21 Aug

Back to the roots

According to ClubLog data, around 140 Australian amateurs are serious or semi-serious DX chasers. They are actively involved in the pursuit of making long distance contacts all year round with the ultimate goal to 'work them all'.Compared to about 15,000 licensed amateurs, DXers present less...
21 Aug

ZD9W

Tristan da Cunha, as seen from International Space Station, NASA / public domain.Absolutely no intention to turn this newsletter into a DX bulletin or a notice board; there are already numerous outlets which cover upcoming expeditions in a timely manner. However if you are just...
21 Aug

Licensed operators, by country

As expected, Japan is on the very top with almost 1.3 million licenses.But look at Thailand and Korea: 140,000! Not many of them on HF, but in those two countries, UHF/VHF activity is widespread amongst school kids and students and they all love their call...
21 Aug

Suriname, and the pride of ownership

Last week I had a contact with Suriname on a 10m band with PZ2YT, Judel.Suriname is a small country on the north-eastern coast of South America, defined by vast swaths of tropical rainforest, Dutch colonial architecture and a melting-pot culture. A resource rich country, but...
21 Aug

Am I part of the cure, or am I part of the disease?

I got my first brand new radio - an FT101ZD - at the age of 17. It was a present from my parents, and came with a condition: to be shared with my 15 year old brother who was also an amateur radio operator. Mom...
21 Aug

Mocking FT8

Not that long ago, Joe Taylor, K1JT, a Nobel prize physicist, had created a new digital mode. The co-assistant in the project was Franke, K9AN so the mode is officially known as "Franke-Taylor design, 8-FSK modulation, FT8".In essence, the FT8 enables decoding of signals 10dB...
21 Aug

W5ZG: The vintage radio collector.

On the weekend, as the 160m band was 'following' the grey line, I was called by John, W5ZG.It's always nice to make it to Midwest USA on topband.After the QSO, I went to check him out on QRZ.com.WOW. A true vintage radio collector with rooms...
21 Aug

It's worth it!

Over the past couple of weeks, a number of subscribers reached out asking: how can I get an amateur radio license? Before I can answer that question directly, a bit of an intro.Amateur radio is all about wireless communications - essentially, receiving and transmitting radio...
21 Aug

160m band is bloody hard work!

Where do we start? An acre block? A tall tower? Countless radials? More room for beverages?And worst of all - if that wasn't enough - in the Southern Hemisphere, the top band season is summer.Welcome to the world of noise fighters, QRN aficionados and insomniacs.Commonly...
21 Aug

Best return on your radio investment

There are three types of amateur radio operators: tech nerds who make their own stuff. To them: respect! When they talk, I listen and take notes. They are smart people who we should thank that we, ordinary hams, have a hobby.The second group are those...
21 Aug

Your feedback, part 3

Yesterday’s newsletter generated two emails. The first one was more of a general observation, while the second one was a satellite related question."Ha, I've got you - the purpose of your GreenCube tutorial is to sell me a radio!"Quite frankly, I thought that was obvious....
21 Aug

Where would you rather be, in the office or sailing around the world?

Last night I had a two way contact with Jeanne, VE0JS/MM. She was sailing north of Bora Bora, heading south west. Jeanne is a legend. On July 8, 2013, on the 3rd attempted to circumnavigate the Earth, solo, non-stop, unassisted, Jeanne sailed into Victoria Harbour...
21 Aug

Getting on GreenCube Satellite, part 2

As said in the last email, chasing satellites is an addictive fun. There is something magical about bouncing signals off a 10x10x20cm box, appearing on the horizon 10,000km away. Amateur radio at it's best - especially if you are a bit of a thinker or...
20 Aug

Two reasons why you should get on satellites

First reason: satellites are so nerdy! Bouncing a data packet off a tiny box 5,000km above, and making contact with DX stations 13,000km away is super cool.Second: there is no better way to promote our hobby and get newcomers in than setting up a portable...

Back to the roots

According to ClubLog data, around 140 Australian amateurs are serious or semi-serious DX chasers. They are actively involved in the...

ZD9W

Tristan da Cunha, as seen from International Space Station, NASA / public domain.Absolutely no intention to turn this newsletter into...

Licensed operators, by country

As expected, Japan is on the very top with almost 1.3 million licenses.But look at Thailand and Korea: 140,000! Not...

Suriname, and the pride of ownership

Last week I had a contact with Suriname on a 10m band with PZ2YT, Judel.Suriname is a small country on...

Am I part of the cure, or am I part of the disease?

I got my first brand new radio - an FT101ZD - at the age of 17. It was a present...

Mocking FT8

Not that long ago, Joe Taylor, K1JT, a Nobel prize physicist, had created a new digital mode. The co-assistant in...

W5ZG: The vintage radio collector.

On the weekend, as the 160m band was 'following' the grey line, I was called by John, W5ZG.It's always nice...

It’s worth it!

Over the past couple of weeks, a number of subscribers reached out asking: how can I get an amateur radio...

160m band is bloody hard work!

Where do we start? An acre block? A tall tower? Countless radials? More room for beverages?And worst of all -...

Am I interrupting your busy day? Don’t worry, it’s intentional!

Seriously, it is. Life is short - so why waste it on stuff you don't really want to do?Yes, there...

Best return on your radio investment

There are three types of amateur radio operators: tech nerds who make their own stuff. To them: respect! When they...

Your feedback, part 3

Yesterday’s newsletter generated two emails. The first one was more of a general observation, while the second one was a...

Where would you rather be, in the office or sailing around the world?

Last night I had a two way contact with Jeanne, VE0JS/MM. She was sailing north of Bora Bora, heading south...

Getting on GreenCube Satellite, part 2

As said in the last email, chasing satellites is an addictive fun. There is something magical about bouncing signals off...

Two reasons why you should get on satellites

First reason: satellites are so nerdy! Bouncing a data packet off a tiny box 5,000km above, and making contact with...