Category - Blog

Keeping you updated…….

29 November 2019

Just an update after a very busy time. While TX7T Marquesas DXpedition is over and the team members are making their way home I thought i would just give you an update as to where we are.

OQRS is open for all TX7T QSL requests. LoTW is being uploaded for all Direct QSL requests several times a day automatically, you do not need to send me emails. Our OQRS does the work not me!

Busted or Missing from the log? What you need to do is use the “Not in log?” button. Please use the facility provided it makes life easier for me and for you. Emails will not be responded to if you have not used the tools supplied on OQRS. I do have some sections of the log that show incorrect band and mode, so i cannot upload to LoTW the full log until this has been corrected.

FT8 / 4 logs have been as expected causing us some problems again with WSJT not logging about 1 out of 10 QSOs completed with “RR73” Again…. Please DO NOT email me, USE the “Not In Log?” button. Your inquiry will be sent to my work queue for manually checking. I have all FoxQSO and all.txt files from WSJT. I just need your patience while this is done. I have once again taken some serious abuse from DX’ers which is NOT acceptable, although these people that abuse are in the minority they simply have no understanding of the complexity of the problems that DXpeditions face with this matter. The teams are feeding back to WSJT their findings and it is a software still in development and DXpeditions testing the software is an all important feature of that development. FT8 /4 IS a game changer for DXpeditions particularly in low sunspot cycle.

Please understand the dropped contacts are not caused by the team or the QSL manager.

H40TT  Temotu – Rob and Grant are on their way home as i type this update. There was no cellphone signal to transmit logs from the Island> They have arrived at Brisbane airport where they were able to send me the final log. This has been uploaded to OQRS.
Log issues must be recorded on “Not In Log?” Button and NOT sent by email. Thank you

5U9AMO Niger– QSL cards were posted out on Thursday 28th for all direct QSLs received up to date.

When using OQRS please can i remind you that you MUST enter all QSO details correctly BEFORE you press proceed to PayPal, some of you are using Back Page on the browser whilst requesting QSL Please do not do this! You have to complete the OQRS correctly.

Please stand by for further updates soon.

TX7T Marquesas 2019

11 November 2019
thumbnail TX7T final logo

TX7T will be on air from November 7th until 17th November 2019. Marquesas team have a website for more information, please click TX7T Marquesas 2019.
Logs will be uploaded to M0URX OQRS. Please do not send me emails. If you have a busted or missing call, please use the form on OQRS. Click button “NOT IN LOG”

IOTA: OC-027
Locator: CI00lf
ITU Zone: 63 CQ Zone: 31

Express LoTW for all direct QSL requests. LoTW uploads daily.

5U9AMO Pierre QRV in November

29 October 2019
K1600 QSL-5U9AMO-FRONT-2

Pierre, 5U9AMO will be QRV from Niger between 15th November to 25th November 2019
CQWW CW contest + CW activity before and after.
QSL Via M0URX OQRS.

“In the 2013 and 2018 QTH i had problems with high noise level on low bands. This year i will have another QTH with more space for the antennas. I will try to install a 90 meters BOG and a pennant antenna. Unfortunately there is not enough land for a beverage.”
– Yaesu FT-991 transceiver (100 watts output).
– 13.8 volts DC 23 Ampers power supply.
– Spiderbeam 404-UL multiband antenna (10m to 40m).
– Inverted ‘L’ with 9:1 UnUn for 30m, 60m, 80m and 160m.
– 2 Spiderbeam 12 meters telescopic fiber masts.
– 1 Spiderbeam radial connection box.
– 2 x 25m Messi & Paoloni Hyperflex 5 coaxial cable.
– Win-Test logging software.

MD/OP2D QSL Preview

10 October 2019
K1600 QSL-MD-OP2D---300gr--glanslaminaat

A DXpedition doesn’t finish when the antennas are pulled down at the end of the day. Work is ongoing for weeks after the team arrive home. Logs have to be collated, emails answered, sponsors terms and conditions must be met. QSL cards have to be designed which means I need a fast turn around from the team to decide on which photographs to use on the QSL card, text needs to be agreed and the with the help of Max ON5UR who has put together another proffesional set of designs for the NBDX Team’s DXpediiton MD/OP2D and the World Wide Flora & Fauna activities QRV as MD/ON4CKM/P from the Isle of Man.
QSL Requests please use OQRS 
K1600 QSL-MD-OP2D---300gr--glanslaminaat-BACK
K1600 QSL-MD-ON4CKM-P---300gr--glanslaminaatK1600 QSL-MD-ON4CKM-P---300gr--glanslaminaat-BACK

Calling A DX Station When QRP

29 September 2019
on-air-radio
QRP operators have a tough time out there in the pile up, not only are the high power stations loud and often wide but with Solar Minimum with SFI at 66 or just a little higher, every Watt of power the QRP’er uses has to be used wisely and with much greater skill than everyone else. 
 
So from the DXpedition’s point of view how can you hone your skill into getting your call into the log. Firstly, most of the DX Teams are trained and thrive on pulling weak signals out of the noise and your callsign is the only thing the team wants to hear at this point.
 
Listen to the band, find a clear spot in the pile up either using your band scope or using VFO B, this will give you that edge. In any pile-up most callers will be at the bottom or top of the listening range so find somewhere in the middle that will allow you to be heard.
 
Just use your callsign when calling, it is very easy to cause harm in a pile up and slow the DX station down, if the DX operator loses concentration his Q rate goes down which helps no one, so resist from using /QRP. If the DXpedition can hear /QRP he can hear your callsign, once the DX has had to return “/QRP?” You have already lost his Q rate, concentration to boot. All he needs is your callsign.
 
Here is what the Radio Regulations say:

Article 19 of the Radio Regulations (2016) state –

19.45 § 21 1) The twenty-six letters of the alphabet, as well as digits in the cases specified below, may be used to form call signs. Accented letters are excluded.

19.46 2) However, the following combinations shall not be used as call signs:

19.47 a) combinations which might be confused with distress signals or with other signals of a similar nature;

19.48 b) combinations in Recommendation ITU-RM.1172-0 that are reserved for the abbreviations to be used in the radiocommunication services. (WRC-15)

Recommendation M.1172 which is primarily a Maritime Mobile Service document says –

     1 The series of groups listed in this Annex range from QOA to QUZ.

 
So, it is clear the Q operating codes do not form part of the call sign. By just using your Callsign, in a clear part of the DX operators listening range will stand you a much better chance of getting in the log, this will then also help the DX station work you and keep his concentration and Q rate and help others get in the log too!

NOT IN LOG? Here is what to do.

26 September 2019
NIL-1
Please note that I do not accept “Busted call” emails or “Not In Log” emails. You will not get a reply!
If you have a case where you find that your call is incorrect or missing from the log simply click “NOT IN LOG?” button and fill in the form on the OQRS. 
All such inquiries will be sent to a work queue for checking. So you should not be sending me emails. 
VERY IMPORTANT – READ the Last QSO in the log: date and time. If your QSO is after that… WAIT for a log update.

MD/OP2D Isle of Man

23 September 2019
ON6NB 2


K800 Logo
NB DX Team is on the road again
Callsign : MD/OP2D
Date: 21-27 September 2019
Location : Isle of Man

Team :
ON4ANN – ERIK ( TEAMLEADER AND SSB-OPERATOR)
ON4CCV – ERIK ( SSB – OPERATOR )
ON4CKM – CEDRIC ( SSB – OPERATOR )
ON6MI – RUDI ( SSB – OPERATOR )
ETIENNE – ONL
ON4DTO – ANDRE (SSB-DIGI)
ON4DCU – Patrick (SSB OPERATOR)
ON2BDJ – Willy (SSB OPERATOR)
ON4AAQ Luc (CW OPERATOR)
ON5CD Yvo (SSB-DIGI OPERATOR)
ON8CW Walter (DIGI OPERATOR)

160529122310-1024x580
QSL Information

QSL ONLY VIA M0URX – United Radio QSL Management Bureau
OQRS (Online QSL Request System) 

NO incoming Bureau – ONLY OQRS for Bureau

M0XXT/P from the Cotswold Hills

8 August 2019
K1600 file5
I only went out to get some groceries….. and was gone 24 hours! I ended up driving to the Cotswold Hills to visit Callum, M0MCX,  from DX Commander, You Tube channel and Tom, M0RMY who were testing out one of the DX Commander verticals, well it would be rude not to say hello! On a lovely summers day the perfect tonic, a drive into the countryside and a dabble at some RF.
The live stream on Callum’s You Tube channel was great fun, I felt it brought the viewers into the shack with some banter and enabled them to be involved in the testing of the antenna, this also gave us a window on to the pile up. QSL Via M0URX OQRS
Thank you to Callum and to Tom for letting me join in the DX fun at M0XXT/P.
K1600 file3