Worked Algeria 7X and Greenland OX today!

Well it might not have been a prolific day in terms of the number of contacts, but I did work a couple of interesting prefixes on the bands today. There is a dearth of SSB activity since midnight on Friday when the CQWW CW contest began. As you can imagine, there is huge activity on the CW portion of each band. SSB has suffered though. There was very little to be worked on the bands for non-CW stations like me.

At about 3.50pm this afternoon I saw 7X5ST spotted on the cluster on 20m. Not expecting to hear much, I quickly spun the VFO down to 14.210 and heard him about 4 and 5. He said 7X5ST QRZ so I jumped in and he came back to me first time. I gather he wasn't working a pile-up, probably because the band was closing to an extent. He gave me 4 and 4. I didn't care too much about my weak report, but was delighted to work a new country. It was a quick QSO.

This evening I heard Oscar Xray 3 Kilo Quebec (OX3KQ) calling CQ 40 on 7.155 LSB. I tried a few times and he got me the third time. Thanks for the nice QSO Jesper. My first contact into Greenland. By the way, that's Jesper's QRZ.com picture above.

Two good contacts on my half-size G5RV!!

I look forward to exchanging QSL cards.

A little aside to this post: After I worked OX I was punching the air and cheering, as one does when one works a country for the first time. My four-year-old daughter asked me "daddy, why are you cheering?" I said, "Because I worked Oscar Xray and Seven Xray," was my reply. "What's Seven Xray?" she asked, inquisitively. I said, "It's Algeria pet". She put her head to one side and, with a look of disdain on her face, said:

"Daddy, you're so boring . . ."

Up to 24 characters in Morse (CW)

I have progressed to learning 24 characters in Morse at between 8 and 18 words per minute. The latest character added is the slash or separation / which is dah dit dit dah dit. It's all quite rhythmical really, and if, like me, you are a musician, learning Morse might be a wee bit easier. I just scored 100% accuracy in a two-minute test with 24 characters.

At this stage in my learning I know the following in morse:

A E F G I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y

0 5 . , /

Only 20 more characters to go! Damn, when I say it like that it seems like such a mountain to climb. Still to go (although I know a lot of them already) are:

B C D H Q X Z @

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 ? = + SK

I am using, as previously mentioned, a little free program called Just Learn Morse Code which I downloaded. It's a great aid to learning CW. I am delighted with my progress so far. I find it helpful to adjust the pitch for the various lessons but for now I won't be increasing speed until I know all the characters.

Repeaters off the air?

No sooner had I announced that the EI2RCR Ridge of Capard Repeater (commonly referred to as the Waterford Repeater, even though it's nowhere near Waterford!) was back on the air, it disappeared again. I heard it from my QTH in Drogheda that evening, but unfortunately I have not heard it since. I can open it from the house but it's a bit far away for me to work effectively. Perhaps someone with a bit of authority on these things can fill me in as to what happened?

Also off air for ages now is the Dublin Three Rock repeater (EI2TRR). I had information from its keeper that it would be back up and running two weeks ago but have heard nothing since. I will keep you posted.

For those on the east coast who occasionally listen to repeaters beyond our shores, the Isle of Man repeater appears to have been silent for the past month at least. I have not heard it in ages on 145.625. If anyone has information about the status of any of these repeaters, I'd be glad to hear about it and share it with the amateur community.

My log from the Bulgarian (LZ) DX contest

Well, here it is. Not exactly earth-shattering, but 76 QSOs is not bad for someone who is brand new to contesting, and who has a very limited station. You will see one QSO which reads "Wrongband1" - that's because I forgot to change SD back to 20m this morning after working a few on 40m last night. Whoops! Anyway, I enjoyed the experience. I entered in the 20m single operator low power (5-100w) category. All contacts were worked on the Yaesu FT-1000MP with 100 watts.

QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1205 EI8GHB 59 27 RX6AM 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1206 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ7G 59 PD
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1208 EI8GHB 59 27 IY2M 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1209 EI8GHB 59 27 RK3DXZ 59 27
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1215 EI8GHB 59 27 RK3DZH 59 27
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1217 EI8GHB 59 27 PD3MDM 59 27
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1220 EI8GHB 59 27 IQ8OM/7 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1222 EI8GHB 59 27 DH0GDS 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1224 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ2ZY 59 MN
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1226 EI8GHB 59 27 S52WW 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1227 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ1YE 59 SZ
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1228 EI8GHB 59 27 SP5LS 59 27
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1233 EI8GHB 59 27 SI7GM 59 18
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1236 EI8GHB 59 27 RZ9HG 59 31
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1238 EI8GHB 59 27 RK3DH 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1242 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ2EG 59 SN
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1243 EI8GHB 59 27 YU1DW 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1318 EI8GHB 59 27 F6DRP 59 27
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1327 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ1BJ 59 KD
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1331 EI8GHB 59 27 UA1AFT 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1335 EI8GHB 59 27 OR1Z 59 27
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1337 EI8GHB 59 27 RA3CM 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1340 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ5K 59 SZ
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1347 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ1MS 59 SF
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1349 EI8GHB 59 27 EW6AF 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1350 EI8GHB 59 27 EA2SS 59 37
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1350 EI8GHB 59 27 IZ5MMB 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1352 EI8GHB 59 27 RZ3TZZ 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1443 EI8GHB 59 27 AD1L 59 08
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1445 EI8GHB 59 27 PI4AMF 59 27
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1449 EI8GHB 59 27 DL3EA 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1502 EI8GHB 59 27 IW5EFX 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1530 EI8GHB 59 27 9A1BM 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1550 EI8GHB 59 27 DL2SAX 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1555 EI8GHB 59 27 CT2IVH 59 37
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-21 1601 EI8GHB 59 27 EA7IBK 59 37
QSO: 7000 PH 2009-11-21 1637 EI8GHB 59 27 PI4AMF 59 27
QSO: 7000 PH 2009-11-21 1639 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ5K 59 SZ
QSO: 7000 PH 2009-11-21 2007 EI8GHB 59 27 YT1HA 59 28
QSO: 7000 PH 2009-11-21 2014 EI8GHB 59 27 RK3K 59 29
QSO: 7000 PH 2009-11-21 2016 EI8GHB 59 27 HA1YI 59 28
QSO: 7000 PH 2009-11-21 2019 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ2LF 59 MN
QSO: 7000 PH 2009-11-21 2031 EI8GHB 59 27 SN3B 59 28
QSO: 7000 PH 2009-11-21 2116 EI8GHB 59 27 S51D 59 28
QSO: 7000 PH 2009-11-21 2311 EI8GHB 59 27 LY3BB 59 29
QSO: 7000 PH 2009-11-22 0919 EI8GHB 59 27 WRONGBAND1 59
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 0920 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ2ZF 59 MN
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 0925 EI8GHB 59 27 IW0HLZ 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 0929 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ1195IR 59 PD
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 0935 EI8GHB 59 27 RC9O 59 31
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 0938 EI8GHB 59 27 RK3DZB 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 0941 EI8GHB 59 27 YL3DR 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 0943 EI8GHB 59 27 RW1CW 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 0946 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ9R 59 BU
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 0950 EI8GHB 59 27 RU9CC 59 30
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 0952 EI8GHB 59 27 YU1ARC 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1017 EI8GHB 59 27 RV0AL 59 32
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1029 EI8GHB 59 27 RW3XM 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1032 EI8GHB 59 27 UY0CA 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1043 EI8GHB 59 27 HG4F 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1045 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ1ND 59 PD
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1048 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ8E 59 RZ
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1049 EI8GHB 59 27 RX9AM 59 30
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1050 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ2HR 59 SN
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1059 EI8GHB 59 27 EW8KY 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1100 EI8GHB 59 27 YL2IP 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1103 EI8GHB 59 27 UA1AFZ 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1117 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ3FN 59 DO
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1119 EI8GHB 59 27 F1AEY 59 27
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1122 EI8GHB 59 27 YO3CZW 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1124 EI8GHB 59 27 EC7ABV 59 37
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1128 EI8GHB 59 27 YR1C 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1130 EI8GHB 59 27 HG41 59 28
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1133 EI8GHB 59 27 UA4CCG 59 29
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1141 EI8GHB 59 27 RN4WA 59 30
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1142 EI8GHB 59 27 LZ3GA 59 PD
QSO: 14000 PH 2009-11-22 1158 EI8GHB 59 27 HG8C 59 28

What better way to work the LZ DX contest than with a FT-1000MP?

I'm sitting here listening intently to a QSO on 40 metres (7.133 LSB) with a station in Sri Lanka and, for once, I am actually hearing the DX station, albeit only just. The station is 4S7NE, and he is quite faint but audible some of the time.

The reason for the sudden improvement in my receive capabilities? It might be down to the installation of a Yaesu FT-1000MP in my shack, in place of the Kenwood TS-570D which has been the main rig here for the past 9 months. I am trying the Yaesu out but I can tell you that based on its performance so far I will be buying it, no doubt.

I worked 20m for the Bulgarian contest (LZ DX) today in the single op single band category and found the performance of the FT-1000MP to be fantastic against the Kenwood. There's no doubt it's a serious rig. This is what Amateur Radio is all about - sitting in front of rigs like this listening to the world on HF. Oh yes.

I have only 36 QSOs on 20m for the LZ contest, and a few on 40m which will be disregarded when it comes to calculating the result. But I've only just started down the road of contesting, and I have a very humble station, working 40m and 20m on a half-size G5RV and sometimes working 20m, and very successfully 17m, 15m and 10m on my old 11m Antron 99! Yes, it tunes on 20m!

So I will probably get up in the morning and work some more for the LZ, with hopefully a few multipliers thrown in. So far I have worked only 8 LZ stations, but they are few and far between in fairness.

Solar Cycle 24 begins to show signs of life

This is the sort of image an astronomer or radio amateur might not normally get excited about. However, given the extended low sunspot period we've been experiencing, any sign of sunspot activity is now causing delirious excitement. (Image: Spaceweather.com)

You might have to click the image to view a larger version in order to actually see the sunspots. They are rather small!

Seeing such small sunspots is the equivalent of getting four numbers in the Lotto. You know you can feel good, but you might not jump around the place screaming in celebration.

The sunspot groups numbered 1032 and 1033 are members of the new cycle, just beginning, which shall be known as Solar Cycle 24. Most of this year there have been no sunspots. In October, a large sunspot group caused great excitement when it emitted a number of B Class solar flares and might have helped increase propagation at times on the amateur bands.

The sunspot cycle comes and goes, with a period of 11 years. We should have expected a considerable uplift in the number of sunspots in 2009, but instead we have been in a prolonged low period of zero sunspots. The longest low period of recent times was in 1913, and this one was beginning to look like it might go on forever.

Radiation emitted from the sun, from outbursts associated with sunspots, ionises the upper atmosphere, aiding radio propagation. So radio amateurs, stand by your sets and get ready for the lift. OK, don't get too excited. These are small sunspots, capable of producing very small B class flares, so let's not get carried away just yet.

However, any sign of sunspots, big or small, is surely a good sign. The sun is beginning to kick into life at last, having been free of spots for most of 2008 and 2009. If you gave up HF in the past two years, now might be the time to buy a radio, because if the propagation lifts, a rig will inevitably cost more!!

Here is a very interesting website by an amateur (VE3EN) all about Solar Cycle 24: http://solarcycle24.com/

If you want to see an image of the sun when it is at sunspot maximum, have a look at this image which was taken on September 27th 2001 and illustrates how spectacularly busy the surface of the sun can be with sunspots.

Good news - EI2RCR Ridge of Capard back on the air!

News just in: The Ridge of Capard voice repeater (EI2RCR) which has been off air since early September is back on the air today.

South Eastern Amateur Radio Group repeater keeper John McCarthy EI8JA confirmed the news at lunchtime to Ham Radio Ireland.

EI2RCR is on 145.650 (-600 shift) and is located on Ridge of Capard in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

This is great news for amateur radio operators in the midlands and further afield.

Thank you to John and SEARG for this update.

Great pile-up on 80m last night - thanks to EI2JD

Thos Caffrey EI2JD invited me down to use his excellent station last night, which I took great advantage of. We worked 400w out on an inverted V on 80 metres which performed excellently, although we did have quite a high noise level (+9 s meter) so some of the weaker stations were very difficult. It didn't take long for a pile-up to develop, which I enjoyed immensely. Here is my log from the night. All stations have already been sent eQSL. I will send QSL cards when I get them printed.

1 2009-11-15 21:53:00 80 3793.0 SSB ER4DX 59 59
2 2009-11-15 22:05:21 80 3780.0 SSB G0SIF 59 59
3 2009-11-15 22:05:36 80 3780.0 SSB DL1ECU 59 59
4 2009-11-15 22:07:58 80 3780.0 SSB SP9FUU 59 59
5 2009-11-15 22:09:18 80 3780.0 SSB DH3FAN 59 59
6 2009-11-15 22:10:43 80 3780.0 SSB DK1AQ 59 59
7 2009-11-15 22:11:07 80 3780.0 SSB HB9EHP 59 59
8 2009-11-15 22:13:03 80 3780.0 SSB M0PSW 59 59
9 2009-11-15 22:14:26 80 3780.0 SSB SP2QOT 59 59
10 2009-11-15 22:16:16 80 3780.0 SSB ON3IM 59 59
11 2009-11-15 22:19:05 80 3780.0 SSB ON3DMJ 59 59
12 2009-11-15 22:20:07 80 3780.0 SSB DO6RO 59 59
13 2009-11-15 22:20:34 80 3780.0 SSB IZ1NLS 59 59
14 2009-11-15 22:21:48 80 3780.0 SSB I2MWY 59 59
15 2009-11-15 22:22:10 80 3780.0 SSB OE2KHM 59 59
16 2009-11-15 22:23:28 80 3780.0 SSB SQ8NGV 59 59
17 2009-11-15 22:24:09 80 3780.0 SSB IW2NRT 59 59
18 2009-11-15 22:25:06 80 3780.0 SSB IN3EBU 59 59
19 2009-11-15 22:25:43 80 3780.0 SSB DL4DBG 59 59
20 2009-11-15 22:28:35 80 3780.0 SSB DF4NA 59 59
21 2009-11-15 22:29:19 80 3780.0 SSB M3OVC 59 59
22 2009-11-15 22:30:19 80 3780.0 SSB OZ2PM 59 59
23 2009-11-15 22:31:02 80 3780.0 SSB GW6JBN 59 59
24 2009-11-15 22:33:30 80 3780.0 SSB 2E0CSQ 59 59
25 2009-11-15 22:36:08 80 3780.0 SSB OM1AWA 59 59
26 2009-11-15 22:37:22 80 3780.0 SSB HB9MHR 59 59
27 2009-11-15 22:38:36 80 3780.0 SSB IW4EMV 59 59
28 2009-11-15 22:39:17 80 3780.0 SSB DH0PAZ 59 59
29 2009-11-15 22:40:48 80 3780.0 SSB ON3RY 59 59
30 2009-11-15 22:41:56 80 3780.0 SSB PE1CZG 59 59
31 2009-11-15 22:42:50 80 3780.0 SSB IZ1POQ 59 59
32 2009-11-15 22:44:55 80 3780.0 SSB LA8KHA 59 59
33 2009-11-15 22:45:49 80 3780.0 SSB MM0GZZ 59 59
34 2009-11-15 22:47:15 80 3780.0 SSB VE1YX 59 59
35 2009-11-15 22:48:26 80 3780.0 SSB DL6KMV 59 59
36 2009-11-15 22:49:17 80 3780.0 SSB DO9JV 59 59
37 2009-11-15 22:51:00 80 3780.0 SSB SQ9NOS 59 59
38 2009-11-15 22:51:32 80 3780.0 SSB 9A4ZZ 59 59
39 2009-11-15 22:52:10 80 3780.0 SSB RZ3RM 59 59
40 2009-11-15 22:53:00 80 3780.0 SSB UA3YOW 59 59
41 2009-11-15 22:54:18 80 3780.0 SSB IZ1RDQ 59 59
42 2009-11-15 22:55:06 80 3780.0 SSB SQ7NSX 59 59
43 2009-11-15 22:56:52 80 3780.0 SSB OM3CV 59 59
44 2009-11-15 22:59:12 80 3780.0 SSB OZ6QG 59 59
45 2009-11-15 23:00:05 80 3780.0 SSB CT1DKS 59 59
46 2009-11-15 23:01:32 80 3780.0 SSB G4PQP/QRP 59 59
47 2009-11-15 23:03:57 80 3780.0 SSB DL7ORP 59 59
48 2009-11-15 23:04:26 80 3780.0 SSB M3JWL/QRP 59 59
49 2009-11-15 23:07:30 80 3780.0 SSB DK6TA 59 59
50 2009-11-15 23:09:46 80 3780.0 SSB UA4NW 59 59
51 2009-11-15 23:10:32 80 3780.0 SSB LA1BSA 59 59
52 2009-11-15 23:13:55 80 3780.0 SSB OK1YC 59 59
53 2009-11-15 23:17:32 80 3780.0 SSB PC2EBE 59 59
54 2009-11-15 23:20:43 80 3780.0 SSB 2E0IMT 59 59
55 2009-11-15 23:25:02 80 3780.0 SSB YO2MHJ 59 59
56 2009-11-15 23:28:25 80 3780.0 SSB DJ2RO 59 59
57 2009-11-15 23:31:58 80 3780.0 SSB MI3WJH 59 59

VIDEO: learn Morse Code (CW) with free software

This is a quick video I made tonight while in the midst of trying to learn Morse Code. I am currently on 18 characters out of a total of 44. It's fun but difficult at the same time. I am using free software called 'Just Learn Morse Code' which I downloaded from this website. It's a handy wee program and you can set the speed and also the number of characters. It starts you off with two characters and you add one when you score above a certain mark each time, usually around 90%. I was at one stage a few months ago up to 21 characters but had to give up learning CW in favour of studying for my amateur radio licence.

Now that I have the licence I would like to be able to operate CW. There seem to be more CW spots on the cluster at any given time than SSB, except during SSB contests. So it's a good way to make contacts when the bands are quieter.

When I am proficient I will take a test at a radio rally and may then apply for a two-letter callsign suffix. You may notice the superior quality of this video. It was shot on my new Canon XHA1 high-definition camcorder. I am impressed!

Worked Bulgaria for the first time

I just worked Bulgaria for the first time on 20 metres. I had a nice QSO with Ivan LZ2LP on 14.182.3 USB. He is an artist, with his paintings proudly displayed on his QRZ page. Conditions are not exactly fantastic on 20 metres this morning, however I am glad to hear some action because 40m and 80m have been quiet most nights this week.

I also worked a quick contact with EW8A in Belarus on 17 metres.

Yesterday I had a nice long QSO with John, who is originally from England, but permanently resident in Spain. He is EA7/G1WWU. He was working the IC7400 with 400 watts through a dipole. He was sounding good.

Also on Friday I worked HF35PEA which is a special event station celebrating 35 years of the SP1PEA club in Koszalin, Poland.

Just worked Senegal on 40m - YES !!!!!

I just worked Senegal on 40m. 6V7S had been spotted lots of times on the cluster and was working split for a while but then went simplex. I decided to finally try him and he came back straight away!!

He gave me 59 and I gave him 59. I worked him on 7.155.5 USB on 40 metres. I was putting out 100 watts only.

A nice first for me. An unusual one.

It's a bit quiet on the bands . . .

Well it was bound to happen. I get my licence and then things go quiet. Since the Ukranian DX contest at the weekend the bands have been quiet at night. I say at night because I work during the day when I'm sure 20 metres is flying, but right now 40 is pretty quiet and 80 is not much better. I can tune my half-size G5RV on 40 and get out quite well, but on 80 I'm not getting much RF out at all, and my listening capabilites are restricted. So I'm a bit sad right now, but not to worry because I am listening on 2 metres through the Echolink gateway EI2MOG. The lads in the Skerries Radio Club (EI2NCR) are chatting with a Zulu Lima Station (ZL = New Zealand btw) and it's great to hear it.

My mind has wandered towards getting set up on 80 metres. Following some advice I've decided to experiment with a Delta Loop for 80 around the garden. I am quite restricted for space and estimate the overall length won't be much more than 60 feet, so I hope it tunes and gets me out a bit better than the half-sze G5RV.

I will let you know how I get on. Not sure when I'm going to get it set up but I am getting coax from Tony EI4DIB tomorrow and will purchase the wire also tomorrow too. So let's keep the fingers crossed that I get a half-decent bit of action on 80m. Who knows, I might be able to do a bit of listening on 160m too!

Contacts worked for the Ukranian DX contest

001 5B4AIF 59 182
002 IW5ELR 59 032
003 YU1DW 59 206
004 UZ0U 59 KO
005 YT6M 59 100
006 LZ1ZF 59 162
007 IZ8GNR 59 143
008 EA7IBK 59 109
009 YT1BB 59 281
010 UY4WWA 59 LV
011 YO5AM 59 039
012 YT0W 59 147
013 UR9QQ 59 ZP
014 UA9CLB 59 302
015 UW2I 59 DO
016 RU6LWZ 59 632
017 YU1WS 59 648
018 UT7L 59 HA
019 RZ3AXX 59 1966
020 RC9O 59 1827
021 UR4U 59 KO
022 UA9XL 59 619
023 UT1DX 59 ZA
024 HA8KV 59 456
025 UY7MM 59 LU
026 OK4PA 59 030

Stations worked today, 7th November 2009

W1FDY - testing my newly-raised half-size G5RV 59 into Virginia
CU2DX - Azores - and I beat the pile-up on 17m!!
5B4AIF - Norman in Cyprus, thanks for 59!
IW5ELR - 59 each way
YU1DW - Ukraine contest 003
UZ0U - 004 59 59
YT6M - 59 59 005
LZ1ZF - 59 59 006
IZ8GNR - 59 59 007
EA7IBK - 59 59 008
YT1BB - 59 59 009
UY4WWA - 59 59 LV 010
YO5AM - 59 59 011
YT0W - 59 59 012
EA6/DJ5GI - Heinz in lovely Majorca, where it is 21 degrees! Thanks.
UR9QQ - 40m - 59 59 ZP 013
UA9CLB - 40m 59 59 014

Stations worked over the past two days

Got some interesting contacts on various bands over the past 48 hours:

SQ3LVO 40m Poland
EI9CJ 2m Tom, Dundalk
ES1/OZ5IPA 20m Special Call - International Police Assoc. excursion to Estonia
EW8A 20m Belarus
I2OHO 20m Italy
IZ1JLG 20m Italy
YU1DW 20m Serbia
9A430KA 20m Croatia
EA2CNW 20m (2nd female operator worked!) Spain
EA6UN 17m Spain
YT1BB 20m Serbia
VO1DGP 20m Newfoundland - first QSO
EI2IN 2m Brendan, Julianstown, Ireland
YO4RIU 40m Bogdan in Romania
YU1XA 40m Serbia
HA8JV 40m Hungary
I5ZSS 40m Italy

Got my very first QSL card in the post today

My very first QSL card since becoming a licenced amateur arrived in the post today. I was delighted to get it. In fact, it was more than a QSL card because there was a separate photo of the operator at his station.

The card came from Fox Nine Sierra Hotel - F9SH - in France. Thanks very much Charles for the lovely card with a nice welcome to the bands. I was only licenced two days when I worked Charles last Sunday, November 1st.

The contact was made at 10:33 UTC on 14.245 Mhz (20 metres) and Charles gave me a nice 59 report.

Charles is 85 years old and still going strong on the radio. "Hope and wish you have a long activity with many DX contacts" he sayd. Thanks a million.

Dundalk Amateur Radio Society monthly meeting

I thoroughly enjoyed the monthly meeting of Dundalk Amateur Radio Society last night. Held at Marconi House, Castletown Road, there was a good attendance of local amateur station operators from the area, including operators from north and south of the border, and some from Drogheda.

The meeting was introduced to one of the new Mike India operators, Mickey MI6MMT, who was given a warm welcome.

Of particular note at the EI7DAR meeting was the fact that the Echolink station EI2MOG (Mount Oriel Gateway at Collon) is up and running again after a power cut and a problem with hardware. Thanks to Richard MI3CQR for the speedy repairs.

I heard a Zulu Lima station (ZL = New Zealand) working a G (England) station through the EI2MOG this morning at about 8.50am. I am looking forward to working my first DX contact through Echolink soon.

The club's contest team, EI0W, is taking part in the Ukraine contest this weekend on 40 metres. I hope to be operating the contest station for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon/evening, so keep an ear out as this will be my first venture into the world of HF contesting.

Worked Armenia on 20m this morning

I decided to switch on the radio for 10 minutes after breakfast this morning. I heard an interesting station calling CQ on 20 metres. He was EK6TA, and was coming in strong, about 5 and 9. There was very little noise on the band. I could hear that he wasn't exactly working a pile-up and gave him a shout. "Station with Hotel Bravo again" he said, so I keyed up and gave the callsign again. "Echo India 8 Golf Hotel Bravo".

He gave me 5 and 8. Nice new country for the log.

A few interesting contacts today

Today being Sunday, I got some opportunities to work the HF bands. I worked mostly on 20 metres and a bit on 17 metres where there were a few openings. There were one or two spots on 15 metres as well but I failed to work any.

I worked my first Stateside contact - W4CCS - at quarter past midday. Thanks indeed. And it has been confirmed on eQSL which I got set up with today.

I also worked my first female contact today. HB9EGR Regy worked me on 20m with a dipole and 100watts. A modest station, like my own. Thanks Regy!

I got two special callsigns in the past 24 hours. Last night I got DL60CHILD, celebrating 60 years of the Children's Villages charity, on 40m. Today I got SP80WAC, which is not listed on QRZ.com.

All my 20 metre contacts were worked on an Antron 99 with 100 watts.