23DA/NA-097 Jamaica Island, Log, Part 2
May 23, 2009 by Darren
| PROG TX | DATE | GMT | CALLSIGN | NAME | FREQ | MODE | RST |
| 101 | 5.5.09 | 00:40 | 10FAT103 | ROBERT | 27.570 | USB | 5/5 |
| 102 | 6.5.09 | 21:05 | 30LO2562 | RUBEN | 27.580 | USB | 5/5 |
| 103 | 6.5.09 | 21:14 | 34AT035 | OSCAR | 27.580 | USB | 5/5 |
| 104 | 6.5.09 | 21:17 | 31CAT324 | JOSE | 27.580 | USB | 3/3 |
| 105 | 6.5.09 | 21:20 | 136SD001 | ALAN | 27.580 | USB | 5/5 |
| 106 | 6.5.09 | 21:22 | 34SD127 | JON | 27.580 | USB | 3/1 |
| 107 | 6.5.09 | 21:23 | 30AT416 | LOLO | 27.580 | USB | 5/3 |
| 108 | 6.5.09 | 21:29 | 30ET374 | PACO | 27.580 | USB | 3/3 |
| 109 | 6.5.09 | 23:50 | 2AT017 | JIM | 27.570 | USB | 5/9 |
| 110 | 6.5.09 | 00:15 | 2OT039 | TOM | 27.580 | USB | 4/3 |
| 111 | 7.5.09 | 22:20 | 158ST509 | FEDNER | 27.565 | USB | 5/7 |
| 112 | 9.5.09 | 17:50 | 175AT/DX | TAN | 27.640 | USB | 5/0 |
| 113 | 9.5.09 | 18:50 | 4FAT016 | EDWARD | 27.580 | USB | 5/2 |
| 114 | 11.5.09 | 21:45 | 1AT566 | CARMELO | 27.590 | USB | 3/1 |
| 115 | 11.5.09 | 21:50 | 31SD107 | ORLANDO | 27.590 | USB | 3/1 |
| 116 | 11.5.09 | 21:58 | 11SD011 | JOEL | 27.590 | USB | 2/1 |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 118 | 11.5.09 | 22:14 | 196SD102 | ROBERT | 27.590 | USB | 5/9 |
| 119 | 13.5.09 | 22:50 | 53SD101 | WALTER | 27.530 | USB | 5/8 |
| 120 | 14.5.09 | 01:50 | 69BY175 | JIM | 27.580 | USB | 5/8 |
| 121 | 14.5.09 | 19:26 | 3SAB001 | MARCO | 27.580 | USB | 1/3 |
| 122 | 14.5.09 | 23:50 | 2AW321 | DAVID | 27.560 | USB | 5/9+5 |
| 123 | 15.5.09 | 20:31 | 1AT1160 | JOSEF | 27.640 | USB | 3/0 |
| 124 | 15.5.09 | 20:50 | 11SD119 | MIKE | 27.640 | USB | 5/5 |
| 125 | 15.5.09 | 20:57 | 34AT107 | ROBERT | 27.640 | USB | 5/8 |
| 126 | 15.5.09 | 21:00 | 1LR190 | CEARE | 27.640 | USB | 5/3 |
| 127 | 15.5.09 | 21:07 | 1AT1092 | MARCELLO | 27.640 | USB | 3/3 |
| 128 | 15.5.09 | 21:14 | 34LO3616 | ALVETTE | 27.640 | USB | 3/0 |
| 129 | 15.5.09 | 21:18 | 34ACT105 | DOMINGO | 27.640 | USB | 3/0 |
| 130 | 15.5.09 | 21:35 | 35AT160 | PETER | 27.540 | USB | 5/5 |
| 131 | 15.5.09 | 21:39 | 196RC001 | HARRY | 27.540 | USB | 5/6 |
| 132 | 15.5.09 | 21:46 | 14AP001 | NICOLAS | 27.540 | USB | 5/5 |
| 133 | 15.5.09 | 21:49 | 14FAT503 | GILLES | 27.540 | USB | 3/0 |
| 134 | 15.5.09 | 21:51 | 4AZ042 | ALBERTO | 27.540 | USB | 5/7 |
| 135 | 15.5.09 | 22:03 | 12RGC402 | BRUNO | 27.540 | USB | 5/4 |
| 136 | 15.5.09 | 22:05 | 11ET004 | ANGEL | 27.540 | USB | 5/5 |
| 137 | 15.5.09 | 22:14 | 30RC368 | AGOSTINO | 27.540 | USB | 5/5 |
| 138 | 15/5/09 | 23:14 | 127KP816 | KERRY | 27.545 | USB | 5/5 |
| 139 | 19/5/09 | 22:08 | 14AT158 | JEFF | 27.520 | USB | 5/5 |
| 140 | 19/5/09 | 22:18 | 14FR010 | SEB | 27.500 | USB | 5/5 |
| 141 | 19/5/09 | 22:24 | 29LD111 | MARK | 27.500 | USB | 4/5 |
| 142 | 19/5/09 | 22:24 | 47DX101 | JOHN | 27.500 | USB | 5/5 |
| 143 | 19/5/09 | 22:25 | 29WT200 | NICK | 27.500 | USB | 5/6 |
| 144 | 19/5/09 | 22:30 | 14KW142 | BRUNO | 27.500 | USB | 5/3 |
| 145 | 19/5/09 | 22:31 | 68DT464 | ROBERT | 27.500 | USB | 3/5 |
| 146 | 19/5/09 | 22:33 | 14DA101 | CHRISTIAN | 27.500 | USB | 3/3 |
| 147 | 19/5/09 | 22:36 | 14RI001 | JOSE | 27.500 | USB | 5/1 |
| 148 | 19/5/09 | 22:56 | 29SD134 | ALAN | 27.570 | USB | 3/3 |
| 149 | 19/5/09 | 23:03 | 29WW787 | JUSTIN | 27.570 | USB | 5/7 |
| 150 | 19/5/09 | 23:16 | 3AT101 | TONY | 27.570 | USB | 3/3 |
| 151 | 19/5/09 | 20:47 | 30DX401 | CHRISTIAN | 27.580 | USB | 5/5 |
| 152 | 19/5/09 | 21:17 | 14AT263 | BRUNO | 27.580 | USB | 3/3 |
| 153 | 19/5/09 | 21:23 | 14SD277 | PATRICE | 27.580 | USB | 5/5 |
| 154 | 19/5/09 | 21:27 | 14BCM035 | JEAN MICHEL | 27.580 | USB | 3/5 |
| 155 | 19/5/09 | 21:28 | 14RC065 | YVES | 27.580 | USB | 3/3 |
| 156 | 19/5/09 | 21:30 | 14AT120 | JOSE | 27.580 | USB | 5/6 |
| 157 | 20.5.09 | 21:31 | 14RX100 | — | 27.580 | USB | 5/6 |
| 158 | 20.5.09 | 21:33 | 14SD387 | DANIEL | 27.580 | USB | 5/7 |
| 159 | 20.5.09 | 21:37 | 14VL5011 | ROLAND | 27.580 | USB | 5/7 |
| 160 | 20.5.09 | 21:38 | 14TRC036 | PATRICK | 27.580 | USB | 5/5 |
| 161 | 20.5.09 | 21:39 | 14OF017 | FRED | 27.580 | USB | 5/3 |
| 162 | 20.5.09 | 21:41 | 14SD124 | FREDDY | 27.580 | USB | 3/0 |
| 163 | 20.5.09 | 00:12 | 9RD766 | JOHN | 27.590 | USB | 5/3 |
| 164 | 20.5.09 | 00:19 | 2WR858 | PETE | 27.590 | USB | 5/5 |
| 165 | 22.5.09 | 20:10 | 1AT1684 | SALVO | 27.610 | USB | 3/3 |
| 166 | 22.5.09 | 20:15 | 14AT375 | ALBIN | 27.610 | USB | 3/3 |
| 167 | 22.5.09 | 20:17 | 1ET109 | SEBASTIANO | 27.610 | USB | 5/6 |
| 168 | 22.5.09 | 20:22 | 14CF066 | JEAN MICHEL | 27.610 | USB | 3/3 |
| 169 | 22.5.09 | 20:24 | 1RGK053 | LUIGI | 27.610 | USB | 2/2 |
| 170 | 22.5.09 | 20:25 | 1ET054 | CORRALDO | 27.610 | USB | 5/6 |
| 171 | 22.5.09 | 20:36 | 1AT575 | JOSEPH | 27.610 | USB | 5/7 |
| 172 | 22.5.09 | 20:45 | 1SD171 | ANGELO | 27.610 | USB | 2/0 |
| 173 | 22.5.09 | 20:47 | 1SD169 | PAOLO | 27.610 | USB | 3/5 |
| 174 | 22.5.09 | 20:48 | 1LR081 | ROBERTO | 27.610 | USB | 3/5 |
| 175 | 22.5.09 | 21:08 | 30RC106, | VICTOR | 27.590 | USB | 3/3 |
| 176 | 22.5.09 | 21:12 | 30RC107 | IVAN | 27.590 | USB | 3/1 |
| 177 | 22.5.09 | 21:21 | 14SD153 | JACK | 27.590 | USB | 5/3 |
| 178 | 22.5.09 | 21:24 | 14SD038 | GERARD | 27.590 | USB | 5/7 |
| 179 | 22.5.09 | 21:27 | 14LL011 | PIERRE | 27.590 | USB | 5/7 |
| 180 | 22.5.09 | 21:28 | 4SD039 | DIEGO | 27.590 | USB | 2/0 |
| 181 | 22.5.09 | 21:30 | 1TDT03 | COSSIMO | 27.590 | USB | 3/0 |
| 182 | 22.5.09 | 21:40 | 14SD065 | DIDIER | 27.590 | USB | 3/5 |
| 183 | 22.5.09 | 21:45 | 14RC065 | YVES | 27.590 | USB | 3/5 |
| 184 | 22.5.09 | 20:42 | 4LD001 | JUAN | 27.610 | USB | 5/5 |
| 185 | 28/05/09 | 22:04 | 30RC148 | SANDRINO | 27.630 | USB | 5/4 |
| 186 | 28.05.09 | 21:55 | 104SD102 | SYL | 27.630 | USB | 2/1 |
| 187 | 30.05.09 | 23:06 | 14AT143 | FABRICE | 27.575 | USB | 5/5 |
| 188 | 31.05.09 | 18:37 | 4SAB193 | ALEXANDER | 27.530 | USB | 3/5 |
| 189 | 31.05.09 | 22:32 | 35SD002 | CHRIS | 27.535 | USB | 3/0 |
| 190 | 31.05.09 | 22:35 | 45SD123 | NEMO | 27.535 | USB | 5/5 |
| 191 | 31.05.09 | 22:39 | 35RC369 | LUIS | 27.535 | USB | 3/2 |
| 192 | 31.05.09 | 22:40 | 14AT119 | ERIC | 27.535 | USB | 3/0 |
| 193 | 31.05.09 | 22:41 | 14SD110 | ALAN | 27.535 | USB | 3/1 |
| 194 | 31.05.09 | 22:42 | 161SC074 | JACEK | 27.535 | USB | 2/3 |
| 195 | 2/06/09 | 21:02 | 30UM04 | FRANK | 27.630 | USB | 5/4 |
| 196 | 2/06/09 | 21:13 | 93SD101 | PHILLIPE | 27.630 | USB | 3/2 |
| 197 | 2/06/09 | 21:20 | 165AR5 | RICARDO | 27.630 | USB | 3/1 |
| 198 | 2/06/09 | 21:23 | 165CM102 | ALEXANDRO | 27.630 | USB | 2/1 |
| 199 | 2/06/09 | 21:48 | 5MU209 | ANGEL | 27.630 | USB | 3/1 |
| 200 | 3/06/09 | 20:10 | 11SD124 | PATRICE | 27.550 | USB | 5/7 |
*Product Review* Heil PR40 Studio Microphone
May 18, 2009 by Darren
The Heil PR40 Dynamic Microphone is one of 5 models in the fantastic PR series by audio giants Heil Sound… along with the PR20, PR30, PR780 and new PR781 which was built to complement the new ICOM rig. If you ask me, all are ‘dynamic’ microphones not just in make -but also in quality and performance!
Judging by pics I’ve seen on 43DA101 Steve’s website ‘Shack Pix’, the PR40 is similar in appearance to the PR30 and, prior to the release of the PR781, represented the top of the line in this range of mics. In essence, this is one of the reasons why I elected to purchase one direct from Heil Sound in the States in the first place. I also wanted to compare the audio of my Behringer B1 condenser mic with a high quality dynamic one and so quash a bit of the lingering uncertainty I had around the issue of which is best suited to radio communications applications.
After purchasing the unit online, the package arrived on my doorstep in just under 2 weeks. On this note, in all the reviews I’ve read of Heil products over the years, I can never recall any complaints or problems with postage from this company. That’s a fair effort in itself and I wasn’t disappointed this time either.
The first thing I noticed when I sliced open the thick cardboard box with a stanley knife and pulled back the bubble wrap was the sleek aluminium carry case (See pictured). Not only did it appeal visually, but it also had me feeling confident the unit had not suffered any internal injuries on its voyage across the Pacific to Division 43. In addition to an amazing carry case which seems a crime to keep locked away in a cupboard, the mic also came with the useful SM-3 mic clip, which includes a Teflon bushing that tightens around the shaft of the mic using a thumbscrew.
Since purchasing the mic for $350 US about a month ago, I’ve been using it with a Behringer Ultragraph Digital Model DEQ1024 and a Behringer Tube Composer T1952, together with an iBox by W2IHY into a Kenwood TS-2000. The Behringer B1 mic which usually adorns the top of my Hercules mic stand has been put in the bottom drawer. Obviously, the dynamic quality of this mic negates the need for an invisible mic preamp/external power source also so the Behringer Eurorack UB1002FX is with it…gathering dust for the time being.
By all reports, the PR 40’s components are made in the UK, Malaysia, Japan, China and Taiwan, and then shipped to the U.S. for final assembly and testing. While on the subject of components, the humbucking copper voice coil which is a highlight of this mic has a centre tap (connected to ground) and uses a neodymium magnet structure for a magnetic field which is apparently 10 times stronger than the traditional magnets in many other mics. Humbucking allows this mic to work perfectly around computer monitors and high-RF (radio frequency) energy fields that are common in radio shacks.
My Findings
I believe that good TX audio helps a great deal in inferior band conditions. For deciphering a signal out of the noise, there’s no doubt that some compression intermixed with high frequency pre-emphasis helps, but before you get to that point, where the signal is merely weak, good TX audio tends to beat the compressed, very restricted range TX audio for ineligibility any day of the week, and so achieves the desired result.
First, I ran the PR40 plugged directly into the TS-2000 with TX DSP HI BOOST, mic gain 80 and 3KHZ band width settings. Here, I noted heavy bass with little top end but tidied it up with some more compression via my rig’s menu features. The end result was a great sounding hi-fi audio with a beautiful low end and comfy mids, ideal for local radio communications, but probably not as brilliant for SSB DXing in the current climate.
What I also noted during this test was that, even with its extended low range, the PR40 has a noticeable lack of boominess. This is a good thing. I’ve read that this is due to the reduction of the proximity effect, despite the PR40’s having a supercardioid pattern, which normally generates an artificial-sounding low-frequency boost when a mic is placed too close to a sound source (ie. your mouth).
Next, I linked the PR40 with my audio rack and straightaway I was surprised with how painless the mic was to equalize. In fact, it only took me a few minutes before I had brought up the top end and had everything sounding superbly for SSB DXing thanks to the TS-2000’s monitor feature and some friendly audio reports from some of the Delta Alfa members on the Kiribati Islands.
For the information of readers, the PR40 uses the DM 6 dynamic element with a 1.25-inch diaphragm, in a housing that weighs just under a pound, for a response down to 28 Hz (-3dB point) and flat up through 18 kHz (-3 dB). This means it is a wider range than your average dynamic mics. Fortunately, an end-fire, low-mass, quilted aluminum diaphragm gives the PR40 excellent low-frequency response and low distortion throughout this wide frequency range also.
There is also a broad 3dB peak in the 4 to 5kHz region which accounts for this mic’s forward but not nasal sound and, being quite a nasally speaker myself, this feature impressed me greatly. Yes it maintains the 25 year Heil Sound tradition of superbly natural voice articulation but I still liken it to a subtle ‘makeover’ of the voice box!
In my opinion, the PR40 has the gain of most condenser mics also. It also has a beautiful low end while maintaining a crisp and clear 3kz range, with a beautiful mid range rise which adds to the mic’s vocal expression. On this point, in my opinion, it also surpasses many of the condenser models that have recently flooded the ham market from China and Taiwan from some of the renowned radio communications manufacturers Yaesu and ICOM.
In conclusion, my lasting impression of the PR40 by Heil Sound is that it sounds a lot like my favourite large-diaphragm dynamic mics but with an unrivalled presence and clarity that only a Heil mic can provide.
With its rugged build, wide frequency response, and reasonable price, the Heil PR40 Dynamic Microphone is a perfect alternative for anyone looking to expand their dynamic mic collection. Stunning craftsmanship, high quality components and a fine-looking champagne lustre finish with the most articulate, natural sound from a dynamic, the PR40 will soon become the sound industry standard. In fact, I feel certain this microphone will find its way into many radio shacks in the future if it hasn’t already.
Specs
- Generating Element: Dynamic with Neodymium magnet structure
- Body: matte Steel body, zinc die cast bottom ring
- Frequency Response: 28 to 18,000 Hz
- Impedance: 600 ohms balanced
- Connections: Pin 1 Shield ground, Pin 2 + , Pin 3 -
- Output Level: -53dB @ 1,000 Hz
- Polar Pattern: End fire, Cardioid, uniform front to back discrimination
- Diaphragm: low-mass quilted aluminum
- Finish: Anodized champagne matte
- Net Weight: 15 oz
- Built to Last
Welcome to 14DA058 John
May 17, 2009 by Darren
Toulouse City (JN03RN) in South Western France is home to the Dx Adventure Radio Club’s most recent member who is 14DA058 John.
One of the most active DXpedition architects in the present-day eleven metre DX community, John (Also 14FDX058) (Formerly 14FR058 and 14EL058) and his wife 14FDX161 Dorota have undertaken numerous IOTA, MILL, DXCC, LOTA and SES activities in the past 5 years. Some of the most notable of these include from Andorra (51 Division), Gibraltar (55 Division) and Hoedic Island (DIFM AT-017) (EU-048) respectively.
“Our favourite hobby is to do radio activations,” says DA-RC’s newest affiliate from France’s 4th largest city. “I have nice memories about the AT-017 island radio activity we’ve made in the past and I ‘m still dreaming about taking the boat again with my bags and material to do a new DX expedition like this! For now though, we are preparing a long physical journey to walk with radio equipment to a summit for SOTA and COTA; something with our new DA-RC team.”
When DXing in the field, John uses an Icom IC-7000 transceiver, a G4-ZU antenna (spider beam 11 home made) or a ½ wave vertical antenna on a 10 metre high mast, with an electrical generator as his power source.
As well as satisfying DA-RC’s membership criteria in the DXpedition category, John also satisfies the DX Hunter requirements and has several praiseworthy achievements in the area of DX group leadership. In addition to being a Cluster dk Lounge Member, John has worked tirelessly in the formation of a personal project named ‘Free DXers’ in which he has managed internet sites and controlled other day to day functioning of the organisation.
In addition to being an experienced and renowned DXpedition and field operator, one whom has his van meticulously decked out for portable radio operations, 14DA058 John is educated with Informatics, with a particular interest in web design and hardware. (See John’s website in the Gallery section of the DA-RC website). John is also a gifted designer of QSL confirmation cards, banners and other graphics!
Away from the radio communications hobby which is a major part of his life, 14DA058 John enjoys holidaying with his wife Dorota, body boarding, hiking along the banks of the River Garonne and nearby mountain summits, and other ecological pursuits. John’s interest in ecology, in fact, lead him to conduct a regional activation of the Guerande salt marshes in southern Brittany.
It is this same sense of adventure which makes him a valuable asset for the Dx Adventure Radio club moving into the onset of Sun Cycle 24!
On behalf of everyone, welcome to the club, John. It’s great having you as part of the team.
23DA/NA-097 Jamaica Island, Log, Part 1
May 17, 2009 by Darren
| PROG TX | DATE | GMT | CALLSIGN | NAME | FREQ | MODE | RST |
| 001 | 09.02.09 | 17:17 | 4FAT117 | DIEGO | 27.570 | USB | 3/5 |
| 002 | 09.02.09 | 17:25 | 12AT092 | ALEX | 27.610 | USB | 5/0 |
| 003 | 09.02.09 | 20:54 | 4SD032 | MARK | 27.490 | USB | 3/5 |
| 004 | 09.02.09 | 21:03 | 3SD161 | WILLIAM | 27.490 | USB | 3/3 |
| 005 | 09.02.09 | 21:09 | 3SD170 | CLEUCIO | 27.490 | USB | 2/3 |
| 006 | 09.02.09 | 21:13 | 3SD355 | CLEVERSON | 27.490 | USB | 5/5 |
| 007 | 09.02.09 | 22:30 | 4SAB101 | ARIEL | 27.490 | USB | 5/5 |
| 008 | 09.02.09 | 23:30 | 69AT115 | ROLAND | 27.550 | USB | 5/7 |
| 009 | 09.02.09 | 23:35 | 69SD108 | RAMONE | 27.555 | USB | 5/3 |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 011 | 09.02.09 | 23:45 | 3SD114 | RICARDO | 27.490 | USB | 3/5 |
| 012 | 10.02.09 | 23:45 | 69ET001 | RICARDO | 27.490 | USB | 3/1 |
| 013 | 14.02.09 | 00:30 | 2AT017 | JIM | 27.490 | USB | 5/7 |
| 014 | 14.02.09 | 20:55 | 2WW279 | BRIAN | 27.490 | USB | 5/5 |
| 015 | 14.02.09 | 20:57 | 10FAT113 | JOSE LUIS | 27.490 | USB | 5/9 |
| 016 | 14.02.09 | 21:00 | 2WR795 | LUIS | 27.490 | USB | 5/5 |
| 017 | 14.02.09 | 21:03 | 2SF929 | STEVE | 27.490 | USB | 5/7 |
| 018 | 14.02.09 | 21:05 | 2LD057 | CHARLIE | 27.490 | USB | 5/3 |
| 019 | 14.02.09 | 21:07 | 2AT509 | LARRY | 27.490 | USB | 5/9 |
| 020 | 14.02.09 | 21:13 | 2DQ045 | JEFF | 27.490 | USB | 5/7-9 |
| 021 | 14.02.09 | 21:15 | 9DX4 | MIKE | 27.490 | USB | 5/3 |
| 022 | 14.02.09 | 21:18 | 2YB377 | JEFF | 27.490 | USB | 5/5 |
| 023 | 14.02.09 | 21:21 | 10FAT172 | ADRIAN | 27.490 | USB | 3/3 |
| 024 | 14.02.09 | 21:32 | 1011 | (Illinois) | 27.490 | USB | 5/9 |
| 025 | 14.02.09 | 21:34 | 172AT101 | PHILLIPE | 27.490 | USB | 5/5 |
| 026 | 14.02.09 | 21:37 | 2OD101 | JERRY | 27.490 | USB | 3/3,5 |
| 027 | 14.02.09 | 21:42 | 2DT123 | BARRY | 27.490 | USB | 5/9 |
| 028 | 14.02.09 | 21:52 | 004DA | MARIO (Tx) | 27.490 | USB | 5/7 |
| 029 | 15.02.09 | 21:27 | 32SD150 | LEO | 27.540 | USB | 5/5 |
| 030 | 15.02.09 | 21:39 | 69ET102 | MARCO | 27.490 | USB | 5/5 |
| 031 | 15.02.09 | 22:04 | 11SD124 | ANGEL | 27.560 | USB | 5/7 |
| 032 | 15.02.09 | 22:35 | 201BY016 | THEODOR | 27.490 | USB | 3/1-3 |
| 033 | 16.02.09 | 22:30 | 3BL045 | RENATO | 27.590 | USB | 3/1-3 |
| 034 | 22.02.09 | 20:30 | 3ZK12 | ROGER | 27.570 | USB | 1/1 |
| 035 | 22.02.09 | 20:36 | 69BY571 | ELIU | 27.490 | USB | 5/5-3 |
| 036 | 22.02.09 | 21:15 | 12SD/SA057 | MARCOS | 27.570 | USB | 5/3-5 |
| 037 | 22.02.09 | 21:45 | 7ET105/MOBILE | MOZES | 27.580 | USB | 5/5-7 |
| 038 | 23.2.09 | 22:05 | 61MO61 | CHRISTOPHE | 27.490 | USB | 5/7-8 |
| 039 | 23.2.09 | 23:55 | 3SD181 | ADRIANO | 27.570 | USB | 5/7 |
| 040 | 23.2.09 | 00:08 | 3SD019 | MENDES | 27.570 | USB | 5/5 |
| 041 | 23.2.09 | 00:34 | 201BY016 | THEODOR | 27.490 | USB | 1/5 |
| 042 | 27.02.09 | 22:10 | 43DA234 | TOM | 27.540 | USB | 5/3 |
| 043 | 27.02.09 | 22:17 | 122SD103 | CARSON | 27.490 | USB | 3/7 |
| 044 | 27.02.09 | 22:35 | 12SD115 | GABRIEL | 27.590 | USB | 5/7 |
| 045 | 27.02.09 | 23:12 | 43DA050 | GEOFF | 27.535 | USB | 2/3 |
| 046 | 28.02.09 | 18:25 | 12FAT121 | DIEGO | 27.490 | USB | 5/5 |
| 047 | 28.02.09 | 18:29 | 4TBL76 | RODOLFO | 27.490 | USB | 3/5 |
| 048 | 28.02.09 | 18:32 | 4SAB101 | ARIEL | 27.490 | USB | 5/9 |
| 049 | 28.02.09 | 18:34 | 4AZS42 | ALBERTO | 27.490 | USB | 5/9 |
| 050 | 01.03.09 | 20:05 | 2SD125 | JOHN | 27.490 | USB | 5/6 |
| 051 | 01.03.09 | 20:17 | 2PC1059 | DEWEY | 27.490 | USB | 5/7 |
| 052 | 01.03.09 | 20:31 | 2SD101 | FRED | 27.555 | USB | 5/7-9 |
| 053 | 01.03.09 | 20:40 | 2AT041 | JOE | 27.490 | USB | 5/3-9 |
| 054 | 03.03.09 | 20:43 | 34AT178 | BERTO | 27.590 | USB | 3/3-5 |
| 055 | 03.03.09 | 21:12 | 158AT101 | ALEXANDER | 27.490 | USB | 5/7 |
| 056 | 14.03.09 | 22:32 | 3SAB008 | ALIASON | 27.490 | USB | 5/6-7 |
| 057 | 14.03.09 | 22:40 | 3VI101 | ANDRE | 27.490 | USB | 3/4 |
| 058 | 15.03.09 | 20:20 | 12FAT121 | DIEGO | 27.490 | USB | 5/5-7 |
| 059 | 15.03.09 | 20:34 | 3BL001 | JEAN | 27.490 | USB | 2/5-5/7 |
| 060 | 16.03.09 | 22:08 | 10FAT178 | LOSE LUIS | 27.490 | USB | 5/9 |
| 061 | 18.03.09 | 22:00 | 10WD7 | MANNY | 27.490 | USB | 5/9 |
| 062 | 18.03.09 | 22:45 | 201SD103 | THEODOR | 27.490 | USB | 5/5 |
| 063 | 19.03.09 | 20:20 | 136SD136 | FRANCIS | 27.490 | USB | 5/9 |
| 064 | 19.03.09 | 21:50 | 69SD108/ET114 | RAMON | 27.490 | USB | 5/7 |
| 065 | 31/03/09 | 21:45 | 3ET045 | DANIEL | 27.490 | USB | 5/7 |
| 066 | 31/03/09 | 21:55 | 3SAB014 | MARCO | 27.490 | USB | 5/7 |
| 067 | 31/03/09 | 22:45 | 220SD102 | LESLIE | 27.560 | USB | 5/6 |
| 068 | 2/04/09 | 23:30 | 266BY401 | TOV | 27.600/590 | USB | 5/7 |
| 069 | 2/04/09 | 23:45 | 43FAT102 | STEVE | 27.530 | USB | 4/2 |
| 070 | 6.4.09 | 21:40 | 34IC002 | JOE | 27.545 | USB | 5/9 |
| 071 | 6.4.09 | 21:45 | 34IR025 | MARIO | 27.545 | USB | 5/9 |
| 072 | 6.4.09 | 23:53 | 122RSN008 | ANTHONY | 27.490 | USB | 5/5 |
| 073 | 6.4.09 | 00:55 | 2DT123 | BARRY | 27.635 | USB | 5/9+10 |
| 074 | 6.4.09 | 01:10 | 2AT222 | RICKY | 27.635 | USB | 5/9 |
| 075 | 12.4.09 | 20:40 | 3AT021 | AMARILDO | 27.610 | USB | 5/8 |
| 076 | 17.4.09 | 23:42 | 43TR299 | GEOFF | 27.575 | USB | 3/1 |
| 077 | 20.4.09 | 01:00 | #981 | LITTLE BEAR | 27.560 | USB | 5/9+15 |
| 078 | 22.4.09 | 00:31 | 2AT054 | JOE | 27.590 | USB | 5/9+5 |
| 079 | 23.4.09 | 18:54 | 3IR003 | LUIS | 27.570 | USB | 3/3,5 |
| 080 | 23.4.09 | 22:45 | 127KP816 | KERRY | 27.565 | USB | 3/0 QSB |
| 081 | 28.4.09 | 00:25 | 10FAT122 | FRANCISCO | 27.560 | USB | 5/8 QSB |
| 082 | 29.4.09 | 23:50 | 201PR015 TAHINI ISL. | VICTOR | 27.570 | USB | 3/3, QSB |
| 083 | 29.4.09 | 00:51 | 9WRC149 | FRED | 27.560 | USB | 3/3 |
| 084 | 30.4.09 | 23:10 | 2AW254 | RAY | 27.540 | USB | 5/7 |
| 085 | 30.4.09 | 00:20 | 9AT164 | MARTY | 27.620 | USB | 5/8 |
| 086 | 30.4.09 | 00:40 | 2AT161 | CONRAD | 27.570 | USB | 5/5 QRM |
| 087 | 30.4.09 | 00:55 | 2OHHF1515 | RICH | 27.630 | USB | 5/3 VA |
| 088 | 30.4.09 | 01:10 | 2DQ045 | JEFF | 27.540 | USB | 5/7 |
| 089 | 1.5.09 | 22:27 | 75PAS050 | JOSE | 27.575 | USB | 5/7 |
| 090 | 2.5.09 | 21:10 | 30CI12 | PEDRO | 27.560 | USB | 5/3 |
| 091 | 2.5.09 | 21:18 | 14CTI557 | RICHARD | 27.560 | USB | 3/0 |
| 092 | 2.5.09 | 21:25 | 136SD110 | CEDRIC | 27.560 | USB | 3/3 |
| 093 | 2.5.09 | 21:30 | 49AT018 | JAIME | 27.560 | USB | 3/2 |
| 094 | 2.5.09 | 21:35 | 9AT124 | GARY | 27.560 | USB | 5/3 |
| 095 | 2.5.09 | 21:38 | 2TRC411 | BERNADETTE | 27.560 | USB | 3/3 |
| 096 | 2.5.09 | 21:50 | 11SD129 | JOSE | 27.560 | USB | 5/6 |
| 097 | 2.5.09 | 21:55 | 53SD101 | WALTER | 27.560 | USB | 5/3 |
| 098 | 2.5.09 | 22:00 | 9LD840 | GERRY | 27.560 | USB | 5/5 |
| 099 | 2.5.09 | 23:55 | 10SD156 | MARTIN | 27.490 | USB | 5/5,7 |
| 100 | 3.5.09 | 01:20 | 2FAT/TX (P#38) | GERARDO | 27.570 | USB | 5/6, QSB |
Real or Fake?
May 9, 2009 by Darren
Part of the role of any respectable radio club headquarters is to ensure the validity of expeditions conducted by its members. Obviously, providing physical evidence or documentation to support the validity of a DX operation is to stop so called ‘fakes’ (hoax operations) and reduce the negative impacts it has on the radio fraternity (eg. time wasting and loss of finance, etc.).
It is generally accepted that the DXpedition team member/s performing the activity must prove to his club and the 11m community as a whole that he did in fact operate from the place identified. The customary time frame for this to occur is within 3 months of the activity’s conclusion. It is also agreed that it is the responsibility of the club in question to ensure this is done and that the correct protocols are undertaken to guarantee the integrity of the process for everyone.
With this in mind, a proofs package is usually sent to a representative of the radio club (eg. QSL Manager, Activations Manager, etc.) immediately after an activation has concluded and if all of the information checks out then it is usually accepted that the DX operation was a valid one. Similarly, if questions are raised about the legitimacy of an activation, it is easy then to dispel the rumours and prove in fact that is a real one, providing a radio club has the appropriate proofs in hand.
On this note, club’s such as DA-RC whom are affiliated with the World Wide Radio Organisation (WWRO) will normally send their proofs to the International Validation Team who will validate the activity on the group’s behalf. Though still in its teething stage, this is arguably the best system for 11m and 11m operators as it eliminates the risks associated with uploading incriminating information to the internet which can be accessed by authorities.
Types of Proofs
Providing proof of an activity is usually done via the following means:
- Copies of airline tickets
- Photographs of station and antenna set up, including power source, with date stamps
- Providing souvenirs such as postcards, key rings, maps, etc.
- Transport receipts such as a ferry docket or a bus ticket
- Copy of the access permit in the case of protected areas
- Copy of the visa for the said country (if required)
- Photocopy of the passport pages showing entry/ exit stamps
- Copies of hotel receipts as evidence of stay in the country concerned.
So Why Do Fakes Occur?
Though it is extremely rare on 11m, operators will lie about their QTH and deliberately misrepresent their station for different reasons. Some of these include:
1. Cost of travel/ accommodation is too much $$$.
Travelling to and staying in some parts of the world can cost an enormous amount of money. To activate a small island will sometimes require the chartering of a plane or boat which can cost the DX-pedition team up to $10,000 AUS to do so.
It is sometimes easier, then, for an operator to set up a DX station on a major island or country nearby with a reliable power source and to transmit from there. They can often get away with it too if the area is remote and there are no local operators to question the activity and location.
The operator in question, therefore, will still be able to cash in on all the kudos and black slapping that goes with providing rare DX opportunities to the world.
2. Restricted access due to government legislation (ie. Protected areas, world heritage listings etc.)
3. Fun or boredom
Let’s face it – some operators and groups make up a fake activation as a joke. In times of poor propagation, I’ve heard operators calling fake stations and asking for progressive numbers when it is well known that the activation is a hoax. The operator conducting the activation will even say, if asked, that the activity is ‘fake’ and no QSL confirmation will be offered.
4. WX
When operators have advertised an upcoming activation and already gone ahead with printing thousands of QSL cards, the DX world expects it to be carried out. Unfortunately, however, bad WX conditions might make this impossible.
Knowing the backlash that could occur and fearing damage to their reputation, the DX team might transmit from a nearby area and not the one identified – especially if they have already paid for transport, passports and visas and are close to the advertised destination.
5. To cause trouble and inconvenience for other radio operators
In Australia, sending a quality QSL confirmation package can cost upwards of $8.00 AUS (IRC, Stamp, 3 QSL cards, a postcard, photograph of shack, envelope). Obviously, it’s a waste of time and money if operators are sending cards to confirm activities that are found to be fake.
It’s a sad fact, though, that dollar and card collectors do exist in our radio community. These guys don’t care about other radio operators and have little personal integrity as they feel protected from recrimination either by geographical isolation or the absence of intimacy which come with hiding behind a microphone.
I wonder how many stations mentioned on ‘Blacklists’ are actually fair dinkum activities anyway…
If you are concerned with the legitimacy of a station that you have worked, my advice is to seek some clarification from radio friends on one of the many DX forums or the DX Group in question. They should be able to tell you if a member is active from the particular location you have identified and will give you access to the necessary evidence to prove it.
73 de Darren 43DA010 World HQ TeamInland Water Islands (IWI)
May 9, 2009 by Darren
The term IWI is a much used acronym in the World Eleven Metres Community which refers to the geographic phenomena that are inland water islands. As the name suggests, an inland water island is defined as:
- A body of land completely surrounded by rivers; and/or
- A body of land which is found in the middle of a lake.
The IWI idiom is commonly used as a Freeband callsign suffix – one which follows the operator’s respective DXCC division number and his radio group initials – to indicate an inland water islands DX activity. The IWI ellipsis also precedes an IWI reference number which is attributed to an inland water island by:
- The DXpedition operator; or
- The DXpedition operator’s DX Group; or
- Past IWI operations from that same island; or
- Representatives of the Islands Base Online Team
For example, a member of the DX Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) based in Indonesia (91 Division) activating the Samosir Island (pictured below), would use the reference number… 91 DA / IWI ***** where the ***** indicates the inland water island’s reference number.
IWI on Eleven Metres
As a form of DXing, the IWI concept has steadily grown in popularity over the past five years to become one of the most exciting and hotly sought after activities on the eleven metre band. So much so, in fact, that many DX groups have added the concept to their DX agenda!
Essentially, the origins of IWI are believed to have come from the Maidenhead grid squares concept – a popular offshoot of standardised DXing on the ham bands which represents a position on the earth based on points of latitude and longitude. IWI enthusiasts would argue, however, that the eleven metre community’s IWI concept is not only more challenging for those radio communications hobbyists concerned with hunting grid squares on ham bands, but it also correlates well with the Radio Society of Great Britain’s Islands On The Air (IOTA) program.
One of the first challenges a prospective IWI DXpeditioner faces is actually locating an inland water island. This exercise is commonly achieved through the use of an online satellite system such as Google Earth or map, by tracing the tributaries of river systems or studying the geographical composition of lakes and rivers, trying to pin point land masses surrounded by water.
To facilitate the IWI DXpedition concept, the Islands Online database contains details of 14679 inland water islands, a number set to grow as the concept develops even further.
While some IWI are in fact officially recognised as islands and carry a formal title incorporating the island tag, many if not most IWI exist in anonymity, nestled within the land locks of cities, towns, municipalities and suburbs, waiting to be stumbled upon and brought to life by Freeband field operations.
Some Famous IWI
As you would expect, the size of an inland water island can vary greatly. Some like the Island of Bananal, the world’s largest inland island, covers an area of about 7000 sq miles for instance; while others such as Australia’s Jabiru Island cover an area of only a couple of hundred metres sq.
Some of the world’s most famous inland water islands, and those which feature prominently on the hit list of many IWI enthusiasts, include:
- René-Levasseur Island, Canada
- Soisalo, Finland
- Sääminginsalo, Finland
- Olkhon, Russia
- Samosir, Indonesia
- Isle Royale, United States
- Ukerewe Island, Tanzania
- St. Joseph Island, Canada
- Drummond Island, United States
- Idjwi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
- Marajo, Brazil
- Teresa Island, Canada
- Beaver Island, USA
- Monteisola Island, Italy
- Majuli Island, India
- Bananal Island, Brazil
- Monte Isola (or Montisola or Monteisola), Italy
- Monte Isola, Italy
- Gudfjellöya, Norway
- Woodford Island, Australia
IWI & D
A-RC
The Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) is fortunate to have some of the best known and most successful IWI DXpeditioners in its midst. Members such as 14DA028 Phil, for example, are considered experts in the IWI domain with extensive experience working in the field from European inland water islands; efforts which have helped define the DX activity in the contemporary Freeband world.
On May 1, for instance, 14DA028 Phil, 14DA012 Herve and 14DA024 Fabrice will commence an extensive IWI tour taking in eleven islands spread across two European DXCC entities. Most of these islands have never been activated before. (Please see http://www.delta-alfa.com/da-rc-activities/franco-belgium-iwi-tour-2009/ )
DA-RC’s Achievement Program offers a number of awards recognising the feats of IWI DX enthusiasts, such as the French IWI Team’s. These include IWI DXpeditioner Awards for 5, 10 and 15 inland water island operations, as well as IWI Hunter Awards for 25, 50, 75 and 100 inland water islands worked and confirmed.
Additionally, DA-RC caters for members and IWI enthusiasts in general by hosting an annual IWI event titled IWI-kend (Details of which will be announced soon in the DA-RC Activities section). Similar to the World Wide Radio organisation’s Islands Festival, IWI-kend will involve DA-RC members from all around the world activating as many inland water islands as possible over 1 weekend. Project Manager for this event is 14DA028 Phil.
If you would like more information on the IWI concept or any of the IWI initiatives listed above, please contact the DA-RC HQ Team.
73 de Darren 43DA010 World HQ TeamSounds Sweet Speaker *Product Review*
May 3, 2009 by Darren
Those who know me well will know that one of my fascinations with radio communications is with speakers, headphones and other DX-cessories which claim to facilitate good RX. Perhaps it’s just that I’ve been to too many heavy metal rock concerts in my time and have given the ear drums a bit of a hammering, but nowadays anything that claims to provide clean, crisp, hiss free audio not only grabs my attention ‘like a topless sunbaker would on an IOTA DXpedition’ but also my hard earned cash!
In the past, I’ve reviewed products such as the fantastic Nes 10 and noise eliminating speakers by Bhi and offered some positive comments on their performance too, but about a month ago I picked up a second hand speaker on eHAM which is marketed under the quirky name: ‘Sounds Sweet Speaker’. I agree the name sounds a bit cheap and nasty but I’d read some favourable reviews on this unit in my net travels and hence been on the look out for one on any of the common sites which flog off pre-loved radio gear ever since.
Described as the “Ultimate SSB Speaker” by some radio ops, the Sounds Sweet Speaker is a dense, solid, tongue and groove construction, with a tuned port and bass reflex speakers said to have been for optimised for radio communications. In the search for clearer and more intelligible sound than the speakers built in to radios can provide, many DXers have tried basic MP3 headphones, hi-fi or computer speakers. These options are always a compromise though because their tweeters are designed for higher frequencies than are present in the voice audio energy coming from your radio so it’s always a case of “keep looking”.
Rather than hook up the speaker to my main rig (TS2000) to see if the hype surrounding this unit was true, I rigged it up with an old Pearce Simpson Super Bengal MK2 base CB – which had been a bit susceptible to electrical interference in the past – by connecting the unit directly to the transceiver’s external speaker jack. Simple!
The results were immediately apparent with the Bengal test, with increased RX intelligibility which reproduced only the communications voice coming from SSB. In fact, they appeared to have the useful and satisfying bass information missing from some of the smaller communications and built-in radio speakers I have used in the past, but without the hiss and mud produced by speakers designed for stereo use. With skip pouring in from all 43 Division states and territories, fatiguing transistor thermal noise and vacuum tube hiss was eliminated and interestingly this was done without unnecessary equalizers and active stages.
Assembled and finished in 2 Division and weighing in at just under 6 kg, Sounds Sweet Speakers are obviously intended for base station use with their 12″ high x 10″ wide x 10″ deep footprint and are quite a meaty construction compared to some other DSP style prototypes I have in the shack as well. This, together with the tuned port and specialised dual cone acoustic suspension driver, produce bass response to the lower end of human voice and no lower.
In conclusion, this Sounds Sweet speaker provided clearer, more natural sounding, and fatigue free audio than many other types of speakers I have used. After testing the unit for a period of approximately 6 hours, it’s safe to say that they let you dig out the weak signals and really enjoy the strong ones with an added bass quality that adds tremendous enjoyment to good openings!
If you would like to purchase one of these hot speakers for the shack, the odd one pops up on eBay every now and then. Or you can also buy one new at around $119US by clicking on the appropriate links at http://www.soundssweet.com/
Any comments on this speaker by existing owners are most welcome.
73 de Darren 43DA010