Author: Carl (M0ICR)

Setting up Mixw2 for RSGB DATA mode contests

Using Mixw2 in DATA contests – a guide to the basics

DOWNLOAD THIS: http://www.mixw.net/files/SetupMixW3_2_105.exe

Why chose Mixw2, one word simplicity. There is nothing Mixw2 can do that can not be done with N1MM / Writelog and other software but what Mixw2 lacks in bells and whistles it gains in simplicity.

Other files you may find helpful:

http://pub.agrarix.net/Windows/MixW2/MixW202%20HELP%20FILE.pdf

http://k6ix.net/MixW/MixWManual.pdf

Very useful quick start manual from NK7Z:
https://www.nk7z.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/mixw_quickstart.pdf

!!! WARNING !!!

Before you start: When you have set up Mixw2 as described below make sure you close it down correctly using the FILE menu. If you just close the window some of your settings may not be correctly saved!

You should also save the configuration file once it is setup (but not during a contest!):

  1. Set menu layout view to layout 1

2. Enter personal Data

You don’t need you Lat and Long – they are calculated automatically from your Maidenhead locator.

3. Setup the CAT control for your radio

This is the most tricky part for a lot of people and is generally caused by them not knowing the correct CAT values for their radio (eg. they have set the Baud rate on their radio to something different to the figure they have selected in Mixw2, or they are using the incorrect COM port). If Mixw2 doesn’t appear to be working then trying another programme like WSJT-X, if that works then transcribe your CAT setting from there_/

Select the TRCVR CAT/PTT Option on the Configure menu (whilst you are at it make sure Merge Macros is ticked. At this stage Disable CAT would be ticked but we will want to enable it once we have set up the CAT.

The Serial port details are found on the Details button

In the option above:

  • I am using an Icom 7300 on COM Port 5 at baud 38400 (my radio is also set to 38400 in the menu settings of the radio).
  • PTT is operated by the CAT signal
  • For RTTY and PSK I am using AFSK not FASK (I’ll leave the reasons for that for another post)
  • I have correctly set the default digital mode to USB
  • I am using my mouse wheel to tune, that’s really handy in a contest!

Make sure the CAT is now enabled by unticking as shown below:

4. Soundcard Settings

Fairly straightforward proving you know the name of your soundcard and which COM port it’s on. With the 7300 it’s saved as USB audio.

5. Setting up for contest mode

Select Contest mode from the View option on the menu bar

Add new

Make sue the start and end covers the duration of the contest

For a contest require just serial number then click on Number and serial under autograb

6. Setting up and changing modes

From the Mode option on the menu bar:

For RTTY

Select mode settings

Make sure Baudrate is 62.5 (for PSK63)

7. Setting up contest layout

8. The Macro Bar and my Macros

Probably the second most tricky part, and I don’t profess to be a Macros ninja! I think there are some clever things Mixw2 can do with Macros that I don’t really understand or haven’t explored enough!

I’m not a Macro ninja!

First, click the cog to the right of the macros bar to get the extended bar, this will give you 4 lines instead of the usual 1:

To change a macro button right click on it

Next a bit of Mixw2 macro taxonomy:
All macros are inside pointed brackets, eg. <TX> set to transmit and <RX> to receive. Macros can be type in by hand or selected from the drop down option (subset) on the macro edit windows as shown below (the key macros we will be using here are listed under Text or Programme macros).

Some basics:

  • <MYCALL> is your callsign
  • <CALL> is the other stations call
  • <GRABCALL> inserts the other stations call (last received in your rx window) into you Log entry focus window
  • <NRS> is your serial number to send, this should auto increment and will automatically add any leading zeros
  • <SAVEQSO> Saves the QSO to your log automatically

My macros for running mode / calling CQ

Used the extend macro view opens up 4 lines of macros, in this example I am using line 3 for my CQing/Running and the 4th bottom line for when I am S&P:

SO, Starting with line 3 and move from left to right (nut skipping AUTOCQ for now).

This first macro: Switches my radio to transmit, clears the transmit window, sends CQ TEST M0ICR CQ and the sets the radio back to receive. Normally I might sent my call 2 or 3 times though in which case I would have a string of 3 <MYCALL> remembering to but a space between them all, so it would be:

<TX><CLEARTXWINDOW>CQ TEST <MYCALL> <MY CALL> <MYCALL> CQ<RX>

This macro grabs the call of the last (ie. latest) station decoded in the RX Window, pressing it multiple times will scroll through a buffer. By grabbing the his callsign it automatically fills the <CALL> value with his callsign.

Alternatively I could type the other guys call manually into the log entry (the bottom of the calls listed in the log entry window), like this:

When the other station has replied, I send him the contest exchange (my Exch Macro) as follows (Assuming he is M1ABC and I have grabbed or entered his callsign correctly and that he is my serial 001):

M1ABC 599 001 001

Note: Often the other stations callsign is also sent at the end of the contest exchange, ie: M1ABC 599 001 001 M1ABC

Which of course would be:

<TX><CALL> 599 <NRS> <NRS> <CALL><RX>

Of course we always send 599 in HF contests(!) but if I wanted to be totally correct I would replace 599 with <RSTS> which would send him the RST I manually enter.

The final basic Macro of the end of a QSO when I am CQing is follows. This macro will: Clear the TX window and switch the radio to transmit and send:

M1ABC TU 73 DE M0ICR CQ

(the TU means thank you!)

and then save the QSO in my log, and switch back to receive:

My Macros for S&P

Send my callsign twice (I also have another macro that sends it 4 times for really marginal QSO). Note: It’s useful to have grabbed the other station’s callsign first (or to have manually entered it into the log)

… and finally, sending the other station the QSO details. Assuming he is M1ABC and serial 001 this would send (after switching the radio to TX):

M1ABC 599 001 001 001 (some folks send the serial number just twice)

and then save the QSO before switching to receive. Note: this is a different exchange Macro to the one I use when calling CQ as the <SAVEQSO> part is in the 73 macro in CQ mode!

Again, as in the earlier macro, it’s quite common to also add the other station’s callsign at the end of this QSO string:

M1ABC 599 001 001 001 M1ABC

And, again, if you want to be a purist you would replace the 599 with <RSTS>

A few other macros I find helpful to have in the bar:

<TX> To switch the radio to TX and keep it into transmit (useful if I want to send a manual string of text off the keyboard.

<RX> To switch back to receive again!

<TX>NR? NR? NR? <RX> If I want the other station to repeat his serial to me

<TX> QRZ? QRZ?<RX> To ask the other station to repeat his call … some folks use: <TX> AGN? AGN?<RX> as a more general request for repeats

Auto CQing and Macros

Setting up for AutoCQing:

Select Auto CQ from the Options Menu

Enter the text you want to AutoCQ:

…. which will send my callsign twice in a repeating CQ call

CQ TEST M0ICR M0ICR CQ

To set the delay between AutoCQ:

Note: Grabbing a call or hitting Escape will turn the AutoCQ off, to restart it again hit your AutoCQ macro

QSO Rate Meter

Editing the Logbook

The spectacles allow you to search the logfile, display a QSO and view the whole log:

From this view you can first highlight and then save all the logs to a Cabrillo or ADIF file (not the by default the files are unhelpfully saved to the Appdata/Roaming folder in your Windows user folder!

Double clicking on a row in that whole log view lets you also edit the QSO:

You can also edit the last QSO by using the file icon (you can also just change the details in the log window if you’d rather)

Deletes the QSO highlighted in the log (it asks first)

Save the latest QSO if you’re not using a <SAVEQSO> Macro

Menu layout config:

Help!

My radio isn’t connecting – Did you set up the CAT with the correct values (also in the Details tab) and did you make sure disable CAT is unticked?

I can’t see the CAT window with frequency –

I can see lots of PSK traces but I am not decoding anything – Are you in PSK31 or PSK63?

I can see lots of RTTY traces but I am not decoding anything – Are you inverted? Is the shift and baud rate setup correctly in Mixw2? (Most contests will be 45.45 baud (and 170Hz shift), but the BARTG75 contest in Baud 75, that’s caught me out a couple of times!)

Things I haven’t included in this basic guide (yet)

  • Adjusting the RX/TX and logging windows sizes
  • Statistics
  • Mode focused macros
  • Setting up the cluster
  • The bandscope and identification of dupes (callsigns worked show up in red, not worked in green)
  • Domains and special multipliers (setting them up in the contest configuration)
  • … and a load of other stuff!

By the way, this is what my screen layout like:

If you want to get into RTTY and other modes of contesting from LF to Microwave, come and join the Drowned Rats Radio Group. We are always looking for new members. Check us out at www.g3rat.com

Tracking DP0POL/MM as she heads South

Update ~19 – 0015 19th Feb 2021

It’s been a while since I fired up the QCX Mini on 40m WSPR but delighted to see the DP0POL/MM is receiving my signals again 🙂

https://www.awi.de/en/about-us/service/press/single-view/default-519c9b1992.html

Update ~18 – 1400 24th Jan 2021

Today the RV Polar Stern leaves the German Antarctic Research Station and heads from Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.

Update #17 – 2145 20th Jan 2021

Still being received by RV Polarstern and the Research Station.

Update #16 – 1600 20th Jan 2021

Update #15 – 1930 19th Jan 2021

Update #14 – 1700 19th Jan 2021

Update #13 – 2245 18th Jan 2021

Update #12 – 2200 18th Jan 2021

Two way QSO with DP0POL/MM on 30m FT8 (80W using Icom 7300)

Update #11 – 2130 18th Jan 2021

Update #10 – 0900 18th Jan 2021

Update #9 – 2100 17th Jan 2021

Almost there:

RV Polar Stern now almost at the Research Station and still copying my 5W beacon!

…. about 100Km to go:

Good conditions on 40m, great spots for 5w QCX-Mini:

Update #8 – 2100 16th Jan 2021

Delighted to say that the RV Polar Stern has picked up my 5W beacon, perhaps for the final day as she closes in to the German Antarctic Research Station, less than 1000Km to go! Nice to see that the station itself (GVN) is also continuing to hear me!

Update #7 – 0700 16th Jan 2021

It’s a few days since I posted an update. I’ve not been heard by the ship for a little while now. It’s still a couple of days before she arrives in Antarctica so hopefully I will get another reception report from her before then. In the meantime the WSPR beacon from the QCX Mini is working well on 40m with multiple spots from Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii etc. Pleasingly the German research at Antarctica (DP0GVN) continues to receive my beacon with little difficulty:

Spots this morning:

Update #6 – 0600 11th Jan 2021

At over 10,000Km from London the RV PolarStern continues to hear my tiny WSPR beacon on 40m

From the vessel:

Update #5 – 0015 9th Jan 2021

Interesting tonight to not only be heard by DP0POL/MM but also to hear and decode their transmissions.

For something different this VOCAP ‘wheel’ shows the probability of the path between M0ICR and DP0POL/MM on 40m WSPR as currently 80-90%:

https://www.voacap.com/hf/

HF Conditions are not great with the current MUF for south England at around 7MHz (40m)

http://www.spacew.com/www/realtime.php

From the vessel:

Update #4 – 2000 6th Jan 2021

PolatStern DP0POL/MM continues it’s journey South and the radio station onboard continues to receive my 40m beacon from the QCX Mini.

The ship is now well over 8000Km away, I wonder if I will manage to ‘reverse’ track her all the way to the Antarctic?

Update #3 – 0700 5th Jan 2021

This time a Google Earth View showing the position from which DP0POL/MM PolarStern has heard my 40m beacon:

Tracks 30th Dec 2020 to 5th Jan 2021

Update #2 – 2100 3nd Jan 2021

Update #1 – 1900 2nd Jan 2021
RV Polarstern has just started picking up my QCX Mini 40m WSPR beacon again.

Heading South!

I’ll keep transmitting my WSPR Beacon from the QCX Mini and see if the RV Polarstern can continue to receive me.

0850 UTC 2nd Jan 2021

Felix Riess, DL5XL is currently active as DP0POL/MM from Research Vessel “Polarstern” on route to the South Atlantic and Antarctica to conduct ‘Research Programme 123 and 134’.

Info here:
https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/53217/1/PS_123_Expeditionsprogramm.pdf

https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/53220/1/PS_124_Expeditionsprogramm.pdf

ETA
* Neumayer III Research Station in Antarctica (DP0GVN) 18th Jan 21
* Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) 1st Feb 21

Fascinating to see the RV Polarstern receiving my tiny WSPR signals (from the QCX Mini on 40) as she makes her way south. Spots of my signal from the vessel in the last 24 hours (2nd Jan 21):

Current Spots from the QCX Mini to the PolarStern as t 0800UTC 2nd Jan 21.

Not for this expedition (this video is from 2017) but shows the RV Polarstern on mission. Amazing!

Polarstern Expedition to Amundsen Sea 2017

Reference material on the Polarstern
Information sheet: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/268048407.pdf

First UKAC of 2021

It was pleasant to enter the first RSGB UK Activity Contest (UKAC) on Tuesdy night. Being the first Tuesday of the month this contest was on 2m (144MHz).

Activity levels were good although conditions were nothing special with many reporting high levels of QRM and deep QSO. It was particularly disappointing now to work any /P stations (portable operating is not allowed under current VHFCC contest rules, in accordance with HM Government Covid restriction in ‘Lockdown 3’). I did miss working some of the stalwarts of the UKAC like Chris (G4FZN/P) and Pauline up in IO94 and Gordon (G8PNN) in IO95. Despite missing some of these regulars it was a pleasure to work, amongst others Gordon (another Gordon!) GI6ATZ for my ODX at a shade under 500km.

Here is my map of contests map, note that there’s nothing much to the South / South East – I have rotten take-off in that direction.

M0ICR RSGB UKAC 144MHz 5 January 2021

Building a K16 CW Keyer for the QCX Mini

The marvel that is the QCX Mini is already equipped with a rudimentary electronic keyer for Iambic modes and including memories, beaconing and practice modes but I wanted to add a K16 keyer for increased features.

The K16 Keyer from Steve Elliot K1EL is perfect for both contesting and casual use and fits on a PCB measuring just 38mm x 35mm. I am using the Kanga UK version of the board available here. Detail of the full range of keyers from K1EL (US site) are here. The K16 chip can be purchased separately if you wish to design your own PCB here (US) or in the UK, again from Kanga UK, here.

Further details of K16 features and operation can be found here.

I have previously built a K14 keyer into an Altoids tin but on this occasion I am salvaging a defunct USB soundcard case to build the keyer into (matches the QCX Mini styling) and will be supplying the power from 2 x CR2032 cells (the keyer only draw 1mA when on and uA when in standby mode) rather than the larger PP3 specified by Kanga.

This is the original soundcard and box:

The K16 keyer in progress:

I intend to integrate my old K14 Keyer into my 20m QCX (vanilla).

Getting started with the QCX Mini

The QCX mini is a high-performance single band HF QRP CW transceiver kit available for just $55 with a 50W amp for an additional $29.50.

My QCX Mini kit from Hans Summers QRP Labs arrived just before Christmas and was sitting under the Christmas tree for me to open. I’ll be documenting the journey with some links to other useful sites along the way. Watch this space!

A bag of goodies! (actually 3 bags, the LPF bag is under the main component bag)
For scale against my watch
Checking the PCB, no obvious errors under the eye loupe
Earlier stages … transformer took about 30min to wind and install after checking continuity is correct and copper wire enamel removed with solder (10 seconds of heat … one thousand, two thousand ….)

Made sure to install the IC holder as far to the top of the PCB as possible to ensure sufficient space for the paddle socket and the TCXO board.

40m transformer
A few more caps fitted
1. BPF and LPF toroids wound and fitted (wondering if I should have wound them differently to allow for adjustment).
2. Multi-turn potentiometers added for alignment.
3. PCB connectors added for subsequent fitting of control board.
Getting there with the main board.
1. All 3.5mm sockets added (bottom right looked a bit skewed but lines up perfectly with side fascia)
2. BNC connector added (although wondering if I should have used an SMA?).
3. Main board almost finished – must remember to add a 10uF electrolytic across D33/voltage regulator IC.

Main Board connects to the display board …. phew it fits 🙂
She’s alive!

Now for a nice cup of coffee before alignment this evening

Alignment now done, no issues (once I had fixed a dodgy soldering joint on the TCXO!). I followed Hans’ video here: (117) Tuning up your QCX+ – YouTube

Oops!

Initial findings are that it’s receiving very well and RF output at 12V is just a shade over 3W.

Having a Bud to celebrate progress so far!

Not a great quality video but enough to show progress, (Dodgy polarising filter over the LCD to prevent it washing out my iPhone camera!).

Transmit test to follow …

Testing the Mini QCX in WSPR TX mode:

My very first transmission tests on WSPR:

And the results – AMAZING – Decoded in Antractica on first transmission, how excellent is that for something that was a bag of components 2 days ago!

39 decodes in one transmission (first ever WSPR on my Mini QCX)

Received on both receivers at DP0GVN – Neumayer Station III
Ekstroem Ice Shelf, Atka Bay, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

Top 50 spots, all over 1000Km in less than 10min (note only ONE station is reporting drift). Ignore the power shown as 5W, it’s actually 3.6W!:

Top 50 in 10 mins

… and also DP0POL/MM the German Ice-breaker Maritime Mobile (at this very moment the Polarstern, a German research icebreaker is presently off the coast of Africa en route to the scientific station in Antarctica. )

Time to play with CW I think …

No reply to CQ call but picked up on the reverse beacon network in USA and Russia.

Now to bed … Looking forward to some CW QSO’s tomorrow 🙂 Anyone for a QCX to QCX sked?

I am going to put further WSPR posts here: https://m0icr.com/category/wspr

First CW QSO on QCX Mini – Willi DL2IAD

Very pleased to report working Willi DL2IAD (Herschweiler-Pettersheim, Germany) this morning on the QCX Mini. 599 both ways, a solid QSO. Exactly 600Km IO91SO <> JN39QL.

First QCX Mini QSO – 600Km with DL2IAD

Second QSO on QCX mini GM4ENF 489 (Al in in Cupar, Fife, Scotland)

Boxed up and finished! ( ….. for now!)

A few minutes in the New Year’s Day German AGCW contest on 40m using the Mini QCX

DateUTCFreqModeCallRST SRST R
Jan-01-202111:12:187032.5CWDR7T599599
Jan-01-202111:15:397007CWDR165TESLA599599
Jan-01-202111:17:067013.4CWDL3HAH599599
Jan-01-202111:18:307024.9CWDL4CF599599
Jan-01-202111:19:587038.8CWDR2C599599
Jan-01-202111:21:587018.9CWDL5AXX599599
Jan-01-202111:23:147023.6CWDL1CW599599
Jan-01-202111:24:137027.6CWDL5XJ599599
Jan-01-202111:29:257031.8CWPA3ARM599599
Jan-01-202111:32:557030CWSN1T599599
Jan-01-202111:55:567032CWDL8QS599599
Jan-01-202111:57:067012.5CWDK3QZ599599
Jan-01-202111:59:427027.6CWDF7YE599599

Reference Materials for the QCX Mini

QRP Labs: QRP Labs Kits (qrp-labs.com)
The QCX Mini: QCX-mini 5W CW transceiver kit (qrp-labs.com)
Order your QCX Mini here: QCX-mini 5W CW transceiver (qrp-labs.com)

In the build I will be following some of the useful tips by Ryan Flowers (including his YouTube videos), link here: https://miscdotgeek.com/

I’ve just noticed that David Casler (Excellent YouTube channel by the way) has just received his QCX Mini and will be describing his build here: (117) The QCX-Mini 20m QRP Rig Kit Arrives (#342) – YouTube)

A link to Hans Summers QRP Labs videos including on the QCX Mini and a ‘lab’ tour is here: https://www.youtube.com/c/QRPLabs/featured

Working Japan on HF

QRA Locator Squares Confirmed

Japan QRA Locs cfm - eQSL/LOTW/Paper

LocCallKm6-figm
PL36JR6FC10011PL36ud30m
PM52JR6FRV9505PM52is20m
PM53JA6BZI9446PM53cn40m
PM54JH4ALY9399PM54pc20m
PM63JA5AQC9484PM63iu20m
PM64JH4UTP9458PM64VN20m
PM65JI4POR9341PM65nk20m
PM74JA3PIU9508PM74ss20m
PM75JE4CIL9413PM75am20m
PM84JH2RMU9584PM84il20m
PM85JA2XYO9514PM85gc20m
PM86JA9FKW9407PM86db20m
PM94JE2UFF9668PM9415m
PM95JI1CPN9566PM95rr15m
PM96JH0INP9427PM96CW10m
PM97JG1ITH9441PM97xb20m
QM05JR1IJV9587QM05aq30m
QM06JA7HRM9501QM06EP20m
QM07JA7IC9433QM07EG10m
QM08JA7MOL9339QM08ac30m
QM09JR7ILA9211QM09nq20m
QN00JA7BME9139QN00bc15m
QN02JF8QNF8883QN02qx30m
QN03JA8IZP8877QN03rb15m
QN12JF8LWU8952QN12rw20m
Japanese squares confirmed and worked

Japan Awards

The following site by VK5PAS gives really useful information on the Japan (JARL) awards available. https://www.vk5pas.com/japan-awards.html

I am presently working on the following awards:

AJD – Worked all (10) Japan Districts / Call areas.
WAJA – Worked all Japan prefectures (47 of them!)
Click here for a useful map of districts and prefectures:
Details of these and other Japan awards are at the pdf leaflet hosted on the ARRL site here. For more details look-up the JARL Awards site here.
I am going to use this blog to keep track of progress on AJD and WAJA. Note that presently the JARL does not accept LOTW verification but it does accept EQSL cards (if they are printed out).

Japan Districts / Call Area confirmed on eQSL

Call AreaName40m30m20m17m15m10m
0Shin’etsu 信越JH0INEJR0QKRJH0INP
1Kanto 関東JI1FLBJQ1CIVJS1MRAJG1ERWJL1CPN
2Tokai 東海JA2GTZJR2ATZJR2UBSJE2UFF
3Kinki 近畿JS3CTQJO3TAPJR3IIRJA3EGY
4Chugoku 中国JA4FKXJL4ENSJI4PORJH4HMG
5Shikoku 四国JA5JGYJA5BENJH5MXB
6Kyushu* 州・沖縄JE6HJTJR6FRVJE6JAS
7Tohoku 東北JN7DOSJR7HRO
8Hokkaido 北海道JH8OCVJH8JYVJA8IZP
9Hokuriku 北陸JA9KROJA9NFO

Japan Prefectures confirmed on eQSL

NoPrefectureAreaCall40m 30m20m17m15m10m
01Hokkaidō 北海道Hokkaidō8JH8OCVJH8JYVJA8IZP
02Aomori 青森県Tōhoku7JH7BKNJA7OUV
03Iwate 岩手県Tōhoku7JN7DOSJO7KMB
04Akita 秋田県Tōhoku7JE7GXQJP7TAW
05Yamagata 山形県Tōhoku7JR7RHO
06Miyagi 宮城県Tōhoku7JA7QVI
07Fukushima 福島県Tōhoku7JH7DFZ
08Niigata 新潟県Chūbu0JH0INEJR0QKRJH0INP
09Nagano 長野県Chūbu0JA0IRMJA0MRW
10Tokyo 東京都Kantō1JI1FLBJM1GHTJR1LRTJI1CPN
11Kanagawa 神奈川県Kantō1JJ1QUVJA1BOP
12Chiba 千葉県Kantō1JL1OZIJS1MRA
13Saitama 埼玉県Kantō1JM1XCWJR1EMO
14Ibaraki 茨城県Kantō1JN1BMXJH1EIG
15Tochigi 栃木県Kantō1JG1ITH
16Gunma 群馬県Kantō1JQ1CIV
17Yamanashi 山梨県Chūbu1JA1UXCJG1ERW
18Shizuoka 静岡県Chūbu2JA2GTZJR2ATZJR2PZXJE2UFF
19Gifu 岐阜県Chūbu2JA2HYDJH2NMF
20Aichi 愛知県Chūbu2JH2FXKJR2UBS
21Mie 三重県Kansai2JH2RMU
22Kyoto 京都府Kansai3JF3AHIJA3EGY
23Shiga 滋賀県Kansai3
24Nara 奈良県Kansai3JS3TCQJA3UCO
25Osaka 大阪府Kansai3JF3VAXJO3TAPJI3CWI
26Wakayama 和歌山県Kansai3JG3TRB
27Hyōgo 兵庫県Kansai3JA3KAWJR3IIR
28Toyama 富山県Chūbu9JA9KROJA9NFO
29Fukui 福井県Chūbu9JA9FKW
30Ishikawa 石川県Chūbu9JA9CWJ
31Okayama 岡山県Chūgoku4JA4FKXJA4JKOJH4UTP
32Shimane 島根県Chūgoku4JL4CVGJI4POR
33Yamaguchi 山口県Chūgoku4JH4ALY
34Tottori 鳥取県Chūgoku4
35Hiroshima 広島県Chūgoku4JL4ENSJG4QFGJH4HMG
36Kagawa 香川県Shikoku5JA5BDZ
37Tokushima 徳島県Shikoku5JA5CEX
38Ehime 愛媛県Shikoku5JA5JFBJA5BENJH5MXB
39Kōchi 高知県Shikoku5JA5JGYJA5TX
40Fukuoka 福岡県Kyūshū6JE6HJTJA6JEWJE6JAS
41Saga 佐賀県Kyūshū6JA6MWW
42Nagasaki 長崎県Kyūshū6
43Kumamoto 熊本県Kyūshū6JR6FRV
44Ōita 大分県Kyūshū6JA6VQA
45Miyazaki 宮崎県Kyūshū6
46Kagoshima 鹿児島県Kyūshū6JA6IUQ (*)
47Okinawa 沖縄県Kyūshū6
* indicates paper QSL only



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Welcome

Welcome to my amateur radio and electronics Blog. My name is Carl and I live between Northwood and Rickmansworth on the Greater London / Hertfordshire border. This new blog was started 26th December 2020 although I am in the process of transferring some of the more interesting posts from my old Blogspot pages. My main radio interests are:

* VHF to SHF DXing and contesting
* HF Dxing, digital modes and contesting (particularly RTTY contesting)
* Equipment and antenna construction, including homebrew and kits

I am proud to be a founding member of the Drowned Rats Radio Group, if you want to know more about the Rats check out our webpage at About Us | Drowned Rats Radio Group (g3rat.com). We are VHF and above enthusiasts (although we also do some HF!), we do contesting and more.

  • Drowned Rats:
    Back to Front: In the operating tent – Gene M0ZRG, Anthony G7LRQ, Stuart M1SMH

  • Rats on tour – Walbury Hill – NFD

We are always looking for new members to join the team

We welcome newcomers and old-hands alike, full training is given and we have a lot of fun! If you are in the UK and would like more information including how to get involved in the weekly VHF-SHF activity contests and/or to come out with us on one of our field events please contact us on the link above or feel free to email me direct. If you’re new to VHF and above contesting in the UK check out my beginners guide here.

Look for us on air with our club calls M0HRF, G3RAT and our contest call G2D.

  • Single 6m Yagi at NFD
  • 2m stack of 4 x 9 ele Yagi
  • 2m stack of 4 x 9 ele Yagi
  • Anthony G7LRQ inspects the 2m stack before it’s about to be raised. Walbury Hill 2017

GQRP Convention 2020

Thank you to Steve Hartley G0FUW and all the team at GQRP for the excellent virtual GQRP Convention run over the weekend 5-6th September.

A thoroughly enjoyable event. I have attended a number of the conventions in person over the years and was a little apprehensive about how well it would run as an online event. Whilst I admit I missed the face to face conversations and annual ‘meet-up’ given the circumstances this year I thought the event was a huge success, so much so that I hope the online element continues in future years – if nothing else it provides a much greater global reach and provided a valuable source of videos to watch over again for ideas and stimulation.

A link to the event webpage and links to all the presentation (now on YouTube) is here: http://www.gqrp.com/convention.htm

A direct link to the GQRP YouTube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClhe-ybLZzpnJh80VmFuS-A