Elecraft K3

Have you seen the new K3 from Elecraft yet? All review comments are very favorable and it is certain to be a hit for those wanting a top of the class rig at a relatively modest outlay for a radio in its class. Although I wouldn't mind one, it is not top of my own shopping list though.

If you have used one of these rigs please let us know how you found it by posting a reply on the blog.

Fredbox 2m AM mini-rig

There have been a few recent posts on the VHFam Yahoo group from people building versions of my Fredbox 2m AM rig. This rig was first designed back in the 1970s and rebuilt a couple of years ago.

Best DX worked was 160kms across the channel to Brittany from South Devon using just a whip antenna - not bad for 10mW. A proposal for a Fredbox 2 is shown in the files section of the VHFam group. This is a DSB version based on the NE/SE602 double balanced mixer.

10m and 6m summer conditions

So far I have been disappointed by this summer's sporadic-E conditions, which have not been as good as last year. OK, it is still early days in the season and things may improve. Traditionally, early June is a good time for super DX across the Atlantic to start.

On 10m I am testing my new Homebase10 antenna. This is a wire halo antenna based loosely on the cobwebb and the GM3VLB antennas. It is called the Homebase 10 as most of the bits can be bought from the local Homebase or B&Q stores.