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11

Equipment Reviews / Update Elecraft KPA 1500 amp.

« Last post by k4lrx on August 05, 2018, 03:14:33 AM »

I did a little research on this amp after it had been on the market for some time, there was only one complaint and that was the fan noise. To some, it does not matter, while others it may be an issue. To be honest fan noise does not bother me, I use headphones any time I operate and rarely hear anything other then what I want to hear.  For the asking price of one nickel shy of $6000 the power supply is included, the initial ad seen with the first announcement did not indicate this at all.

In addition a five foot cable is included so you can place the power supply where you want it, either behind your desk, or on the desk or any location you want with only the limitation of the cable length. Longer cables will be a available in the near future per a statement from the company. I suppose if you needed a longer one you could make it your self, nothing special about it.

Praises were for clean signal, nice smooth QSK and and very low phase noise. There were a few comments on the speed of the fans the unit runs and the more heat it generates the higher the speed of the fans. Others have reported this is not a problem, plus running the amp at full power will not sound like a jet terminal due to high fan speed.

Turn on takes about six seconds to boot up, really not a problem the unit is shipped with out AC plug installed, that is up to you, gee I am sure for most hams this is not a problem. I would run it on 220 VAC due to the current demand, installing a 220 plug takes about ten minutes if that and you are ready to go. Your local hardware, or Loew's has plenty of 220 plugs.

If you go to the Elecraft web site they have a FAQ PDF available, this amp will work with any rig capable of generating 50 watts of drive power. Those who have this amp already have sung praises, only one complaint about fan noise, guess it depends on how sensitive your ears are and if it bothers you.

This is indeed an impressive amp, you may never need another amp and of course you can move into the 21st century by solid state and no tubes. Reliability so far has been good and no instances of units being returned for service have been reported, time will tell on this.

12

DX Reports / DX Report 08/04/18

« Last post by k4lrx on August 04, 2018, 12:28:15 PM »

As amazing as it may sound, there has been some DX noted on ten meters in the last couple of days. We had the distinction of working several stations from Europe , plus some phone stations as well. My DX on ten was CW and  that was fine, but several stations were heard on SSB. On other bands lots of activity on 20 meter from ZL/VK plus FO5 and FK8 all in one night.

13

DX Reports / DX BULLETIN 08/03/18

« Last post by k4lrx on August 03, 2018, 04:07:18 AM »

SB DX @ ARL $ARLD032
ARLD032 DX news

ZCZC AE32
QST de W1AW 
DX Bulletin 32  ARLD032
From ARRL Headquarters 
Newington CT  August 2, 2018
To all radio amateurs   

SB DX ARL ARLD032
ARLD032 DX news

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by
EA4NF, NE8Z, The Daily DX, the OPDX Bulletin, 425 DX News, DXNL,
Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web
sites.  Thanks to all.

SRI LANKA, 4S.  Dariusz, SP9DLM will be QRV as 4S7DMG from Kalkudah
from August 6 to 14.  Activity will be on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters.
QSL to home call.

WEST AND EAST MALAYSIA, 9M2, 9M6.  In celebration of Malaysia's 61st
anniversary of their independence on August 31, look for special
call 9M61Mx to be QRV from fifteen locations, each with a different
suffix, during the month of August. QSL via operators'
instructions.

AZORES, CU.  Jim, W6PQL is QRV as CT8/W6PQL from Pico Island, IOTA
EU-175, until September 3.  Activity is primarily on 20 meters using
SSB and FT8.  This also includes some activity on 40, 17 and 15
meters.  He plans to be active using EME on 2 meters mid-month when
the Moon is in a favorable position. QSL to home call.

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, DA. Special event station DQ800HRO is
QRV during the month of August during the occasion of the Hanse Sail
2018.  QSL via DL5KVV.

SOUTH COOK ISLANDS, E5.  Dave, G4BUO is QRV as E51BUO on Rarotonga
Island, IOTA OC-013, until August 6. Activity is holiday style on
the HF bands using CW.  QSL to home call.

ISLE OF MAN, GD.  Andrew, G8GNI plans to be QRV as GD8GNI from
Scarlett Point Tower from August 6 to 10.  Activity will be on the
HF bands using only digital modes. QSL to home call.

GUERNSEY, GU.  Mek, SP7VC will be QRV as MU/SP7VC from August 5 to
11.  Activity will be on the HF bands, as well as 6, 2, and 4 meters
using SSB and various digital modes. QSL to home call.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, HC8.  Alfredo, HC1HC will be QRV as HC1HC/8 from
Santa Cruz Island, IOTA SA-004, from August 7 to 10.  Activity will
be mainly on 30, 17 and 12 meters, and possibly 6 meters, using CW,
and FT8 in DXpedition mode, all using QRP power.  QSL direct to
NE8Z.

BULGARIA, LZ.  Members of the Bulgarian Radio Club Blagovestnik are
QRV with special event station LZ1146SPS during August for their
annual All Saints 2018 celebration. QSL via bureau.

ANTARCTICA.  Sergey, R3IW is QRV as RI1ANW until March 2019 from the
Novo-lazarevskaya Station.  Activity is on the various HF bands.
QSL via RN1ON.

GREECE, SV.  Petr, OK1FFU is QRV as SV8/OK1FFU from Naxos Island,
IOTA EU-067, until August 1.  Activity is holiday style on 40 to 10
meters using CW and SSB.  QSL via OM2FY.  In addition, operators
I2KBD and IZ2AMW are QRV as SV8/home calls from Kefallonia Island,
IOTA EU-052, until August 10. Activity is on the HF bands using CW,
SSB and FT8.  QSL to home calls.

MALI, TZ.  Youma, TZ5YL is usually QRV on 17 meters using slow CW
typically between 1400 and 1700z.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, V2.  Philippe, EA4NF will be QRV as V26NF from
Antigua Island from August 5 to 19. Activity will be on 20, 15 and
10 meters using QRP power.  QSL to home call.

INDONESIA, YB.  In celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the
Independence of Indonesia, special call YB73RI will be QRV as
YB73RI/0 to 9 from all ten Indonesian call areas from August 10 to
17.  QSL via operators' instructions.

ALBANIA, ZA.  Waldi, SP7IDX will be QRV as ZA/SP7IDX from August 5
to 12.  Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using SSB and various
digital modes.  QSL via SP7IDX.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The ARRL 222 MHz and Up Distance
Contest, North American CW QSO Party, 10-10 International Summer SSB
Contest, QRP 20-Meter CW Fox Hunt, NCCC RTTY Sprint, NCCC CW Sprint,
European HF Championship, WAB 144 MHz Low Power Phone, SARL HF Phone
Contest,

The ARS Spartan CW Sprint is scheduled for August 7.

The CWops Mini-CWT CW Test and Phone Fray are scheduled for August
8.

The ARRL International Grid Chase runs during all of 2018.

Please see August QST, page 86, and the ARRL and WA7BNM Contest Web
Sites for details.
NNNN
/EX

14

DX Reports / DX Report 08/01/18

« Last post by k4lrx on August 01, 2018, 04:19:01 PM »

If I could enter in a few hundred sad faces I would do so today. Bands are horrid, only thing I heard was HS0ZCW active for a short time on twenty meter SSB. 14.240 around 12:30Z, That so far has been it, signals are weak, few stations on any band. Maybe later on tonight something will happen, maybe not!

15

DX Reports / DX Report 07/30/18

« Last post by k4lrx on July 30, 2018, 09:56:02 AM »

Little joy last night we were able to snag V6J this is an IOTA operation and for those of you interested in the precise location check them out on their web site. Station was worked 0745Z 14.040 Khz.   This is the only frequency so far this one has been spotted on so it does make it a little easy to work them, if the propagation is right.

In the last few days I have seen an N7 station operating portable KH9, varies with SSB, or digital. The scheduled dx expedition to KH9 will begin on August 15 if all goes well.

For the most part propagation has been lousy during the day, little activity until the late evening hours.

16

DX Reports / DX Report 7/28/18

« Last post by k4lrx on July 28, 2018, 04:27:28 AM »

During the daylight hours nothing much at all happening on twenty meters, however it seems the band shows some sign of life around 0400Z. Several stations on from VK/ZL and we had a good contact with FK8 into New Caledonia, nice signal and no one calling this fellow.

I chatted with FK8GU for a few minutes, it was getting late and I had to put it down for the night, he was just beginning to start his day. What was amazing I went to log the contact on QRZ and there it was the contact I just had about a minute ago ready for me to hit the confirm button. I did, we made someone happy on the other side of the world, that is what  DXing is all about, make some one happy and confirm your contacts.

17

DX Reports / Propagation Report 7/27/18

« Last post by k4lrx on July 27, 2018, 05:06:29 PM »

SB PROP @ ARL $ARLP030
ARLP030 Propagation de K7RA

ZCZC AP30
QST de W1AW 
Propagation Forecast Bulletin 30 ARLP030
From Tad Cook, K7RA
Seattle, WA  July 27, 2018
To all radio amateurs

SB PROP ARL ARLP030
ARLP030 Propagation de K7RA

A single small sunspot appeared on July 21, then disappeared.
Previous to that, no sunspots appeared since June 26.  The daily
sunspot number on July 21 was 11, which is the minimum non-zero
sunspot number.

Because there were no sunspots over the previous week, average daily
sunspot numbers increased from 0 to 1.6, while average daily solar
flux for the week declined from 71.8 to 68.4.

Average daily planetary A index changed from 6.4 to 8.1, and average
daily mid-latitude A index (measured in Virginia) increased from 6.1
to 8.

Predicted solar flux is much lower than recently expected.  Expected
flux values (based on the July 26 prediction) are 66 on July 27
through August 2, 67 on August 3, 68 on August 4 to 10, 70 on August
11 to 18, 68 on August 19 through September 6, and 70 on September 7
to 9.

Predicted planetary A index is 5 on July 27 to 31, 18 and 8 August 1
and 2, 5 on August 3 to 11, 8 on August 12 and 13, 5 on August 14
and 15, then 7, 12, 5, 10, 25 and 15 on August 16 to 21, then 10 on
August 22 and 23, 8 on August 24 and 25, 5 on August 26 through
September 7, and 8 on September 8 and 9.

F.K.  Janda, OK1HH sends us this geomagnetic activity forecast for
the period July 27 to August 22, 2018.

"Geomagnetic field will be:
Quiet on July 28 to 30, August 5, 11, 15
Quiet to unsettled on July 27, 31, August 10, 14, 16
Quiet to active on August 1, 6 to 9, 12, 19
Unsettled to active on August 3 and 4, 17, 20, 22
Active to disturbed on August 2, (13, 18,) 21

Solar wind will intensify on July (30 and 31) and August (16 to 19,)
20 to 22

Remarks:
- Parenthesis means lower probability of activity enhancement.
- Configuration of active areas in the Sun is changed, which
temporarily reduces the reliability of predictions."

The latest from D. Skov, including her latest video:

Dear Tad,

Surprisingly, our Sun continues to stay busy-- perhaps it missed the
solar minimum memo?  The latest blast of fast solar wind hitting
Earth this week has already caused us to reach active conditions and
we have a few more days under its influence before things calm back
down.  Although not at storm level, aurora over the past few days
has been reported as far south as Germany in Europe and as far south
as Michigan in the USA.  Special thanks to Cornelius B and Martin D
for these insider field reports!

Even though we are getting auroral propagation with this storm on
Earth's night side, sustained communication via amateur radio
continues to suffer on Earth's dayside.  We will have to wait nearly
another week for a new bright region to rotate into view and boost
the solar flux.  We might see radio propagation improve slightly at
the beginning of next week.  At least GPS/GNSS users should continue
to enjoy decent reception on Earth's dayside.

Finally, I want to personally say THANKS for all the wonderful
feedback I have gotten on my Patreon rewards tiers.  I have been
slammed preparing for a trip to Belgium this week and I still have
some emails to write in response to your insightful suggestions and
encouraging comments.  So if you haven't yet received a response
from me, it is coming!  By the way, next week I will be doing my
forecast remotely.  This means I have to leave my production camera
behind and go "low-tech." It's always an adventure!

Cheers, Tamitha

https://youtu.be/K_o0TrAhRio

Jeff N8II in West Virginia wrote on July 24:

"It has been a thrilling and bit exhausting last 3 days with 10
meter multi-hop sporadic E openings to Europe late Saturday morning
the 21st, and both morning and late afternoon/evening Sunday and
Monday!  I can never remember such good consistent EU openings on Es
any year and the odds are even more against it being a month after
the summer solstice.  I got to the radio late Saturday morning past
1500Z and suspect the band had been open to EU for a while already.
Over less than 2 hours, I worked 23 EU QSO's and 2 with Africa.  The
majority were with Mediterranean area countries, Spain, France, and
Italy also working 3 Germans, England, and the Czech Republic.
Besides those QSO's, I heard over 10 Spanish stations working each
other in a contest on CW.  I worked the following new DXCC band
slots, IS0 Sardinia, S01WS Western Sahara, and probably 7V5D Algeria
(weak).  In the evening, I made 6 double hop QSO's with CA and
several single hop into TX and MO.

Sunday, I was on earlier probably about the time the band was
opening.  There were at least 2 Spanish stations still working their
contest, EA4URE gave me a signal report.  I made 7 EU QSO's most
with Germany; most signals were fairly weak.  I also found on CW
LZ2HR in Bulgaria with a S7 signal for a new band slot.  Also worked
was PJ2Y, Curacao probably via Es.  By 2112Z, the band was open
again working Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary (HA9RT loud), and
new band slots Z68M Kosovo, and 9A2EU Croatia.  I now have worked
Kosovo our newest DXCC country on all bands 80 through 10 meters CW
and 4 bands SSB this year.  Also worked on 15M phone were Lauro
IK4GRO (loud), Italy, Spain, and Tonno ES5TV in Estonia (quite a
surprise).

Today, Monday I made it to the radio at 1350Z and obviously there
was a good EU to EU and later EU to Middle East opening already
taking place.  After a CW QSO with England and a hello to Ian,
MM0TFU (s7) who always seems to be there when there is Transatlantic
Es, I started CQ'ing and had a run of 16 mostly very good copy
stations from Northern Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Austria,
Italy, France, and Germany.  Then it was off to mostly search for DX
on CW working HB0/PC5A Liechtenstein, and HA9RT Hungary (loud as
usual).  But by far the most amazing event was hearing HZ1TT in
Saudi Arabia running EU stations about 1/3 of which I could hear!  No
QSO (have worked 7Z1SJ in past year), but amazing to hear his S1 to
4 solid copy signal for over 10 minutes.  This was a first for me to
hear Es into the Arabian Peninsula on 10M.  At 1946Z, I returned to
work Tony T77C, San Marino (new band slot).  Mostly on SSB, I worked
France, Italy (some over S9), Germany, Portugal, Austria, and Spain
mostly answering my CQ's.  Around 21Z on CW, I found E79D Bosnia and
CT3MD Madeira Islands (S9) for new band slots."

When asked about six meters, on July 24 he wrote:

"Oh yes quite a few EU to TX and Midwest as well as east coast
QSO's.  When I heard HZ1TT, there was a 9K2 working EU on 6M.  Most
all 6M DX is worked via FT8 on 50313 KHz which allows decoding about
18 to 20 db BELOW the noise level.  I just feel the technology has
made it too easy, but that is the way of the DX world.  There is
halfway decent 10M SSB and CW activity.  I have not worked EU since
Monday on 10, was away today, but the reports of Es were very
minimal Wed."

For more information concerning radio propagation, see the ARRL
Technical Information Service at
http://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals.  For an explanation of
numbers used in this bulletin, see
http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere.

An archive of past propagation bulletins is at
http://arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation.  More good
information and tutorials on propagation are at http://k9la.us/.

Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve
overseas locations are at http://arrl.org/propagation.

Instructions for starting or ending email distribution of ARRL
bulletins are at http://arrl.org/bulletins.

Sunspot numbers for July 19 through 25, 2018 were 0, 0, 11, 0, 0, 0,
and 0, with a mean of 1.6.  10.7 cm flux was 70.5, 70.5, 70, 68.2,
67, 66.9, and 65.8, with a mean of 68.4.  Estimated planetary A
indices were 4, 7, 11, 5, 4, 17, and 9, with a mean of 8.1.
Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 7, 10, 5, 4, 16, and 10,
with a mean of 8.
NNNN
/EX

18

DX Reports / DX Bulletin 7/27/18

« Last post by k4lrx on July 27, 2018, 03:33:29 AM »

SB DX @ ARL $ARLD031
ARLD031 DX news

ZCZC AE31
QST de W1AW 
DX Bulletin 31  ARLD031
From ARRL Headquarters 
Newington CT  July 26, 2018
To all radio amateurs   

SB DX ARL ARLD031
ARLD031 DX news

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by
M0GWD, The Daily DX, the OPDX Bulletin, 425 DX News, DXNL, Contest
Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites.
Thanks to all.

MAURITIUS, 3B8.  Karel, OK2ZI is QRV as 3B8/OK2ZI until August 8.
Activity is on the HF bands using CW, SSB and various digital modes.
QSL to home call.

CROATIA, 9A.  Radovan, OM2ZZ will be QRV as 9A/OM2ZZ from Vir
Island, IOTA EU-170, in the RSGB IOTA contest.  QSL to home call.

WEST MALAYSIA, 9M2.  Luca, IK2PFL will be QRV as 9M2/IK2PFL from
Perhentian Kecil Island, IOTA AS-073, during the RSGB IOTA contest.
QSL to home call.

TAIWAN, BV.  A group of operators will be QRV as BV0WPX from Peng
Chia-Yu Island, IOTA AS-155, in the RSGB IOTA contest.  Before and
after the contest they will be active as BW9W. QSL via BV2KI.

PHILIPPINES, DU.  Ireneo, DU9XL, Roldan, DU9XM and Ernesto, DU9CA
will be QRV as DX9EVM from Mindanao Island, IOTA OC-130, during the
RSGB IOTA contest.  QSL via DU9CA.

ESTONIA, ES.  Toivo, ES2DJ will be QRV as ES8DJ from Ruhnu Island,
IOTA EU-178, during the RSGB IOTA contest.  QSL to home call.

ENGLAND, G.  Members of the Fort Purbrook ARC are QRV with special
event station GB1PF until July 29 to represent the 19th century
Palmerston Forts that encircle the City of Portsmouth.  Activity is
on 80 to 2 meters using CW, SSB and PSK.  QSL via operators'
instructions.

GUERNSEY, GU.  Operators M0WJE and M0WUT plan to be QRV as GP6UW
from Beaucette Marina, IOTA EU-114, in the RSGB IOTA contest.  QSL
via bureau.

THAILAND, HS.  Members of the HSDXA team will be QRV as E2X from Si
Chang Island, IOTA AS-107, in the RSGB IOTA contest.  QSL via LoTW.

ITALY, I.  Pippo, IT9PPG will be QRV as IF9A from Favignana Island,
IOTA EU-054, in the RSGB IOTA contest as a Single Op/DXpedition/24
Hrs/CW entry.  QSL via bureau.

JAPAN, JA.  Jen, JE6HCL will be QRV as JE6HCL/6 from Iki Island,
IOTA AS-036, in the RSGB IOTA contest as a Single Op/Mixed Mode
entry.  He is here until July 30.  QSL to home call.

NORWAY, LA.  Members of the Kirkenes Radio Amateur group are QRV
with special call LM0POMOR in celebration of the Pomor Cultural
Festival in Vardoe, IOTA EU-141, until July 29.  QSL via bureau.

BULGARIA, LZ.  A large group of operators will be QRV as LZ0I from
Sveti Ivan Island, IOTA EU-181, in the RSGB IOTA contest as a
Multi/Single entry.  QSL via bureau.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, P2.  Puiu, YO5BIM is QRV as P29VIM from Port
Moresby, IOTA OC-034, and Vanimo, until August 13.  He also plans to
be active from Rabaul on New Britain Island, IOTA OC-008.  Activity
is on the low bands using mostly CW and some SSB.  QSL direct to
home call.

SWEDEN, SM.  Eric, SM1TDE will be QRV as SD1A from Gotland Island,
IOTA EU-020, during the RSGB IOTA contest as a Single Op/All Band/CW
Mode/24 Hrs/Island entry.  QSL via bureau.

GREECE, SV.  Branislav, OM2FY will be QRV as SV8/OM2FY from
Kefalonia, IOTA EU-052, in the RSGB IOTA contest as a CW QRP entry.
QSL to home call.

EUROPEAN RUSSIA, UA.  Operators Victor, R1NU and Dmitry, UA1NFA will
be QRV as R1KRG/P from Bol'shoy Kimalishche Island, IOTA EU-147, in
the RSGB IOTA contest.  Before and after the contest, they are
active as R25RRA.  QSL via operators' instructions.

ROMANIA, YO.  Members of the Carpathian Society of Transylvania will
be QRV as YP27EKE during their hosting of the 27th Roaming Camp from
July 30 until August 5.  Activity will be on the HF bands.  They may
also activate WWFF sites YOFF-0177 and YO/MC-031.  QSL via YO6PIB.

KOSOVO, Z6.  Members of the Kosovo International Friendship
Consortium are QRV as Z66X until July 30.  Activity is on 80 to 6
meters.  QSL via OH2BH.

NEW ZEALAND, ZL.  Special event station ZM50MAUQ will be QRV during
the month of August to commemorate the naval accident in 1968 of the
SS Gothic.  Activity will be on 80, 40 and 20 meters using CW and
SSB.  QSL via ClubLog.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The RSGB IOTA Contest, QRP 20-Meter CW
Fox Hunt, NCCC RTTY Sprint, NCCC CW Sprint, YARC Summer QSO Party
and the ARS CW Flight of the Bumblebees are all on tap for this
weekend.

The CWops Mini-CWT CW Test and Phone Fray are both scheduled for
August 1.

The ARRL International Grid Chase runs during all of 2018.

Please see July QST, page 83, and the ARRL and WA7BNM Contest Web
Sites for details.
NNNN
/EX

19

DX Reports / DX Report7/25/18

« Last post by k4lrx on July 25, 2018, 09:12:35 AM »

Nothing much at all stirring, there has been an infrequent operation from V6J 14.220 Khz around 12:30 Z this op is not on long, mostly exchange of signal reports and that is it. V6J is a special event station so grab this one while you have a chance.

In other information, KH9 is in the works, according to the latest info this should begin around August 15 and last for about ten days. Lots of chances to grab a new one, it is supposed to be all bands and modes so we shall see what happens when they get started.

Bands are continued to be very poor, nothing  much at any time, although some openings are happening around 0500Z with ZL/VK signals. ZL4IR is on a lot and easy to work on twenty meter phone, frequency varies, but normally above 14.200KHz and not much higher then 14.240. Ok, that is about it for now terrible as it is, that is it..

20

DX Reports / DX Report7/22/18

« Last post by k4lrx on July 22, 2018, 02:51:43 AM »

You will notice the sad face is not present.. Two good ones appeared on the twenty meter band..

YJ0GA good signal 14.035 up 1 0020Z plus 5W20SAMOA unusual call, special event station 14.038 up 1 0024Z. Both signals coming in very well, also a couple of strong VK stations and that was  it. However, it was something to report and rated a smiley face.