10m - CQWW SSB DX Contest

This BIG HF contest runs this weekend and is sure to make the bands sound busy. I shall be having a go with 5W SSB on 10m only and see what happens.

By 1600z Saturday I'd worked 24 stations in 16 European countries with 5W QRP SSB including C4I, P33W, 4L0A, US5D and TM1O. It is nice to hear 28.4-28.55MHz crowded with stations. Funny how "conditions" magically improve when there is a big contest! In the afternoon there was some decent DX about including LU1HF and PW5G but I did not work them.

SSB DX on 500kHz

Just heard SM6BHZ beaconing with 1W erp on 505.5kHz both on CW and on SSB. On CW RST559 and on SSB RS53. This is the first time I have ever heard an SSB transmission on the 500kHz band. SSB is not allowed in the UK NoV as the band is too narrow. Distance is 916kms. I've even got a QSL card already from Gus via the internet. Link is http://www.sm6bhz.com

3 transistor SSB transceiver

http://www.intio.or.jp/jf10zl/3trssb.htm

The website of Kazuhiro Sunamura JF1OZL is magic and contains some superb ideas for QRP enthusiasts. Every time I return to this site I find something to enjoy and to inspire me. Take for instance the 3 transistor 6m transceiver he describes: it is wonderful. Kazuhiro San, if you read this THANK YOU for your great ideas.