Through the ground communications?

Anyone experimented with "through the ground" (earthmode) communications using audio amplifiers and grounded electrodes? I have done this in the past with limited success but never used more than a few watts at 1kHz. These days with ultra-narrowband digital modes like QRSS, PSK31 ad PSK16 coupled with waterfall displays ranges should be quite respectable. My best DX was 0.3kms but I imagine this could be at least doubled using modern DSP techniques. There is some info on this on my website http://www.g3xbm.co.uk

Publicising the blog

Just announced this blog on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GQRP/ so it will be interesting to see if anyone now reads it.

The simplest possible QRP transceiver?

What do you think is the simplest possible QRP transceiver? The Pixie or Micro80? Have you built a functional transceiver with even fewer parts than these famous QRP radios? If so, post a link. I believe it should be possible to make a transceiver with fewer than 20 parts in total.,

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.