On Friday evening I was able to pull some radio time out of my hat and it was time to try my MFJ 1788 loop antenna on 17m. I was very happy with the results it was very easy to tune (SWR of 1.2.1) and the band width was decent so retuning was not needed most of the time. I operate QRP at 5 watts so having the antenna on the balcony, it also being a small loop antenna plus QRP it's a bonus when I contact some DX. I first heard S59AA calling CQ at 18.078 and my first attempt was not heard and another station jumped in and made his contact. I threw my call in again and I was heard and given a 559 signal report. Franc was located in Slovenia and was operating an Elecraft K3 he was also booming in. The time was 5pm local time and 17m seemed to be wide open to Europe so I decided to spin the dial and see what else the ham god's brought my way. I then made contact with HB9CVQ in Switzerland, again another bonus for my ham setup. I was given another 559 RST but again I am just fine with that. I emailed both S59AA and HB9CVQ to give them a little more details of my station but most of all to thank them for sticking with me and passing along a 559 signal report. I did hear back from Andy HB9CVQ who passed along some info about his station as well and it too included an Elecraft K3 radio . I try to avoid using the spotting clusters as for this tiny station hopping over to a busy spot just does not end well. I did spin the dial for a final time and I came across KH2L in Guam! In the past I had tried to make contact with Edward as he booms into here and I was not able too. Friday was no different I dropped my call but it was not heard by KH2L.....oh well. It's now Saturday afternoon and the bands are in so so condition I ended up spending time writing this post with the radio cans on.
6 comments:
Ah, my money is on you getting KH2L before you know it! Great job, Mike!
Hi Mike and congrats on the DX contacts running QRP to the loop. I may pick up one but not sure if it will be the MFJ or the Axel loop. I do not consult clusters either, though I do look at the RBN. My one watt is never spotted though actual QSOs occur. 73 Dick
I am hoping so as I have run into him 3 times now on the bands as well I did email him once and he was very receptive to contacting him and trying to setup a skid.
Mike
Good morning Dick, I have both and the Alex loop works very well but the MFJ loop has the tuning box. The Alex loop is great for when I am out and about but for home I prefer the MFJ loop. For sure the MFJ loop is not portable and I would not plan on taking it out and about. As for the RBN it is a very nice tool but I too have found that just because you are not spotted on it does not mean your signal is not getting out.
Mike
At least yo made it to Europe and that is already memorable with your setup! I'm shure you'll get that QSO with Guam one day! 73, Bas
Good evening Bas and very nice to hear from you, for sure I am going to make the Guam contact one of these days!!
Mike
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