My last POTA activation was back in October of 2024 and I really wanted to get back out despite the inclement weather to wrap up a small break from work.
I didn’t really plan ahead of schedule my activation, I just felt like getting the radio, putting in the bag, getting into the bongo and heading back out to the New Forest, which is one of my favourite locations to do POTA from (free and ample parking this time of the year). With my bike stand which seconds as a mag-loop holder put into the trusty old mazda bongo it was time to head out !
Despite not having being out in the field for quite some time, it was a quick and easy setup, even with a bit of drizzle coming down. 20m was dialled in quickly on the alex-loop and close to 1:1 SWR on the radio. I hit the bands with FT4 to start with as I like how quickly the QSO’s happen and the limited key-down time. I was not to be disappointed with 3 FT4 QSO’s in quick succession, with HG7WDL, IW1PPB and IW0RLC all in the log book. I then ventured slight down the band to FT8, all made incredibly easy with the excellent SDR-Mobile on my iPhone.
Sunny it was notbut the radio was dryas was I
It was around this time the weather really took a turn for the worst, with heavy rain really pelting down on the bongo and antenna. I done a quick check and radio and antenna was fine – cant praise the build quality of the Alexloop HamPack enough, it really is a robust piece of kit ! Being sat in the Bongo, albeit today with the side door open, kept me and the radio nice and dry – i even had time for a sausage roll ! 🙂
PSK Reporter back at the QTH – amazing reach on 10W
After getting back home I manually uploaded my log on the POTA website, i was really please to see 2 POTA Hunters in the log, IK1IYU and F5STL, it really makes a difference getting the log entries and knowing I have also helped someone else Hunter awards.
It was a really great, albeit shorter activation, but I thoroughly enjoyed the location, the drive to and from it and then making some great contacts. I’m determined to get out much more now even tho i have a busy professional and academic schedule, its really done me a world of good to get back out and get on the air.
Until next time, 73 and thanks for reading the blog !
So without seems a blink, June and July passed so quickly I only realized that I’ve not really posted an update on the ham radio blog ! Still it gives me plenty to update about.
Beyond QRP with the IC-705
I’ve been using the IC-705 at home since last December, I’ve not been out with it since last October due to work and study commitments, but I’m sure that will change soon. With more operating from QTH I decided to go beyond the 10W the 705 puts out. Having seen as many favourable reviews of the MicroPA+ and as many unfavourable ones, I decided that it had progressed to a point that the favourable reviews and recent software updates had stabilized the issues seen in earlier versions.
Having also used a ‘tripod’ stand that I used in the field, this can be slightly ‘wobbly’ on the desk. A simple, but elegant looking mount mand the 705 ‘firm’ to the touch and looking tidy.
I received the Micro PA50 – and it rather than a + it was (3) – i found this was the latest version, and not to worry about it, it was a good thing ! I ran the MicroPA for several hours, but then sadly it completely stopped working – not even a power on – having been so excited for this tiny amp, I really gutted that it failed in such a short time. I packed it up and sent it back, and got a full refund credited to my account, and I got another. I had to spend £1 extra, but wanted to give the amp another chance. I was impressed with the engagement from the vendor and the refund was done so quickly tho.
Having had time to rejig the shack, i took the feed from the UHF/VHF vertical into a switch, so I can easily go between HF, 2m and 70cms – getting full utility from the 705 – the vertical also works really well with airband ! In no time at all my replacement amp had arrived and i was testing with FT8 quickly and was impressed that it worked great – no issues at all. I kept the drive power down to 2W on 20M and was able to get 25W from the amp – and really good SNR readings from PSK reporter.
Whilst I’ve not been able to get out for PoTA, I have had a great time being a ‘hunter’ – band conditions are not the best at the moment, so i’ve been really impressed with the activtations that have been done. Since having the amp I’ve really taken to SSB Telephony but for PoTA hunting and on the bands at night when conditions have been better. With such low power its been amazing to make such good contacts.
My ambition is to get out and get on the air, at home i have an excellent UK Antenna EFHW 80m multiband wire, which is brilliant, where as in the field I have less options and much less resonant antennas, making a tuner essential. I already have the MAT tuner specifically for the IC-705, but that is only capable of tuning 10W max, so an upgrade was required. I search and the AT-100MPro looked a very capable ATU – I hooked up the amp first, then the ATU connects to the EFHW (with a nice 1:1 Balun). I had no trouble tuning the antenna to any band i wanted to get on, even top band !
The plan is to get the amplifier and the tuner into the IC-705 LC-192 Backpack which has my vertical ‘toybox’ antenna on it. Getting this setup and on the air is my ‘target’ objective, as the antenna will take the power no problem and i’ll be really interested to see how it performs.
I will make more updates as I test this at home first then hopefully get out POTA soon !
So more and more NOAA sats are going off line, see the excellent video from save it parts here.
There is still METEOR stats, but I’m slowly finding that even the noaa-pi setup being very ilght touch, it does take mantainence/keeping it online. As Rasperberry Pi’s are always needed by me, I may well permentatly turn off my NOAA-PI setup. I’ve had it off for a week now, and found i’ve not really been that bothered by it. I’ll be far more interesed to get my wellbrook antenna back on line and some form of WebSDR that doesn’t have a compromised back-door into it…
Considering the full licence and getting back to ‘clubs’
So I spend alot of my time on research – I dont really have much time for ‘social’ aspect of amateur radio when it comes to clubs and training. I am certianly not in favour of remote learning, I quite like having a tutor/mentor here with me that can explain stuff. It was good during covid to provide remote/teams, but thankfully thats now hopefully all over with.
I do enjoy socialising with fellow amateurs and it will be good to bounce questions of people as I run into them. I’m kind of keen to get my full licence so I can operator overseas, its not about the power, i’ve always enjoyed low-power/QRP over running 1KW and blasting the bands, even when i had 100W, i tended to use lower powers (<10W).
So I’m going to get in touch with some fellow hams and seeing if I can be a bit more socialble, it will probalby help me with having some breaks from always consuming my spare time with research.
So I have been running on the IC-705 and 10W power from home for a little while now, but it always impresses me that when the conditions are right and there is someone there to have a QSO with, how well the setup performs.
Example in which was an excellent SSTV QSO with IK3SSG based in Polverara, Italy – some 700 miles away from the QTH here in Bournemouth. Checkout the quality of received and sent pictures, all on 10W of power from me.
It just goes to show what can be done on modest power and a good antenna setup.
With the weather getting warmer, the IC-705 will soon see a return to PoTA – i’m looking forward to getting out and seeing how the propergation is in 2025 – so far things are looking great !
So its been a little while since I made a ham radio blog posting – so before I get any busier, thought it best to make a post.
My testlab, where i aquire the data from various devices for the cryptanalysis lab has grown, so much so the IC7300 and IC9700 moved to the guest room.
Rigol scopeChipwhispherer and UFO boardRPI 3b and antennaHack RFTestlab data capture
As you can see in the gallery my test lab capture is from various devices, to make it reliable and workable it needs to be setup well – changes in the environment can often lead to detrimental changes in the captures for use in Cryptanalysis. As you can see I use a mixture of RF via SDR’s, DPA/SCA via Chipwhispherer and also raw DPA via the oscilliscope.
My IC7300 and IC9700 where getting less and less use, which was a real shame, whilst I could RDP into the Windows station for both radios, I still wasnt getting the use out of them, so I decided it was time to reduce my radios and focus on using the IC705 as and when I could from both the QTH and Portable for POTA.
I’ve been able to setup the IC-705 into the same EFHW and the 10W produced by the IC-705 is still more than enough for data modes from the QTH, and i dare say if I get time, will work well for telephony as well.
I’m hoping to setup a SSTV repeater on 2M using one of the many handhelds I have , I will probably use the Kenwood TH-D7 as its a really fine radio with plenty of ways to configure the PTT required for connectivity into the SSTV app. Naturally I’ll be providing updates on that as time allows.
train collectionN Shelf and Z layout
Its nice to have the trains out on display and I’ve started to bring the Z gauge layout to life, and got a shelf to make a simple end-to-end N guage layout for the rack rail locos.
So my research restarts formally at the end of January 2025, so finding time for radios, trains will become less, but to avoid burn out and to relax where I can I will still return to radio and my trains as and when time allows !
Until then, enjoy your hobbies, what ever they may be and thank you for reading my blog.
It was a bright sunny day down in IO90, so wanting to make full use I headed off to one of my favourite locations in the New Forest (GB-0112) Boulderwood. Its lovely there as it has excellent benches which my radio can be setup on quite easily, and the surrounding trees are really beautiful.
Set up on my favorite picnic tableBongo doing APRS en-routeA feathered friend looking for nibbles
I was setup in no time at all with the mag loop and started out with FT4 on 20M, then FT8. I was amazed at how good the propagation was today, with brilliant signal reports and a very steady stream of QSO’s – in no less than 20 minutes, I had made the 10 contacts required to activate the park!
FT8 propagation on 10W into the mag-loop was brilliant
Having had so much success on digital modes, I gave SSB a try on 20m, I was not to be disappointed ! A quick self spot on the POTA app (also a benefit of this part of the New Forest, it has mobile phone coverage!) and I made excellent contacts in Switzerland with HB9HZC and HB9BWR with very good signal reports both ways (59 from me, 57 received) With no more than a few minutes wait, I was having a QSO with Jose, EA1BUL in Spain, with a brilliant signal report.
I’m not usually one for swapping bands, but I’d thought I’d give 40m a try as conditions seemed so favorable. I returned to the QRP CoA (7.090) on SSB and sure enough a contact with G0QRL, Don in Devon was to be had ! It was harder work and the SWR was slighter higher at 2:1, but nevertheless a great receive signal report and I got 55 on my 10W of power.
POTA Log for today – if you see yourself there *big thanks*
This was a brilliant activation, and I had a thoroughly good time. With the WX turning slightly inclement I headed back home, thoroughly excited and really impressed with the IC705 and Alexloop antenna – I really love QRP and am amazed at just how much can be done with a good antenna and limited power.
With another gorgeous sunny day it was an opportunity to get out the shack and on the air, but before heading out, I had a nice walk/exercise to Hengistbury Head, whilst I had no radio with me today, I did notice these small microwave dishes at the end of my walk on the cafe. I wonder what they are ?
small dish side of cafelarger dish on topfront side
Maybe they are some kind of digital voice repeater, they look very ‘directed’ so not the kind of antenna I’d expect something like the ‘land train’ to use, maybe its to the other cafe near mudeford sandback ? Still Sweety and I had a great walk !
cheap little shedsSweety enjoying the beach
Once back home I quickly assembled my radio and headed off to the New Forest, I did a quick check of the 17m band before heading out and everything look good on the bands, despite the reports of poor conditions.
Once setup, I was able to get onto FT8 on 17m in the park and my reports on PSK Reporter was really good ! I’m quite amazed how well this little whip and radials works.
17m FT8 & 10W of power
I had to do some band and mode changing to get the 10 contacts to activate the park, but sure enough today it was in less than an hour, which was great, maybe coming in the afternoon when more Europeans are awake/about for radio helped as well.
After about 90 minutes on digital modes I noticed my IC-705 has got really hot, as in hot to touch and the temp meter on the front was getting high as well ! I gave the radio about 15 minutes of break and the temp got back down to below the red zone. I think the combination of hot weather (was about 28c air temp at this point, the breeze kept me somewhat cool) and the radio being in the bag restricted its ventilation.
It got hot in the afternoon !
I found that taking the radio out the bag and letting the breeze pass over it considerabley reduced the temperature. As I already had enough contacts I’d though I give 2M FM a try on the RH770 Whip antenna.
To my amazement, i was able to make a contact with 2E1KJB on the Isle of White in Cowes ! Given I was in the New Forest so this was well over the horizion on a whip antenna, i was really pleased to make the QSO and add a FM contact to my list – I notice the temperature of the radio had once again increased, so I thought it was a good way to finish off and pack up.
IC 705 back home and cooled down, working great
I felt it prudent to check the IC-705 once back home as it had time to cool down on the short journey back and borrowing the 6btv antenna from the WSPR station was able to confirm that all was good with the transmit, so no damage done to the finals due to the hot weather.
new forest trafficnot a full log, but enough
I was really happy to get out with the radio 2 days in a row and make enough contacts to add to my new forest activations – having now reached 10 activations in the New Forest, i’m half way there on completing the award, and with still plenty of time for radio between now and getting back into alot more studying, I’m confident I will get the 20 activations in no time at all !
Bongo and magloop
With the issue of heat and the radio being in the Icom back-pack I may revert to the magloop again and try to work out a way I can use it portable, as I tend to either bungee it to a table or use my ‘bike stand’ mast which under the rear wheel of the bongo as shown above.
Still I’m sure I’ll find a way, i do enjoy getting out of the house and out of the Bongo when the weather is this nice ! Until the next time and thanks for all those who responded to my CQ’s ! 2E0FWE 🙂
HF Band conditions have not been at their greatest this week (10/8/24) with intemittent SSTV pics on 20m and visibly varying conditions on other bands, courtesy of the WSPR transmitter I run here. Not to be defeated, I still headed out to The New Forest see if any contacts could be made…
Band conditions are not good on the HF bandscurrently
I setup in the same place as last week, with the same antenna. I did unfurl the counterpoises 2 times just to get a better placement and spread and even without the tuner, was getting good SWR of 1.5:1 on the Toybox antenna on 17m. Setup was really easy and no tangled radials.
I started with FT8 on 17M, it was taking some time to get out, but PSK Reporter and self-spotting on the POTA app meant I could see myself via the reverse beacon network as well, so it was just a question of being patient to make a contact.
17M FT8 – despite the poor conditions, my signal was getting out nicely on 10W
Sure enough with 10 minutes, I had my first contacts and QSO’s into Europe. It was certianly taking longer than last week, but nethertheless the QSO’s where coming in. I continued on 17M and it was really evident of just how fluctuating the band conditions where, one minute I was hearing/getting into Australia and New Zeeland, the next the whole band seemingly ‘collapsed’ with only the very strongest of signals getting thru. I had made 6 contacts and I wasnt in a big rush, so peristed with FT8 on 17m. I was pleased to be getting into Denmark and a good report back from OZ9FF was good to get in the logs. Having got my 10 QSO’s in the log after about 90 minutes, I tried different modes and bands.On FT4 on 17m I was pleased to get another POTA user, IK2QEB, who had hunted me from the POTA app.
I bounced to 20m – this was really easy with the Toybox antenna, just changing the ground-wire onto the coil and re-tune the antenna with the ATU, and I was on a 1.3:1 SWR. I managed one contact and with a total of 14 contacts, started to play around the bands and see what else the toybox antenna could do.
I adjusted the ground wire to 10M, no adjustment in the antenna itself was required, and was pleased to see so many signals getting in. Looking at PSK report my signals where getting out albeit with a predominate ‘skip’ to the East, but it was cool to try out a different band in poor conditions, despite not managing a QSO today.
10m FT8 provided signal reports getting into Easten Europe and very far into Russia !
At this point I thought why not give the 2m/70cm whip antenna a try before packing up, just for the fun of it. Whilst I didnt make any QSO’s, it was great that my signal was at least getting out on this little whip antenna !
All in all, despite the bad conditions, i had fun experimenting with the different configurations of the toybox antenna and even tryign out the 2m/70cm whip antenna. I had a nice relaxing time and felt great for getting out with my radio and enjoying the lovely new forest.
I’ve still got a 11 more activations to complete before my repeat award, but am confident with my current setup that figure will steadily decline and hopefully I’ll make more POTA contacts along the way, no matter what the conditions !
Having had some recent setbacks with not making any (i.e. ZERO) contacts and then NINE and not activating the park (I had a double, so counted 10 contacts, but it was only 9…), I was determined to get out and actually add to my activations of the New Forest. Prior today I’m two away from the award for visiting the park and activating it multiple times (20 needed).
APRS Spotting via 2M (144.800)
Having tested at the QTH with a quick test then a QRT I could see that I could use APSPOT to self-spot to POTA. Some areas of the new forest have limited phone signal, where as today I could reach the internet on my phone, it was great to see RF->Web via APRS DigiPeaters – Many thanks to the people still keeping APRS alive ! I am truly thankful for the digipeaters !
APRS Beacon received en-route and back from POTA activation – thanks to the many APRS Digipeaters!
Beaconing and sending a message for POTA is different, on my Kenwood it is very similar to how shown in the excellent video from Ben Soper, obviously the Frequency changes to the UK APRS of 144.800, i also kept all the text in the message *lower case*
excellent demo of how to self-spot POTA via APRS fom Ben Soper
Ironically, whilst I could spot, I wasn’t able to make any telephony contacts on 17m. Maybe I was asking too much of my QRP setup and compromise antenna. I have made phone contacts on it before, but HF conditions vary and maybe that was the reason why. Propergation on 17M was very come-and-go today, but ranging all over Europe on 10W, I wasnt complaining
17M – FT8
I spent the first set of data communictions on FT8, and there was very much a steady stream of contacts coming in. The whip antenna, tuner and radials where doing a great job, as least as good as my mag loop, but I’d say it was far more portable and easier to setup.
17M – FT4
Looking at the waterfall on the IC705 I could see some activity on the FT4 section of the band, switching to FT4 SDR-Mobile is very easy, just a quick click, the tuner put the SWR down to <1.5:1 and I was off. It was a very steady flow of QSO’s !
Wild horsesEnjoying the grassand not the radials
It was lovely to meet people out walking their dogs, with a great conversation with a TV Repairman about the old days of broadcast transmission and interference from France. Its great to show people where I have reached with my radio, they are amazed with how far it has gone, also I really liked their little badger-dog who was playing fetch with a ball 🙂 The amount of horses in the new forest is lovely, there is a real mix of animals, this time of the year we see horses and cows roaming around the roads – much care is needed as the youngsters are just starting to get used to the roads, but its amazing to see the parents have such protective instincts for their young. In the Autumn I look forward to seeing the little red pigs which are usually seen around Burley 🙂
Setup todaycomfortable and easyThe lovely bongo
It was one of those days that I really appreciated living near this beautiful location and also having my Mazda Bongo, it has more lives than a cat, but I seem to keep it on the road each year, days like today it makes it all worth it being able to drive out with my equipment, set it. up easily then get back home without issue. Having the 2M/70cm Kenwood transceiver with APRS in the Bongo is great for tracking and now with the ability to self-spot, its really useful!
Kenwood with APRS+GPSso many views like this in the New Forest
Having made a personal best of 32 Data mode contacts, I tried telephony on 17 and 20 meters, but to no avail, but I was far from disappointed, I really felt like I had an excellent time out today doing PoTA, and I cant thank the people that pull out my signal from the noise to make and complete a QSO! See if you spot your call sign in the credits 🙂
POTA GB-0112 New Forest
Really looking forward to the next time I can get out and get on the air 🙂
Having ordered the replacement USB C board from the US of A it arrived in no time at all via FED-EX and folllowing the video it was pretty straight forward.
replace USB board on IC705
Getting the screws out from the IC-705 was pretty straight forward. I took care with the screen handling and used enough pressure but no more to get the long body screws out.
Body screws removedcareful with that 705 Eugene!
The next step was to remove the original IC-705 USB board. These screws where *very* tight and gave a distinct *lock-tite* screw thread lock when pressure was applied. So much so one of the screws was very stubbon to remove. Using a mixture of a torx screw head and flat-bladed with a couple of hard knocks budged the obstant screw!
easy to get outnot the top one tho
With the board free it was time to flip off the micro connector, i used my finger nail which worked pretty well.
flip up the black locktake care when removinghow it looks out the ic705
Withthe original D-Type IC705 USB board free, it was time to fit the replacement. Making sure to get the aligment of the board in relation to the sockets correct, it was easy enough, but again taking care with the lock, to fit.
USB C !a simple flip
I setup WSJTX and ‘borrowed’ the WSPR 6btv antenna for some testing. All was good ! With plenty of reports and 2 contacts, i was happy the board worked perfectly and could head out to go PoTA !
Working great on 40mUSB C is *so* much nicer
A P***ED OFF POTA
On a glorious sunny day down here in Dorset, I headed to the new forest. I setup my Alexloop and Macbook for FT8, but was getting loads of noise. As ever these thigns always happen out in the field ! Not to be detered I went back to the iphone app just to see if i could get some POTA hits. I did learn a nice feature of chaning the DX code so it can be CQ POTA from the iphone app. After 20 minutes of calling I had not a single response ! I checked with PSK Reporter and for sure I was getting out and the RBN on POTA page, i was there, but no contacts !
By this stage I was getting hot, bothered and felt like I was wasting my time. I decided to pack up and I’m going to re-think my POTA strategy. I need a better way of getting more contacts and on the air. I think I’m going to drop anything to do with computers/phones, only for use with the self spot on the POTA app. I think there is even a way with APRS to POTA Self Spot.. Anyhow, i packed up and headed home, then had a fantastic afternoon out with XYL 🙂 POTA can be tried another time !
Melcombe Horsey was so much more relaxing than POTA…….
I headed out mid-morning to what is a nearby POTA activation site, Avon Heath, thinking I’ve found a nice place to park and activate from. I was some what bemused that when i got into the car park it was stated ‘permit holders only’. No wonder this place hasnt been activted more often ! I headed off to the New Forest, which was another 15 minute drive away, but with plenty of FREE parking!
Avon Heath Park – No free parking for you !
Haven driven to the New Forest, I took the first designated car park on the route in, it was a new one for me to do POTA from and wasnt disappointed. A nicely sized car park and plenty of nature / trees around, it was a great place to do radio from !
Trees in abudenceLovely PathwaysMind that ditch…
I think it has been the first titme I’ve been out in the Bongo for POTA in a while (at least since I had it fixed up) having previously been to Boudlerwood and using the table and chair their previously, it was nice to setup and operate from the Bongo as there was some light drizzle later on as well. The Alex loop on bike stand configuration worked really well and held in place by the rear wheel of the bongo.
Bongo – great /M opsAlex loop + bikestand
Today I was going to stick to FT8/4 on my iphone, as I had used this app when I had an ipad and it worked well. On the phone obviously the screen was a little smaller, but still ok to have FT8 and FT4 QSO’s. The POTA Spotting really helped with POTA activators (hunters) looking me up. I was also pleased to make a park to park !
I had problems getting the log off via email (didnt arrive) and upload to icloud (out of space, not paying apple for more), so I used the excellent POTA manual logging page. It was then it became apparent that I had a duplicate QSO in the log, and I had only managed 9 contacts, not the 10 I needed for an activation ! How frustrating, it goes to show that my method of writing down QSO’s on good old fashioned paper would of caught this out.
I headed back home and to see if I could get my iMac thinkpad to hook up to the IC705, I was finding soundflower’s audio to be jittery via wfview so I headed to using the old fashioned USB port, when it became clear something was not well with the IC705’s USB port. I tried connecting the USB port and different cables to different computers and only with a ‘wiggle’ or a firm pressure applied would the USB port activated. Given the USB port had seen some action and was the horrendous old type, I looked for replacements, I was so glad that it was already available to market.
ihelpu.tech IC705 USB-C board
The ihelp.tech IC705 USB board looks an easy drop in replacement that gives me USB-C and unlikely as it may, protection from errant amplifiers. I’ve ordered one, but it has to come from the USA and I’m not keen on depending soley on the iPhone with SDR-Mobile for making QSO’s.
I spent Sunday morning re-configuring my official IC705 bag with the 705 and ATU in, I headed out to the garden and tested the whip antenna, I was able to make a couple of contacts ! So the whip antenna would work if I needed it to.
IC-705 and Whip antenna performance with FT8 on 17m was not bad, but I do have a spare EFHW for 40m. Whilst its quite ‘bulky’ it still a good antenna, I use the 80m varient as my main HF antenna at the QTH which operates really well in very RF noisey conditions.
So for my next POTA I want to try the EFHW and the IC705 in its back pack, I will probably operate from the Bongo for the first time in this configuration, but am looking forward to using this lovely location to try out EFHW and IC705 !
A new location and a nice tree to use !
Until the next time, which shouldnt be to long to wait, thanks again for all the POTA hunters and other ham radio portable enthusasits that get me out the shack and getting on the air.
