New QSL cards arrived from Ukraine

 I ordered new QSL cards from Gennady UX5UO at the 4th of this month. Gennady wrote that it could be 5 weeks before I get them. But the package with a 1000 cards has been received today.

Packed in brown packaging paper and in a sheet with test prints from other QSL cards. Everything was fitted in a carton box. Excellent!

It is remarkable that I received this in only 20 days from a country that is unfortunately in war. Luckily Gennady is still in bussiness. And I can recommend him for your paper QSL prints and design.

Now a huge task awaits. I've been waiting too long replying to incoming cards. Other things took my time. Those who are waiting for so long will get my new QSL card via bureau as soon as possible.

NTCQP (QSO party)

   My first effort in participating in this QSO party. The exchange: RST report, name and NTC number. This is more difficult as a contest exchange. I noticed that participating stations also exchanged some friendly text which I not always understood. I first listened to PA3HEB to get his name and NTC number in advance. It took me about 30 minutes before I got it. Not his fault but my inability. The code just goes too fast for me. And on air it always sounds different compared to a training program like LCWO. As backup I had an internet chat open with Andre PA5OES/PA6F who was also participating. It helped a lot discussing what we heard. In the end I worked PA3HEB, PA6F and PA3EEG. Hopefully I get better next time since it is actually an hour with a lot of CW fun!

Homemade Arduino VBand adaptor

Original VBand adaptor

 After my experiment with a old computermouse as USB adaptor for a CW key I wanted something better. Actually I found a website that gave a description af a homemade VBand adaptor made with a Arduino board. A project from OZ1JHM who gave detailed descriptions of the board needed and the connections that had to be made to the morse key/paddle. However it was not clear to me how an Arduino worked and how to upload a script. I wrote him an e-mail but never got any reply unfortunatly. Discouraged I decided to order an original VBand adaptor at Ham Radio Solutions in the US. That was months ago! It first went to the wrong country and showed up at the Israeli customs. I wrote David W6DS at HRS and he posted a second VBand adaptor to me. That was on May 9th. On the 19th of May it showed up at the Dutch customs but was still there till a few days ago. At the 14th of June it showed up in Queens NY? Back in the USA. I have no hope that the adaptor will ever arrive at my home.

So, a new search begun. I found another site from KD8RTT. It showed a similar DIY adaptor with an Arduino board as OZ1JHM's project. I wrote Tony an e-mail asking for info on the Arduino and how to get his sketch file into the board. He kindly wrote me an e-mail with an answer. So I ordered the Arduino and a cheap audio splitter cable for the connectors. Why the splitter cable? Well a splitter cable is way cheaper as separate 3,5mm jackplugs.

For those looking for the info how to with the Arduino:

Software download: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software

Online starting guide: https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/starting-guide/the-arduino-software-ide/

I didn't get the "blink" sketch to work (description in the guide, sketch used as test). So I was afraid this would be a unsuccessful project again. But after uploading the sketch from Tony it is working well now.

VBand adaptor so far.  I need to make a cover from something. I think the LEDs are very bright. Don't know if it is possible to switch them off? But if they are covered it will be allright. I already tested the adaptor on VBand and it responds very well.