AmateurRadio.com

After all the problems I had with the last theme I decided to just get shot of it and change the site. I’m a big fan of making things simple and so I decided to opt for a theme that was quick to load, looked clean and hand a readable font on multiple devices.

I’d not spent too long looking for themes in the WordPress directory before I came across this one Iconic One by Thematic, so here it is.

Like most of these things you can have the simple version or pay for a better one. I’m not decided but at the very least I’ll buy the developer a coffee

Last nights exploits on the UKAC on 70cms was a bit of a surprise for me. I trotted up to Sandwith water pumping station, noted for two things, a bit of height and a bit of noise (presumably from all the gubbins inside the station and from the mast nearby.

Needless to say I wasn’t expecting much and as the wind was getting all autumnal on me I took my trusty 5m decorators pole, 7 ele Sotabeam yagi and FT817 and these are the results. G4ODA took some doing but generally I was able to work pretty much all I could hear, a few got away but not too many and the GM stations were loud as anything and gave me equally good signal reports.

I don’t think I’ll ever win any prizes but I can’t fault the Sotabeam since swapping over from the 5 ele LFA on 2m, I see to get just as far, its light weight, robust and simple. As its also good for 70cm it makes the ideal companion to my simple set up.

I’ve also yet to find a simple rig to rival the FT817. It has a number of ‘diosyncrasies and a few faults but as an all rounder you can’t fault it.

It seems a long time ago that we sat on top of Corney Fell with the sun shining and the winds blowing to set up the clubs NFD contest site. July seems like an age away. I only managed a very short time at the ‘operating table’ and with my current hiatus its taken me a while to catch up with all the results. Andrew, G4VFL popped a comment on the clubs website (http://mx0wrc.org) to say that we’d done a little better than expected. Overall 3rd in section but…

We came 1st in section for 70MHz

We came 2nd in section for 50MHz

& We came 2nd in section for 144MHz

I think we should be chuffed with those results and all credit to Andrew for doing all the donkey work in getting the bits and pieces together.

On two fronts really. The project at work that has taken up most of my energy is coming to its crescendo and that means in a months time it’ll back down to normal levels…..which means…more time for radio.

The other good news is that my planning application for a 12m mast and antenna has been approved! I haven’t had the official letter but the info is that it doesn’t come with any additional stipulations so that’s great news

Only the building of the other part of the planning application will get in the way of my new gear. Just an extension.

I recently found out that this site has had ‘malware’ on it. Kindly Google informed me that there was something there. After a frantic search I found what looked like some odd code in the header and immediately removed it. What the code did or does do to other peoples computers is a mystery to me but it’s safe to say it isn’t going to be giving out winning lottery tickets or anything nice. So, apologies to whoever it has affected and I’d love to say it won’t happen again but this is now the second site I know of that has been given some hooky code by some nefarious individuals for their own gain. Might be worth considering a change in platform.

We all have to make compromises and mine is likely to be outside the shack and in the garden. I’d love to get a full size Steppir into the back garden and whilst it’ll fit, it won’t fit if you get what I mean.

My geeky hobby is tolerated by the XYL, but only to a certain point and when planning for a new antenna I’ve looked at loads, from Quads to Wires to Beams and Moxon’s. They are all a change from the vertical I do have, which has performed well but is something I want to move away from in search of a couple of dB in gain.

I’m very keen on my Cobwebb because its compact and works well. But. A beam would be slightly better. Something I’ve not quite got my head round is if a mini beam is worth it. Ask 10 people and you’ll get 10 different answers. We all know they aren’t as good as a dedicated monobander but we all know we need to make sacrifices.

I’ve had a look at a Moseley one that comes complete with lossy traps but hey ho. We all have to make sacrifices.

Manufacturers claims show its not much more than a short dipole on 12m and 17m but may be useful on the others

The turning radius is what I’m most interested in as I need to fit it against the side of the new room but obviously not too close to windows. 3-4m looks ok but I’ll need to check / adjust dims accordingly. Its a lot of money for what it is at around 750 Euro’s from Wimo so its quite an investment.

Only another month or so until the planning application decision comes back. It may not be on the shopping list if the application gets bounced but I’ve no control on that. So for now its all in the planning stages

Oops. I bought some bits off eBay for the grand total of a few quid. Duly waited for them to arrive (3 weeks) then founds out I’d ordered the wrong thing.

Now then, where is that micrometer and I’ll make sure they’re right this time?