Looking for the WSJT presentation that I gave at the RVHFG club meeting? It's here in MS powerpoint format: K0SM-RVHFG.PPT (about 3.5Mb).
Looking for the laser stuff? It's moved to a separate page: CLICK HERE!
I had the opportunity to stop briefly in EN22ax, EN03rb, and EN02nx during this day-trip up north. I was travelling with some friends of mine who were taking care of some family estate business in the area, so I was not able to stay for long. I did manage 7 QSO's on 2m FSK441. This was a the field test of a portable yagi that is made entirely out of stuff I had laying around the house...except for the hose clamps, which ran me $1.09 at the hardware store. It's ugly, but it seemed to be functional, which was all I was after. I'll get some closer pictures of the antenna when I get a chance. It is basically a 3el handheld satellite yagi made by Arrow Antenna. I removed the 435 MHz elements and clamped it to a PVC boom. The elements on the extension are made from 8-gauge aluminum wire and mounted below the boom to line up with the first three elements. They are mounted through half-circles of 1" PVC pipe which are in turn mounted to the boom with a small screw. This allows the elements to swivel so that the whole extension can fold up and slide into the PVC mast for transport. A small bird tried to land on one of the directors causing it to move out of position in the pictures from EN03 below. I had to climb up on the car to move it back. This antenna served well during my overnight trip to EN20au for the Quadrantids shower a few days later.
Location from EN03, overlooking the Ft. Randal dam
A picture of me and the station, facing due east.
Chart of QSOs from the EN22/EN03/EN02 trip.
2m FSK441 QSOs on my overnight trip to EN20au a few days later.
The "Arrow" satellite antenna with 435 elements removed, plus the "extension", ready for assembly. Elemets are still folded against the boom to avoid any (more!) bending. For creative ideas on how to use the 435 elements on this antenna, see my impromptu rover operation in Western NY below.
Assembly of the yagi showing that the $1.09 I spent on hose clamps is being put to good use.
Assembled yagi with elements turned into the normal position. Hose clamps need to be tightened to align the yagi with the extension.
Dad and I came out to Rochester to go apartment hunting before my move into life as a grad student. Since this weekend happened to coincide with the August UHF contest, I brought the FT-100D, straight key, and my old "Arrow" satellite anteanna of DN90 fame (see below). I made 5-ft mast in two parts that I could fit in the fishing-rod carrier for the flight to NY. The idea was that I would be able to get a signal on the air from a rental car without any drilling. I don't think we left any scratches...
I was able to work everything that I heard. Then again, with no preamp I couldn't hear much and with 35w I couldn't talk far, so it all worked out. Best DX was probably FM19 from the shore of Lake Ontario (FN13). Dad and I had only road maps, so we just drove around until the GPS said we were in the next square. We made QSOs from FN13, FN03, and FN12, very near the home of K2AXX. I only operated until about 9pm on Saturday, but it was good fun.
On the shore of Lake Ontario, FN13
Assembling the antenna in FN12
Here are some pictures for my radio expedition to western Nebraska. Adam (no callsign...yet) and I operated from a ranch near Eustis, NE on December 27 and 28, 2001. We brought a FT-290RII, 160W amplifier and a pair of 3 element yagis. With this combination we managed to work many stations using the FSK441 mode provided in the WSJT software package. Among the sations we worked on 2m were N8OC/EN83, WB5APD/EM84, W9BLI/EN63, WA7ADK/DN31, as well as many others. There was no major meteor enhancement during this period. WSJT really brings "casual" VHF operation to a new level. One no longer needs to bring large equipment or hope for an incredible band opening to have a successful operation! Have a look at the pictures and you will see what I mean!!
morning.jpe: Sunrise in DN90, about 6:15 am. The antennas are two handheld "Arrow" satellite yagi's with the 435Mhz elements removed.
road.jpe: This is the road back to the farmhouse in which we spent the night. The farm is visible on the horizion.
inside.jpe: This is a view from the operator's position. There isn't much room in the minivan, but we made it work. One can see the radio, amplifier and cooling fan on the driver's seat.
DN90.GIF: This is what we worked from DN90 on 2m.
en10qso.gif: Here's what I've worked from home using FSK441 on 2m.
copyright 2003, Andrew T. Flowers
