March 2008 update

Things have been very quiet with me over the last few months, it seems like a long time since I last had the radio on. This week I have finally found the time to set up both the home/base and mobile rigs ready for the coming season.

For home/base operations I am still using the same equipment as last year, the Ranger 2950DX and Superstar 3900. I got my hands on a Magnum 257 at the end of last year so I intend using this as my main mobile rig, it's size and power output make it ideal for mobile work.

Anyway with propagation now improving I hope to get out on the hill in the coming weeks, I will let you know how things go.

Lets hope for some nice conditions over the next year.

108TM096

Happy New Year

I have not been on the radio at all over the last few months, mainly due to the fact there has been very little skip. With 2008 rapidly approaching I am hoping for another good year on the band, with any luck we should get some good periods of skip in the coming months.

Hope averyone had a nice Christmas and may I wish you a very happy new year.

108TM096

Things have been very slow

Been very busy this last while so have not had the radio on much. From what I have read on the forums I've not been missing much. Conditions on the band have again been poor with only the occasional day providing a little skip. Once the winter has passed I would expect things to improve dramaticly, well here's hoping.


108TM096

Superstar 3900

I recently got my hands on a Superstar 3900, a well known 11 meter radio. Condition on the 11 meter band have been very poor lately so I have not yet had the chance to really test the SS3900, in fact I have yet to make a QSO with it. The SS3900 has been around for many years and has stood the test of time very well.

Seems like a very solid and well built radio and from what I have read on the net this is a popular radio, mainly due to the price but also because it is very simple to use. There is not a single button on the SS3900, just knobs and switches.

The SS3900 has no frequency display which nearly all modern radio's have however you can get a frequency counter for the radio. I have the Superstar KF VI frequency counter, this is designed to use with the SS3900 only, it will not work with any other radio which is a shame considering it's price.

My SS3900 was bought in the UK but came with only a French manual, very handy if you can read French, net very handy if you can't, like me! I was having trouble with the band selector knob, when I changed bands nothing was happening, the radio was stuck on the EU band. Turns out you need to pull out the "SWR CAL" knob to access all the bands.

I do not like the supplied microphone, it feels lightweight and cheap. The microphone lead is also too short. Don't get me wrong it probably works fine but I will be using an Astatic power mike with the radio.

All in all the SS3900 is a nice bit of kit and I would recommend it to anyone.

108TM096

Another DX Super Sunday

Another DX Super Sunday has been planned, this time it will take place on September 30th. Conditions on the 11 meter band have been poor for the last few weeks and I fear these very flat conditions will continue over the coming months, lets hope not.

There has been some talk giving the AM mode a try for a change. If prop is poor on the day then I will certainly be giving a few calls out on AM, will make a nice change if nothing else.

I have not been updating the blog as often as I should, mainly because there has been little too report. I will report on how the DX Sunday, lets hope we all make some good contacts.

Until next time

108TM096

DX Super Sunday 26th August 2007

The band was very flat today here in Scotland. I did monitor 27.555 for most of the day but not a single call sign noted. I did give a couple of calls so at least I can say I tried.

All in all very disappointing but there's always next time.

108TM096

Sunday 19th August 207

Was only able to work the band for a short while due to other commitments but did manage one contact. Conditions dropped off on the band not long after I started which was a little disappointing, but that's radio!

Station Worked:
14AT255 Henri @ 0745 UTC on 27.625

France was booming in again plus a few German Stations. Also noted a couple of 108 divisions: 108AW047 & 108ON01.

DXing Sunday 19th August 2007

Will be heading out too the hills shortly, hoping for some nice DX conditions. Conditions on the band were nice yesterday but I was busy with other things, always the way.

Today I will be working mobile with the Ranger 2950DX and the Sirio Hypower 4000.

I will report back later report (if there is anything TOO report).

Cheers

108TM096 Alan

Was on the 11 meter band again this morning but conditions were very challenging, still that's what this hobby is about.

Stations I worked:
14AT144 (Eric) on 27.540 @ 0855 UTC a short QSL as Eric found my accent a bit challenging, sorry about that Eric.


13DX059 (Simon) on 27.485 @ 1140 UTC but his signal was lost while confirming call signs.

Plenty French stations booming in for a while then a few German stations, nothing from 26 division noted.

Skip Today 16/8/07

Made my first DX contact today with 26TM212 (Paul) in East Sussex. Conditions were fairly good this morning with 26 divsion booming in for a while.

Lets hope for more of the same in the coming days.

Cheers for the advise Paul and good to talk with you.

108TM096