Not much happening...

Well the LDG 897-Plus ATU stopped working last Friday. After making my first HF qso with M0PAW the following morning I switched everything on and the tuner's LED constantly flashed and would not tune at all.











So I'm stuck with only a few usuable bands (20m-10m) with a low swr so I haven't used the radio very much as I'm cautious about using it. Hopefully the tuner should arrive back mid next week.

I also sent off my documents to the ARRL this week so that I can continue to install Logbook of The World and start saving this DX Qso's for the DXCC award :)


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Digi interface

I purchased one of these units from Alan - M0AQC and have to say it's brilliant. Here is what his interface page says:

'Get on DIGI modes at Low cost
units built by Me - M0AQC

PSK31/DIGI mode PC to RADIO interface unit, This unit is a professionally made interface, using isolating transformers for input and output connections to the PC/RADIO. It also uses an Opto IC or Reed Relay for TX.

Therefore this unit totally isolates the radio from the PC for all DIGI modes such as:

PSK31/63/125.....RTTY.....SSTV.....OLIVIA.....CW.....HELLSCHREIBER.....THROB.....
PACTOR.....AMTOR.....MFSK..... etc........

This unit also works with Echolink and Easypal Digital SSTV.

I am also told some guys also use it for E.M.E transmissions! '






Have a peek at Alan's website and if you have any questions he is very helpful (even to newly licenced operators like me! :)

Alan's Digi interface website

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Up and running...

Well the station is finally setup...,

Unfortunately sorting the coax out up in the loft has done me in so it's rest & ice for the next few days so no proper chance to use the radio.

Also I have ordered a CAT cable (will hopefully arrive in the next few days) so that I can use HRD. A big thanks to Phil M6AHZ for the help as he us going to show me how it all works and get it set up. This with my digi box (more about this in another post) should allow me to try most modes.


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A lot of 1st's

With Monday looming fast I'm hoping for nice weather to get everything setup.

Once everything is setup there will be a huge lists of 1st's...

First SSTV Qso
First PSK31 Qso
First Voice Qso etc etc

I will also looking into awards like 'Work every country' 'Worked every UK county' .... So many things to get set up for.

Any hints / tips about awards etc would be greatly appreciated as it's a mine field !

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Almost there...

Well after waiting for what seemed like ages all the radio equipment arrived safely !!!!!!

My setup now is:
Yaesu FT 897D
LDG AT-897 Auto tuner
MP 8230 PSU


The aerials are:
Snowdonia SRC HF 360 Vertical 
Diamond X-30 2m/70cms Colinear


I now have to wait until Monday until an aerial installer can come and fit a 18" T & K bracket so that i can mount the Snowdonia SRC HF 360 Vertical as i was hoping to mount it onto the UPVC fascia but unfortunately its too narrow so have to get a bracket fitted.

2m coverage

Currently im using a Kenwood TM 251e 2m mobile rig (10W) with a 'Knocked up' J-pole... My local repeater is GB3SC and as you can see from the map im roughly in the center of the coverage (red star icon).

Now, the repeater is only about 9 miles away (Bournemouth GB3SC) and im told i can get into the repeater ok but i only ever manage to contact someone either between me and the repeater or the other side of me towards the Southampton repeater (GB3SH) but never manage to hear anyone the other side of either repeater.. I was told by someone that lives between the Bournemouth repeater and the Weymouth repeater (GB3DR) that he always hear's alot his side so what am i doing wrong? Any ideas as all i can usually hear is the local Echolink repeater which is very close to me (MB7IBH)...

My QSL Card

Here is my first attempt at a qsl card.... this is what i will be using until i get some professional ones made up