Saturday 4 September 2010

The Story so far.


I am quite impressed with the way my mobile setup for HF is working. This week I have mainly been monitoring 40 metres on my travels. I have worked into Germany and the Orkney Islands despite 40 not being in such great shape. I also had a contact with a station in Cardiff who was able to give me a very useful audio report as I was driving nearby. It seems I don't have any nasty noises, no RF getting back into the rig or anything like that. I do get some QRN from the car on 40 metres but luckily the noise blanker takes care of it.
When I have been out and about earlier, around 7AM I have heard several VKs and ZLs on 40 at quite good strength, haven't worked them yet though, there always seems to be a pile up!

5 comments:

  1. Hello Kevin, as a QRP-er I have had the best contacts on 40 meter SSB. It's my favorite band.
    73 Paul

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  2. Good morning Kevin nice to hear you are having success with the Icom. What antenna are you using? I had the FT-857D in my Honda Civic. For some reason could not get rid of the QRN from the car. I sold the rig in frustration I now have a new car and am getting the itch to go HF mobile again.

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  3. Hello Mike and Paul
    Yes 40 metres is a good band and it is generally open most times of the day.
    Mike I am using an antenna which is branded as an AMPRO (as opposed to a PRO-AM). I have described it in an earlier entry here, basically it is a vertical around 7 feet long, about three quarters of it is helically wound with an adjustable steel whip at the top.

    73 Kevin

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  4. Good to read the IC-706 doing well in the mobile. Never used mine outside the radioshack as it does well for base use also. 73, Bas

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  5. Hi Kevin,

    COPYCAT !! I use the same setup, the monoband whips and the Icom 706, had a great afternoon today from my rubbish work location working the field day contest, have had contacts on 10,20 and 40m, sorry to hijack your post, best 73 Paul.

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