Out and about /P

The sun was out a few days ago. I know, I cant quite believe it either.


I drove over to our local disused aerodrome and tried out my new 20m/40m  linked dipole from sotabeams together with my nice shinny new sotapole.

This was to be quite a test for me as I have quite bad Rheumatoid Arthritis slowly destroying my joints, especially in my hands.

On arrival I laid out the antenna and sota pole as instructed in the youtube video by sotabeams, that I had watched several times the previous evening.

Within a few mins the antenna was up and I was on the air with very little joint pain to show for it.
I was a little concerned when I first got the pole that I would not be able to "lock" the pole sections in place with my dodgy hands. But I need not have worried, it took surprisingly little force to twist the sections into place and taking it down was just as easy.

 The linked dipole was also a breeze to use. I am a little paranoid where SWR is concerned so was interested at what results I would obtain by just "throwing" the antenna up.
Again no problems, I had an extremely good match on 20m and 40m right across the bands.
Some good cw and phone contacts on 20m and 40m followed with my little Qrp set up.



On the whole a very good result and  great products to play with.
I shall be out and about a lot more during the summer. Weather permitting.

Our Local Chapel collapsed

Not a radio post in any way shape or form (sorry)

At about 12:20am on Thursday morning a chapel in my local town collapsed. It had been closed for some time  and was up for sale.

I have posted a few pictures that I took on a visit on Thursday morning when the dust had settled and the emergency services had gone home.

Nobody was hurt in the collapse as the building was boarded up. The fire brigade searched the site with a dog in case of rough sleepers etc, but nothing was found.

 Side view from the road.

Front view from the lower steps.

side view from the upper steps.















Ok I lied about no radio.

On the radio front I will be out and about /P this evening cw 40m.. Just to test the swr on the vertical before saturday night when I will be operating full on, until the wee hours...see you on the bands..