VE2EK - 9Q1EK Ham Radio Blog

VISIT MY NEW BLOG FOR ZS1ii - VE2EK

2022-06-07T09:59:00.003+01:00

click here:

http://ve2ek-9q1ek.blogspot.com/

VISIT MY NEW BLOG

2012-11-17T10:22:00.000+01:00

Due to problem with this old template, please GO to my new blog here:

http://ve2ek-9q1ek.blogspot.com/

This new blog is updated on time, 73 Georges

Rebuild 9Q1EK station

2012-09-10T19:02:00.001+01:00

-November 08,2012: 70cm Preamplifier done !

- September 25, 2012: 2m Preamplifier and QRO coaxial relays in a RF box, done !

For 2m operation ; Parts used:

- RF aluminum waterproof enclosure.

- Transmit Coaxial relays EME HF 4002/3-7/16 (see specifs below)

- Receive Coaxial relays TOHTSU CX-140D @ 150 Mhz : Cross-talk suppressor: 51dB; Insertion loss: 0,1dB; Switching time: 12 ms ../..

- Transmit Coaxial cable RG393/U @ 150 Mhz :Power handling: 3.7 Kw ; Attenuation: 0.09dB/m;

- Receive semi rigid Coaxial cable Multiflex UT141-50

- 50 Ohms termination

- Preamplifier KHUNE DB6NT MKU LNA 144A (specifs installed : 26,5 dB- noise 0,35 dB)
- Connector XLR male (control from TX/RX sequencer)

- RF connectors 7/16 female

I know ! coax relays, connectors, etc... are expensive, but ! the project was able to withstand the power in the futur (above 2,5 kw) and have sufficient insulation vs frequency to protect the preamp.
Next step will be: same RF switch box for 70cm, 23cm and separate three bands RX/TX sequencer.

September 14, 2012: All options are installed.
( 2 x DSP UT106; Filters FL-132/FL-133 ; Crystal CR-293; UX-910) and small adjustment of the sensitivity on the three band. (see W6PQL IC-910H tweaks).

Next step will be the construction of outdoor switch box and preamplifier`s DB6NT KUHNE.

September 03, 2012, Finally, parts coming in Kinshasa, IC-910 buy through eBay and parts from ICOM France and DIFONA Germany. As promised I will try to put 9Q land on EME 2m, 70cm, 23cm, 13cm.
More development later...

500w 70cm LDMOS Amplifier

2012-05-09T18:41:00.001+01:00

October 08 2102: Waiting for the Kit of Jim W6PQL. 1Kw 70 cm.

On bench...!! 70cm module I0JXX amplifier. I am in standby for 4x300w 70cm Palett I0JXX or W6PQL Kit.
Update on time.... (When parts/components will arrive in 9Q land...)
73 de 9Q1EK

600w 23cm LDMOS Amplifier

2012-05-09T18:33:00.001+01:00

November 08, 2012: check and mod is necessary for each module, because high VSWR at the input.

October 09, 2012: On progress.. ! 4 pallet I0JXX - 200MOD1296
Waiting for Heatsink's, Fan's,

W6PQL Output Hybrid Coupler

IPP Input Hybrid Coupler

On bench...!! 4 x 23cm module I0JXX amplifier. Update on time.... (When parts/components will arrive in 9Q land...)
73 de 9Q1EK

1 KW 2M LDMOS Amplifier

2012-04-25T14:11:00.002+01:00

I'm on track for kw 144 mhz LDMOS amplifier, but not easy in 9Q land.. the update of this article when it will be operational.. (pictures updated on time.) 73 9Q1EK
lot of parts from Jim W6PQL.

Big power supply for all Amplifiers 2m, 70cm, 23cm

9Q1EK Burglarized

2012-03-01T12:44:00.005+01:00

Why 9Q1EK station was in standby since a very long time (2009).
Despite I sent a couple of SOS through couple of Ham web site, no answer !
I had more answers when my station was on air when I sent CQ for Pile up !!
After a long traumatism, (mental and financial) I am under way to build and to try to put 9Q land in EME (nothing of foreseen from 1,8 to 50 mhz, No HF equipments), Articles very soon on the developments for 144 - 432- 1296.
73 Georges

Labels of wine in Morse Code

2011-05-31T18:40:00.002+01:00

While surfing on the net, I saw this:... Original for Ham Radio world, isn’t it!

Wines from Australia

“Henry’s Drive wines are branded along a postal theme. The Morse Code range pays homage to the first electronic mail system. The variety of each wine is printed on the label in Morse Code.”

2009 Morse Code Shiraz
“Henry’s Drive wines say: “In this digital world, we remember the craft of the postal telegraphists. For decades their Morse signals, dexterously delivered across Australia's great telegraph line, connected us with the world and helped to save countless lives. We honour the Morse Codian Fraternity with this collection of fine wines”.

Even for a good telegraphist… Has use with moderation.. Thanks “Henry’s Drive wines”

http://www.henrysdrive.com/our-wines/morse-code-shiraz

Histoire de Sequenceur

2011-04-21T18:04:00.011+01:00

En 2007, toujours depuis la RD Congo, Kinshasa, je voulais commander directement ma station Transceiver/Amplificateur HF depuis la clef de morse Iambic. J'ai donc constuit mon 1er séquenceur. (schéma va venir....)

Par la suite, pour les commandes de commutation Préampli, antennes en VHF et UHF, je me suis inspiré d'un schéma fort simple et sans réglage de F1HRU.
Ici le lien, schémas, circuits: http://www.f6kuq.org/f1hru/sequ.htm
Je n'ai pas pu reproduire le schéma exact proposé, mais cela fonctionne ..!
Il sera intégré dans le boitier de relayage du préampli et relais coaxiaux avec 3 relais coax au lieu de 4..mieux, mais plus cher !

(en test.. notamment pour l'isolement du port RX sur la charge 50 ohms)

Construit a partir du modèle W5UN.

9Q land is on standby

2009-09-30T16:46:00.010+01:00

Soon... ! after several mounths of standby

I will be again on air.

Due to a QSY of my QRA (in flat now..!!!)

I'm going to install very soon my station on my prof. radio broadcast site.

The available hours will be reduced

Station will be FT2000 with OM2500HF

Dipoles 160, 80, 40 + Delta loop + beam

on 45m tower.

Major trafic will be in CW.

****

Later....2nd project on this site is

EME

144 Mhz with 4 x 16 el + 8877

432 Mhz with 4 x 21 el + 8938

73 to all

9Q1EK

-------------------------------------------

NB : the beacon 50,021 Mhz (9Q1D/B - 10 w with vertical dipole) JI75PQ) is always ON AIR .

R.E.F Cup

2009-01-23T11:01:00.019+01:00

CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE
COUPE DU REF (RESEAU DES EMETTEURS FRANCAIS)

----HUMOUR--------
1ere participation a ce concours SSB 2008, depuis La République Démocratique du Congo RDC
Call sign 9Q1EK.

(Voir participations antérieures avec le call F6EUQ/74 ici :
http://ve2ek.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_archive.html
Et ici :
http://ve2ek.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html

--------------
Ou comment performer depuis l’Afrique en 9Q, loin des multi, sur bande basse, mauvaise propag, a la perpendiculaire aux "F" yagis, etc…

En 2008 partie SSB, 1 seul tube utilisé, et pas le bon outil adapté..

**** Résultat ****
Pas terrible !!! 30 ème au classement mondial sur 198.

Prévisions pour la partie CW et SSB en 2009..

Je vais tâcher (façon de parler !), de doubler le PA et changer la marque de tube.
Également, utiliser un autre outil peut être plus adapté…

La suite.... après les résultats….. Hic!

"La seule arme que je tolère, c'est le tire-bouchon."
CARMET Jean

Life is too short for QRP

75cl et « Nabuchodonosor » 15 l.

73's Georges 9Q1EK - VE2EK - ZS1II

432 Mhz Power amplifier, 8938

2008-09-29T08:55:00.007+01:00

"On the way"....
Next project will be, the construction of a 3CX1500C7/8938, 432 Mhz Power amplifier, W3HMU design.

144 Mhz Power Amplifier - 8877

2008-08-11T16:25:00.085+01:00

W6PO design

Robert I. Sutherland, W6PO “High performance 144-Mhz Power amplifier”
Reprint of Eimac Amateur Service Newsletter - W6SAI... AS-47 Aug 22, 1971
W5UN's webpage
1.5 KW output @ 144 MHz.

By 9Q1EK (VE2EK) - Nov 2008 )

La Version Francaise est disponible ICI

Made in Democratic Republic of Congo

The construction follow the design of Robert W6PO. (See above the description on W5UN link).
At the first time under push ON, and some tuning, it operated with no problem at all at about 1,2 Kw output, but in the worry to improve the output, the performances, the suppleness of the fine tuning, it was necessary to make some adjustments and some modifications.
Example:1) The length of the resonant lines:The lengths of the resonant lines are theoretical on the paper.
It is necessary to modify their lengths on their supports to the near mm.2) The anode contact:It has been made the first time according to the W6PO design, with ribbon brass.
After having used a block of brass, (110x110x5 mm) the thermal dissipation increased and the alignment
of the plate capacitors Input and Output was perfect.
3) The top of the anode lines and the capacitors of 100pF were too much hot. The original grid lid
cover on the top of the cavity was closed, only above the tube, so that the
air flow is directed on the right and left them of the cavity and cool the capacitors & lines while leaving.
4) I didn't have HV and filament feed through capacitors; I used a part of PTFE Teflon rod.
I used ceramic capacitors at this place. I have also modify the location of the 1000pf capacitor near the
HV connection in the cavity, (small influence on the line)

5) I also added a setting of the filament voltage. (Was 6v !!!!). Eimac® mentions that for the life of the tube, the voltage must be from 4,75 to 5,25 V max, It is often disregarded, but it’s important..).
See original manuscript of Richard L. Measures, AG6K for what became "The Nearly Perfect Amplifier" (January, 1994 QST)

6) The adjustment of the Input variable capacitor (front face) has to be made with an X6 reduction.
7) The adjustment of the Output capacitor (rear face) was not precise. To pull or to push the coaxial line with the hand is not sufficient. It was necessary to put a thin adjustment with 2 screws and 2 springs that made
good job on the N square connector. A screw for blocking is foreseen, once the optimum adjustment is OK.

8) a step start of 3s for the filament transformer was added to avoid the" inrush current ".

I could not add a silver to all parts of brass and copper of the cavity. But to the point of aesthetic view and oxidization, For sure, it will better. (Probably also the output?!)

All it takes a lot of time, but the result is worthwhile.

The controls protection of Grid, Plate, and HV are made according to a GM3SEK design (Control triode board).
I hesitated to use an other of control triode board from WD7S PRODUCTIONS that is also good. Interesting point is the DS-1BARGRAPH DISPLAY BOARD, excellent for who don’t have any meter.

We never know what it would be able to result on enormous damages, if a protection is not used. It is a Cheap insurance for the tube.
The switching with coaxial relays was replaced by a QSK vacuum relays box (Jennings RF65-12S).

The new scales of the instruments has been achieved with the "trial version of "Meter" by Tonne Software
I printed them with a laser printer color. The result is like "exit of factory". (The first tests with Photoshop were not so beautiful).
The present design of the front face is not very fabulous, I don't have here in 9Q land, a machine operating with X-Y and so large enough to print the 19 inches tracing plastic format in spite that is achieved already under AutoCad ™.

The HV supply is not described in this article, but… Careful with the securities, (step start, etc…..) High voltage + HF radiations =
Thinking well two times before putting the fingers there and be sure that all capacities are empty.
The high voltage was reviewed (before was 3000v with No load and 2500v with 1,2kw) by the replacement of the power transformer, + QRO.
Now the HV voltage with NO load is: 3500v, and 3400V with 1850 w output. These tests have been made to check the conditions and the amplifier output with acceptable norms by Eimac®.

Therefore, I should not pass over 1500w tune in normal traffic. I don’t make some higher tests. I’m certain to pass over the 2Kw in CW tune mode, but it is not necessary, and enough for me.

For info: here is the datasheet of the 3CX1500A7/8877 from Eimac®.

* * I forgot…. About the tube conditioning, (being new), the filament voltage, with blower was applied without HV during 48h.
This amplifier was manufactured in 9Q/ Kinshasa on a barbecue (only workbench that I have, hi!!), during some of free week end. It was very long because, the lack of spare time, parts and adequate tools.
Now remain to build & install:- The yagi antennas
References: Articles from DUBUS
DJ9BV: Yagi Antennas for 144MHz (1990)
DJ9BV Reiner Bertelsmeier, Technical report, DUBUS magazine 1/90
DJ9BV Reiner Bertelsmeier DUBUS Magazine 3/88, "gain and performances of 144 Mhz antennas".
DL5GBF Peter Gruchot, "2m EME antenna with open wire feed system".
- Rotors site and azimuth, (azimuth will be a YAESU G800 and the site will be a recuperation of satellite dish motor).
- The mast preamplifier (under construction with GaAsfet MGF1302)
- The switching. (Insulated plastic box with coaxial relay TOSHTU models: CZX3500 and vacuum relay Jennings RF65-12S)
- The sequencer: preamplifier, amplifier, TX, (under construction)
- The coaxial cable will be Andrew's LDF4-50. (Approx. 50m).
- A filter pass band is under construction. We never know!!!! Made with the Software ELSIE Filter design.

Other articles will follow about this…..
73 Georges 9Q1EK

The moon between the fingers. For now....!!!! next..... Fire with the antennas.. hi!

SOON ! new articles :

2008-04-23T17:11:00.006+01:00

soon ! new articles :

- Time variable sequencer (to drive HF amplifier OM2500)
QRO Antenna tuner

- Mods for HF amplifier OM POWER OM2500 HF
73

SM5DQC Osten

2007-11-07T17:01:00.000+01:00

In memory of SM5DQC Osten, our friend and QSL manager,
For 9Q1EK and 9Q1TB

Silent key 2007 - September the 6th

_______

To everyone, Please, if you have any more pictures or articles for Osten SM5DQC, Pse, let me know to update this page.

Osten, you are not here to heard my CW pile up this night, but you are not too far from us.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Osten.
Thanks a million for his involvement in the Ham radio community.

Emails from SM5DQC three days before silent key.
He was busy with all antennas checking before the winter

"Osten B Magnusson"
03/09/2007 14:40

GA Georges!

Thanks for the log - it's already on www.logsearch.de
and uploaded to LoTW. I have also informed Bernie at
DailyDX that you will be on leave.

I wish you a pleasant vacation in France, I suppose
with the family.

73 de Osten SM5DQC sm5dqc@areeteadsl.se

"Osten B Magnusson"
03/09/2007 10:15

Hello Philippe and Georges!

> I have been busy here, all antennas are down in order to have
> them checked before the winter arrives - summer is gone here
> now. All QSL's received are answered same day (or in some
> cases the day after) I receive them. All QSO's have now also
> been uploaded to LoTW and as usual www.logsearch.de
> All the best to both of you, and now back to the garden and
> antenna-work again before it starts raining again - it's rainy
> and windy here almost every day!
>
> 73/DX from Sweden and your friend Osten SM5DQC
>
> sm5dqc@areteadsl.se

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Article from SM5DQC two month before silent key.

Posted 28/08/2007 09:43:26 AM
New Logs coming to LoTW soon!August 27th, 2007Update from Osten SM5DQC…I have been thinking (it happens…) and I am going to upload the 9Q1EK and 9Q1TB logs to LoTW. I will also continue to upload new logs I receive for those two stations as I receive the updates, which is usually about once a week. There is a reason for not uploading earlier: I have worked almost all the DX there is to work, and as my XYL for 40 years passed away in cancer October 28th 2002 I wanted to have something to keep me occupied.IF you don’t find your call in the LoTW, please e-mail me as it can very well be a “busted call” which often happens due to the QRN in Kinshasa. All the best to all of you and my apologies to those on LoTW who have already spent money for the cards - should you however want paper QSL’s I will of course continue with those.I have also uploaded the logs for my own calls ZK1EQL (2002) and CU2/SM7EQL (2005). Osten also reports that he has some paper logs for 8Q7CH and ZF2QL which are hard to read, and just MAYBE one day he will be able to upload them as well… No promises here though.73/DX de Osten SM5DQC[ source http://www.dx-is.com/news/ ]

--------------------------------------------------------
I was stunned this morning to find this… Osten and I had exchanged emails about Congo and his recently acquired spiderbeam mast.
From Phil 9Q1TB
This is received this morning from Phil, 9Q1TB (F5LTB)
Cher Maurice,
Its with a very great sadness I’ve to inform the Ham community of Osten, SM5DQC’s passing, on
The evening before, we were phoning us about his intention to check his antennas before winter as he did every year.For Georges (9Q1EK) and I, he was our so efficient QSL manager. We are awaiting some more information.

___________________________________
First 160m CW QSO with Osten.
------------------------------------------------------------------
"Osten B Magnusson" sm5dqc@areteadsl.se
Hello Georges
thanks QSO on 160 meters! QSO March 2nd at
2140 UTC ….OK as all Europe was on
frequency... Later you were up to 579, but what a pile-up, and when you asked for
a specific station all others answered too!
73 de Osten SM5DQC sm5dqc@areeteadsl.se
-----------------------------------------------------------------
John SM5DJZ follow up on this Osten way and his our new QSL manager.

Tnx John

Ugly balun CDrom box

2007-08-21T17:31:00.000+01:00

Ugly balun with CD rom box
All Band HF Air Core 1:1 Choke Balun

For my dipoles 80 and 40m, I use at 9Q1EK station some baluns since October 2006.
But unfortunately one day the ferrite didn't resist.
I have decided to construct a Choke balun according to the N4UJW method.

NOTE de AG6K: Some people build choke-baluns, without a plastic coil-form, by scramble-winding the coax into a coil and taping it together.The problem with scramble-winding is that the first and last turns of the coax may touch each other. This creates two complications. The distributed-capacitance of the balun is increased and the RF-lossy vinyl jacket of the coax is subjected to a high RF-voltage. The single-layer winding on the plastic coil-form construction method solves these problems since it divides the RF-voltage and capacitance evenly across each turn of the balun"....AG6K

Do not let the first and last coils touch!

Here an example in the pictures below using cable ties on PVC box forms which work well.

N4UJW recommande 18 to 21 feet or 5,48m to 6,40m for the coaxial lenght and must be coiled with contiguous ellipses.

This chock balun will be installed at the feet point of the antenna.
The parts to make this kind of chock balun being difficult has find in Kinshasa, I had the idea to use a original kind of support.
A box…empty for sure…., hi… of CDrom.
In the beginning I was septic when about the solidity and about the distortion of this box.
But, I tried ….and here is the result with:
A box of CDrom, two screws with nuts, small discs steel, S0239, large Scotch tape, amalgaming tape and without forgetting the CD blank that will be on the top of it box..
I arrive to ties 5,20m of RG213cable coaxial, therefore sufficient.
The “piton” fixing for the support is screwed in the central core of it box since the top.
don't forget to install a part of large black Scotch tape before coiling.

The pictures do without any comments…!!!

A tye wrip was added to strengthen the all through the “piton” and some holes to the basis for the humidity. For sure, it must be waterproof to the top and the cable.
The total box after construction seems to be solid.
I don't think that it can compete with PVC cases or suitable pipe, notably on longevity in the long time, but it can give a channel of ideas and in my side, is enough for my limited broadcasts duration in 9Q.

More, it resists with the legal power limits…

Good realization if you tempt it. 73 de Georges

9Q Kinshasa ressourcefullness

2007-07-27T16:28:00.001+01:00

ON THE 9Q Roads....

Funny pictures of the week..

Kinshasa ressourcefullness....

73 Georges

SO2V to SO2R at 9Q1EK station

2007-07-23T12:10:00.000+01:00

CX family.... 4CX350 - 4CX1500 - 3CX3000 - 4CX15000

Finally I moved in SO2R mode.

I was in a hurry to move under this mode. Just to see. And then, during the first hours, I must confess that it was not easy with two different audio on the headset…

I brought back some equipment from Montreal during my last QSY to improve the station.
Now that goes well better as having refitted the station.

(Notably while modifying the emergency lighting with the candle by a neon 12 vDC…hi)
The SO2R this made from the copy like a model of at TOP TEN devices, the DX doubler.
I asked the manufacturer to give me the costs of the transportation to receive it in the Congo Kinshasa, I never received any news!! (Same thing for the ICE filters company), I constructed this gadgets therefore.
Again some small worries must be adjusted notably of the antennas side. Now, I use some homemade pass band filters, but not practical, easy for the band changes. I am also to the construction of coax stub.
I think to build also two boxes of switch able filters like ICE model for every TRX.

73 de Georges

BEACON 50MHZ Kinshasa 9Q1D/B

2007-07-23T12:03:00.000+01:00

Our friend, Gus 9Q1D left Kinshasa end of June 2007 for his native Sweden while letting us his 6m beacon and his antenna dipole that were installed near the Congo River.

I reinstalled it on my of FM transmitters site on a hill overhanging the city of Kinshasa, therefore with a very good coverage during 24/7.
Today june 2012, no probem at all, it`s work fine.
It is about a TX Russian origin that it already traveled a lot according to Gus, but in perfect condition of working with 10w RF on 50,021 MHz, call 9Q1D/B until year September 2007.
Don't hesitate to inform me when openings signal although the TEP (Trans equatorial propagation) either capricious!
We benefited since Kinshasa during the months of April, May and June of very good openings with Europe (about 150 QSO on my log)
I am very often in RX on 50,110 CW for a possible call (because too many useless CQ) and for the meantime the only one in 9Q on this strip.
I hope to hear you very soon.
73 de Georges

50 Mhz first steps

2007-04-10T16:22:00.000+01:00

in 9Q land...

9Q1EK

Grid Locator : jI75PQ

4° 19’ 39’’ S - 15° 16’ 31’’ E

Only CW Mode - earlier I will try JT6M mode

Running March 2007 with the information of Gus 9Q1D and in forecasting of the opening of this band planned for the end of March. I began studied the possibilities to be able to activate and be ready on this band.

I had a transceiver but not any antenna!
Not easier in Kinshasa to find a aluminum pipe as necessary to look for in the city and the scrapes market during several days of the pipe tips of any diameter and often in bad condition!!!!

So. After investigation … I decided to built a vertical.
As having found some alu pipe more or less correct, I constructed a 3/4 of lambda therefore (4,50m long and radials of 1,50m) to begin a little monitoring and to see what it could give.
An opening made itself toward April 04 and I could make a dozen of QSO with the south of Europe.

Picture of homemade aerial 50 mhz vertical and 3el yagi

In view of this beautiful opening, I decided to built a new small beam 3 el following DK7ZB, DL1GNM design, (see diagram below)
Excellent site of 50 Mhz antenna design at: http://www.mydarc.de/dk7zb/start1.htm

9Q1EK and 9Q1TB
(Red face is due to the sun… 43° Celsius when 3el installation. Hi!!!

The only difference is the gamma adaptor of my side and especially the aesthetics that is less beautiful of has it my strange pieces of pipes !!!!!
Seen at 13m of height , it doesn't see itself, hi!! And the main, it is that it is well adjusted and that it" works "…

The signals are sometimes as loud as on my vertical, most of the time about 1.5- 2 S-units upper. For real DX the Yagi outperforms the vertical of course...
I find signals outside the Yagi-direction. Not having a rotor for my beam. it is fixed to the north direction. I am able to hear some signals in other directions with the wrong position of the Yagi.

3-Element-Yagi with 1,90m-Boom
Element Element-position Element-length Element-length
Ref 0 mm 2970mm 2974mm
Rad 600mm 2820mm 2820mm
Dir 1 1850mm 2654mm 2666mm

Short data: Gain 6.4dBd F/B 20dB
bandwidth 500KHz (49.9-50.4 MHz) at SWR <>

In red, the curve of my 3 el built with aluminum pipe 22mm diameter
and gamma adaptor..

Fortunately or unfortunately my QTH is located in the zone of Trans Equatorial Propagation (TEP). Propagation across the equator, but largely along the TEP zone, can produce very strong signals, such as zigzagging north and south in the short term, but generally moving along in an east-west direction

Please see excellent article of J. Kennedy K6MIO about
50 MHZ F2 Propagation Mechanisms at:
http://www.uksmg.org/f2propagationmech.htm

For the meantime, since 3 weeks two beautiful openings presented themselves, I could make about hundred beautiful contacts with southern Europe. I hope that it is going to open up more soon to the north of Europe.

Since april 04-2007 the best distance is : 6349 km

04 April to 30 April 2007: 19 DXCC Contacted

I am often on 50.102 and Gus 9Q1D on 50.107. We keep 5 or 6 KHz not to be disturb between us.
Finally with these antennas and 200w RF, I hope to be able to hear you on the" magic band ".

73's of 9Q1EK - VE2EK. ZS1ii

160 m, TOP Band or STATIC CRASH BAND

2007-03-28T16:34:00.000+01:00

in 9Q land

QRN level on the s/meter

I'd started the 160m, January 21, 2007 with the help of Philippe 9Q1TB for the installation of a L inverted antenna.
In our place, it is not easy to install some antennas. Especially for 160m .
All my antennas dipoles are fixed on the neighbor's wall on telescopics mast.
With a space of 4m available x 8m for the car parking.

For the inverted L !!!! What adventure !! It was necessary to see the neighbor and to ask the authorization to be going to put over his home a small wire for esthetic… After several discussions we finally could conduct the installation.

On this day I’ve a total for about 340 QSO, but achieved in an indescribable "hell."

21 january 2007 to 23 April 2007: 50 DXCC contacted

Every day the QRN is at 59 +. The best that I could heard was 57 since the month of January.
The first month, the stations wonder if I was deaf or what?
It is not easy to manage a pile up without discipline in this hell. It is very discouraging.

I heard that it is called also the "gentlemen's band". a mistake ???

Believe me, I failed to make QSY very often, I am not masochist, but too much HAM friends need to contact 9Q land on this band. For this reason that I tried to pursue again the activity during the time or the propagation goes well from Africa.
With a station as ICOM IC756PROIII + 500W and the L antenna , it is small..
I will like to be able to install a rhombic, a double K9AY or a magnetic loop. But not possible here…
Therefore here in Kinshasa since January 21, 2007,

for me the .....

"TOP BAND" is "STATIC CRASH BAND"

I am going in the next days to send a couple of few CQ on the "Magic band" while hoping to have some openings….. And more of calmness hi!! And will NOT be the "TRAGIC BAND", hi

Picture of 160m inverted L antenna , near homemade 50 Mhz aerial: 3el yagi and vertical 3/4 lambda.

9Q CLARIFICATION

2006-12-26T14:16:00.000+01:00

9Q license CLARIFICATION
9Q1EK station and friends 9Q1TB – 9Q1D – 9Q1NT

______________

First information. The 9Q country is “Democratic Republic of Congo” (ex ZAIRE).
To avoid confusion with the Congo TN.

I would like all of you to know that it was far from easy to obtain an individual license in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
I have been in the Rep. Dem. of Congo (ex ZAIRE) for 5 years. Throughout this period, the country has been at war. It has been divided into 3 rebel sectors (if you follow the press you should know). No ministry was operating correctly. Believe, me, it was a very bad period!

Every day we live with power failures that last for several hours, and the same goes for the water supply and it can be dangerous at night, in a city of 8 million inhabitants.

Just imagine, during a pile up with the power failure that we are not barefoot “ON AIR” with 12 vDC power and couple of candles!!!!!

furthermore, here we have many time a QRN in the equatorial zone and without forget the cherry on the top of the cake......a big defectiv station transformer 350kv at about 800m of the shack !

Not easy…. to try to explain: PSE STBY NO CURRENT – AS AS TU or QRX QRN S9+

(Also access to internet DX cluster only during work business hours).

12v DC battery and 12v emergency light + candle….
(electricity power shutdown 4 or 6 time per days during mini 1h30 with AC voltage at any time between 160 to 260 vAC….)

To say nothing of the corruption, the people you have to contact if you want serious, credible information.
As for the postal service... letters are lost, opened, or delivered sometimes more than 10 months late.
We all know that this country is sought after for its advantageous prefix.
Finally, after one year’s and half of patience, meetings, lunch meetings, conferences, councils, assistance, information’s about the notion of international amateur radio regulations and promises of personal involvement to train instructors for amateur radio diplomas ; after losing a whole lot of money in baksheesh (e.g. over $600, just for paying the 9Q0AR club membership fees – ask Gus ! – and/or paying totally fake contacts or information, we have officially paid out $250 in license documents from the PTT Ministry, $500 from the ministry of Finance, $120 to the National Security Service (the secret service), $100 in registration fees.
Add it up; you’ll see that we’ve been generous with our lost time and lost money, just to get an authentic individual license and so that the Ham in the world can contact their rare country.
It took a lot of dedication to want to set up amateur broadcasting in 9Q. Take it from me: Gus (9Q1D - SM5DIC), Ghis (9Q1NT - ON5NT); Phil (9Q1TB - F5LTB) and myself (9Q1EK - VE2EK - ZS1II) have spared no effort.
. Unfortunately, Ghis wasn’t able to play this call sign for long time.
It was so long to obtain that and he had to leave the country for other UN missions.

To date, the only legal call signs with an official license in this country are: 9Q1EK - 9Q1D - 9Q1TB - 9Q1NT, and the club 9Q0AR.

9Q1TB, Philippe

9Q1NT, Ghis and 9Q1D, Gus

At the first time, the simplest and fastest way for me and 9Q1TB was to register with eQSL to transfer our logs via Internet every morning. We knew that this service wasn’t authorized for DXCC, (but they have other awards as eDX, eDX100, eWAZ, eZ40, wanted also by HAM), which is why I asked for information on LOTW (Emails to lotw-help@arrl.org dated of 12/14/2006 11:12 AM, and mail of "Mills, Wayne N7NG" N7NG@arrl.org 12/14/2006 01:56 PM) to satisfy the world’s and allow them to get their DX diplomas with this rare country.
We haven’t forgotten them, but when we see some very unfavourable comments on DX news (“don't work with him") or, on the DX cluster “eQSL HI HI ;-)”, "shame on them, it’s a waste of time for the QSO”) it can be really irritating, given what I’ve just explained to you!

**** Recently, on 18 December 2006, Osten, SM5DQC, very quickly and very kindly offered to help by becoming my QSL Manager and assist in all requirements in terms of cards, log management, shipping, etc., I warmly thank him for it and won’t forget what he’s done.

So I think everything’s fixed now. Each Ham’s contacting 9Q1EK or other 9Q friends stations will know what had to be done for them to benefit from a contact and obtain their rare DX, and to have a thought for the ways and means and conditions we have to deal with.

R7000 on top.

Couple of dipoles and delta loop shared with 9Q1TB.

Not enough space for antenna’s… between two telescopic masts.
Soon, may be next few weeks, I will install a beam 3 el. Cushcraft A3S, in place of telescopic mast.

QSL model via eQSL

QSL model via SM5DQC

Hoping to hear you on the air despite the QRN in the equatorial zone and the poor propagation.
I wish you a happy 2007 New Year and good DX’s.
NB: soon, Gus, Phil and me, will prepare an article with pictures on 9Q activities, reports, etc....for Ham magazines.

73’s de 9Q1EK

KEYS MORSE story

2006-12-26T12:54:00.000+01:00

KEYS MORSE story

I like the Morse and I am a small keys collector.
I must have approximately 20 parts which come from second hand trades or friends gifts.
They all are restored and operational. I hope one day to increase this collection.
Three keys never leave me during my displacements for my UNO missions in the world.

A old one, a vibroplex, and a bencher. Here in Kinshasa, (the old model is from KENT. This English company manufactures precision Morse keys), and the vibroplex are on the top of my TV, because I like to see them, to touch them each day. (2nd love hi),
Bencher, I use it during my current QSO’s under 9Q1EK. The remainder of my collection is at Montreal, with my daughter VE2MNS.
I received one day by the fast mail from Japan an old Morse key that was used during the second world war. It was a great surprise for this formidable gift.
I was never as much happy to see an old key in perfect condition especially from Japan because it is easier to find US keys or from Europe, but really rarer from the Asian side, Eastern Europe and Oceania.

My first CW QSO were with J38 in 1971 (FK8KAA).

A few months after, with a little more experiment and of morse drive. HI, that did not go rather quickly! I built a double contact with a blade saw…
I do not have unfortunately this key because I left it to the friends of the club.
Really easy to realize! Some parts of metal, the contacts GOLD of relay on the other, blade saw on the two side contacts. It was the big foot for me.

I’d moved after the blade saw to the JI36 semi automatic made by The Lionel Company. During World War Two, the Lionel Electric Train Company made thousands of copies of the #6 Lightning Bug for the U.S. Army.

The JI36, having a flexibility in use with the adjustment of the weight part, giving a quality, a “key” of easily recognizable personal handling according to the operators.
With electronics this “personalization” is less obvious, but can be still made different manner.

I also tested a Japanese key, Hi mound (BK100),

two German electronic key, ETM-1 and ETM-3.

My preferred during long years was the Vibroplex double paddles.

After all that. I have moved to the electronics keyer.
I built in the 1984 from a 8044 curtis, a small electronics driven by the vibroplex key.
Other models followed… while adding there memories type 21L02.

Today, still in 9Q, I use also this homemade electronic version that goes back in 1987. Hi, and during the contests with 4 selective memories. Two, can be put together for the long messages.

With the Bencher, that I also like, at the time, the QSJ was high for me, I made the plans (being a also laboratory metrologist background, it was easy to make it…).
Then two exact copy of bencher keys BY1 models were born with the assistance from some Ham friends being in the precision mechanics.

I never tested Schurr key, I think that I lost something, but it is not too late yet. One day will come.
After thus, a few 5 years of interruption of CW QSO, I take again that since Kinshasa 9Q1EK and with a great pleasure!!
With all the viruses which trail, the Morse virus is less dangerous Hi!

Soon, it will be necessary that I have a better accessories because during many Pile-up has each time I launch a CQ under 9Q1EK with a system more serious than mine.
Easier, to use with memories buttons near the key.

I think to test one day the MFJ-490. .

Earlier, I think to test also, the Super Combo Keyer uses by Bernie, ZS4TX,
http://www.zs4tx.co.za/sck/
Equipped for the SO2R and with the memories, easier to use and more recent than my old electronics keyer …

9Q1EK December Station 2006-12-23 Homemade 1984, Electronic keyer just under the TRX (aluminum plate).

Thus has soon, the pleasure of hearing you in CW and to add 9Q1 on your log.

- -… … - - de Georges, 9Q1EK / VE2EK / ZS1II

TUBES STORY

2006-11-30T16:12:00.000+01:00

TUBES STORY !!!!

I like the valve tube ......

At the first of my Ham world it was really not easy to find components to build equipment.
As tubes, transformers, meters, CV’s coils, and lot of small spares parts absolutely needed for the construction. Many time I have modified, rebuilt more and more transformer for HV, filament heating, bias….., built CV’s, coils, rebuilt, calibrate meter’, etc….
So it was very funny! Despite dangerous problems with HV or others miscellaneous bad luck…
At the end of the construction, and when it was tuned, the extreme satisfaction was immeasurable!

***** I remember about a strange story ;-) happened in 1993… Further more of 10 month, I built my own EME station for 432 MHz.
It was done with homemade station as well as a transverter 28/432 MHz, Power amplifier 3X 2C39BA, 2 X 22el long yagi (DL6WU design), preamplifier (Dubus design), coaxial relay (Dubus design), and splitter (Dubus design).
I had installed my EME station outside the QRA like portable station in my compound.
So, near midnight, feverishly and anxious….when I heard my own CW signal with about 1s delay reception time and when I said a couple minutes after “Hello the moon”, I heard my voice, I was like a crazy monkey and I jumped around the station on the grass to shout “It’s work ! It’s work!”
My wife was afraid for short time Hi, Hi!!!

For the fun, the moon tracking was………(please don’t laugh) ;-) an aluminium pipe, 3 meter length between the 2 yagi’s……..to see the moon through this !!!!
Unfortunately, I don’t make a lot of EME QSO, because my career was turn on the better way in Telecom, broadcast network in Canada, more often around the world and had not enough time to built or be quiet for QSO…
It is one of more unbelievable souvenir!

TUBES USED FOR HOMEMADE CONSTRUCTION

807: Used in 1971 for HF TX
QQE 06/40 used in 1977 for VHF amp. (Drived with Icom IC202)
4-250 used in 1980 for HF amplifier (2 tubes)
QB4 1100 used in 1983 HF amplifier (2 tubes)
4CX250 used in 1985/6 for VHF/UHF amplifier (1 tube) and 1993 (2 tubes).
2C39BA used in 1986/7 for UHF amplifier (3 tubes), SHF cavity amplifier (1 tube).
3CX3000A7 used in 1992 for HF amplifier.
TH308 used in 1992 for SHF cavity amplifier

CUSHCRAFT R7000 Prob/Repair

2006-11-06T12:46:00.000+01:00

CUSHCRAFT - R7000 Prob and repair.

Hi Folks,
Not lucky with the first installation of Cuschraft R7000 in 9Q1 (Rep. Dem. of Congo)
After having received from Switzerland a second hand antenna Cuschraft R7000, I installed it but only the 18 MHz was operational.
I decided to see what happened with that while disassembling this antenna completely.

Remarks:
- The screws of fixings for all coils on the capacitor tubes were loosen.
- has the inside of the coils, two had a great deal of bites, spiders, etc amalgamated in the base of the coils.
- Big humidity inside the coil.
- Coil of 14 and 10 MHz burnt. (Due, no doubt about that for an elevated VSWR and a short circuit probably with the water, accumulated bites and nests of spiders)
- Internal capacity in the coil of the 21 MHz (small aluminum pipe in serial on the coil and isolated by Teflon) completely loosen, and electrical sparks, (rivet “pop” was deficient, no contact)
- The insulating part has the basis of the antenna (fiberglass) damaged behaving like a sponge.
- Water also goes back on the top of every pipe between the coils.

Repair and method used:
- disassemble every coil carefully.
- remove all screws and move carefully the alu. small loop of every coil inside the capacity trap.
- With a nylon hammer hit slightly on the tube dia. abt 2cm to remove them of the capacitor pipe.
it only holds by two struck points in the capacitor trap on the middle of the trap.
- clean correctly each coils, and every insulating PVC support of the coils.
- I removed the burnt plastic part of every coil PVC and added of the insulating joint in the cleaned holes. (Like same procedure with the dentist... hi)
- apply 2 layers of varnish to all coils.
- make a new small hole like 4 mm dia near the PVC to suppress the fixing with the screws for the coils.
Move the spire of the coil above the new hole that you made and fix it with aluminum. Rivets “pop”

- Put back the insulating joint on the top of the 3 trap protections rubber.
- add a sufficient quantity of amalgaming tape over it.
Every screw of fixing of the coils was blocked with nails varnish and some amalgaming tape has been added.
I put 3 layers of varnish on the insulating part in fiberglass (bottom of the antenna)

* The first measures were extremely interesting.
A very and constant big dip on all frequencies was observed on 7, 10, 14, 18, 21, 24, 28 Mhz with MFJ-259B analyzer.
I think that after these modifications, I will be quite for several years.

73 Georges VE2EK - 9Q1EK - ZS1II