focal

The First Class CW Operators’ Club
President
Membership Secretary
Don Field, G3XTT
105 Shiplake Bottom
Peppard Common
Henley on Thames, Oxon RG9 5HJ, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 118 972 4192
E-mail: don.field@gmail.com
Tyler Barnett, N4TY
213 Camelot Court
Georgetown, KY 40324, USA
Tel: +1 859 221 9266
E-mail: n4ty@me.com
Chairman
Internet Services
Rob Ferguson, GM3YTS
19 Leighton Avenue, Dunblane,
Perthshire FK15 0EB, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1786 824 199
E-mail: gm3yts@btinternet.com
Ray Goff, G4FON
2 St. Leonard’s Road,
Headington, Oxford OX3 8AA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 788 418 3580
E-mail: ray@g4fon.net
Committee Secretary
Treasurer
Roger Western, G3SXW
7 Field Close, Chessington,
Surrey KT9 2QD, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 208 397 3319
E-mail: g3sxw@btinternet.com
Graham Bubloz, G4FNL
42 Hillcrest, Westdene,
Brighton BN1 5FN, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 127 355 1186
E-mail: graham@g4fnl.co.uk
Committee
Webmaster
Dave Lawley, G4BUO
4 Suttons Cottages,
Clement Street, Hextable
Kent BR8 7PF, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 132 266 6062
E-mail: dave@g4buo.com
Ed Tobias, KR3E
13110 Costal Highway
Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Tel: +1 410 250 7357
E-mail: edtobias@comcast.net
Committee
Committee
Fred Handscombe, G4BWP (A65BD)
P.O. Box 52831
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 50 687 5731
E-mail:
fredch@homeshack.freeserve.co.uk
Wes Spence, AC5K
465 Creekwood Street
Lumberton, TX 77657, USA
Tel: +1 409 755 4753
E-mail: ac5k@sbcglobal.net
Committee
Non Committee Members
• Accounts Examiner
• WAFOC Award Manager
• Windle Award
• FOC WAS Award
• Webmasters
• FOCUS Editor
• News Sheet Editor
• Subscriptions (non-web)
UK & Overseas
N. & S. America
Europe
FOCUS 96
G4HZV
G4HZV
W4PM
W4CK
N4TY
G7VJR
S57WJ
V31JP
G3LIK
K2VUI
DL8LBK
Andy Chadwick, G3AB
5 Thorpe Chase
Ripon, N. Yorkshire, HG4 1UA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7879 835261
E-mail: andyg3ab@gmail.com
• Activity Co-Ordinator
• Marathon
• FOC QSO Party
• FOCUS Mailing
• FOCUS Mailing NA
• Call Book Editor
G3VTT
F5VHY
KZ5D
G3LHJ
WB2YQH
N4TY
Contents
From Your President
From Your Editor
The 2013 FOC Dinner
K2FOC Group Celebrates
Working K5ALU in 50 US States
A Birthday Present
Getting a Licence in Thailand
Operating G1ØØRSGB from Cheltenham
DXing Down Under
The Explanation of ‘QAC’
A Contact is More Than 599-73
Giuseppe Biagi and the Red Tent
Review of Elecraft KX3
My Home Brew Quads
Obituary of David Beckwith, W2QM
Obituary of Steve Bleaney, GW3VPL
Obituary for Dick Moser, W8XM
Welcome to New Members
Stealthy Four-Square Antenna in Texas
W5FOC Weekend, Santa Fe, NM 3-6 April 2014 –
Make your Reservations early
Contesting
September 2013 FOC QSO Party Results
Don Field, G3XTT
Gabor Szekeres, S57WJ
Don Field, G3XTT
Bob Nadolny, WB2YQH
Vic Abell, W9RGB
Bob Whelan, G3PJT
Finn Jensen, HSØZLM (OZ1HET)
Iain Kelly, MØPCB
John Wightman, ZL1AH
Mort Mortimer, G2JL
Mike Mills, G3TEV
Carlo Consoli, IKØYGJ
Jim Danehy, W9VNE
Terry Robinson, GM3WUX
Joe Pontek, V31JP
Rich Langford, G4FAD and
Tony Roskilly, G3ZRJ
Don Karvonen, K8MFO
Tyler Barnett, N4TY
Bruce Elbert, K6ZB
John DePrimo, K1JD and Fred
Maas, KT5X
Patrick Barkey, N9RV
Art Suberbielle, KZ5D
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Front cover: Bob, G3PJT the recipient of Al Slater, G3FXB Memorial Award (photo Rosemary, G3PJT/2)
Back Cover Photograph-top: You may not know, but there is no ham shack at VQ9 any longer, so Jim, VQ9JC
(ND9M) now operates only portable. His QTH is a picnic table in a recreational park! His licence identifies
Building 1524 which is used as a unique identifier for the Navy as his operating station QTH now. (photo
VQ9JC/ND9M)
Back Cover Photograph-bottom: Group photo of MUØHTJ Also known as HamTests Jimmies (l to r):
Colin, MUØFAL (FOC 1892); Louis, 2UØFER; Paul, MØTZO; Pete, 2EØSQL; Chloe, MØGEJ; Mark MØMJH; Steve,
MØSPF; Iain, MØPCB (FOC 2024); Alex, M1LXM
The last three years the Jimmies have been building an IOTA Contest team activating Guernsey EU-114
successfully liaising with local operators for technical back up, logistical support and a good social side. The
main operators are average age 25. “I act as a totally background supporter of the team but always visit them
at the campsite near me.”, says Colin, MUØFAL. “You could not wish to meet a nicer bunch of youngsters.”
FOCUS is the quarterly magazine of FOC which is published four times annually in January, April, July and
October. It is distributed to all members. Articles and contributions for FOCUS are always welcome and should
be submitted to the Editor by mail or email <gabor.s57wj@gmail.com>, CD, disk, typed or hand written.
Drawings can be re-drawn if necessary and original photographs returned after scanning.
© First Class CW Operators’ Club
Articles may be re-published from FOCUS with permission from the Editor
and with the usual credit given.
FOCUS 96
From Your
From Your
President, G3XTT
Editor, S57WJ
It’s an honour and a
privilege to find myself as
President of FOC and to
be
preparing
this
seasonal message.
2013 has been a truly
memorable year for the
Club, particularly in respect of the
th
publicity generated by the 75
anniversary activities. I was able to play a
small part when I joined G3WGV and
MDØCCE to activate GT4FOC. Thanks are
due especially to Roger, G3SXW and the
rest of the Committee for overseeing it all
and to Bob, G4HZV and Art, KZ5D who
couldn’t have anticipated the huge
demand for certificates!
Sadly we have lost a number of longstanding members in the past year,
recorded in these pages and elsewhere.
The good news is that we have a number
of new members and, if anything, an
invitation to join FOC is more prized than
ever – the Club really is seen nowadays
not so much as an elitist group out of
touch with the hobby but a thriving
international organisation dedicated to
promoting the use of CW, a mode which
seems to be as popular as ever on our
bands.
So we can look forward with optimism to
what 2014 has in store. Yes, there are
issues with DQRM. Yes, there are other
issues such as the increasing average age
of radio amateurs. But there is plenty of
good news too. And in that vein I wish
every one of you well for Christmas and
the New Year, whatever your colour or
creed. This hobby of ours transcends
differences and brings us together across
the world. Long may that continue!
Time is passing by very
quickly. A year turned
around and I have five
issues of Focus behind
me. I am aware that I
made some mistakes in
editing and believe me,
it hurts when I discover
them in the printed edition. Since I am not
a person who likes to torture himself, I will
be more careful in future.
Some members asked me how I find time
to edit the magazine and to be active on
the air as well. I am managing it so far.
One thought crossed my mind a few
months ago. How did the editing look like
when Chris, G4BUE started with the
Focus? It had to be a more demanding job
as today with the lack of computers and
digital technology.
Speaking of digital technology this edition
of Focus will reach some members only in
digital form. I really hope that this will not
have the same effect as with monthly
News Sheet-unread issues and loss of
interest
in
our
magazine.
Both
publications are important for our club in
their own way. Read them both in printed
or digital edition!
As I announced in my previous column, we
have a new Contesting columnist. Pat,
N9RV took over the task. I wish him a
warm welcome and you can read his first
Contesting column on page 40.
My main worry editing this issue was the
lack of material but as one of Murphy’s
laws says “Many things in this world
would not exist if it wasn’t for the ‘last
moment’.”
I wish a prosperous 2014 for all members
and their families!
161! Gabor, S57WJ
73! Don, G3XTT
FOCUS 96
4
The 2013 FOC Dinner
By Don Field, G3XTT
72 members, partners and guests sat down to the 2013 UK dinner, which, for the
second time, was held at Jurys Hotel in Milton Keynes. Quite a number of attendees
had arrived the previous day and enjoyed an informal evening at local restaurants.
Thanks are due to Vic, G4BYG for helping to organise one of the larger groups. On the
Saturday, 24 of us enjoyed a tour round Bletchley Park, hosted once again by FOC
member Ray, G4FON. I have visited “BP”
several times now but always find something
new to see and learn. I won’t go into detail
here as John, G3WGV gave quite a bit of
background on BP a year ago in his write-up
on the 2012 Annual Dinner. There was also
an opportunity to see the RSGB’s National
Radio Centre in operation. Knowing we were
coming, NRC volunteer Peter, G4XEX had
made sure there was a suitable paddle
connected up and several members took
advantage to make a few QSOs as GB3RS.
Mort, G2JL poses in front of the rebuilt
Colossus computer (photo G3XTT)
Those not attending the BP tour took
advantage of other facilities in the area, especially the extensive shopping centre in
Milton Keynes. I am not a particular fan of Milton Keynes but I was pleased to read
Derek, G3NKS’s report of the weekend on Facebook in which he remarked positively on
the tree-lined architecture and general ambience of the town – maybe it isn’t so bad,
after all!
G3SXW (right) presents the Magpad paddle
to lucky winner G5LP (left)
(photo G3TXF)
The AGM has been written up separately so I
won’t repeat that here. The dinner itself was
extremely convivial, the catering good and
the hotel staff attentive. We kept things
relatively informal, but there were some
important presentations to be made. Firstly,
a draw for the G3HGE Magpad, a superb
addition to any CW operator’s shack. Roger,
G3SXW had organised the draw and
promptly pulled out his own ticket! Being the
gentleman that he is, Roger drew again and
out came Lionel, G5LP’s ticket. Everyone was
delighted with Lionel’s win. He is on the
mend from some serious health issues so it
was great to put a smile on his face.
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FOCUS 96
It was just as well that Roger, G3SXW passed
on the prize because, unbeknownst to him,
the other Committee members had
organised a second Magpad as a present to
Roger by way of a thank-you for his great
th
work in overseeing the FOC 75 Anniversary
events. It was presented by Chairman Rob,
GM3YTS and, for once in his life, Roger was
somewhat at a loss for words!
There was an Unsung Heroes for Derrick,
G3LHJ for his work over many years in
mailing out Focus and the Callbook. Sadly GM3YTS (left) surprised G3SXW (right) with
a well deserved Magpad (photo G3TXF)
Derrick had had to cancel his attendance due
to Sylvia’s illness but the award was welcomed by all present as being thoroughly
deserved. Likewise, unfortunately, past-President Bob, G3PJT had had to cancel due to
sudden illness and was therefore unable to receive the Al Slater, G3FXB Memorial
Award for his efforts on behalf of the Club and the hobby generally over many years.
The trophy was presented to Bob the following day by member Michael, G7VJR.
The final business of the evening was
the handover of the Presidential chain
of office from Ivan, G3IZD to yours truly.
It’s an honour to follow in the footsteps
of so many worthy holders of this office.
I hope I can continue in the best
traditions over the next couple of years
as I carry out my Presidential duties.
Naturally, many discussions continued
in the bar until the early hours, putting
the world to rights. It all seems so
simple when you are with good friends
The handover of the Presidential chain from
and suitably nourished with the fruit of
G3IZD (left) to G3XTT (right)-photo G3TXF
the grape!
All in all, a great weekend. The Committee is already thinking about next year. A change
of venue is probably appropriate as most attendees have now taken the opportunity to
visit Bletchley Park so it would be nice to find something and somewhere else of
interest. Your suggestions would be very welcome.
Coming up in Focus 97
• What is the EUCW by G3VTT
• Close to the Edge by 5B4AGN
• Remotely Possible by N2KW
Article deadline 28 February 2014
FOCUS 96
6
K2FOC Group Celebrates
By Bob Nadolny, WB2YQH
The FOC members that comprise the Western New York and Southern Ontario area
form the North Coast CW Club under the K2FOC callsign. After a tremendous
th
experience during the FOC 75 Anniversary operation in May, the group decided to
hold a mini celebration before the end of summer. On 28 August they gathered at the
Youngstown Yacht Club on the shores of Lake Ontario which has NY on the pierside and
Canada across the lake.
Tony, K2NV is the captain. Along
with First Mate Rose, of the
BellaDonna, a 40 foot sloop
rigged sailing vessel. On this
sunny and warm afternoon, the
group consisting of Mike, W2TB,
Dick, K2ZR, Peter, K2RSK and Yuri,
VE3DZ plus XYL’s set sail on a
cruise of the Niagara River with
Capt. Tony portraying the
lawlessness of crossing the USACanadian border while enjoying
scenic views of the American and K2FOC op’s at dock with BellaDonna in the background:
Canadian shores. After over two
standing (l to r): W2TB, K2RSK, WB2YQH, K2NV;
kneeling (l to r): K2ZR, VE3DZ
hours of an enjoyable sail
complete with beverages and snacks, they returned to port to meet WB2YQH (1606)
who unfortunately had to work at the office that day. BellaDonna is often heard on the
air as K2NV/VE3 as she sails Lake Ontario. Equipped with an IC-706MKIIG using the back
stay for an antenna on 160m - 10m.
Now the whole group sat
down for a dinner at the
yacht club restaurant for
more story telling and good
conversation, which of
course included talk of CW,
paddles and the Club.
Needless to say they could
have gone on all night! The
group
entertained
the
possibility of a K2FOC
Dinner at yacht club (l to r): Deb, W2TB/2, W2TB, Lynda,
DXpedition
next
year.
K2ZR/2, K2ZR, VE3DZ, Rose, K2NV/2, K2NV, K2RSK and
However, a beautiful sunset
WB2YQH
indicated it was time to
depart and head home. So we all headed back to our home QTHs after what will now
be an annual affair.
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FOCUS 96
Working K5ALU in 50 US States
By Vic Abell, W9RGB
In my youth a favourite torture of US
primary school teachers was to make their
students recite the capitols of all the states.
For me, and probably for Red, K5ALU, there
were only 48 at the time. Now there are 50
and I doubt either one of us could name all
their capitols.
However, we both can say we have had
QSOs from all 50, Red moving from one to
another, and I sitting in my fixed shack in
Indiana (capitol Indianapolis.) We managed
to do it in a little less than nine and a half
years.
And when we finished the quest with a QSO
while Red was in Rhode Island on Vic, W9RGB with the plaque (photo K9FN)
September 24, 2013, Red sent me this handsome plaque to commemorate the event.
Design of the plaque was the handiwork of Red’s wife Linda.
A nice highpoint came in 2008 when Red
visited Hawaii and I worked him on all the
islands where he was active. He sent me a
certificate.
It wasn’t until 2010 when Red issued a
challenge to find who had worked him in the
most states, and I discovered I was the winner
with 25, that I realized I was now challenged to
work Red in all 50. I followed him much more
closely in the next three years.
HI Cert
In that same year Red headed for Alaska,
traipsing through the Dakotas and several
Canadian provinces along the way.
Working Red in each state, including
Alaska, added a considerable number to
our count. I was able to help G3LIK and
Red connect for a South Dakota QSO
when Red had trouble hearing Mick. I
told Red that Mick was calling so Red
listened extra-hard for Mick and finally
heard him.
FOCUS 96
Alaska
8
We confirmed another big parcel of states in 2011 when Red followed Hurricane Irene
down the east coast. I remember his stopping at gas stations along the way, finding
them unable to refresh his dwindling supply of diesel fuel because of the lack of power
for their pumps. When he crossed the bridge into Manhattan he finally found some
diesel fuel, but his tank was nearly empty. We checked seven states off our list on that
trip.
As Red and Linda started wintering in the south and spending their summers on the
west coast, we notched QSOs in almost all the remaining states. Only Colorado and
Rhode Island remained by the end of 2012. I’m not sure how we missed either state,
because Red had been in both of them. I put it down to sloppy record keeping on my
part.
One of the pleasures of working Red has been meeting him and his wife Linda
personally in many places. Indiana was the first place, including three stops for them at
a Blueberry Festival in northern Indiana. The first time they were there my wife Carol
and I found them so busy selling cell phone accessories and sun glasses that people
started handing us money.
The latest Blueberry Festival visit was this past September when Dave, K9FN, his wife
Mary, my wife Carol and I visited Red and Linda again. This time they were selling
muscle stimulator TENS units.
I should probably to go slightly off topic a bit
to talk a bit about the entrepreneurs that Red
and Linda are. Since I have known them while
they have been touring the US, they have
been stopping at shows and festivals where
they have sold everything from toys to
perfume. It’s hard to imagine, but they carried
perfume to Alaska in their panel truck. Here is
their truck on its way to Alaska, carrying Red’s
screwdriver antenna on its side, entering
North Dakota.
A good mutual friend in Mississippi, Fred
North Dakota
K5FA, tells me that he first met Red as a young
teenager who had a rhombic antenna on his father’s farm and was warned by Red’s
dad that it would have to come down if a cow ever got tangled in the wire. Fred says
he knows Red was making church pews at a factory he ran, and Red has told me he had
a garment business once, was a shipboard sparks at another time, and was once known
as the “quarter king of Tyler, Texas.”
It is only certain that their wanderings will take Red and Linda next to another round of
the 50 US states. Perhaps you, too, can garner a special worked K5ALU in 50 states
plaque.
The photos from Alaska and North Dakota were made by Linda and Red, K5ALU-S57WJ, Ed.
9
FOCUS 96
A Birthday Present
By Bob Whelan, G3PJT
“For your birthday present this year, shall we go and stay a week at Wireless Cottage on
The Lizard? Call it if you like a pilgrimage”. A week in Wireless Cottage on the Lizard
peninsula, where some might claim was the starting place of the Information Age! It
was certainly where the Radio Age began. The whole area of The Lizard is full of radio
history.
Wireless Cottage is the site of
Marconi's first wireless station.
Wireless Cottage, now a
National Trust holiday let, is
next door to the Lizard
Wireless Station and is located
right on the cliffs close to Bass
Point, at Pen Olver to be more
precise. It is a magnificent site
with uninterrupted sea views
right to the horizon 16 + miles
away. Plenty of birds and ships Lizard Wireless Station. The museum is in the right hand
building
for landlubbers to gaze at. And
that is why Marconi sited his station there, so he could communicate with shipping as it
passed this point at the entrance to the English Channel. When the station became
operational it finally proved that radio signals could propagate much further than line of
sight. In receiving signals from the Isle of Wight it more than doubled the distance
record to 189 miles and possibly gave Marconi confidence in his idea that he might be
able to span the Atlantic. Reporting the arrival and departure of ships was valuable
information in those days when
radio ranges were just a few
tens of miles.
The Museum contains a replica
of the station as it was in
Marconi's time including a
working spark transmitter which
can be seen operating, not
connected to an aerial of
course. But nonetheless you can
get the idea of how noisy and
Lizard spark transmitter on right with spark coil, jigger on bright the spark was! In addition
wall and receiver to the left
there is a replica of the Titanic
radio setup and a collection of Morse keys and other pieces of radio equipment.
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FOCUS 96
For visiting radio amateurs there is a Kenwood TS-850 and a trapped dipole which you
can use to experience the real atmosphere of radio of operating from this very special
place. Late at night you can feel someone looking over your shoulder. In 1903 the mast
was 38m tall, these days the antenna is more modest. The callsign of the station was LD
and that is kept alive with the call GB2LD.
In 1910 the station became the first to handle a SOS call. The ship Minihaha loaded with
passengers, goods and even a model T Ford, went aground in the Scillies and its SOS
was picked up by Lizard which raised the alarm. All on board were rescued. Even so bits
of the cargo still appear from time to time when the Scillonians reminisce. The Titanic
passed Lizard on the first stage of its fateful voyage and a copy of the Marconi
frequency graph still exists showing the Titanic going all the way to New York.
The next stop on our pilgrimage was
the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum,
the site of the old Cable and
Wireless training school, the
international cable terminals and
the hub of the British Empire's first
international telecommunications
network. This is a superb collection
of old telegraph equipment which
not only covers the technical
aspects of the cable system but also
A selection of keys in the museum
the human interest aspects of the
Cable and Wireless employees. The cable system played a key role in the development
of radio as it was the medium by which contacts were confirmed even though many in
that industry saw at that time that radio might ultimately supplant the cable network.
All this is brought up to date with explanations and hands on experiments of the latest
fibre optic cables which these days carry 95% of the worlds Internet traffic. Noteworthy
was a 'radio shack' fitted out with a self
guided explanation of the development of
radio receivers illustrated with actual
examples from the last 70 years. As the
explanation progressed the commentary
passes from radio to radio which light up to
show which one is being described, rather
clever and made the talk much easier to
understand.
The final stop was at The Marconi Centre at
Poldhu Cove. This is run by the Poldhu
Portcurno radio shack
Amateur Radio Club and they are to be
congratulated on a superb exhibition. Very little of the original station exists except a
couple of meters from the generating system but the displays about Marconi's work are
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FOCUS 96
very well done indeed. A walk up to the Marconi Memorial completed the visit. Marconi
had an eye for good radio sites.
So plenty to see in south Cornwall and at The Lizard in particular.
Thanks to David, G3PLE, for the tours of the Lizard Wireless Station, to the Poldhu Club
for the BBQ and the guided tour of the Marconi Centre and to Rosemary for spotting
the Wireless Cottage in the first place.
Web URL’s:
Lizard Wireless Station <http://www.lizardwireless.org/>
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum <http://www.porthcurno.org.uk/>
Marconi Centre, Poldhu <http://marconi-centre-poldhu.org.uk/>
Getting a Licence in Thailand
By Finn Jensen, HSØZLM (OZ1HET)
After more than 13 years of waiting I am glad to tell you that the Reciprocal Agreement
between Thailand and Denmark is finally approved and signed by both countries, so
that radio amateurs from Thailand and Denmark can obtain a licence in both countries.
When I first time came to Thailand as a permanent resident with my Thai wife in
January 2000, I definitely did not think that it would take such a long time to get a Thai
licence and a call sign here, but I quickly realized that the Danish authority ITST would
only support CEPT, and under no circumstances a Bilateral Agreement at that time.
From the beginning and down through the years, I have been in contact with ITST via
email, to give them various news which might make them change their view on a
Bilateral Agreement. I was also in the office personally, while I was on holiday in
Denmark, but nothing helped; they still only wanted to support CEPT.
In year 2009 we were a group of Danish radio amateurs, with a special connection to
Thailand, who started Danish-Thai Radio Amateur Society with the only purpose of
making ITST change their view on a Bilateral Agreement. We collected signatures via
email from Danish radio amateurs, who wanted to support our cause. It ended up with
around 50 signatures and likewise support from DDXG=Danish DX Group and from
EDR’s Hvidovre Section. We also got support from RAST former President Chaiyong,
who wrote a support letter, and as well some signatures from RAST members. This
entire thing was send to ITST, but unfortunately it didn’t change anything; they still only
wanted to support CEPT.
Then in July 2010 at last something new happened. At ITST a new Office Manager
started to work there, and he took over the responsibilities with Danish radio amateurs.
Very suddenly this new guy showed he had a distinct understanding of our desire to get
this “Bilateral Agreement” installed, and he very quickly started to progress this. This
proposal was sent to Thailand through the correct channels, and at the same time he
kept me informed how it was progressing. The proposal was approved in Thailand with
a minor correction, which ITST also approved without problems.
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FOCUS 96
From 1 January 2012 ITST was closed down and all their tasks were transferred to
ERST=Erhversstyrelsen. This new authority should now also take care of our problems
with the Bilateral Agreement. Then on 1 March 2012 this new Office Manager suddenly
stopped his work for ERST, and our tasks were transferred to a female office clerk. In
the autumn 2012 this office clerk took a pregnancy leave, and our task once again was
transferred to some chief-consultant, who quickly let another female team leader go on
with our task. So as you can see, many people were involved in this work.
At last on the 22nd August 2013, the long awaited message came from RAST; Thailand
had accepted and signed the Bilateral Agreement with Denmark. When I received this
message, the hair on my neck stood up, and I had tears in my eyes. More than 13 years
of waiting was at an end; the Bilateral Agreement was done.
On the 1 November I received my Thai license and call sign as HSØZLM, and will not
have to use the Club Stations call sign HSØAC any longer, but I would like to say thank
you to RAST for letting me use this call sign over the years.
Several people have asked me, where were EDR’s executives in relation to the Bilateral
Agreement, and I can only answer: They were not there at all, so it was very fine we
could solve the problem ourselves. I am the first Danish radio amateur, in recent times,
who has got a licence and call sign here in Thailand, but I am sure others will follow
after me.
FOCAL
Robert, S53R (left) hosted Roger, G3SXW (right) during an August afternoon in Rome,
when IØ/G3SXW scored his DXFC+QRV point for Italy. Yes, there were more QSOs than
beers!
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Operating G1ØØRSGB from Cheltenham
By Iain Kelly, MØPCB
During the centenary year of the RSGB there has been a special callsign making its way
around the UK and local radio clubs have been getting on the air. In late 2012 the
Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association decided to partake in the activity and were
offered a three day slot between 2-4 November 2013.
Time passed and as plans began to firm up it transpired that two FOC members would
be part of the team, those being Derek, G3NKS and Iain, MØPCB. The activation was
ultimately split between two
locations, with Martin, G4ENZ
hosting the station on 2 and 4
and Stewart, GØLGS hosting
on 3 November. As Stewart
was planning to be active
mostly on SSB with some
digital modes from his station
that left the CW slots to Derek
and I across the two days at
the main location.
Of the 1.658 QSO’s in the log
over the three days 893 of
Iain, MØPCB working 28.025MHz, joined by the newly
them were CW on all bands
knitted socks of Chloe, MØGEJ
from 160m to 10m and CW operating time split evenly between the two operators and
throughout the two days with roughly 10 hours each in the chair. For those that didn’t
see the email announcement the following are the approximate times we were both
active:
Saturday, 2 November:
07.00 – 0959 MØPCB
10.00 – 1259 G3NKS
16.00 – 1759 G3NKS
18.00 – 2059 MØPCB
Monday, 4 November:
07.00 – 09.59 G3NKS
16.00 – 19.59 MØPCB
21.00 – 21.59 G3NKS
Operating went smoothly, though there were inevitably some teething troubles when
changing operators, which involved swapping keys and headphones. The station was
equipped with an Elecraft K-line comprising the K3, P3, KPA500 and KAT500 along with
a Cushcraft R8 vertical and an 80m Doublet that had been extended to cover 160m.
Of note was a very nice opening to the USA on 12m during Monday afternoon with very
good signals, and a quick chat with Jean, 5TØJL was a pleasant surprise! Among the
other DX stations worked were those in CE, CO, ER, FO, KP4, PY, TG, TI, UAØ, VP8
(Falklands), VU, XE, YB and ZF giving a total of 51 different DXCC entities.
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FOCUS 96
We also worked many G
stations who were chasing
the G1ØØRSGB awards and
were after as many band slots
as possible.
Looking through the log,
combined with Fabian’s,
DJ1YFK online calculator, we
managed to work 40+
different members, some on
multiple bands. This includes
QSO’s with both G3NKS and
MØPCB while we were at
home after operator changes.
A great result, made possible
Derek, G3NKS maintaining his strength with some cake
by Martin, G4ENZ for allowing
us use of his station and also to Penny, GØNVP (XYL of G4ENZ) for providing many cups
of tea and some splendid home-made cake to keep us both going.
It’s fair to say that all the operators during the last three days of G1ØØRSGB – we
passed the baton to GM and from there it moves to GI – all had a blast. Like the FOC75
activities in May this was a special time, the RSGB will only be 100 years old once.
Thanks for the QSO’s.
FOCAL
The Society of Midwest Contesters had a
mini-convention and meeting on 10
August in Kenosha, WI. Therefore many
W9's were not able to be QRV full time in
WAEDC CW. Regardless, fellow FOC
member Doug, K1DG flew out from his
New England QTH to give a most
interesting and entertaining over view of
WRTC 2014.
“We met for our first time eye ball QSO
Friday evening over some food and more
than ‘some’ beers!” said Vic, K9UIY.
Vic, K9UIY and Doug, K1DG
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FOCUS 96
DXing Down Under
By John Wightman, ZL1AH
I was active in contests as G3AH in the late 1930’s and again from 1946-50 with only
modest results but I guess the experience triggered my enthusiasm for later efforts. The
best I managed from the UK was a second placing in the 1949 RSGB Low Power Contest.
Moving to New Zealand at the end of 1950, we came to this area on the
recommendation of an old friend, ZL1MP, ex-GW6AA. After attending to the priorities,
we commenced the hunt for a suitable (DX) QTH and found a lovely spot, four and a
half acres on the edge of the harbour, with a view out to the Pacific Ocean and elevated
about one hundred feet. The nearest neighbour was a quarter of a mile away!
Fortunately I succeeded in not drooling in the presence of the vendor and happily for
my ambitions, my wife was enraptured by the views.
After finishing off our new house, getting a garden established and putting up
antennas, I felt I would be justified in devoting some time to contesting. With a job to
hold down and family responsibilities, it would have been unreasonable of me to make
a major effort in more than one contest per year. The decision I made was to have a
serious shot at the VK/ZL (mainly because, in those days, it was one of the few 24 hour
contests) but to spend a few hours giving out a ZL multiplier in others such as BERU,
ARRL, CQ, NFD, etc.
The period of my serious contesting was the 1950’s and early 1960’s and whilst this is
ancient history, I doubt if some things have changed. QSO rates were much lower, of
course, as this was the era of pencil and paper logging and, on marginal paths, it was
not unusual to have to give repeats on the reports. We had not then “progressed” to
599 for every QSO.
Equipment was almost entirely home -brew and throughout my competitive days I
never had more than 60 watts of RF, from a pair of my stash of war-surplus 807’s. The
receiver was triple conversion with separate crystal-controlled front ends for 10/15/20.
These fed into the second mixer with tuneable IF of 3.5 to 4.0 MHz, using one of those
marvellous HRO gangs with the associated 80 metre band-spread coil. Antennas in use
were switched ‘Vee beams’ with 260 feet legs and in 1961 I added wide-spaced quads
for 10/15/20 metres.
Operating in the VK/ZL Contest I found to be very much a “Dance to the Music of Time”
exercise. During the better periods of sunspot activity there would be a series of “runs”
when one CQ would result in a long string of QSO’s. Starting at 1000Z on 28 MHz there
would be an hour or an hour and a half of Europeans. Then it was the turn of 21 MHz
and a similar run before moving to 14 MHz. About 1300Z on 14 MHz the last of the
European opening was followed by long path to the USA when the eastern half of the
continent came roaring in. At this stage I used to go to bed for about four hours
because I believed this suited my body’s metabolism.
When I got back on, my competitors had all got ahead of me but, usually within eight
hours, I would have overtaken them again as their mental processes slowed.
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FOCUS 96
In poor sunspot years QSO rates were much harder to maintain in daylight hours.
During darkness forty would keep the log ticking over but after the sun rose, it could be
slow going, trawling ten and fifteen for odd stations which were often on the edge of
audibility.
I did not set out to do it but, in the event, it turned out that I won the ZL CW section of
the contest for one complete sun-spot cycle, 1953 - 63 inclusive. In 1964 I built my first
high-power amplifier, so I retired from competition.
The original format was extended to include Oceania and I believe that this made the
contest even more popular. Possibly operating as a ZL is the easiest option in that there
are never too many NZ stations operating CW at any given time, so we are hunted for
multipliers by the big guns and for a new country by those at the bottom of the DX food
chain. On the other hand we are not so rare as to engender those frenetic pile-ups that
the FO and 3D2 stations suffer.
Having operated pre and post war from five National Field Day stations, I retained a lot
of interest in this contest and in only a few years have I been unable to give some G
portables a point. Unfortunately the path to the UK from ZL1 is very close to the pole in
either direction (my zero degree bearing passes through Swansea). In the very best of
CONDX working the G’s was easy on twenty with many getting through on fifteen and
ten.
In the low years forty carried the load and the graveyard shift ops would start coming
through from about 0300Z. Unfortunately, for me at least, National Field Day became
European Field Day and the short skip meant that, even with high power and over a
thousand feet of copper up in the air, the G’s could not hear me for the European
portables answering their CQ calls.
ZL fixed stations used to be worth six points but with the European slant there is now
no great benefit to the FD station in working DX. However, the more sophisticated
stations are well aware of openings to this part of the world on the HF bands and point
their beams this way, so QSO’s are plentiful. Although the Restricted Section stations
are usually weaker, they often have some of the best operators and appear regularly in
my FD logs. My best year was 1981, making nearly sixty QSO’s with G portables on
fifteen and twenty.
There was a “DX Marathon” put on by Radio magazine, (the forerunner of CQ
Magazine), in 1939. This was a contest based on the number of countries worked in
one year and my score was affected by the fact that in September, along with a number
of other members, past and present, I found myself in a village in France operating
Field Day (R.A.F. style)!
There are many fine contests (ARRL, BERU, REF, CQ WW DX, etc.) that in past years I
used to get involved in for a few hours each weekend to pay my dues to all those who
were supporters of VK/ZL. Nowadays I just get on to browse for friends and
acquaintances, though I am still interested in IOTA’s. Forty years ago I got quite a kick
out of collecting awards that were tough to achieve from this neck of the woods - H22,
CDM, DPF4, etc. - and the national contests were an enormous help in finding that rare
canton, county, province or DOK.
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FOCUS 96
And what happens when old contesters pop their clogs? My religious friends tell me
that they expect to be awakened by the Last Trump. I say to them that will be no help
to me because my biological notch filter will tune it out. The only thing that might rouse
me would occur in the following March when a faint 750 cycle note with a trace of
echo, is heard sending CQ BERU and signing with the call of that guy I need for my last
DXCC entity.
The Explanation of ‘QAC’
By Mort Mortimer, G2JL
The following abbreviated extract is taken from the Articles of Association of the South
Hampshire International Telegraphy Society, (in the 1920’s it was South Hampshire
International Radio Transmitting Society) re-formed from the Portsmouth & District
Radio Society in 1977, to emphasise our one-mode one-track mind-set.
Article 9 of the Gentlemanly Conduct of Operators:
It shall be a Condition of Membership that Operators shall strive to promote high
standards of work and to maintain a courteous and considerate attitude to other
practitioners of the mode, whether operators or not. They shall reply, when called,
even to ‘clickers’ and ‘chirpers’ working from undistinguished locations. Having been
informed that their strength is nine, they shall eschew the practice of repeating their
name and location more than seven times; they shall not call CQ over more than three
DX stations on the same frequency; they shall not use open DX bands for local chitchat; they shall not send at 30 words per minute (WPM) to a station clearly preferring
four; and amongst themselves they shall promote the use of the code QAC, which shall
be taken as implying "All Compliments" and shall include:
VY 73 73 OM CUL BCNU & mni tnx fer nice/FB QSO GL GB hpe cuagn wid gud/btr condx
mri Xms Hpi Nw Yr 88 to XYL/YL Ciao Cheerio & GUD/FB/best DX or any part or parts
thereof in any permutation or combination. An operator, having been in receipt of a
report of S6 or better, shall send QAC but once.
Letter to the Editor
From Roger Western, G3SXW, 11 November 2013
OOTC means ‘Out Of Turn Caller’. There are several other categories of callers who
destroy our pile-ups these days but for me this is the main one. Rick, K6VVA, has put
together a YouTube video in which he tackles the problems head on. His style is
interesting: non-confrontational, non-aggressive, non-evangelical: he just tells it the
way it is. I cannot myself, for what it's worth, disagree with a single word that he says.
This is 45 minutes well spent for any and everyone who spends time calling in pile-ups.
Check it out: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svLlfrFA-1E&feature=youtu.be>
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FOCUS 96
A Contact is More Than 599-73
By Mike Mills, G3TEV ─ QSL Manager of 9J2BO
These days a contact on the HF bands is usually ‘599 73’ and that is all, if you are lucky
you might get a name and QTH.
Brian, 9J2BO and I had been talking to each other for several years usually at week-ends
and always in the Commonwealth Contest. To my mind a regular sked and talk is so
much more interesting than the usual two minute contact so common these days.
In 1992 I suffered a heart attack due to over work and for several months had been
arriving home in the evening at a sensible time. I suggested to Brian on one of our
weekly chats that it might be interesting to see if we could try daily skeds. Little did I
think then that it would still be going twenty one years later and over 5,800 contacts.
My set up is very modest, a TS-850 (TS-830 when we started) with a home built linear
running a pair of 813's. The only aerial is my 22metres centre fed inverted “V” centre
height about 8.5 metres fed as a doublet using home-made open wire feeder. My QTH
is about 220 metres ASL on the Cotswold Hills which does help as I have a good sloping
take off towards Zambia. We usually operate on 21 MHz at around 1630Z, changing to
14 MHz if conditions demand.
In 1998 I offered to act as QSL manager for 9J2BO but only for Europe, however it has
now spread to worldwide and entails sending something like 3,000 cards a year direct
and via the bureau.
Operation between us is mainly on phone as it is much more convenient when checking
cards. Brian does not do computer logging so cards have to be checked over the air, but
we still manage to deal with cards usually on a return post basis. We can if necessary
switch to CW as I usually operate that mode 99% of the time. Bureau cards take longer
as they arrive 200+ at a time and have to be sorted into chronological order, written out
and then confirmed over the air. I am lucky in that I get cards cut to QSL-card size at a
very cheap rate which enables me to produce cards for any occasion, especially when
Brian decides to use a special call-sign!!!
Brian has become a great friend and we had an “Eyeball” in 2002 when he came to stay
here for a few days, so he’s now almost one of the family. If for any reason Brian is away
and I do not go out to the shack at the usual time, Margaret my XYL usually says “Aren't
you going to talk to Brian this evening?”, it really has become that much of a routine.
I am now 80 and hope that the skeds will continue for many more years, and several
thousand more QSL cards.
Incidentally I do also have another regular CW sked with an old friend from my days 60
years ago when I was in the Royal Air Force. He was in those days G3IYC but is now
VK3CAZ. We met up again in 2001 after 45 years and have a twice weekly chat on
14MHz.
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Giuseppe Biagi and the Red Tent
By Carlo Consoli, IKØYGJ
Much has been written and said about the expedition of General Umberto Nobile, and
the Arctic exploration project. The flight of the "Italia" zeppelin was framed in a
complex program of expeditions aiming at the exploration of the Arctic pack. It was
back in 1928, and exploring inaccessible and climatically complex areas of the world
was a mission of difficulty practically analogous to go to the moon.
We know how it ended: the airship crashed on the pack weighed down by ice, 8 crew
members died as well as other eight rescuers, who tried to reach the camp, now known
as the Red Tent, by any means. As an evidence of the countless acts of heroism that
characterized the whole crew, a conference on wireless telegraphy was held in Ariccia,
Italy on 13 October. In this event two FOC
members were invited to bring their
contribution, Eliseo, IK6BAK and Carlo,
IKØYGJ. We had the opportunity to spend
some time with the grandson of Giuseppe
Biagi, a radio operator who has, in fact,
contributed significantly to saving the lives
of the Red Tent crew and of an a heroic
rescuer, that crashed with an airplane in a
rescue attempt.
Giuseppe Biagi told very special episodes,
less known and released partly only in the
specialized literature. Starting with the red
tent, which was in fact not red, but khaki. It Eliseo, IK6BAK started the conference with
the history of telegraphy
was coloured red by the survivors thanks to
the supply of aniline, a powerful dye that was used nonetheless than to measure the
height of the airship above the ground.
Giuseppe Biagi says that the procedure for measuring the altitude was about as simple
and efficient as possible. Two crew members were equipped with bottles of aniline, a
stopwatch and a reference table. The timekeeper fired the launch of the red dye, while
starting the chronometer, when the bottle hits the pack- ice and snow as white as milk
‒ it left a visible red stain. It was easy then to stop the chronometer and check the
reference table to estimate the corresponding height from the ground. It was thanks to
the bottles of aniline that the tent was coloured red. Although, Biagi remembers, after
48 days spent on the pack the colour almost completely disappeared. But that was
enough for the mankind to remember the "Red Tent".
That mission was mainly a scientific expedition and Nobile - that, tells Biagi, was a true
genius - devised a series of brilliant solutions. Such as the measuring of the depth of
waters, from the zeppelin in flight. General Nobile built a series of wooden containers,
each with a device inside consisting of a cage, a quill, and a balloon. An operator
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FOCUS 96
launched the device made from wood armour, inner cage, quill and balloon. At the
same time, the timekeeper started the chronometer. The inner cage was exposed after
plunging into the water and when the quill hit the bottom, the balloon was released.
When the balloon re-emerged the chronometer was stopped and, again with an
appropriate table, it was possible to obtain an estimate of the sea depth.
The technical solutions adopted by Nobile in
the zeppelin Italia were quite refined. Biagi
says that anchoring a zeppelin of such a big
size, exposed to hard winds and pressure
variations, it was a far from a trivial matter. An
excessively rigid anchor would put the airship
in danger, because of the strong upward
thrusts. General Nobile built a series of heavy
iron balls, ad hoc calculated. When the airship
anchored to the ground, it received an upward
thrust, then the anchoring pulled down
Onaida 33S
another iron sphere. In this way, the weighed
anchor allowed to quickly find a balance between the upward lift and the weight of the
anchor itself.
Regarding the radio that saved the crew, an Ondina 33S operating on the 9 MHz band,
Biagi said that it was Guglielmo Marconi himself to insist on embarking it upon
departure. But the Italian airship was already too full, and although General Nobile had
expressed some concern and preferred avoiding further weights, at the insistence of
Marconi, Giuseppe Biagi decided to dismantle the bench where he had to sit during the
trip, and replace it with the wooden box, some sort of a small closet, where the Ondina
was stored. It really makes us shiver to imagine the telegraphist on board, sitting all the
way on what would have turned out to be his salvation.
Left to right: Carlo, IKØYGJ; Giuseppe Biagi-the
grandson and Francesco Cremona (collection and
museum owner)
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Review of Elecraft KX3
By Jim Danehy, W9VNE
I have owned an Elecraft KX3 since the first week of May 2012. I own several rigs
including an Elecraft K2 and K3. I have high praise for Elecraft. I also own their KPA500
amp and KAT500 automatic antenna tuner.
During the past year I have spent more time using my KX3 than any of my other
transceivers. With a 60 year operating career I think that comment states a lot about
the KX3. The serial number of mine is 94 and I believe that they have sold over 3,000 in
the last year. That certainly indicates a high level of acceptance and success. Like many
of you I am primarily a CW operator. Although I have done other modes including EME
and RTTY.
The KX3 is extremely compatible to traveling. It weighs just less than two pounds. It has
many of the attributes of the K3 and a similar looking front panel. I have owned my K3
for almost four years. That helped in getting familiar with the KX3. Like many I do not
pay a lot of attention to the
manual. That habit does not
bode well for a K2, K3 or KX3
owner. In my opinion, the
Elecraft rigs require you to
know how to navigate the
various changes in operating
the rig. That is not intuitive with
Elecraft radios. That is good and
bad. It means that there are a
lot of things you can do with
the radio. But the changes are
hidden in the operating manual.
With an external DC supply the output power can be 12 watts. With the internal
optional battery supply you are limited to 5 watts. I have the internal supply but rarely
use it. I do use the internal CW keyer which works very well. That keyer also has
memories which I find useful.
The most prevalent and relevant question that I answer concerns its ability in receiving.
My answer: "very well indeed". You can get the empirical reports from the Elecraft web
site if you want a more definitive answer. It is just a bit down from my K3 which is
excellent. The KX3 also has a built in "dual receive" ability if you use that feature within
15 kHz of the main received frequency. I have the dual receive in my K3 but almost
never use it. Having worked every DXCC entity but North Korea I rarely chase DX these
days. I spend a lot of time rag chewing on 40m CW during the evening hours. Most of
the rag chewing there is at QRQ speeds. The KX3 performs well in that environment.
When I inform others that I am running 5 watts or 12 watts there is always amazement.
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FOCUS 96
I have acquired several aftermarket accessories for the KX3. One is a Graphical User
Interface (GUI) which I can use with my iPad. It replicates the front panel on the iPad
and you can see and change the various operating parameters. I find this interesting
and more recreation that practicality. I recently obtained a remote tuning knob that is
very practical. It is produced by the same company (Pignology LLC) that sells the GUI
APP for the iPad. The tuning knob itself
is machined out of aluminum and is
mounted in a plastic box. The box has 8
buttons which can be programmed.
Each button can be made to perform
the same function as any button on the
front panel of the KX3.
You can change bands and modes and
send CW from the memory keyer with
just the push of a button. See the
information on the Pig Knob as it is
called on Pignolory LLC's website.
The Elecraft folks sell their own paddle which attaches to the front panel of the KX3.
When I first got mine I was disappointed. However they made some changes and now I
find the Elecraft paddle that attaches to the front quite acceptable. However, I bought
a Begali paddle that also attaches to the front of the KX3. It is a step above the Elecraft.
It is relatively expensive though.
Elecraft provides the owner of their various products with the ability to download
improvements in their firmware. I find that to be a great asset. Most of my use in that
area has been with my K3 since I have owned it for four years. I am sure over time the
KX3 will benefit from that Elecraft feature.
When I first got my Pignology GUI for my iPad I was playing with it on our dining room
table. My shack is on a different floor of our home. Rather than putting the KX3 on an
antenna I used a ten foot piece of hook up wire to receive and test the new GUI which
allows you to decode CW onto your iPad screen. I heard Vic, K9UIY call CQ so I called
him using the ten foot wire laying on the floor on the ground level of our home. We had
a nice chat. Then over the next week I added a few dozen rag chews with that "long
wire". Pressure from the XYL caused me to move the KX3 to the shack.
So how is the KX3? Well, for $1,500 it is a real value. Because I use it so often you might
get the impression that I really enjoy it. I do. Give me a call and maybe you can listen to
a nice rig.
Errata
FOCUS 95, page 21, reported the Harrogate dinner in June 2013 but an error crept in. It
says: “Paul G4AFU won the only prize of the night a keyer that Dave, G3JKB had given”.
Of course, the MagPad was supplied by Tom, G3HGE at a significant discount and was
th
provided by the Club to help celebrate our 75 Anniversary. It was one of seven
MagPads donated by the Club during this special year.
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FOCUS 96
My Home Brew Quads
By Terry Robinson, GM3WUX
I like quad antennas because:
• as closed antennas they pick up less noise than open ended Yagis
• they seem to be less susceptible to other objects in the immediate environment
• they seem to give more gain for the relatively short boom length
• they seem more tolerant of the errors which inevitably creep into the manufacturing
process.
I had made a couple of quads – a 4 el. for 70 MHz and another for 50 MHz, both of
these were made with wooden booms and dowel spreaders. I decided to try to do
better than this and make something more robust and reliable.
I was greatly encouraged by information produced by Justin, GØKSC whose website
<www.g0ksc.co.uk> included proven designs for a five element quad for 50 and a six
element one for 70 MHz. So, given the electrical design, it was simply left for me to do
the physical design and build.
Design objectives
Given the dimensions, I needed to design the antenna so that I, as a blind person, could
build it then re-assemble it again as necessary. This required building in physical
markers for the positioning of elements and boom sections. I also wanted this to be a
project conceived and built by myself, in my own way, which I could assemble
independently. This has very much fitted in with my former role of assembling
antennas whilst others sort out masts, tents, etc. during portable operations.
I have a reasonably equipped workshop, the only special tools being a 30 cm embossed
ruler and a talking tape measure 5 metres long.
I didn’t pay too much attention to the overall weight or cost of materials, so long as I
could buy the items I needed which would, ideally fit together without much fuss.
Materials
I wanted to use fibreglass spreaders, but sadly, couldn’t find anything suitable on a UKbased website. I therefore chose DX Engineering who produces a wide range of
fibreglass tubing from half inch up to two inches and beyond in quarter inch
increments, consecutive diameters would fit together smoothly. I therefore decided to
make the booms out of this tubing as well, selecting 1.5 inch diameter for the central
section of each boom and 1.25 inch for each end section. The spreaders would be 0.5
inch tubing.
I wasn’t able to find anything that would do for the spreaders, so I decided to build
these from scratch using 15 cm squares of 3 mm Mild Steel, these can be bought made
to measure from a local supplier.
I still needed to attach these to the boom. Again, I didn’t find anything that was
immediately suitable, so eventually went for 35 mm capacitor clamps. I was assured
that these would expand to grip the 38 mm tubing of the central section, but I needed
to invent something for the 32 mm end sections. I eventually settled for small rings of
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FOCUS 96
the 38 mm tubing, cutting the side with a hacksaw, thereby producing something that
the capacitor clamps could hold firmly to the boom. This seems to work well, though
I’ve since been told about double thickness hacksaw blades, which may do a slightly
better job.
I then merely had to source enough 3 and 4mm screws, washers and self-locking nuts
to put the beasts together.
The design process
Given the dimensions from Justin’s site, I had to make some decisions. The elements
themselves were quite straightforward, given the overall length of the reflector, I
calculated the diagonal, added 30 mm onto this to allow for fixing the wires. I allowed
40 mm gap in the middle of each spreader for the boom. This meant I had to create 24
pieces of 795 mm spreaders for the 70 MHz quad and 20pieces of 1120 mm spreaders
for the 50 MHz antenna.
I had to be more careful with the design of the boom for each antenna. As explained
above, each boom would be in three sections, the middle section would be 1.5 inch
tubing whilst the two outer sections would be 1.25 inch. Not being able to rely on
indelible markers, I needed to create physical markers which would allow me to
assemble each boom and position each element without having to re-measure the
thing every time I needed to put it together. In practice, this means that I could put an
element at either end of a section or fix a Jubilee Clip to which I could slide an element
from either end. This allows up to four possibilities for each section – two ends and two
clips. In practice, one clip on each outer section of boom was used to control how far
that section was inserted into the central section. The following regime was therefore
chosen:
50 MHz Antenna
• The rear section had the reflector at the rear and a clip to define the insertion into
the central section.
• The central section had the driven element at the rear, the first clip controlled the
position of D1, slid from the rear, whilst the second clip controlled the position of D2,
slid from the front.
• The front section had a clip to control the insertion of the front section into the
central, whilst D3 was placed at the front.
70 MHz Antenna
• The rear section had the reflector at the rear, a clip to position the driven element slid
on from the rear and a clip to control the insertion of the rear section into the central.
• The central section had D1 at the rear and a clip to position D2, slid from the front.
• The front section had a clip to control the insertion of the front section into the
central, another clip to position D3 slid on from the front and D4 at the front.
Allowing about 300 mm insertion of each outer section, this then informed the lengths
of all the boom sections.
The Build Process
You’ll note that two elements of the 50 MHz and four elements of the 70 MHz antenna
are mounted on the outer, 1.25 inch, sections of the boom. I therefore began by cutting
25
FOCUS 96
the six padding rings, each to the depth of a capacitor clip. I realised later that I needed
to use a bit of each diameter of tubing as a template to “centre” the hole in each
spreader, more anon.
The Spreaders
I decided to make a template. Using my tactile ruler across the diagonal of a 150 mm
square plate (just over 210 mm) I marked the centre. Recognising that the first 20 mm
weren’t available, I marked 35 and 95 mm positions in each direction with a centre
punch. Using the same centre, I then marked 35 and 95 mm positions on the other
diagonal.
I established that the hole spacing in the capacitor clamps was 48 mm, as the holes
were slotted, I set my ruler across the width of the template and marked a hole 25 mm
each side of the centre. This last was a bad move as the 38 mm tubing distorted the
clamps so that these holes were not in the right place – more anon. With my pillar drill,
I drilled all the above-mentioned 11 holes at 3 mm then used this template to drill out
the 11 plates for the spreaders – I still have the template (HI).
Having cut the fibre glass spreaders to length, using the talking tape measure, I needed
to drill each so as to correctly fit onto the plate. I cut a 40 mm piece off one of the off
cuts and drilled a 3 mm hole through the middle of this. I then found a piece of pencil
which nicely went inside the fibre glass off cut, drilled this and put a 3 mm bolt through.
This provided a centre piece for the following operation.
I bolted the centre piece through the centre hole
of a plate then pushed a fibre glass spreader
onto each protruding end of the pencil and lined
this assembly up along a diagonal of the plate.
Holding carefully, I then drilled through one
outer hole of the diagonal and put a bolt through
to hold the assembly in position. I then drilled
the other outer hole, put a bolt through that,
then drilled the two inner holes.
I removed the spreaders from the centre piece,
being careful about which piece fitted where
(despite one’s best efforts, these never seem to
The centre
be quite the same), I then repeated the process
with two more spreaders along the other diagonal. I removed the second pair of
spreaders from the centre piece, took the centre piece off the plate then assembled the
spreader. This process was repeated 11 times in all.
I could now drill the centre holes for the booms. I was fortunate, during my university
days, to acquire some ring saws, one of which was 1.5 and the other 1.25 inch. Using
the pillar drill, I drilled the centre hole in five of the spreaders to 1.5 and the other six to
1.25 inches.
I then fitted the capacitor clamps and tried sliding the spreaders onto the boom. It was
at this point that I realised my mistake. The holes didn’t line up, well, one of them sort
of did, but the other was well out! As it happened, I could still spare a bit of each size of
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FOCUS 96
tubing, so I cut about a 2 inch piece of each. Removing one screw from each clamp
allowed me to find the correct position for the other hole. A single piece of the larger
tubing resolved matters for the 1.5 inch holes, whilst the 1.5 inch tubing into the clamp
and the 1.25 inch tubing shoved through this then through the centre hole, established
the correct position for the 1.25 inch diameter centre holes. I also enlarged the
capacitor clamp fixing holes to 4 mm, so I could use bigger screws.
Preparing the Wires
Before cutting lengths, I created a spread sheet for each antenna (see Appendix). For
each element, this included the overall length, diagonal, 3/8 length, 1/8 length and
position on the boom.
Justin specified 12 SWG wire for the elements and I did use this on the former 50 MHz
antenna mentioned at the beginning. I discovered, however that the centre conductor
of some decades old H100 coax was about the right size. Recognising that the coax was
probably well past its useful life and that I had two lengths of about 30 metres, I
stripped out the centre conductor of each length and pulled it straight. I was able to run
about 20 metres from the bench vice in my workshop, along the rear of the house. I
could then maintain useful tension by gripping the remote end in a spare vice. In doing
this, I bent the wire about half an inch from the end, to give me a good measuring
point.
My tape measure only goes to five metres, so for the 50 MHz elements, I pushed a
single chocolate block connector along the wire for 5 metres, tightened the connector
then measured the balance. I again bent the wire at this point, then gave myself about
half an inch before cutting.
Being careful not to get the chocolate block trapped in the works, I then measured the
3/8 distances from each end, bending the wire at these points. I then repeated this
process at the 1/8 points and completed bending the wire to form the required square.
The chocolate block was then used to make the connection. Note that the 50 MHz
antenna was to be built inside an existing HF quad, so the middle three elements
needed to be opened and re-closed during the installation. A double chocolate block
was used for each driven element.
Knowing the overall dimensions of the spreaders, I calculated the position of the fixing
holes from the diagonal of each element and drilled a 3 mm hole in each spreader at
this point. I then fixed the wire of the element to the spreaders with thin wire, rather
than trying to thread then through, this seems to have provided an adequate fixing.
Final Assembly
As I measured and fitted elements, I marked the centre plates as necessary. The
reflector and driven elements didn’t need marking but I cut notches in one edge of the
director plates to indicate the element number.
Having decided that the capacitor clamps would face forwards, I then assembled the
elements on the booms, positioning each by measuring from the reflector and
tightening the clamps and clips as necessary to maintain their position. I then drilled a
hole about 150 mm from each end of the centre sections and fitted a bolt through each
to hold them together.
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FOCUS 96
The 50 MHz antenna was to be mounted inside an existing hf quad, so with the fitting
of a suitable length of coax, this was essentially complete. The 5 metre length of the 70
MHz antenna allowed significant sagging so I installed a king post to reduce this.
Fortunately I already had a suitable clamp from a previous job so didn’t have to make
this as well.
I’ve subsequently found that both antennas seem to work to specification.
Conclusion
This was an exciting project that I undertook having worked quite hard up to the time
of the Olympics. Most of the construction was carried out whilst listening to
commentary of the Olympics and Test Cricket on the radio. The whole activity provided
a fulfilling and relaxing
diversion from work.
Apart from the electrical
design, from Justin’s site,
I believe this was my
creation which although
not the most elegant and
economic
solution
available, leaves me
feeling very satisfied with
the outcome and I look
forward to some activity,
at least on 50 MHz during
this year’s sporadic E
The self holding 70 MHz Quad
season. Sadly, it wasn’t
until late September that I finally installed the 50 MHz antenna on the tower.
Here’s to my next project!
Appendix
70 MHz-6 element
Element
Reflector
Driven
D1
D2
D3
D4
FOCUS 96
Total
length
4544
4416
4312
4312
4280
4064
50 MHz-5 element
Diagonal
Distance
Element
1606
1561
1524
1524
1512
1437
0
825
1320
2470
3783
5035
Reflector
Driven
D1
D2
D3
28
Total
length
6360
6152
6016
6064
5816
Diagonal
Distance
2248
2175
2127
2144
2056
0
946
1705
2853
4080
Obituary of David Beckwith, W2QM
By Joe Pontek, V31JP
Dave was born on 5 August 1923 and
passed on in 30 October 2013 at age 90. He
th
had celebrated this 75 year as a ham. I had
the opportunity and great pleasure to talk
with Dave one more time on the telephone
a few weeks before, using Skype. He
sounded great, but was having health
issues. It had become more difficult to be
active, even with the station at their
assisted care residence and that frustrated
him. We always kept an ear out for each other when we both were on the air and we
both missed the personal meetings at Dayton in the NJDXA hospitality suite.
Dave was first licensed in July, 1938 as W8SHC in Syracuse, New York, USA. Dave served
in the Army during World War II as a radio operator in the infantry. When he came
back, his call changed to W2SHC. He graduated from Syracuse University and married
Beverly. They moved then to New Jersey. Dave joined the North Jersey DX Association
and eventually was its president. He earned his Amateur Extra Class license in 1968.
Dave joined the FOC in December, 1974. He made DXCC #1 on the DXCC honour roll in
1979. In 1978, Dave was appointed to the DX Advisory committee and served for 10
years on DXAC. Dave retired and moved to Florida in 1989. Still active chasing DX and
has 380 countries including all on the present DXCC list except North Korea. Dave and
Beverly have two sons, Edward and Bruce. Dave, also, has three grandchildren, Jessica,
Jason and Jenna; and three great-grandchildren Noah, Cole and Jack. None are hams.
Art, WA8VSJ, met Dave when he was in Florida. Art tells that Dave was instrumental in
doing all the sound and lighting wiring in the theatre in Rainbow Bay and it is still in use
to this day. Art’s experience with Dave started in 2003. He was a big help to Art and all
the hams that have lived there in their complex. When Dave was in NJ, he had a tower
and got many DX contacts confirmed. When Art went to Florida and realized that he
would only have an R8 at 13 feet and worried that he would not be able to work any
DX. It was Dave who showed him that he had been doing it since the middle 80s. At last
count, Dave, W2QM, had about 385 countries confirmed and many of those he worked
from down there with his vertical. In 2010, he was the last man standing at the Dayton
DX dinner DXCC count down. Dave invited Art and Greg, W8ZKT, to the NJDXA suite. All
you heard from everyone there was what a great guy, Dave, their former president was
and how much he contributed to Ham radio. As Art said, “One of the saddest parts of
Dave’s passing is that I did not know him longer. His contribution to ham radio is
legendary, but to me, his biggest contribution is his being such a great person.” –Art,
WA8VSJ
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FOCUS 96
Obituary of Steve Bleaney, GW3VPL
By Rich Langford, G4FAD
On the 20 June 2013 we lost Steve Bleaney GW3VPL,
a member of FOC for only a few months, a man who
had much to contribute to our club. He is survived by
his wife Janis and two sons Richard and Matthew.
Steve was born in 1949 in Bedfordshire, the family
soon moved to Swansea where Steve lived for the
rest of his life.
He studied accountancy and became financial
director for a large safety clothing manufacturer but
took retirement in his early 50’s when the business
was sold to an overseas company. However this did
not mean he no longer worked as he took on local
small businesses and did their accounts for them.
He became interested in Amateur Radio in his teens
and got a full licence in 1967.
In 2012 he finally retired and bought himself an Elecraft K3 line up. He had been on the
air with it for about a month when he realised he had not tried SSB, so he went onto 40
Metres and heard a station on from Bedfordshire where the family had moved from
when Steve was a child. He called the chap who came back and said he knew the village
that Steve had been born in very well and the strange thing was he knew another ham
well with the same surname! Before Steve could digest this piece of news another ham
broke in to say he had been listening to the conversation and had realised that he was
Steve’s uncle and the last time he had seen Steve was when he was about three years
old. The unfortunate end to the story is that they never got to meet face to face but
had many long telephone conversations together.
At his funeral I met many hams who told me how Steve had helped and encouraged
them and mentored them in radio. It was obvious that he was an important part of the
local Port Talbot Radio Society and will be greatly missed by all those that he became
involved with. He also helped to set up the local repeater doing much of the technical
work.
He was very honoured to have been sponsored for FOC and proud to be a member. I
met Steve perhaps half a dozen times and many more times on the air. The last time we
met was at the Radio Amateurs Old Timers Association AGM last autumn where we sat
together during the meeting. At the AGM we always have a minutes silence to
remember the calls who are no longer with us; I cannot believe that Steve’s call will be
read out this year. Steve was a fine operator on CW and he had many chats on the key
with members; we will all miss him and our thoughts are with his family.
Rich, G4FAD
FOCUS 96
30
By Tony Roskilly, G3ZRJ
Steve was an active and keen radio amateur from the late 1960s when he gained the
callsign G3VPL, he moved to South Wales and became GW3VPL under which call he is
mostly known.
I first worked Steve in 2009 when he was QRV with a Kenwood TS-830S and was
impressed by his excellent and consistent CW fist. We had many contacts over the
years and his love of the hobby and especially of CW always shone through. The
TS830S gave way to an Icom IC-7400/IC-746-PRO. Steve was also very active on the
VHF bands and was in large part responsible for the design and construction of a local
VHF repeater. Steve was one of those blessed with true intelligence in that he could
perform to a high standard in several fields and not just electronics. By profession
Steve was an accountant and although partially retired continued to carry out his work
on a part time basis. Before retirement Steve took over responsibility for looking after
the I.T equipment in the firm for which he worked and continued to do this until his
death.
Steve was proposed for FOC by Bill GØJWB and it was with great pleasure that I
supported the sponsorship along with Rich G4FAD and others. Steve was immensely
proud of gaining membership of FOC. With the aim of becoming even more active in
honour of FOC membership Steve invested in an Elecraft K3, he also used a Perseus
SDR receiver fed from K3 to great effect. Steve was fascinated by the nature of radio
signals and used the Perseus in this regard. A Hexbeam was bought to improve
performance on the higher bands but unfortunately, complaints from neighbours
resulted in the Hexbeam having to be removed. Planning laws in the UK are dreadfully
strict and neighbour complaints are taken very seriously by the authorities. Steve was
as always looking for ways to improve his aerial system and we had long discussions on
Skype and the landline phone as well as on 80m CW about possible antenna projects.
Steve was suddenly hit by a mysterious infection of his throat and glands which were
treated with antibiotics and were not thought to be too threatening; I spoke with
Steve on the landline a few times over the initial period of his illness. Medical
investigation showed that Steve had contracted leukaemia, he advised me of this in an
email and asked that it not be made public at the time. I tried to telephone on several
occasions but the calls were not answered, it was with immense shock and sadness
that I read of Steve's death on the FOC reflector. Like so many, I feel I have lost a close
friend and a very fine fellow member of our "family" in FOC.
To sum up, Steve was a real gentleman, a really genuine and honest man who had so
much more to offer in our hobby and otherwise, as someone not trained in radio and
electronics he impressed all hams who knew him with his deep and genuine
knowledge of the technicalities of the hobby and his readiness to help anyone
struggling with technical and operating issues was manifest. I like many others have a
hole in our lives and can only wish his family the strength and peace of mind at this
dreadful time.
161, Steve! DE Tony, G3ZRJ
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FOCUS 96
Obituary for Dick Moser, W8XM
By Don Karvonen, K8MFO
Those of us who were licensed early in life
as I was at age 12 in 1958, are fortunate to
have known some of the greatest hams you
can imagine. My recently deceased friend
Dick Moser, W8XM was also licensed at age
12, but in 1933. I didn’t know Dick for the
first 40 years he was on the air, but I did for
the last 40, and it truly was an honor to have
a close friendship with such a talented and
humble man. When I first moved to Ohio in
1973, I was listening on 20 CW and came across a very loud signal buzzing along at 50
WPM. He was signing W8OPB, Dick’s original call. I couldn’t resist giving him a call, and
was duly welcomed to Ohio. Shortly after that Dick and I met at a local hamfest, and for
the next 40 years we shared our ham lives. Dick was born on 21 February 1921 in
Dalton, Ohio, married his childhood sweetheart Evelyn there, where they built a home,
and lived together for 72 years.
Dick served in the U S Army Signal Corps during WWII, at Fort Harrison, Indiana,
performing tasks that he never spoke about. Other than that, the Mosers never strayed
far from their home, located conveniently on top of a ridge. It’s no more expensive to
live on a hill than in a valley! Ask any ham -- he will tell you that! Dick was a talented
builder, antenna designer, and operator. He also held patents for the electronic organ
and was a consultant for the world renowned Schantz Organ Company.
In his younger years he was a saxophone playing member of dance bands, was a square
dance caller, and expert genealogist, helping many families to trace their roots. Dick
retired from a management position for Ohio Edison, a major supplier of electricity. His
volunteer and church interests would take a while to recount. At one time Dick was on
top of the DXCC Honor Roll. One year he decided he would like to get on 160 meters for
the first time, and had a Top Band DXCC within several months. Dick was also one of the
early winners of the Windle Award, always willing to chat in pursuit of his goal. In later
years Goose, W8AV and I worked to keep Dick on the air, with either loaned rigs or
antenna work. Doug, K4LT and Rick, K8ZH were always ready to do the same. One
special favor was also provided by Jim, W9VNE, who found a technician in his area to fix
Dick’s IC-761. A dozen trips to Icom and inability by other service facilities to do the job
did not deter Jim’s friend from doing a fantastic job. Doing things for someone like
W8XM was a pleasure. They’re the same types of things that he did for others his entire
life.
FOCUS 96
32
An enormous crowd gathered for calling hours at a local funeral home. Goose and I
ordered a special “W8XM wreath” which was prominently displayed. Many other hams
were in attendance. On the following day K8ZH and I attended the funeral, which
required three ministers to properly say goodbye. There were some very touching
remembrances by family members as they said farewell to a special husband, father,
and grandfather. Rick and I walked from the church to the local cemetery, where a good
portion of the town gathered. Full military rites were provided, complete with a 21 gun
salute.
Dick is now buried less than two miles from his lifelong home. Rick and I then went back
to the church where we enjoyed a luncheon and fellowship with family and friends,
who gathered to remember a very nice man who touched the lives of so many others.
th
It’s been a tough year and a half for FOC in the 8 call area, with the loss of W8VSK –
licensed in 1932, N8GZ – from 1934, K8NW – licensed in 1958, and now W8XM. You
don’t replace guys like these. Perhaps there is a place where silent key hams gather and
share memories. What a great crew this would be, with Dick playing his saxophone
during their meetings!
Rest in Peace, Dick. It was a true pleasure to know you.
161 de Don, K8MFO
Welcome to New Members
By Tyler Barnett, N4TY
Raoul Coetzee, ZS1REC (2012)
I was born in Bellville, near Cape Town South Africa in 1959,
and I grew up in Kuils River, also in the Western Cape. As a
young boy was fascinated by some old radio and WWII
electronics stored in some boxes and crates. My father was a
qualified steam fitter in the South African Railways and became
assistant foreman to one of the biggest railway building and
repair centers in South Africa. He was a man with varied
interests and he had many old radio and later television
magazines some that I still have, from the early 1930 and 20’s
with wonderful (to me as a boy) TRF and later superhet
diagrams and stories about HAM radio.
I studied many a diagram and picture of some operator with the necessary overhead
open wire feed line in his shack and some dubious wiring from cells stored on the floor,
obviously the power supplies for HT, screen grid and filaments. I would then listen to
the mysterious Morse using two 1950’s stripped down “radio gramophones” (you
remember the ones with Gerhardt turntables, cat’s eye signal indicator?) using one
radio’s VFO as beat frequency oscillator for the other. It was a real pain to get some SSB
using this system! I did built the normal crystal sets and audio amplifier, 2x 6V6 beam
33
FOCUS 96
pentodes in the push-pull output, cannot remember the phase splitter but somewhere
a 6K6 or 6J6 were also used. The amplifier later became my electric guitar amplifier and
family torture device! After school I went to do my two years national service in the Air
force and spent about 9 months of my young life in border war on the border between
Namibia and Angola.
Afterwards, I got a job in electronics in the printing industry. They were moving away
from lead typesetting to electronic word processors. A new age era started and I was at
the front! I received training in Switzerland, Italy and the UK and was in love with my
now XYL, Hannelie. No time for radio. We married in 1983 and our only son was born in
1987. In 1991 I did my Amateur Radio exams and in 1992 passed my 12 words per
minute CW test. In those days we needed to spend two years on CW or 200 QSO’s.
After a spell of SSB contacts, I returned to my beloved CW and never really returned to
SSB. I became a CW examiner for the South African Radio League but as the rules got
watered down to “no-code” I received less and less candidates. My big radio love
became 160m and from a small lot of 20m x 40m, and blessed with the curse of African
QRM, I managed 160m DXCC and with that CWDXCC. I now have about 128 countries
worked on Top Band. I only have wire antennas, small property but somehow, with
tenacity, I do enjoy my radio life very much! Current radio is my FT-1000 MP MKV, Field
model and homebrew linear using two 4-400 in parallel.
My lovely wife went through a tough time, being diagnosed with lymph cancer more
than 15 years ago, now is in remission for 12 years but the radiation caused a lot of
damage to her heart and valves. She underwent a massive operation last year,
December, receiving two heart valves and a triple bypass. We are very happy to report
that all went well and she is nearly back to normal, in fact better than before. We
gratefully thank the Lord. I hope to work many of you excellent FOC members, and
indeed it is a great honour to have been sponsored and elected. There are many better
CW ops than I could ever hope to be, but the challenge is in the trying to improve my
skills and that, I will always keep doing!
Thanks to my sponsors and thank you to each and every FOC member who heartily
welcomed me, even during the Marathon, taking time to welcome a newbie. It really
made me feel welcome. Looking forward to work you!
Gary McSweeney, GI4CFQ (2013)
FOCUS 96
It's a great pleasure for me to join everyone at FOC. I've found
it quite challenging to become a part of the gang because my
station is very modest. No excuses though, I prefer my radio
that way and I enjoy operating and having QSOs in the old
traditional style. I'm not a contester at heart and generally try
to stay out of the spotlight but I live for my Ham Radio and CW
in particular. Rarely a day passes by when I am not to be found
on the bands. I turned 58 years old a few weeks ago and
operate CW mostly on 40m, 20m and 15m. It would be nice to
spend more time down on 80m but unfortunately living in a big
city means high levels of QRM on that band. I find 40m works
34
well for local and semi local contacts with 15 and 20 letting me reach across the pond
without difficulty, conditions permitting. If you hear me, please feel free to call and say
hello.
Bob Beebe, GU4YOX (2014)
I became a Short Wave Listener in 1972, aged 12, became a
member of the Derby and District Amateur Radio Society in
1973, and within a year I was on the committee. After my SWL
apprenticeship I got my full UK licence in 1983 as G4YOX. Many
thanks for the encouragement in my early years to Fred Ward,
G2CVV for helping me along. In 1990 I moved with my family to
Guernsey in the Channel Islands and became GU4YOX and soon
realised that every time on the air meant monstrous pileups! It
also meant a restart on DXCC 23 years ago, now sitting at 318
worked with 290+ on CW which is my 99% mode. I am
predominantly a 160m operator and have always loved Top band.
I do enjoy DXing and contesting as well as keeping in touch with radio ham friends on
CW.
I have been invited on a few DXpeditions and was involved in advanced capacity as
operator and responsibility for matters electrical on D68C, 3B9C and T32C with the Five
Star DX Association. I have also advised on electrical matters for several other notable
DXpeditions. My busy working life is as Operations Director for the Island Power
Company here in Guernsey. I am married to my Italian wife Maria Antonietta and enjoy
motorsport, particularly Formula 1. It is great to be invited to FOC and I look forward to
working and seeing some new and old friends soon.
Ian Fugler, G4IIY (2015)
My interest in amateur radio was sparked by my Uncle
(G3XFL) from the age of about nine. He had a Pye
Westminster in his car, which had three 2m FM channels. I
would enjoy listening to him talking to the local Cornish
amateurs. He leant me an EC10 receiver, to which I connected
a random length of wire and I spent five years as an SWL.
During that time, I saved my earnings as a paper boy to buy
my own receiver - a Trio 9R59DS and then a Yaesu FRG7. As
soon as I was 14, I took the RAE. My CW elmer was Ron,
G2ABC – my uncle didn’t do CW! I recall very clearly being
driven to Lands End Radio by my Mum and Grandma,
clutching my application and £6.40 worth of stamps. The CW
test itself was over in a few minutes. I then spent two hours being shown round the
coastguard station and thoroughly entertained and, for their amusement (!) tested on
just how fast I could read CW. My Mum and Grandma sat patiently in the car park at
Landsend Radio for the best part of two and half hours. That was in 1979 and the G4IIY
licence duly dropped on the mat.
35
FOCUS 96
It took me a while to get on the air, because I was restoring a very tired KW Viceroy
transmitter. But I eventually got it working and was fairly quickly hooked on contests
and chasing DX.
I took a break from radio for several years, when I moved from Cornwall to London (via
a year in Bristol) with my work. I had joined the Ministry of Agriculture in Cornwall,
after studying Maths at University. After various jobs in London, including a role as
Private Secretary to the Agriculture Minister during the BSE crisis, I decided a move out
of London was on the cards. I moved to Cumbria in 1998. I have essentially stayed in
the Civil Service line of work and am now an Executive Director with Natural England, a
Government organisation that advises on the environment.
I have two boys (10 and 8) and two years’ ago we moved to an old farmhouse just
north of Hadrian’s Wall. I assume that at one point, I would have been a GM had I lived
here a few hundred years’ ago! I have still not managed to put up my masts with the HF
beams, so rely on field day style installations. I have a reasonable receive set up for the
LF bands, with four 900 foot beverages and some EWEs.
I thoroughly enjoy chasing DX and taking part in contests, with most of my activity
being on CW. I also enjoy having more than the standard “rubber stamp” QSOs. Being
a member of FOC has encouraged me to do even more of that and I have had some
great conversations on the key. I now look forward to learning some new expressions
like Windles and Augies.
John Davies, 9V1VV (2016)
I was first licensed in Singapore in 2002 and have held no other
call signs. I am 60 years old. I worked as a radio officer on
cargo and passenger ships from 1979-87, then when the
writing was on the wall for CW at sea, I re-trained as an
electrical engineer. I now work in the offshore deep-sea diving
industry on board specialized dive vessels. I did not touch a
Morse key for 15 years, until I became a radio ham, and my CW
got rather rusty, but hopefully now it is back up to scratch. I
use a bug key exclusively. I am active at least 4 evenings a
week when I am home on leave. I do a 6 week on / 6 weeks off
rota. My main interest is ragchewing and I am not much of a
contester. I am on all bands 40m up to 10m with a K3 and KPA500 linear, plus a simple
Inverted Vee on the roof with a remote controlled balanced tuner -- the condo people
will not allow me to erect a beam or tower.
I am originally from South Africa but I have lived in England, Israel, Sri Lanka and
Thailand. I have been in Singapore for twenty years and I expect to retire here. I would
like to thank all those who sponsored me for FOC membership.
FOCUS 96
36
Stealthy Four-Square Antenna in Texas
By Bruce Elbert, K6ZB
We did our QSY to the Austin, TX, area from the Los Angeles, CA, area back in 2011 and
have found a great location for life and ham radio. Cathy and I chose a neighbourhood
that was pleasing to the eye and afforded a good location for the hobby, thanks to
rather high ground (that’s 300 metres, high for Texas) with a good view to the East. But,
like our QTH in CA, the community
has restrictions that include the
pervasive prohibition on outdoor
antennas. The solution once again
was stealth – make the antenna
invisible from the street and reduce
its footprint so that the immediate
neighbours and the XYL could look
out across our yard and see the
greenery and not aluminium or steel.
The final product as seen from the top of the driveway is shown right. You might ask,
“Where is it”, but it’s behind that wrought iron fence and the white rocks (lots of that
wonderful limestone around here).
The 1.2 acres of raw land we obtained
had possibilities and the final product
in terms of home and garden meet
our every need. My shack is in the
house to the right with good access to
the base of this antenna system
through buried plastic conduit. Back in
CA, we had a third of an acre and I
wanted to make use our Texas-size lot
to get more physical separation to
reduce RFI in the house. Talking it
over with Richard, K5NA, Jim, N3BB,
and Jim, W5JAW, I settled on a 20 metre four-square by COMTEK and DX Engineering.
The antenna uses four quarter-wave verticals on a footprint of only 50x50 feet (15x15
metres). This was accommodated within what I call the “quadrangle” garden plot,
shown above after installation of the radial system and ground cover. Note that this is a
flat area built-up on ground that falls off to the northeast. The lot has a limited quantity
of native trees so I added those live oaks to improve concealment. If you find us on
Google Maps (corner of W. Majestic Oak and Sunset Ridge), you can clearly see the
large rocks that form its borders. The “heavy lifting” to create this foundation was done
37
FOCUS 96
by a local contractor who had the right equipment and excellent team of workers. The
antenna installation was done by me and my daughter, Michelle.
DX Engineering offers the complete kit so that
all we had to do was to follow the instructions.
The hybrid-switch unit comes weatherized and
is located at the centre. The vertical elements,
which are each a quarter wave on 20 metres,
after assembly are shown below. Their
relatively small size makes this project easy
from a physical perspective so everything can
be a one-person operation. But it is always a
good idea to have someone to talk to and help
with the soldering (Michelle earned her merit
badge on that).
As is always the case with ham solutions like
this, there was a lot of unwritten stuff that we
had to figure out on your own. But Michelle
could sort out what I couldn’t and the
installation was pretty easy. It consisted of
locating the verticals properly and laying out
the phasing lines. Pre-measured pieces of
string, like the old “cat in the cradle”, was the
solution she came up with. Below is the ground
plane design suggested by DX Engineering, consisting of 30 radials per vertical, each
wire soldered to the cross made of copper
strapping. I decided to go with 40 times four, giving
a total of 160 radials and we took great pains to lay
it out exactly as shown in this diagram. This ground
plane really does what it’s supposed to do.
DX Engineering provides a good “off the shelf”
package so I won’t go into details on the design and
operation as you can download them from their
website: <http://static.dxengineering.com/pdf/ACB4-A-Series-Rev1.pdf>. What I found attractive from a
technical perspective is that its gain is basically the
same as a 2-element yagi at 30 feet (9 metres), but
without moving parts or delay in re-pointing.
The antenna performs as advertised, with SWR at 14.025 MHz of approximately 1.3 to
1. Now, here is the interesting part – the antenna functions on all of the higher bands
through 10 metres! I’ve compared it to a big screwdriver vertical and it provides at least
3 dB of gain on all of these bands with the same directional properties it has on 20
metres (e.g., switching by the control box). The only significant variable is the power
38
FOCUS 96
dumped into the dummy load that attaches to the difference port of the hybrid. That
ranges from about 5% on 20 metres to 25 to 40% on the higher bands. That seems
wasteful, but I compensate with raw RF from my amplifier. The good news is this
antenna puts me on five bands with good performance in comparison to a single
vertical or dipole. SWR can reach as high as 2 to 1 on one or more bands, but my
amplifier has a built-in autotuner. I have another basis of comparison on 10 metres in
the form of a three-element wire yagi in the attic. In the favoured direction, the yagi
outperforms the four-square by about 3 dB; but the four square tops the yagi
everywhere else.
I’ve enjoyed using this antenna for over a year, yielding the classic situation that if I can
hear them, I can work them. The front-to-back ratio is at least 20 dB, as advertised, and
my signal reports are uniformly good. In sum, the antenna works better than it should.
The success with the vertical and radial field approach led me to go a similar direction
for the low bands – a single quarter wave 40 metre vertical with 40 ground radials.
Having the full 40 metre four-square is desirable but I don’t have the room and the
profile would go way up. But, this single vertical has also proven its value time and
again.
Regarding the 20 metre four-square, I stopped by the DX Engineering booth at Dayton
last year to discuss my results. They said that what I’ve measured on 20 metres is in
specification. One of their people said that he was surprised to see my original order for
the 20 metre four square as most of what they sell are the 40 and 80 metre versions. It
confused him until he realized that this would probably be an excellent approach for a
stealthy beam on 20. Well, he was right.
FOCAL
Dave, K1ZZ and his wife Linda, KA1ZD spent their vacation on the island of Murter,
Croatia in early September. They stopped by in Ravne to visit Jelka, Sam and Gabor.
Sam, S51WO; Dave, K1ZZ; Linda, KA1ZD; Gabor, S57WJ and Jelka, S57WJ
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W5FOC Weekend, Santa Fe, NM 3-6 April 2014 –
Make your Reservations early
By John DePrimo, K1JD and Fred Maas, KT5X
The 2014 W5FOC weekend is scheduled for April
in historic Santa Fe, NM. Santa Fe was founded in
1610 by the Spanish Conquistadors, and there
remains much of that culture to this day. Your
hosts are John K1JD and Fred KT5X. Activities will
center around the Inn at the End of the Trail, La
Fonda Hotel on the Plaza, which has just
undergone extensive renovation. The following is
an excerpt from their web site at:
<www.lafondasantafe.com>
“As Santa Fe’s oldest, best known hotel, La Fonda on the Plaza has set the standard for
elegant accommodations since the early 1900s. Located in the historic heart of the city
across from the 1887 St. Francis Cathedral Basilica, we have long been the destination
for discriminating travelers, earning a reputation as the crossroads of the world. The
legendary Santa Fe Trail ends at La Fonda, signaling to travelers that, wherever their
journey began, they’ve finally arrived.”
Reservations must be made individually and must be received no later than Monday, 17
February 2014 to receive the group discount. A block of 40 rooms has been reserved
and the balance of those rooms not booked by 17 February will be released. After that
date, the rooms can still be booked, but on a space and rate available basis.
Cancellations can be made without penalty until that same date, so make your
reservation now!
Group Discount Room rates: The group rate is
$130.00 per night plus applicable taxes totaling
15.19%. This rate will be honored for 3 days before
and after the 3-6 April event dates for those
wanting to arrive early and/or stay longer. La
Fonda’s policy – they do not charge your credit card
until your stay commences. They accept American
Express/Optima, Diner’s Club, Discover Card,
MasterCard, or Visa. Check in-out times are 3PM
and 12 noon respectively. FOC will be given a special hotel parking rate of $8/day vice
the usual $20/day.
Reservations can be secured 2 ways:
•By telephone:
Call 800-523-5002 or 505-982-5511 and then choose #1 from the menu. Be sure to
identify yourselves as part of the FOC organization to secure the group rate.
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FOCUS 96
•On-Line:
Go to <http://www.lafondasantafe.com/group-reservation-request/> and identify
yourselves as part of the FOC group.
Jim, W8ZR, has graciously offered his QTH for a cocktail party on Friday afternoon. Jim
is well known as a keen boat anchor collector as well as designer and builder of all
things amateur radio. Check out his web page <www.w8zr.net>. Other activities will be
planned as the date approaches, stay tuned.
La Fonda is located directly on the historic Plaza, so there will be ample opportunity to
explore and shop “The City Different” during the course of the weekend. Santa Fe is
one of the top “destination cities” in the USA, and is often referred to as the art focus
of the nation. There are wineries in the area that could be of interest to some of the
members. Please let us know and we’ll organize a tour.
We will also offer guided hiking and Summits on the
Air (SOTA) activations at all fitness levels… from
modest to seasoned hiker. For those interested in
experiencing this wonderful aspect of our hobby, a
few of us will be available as guides. We will supply
the radios, antennas, etc; you supply your energy
and appropriate footwear! Santa Fe enjoys among
the cleanest air in the country, access to extensive
wilderness areas with stunning vistas.
This will be a weekend to remember! So, make your reservations early. Please feel free
to email with questions, and let us know you’re booked and planning to attend: John,
K1JD <Johnk1jd@comcast.com> or Fred, KT5X <just.one.hill@gmail.com>. More
information regarding registration, special events and activities will follow soon.
FOCAL
“Here in the Dallas area
we have Hamcom which is
a smaller version of
Dayton. It was held in June
2013. This was the first
time I had met Mori, KR5V
- now sadly silent key.
These are almost certainly
the last pictures of Mori in
an amateur radio setting.”
says Pete, N5KD.
At Hamcom (l to r): Richard, K5NA; Pete, N5KD and Mori, KR5V
(photo N5KD)
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FOCUS 96
Contesting
By Patrick Barkey, N9RV
Greetings from the new FOC contest desk in western Montana! We’ll
be doing our best from this point forward to whet your appetites for
tricks, hints, stories and inspiration for keeping your contest habit well nourished.
Thanks to K5RC and N2KW ahead of me for carrying the ball this far.
The great thing about FOC is that our club is all about operating. So everyone knows
how to contest. But not everyone is a contester. Fair enough. But by way of
introduction let me tell you a little bit about why I love contests.
First off, I am a station builder. We all are. There is no such thing as an out of the box
station. Each of our stations involves something we have constructed ourselves, be it a
complex transceiver or a simple centre fed. What better way to get feedback on that
effort than to get into a fray? Much is made on our reflector at times at the “phoney”
RST’s given in contests. But I will wager that your performance in pileups, whether
running them yourself or calling in them, gives a more meaningful assessment of your
signal strength than any so-called “real” report ever could.
Speaking of making contacts – isn’t that in essence the thrill of ham radio? There is no
better point in operating than that moment when you hear a station coming back to
you. The sound of them sending your call is the sound of success. Sure, I enjoy chatting
with people. But I like it best at the moment when I know they hear me and vice versa.
So in a contest I can have that thrill thousands of times.
I also have many contest friends. And it heartens me to hear them on during contest
weekends. I don’t talk to AI6V to learn how he is doing recovering from his stroke in the
middle of a contest, but when I hear him on I know he is feeling well enough to
operate. It’s great to hear the rest of my friends, some of whom I personally know and
the many I do not, operating up a storm.
And then there is the competition. Setting goals, making station improvements, and
getting your results evaluated through the school of hard knocks. There’s nothing more
fun for me than going into a contest season with a new toy, a new antenna, or a new
capability that I didn’t have before. Learning what others have done and taking those
lessons home to try.
The FOC Marathon
That’s exactly what each of us will be doing during our very own contest this February.
Are you and your station ready this time? Whether it’s a few hours to reacquaint with
your fellow members or a full bore effort from a tropical island, the time for the
operating event of the year is just around the corner.
Like most things in life, preparation pays off in the Marathon. Get your time cleared
with your spouse, get your nagging station problems fixed and get all of the latest
member data loaded into your favourite logging program. Now, not later. And then flip
the radios on for some fun!
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FOCUS 96
Of course, the Marathon rules reward stations that are QRV on all six bands and ready
and willing to QSY quickly between them. It’s a special thrill to knock off your fellow
members on band after band, hunting them down harder as the band counts climb. So
having decent antennas on all bands, and coming up with fast ways to band change are
rewarded.
If this fall is any guide, this year’s Marathon could see fantastic conditions. But no
matter how the sun treats us, there are three things we can all do to make this contest
better for everyone.
The first is to be careful and considerate as we QSY. If you and another member agree
to move to, say, 14027 you need to be careful not to tread on the station(s) who may
already be there, whether they are members or not.
Here’s a second thing to think about. Believe it or not, not everyone in FOC lives in the
eastern third of North America or the western third of Europe. Our members in VK/ZL,
Asia and elsewhere like the Marathon too, but it’s no fun for them if everyone goes to
bed, say, in the US when the low bands close to EU. That’s especially so this year when
conditions may serve us up some unusual night time openings on the high bands.
And here’s my last plea – get QRV on all six bands. FOC operators are really good, and
it’s amazing how little you need on a band to make some nice two-ways that will put
plenty of smiles on the serious competitors trying to hunt you down. You’ve got two
months. Get going!
FOCAL
Dennis, K2SX and his wife Betty were on a two week cruise around Italy in September.
They met Carlo, IKØYGJ at the Hotel Intercontinental in Rome before the start of the
cruise.
Hotel Intercontinental, Rome (l to r): Carlo, IKØYGJ, Betty and Dennis, K2SX
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FOCUS 96
Good Band Conditions Sparked the 14 September,
2013 FOC QSO Party
By Art Suberbielle, KZ5D
The semi-annual FOC QSO Parties are becoming ever more popular as time goes on.
This event is designed to offer something to all of membership. Some treat it as a
contest. Others like the chance to touch base with old friends whom they have not
heard on the air lately. Another group likes the fact that it provides good will for our
club among the non-members who participate. We also deliberately made reporting
activity during these QSO parties easy, and completely voluntary.
As a result the actual number of reports included in this summary of our latest 14
September, 2013 event somewhat deceiving. Judging from the comments received and
from my own observations, there were many more stations active than those listed
herein. Gabor, S57WJ has graciously volunteered to prepare a graph showing
participation levels over the last several years that is quite interesting. The number of
reports received from both members and non-members continues to grow. It is also
interesting to note that when we are fortunate enough to have our event on a Saturday
when there are few if any other events, our participation is higher. We have selected
some permanent dates to hold this event in the future on Saturdays without any
significant conflicts. Take time to mark these dates on your calendars so you can have
time to join in the fun.
FOC QP Statistics
*2011 Spring FOC QP coincided with CQ MIR Contest
FOCUS 96
44
Sig, N3RS, who is a regular winner in our annual Marathon, put in a serious effort in this
FOC QP to report the highest number of contacts worldwide. Here is how Sig explains
how he did it: “I thought conditions were fairly good, considering the rather low solar
flux and the fact that we were in the midst of a solar wind event. Higher latitudes had
some beautiful auroras to keep folks up there gazing at the skies. I found that the level
of member activity was well down from what I have experienced in the Marathon,
especially during the night time in Europe. I slept from about 23:30 local till around
6:00 AM. I would have stayed up a bit longer, but the 40m & 80m bands were not very
productive due to the low level of activity. All in all, I enjoyed myself and had several
short chats with old friends.” Sig worked a total of 214 members on at least one band.
Another very interesting entry was by Allen, N2KW, who still holds the all-time contact
record for our FOC QPs with a total of 700. This time Allen operated via remote as
DL1A. To my knowledge, this is the first time that someone operated the entire QSO
Party by remote. (If others have done this before, please let me know.) Allen did point
out that operating from Europe requires a completely different mindset than the usual
game plan when operating in the U.S. He noted that at European sunset, all the stations
are on 80 working each other, while the US stations are not able to do much on that
band at that time.
And John, 9V1VV, reported another problem. Since his call is relatively rare to many
casual operators, he was inundated with non-members calling him, to the point of
drowning out the calls from some members.
Certificate winners include Sig, N3RS with the highest North America and Worldwide
total of 660.
The second highest worldwide report and the highest from Europe was turned in by
Vic, R6AF, with 432 QSOs including 307 with members. Curt, N5CW, had the third
highest report of 425/267. West Coast US honours claimed by Dick, K4XU with 381/234.
Allen, N2KW, operating as DL1A finished with 340/204 for second highest score from
Europe. It was VK2BJ with the top score from Oceania. Barry reported 100/52 QSOs and
John, 9V1VV, had the highest report from Asia with 171 QSOs but only 15 with
members.
Leading non-members was KØRF with 316 QSOs. G3SJJ had the highest report from
Europe with 240. South America high score was reported by PY4ARS with 39 and Asia
honors won by JA1GZV with 31.
Future dates set: Mark your calendars for 2014 now. THE FOC QP will be held on
Saturday, 22 March and 13 September, 2014. Starting in 2015, we have scheduled the
FOC QP to be held on the last Saturday of March (opposite of the CQ SSB WPX contest)
and the second Saturday of September (opposite of the WAE SSB contest). By
establishing firm dates we hope to avoid conflict with other CW events.
Members soapbox:
AD8P – Conditions at my house were deplorable. Line noise was horrendous with the
antennas pointing at Europe. I apologize to those who undoubtedly called me an
alligator. DF4BV – Limited time resulted in less QSOs.
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FOCUS 96
DK5AD - Everything went fine the first three hours. Then unfortunately my amplifier
broke. With it the computer and the contest program crashed due to power failure
caused by blown main fuses. It took some time to fix the computer and the contest
files. Repairing the amplifier was not possible, because the transformer is broken. But
fortunately I could proceed with the FOC QSO Party though with lower power. DK7VW
– Due to a busy job, I haven’t been very active during the past months. This Saturday I
was able to take the time for some hours on the air and it was great fun! DL1A (op.
N2KW) – I operated the DL1A remote station from home in NYC. The entire FOCQP was
done via remote control. DL1VDL – During a busy weekend I managed six hours of fun
to attend the party, thanks to all. DL3AZ – An enjoyable event, as usual. Unfortunately
10m was not open and 80m activity was nearly zero in EU. DL4CF – Propagation was
poor. Signals on 20m were even weaker than the ones on 15. Very strange indeed. But
it was good fun anyway. F6HKA – I couldn’t give much time in Party because it was my
daughter’s wedding and had a very busy weekend. G3IZD – Conditions not too good
and 15m probably the best here. G3LIK – Considering poor conditions, it was a good
day on the bands. G3NCN – It was a great pleasure to work folks from across the pond.
G3NKS – Just a dabble. The lousy band conditions made it tough going for “little pistol”
stations like mine! G3SXW – Very limited time, sorry! Good signals on 20m and plenty
of activity. G3ZYV – Limited operating time mostly before dawn and after darkness. I
was away during the day delivering my granddaughter and she belongs to University.
G4BUE – Not very good because I had to juggle the little operating time I had between
lots of chores. G4RCG – I thought the G activity was quite low and lots of regulars were
th
missing. I could not do as much as I would have liked as it was our 39 wedding
th
anniversary. G5CL – Sadly the event coincided with my 10 wedding anniversary so
fearing imminent divorce, I limited my activity to just a few well timed bursts. GI4CFQ –
Another BW over and very good it was too. GM3YOR – Could not manage to be very
active due to family commitments. GMØGAV – I was on for a few hours spread through
the day in between chores like cutting grass, taking my son to Cub camp and repairing a
beverage box for GM3YTS. GW3KGV – My operating time is severely restricted as I have
an invalid XYL to care for, but I enjoyed the event though condx on 10 and 20 could
have been better. HA7AP – I was able to work a few hours only, but enjoyed it a lot.
Conditions were pretty lousy, but amazed how well some of you guys could copy my
puny signal. I3BLF – It was a very nice and successful event. IKØIXI – Little time
available due to job. Nice to work old friends and some candidates. IKØYGJ – I managed
to work for around 6 hours in different times of the day. It was a great fun to meet the
friends with changing propagation. ISØAFM – Due to limited time, I managed only few
QSOs mostly on 40, 20, and 15. Good propagation condition on these bands. K4OSO – I
had fun. Propagation as well as participation levels, at times, were up, down and
sideways. K4UEE – Was operating portable at my in-laws home in NE Alabama. 100 W
to a wire…amazing what one can do with almost no antenna. HI! K5AX – Great to hear
all the activity and a lot of non-members in the FOCQP. Hope you all had as much fun as
I did. Got to work about nine hours of the event. K6RB - Nice to work Joe, 7Q7BP, on
two bands. Many CWops members in the fray, too.
FOCUS 96
46
K6ZB – I fully enjoyed the QP, especially being able to catch up with some many good
friends. Seems like everybody came out. K5TF – A lot of fun although conditions
weren’t optimum. Happy to have worked 54 new Windles. KF7E - I was only able to get
in during the final hour, all QSO’s but one on 20m. KM4FOC (op. K2SX) - My wife had
many other plans and projects for the day by managed to squeeze in 7 hours. KR3E –
Conditions less than ideal for my first FOC QP from my new QTH, where I’m limited to
th
running 100w into a Screwdriver mobile antenna on our 7 floor balcony. LA5FOC (op.
LA5HE) – Terrible CONDX but able to use LA5FOC. Got it renewed within an hour Friday
afternoon. Excellent service from a bureaucrat. MØIKE – Another great event as usual.
MØPCB – This was my first FOC QP as a member. I started on 40m as the higher bands
weren’t great in the morning, though things improved in the afternoon and evening.
N2ATB – It was lots of fun as always with good conditions on 15 and 20 metres. N3RS –
I spent a tad over 17 hours trying to be available to all who needed me for a Windle. I
thought conditions were fairly good, considering the rather low solar flux and the fact
that we were in the midst of a solar wind event. N5AW – Enjoyed it! Nice to be able to
work lots of stations “contest style’ but at the same time keep it relaxed and friendly.
N5XZ – Fun. Can’t wait until I can do a full contest again. OH2EA – Just a few hours on,
but as usual, great fun even with just 80w and a windom. OZ4FF – Not very good condx
and not many joining in. PA7RA – Hope to have better condx next time but it was fun to
have this QSO Party. PAØDIN – It was fun. PAØLOU – FOC participation disappointing.
Lost much time calling CQ BW…no replies! R6AF – Major part of QSOs were made on 7,
14, and 21 MHz while propagation at 28 was close to none. No antenna for 1.8 MHz.
SA1A (op. SM1TDE) – It was great fun, especially during the afternoon when 15m
opened up toward the US. It is sure an honour to be an FOC member. SM6CUK – Band
conditions was very poor. V31JP – Darn work got in my way as well as local storms and
trying to get my TS-850 interfaced. Finally got on for the last half an hour. VE3USP – I
hope it went better for you than it did for me…An hour after the start, my computer
died. Found an old one, but only had PS2 connectors. Frantic search for adapter, but
could not find any. Went to bed and bought a new one on Saturday when stores
opened. VK2BJ – Conditions were in general pretty awful down under. At least there
was a good opening to the USA long path on 20m Sunday morning VK time. I was using
a brand new only just erected 2el Ultrabeam at 55 ft. VK4TT – Lousy numbers for the
time spent. W1AO – The conditions in Maine weren’t great, but I enjoyed connecting,
even if briefly, with old friends and with a surprising number of capable non-members.
Encouraging non-members to participate is an excellent way to showcase the operating
skills of our members and to create interest in the Club. W1FJ – Had fun and worked
some new guys in just 4.5 hours operating. 9V1VV calling in on 15 was a treat. VK2BJ
was a true S9 long path on 20. W1HL – Was able to sneak away from family gettogether for 20 minutes or so. W1MO – Spent the weekend fighting a plumbing leak
somewhere in my house’s foundation. And it’s not over yet! W1RAN - Last year's
hurricane-damaged tower, control cable & Yagi now repaired but not up yet. Fired up
back-up vertical only to discover infinite SWR. So I was running 20W to a broken
vertical. Vic, R6AF, again proved that he has the best ears in the club.
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FOCUS 96
W4PM – Conditions were not great but I was able to make at least a few contacts on
every band and also made contacts in all continents. The only six bander was N3RS
(who else could it be?). Best DX was HSØAC on 15. That area is extremely tough for my
wire antenna. W5ZR – Conditions were mostly poor. 10m never really opened.
W9RGB – Another good party. N3RS was my only six bander-ten meter is a harsh
mistress (to corrupt a phrase borrowed from Heinlein.) WB2YQH - Good time in this
casual affair. Still several non-members who seem to be gun-ho on taking part. Heard
them calling CQ as well. Nice to hear my old friends and the very newest members as
well. Let's keep the FOC flag flying high! WG4FOC (op. K3TW) – Outdoor activities in the
beautiful Florida weather limited my operating time again. As always, I had a great
time. ZB2CW – I was only QRV from the club QTH on 20 and 15 but called many times
on 28025 but no replies. Looking forward to the next one. ZL2IFB – The highlight for me
was catching up with Jean, 5TØJL. 7Q7BP – Unfortunately we suffered an unscheduled
electricity outage from 0530 – 1600Z which ruined my 10m operation completely.
Conditions were not good on 40 and below, so had to make do with just 15 and 20.
9V1VV – I was spotted many times and found myself inundated with Russians who had
no idea what BW was. I was forced to do the 5NN TU thing, split. This is a drawback of
being a semi-DX country!
Non-Members Soapbox:
AC4CA – I really enjoyed meeting so many of the members. I had some very kind and
encouraging chat-ettes with many FOCers. DK9HE – I had a lot of fun at your very great
QSO Party. I found great condx on 40m with lots of activity at the beginning.
G3SJJ – The bands started off poor but 20 and 15 really perked up in late afternoon and
into the evening. Great openings to W6/7. G3YJQ – A great time. I will be looking
forward to the next one. G6GLP – I managed to do better than in previous years. Nice
to catch some of the new members as well as many of the not so new, HI.
GØEFO – I had just returned from a week’s holiday and managed to get only a couple of
hours on the bands this time. IK1WNO – I am pleased to have participated in the QSO
Party organized by the wonderful FOC Club. K4GM - Had a great time in the QP. Did it
last September and made 54 QSOs. This time I made 162 QSOs with members.
Recognized many calls from CWOps. K5KV – It was interesting to see how friendly the
ops were greeting each other in a contest type activity. KØRF – I had a great time in the
QSO Party. KCØURL – Conditions weren’t the best so I only worked 20m. N7RCS- Really
enjoyed this contest and worked my first Scotland contact. I was running about 5 W.
OZ4CG – It was my first participation, but no last, as it is a very enjoyable and relaxed
way to perform a contest. WØJX – This was my fourth BW QP and I really enjoyed it
especially the multi-band QSOs. WØVX – Very enjoyable activity and I had a great time.
WB6BEE- I had two stations, K5TF and W5ZR, with four bands. I did get 16 QSO’s with
European stations and five with UK. Felt good about that.
FOCUS 96
48
Members Results:
Call
QSO’s
N3RS
R6AF
N5CW
W4PM
K4XU
W9RGB
W5ZR
DL1A
op. N2KW
K7NJ
GW3KDB
W1RM
K4OSO
W1FJ
K5TF
G4RCG
N3AM
AD8P
K5AX
KM4FOC
op. K2SX
GMØGAV
DL3AZ
N5AW
K2QMF
WØUCE
S51WO
F5VCT
OK1RR
W8PBO
G3LIK
AC5K
K4BAI
K2NV
NA5G
DL6LBI
DL4CF
K6ZB
DL8PG
DK5AD
W4YE
9V1VV
DL1VDL
WB2YQH
PAØLOU
FOC
Call
660
432
425
382
381
359
355
340
449
307
267
266
234
260
263
204
324
305
302
297
278
266
256
256
253
249
245
199
230
210
214
171
192
156
185
184
191
169
232
228
223
221
220
219
215
215
208
203
195
194
193
192
186
185
179
178
175
175
171
170
165
161
176
169
164
151
169
192
174
169
140
158
146
129
138
176
107
135
127
136
146
144
15
125
141
104
SM6CUK
W1AO
PAØVDV
MØPCB
N5XZ
K6RB
LZ1AF
VE3USP
N6TT
G3ZYV
KØVBU
WA9AQN
W8PBO
G4BUE
W6RGG
US9PA
G3RVM
KR3E
MØIKE
N2ATB
OZ4FF
IKØIXI
ZB2CW
K4LTA
G4BUO
AC2K
OZ8SW
F6HKA
GM3YOR
K9FN
VK2BJ
PA5TT
SA1A
op. SM1TDE
VK2BJ
GW3KGV
WG4FOC
G3IZD
DF4BV
GI4CFQ
HA7AP
G4HZV
LA5FOC
op. LA5HE
NØAV
QSO’s
FOC
160
160
158
157
154
151
150
148
146
145
144
143
140
136
136
133
126
125
121
120
120
117
117
116
115
115
112
108
107
104
101
100
100
136
120
111
110
95
114
117
93
91
117
104
112
68
105
100
84
120
112
100
101
95
108
67
85
85
75
82
82
74
82
52
68
73
100
92
90
89
82
82
81
80
79
52
87
70
79
60
77
71
77
79
41
49
Call
QSO’s
PA7RA
DK7VW
W7QC
ISØAFM
SM5COP
G3NCN
HSØAC
op. HSØ/OZ1HET
F3AT
W5PEH
VE2AEK
op. VE3HX
I3BLF
W1EBM
PA0DIN
UU5JZ
G3NKS
IK6BAK
W5FOC
op. K5NA
OH2EA
7Q7BP
KC7V
W1JR
G3SXW
IKØYGJ
K4UEE
G5CL
G8VG
W1MO
VK4TT
K2NV/VE3
ZL2IFB
V31JP
KF7E
W1RAN
W1HL
FOC
77
75
73
70
70
69
69
49
58
57
45
60
55
51
69
69
69
59
59
60
68
66
65
65
62
59
59
65
57
60
51
47
50
40
57
53
50
44
42
42
38
36
36
35
32
25
25
22
19
18
12
51
44
42
42
34
33
31
27
34
30
25
21
15
17
10
18
11
FOCUS 96
Non Members Results:
Call
FOC
Call
FOC
Call
KØRF
W1SOC
G3SJJ
WØJX
WØVX
AC4CA
K4GM
DL5YM
DL5YL
DK9HE
K5VWW
HA3OD
WB6BEE
W4GJ
DM2SO
93
82
75
70
68
68
64
58
52
51
50
43
39
38
36
AE1T
AA9K
JA1GZV
K5KV
RW3AI
EA5BS
SM5AJI
WØSOC
G3SVL
W2LK
K9MM
WA1FCN
MJØASP
K6BZS
S56A
316
303
240
229
199
175
162
145
144
142
124
109
102
95
93
FG8NY
K7WP
K1SM
UA3MIF
KCØURL
OZ4CG
W5ZO
NN6T
G6GLP
GØEFO
G3YJQ
OK1DM
PY4ARS
IK1WNO
VE2FK
FOC
Call
FOC
32
31
31
28
27
26
26
26
25
25
24
24
24
23
23
HB9DNG
NM5M
N7RCS
UAØLCZ
HB9BJL
DK2FG
N9NA
OK1HMP
SM4DQE
OH/DL2SWW
W4JHC
HA7MG
SP2HMY
JA1NSR
MØCFW
22
20
17
17
16
14
13
13
13
11
10
7
3
2
2
Inside back cover Focals
Top: Derrick, G3LHJ was awarded the FOC Unsung Hero Award at the recent Annual
dinner in Milton Keynes and the prize was a MagPad set of paddles. Because he was
not in attendance Tony, G6GLP formally presented it to him at the Torbay Amateur
Radio Society meeting on 15 November. Pictured G3LHJ (left) and G6GLP (right).
“I just wanted to thank the Committee for selecting me for the first recipient of the new
“FOC Unsung Hero Award” in the shape of a MagPad paddle suitably engraved; I will
treasure it and make it my No 1 paddle.
I very much enjoy organizing the posting of the Focus and the few News Sheets to you
Guys & Gals in G, EU & ROW. Also thanks to Sylvia my XYL who gives a hand from time
to time, and even she with the aid of Tony, G6GLP did the complete posting this time
last year when I was ‘Horizontally Polarized’ in hospital with my Appendix operation.”
says Derrick, G3LHJ.
Annual dinner photos by Nigel, G3TXF
Second Row left (l to r): Rosemary, G4FON/2; Pete, N5KD and his wife Lauri
Second row right (l to r): Dan, MØCVR and Paul, G3VCN
Bottom row left: Attendees at the AGM
Bottom row right (l to r): Derek, G3PQD and John, G3WGV
FOCUS 96
50