Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The early bird does indeed catch the worm!


This is my QSO with TX5K, Clipperton Island, on 80 metres CW at shortly after 6am this morning! I started recording just as I started calling them, and as you can see from this very short video, I got through after just three calls!!

Although his signal doesn't seem to be very strong, bear in mind that I was using my old Butternut vertical antenna! I was giving him 400 watts from the Acom 1000. He was calling EU only. I am absolutely delighted to get this rare one into the log on the low bands. That brings my total number of slots up to eight.

I had heard them on 80 CW at 8.30am yesterday, but it was bright here and it was too late. However, Ark EI9KC had told me to try around 5-6am so that's what I did. Thanks Ark !

And here it is . . . the DXA online log system for TX5K confirms
that I have worked them on 80m CW, among others!

8 comments:

  1. Congratulations! Great video to remember! 73!
    Ark EI9KC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ark, I set the camera up before I started calling him. I just had a feeling it wouldn't take long. He was strong and there weren't many calling him at that time. Thanks for the advice by the way! I wish I had an antenna for top band. I reckon I could have got them on 160m this morning.......

      Ah well, something to keep for the future! ;)

      Best 73
      EI9KC de EI2KC
      sk

      Delete
  2. Good morning Anthony, great video of the contact and the band sure did sound quite and not much traffic at all either.
    Mike

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Mike. I really should make an effort to get up earlier in the winter time so that I can catch some DX on 80 metres. It really is a nighttime band, or very early in the morning on the grey line. Have you had any luck with them?

      Delete
    2. Good morning Anthony, I have not given it a good effort yet. I was listening but it was super busy. I have been out each night once I get home from work and when I do get in I'm tired. I will be off work on Friday so I am going to give them a go then.
      Mike

      Delete
  3. Well done Anthony

    Just got them on 80m here too, wasn't quiet as easy as you but got there in the end.

    They are very workable on 160 here now but I have no TX antenna for top band after my L was damaged in the wind a few weeks back.

    Just need 10m and I'm done here havn't got the time to go after all the slots,

    73
    Trevor
    EI2GLB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done on 80m Trevor. Pity about your 160m antenna. That's bad form. I don't have one but I was damn annoyed about that when I could hear them on my inverted vs. I'm sure I would have worked them if I had any antenna I could get 100 watts out on . . . but that's how it goes. I also need 10m but as I'm back at work the higher bands have been difficult, especially on SSB. Who knows what the weekend might bring.

      73 de EI2KC

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  4. Good to hear your back to work Anthony, I got them on 10m today they were very workable around 15z, think the are starting to tear down tonight, not sure when the go QRT,

    73
    Trevor

    ReplyDelete

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