Dutch Kingdom Contest 2017 review

Event: Dutch Kingdom Contest 2017
Section: LOW power SSB (A1SSB)
Logger: N1MM+ latest version
Station: Icom IC-706MK2G at 100W
Antenna 1: Coppertape vertical (7,1m)  @9m agl
Antenna 2: Watson W2000 for 6m @6m agl

Just looking back at my last year effort. I had the feeling propagation was even worse. I started Saturday evening and there were only few on the 20m and 40m bands. However I made some DX, don't ask me how it was possible...Then Sunday morning, I woke up very early and started on 40m....an empty band. Really nothing could be heard except for some CW at the low part and of course the ever present JT signals on 7076 the rest was noise only. 20m band was empty as well, other bands are normally not open early in the morning. So, no one came back after calling CQ on both bands for 15 minutes and I decided to do some 60m JT65 operating instead, that went well although signals were not that strong. Later in the morning 40m and 20m still almost dead, only a few stations in the background. 6m seems to be opening and again decided to do some JT65 mode there to wait for better propagation. Then the family woke up and had to do other things. Just before the afternoon had some minutes to try again. 6m and 10m was much better and although most stations did not participate in the contest I still got some stations back to me as apparently there was another contest going on as well. Had to stop contesting before noon. Unfortenately I didn't work any known expat (extra points) like I did in previous years. I did work SO8FH (PA0F) Frits on 6m but he was not in the contest as he told me so I guess he is not known at the DKC organisation for extra points. On 10m I spoke TK/PH2A, not shure if he counts for extra points as well. In the end the 6m band saved the contest a bit, actually it was my best band after all. Total amount of QSOs is higher compared to last year. I defend my first place though I'm not shure I will be able to maintain.....time will tell.

Combined results map

6m band conditions - Reminder DKC contest this weekend! - Another record!

Above the 6m band yesterday evening. Heard HI3T several times but was unable to make a QSO. A directional antenna would be great but haven't got it yet and still do with the W2000 vertical. Neighbour station Jaap PA0O did make it to Japan yesterday morning. 

Just to remind you all that the Dutch Kingdom Contest is this weekend. Sections and rules here. Keep in mind that the IARU CW fieldday is on also and we don't want to interfere. The contest is from 15:00-15:00 UTC (24h).

My effort in the CQWW CW contest last year did pay off. It seems I have luck chasing Netherlands records. A lot of fun...

GPS timing for JT modes

After my last post about the Denmark holiday experimental radio activity I got a lot of e-mail if the GPS timing I wanted to make is already working. Strange not many amateurs use GPS timing instead of a NTP internet timing. It is very common with for example the WSPR kits from Hans Summers G0UPL. If you are in the field without a internet connection GPS might do the trick and you get some extras as well. I know many blog readers are eagerly waiting for this post I even got a e-mail from HS0ZBS Kurt who only has a internet connection through his phone. He likes JT modes but has to pay lots of money only to keep his laptop on time, a GPS timing would be perfect for him.

So, I bought a cheap small bluetooth keyring GPS receiver for this task. I researched the minimum requirements for this task and think it is important to have a Sirf3 GPS module chip inside the receiver to have best receiving capabilities. I payed 25 euro for it but I'm certain there are cheaper ones with or without bluetooth. For instance this one on Aliexpress for 15 USD only. Unfortenately I had bad luck as the Li-ion 3,7V 450mAh battery inside was broken. I considered to send it back but that would mean it would take several more weeks to continue experimenting. So I decided to hook it up to an old tablet battery I had on my desk. The GPS was starting now and made connection with sats and with my laptop. Unfortenately my old Windows XP laptop didn't assign COM ports to the bluetooth communication ports automatically, but I solved that manually. Still it didn't show location and didn't sync time. Even a test tool couldn't make a connection. Finally as a last solution I restarted the computer and magically the GPS coms came alive...

I use a time sync program from IZ2BKT which is doing both synchronisation via internet and GPS. The extras and proof it is working are the exact coordinates and WW locator you are in together with the altitude. This is great info for those that are working in fieldday, RaDAR or portable configuration.