2m big-wheel antenna

For a couple of years now I have used a big-wheel horizontal omni antenna on 2m. This is the antenna used in the last few weeks on 2m FT8. It has a near omni-directional horizontal pattern, a little bit of gain and, of course, does not need a rotator. It is ideal for my sort of 2m operation.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/bigwheel

The linked page needs updating and this is on my "to do" list!

February 2018 2m UKAC results published

In my very short entry I made a silly error and had points deducted. In future, I must be more careful!

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=144MHz%20UKAC&year=2018

2m UKAC tonight

Being the first Tuesday of the month, tonight is the 2m leg of the UKAC activity contest organised by the RSGB.

"This contest takes place on Tue 6-Feb-2018 20:00 UTC
The rules for the contest can be found here
You canlist/edit your contest alerts here

Regards, 
RSGB CC"

UPDATE 2120z: 5 QSOs before I stopped with 5W and my big wheel. If I had stayed longer, I would have worked far more.

2m UKAC activity contests

Over the whole year I see I am placed 64th out of 205 in the AL section. This is not bad considering the time on the air (usually short because of my voice), 5W and an omni antenna. On 70cms (results next week?) my setup is even worse!

2m activity contest this evening

The monthly 2m UKAC was this evening. 12 contacts made in 45 minutes before my voice screamed stop! If I was able to stay on longer I am sure my 5W to my  big-wheel omni would have allowed me to work a lot more. In all, good fun.

2m UKAC Activity Contest

This evening was the 2m leg of the RSGB's activity contest. As my bus was late getting back from Cambridge, I was not on very long this time, so worked few stations. Normally, I add a map, but this time it is not worth it.

2m activity contest tonight

As this is the first Tuesday of the month, tonight is the 2m UKAC contest organised by the RSGB. It starts at 1900z and finishes at 2130z. Because of my poor voice, I usually stay on for only 20-60 minutes. This is a very friendly "contest".  As I usually get less than 10 contacts with my 5W SSB and omni antenna, I transcribe my log and enter the 10W and lower section. I have always found people helpful and understanding of my voice disability. Activity levels are high.

UPDATE 2026z: 10 contacts with the best DX being IO82 square. In the end I managed 70 minutes. Best QSO was G1YBB/P at 229km near the Welsh border.

2m UKAC results published

Today I got an email saying the results were out for the latest RSGB 2m activity contest.

In the last one I was only using 5W pep for about 20 minutes into my omni antenna (no beam). Nonetheless, I still sit 56th out of 174 in my section. Had my voice allowed me to be on for the whole 2.5 hours, I am sure I could have worked many more stations and squares. Still, it was fun and it exercises my poor voice.  The contest is on every month on the first Tuesday starting at 8pm UK clock time.

Although I am not a great contest person, this one is very friendly and activity levels are good. As I make few contacts, transcribing my log only takes a few minutes, so I submit a score.

The 2m Fredbox

This was designed in 1974, when I was still "green behind the ears". It got rebuilt much later and still worked well.

The Sixbox came much later.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/fredbox .

2m SSB

Certainly here in the UK, 2m SSB is far less active than 30 years ago. Even FM can be quiet. Apart from contests and big lifts 2m can be very quiet. It was very different back then. I had (and still have) an MX2 2m SSB 200mW handheld. Back in its day it worked some impressive DX handheld.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/mx2 .

2m UKAC activity contest - July

Luckily I had an email reminding me of the 2m activity contest (UKAC) this evening. Best DX was the Isle of Wight at 213km. Not bad with 5W and an omni antenna in 45 minutes.

2m UKAC activity contest this evening

From the RSGB:

This is an automated message, please do not reply to this email address.
You registered for an RSGB Contest Alert 2 hours before the 144MHz UKAC.

This contest takes place on Tue 6-Jun-2017 19:00 UTC

The rules for the contest can be found here

You can list/edit your contest alerts here

Regards,

RSGB CC

UPDATE 2000z: 5 QSOs before I had to go QRT because of my poor voice.

2m UKAC this evening

Luckily I got an email reminder! In the UK, Monday was a public holiday and I feel a day out. Tonight from 8pm UK clock time the 2m activity contest takes place. This is organised by the RSGB and activity levels are usually good.

Normally I manage about an hour or less because of my poor voice. I use 5W and a big-wheel antenna.

UPDATE 2040z: I tried a "wait and pounce" approach, but waited a very long time for my first QSO. In all, 7 QSOs in 5 QTH squares. Best DX was the Peak District.

2m UKAC results

The latest results have just been published and I am now 51 out of 131 in the AL section. This is up. Considering I only use 5W to a big-wheel omni and I am usually on for less that 40% of the time because of my poor voice, this is fine. I only really go on to exercise my voice and see if I can reach new squares. The contest is always fun and people are friendly and helpful.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=144MHz%20UKAC&year=2017

2m UKAC this evening

A further reminder that the RSGB organised 2m leg of its activity contest is this evening from 8pm(1900z) UK clock time. The contest runs for 2.5 hours. Activity levels are good on SSB and it is a great way to work new squares. Although a contest, I have always found people very friendly. I usually stay on for well less than an hour because of my poor voice.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=2mukac

UPDATE 2032z: Just a few QSOs as my granddaughter was in the next room so I stayed on even less than usual. Best QSO was 183km (with my 5W QRP and omni), but I heard further and could have worked more if I had stayed on a little longer.

RSGB's 2m UKAC tomorrow evening

Tomorrow evening is the 2m leg of the 2m Activity Contest. As we have grandchildren staying, I will have to make my entry even briefer than usual.

2m UKAC tonight

A reminder that the RSGB's 2m activity contest is this evening 2000-2230z. As usual, I hope to take part with my big-wheel and 5W pep SSB. This is preceded by an hour of FM activity. Because my voice is poor, I usually stay on for 30-60 minutes, then go QRT.


See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=2mukac .


UPDATE 2140z:  7 squares and a few  "get-aways" tonight with 13 QSOs in just over an hour with 5W and an omni antenna. Best DX 215km.

2m UKAC tonight

Just a reminder than the next 2m leg of the RSGB's monthly activity contest is this evening 2000-2230z. Activity levels are usually high and it is a good chance to work a few new squares. It is preceded by an hour long FM activity contest.

UPDATE 2125z: 8 QSOs tonight in 5 squares with 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna in 47 minutes. Then I had to stop because of my poor voice!

2m UKAC - stations worked with 5W tonight in 47 minutes

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=2mukac .

2m UKAC this evening

I could only manage about 30 minutes this evening as my voice was poor and we had a guest staying. Best DX 151km, although I could have worked more had I stayed on. Activity was high. As usual I was using 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna.

2m contest reminder - this weekend

For once, I remembered!

This weekend is the 2m Trophy Contest organised by the RSGB, It runs from 1400 UTC Saturday until 1400 UTC Sunday. See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2016&contest=144trophy&seq=

There is also the RSGB Backpacker's Contest on Sunday morning. I hope to be on for some of the time.

On Tuesday evening is the 2m UKAC Contest for September.

Even if you hate contests, these are a good chance to work a few new stations and QTH squares. There is no compulsion to send in a log. Just enjoy the activity.

UPDATE 2116z: I went on the 2m Trophy Contest for 20 minutes just now and worked 4 stations with my 5W and big-wheel omni. Best DX was a station in IO81RF which is 227km. I may try again tomorrow morning.