G4LOH 144MHz Blog 2012-01-03T20:10:34Z tag:,2012:/3 Movable Type Copyright (c) 2012, Tim Jan 1st 2012 ***RIP Kristin*** 2012-01-03T20:10:34Z 2012-01-03T20:10:34+00:00 tag:,2012:/3.501 2012-01-03T20:10:34Z My beautiful daughter Kristin died, aged 12, on New Years Day in her mothers arms. Kristin had fought a brain tumour for some years but was a very happy child and she is greatly missed by her family. Radio posts... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com My beautiful daughter Kristin died, aged 12, on New Years Day in her mothers arms.

Kristin had fought a brain tumour for some years but was a very happy child and she is greatly missed by her family.

Radio posts will be restored to this blog later in the year

Tim.

]]> 10th August 2011 D44TD tropo 2011-08-12T15:25:27Z 2011-08-12T16:25:27+00:00 tag:,2011:/3.500 2011-08-12T15:25:27Z I have had a few problems with the ISP recently and the blog has been down. After a pretty awful summer for Es and tropo there was a spectacular tropo opening on the 9th/10th August. 9th August 2011 1031 EA8TX... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com I have had a few problems with the ISP recently and the blog has been down.

After a pretty awful summer for Es and tropo there was a spectacular tropo opening on the 9th/10th August.

9th August 2011
1031 EA8TX
1303 EB8BRZ
1902 EA8TJ
1903 EA8CQW
1948 EA8BPX
2159 EA8CSG

By the evening the EA8 stations were 59+ and I was keen to try some more volcano backscatter contacts. CT1FFU was available:

2155 CT1FFU 529 579 via IL18 Tiede Volcano
A path of IO70-IL18-IM59kk 3950km

A little later we tried again and found that CT3 was providing a better path
2217 CT1FFU 519 579
A path of IO70jc-IM12-IM59kk 3200km

On the morning of the 10th August the beacons CS3BTM and ED8ZAA were both 599 and I was pleased to start the day with:

0746 CT3HF IM12or 2154km
1152 EB8BRZ Il27hx now 59

Joe CT1HZE had sent a message to Xara D44TD and it seemed an excellent day to try a QSO with Cape Verde. As soon as he came on the band he was heard here:

1327 D44TD 52 55 HK86no 4041km

A 1339 Xara was heard giving a report to EI4DQ I don't know if the QSO was completed over a QRB of 4130km
D44TD - EI4DQ 4130km


At 1340 he has getting stronger:

1340 D44TD 55 57
G4LOH - D44TD 4041km 1340UTC Pt1
Pt2
Pt3

1640 EA8YV
1652 D44TD 52 55
1656 D44TD 55 59
1700 D44TD 59 59+20dB

D44TD - G4LOH - M0VRL 4114km Pt1
Pt2

Terry M0VRL later completed a contact with Xara and I believe they now hold the Region 1 Tropo DX record if EI4DQ was unable to complete, congratulations to both stations for this remarkable distance.

1740 D44TD 59 59
1815 D44TD 55 59
1816 CT3HF 59 59

By this time the 1 Watt beacon on Maderia was 59+20dB here and I tried some more QSO's using the islands as passive reflectors:

1820 CT2GUR 53 53 ssb via CT3
1833 CT1FFU 529 579 via CT3

All the regular EA8 stations were endstop strength 59+60dB on my S-meter for the rest of the evening, even EA8BFK IL38bo was 57 despite the path bveing partially obscured by the mountains of Galicia IN53 which normally block the path.

The zener stack in my PA blew and I switched to a reserve 80W solid state amp:

2008 D44TD 59 59 His station 50W 12ele yagi, me 80W 4 x 16ele Yagi.

I had listened often during the day for the CU8DUB beacon without a trace being heard. CU3EQ was hearing the Maderia beacon well so we tried Island scatter and I was amazed to make it with very modest power:

2123 CU3EQ 529 559 HM68kp via CT3 3300km, 80W QRO Only.

(CU3EQ QTF 130 degrees, G4LOH QTF 211 degrees, Maderia Islands)

Quite a day!

]]> 27th July update 2011-07-28T11:17:33Z 2011-07-28T12:17:33+00:00 tag:,2011:/3.498 2011-07-28T11:17:33Z 2011 continues to be a slow year, very little Es and very little tropo to report. Yesterday was interesting though. The tropo finally nudged far enough north for me to hear the ED8ZAA and CS3BTM beacons, a clutch of stations... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com 2011 continues to be a slow year, very little Es and very little tropo to report. Yesterday was interesting though.

The tropo finally nudged far enough north for me to hear the ED8ZAA and CS3BTM beacons, a clutch of stations made the log:

19:39 EA8CQW
19:58 CT1ANO
20:20 CT1HZE via Tenerife reflection 3850km
20:25 D44TD 59!!! 4040km heard only 144.280MHz
20:55 EB8BRZ

Earlier there was an FAI opening from here making my FAI ODX:

18:12 YT3I 52f 52f QTF 087/0 KN05HP 1987km

Miran S57EA made this recording of the QSO: G4LOH -YT3I FAI

Many thanks Miran!

I should add about the D44TD thing yesterday, he appeared strong for a few seconds just as I tuned onto him and was in QSO with CT1HZE. I didn't hear him again but after he finished he listened for me and apparently heard me (qsp from Joe) but I couldn't hear him.

D44TD was also heard at M0VRL IO70po 4114km.....!!!!!


Today there was still tropo open to EA8/CT3 with the beacon steady 529 most of the time and EB8BRZ was heard.

This evening a good FAI opening:

All random QSO's

1938 IV3DXW 42f 55f CW JN65qq QTF 077
2023 IZ0FWE 52f 52f SSB JN62ic QTF 085
2026 IZ4BEH 53f 55f CW JN54vk QTF 084
2031 IK1EGC 54f 55f CW JN35uf QTF 082

Tim.

]]> 2m Es season 2011 2011-06-17T20:33:34Z 2011-06-17T21:33:34+00:00 tag:,2011:/3.497 2011-06-17T20:33:34Z Although this is the worst Es season I ever remember, there was a long Es opening on 144MHz this evening: 1725 CT1HZE 1730 CS7/PD0HNL 1731 CT1EAT 1735 EA8TX 1738 EA8TJ 1748 EA8CTK 1814 EA8YT 1824 CT1FFU 1828 CT1DIZ 1925 CN8TX... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com Although this is the worst Es season I ever remember, there was a long Es opening on 144MHz this evening:

1725 CT1HZE
1730 CS7/PD0HNL
1731 CT1EAT
1735 EA8TX
1738 EA8TJ
1748 EA8CTK
1814 EA8YT
1824 CT1FFU
1828 CT1DIZ
1925 CN8TX
1931 CN8SG/M
1934 CN8SSB
1939 CN8LI
1945 CN8OLA
1959 CN8MMZ

Most CN stations on S20 FM, how many years am I going to say I must put up a vertical polarised yagi...

Missed CN8QR (IM51) who was on the repeater on 145725 but couldn't hear him simplex.

]]> 2010 first post 2010-06-11T08:16:18Z 2010-06-11T09:16:18+00:00 tag:,2010:/3.487 2010-06-11T08:16:18Z The system has suffered in the hard winter here, some elements bent on the yagi's, rotator feedback broken and the whole rotator jammed as the Es opening was coming to a close. PC with LiveMUF installed is broken. Did manage... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com The system has suffered in the hard winter here, some elements bent on the yagi's, rotator feedback broken and the whole rotator jammed as the Es opening was coming to a close.

PC with LiveMUF installed is broken.

Did manage a few qso's with 30W (Tube PA is also broken), Two well placed clouds enabled this chordal hop QSO:

06:58 144.310MHz SV9CVY 59 59 KM25ka 2947km

Copied SV9 for nearly half an hour during which I tried CW qso with 4X1UN with a few pings heard but cannot confirm they were from him.

07:52 IT9BLB/9 JM68qe
07:56 IT9CJC JM76ew

Need to make some repairs now...

]]> Transatlantic Experiment 2009-09-24T19:36:23Z 2009-09-24T20:36:23+00:00 tag:,2009:/3.468 2009-09-24T19:36:23Z During the Persieds shower my antenna was pointing to Newfoundland the entire time listening for VO1/DM8MM. Although several times the computer decoded letters and letter groups from callsigns i wasn't able to find anything that I can confidently say was... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com During the Persieds shower my antenna was pointing to Newfoundland the entire time listening for VO1/DM8MM. Although several times the computer decoded letters and letter groups from callsigns i wasn't able to find anything that I can confidently say was a real burst :-(

I look forward to hearing the full story from Fred but meanwhile I would like to express my sincere thanks for his enormous effort to travel to Canada and set up the station.

Fred posted this video on YouTube recently

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=IDk1fNSc9t0

]]> G-OY Tropo Ducting 2009-09-13T18:57:19Z 2009-09-13T19:57:19+00:00 tag:,2009:/3.465 2009-09-13T18:57:19Z The take-off to the North from IO70jc is quite poor with a high granite hill just a few km from here. I saw OY4TN working EI on tropo and thought I'll try beaming that way just to maybe get some... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com The take-off to the North from IO70jc is quite poor with a high granite hill just a few km from here. I saw OY4TN working EI on tropo and thought I'll try beaming that way just to maybe get some pings, I didn't hear any any but asked him for a sked on KST chat. I called for a minute and was amazed when he came straight back to me.

14:45 144.300MHz OY4TN 519 519 IP62nb 1335km CW Tropo

Hmm....can't get the thumbnail to work but one click above shows a map of the path, just neatly skimming between the coasts for a near perfect sea path from IO70jc to IP62nb

I am sure this will be one of the most memorable QSO's ever from this location, completely unexpected.

A nice new DXCC #56 from here.

]]> Update on Es and Tropo 2009-07-17T14:38:11Z 2009-07-17T15:38:11+00:00 tag:,2009:/3.461 2009-07-17T14:38:11Z As a general update about the log I can report that there has been several more DX events here on 144MHz. On the 11th there was finally some tropo to the south west with strong signals from EA8, despite awful... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com As a general update about the log I can report that there has been several more DX events here on 144MHz. On the 11th there was finally some tropo to the south west with strong signals from EA8, despite awful wet windy weather I could access the duct well for most of the day.

On the 16th, a long, strong Es event to CT/EA7/CN/EA9 and ZB.

Today the 17th I was expecting an opening to YU with strong VOR signals from there but heard EA9IB calling CQ on 144300.0MHz off the side of the beam. We exchanged 59+ reports after I turned the beam, he stayed strong for about 30minutes but I heard no other stations from that area.

Working away from the Radio for just a few minutes I missed RU4AN being heard on chordal hop at F0EJW IN78 (just a little south from here) so dont know if I would have heard him here, but will always wonder about it :-(

A brief opening to Italy at 10:00 and high MUF all day but no other contacts.

20:50 UTC update

MUF stayed high and produced an excellent fai opening in the evening.

IC8FAX was first in the log at 19:10, with IZ4BEH on ssb at 20:32. IZ4BEH via FAI 144.305MHz MP3 file

In between were: I8MPO with this ssb qso: I8MPO via FAI 144.305MHz MP3 file, IK0BZY, S50C, I3MEK, IK4PMG, I2FAK, 9A9SF, IK4GRD, 9A4M, and IQ3AZ.

Signals were still strong from I8MPO after 22:00 UTC.

]]> CS3BTM Es again 2009-07-10T12:39:03Z 2009-07-10T13:39:03+00:00 tag:,2009:/3.460 2009-07-10T12:39:03Z Nice to hear the beacon again today but no-one qrv. CS3BTM 144481.0MHz 12:00 - 12:30UTC Still chirpy but very distinctive.... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com Nice to hear the beacon again today but no-one qrv.

CS3BTM 144481.0MHz 12:00 - 12:30UTC

Still chirpy but very distinctive.

]]> Es report 2009-07-08T19:19:33Z 2009-07-08T20:19:33+00:00 tag:,2009:/3.459 2009-07-08T19:19:33Z There was a brief opening today to Maderia Island with CS3BTM on 144481.0 making a brief appearance at 12:02 for 10 minutes or so. The beacon has developed a fault and is chirping badly, hope it gets fixed soon as... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com There was a brief opening today to Maderia Island with CS3BTM on 144481.0 making a brief appearance at 12:02 for 10 minutes or so. The beacon has developed a fault and is chirping badly, hope it gets fixed soon as it has been very useful this summer.

Looking through the recordings from 3rd July Es event I found this recording:

G4LOH with SV9CVY 144.285MHz 2893km

And a little while later when he was even stronger here:

F6KHM with SV9CVY

Tim.


]]> More Es 2009-07-05T12:11:38Z 2009-07-05T13:11:38+00:00 tag:,2009:/3.458 2009-07-05T12:11:38Z In an truly remarkable year, 144MHz was open for many hours yesterday, at several times opne to CT and I at the same time: No new squares or countries today despite 5 hours of listening. Highlight of the day was... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com In an truly remarkable year, 144MHz was open for many hours yesterday, at several times opne to CT and I at the same time:

No new squares or countries today despite 5 hours of listening.


Highlight of the day was to hear Gibralta again, 3rd time this year but still special.

4/7/2009 15:22 ZB3B IM76he

]]> 144MHz Chordal Hop Es to Eastern Mediterranean Sea 2009-07-03T20:29:02Z 2009-07-03T21:29:02+00:00 tag:,2009:/3.457 2009-07-03T20:29:02Z Another fantastic Es opening today. It started off good at 14:40 there were Italian Repeaters on FM but no-one on ssb, very odd, but a call on 144300 then produced: 14:42 IH9GPI JM56xt 2018km at 59++ I would have been... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com Another fantastic Es opening today.

It started off good at 14:40 there were Italian Repeaters on FM but no-one on ssb, very odd, but a call on 144300 then produced:

14:42 IH9GPI JM56xt 2018km at 59++

I would have been happy with that contact but the opening soon got even better, the band opened to Italy with IKØRWX, IKØSMG, I8MPO, IWØBJP/Ø and IK2XEG making the log before a second Es spot produced a spectacular 20 minute opening to Crete

14:58 SV9GPV KM25EH 59/59 144MHz SSB ES 2893km

SV9GPV with G4LOH 144MHz 3rd july 2009 2893km

New country #54 and square 269 from here for me.

Then even louder:

15:07 SV9CVY KM25KA 59/59 144MHz SSB ES 2948km Es ODX

Highlights of rest of the log being:


15:17 SV1BJY KM18UA 59 59 2 m. SSB ES 2647km
15:18 SW1NZX KM17VV 59 59 2 m. SSB ES 2662km #270
15:18 SV1COA KM17UX 59 58 2 m. SSB ES 2650km

A bunch of Italian and Croatian stations then made it into the log with last signals heard here at about 15:50 UTC.

]]> is it or isn't it?...yes it is! 2009-06-20T21:27:00Z 2009-06-20T22:27:00+00:00 tag:,2009:/3.456 2009-06-20T21:27:00Z There was strong tropo from Spain today with a couple of contest stations on the north coast 59+ so when I heard EA8ACW/p at 16:10 I though it would be tropo although the fading was very rapid. I worked EB8BRZ... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com There was strong tropo from Spain today with a couple of contest stations on the north coast 59+ so when I heard EA8ACW/p at 16:10 I though it would be tropo although the fading was very rapid. I worked EB8BRZ and EA8BPX soon afterwards and it definitely sounded like Es but didn't want to set off any alarms without being sure.

Spanish FM radio then overpowered my local stations (although the beam was to the south) so it was Es for sure and there followed a fantastic opening lasting several hours covering CT/EA/EA8/CT3/CN/CU and ZB.

A few new stations in the log too.

20/06/2009
16:19 EB8BRZ IL27HX 59 59 2606km
16:25 EA8BPX IL18SK 59 59 2589km
16:30 EA8YT IL18SL 59 59 2585km

17:29 CT3EE/P IM12 59 59 2181km
17:30 CT3KY/P IM12 59 59 2181km
17:31 CT3DL/P IM12 59 59 2181km

17:39 EA8YT IL18SL 59 59 2585km

17:56 CT1EAT IM68DA 59 59 1358km
17:57 EB7DBX IM67LG 59 59 1434km
17:59 CT1EPC IM68GD 59 59 1341km
18:04 EA7TL IM67VO 59 59 1392km
18:13 CT1DHM IN61CA 59 59 1029km

18:20 ZB3B IM76HD 59 57 1552km

18:21 EA4LU IM68TV 59 59 1249km

18:26 CN8SG IM64QG 59 59 1764km
18:42 CN8QN IM63MM 59 56 1849km on S20 FM
19:02 CN8LI IM63NX 59 59 1798km

19:10 EA8AVI IL28FC 59 59 2597km

19:12 CS3BTM 599 2137km

19:50 CU2VHF 559 2389km


D44TD was QRV throughout the opening when hundreds of QSO's were made in his direction from all over G/GW/EI/GI it was a pity that the Es signals didn't seem to connect with the duct that was open EA7-D4 at the thime.

Another 3 1/2 hours of strong Es on 144MHz to the South from IO70, some amazing year 2009.

Tim.

UPDATE

22:02 144419.6 CU8DUB 559 Es Heard, no stations

]]> Living on the edge 2009-06-14T18:57:38Z 2009-06-14T19:57:38+00:00 tag:,2009:/3.454 2009-06-14T18:57:38Z A good sporadic E cloud developed today over JN64, almost too far away from me. I did manage to find 2 stations though: 10:49 SV3BSF 55 55 KM08uf 2510km 11:31 SV2DCD 52 59 KN00nf 2320km Both very good distances. I... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com A good sporadic E cloud developed today over JN64, almost too far away from me. I did manage to find 2 stations though:

10:49 SV3BSF 55 55 KM08uf 2510km
11:31 SV2DCD 52 59 KN00nf 2320km

Both very good distances.

I also heard SW4LRJ/2 but couldn't crack the pile up but it sounded like he was enjoying himself.

Tim.

]]> 12th June tropo 2009-06-13T07:17:09Z 2009-06-13T08:17:09+00:00 tag:,2009:/3.453 2009-06-13T07:17:09Z Nice tropo duct to Italy last night. Surprising because there was no prediction of it by Hepburn at all, I have usually found the tropo forecast quite reliable but maybe I only look for tropo when Hepburn forecasts it! 19:35... Tim www.g4loh.com timjfern@gmail.com Nice tropo duct to Italy last night. Surprising because there was no prediction of it by Hepburn at all, I have usually found the tropo forecast quite reliable but maybe I only look for tropo when Hepburn forecasts it!

19:35 F6BEG JN25js 886km
20:19 F0CXO JN26pp 865km
20:33 F8CHM JN07ik 525km
20:35 F0FVK JN08ib 487km
20:59 IK4PMB JN54gn 1376km
21:05 I2FAK JN45nd 1205km
21:22 IW2DAL JN45nn 1181km then also 59/57 in FM!
21:30 HB9G/P JN36bk 931km
21:32 IW2NRI JN45nr 1171km
21:36 IZ4BEH JN54wl 1431km
21:56 I2FAK JN45nd 1205km

I must try flying this path on Google Earth, surely there are mountains in the way.

As previously when this path opens signals dont break into the Mediterranean area, even though there is excellent tropo there too at this time. I did try with I8MPO for several minutes and continuous weak signals were heard but it's hard to say what the propagation mode was for this.

Still low power here (about 200W) due to tube failure, antenna 2x16ele.

]]>