with near 0 in RX performance. With present setup I do not believe that it is possible to do more than 160-165 QSO Battery at 7.9v now,output is now decreasing .I tested the rig to 70mW@8v. Stats:01/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #18 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: 7.90V@+1C QSOs: 4 DXCCs:4 HA,I, LA,OE Cumulative QSOs: 150 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 3rd February 2011 at 04:14 |
| Stats:02/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #19 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: 7.88V@+2C QSOs: 5 DXCCs:5 F,HA LA,OE,OK Cumulative QSOs: 155 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 4th February 2011 at 21:52 |
| Stats:04/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #20 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: 7.85V@+1C QSOs: 13 DXCCs:8 DL,EW,HA,LA,OE,OM,UA,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 168 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 6th February 2011 at 08:14 |
| Stats:06/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #22 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: QSOs: 7 DXCCs:5 DL,F,G,HA,OE, Cumulative QSOs: 178 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by MM0FMF on 6th February 2011 at 18:29 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: It's time to start taking bets on whether Kjell will get 200+ qsos from a single battery. Andy MM0FMF |
| Post by LA1KHA on 7th February 2011 at 20:17 |
| MM0FMF Andy. I wouldn't bet to high on 200+QSO. But if I am lucky It can happens. Output are low now. <70mW Today I wasted lots of mAH on calling cq. 10.120 was so crowded so I waited some time and when silent on frq no one come back to my calls. The WX was -1c snowing/ nearly rain. some +5cm while I was up on the summit. Stats:07/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #23 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:7.72v@-1c QSOs: 4 DXCCs:4 F,G,HA,LA, Cumulative QSOs: 182 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 9th February 2011 at 21:04 |
| Stats:09/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #24 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:7.70v@-1c QSOs: 12 DXCCs: 9 F,G,HA,HB9,I,LA,OE,UR,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 194 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 10th February 2011 at 18:41 |
| 25.th activation and over 200qso jubilee of my PP3 battery. Stats:10/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #25 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:7.64v@-1c QSOs: 14 DXCCs: 9 DL,F,HA,H,I,,OE,OK,ON,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 208 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 10th February 2011 at 18:49 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Wow. Quite a target! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 11th February 2011 at 20:38 |
| Stats:11/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #26 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: QSOs: 5 DXCCs:4 DL,LA,OE,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 213 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) |
| Post by LA1KHA on 11th February 2011 at 20:38 |
| Stats:11/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #26 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish: QSOs: 5 DXCCs:4 DL,LA,OE,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 213 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 15th February 2011 at 19:42 |
| Stats:15/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #27 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:7.12v@-8c QSOs: 5 DXCCs:4 G,LA,HA,EW Cumulative QSOs: 218 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 16th February 2011 at 21:29 |
| Stats:16/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #28 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:7.02v@-7c QSOs: 7 DXCCs:4 HA,HB9,I,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 225 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 18th February 2011 at 20:37 |
| Stats:17/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #29 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:7.00v@-6c QSOs: 5 DXCCs:3 HA,GW,OE Cumulative QSOs: 230 Cumulative DXCC: 23 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,GW,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 18th February 2011 at 20:41 |
| Stats:18/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #30 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:6.10v@-8c QSOs: 6 DXCCs:5 DL,G,HA,HB9,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 236 Cumulative DXCC: 23 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,GW,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by OE5EEP on 18th February 2011 at 20:44 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Kjell, Amazing what you get out of your 9V-block! When I worked you on Feb 17 you were significantly weaker than on previous days. I thought this might have been our last QSO with this battery... 73 Heinz, OE5EEP |
| Post by LA1KHA on 20th February 2011 at 09:59 |
| Hello OE5EEP, No not over yet, but soon... Stats:19/02/2011 Battery: #3 Philips Extreme life Activation: #31 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish:6.10v@-9c QSOs: 4 DXCCs:3 DL,G,HA, Cumulative QSOs: 240 Cumulative DXCC: 23 (DL,EA,EW,F,G,GI,GM,GW,HA,I,HB9,OE,OK,ON,OM,LA,LZ,PA,S5,SP,UA,UR,9A ) Battery now retired after honorable service. Se also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 24th February 2011 at 15:57 |
| Battery: #1 Activation: #13 Summit: G/SP-015 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 8.28V QSOs: 9 DXCCs: 6 (G, S5, HB9, OZ, EA, OZ, LA) Cumulative QSOs: 133 Cumulative DXCCs: 16 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ) Current Records: LA1KHA: Batt#1 51Q: Batt#2 150Q: Batt#3 240Q ***World Record*** LA1ENA: Batt#1 27Q G3CWI: Batt#1 133Q 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M1EYP on 24th February 2011 at 16:01 |
| In reply to G3CWI: You forgot to state the finish voltage. I don't know if I can stand the suspense... Tom M1EYP |
| Post by G3CWI on 20th March 2011 at 10:01 |
| In reply to M1EYP: Battery: #1 Activation: #14 Summit: GW/NW-032 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: ? QSOs: 16 Cumulative QSOs: 149 New DXCCs: none Cumulative DXCCs: 16 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ) Battery: #1 Activation: #15 Summit: GW/NW-053 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 8.27V QSOs: 9 New DXCCs: MW (GW) Cumulative QSOs: 158 Cumulative DXCCs: 17 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Current Records: LA1KHA: Batt#1 51Q: Batt#2 150Q: Batt#3 240Q ***World Record*** LA1ENA: Batt#1 27Q G3CWI: Batt#1 158Q Thanks to all the regular callers - it's much appreciated! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1ENA on 20th March 2011 at 15:23 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Qrv today with the Rockmite: Battery: #1 BATTERY: Panasonic Xtreme power Activation: #4 Summit: LA/TM-017 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8,65 QSOs: 6 DXCCs: 5 (LY,HA,DL,OE,SP) Cumulative QSOs: 35 Cumulative DXCC: 12 (G,PA,UA2,GW,DL,HB9,ON,OK,LY,HA,OE,SP) Also some qso's with KX-1 (20m and 40m). 73 Aage |
| Post by LA1KHA on 28th March 2011 at 19:30 |
| New rig not qrv yet, so still rock bound to 10.120MHz. Choice of battery is Philips Extrem Life again. BATTERY 4 Philips Extreme life PP3 Logg see sota or below. Rig Rockmite on 10.120 Stats:28/03/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #1 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 11 DXCCs: 7 DL,F,G,HA,I,OE,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 11 Cumulative DXCC: 7 (DL,F,G,HA,I,OE,S5 ) See also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 28th March 2011 at 19:30 |
| New rig not qrv yet, so still rock bound to 10.120MHz. Choice of battery is Philips Extrem Life again. BATTERY 4 Philips Extreme life PP3 Logg see sota or below. Rig Rockmite on 10.120 Stats:28/03/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #1 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 11 DXCCs: 7 DL,F,G,HA,I,OE,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 11 Cumulative DXCC: 7 (DL,F,G,HA,I,OE,S5 ) See also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 30th March 2011 at 05:39 |
| Stats:29/03/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #2 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 13 DXCCs: 8 DL,F,G,HA,LA,LY,PA,UA Cumulative QSOs: 24 Cumulative DXCC: 11 (DL,F,G,HA,I,LA,LY,OE,PA,S5,UA ) See also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 30th March 2011 at 05:39 |
| Stats:29/03/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #2 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 13 DXCCs: 8 DL,F,G,HA,LA,LY,PA,UA Cumulative QSOs: 24 Cumulative DXCC: 11 (DL,F,G,HA,I,LA,LY,OE,PA,S5,UA ) See also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 31st March 2011 at 06:08 |
| Stats:30/03/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #3 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 5 DXCCs: 4 DL,,G,HB9,LA, Cumulative QSOs: 29 Cumulative DXCC: 12 (DL,F,G,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,OE,PA,S5,UA ) See also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 1st April 2011 at 05:55 |
| Stats:31/03/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #4 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 21 DXCCs: 7 DL,F,G,HA,HB9,LA,OK Cumulative QSOs: 50 Cumulative DXCC: 13 (DL,F,G,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,OE,OK,PA,S5,UA ) See also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 1st April 2011 at 20:10 |
Stats:01/04/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #4 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: not measured QSOs: 10 DXCCs: 5 DL,G,HA,S5,UA Cumulative QSOs: 60 Cumulative DXCC: 13 (DL,F,G,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,OE,OK,PA,S5,UA ) See also http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3597#foot 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 2nd May 2011 at 15:40 |
| Battery: #1 Activation: #16 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: ? QSOs: 6 Cumulative QSOs: 164 New DXCCs: none Cumulative DXCCs: 17 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Battery: #1 Activation: #17 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 8.21V QSOs: 2 New DXCCs: none Cumulative QSOs: 166 Cumulative DXCCs: 17 (ON, S5, OK, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Current Records: LA1KHA: Batt#1 51Q: Batt#2 150Q: Batt#3 240Q ***World Record***: Batt#4 60 LA1ENA: Batt#1 35Q G3CWI: Batt#1 166Q Thanks to all the regular callers - it's much appreciated! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by HA7UG on 2nd May 2011 at 18:28 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Hi Richard, not an easy one 2day . . Had some trouble, a wide noise around 116 up to S3/QSB this end . .Around 112 S9 ofcourse, as tuned down, S0. Thanks to repeat again, finaly rcvd my 559, TU! BTW, used my 80W-rotary dp@24mh. CU next, GL + 73 de Laci -ha7ug- |
| Post by LA1KHA on 4th May 2011 at 19:52 |
| Stats:04/05/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #6 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.88v QSOs: 4 DXCCs: 3 DL,HA,LA Cumulative QSOs: 63 Cumulative DXCC: 13 (DL,F,G,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,OE,OK,PA,S5,UA ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 5th May 2011 at 19:53 |
| Stats:05/05/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #7 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 9 DXCCs: 8 DL,G,GW,HA,HB9,LA,OK,UA Cumulative QSOs: 72 Cumulative DXCC: 14 (DL,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,OE,OK,PA,S5,UA ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 6th May 2011 at 19:26 |
| Stats:06/05/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #8 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 9 DXCCs: 6 DL,ES,HA,PA,UR,9A Cumulative QSOs: 81 Cumulative DXCC: 17 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,OE,OK,PA,S5,UA,UR,9A ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 7th May 2011 at 22:00 |
| Stats:07/05/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #9 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 4 DXCCs: 4 LA,LY,OK,OH Cumulative QSOs: 85 Cumulative DXCC: 18 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,OE,OH,OK,PA,S5,UA,UR,9A ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1ENA on 8th May 2011 at 06:37 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Adding 2 activations. 3.April LA/TM-249 had to stop because of others on qrg. 7.May LA/VF-010 Strong local qrm on summit. Battery: #1 BATTERY: Panasonic Xtreme power Activation: #5 Summit: LA/TM-249 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8,70 QSOs: 2 DXCCs: 2 (LX,DL) Cumulative QSOs: 36 Cumulative DXCC: 12 (G,PA,UA2,GW,DL,HB9,ON,OK,LY,HA,OE,SP,LX) Battery: #1 BATTERY: Panasonic Xtreme power Activation: #6 Summit: LA/VF-010 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8,74 QSOs: 1 DXCCs: 1 (G) Cumulative QSOs: 37 Cumulative DXCC: 12 (G,PA,UA2,GW,DL,HB9,ON,OK,LY,HA,OE,SP,LX) 73 Aage LA1ENA |
| Post by LA1ENA on 8th May 2011 at 19:40 |
| In reply to LA1ENA: Todays activation with Rockmite. Battery: #1 BATTERY: Panasonic Xtreme power Activation: #7 Summit: LA/VF-002 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8,65 QSOs: 13 DXCCs: 6 (G,PA,DL,HA,S5,SP) Cumulative QSOs: 50 Cumulative DXCC: 13 (G,PA,UA2,GW,DL,HB9,ON,OK,LY,HA,OE,SP,LX,S5) de Aage LA1ENA |
| Post by LA1KHA on 11th May 2011 at 19:00 |
| Two activations on Liberty day. Stats:08/05/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #10 Summit: LA/VF-002 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 14 DXCCs: 6 DL,G,HA,OK,UA,YL Cumulative QSOs: 99 Cumulative DXCC: 19 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,OE,OH,OK,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) Stats:08/05/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #11 Summit: LA/LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 2 DXCCs: 2 HB9,G Cumulative QSOs: 101 Cumulative DXCC: 19 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,OE,OH,OK,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) 72 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G0VOF on 26th May 2011 at 20:25 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Hi Kjell, Just a note to let you know that your PP3 challenge & SOTA is mentioned in Rev George Dobbs (G3RJV) QRP column in the June 2011 Radcom :) He is very impressed with the number of QSO's yourself & Richard have achieved. 73, Mark G0VOF |
| Post by LA1KHA on 28th May 2011 at 20:49 |
| I am relative impressed my self over the durability of the battery and the amount of contacts that can be made. I belive the combination Spotting on SOTA with a lot of highly skilled radio-amateurs with good receivers is a important point. Thanks for info G0VOF Mark Activation 27.5-2011 Rockmite with power below 100mW 4 QSO was made with HA,HB9,LZ and S5 on 28.5-2011 2 QSO with F and OZ Stats:27/05/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #12 Summit:LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 4 DXCCs: 4 HA,HB9,LZ,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 105 Cumulative DXCC: 20 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LZ,OE,OH,OK,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) Stats:28/05/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #13 Summit:LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 2 DXCCs: 2 F,OZ Cumulative QSOs: 107 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LZ,OE,OH,OK,OZ,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) |
| Post by LA1KHA on 29th May 2011 at 18:37 |
Stats:29/05/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #13 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 5 DXCCs: 5 DL,HA,HB9,LA,PA Cumulative QSOs: 113 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LZ,OE,OH,OK,OZ,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) |
| Post by LA1KHA on 3rd June 2011 at 20:07 |
| Very quite in evenings. To day 599 from HA7UG Stats:31/05/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #14 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 2 DXCCs: 2 LA,OZ Cumulative QSOs: 115 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LZ,OE,OH,OK,OZ,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) Stats:1/06/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #15 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 1 DXCCs: 1 HA Cumulative QSOs: 116 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LZ,OE,OH,OK,OZ,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) Stats:3/06/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #16 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 2 DXCCs: 2 G,HA Cumulative QSOs: 118 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LZ,OE,OH,OK,OZ,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) |
| Post by LA1KHA on 7th June 2011 at 19:45 |
| Still power in battery. Stats:5/06/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #17 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 2 DXCCs: 2 DL,HA Cumulative QSOs: 120 Cumulative DXCC: 21 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LZ,OE,OH,OK,OZ,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) Stats:7/06/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #18 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: QSOs: 7 DXCCs: 7 DL,EU,F,,HB9,I,LA,OK Cumulative QSOs: 127 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,ES,EU,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LZ,OE,OH,OK,OZ,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) |
| Post by LA1KHA on 10th June 2011 at 08:50 |
Stats:09/06/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #19 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 7.6 QSOs: 4 DXCCs: 4 DL,F,HA,HB9, Cumulative QSOs: 131 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,ES,EU,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LZ,OE,OH,OK,OZ,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) |
| Post by LA1KHA on 12th June 2011 at 19:42 |
| To much time calling cq, battery depletes for no reason. If any have a copy/ scan of Radcom with this challenge I would like to read it. Our local radio club LA1G do not have this magazine longer. My mail is qrp AT online.no Stats:12/06/2011 Battery: #4 Activation: #20 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 7.4 QSOs: 2 DXCCs: 2 DL,HB9, Cumulative QSOs: 133 Cumulative DXCC: 22 (DL,ES,EU,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LZ,OE,OH,OK,OZ,PA,S5,UA,UR,YL,9A ) |
| Post by G3CWI on 26th October 2011 at 18:32 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: 24-10-2011 Battery: #1 Activation: #18 Summit: G/CE-004 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: ? QSOs: 27 New DXCCs: PA Cumulative QSOs: 193 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Current Record: LA1KHA: Batt#3 240 QSOs on single battery Thanks to all the regular callers - it's much appreciated! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by G3CWI on 26th October 2011 at 18:45 |
| In reply to G3CWI: 25-10-2011 Battery: #1 Activation: #19 Summit: G/SE-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: ? QSOs: 2 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 195 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Current Record: LA1KHA: Batt#3 240 QSOs on single battery Thanks to all the regular callers - it's much appreciated! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M0CGH on 27th October 2011 at 07:28 |
| In reply to G3CWI: How bizarre! I've been thinking about the PP3 challenge this week and I was thinking about digging up this thread to see if any PP3 QSO's were still happening. Due to this years successes in my home brewing activities (along with some failures!), I'm seriously considering building a rig so that I can join in with the PP3 challenge. I'm not going to be pushing any boundaries, I'm thinking along the lines of a RockMite configured for 9V operation. I'm thinking it will be built Manhattan style, using pretty much standard circuitry with a few tweaks. The main thing I need to decide is whether to pull a 7.032MHz crystal to 7.032MHz or whether I go for 30m with the rig somewhere near 10.118 MHz. Not sure which band would be best. Well done with your latest efforts Richard, I'm assuming that the rig you are using is still your 'Top Gun Special'. Only 46 QSO's to go then! 72 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G3CWI on 27th October 2011 at 15:49 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Hi Colin It was Kjell and Aage's fault. They reminded me of the Challenge at the G-QRP Convention. Incidentally, anyone is welcome to join in. The rules are simple: how many contacts can you make using a single PP3/MN1604 battery - no methods of charging allowed. Log you results here. Rockmites are a good start. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 27th October 2011 at 19:04 |
| Hello M0CGH Colin and G3CWI Richard. Winter is soon here so this is a fantastic way to go up to activate. You would be surprised how mny you can qso. Best band I believe is 10MHz. You have no contest and less BC. Please remember that the DC RX as in Rockmite is the mayor drawback in the rig. Power in range 70-100mW is no problem. Most SOTA chasers are real keen op. with excellent rigs and filters.But the DC RX is relative broad banded.(At least mine) A xtal higher up is nice.I talfed with DL2FI Peter on the G-QRP and he has a small super RX Miss Moscito for the 7Mc band. This can be put to reliable 100mW out for long battery life. If I soon go to Berlin I will get me one and have this for a try. Please remember that all radio and equipment must use the same PP3 battery. Like option ATU, keyer, audio filter, audio amp etc. (Flashligt and cellphone excluded.Not in challange) In hot autom wx +10c I took a new battery out. Same type as before. LOGG: Stats:27/10/2011 Battery: #5 Philips Extreme life PP3 Activation: #1 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.98v QSOs: 22 DXCCs: 10 DL,F,G,HA,LA,OE,OK,PA,SM,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 22 Cumulative DXCC: 10 (DL,F,G,HA,LA,OE,OK,PA,SM,S5 ) Tanks for all nice eye ball qso at G-QRP and hope you achieve god result on your qrpp. And foremost that you have fun with our hobby. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 28th October 2011 at 09:30 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Kjell- I have already built a RockMite with a VXO using 10.116 crystals. I built this as a QRO version, >500mW :-), however, I'm so proud of my work, I wouldn't want to risk taking it on a SOTA expedition with me, and I don't want to modify it! I think you are right, 30M is probably the best band, I was just thinking that I would achieve more RF out for the same amount of current in, for a transceiver at 7MHz than at 10MHz. The lack of QRM on 10MHz will probably make up for the lower output power. I tried to have a QSO on my 7.015MHz RockMite yesterday evening, but as the front end is quite wide, like you suggest, it was just wall to wall with many CW stations being received at once. I went back to CQ'ing on 7.030MHz using a Lil' Squall from QRPme at about 400mW, however all seemed pretty quiet up at that end! I hope to start building my 9V Challenge SOTA rig sometime next week. I have a few parts in my 'stores' already including a RockMite keyer chip and the mixer chip. I think I'm going to use a different audio amplifier chip than a usual RockMite in order to save some mA's. My aim is to have the rig finished for the beginning of December, when the Winter bonus kicks in. Really nice to meet you at G-QRP convention. 72 Colin M0CGH (RockMite addict) |
| Post by LA1KHA on 28th October 2011 at 10:46 |
| M0CGH Colin Compliments on your achievments. 500mW is still qrpp but to high power to operate with pp3 battery. If you want my mail it is qrp AT online DOT no 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 28th October 2011 at 19:35 |
| Stats:28/10/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #2 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.89v QSOs: 12 DXCCs: 6 DL,G,HB9,LA,OK,OZ Cumulative QSOs: 34 Cumulative DXCC: 12 (DL,F,G,HA,HB9,LA,OE,OK,OZ,PA,SM,S5 ) 73 DE LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 29th October 2011 at 16:35 |
| Stats:29/10/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #3 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 10 DXCCs: 8 DL,G,HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,SP Cumulative QSOs: 44 Cumulative DXCC: 14 (DL,F,G,HA,HB9,I,LA,OE,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 ) QRM on band, BC when beginning dark. But still lot of qso. Thanks all. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell Edit writing error 31/10-11 |
| Post by G3CWI on 30th October 2011 at 13:03 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: 30-10-2011 Battery: #1 Activation: #20 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 8.03V QSOs: 5 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 200 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Current Record: LA1KHA: Batt#3 240 QSOs on single 9 Volt battery Thanks to all the regular callers - it's much appreciated! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 31st October 2011 at 16:34 |
| In reply to G3CWI: My compliments Richard, You may press out a lot of qso out of the left overs on your PP3.This My battery nr 4 was discarded due to a short circuit in rucksack. Please read opp-date on log for 29/10 writing/reading error. (10qso not 11 as first counted, LA1DNA was 2m Phone.) Stats:31/10/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #4 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 16 DXCCs: 9 DL,ES,G,HB9,I,LY,LX,OK,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 60 Cumulative DXCC: 17 (DL,ES,F,G,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 ) 73 DE LA1KHA Kjell Thanks all chasers. |
| Post by LA1KHA on 5th November 2011 at 08:50 |
| Stats:02/10/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #5 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 6 DXCCs: 5 DL,F,HA,LA,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 66 Cumulative DXCC: 17 (DL,ES,F,G,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 ) 73 DE LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 5th November 2011 at 08:53 |
| Stats:04/10/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #6 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 6 DXCCs: 5 DL,G,HA,I,OK Cumulative QSOs: 72 Cumulative DXCC: 17 (DL,ES,F,G,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 ) 73 DE LA1KHA kJELL |
| Post by LA1KHA on 5th November 2011 at 16:19 |
| Stats:05/10/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #7 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 1 DXCCs: 1 PA Cumulative QSOs: 73 Cumulative DXCC: 17 (DL,ES,F,G,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 ) QRM today. gave up an went home. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 6th November 2011 at 16:51 |
| 6-11-2011 Great short skip today. Battery: #1 Activation: #21 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.91V QSOs: 24 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 224 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Current Record: LA1KHA: Batt #3 240 QSOs on single 9 Volt battery Thanks to all the regular callers - it's much appreciated! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 7th November 2011 at 20:28 |
| Stats:07/10/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #8 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:8.54 @+4c QSOs: 13 DXCCs: 6 DL,G,GW,OE,SM,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 86 Cumulative DXCC: 18 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 Still QRM near frq. Tnx to all. SM7GUY/QRP with 3w strong here. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 8th November 2011 at 17:44 |
| Stats:08/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #9 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 12 DXCCs: 5 DL,G,OK,PA,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 98 Cumulative DXCC: 18 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 ) To day so quite on 10.120 +/- 1Kc. No one else activators to day active? Strange, WX in LA/TM sunny +6c no wind. I am at school(Not writing class hi) Monday and Thursday until mid December So these days I am finish 14:30 NT (1330 GMT) So drive direct to Holtankollen for QRPp fun. Thanks to all chasers for your superb Op skills and for letting me have so nice time. Hpe cu all sn 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1DNA on 8th November 2011 at 22:58 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: pst Kjell! It's november (11) now. 73 de LA1DNA, Halvard. |
| Post by LA1KHA on 9th November 2011 at 00:01 |
| In reply to LA1DNA: yes tnx |
| Post by LA1KHA on 9th November 2011 at 20:07 |
| Stats:09/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #10 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 13 DXCCs: 9 DL,G,HB9,I,OE,ON,LA,SP,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 101 Cumulative DXCC: 19 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,ON,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 ) 73 DE LA1KHA kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 10th November 2011 at 08:29 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: I've finished building the circuit for my 9V rig last night. All I have to do now is fit the board into it's case (festive tin!) and wire up the connectors etc. The rig passed it's 'smoke' test with flying colours :-) A colleague pointed out a cheap source for 9V batteries to me this morning. They have Duracell ProCell 9V batteries, which are reputed to be the highest capacity batteries available according to some sources, they also have the Philips Extremelife batteries at a very good price. http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=112078 Hoping to get the 'metal bashing' done today. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by LA1KHA on 10th November 2011 at 10:28 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Hello Colin. LA1ENA Aage an I talked about battery capacity, but could not find any comparation of capacity between diferent producer. I recomend best possibel battery aviable. Price/brand do not nessesery give this info. My Philips battery is made in China. I get them from our electrical suplyer. (work) Gl and hope you enclose some photos of rig/activation. 73 DE LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 10th November 2011 at 13:06 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Yes, I have also found it hard to find data sheets for batteries. It seems that manufacturers like to keep their information secret. I found it similar when looking for specifications for outdoor clothing. For example, try having a look at the data for Gore Tex fabric. You have to look very hard indeed to find the information on how waterproof the fabric is! I have found some indications of PP3/MN1604 capacities. Duracell ProCell - about 550mAH Energizer Industrial - about 600mAH Of course these numbers don't mean very much, it depends upon how the battery is used (tested). I think I will just go with the Philips Extreme Life, as this has proven capability! :-) I will post some pictures soon of my rig. I don't have my camera card reader with me at the moment. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G1INK on 10th November 2011 at 13:26 |
| In reply to M0CGH: This has a claimed 1200AH http://www.watchbattery.co.uk/shop/products/BLUL-PP3.shtml |
| Post by M0CGH on 10th November 2011 at 13:36 |
| In reply to G1INK: Thanks, Steve, but the competition rules for the challenge call for an Alkaline PP3. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by 2E0YYY on 10th November 2011 at 16:34 |
| In reply to G1INK: > In reply to M0CGH: > > This has a claimed 1200AH > > http://www.watchbattery.co.uk/shop/products/BLUL-PP3.shtml I found some up at Llandudno dirt cheap, Steve. Stuck one in my Siver Eagle, it should last for ages. Mike 2E0YYY |
| Post by LA1KHA on 10th November 2011 at 20:03 |
Stats:10/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #11 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 11 DXCCs: 5 DL,G,GW,OK,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 112 Cumulative DXCC: 19 (DL,ES,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,ON,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 11th November 2011 at 17:51 |
| Stats:11/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #12 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 12 DXCCs: 9 DL,ES,EW,F,G,HA,LA,OK,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 124 Cumulative DXCC: 20 (DL,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,ON,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 ) 73 DE LA1KHA KJELL |
| Post by G3CWI on 12th November 2011 at 13:57 |
| Great short skip again today. Battery: #1 Activation: #22 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.97V QSOs: 19 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 243 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) **New World Record** Thanks to all the regular callers - it's much appreciated! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1ENA on 12th November 2011 at 14:03 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Congrats Richard. You had a great signal here in JO49ub today. Still more qso's left in the battery.hi cuagn 73/72 Aage LA1ENA |
| Post by M0CGH on 12th November 2011 at 16:37 |
| Well done Richard. I just applied a fresh 9V battery to my latest creation and I was pleased to hear some of those strange sounding beeps coming out of the earphones. G4FKH was the first station heard on my new RockMite. I don't think I'll get any where near 243 QSO's! That is a lot of QSO's on a single battery and it seems from your current voltage that the battery is only about half empty! Congratulations! 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G3RMD on 12th November 2011 at 18:41 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Congratulations Richard. I gave you 599 because you were 599! Remarkable signal for the power level used. Your antenna must be quite efficient. 73, Frank |
| Post by G3CWI on 12th November 2011 at 20:43 |
| In reply to G3RMD: Thanks Frank It was just a dipole! This is the radio: http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardnewstead/5154437473/ 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 13th November 2011 at 09:33 |
| My congratulation to you G3CWI Richard for this great achievement. 243 QSO on a 9v PP3 is awesome. Will be hard to beat. But I try, But since you still have a lot more in battery it may be vy difficult. Tanks for photo of the Rig. Any name? Best of luck OM Richard 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 13th November 2011 at 09:36 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Thanks Kjell The rig is "The Top Gun Special" - for obvious reasons! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by G3CWI on 13th November 2011 at 12:59 |
| Great short skip again today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardnewstead/6339712635/in/photostream Battery: #1 Activation: #23 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.79 Volts QSOs: 25 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 268 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) **New World Record** Thanks to all the regular callers - it's much appreciated! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by MW0IDX on 13th November 2011 at 13:54 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Good signal from you today Richard, deep QSB at times but a good 579 on the peaks. Heard you yesterday on 2m FM whilst you were mobile, about 56. Obviously you didn't hear me. 73 Roger MW0IDX |
| Post by G3CWI on 13th November 2011 at 14:40 |
| In reply to MW0IDX: Thanks Roger. How is the tone - any chirp? 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by MW0IDX on 13th November 2011 at 15:31 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Very good, no chirp. Thought you were on a commercial rig hi! 73 Roger MW0IDX |
| Post by LA1KHA on 13th November 2011 at 17:02 |
| Stats:13/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #13 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:7,75@+2c QSOs: 14 DXCCs: 7 DL,G,HA,HB9,OK,OZ,SP Cumulative QSOs: 138 Cumulative DXCC: 20 (DL,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,ON,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 ) This battery will not beet the record. To much time calling CQ. Wasting mA from battery. But still try it to the bitter end. 73 de LA1KHA kJELL |
| Post by G3CWI on 13th November 2011 at 17:24 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Kjell There is a certain amount of luck involved. I only ever call CQ for 5 minutes. If no answer I QRT. You are beating me on DXCCs though! I think maybe PP3 batteries are excessively big and heavy for this sort of thing. They are too hard to exhaust ;-) 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 13th November 2011 at 21:47 |
| Stats:13/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #13 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:7,75@+2c QSOs: 14 DXCCs: 7 DL,G,HA,HB9,OK,OZ,SP Cumulative QSOs: 138 Cumulative DXCC: 20 (DL,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,ON,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5 ) This battery will not beet the record. To much time calling CQ. Wasting mA from battery. But still try it to the bitter end. 73 de LA1KHA kJELL |
| Post by LA1KHA on 15th November 2011 at 21:16 |
| Stats:16/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #15 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:7,70@-1c QSOs: 16 DXCCs: 6 DL,G,GW,I,ON,OM Cumulative QSOs: 172 Cumulative DXCC: 23 (DL,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,UR ) Stats:17/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #16 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:7,87@-2c ? NOTE HIGH VOLTAGE? QSOs: 13 DXCCs: 7 DL,G,I,OE,OK,LA,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 185 Cumulative DXCC: 23 (DL,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,UR ) 73 DE LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 18th November 2011 at 17:59 |
Stats:18/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #17 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:8.00@+2c ? NOTE HIGH VOLTAGE? QSOs: 16 DXCCs: 8 DL,ES,G,GW,HA,OE,OK,OM Cumulative QSOs: 201 Cumulative DXCC: 23 (DL,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,UR ) 73 DE LA1KHA KJELL |
| Post by G3CWI on 18th November 2011 at 19:42 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Kjell I'm worried now! You are averaging 1 QSO more that I am per activation plus your battery is holding up really well. At this rate you will overtake me in a few days :( 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 19th November 2011 at 05:20 |
| In reply to G3CWI Richard. I wonder why battery voltage gone up.I can not see the reason. Use a Fluke 117 to measure. Main problem for me is QSM from station close to frq +/- 1kc Trying to make minimum calling to save battery. Take long time to use up a battery if caution is taken. But so long that your battery is still working to threat your 1.st place will be hard. Soon our friend M0CGH Colin will join the challenge. He build so nice RM clone. Hope winter is not so cold this year. We don't have any snow yet, only frost here in lower parts of Telemark. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 19th November 2011 at 12:38 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Battery: #1 Activation: #24 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.86 Volts QSOs: 14 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 282 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Kjell, oddly my battery Voltage seems to rise sometimes as well. 300 QSOs now in sight. http://208.173.184.182/OEM/Primary/Alkaline/mn1604.asp - not my battery but interesting non-the-less. The pdf datasheet seems to indicate that the game is over at around 7 Volts. http://printfu.org/read/energizer-no-522-a68f.html?f=1qeYpurpn6Wih-SUpOGul6ynh7G9u7e7sb-1xIm8w5SVopeekbHYrpqfkubdkK_Zr56WppHg2ufc0uDCudPgy5eo2KagsIfaiqDjrJ6krojd4dncqaWU69_cntTK4ujL5-bY4N7oyqLL1N2hruTZ2NrOyeWeu9vZ2srR1uK-uKykopeenebJ2oqg7Q ...finally found my battery. Thanks to all the regular callers - it's much appreciated! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M0CGH on 19th November 2011 at 22:05 |
| In reply to G3CWI: I have also noticed that my battery voltage tends to fluctuate somewhat, just during testing. I'm testing my rig with a Duracell 'copper top'. Not tried the rig into an antenna yet, but I'm getting there slowly. I'm still trying to trim current consumption, I feel it's too high at the moment. Having built my rig I find myself thinking of building another, but trying harder to cut current consumption. I guess that the rules would allow the use of different rigs so long as the battery in use is the same for each attempt. It is certainly an interesting learning exercise, I saw a practical example of how the efficiency of the PA changes with power output. I was trying to reduce the output power and current consumption of my PA yesterday and I hit a point where whilst the output power was reducing, the rig's current remained about the same, therefore I think it is better to have the most power for the same current draw, in my case that's well on the way to 200mW. I found the exact data sheet for your Energizer High Tech, Richard, but all the datasheets look the same! It's interesting to note the deliberate mistake- I should hope the nominal voltage is slightly higher than 1.5 Volts! http://www.elv-downloads.de/Assets/Produkte/9/951/95133/Downloads/95133_Alkaline_9V_DS.pdf Picture of rig here in it's new box :-) http://flic.kr/p/aGuZ3P 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G3CWI on 20th November 2011 at 13:25 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Battery: #1 Activation: #25 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.81 Volts QSOs: 36 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 318 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Wow! Thanks for all the support with this activation; it's my best ever on 100mW. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 21st November 2011 at 17:29 |
| Stats:21/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #18 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:na@-1c QSOs: 22 DXCCs: 10 DL,G,HA,I,OE,OM,OK,UA,UR,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 223 Cumulative DXCC: 24 (DL,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,UA,UR ) G3CWI Richard has record with 318 QSO Hard to beat. Well done Richard. Hope to have more QRPp activators soon. Real low power do work so I challange all chasers to try. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 21st November 2011 at 19:00 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Wow! 24 different DXCC's and 223 QSO's! Hope you manage to beat your last score of 240 Kjell, not many more QSO's to go. I have ordered some more parts for my rig to try to improve performance, I hope to have them tomorrow. I have also ordered my competition battery :-) Really looking forward to getting my rig on the air. I find this competition so amazing and I can't wait to have a go myself. I hope that it helps to improve my CW too! 72 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by LA1KHA on 24th November 2011 at 16:24 |
| Stats:22/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #19 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:na@-1c QSOs: 4 DXCCs: 3 DL,G,OK, Cumulative QSOs: 227 Cumulative DXCC: 24 (DL,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,UA,UR ) Stats:24/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #20 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:na@2c QSOs: 4 DXCCs: 2 DL,SP, Cumulative QSOs: 231 Cumulative DXCC: 24 (DL,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,UA,UR ) To be active only on one frq is dificult. Both days other stations was active on or near frq so all I heard was QRM in 599 Tray more later, must go away friday/ saturday 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 27th November 2011 at 13:40 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Breezy. Battery: #1 Activation: #26 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.83 Volts QSOs: 15 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 333 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Thanks for all the support with this activation. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 29th November 2011 at 20:24 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Stats:28/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #21 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:na@3c QSOs: 11 DXCCs: 7 EA,DL,G,HA,OE,OM,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 242 Cumulative DXCC: 25 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,UA,UR ) Stats:29/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #22 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:na@8c QSOs: 16 DXCCs: 8 DL,G,HA,OE,OK,OM,LA,YO Cumulative QSOs: 258 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) G3CWI Richard has a strong score with 333 QSO so far and Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (DL,EA,EV,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,OE,ON,OK,OZ,PA,SM,S5,9A) Still lot of battery left so I press on. Of answer also normal short qso, LA4PM Finn in Bergen was nice to qso. Not a lot of LA on 30m. I only qso locals like LA1ENA and LA3BT. LA8BCA is also strong here. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 30th November 2011 at 15:41 |
| Stats:30/11/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #23 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:na@4c QSOs: 19 DXCCs: 10 DL,G,HA,HB9,OE,ON,OK,OZ,UA,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 277 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 DE la1kha |
| Post by G3CWI on 30th November 2011 at 18:52 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Breezy and cold. Battery: #1 Activation: #27 Summit: G/SP-005 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.9 Volts (!?) QSOs: 22 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 355 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Thanks to all the callers! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 1st December 2011 at 18:07 |
| Stats:01/12/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #24 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:na@4c QSOs: 7 DXCCs: 4 DL,G,SP,PA Cumulative QSOs: 281 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 DE la1kha LOCATOR IS JO49SE |
| Post by G3CWI on 4th December 2011 at 17:13 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Rain/sleet. Horrid. Battery: #1 Activation: #28 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: ? Volts QSOs: 7 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 362 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Thanks to all the callers! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 5th December 2011 at 20:18 |
| In reply to G3CWI Richard, Incredible result 362QSO. WX to day fb. But winter is now soon here. I let my battery in my rucksack all time and it is outside in the rear part of the car. ( No heat there ever, load place ) I have called to many cq with this battery,and this drain battery also. With QRM I loose QSO, And G3CWI may have better rig and operating technique. But I have fun all time anyhow. Thanks all for this. Stats:04/12/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #25 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:na@-1c QSOs: 6 DXCCs: 4 DL,G,HB9,LA Cumulative QSOs: 287 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) Stats:05/12/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #26 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:7.80@-2c QSOs: 8 DXCCs: 5 DL,G,HA,ON,UA Cumulative QSOs: 295 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 6th December 2011 at 15:19 |
| Stats:06/12/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #27 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:NA@-3c QSOs: 21 DXCCs: 8 DL,G,HA,OK,LA,PA,UA,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 316 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) Super that local OP LA9HC Kolbein in Porsgrunn city called inn. If you do not get answer try calling my callsign and or change frq a little: I use xtal and DC RX so zerobeat give no qso. Thanks to all . 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 6th December 2011 at 18:52 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Hi Kjell Congratulations on breaking the 300 QSO barrier! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 6th December 2011 at 19:46 |
| In reply to G3CWI Richard. Thanks om to day a lot of qso. I have great fun with this.Pile up with QRPp is nice. Have ordered a KILLER rig to use on 40m band , Miss Moscita. Real Super RX with some AGC. Waiting on Peter to deliver the parts. ' Plan is to have possibility for reduced power 10mW , 50mW and 100mW on 9v. Hope this come so I can have it qrv this winter. Hpe cu sn dr om 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 7th December 2011 at 20:04 |
| Sorry for some bad cw, but must begin with glows now. Winter is here. Still a lot of qso possible,output should be quite low now whit battery ice cold and 7,65v without load. But as long as answer I keep on. Thanks all for qso. Stats:07/12/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #28 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:7.65@-7c QSOs: 21 DXCCs: 8 DL,G,HB9,OE,OK,OM,PA,SP Cumulative QSOs: 337 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 22nd December 2011 at 14:53 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Sunny. Radio conditions pants. Summit snap; fried luncheon meat and egg sandwich with two mugs of freshly brewed coffee. Interesting sight - C130 below hilltop level banking steeply to avoid hitting Gun and disappearing down out of view. I stood waiting to hear it crash (I assume it didn't as I heard nothing ). Battery: #1 Activation: #29 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.80 Volts QSOs: 7 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 369 Cumulative DXCCs: 18 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW) Thanks to all the callers! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 27th December 2011 at 16:04 |
Stats:27/12/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #29 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:NA QSOs: 15 DXCCs: 7 DL,F,G,HA,OM,LA,SP Cumulative QSOs: 352 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 DE LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 29th December 2011 at 13:54 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Cold, wet and windy. Battery: #1 Activation: #30 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.67 Volts QSOs: 10 New DXCCs: 1 (OM) Cumulative QSOs: 379 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) Thanks to all the callers! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 29th December 2011 at 18:21 |
Stats:29/12/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #30 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:NA QSOs: 19 DXCCs: 10 DL,G,HA,HB9,OE,OK,OM,LA,PA,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 371 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) Now looking closer to G3CWI Richard. I will be back nex two days so may be I can round up some more qso for 2011 Tanks all and GL to all QRPp WX Extreme nice for ultimo December. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 29th December 2011 at 19:46 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Copied from G-QRP reflector: The year is ending at an an interesting point in the PP3 challenge. Kjell and I are both approaching the 400 QSO level with a single PP3/MN1604. As of today, I am on 379 QSO and Kjell, LA1KHA is on 371. We are about to be joined by Colin M0CGH who aims to start his campaign tomorrow. I understand that Tom M1EYP is also starting a campaign in 2012. 30m is our band of choice. I took the time recently to do some some careful measurements of my radio and compared it to a stock Rockmite. On receive there is not much difference in current drawn although my Rx is considerably more sophisticated than the Rockmite's (with proper filters). The Rockmite wins out at lower Voltages though. http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardnewstead/6595709931/ On transmit the results were more interesting. A slide here shows the overall transmit efficiency of the Rockmite compared to my radio (TGS) at different supply voltages. The class E PA is working well but at a slightly higher voltage than I designed it for. http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardnewstead/6595686715/ I think that there is much more work to be done to arrive at a really efficient design - but either way, nearly 400 QSOs on a PP3/MN1604 seems amazing! 73 and Happy New Year Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 30th December 2011 at 21:40 |
| In reply to G3CWI RICHARD: Stats:30/12/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #31 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:NA QSOs: 19 DXCCs: 10 DL,G,HA,OE,OM,LA,SP,S5,UA(3),UR Cumulative QSOs: 390 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) Tanks to all for qso and for all if any who tried. I hope to be back 31/12 for more qso, HAPPY NEWYEAR to all, I do not want to be un-polite/ bad, but conserve my battery. PP3 battery is not extreme good now. Today Radio Moscow again with 59+ BC radio. This happen often when sun is in horizon. PLEASE ALL WHO HAVE USED PP3 update 31/12-2011 for status. 73 de LA1KHA kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 30th December 2011 at 22:28 |
| Stats:30/12/2011 Battery: #1 Activation: #1 Summit: G/NP-004 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:9.1 Rig: RockMite 30 from Small Wonder Labs, modified PA, modified 5V bus QSOs: 7 DXCCs: 5 DL,OM,OZ,PA,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 7 Cumulative DXCC: 5 DL,OM,OZ,PA,S5 First activation for challenge. Snowing at summit and quite cold. Rig used was a modified RockMite from Small Wonder Labs, first ever on-air test. Thanks for QSO's, I hope my CW will be better on the next one because when I arrived at home my Palm Mini-Paddle had arrived in the mail :-) 73 and HNY Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G3CWI on 31st December 2011 at 15:25 |
| Wet and windy. Battery: #1 Activation: #31 Summit: G/SP-004 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: N/A Volts QSOs: 14 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 393 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) Wet. Battery: #1 Activation: #32 Summit: G/SP-013 Band: 30m Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.57 Volts QSOs: 12 New DXCCs: None Cumulative QSOs: 405 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) Thanks everyone and a very Happy New Year! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 31st December 2011 at 15:58 |
| LA1KHA's PP3/MN1604 Challenge STATUS 2011 Most QSO all time best battery CALL OP ACTIVATIONS QSO DXCC 1.st G3CWI Richard 32 405 19 2.nd LA1KHA Kjell 32 402 26 3.rd LA1ENA Aage 7 50 13 4.th M0CGH Colin 1 7 5 Congratulation G3CWI for his achievement with his PP3 battery and good transceiver . Well done Richard. I have put some other list here. Most QSO on a single battery all time # CALL OP ACTIVATIONS QSO DXCC Battery# year 1.st G3CWI Richard 32 405 19 1 2010-2011 2.nd LA1KHA Kjell 32 402 26 5 2011 3.rd LA1KHA Kjell 23 240 23 3 2011 4.th LA1KHA Kjell 20 150 18 2 2010-2011 5.th LA1KHA Kjell 20 133 22 4 2011 6.th LA1ENA Aage 7 50 13 1 2011 7.th LA1KHA Kjell 6 50 11 1 2009 8.th M0CGH Colin 1 7 5 1 2011 Most DXCC all time best battery CALL OP ACTIVATIONS QSO DXCC 1.st LA1KHA Kjell 32 402 26 2.nd G3CWI Richard 32 405 19 3.rd LA1ENA Aage 7 50 13 4.th M0CGH Colin 1 7 5 I know that all battery are not depleted. We may agree to use one year as a goal, but Stats:31/12/2011 Battery: #5 Activation: #32 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:7.3v@-7c QSOs: 12 DXCCs: 7 DL,G,HA,I,OM,Ok,LA, Cumulative QSOs: 402 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) Not bad with 5 battery and 975 qso in log... All QRPp /p 73 and HNY to all de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 31st December 2011 at 16:56 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Hi Kjell Thanks for the summary (and the idea for the challenge) - it was very close at the end of this year! I am keen to continue with the same battery as I want to see just how many contacts are possible. Maybe even 500 is a possibility? Who would have thought that 30+ activations would be possible from a single PP3? When we read of people carrying SLABS and even LiPOs up into the hills, we can sit back and smile! CW and some QRPp cunning will always win. I have been surprised at just how reliable these very low power systems are for activating. 100mW and rockbound on a single frequency sounds like a recipe for many failed attempts - but it has not proved to be such a problem. Of course our keen band of skillful chasers is our secret! 73 and a very Happy New Year Richard G3CWI |
| Post by EA2BD on 31st December 2011 at 20:30 |
| In reply to Richard & Kjell: I have really enjoyed all this time with your challenge. I admire how you both are encouraging each other in the achievement of this challenge and to overcome new limits. You are showing to the ham community how can a ham do all his best to raise his skills and carry out deep investigations to develop the state of the art in the QRPp and homebrewing. I wish I could contribute a bit but so far I just can say THANKS and all the best for you on the 2012. I'll keep on reading your progress... VY 73 es GL to you & families Ignacio EA2BD |
| Post by M0CGH on 1st January 2012 at 10:42 |
| For those interested, I have uploaded some pictures of the rig I intend to use for the Challenge in 2012. I built the rig using the Manhattan technique and I call it the MRM-39. (Manhattan RockMite 30 9volt) The pictures can be found here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/24901892@N03/6611553543/ and here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/24901892@N03/6611553577/ (This is NOT the rig I used on 30/12/11) I do have ideas, and some parts in stock, to build a better rig, but whether I'll get around to building it remains to be seen! 73 and all the best for 2012. Colin M0CGH |
| Post by LA1KHA on 1st January 2012 at 14:50 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Nice rig M0CGH Colin. To all in SOTA I send you my best wishes for this new yer 2012 Stats:01/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #33 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:7.25v@-2c QSOs: 16 DXCCs: 9 DL,G,HA,HB9,OM,OK,LA,PA,SP, Cumulative QSOs: 418 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) Tanks to all for chasing and to HA7UG for spot. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 2nd January 2012 at 14:46 |
| Stats:02/01/2011 Battery: #1 Activation: #2 Summit: G/NP-028 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.76V Rig: MRM-39 - home brew for challenge http://flic.kr/p/b5eWx4 Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 13 DXCCs: 8 DL,F,G,HB9,LA,ON,PA,SP Cumulative QSOs: 20 Cumulative DXCC: 11 DL,F,G,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX - Some snow flurries, mainly dry, occaisonal strong wind. Thanks to all callers for their patience with my CW - I do feel that my CW is improving though. My battery seems to be dropping voltage rapidly, but I did call CQ a lot! My new rig seems to be working ok, but at one point I got swamped with adjacent frequency QRM (possibly the pile up for G3CWI!). I am totally amazed that such simple gear can give such good results. http://www.flickr.com/photos/24901892@N03/6620935365/ 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G4OWG on 2nd January 2012 at 15:00 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Great stuff Colin but your ground wave wasnt making the 6.5 mile trip to me :-( The pile up was for JD1BMH Ogasawara. Roger G4OWG |
| Post by G3CWI on 2nd January 2012 at 15:38 |
| Very windy. Cold. Battery: #1: Activation: #33 Summit: GW/NW-042: Band: 30m Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p) http://alturl.com/vkn4d Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.77 Volts New DXCCs: None Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) QSOs: 9 Cumulative QSOs: 414 Thanks everyone again! http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardnewstead/6620794665/in/photostream 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 2nd January 2012 at 15:59 |
| Well done QRPp friends. M0CGH Colin already 11DXCC with QRPp good. Your well build t rig is a nice. Hope more OP`s get trilled by the challenge and experience with the ease one can make QSO with QRPp. Most experience what happen to a FT817 if try to use it on multiple activations with internal accu`s. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 2nd January 2012 at 17:11 |
| In reply to G4OWG & LA1KHA Sorry not to be able work you Roger, I only worked one G station - John G4WSX in Chichester. I suspect not much of my RF was going horizontally! Didn't hear anything from JD1BMH, but it's hard to make out the call signs when you are hearing all of the 30M band at the same time! I am strongly considering improving the RX filtering, it's dire at the moment! Hope to work you at some point Roger if conditions allow, it seems ages since we had a QSO. Thanks for the kind comments Kjell, the rig needs serious work on the front end. I have lots of respect for you Kjell, being able to operate so well using a standard RockMite. Not sure when the next outing will be, but I hope it's soon! 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by LA1KHA on 3rd January 2012 at 16:36 |
| LA1KHA's PP3/MN1604 Challenge I Congratulation G3CWI for his achievement with his PP3 battery. Prize comes with our Royal Mail. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 3rd January 2012 at 16:48 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Hi Kjell That's rather unexpected! I await the postman with keen anticipation. Thank you. Vy 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by MW0IDX on 3rd January 2012 at 17:31 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: A PP3 battery I wonder ;-) Well done Richard! 73 Roger MW0IDX |
| Post by LA1KHA on 4th January 2012 at 20:09 |
| In reply to MW0IDX Roger: Good idea, but I don't think he need one for still some days :-) To day superb wx here, yesterday was so bad. But still dark in evening. Who would believe that one can make so mny QSO with so low power on a simple Transceiver. Stats:04/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #34 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc@50mW (se text) Ant: Dipole @8m up Finish Voltage:na v@-0c QSOs: 19 DXCCs: 10 DL,G,HA,HB9,OE,OM,OK,LA,S5,UA(5) Cumulative QSOs: 437 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) To all tnx for call and qso. Soon 1000 QSO with the PP3 battery's since 2009.This is my 5.th battery. Price pr qso is low. In compaction to my 23cm QSO`s they are still expensive.... Tested rig on LA1G our radio group. 50mW +/- out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/28342011@N06/6636776635/in/photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/28342011@N06/6636777061/in/photostream Signals low as 0.2uV was detected, but when a ant is connected it is lively in the headphones. Signal like the 599 I report are 7uV and a lot of you have signal 20uV from the sound in headphones. The Rockmite is a great transceiver due to simplicity and price. Even a unmodified rig is relative acceptable,But I do belive with a filter of better quality in rx and a xtal for higher frq abt 10.125MHz should be better. A real super reciever draw not a lot more current and this is my next plan here. A vfo rig with Super RX and lower power, A dream at last. I use the battery to no one come back. Back tomorrow for more QRPp fun Will it last 450 QSO? 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 5th January 2012 at 10:46 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: > The Rockmite is a great transceiver due to simplicity and price. Even > a unmodified rig is relative acceptable,But I do belive with a filter > of better quality in rx and a xtal for higher frq abt 10.125MHz should > be better. Kjell, N4ESS does 10.125MHz crystals here: http://www.expandedspectrumsystems.com/prod4.html N4ESS also has the crystals on Ebay, with low cost shipping (US$2.80)- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Crystals-QRP-Ham-Radio-frequencies-HC49-Cylindrical-/110795001353?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19cbe58e09 If you would like to try for a QRPp S2S, I will also buy some 10.125MHz crystals. I think a 9V summit to summit would be great! My rig uses sockets for crystals, so crystals can be changed as required. > A real super reciever draw not a lot more current and this is my next > plan here. A vfo rig with Super RX and lower power, > A dream at last. I wonder if you can update us with any progress on your Miss Mosquita rig? 73 Colin M0CGH RockMite fanatic! |
| Post by G3CWI on 5th January 2012 at 16:34 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: I am intrigued Kjell. Has the output of your radio fallen to 50mW or have you adjusted it? I am amazed to see you using a live battery for tests. Mine is kept strictly for contacts. I would not want to waste any energy! Incidentally, I would be very cautious about the accuracy of your power meter, most are not accurate at these low levels. I use a Boonton 42BD: http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/rf-power/42-series-datasheet.pdf Good to 10GHz max power 100mW. I measure using precision attenuators. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1KHA on 5th January 2012 at 17:11 |
| In reply to G3CWI Richard and M0CGH Colin: I have now ordered x-tals for 10.125 and 10.140 thanks for info Colin. S2s would be nice.. But band must be quite so a little up is great. Tanks Richard for info ,May be the meter is not correct. but the most correct around here :-).No mods done in radio. I think i saw a simple probe for v-meter in one magazine , cant remember witch.And calculate P out. I use real battery for test to se output,(Look how long they last anyhow,) the battery now are weak and 7.4v@-2c today. Wondering why voltage is not constant lower for each time. I use small v-meter on top, but in the car I use a Fluke 117. But try to make as few CQ as possible, and NO RAG CHEW.- But QSO is minimum G3CWI de LA1KHA/p -TU 5NN Bk and BK CFM 73 SK Why 599 well all are strong, or stronger. Even the other stations. Well to day: Stats:05/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #35 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:7.4 v@-c QSOs: 10 DXCCs: 5 DL,G,HA, ,LA,PA Cumulative QSOs: 447 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 5th January 2012 at 18:17 |
| In reply to LA1KHA & G3CWI: My RF probe used with my DMM seem to match my QRP power/swr meter (2Watt FSD) quite well when measuring my QRP projects. My probe was bought as a kit at Rishworth Convention, but is it easy to home brew one. Would it not be possible to use an oscilloscope to work out the RF power out, by measuring the peak voltage into a 50R load, multiplying by 0.707 to give RMS, than squaring the result and dividing by 50? (Vrms^2/R) I tried to listen for you today Kjell on several web based receivers, but all I heard was ON5SY calling CQ. Kjell, it's a shame you didn't quite make 450 QSO's today, but I'm sure you'll do it next time out. :-) It is simply amazing to have so many QSO's on such a power system! 73 Colin |
| Post by LA1KHA on 5th January 2012 at 18:33 |
| In reply to M0CGH Colin. Tanks for info. Yes I do have a small power meter some where here but is is for 450MHz up to 500mW (Comersial UHF test) My bird instrument dont have probes to go so low in power. I have problem with station close by frq. If zero beat it is better. But managed 10QSO , yes back tomorrow. If wx is as bad as earlier this week I may go direct home from work and relax on sofa :-) The last night some snow come, but daytime makes most melt. Part of Icy path up now so I use some thing under my shoes whit spikes. So I do not fall. I have plan to put in channal selector and now I see the use for a link in emitter on "PA" : So I can measure the input currant and at last get POWER DC IMPUT I forgot the Miss Moscita. It was shipped to Kragero , They corrected it yesterday and now the kit is somewhere but not here. Post office promised it will be here on Monday. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 6th January 2012 at 18:37 |
| In reply to M0CGH Colin. Tanks for info. Yes I do have a small power meter some where here but is is for 450MHz up to 500mW (Comersial UHF test) My bird instrument dont have probes to go so low in power. I have problem with station close by frq. If zero beat it is better. But managed 10QSO , yes back tomorrow. If wx is as bad as earlier this week I may go direct home from work and relax on sofa :-) The last night some snow come, but daytime makes most melt. Part of Icy path up now so I use some thing under my shoes whit spikes. So I do not fall. I have plan to put in channal selector and now I see the use for a link in emitter on "PA" : So I can measure the input currant and at last get POWER DC IMPUT I forgot the Miss Moscita. It was shipped to Kragero , They corrected it yesterday and now the kit is somewhere but not here. Post office promised it will be here on Monday. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 6th January 2012 at 18:44 |
| Stats:06/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #36 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:7.4v@-2c QSOs: 9 DXCCs: 7 DL,G,HA,OK ,LA,PA,SP Cumulative QSOs: 458 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) My Miss Moscita: Was on post to day and they got all under control.Where my parcel is they answer "under way". My "I come by tomorrow" was answered with "No, try Thursday" I hate when they say TRY , Some day it turn up in right place. Better not think of it: Was sent from Berlin Germany 19.Desember 2011 More fun with my PP3 battery to morrow. Be aware 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 6th January 2012 at 20:18 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Sorry to hear your kit is stuck in the post system somewhere, hope it turns up soon! I ordered some 10.125MHz crystals, I received an email saying that they were mailed yesterday afternoon. Hopefully they will be here in a week or two. Well done on your 458 QSO's, the 500 QSO target is not so far away! Your battery voltage is looking good too. I hope to activate another summit for the challenge at the end of next week. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M0CGH on 7th January 2012 at 20:50 |
| Stats:07/01/2011 Battery: #1 Activation: #3 Summit: G/NP-028 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.68V Rig: MRM-39 - home brew for challenge http://flic.kr/p/b5eWx4 Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 7 DXCCs: 4 DL,HA,LA,OZ Cumulative QSOs: 27 Cumulative DXCC: 12 DL,F,G,HA,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX - Dry, quite windy, cold (by UK standards!). Last minute decision to activate, so no alerts. 30m sounded quite busy today and QSO's were hard to win. Nice to see the battery voltage is levelling out, especially after so much CQ'ing! Thanks to all callers, I appreciate the QRS replies to my CQ's, I realise that I'm going a lot slower than most SOTA CW ops! 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G3CWI on 8th January 2012 at 12:56 |
| Disaster. 15 mins CQ, 1 contact. No way to self spot as left phone at work. Battery: #1. Activation: #34 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p) http://alturl.com/vkn4d Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech Finish Voltage at room temp: 7.72 Volts New DXCCs: None Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) QSOs: 1. Cumulative QSOs: 415 Shows how important those self spots are. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by LA1ENA on 9th January 2012 at 17:55 |
| In reply to G3CWI: No luck here either. Condx not the best. Had to use my FT-817 at 500mW to qualify the activation. Had forgot my logging paper so one positive thing about not too many qso's.hi (Logging on a very small paper I found in my wallet.) Battery: #1 BATTERY: Panasonic Xtreme power Activation: #8 Summit: LA/TM-015 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8,50 QSOs: 3 DXCCs: 2 (G,DL) Cumulative QSOs: 53 Cumulative DXCC: 13 (G,PA,UA2,GW,DL,HB9,ON,OK,LY,HA,OE,SP,LX,S5) Will try again later. 73 Aage LA1ENA |
| Post by LA1KHA on 9th January 2012 at 19:22 |
| In reply to LA1ENA Aage. Nice activation Aage. Was snowing on Holtankollen and my key made lots of problem . Adjusted gap on dot and dash to over 2mm and it worked. (snow was melting in contacts.) Stats:09/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #37 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-3c Antenna: Dipole 8m agl QSOs: 11 DXCCs: 8 DL,G,HA,LA,PA,SP,S5,UR Cumulative QSOs: 469 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell want to be my friend on facebook look for : kjell eriksen skien |
| Post by LA1KHA on 10th January 2012 at 16:55 |
| Battery: #5 Activation: #38 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-2c Antenna: Dipole 8m agl QSOs: 8 DXCCs: 6 DL,G,HA,HB9,OM,PA Cumulative QSOs: 477 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) Battery may hold for 500 QSO.. Please try calling me . 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 10th January 2012 at 18:24 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Took the afternoon off work because I have a sore back, hopefully it will be ok for my planned activation on Sunday. I tried listening for you, Kjell, this afternoon using my FT817 (a commercial rig - shame on me!, but I couldn't hear anything from you. I think I did hear some stations working you, but hard to tell with all the QRN! Oh well, it kept me amused for a while :-) You are so near to 500 QSO's - I really hope your battery lasts a while longer. However long your battery lasts though, you have achieved something amazing already. It is just simply awesome that your little battery has powered so much communication. I wonder if you will mount your battery on a plinth with a plaque when it finally gives it's last mAH! ;-) 72 and congratulations! Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G3CWI on 10th January 2012 at 19:31 |
| In reply to M0CGH: >I wonder if you will mount your > battery on a plinth with a plaque when it finally gives it's last mAH! I am sure Kjell is going to make it to 500. However, I would caution against mounting flat batteries as they usually leak eventually. Surely a better thing is to recycle it so that it has a second life (albeit a less exciting one in a smoke alarm). I can imagine that battery on the shelf in a supermarket somewhere telling all the younger batteries about the exciting life it led in a previous existence. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M0CGH on 10th January 2012 at 20:07 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Richard I was joking of course! Maybe a bronze could be cast instead? ;-) I would probably end up using Kjell's battery in my regen RX if he recycles it, I seem to go through lots of PP3s! They actually give good service, but my radio gets a lot of use, it's my main rig at M0CGH (MFJ-8100K). I've started buying my batteries in bulk now. All my old batteries go to the supermarket recycling point (those bins scare me with all the batteries being thrown in with bare terminals!). My 'spent' PP3's generally read between 4 and 6V when I recycle them, they still have some 'potential' to be dangerous! 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by LA1KHA on 11th January 2012 at 16:15 |
| In reply to M0CGH Colin and G3CWI Richard: 3 of my used battery I have still on shelf. These PP3 last forever. But if you use them to 4v I must say that you are economic. Here also battery's are going to recycling.I do belive if we took some of them we could make free qso all year around. (If using QRPp - ) Stats:11/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #39 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-2c Antenna: Dipole 8m agl QSOs: 15 DXCCs: 10 DL,EW,G,I,HA,HB9,OE,OK,OM,PA Cumulative QSOs: 492 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) I try to put up a list of witch summits has been activated with QRPp ( 1 qso or more from all of us) England was no. 1 followed by Norway, Denmark and Wales G/CE-004 G/NP-004, G/NP-028 G/SE-013 G/SP-004, G/SP-005, G/SP-010, G/SP-013, G/SP-015, G/SP-017, G/WB-005, G/WB-010 GW/NW-032,GW/NW-053 OZ/OZ-001, OZ/OZ-006,OZ/OZ-012 LA/AH-009 LA/TM-015, LA/TM-017, LA/TM-049, LA/TM-249 LA/VF-002, LA/VF-010 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 12th January 2012 at 21:02 |
| 500 QSO ON A PP3 9v Battery.... Still power left in my PP3. G3CWI Richard has battery that are far from depleted so he may even obtain more qso on his try. When I first begun with using the PP3 to power my rig in 2009 I was impressed that I could use the battery for multiple activations. Stats:12/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #40 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-2c Antenna: Dipole 8m agl QSOs: 9 DXCCs: 7 DL,G,HA,HB9,OK,OM,PA Cumulative QSOs: 501 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) Thanks all for holding out with my weak signals. If you go in log I have RST on all qso. More often now the report are weak signals here like 229,339 but still some really good reports are obtained. Back to morrow. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 13th January 2012 at 20:35 |
Stats:13/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #41 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-2c Antenna: Dipole 8m agl QSOs: 1 DXCCs: 1 HA Cumulative QSOs: 502 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) frq was in use or station was close by my frq, only HA7UG in log. Antenna blown down so I went home, 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 14th January 2012 at 17:44 |
Stats:13/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #41 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-2c Antenna: Dipole 8m agl QSOs: 1 DXCCs: 1 HA Cumulative QSOs: 502 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) frq was in use or station was close by my frq, only HA7UG in log. Antenna blown down so I went home, 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 14th January 2012 at 17:47 |
| Stats:14/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #42 Summit: LA/TM-010 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-2c Antenna: Dipole inv V at 5m agl QSOs: 3 DXCCs: 3 DL,F,LY Cumulative QSOs: 505 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) After this I used my FT817 with minimum power with internal accu. Tnx all 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 15th January 2012 at 15:38 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Battery: #1. Activation: #35 Summit: G/SP-004. Band: 30m Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p) http://alturl.com/vkn4d Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech Finish Voltage at room temp: ? Volts New DXCCs: None Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) QSOs: 10. Cumulative QSOs: 425 Battery: #1. Activation: #36 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p) http://alturl.com/vkn4d Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech Finish Voltage at room temp: ? Volts New DXCCs: None Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) QSOs: 8. Cumulative QSOs: 433 Still going! 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M0CGH on 15th January 2012 at 17:34 |
| Battery: #1 Activation: #4 Summit: G/SP-005 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.60V Rig: MRM-39 - home brew for challenge http://flic.kr/p/b5eWx4 Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 5 New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative QSOs: 32 Cumulative DXCC: 12 DL,F,G,HA,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX - Hard frost, sunny, cold, very little wind QSO's very hard won today. Band was very busy. Better luck next time I hope. Lots of walkers on Pendle Hill today, it really was like being at the seaside in summer. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by LA1KHA on 15th January 2012 at 20:54 |
| In reply to M0CGH Colin and G3CWI Richard: Well done with your activations. I managed to have 4qso on QRPp.The site on Hovedfjell has a large TV and commercial tower. Highest building/ construction in Norway ( i have not checked this info) Some strong HF fields present. Stats:15/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #43 Summit: LA/AA-020 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-2c Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 5m agl QSOs: 4 DXCCs: 4 DL,G,HA,HB9 Cumulative QSOs: 509 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 16th January 2012 at 11:13 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Dear Kjell I noticed on Sunday that one of my op-amps is struggling. Now the Voltage is lower, it distorts on very strong signals (DF5WA in this case). I will have to inspect the biasing. Conditions seem to have been poor recently. My QSO average is falling :( No activating next weekend - working abroad (Les Sables D'Olonne, France). 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M3EYP on 16th January 2012 at 14:23 |
| Hi Richard, You could do some SOTA activations in France if you have any free time. Jimmy M3EYP |
| Post by G3CWI on 16th January 2012 at 20:24 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Kjell Maybe 100mW is too much power? I have been doing some testing using the new OPERA beacon software. Tonight I adusted my power to 168uW and have so far had reports from all over Europe. Best DX though is WD4KPD at 5960km. That's over 22 million miles per Watt! It's not a great mode for a chat though: sending "G3CWI" took 12 minutes. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by G0AZS on 16th January 2012 at 21:01 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Oh great... Is there a Lunar AM waiting in the wings with a new Association? Richard and Kjell will need a new set of mountains for thier next QRPP challenge! Well done... 73 Marc G0AZS |
| Post by MM0FMF on 16th January 2012 at 21:23 |
| In reply to G3CWI: >That's over 22 million miles per Watt! You must have it connected to a Joystick VFA then Richard. Remember, a long feeder is better than short one with a VFA. Especially if you can mount the feeder as high up and exposed as possible. (Posted for those who remember Partridge Electronics and their adverts) Andy MM0FMF |
| Post by LA1KHA on 17th January 2012 at 19:42 |
| Hello all. Well WX in Telemark is favourable this year.When up to day -4c but blue sky and no wind. Snow only by the fraction of last years. My battery still fresh- ish so back tomorrow. Stats:17/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #44 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:7.30 v@-4c Antenna:Dipole @ 8m agl QSOs: 13 DXCCs: 5 DL,G,HA,LA,ON, OM Cumulative QSOs: 522 More fun tomorrow after work. Tanks all. Also some station that was so friendly they QSY-ed when heard that a QRPp was on frq. N4EX wanted to try 14Mc, but no antenna with me. Will bring also 14Mc dipole and my PARTISAN tranciever ( 2w CW but with flick of a switch I can put my homemade 10w PA in line. A brutal rig for those days with qrm ) Only hand key- 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by HA7UG on 18th January 2012 at 15:34 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Hi Kjell OM! Don't forget Aage, hi! If remember well, you sent 559, and he answered 529 :) BTW: amazed me your great job / very lucky with you :) if i'm here, able to read your mW's .. CU next, GL for clear fq + wx ! 73 de Laci |
| Post by LA1KHA on 18th January 2012 at 18:01 |
| In reply to HA7UG: Tanks Laci for correction. Yes he is in log, but forgot him in list. now ok. Today snowing here. In morning it was -8c but at 13:00 GMT begun rain witch froze on ground. temp -3c and snow on Holtankollen. Stats:18/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #45 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-3c Antenna:Dipole @ 8m agl QSOs: 11 DXCCs: 5 DL,G,HA,OM,OK Cumulative QSOs: 533 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 20th January 2012 at 22:09 |
| Stats:20/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #46 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-6c Antenna:Dipole @ 8m agl QSOs: 7 DXCCs: 4 DL,G,OM,PA Cumulative QSOs: 540 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 24th January 2012 at 18:11 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Dear Kjell I have just returned home to find your lovely present "more QRP Power" by the ARRL. Thank you for the kind gift! Vy 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M0CGH on 27th January 2012 at 21:03 |
| Battery: #1 Activation: #5 Summit: G/NP-028 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.58V Rig: MRM-39 - home brew for challenge http://flic.kr/p/b5eWx4 Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 3 New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative QSOs: 35 Cumulative DXCC: 12 DL,F,G,HA,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX - snow I really struggled with my CW today, I haven't done any CW since Pendle Hill G/SP-005 two weeks ago. Goes to show that practice really helps. I was mixing letters up during receive and my sending wasn't too polished either! Must try harder! Today I expercienced BCI for the first time on my rig, probably as a result of it starting to become dark. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M0CGH on 28th January 2012 at 20:57 |
| Battery: #1 Activation: #6 Summit: G/NP-010 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.48V Rig: RockMite 30 from Small Wonder Labs Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 10 New DXCCs: 1 EA Cumulative QSOs: 45 Cumulative DXCC: 13 DL,EA,F,G,HA,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX - 25cms of snow at summit. Sunny, no wind, excellent clarity - beautiful views! I took along my 17m and 20m RockMites today, but I managed no QSO's on these bands despite calling for quite some time using my challenge PP3 battery. On the plus side, I did get picked up by OH6BG's CW skimmer in Vaasa, Finland on 17m. Power is less than 100mW (best guess around 80mW at that battery voltage). That is a distance of around 1000 Miles! Heard a station calling CQ test today on 10MHz, wonder if they managed to work anybody ;-) 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G0VOF on 28th January 2012 at 21:06 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Hi Colin, It was very nice to work you on 30m today, & a little surprising as you were a little difficult to copy at times on 2M FM using your handheld. I didn't expect to hear much at all on 30m but after waiting for a few of the stronger stations to give you a relatively clear frequency I had no trouble copying your 160mW here in Blackburn. Thanks for the contacts & the chaser points :) Best 73, Mark G0VOF |
| Post by LA1KHA on 31st January 2012 at 22:31 |
| Stats:28/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #47 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-5c Antenna:Dipole @ 8m agl QSOs: 4 DXCCs: 3 DL,OK,LA Cumulative QSOs: 544 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 DE LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by M0CGH on 4th February 2012 at 21:28 |
| Battery: #1 Activation: #7 Date: 04/02/12 Summit: G/NP-028 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.51V Rig: MRM-39 - home brew for challenge http://flic.kr/p/b5eWx4 Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 14 New DXCCs: 1 GW Cumulative QSOs: 59 Cumulative DXCC: 14 DL,EA,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX - very cold, snow later First of all, an apology. Sorry for not getting on air for my alerted time, this was due to various reasons. Today there was an organised hike over Ilkley Moor (Rombalds Moor) called the Rombalds Stride. My local RAYNET group were providing comms, so once again I volunteered to do the 'cold' checkpoint - the one where you can't stay in your nice warm car! I was actually the 'second' op, so SOTA ideas came into my mind as the checkpoint was inside the activation zone :-) My plan was to get to the checkpoint an hour early and activate for SOTA, then begin my RAYNET duties at around 10am. As usual it took me a long time to get all my kit ready, meaning I left my QTH later than I would have liked. The weather forecast (from Norway! - http://www.yr.no/) indicated snow at around 1200UTC, so I planned ahead and parked my car at the bottom of the road facing downhill, instead of near the transmitters (this turned out to be a wise decision). The result was an extra 30-40 minutes walk. I arrived at my checkpoint just in time for my RAYNET duties, so the activation for SOTA was put on hold. With agreement from my colleague, the first op, I set up my HF dipole an hour or so later, trying to get the activation for SOTA done before the snow started falling. I self spotted using the SMS spot service (Thanks Andy) and very shortly after, ge, LA1ENA, was in the log. I then was hit by what seemed like a huge pile up! It was amazing working a pile up whilst running 100mW! In all I worked 14 stations, my best result yet, before the snow started to fall. I had to go QRT pretty quickly, so sorry if I missed anyone. Band conditions seemed really good today with equally good signals from G and EU. Juerg, HB9BIN, was extremely strong. By the time I got back to my car the snow was getting quite heavy and had settled on the road down from the transmitters. The main roads were clear, so I got back to my home without problems. I really enjoyed myself today, it was one of those days where you don't really expect much but you end up having a great time. I was glad to get back to my car after being out in the cold for so many hours! 73 Colin M0CGH :-) Edit - BTW the WX forecast was spot on -it was about 1210UTC when the snow started! |
| Post by MM0FMF on 4th February 2012 at 22:01 |
| In reply to M0CGH: I don't have time to partake in the challenge but I do follow the results. I've spent some time working on our mobile phone SoC simulations helping our customers simulate alternate power stratergies so that battery life can be stretched as more and more hardware is added to phones. It's an enormous part of the design process. The way manufacturers give the battery life says so much. My tech world is awash with news that Intel has a Medfield Atom CPU running Android in some phones. Intel CPUs are known worldwide for the heat they produce compared to ARM chips. How did Intel describe the battery life? Well it's "comensurate with other smartphones in its class". Which is marketing speak for "it sucks so hard it can suck a bowling ball up a garden hose" :-) They don't save if you will need to hold the phone in an oven glove when you are using it either. So whilst there's only a few of you active in this on SOTA, there are thousands of engineers working on exactly the same problem, get more life out of the battery, but on a much bigger scale. And I didn't think there were 500+ QSOs worth of power in a PP3. It will interesting to see how repeatable the endurance is between different batteries of the same brand. Andy MM0FMF |
| Post by LA1KHA on 7th February 2012 at 22:01 |
Stats:29/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #48 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-5c Antenna:Dipole @ 8m agl QSOs: 1 DXCCs: 1,LA Cumulative QSOs: 545 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) Stats:30/01/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #49 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-11c Antenna:Dipole @ 8m agl QSOs: 6 DXCCs: 4 DL,G,LA,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 551 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) Stats:07/02/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #50 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:NA v@-4c Antenna:Dipole @ 8m agl QSOs: 2 DXCCs: 2 DL,OM Cumulative QSOs: 553 Cumulative DXCC: 26 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 9th February 2012 at 00:29 |
| Stats:08/02/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #51 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:7.23v@-6c Antenna:Dipole @ 8m agl QSOs: 14 DXCCs: 7 DL,G,GM,HB9,OE,OM,S5 Cumulative QSOs: 567 Cumulative DXCC: 27 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GM,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) Battery 7.23v now so power must be low.Radio is stored in rucksack in my company car. And out all day in frost. BUT Still manage to make qso`s but more of them give 339 than ever. New DXCC worked to day MM0GYX Will battery last for 600 QSO? I find this incredible. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by MM0GYX on 9th February 2012 at 07:11 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Kjell, FB to work you with your rockmite. My call is MM0GYX, maybe a slip of the keyboard, you got it during the qso. Thanks and good luck for more qrpp with your 9 volt cells. I have a 40m rockmite but my brain's cw filter is not mature enough to make sense of the signals yet. I have better luck with the SW+20, a relative QRO rig! 73, Ian. |
| Post by LA1KHA on 10th February 2012 at 03:42 |
| Sorry for error on page. Now packing rucksack for Edinburgh trip this week end. Tanks for qso Ian. The excellent design on RM give possibility to monitoring wide frq range at same time. Not many rigs has this option. :-) I also enjoy Radio Moscow all time when sun down. This is a good design thing so ham operators can be updated with latest news and music. To day I belive some DX was on 10.118 vy QRM Fingers got little cold to day.. Stats:09/02/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #52 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:7.20v@-8c Antenna:Dipole @ 8m agl QSOs: 2 DXCCs: 2 DL,SP Cumulative QSOs: 569 Cumulative DXCC: 27 (DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GM,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA,UR ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G3CWI on 13th February 2012 at 17:19 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: 11-Feb-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #37 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p) http://alturl.com/vkn4d Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech Finish Voltage at room temp: ? Volts New DXCCs: None Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) QSOs: 6. Cumulative QSOs: 439 13-Feb-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #38 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p) http://alturl.com/vkn4d Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech Finish Voltage at room temp: ? Volts New DXCCs: None Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) QSOs: 8. Cumulative QSOs: 447 Plodding on. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M0CGH on 14th February 2012 at 10:24 |
| Battery: #1 Activation: #8 Date: 10/02/12 Summit: G/NP-028 Band: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.42V Rig: MRM-39 - home brew for challenge http://flic.kr/p/b5eWx4 Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 2 New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative QSOs: 61 Cumulative DXCC: 14 DL,EA,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX - very cold, paths very icy Due to my my family's trip to Devon, I would be unable to get on air during the weekend. I want to try and keep going with my CW, so I booked a day off from work to activate Rombald's Moor again. I was late arriving at the summit (!) due to the road being extremely icy. I again left my car at the bottom of the road to the summit and walked for an extra 40 or so minutes. I had made the right decision, as a vehicle was seen to have had a mishap when I returned to my car later on. Unfortunately I had another 'off day' with my CW, working only 2 stations and not managing to complete with one station, which I didn't log, putting it down as a 'got away'. I blame myself, as my CW was not at all up to scratch. (What is it about Fridays?!). I tried again on 18MHz, but there were no takers. The band seemed very lively and I heard a US station briefly. I was again picked up by OH6BG on the Reverse Beacon site, so I know that some RF is getting out! Not an activation to remember, 2 QSO's in the log for about 100 mins of operating - better next time I hope! 73 de Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M1EYP on 14th February 2012 at 12:16 |
| Well, it still increases the total by two Colin. I am still looking for suitable weekend opportunities to come up and do a joint activation with you, as discussed. Hopefully sometime soon. 73, Tom M1EYP |
| Post by G3CWI on 14th February 2012 at 13:55 |
| In reply to M1EYP: 14-Feb-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #39 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p) http://alturl.com/vkn4d Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech Finish Voltage at room temp: ? Volts New DXCCs: None Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) QSOs: 4. Cumulative QSOs: 451 Slow going. DF5WA first as usual. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M0CGH on 14th February 2012 at 15:08 |
| In reply to M1EYP: FB Tom, I am looking forward to a possible joint activation. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G3CWI on 15th February 2012 at 14:06 |
| In reply to M0CGH: 15-Feb-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #40 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p) http://alturl.com/vkn4d Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech Finish Voltage at room temp: ? Volts New DXCCs: None Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) QSOs: 1. Cumulative QSOs: 452 Very slow going. :( 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by G3CWI on 16th February 2012 at 14:37 |
| 16-Feb-12 Wet and windy. TGS has been in sick bay. Dry joint and near short. Both fixed. Battery: #1. Activation: #41 Summit: G/SP-004. Band: 30m Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p) http://alturl.com/vkn4d Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech Finish Voltage at room temp: ? Volts New DXCCs: None Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) QSOs: 2. Cumulative QSOs: 454 Very very slow going. :( 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M0CGH on 16th February 2012 at 15:24 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Sorry to hear TGS has not been well :( Glad that TGS is well again. I often wonder, and have been asked, as to how much temperature and humidity affects our radios. My rig design uses a case that needs to be opened to connect the battery and turn it on. I didn't want to use an external cable to apply power, as I thought it would be all too easy to leave it at home! I intended to provide an insulated battery bay inside the rig, but this has not been implemented as yet. I have noticed that my rig forms condensation inside when I bring it into the warmth of my home. I leave the top open and allow it to dry out after each activation. The only thing to have suffered so far is my straight key - it is made from brass and it has become slightly corroded in one small area. I have ordered another Czech army key from Mike G0CVZ, so my brass key can stay at home. Sorry to hear you have been struggling for contacts Richard, I also find it hard to win contacts during week days. It is reassuring that it's not just me and my poor op skills that are to blame, when such a good op as yourself also finds it hard going at times. My 18MHz challenge rig is about to be let loose, I have almost got it working :-) 72 and hope you have many more QSO's next time. Colin M0CGH |
| Post by 2E0YYY on 16th February 2012 at 15:49 |
| In reply to G3CWI: > 16-Feb-12 > > Wet and windy. Thanks for the 2m contact on G/SP-013 Richard, I thought you may find it a bit windy up there :-( > > Very very slow going. :( Very slow on 2m also, nearly 2 hours yielded just 21 QSOs. Looking on the bright side, it won't take long to log them. 73 Mike 2E0YYY |
| Post by G3CWI on 16th February 2012 at 16:00 |
| In reply to M0CGH: In the early days of SOTA I experimented with a touch sensitive key that relied on contact resistance. It seemed like a good idea at the time - no contacts, no moving parts. A few activation on hot sunny days were a great success. Then the Autumn arrived. It was then, on a damp foggy day, that I discovered the weakness of that approach. The keyer went mad and it was impossible to calm it down. It was its last outing :) It remains here on the windowsill of the shack. Another heroic failure. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by G3CWI on 19th February 2012 at 13:35 |
18-Feb-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #42 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p) http://alturl.com/vkn4d Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech Finish Voltage at room temp: ? Volts New DXCCs: None Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) QSOs: 0. Cumulative QSOs: 454 30 mins CQing. It doesn't get worse. 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M0CGH on 19th February 2012 at 17:58 |
| In reply to G3CWI: Oh dear :( I did hear a lot of contest activity this morning on the contest bands, so maybe all the CW ops were contesting! Or was it maybe that the 30m was very busy with stations who would normally be on the non WARC bands swamping QRPp with QRO. Maybe the non contest ops were sheltering in the higher WARC bands. Hope your luck improves soon. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G3CWI on 25th February 2012 at 16:29 |
| Warm and pleasant Battery: #1. Activation: #42 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: TGS (DC RX, Class E TX - 100mW o/p) http://alturl.com/vkn4d Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: PP3 Energizer Hi Tech Finish Voltage at room temp: ? Volts New DXCCs: None Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (ON, S5, OK, PA, G, DK, I, LA, F, OE, HB9, HA, SM, 9A, EV, EA, OZ, GW, OM) QSOs: 7. Cumulative QSOs: 461 73 Richard G3CWI |
| Post by M0CGH on 25th February 2012 at 22:46 |
| Battery: #1 Activation #9 Date: 25/02/12 Summit: G/LD-003 Band: 17m, 30m Finish Voltage: 8.31V Rigs: home brew for challenge -RockMite based. 'MRM-39' -30m, 'Helvellyn' -17m Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 3m above ground QSOs: 4 (2 on 17m, 2 on 30m) New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative QSOs: 65 Cumulative DXCC: 14 DL,EA,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX: very windy, severe wind chill. Mainly dry with occaisonal mist (fog!) Found it very hard to do CW today, I started to shiver very quickly today giving rise to a very wobbly hand. I don't think I have ever felt so cold! I deployed my 'mountain shelter' (KISU in some circles), which improved the wind chill situation, but added a lot of QRM! I was struggling to hear my rig with the volume at full. I'm very happy tonight though. I hatched a plan a while back to activate Helvellyn on 17m as there were no contacts logged on the database for this band. I started project 'Helvellyn' a couple of Month's ago in order to be the first to log contacts from this summit on 17m. I built my rig specially for this activation. I have named the rig 'Helvellyn' as building it seemed like quite a mountain to climb! http://flic.kr/p/bxjNzi John, G0TDM, in Penrith is the first to chase G/LD-003 on 17m. There had only been 1 logged contact on 30m from Helvellyn, so I have upped that by 2. Who will be first to activate G/LD003 on 20m? With my 4 QSO's I qualified the summit on QRPp CW :-) 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M0CGH on 3rd March 2012 at 21:05 |
| Battery: #1 Activation #10 Date: 03/03/12 Summit: G/NP-005 Band: 17m, 30m Finish Voltage: 8.11V Rigs: home brew for challenge -RockMite based. 'MRM-39' -30m,'Helvellyn' -17m Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 4 (30m) New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative QSOs: 69 Cumulative DXCC: 14 DL,EA,F,G,GW,HA,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX: Every season - wind,sun,hail,snow & rain! At least I wasn't too cold this week, I had my duvet vest on underneath my duvet jacket underneath my goretex jacket! I was lovely and warm :-) Turned the rig on at 10.45, took 30 mins to get my first QSO in the log. My last, and 4th, contact was in the log at 11.59 - thanks Mike, DJ5AV, for saving the day! I tried 17m for a few minutes, but there were no takers this time around and my battery had already suffered enough! Will the battery see me through the next three summits? If my battery could get me through the 500 activator points mark, I would be very happy! 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M0CGH on 13th March 2012 at 15:01 |
| Stats 12/03/2012 Battery: #1 Activation #11 Date: 12/03/12 Summit: G/LD-010 Band:40m Finish Voltage: N/A Rig: RockMite 40 from Small Wonder Labs Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 12 New DXCCs: 1 GM Cumulative QSOs: 81 Cumulative DXCC: 15 DL,EA,F,G,GM,GW,HA,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX: No wind,warm and sunny! Operated in tee shirt (got sunburn to prove it!) Battery: #1 Activation #12 Date: 12/03/12 Summit: G/LD-007 Band:40m Finish Voltage: N/A Rig: RockMite 40 from Small Wonder Labs Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 11 New DXCCs: 1 GI Cumulative QSOs: 92 Cumulative DXCC: 16 DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,GW,HA,HB9,LA,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX: No wind, warm, alternating between sunny and misty Battery: #1 Activation #13 Date: 12/03/12 Summit: G/LD-022 Bands:40m and 30m Finish Voltage: 8.04V Rig: RockMite 40 from Small Wonder Labs and home brew 30m rig (MRM-39) Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 12 (6 on 30m, 6 on 40m) New DXCCs: 2 OE,OK (both on 30m) Cumulative QSOs: 104 Cumulative DXCC: 18 DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,GW,HA,HB9,LA,OE,OK,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX: A little cooler than earlier in the day but very mild for the time of year. No wind, quite misty. A brilliant day - 35 QSO's in total and 4 new DXCC's. Weather was very mild throughout the day. Gained 31 activator points earning me my next certificate (500) at 503 activator points :-) 72 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M1EYP on 16th April 2012 at 18:47 |
| 15-Apr-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #1 Summit: G/SP-017. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted Vee Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 7 Cumulative DXCCs: 7 (S5, G, DL, LA, HA, OZ, OM) QSOs: 11. Cumulative QSOs: 11 Many thanks to Colin M0CGH for the rig. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 17th April 2012 at 10:00 |
| 17-Apr-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #2 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 1 Cumulative DXCCs: 8 (DL, G, LA, HA, OE, OM, OZ, S5) QSOs: 1. Cumulative QSOs: 12 That nice chap Fred Talbot led me to understand that the weather would be dry this morning, at the end of the Granada regional news last night. The problem is, once you've got it into your head you are doing a SOTA activation, it is difficult to cancel. So off I set in heavy rain at 5.48am on the morning of Tuesday 17th April 2012, arriving in lighter rain at the parking spot around 30 minutes later. The walk up Gun G/SP-013 was soggy as anticipated. I got the 30m dipole up quickly on the summit, so I could get inside the bothy bag, and out of the rain as soon as possible. I connected up the Rockmite 30 and self-spotted. It seemed a busy band, but that was probably because I could hear all of it! Keying seemed a little better this time, but still some way from perfect. I must give my paddle a proper test. Well, lots of calling for both SOTA G/SP-013 and WFF GFF-014 brought just one QSO, and that with OE6WIG. Some very bad QRM came up on frequency, and I just about heard OE6WIG advising me to QSY because of it. But I couldn't, because I was using the Rockmite! So I gave up with just the one QSO collected, and trudged back to me car. The Cottage in Dalehall provided a sausage, bacon and cheese double oatcake for my breakfast, before I drove around the corner to the work QTH. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by 2E0YYY on 17th April 2012 at 10:37 |
| In reply to M1EYP: > So I gave up with just the one QSO collected, and trudged back to me > car. WOW, that's a bummer, Tom :-( > The Cottage in Dalehall provided a sausage, bacon and cheese > double oatcake for my breakfast, before I drove around the corner to > the work QTH. At least the story has a happy ending ;-) Mike 2E0YYY |
| Post by M1EYP on 17th April 2012 at 10:56 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: It can happen when you have a single frequency radio with only 170mW of power! Check out some of the posts above - at least I am not the first! Early mornings being a good opportunity for me to activate, I hope that horrid mechanical QRM on 10.115MHz is not a regular feature of that time of day. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M0CGH on 17th April 2012 at 14:16 |
| In reply to M1EYP: Tom, opening the score with 11 in the log is very good going! I bet you'll appreciate the FT817 a whole lot more than you did before! I think it does good to rough it for a while! Sorry to hear that the keying is not up to scratch - I found that I missed a lot of 'dits' off, i.e, sending M0CGS instead of M0CGH, I thought it was just me. I hope that you manage to cope with the rig. Maybe the rig could be returned under warranty and fitted with an original chip to see if that improves matters - see how you get on. There is the possibility of adding a 'Jackson Harbor' keyer chip - some people say it's a better chip than the PicoKeyer. I think you are off to a good start. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M1EYP on 21st April 2012 at 21:05 |
| 18-Apr-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #3 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 8 (DL, G, LA, HA, OE, OM, OZ, S5) QSOs: 0. Cumulative QSOs: 12 Another 5.30am BST get-up in horrid weather, and up to Gun G/SP-013 again. Awful. Couldn't raise a single contact. In the end, I made one QSO on 2m FM with the handheld, just to record the walk as an activation. Elsewhere on 2m FM were two chaps understanding why Anders Behring Breivik did what he did - eek. Time for a sharp exit. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 26th April 2012 at 10:43 |
| Wx might still be horrid, but at least it won't be early morning, which doesn't seem to be working too well for QRPP 30m ATM. Perhaps my success in winter with QRP 30m, where I was going out at 4am for skeds into El Salvador led me to believe that it could work! I have a WOO this afternoon, so expect me to be QRV on 10.1153MHz CW (no QSY possible) from Gun G/SP-013 between 1530 and 1715z (4.30pm to 6.15pm BST). It will be also valid for WFF chasers as Peak District GFF-014. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 27th April 2012 at 10:11 |
| After work on Thursday 26th April 2012. The weather was still horrid. Gun G/SP-013 was so waterlogged that I was surprised they weren't trying to drain it to solve the water shortage in the south east. The view was the grass within a few metres of the trig point, topped by a wall of grey. It was horrible. And even worse while it was raining, which it did for most of the time. Still, I had ascended with the full intention of enjoying myself, so I erected the 30m dipole hastily and bedded down inside my bothy bag. The Rockmite 30 QRPP rig was connected up, a self-spot placed on SOTAwatch, and off I went. Good it was too. Lots of contacts were coming in from SOTA and WFF chasers. Not at the same 2/3 per minute rate as would be the case using 5 watts from the 817, but easily enough to keep me interested. Some of the exchanges were very easy and straightforward with excellent copy both ways. Things got a bit interesting when OZ1HDF started calling CQ on top of me. With no QSY available, I battled on, and was surprised to find I could still work the chasers. Then it slowly dawned on me that my rig was wide open, and that it could well be that OZ1HDF was on a different frequency! I finished with 26 QSOs in the log after 71 minutes of operating. This was very satisfying. I got on much better with the keying response this time too, so I could be set for some real fun with the Rockmite 30 and Kjell's challenge. 26-Apr-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #4 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 8 Cumulative DXCCs: 16 (9A, DL, G, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, RA, S5, SM, SP) QSOs: 26. Cumulative QSOs: 38 Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 2nd May 2012 at 20:27 |
| 2-May-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #5 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 16 (9A, DL, G, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, RA, S5, SM, SP) QSOs: 2. Cumulative QSOs: 40 Quite a nice afternoon up on Gun, which was much less boggy than any time in recent memory. Perhaps United Utilities decided to action my earlier suggestion. Two ladies were taking photos of a dog, which was posing atop the trig point. This dog clearly loved having the camera pointed at it and was surely destined for a career as a canine supermodel. It did not love my fishing pole or unravelling wires of the 30m dipole as I was setting up. It was going beserk, although it was harmless enough. The ladies decided to continue the walk so as to settle the dog down, which meant they had to stop asking me questions about amateur radio. Such is life. Not much action on the Rockmite. But the two stations worked, SOTA stalwarts OE7PHI and DJ5AV, were both solid copy both ways. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 24th May 2012 at 21:51 |
| 24-May-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #6 Summit: G/SP-015. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 16 (9A, DL, G, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, RA, S5, SM, SP) QSOs: 3. Cumulative QSOs: 43 A stunner of an afternoon saw my return to SOTA and the PP3 Challenge after a brief flirtation with the HuMPs award. I set up right on the edge of the summit, allowing myself a wonderful view across the valley to the Peak District hills. It was definitely shorts, T-shirt and sandals weather, so "kitting up" was basically the application of factor 15. It seems a busy 30m band including a DXpedition made life difficult for chasers trying to work me. I wasn't really aware of this, as I hear the whole band through the headphones from the Rockmite 30 anyway! No music from the Voice of Russia today though... Anyway, just 3 QSOs on 30m CW today (OE, OM, DL), followed shortly after by three more on 2m FM. Followed shortly after by more sunshine lapping up, at the Harrington Arms in Gawsworth, where Richard G3CWI had cycled out to meet me for a beer. Callsign in use was MQ1EYP/P. 73, Tom MQ1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 26th May 2012 at 09:58 |
| Wide awake at 4am on Saturday 26th May 2012. Only one thing for it - off to the Gun G/SP-013 for some early morning CW on 20m. Thing was, stupid old me had forgotten that (a) it was the WPX CW contest weekend, and (b) the CW filter needed putting back in my FT-817. So you can well imagine how near-impossible 20m CW operation was! Surfing around the upper end of the contest activity, around 14.079 to 14.102MHz, I made 12 QSOs, which included NN5J (Arkansas) and 3V8BB (Tunisia). However, it was no fun listening to this din, so I uncharacteristically went up to 20m SSB, 14.264MHz. This netted a further 27 QSOs, mainly from SOTA and/or WFF chasers. It was very nice to speak (on phone) for the first time to several chasers that I have worked many times on CW. The pick of the bunch was W7CNL in Idaho. When things went quiet on there, I decided to take down the 20m groundplane antenna, and replace with the 30m dipole, and resume the LA1KHA PP3 Challenge. S51ZG and OM7DX were straight in for me, but then there was nought. I had all sorts of problems, with my paddle doing funny things. The speed went up in excess of 35wpm, but I managed to work out how to put that back to my preferred 25wpm! The paddle also reversed, with dashes on the left and dots on the right. I wouldn't work out how to fix this, but it dawned on me after a few minutes that I could simply turn the paddle upside down! What I couldn't resolve was the very high CW pitch - so I just put up with that. Since returning home, I have had the Rockmite 30 in the shack together with the instructions, so I was able to work throught the menus to restore the preferred settings, and also store a couple of memory keyer strings for next time! 26-May-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #7 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 1 - SV Cumulative DXCCs: 17 (9A, DL, G, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 2. Cumulative QSOs: 45 After packing up, I called on the VX7R, and added five QSOs on 2m FM, taking the total for the activation to 46. I wandered back down to the car at around 8.50am BST, and listened to "Sounds of the 60s" with Brian Mathew on BBC Radio 2 while driving back home. Thanks to all stations who worked me. I suspect I am going to pay for my early-morning antics tonight - because I have got a gig...! Maybe a few zeds in order this afternoon... Tom MQ1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 6th June 2012 at 09:42 |
| 2-Jun-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #8 Summit: G/LD-045. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 17 (9A, DL, G, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 0. Cumulative QSOs: 45 Nothing doing. QRM. That is all... Tom MQ1EYP |
| Post by G3CWI on 6th June 2012 at 09:57 |
| In reply to M1EYP: On a philosophical point, can a period of operating with no QSOs actually be called an activation? |
| Post by M1EYP on 6th June 2012 at 11:55 |
| Not according to SOTA GR it can't. I was simply following your report format for the challenge and entering into the spirit of the experiment. And I do believe that you yourself have already set the precedent... Tom |
| Post by M0CGH on 6th June 2012 at 12:29 |
| In reply to M1EYP: Oh dear Tom. Sorry to hear the RM-30 is not pulling in the contacts. I really need to dust off my PP3 and get it on the air again. Do you think it's the band, or do you think it's the power, that's causing the difficulty? I have an 18MHz challenger, so maybe I might be better using that now that the daylight period is longer. Maybe we should investigate putting plan '44' into action! ;-) 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M1EYP on 6th June 2012 at 15:02 |
| Hi Colin, The rig is great - I love using it - many thanks for building it for me. The issue is a much simpler one. That is, if the frequency is in use, then I have got no chance! Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't, luck of the draw. It isn't immediately apparent from listening whether the QRG is clear or not, but when the chasers come back saying PSE QSY UP 2 and such, then that is a good indication! Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M0CGH on 6th June 2012 at 17:15 |
| In reply to M1EYP: > The rig is great - I love using it - many thanks for building it for > me. No problem Tom, it was a pleasure! > It isn't immediately apparent from listening whether the QRG is clear > or not Yes, that is a bit of a problem when you can hear a good few kHz of the band (both sidebands too!) at the same time. I tend to ask 'QRL?' twice with my call and if no-one responds, I will call CQ. Only once have I been asked to QSY because the frequency was in use - this was after receiving no response to a couple of 'QRL?'s and calling CQ for a few minuntes! I was calling at around 15wpm and the guy asking me to QSY was sending at at least 30wpm+ -it wasn't until the guy eventually slowed down that I understood what he was asking me to do! I have been busy trying to hatch a plan to build a more selective receiver - lots of ideas, but no circuits yet! Richard G3CWI hinted that a superhet should be do-able for reasonable current draw. Good luck with the challenge Tom, I hope the 30m propagation improves soon. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M0CGH on 9th June 2012 at 21:19 |
| Battery: #1 Activation #14 Date: 09/06/12 Summit: G/NP-028 Bands:30m Finish Voltage: 8.00V Rig: Home brew 30m rig 'MRM-39' Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 5 New DXCCs:0 Cumulative QSOs: 109 Cumulative DXCC: 18 DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,GW,HA,HB9,LA,OE,OK,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX: Misty and damp with a strong breeze. About 11C, but felt colder with windchill With M1EYP keeping the challenge going, I decided to get the old rig and it's battery out of the M0CGH QRP cupboard (a hoard of delights!). Of course the summit had to be G/NP-028 - it's just too convenient, although it's not a particularly inspiring location! I was pleased that the home brew rig still seems to work, it hasn't been touched since it was displayed on the SOTA display at Blackpool. Signal reports seemed pretty good today, I noticed that ge, LA1ENA posted a spot stating that I was hitting 599! To top off a great activation, I managed to work Rich, N4EX and Barry, N1EU using QRO (5 watts!) on 21MHz from my FT817 - does anyone want to sell me their 500hz filter for few? ;-) 72 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by LA1ENA on 9th June 2012 at 21:26 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Hi Colin After our qso your signal was really nice with a steady 599 signal for about 5 minutes. No copy on 15 mtrs though. Very nice to qso with you. Hope to meet up again in October for the G-QRP convention. 73/72 de Aage/LA1ENA |
| Post by M0CGH on 10th June 2012 at 08:17 |
| In reply to LA1ENA: Thanks Aage. Yes, hoping to attend the G-QRP convention this year, will be nice to meet you again. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by MM0GYX on 10th June 2012 at 10:06 |
| In reply to M1EYP: > It isn't immediately apparent from listening whether the QRG is clear > or not, but when the chasers come back saying PSE QSY UP 2 and such, > then that is a good indication! Hi Tom, I use rockmites a little bit on 40 and 30 and my strategy for deciding if the qrg is available is to switch between the 2 frequencies available from the crystal. If the cw I can hear on one decreases to a sub audible thump on the other then the frequency where I could hear the tone is occupied, I then use the one with the thump knowing I'm about 700hz away from that op. If the tone on one sounds like I should be able to work it but doubles in tone when switching to the other qrg then I can't work him as I'll be 700hz or more away, therefore both qrgs are available. Sometimes I just try to elbow my way in there selfishly with my 400mW or rf (no qrpp for me) :-) I've probably not explained it well and I'm teaching you to suck eggs, but thought it might help a little. 73, Ian MM0GYX |
| Post by M0CGH on 11th June 2012 at 20:20 |
| Battery: #1 Philips Extreme Life Activation #15 Date: 11/06/12 Summit: G/NP-028 Bands:30m, 40m Finish Voltage: 7.85V :-( Rig: Home brew 30m rig 'MRM-39', 40m RockMite in Altoids tin Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 9 New DXCCs:0 Cumulative QSOs: 118 Cumulative DXCC: 18 DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,GW,HA,HB9,LA,OE,OK,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX: Dry and overcast, about 10C, little wind. Due to an important sporting event (something involving a leather ball?), my work hours were changed today to allow an early finish - I worked out a nice solution to get rid of the extra time- I dusted off the RockMite 40 with the view to putting it on air again. The last time I had used the RM-40 was in March and I remember how I didn't like the upgraded keyer chip. I took the original RockMite keyer chip to work with me and put it back into the rig. My MRM-39 has a PicoKeyer chip installed and when I swapped rigs for the RM-40 on today's activation I found I was really struggling with the keying, I first suspected my key, but it was probably the difference in timing between the keyer chips, causing me to make mistakes, so apologies to any chasers who struggled to copy my CW today! I called CQ a lot today, so the battery has had a bit of a hammering. When I switched on the MRM-39, a 5 letter group station was busy sending away, I didn't really fancy competing with it! The Rockmite circuitry (on which the MRM-39 is based) allows you to swap over the TX/RX frequencies, so I did this and the new frequency seemed very quiet to me. I almost started to think that there was something wrong with my rig, but after a self spot, Stefan, OM7DX called me with a nice signal. Stefan gave me a 539 report but commented that there was heavy QRM. Mike, DJ5AV and Sake, PA0SKP followed Stefan into the log book, but then all went quiet. A change of rigs brought me on to 40m. After a few minutes of calling CQ, I decided that a self spot was in order, this brought in some new chasers for me. I had a steady flow of contacts for about 10 minutes before all went quiet again. 40m sounded very busy as usual, I guess my QRPp signal was quite easy to lose in the QRM soup. I was just about to go QRT when I was called by G3MJX, Tony, near to Cromer, Norfolk. Tony was also running QRP. We had a short chat rather than the usual rubber stamp, although QRM made things very difficult towards the end of the contact. All together a successful activation I think. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M1EYP on 18th June 2012 at 21:54 |
| 18-Jun-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #9 Summit: G/SP-015. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 17 (9A, DL, G, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 8. Cumulative QSOs: 53 Bosley Cloud on the way home from work. Beautiful weather - for all you non-hayfever sufferers. I am genuinely pleased for you all, really I am. Also added in 4 QSOs on 2m FM via the VX7-R handheld prior to descending, taking the activation to 12 contacts. Thanks to all. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by G4ISJ on 18th June 2012 at 23:53 |
| In reply to M1EYP: Can someone point me to the challenge rules? TIA Pete |
| Post by M1EYP on 19th June 2012 at 05:59 |
| LA1KHA's post of 1st November 2010 in the 'Rocking with the Rockmite' thread. Using the search facilty on the 'Reflector' link above and entering 'LA1KHA' was the trick to finding this ;) Tom M1EYP |
| Post by G4ISJ on 19th June 2012 at 23:07 |
| In reply to M1EYP: Many Thanks Tom and also to Colin who replied off list. I'll give it a try soon :-) Pete |
| Post by M0CGH on 20th June 2012 at 06:32 |
| In reply to G4ISJ: > I'll give it a try soon :-) > > Pete I look forward to seeing your reports/results :-) I find the challenge very addictive, I just wish I had more time to operate. To give you a ball park figure, my less than optimized 30m challenge transceiver uses a chunk less than 10 mA on receive and a chunk less than 80mA on transmit - how big are the chunks? - That would be telling! ;-) Good luck 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M1EYP on 20th June 2012 at 21:18 |
| 19-Jun-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #10 Summit: G/SP-015. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 17 (9A, DL, G, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 0. Cumulative QSOs: 53 After-work activation of The Cloud. Everything set up. Tried to be clever and program the message memories in the Picokeyer chip in the Rockmite 30. Didn't have the instructions with me, so pressed some wrong buttons and ended up reversing my paddle, increasing the speed to 55wpm and all sorts of other stupid things I couldn't undo. And managed to rip a wire out of the PP3 battery connector! Packed up, and worked Jimmy's mate Edward M6NSR/A on 2m FM handie in order to make the outing into an activation (of sorts). Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 20th June 2012 at 21:22 |
| 20-Jun-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #11 Summit: G/SP-015. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 17 (9A, DL, G, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 0. Cumulative QSOs: 53 Yet another failure. This time, up Cloud summit bright and early, and without the manual again which I managed to leave in the car. The result was another unsuccessful attempt to program the Picokeyer chip message memories, and so much time wasted that I was suddenly in danger of being late to work. Packed up, and made 2 QSOs on 2m FM with the VX7-R. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 20th June 2012 at 21:28 |
| 20-Jun-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #12 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 2 - GM and PA Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 3. Cumulative QSOs: 56 Better organised this afternoon, in the lovely warm sunshine, and the very unlovely high pollen count. Already done Cloud today, so it had to be Gun on the way home from work. This time, had the manual to hand, and managed to program both message memories (Picokeyer chip in the Rockmite 30) - one for CQ SOTA from Gun G/SP-013 GFF-014 and one for Cloud G/SP-015. I even got to grips with the need to enter the slashes twice (to avoid confusion with commands), and also managed to include commands like /R to take up less memory space. Only 3 QSOs were made on 30m CW, but this was a marked improvement on recent outings, and included two new DXCCs for me in the challenge. Particular thanks to GM4JYB who I was halfway through working when the mast collapsed, and was still there to complete the QSO once up and running again! Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 23rd June 2012 at 14:28 |
| 21-Jun-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #13 Summit: G/SP-015. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 1. Cumulative QSOs: 57 Early mornings are clearly not the best times for the PP3 Challenge on 30m. 20m would be the way to go to win this challenge, and I might just do that at some point in the future. In the meantime, I will plod on with 30m, and try to select my operating times more favourably! Thanks to Mike DJ5AV, the only station to call me on this one, worked at 0629z. The intention was to press on with daily activations, but it has been somewhat wet for the last couple of days. Thanks to Colin M0CGH who posted a replacement battery lead for my Rockmite, which arrived this morning. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 11th July 2012 at 23:06 |
| 6-Jul-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #14 Summit: G/LD-046. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 0. Cumulative QSOs: 57 For report, see "Food, beer, work & SOTA" thread. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 11th July 2012 at 23:07 |
| 8-Jul-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #15 Summit: G/LD-052. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 3. Cumulative QSOs: 60 For report, see "Food, beer, work & SOTA" thread. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 11th July 2012 at 23:15 |
| 11-Jul-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #16 Summit: G/SP-015. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 3. Cumulative QSOs: 63 It was a nice afternoon, so a diversion to The Cloud G/SP-015 was in order on the way home from work. This was a difficult activation with contacts hard to come by. After a couple of self-spots and loads of CQ calling, I was about to give up when OZ4RT called in. He was worked with reports of 559 both ways. But then I did resort to 2m FM from the handheld, making 4 QSOs culminating with a S2S with Viki M6BWA/P on Great Knoutberry Hill G/NP-015. Another call on the Rockmite brought OK1CZ and OE2ASL into the log, before I packed up and went home, with 7 QSOs under my belt. Many thanks to all that worked me. I traded the rhythm of the morse for the rhythm of the music, spending the evening rehearsing the saxophone players for my band. Come and see us at The Wharf in Macclesfield, 7.30pm Sunday (15th) night if you are around. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 17th July 2012 at 21:57 |
| 17-Jul-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #17 Summit: GW/NW-062. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 5. Cumulative QSOs: 68 17-Jul-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #18 Summit: GW/NW-039. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 0. Cumulative QSOs: 68 |
| Post by M0CGH on 18th July 2012 at 09:14 |
| Battery: #1 Philips Extreme Life (Best Before April 2012!) Activation #16 Date: 17/07/12 Summit: G/NP-028 Bands:30m, 17m Finish Voltage: 7.93V :-) (it's gone up!) Rig: Home brew 30m rig 'MRM-39', 17m RockMite 'Helvellyn' Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 0 New DXCCs:0 Cumulative QSOs: 118 Cumulative DXCC: 18 DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,GW,HA,HB9,LA,OE,OK,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX: Sunny, then drizzle, then heavy rain. Breezy My first nil QSO activation. Better luck next time |
| Post by M1EYP on 18th July 2012 at 19:12 |
| 18-Jul-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #19 Summit: G/SP-015. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 0. Cumulative QSOs: 68 Yet another nil QSO activation - as far as the challenge goes. There was all sorts of data and rubbish on 10.115MHz, so the poor Rockmite didn't stand a chance. I replaced it with the FT-817 and went to 10.118MHz. Now it was easy, and 13 QSOs were made in short order. Sadly, none can be credited to my PP3 Challenge score! I will be aiming for 42 QSOs in tomorrow morning's activation. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by M1EYP on 11th August 2012 at 08:56 |
| 10-Aug-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #20 Summit: G/SP-013. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 2. Cumulative QSOs: 70 There was a DX chasing pile-up somewhere on the 30m band, so on the Rockmite I heard it all the time! Managed to get two QSOs through though. Tom MO1EYP |
| Post by M0CGH on 11th August 2012 at 20:46 |
| Battery: #1 Philips Extreme Life (Best Before April 2012!) Activation #17 Date: 11/08/12 Summit: G/NP-008 Bands: 40m,30m,20m,17m Finish Voltage: 7.67 Rig: RockMite based rigs for 40,30,20 and 17 (2 home brew, 2 SWL kits) Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 14 (7 on 40m, 2 on 30m, 5 on 20m, nil on 17m) New DXCCs:2 both on 20m - N and CT Cumulative QSOs: 132 Cumulative DXCC: 20 CT,DL,EA,F,G,GI,GM,GW,HA,HB9,LA,N,OE,OK,OM,ON,OZ,PA,S5,SP WX: Overcast, breezy, some sun later on The aim of my activation was to try out my newly built RockMite 20 and celebrate a year using CW to qualify SOTA summits. My new RockMite 20 had never been connected to an antenna before, only test equipment. Connecting the antenna at the summit and all seemed good - the right noises were being emitted. I sent an SMS spot for myself and then started calling CQ - within seconds I was called by Barry, N1EU! Talk about a smile on my face - not only having my first contact on my rig, but also crossing the Atlantic with 100mW! Easily my best ever contact! Fantastic day out! 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by G4ISJ on 11th August 2012 at 20:52 |
| In reply to M0CGH: > within seconds I was called by Barry, N1EU! Talk > about a smile on my face - not only having my first contact on my rig, > but also crossing the Atlantic with 100mW! Easily my best ever > contact! > > Fantastic day out! > > 73 > Colin > M0CGH Where's the "Like" button! |
| Post by M1EYP on 11th August 2012 at 23:29 |
| Awesome results Colin. An RM20 is clearly a "must have" piece of kit. Tom M1EYP |
| Post by MM0GYX on 12th August 2012 at 08:54 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Colin, Superb. During a contest too! Well done to Barry aswell. 73 Ian. |
| Post by G0PEB on 12th August 2012 at 09:38 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Hi Colin, Congratulations with your 100mW RM20 QSO with Barry N1EU. I also have a recently completed RM20 just waiting for it's first outing. Mine seems be resonant at 14.058Mhz even though it has a 14.060Mhz crystal fitted, I presume the other components are causing the freq to be pulled. I just need to box it, then it'll be ready to go. I wonder if yours has been modified to vary it's freq slightly ? 73 and well done. Robert G0PEB |
| Post by M0CGH on 12th August 2012 at 11:02 |
| In reply to G0PEB: Hi Robert, All RockMites tend to run lower in frequency than marked on the crystal, although in some cases they can run higher! The crystal expects a certain capacitance in order to oscillate at the marked frequency. The oscillator circuit of the RockMite tends to not present enough capacitance to the crystal to achieve it's calibrated frequency and thus the oscillator runs about 1 to 2kHz lower than that marked. Some crystals expect different capacitive loading and run higher in RockMite - this seems to happen with certain 7MHz crystals (7.114MHz?). 20m RockMites do indeed run at about 14.058 MHz, so your rig sounds to running great! Good luck with your RockMite adventures - a VK contact would be awesome ;-) My RockMite is modified to run from low voltage and has a modified PA, but other than that it is standard. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by MM0FMF on 12th August 2012 at 19:21 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Very nice when such things happen. A 100mW to Barry N1EU beats my 4.5W to Texas or Kazahkstan hands down. Andy MM0FMF |
| Post by M0CGH on 13th August 2012 at 07:31 |
| Thanks for the congratulations guys :-) In reply to MM0FMF: Andy, I've now had the chance to measure the RF power output - this morning using the exact same set up, my rig is measuring 89mW! Wow! -All I can say! 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M1EYP on 14th August 2012 at 16:40 |
| 14-Aug-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #21 Summit: G/SP-015. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 1. Cumulative QSOs: 71 It was HB9BIN, who came back to my very first CQ call. After that, another 20 minutes of calling did not produce even one more contact. On arrival at the summit I realised that my phone was out of charge, so I went on 2m FM first in order that I could request a spot from a chaser. It took me quite a few contacts before getting a chaser with SOTAwatch to hand (MNI TNX G4BLH). It was a lovely warm sunny day, and the summit was busy with families and some very friendly dogs. I was disappointed not to add to the PP3 tally, especially after HB9BIN was worked so quickly and easily, but come 2.35pm local, it was time to pick Liam up from his youth club activity (Jiu-Jitsu) in Congleton. Tom MO1EYP/P |
| Post by G0PEB on 15th August 2012 at 13:15 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Hi Colin, Many thanks for the info about the characteristics of the Rockmites, hopefully once my RM20 has been boxed it should be ready for a trial run. I might just add a NESCAF (capacitive audio filter) to it's audio output at a later stage and see if it improves the 'performance' ... ;-) Yes a VK contact using a RM would be the ultimate, some chance eh! :-) .... I've had some success with it's big brother the SW20+, with about 1.5W o/p, no problems into the US and Europe. Pity it's recently been made obsolete by SWL. Good luck and thanks again. Robert G0PEB |
| Post by M1EYP on 17th August 2012 at 11:42 |
| 17-Aug-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #22 Summit: G/SP-015. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 3. Cumulative QSOs: 74 Little trip up The Cloud this morning. Very first CQ call was answered by DF5WA, swiftly tail-ended by OM7DX and DL3HXX - 3 QSOs inside a minute! Seven more minutes of CQ calling produced no more contacts, so I packed away and descended. Tom MO1EYP/P |
| Post by LA1KHA on 17th October 2012 at 20:36 |
Stats:17/10/2012 Battery: #5 Activation: #53 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Radio:Rockmite 10Mc Finish Voltage:7.60v@7c Antenna:Dipole @ 6m agl QSOs: 7 DXCCs:2 DL,OM NEW DXCC:0 Cumulative QSOs: 575 Cumulative DXCC: 27 DL,EA,ES,EW,F,G,GM,GW,HA,HB9,I,LA,LY,LX,OE,OH,ON,OM,OK,OZ,PA,SM,SP,S5,YO,UA, UR ) Today up on Holtankollen with XYL Ingrid and my oldest son Arnkjell. 10.120 was in use so I attended to them and made a fire to fry hot dogs. My rockmite and PP3 are still going strong. Tnx all for qso. 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by G0PEB on 25th October 2012 at 06:55 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Hi Colin, I finally managed to finish off and box up the RM20. Yesterday from my home QTH I called CQ, to be answered by a S57 followed by an I3. The RBN showed that my signal had reached OH,SK,HA,S50,LA and SE. I was quite surprised at what was achievable with such a small rig. I noticed that using the hi-tone rx freq, the operational freq was 14.0581. Am I able to use the lower freq of 14.0575 as a second operational freq ? Hopefully will be able to try the rig out on a summit this coming weekend. 73 Robert G0PEB |
| Post by M0CGH on 25th October 2012 at 10:35 |
| In reply to G0PEB: Hi Robert, Good to hear your RockMite is now ready for action! Yes, low power CW goes a surprisingly long way. 20m seems a bit off at the moment too, with the higher bands seemingly performing better. Does your RockMite have the MVAM109 for D6 or does it have the MV1662? If your rig is using the MVAM109, I strongly suggest changing the value of D5 from 4V7 to 5V1. This will give more TX/RX shift to something nearer to the nominal 600-800 Hz range. Your 'channel' difference will then be more useful. So in answer, yes, you can use whichever 'channel' you like, whichever gives you the clearest reception. Good luck with trying out the rig this weekend. I have just had my RM-30 in bits this morning (not the LA1KHA challenge rig), I've swapped out the PicoKeyer which I didn't like and I'm trying different PA transistors to get more juice out, I only have one QSO notched up on it so far, so I'm hoping to use it for a SOTA activation in the coming weeks. 73 Colin M0CGH |
| Post by M0CGH on 7th December 2012 at 12:32 |
| Battery: #2 Panasonic Evolta Activation #1 Date: 01/12/12 Summit: G/LD-017 Red Screes Bands: 40m,30m Finish Voltage: N/A Rig: RockMite 40 and homebrew RockMite 30 Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 14 (6 on 30m, 8 on 40m) DXCC - 5 - DL, G, GI, GM, GW and PA Cumulative QSOs:14 Cumulative DXCC: 5 DL,G,GI,GM,GW,PA WX: Sunny, cold, shallow covering of snow, path very icy. Battery: #2 Panasonic Evolta Activation #2 Date: 01/12/12 Summit: G/LD-018 Stony Cove Pike Bands: 30m Finish Voltage: 8.95 Rig: Homebrew RockMite 30 Ant: Inv. Vee dipole at 6m above ground QSOs: 0 (6 on 30m, 8 on 40m) DXCC - 0 Cumulative QSOs:14 Cumulative DXCC: 5 DL,G,GI,GM,GW,PA WX: Sunny, cold, shallow covering of snow. Breezy I decided to retire my original challenge battery and begin the winter bonus period with a fresh Panasonic Evolta battery. The Panasonic Evolta range includes a product that is recognised by the Guiness Book of Records as the World's longest lasting Alkaline battery. http://www.panasonic.com/evolta/ The 30m and 40m bands were very busy, stations replying to my CQ's were often sending 'QRM' along with my report. I ran out of time before I ran out of chasers on 40m on the first summit. 40m seems to a more productive band for numbers of QSO's for this challenge. 30m promotes longer distance contacts, useful for gaining new DXCCs. There was simply far too much band activity on both 30m and 40m whilst on the second summit, daylight was running out, so I dug out the MTR which I had taken along as a back - up. A pile up was soon created on 14.063MHz, allowing me to at least collect the points from the summit, if not qualify it using QRPp, which was my aim. Colin, M0CGH |
| Post by G0PEB on 16th December 2012 at 14:59 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Hi Colin, Today I activated NW-022 Moel Eilio using my RM20. The weather conditions were quite rough with horizontal rain at times. I noticed that there was plenty of contest activity on the band, so I decided to use the NESCAF (New England Switched Capacative Audio Filter)unit to try and improve my chances of getting QSO's. It made a big difference to the RM20. I ended up with 18 qso's from OM, DF,S51, 9A1,HA, LY, SP, HB, DL, CT1, IK3 and OE. I had intended to use 18mhz and 21Mhz SSB with the ft817, but I got carried away with the RM20. I've not tried the RM as part of the LA1KHA PP3 Challenge just yet. I will look into what needs to be done for optimising the unit for 9v use. The fun factor with this minimalist rig is amazing. 73 Robert G0PEB |
| Post by M0CGH on 17th December 2012 at 13:32 |
| In reply to G0PEB: Congratulations using the RM20 during a contest - you're a braver man than I! I sought refuge on 80m and 30m yesterday. Yes, the fun factor making contacts with such a simple rig is immense. Standard RockMites seem to be very much on the edge when running from a 9 Volt battery. I tend to find that a new PP3 measures around 9.65V unloaded, this rapidly drops off to just under 9 Volts with use. You will probably find some strange receiver characteristics when running a RM20 with low voltage, they do tend to buzz a bit. The main area to look into is the Zener / Resistor regulators for the PIC and Mixer chips, these are configured for a larger voltage than 9 Volts, so the 1K resistors (R1 and R8 IIRC) need reducing in value to keep the current at the correct level. The Zener/Resistor regulators actually waste a lot of current, a much better solution is to use a low drop out regulator IC and feed both the PIC and the Mixer (602/612) from this. A 5 Volt regulator will work fine - the mixer seems quite happy at 14MHz using 5 Volts. Some brief details are on my blog, but if you require more info, please get in touch. http://m0cgh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/rockmite-40-low-current-mod.html 73, Colin, M0CGH |
| Post by G0PEB on 17th December 2012 at 19:49 |
| In reply to M0CGH: Hi Colin, Thanks for the advice. Your Blog site looks excellent, and full of useful information. 73 Robert G0PEB |
| Post by M0CGH on 17th December 2012 at 21:58 |
| In reply to G0PEB: > In reply to M0CGH: > > Hi Colin, > > Thanks for the advice. Your Blog site looks excellent, and full of > useful information. No problem Robert, I'm pleased that other people are interested in this QRPp stuff, it's not just me! I've uploaded some photos to Flickr showing a RockMite 30 that I'm currently building. I bought an RM20 kit as a source of components for another project, it worked out cheaper at the time. As you can probably tell, I'm addicted to building kits, especially RockMites, so I couldn't resist building up the RockMite PCB. I don't have an 'Altoids' RM-30, but I do have 'Altoids' RM-40 and RM-20, so this board is destined for an Altoids tin as soon as I find one! I'm hoping for some Christmas money to buy some 10.116 crystals, I'm a Yorkshireman and the cost of crystals seems excessive! ;-) Anyway, this picture shows the underneath of the board, showing the jumper wire connecting the PIC and mixer +V rails. You can see the regulator and stability capacitor poking out from beneath the board - http://www.flickr.com/photos/24901892@N03/8281445293/ This picture shows the top of the board, note the low drop out regulator top right with red capacitor above the mixer chip - http://www.flickr.com/photos/24901892@N03/8281445857/ The mixer chip is run at 6V normally in the RM-20, maybe to provide a little bit more gain for the higher frequency, but this is just a guess. All other flavours of RockMite run the mixer at 5.1V. The RockMite seems to work very well for the PP3 challenge, I actually think that the PP3's are lasting too long! I think boredom sets in before the battery has run out! AAA challenge anyone? CR2032? :-) 73, Colin, M0CGH |
| Post by M1EYP on 26th December 2012 at 16:53 |
| 17-Aug-12 Battery: #1. Activation: #23 Summit: G/SP-015. Band: 30m Radio: Rockmite 30 Antenna: Inverted V Dipole @ 6m agl Battery: Duracell Pro-Life Finish Voltage at room temp: Not a clue New DXCCs: 0 Cumulative DXCCs: 19 (9A, DL, G, GM, HA, HB, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, OZ, PA, RA, S5, SM, SP, SV) QSOs: 0. Cumulative QSOs: 74 |
| Post by G8ADD on 26th December 2012 at 16:59 |
| In reply to M0CGH: "The RockMite seems to work very well for the PP3 challenge, I actually think that the PP3's are lasting too long! I think boredom sets in before the battery has run out! AAA challenge anyone? CR2032? :-) " Zinc and copper rods in a potato? How about all man-powered using one of those little hand-compression generators stripped out of a torch, it would make a nice challenge. 73 Brian G8ADD |
| Post by LA1KHA on 6th January 2013 at 10:30 |
| In reply to G8ADD: Hello. My last PP3 was short-circuit last time when used and totally depleted. In my favorit the Philips type battery it is actually 6 x AAAA 1,5v cells in series inside the battery casing. I think we can determinate that PP3 give god service on QRPp rigs. 73 and god luck with future adventures. LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 6th January 2013 at 19:48 |
| New battery for my Rockmite now.: BATTERY 6 Philips Ultra Alkaline Nice to qso LA1ENA/P on LA/TM-013 s2s Stats:06/01/2013 Battery: #6 Activation: #1 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked @-4c QSOs: 5 DXCCs: 5 DL,F,LA,LY,OM Cumulative QSOs: 5 Cumulative DXCC: 5 (DL,F,LA,LY,OM ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 23rd April 2013 at 19:27 |
| Stats:21/04/2013 Battery: #6 Activation: #2 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 7 DXCCs: 6 DL,F,G,HB9,LA,OM Cumulative QSOs: 12 Cumulative DXCC: 7 (DL,F,G,HB9,LA,LY,OM ) Temp 8c and nice wx, Tanks for lots of QRPp fun 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by DL1DVE on 24th April 2013 at 13:03 |
| In reply to LA1KHA: Hi Kjell... Unbelievable signal yesterday from you. Real 579 some qsb but loud for 100mW. I was on my "high power 5watt" station :-) best 73 de Tom DL1DVE |
| Post by LA1KHA on 24th April 2013 at 19:07 |
| Tanks for info DL1DVE Tom. It was relative strong wind so antenna was bouncing around a lot. I have fun with my small radio... Planing a OZ trip with my XYL so I bring my QRPp rig and a 30m dipole. Hope to activate one or more summits. Stats:23/04/2013 Battery: #6 Activation: #3 Summit: LA/TM-049 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 8 DXCCs: 5 DL,G,LA,OE,PA Cumulative QSOs: 20 Cumulative DXCC: 9 (DL,F,G,HB9,LA,LY,OE,OM,PA ) 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
| Post by LA1KHA on 10th May 2013 at 09:58 |
Stats:27/04/2013 Battery: #6 Activation: #4 Summit: OZ/OZ-001 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 11 DXCCs: 9 DL,G,GI,HA,OE,OK,OM,S5 and YL Cumulative QSOs: 31 Cumulative DXCC: 14 (DL,F,G,GI,HA,HB9,LA,LY,OE,OK,OM,PA,S5,YL ) Stats:27/04/2013 Battery: #6 Activation: #5 Summit: OZ/OZ-004 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 7 DXCCs: 6 F,HA,G,OK,OM and LA Cumulative QSOs: 38 Cumulative DXCC: 14 (DL,F,G,GI,HA,HB9,LA,LY,OE,OK,OM,PA,S5,YL ) Stats:27/04/2013 Battery: #6 Activation: #6 Summit: OZ/OZ-008 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 9 DXCCs: 4 G,GI,OH and OK Cumulative QSOs: 42 Cumulative DXCC: 15 (DL,F,G,GI,HA,HB9,LA,LY,OE,OH,OK,OM,PA,S5,YL ) And one S2s with G4ISJ/P in G/CE-001 Stats:28/04/2013 Battery: #6 Activation: #7 Summit: OZ/OZ-006 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 8 DXCCs: 6 DL,G,LA,OK,ON and OM, Cumulative QSOs: 50 Cumulative DXCC: 16 (DL,F,G,GI,HA,HB9,LA,LY,OE,OH,OK,OM,ON,PA,S5,YL ) Stats:28/04/2013 Battery: #6 Activation: #8 Summit: OZ/OZ-012 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 15 DXCCs: 10 DL,G,GM,HA,LA,LY,OK,ON,OM and UR Cumulative QSOs: 65 Cumulative DXCC: 18 (DL,F,G,GI,GM,HA,HB9,LA,LY,OE,OH,OK,OM,ON,PA,S5,UR,YL ) Here is the all QRPp Sota trip log to OZ. Stats:30/04/2013 Battery: #6 Activation: #9 Summit: oz/oz-007 Band: 30m Finish Voltage:not checked QSOs: 7 DXCCs: 5 DL,G,GW,LA and ON Cumulative QSOs: 72 Cumulative DXCC: 19 (DL,F,G,GI,GM,GW,HA,HB9,LA,LY,OE,OH,OK,OM,ON,PA,S5,UR,YL ) S2s MW6GRW/P IN GW/NW-063 73 de LA1KHA Kjell |
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