Dipole for 6 meters.

Looking back on this weekend, it was the one with various activities.

Saturday to the construction market for materials to make up for the jobs ...
Result: a new shelf in the bathroom.

On this Saturday, I also installed a dipole for 6 meters on the balcony. Some weeks ago there were made 2 mounting points. Cord for the suspension of the construction already bought in the construction market.
According to the internal meter of the FT817nd transceiver the SWR is good.

This Es season is nearly at the end and therefore is the chance to hear signals or to make a qso very nil.
I called Bert, PA1B, to make a sked for a signal on 6. This went very difficult about this short distance. Reason not clear.
Then Cees, PA0CKV, in Tiel called. This contact was also very laborious, distance 25 km.

So slowly I went doubt to the functioning of the dipole, despite the good SWR. Cees told me that he hears almost every day LX0SIX on 50.021. I turn my FT817nd on that frequency and heard this beacon. Over a few hours, with different strengths, this beacon is for me almost constantly audible. Antenna works!

Later in the evening there was suddenly EG4ANA from IN80AS square. A special station that used a disused channel 2 antenna. With much effort I worked this station. My output 5 watts SSB.
The antenna works!

Today (Monday) I hear the beacon ON0SIX regularly.

Unfortunately of the Es season, I will have to wait until next year.

73, Tjeerd (Gose) - PA3GNZ

First qso's from my new desk.

Last Monday the desks for the radio corner and home brew corner are assembled and put on the right place in my apartment.

Yesterday I thought that there would be a Dutch contest on 6M and had therefore set-up my rig + antenna. After a few minutes I heard Es signals and made over a period of 1.5 hours 5 qso's. This qso's made with ssb/cw and only 5 watts output into a 1/4 wave antenna on the balcony, approximately 13 meters above street level.
I worked:
Spain 2 times, Baleares 1 time, Italy 1 time and Portugal. This last country is a new one for me.

Regarding the Dutch contest I have been mistaken. This is next week on Tuesday, August 14.

73, Tjeerd (Gose) - PA3GNZ

First 6M qso's from JO22NB

Last Saturday I built up my 6 meter station for the first time. This means the mobile 1/4 whip on the balcony, put on a metal table and the coax connected to my FT817nd.
The balcony is about 13 meters above street level

With 5 watts SSB I worked with YL2IP & IS0BSR/P. 2 qso's about 1400 km away from JO22NB.

Not bad for the first qso's from this new location.

73, Tjeerd (Gose) - PA3GNZ

Greetings from Nieuwegein

Hello reader,

This is my first message from the city of Nieuwegein. I moved begin May to this city, close to my work in Utrecht.

In the future you will read more about my activities. First I have to set-up my household.

73, Tjeerd (Gose) - PA3GNZ

APRS and DXCC with QRP

Since I have a TNC, see earlier post, I am QRV with APRS. Mainly on 144,800 as a digipeater for a part of the Betuwe. Despite this I notice a black hole on the A15 highway along Tiel. This by altitude.

Meanwhile I have also some rides with APRS in the car. First I had the interval of the beacon at 3 minutes, which I have now been reduced to 2 minutes. This is pretty close, depending on the available digipeaters.

Last week I received the QSL of my contact with JY5HX. With this card I have confirmed 54 countries with QRP power.

The next time I will do almost nothing to the hobby.
About 2 months well I leave this house, I'm looking for another.

73, Tjeerd (Gose) - PA3GNZ