M1HOG

“Those who hear not the music, think the dancer mad”

My Humble Contribution To CQ WW SSB 2003

Introduction

Starting on HF. Sean had very kindly loaned me his Elecraft K2, which I had used to listen on the bands for a couple of weeks, just using a wire antenna at home and a 40m whip while parked in the car. The next step was to transmit!

Despite a great amount of antenna fetelling the SWR was not falling. Following a good few hours on and off (over a couple of weeks!) of experimenting and more suggestions from Sean, the issues were finally resolved by connecting a stylish counterpoise wire to the mag mount and trailing it away from the car.

Now the antenna was starting to match, I tried to "wind the power up" to 10watts (Quiet at the back..) - unsucessfully as the K2's current limiting kept kicking in. Measurements revealed a distinct lack of voltage. This problem required the installation of a cable directly from the battery to a new cigar lighter. The handy volts/amp display on the K2 then showed a healthy voltage and current.

Finally I had a portable HF QRP station.

The previous week I helped operate the Sadars 2m JOTA station, which encouraged me to try some more operating. I visited the clubs CQ WW SSB station on Saturday and made my first HF contest contacts. Fun when press the foot switch, relays click and 400W beams it's way across the pond.

On Sunday Afternoon

Sean assured me that if I could not get a contact during this contest, I was never going to. I still wondered though, HF portable had not gone well so far!

The 40m band on Sunday afternoon, dozens of stations are calling, many telling "Europe to standby" while they work JA stations! or "Beaming Africa" I tune and listen, wondering how my 10watts and "skill" would fair. I was soon to find out. LX7I was the first station I contacted, Fantastic to hear my call sign for the first time on HF! There are certainly some keen ears out there! So they could just about hear my pip squeek 10 watts and loaded whip. Greatly encouraged I slowly worked through 10 contacts over the next 2 hours..

Well at least it works. Great to hear European stations returning my call sign for the first time!

My Few Contacts

Date	Time Start	Time Finish	Location	Station Called	Band	Power	Zone	Comments
26.10.03	16:00		Home (Car)	LX7I	40m	10w	14	First HF QSO (CQ WW)
26.10.03			Home (Car)	EI5GM	40m	10w	14	CQ WW
26.10.03			Home (Car)	LN4C	40m	10w	14	CQ WW
26.10.03			Home (Car)	4U1ITU	40m	10w	14	CQ WW
26.10.03			Home (Car)	OE5T	40m	10w	15	CQ WW
26.10.03			Home (Car)	GM0B	40m	10w	14	CQ WW
26.10.03			Home (Car)	GM5A	40m	10w	14	CQ WW
26.10.03			Home (Car)	DL2ARD	40m	10w	14	CQ WW
26.10.03			Home (Car)	DJ8UV/P	40m	10w	14	CQ WW
26.10.03		17:30	Home (Car)	HB0/HB9AON	40m	10w	14	CQ WW