Currently viewing the tag: "160M"

ZL8X – First Ever QSO with TF on Top Band

By On · Leave a Comment · In Amateur Radio

A large DXpedition is underway in the Kermadec Islands using the call sign ZL8X.

The DXpedition web site has a link to a Web Cam into the active volcano on Raoul Island.

I have been listened for the DXpedition´s signals  since the start of the DXpedition and for the past week I have only ever heard a slight flutery trace of their signals, certainly  not workable on the higher bands from my northern location.

Conditions have been poor with a slight Aurora, but during the CQ WW CW contest I heard their signals for a few minutes and was able to raise them on Top Band.

I transmitted a kiloWatt into the most powerful transmit antenna on the planet – the legendary Arctic King designed by TF3DX and I received the signals from ZL8X with a 400 meter long Beverage antenna in the direction of 323° .

In addition I used two cascaded preamplifiers on the receiver – Elecraft K3 with 250 Hz filter – for a total of 30dB receive gain to be able to hear these extremely weak signals.

This is possible due to the extremely low noise level in my location, I experience a noise level which is probably 60 dB less than in populated areas.

This QSO would also  not have been possible if the operators on Raoul Island had not set up a powerful station on 160 meters.

The distance from my location to ZL8X is 15,700 km.

I believe this is the greatest accomplishment of the Arctic King until now.   All Hail the King !

For insight into the effect of the Aurora on 160m conditions in TF please read the article by TF3DX by clicking on the “JA-TF 160” menu button above.

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ZL8X
 
ZL8X 1
 
ZL8X 2
 
ZL8X 3
 
ZL8X 4
 
ZL8X 5
 
ZL8X stamp
 
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TF3DX surveys the King

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The designer of the Arctic King, Villi, TF3DX arrived to inspect and salute the King on Thursday along with his brother Gunnar.

In between measurements, we rummaged in my “junkbox” (several outbuildings) for High Voltage RF Capacitors and adjustable Inductors which will crown the King at a later date when 80m capability will be added.

Villi operated TF4X casually in the Oceania DX Contest – CW and in between consuming good food and wine, we also watched the stars and the Aurora and a historical First Ever QSO was made in this contest with KH6ZM in Hawaii on 160 meters.

Arctic Moon

By On · 4 Comments · In Amateur Radio

I have completed maintenance on the Arctic King in preparation for winter.   I replaced the support wires for the top-load wires of the antenna with Dyneema rope.    This rope has a breaking strength of around 5 tonnes but I ran into some problems because of its elongation under load.

The tension on the top load wires is around 200kg (440lbs) and it was quite a formidable job to accomplish.

The photos were taken last night and it is quite tricky to photograph the full moon in the dark.

New 160m RX antenna under construction

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I am taking the first steps to build a low dipole for 160 meters.   I have installed a 20 meter high pole which will support the feed point of the antenna, along with a smaller pole to support one end.    The other end of the dipole will be supported by the 20 meter high vertical broadband vertical.

Some photos also show part of my Beverage Antenna system along with the guardian dog – Skuggi (The Shadow)

Winter storm

By On · 1 Comment · In Amateur Radio

I took a few photos of the Arctic King during the storm.   When I examined the photos, I noticed that the attachment to the bottom part of the insulator of the right-hand vertical wire had broken.

This was quickly fixed and no damage resulted.

First Worked All Zones (WAZ) – 160 meters from Iceland

By On · 4 Comments · In Amateur Radio

update March 15th 2010:  I have been awarded certificate number 342 for the 160 Meter WAZ award.

The certificate will be endorsed with this statement: ”  1st 160 WAZ from Iceland “.

To give an idea of the difficulty of this award, the 5 band WAZ Certificate has been awarded to 1674 stations (80m,40m,20m,15m,10m) and only 806 stations have worked all 200 zones.

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I have applied for the Worked All Zones Award for 160 meters.   This is one of the oldest and most prestigious award in Amateur Radio – having its start before WWII, and 160m is the most difficult band to accomplish the award on.

Only 335 stations have qualified for the basic award and only 143 stations worldwide have accomplished contacts with all zones on 160 meters.

I applied for the basic award (30 Zones) with an endorsement for 36 Zones confirmed.

Since I applied for the award, I have received the QSL card from XE2WWW (Zone 6) and I have requested QSL cards from several stations in Zone 9 bringing the total number of Zones worked on 160 meters to 38.

I am still missing Zones 2 and 37, which should be fairly “easy” to work once there is activity from these areas.

This is the first WAZ 160 issued to a TF station.

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TF4M QRPp

By On · 1 Comment · In Amateur Radio

Coming into the shack, I heard LA3XI call CQ on 1821.5 and since the amplifier was off, I decided to give him a call with the K3 cranked down to 0.1W (100mW !)  and he came right back with a 559 signal report.

I don´t know how accurate the built-in power meter of the K3 transceiver is, but it is clear that the Arctic King works well.

I looked outside and there is a full moon and light visible Aurora to the North.


I am not generally interested in QRP and even less in milli-watt power levels, but I am amazed by this.

A minute later, I tried this with an OZ station calling CQ, he got my call as TF3M and gave me a 579, but refused to acknowledge a correction of my call even when I called him with a KW.   Sorry OM, this QSO was not logged.

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