On Vacation :

Will be on vacation from today to my native, 15 days on relax mode :)

Amateur Radio Museum Inaguration Pics :

A link to the picture gallery of the Inaugural ceremony of Amateur Radio Museum, Knowledge & Awareness center at NIAR campus on 18th April 2010 coinciding the World Amateur Radio Day.

Click here

Courtesy : OM Mohan, VU2MYH

A5, BHUTAN :

Steve, W7VOA, is scheduled to be active again as A52SW next month in Thimpu from about April 23rd until, at least, May 1st. Activity is planned for CW and SSB, primarily 80-10 meters.

RF output is limited to 100w, and his planned antenna is a full-length G5RV. Steve will be the sole operator. This is a work trip, so his activity will be limited mainly on the weekends and during the evening weekday hours.

Paper QSLs go to his QSL Manager K2AU and e-QSLs via the LoTW only. His goal is to complete DXCC for the A52SW callsign.

Courtesy : OPDX

My New Rig Kenwood TM-V71A :

Long time awaited rig finally in my shack today.

For details : Kenwood TM-V71A

Thanks to VU2GT, OM George.

At Last Worked 3W6C :

On Saturday 10th April, 2010 worked 3W6C on 20M 14.220 up 10 (Split) at 14.56 UTC and checked out conformation on http://www.clublog.org/

3W, VIETNAM (VERY RARE IOTA #2). An international group of operators are now active as 3W6C from Con Co Island (AS-185) until April 18th. This multi-national project, being coordinated by Swiss ham-radio operators, consists of roughly 20 individuals including one woman and members not only from Switzerland but also from Vietnam, Germany, USA and Japan.

During their stay they plan to have 4 stations on the air. Their goal is to make contacts on as many different frequencies as possible, even on the 80 meter and 160 meter bands which makes this DXpedition very special. The team will also be on the satellites. The following satellite will be used: AO-07*, AO-51*, HO-68*, SO-50 and SO-67 (*first priority - not all overflights and sats will be used).

Please note that only AO-07 will be activated in the SSB/CW-mode. All other satellites are in the FM-mode.The main areas in the footprint are: East-Asia, Japan, China, India, Australia and eastern part of Russia.

WOUXUN - KG-UVD1P - Is 5 Star :

My personal experience with WOUXUN - KG-UVD1P - is 5 star. As already mentioned elsewhere, the rx sensitivity is really good. Of course the S- Meter is really generous - more of guess meter than a S meter - but as we hams always say - "your report is ___by the EAR" - not a problem at all.

The accompanying manual is the usual "Chinese English" - It takes a little time before you comprehend what exactly it means - but do we hams really use/need the Operating Manual ???????

The antenna connector is a little tricky - SMA Male is on the rig - you need a SMA female connector if you are connecting an external antenna - easily available in SP Road, Bangalore for around Rs. 350.

The speaker mic that is available as an accessory is really FB - excellent audio report - also compatible with Kenwood handies.

The other accessory - the ear phone mic - on similar lines with the mobile phone ear-set - is equally sensitive and has a good voice pickup range - listeners have not complained about the audio level even when I accidentally talk from behind the mic.

The Battery adapter design is the only drawback - the wire comes from under the pack - a stand has to be used or designed to take care of that.

Just a few comments - But I find it worth every Rupee spent on the rig - Am having a BALL using this for my Satellite QSOs. Those of you who decide on this equipment - WELCOME ABOARD.

Courtesy : OM Madhu, VU2MUD
Source : vuhams@yahoogroups.com