Paul PC4T, Author at AmateurRadio.com • Page 8 of 15

Author Archive

WSPR 160 & 80 meter

January 15th, 2014 |

I saw propagation was good on the lower bands so I let WSPR run for a short time on 160 m and 80 meters. Here are the results.

Now something else

January 14th, 2014 |

Author: Paul PC4T

Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know

He's in the best-selling show

Is there life on Mars? (David Bowie)

I will keep this blog running. You can follow me wherever I am. When the propagation is good, and the time is right, you can hear me on air.

The trend is clear

January 14th, 2014 |

Author: Paul PC4T

The trend is clear. The number of posts decreases. I think blogging has come to an end. Jeff Davis KE9V stopped blogging as well and uses Google+ for news updates.

I use Twitter @PC4T Facebook and Google+ All my internet activities are shown in Google + so there is no need for blogging. I'm considering stopping blogging, again. A lot of my fellow bloggers are on Google+ as well. Why should I spend time with making blog posts? I had to get used to google+, it took some time, but now I get it. I am a slow follower of trends. Maybe you recognize it; any change at my age takes time. So my blog will soon close. Make the switch to google+ if you want. I'll hope to see you there.

I'm more than just a radio amateur.

Who needs more power?

January 13th, 2014 |

Author: Paul PC4T

Who needs more power than 5 watts? The difference between 1 watt and 100 watts is about 3 S-points. 1 watt is a good starting point for all digi modes. Not more power is the option, but a good antenna (you can build or buy a good one) and good propagation (it's a gift of the sun or nature). That’s all. No more troubles with your neighbours, no RFI and it’s better for our health too. Too much radiation can causes cancer. The main question is, why do they hear me with e.g. 35 watts psk31 and not with 1 watt. I think it has to do with QRM caused by higher power levels of other stations on crowded bands. So, this year I will operate with 1 watt WSPR and several digimodes such as JT65 and JT9. Keep an eye on my WSPR blog and watch my results. This morning I was spotted by several stations from Australia with 1 watt (distance between 15.000 and 16.000 km) on 20 meter. Nice to read: Bert PA1B blog.

Higher bands

January 7th, 2014 |

Author: Paul PC4T

Today I was looking for John N8ZYA to work on 10 meter band. But condx are not really great. I did hear a few USA stations only. But I was lucky to work NO8C Mike (see photo) from Miller City, Ohio. He was running 75 watts and 3 elements beam. In the late afternoon I worked also AI2C Norm from Leesburg, VA on 10m. Yesterday I worked ZS6JM Johan from Strubensvallei, South Africa on 10 meters. As long conx are still possible on the higher bands, we should listen on this band for nice openings. So far I only worked CW this year. Hi.

First contact – new DXCC

January 5th, 2014 |

Author: Paul PC4T

My first contact in the new year is immediately a new DXCC. On 12 m I heard V5/DL3DXX Namibia - Africa with CW. With 35 wpm I could work him.

48 American soldiers died at the crossing on September 20, 1944. Now they made a new bridge at that place, still remembering those brave soldiers who died there.

The Crossing - A special video about a bridge, I made a few days ago.

My Statistics for 2013

January 4th, 2014 |

Author: Paul PC4T

Here are my statistics for the year 2013. I made 450 QSO’s in 2013 and worked 68 DXCC. An average of 1,2 QSO a day. What is striking? No qso’s on 2 meter this year, no qso’s with FM. I do not like that chatter on 2 meter. Less qso’s on 30 meter in 2013. Still my favourite band is 20 meter. A second place for both 40 and 80 m. I didn’t work a lot on the WARC bands, even when I don’t like contesting. Explanation: I don’t work a lot at the weekends. I am active most of the time on week days. Most used mode is still PSK31. CW goes for a second place.