HF Contacts 20m

First ZL on 20m FT8 13th Nov.
I seem to work ZL easier on 40metres been hard catching on 20metres.

08:04utc ZL4KYH RE78

Had a most enjoyable contact 8/1/2023  my first ever VK  SOTA  20m ssb 

V10SOTA on VK1/AC-043  Mt Stromlo  782m above sea level 

This was a special SOTA qrz celabrating 10years of VK1 SOTA activity , this was activated by Andrew VK1AD 
who was only running a vertical multi band antenna and 25w 
Even more remarkable was I worked him long path with a distance of over 14500 miles 


What a way to start the radio year 

Craig 2E0VRX   73

Cracking contact there Craig!

I hope the rest of the year heralds much the same for you.

Finally cracked Oceania!

(Flipping long time coming. )

Took several attempts, heard by other VK stations too but only got through to one by jumping around that waterfall. Unfortunately looks like no QRZ log at their end so probably won't get a confirmation but at least it's in my log. Shall try again enthused that I can make it and hopefully get to light up that 'World Continents' award.
Up to now I've been trying UK morning grey-line contact but finally managed on their morning grey-line.


08/03/23 - 21:18 - VK5PO - PF95

10W, FT8, homebrew interface, shagged old radio, bit of lawnmower lead in the loft for an antenna.  


73 M7VIC

Nice one Victor, you're doing something right! I know some say 20m is the 'easy band', but I haven't managed Oceania or South America on 20m yet, and my Africa contacts are not confirmed. You're racing ahead on that band. I'd tear our lawnmower apart to replicate your setup, but my mower is just a little human push powered one so it's safe in the shed.

Cheers Neal.  

20m might be easy for all those running megawatts but they do tend to obliterate us QRP stations.

My first Oceania 'full' and completed QSO but have had PSK reports before now. Was working the WARC bands to hopefully give me a better chance and this one came out of the blue but didn't manage to make QSO's with the other VK stations on air at the time. (Would've been handy for the QSL.)

Getting more stations from Africa coming through (as well as everywhere else!) with the lengthened 'lawnmower' lead but not cracked too many contacts there either. The thing is, I enjoy that it's more of a challenge at QRP levels and very pleased with my home-repaired, home-made & home-brew equipment.

Worth checking on all the bands you have access to and of course.....never say never!


All the very best to you,
Victor

Well done, when you going to sell those mower antennas.

Main thing is never give up.

Some times paths are just not there, happens to me a lot.
Keep plugging away and in time it does go where you want it to.

BTW VK5PO does QSL via LoTW, bagged him last year on 20m FT4.
Worked him 06:49 in the morning 2nd June.

Ha! Ha!

I should really call it an "88 foot Doublet" Mike but the emphasis is the fact it's just a bit of wire.
(I did look at LoTW etc. but all seemed a bit of a faff, might need to look again at a later date.)

Cheers, much appreciated

FT8 5/5/2023

18:30utc JW/SQ9FVE JQ78

FT8 8/5/2023

06:50utc HK0/PY8WW EK92  country 169

A new one for me on FT4 this evening.

14th July 17:24 FH4VVK LH27 Mayotte

16/7/2023
Another new country this time FT8
18:27 9Q1ZZ JI75

5W1SA on 20m FT4 right now my 176 country

Very well done there Mike, you do have an impressive list of countries.  

I can see 5W1SA on PSK but not on my reception window. Must get a better antenna figured out!

Had that 5w1sa 4 times but he doesn't confirm in QRZ.

Alan Pilot wrote:

Had that 5w1sa 4 times but he doesn't confirm in QRZ.

He does via LOTW.
Got mine by 22.30 last night

The lawnmower lead still seems to be working well enough but no dice on a QSL confirmation yet.....

08/09/23  06:02 - ZL4AS - RE43 - New Zealand

20m, FT4, 10W


Took many attempts lost amongst the big guns before I finally got through.

I must've looked at the ARRL LoTW application process multiple times and still none the wiser.
(Got an eQSL sorted but doesn't seem as handy as it first appears.)

Still, it's in my logs so I'm a happy bunny.

Awesome one Victor! Definitely working well. I tried for a ZL yesterday morning on 20m too, but I didn't even get picked up on PSK Reporter there


Out of all the other online logging programs, LotW is the one to get setup if anyone is chasing yellow stars and awards on QRZ as, as far as I know, it's the only one whose confirms count when importing to QRZ.

I could maybe try and put a guide together for members here, but honestly don't know if my own wording will make it any more understandable than ARRL's own instructions.. it's just so darn cumbersome to setup up and use compared to QRZ and others. Once done though you rarely need to log in to it unless you are chasing ARRL's awards, all the importing / exporting between them can be done from the more user friendly interfaced QRZ site.

I have an account on LoTW but no idea how to set it up.
Not very good at that sort of stuff.

Cheers Neal & Alan, much appreciated Lads.  

I love the challenge of working QRP through bits of wire but loathe any sort of 'officialdom', form filling or undue bureaucratic nonsense. When things settle down here at home I'll give LoTW another shot.

Country 178 FT4

15:38 KH0/DL2AH QK24 Rota Island

wow real cool there mike, had to dare i say google, a place id never heard of good contact there

Nice catch there Mike.  

-------------------------


Jimmy - One of the many things I can say about the Amateur Radio interest, is that it does expand your knowledge of Geography!  Get that ticket under your belt and the world's your oyster.

I had KH0/DL2AH last week but location not the same but still a new one on me.

Alan Pilot wrote:

I had KH0/DL2AH last week but location not the same but still a new one on me.

From 3rd September Ulrich is on Rota Island part of Marianas Islands just north of Guam.

Digital is only 30watts so he is doing very well, btw it's not a dxpedition but holiday style.

Had a QRZ confirmation come through!  

From my first (and only) New Zealand contact with Cliff Gray ZL4AS mentioned earlier.

Finally got that 'World Continents Award' pin on my QRZ page.



Happy? I should flippin' coco!