2016

Equipment:

Weight in the luggage on the plane trip is a major concern so the equipment to be used will be physically small and light:

Transceiver:
IC-7000 as used at VK9NU, Norfolk IslandIcom IC-7000 @100W (2.3Kg)
Tuner:
LDG Z100 tuner as used at VK9NU, Norfolk IslandLDG Z-100 autotuner (450g)
Power:

12V 23A switch mode power supply, DSE Q1755 (about 1Kg)

Computer:

ASUS Netbook (1.5Kg)

Software:  N1MM+ 1.0.5 Logging Software or VKCL in general log mode

Hardware:

Balun, 3 x 10M coaxes, 8 x trapped dipole sections, nylon ropes, interface
cables and adapters etc will all add to the transit weight.
(The luggage limit is 23KG per suitcase so the remainder will be my clothes "allowance".) 

 

(This is the same basic equipment configuration, antennas & cables excepted, that I take portable in the caravan when we go away for a trip)

Operation is expected to be on 3.5, 7, 14, 21 and 28MHz plus 50MHz on the main trapped wire dipole (or an inverted-V shape depending on how it fits with the palm tree formation). I am taking an additional trapped wire dipole(/V) section to share the balun and covering 10, 18 and 24 MHz, but whether it gets fitted is (again) determined by the tree arrangement. I will have no real control over the mounting directions but am hoping the major lobes will fall at NE-SW (good for Europe SP/LP)  or NW-SE (good for North America SP/LP).

Any operation on 10, 18, 24 MHz SSB is thus only possible if that trapped section has been fitted.

The whole multiband antenna arrangement has been tuned and tested at my home QTH based on a typical palm tree height (6-7 metres) and the lowest SWR frequencies are close to the ones published on the Frequencies listing on this web site.

Note that I will be operating SSB only - my CW ear is somewhat rusty - and I will not be using computer-based CW software as the Asus Netbook PC used for logging is not that quick a device, particularly under Windows 7. OK for logging but not both functions.

 

There will only be the non-rotatable multi-band trap dipole/V in use, with a vertical wire antenna as an aternative if required..

 

 

QSL details:

The electronic contacts log has been uploaded to eQSL (uploaded 6 May16) and LOTW ( uploaded 10 May 16) .

The quick contact lookup facility is running on this web site to allow visitors to see if they are "in the log".

The QSLs have been printed by UX5UO print ( www.ux5uoqsl.com ) and have my images from Norfolk included, as per the layout below.. 

 

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QSLs received  by direct mail to date : (2016, date received shown as DD/MM)

11/5: VK4BG, VK7AN, VK4COZ, N5ZVW; 13/5: KC0OW; 17/5: JR1UBR; 20/5: KJ6OHI, N2PPL, JH1DRF, JA0WUI, JE4WOK, JA0JPD; 25:5/: JL8BEL; 26/5: JS3IKM;

1/6: W8-SWL (Michael Neuman/Elena Efimo); 2/6: JA8DCR, JA1NVF; 7/6: JA5CPJ; 8/6: N7NN; 9/6: VK4HNS; 29/6: JM1CMA;

5/7: JA6GPR; 8/7: FK4RD; 11/7: JE3JRA;

8/8: JA7GDW;
  
QSLs returned by direct mail to date: (2016, date posted shown as DD/MM)

17/5: VK4BG, VK7AN, VK4COZ, N5ZVW , KC0OW; 24/5: JR1UBR , KJ6OHI, N2PPL, JH1DRF, JA0WUI, JE4WOK, JA0JPD ;  30/5: JL8BEL, JS3IKM;

3/6: W8-SWL, JA8DCR, JA1NVF; 8/6: JA5CPJ, N7NN; 10/6: VK4HNS; 30/6: JM1CMA;

14/7: FK4RD, JE3JRA;
 
QSLs printed and being returned via Bureau:

2016: JA6GPR,

 

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VK9NU QSL card front

Card layout front...

 

VK9NU QSL card back, sample data

Typical card back with QSO details

 

Paper QSLs: Two choices..

Via the VK bureau and marked to VK4ADC

-or-

Direct :  Note : insufficient postage = bureau card reply only

Oceania (including Japan, New Zealand) : "two green stamps" and a self-addressed envelope for a direct reply included, (postage = $AUD1.95 for a return direct card)

Remainder of world (USA, Canada, Europe etc) : "three green stamps" and a self-addressed envelope for a direct reply included, (postage = $AUD2.75 for a return direct card)

or SASE with Australian stamps with value >= $AUD2.75 for international replies

or SASE with Australian stamps with value >= $AUD1.00 within Australia,


mailed to :

Doug Hunter
306-308 Equestrian Drive,
New Beith, 4124, 
Queensland, Australia

 

Please do not include IRCs with direct cards, I have difficulties with utilising them 
to send your card back. We are a long way from an Australia Post outlet that will accept them and it can add two weeks or more to the reply time. 

 

Do not QSL direct and via the Bureau - only one card will be sent.

 Note: All SASE's must only have Australian stamps attached.

SASE = Self Addressed Stamped Envelope

 

 

OPERATING FREQUENCIES:

 

The following has been left on the page for historical purposes. In reality, I did not use frequency split at any stage.

The transmitter power will only be 100W and without gain antennas at my end, you will need to listen carefully. I will only work SPLIT on the HF bands so calling me on my transmit frequency will not work in your favour.

If you want a chance to contact me, please follow the below:

Please listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling.
Please only call if you can copy me properly.
Please wait for me to end a contact before you call.
Please always send your full call sign.
Please call and then listen for a reasonable interval. Do not call continuously.
Please do not transmit when I call another call sign, not yours.
Please do not transmit when I query a call sign not like yours.
Please do not transmit when I request geographic areas other than yours.

The following are indicative target frequencies only and will be used provided there are no other stations or dxpeditions using the frequencies:

+++ ALWAYS SPLIT UP 5 to 10 ON HF BANDS+++

Mode : SSB ONLY

TX Freq KHz
Receive window
3605
3610-3615
7145
7150-7155
10125
10130-10135
14195
14200-14205
18115
18120-18125
21245
21250-21255
24945
24950-24955
28445
28450-28455
   
50110 calling & 50125 working

 

Main dipole/V configuration covers 3.5, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 50MHz
Additional dipole/V configuration (if space permits) covers 10, 18 and 24MHz

Alternative antenna:  vertical wire

These frequencies may be revised after operations commence. Re-check then.

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