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.

Thanks Santa

Thanks Santa for all my radio related prezzies.

All ready for the next /p outing.
A 20m/40m linked dipole from sotabeams

Stand for my FT817ND also from sotabeams

Usually propped up on an old cassette tape.






Nothing much radio related happening at the moment but some interesting articles in the January edition of Practical Wireless has inspired me to try some new things in 2014.

Possibly some data modes and must try harder with the satellites.

Lots of lovely bits i (need)

This is a stand that I have my eye on.

Available from sotabeams At the moment it is on offer at £11.00.

They also produce stands for other radios that desperately need them. Elecraft KX3 etc

These last two posts do sound like adverts don't they. But I'm nothing to do with sotabeams. I just like their stuff.

I am also looking at a kit for an audio filter. The NEScaf switched capacitive filter available from the www.newenglandqrp.org in the USA. This is priced at $42.00 including an accesories kit and postage.

This seems like a good deal when you think that the filter made for the FT817 is hovering aroud the £100 mark. And it is interchangable between rigs.. 

santa

Well christmas is coming and top of my list to santa is the Bandhopper 2 linked dipole from sotabeams

At a glance Bands 20, 40 (other bands possible) Power rating 125 Watts ATU needed? No. Connects direct to your radio SSB, CW, data? Yes. Fine for all modes
(Ripped from the sotabeams site)




If this appears in my stocking then I will post a review after its first outing.

Of course I could make one much cheaper myself but  I have RA so working with components or anything fiddly is a bit of a problem..  :-(  Its just as well this is available..

It is worth checking out the sotabeams website as they seem to be expanding their range everytime I look them up. They also seem to be doing a new FT817 mount that I have my eye on.