another good day on 20m

as well as Iceland, and a bunch of good solid European stations I stumbled over the last couple of minutes of a CW contest with a few us contacts.  nothing as exciting as a new state, but two new entries in my top 20 distance chart.

UR5FEH	Ukraine
OK2BLR	Czech Rep
UY2RA	Ukraine
N4ZZ	USA TN
N8BJQ	USA OH
N3JT	USA VA
DJ4OQ	Germany
RJ3DA	Russia
W1OG	USA MA
I1QQC	Italy
WF1D	USA NH
I5GJK	Italy
YO6ZS	Romania
HA3OD	Hungary
IK8ARJ	Italy
UA4PNT	Russia
UT7NY	Ukraine
TF3JB	Iceland
EA5BYP	Spain
EH7DAM	Spain

and the distance list now looks like:

ZL2IBF	New Zealand	11381
N2PW	USA AZ	4936
N9RV	USA MT	4257
K1AY	USA FL	4179
N4TB	USA FL	4119
K4WI	USA AL	4109
PT0S	St Peter & St Paul Rocks	3943
NQ4I	USA GA	3934
K4TCG	USA TN	3899
N4ZZ	USA TN	3882
W0EWD	USA IA	3871
KC9KBB	USA IL	3869
KT9T	USA MN	3705
K4DY	USA NC	3704
W0AIH	USA WI	3636
K4MA	USA NC	3604
N8BJQ	USA OH	3585
NY4A	USA NC	3542
NY4A	USA NC	3542
NQ4E	USA VA	3459

Weekend?  wall to wall contesting again, so only a few contacts....

OF3I	Finland
HG1DX	Hungary
W2LE	USA NJ
WX3B	USA MD
9A4U	Croatia
YT4A	Serbia
RM3Z	Russia
LY2DX	Lithuania
LZ1ND	Bulgaria
HF2013MAX	Poland
YT1A	Serbia
EW6GF	Belarus
YT2ISM	Serbia

Monday....

a few bits & bobs, nothing TOO shocking......

DL2RTU	Germany
YU2NZ	Serbia
IW2NBW	Italy
DL3RDM	Germany
DL9MN	Germany
UR5TKM	Ukraine
I3UK	Italy
YO3AMM	Romania

today?

well, nothing doing but playing on 20m CW...

notable moments?

well, Morocco,  only the second time there..... North Carolina, comes is at #9 in the distance chart, and 3 Serbian stations back to back, not until the 3rd did I notice that they all had the same surname.... I'm guessing father and two sons, all working from the same radio.....

OK1PL	Czech Rep
DJQMN	Germany
OM3CAZ	Slovak rep
SP6LK	Poland
DK6NI	Germany
I1ZB	Italy
EA2BVK	Spain
DK6HW	Germany
CN8GL	Morocco
OH3TT	Finland
K4DY	USA NC
OK1DDB	Czech Rep
OZ3PI	Denmark
RW4WN	Russia
E72GF	Bosnia & Herz
YU15OTC	Serbia
DG3MA	Germany
YU1KL	Serbia
YU1MA	Serbia
YU6A	Serbia
LZ1XL	Bulgaria
F5TXA	France
LZ2TW	Bulgaria
I4CKC	Italy
DL8MGD	Germany
F6CHQ	France
YT1KS	Serbia
OE5WLL	Austria
YO0BMO	Romania
DL2RTU	Germany
9A3GG	Croatia
IK5ZWU	Italy
UT5BW	Ukraine
OE7WRH	Austria
DL1MMK	Germany

a few QSOs today, one of the Antarctic activity week stations from Spain, a Bulgarian special station and one from Ohio.

IT9FGH	Italy
UY1CI	Ukraine
IK1GPK	Italy
DL3EEJ	Germany
YO2BBD	Romania
DL1DEJ	Germany
RG3K	Russia
LZ969SCP	Bulgaria
HB9EBT	Switzerland
KC8VZV	USA OH
DJ0YZ	Germany
YU7SOL	Serbia
SP3JFK	Poland
AO7WAP	Spain

KC8VZV from Ohio sneaks in at #19 on my top 20 distance QSOs

ZL2IBF	New Zealand	11381
N2PW	USA AZ	4936
N9RV	USA MT	4257
K1AY	USA FL	4179
N4TB	USA FL	4119
K4WI	USA AL	4109
PT0S	St Peter & St Paul Rocks	3943
NQ4I	USA GA	3934
K4TCG	USA TN	3899
W0EWD	USA IA	3871
KC9KBB	USA IL	3869
KT9T	USA MN	3705
W0AIH	USA WI	3636
K4MA	USA NC	3604
NY4A	USA NC	3542
NY4A	USA NC	3542
NQ4E	USA VA	3459
NR4M	USA VA	3433
KC8VZV	USA OH	3428
N8AGU	USA OH	3425

a few QSOs in the morning the almost a pileup this evening!

OK, 6 or 7 stations back to back with a few cases of two, or at one point three stations all calling me at once.  not a competition so no need for multipliers, and and no impressive DX, but nice all the same!

I1QQC	Italy
IZ0UIN	Italy
DK6OR	Germany
DK2WM	Germany
9A3GG	Croatia
SP3DGV	Poland
IK7PBS	Italy
YU7LS	Serbia
IK1WNO	Italy
IZ0FYX	Italy
S51NP	Slovenia

tuesday and wednesday.... only 2 QSOs on Tuesday, but things picked up on Wednesday.

I heard a couple of US stations, but couldn't get back to them.  I heard UA5C on 80 m and couldn't answer him, but I got him later on 40.  AO1ICE I had QSOed on Monday on 20m, and repeated the contact on 40 this evening. and HB9FAI/P pops up yet again!

PF13ANT	Netherlands
RA1QV	Russia
HB9AZX	Switzerland
YU15OTC	Serbia
HB9FAI/P	Switzerland
UA4LF	Russia
IT9XUA	Italy
YU7BPO	Serbia
YU5D	Serbia
ON5SE	Belgium
DK2SC	Germany
DF1IAQ	Germany
OE7EHH	Austria
UT4UH	Ukraine
PA0ATG	Netherlands
DL4ZBY	Germany
F8BJK	France
EU6KA	Belarus
OK2LA	Czech Rep
UA5C	Russia
AO1ICE	Spain

What a difference a day makes!!

all weekend the 20m band was full of American stations eager to work anyone outside the states.

today?

well, to be fair, conditions were pretty flat, but I did clearly hear 2 Californian stations in QSO with Europeans, but nothing for me.

then I heard someone ending with a very weak station, who's call I didn't catch.  I called him anyway and he answered to hear a GI4 /P station.  VERY low in the QRN so I couldn't really chat and find out where he was portable, but at least it was a contact.

two stations were ICE  stations as this is apparently Antarctica awareness week......

the first on this list was actually last nigh after I'd updated the log.

another day of the arrl dx competition.

started on 80 and got a response from Madiera on 80m.

then up to 20 for the afternoon and a bunch of US contacts and one Canadian.

after scanning the band several times and not hearing any US stations that I hadn't already contacted, I tried up to 10, and got one QSO there.

CR3A	Funchal
K4TCG	USA TN
NQ4I	USA GA
NY4A	USA NC
K0ZR	USA VA
W4RM	USA VA
K3LR	USA PA
N9RV	USA MT
N2PP	USA NY
NR4M	USA VA
W3LPL	USA MD
K1AY	USA FL
K5ZD	USA MA
VE3YAA	Canada ON
N8AGU	USA OH
K4WI	USA AL

New states?  MT, AL, GA, & TN

So, since this week?.......

12 new US states.....

and the top 20.....

16 of the entries were this week......

not bad at all!!

ZL2IBF	New Zealand	11381
N2PW	USA AZ	4936
N9RV	USA MT	4257
K1AY	USA FL	4179
N4TB	USA FL	4119
K4WI	USA AL	4109
PT0S	St Peter & St Paul Rocks	3943
NQ4I	USA GA	3934
K4TCG	USA TN	3899
W0EWD	USA IA	3871
KC9KBB	USA IL	3869
KT9T	USA MN	3705
W0AIH	USA WI	3636
K4MA	USA NC	3604
NY4A	USA NC	3542
NY4A	USA NC	3542
NQ4E	USA VA	3459
NR4M	USA VA	3433
N8AGU	USA OH	3425
W8PT	USA OH	3414

Thursday & Friday.

quite a few QSOs......

nothing spectacularly out of the ordinary......

RA1TU	Russia
I8GMG	Italy
YO3JD	Romania
IK2CGH	Italy
SM4TU	Sweden
DL2HWH	Germany
F5TCI	France
SV2CQB	Greece
LZ13FDAY	Bulgaria
OK1AVG	Czech Rep
EA3CW	Spain
DC7HP	Germany
IK2RMZ	Italy
F3WK	France
F5MPS	France

Saturday?

well, a whole other story!!

it started with my first DX on 80m.  W1MK in MA.  not a bad feat as I'm still sitting on static to at least s9.

then, after a couple of "local" QSOs,  I got caught up in a contest.  its US against the world, so every US station is calling and listening, while everyone else in chasing the US at the same time.

G6PZ	England
W1MK	USA MA
GM3YOR	Scotland
OK7K	Czech Rep
IR4M	Italy
K2AX	USA NJ
KB3WD	USA MD
N4TB	USA FL
W2XL	USA NY
W0EWD	USA IA
K2XA	USA NY
W4RM	USA VA
K1LZ	USA MA
N2PW	USA AZ
W1WEF	USA CT
K2NV	USA NY
NQ4E	USA VA
WK1Q	USA CT
NY4A	USA NC
W1CSM	USA MA
K4MA	USA NC
W0AIH	USA WI
N3RS	USA PA

so, summing up......7, YES, SEVEN!! new US states  AZ, FL, IA, WI, NC, VA,  & MD,

AND MY TOP 20 DISTANCE CHART?

ONLY ELEVEN NEW ENTRIES!!!!!!

ZL2IBF	New Zealand	11381
N2PW	USA AZ	4936
N4TB	USA FL	4119
PT0S	St Peter & St Paul Rocks	3943
W0EWD	USA IA	3871
KC9KBB	USA IL	3869
KT9T	USA MN	3705
W0AIH	USA WI	3636
K4MA	USA NC	3604
NY4A	USA NC	3542
NQ4E	USA VA	3459
W8PT	USA OH	3414
W4RM	USA VA	3404
5N4EAM	Nigeria	3372
KB3WD	USA MD	3338
AF3R	USA DE	3308
RC9O	Russia	3297
K3MD	USA PA	3274
N3RS	USA PA	3268
K2NV	USA NY	3260

2 days and quite a few nice cw qsos. is it fair to single any out?

well, KT9T today is my first contact in Minesota, and at 3705 miles, is in at #4 on the distance charts!  seems like every week brings in another chart placement!

OK1AY	Czech Rep
HA2AL	Hungary
DJ1WW	Germany
OM3LL	Slovak rep
OZ2BAL	Denmark
OE2013SLH	Austria
EM70LL	Ukraine
HA5FA	Hungary
HA1KF	Hungary
IW2NBW	Italy
OK1ACO	Czech Rep
OE2013J	Austria
DF1KAG	Germany
IK6CMH	Italy
PF100ZOO	Netherlands
EA7AWW	Spain
OE5WLL	Austria
DJ7AS	Germany
DL7MA	Germany
OK5JM	Czech Rep
I2RTF	Italy
LA8IG	Norway
YO4BRD	Romania
DL9LM	Germany
RU3ZL	Russia
KT9T	USA MN
F6GSI	France
IK5DVT	Italy
F6UIG	France
I1QQC	Italy
ES2NO	Estonia
E72GF	Bosnia & Herz
HA3HF	Hungary
UZ3UV	Ukraine

3 days of bits and pieces......

at 2399 miles, ra9ky looks a fair distance, but only #33 in my best ever list......

LZ3LD	Bulgaria
OK1XGL	Czech Rep
RA9KY	Russia
EA1PF	Spain
YT6T	Serbia
EW8EW	Belarus
RD3BV	Russia
DL1OD	Germany
YU1DW	Serbia
YO6DMK	Romania
UT1PO	Ukraine
OH6MM	Finland
F6BSQ	France
YO2BBX	Romania
IK2CGH	Italy
HB9AQF	Switzerland
HA2RQ	Hungary
RA1TJ	Russia

I've been working on a slinky spring antenna for 80m.  today I rigged it indoors with no balun.  QRN was 2 s points higher than the long wire outside....  not a clue if this is a good thing!  I'm not going to try mounting it up on the eves until I have a 1:1 balun to compare.  the torroid is ordered......  More details to follow.

decent day on 20m.

one of the Austrian Ski stations called me rather than working the usual pile ups.... cool!

then I was called by KZ1H from USA MA loud and clear.  then Vo1DM who I had real difficulty hearing, but full credit to him, he kept on trying til I got it.

DL7ARH	Germany
HA0HH	Hungary
DF6RI	Germany
OE2013V	Austria
DL8OAY	Germany
F6IWD	France
IK3DRO	Italy
DL3FBD	Germany
EC7DWP	Spain
R3DQ	Russia
LZ2TW	Bulgaria
IZ1XTG	Italy
YO9HXQ	Romania
KZIH	USA MA
VO1DM	Canada
HA6NW	Hungary

Kz1h made it to 23 in the distance chart, but vo1dm was #11

ZL2IBF	New Zealand	11381
PT0S	St Peter & St Paul Rocks	3943
KC9KBB	USA IL	3869
W8PT	USA OH	3414
5N4EAM	Nigeria	3372
AF3R	USA DE	3308
RC9O	Russia	3297
K3MD	USA PA	3274
AA3B	USA PA	3252
N2NC	USA NJ	3206
VO1DM	Canada	3199
K2WCT	USA NJ	3184
K2QBV	USA NY	3152
K2TQC	USA NY	3147
K2WY	USA NY	3096
K1PUG	USA CT	3085
KB2UZY	USA MA	3052
K1SM	USA MA	3007
K1RAW	USA MA	3000
KB1VXH	USA MA	2996

learning CW

My morse is progressing.  I'm gradually getting better, but still a long way to go.

something I've noticed.

listening to slow morse takes a lot of concentration.

listening to morse where the letters are sent quickly, but with spaces is far easier than when the same numbers of letters were sent per minutes but just slowed down.

there is a station that i've QSOed a couple of times now and it's a total nightmare, because the sending is really slow.  THAT isn't the problem.  the problem is that the DAHs are a second long, and the DITs were 3/4 of a second. it was a nightmare to try to read.  a couple of weeks ago I had a QSO with anoher station that was sending at about 5 words a minute, widely spaced, sharp letters and it was a dream to read and I complimented that guy on his crisp, easy to read CW.

Ah well, enough rant for one day!

not a huge time on the radio today, so only a few HF QSOs:

F8CHT	France
HB9JCI	Switzerland
I1YRL	Italy
RU3ZL	Russia
S58MU	Slovenia
DL2JKK	Germany
SP2CQF	Poland
DL3JFA	Germany
DK3OZ	Germany

Nice wee day on 20m today.

19 QSOs one new country with San Marino, and another Mass. station, which at 3007 miles counts as DX regardless of your measurement method.... another continent or over 3000 miles......

F8AWE	France
F6UIG	France
OK2LW	Czech Rep
EA2BHK	Spain
SM5RV	Sweden
DL7SO	Germany
DL0VK	Germany
HA2MY	Hungary
K1SM	USA MA
EW1MM	Belarus
F6IJU	France
DG4FDQ	Germany
SM7CFF	Sweden
Z37HWX	Macedonia
F8FJG/QRP	France
SP6CJE	Poland
OE2013SLH	Austria
F5NIH	France
T77C	San Marino

and that means the top 20 looks like.......

ZL2IBF	New Zealand	11381	CW
PT0S	St Peter & St Paul Rocks	3943	SSB
KC9KBB	USA IL	3869	SSB
W8PT	USA OH	3414	SSB
5N4EAM	Nigeria	3372	SSB
AF3R	USA DE	3308	SSB
RC9O	Russia	3297	SSB
K3MD	USA PA	3274	CW
AA3B	USA PA	3252	CW
N2NC	USA NJ	3206	SSB
K2WCT	USA NJ	3184	SSB
K2QBV	USA NY	3152	SSB
K2TQC	USA NY	3147	CW
K2WY	USA NY	3096	SSB
K1PUG	USA CT	3085	CW
KB2UZY	USA MA	3052	SSB
K1SM	USA MA	3007	CW
K1RAW	USA MA	3000	SSB
KB1VXH	USA MA	2996	SSB
W1KBN	USA MA	2986	SSB

two days, 23 QSOs.

4 on Monday, 19 on Tuesday

most on 20m, but a couple on 40 and 80 as well.

HB9CIC	Switzerland
SE6Y	Sweden
YU15OTC	Serbia
EW1TZ	Belarus
DM4SW/M	Germany
OK4RQ	Czech Rep
DJ7OM	Germany
DK0DW	Germany
HB9DAX	Switzerland
DL1DUS	Germany
DF5WBA	Germany
IZ3PYE	Italy
HG66MALEV	Hungary
F6EAZ	France
LZ13FDAY	Bulgaria
DK3IV	Germany
HA5RO	Hungary
IZ0AEZ	Italy
IZ8BRI	Italy
E74A	Bosnia & Herz
DF1DV	Germany
EC7DWP	Spain
G0NXA	England

up early today and on the radio before 06:45

a contest was already under way so I looked up whay exchange they wanted (call, signal rept and IYU zone) so I jumped in.

and my first QSO was a new country.  yay!!

in fact all of my 5 QSOs were former Iron curtain countries.......

4L8A	Georgia
HA5UA	Hungary
UA1AFT	Russia
UR5IXA	Ukraine
RK4FM	Russia

the parts for my next attempt at a 80m antenna arrived today.

4 slinky springs, and a drum of para cord to hold it up.

details to follow!

QRN on 80m is a nightmare.  nearly always 59 or higher.

so today I tried switching a few things off, and I discover that when I unplug the old PC that sits about half a metre from the FT101B, the QRN drops by two points.

further investigation needs to follow!

2 days worth of QSOs include my longest QSO on 80m using the long wire, (DK1WU) as well as a few others.  weekends are awful for those of us who aren't into contesting!

I8GMG	Italy
G3XWD	England
S51WO	Slovenia
OK1AHV	Czech Rep
YO2DFA	Romania
OK1HCC	Czech Rep
DJ7ER	Germany
EA1PF	Spain
DL3RMU	Germany
IZ2XZM/QRP	Italy
UX1BZ	Ukraine
LZ1QI	Bulgaria
G3WMV	England
DK1WU	Germany
DL3KAS	Germany
HB9FAI/P	Switzerland
HA6NL	Hungary
UX7U	Ukraine