Welcome to 14DA024 Fabrice
February 22, 2009 by Darren
The Dx Adventure Radio Club is proud to introduce to you its most recent membership newcomer…14DA024 Fabrice. Fabrice’s home QTH is Boulogne-sur-Mer, a delightful city in northern France and a sub-prefecture of the department of Pas-de-Calais (Dpt 62).
Formerly with the Sugar Delta DX Group as 14SD504 and maintaining an association with the International Radio and Alfa Romeo DX Clubs respectively, Fabrice is regarded as one of the finest Freeband DXers in continental Europe with a resume of ‘Everest like’ hobby achievements second to none.
Active in radio communications since 1979 when he was just 13 years old, Fabrice has forged a reputation as a prominent DXpeditioner, undertaking an extraordinary number of Islands On the Air (IOTA), Lighthouses On The Air (LOTA) and Windmills (MILL) activities in his Freeband career to date.
A passionate Islands traveller with a fascination of maritime seascapes, Fabrice has activated Wight Island in Southern England as 26IR/EU-120, Brehat island (EU-074) as 14IR/MA-012, Ar Morbic Island (EU-074) as 14IR/MA-051 and Sheppey island as 26IR/EU005.
On the LOTA front, Fabrice has conducted activities from many of France’s famous coastal beacons; such as Cape Gris Nez I Lighthouse as 14IR/FRA-086, Calais Lighthouse as 14IR/FRA-004, Cape d’Alprech I/Le Portel Lighthouse as 14IR/FRA-158, Berck I Lighthouse as 14IR/FRA-159, Lighthouse of Brighton as 14IR/FRA-232 and also Belgium’s Nieuwpoort Head Main Lighthouse as 16IR/BEL-004.
14DA024 Fabrice’s love of the outdoors bides well for his fondness of portable dx adventure. In point of fact, Fabrice was part of the team which operated as 14IR/FD001 during one of the World Wide Radio organisation’s World Wide Field Days. He also enjoys taking to nearby Le Portel’s spectacular white cliffs and chasing DX, far above sea level and away from the QRM hustle and bustle of his local community.
“I like expeditions with radio friends,” DA-RC’s newest member says. “One week end in the fields….camping….we spent good time together.”
In addition to his classic feats on the DXpedition world stage, 14DA024 Fabrice also lays claim to being one of the most successful DX Hunters in the modern-day Freeband World with 260 DXCC worked and confirmed and a similar number of the world’s islands to his credit. Many of these achievements, including an impressive photo gallery, can be seen on his personal website at http://www.freewebs.com/14ir106/index.htm .
In addition to a love of DXpedition work and portable field operations, Fabrice has also compiled an impressive list of Special Event activities which include 14TRC/D-Day and 14SA/D-Day marking the Invasion of Normandy, as well as 14SA/OF, 14AR/OCT and 14AR/FB. These SES say much about=the diversity of his skill-set in the communications hobby.
Since accepting his invitation with DA-RC, Fabrice has already announced that he will be undertaking a series of IOTA, and Inland Water Island (IWI) activations as the propagation potential of Cycle 24 becomes more visible. Like most members, he has also pledged his involvement in the 2009 WWRO Islands Festival, adding to DA-RC’s already impressive IOTA Team line-up.
On behalf of everyone associated with the Dx Adventure Radio Club, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to 14DA024 Fabrice. We trust you will enjoy your membership and the experiences and friendships that will come.
Welcome to 14DA012 Herve
February 19, 2009 by Darren
One of France’s premium DXers 14DA012 Herve (Also 14IR021) is the latest edition to the Dx Adventure Radio Club line-up, continuing the charge of some of the world’s most foremost DXers to the fresh and innovative initiatives of DA-RC. Earlier known as 14SA003 and 14FRI012 respectively, Herve hails from a commune in the Nord Department in northern France called Sainghin-en-Weppes, which is is part of the Urban Community of Lille Métropole.
From this charming QTH, 14DA012 Herve has carved out a status as a DXpeditioner of some note, teaming up with close friends 14DA106 Fabrice and 14DA028 Phil for profitable IOTA activations of Brehat island (See below) and Ar Morbic Island in the EU-074 Island group in the past; an Inland Water Islands (IWI) activation of Balokken island on a special IWI Tour and also an exciting regional activation of French Department 59.
In addition to satisfying the membership requirements of the DXpeditioner category, [as well as criteria in the Leadership category thanks to his role as Department Coordinator with one of his previous groups], Delta-Alfa’s newest Kenwood Man is also a highly successful DX Hunter with almost 200 DXCC entities confirmed. (See http://www.delta-alfa.com/about/become-a-member/ ).
It is his love of portable dx adventure and DXpedition work though which attracted him to the Dx Adventure Radio Club, with plans already in place with mates Fabrice and Phil to activate ‘Most Wanted’ Islands for DA-RC in the 2009 WWRO Islands festival, as well as some inland water islands never before heard on 11m also.
Outside of the radio shack and away from the lure of his computer and the internet where he enjoys reading and writing product reviews, Herve enjoys keeping fit by playing table tennis or travelling the dissimilar lands of Europe.
A renowned gentleman of the airways and a regular and valued contributor to radio communications forums such as ‘11m DX Activities Oz’ where his intricate knowledge of radio products and technical expertise is well-defined, Herve is certain to be involved in DA-RC’s Mentor Program and enlisted to work closely with other members so as to achieve similar successes in the hobby.
Welcome to your new Club, Herve. It is terrific to have you as part of the team.
Welcome to 14DA028 Phil
February 18, 2009 by Darren
The Dx Adventure Radio Club extends a kind greeting to our latest member from France…14DA028 Philippe who hails from Department 59 (Locator is JO10KM). Formerly 14IR128, Phil is regarded as the world’s expert in Inland Water Island DX operations, having conducted many of his own IWI adventures in the past few years.
“My goal is to discover and to activate the internal islands (Inland Water Islands) of my region the North Pas-de-Calais D59 & 62),” says the dedicated ICOM fan. ”With Hervé and Fabrice (Now also DA-RC) we are friends since 1999 and we are a DXpedition Team very active and already many ideas for 2009…!”
In addition to pioneering exciting IWI Tours and being acknowledged as an authority in the IWI field, Phil has undertaken extensive Islands On The Air (IOTA) DX work during his 20 years in radio communications, with two of his most prominent activations being as 14IR/MA-012 from Brehat island (See below) and MA-051 from Ar Morbic Island – both falling under the RSGB reference number of EU-074.
Essentially, 14DA028 Phil’s contribution to the orb of DX adventure is not limited to IWI and IOTA, as well as the occasional functioning as a Special Event Station (SES) – even the design of special QSL cards for other DXpeditioners. History tells that he has also played a part in the growth of Castles and Fortresses On The Air (COTA) ventures, capturing the Freeband community’s imagination with 14IR/CF-59020 and 14IR/CF-62222 for the International Radio Group in 2007.
In addition to meeting DA-RC’s criteria for membership in the DXpeditioner Classification, 14DA028 Phil can lay claim to being a first class DXCC and IOTA Hunter as well, with almost 200 DXCC and 300 island contacts to his credit. Many of these confirmations can be seen on his personal website at http://14ir128.blog4ever.com .
A father of two boys, a husband, and also one of the Freeband world’s most complete DX hobbyists, Phil has already confirmed plans to embark on dx adventure to both French and Belgium islands under the banner of his new club in the near future.
On behalf of the World HQ team and all DA-RC members, welcome to the Club, 14DA028 Phil. We all look forward to sharing your dazzling tales of adventure, secured through numerous DXpeditions in the future.
Cluster dk Rules
February 8, 2009 by Darren
To maintain its functionality as the world’s finest and most important resource for Freeband DXers, Cluster dk has a comprehensive set of rules and guidelines that are closely monitored by a diligent Administration and Supervisory Team.
As most DA-RC members are Cluster Lounge members also then it is wise for members to know the rules listed below so that they can observe them at all times. Generally, they are as much about common sense as they about regulating behaviour, however, there are some technical and operational idiosyncrasies that many, if not most, Cluster dk Users break every day…
Here are the Cluster dk rules:
CLUSTER DK RULES
1. Your profile
Your Cluster.dk profile is personal – you are responsible for your profile. Your password is personal also, therefore do not give or tell the password to anyone.
We strongly recommend:
- use a password mixed by letters and numbers
- change your password on a regular basis
- never use a password that is used anywhere else
- immediately change password if anyone might know your password (or parts of it).
Only you are responsible for the profile and password.
2. Behaviour
Please behave at Cluster.dk and use this cluster as all other users are using the cluster as this cluster is YOUR cluster. If you feel someone is abusing the system, please contact the Administrator immediately. Do not try to solve problems yourself.
It is never okay to break a rule/s because other users do so. If you find other users breaking Cluster.dk rules, please immediately contact the Administrator.
3. Spots
A: It is totally prohibited to send test spots at Cluster.dk. We do not accept test spots at all. If you believe that there are problems with the Cluster.dk system, please write a short e-mail to the Administrator.
If you have to test your own e-mail address, you must use our Test Centre. To find the Test Centre: click on the Test Centre-button on “Report new spot” page.
Test spots sent as normal spots are not accepted.
B: Please only spot stations that are truly active at the time you make the spot. Do not make spots like “worked 30 minutes ago”.
C: Please do not spot stations that you believe are “fake stations” (for instance transmitting from another DXCC than they claim to be in).
D: Please never spot yourself, neither your personal callsign nor your activation callsign.
E: Please do not use spots for “general info” (general info examples: “I am active now”, “Bad propagation today”, “When will xxx be active?” etc). Spots are only to tell friends about stations active on air right now. For “general info”: Use the Message Board.
F: “NIL”-spots are only for reporting stations active on air right now, that you cannot hear.
4. Information related to other bands
Cluster.dk is for the 11 metre band only… And to specify:
- For the Message Board: The Message Board is for 11 metres only. Do not write about HAM related activity, do especially not write about HAM activations, and do never write about HAM activations if this team also is involved in 11 metre band. Also, do not write about other pirate bands.
- For the spots section: The spot-section is for 11 metre spots only. Do not try to report frequencies other than 26+27 MHz. Also do not give comments about activity at other frequencies.
5. Respect
Please respect that this cluster is no weapon to run wars at all. (ie. Between single individuals or DX clubs). It is absolutely prohibited to use the cluster for abuse purposes. This cluster is a neutral cluster. Abuse will cause abandoning from Cluster.dk and related sites immediately. Therefore, be neutral.
Make only true spots and use only objective text in the comment-field. In this way no one will feel harmed or hurt.
6. Comments
Do not write personal comments, jokes, questions, greetings etc. in the comment-field at “Report new spot” page. The comment field is only for objective text regarding the spotted station. All text must be written in clear and understandable English language and must be 100% valid.
Do not make a spot at “Report new spot” page or a message at the Message Board if the intention is not clear for you – and will be 100% clear to all other users of Cluster.dk.
Do not use text at Cluster.dk that might hurt other users.
It is totally prohibited to swear (to use words like “fu**”, “sh**” etc.)
7. Validity
Only 100% valid information (i.e. email addresses, spotted callsigns, frequencies, etc) may be used in the system (email address fields at “Change user info” page, information at “Report new spot” page, at the Message Board etc.).
Please only report stations that are active right now.
8. Callsigns
It is compulsory to use our defined standard for writing callsigns (QRZ) in the system. The defined system must be used for both own QRZ and reported QRZ.
The system is: For own QRZ: DXCC-number + club + unit number. Example: 47OZ101. Unit number must be above 0.
For reporting spots: As above. Examples: 47LD101, 47AT/DX, 47SD/0, 47IR008/M
For unit numbers between 1 and 999, please use 3 digits numbers. Examples: 47SD001, 47IR037, 47BW101.
For unit numbers with 4 digits: 47TR1268.
9. Information
It is not allowed to use information from Cluster.dk in other clusters, mailing lists etc, without written permission from Cluster.dk. It is not allowed to change format, colours etc. at Cluster.dk Iframes (spot-windows and banners).
Do not subscribe to Cluster.dk if you plan to abuse information from Cluster.dk.
10. Comment field
The comment field must be filled with only objective information. Use the comment field for relevant information about the spotted station only.
It is prohibited to:
A: use other languages than English (only English language is accepted).
B: use the comment field to ask questions in any way (do never ask questions – use the Message Board)
C: report stations that are not active right now (only active stations on air right now must be reported)
D: use words like “Bingo”, “at last in log”, “Finally”, “Thanks Mr. X” (please only use objective and informative text, do not write personal comments!!)
E: send personal greetings (do not write, “Thanks Mr. X, “Thanks for nice activation” etc.)
F: write the same signs/letter several times (do not write “!!!!!!!!”, “Proggiiiiiiiiiiie”, “5/9+++++++++++++” – instead write e.g. 5/9+40)
G: Write longer text than needed (keep text as short as possible – write all interesting information, but nothing more than that).
11. Bouncing mail
Usages of fake, invalid or bouncing e-mail addresses – or invalid information in any way is not accepted and the profile will be deleted immediately.
Usages of more than one profile per user are not accepted.
Abuse will cause expulsion from Cluster.dk and related sites immediately, without warning and without explaining information.
12. PR – Public Relations
It is prohibited to use Cluster.dk for reporting spots/use the Message Board only
A: for fun
B: to make PR for a specific radio station, Clubstation or activity station
C: to make PR for a specific club
D: to make PR for a specific internet site
E: to make PR for a mailing list
All spots made must be made in order to share the information with all users, not with other intentions.
In case you like to have general information at Cluster.dk, please contact Administrator in order to arrange a banner.
Blind postings (general postings, addressed to all users) are not accepted.
13. Patience
Mail to Cluster.dk will normally be answered within 2-3 days. Before writing to Cluster.dk, please read Cluster.dk FAQ.
14. Abuse
Abuse will cause expulsion from Cluster.dk and related sites immediately, without warning and without explaining information. Abuse is also using automated refresh-functionality, taking out data/content from the site etc.
Technical abuse is seen as hacking and will be handled in same serious way.
15. Acceptance
In case you cannot accept the terms of using Cluster.dk, please disable your profile immediately.
16. Other Rules
A: You can have only one (1) profile at Cluster.dk.
B: Only clear written text with European characters set is allowed (no cw, no China-letters etc.)
C: All users must make spots to the system.
Specific Rules for Message Board
17. English
All text must be written in English language. Messages in other languages might provoke other users and is thereby not accepted.
18. Spots
All spots must be sent via the spot-section (the button “Report new spot”). It is not acceptable to use the Message Board for spots (A spot is received by up to several thousand users. A message at the Message board is only read by the users reading messages online at the cluster).
As we have a very good cluster-section, this has to be used for questions.
19. General usage
A: All text must be positive and friendly
B: Fights in any way is not allowed
C: Patronized writing is not accepted
D: Negative words and/or provocations in any way are not accepted
E: Jokes and/or irony are not accepted
F: Do not discuss other users, other radio stations, other groups or clubs, politics, sports etc.
G: Do not discuss HAM activities related to 11 metre, or 11 metre activities related to HAM bands
H: It is totally prohibited to swear (to use words like “fu**”, “sh**” etc.)
Cluster.dk does not want to hurt any users.
20. Discussions
Discussion and irony might be understood by some users in a negative way, and is thereby not accepted.
21. Acceptance
Abuse will cause expulsion from Cluster.dk and related sites immediately, without warning and without explaining information.
By observing these commonsensical rules and guidelines for usage, we can all play a role in ensuring the wellbeing of Cluster dk remains secure for many years to come.
******END OF RULES******
73 de Darren 43DA010 World HQ TeamRanger RCI 2995 DX Review
February 6, 2009 by Darren
There was a time in the past when the ‘must-have’ radio in the UK was the Ham International Jumbo. Handles on the side for carrying it and a distinctive audio and roger bleep that all knew as soon as the key was released. Now 2008 ends and Fusion RF (www.fusionrf.co.uk) are the first to supply inside Europe the Ranger RCI 2995 DX – a massive 12 kg multimode rig housed in a box with all the inbuilt goodies that people need these days. But not being happy with simply supplying the radio they get, Steve from Cobraworxshopz makes adjustments with his team until what is delivered now is an all singing, all dancing beast of a radio. So, with thanks to Simon and Steve we take a look at this new monster on the market.
On the Inside
So, putting it bluntly what you have when you get this is a RCI 2970DX with an inbuilt power supply inside a huge case. The frequency display sits on the front and can navigate itself from 28-32 MHz in normal operations and from 24-32 MHz with the addition of the export key. There are two huge well lit meters that cover signal, swr, power and modulation and below this all the usual controls that you could expect on a base station. Calibrate, variable power, mike gain, rf gain, channel change, clarifier, squelch and volume. And at the end is the speaker with the normal large sized headphone socket sat. More than this, the standard roger bleep, NB/ANL can be accessed in the same way as with the 2970DX.
Cobraworxshopz
This is where the magic begins to make the radio even better than it was from the standard configuration. Variable power from 4-100w AM/FM is made, where as standard the radio is nearer to 50w pep and with the SSB it’s similar to 8-120w SSB variable. The receive is tuned and also the transmitted audio has some tuning/modifying which makes the radio produce indeed a very strong but clear and not too bassy audio. With the modifications also comes a great receive from the radio and the noise to signal ratio seems to be better than the standard one so even the smallest noise seems to come through the noise well, and not with any troubles at all.
On-Air
The radio when on air obviously makes some heat due to the specification and as we all know the 2970DX could also get very hot indeed when used for long periods. As a help for this, Fusion import a dual fan that is screwed onto the back of the radio and connects via an RCA plug into the 12v socket that is nicely sat on the back of the radio. Even with this connected it does not make the experience of the radio less as the fan is not so loud to interfere with the receiving of signals although be advised that the fan sound can be heard when in transmit.
Bear this in mind when you try and convince someone you’re using a President Harry II.
Pricing
These are not cheap and indeed fall almost into the same pricing range as the medium HF radios that are for sale on the market. Delivery from the UK takes just 48 hours so there are no troubles there and the radio works incredibly well. We need more conditions to make more tests but at the moment, in the pre-Christmas time, the radio was alive with the internet gateways here around the city and many commented on the sharp audio and great signal.
Summary
Not everyone will want one of these due to the size and the weight that it is. However, cost allowing, then it’s really a whole lot of radio inside the box. The tuning here is the issue; it is what pushes the radio from a great radio to an excellent one. The power is there, the audio is excellent *I am testing a Maas EC2018 on this one that was reviewed here and it makes the difference on SSB with almost 132w noted on the peaks when calling on 10m.
73 de Simon 13DA007Welcome to 43DA180 Peter
February 1, 2009 by Darren
The most recent addition to the Oceanic ranks of the Dx Adventure Radio Club is one of Australia’s most professional and successful operators, 43DA180 Peter. Previously recognised as 43AT265 (as well as 43LT180, 43TR402 and 43SA180 respectively), Peter is a skilled DXpeditioner having effected the first ever islands on the air (IOTA) activation of North Stradbroke Island (OC-137) (Pictured left) in the Queensland State (South Coast) South group for the Alfa Tango club a few years ago.
These days, with almost 200 DXCC to his name and countless more confirmed IOTA contacts to his credit, Peter also lays claim to being one of the most capped DX Hunters in 43 Division, an accomplishment which sets him in the topmost stratum of DX Hunters in the Southern Hemisphere.
As you would imagine, 43DA180 Peter applies this same intense appetite for DX in some of the world’s premier Freeband events, being one of the stand out performers in this year’s Oceania Contest and a high achiever in previous AT events.
Outside of the radio communications hobby, Peter likes to escape to the tranquil bush or coastal island settings to pitch a tent and camp for extended periods in the hot Queensland sun. He also enjoys the thrill of fishing for yellow belly, murray river cod and catfish, as well as hunting on his home turf near St George’s Balonne River (Pictured Right), 500 km west of Brisbane – a region renowned for its wild game harvesting, cotton, grain crops and beef cattle farming. Here the smogless skies, too, are an astronomer’s dream, particularly from the rural region’s hilltops in the Balonne Shire where Peter also likes to escape for some portable DX work.
On behalf of everyone involved with the Dx Adventure Radio Club, welcome to the DA-RC Team, Peter. We trust you will feel at home in your new group and delight in sharing the adrenalin rush of dx adventure with us in the years to come.
