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11:24:11 UTC 21 May 2012
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Originally Licensed in 1967 as VK2ZTOEarly Years Caught the radio 'bug' at age 10 listening to a commercial radio station (3MA - Mildura - 1467kHz [although I think it might have been on a different frequency in the 60's]) on my first crystal set. It was in a small green plastic case with an earpiece and I ran about 100 feet of wire out my bedroom window through some eucalyptus trees. Have never recovered from that first fascination with radio. Always a 'nerdy' child starting at Primary School age with bursting into our family kitchen with a test tube and a smouldering piece of paper, declaring, after I had made the paper burst into flames by placing it in the test tube, "look - I have made oxygen !!!" The mixed look of fear and astonishment on my parents face indicated a growing doubt that the chemistry set present they gave was such a good idea after all. AtHigh School age my interest in electronics grew with making a "Voice on a Light Beam" project out of old radio parts for a Science Day. Unfortunately only the Science teacher believed (let alone understood) how it worked and I was accused of trickery.
After that I enjoyed taking old radios that were junked.I rescued my first shortwave radio from a discarded radiogram from the local tip around 1965. Access to the tip was restricted and so I paddled my canoe up a creek and snuck in undetected from this unfenced side. Yes - sadly, the authorities were really environmentally aware in those days - building a tip right next to a creek. Given these early interests it was only natural that I would one day get my Amateur Radio Licence - that day came in 1967. Cut my teeth on 6M AM (10W) in the 1970's. My first station was constructed from a combination of converted surplus radio (AR8, SCR522) gear and kits. Operation was on 6M from the home station shown on the right at West Ryde, NSW, using a cubical quad made from copper tubing. I had been told that this was the first quad used on 6M in VK, but personally I doubt it. I actually never came across another station using a quad at that time, so at least it was uncommon. Later Years
When operating on digital modes I am barefoot and hopping on one leg (< 50W). Current calls are VK2XV (held since 2009) and I still hold my original VK2ZTO call. These days I operate mostly using JT65A on the HF bands. Phone operation (SSB) is infrequent and usually confined to the 160M, 80M and 40M bands. Antennas used on HF are:- 1. MFJ-1786X 1m dia. Magnetic Loop at 7.5m height, horizontally polarised. [See details below] 2. MFJ-1788X Magnetic Loop 1m dia. Magnetic Loop at 4m height, vertically polarised. [See details below] 3. A type of monoband delta loop shaped for mostly vertical polarisation, but with some horizontal polarisation (30M band only). 4. Buckmaster 8-band OCF dipole (82m in length with apex at 10m height) used with a collection of TS-520S boat anchors on the 160M, 80M and 40M bands. Capability for 12 bands (varies from time to time due to antenna changes). I like to do antenna experiments so the I usually put up some configuration for a couple of months and then pull it down for another. Antennas and Operational Activity
Being lucky - radio-wise - to live in a semi-rural location, with vacant land north and south for several kilometres, I hear most everything on the HF bands from 40M and up (especially on the horizontally polarised MFJ-1786X). This low noise environment, coupled with the lack of a linear amplifier 'megaphone', dictates calling CQ is the best technique for me unless the other station is reasonably strong. A rule of thumb I have found is that, on average, I have to receive a JT65A station at -15db or better in order for that station to decode me. For stations in low noise locations the figure is about -18dB or better. For stations in high noise locations I usually have to receive those stations at -10dB or better for them to decode me. This is especially so in the 40M band as the MFJ-1788 loop is down on transmitting efficiency (see table below). That's why I say calling CQ is the best option for me at this QTH. JT65A Operation This mode accounts for the bulk of amateur band operational hours (using JT65-HF software). As I am interested in propagation and antenna comparisons, I find the S/N number provided by JT65-HF much more useful than the fixed '59' reports common on DX phone. When operating JT65A on the 20M, 17M, 15M, 12M and 10M bands I am invariably using the MFJ-1786X antenna (horizontally polarised @ 7.7m height). [See details below] When operating JT65A on the 40M band I am invariably using the MFJ-1788X antenna (vertically polarised @ 4m height). [See details below] When operating JT65Aon the 30M band I am invariably using the modified delta loop (vertically polarised). Power in JT65A mode is 30W (except for 40M and 30M where the power is usually 20W). Antennas
The mix of antennas over time has settled down to three antennas:- On the higher HF bands (20M to 10M) I use an MFJ-1786X Magnetic Loop antenna horizontally polarised for most operation. I love these antennas. Sure it may not suit everyone - but not everyone drives the same model car. However, we can individually love a particular model of car. Not being an avid DX chaser I don't need or want a beam antenna using maximum power. It appears to be as good as a dipole (without the necessity of rotation) and I have worked the world on 10M to 20M SSB using 100W. The top picture shows the simple mounting of this antenna. On the lower HF bands (especially 40M) I use an MFJ-1788X Magnetic Loop antenna vertically polarised for most operation. This loop is mounted for vertical polarisation at about 4m height. If you look in the picture of the vertically-polarised MFJ-1788 you can just make out the horizontally-polarised MFJ-1786 in the background and to the right. Notes on the MFJ-1786X and MFJ-1788X Magnetic Loop Antennas
Note that for the 40M and 30M bands the TX power is 20W in order to keep the input current to the FT-847 below 12 amps. Most operation on 30M uses the modified delta loop rather than the MFJ-1788 (after 16th March, 2012). I really get a kick out of working "MFJ Loop to MFJ Loop". Working world-wide with 1m diameter magnetic loops at each end is amazing !! Here is a table of some stations worked. Check out their QRZ pages or their websites to see pictures of their loops.
So they DO work !!! For the 160M and 80M bands I use a Buckmaster 8-band OCF multiband dipole of length 82m in an inverted-V configuration with peak at 10m and ends at 3m. QSL Information - (updated 8th April 2012) EQSL After a period of several months of using eQSL I have decided that this mode of QSL-ing is sufficient for my needs. I am only interested in Amateur Radio for the fun. Recent experience has brought this home and I realise the culture surrounding chasing DX, contesting and the pursuit of certificates is not one I can relate to. This is no loss to anybody as I am not interested in getting awards and my station is not a "rare one" Nevertheless I like to have a QSL card on the shack wall for those remarkable and interesting contacts from unusual places or special setups. Examples might be VK0TH (Macquarie Island - I have a nice eQSL card for a JT65 contact from there); stations using QRP and dipoles from the other side of the world; stations using MFJ-1786 or MFJ-1788 1m diameter loops (I have made a number of MFJ loop to MFJ loop contacts - see above). For me, a good alternative to exchanging physical cards via post is to use eQSL. You can exchange QSL 'cards' (you can print out ones you like) for free at the entry level. An upgrade to your user level allows more freedom with design of your eQSL card. I went the whole hog and opted for the Gold level. Already recouped the cost three times over in saved postage cost. This is a pretty good solution for someone who might still hanker for the occasional physical QSL card for special contacts. I upload my JT65-HF logs to eQSL at least weekly when I am active - sometimes daily. I am pretty happy with eQSL so far - only one unknown eQSL in over 300 entries. Over 65% of my JT65 contacts have been confirmed via eQSL (all are "AG" users except for a couple). Most of my amateur radio band activity is via the JT65-HF software program and its output log is compatible with the eQSL upload requirements. Sometimes in the thick of things I forget to hit the log button, however, the JT65-HF program also keeps a separate history file of all activity which I can search for eQSL requests that are not in the formal log file. Works for me. I would encourage you to join eQSL, especially as an AG (Authenticity Guaranteed) user. It would be great if you uploaded a nice photo for the background of your eQSL card. I do reply to direct QSLs via post - but I do these in batches so expect a month or so delay (no IRC required). Gear
Having four Kenwood TS520S "boat anchors" probably qualifies me as a collector. All four are operational and are used occasionally - indeed one is monitoring 40M SSB nearly every day. The three operational TS520Ss are usually connected to the Buckmaster 8-band 82m OCF dipole mentioned above for SSB operation on the 160M, 80M and 40M bands. The FT847 is used with the MFJ-1788X magnetic loop for 40M, modified delta loop for 30M, the MFJ-1786X magnetic loop for the bands 20M to 10M and a Diamond V2000 is used for the 6M, 2M and 70CM bands. Past Activities Major interests have been antennas, narrowband communications (e.g., 0.02Hz BW), LF (held a Scientific Assigned Licence - AXSO - for 145.5kHz and 177.5kHz for several years) and software programming test programs for narrowband experiments (author of VFSKCW used for LF DX record by ZL6QH). Also invented and coined the term IFK (Incremental Frequency Keying) as part of my narrowband experiments. The IFK technique that I first described has been implemented by other parties in the software programs JASON, DominoEX and Throb. Attracted to QRPP operations (designed another simple narrowband modulation method, i.e. no error-correction, (I call this mode Frequency Difference Keying = FDK) which achieved one-way communication from VK-land to the US using 2mW on the 22M ISM band). Dabbled in Earth Conduction Communications, Telluric Currents and Electronic Music Other Interests 
The 'HiFER' 22M Experimental BandCurrently I am getting a lot of enjoyment in detecting the small number of High Frequency Experimental Radio (HiFER) beacons in the US which are operating under the FCC Part 15 provisions. These stations run less than 7mW EIRP and I have identified 4 beacons so far using ARGO in QRSS3 mode. For more details go to my VK2XV HiFER Blog. MotorcyclesI have ridden motorcycles for over 40 years and road-raced at Club Days for a few. I have owned some 18 or so motorcycles over those 40 years. My current ride is a 2011 Yamaha XVS650 "Classic". That's it on the right. Never will lose my love to ride. If you are into motorcycles you might be interested in details of the 18-odd motorcycles I have owned over40 years.
Personal Happily married for more than 40 years with three marvellous children (all now in their late 20's and early 30's) and two gorgeous grandchildren. I have mostly worked in medical electronics interspersed with periods of technical teaching. Qualified with a Diploma in Electronic Engineering, Degree in Electrical Engineering (BE), Diploma in Technical Teaching (Dip Ed Tech) and Six-Sigma Green Belt. Worked on UHF Test Equipment, Ultrasound Scanners (medical imaging), Hyperthermia (treatment of tumours by localised heating by high-power ultrasound) and with a Cooperative Research Centre (Cardiac Research). Now retired - last work was for a world leader in sleep apnea treatment - firstly designing CPAP flow generator machines and then designing semi-automated test fixtures for testing sleep apnea products (mechanical, electronic and software design). Interests are experimental amateur radio , electronic music and some gardening (LOL from XYL) when the other interests (and 'the list' from the domestic activities coordinator:-) allow. 73 Steve VK2XV/ VK2ZTO
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At that same age I converted another old radio into a transmitter (AM modulating the local oscillator) which I used to make my voice come through my sister's transistor radio. This was viewed as 'trickery' also.
My station has always been a barefoot station (< 100W SSB).
This station is completely 'beam antenna free' - using either wire dipoles or magnetic loops. Also there is no linear amplifier here - maximum power is 100W SSB and 30W JT65A.
