I was actually out for #maythe4thbewithyou and trying to work VK/ZL. None worked nothing heard DXy either. No 20m GP, so it was a 30/20/17m dipole, “beaming” long path to VK (NW over the North pole), KX2 + 50W PA + ATU-100 with the output adjusted to about 3W drive, 30W out.
Up at 330Z, 1st diabetic drugs and out the house at 405Z, I had a light snack in the car plus my first drink of the day (can’t eat or drink after first drug), more drugs, boots on an away at 440Z. On the summit for 525Z. Set and tuning and calling CQ at 540Z. This was the first time out with this setup so a few experiments to check it was working. ATU-100 seems to work OK and tuned up the antenna. Should not be needed but the SWR on 20m is 1.9:1 since I swapped the feeder. Needs tweaking so it’s a bit better. Anyway, ATU said we were getting 28-31W out on 17/20 and 30m.
So that was OK but someone changed the wind direction, it was 20C early this week. Not now as wind from North. So my car said 1C when I set off, 2C at car park. Add to that a strong and constant 20mph wind from the North and a 579m summit meant it was well below 0 with windchill. Lots and lots of frost all over the heather/grass. Gordon Bennett is was perishingly cold. I stayed operating for 45mins till I was too cold and wanted some more breakfast. I packed up fast and got back to the car where the heated seat and steering wheel was needed for the drive home, still only 6C when I pulled up.
ODX was UZ7C on 20m in Ukraine. Nice S2S with IK6BAK/P on I/MC-089. No VK/ZL or JA/Asia
Everything was a bit dead sounding so I had a look to see what RBN said. Pleasing results for unproven system at 0600Z on 30/20m
30m CW RBN reports
20m CW RBN reports. I’m happy with that spot at 16dB above the noise from Utah at 0603Z.
And here is the setup.
(I’ll link this post into the #maythe4th thread.)