Month: November 2006

Got my results from the Advanced Exam I took at the HFC in October.

I’ve passed and have already completed my form to send of for my new Licence.

So New Callsign coming, and I will have to get New Domain now. Also I have been told may have a new antenna coming as I have passed.

Best thing is I was hoping to pass before I was 30. Just about made it with 3 days to spare.

What’s Next? US Exams? Who Knows???

Earlier in month (as some readers may remember) I sold my MFJ ATU and Alinco Scanner. Although I am kind of sorry to see them go, it was to obtain the ATU you can see in the attached photo.

I decided after reading reviews on the LDG AT-897 in preference to the Yaesu FC-30.

Well it arrived in 5 days from New Jersey USA, and upset the guy in ParcelForce office as I didn’t bring their letter with 17 digit number. This was even though I had tracked from US online, got the new UK number and had phoned the ParcelForce office to confirm Import fees and opening hours.

Installation was fairly simple and only problem was being called for dinner half way through. Had to balance radio on my bed against the pillows as couldn’t put down when ATU case was open. When finally completed fired up radio and tried on a few bands.

Why was it that 3.5MHz & 7MHz took a while to tune, but could hear something, and 14MHz tuned quickest but couldn’t hear any stations??? Answer was solved few days later. Times I was listening on 14MHz band were dead.

So whilst I don’t have the joy of the MFJ Dual Forward/Reverse Needles, it tunes a lot quicker than I can.

There was a big lift on the 2M band this evening. Was noticable during our club net as lots of static in the background and then was advised by another club member that he had just worked German stations on 2M SSB.

So the net soon came to an end and we moved to 2M SSB band. As I have only a Vertical Antenna at moment didn’t hear some stations others could hear. So I went back to FM. I was glad I did.

As the Ham Radio Deluxe map above shows, I worked over 300kms (190miles) on at least one contact and the others were quite far (for me) as well.

I has given me the kick I needed to get my 2M beam sorted and have removed one bolt in the hope I can get some Butterfly nuts for it soon for quick assembly/disassembly.

On another point, I have sold my MFJ ATU (see a previous post) and my new LDG Auto ATU is on route. A little while ago checked the ParcelForce website and has landed and cleared customs (with a small fee to pay), but as with my Battery Pack have still made savings.

After all the QSO’s tonight, I think is time for bed. Also all logs up-to-date on eQSL.

So I have thought about switching to Sky at one time or another, but again my view of Telewest(NTL) has been strengthened.

Feel asleep for few hours on Sunday and missed Torchwood (Dr Who spin-off series). Was I worried. No.

Thankfully Telewest has a system for people like me who even forget to program videos.

In the early hours of the morning when CSI had finished on the new Five US channel I merely went to the interactive service on Telewest called Teleport. From there I selected Torchwood from 5th Nov and watched the program I had missed, even though I had not even selected to record it. Also no box upgrade with a Hard Drive was needed and the basic service is free.

Currently it offers programs from BBC, Channel 4, and LivingTV, with many programs from the last 7 days.

I even caught a episode of TopGear before heading to bed.