bhi NES10-2 DSP Speaker
September 25, 2008 by Darren
Ever since my purchase of a Galaxy Saturn rig for citizens band communications about 5 years ago, I had been searching for a way to lower the ridiculously high noise level which seems so prevalent with this brand of CB radio.
As is the case with many rigs- not just the Galaxy Saturn – the Noise Blanker mode was completely ineffective on the Galaxy, making no difference at all to the 5/7 background racquet which continued to hinder my DX operations.
Although I was based on a small remote island in OC-138 at the time, I still suffered loads of electrical and natural interference – possibly attributed to some of the Indonesian fishing boats fishing in the surrounding waters or maybe even some dodgy electrical appliances running in some of the nearby neighbouring villages.
Obviously, this QRM and QRN caused me lots of frustration – especially in times of huge IOTA pile ups when signals weren’t that great. It wasn’t until I read a review of the bhi NES10-2 DSP speaker in the Australian publication ‘Radio and Communications’ magazine (now R.I.P) that I started feeling a bit better about my predicament.
After being convinced of their ‘worth’ by the owner of the mag, Bob Harper, and testimonies from other DX’ers such as 43SD133 Jaye and 43SD121 Frank who were already in possession of the item and, might I add, raving about it continuously, I decided to acquire one from Andrews Communications in Sydney Australia.
After convincing the XYL money manager that $350 was a cheap price to pay for a speaker accessory to compliment the $1000 transceiver, it wasn’t long before I was enjoying some of the benefits this little beauty has to offer!
Appearance
Manufactured in 26 Division, the bhi NES10-2 is a small, black rectangular speaker approximately 110 mm in width, 65 mm in height and 55 mm in density. Arriving on the barge from the Australian mainland within record time, this sexy little unit turned up double boxed with protective foam and bubble wrap, a mounting bracket, 2 fixing screws, 4 small self adhesive feet, 24 page operating manual and a 2m DC power cable.
As the picture shows, the front of the unit is dominated by the speaker grille with the model number in silver text on the bottom left corner and a LED indicator on the top right. Located on the apex, there is a ‘Sensitivity Control’ and an ‘On/Off Noise Cancellation’ control, which, unlike the Galaxy Saturn’s, works quite well!
Furthermore, ‘Dip Switches’, a printed ‘Noise Cancellation Selection Table’ (see picture), ‘Audio Input Lead’ and a ‘DC Power 2.1 mm Socket’ are found on the rear of the unit. Conveniently located on the left side of the speaker is a ‘Headphone’ socket which certainly gets a big work out from this particular operator out when the propagation is running.
On both sides of the unit, there is support for the supplied and fitted ‘Mounting Bracket’. This allowed me to fix the speaker to the underside of my desk shelf in the radio shack and give me extra table space for filling out the log and QSL cards (ie. more space for mess).
Setting Up
After familiarising myself with the manual, I proceeded to hook up the unit to DC power. I then connected the supplied 2 metre long speaker cable to the test transceiver (in my case a Galaxy Saturn) and started playing around with the switches to see what she could do.
Operation
Funnily enough, there is no actual ‘On/Off Power Switch’ for the speaker, so you just turn on any 12-28 volt dc power supply to operate. As power is turned on, the LED light glows, indicating which position the ‘On/Off Noise Cancellation’ switch is set at. If the LED is glowing red, for instance, this indicates that DSP function is ‘OFF’, but if it is coloured green, then this indicates the DSP function is ‘ON’.
There are two controls which, once set, rarely need to be adjusted (unless of course you alter the connected receiving equipment or encounter a signal that needs extra processing). They are the ‘Sensitivity Control’ and the ‘Dip Switches’.
The ‘Dip Switches’ by default are already set to Level 6, nevertheless, I found that a lower or higher setting was sometimes more suited in different DX conditions.
According to the ‘Operating Manual’, the ‘Sensitivity Control’ is set in the first instance, by turning it fully anti-clockwise and then back a quarter of a turn. Extra modification is sometimes required, however most modern equipment will accept the original settings outlined in the manual. Fortunately for clumsy DX’ers like myself, the ‘Sensitivity Control’ is designed so that it cannot be easily changed if – if accidentally bumped, etc.).
The next thing to do is switch the ‘On/Off Noise Cancellation’ off and find a signal which is affected by a bit of noise. The ‘On/Off Noise Cancellation’ switch is then turned on. It usually takes a couple of seconds for the DSP to kick in but then you will notice a distinct improvement in audio quality with far less noise and in most cases a signal that is much more easier on the ears.
I have used the bhi NES10-2 DSP with success on many types of signals including AM Shortwave Broadcasts, SSB and Morse code signals. On all occasions, audio quality is improved substantially. I have even found that the bhi NES10-2 DSP speaker will allow me to hear stations on SSB that I would, in ordinary circumstances, not be able to do so. The effect it has on audio is really quite amazing!
In fact, leaving the ‘On/Off Noise Cancellation’ switch ON sometimes makes you wonder whether the radio is actually working as the background crackle and pop has effectively vanished.
Conclusion
The bhi NES10-2 DSP speaker may be diminutive but the improved audio output can make the most sub-standard transceiver appear adequate.
Providing the item is affordable to you, I would thoroughly recommend it to any one wanting to improve their reception of radio signals without spending a huge amount of money on a new DSP based transceiver. Having said that, I have also used it in conjunction with the DSP features on the Kenwood TS-2000 and its matching SP-23 speaker with great results.
73 de Darren, 43DA010
ICOM IC-703
September 21, 2008 by Darren
Many 11m DXers believe that both QRP operating and QRP contests will be the new craze when Cycle 24 eventually kicks in. For those of you who’ve been living with their head shoved in a hay stack, the term QRP refers to operating at extremely low power of about 10 watts and is rather attractive in DX circles due to the challenges it poses in terms of workability.
A while ago I purchased an ICOM IC-703 on eBay for a bargain price especially for this purpose, but also to use on the legal band allocation (26.965 – 27.405 MHz) which is just about to take off incidentally with CB Club action! As you can see, this radio looks just like the IC-706 but it only puts out a maximum of 10 watts!
So why would I want this one when I’ve got the TS2000 already on the shack bench? Well, like I said before, I like the concept of QRP, this radio is made for it as it requires no further adjustments like tuning into the menu and turning down the power and, of course, the price was darned good, lol!
Although I’ve only had this rig for a short while, I can already say that the IC-703 is a beaut little radio with a terrific receiver. At just two kilograms, it is most definitely not an IC-706MkIIG with a 10W PA as some people assume and has its own unique characteristics. The receiver for instance, which is completely redesigned, has a much quieter front end. It’s extremely sensitive and the RX audio quality is excellent for SSB. You can definitely pull out the weak ones with this radio as I’m finding out by comparing reports with other ops in the local area.
The DSP noise reduction and auto notch are effective also. You do lose a little off the high end in the audio response, particularly if you set the noise reduction level above a 5. Still, the audio is not fatiguing and it’s better than having lots of noise as I’m sure you would agree. Like most rigs I’ve used, the noise blanker works but is not spectacular. I really don’t know why they bother with them in the first place…
Surprisingly, the internal antenna tuner works far better than I would have expected and just as well as my Pro 2 antenna tuner does. It certainly tunes a wider range than specified by ICOM!
On the TX side of things, audio reports from some of the local ops are quite good as well using just the standard ICOM microphone with its connector 8-pin modular jack. The optional BP-228 battery I’ve been using is fairly small and light but it will run the radio at a solid 5W out for a reasonable period of time.
Having previously owned the idiosyncratic Yaesu FT-100, I was well prepared for navigating the menus of the IC-703 and, for a technical idiot, I actually found the Menus and Operation Guide very easy to get my head around. The front panel is simple to understand, even with the menu system power consumption on low, but it would’ve been tops to have had a built in clock. You can’t have everything though or you’d be getting up in size and price and that would defeat the purpose of the radio in the first place.
My choice of power supply was of all things the PS/Speaker made to match the 10m Emperor TS-5010. The colour scheme matched perfectly and the 703 sits snugly on top of it.
With USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM and FM modes, the IC-703 seems to be well built and it’s a really cool rig to own, but there are a few things that do not appeal. Firstly, the connector for the DC PS seemed a bit iffy so we’ll have to see how it holds up. Secondly, I wasn’t keen on the microphone connection at the bottom of the rig. If this is the way they want it, they should have made the ‘Feet’ a fraction taller so that the microphone connector didn’t bind so much. When I use the headphones also, it is very difficult to use the IF-SHIFT knob.
My overall feeling is that the IC-703 is very versatile and very functional for QRP operating. As fas I’m concerned, performance is better than any other radio this small – or that I have used anyway. Power consumption, too, is very reasonable for such a feature rich radio (3A max for 10W out, 2A @ 9/6V for 5W out with the BP-228).
73 de Darren, 43DA001/010 Headquarters TeamHeil Quiet Phones
September 21, 2008 by Darren
For radio operators who appreciate crisp, clear audio RX, noise cancelling products have arguably been the greatest gift ever to the hobby. Now that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but those radio enthusiasts fortunate enough to have experienced their well publicised benefits will tell you that the often excessive price tags are undoubtedly worth every cent!
Not only does this type of useful technology make QSO’s with weak stations possible by eliminating harsh background noise and enabling you to pull out low signals, but it also makes the hobby much more pleasurable because of it.
Just as it’s helpful to use a good quality speaker system in the shack, it’s also important to own a pair of good headphones – particularly if you operate in a home QTH with excessive kid or XYL background noise like I do or enjoy the occasional DXpedition or field day adventure on the side.
Enter Heil’s Quiet Phone, marketed as an active noise cancelling headset, and, providing you can forgive some of the design faults noted by a few overseas hams, you’ve got yourself a winner.
With all the hoo-ha of Asian fishing boats and fizzing band harmonics, working on HF can often be an extremely frustrating experience. As all 11m DXers will testify, added noise from computers, fridges, air conditioners, televisions, Foxtel TV top boxes, passing trucks, fans and even fluorescent lights, can buzz right through ordinary headphones, interfering with the pleasure of a fulfilling DX experience – not to mention giving you one whopper of a headache.
Lucky I was then to have picked up a pair of Heil Quiet Phones a short time ago, direct from Heil Sound Ltd in the States, to see if they were in fact as useful as I had heard.
Like the product statement claims, the Heil Quiet Phones do cancel out annoying ambient noise, leaving clear, high quality audio. “How is this achieved?” you might ask. “Is it just a gimmick?”
For the tech heads, this unique technology uses two small mics placed deep inside the headset that listen to the outside as well as the radio noise. On the left earpiece, there is a slide switch to turn the noise cancellation on or off while a green LED above the switch indicates that it is on.
Conveniently, a switch on the left earpiece allows you to operate with ‘noise cancel’ or ‘no cancelling’. Be prepared to be bowled over, however, when you flip the switch to the cancel feature as it gives a totally different perspective to typical headphone listening. So much in fact that I never realised how much background noise I was settling for in the past through use of standard headphones.
Retailing for about $150AUS, Heil’s Quiet Phones operate on a single AA cell battery for about 30 hours, providing high fidelity and dual channel sound-with or without the active noise cancellation.
Unlike some popular headphone models on the modern day market, they are lightweight and fairly comfortable to wear and fit easily into an optional leatherette carrying bag which is recommended too if you intend on keeping the gear in good nick and flogging it off at a later time on eBay when the MKII version hits the shelves! The adjustable headband, too, makes it basically one size fits all.
On the negative side, the padded ear covers, in my opinion, are not angled well to cover all of your ears and this can be a real problem if you’ve got Dumbo ears like my mate 43DA124 John. Like most users, I would prefer that they were designed to fully enclose the ear rather than sit on top, but that’s a matter of personal preference and doesn’t detract from their performance at all.
As I said before, I have only owned the Heil Quiet Phones for only a short time and am yet to experience any problems with them. But even though I’m no synthetic materials expert, the plastic used appears to be pretty fragile. A mate of mine who purchased the headphones about 12 months ago is not a big fan of the headset’s structural soundness either. As pedantic as he is with his radio equipment, the plastic headband has now cracked open in a couple of places where the metal headband strap fits into the right headphone body, and then again at the swivel joint of the headphone.
One way of overcoming this issue would be to transplant the electric components of this headphone into a more robust headset – something I would certainly consider if I encountered the same problems. Then again, like all Heil products, the Quiet Phones come with a warrantee and friendly follow up service so I’d probably ask for a refund!
In summary, Heil’s Quiet Phones are very successful in reducing the low-frequency ambient noise presented to the ear. This reduces computer, power supply and fan noise and other sounds from the transceiver, plus incidental noise outside the shack, making RX on HF in particular much more satisfying.
If you’re looking for a pair of headphones to make your DXing easier or wanting to upgrade your current model, and the noise cancelling characteristics of the Heil Quiet Phones interest you, then I can recommend this product as one worth trying.
Specifications:
- Frequency Range 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Nominal Input 40 mW
- Active cancellation 50 – 1200Hz
- Active Cancellation peak – 20 dB at 150 Hz – 400 Hz
- Weight 128 grams
- Power one AA 1.5 battery
- Battery life 50 hours nominal
For more information on the Heil Quiet Phones, visit http://www.heilsound.com/amateur/quiet_phone.htm
73 de Darren, 43DA001/010 Headquarters TeamExpedition Pack MKII
September 20, 2008 by Darren
After a few DXpedition trips to remote and hazardous locations, your transceiver can start to look a bit worse for wear. Even with the best intentions – such as wrapping it in clean beach towels whenever you’re lugging it around an island like I’ve done before - sand still manages to find its way inside during packing up and unpacking the station.
While a bit of sand in the top chassis speaker and handheld mic audio grid (thanks to some IOTA set-ups on the beach) may not stifle the rig’s performance, they can sure leave a sour taste in one’s mouth. Thanks to the Expedition Pack however, now I can leave the extra beach towels at home!
Upon reading a review in the February 2002 edition of CQ Magazine which I picked up at a local Hamfest, I was excited to read about a backpack designed especially for protecting radios on DXpedition adventures. A quick surf of the web enabled me to purchase the newer MKII version on-line and the pack arrived two and a half weeks later by registered mail!
The Expedition Pack is manufactured by a company called Communication Outfitters which designs backpack style carrying cases for specific products (eg. radio transceivers). According to the company website, the initial version (NOT the one I purchased) was designed specifically for the Yaesu FT 817 and Tokyo Hy-Power HL 50B Amplifier, LDG Z11 Auto tuner, the MP-1 or MP-2 or other collapsible or wire antenna systems, as well as a variety of dual band mobile radios. As well, the lower section evidently held an external battery pack and several velcro straps internally were there to secure handhelds or other accessories…
In reviews that I read about the MKI version, the construction was said to be very sturdy nonetheless the backpack itself lacking in sufficient space, somewhat uncomfortable to use and certainly not suitable for trekking over any type of difficult landscape towards a secluded DX-stination.
Given that most of the DXpedition work I see myself doing in the future will be from rugged island terrain, this is the reason why I went for the MKII prototype. (Apparently, there were also some complaints about the fitment of the FT-817 though this was corrected in future runs).
Fortunately, the Expedition Pack MKII allows use of the larger HF radios such as the FT100, Icom 706 series and Kenwood TS2000. Like its older brother (or is that sister?), the top panel has two velcro openings to allow the use of antennas either on the right or left of the radio. There are several compartments on the large section, too, including two zippered openings on the lid which allow microphone or antennas to feed through the lid. There are also small compartments that will accommodate some light clothes, food and other items for the day expedition.
As you would expect, the pack is complete with heavy padding for your back and shoulders; a sternum and waist strap are included too. Also incorporated is a small removable pouch for your handheld radio, mobile phone or GPS, which connects to the shoulder strap at chest level and a place for your License, ID or other small notes on the right front shoulder strap.
Rumour has it that the Expedition Trail Pack (Which I did not buy although probably should have) is the one to really watch out for. It is a top loading backpack which will hold BOTH the MKI and MKII types. It also has a small pack that converts to a fanny pack which is designed especially for storage of an FT 817. Apparently, the fanny pack has a specially designed pocket for the Yaesu FT 817 complete with a cut-out on its side for the microphone connection.
As I said before, the Expedition Trail Pack will hold both the Expedition Pack MKI and Expedition Pack MKII inside the large compartment. This pack also has a pocket between the large and small pack that allows placement of a water bladder such as a Camel Back Hydration system.
In summary, this is a great product for the radio adventurer with the potential to provide added protection for expensive radio gear during DXpedition work. In fact, I can’t wait to test it out for real! Apart from the sexy look and the fact the backpack is so light (18 oz empty), I particularly love the water resistant material and the compartments for additional items such as a water bottle, lunch box, stationary etc. which will make life on the road much easier!
The Expedition Pack MKII is not exactly inexpensive but I would be willing to pay even more for a quality DXpedition backpack such as this. Subsequently, I would recommend this pack to anyone who would like a convenient and multi-purpose way to store or carry portable DXpedition equipment.
Before I finish up, before carrying any loaded backpack, it is recommended that you be sure you know your physical limitation and consult with your physician if you are unsure how a weight bearing pack may affect your health or back.
Bazooka Dipole
September 16, 2008 by Darren
bazooka /buzooca/, n. a cylindrical rocket launcher, an individual infantry weapon that fires a rocket…
(Macquarie Dictionary)
As the name suggests, the Double Bazooka dipole antenna is a hard-core DX killer capable of some DX-treme QSO carnage on 27 MHz frequencies! Not only is this particular type of antenna an attractive option for DXpeditioners working from ham unfriendly locations but its stealth qualities are also appealing to those radio hobbyists who are hamstrung (excuse the pun) by local council antenna restrictions and cannot erect a large antenna array.
First used in military conflicts to assist with stealth communications between army bases, the Double Bazooka antenna is an extremely broad banded half-wave antenna which can operate efficiently across an entire band with little change to the SWR. This antenna design was first conceived as a radar antenna in the early 1940’s for use by the U.S. Government. It was later modified for amateur radio use in the 1950’s and in modern times is great for those DXers who suffer from TVI.
Unfortunately, home-brew Double Bazooka antennas rarely survive harsh elements and wind-load stresses as the weak points are typically at the feed point and coax to twin lead connection. The I.A.C. design, on the other hand, is the culmination of a three year development program, including state of the art materials and encapsulation techniques, to provide the DXer with an antenna that will endure such harsh elements. Construction methods and components used are of government Mil-Spec quality. Antenna construction centres around 50 Ohm coax, in combination with 300 Ohm transmission line end sections. The end result is a centre feed broadband full wave dipole. Provided for the operator’s 50 Ohm feed line is a SO-239, a silver plated connector having Teflon insulation and a gold plated socket.
The features of the proprietary design anchor the connector in high shear UV resistant moulding. The coax elements are sealed in this moulding, which exhibits high adhesion to the PVC jacket. Mil-spec heat shrink tubing, with a melting inner liner, is utilised to seal and strain relieve the transition area between the coax and the twin lead. Heat shrink caps are applied to the outermost ends of the twin lead completing antenna construction.
This unique design eliminates the need for antenna matching baluns and can be fed directly with 50 Ohm coax. The Double Bazooka is 98% efficient and typically provides S.W.R. readings of less than 2:1 over the entire amateur band.
Since this antenna has no exposed metal wire, static charges can not build up thus reducing noise by 6dB over antennas constructed of exposed wire.
On the ham bands, the Double Bazooka antenna will handle full legal limit power with no effect to performance. It is recommended to be mounted in an inverted “V” configuration for optimum results, however, the Double Bazooka can be configured horizontally with equally good results!
The 80 Metre Double Bazooka antenna will operate on 80 through 10 metres, including 11metres, with the aid of an antenna tuner. It can be configured as a phased array with an optional add-on kit with the phased array producing up to 4.5dB forward gain and a front to back ratio of typically 20dB over a single dipole antenna.
The following chart gives overall antenna lengths and recommended height placement above ground for a single Double Bazooka:
Measurements
- Length a to e= 468 into frequency (example 468 divided by 1.900=246.32 ft)
- Length b to d= 325 into frequency (example 325 divided by 1.900=171.05 ft)
- Feed-line 57/ 87/ or 103 feet for optimum performance
Materials Needed
- rg8x (high power), rg58, or rg59
- hot glue and hot glue gun
- solder and soldering iron
- pl 259 connector with proper adapter
- empty plastic frosting container with lid
- small nylon rope
- plastic insulators if you want to get fancy
Getting Started
- Measure length of dipole section and cut 246 feet 4 inches
- Find centre exactly mark with electrical tape (point c see diagram)
- Determine length of point b to d and divide in half 171/2=85 feet 6 inches
- Start at c and measure 85 feet 6 inches and mark with tape both ways these will be your b and d measurements
- Cut length of feed-line 103 feet
Antenna Surgery
- Take an empty frosting container and remove the lid
- Cut main container up one inch from bottom
- Drill 3 holes in side to accept rg8x coax at proper entry points
- Feed dipole section in one hole and out the other and leave point c inside
- Feed-line should enter through remaining hole
- Remove 1 inch of vinyl at point c
- Carefully separate braid into two pieces – do not disturb centre connector
- Remove vinyl at end of feed-line and prepare centre and braid
- Solder centre connector of feed-line to one side of braid at c
- Solder braid of feed-line to other side of braid at c
- Position connection inside frosting cup and completely fill with hot glue
- When still warm put lid in place and glue edges from back side
- Let completely cool then drill a hole in upper section for mounting
- Go to point b and remove one inch of vinyl
- Carefully open a small section of braid and pull centre insulator up
- Remove insulation on centre wire
- Reposition braid over centre wire neatly and solder together
- Cover entire area with hot glue and let cool
- Repeat steps 14 through 18 at point d
- Solder together centre and braid at points a and e
- Cover these points with hot glue and let cool
Mounting and Tuning
- Take some strong small nylon rope and install it on each end by using half hitches in about a one foot area at the end dipole section at a and e also attach a small rope in the hole that you drilled in the frosting container.
- Install plastic insulators at end of rope
- Hang antenna up using strong rope and connect to radio and SWR meter
- Check SWR and determine resonate frequency (lowest SWR)
- If tuning is necessary lower longer/ higher shorter if SWR is flat at 1.875 then you need to remove equal length on each end and rehang and check SWR. If the SWR is flat at 1.950 then you need to lengthen the antenna and you can do this by simply soldering a length of standard dipole material to the end.
What is IOTA?
September 15, 2008 by Darren
Islands On The Air (IOTA) DX is one of the most thrilling facets of eleven metre band communications. Whether you’re an Island Chaser, part of a DXpedition team activating an island, or holidaying with the YL on a small isle with radio gear in tow, IOTA operations presents an enormous challenge for the DXer – one that has transcended from the ranks of Short Wave Listening and then Amateur Radio to the Freeband scene more than a decade ago.
Created in 1964 by Geoff Watts, a leading English short wave listener, and taken on by the Radio Society of Great Britain in 1985, IOTA is designed to encourage contacts with island stations world-wide.
For identification purposes, the world’s islands have been grouped into some 1200 IOTA groups, given reference numbers and categorised under one of 7 different regional headings according to their geographic location. These regions include:
- Oceania (OC)
- Europe (EU)
- South America (SA)
- North America (NA)
- Antarctica (AN)
- Asia (AS)
- Africa (AF)
[For example, the reference number allocated to Franz Josef Land is EU-019 where the prefix EU stands for Europe and the number 19 is the island's individual reference number].
What is an Island Chaser?
An Island Chaser is a DXer with a passion for working and confirming islands. Island Chasers think in terms of RSGB IOTA reference numbers rather than DXCC country listings. In addition to the DXCC listing found in most shacks of 11m DXers, the Island Chaser also possesses an IOTA directory which lists most islands in the world and their corresponding identification code.
The objective for the Island Chaser is to make radio contact with at least one island in as many IOTA groups as possible and for the Island DXpeditioner (See definition below) to provide such island contacts. For both, it is a fun pastime adding much enjoyment to on the air activity.
Activating an Island
Activating an island can be as easy as transporting a station (rig, antenna and power source) to one of the world’s many islands and making contacts. Of course there are many other challenges that a potential IOTA DXpeditioner must consider in addition to transporting his radio equipment…
Some of these might include:
- Which island will I activate?
- What is the reference number?
- Is ham friendly accommodation available?
- What antenna will I use and how will I mount it?
- What will my power source be?
- Do I require a permit to operate a station from the island?
- How will I get there? How will I get home?
- What would I do in case of emergency?
- With whom will I form my DXpedition team with?
- Does my planned IOTA activation align with any of the world’s major Freeband IOTA contests?
- What supplies will I take?
Contacts with maritime mobile stations anchored near islands are not valid for IOTA.
Which Islands Count?
According to RSGB guidelines, to count for IOTA, islands need to meet a few simple rules relating to location. They must not lie in rivers, inland lakes or seas, or largely enclosed bays. They must be a minimum distance from the mainland. And they must be either 1 kilometre in length or shown on a 1:1,000,000 scale map.
Where there is no officially recognised group, an IOTA group name is often given to cover a range of islands in a particular geographical sector.
Where Can I find the Island Reference Numbers?
The Dx Adventure Radio Club produces an IOTA Directory containing all reference numbers which is available for $15.00 AUS by contacting DA-RC HQ.
IOTA reference numbers are also available on the RSGB Site.
SY27-3 Yagi
September 13, 2008 by Darren
Attention DA-RC Members…If you’re looking for a yagi antenna for DXpedition work that is both small in size and super light but BIG in performance then keep reading. Likewise if you’ve previously decided that a yagi is not a viable option to compliment your DXpedition station due to size constraints then this product review may also grab your attention. After all, 200 DXCC worked and confirmed in the last 5 years and still looking a million bucks after years in a harsh tropical WX and it certainly has mine!
Manufactured by Sirio, the SY27-3 is a high performance, half wave, three element yagi ideally suited to 11m or CB DXing (26 – 28MHz). Other than the awesome price of $170.00 US, the first thing I noticed about the antenna when it arrived at my home QTH was the weight which had me thinking straight off that it would be ideal for DXpedition work. In fact, I was at first worried that the boom had been left out of the box and was sitting back in the supplier’s shop!
After unpacking the delivery, the yagi was set up in about 20 minutes and mounted on the tower in about 30minutes, partly thanks to the alan key set which comes in the package but mainly due to the clarity and succinctness of the manual which even I could understand.
The antenna is also so light that I could carry it up the tower in one hand and install it just as easily. Factory tuned at mid-band, the SY27-3 comprises a reflector, radiator, and director and is gamma matched with an impedance of 50 Ohm. Although I had it mounted horizontally on top of an old water tower about 30m off the ground, the SY27-3 can also be mounted on vertical planes.
Apart from the light weight, the low price, the high power handling capability and the superb performance, I’m also super impressed with the structure and materials used to make it. The elements, for example, are made of aluminium alloy 6063 T-832 and equipped with waterproof jointing sleeves. This keeps everything where it should and prevents the elements from shifting in the wind. And did I mention an excellent gain of 10.65 dBi (8.5 dBd)? Fair dinkum, you’d be hard pressed to find another 3 element yagi with this sort of top class performance!
In conclusion, if you’re serious about DXpedition work and want to be prepared for the new cycle when it arrives, then my advice is to grab one of these antennas because they would be ideal for DXpedition adventure. For those of you who have a little more cash to throw around, you may even want to upgrade to the SY27-4 for just another $50.00 as I’d imagine that they would be just as suitable for DXpedition work.
73 de Darren
The Island Chaser
September 13, 2008 by Darren
While the majority of radio operators wait patiently for that elusive DXCC and key up the mic only when a new entity has been announced on the band, a smaller group of DXers, affectionately known as Island Chasers, are forever chasing contacts with island stations to strike off another IOTA reference number in the log. For these operators, Island DXing represents a tremendous source of adrenaline – one which is barely understood by the run of the mill Freeband DXer – but one which is often viewed with fascination!
“So how can you tell an ‘Island Chaser’ from a typical DXCC or Contest DXer,” you might ask? “What separates them from the rest of us?” Essentially, Island Chasers think in terms of RSGB IOTA reference numbers (OC, AS, EU, NA, AN, SA) rather than DXCC listings. In addition to the DXCC listing found in most shacks of 11m DXers, the Island Chaser also possesses an IOTA directory such as the one sold by the Dx Adventure Radio Club which lists most islands in the world and their corresponding identification code. In Island Chaser lingo, this comprehensive island directory is commonly referred to as “the bible”.
One of the most obvious ways of identifying an Island Chaser is to SWL their radio contacts with island nations. While contacts with 224 Division in the Central Pacific Ocean region, for example, are common place for 43 Division operators, an Island Chaser will not only CQ for 224 Division but identify particular islands and OC IOTA reference numbers in the Kiribati group that remain un-worked and available for contact. Few people realise that DXCCs such as 224, 266, 265, 17, 41, 43, 201 etc. are in fact made up of many small islands/Oceania reference numbers and so present far more opportunities for new contacts than at first appears.
Upon making contact with an island station, an Island Chaser will always ask “What is your Island, please?” and if it is a previously unconfirmed island will usually request a postcard identifying the island and IOTA reference number direct from the operator. The reason for this is that quite often an IOTA station will only have a confirmation card that is a generic Division QSL card and does not mention the IOTA number for his respective island.
What makes being an Island Chaser on 27 MHz so exhilarating? Why go to all that trouble? The answer to that is “quite a few reasons actually!” Whereas there are only 347 DXCC listings, a number unlikely to change in the immediate future, the quantity of islands and island reference numbers available to confirm on the other hand is HUGE! Obviously, then, there are more opportunities to work new DX entities for Island Chasers which maintains the enjoyment and buzz of making new contacts.
The ‘challenge’ factor of confirming a small island, atoll, coral or sand cay, with few inhabitants is also attractive to the Island Chaser. Factors such as remoteness, isolation, distance and the technological simplicity of many island stations (eg. vertical/di-pole antenna, small power, limited operating times etc.) are also considerations which add to the thrill of the chase!
The DA-RC Island Hunter Contest, in addition to the World Wide Radio Organisation’sIslands Festival, appears to be the best opportunity for Island Chasers to showcase their talents and this event is certain to attract some of the most well known IOTA enthusiasts such as 14DA911 Eric, 43DA010 Darren and 43DA101 Jordan who will be keen to continue their successes in past IOTA events.
In addition to the IOTA contests which attract the most fanatical of Island Hunters, a large variety of IOTA Awards are up for grabs in the DA-RC Achievement Program to celebrate not only an Island Chaser’s DX conquests, but also those operators who undertake IOTA Dxpedition work.
For all the information on DA-RC’s comprehensive IOTA awards, please click on the link to the Achievement Program…
73 de DA-RC HQ
The DXpedition Experience
September 13, 2008 by Darren
“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water…”
As the DA-RC slogan suggests, the Dx Adventure Radio Club is dedicated to the thrill of making DX adventure more of a reality than a dream. “DX adventure is a pretty broad term,” you might say and that’s certainly true, but DA-RC members see DX adventure as more than just undertaking a DXpedition.
To us, DX adventure involves a whole range of communications related pastimes… Working DX, seeking DX, undertaking special DX activities from the home shack, the portable, or in the field – even technical DX-perimentation – all meet our definition of ‘DX Adventure’.
The DXpedition experience, however, is arguably the most exhilarating of all adventures associated with the hobby, and a priority of the Dx Adventure Radio Club. Usually defined as a ‘journey with radio’, a DXpedition is a trip to what is usually considered an exotic place by radio operators, perhaps because of its remoteness or maybe because there are very few radio ops in residence there. This ‘exotic place’ could be an island (IOTA), a country (DXCC), a state or region. In modern times, it could also be a lighthouse, light or lightship (LOTA), a castle or fortress (COTA), or in the case of DA-RC’s new SWOTA project, a shipwreck.
Some DXpeditions are organised around various radio contests that happen throughout the year such as the Oceania Contest or the World Wide Radio Organisation’s Islands Festival. Usually these are activated to help operators who need to contact that area/structure to obtain a new award, such as DA-RC’s IOTA Chaser Award, or a previously unworked or confirmed DXCC, IOTA, COTA, LOTA etc. In layman’s terms, DXpeditions are also said to put rare countries on the radio map!
A ‘country’ or ‘entity’ for 11m radio purposes is any location that is both politically and physically remote from other jurisdictions/locations. Even though Alaska (33 Division) and Hawaii (17 Division) are politically part of the United States, for example, they are listed as separate DX countries.
On the other hand, many DXpeditions take place from QTH’s with adequate access to power and supplies. Many Caribbean and Pacific island nations, as well as European micro-states, for instance, have small populations, but have hotels, reliable power, and supplies. Therefore, these states are regularly activated by nomadic DX’ers, often in combination with a family holiday.
Holiday operations from QTH’s where there are few resident operators are often more leisurely affairs, nonetheless the operator will seek to make as many contacts as possible in the operating time available, with the result that contacts are often extremely brief, limited just to an exchange of signal reports.
Other jurisdictions such as North Korea (334 Division) and Iran (154 Division), take a more stringent view of individual access to communications equipment and as such are regarded as juicy contacts because visitors find it almost impossible to gain permission to operate there – especially when you consider that 11m radio operations outside the allocated frequencies are illegal in many countries. In some cases, taking a radio to a country for the purpose of DX work might even be considered a death wish!
Finally, some locations are rare due to their extreme inaccessibility – examples include Macquarie Island (129 Division) or Chatham Island (261 Division). When DX’ers travel to remote QTH’s such as these they must first obtain permission to operate from that location. A check into local rules governing the operation of radios on certain frequencies should obviously be done before travel arrangements are made!
While some operators undertake a lone pilgrimage to isolated islands for the purpose of DX work, DXpeditions are more usually group affairs since the desire is to make as many contacts as possible from the location. Round-the-clock operations, therefore, are typical and usually involve rostered stints with the mic amongst the DX team members so that individuals can rest their vocal chords.
Once operating permission is assured, or at the very least tolerated by ignorance, then transportation must be arranged. This can be both expensive and dangerous. Some locations are coral atolls that are almost submerged at high tide; others are sub-polar islands with inhospitable climates.
The DXpeditioner must also take care of basic necessities such as food, water, and power. Often these are not available at the place of DX due to remoteness and the absence of any real infrastructure, so they may need to be packed and taken on the trip. Generators are large cumbersome devices but are often necessary where power is not available. (And of course, don’t forget the petrol)!
In addition to survival issues, DXpedition participants devote much attention to the radio equipment they use. In an extremely rare location, many thousands of stations may be calling the DXpedition at any one time so it is important that the team be well equipped to work them. Many DXpeditioners will aim to use high power and gain antennas in order to achieve a loud signal worldwide and keep control of the inevitable pileups that occur. This will also enable the operation to make a substantial number of contacts with parts of the planet which have unfavourable propagation from the area visited, lying perhaps on the opposite side of the polar region from it.
In some cases, however, smaller transceivers which run off of 12V DC and antenna systems such as verticals which are more easily transported are favoured over larger and more difficult to transport equipment. They also add to the challenge of DX-pedition work by making contacts more difficult!
Those who have experienced the sensation of DXpedition adventure will testify that undertaking any DXpedition work is truly an unforgettable experience. In addition to the adrenalin rush of setting up your portable station in the field and then logging your first station or working through a massive pile up of eager DXers determined to steal a progressive number from you, the satisfaction you get for having provided an opportunity to your fellow DXers is priceless.
73 de DA-RC HQ
Honeymoons – the Ultimate DXpedition Opportunity
September 13, 2008 by Darren
Definition: ‘Honeymoon – a traditional holiday taken by newlyweds to a secluded, exotic, or tropical destination considered to be special or romantic, in order to consummate the marriage.
I think it’s fair to say that not every 11m DXer has the time, the cash or the resources to undertake DXpedition adventure. Having to work, having to pay bills and having to look after the kids, for instance, can all conspire against plans to activate an island or a lighthouse, or sail out to a remote DXCC in the Pacific for a weekend or two…
Determined not to succumb to the limitations that life can impose on our hobby, some Freebanders I know have invented a terrific way to slip DXpedition work into the picture, without it impacting on any of the above, including the YL’s delicate state of mind. Enter the honeymoon experience…
Apart from the wedding night shindig, one of the best things about the union of a man and a woman is indeed the honeymoon (See definition above). While the wedding ceremony itself can be described as a fleeting experience at best-one that passes through the Alzheimer’s memory bank like a wedding waltz with the mother-in-law-the honeymoon escapade signifies a wonderful opportunity for the DXpedition enthusiast. Not just in terms of bedroom conquests or resultant honeymoon cystitis that will befit the new bride either, but for other seriously more meaningful raison d’être.
For the Pirate DXer, the coming together of a man and a woman in holy matrimony represents a once in a lifetime DXpedition experience (or more depending on how many times you walk down the aisle) too good to pass up; one that can fly under the radar of YL concern more likely attuned to the hype of requited love, heart-felt vows and expensive wedding gifts than the potential repercussions of a holiday to a small island in the Pacific with her leading man.
Experienced Freebanders will concur that the idea of using the honeymoon as an excuse for DXpedition endeavours is not a new one. History is littered with the exploits of diehard DXpedition freaks; operators who have smuggled transceivers and stealth antenna systems into luggage to exotic honeymoon destinations in order to perform DX activities. The rewards, after all, the opportunity for massive pile-ups, the back slaps and bouquets from fellow Freebanders, the adrenaline rush of DX adventure…are just too great to pass up!
As I mentioned before, the YL mindset at this time makes her awfully susceptible to underhandedness and by that I mean attempts to shy away from traditional honeymoon activities such as sightseeing, romantic walks along the beach at sunset, candlelit dinners and more, in favour of dealing out S9 reports and progressive numbers to DX hungry colleagues.
Having said that, combining ‘after wedding celebrations’ with a DXpedition venture is fraught with serious danger and will destroy bridal bliss in an instant-should it be an unsanctioned event or one performed with the compassion of a CB call channel musician. Many a wedding has been annulled and nuptials thrown out the resort window once the bride discovers her groom has emptied the contents of her suitcase prior to departure-just so he could stow away some extra DX-cessories like an amp, desk mic or antenna matcher for the benefit of his station.
But how many YL’s would authorise such an activity on their honeymoon at the expense of a girlhood dream in the first place? On the other foot, how many Freebanders would laugh in the face of hell by tossing out the bride’s bikini and dinner dress if given the green light to take along a radio? Hmmm, don’t answer that one…
For this reason, it is critical that any honeymoon DX work be performed with the sensitivity of a Yaesu FT9000 transceiver. For those too afraid too even broach the idea of operating an 11m station during periods of honeymoon ‘down time’, rest assured it is possible to undertake DX activity right under the nose of the new bride without her knowledge and without it sabotaging the honeymoon-provided you stick to the manual of DX Heroics that I’m about to quote from…
Firstly, succumbing to mysterious bouts of severe gastroenteritis or a rare strain of influenza and being confined to the bedroom while the bride shops to her heart’s content is not uncommon during stays at ‘Most Wanted’ locations. Blame it on the bonbonniere if you have to… The secret is having a medical certificate to authenticate an illness which requires 24/7 isolation whilst on the holiday but these can be downloaded from www.bullshit.com with a simple click of the mouse. Once this has been sorted out, it’s nothing but DX, DX and MORE DX on the room service menu!
Secondly, the use of headphones to conceal RX signals as well as stealth antenna (eg. a dipole which can be erected from a resort balcony to a nearby coconut palm with limited fuss), are an essential part of a honeymoon DXer’s kitbag if they are genuine about staying under the radar of bridal concern.
Other than functioning in covert mode, it is also possible to operate an 11m station when the YL is at rest after lengthy periods of making love. The theory here is that CQ calls will fade into a nirvana of sexual exhaustion that goes hand in hand with honeymoons and the act/s of consummating a marriage.
Obviously, the key to this approach is doing a good job on the new wife to keep her ‘out to it’ for the night and not waking to enquire about your antenna erection until the European DX window has well and truly closed. Not as easy as it seems, let me tell you-particularly if the antenna’s copped a hammering in the early openings!
The only snag I see is that sustained periods on the bedroom work bench can actually reduce radio time so the importance of finding a good balance here is not to be undervalued. For this reason, a bottle or four of cheap red wine with dinner is an essential appendage to the DXpedition…I mean honeymoon…back pack.
Off course, all this hoo-ha about combining honeymoons with DX work is about as useful as tits on a bull if your marriage and honeymoon have already gone down in the pages of history. Hence, I concede that this article is more aimed at the bachelor DXer rather than the old timer.
In spite of this, there are a couple of ways to get around this if you really are serious about DXpedition work but in all normal circumstances would lack the necessary assets to achieve it. These are 1. Renewing your wedding vowels and suggesting a second honeymoon or…2. Divorcing the existing XYL and throwing your hat into the ring again for another. Depends how desperate you are for DXpedition adventure, doesn’t it…?
Given there are so many choices, so many potential DX wonderlands just waiting to be conquered, which honeymoon destination do you think would make for an ideal honeymoon DX location for an 11m DX’er? The seductive scapes of Fiji? The tropical temptations of Tonga? Perhaps one of the dreamy French Polynesian isles like Tahiti or Huahine where the new bride would be easily distracted with the sights of musclebound islander men to detect excessive time taken out for our true passion, 11m radio!?!?
73 de Darren, 43DA010
