Finally, it is my great pleasure to report that ZK3N, Tokelau Island in the Pacific Ocean, is in my log! I worked the mini German dxpedition on ZK3 this morning on 20 metres CW. I had spent days trying to work them, with a lot of bad luck. A few times when I sat down at the radio to start calling them, they would QRX, QSY or QRT just when they were strong to EU. Other times I had to leave the shack, or leave the house, for various reasons. This time, I managed to get them after just about ten, maybe fifteen, minutes calling. They were on 14.006. I sat on 14.015, having been tipped off by Declan EI6FR that the split was wide. Eventually I could hear "ES2?" so, thinking it might be me (for non CW ops, S is three dits, I is two!), I gave my call a couple of times. He came back with "EI2?" and I gave it a couple more times. Then he came back again with "EI2KC 5NN" and I gave "EI2KC 5NN 5NN TU". And that was it!. Dxcc #288 was in my log!
I enjoyed some PSK and RTTY operation over the past number of days. I worked a few decent DX contacts on digital modes with 40 watts. I am enjoying using these modes. I don't have to listen to any noise on these modes which is nice.
Well done Tony! 2 x KC in their log on 20m this morning.
ReplyDeleteAh brilliant! The Kilo Charlies are definitely well represented on the HF bands Ark. Congrats!!
DeleteHi Tony, can you explain the use of QRX in this context? Wikipedia says - "When will you call me again? I will call you again at ... (hours) on ... kHz (or MHz)". Is there another meaning for this code? I'm just curious - it somehow doesn't fit between the other two
ReplyDeleteThe official meanings of Q codes can sometimes seem confusing. QRX to me has always meant "stand by, I am taking a break" or something similar. We say QRX on VHF when, for instance, we receive a phone call, or someone comes to the door and we have to leave the shack for a few minutes.
Deletethanks, that makes sense!
DeleteNo problem, glad to help!
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