Today I sent my application for 160M DXCC to the ARRL.
This will be the first 160M DXCC in Iceland.
Band conditions are still poor and the band is quite noisy, but even so I made a few QSOs to JA this afternoon.
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Today there is a light breeze and I took some photos of the King.
I called CQ on 160 meters between 1700 and 1800 local time, still in daylight and was called by 9M2AX and we had the first QSO between West Malaysia and Iceland on Top Band to the best of my knowledge.
I was also called by Jack, VE1ZZ and 24 QSOs were made with Japan during this fine hour.
One or more of the JA stations was QRP.
You may listen to the contacts:
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Kyo, JR9OPJ made a recording of our QSO
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I later called CQ between 1945 and 2051 leading up to JA sunrise with another 54 JA stations being worked for a total of 78 JA stations worked in one day.
Considering that working Japan from Iceland on 160 meters was considered impossible until I built my antennas, I am quite pleased.
The highlight of the evening was when VK6ANC called immediately followed by VK6VY.
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JA3FYC who worked me with only 5 Watts, sent me a recording of the QSO
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I would like stations who call me using QRP to understand that I do not log their calls with /QRP.
I would also prefer they do not indicate QRP with their call signs as this makes things harder than necessary.
It is difficult enough to pull the call signs out of the noise, without the added complexity of /QRP, when stations call with low power.
All recordings on my website may be downloaded if desired from tf4m.com/audio
31 December 2007:
I called CQ on 160M after a nice dinner (wild hare) and was called by JA7NI on 1822 kHz.
We exchanged 559 signal reports both ways for a solid QSO.
I believe this to be the first ever QSO between Japan and Iceland on Top Band and therefore a historical event.
JA7NI – Thank you!
I am using a KW into a YCCC Double L antenna fed with 3000 feet of open wire feeders.
Update January 02, 2008:
I repaired the feedline to my 170 meter long Beverage antenna pointing towards Japan. Upon entering the shack, I found JL8GFB calling CQ with a nice 559 signal, he answered my second call and gave me a 599 report!
This QSO was followed by JR7VHZ we exchanged 559 both ways and I was also called by JF1IXE who was 539, but did not hear my reply this time.
JA7NI called in again with a 579 signal and was followed by JA7OEM.
I am having some problems with the balun transformer at the antenna side, and just before dark I drove out to the antenna and lengthened the top leg of the antennna in the hope of getting the SWR downwards a bit.
These are exciting times! I did not think a TF/JA QSO was even possible over this polar path.
TF3HR pointed out that the auroral activity is unusually small, smaller than we recall having ever seen it. Normally Iceland is covered by the yellow part of the map. Perhaps this is the reason these QSOs have been possible. I think this is a very rare occurrence indeed and I will do my best to make as many QSOs with JA/VK/OC as possible over the coming days.
I heard VK3ZL with a 539 signal and called him for a while, but was QRMed by stations in EU who started to call me and ruined the chance of a QSO!
Try to understand that JA and VK may be easy for EU stations, but these are stations that never before have been heard or worked in TF.
I am sure that the JAs and VKs would appreciate a QSO with TF too so EU please stand by. I can work EU at any time and I expect to be QRV on the band a lot.
JA6GIJ, JA3EMU and JA4LKB were logged as well bringing the total of TF to JA QSOs on 160 meters to 7!
January 03, 2008
The excitement continues! at 1634 I was called by JA7NI who had a whopping 599 signal, followed by JA1EOD, JA5DQH and JA8ISU in the next 5 minutes – a PILEUP from JA on 160 meters!
Later, JA4LXY and JA3ONB made it into the log before conditions died.
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