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After spending most of the day doing revision for my Advanced Networks exam on Thursday, I decided to go check out the bands and to plug-in the Heil Sound FS-2 footswitch which I ordered for my dad (M3JFM).

After turning on the radio I noticed that 10m seemed to have some activity and quickly worked IA2IPY and S57S, at that point I decided to go check 6m was there was some spots showing up on the cluster within HRD.

Within an hour I managed to work:

HB8UT, DG7MHR, IW0SAF, OE6BMG, HA3UU, IZ5ICH, 9A2ZH, IW2NOR, OE9GHV, OK2KR, OE9MON, S57ET, DJ0AH, S57GTW, OK1VSL

Then I finished off working a few more on 10m

OE2008A, 2E0RNM, S51TA

Hopefully a sign of things to come!

I’ve just left G6PZ’s station and I’m sat on the train from Weston Super Mare to Oxford via Didcot Parkway and I thought this would be the best time to write about the weekend.

A couple of weeks ago Simon M0CLW asked if I wanted to go to Paul’s to operate the special event station, of course I jumped at the chance and on Friday I got the coach to Luton Airport to meet Simon (M0CLW) to head down to the station.

On arrival Paul’s antenna system was amazing with 4/4 SteppIR stack and a 4el MonstIR, inside was just as good with ICOM IC-7800 plus a Ten-Tec Orion and two ACOM 2000s. The operation was midnight to midnight and we hoped to work 4000 QSOs thankfully we did make this with 4036 including the odd dupe QSO.

Highlights of the weekend was having ZL’s call me on 40m and getting a couple of decent runs on 20m SSB during Saturday sure was nice feeling loud on the bands. If you weren’t operating you always had the dogs to keep you busy.

Also checkout the post on G6PZ.com, and more photos on Flickr

A couple of weeks back I made a quick post saying that Paul (M0TZO) and myself, had been awarded the Kenwood Trophy by the RSGB board for our significant contribution to training in providing the www.hamtests.co.uk and we felt honoured receiving it on Saturday.

The rest of the day was also interesting at the AGM, although the open forum session in the afternoon proved very interesting to hear member’s views and getting answers from the board.

To finish off the evening we went for dinner with Iain M0PCB, Chloe (M0GEJ), Paul (M3JFM) and Terry (G0LUQ)

Today I decided to have a listen on the bands, as I was fed up sitting around my room either working on my dissertation or some other form of assignment which needed completing. I started off on 17m noticed some RTTY and worked a UA4 and a RD4.

After this I moved down to 20m which seemed rather lively on RTTY for a change and after a quick CQ call I worked UN1, US6, YO6, UA6, IZ8, W4, UR5, UA1, VE1, G4 I was pleased that the band opened to the States and Canada.

Later on I decided to start setting up DM780 for SSTV, as it’s not a mode I’ve tried so hopefully later today I will have had a QSO.