Author Archive for Paul MØTZO

May 2009 update (or what have I been doing)

Published
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Paul MØTZO
on Mon 01st Jun 09
in General
. 0 Comments

icom-ic-e92dTo start this post I have gone digital.

I finally decided the time had come, and I had the funds to give D-Star a try. The choice is one I am not regretting (so far).

I purchased the very rig in the photo, it’s an Icom IC-E92D. I should point out that in some countries this radio maybe referred to as IC-92AD but more or less it works the same.

Also as can be seen in the photo the radio doesn’t say D-Star. There is some issue in Europe & Africa which means they call it Digital and not D-Star.

I have mainly worked through GB7AU (www.77hz.com) repeater in Amersham and it’s also the site I used to be registered onto the D-Star system.

I have spoken to stations in other parts of England, Northern Ireland, and USA, as well as a friend locally used D-Star in simplex mode.

The clarity of audio is great when it works, but if you lose the signal slightly it breaks up so nothing is heard, or it’s a garbled mess, but generally it’s been working.

mkars80-310509 I have also this weekend soldered some more bits onto my MKARS80. I have a few friends who keep badgering me and asking if I am finished yet. This is my first build of something this complex.

Prior to this my most complex build was a morse oscillator I have also posted in this post.

morseosciI think I am doing well, and I offer this challenge. If you want to moan at me about how long this is taking (I started in July 2008), then you should build one yourselves first. :-)

A quick calculation in Excel informed me I have completed over 80% of the kit. I have spoken to a friend as I need some un-enameled wire. I have some 22gauge wire from the kit, but my current soldering iron is not hot enough to melt the enamal.

New QSL Card Ordered (Finally)

Published
by
Paul MØTZO
on Sat 21st Mar 09
in General
. 2 Comments

tzo-beta1Well was about time. I have finally ordered my New QSL Cards from Gennady UX5UO http://www.ux5uoqsl.com

I have asked for 1,000 Luxury cards consisting of Full Glossy front image and single colour on the back.

The Photo is my own taken during a brief few days which almost closed London down due to lack of planning.

The box in the centre is for when I get around to ordering a Dymo Label printer, and made slightly bigger than size of see-thru labels I have seen on their site.

My congratulations on your design!
It is really professional, 100% suitable for processing.
73, Gennady

Even had above comment from the QSL printer as I sent my own card design to him.

Guess I have no excuses for not working HF now.

The Quality of the card image here is deliberately low (186Kb). The working file sizes were 20Mb front image & 9Mb rear image (4.9Mb & 3.5Mb flattened images sent to printer).

Trying to work K5D

Published
by
Paul MØTZO
on Sat 21st Feb 09
in General
. 0 Comments

I am not as active on the Radio as I should be.

I spend more time helping people with Hamtests.co.uk & hamradioforum.net than my own pursuits of that next elusive DXCC.

So have spent some time (and money) this week, trying to work K5D. But boy has it been tough.

To start with finding a place on the bands I can hear K5D. Usually I get static. The one time I can hear him he is working numbers. 5, 6, 7, 8 and that’s about an hour gone.

I also made a few purchases in case can try to work data as my setup wasn’t complete. From G4ZLP I ordered a Icom lead for my DigiMaster Comport, an Icom CI-V lead and a USB soundcard. All working great now, and good value at £31.47 ($45.50 approx) for the 3 items including delivery.

So hopefully with a few days left still of the K5D operation, I am still hopeful.

I also ordered (but not arrived) and CW key for my FT-817 & CW PC interface from BullDog iambic keys.

Finally sorted the blog out as an upgrade left the theme not working. Also my HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe) text thing stopped working.

This is now uploaded to my mini Linux server and the one file is served from there. It’s now proudly on display at the top of the page above the header image.

Welcome WØTZO

Published
by
Paul MØTZO
on Thu 29th Jan 09
in General
. 2 Comments

Well it’s been hard not to mention too many places, but in December at Martin Lynch during their Hog Roast event, I took 2 USA Ham Radio tests. The Technician and General exams.

I passed the Technician (31/35), but failed the General (19/35). Not surprising as I didn’t study for the General exam. Should have used our new site www.hamtests.net (although site wasn’t finished at the time).

Anyway, yesterday I was granted my vanity requested callsign.

I am now (when I visit the USA) WØTZO.

I must thank Adam, WY4N who suggested the callsign and also warned me when I mucked up the application for the vanity call.

I was for about 3 weeks KJ4ISR, but was not for me.

Hoping to use the WØTZO moniker in May as I am planning to go to Dayton.

Usual new year post like every other blog

Published
by
Paul MØTZO
on Sat 03rd Jan 09
in General
. 0 Comments

Well it’s another new year, and like other blogs, and myself at the start of a new year I feel compelled to write a post with my thoughts for 2009.

So I already have some plans for the coming year.

Firstly in the next few days I should have my new USA Technician Callsign. I will then apply for a Vanity call as I know which one I want.

I am saving some money in the form of Thomas Cook vouchers so I can hopefully get to Dayton in May. Adam WY4N has offered to pay for the hotel room (and his guests help with a small monetary donation, which is cool to me). Also need to save some spending money.

In the next few days I should be getting my newly purchased Yaesu FT-817. OK, it’s only 5w, but if at the time years ago I couldn’t have afforded the FT-897 I would have got the FT-817. I guess I have always wanted one.

Now, D-Star??? I was thinking about getting a D-Star radio, but as it’s still in it’s infancy I will leave this technology for now. Maybe later in the year I might look at this again, but for now D-Star is not for me.

Finally before I go some websites I am working on or am hosting, please check em out:-

And many more!

Have a Happy new Year, and keep reading.

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