Four Play

I took the 70MHz transverter out for the first time today.

In preparation, by 10am this morning I had built a PA that was giving 4-5 Watts out. Unfortunately by 10:01 it had died. Thus my test was limited to 80mW TX. More devices on order.

From Merryton Low, using a dipole I could hear:

GB3BUX IO93BF
GB3BAA IO91PS
GB3ANG IO86MN
GB3MCB IO70OJ
GB3RAL IO91IN
EI4RF IO63WD

I could also hear the ignition noise of the constant stream of vintage cars that passed by; some of which parked next to me, wiping the band out.

A long period calling CQ bagged a station in Rochdale. A station in IO72 called me in response to a request on KST. I could hear him but 80mW was not sufficient for a contact.

4m seems nearly as quiet as 10GHz…

73

Richard
G3CWI

First outing on 70MHz:

SP-004, 7 contacts. 1hr 20 mins. 1 x SSB, 2 x CW, 4 x FM. ODX 228km (CW).

4W + dipole.

Quite promising.

73

Richard
G3CWI

In reply to G3CWI:

SP-013 today on 70MHz. 9 contacts in about 1hr 20 mins. ODX 160km. Looks like qualifying hills on 4m is quite easy. Usual mix of SSB/CW/FM.

73

Richard
G3CWI

In reply to G3CWI:

Looks like qualifying hills on 4m is quite easy.

So it’s in your backpack for the next time you activate Craig y Castell GW/NW-074 is it Richard? :slight_smile:

In reply to G4OIG:

Don’t see why not. You managed to make 8 contacts from there on 2m, why should not 4m be equally possible? I might need an amplifier and a beam though!

73

Richard
G3CWI

In reply to G3CWI:

Hi all

I think it is excellent to see people taking an active interest in one of the most underused bands! However now access to the band has never been easier with Chinese Imports from Wouxun and Anytone.

Richard I am happy to share my knowledge of 4m - checkout this news article and scroll down to the “Tay Beam”!

Very effective beam, cheap to make - however making the elements may be tricky but I have found the suppliers on Ebay to be fantastic.

http://www.summits.org.uk/tiki-index.php?page=News+February+2011

Hope that helps

Also the Telescopic aerials I used were

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-X-CHROME-NEW-TELESCOPIC-36-INCH-SWIVEL-AERIALS-/150661228029?pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_SpecialistRadioEquipment_SM&hash=item23141be5fd

Tapping the aluminium is the hardest part but very rewarding!

In terms of Amps, that is an area i have not looked into! However Spectrum Communications produce a kit of parts, Tony is very obliging and seems to be helpful when it comes to support etc. I am sure you know that his technical prowess cannot be questioned after reading his practical wireless articles etc!

73

Matt G8XYJ

In reply to G8XYJ:

Thanks for the offer of help and advice Matt. I have joined the Four Metre Forum at http://www.70mhz.org/ which has a lot of information.

73

Richard
G3CWI

In reply to G3CWI:

Don’t see why not. You managed to make 8 contacts from there on 2m

Sure did - carried two backpacks, one of which contained the 12AH SLAB and 180W BNOS linear amplifier! It certainly felt good to whistle into the mic and see the bargraph light up to the 120W output level. Pity I didn’t have the LiPo / NiMH packs at the time or I’d have run the full wack! :wink:

73, Gerald G4OIG

Ran across this on ebay today:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Key-KP80-Handheld-Transceiver-Converted-4M-16-Channels-5W-/320794040318?pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_SpecialistRadioEquipment_SM&hash=item4ab0d097fe