'The Old Timer' - 60 Years in the hobby of Amateur Radio

James B.Smith, (Jim) VK9NS, Norfolk Island

Jim Smith: "My book is finally written and it is the story of my travel through life and my becoming involved in the hobby of Amateur Radio. I mention being dragged 'kicking and screaming' into the hobby but once there felt at home. I have participated in the hobby in many ways over the many years. So within the almost 600 pages of my book you will see that I have 'been there and done that' in no uncertain manner. I have been lucky (if that is the right word) to have travelled extensively and often the travel has been related to Amateur Radio in the sense of DXpeditions. In this first edition of The Old Timer it is my hope that you enjoy it, realise just how special our hobby is in an International sense."

Book publication typeset by Jodie Williams, Studio Monarch, Norfolk Island.

Please contact jimkirsti@ni.net.nf for book orders and postage costs.

Building Progress as at 24 Apr 2008

Some more photos taken today, still looking at the end of May for completion.

The bricks are nearly complete as well as the plasterboard.

The view from the back fence towards the house.

The third garage, my new hamshack starting to take shape.

TW2010 Traveler Antenna - Price Drop

Ok, I may be a little slow here but the last time I checked the pricing of this antenna I'm sure it was around the $699USD mark.

Now a much better buy at $399.95USD from the manufacturer.

The TW2010 Traveler is the perfect antenna if you are searching for high performance DX communications in a portable package.

The Traveler provides five-band, omni-directional communications in an easy-to-assemble package that requires no radial ground system or towers.

The black powder coating assures stealth performance for Hams who operate in areas with deed restrictions or other areas prohibiting permanently installed antennas and towers.

A low take-off angle - an outcome of the modified-H design - produces maximum skip for successful DX transmissions and contact. The Traveler can be assembled in minutes for either permanent installation on a mounting rod, or temporary setup using a sturdy, optional Quadrapod.

Ultrabeam - Dynamic Antenna Systems

Electronically controlled HF antennas. General coverage. Top features on all ham bands. Very advanced materials and state of the art technology.

I won't say much about these antennas, all I'll say is how similar they are to the SteppIR antennas systems. I'll let you make your own mind up.

Ultrabeam link.

SteppIR Antennas - Introducing the Dream Beam 36

This ad appears in the May 08 edition of QST.

The antenna will be on display at the Visalia DX Convention in California next weekend 25-27 April. The DB-36 will be setup in the parking lot and available for use.

New VK HamBlog

Thought I had better give this new HamBlog a plug considering it is my brother Steve VK4VSP who has started his third Blog site.

The site is called 'The Anorak Files" named by our cousin Nicki who Steve met up with for the first time in 18 years. It was Steve's first time back to England, the last trip being in 1990. Funnily enough, Nicki's husband Andy is 2E0HPO and was nicknamed "Andy the Anorak". Come on Andy, time to get your details on QRZ.

From 'The Anorak Files': - A blog dedicated to cool stuff like ham radio, birdwatching and bus timetables...... I'm a ham, a science student and Terry Pratchett fan. I guess that makes me an anorak. I also like to smoke a pipe, wear slippers in the back yard and I have a beard.......Yep! Anorak.

Steve's other blogs are;

The Desk in the Corner: -I have a boring desk job in the city, but when I'm not at work I'm studying for a Bachelor of Science, while looking after native animals as a carer with my wife Donna.

A Possum in My Pocket: - Dedicated to carer's of injured native animals.

VK6 - VK Contest Club Meeting

VK6 held a meeting last night in East Perth for West Australian members of the VK Contest Club.

Steve VK6ABU was a new face and hopefully soon will be back on the radio after some years of being QRT.

Items discussed included
- VK6FAU Faure Island IOTA OC-206 expedition.
- VK6ARI Rottnest Island IOTA OC-164 expedition
- Antennas at VK6ANC
- CQWW CW 07 operation as HK7/VK6DXI

VK4 members of the VK Contest Club will be meeting at BARCfest on the 10th May.

ZL1AIH and YD1JZ New Leaders In Oceania WRTC 2010 Regions

By Jamie Dupree NS3T, radio-sport.net

In Oceania #1, which comprises New Zealand and Australia, Robert McCormack ZL1AIH is the new pacesetter, as he leads Wilbert Knol ZL2BSJ by 139 points. Previous leader Martin Luther VK7GN dropped down to fourth, as he garnered no points from the 2007 WAE SSB, IARU or CQ WPX SSB contests.

1. ZL1AIH 1838
2. ZL2BSJ 1699
3. VK4TT 1552
4. VK7GN 1505
5. VK2NU 1504
10. VK2BAA (Vk4BAA) 1257
11. VK3TZ 1007
12. VK2IA 950
13. VK4CZ 950
14. VK6ARA 926
15. VK6HZ 926
16. VK6NU 926
23. VK6EH 891
24. VK5MAV 807
26. VK2GR 762
27. VK4WR 760
28. VK4FI 760
29. VK4TU 760
33. VK5HK 728
34. VK2KDP 720
35. VK1CC 700
46. VK4EJ 658
48. VK6XH 627
49. VK6BEC 592
50. VK6TT 592
52. VK2AEA 567
55. VK4BUI 494
56. VK4EMM 484
57. VK4UC 484
58. VK3GK 434
59. VK4XY 409
62. VK3KE 342
63. VK6ANC 299
64. VK6DXA 299
66. VK4WIA 209
67. VK6HG 192
69. VK2BJ 144
70. VK4NEF 143
72. VK6DU 125
73. VK4IU 113
77. VK2BPL 102
78. VK4VCC 91
80. VK2IMM 74
82. VK4FJ 71
83. VK3AVV 46
85. VK4XES 41
86. VK2AYD 40
87. VK2BCQ 39
88. VK3FM 35
89. VK6YEL 35
90. VK2ZEN 34
91. VK2APG 29
92. VK8AV 27
94. VK6DXI 23
97. VK2MIC 17
98. VK4AN 13
99. VK4DMP 13
100. VK2ATZ 11
101. VK2WL 10
102. VK2IT 9
104. VK2TZA 4
105. VK2GWK 4
106. VK1AA 4
107. VK2KRM 4
109. VK4LAD 0
110. VK2CZ 0

WIA QSL History Pre-War

A look at Pre-War QSL cards from the Wireless Institute of Australia Historical QSL Card Collection.

Part 1.

Time: 07:59
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Part 2.

Time: 08:06
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Part 3.

Time: 08:30
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Part 4.

Time: 08:29

WIA QSL History Pictorial Cards

A look at Pictorial QSL cards from the Wireless Institute of Australia Historical QSL Card Collection.

Part 1.

Time: 07:57
*****

Part 2.

Time: 07:58
*****

Part 3.

Time: 07:39

New Australian Distributor - Array Solutions, Begali and More

Emtron Solutions (QLD), a division of Mondo Communications Pty. Ltd., is an authorised dealer and service centre for the world renowned Emtron DX amplifiers for radio amateurs. Emtron Solutions is an independent manufacturer and distributor of high quality amateur radio communications products.
Emtron Solutions is passionate about offering excellent quality products for radio amateurs backed by exceptional customer service. We are proud of being sole distributors in Australia and New Zealand of a number of high quality complementary amateur radio products.

Great product ranges come from Array Solutions and Begali Keys/Paddles.

Poll - What amateur radio transceiver do you use for contesting?

For several months now I have had a poll on my site asking "Which amateur radio transceiver do you use for contesting". I have had just over 1000 hits and here are the results;

Elecraft K2 - 4% = 40
ICOM IC-7400 / 746 / 746 Pro - 9% = 90
ICOM IC-756 / Pro 2 / Pro 3 - 14% =- 140
Kenwood TS-850 / 870 / 930 / 940 / 950 - 15% = 150
Kenwood TS-2000 - 6% = 60
Ten-Tec Orion I / II - 3% = 30
Yaesu FT-1000 (Any model) - 15% = 150
Yaesu FT-920 / 980 / 990 - 13% = 130
Yaesu FT-2000 - 11% = 110
Other - 11% = 110

New poll: What will be your next HF transceiver?

Building Progress as at 06 April 2008

Had a meeting with the Site Supervisor yesterday and our expected completion date is at the end of May.

Family inspecting the progress. Roof is on. Started on the bricks. Gyprock has been delivered. Radio shack will be in the far left garage.

Looking towards the outdoor area. Inground pool will be where the sand is.

CQ WPX SSB Contest 2008 - YouTube Videos

BG5HST

Time: 08:14

PI4WNO

Time: 04:53