Packet Radio

Some of you may remeber the 80's when packet radio was all the rage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_radio Times changed and the use of the Internet all but killed it off apart from APRS Recently, and expecially with 'Off grid' thinking it has begun to grow again. I've been playing for a while with my TMD-700, but recent changes have shown it's restrictions. Over the weekend I built a new TNC and through the local club have a dedicated raio and the system is working very well using WhatsPac This has moved things into the 21st century and now with speeds of 9600 it's becoming a robust way to comunicate. Below is the TNC and radio.

Dual 10m and 6m Dipole

With the nice weather I have been experimenting with dipoles. I don't have enough space for beams but recently put a 6m dipole up which works very well. Came across some info on fan dipoles and noticed some use two or more dipoles sepearted with spacers. So I deceided to give it a go and results are pretty good. Not the best photo but hopefully shows enough. The spacers were made using a 3d printer. I have added the VNA plot.

New aerial

Been after a quad band aerial to compliment my Yaesu FT-8900 for some time but been unable to find one. However, happened to be flicking through the adds in PW and came across the MEQBC 10/6/2/70 aerial. This had good reviews and as it it my Birthday this week my Wife purchased on for me. I purchased this from Mirfield Electronics. It arrived well packed and like a school boy I could not wait. It was easy to assemble with only three long radials. It is only just longer than my W-30 so it is up above the shack. First results are very good with good swr over all bands. Only slight problem is rf pick up from some computer equipment. Hopefully this will reduce when, given some better weather will be mounted slightly higher. 

Full Power

It was my birthday a couple of weeks ago and as a result I have been able to upgrade the shack power supply. I now have a Nevada PSW-30H. This is an incredibly  small and very light PSU  that gives a constant 25 amps so  I am now able to run the TS-50 at the full 100w.

2m SSB

After an absence of about 20 years I now have an aerial up for 2m ssb. The last entry for SSB (J3E) was in 1993!! The location here is not that good for VHF being fairly low down and surrounded by hills. Any way the 9el Tonna is up and pointing slightly north of east so we will see what we can hear.

A little more active

As you know I am have been a Radio Amateur for many years (33) but over the last few years my activity levels have declined a lot. However, over the last couple of years I have realised just what a great hobby it is! My level of interest has shot up and I now have a fairly good shack with FT8900 for 10 Tru 70 FM a TH-D700 for APRS and a TS50 for HF. I also have an Ft480R for 2m SSB which is now 30 years old but still works OK. I also have CB radio which I use as an aid to spot openings on 10. I have very simple dipole aerials which work very well and cost very little. So I now plan to spend time here in the shack working both locals on V/UHF and some dx on HF. Hopefully this will also have the effect of diverting my mind away from some of the scary thoughts it has been supplying recently.

Morse Code

As you know, Amateur Radio has been my hobby for over thirty years. It is one of the most varied hobby there is. Until recently my interest has been mainly VHF/UHF voice and APRS. 
I have been fortunate to now be in possession of a Kenwood TS-50 this has rekindled my interest in HF (short wave). On HF one of the modes used is Morse Code. This is one of the most effective ways to communicate especially over difficult radio paths. It has over the last few years been dropped by most professional radio users and the requirement of Morse to obtain a full Amateur Radio licence has also been dropped. I obtained my full 'ticket' when you had to learn Morse at 12 words per minute. However, I have never had a contact on Morse and think I would struggle a bit to obtain any speed. There is now a an increase in using Morse. I came across this very interesting web site. Not sure if it will inspire me to start using the key, we shall see. http://www.themorsecrusade.g5fz.co.uk/