VK Logger Ham Radio Forum Archive

I operated on 4m (70MHz) in the UK for years before emigrating to VK. Indeed I still have all my HB transverter here somewhere. We dodged around their old Band 1 405 line B&W TV and a myriad of other mobile radio services without any major QRM even with old AM valve gear. It is a fantastic band...

Shock horror indeed. I could use this post to remind regular forum readers that on two occasions I initiated a "why are we paying so much" whinge-fest on here. And almost without exception I got shouted down and told that a reduction in fees was impossible and if it did happen we would los...

then the lightning current could very well jump off of the cable at that point and find a path to earth through the air, at which point it could go anywhere (non preferred). Last year I was sitting reading a book in my sun room (a flat roofed extension on the back of the house) with my feet up on t...

For many that would not suite the antennas , Inter VK and contest operation is supposed to be above 150. Why would anyone enter a contest with antennas that wont go above 150? more to the point why not make the "calling area " much wider You mean exactly what is happening at the moment? A...

The only reason everyone calls on 110 is that everyone knows that everyone else listens on 110 when they aren't doing anything else. I have never worked a contest on 6m, so I might be way off base here, but... how about suggesting a "contest only" calling frequency. Rules such as..... No c...

20 years ago only the UK had 70MHz. Now there are 28 countries on 4m. Although I think they are all in region 1.

There's no harm in asking. None of the 28 countries would have 4m if they hadn't asked.

I wonder what the chances are of getting a small 4m (70MHZ) allocation? It is a very interesting bit of spectrum for propagation experiments. Is the WIA exploring that? Considering the statement the ACMA just made, if the WIA are NOT exploring the possibility of a 4m allocation..... WHY NOT? Thanks...

I wanted to be on the Sunshine coast for WIA-fest. As I travel up there quite often. But alas I already have another trip organised for that week. One that cant be cancelled. Maybe fair isn't the correct word. Unrepresentative? I don't know, I'll think about that. The ACMA have made the rules. And w...

The ACMA make the rules. No argument there. But that doesn't mean they are fair. I feel Glenn makes a few good points. Taken from this weeks WIA news- Embroidered antenna is flexible and water resistant A prototype garment incorporating an embroidered antenna has been produced by researchers from No...

The UK comprises of 4 countries and several separately governed island groups (3 I think) and they all have their own prefix. But I use the same license and the same callsign in all of them, I just change to the relevant prefix as I cross the border. Aus could easily adopt a similar system. In fact ...

I can't tell you about Sydney repeaters in general, but the High Range repeater which I sometimes use (and is accessible to much of Sydney) is configured that way. The guy who maintains it drives 250km to work on it, and it is funded by a small club so unnecessary call outs are to be avoided. Most ...

Language evolves. And you cant stop evolution. Unless you are a creationist, in which case it never started in the first place. I have been viciously berated for calling my radio a rig. Rig is, according to some, a CB term and thus proves the me to be the worst form of humanity imaginable. I'm not s...

In short, the top vertical 25m of the summit is the activation zone. That is the area within the contour which is 25m lower than the peak. You must operate from within this zone to activate for SOTA. Entry to the activation zone must not be by motorised transport. The entire station, radio, power su...

3 x $25 will almost double the cost of the project

I will ask and see what can be found.

Yes indeed. tapered is definitely what I want. Tapered hold their shape in the wind. Parallel sway around like a drunk giraffe.

No price on the rfi site. That usually doesn't bode well for the tight fisted homebrewer.

I'm looking for a source of decent quality stainless steel antenna whips. I have 3 old pro-am mono-band HF mobile whips. They are brilliantly made for the low cost they were. BUT... I have 80, 20 and 17m bands. And I want 40m. I found a supplier in the UK and after some discussion on postage methods...

How do the IC551 and 505 receivers compare with more modern equipment?

I have been offered a FT680R, but having owned a FT480R I know the receivers are disappointing. They were when they were new, never mind now.

I've had a 706. Both original flavour and Mk2G. Its a likable radio and a good all rounder for mobile. I would love an FT950. I have an FT450 and find it an excellent performer for its price bracket. Possibly the best performer there is in its price bracket. But these are a little beyond my Alinco-e...

Jack, you might find this previous discussion of the DX70TH useful? I did. Thanks. Only complaints about the DX70 seem to be a dud noise blanker (a complaint which could apply to most of the radios I've owned) and the multi function switch wears out (again not uncommon in other makes). So the DX70T...

I'd be interested in the collective wisdom of the 50MHz horde. I am considering buying a SSB/CW/FM transceiver to dedicate to full time 50MHz. I don't mind buying something that covers other bands as well so long as that doesn't raise the cost to much. The last dedicated 6m rig I had was a FT690R2 a...