Mobile is set up and ready to rock!!!

My Mobile install in the Alfa is finally finished, ICOM IC-2730a is programmed, wiring is tidied up, and the ICOM IC-440 is configured. Now to use it on the way in and out of work.

VI100AF - 100 years of the RAAF

 Quick contact with Paul south of Adelaide running the VI100AF callsign on 40m tonight. VK100AF/VI100AF is a special callsign celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the RAAF.

AI7FR is my new extra class call sign.

Today I was assigned AI7FR as my extra class call sign. Woohoo!!! Onwards to the Aussie advanced call sign.

A big day of exams

After about 6 weeks of study, today I sat my Technician, Standard, and Extra class exams all one after the other. And I passed. Now to see what callsign I receive. Be sitting my aussie regs exam soon and onwards to the advanced licence.

Ah the serenity

Biggest change in the shack has been the peace and quiet following the replacement of a droning power supply fan. Ah the serenity!

Xiegu G90 - 3462 Kms with 10 watts

First blood for the Xiegu G90, 3462kms with 10 watts on 40m from Brisbane to Jason, VK6YTS in Gundaring, WA.

More Antenaeeeeeeeesssss

A little bit of work on the second mast with my DIY UHF beam replaced with a VHF-UHF beam and the HF vertical was straightened. Still waiting on the EFHW to arrive.

Ailunce HD1

It took 2 days to program this thing but I only really twigged where I was going wrong when VK4MGC explained the need to program a channel for each talk group on each repeater. 😲😲😲. The HD1 works fine, nice quality and performance. I have a Kenwood clip and Motorola antenna on the way for it but for now I'm liking it.

...and it did arrive

The DMR Handheld is here along with the FT-891, and the 2m/70cm Yagi. Just waiting on the 40m EFHW. I love taking the plastic off new radios, some don't but I do.........

....just a little patience

 I've got 2 radios and 2 antennas on the way and apparently all I need is just a little patience.....

477MHz Yagi? Not even close!

It would seem my DIY skills are not all that flash as my DIY 477MHz Yagi is resonant on 1.36GHz........ Looks like it is destined for the bin!

On a more positive note the 11M Vertical is 1.2 on channel 35, with no tuning on the antenna and no tuner in front of the rig. Caught lightning in the bottle with that setup!

Progress on Shack 2.0

Making steady progress with the HF vertical and Yagi up on the second mast and wired. Still needs to be tuned and the HF vertical straightened, and coax run into the shack. 3 new antenna switches arrived and getting ready for the rewire inside. Still waiting on the 40m EFHW.

Antenna Day - check my YAGI !!!

All day in Queensland’s humidity sucks but the outcome was worth it. First 11M vertical was disassembled, tuning coil replaced, connector replaced, and some of the PVC tubing replaced. I think I have the right length but will have to wait to see when I tune it.

Next was making a UHF CB yagi (477 MHz) from scratch. I had the dimensions for a 4 element yagi and just added some extra directors. I’m not sure how this will work but keen to see once I get it up in the air.

Second radio mast is up and ready for more antennaesssssssssss

The concrete pad was dry, welding was finished and today was the time to get the mast up into the air. Only a UHF vertical on there at the moment but working on reconditioning another HF vertical, building a VHF/UHF yagi, and setting up a 40m EFHW. When it's all ready to go I'll drop the other mast, do some maintenance and then rewire the shack.

VX-7R

A little photography on a lazy New Years Day......