Author Archives: dh8bqa

DFØFA VHF May Contest ’16

Posted on May 8, 2016 by dh8bqa

Out again on the local hilltop in JO73CF. Ran short of operators, only DGØZB, DG1BHA, DH8BQA, DL3BQA & DL5CW active this time while DK7YY & DL9USA were prevented. Activity was quite bad, not happy with the result. Probably due to … Continue reading →

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No 70 MHz permit in Germany this year :-(

Posted on May 5, 2016 by dh8bqa

The bad news is official now: For some (political) reasons there won’t be a temporary permit to use the 4 m band during this year’s Sporadic-E season in DL. What a shame. 🙁 Let’s hope we will get a few good … Continue reading →

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TY – Benin #138 on 6 m

Posted on April 24, 2016 by dh8bqa

Had the first 6 m ES opening of the season today. The band opened nicely from here into Southern Europe, i.e. 9H & IT9 around 15:30z with S9+ signals. Saw TY2AC spotting southern Europe stations himself on the cluster. He finally … Continue reading →

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VK0h/Heard Island #309 & FR.j/Juan de Nova #310

Posted on April 9, 2016 by dh8bqa

Besides WPX-SSB almost no radio activity overhere since returning from Aruba. Lots of QRL and not really up for the hobby. So had to force myself to switch on the radio a few times at least not to miss the … Continue reading →

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CQ WPX SSB 2016

Posted on March 28, 2016 by dh8bqa

No activity at all during the last 4 weeks. Just too much QRL and not really up for the hobby. But wanted to do a few QSOs during WPX-SSB at least. As you might know we’re sharing our station. This … Continue reading →

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P4ØFA QSL card variants

Posted on March 2, 2016 by dh8bqa

Finished the artwork for the P4ØFA QSL cards, too. Still undecided which one to use, somehow I like them all! 😉 Ordered a small batch of cards for every design to see how they look like in reality. It always … Continue reading →

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Aruba Contest QSLs

Posted on February 29, 2016 by dh8bqa

Finished the QSL design for our contest QSOs. Paul is using MS Publisher for his QSL artwork while I’m usually doing it with my (very old) copy of Paint Shop Pro. He was so enthusiastic about it when discussing the QSLing … Continue reading →

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P4/DL5CW QSL

Posted on February 27, 2016 by dh8bqa

Paul had a nice idea for his QSL card. I suggested to put a smiley behind the sentence as I’m sure there *will* be people who don’t get it’s intent. 😉

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P4ØFA logs are on Clublog now

Posted on February 26, 2016 by dh8bqa

Just uploaded the P4ØFA logs to Clublog and opened the OQRS system for QSL requests. Please feel free to use it to request a card if needed. Updated the qrz.com info page, too …

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P4ØFA logs on LotW now … bye bye Aruba

Posted on February 25, 2016 by dh8bqa

Eventually all good things come to an end and this holiday activity is no different. Really enjoyed it! We made about 20.000 QSOs in total with 2 contests and some leisurely activities inbetween. Team was great and a pleasure to work … Continue reading →

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Arubian visitors

Posted on February 23, 2016 by dh8bqa

J-P, P43A, and his wife Cris, P43C, paid us a visit today. Cris manages Ben’s rental station as the local contact and was very helpful getting our guest licenses – many thanks again! Left to right: Jean-Pierre, P43A, Cristina, P43C, and Olli, … Continue reading →

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P4ØXM ARRL DX CW M/2 results

Posted on February 22, 2016 by dh8bqa

A lot of effort was put into getting all antennas up and running again before the contest. Thanks to the whole team and especially John, W2GD, for all the hard work, it really paid off. 🙂 Finished just short of the existing South … Continue reading →

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P4ØXM in ARRL DX CW this weekend

Posted on February 19, 2016 by dh8bqa

All antenna work finished. 😎 Even built a small beverage today and renewed the 160 m dipole, too, so well prepared for doing M/2 in ARRL DX CW this weekend. Only have a bit of interstation interference between 80 and … Continue reading →

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Contester’s dinner on Aruba

Posted on February 18, 2016 by dh8bqa

We had a great dinner with some well known contesters tonight. Interesting talks (all these secrets 😎) and a very enjoyable time! Good luck in the contest, everybody. 😉 Left to right: Tom, DL5LYM/P4ØXM, Paul, P4/DL5CW, Olli, DH8BQA/P4ØFA, Ben, P4/DL6RAI, Andy, … Continue reading →

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Antenna work on Aruba

Posted on February 17, 2016 by dh8bqa

Quite good progress on antenna work during the last two days. Pictured left are Ben, DL6RAI (left), and John, W2GD (right), on two of the towers. They both arrived Monday evening here on Aruba to take care of the antennas. Ben is … Continue reading →

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Meeting THE guy of RTTY contesting fame on Aruba

Posted on February 15, 2016 by dh8bqa

Enjoyed a nice after-contest dinner in Arubaville Sunday evening with Ed, WØYK/P49X, and buddies Paul, P4/DL5CW, and Tom, DL5LYM/P4ØXM, who are accompanying me on this trip. Ed’s done a great job again during the contest running up 3.800+ QSOs in just 30 … Continue reading →

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CQ WPX RTTY from Aruba

Posted on February 14, 2016 by dh8bqa

Had to change plans for several reasons so “just” an SOSB15 entry by myself. Sorrily only had one working Tribander pointed fixed to Southern Europe. Mid and western USA & JA were not workable on that one. So had to improvise a bit, … Continue reading →

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Aruba license

Posted on February 12, 2016 by dh8bqa

Cristina brought our licenses today. On Aruba you have to apply for a CEPT style callsign, i.e. P4/DH8BQA, which is valid for 1 year. It came in a stamped envelope as can be seen right (click to enlarge). The stamp … Continue reading →

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Arrived on Aruba …

Posted on February 11, 2016 by dh8bqa

DL5CW, DL5LYM & myself safely arrived on Aruba. 🙂 Unfortunately DL9USA couldn’t join us on short notice due to health problems. 🙁 Keeping fingers crossed for a quick recovery, Andi! Already met with Cristina, P43C, who’s taking care about the … Continue reading →

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QRV from P4 – Aruba soon!

Posted on February 9, 2016 by dh8bqa

Finally some holidays! 😎 Will be travelling to P4, Aruba, later this week to participate in WPX-RTTY and ARRL-DX-CW from the Caribbean. Will be joined by good friends DL5CW, DL5LYM & DL9USA. Rented the P49V rental shack. Should be great fun! … Continue reading →

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