Ham Radio – a hobby that is enjoyed by many and endured by their family, friends and neighbours.
Activity-wise, I favour CW/Digimodes from home, and CW+SSB when out portable. The Shack doubles as my office so I find it easy to have a few digimode QSOs in-between tasks. Radios include: Kenwood TS-590SG, an Icom IC-7300 along with an 80m Doublet and a 20m loop.
On 6m, there’s a 3ele LFA yagi for seasonal Sporadic’E and for QSOs with the locals on 2m/70cm, I have a V-2000 collinear. In the car is an Icom IC-2730 50w dual-bander with this hands-free microphone.
I particularly enjoy operating “portable” so if you’re looking me up during/after a QSO – thanks! I will most likely be using the IC-7300 and a 40m Doublet when /P. Logging is via my own TabLog app. For VHF I typically use a home-made Slim-Jim for 2m FM, a 5ele yagi on SSB, plus a simple dipole for 4m+6m – all at around 20-25ft subject to wind.
QSLs : Sorry, but I don’t paper QSL. Your card may be pretty, but storing them isn’t practical so please don’t waste your time sending it. I am not a Bureau member, so cards sent “via the buro” will never reach me. eQSL/LoTW are far more efficient (not-to-mention planet-friendly) methods of confirmation.
Useful pages : Build a 2m Slim-Jim … Coax Power Ratings … IC-7300 Notes … HF Linked Dipole … European Locator Map
Handy Online SDR Links : These are great ways to check your signal, monitor propagation as well as listen to activity on the new geostationary satellite Oscar 100 : Hack Green HF … Hack Green VHF … Twente (Dutch) HF … BATC Oscar 100 (Es’Hail2) @ Goonhilly … VHF @ Goonhilly