New band slot via Buro

I received Reunion Island via Buro. It was TO2R worked om 12 m. And this was new for moi! I'm only missing FR on 160, 80 and on RTTY.

So my DXCC and Challenge score is slowly improving.

Breaking News!!

I've got ½ Inch of Snow!! This might be a new record as I'm usually at this time of the year have 2 to 3 feet of snow. But it is Cold. Temperature at the moment is -13 C ( 8 F ). But the prediction from the weather man/girl is that it will get warmer again.

2015 is on it's last breath. And 2016 will have a lot of new DXCC for me. That is if I can get hem into my log. Palmyra will be tricky as it is direct North (sp) same as KH6. Always hard to get through the Aurora that is lurking around the North pole. But I will try hard!

HNY to all readers and CUL

Wow! IOTA via Buro!!

I got a few cards via buro this week. In the bundle there was a new IOTA. A63HI operating from Umm Al Hatab Isl, AS-021. And this was a new one for me. Thanks!!

In the same bundle there where also a card from Antarctica. And it was a new mode. RTTY from RI1ANT operating from Mirny Base.

So two nice cards and one RTTY and one new IOTA! Nice!!!

No Winter here in Sweden so far. Temp outside at the moment is around freezing and some light rain and snow in the air. Prediction for the future is temp around plus 10 C ( 50 F ). And this is warm for the season.

Marry X-Mas and HNY to you all out there. Take care!

QSL from S79SP arrived.

Worked S79SP on some missing band slots. Only missing S7 on 80 and 160 m. I also managed to get them on RTTY. So all modes are in the log.

Looks like a nice Place to visit.
I have also worked S79C working from AF-119 Coetivy Island. But S79SP was on AF-024.

WX here in Sweden is rather peculiar. Yesterday temp was minus 5, and today I have +8!!!! But so far no snow.

CUL

YES! One more.

Today I received a new IOTA once more. This time it was from Jeff, KL2HD using the call KL7NWR from NA-070, Amchitka Island. Nice card and a big thanks to Jeff.

So my IOTA is improving slowly. 421 confirmed just now!! Click on the Picture and enjoy.

VK9WA is history. Got an SMS from SM5AQD saying they where a few hours from port in VK. I was Calling them on the last day on 80 m. Unfortunately they where only on SSB. My vertical is tuned for CW part of the band. But I tried and called and called......... But no success. The SWR was well over 2,5 at upper side of 80 m. But I''m quite satisfied with 7 band slots and CW, SSB and RTTY. Well, now I have to recharge the batteries for the upcoming VP8 and K5P Dxpeditions.

CUL

One more via Buro!

Today I've got some cards via buro. In the bundle  I found a new IOTA (for moi). It was RK3DZJ/1 operating from Kill'din Island, EU-082.

This  pushed my score up to the fantastic sum of 420 confirmed IOTA!!!

I was trying to work VK9WA on 80 and 40 m on Friday afternoon. But no success. He was CQ-ing and NA/SA only. But working some EU stations and back to NA/SA only??? Wonder why!!??

WX here in Sweden at the moment is clear sky and temp around -7 ( 19 F ). In the Southern part of the country they have a snow blizzard! But we will not get snow this time.

CL

Wow! One more!!

The IOTA QSL's is just floating in!!?? Today I received a new one again. This time it was VK6BP/P, Chris operating from OC-071 Koolan Island. QSO was from 28-Oct-2015. And the QSL in my hand 18-Nov-2015!! Here is a ham that understand the Word "Direct". SUPER!!

Nice card! This pushed my IOTA score up one more. Thanks Chris!

Have been chasing VK9WA. I was trying on 40 m last night. But with just a GP with 4 elevated radials and 1 KW and 60 deg North I have the same chance as a snow ball in hell!!??

Still no snow here but the prediction for the weekend is a small chance of some White Fluff.

CUL

Rare IOTA QSL arrived today.

I just received QSL from AS-172, Malminskiye Island. The operation was from R7AL/0, Vasily.
Worked him on 20 m CW. Look at his nice card!

This Island has only been claimed by 8,5% of the IOTA community according to IOTA Directory. So it is quite rare.

Been chasing VK9WA, Wallis Island a few Days. I have manage to Catch them on 5 band slots and CW ans SSB. Waiting for RTTY. This DXCC entry  was a new one for me. 20 to go!!!

That's all for now. CUL

Two (!) new IOTA QSL today.

Today I received two  new IOTA's. One very rare and one half rare. We start with the rare one. It was NA-248 Melville Island. Worked as VY0M and operator was Cezar VE3LYC.
The next IOTA was also Cezar operations from NA-009 Cornwallis Island with the call VY0/VE3LYC. And this was on his way to NA-248. And just enjoy these fine QSL cards.

So two in one blow. Nice! Click on them and just dribble over your key-board!!!??

By the way, WX here in Sweden is warm for the season. Temp is around 10 C and a clear sky. So tonight temperature will crawl down below zero.

Well, now I have to register the card's to RSGB IOTA page.

Take care and CUL!

New rare IOTA confirmed.

Today I received a very rare IOTA. It was VK2SSI worked from OC-194, South Solitary Island. According to IOTA Directory only 10 % has worked this Group. QSL was verified via VK2IR.

Nice Place. Wonder how they got ashore? So my IOTA score is once again pushed one Point up!!!

This morning I worked V73D on 15 m RTTY. A few KHz down there where V6AAA. So I thought two new in one blow. V73D one call was all I needed to get him in the log. But to get through to V6AAA was just a Dream. He was working JA's all the time. He was peaking around S9 here in Sweden. But it was impossible to get through the wall of JA.

I did not work any thing in CQWW SSB. I will save me for the CW part.

CUL!

New (for Moi) IOTA and DXCC.

Yesterday I finally received QSL from TI9/RA9USU operation from Cocos Island, NA-012. And this was also a new DXCC entry for me. So both IOTA and worked DXCC was increased with one ( 1 ) Point.

Worked him on 40 m CW.

Worked D4D on 80 m this morning. Very strong here in Sweden. Couldn't resist to give him a call. He was spotted on 160 as well. But I did not hear him there. But I have 160 confirmed since earlier.

This weekend it is CQWW SSB Contest. I will participate to chase some new band slots. So I will be working with my 7S5C call AB High Power and have some fun.

Remember we change back to Winter time (turn Clock back 1 hour) this weekend.

CUL

New IOTA QSL in the mailbox.

Yesterday I've got a QSL from Mikhail VE7ACN/7 worked as NA-075, Thetis Island.
So my score is now at the fantastic sum of 404 confirmed. But I'm still missing 51 that are on order.

Here are proof of the QSO!

Been struggling with bad conditions on the bands and I have managed to Catch S79SP and D4D on missing band slots and RTTY. QSL on order for S79SP via OQRS. And I will do the same when the D4D is over.

That's all for now. CUL

New, for me, IOTA arrived!

Yesterday I received QSL from R3RRC/0 worked from AS-082, Brusheva Isl. As you can see further down this blog I've got info about QSL sent. Well, here it is!

Nice card and my score is now up to the fantastic sum of 401 ( ! ) confirmed IOTA. Wonder when I will reach 700. I have about 51 additional IOTA's worked but so far no QSL. Got an e-mail from VE7ACN/7 and he has sent me a QSL card from Russia. SUPER!! So soon there will be 402 confirmed.

As you all can see to the right on my blog the Solar-Terrestrial Data. and yes conditions is bad. I have been trying to work TX3X several times but up here in 60 deg North nothing is Heard so far during the time I have been lsn for them.

At this moment I'm monitoring 21.023 MHz. But not a not a sound so far. I have Chesterfield Isl confirmed on a few band slots including 80 m so there is not a big deal. But it would be nice to hear them!!!

CUL

Winter storage of Steam Engines done!!

Now we have empty all water and also flushed the boiler and connected dry air Equipment to keep them dry during our Winter. The big one, BLJ 5, collected around 8000 Km during season 2015. Not bad for a Engine from 1909.

So now it will rest until next season!!

Condition is not good. I have tried to work TX3X, Chesterfield Island. But during the time i have lsn nothing is Heard here up in 60 deg North. But I will keep on trying.

CUL!

I've got an e-mail!

I received an e-mail from RZ3EC, Eugene with thanks for support of IOTA Expedition to AS-082. And there was a Picture included and I like to share this with all of U.

And, Yes I did support the Russian Robinson Club for this IOTA. But this was a nice surprise. Hat of for the RRC gang and thanks!!!

Worked Vlad as RI0KV, AS-027. A new one for me. And I have worked Vlad, UA4WHX from a few new IOTA's in the North Passage where he had appeared from a lot of new (for moi) IOTA's. It will be some job to collect the QSL's. But they will be nice to collect as Vlad has Always had very nice cards.

Well that's all for now. CUL

One ( 1 ) QSL received!!!

Wow! I have received a QSL!. It was 3G0ZG, Juan Fernandez Island. Worked them on a few missed band slots. Missing only on 160 m and 17 m. Nice card as you all can see.

But I've got it confirmed on LoTW for some time ago. So this will not be included in the upcoming "List of Shame".

It is raining a lot and some thunderstorms can be Heard in distance. But hopefully no near lightning so far.

Have chased Vlad, UA4WHX and worked him from AS-028 and this morning AS-029.

Well, that's all for now. CUL

Last traffic day for this season!

Well, here are some Pictures from the last day for the museum train season 2015. Now starts the work of maintaining all the carriages and locomotives. First out is the 1897 style with carriages and steam Engine in correct time style. Just ready to leave Faringe station for Uppsala city..
Nice!!

Second is the 1909 style approaching a station called Marielund. A lot happened during the years as you can see. Totally different style of the steam Engine.

Click and enjoy the Pictures.

So hopefully there will be some time over for radio. I'm still waiting for a lot of IOTA QSL cards that I have ordered via OQRS. I will make a list of shame soon if nothing positive happen like that I will start to receive some QSL's!!!!!

CUL!

Very Low Activity due to Active Sun!!!

Well, most of the time, we up here in the North, are suffering from Aurora Borealis. Almost total radio blackout. I have been trying to chase UA4WHX on his trip in the Northern Sea Route. So far I have managed to Catch him on two Islands. AS-005 ans AS-042. But most of the time I have spent with the radio Aurora has killed most of the signals.
I have been spending most of my time as a break man on the museum train. But this Sunday is the last traffic day for the season.

Have to show you all Pictures of two of my rare keys. One is the Vibroplex Vibro Keyer (pink base) single paddle from the late 1960's and the marble base hand key is very old. I don't knew how old. But it is a beauty to use.

Click on the Picture and enjoy!!

That's all for now. CUL

Blue feeling and 2 new IOTA.

Our short summer is rushing to it's end. And that make me feel a Little blue as you also can see on my house wall.

Nice or...........???

Worked two new IOTA yesterday morning. It was R7AL/0 on AS-172, and VE7ACN/7 on NA-075. These where new for me. And I have request out via OQRS and Buro of 46 new IOTA's. No response so far. If all arrive I will hit the score of 446 IOTA's.

Cezar IOTA expedition VY0M is now history. You can read on his homepage about some of his adventures at http://vy0m.weebly.com

Well that's all for now. Take care!

A few new IOTA's worked.

I have managed to work a few new (for moi) IOTA's. What about the following.
VK2SSI from OC-194 South Solitary, R3RRC/0 from AS-082 Brusneva, VY0/VE3LYC from NA-009 Cornwallis, RA1ALA/1EU-086 Vaygach and finally a totally new IOTA from VY0M NA-282 from Melville. Operator VE3LYC Cezar.
So this will take some toll out of my present economical situ!!??

Equipment used to work all of the above IOTA's. TS-590S and ACOM 1010. Kent paddle and mikroHAM Digi Keyer II for interface from my Acer Lap Top.

Well that's all for now. CUL

Lots of Tunderstorms!

During the last few Days I have had a lot of TS. Last night there was a flash and thunder within less than 0,5 sec. And as sound travel at approx 450 m/s it was quite Close. Around 200 m away. Fortunately I had disconnected all antennas and also my Internet gateway so all is still functional. I can show you one of the CB's on a Picture. It looks quite small. But a few minutes later it made a lot of lighting and thunder.

Nice Picture,  or..........??!!

I'm wonder when my 8BDXCC will become a 10BDXCC! I'm working on it, but 6 m is slow. I have 56 confirmed and about 65 worked. On 160 it is a different story. I have 85 confirmed and over 100 worked so I have to Watch my mailbox and check Buro and Hope I will get some more confirmed.

As you can see there are two stickers missing. 160 m and 6 m. I will continue to search for new ones.

CUL!

No QSL and sun is very active!

The sun has been very Active and the conds from 60 deg North has not been good. I have seen K-index up to 8 from a station in Norway. And that is high. At the moment K-index is around 3 in Dombås and 4 in Tromsö. Was lsn for a E51 on 20 m but he was just a whisper here. I have to Little aluminium in the air!!??

During this weekend I have worked as a brakeman on the museum railroad. I include a Picture of the old steam engine BLJ4. It was manufactured in 1897 (!) so it is quite old. It is small but strong.

Nice ride!!??

The summer has been here for 3 Days. During these Days we had around 30 deg C ( 86 F ). But now it is as usual in Sweden. This morning around 0500 local time I had just 5 C ( 41 F ). And that is Cold.

CUL

Wallis & Futuna confirmed.

On Friday I received QSL from Jean-Jacques FW5JJ after QSO on 12, 15,17, 20 m CW and RTTY. According to QRZ.com he will be there a year so hopefully some low band QSO's will take Place during coming dark season!!??

Nice card. And hope Jean-Jacques will trim his low band antennas.

Regarding weather it looks like summer is coming. Temp outside at the moment is around 20 C (68 F). There are some rain showers to pass over today but after that a high pressure system will park over Sweden and hopefully it will stay for a while.

That's all for now. CUL

Some mode and band slots added.

Got the QSL from C21EU today. And a new band slot (15 m) and SSB and RTTY confirmed. Thanks Guenter (DL2AWG).

No new IOTA as I have Nauru Before. But a nice card and thanks for the new modes.

Midsummer is approaching fast. After that it is down hill towards darkness again. And 160 and 80 m DX season starts again!!!.
But let us enjoy the light as for now.

CUL and best Midsummer celebration!

Wow! This is fast!!!

Worked YB4IR/7 on 24 May 2015 and QSL in my hand 15 June 2015. Imam, I'm impressed!!!! This is how IOTA should work. So now I've got OC-268, Marabutan Island confirmed. Thanks again Imam.

Take lesson all other IOTA operators!? I'm now at the sum of 298 ( ! ) confirmed islands. WOW!

If you see some traces of sarcasm in this you are correct. But not against YB4IR. He is a super QSL:er. The sarcasm is to all other out there. I still have 30 QLS's on order via Buro and direct and OQRS. Nothing so far. But I will keep on checking my mail box every day as long as I can transport myself the 200 meters to it!!!!

Something fun. I was having an exam as a brakeman on the museum train yesterday. And I'm now an approved certified  brakeman! Reason for the use of a brakeman is that the small steam Engine has just locomotive brake and nothing on the carriage's. So I actually stops the whole train at stations with a hand brake. So it is nice to be able to stop 45 to 50 tonnes within a few yards!!



Here you have a Picture of the train from Internet.

That's all for now. CUL

QSL from E30FB arrived today!

Today I've got the QSL from Asmara, Eritrea. Worked them on 8 slots. CW, SSB and RTTY. Missed them only on 80 and 160. My GP and 1 KW was not enough to get through their local QRM and the wall of Southern EU!!??

Nice Camel (dromedary). A bit sleepy. Anyway nice to get the card into my collection. I've got it confirmed via LoTW a while ago. But I'm still a bit sad about missing them on 160 and 80.

I have started to paint my house. Colour is red and after a few tiles I got tired and had to get a cup of coffee!!

That's all for now. CUL

New, never before activated IOTA.

I'v just got the QSL from YB4IR/8 worked from OC-274. And this is marked with a "p" indicating never Before activated according to IOTA Directory. Nice!!!

It is Penyu Island Group. And the actual Island name is on the card.
And I just worked YB4IR/7 working from OC-268. And according to IOTA Directory only 13% of the IOTA community has worked that Island. So my score is now at the Amazing result of 397 Islands!! WOW!!! Wonder where this will stop at this tremendous speed!!?? And yes, I have worked and QSL request has been sent out to a total of additional 30 IOTA. If received it will bring my score up to 427!!!
But YB4IR understand the Word "direct" for sure. Worked him as /8 at 29th of April and the card was in my hand 28 of May. This is just fine. THANKS!!

CUL

YES! It has arrived!

The QSL from Navassa, K1N has just arrived. Super. IOTA NA-098 is confirmed. This pushed my score up to 396 islands. Still a lot to do.

Worked Navassa on all but 160 m. I Think I have told you this before. Tried for several Days but not a chance to get through. But I'm happy for the 9 QSO's covering SSB, CW and RTTY and from 80 m to 10 m. Super!

Click on ti to see it large!!

But there are still a few to work. Actually 19 to go. And I Think some of them will be hard during my Life time!!??.

But I'm satisfied for now. Going to make a cup of coffee and go outside and just sit and enjoy Life as it is!!!!!!

CUL

A few missing band slots confirmed.

I've got QSL from 1A0C operation from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (located in Rome Italy). So now I have 1A confirmed from 80 m to 6 m on SSb CW and RTTY. The only slot missing is 160 m. Talked to the team and they said they had a very high QRM level on 160. So my 1 KW and a vertical antenna wasn't enough! Nice 4 pages QSL!

Well I will try 160m next time someone is there.

Still no K1N QSL. Heard that a lot of hams has got it!!?? I will keep a Close Watch over my mailbox!

That's all for now. CUL

IOTA is moving in the right direction!!??

Yes! It is. I just received a new IOTA from Craig, VK5CE/P worked from OC-220. And as usual you can see Craig's famous pose with his arms stretched out. This is on all of the card I have in my Collection! Super fine!!!

Love his QSL cards. So now my IOTA score is up one more points. But I'm still missing about 30 that I have on order. Wonder when they will show up. I have restricted my OQRS and direct request of QSL as this put some strain on my finances!!!! My goal is 700 and I have about 300 to go! So hopefully RSGB will find some new way to confirm QSO's and I hope that the Buro card will come in due time.

The WX in this part of Sweden has been Cold. The Winter was mild but the spring have been Cold. This morning I had frost in my lawn and temp was -2 C ( 28 F ). And rain is on the way.

That's all for now. CUL

Waiting for the Navassa QSL!

While we all are waiting for the Navassa QSL I can show you my wonder flower in my garden.
First Picture show the flower as a bud.

This was just a few Days ago. And now it looks like this!!

Amazing flower. In Swedish it is called Kungsängslilja. Latin it is Fritillaria. In plain English, Chess Flower or Snake's head!!!

Click on them and enjoy.

CUL

Level 2 Award is here!

Today I received the ARRL Centennial Level 2 Award. Nice and Quick from ARRL. Thanks!!

I have also been at the MOT station with one of my bikes. No remark so it is good to go for two more years.

Worked YB4IR/8 working from a "never Before" activated Island, OC-274. Just one QSO on 20 m CW.

I also got E30FB confirmed on LoTW. sill missing QSL.
And K1N QSL is on the way (I Think) as the big sponsors have starting to receive the QSL.Wonder when we normally mortal guy's will receive the Navassa QSL. There is about 8 month's remaining to X-Mas!!??

That's all for now. CUL

Centennial Award is out.

Well, I have ordered the Centennial Award from ARRL. I only managed to get around 5000 Points. Actually 5.913 Points to be exact. This will get me a level 2 Award only. But that's OK as I did not start to chase the Award until end of May 2014. Any way it will be fun to get it.

Spring is here for sure. I have a few thousand of these blue flowers in my garden.

And the lawn is growing out of Control! Have to service my lawn cutter soon.

Conditions on the bands is fine at the moment. This morning I worked Alaska and Oregon with 599 plus 10 to 20 db sigs on 15 and 17 m. I have also lsn to the emergency net on 14215 KHz due to the Nepal earthquake.

That's all for now. CUL

Wow! QSL from 9Q0HQ!

Today I received the QSL for the Dem. Rep. of the Congo operation by I2YSB. The call they was using was 9Q0HQ and I worked them on some missing band slots including SSB CW and RTTY.
Very nice card.

Operation was in end of March and QSL arrived today. They understand the Word "Direct"!!!
LoTW confirmation was achieved for a few Days ago. Super!

Well, two issues in one day! Have to rest for a while!!!

CUL

Spring is here!

Yesterday I had the first Thunder and Lighting. Got around 10 quite close lighting's. So now we knew what to look forward to. There was some hail storm with the lighting. Hail around 1 cm in diam. And I also have a sign of spring in my garden. What about a carpet of Wood Anemones!!

Nice, or................................?

Have been trying to Catch ZL7E on RTTY and SSB. But not a chance to get through the Southern wall of EU constant callers! This was on 20 m. And ZL7E is very week at my location. There are a few day's of operation yet. But I guess "better luck next time"! Or get more aluminium up in the air (no Money and space for it) or more Power (no Money and no way to get my Power grid to hold as I only have 16 Amps fuse as main inlet). So I will keep on struggling on with what I have and try to be happy.

CUL

New IOTA for me!

Today I received AS-028 Kotelnyy Island. Worked R1ZBH/0 on 20 m SSB a while ago and here are the result! 75 Deg North is quite high up.

Click on it and enjoy! AS-028 is only claimed by 28% of the IOTA community. So quite rare.

One more to my IOTA score. Still not fast but I'm getting there ( I hope ).

Today I took a short ride on my bike. It was almost 16 C ( 60 F ) and sun was shining from a blue sky.

That's all for now. CUL

New Rubber on my Bike!

I had to get a new rear tire for my bike. I is a Michelin Anakee 2. Looks OK to me.

Have been trying to work ZL7E on some missing band slots. But no success so far. In the pile there are a lot of EU stations constantly Calling. When do they lsn? How can they hear if the DX is Calling them if they are constantly Calling. Or do they lsn some where else (SDR Rx on Internet on some other continent)??!!
I call just once and then lsn. And if nothing happened in a few seconds I call once again and wait. If the DX call with some letters and number that do not exist in my call I just do not call! But I'm quite alone with that behaviour.
Or are all using QSK and stops when the DX call back??!! I just try to find a spot where there are no constant callers and try to get the DX. Some times it work and some times it don't. Mostly don't!!!

I also try to get some more stations on RTTY. And I have worked a few new ones as I'm new on RTTY mode. What about C21EU, 7QAA, 9Q0HQ, 9H3KA and J28NC. All of the stations was new for me on RTTY. I have about 160 worked and 122 confirmed in LoTW. been on this mode for just a year.

Well, that's all for now. CUL

I've got a letter!

Today I received a letter from Tromelin!!!

Inside was the QSL for the FT4TA operation. I managed to Catch them on all bands except 80 and 40 m. And, YES I got them on 160!! I guess that compensate a bit for the missing 80 and 40 m. And I also got them on CW, SSB and RTTY.
And here are the QSL!

Nice!
And I didn't do anything to get the QSL!!!?? Yes I did sponsor them a bit with a few $$$. And it was fun to get the QSL direct from Tromelin with the stamps and propitiate postmarked from Tromelin.
And this also put my IOTA score up one Point as Tromelin is AF-031.

Click and enjoy!

CUL

Very rare IOTA arrived!!!!!

Today I received a very rare, never Before activated, IOTA. It was OC-294, Sandy Island in Western Australia. It was an operation with a team of 4 hams. Cezar, VE3LYC, Craig, VK5CE (Always with his arms stretched out on his QSL's as on this one when he is holding shoulders of Cezar and Bob), Johan, PA3EXX and finally Bob, KD1CT.

Proof of never Before activated is found in IOTA Directory- OC-294 has a "P" after the number (see page 127 in the last issue of the Directory)!!?? Any way, a nice card and all it took was one call and done!!!

Click on it and enjoy (be careful not to dribble to much into the keyboard, you might get a short circuit)!

CUL!

One new IOTA received via Buro

Yesterday I've received a few cards from Buro. And one was a new IOTA. It was EU-006, Inishmore Island in Ireland. The call that was used was EJ0PL and I worked them on 20 m SSB.

Nice card. And the team was quite big. 9 hams from Ireland and Poland. The operation was in July 2013. But this adds one more to my IOTA score. We getting there but very slow. RSGB has to come up with some new means to get IOTA confirmed just to keep the program alive.

Well that's all for now. CUL

QSL from EP6T

Yesterday I received the QSL from the DXpedition  EP6T, Iran. Worked them on all modes but not on 160 and 80 m. Impossible to get through the Southern EU wall of constant callers! Wonder how they work DX as they just keep on Calling. When do they lsn????? Any way, the card arrived and they where Quick to confirm via LoTW. And a new IOTA as well (AS-166 Kish Island). Thanks to the team and their QSL mgr M0URX.

So this push my IOTA score up one Point!?

Today we have been promised a weather draw back. Winter should be back for the weekend with some snow. Totally unnecessary!!!

Back to the radio. CUL

E30FB QRT!

The operation from Eritrea, E30FB, is now QRT. I finally managed to work them on RTTY on 15 m on the 16th of March.at 11:59 Z.
So the total result was as follows:

Band	CW	Phone	Data
40	1
30	1
20	1
17	1
15		1	1
12	1
10		1

7 Challenge and CW, SSB and RTTY to my DXCC record. I did not try on 160 and 80 m. The pile on 15 m RTTY was Amazing so late into the Dxpedition. But to my surprise I got a QSO. I was only using about 500 W to save the traps on my Tet Emtron TE56 antenna (I have blown up one set of traps on the 10, 15, 20 m antenna using 1 KW RTTY).

I'm still a bit pissed of that I didn't make a QSO with TI9. Was very surprised to hear them on a list operation with a master in SP land. Why???  Well that's Life. Some you work and some you don't!!!

CUL!

Disaster in YJ Vanuatu

The Cyclone (Hurricane) Pam has hit the Islands of Vanuatu very hard. The images we have seen here in Swedish TV is terrible. I was complaining about wind gusts up to 40 kt. Well, I think they have had some more Heavy gusts than that!

I got this QSL via Buro last week. Wonder how it looks today.

I can tell you that I have worked E30FB on 30 m CW. But I'm still missing them on RTTY. I will keep on trying.

CUL

E30FB so far.

I have managed to get into the log of E30FB 6 times. They are not easy and the piles are big!
This is the result so far. And my hat is off for RA9USU, Dmitri one of the ops. His CW is just super! It is a pleasure to hear him working the pile!!!

Band	CW	Phone	Data
40	1
20	1
17	1
15		1
12	1
10		1

I hope I will get them in RTTY Before the end of the DXpedition. And I guess that this will be a struggle! But I will continue to lsn and also I might Catch them  on 30 m.

The WX was very windy yesterday. Wind was blowing with 10-20 kt with gusts above 40  kt. I was worried about my antennas. But all is fine and all of my aluminium is still standing (puh). Temp is very warm for this time of the year. Around 10 C ( 50 F ) and no rain.

Well, back to radio! CUL

Waiting for the next DX!

As you all can see I'm ready for the next one to show up. Hopefully it will be E3, Eritrea.

The cup is filled with java and some milk..Just hope all of the QRM:ers in EU has had some rest so they can try to kill this DXpedition as they have done with the previous!!!??? Also all you multi "green spot" chasers are ready to occupy the piles!

Wx here in Sweden is very warm for this time of the year. Temp at the moment is around 4 C ( 39 F ) and some rain. Almost all of the White fluff has gone fishing and the lawn is getting green.

CUL

Birthday celebration!

Well, the TI9/3Z9DX DXpedition come and went away. I did not managed to get a QSO with him. And this is a missing DXCC for me. Hope there will be some other operation from Cocos Island in the future. Have to be honest. I had to go to Varberg city in the South ( 620 Km away ) to celebrate my daughter's son's birthday. I left my home QTH early Thursday and returned late Sunday. He has reach the fantastic age of 2 years old!!

And this is more important than working a DX! And the cake was fine!

I have had some planned cuts in my electrical Power supply due to adjustments after inspection of the new 10 KV line. There where some small remarks from the inspectors and this has to be corrected. There will be two more Power cuts. One tomorrow and one on Thursday. Than I hope the Power line will be fine for a while!!??

Just got all my K1N QSO's confirmed (all 9) on LoTW! THANKS!!!

Worked just 6Y2T on 80 m with just 2 calls!

CUL

K1N almost QRT?

Well, it is now Sunday morning here in Sweden and local time on Navassa might be sometime around midnight. And not a single spot except 80 m SSB (3705) and no hear on any other band so far. And 160 m was not to be for me!!!
Here are my green spots.
                  

2m

6m

10m

12m

15m

17m

20m

30m

40m

60m

80m

160m

FM

PH

CW

RTTY

As you can see the missing one is 160 m. Well, Life goes on. Young Frida Hansdotter skier for the Swedish Alpine team took a Silver Medal in Slalom WC in Beaver Creek CO. Won the race was done by US Skier Mikaela Shiffrin (only 19 years old) Well done Girls. Hat off for Both of you!!!

Well get prepared for the next DX! What ever it might be.

CUL

What I'm I doing wrong??

I have been Calling K1N on 160 for several Days. No QSO! He has worked stations where I have been Calling for minutes. But he don't hear me. I have been tailgating. No QSO. I have stayed ahead of him when he Changes up in frequency. No QSO. I have stayed on one frequency for him to find me. Not a chance!
But, I have noticed one thing. Many of the "constant callers" get QSO?!  I have also noted that a lot of calls have a lot of letters and numbers hidden in them. For an example, K1N was Calling LA2? And I counted 5 SM stations that thought they had LA2 in their call as they where constantly sending their call and made it difficult for K1N to hear the LA2 station. And there are not just SM stations. There where at least a few OH and DL and some more that thought they had LA2 in their call! And to my surprise some of these "constant callers" get a QSO!!!
I try to keep my mouth shut (don't touch the paddle) when the DX ask for letters and numbers that I don't have in my call. But I guess I'm quite alone in this matter. OK, some time you might "get off" in the timing and call when you not supposed to. But not constantly as some do!
Well I have K1N on all bands except 160 m. I can live with that. But I don't Think there will be another operation from KH1 in my Life time. But it's a hobby and I have 8 out of 9 and SSB, CW, RTTY. How many has that achieved with a modest station (antennas) as I have?
Have to show you my tuning unit for my 160/80 vertical.

This is where I have been burning a lot of KWh!!! Capacitor is in series with the vertical for 80 m and the coil is used together with a added linear loading for 160 m. Russian relays for selecting either 160 or 80  m. Nice, or.....................???

Have to stop whining! Otherwise all is OK! It soon time for Biathlon on TV from Norway. Have to check out how the Swedish girls/guys are doing! Have to make some coffee!

CUL