Strangest Weather

Settled in, got the cans on and the band seems quiet.  Fire up the N1MM and hope to enjoy a couple hours of pile up before another cup of coffee.  Work a few stations, some stations that I've worked before on other bands (thank you), and all of a sudden the wind kicks up with a blanket of rain that coincides with a huge spike in QRN on the band.   Wipes it out.

So, I will make that second cup of Nescafe  (powdered coffee from the microwave) and see about another band.

Life on LHI.

I realize that early morning my time is ideal for EU so I will try to make that a regular occurrence.  I appreciate the contacts and I'm glad to work EU as well as the SA stations.  I haven't heard many of them.  My vertical is able to Rx SA, I just haven't heard them much.  EU and SA are a priority as well as the NA contacts.   The AS contacts are fairly loud all of the time, which is good.  If I can hear you, I will try to work you, without delay.

Thanks.

Youth Visitor and School Presentation

I was visited by a council member and his 5 year old son Clifton who were interested in what I'm doing with my station.   The council member represents the school board on LHI.

On a small island, word gets out.  And the school season will start next week for the kids on the island.

I've been invited to give a brief talk about Ham Radio and the Operations underway on LHI with the kids in the next couple days.

I will post more when that happens and provide a summary of the event.

QRG

Where is VK2/W7BRS?

• You got the updated country file, check.
• Now you gotta find me on the bands....

Here is a list of the frequencies I will use.   I will use DXSummit to self-spot when appropriate.

FT-8 Frequencies

Always 091 up from the band edge except as noted (*)

Always Normal F/H with WSJT-X (Not SuperFox)

• 80m - 3591
• 40m - 7077 **
• 20m - 14091
• 15m - 21091
• 10m - 28091

• 30m - 10105 *
• 17m - 18105 *
• 12m - 24922 *

** Australian Band Plan affects this.

CW Frequencies

Work split.  I will Tx on 038 up from the band edge and listen 1+.   Except where noted (*)

• 80m - 3538
• 40m - 7038
• 20m - 14038
• 15m - 21038
• 10m - 28038

• 30m - 10120 *
• 17m - 18070 - 18072 *
• 12m - 24895 *

SSB Frequencies

This is more difficult to predict, but these ranges are expected.  I will always work split (I will be listening UP 5 Kc, always)

• 80m - 3838 - 3844 (*)
• 40m - 7170 ~ 7180
• 30m - 10125 (**)
• 20m - 14208 ~ 14220
• 17m - 18140 ~ 18146
• 15m - 21222 ~ 21238
• 12m - 24945 - 24950
• 10m - 28550 ~ 28560

* Depends on antenna performance.

** Australian Band Plan affects this.

If I forget to self-spot, these are the frequency (or ranges) to find me.  IF you do work my station, it would be appreciated to spot if there is something notable (excessively strong or very weak, etc.  That will tell me information about conditions for adjustments).

I'd also recommend RBN to track skimmers who detect my CW signal.

I have to adhere to the Australian Band Plan, of course.  Please find it here.

Effort has been made to ensure that YOUR international (NA/SA/JA/EU/OC/AS) Tx frequencies are in-band as required. If there is an error on my part, please contact me (via QRZ Email), thank you.

Breakfast of Champions

When eggs and bacon aren't enough.

(Double chocolate brownie and Long Black coffee, at The Anchorage Cafe)

DX Commander Antenna

I'm not using one per se, but I cloned it for this expedition.

In the design, the elements can waver in the wind. In high winds, they can reach to make contact with other (band) elements.  This is a bad thing to happen.  So I could rip apart the antenna and place another spacer midway up the mast.  Or I can do the simple thing -- just guy/tether the driven elements a bit so they cannot brush up on other elements in the high wind.

A note to self -- revise the design to have lightweight and easy-to-attach spacers between elements.

The Station on Lord Howe Island

I took this picture a few days ago,  during a night shift.

Pictured left to right:

• PowerWerx 14VDC Switching Powersupply
• Beringer USB outboard 192kb Sound Card
• Dell Laptop (behind laptop - Anderson Power Pole Power distribution block)
• Mechanical Cherry MX keyboard
• LED Lamp
• USB Video Camera
• Elecraft K3/100
• N3ZN Paddle
• Elecraft KAT-500 below KPA-500
• Heil Pro-7 headset IC-6 element

WX

A couple of days ago, a quick bicycle ride down Anderson Road to the cafe for a morning jolt of coffee ("A Long Black")

When all hell isn't breaking loose with wind and rain, this is what to expect in the morning around 9 am local time.

Howea forsteriana, the Kentia Palm endemic to Lord Howe Island