Over the weekend in VK3, we had a local hamfest. On one of the tables, i found a cheap and cheerful Icom FL-223 narrow (1.9kHz) SSB filter for the early 2000’s generation icom radios. I have a IC-706Mk2G that was used in a car for a while but is now relegated to a contest/portable 100w…
As normal, the EMDRC club station VK3ER/P headed to our normal contest location at Mclaughlins Lookout in the wombat state forest for the SpringVHF/UHF field day 2014. The team for Spring consisted of our normal operators. Peter, Mike Jonas and Jack, we had help from Greg and Michael, and I was able to assist for for the…
Arghhhhh.. ye scurvy dogs! the 2014 MWRS pirate day flagpole contest has been run and won. I didn’t have a HUGE amount of time this year to activate, but I did make it into the local park in the afternoon for a quick play to give out some numbers. But its always fun to set…
In the world of VHF/UHF contesting, an accurate grid reference location is important for distance based scoring. In the old days, 4 digits was more than enough, Melbourne metro is typically QF22, Sydney Metro is typically QF56. 6 digit locations are now the norm for contesting, my place falls under QF22NC. I was looking for…
Last weekend, I assisted EMDRC in the summer VHF/UHF Field day contest 2014. We headed to the normal location of McLaughlin Lookout in the wombat state forest around 80km west of Melbourne. I started work early on the friday, and managed to head up mid afternoon. I arrived around mid afternoon, with others having turned up…
This year, I assisted the VK3ER/p (EMDRC) team comprising of Peter – VK3QI, Jack – VK3WWW, Mike VK3AVV and Jonas VK3VF in participating in the Spring 2013 VHF/UHF Field Day. The club has been a very active competitor in this contest over the years, and we have a very good spot at Mclaughlins Lookout near Blackwood…
I haven’t ever really played serious DX HF, Ive used it to chat around Australia while exploring the country and for the occasional chat overseas while driving, but thats not a serious effort. In recent weeks (and with the CQ WWDX Contest) it spurred some interest in me, that my small bit of random wire…
The kids were going crazy at home. So I volunteered to take them to the local park for a play. And packed the FT817ND along for the ride. This weekend is the CQWW SSB contest so I hoped active bands would nab me some portable contacts. I set up the squid pole and radio. And gave…
When I lived in sydney, i was a member of the Manly Warringah Radio Society (VK2MB), this is a very active ham club on Sydney’s northern Beach’s, they have weekly meetings at the clubs shack/rooms in Terrey Hills. The club has recently obtained a stack of portable / quick erect flagpole antenna poles, and have…
One of the reasons I purchased my icom IC9100 was for VHF/UHF contesting. Being a shack in a box, with 160m-23cm bands in a small package, it was the ideal rig for my limited space. and has been a wonderful performer. In Australia we have a number of active higher band contests throughout the year,…