Friday, 15 April 2011

Royal Wedding Callsign

Thank you Mr Ofcom you are spoiling us with these NoVs recently!


Anyway to take advantage of the royal wedding I have created a special QSL card, for the upcoming Royal Wedding and the 11 day period on which we can use the R. you can get your Special QSL card via eQSL or the RSGB bureau (I have ordered a load for print). I’m sure many will want to mark the occasion, and what better way than to receive a post card from a strange man in the West Country!

So what modes and bands? Well to be honest I haven’t got a clue yet, though I am tempted to go portable for a QRP session, and see what I can do. Ultimately I suspect I will end up on the digital modes on 20m, but closer to the time I’m sure I will have a better idea of what I am doing.

Saturday, 9 April 2011

A great QSO


One of my more memorable QSOs this week covered the grand distance of about 5 miles, to a good friend 2E0BGD.

So a little background is in order here I feel. I'm currently teaching a student through he foundation syllabus and a part of the practical element is to have a HF QSO, exchange details etc.

The issue was that due to variety of issues I didn't have a HF set that could be used. However my student who works for the MoD managed to acquire a clansman 320, that we could use on 20m.

So armed with a script both Simon and myself set up the portable station in the centre of bath, and began calling CQ. Sure enough Brian came back to that call and the practical assessment began..

To say we had strange looks, enquiring residents and generally interested people would be an understatement. It was good fun and Simon passed the practical with flying colours.