Welcome to 99DA016 Tony
December 26, 2008 by Darren
The Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) is pleased to welcome 99DA016 Tony to the Club from one of the most hotly sought after DXCC locations in the Oceania region, Fiji.
Formerly known as 99OC016, Tony’s QTH is the charming Navua District on the island of Viti Levu; located within the province of Serua in the Central Division of Fiji. Belonging to the Viti Levu and Vanua Levu group and with the RSGB IOTA reference number OC-016, Viti Levu is the largest of 322 islands in the Republic of Fiji, the site of the nation’s capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji’s population, including Tony’s impressive island radio shack.
Besides working DX on 11m, 99DA016 Tony keeps himself amused on the tiny South Pacific Isle by surfing the internet, reading radio magazines and building complex electronic kits. He also enjoys the challenge of QRP operations and looks forward to testing his wares in the 2009 Oceania Contest QRP category.
The first native Rotuma islander to hold a radio amateur license, 99DA016 Tony also enjoys operating digital sound card modes like PSK31, Olivia, MFSK16 and Hellscriber. He has successfully undertaken DXpedition travel to other small islands in the Pacific such as Rotuma and is regarded as one of the most professional and knowledgeable radio communications operators in the Pacific area.
On behalf of the World Headquarters Team and all DA-RC members, we hope you feel at home in your new Club, Tony. We look forward to meeting you on the band soon when conditions allow!
Welcome to 30DA239 Fernando
December 22, 2008 by Darren
The Dx Adventure Radio Club is proud to reveal that 30DA239 Fernando is the newest addition to the DA-RC Team. Formerly 30AT239 and remaining a member of his local town KR club, Fernando is regarded as one of the most high profile DXers in Europe, having embarked on many exciting DXpedition DXCC and IOTA journeys in the past and also administering the renowned DX Hunters website – one of the best online sources of hobby related information available on the world wide web.
With more than 280 DXCC worked and confirmed and over 800 Islands On The Air (IOTA) to his name, Fernando satisfies membership criteria in the DX Chaser Classification (See DA-RC membership guidelines at http://www.delta-alfa.com/about/become-a-member/ ). Additionally, Fernando’s efforts in the field of DXpedition endeavours, coupled with his admirable admin role with DX Hunters, ensure that he satisfies both the DXpeditioner and DX Leadership Classifications as well.
In September 2001, then with Alfa Tango, Fernando led a DXpedition of 3 (including 9AT101 and 9AT145) to the tiny North American island of St Paul (IOTA Reference: NA-094), operating as 284AT/0.
Only a month earlier, Fernando had activated Mouro Island in the Oviedo/Santander Province IOTA Group as 30AT/EU142. He has also operated as 2/30AT239 from the United States of America and 9/30AT239 from Canada respectively whilst travelling NA.
When he’s not chasing rare DX in the comfort of his home shack in Cantabria as a ham or freeband DXer, jet setting around the world undertaking Most Wanted DXpedition work or writing amazing editorials for the DX Hunters website, Fernando takes to the air as a private pilot, flying ultra light aircraft for thrills and spills (See below). He also enjoys other high adrenalin sports such as skiing and football.
Inside the realms of the radio communications hobby, 30DA239 Fernando’s interest in studio quality TX audio sees him compliment his Yaesu FT1000MP Mark V field and Drake L7 + Acom 2000A amplifier with a Heil PR-40 and W2IHY EQ-EQ Plus. Combine all that through a HG105CA 5 elements Long John yagi and obviously you’ve got one helluva fine station for DXing!
On behalf of all DA-RC members, welcome to the Dx Adventure Radio Club Fernando. We trust you will enjoy your new Club and callsign and continue your valuable contributions to our hobby.
Kenwood MC-90 Review
December 13, 2008 by Darren
Being somewhat of an audio religion extremist, I’ve used a number of tremendous desk microphones with my Kenwood TS-2000 in the last couple of years in search for that elusive ‘perfect’ combo (if there is such a thing of course)! Yaesu’s YD models and the Heil Heritage have been the front runners to this date and as such received favourable reviews on other forums, but this next microphone ranks alongside them and is perhaps even better – probably because it was designed specifically for DSP (Digital Signal Processing) rigs in the first place.
Manufactured in Japan (25 Division), the Kenwood MC-90 is a high quality DSP-compatible desk microphone which is not only great looking (a darker shade compared to the MC-60A) but also a perfect match to the DSP feature in the Kenwood TS-2000. On SSB, for instance, the wide response of the MC-90 works well with the audio settings of the 2000 and I have had a lot of fun interchanging between the transceiver’s Conventional, Bass and Hi audio menu options and testing the sounds via the radio’s monitor. With the MC-90 mic, the Hi audio selection is my favourite!
Weighing in at 1.1 kg, which is equivalent to about 2 stubbies of beer for some DXers, the MC-90 is supplied with two interchangeable heads that have different tonal characteristics. One has a flat frequency response for good overall performance when talking locally, while the other offers exceptional clarity and an output level characteristic that peaks at around 3 kHz, making it superb for DX work. (Note: These are not separate cartridges like with some mics, but 2 separate ‘shells’ that screw on the end).
Featuring PTT Lock, up/down controls, and measuring approximately 90 x 205 x 175mm, there is also a 3-position (M, V1 or V2) EQ switch on the base to tailor low-range cut-off frequency to suit the operator. Another option I suggest is using an EQ instead for a tailored response. I have found that the MC-90 works extremely well into my Behringer Ultragraph DEQ1024 EQ, for instance, with or without amplification.
Another positive is that the MC-90 has a Cannon XLR connector instead of the old 12 pin on the MC-60. This way you can use other mics on the base or use the MC-90 mic with a regular mic cable.
Most owners agree that the MC-90 is not appropriate for use on FM due to the deliberate lack of sensitivity by design. I had the idea of building a small amplifier which fitted internally giving about 20db boost without any noticeable degrading of quality. This actually worked well on all modes but was still too quiet for comfortable FM use having to close talk to stop stations with no volume control whinging about quiet audio.
Considering the basic specification and the fact that it’s only useful on SSB, it’s difficult to justify the expense for this microphone, but when you’ve got a TL-922 roaring away in the background (which I don’t) or a noisier XYL threatening divorce proceedings for excessive TITS (Time In The Shack) that’s where it pays dividends.
In my opinion, though, it truly compliments the DSP machine giving beautiful audio with the unwanted extraneous sounds drastically attenuated and completely removed when using an EQ noise gate.
73 de Darren
Welcome to 43DA021 Brian
December 13, 2008 by Darren
The Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) is pleased to introduce to you our latest member from OC-001 who is 43DA021 Brian. Formerly 43AT021 and 43AT121 respectively, Brian hails from Ceduna in South Australia and is regarded as one of the Oceania’s finest and most successful DXers.
Famous for its mouth watering oversized oysters, Brian’s QTH Ceduna is located on the Far West Coast of South Australia, on the scenic shores of Murat Bay on the Great Australian Bight, approximately 800 km from Adelaide and 1900 road km to Perth. It is set amidst a patch work of grain farms, natural bushland and rugged rocky bays, secluded white sandy beaches and ever changing seas, making it one of the loveliest DX-stinations in the country.
With over 200 DXCC to his credit and countless IOTA and LOTA activations, Brian enters DA-RC via the DX Chaser classification and hopes to add to that tally courtesy of his monsterous 6 element yagi antenna when Cycle 24 eventually kicks in. Brian is also experienced with Special Event Station (SES) activities, having conducted a successful SES as 43AT/2000/H to commemorate the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
When he’s not in the radio shack and behind the microphone chasing most wanted DX entities, 43DA021 Brian loves to take to Ceduna’s beaches for a spot of fishing, chasing huge mulloway, flathead, salmon, trout, king george whiting, the odd big Snapper and Blue Swimmer Crabs. He also likes to get out to the coastline and admire the Southern Right Whales which migrate from the South Pole to the Head of the Bight to mate.
On behalf of all DA-RC members and the World Headquarters Team, welcome to the Club 43DA021 Brian.
International Radiotelephony Alphabet
December 9, 2008 by Darren
The NATO phonetic alphabet, more formally the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, is the most widely used spelling alphabet.
Though often called “phonetic alphabets”, spelling alphabets have no connection to phonetic transcription systems like the International Phonetic Alphabet. Instead, the NATO alphabet assigns code words to the letters of the English alphabet acrophonically (Alfa for A, Bravo for B, etc.) so that critical combinations of letters (and numbers) can be pronounced and understood by those who transmit and receive voice messages by radio or telephone regardless of their native language, especially when the safety of navigation or persons is essential.
The paramount reason is to ensure intelligibility of voice signals over radio links.
Here is the International Radiotelephony, as used in Ham, Freeband and 27 MHz communications:
A = Alpha
B = Bravo
C = Charlie
D = Delta
E = Echo
F = Foxtrot
G = Golf
H = Hotel
I = India
J = Juliet
K = Kilo
L = Lima
M = Mike
N = November
O = Oscar
P = Papa
Q = Quebec
R = Romeo
S = Sierra
T = Tango
U = Uniform
V = Victor
W = Whiskey
X = X-ray
Y = Yankee
Z = Zulu
What is COTA?
December 7, 2008 by Darren
What is COTA?
COTA is an acronym for the special radio DX activity known as Castles On The Air. COTA is an exciting concept most likely born in Spain (home to many of the world’s finest castles) which involves radio transmissions occurring from castle grounds or within a maximum of 500 metres from castle walls.
A slight variation of that phrase, yet one which carries the same implication and is commonly added as a suffix to the callsigns of Freeband operators undertaking COTA activity, is the term CF (Castles and Fortresses).
While CF stands for Castles and Fortresses, the first two letters or numbers after CF refer to the department, province, state, county or other where the CF is located. The suffix, composed of three numbers, is the reference assigned to the castle or fortress.
Who Invented COTA?
The Delta Radio DX Group is credited by most as the creator of the COTA concept. The DR World Castles and Fortresses Weekend was once one of the most eagerly anticipated weekends of DX adventure in many sections of the Freeband Community with activities occurring in most continents of the world.
Why COTA?
Like Lighthouse On The Air (LOTA) activations, COTA activity presents an opportunity for radio operators to educate and promote the historical significance and architectural uniqueness of castles. In the past, they have also been used in conjunction with important fundraising ventures to assist with the repair or renovation of ‘at risk’ castles.
DA-RC and COTA
The Dx Adventure Radio Club fully supports the COTA concept, including its objectives as outlined by the now defunct Delta Radio (DR) group. DA-RC members, in fact, have undertaken many castles and fortresses activities in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
The DA-RC Achievement Program offers a fabulous range of COTA awards which include a COTA Hunter award for the operator who successfully works and confirms 50 COTA stations, as well as four COTA DXpeditioner awards for 10, 20 and 30 activities respectively.
Welcome to 43DA045 Nick
December 6, 2008 by Darren
The Dx Adventure Radio Club is proud to introduce to you its most recent membership acquisition from the Great Southern Land, 43DA045 Nick. Respected as one of 43 Division’s leading DXers in modern times, Nick (Formerly 43WC045) joins DA-RC via the DX Chaser classification with over 100 DXCC to his name and many tens of islands in the Oceania region in particular to his credit.
A self proclaimed IOTA Hunter, 43DA045 Nick will commence an Islands On The Air activation himself in the near future of his home QTH in the Pacific, beautiful Magnetic Island in Far North Queensland. Just offshore from the city of Townsville in VK4, Magnetic Island is a 52 km² mountainous island with 54% National Park and, according to the Radio Society of Great Britain’s IOTA Program, falls under the guise of the Queensland State (North Coast) South group with a number of other islands such as Dunk Island, Rattlesnake Island, Bare and Bray Islands, Brook Islands, Family Islands, North Barnard Islands, Palm Islands and the South Barnard Islands.
Outside of the radio and communications hobby (which also incorporates an interest in Short Wave Listening) and employment as a prominent landscape gardener, Nick is a keen saltwater fishing enthusiast, with the spectacular golden sandy beaches of Magnetic Island and surrounding world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef providing exceptional fishing locations. Fish around the island rumoured to be on Nick’s hit list include Blue and Black Marlin, Sailfish, Mackerel, Wahoo, Giant Trevally, Dogtooth Tuna, Coral Trout, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Red Emperor and Sea Perch!
Nick also enjoys travel and has visited some of Australia’s most remote island territories.
On behalf of the Club, welcome to DA-RC 43DA045 Nick and good luck with your Island DX work from OC-171.
QRP: Waste of Time or Supreme Challenge?
December 3, 2008 by Darren
Some DXers have reached a stage in their 11m career where shack time doesn’t seem as attractive as it used to. Many European DXers, for example, have worked the majority of DXCC with little left to conquer and if the diversification to IOTA hunting or working SES does not appeal then the temptation to move on to greener pastures with new fences to leap is all the more enticing.
One aspect of the hobby that is explored by few on 27MHz, nonetheless one that is viewed with much fascination by those who engage in the practice, is operation at reduced power levels – otherwise known as QRP.
‘QRP’ for Freebanders has been discussed previously on sites such as www.11mdxactivitiesoz.com but, for those who missed the articles, ‘QRP’ refers to transmitting at reduced power levels and actually derives from the Q code where “QRP?” was used to mean, “shall I lower my power?” In modern times, QRP means to operate using low power and a DXer is said to be operating as QRP when his SSB output power is 10 watts or less.
At first glance chasing contacts on SSB using 10 watts or less might seem akin to running a car on the scent of an oily rag, but not only are local and interstate contacts possible on 27 MHz when running QRP power levels, even distant DX can be worked – sometimes easily. To this day, one of my fondest memories of 27MHz operations is working a YL station in the Philippines on just 5 watts and the QSL card + photo take pride of place on my shack wall.
In addition to seeing QRP operations as a supreme test of one’s antenna system efficiency, not to mention one’s tenacity behind the mic, there are actually many reasons why QRP operations might appear attractive to an 11m DXer.
As I suggested above, some might choose to run QRP when the DXCC drought hits – so as to inject a challenge back into their hobby; they may have achieved DXCC the conventional way and now are chasing DXCC using only QRP power levels. Others might enjoy the adversity of operating radio ‘in the field’ or as a portable station using small power. Indeed, for those who, by choice, have moved away from large power, QRP represents a divergent way of thinking.
For those not accustomed to running as QRP, the concept raises many questions… Firstly, can I operate as QRP with my existing home station? Do I require a special antenna? Or, does my transceiver allow for QRP operations?
The easiest way to try out QRP is to turn down the output power on an existing commercial HF rig. Most commercial HF rigs have provisions, often via a front-panel control, to reduce the transmit power. If a rig lacks such a control, however, a simple ALC bias-supply circuit can be built to reduce the rig’s output power and these mods can be found using a quick Google search.
According to well known QRP DXers such as 13LD001 Marc, “a commercial state-of-the-art commercial HF rig such as an IC-703 (pictured) makes the best QRP rig for the home station due to excellent RX performance and QRM-fighting tools such as DSP, NB, filters etc.” Keep in mind, however, that it is illegal in many countries, including Australia, to operate on 27 MHz using an amateur transceiver and a traditional CB radio must be used.
Moreover, 11m DXers wanting to take the QRP aspect of their hobby further and experiment with specifically designed QRP equipment are encouraged to gain their ham license as licensed amateur radio operators are among the only members of society that can design, build, test, and use their own radio equipment. Essentially, this fact has spurred on the development of many innovative radio designs, some of which can reside in a case no bigger than a pack of cigarettes!
While QRP operation is quite popular on ham bands, there are some lesser known systems in place on 11m which promote this aspect of radio communications. Some hobbyists may be aware that the QRPDX Team, based in Europe but with members worldwide including in Australia, organises an annual World QRP contest on legal citizens band frequencies. The 2009 version of this exciting event, in fact, runs parallel with the Oceania Contest and takes place in early January.
Until this time, the identified QRP monitor frequency on citizens band is 27.285 MHz USB and DXers around the world are encouraged to use this frequency when operating as QRP. Additionally, there is a special QRP mailing list which you can join to share in discussions about QRP operations on 27 MHz. To become a member, simply click on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/qrp-dx and follow the prompts.
Good luck with your QRP!
73 de Darren, 43DA010
