IC 730 restored

The IC 730 was my first transceiver back to early eighties. This transceiver belongs to a romantic era of my radio life. Unfortunately someday I took the wrong decision to exchange it to a more modern TS 440. I truly regret for this choice ever since. Recently thanks to my friend SV1GH I have it back to my shack just to remind me my very start. The photo has been taken in SV8YM lab, who undertook the task to align  and restore it in order  to make it fully operational again. Now it is sitting comfortably in its place like it never left.

…and a Happy New Year

Microham “micro Keyer II” was  what Santa brought to me this year. Obviously he was advised by my friend Nick (SV3SJ/F5VIH) who knew well my desires. Keyer II, siting on the top of FTDX 5000D, will be its precious companion from now and then. Happy New Year to all of you.

Merry Christmas

Dear fellows, after several years of faultless operation the tube of my ACOM 1000 had to be replaced. My good friend and very capable technician, Tasos (SV8YM), offered to to do the job. The photos show characteristically what he found out as soon as he took the cover off. Everything was covered under a huge amount of dust. Fortunately the dust didn’t affect operation.

 

After careful removal of the dust and several hours of conditioning the new GU74B the ACOM 1000 was fully operational again. Many thanks Tasos.

Merry Christmas to all.

Who said that an expedition is an easy task?

The boat of ZL9HR crew in rough seas. Actually they are safely anchored  right now south of Stewart island, waiting for the weather to calm down. It is obvious that it isn’t just a game. The thoughts of all of us are with them.

Autumn…time for DXing

Autumn is deeply established. The leaves are yellow, temperatures are lower and Greece is still alive. So do we! And very busy actually. PT0S is on the air, not as successfully as in previous expeditions, but conditions on the rocks are difficult and propagation rather poor. George and Thomas are doing their best as always.

But the big event of the year is coming next. I mean the major  expedition that  the whole amateur world is waiting anxiously. The 11th most wanted entity, Campbell island (ZL9HR), will be on the air quite soon. Tommy, VK2IR top of the team, reports that all preparations are under control and as scheduled. The expedition has been organized by Hellenic Amateur Radio Association Of Australia, known as H.A.R.A.O.A.

We wish them, with all our heart, ZL9HellenicRadio to be a great success.

6m Marathon 2012

Here are the results of this year 6m Marathon. I got 11th place with 83 different entities, 12 more than last year. Let see if we will achieve our goal of over one hundred nest year. Till then I wish all of you an interesting DX winter.

SDR IQ and FTdx5000D marriage

It was time to exploit the IF output of my FTdx5000D to establish a descent pan adapter for my trx. I chose the SDR IQ to do the job. The SM-5000 is  good but rather insufficient. It is just an indicator I would say. An SDR receiver gives a much bigger amount of information. It is really a must-have.

In the picture you can see SpectraVue software in the left screen. From now and then I will not only listen a QSO but I will  watch it as well!