Hoping to go to Kempton Rally this year.

Hoping to get to Kempton Rally this year.

My mobile radio season is almost at an end, this is when I start to think more about the new Pike fishing season. Also with the cooler weather, shorter days, xmas and everything else I never seem to get "out" much. So, looking ahead to next spring when I'll start more regular outings again, what plans do I have.

Well, before the end of my current season I would still like to get down to Devils Dyke at least once to try out my halo! But over the winter months I hope to make at least one dipole to give me 20M band access.

Other plans for next year will be a 2M beam, prolly a Tonna 4 ele. Also, maybe, and its a BIG maybe, an IC-7000. If Icom can make the rig work properly, buy the time I've saved enougn, it should be cheaper and more common. The 706 I have is doing just fine although it seems to be drifting on 2M somewhat and I'm sure the 2M output is a bit "up and down" sometimes. But not bad since its been in the boot of a car since 1998 and done about 40,000 miles!

The band(s) to be on seem to be 20M and 2M FM, so that's where I need to work on, I already have a pukka 2M amp, so I need a decent antenna. Come Nov and the West London Rally, I hope to get something there. But... should it be a Tonna? And what about 20M, do I make a dipole????? Your comments please...........

Our day at Woldingham
Not a busy session unlike last time, I made about 4 SSB contacts on the 2M Halo, plus about 6 on 2M FM. Poor Paul only managed 2 and what with the rain and hail, he had a tough session! Check out his blog at 2e0tzo.co.uk for more info. He used a longwire and a tuner with an FT-897.

You can see the halo I had, fixed to a post using some elastic cord, I ran the usual 100w into it.

Another radio outing comming up!!
I am off to Warlingham tomorrow (if it does'nt rain!), I am taking my 2M halo this time. I have not used it for a very long time and need to check the tuning. The 706 does not have an SWR meter for 2M so I will connect it to a chum's 897 and test it out (he does'nt know about it yet!). Of course I shall be running 100w into it!

Went up to Reigate hill with some chums from the Sutton and Cheam club. I made around 12 contacts, mostly Lighthouses. Most of the contacts were on the 40M band and the rest on 17M. Missed a station on 6M SSB in Lancs, M5BXB I think the call was, a shame.

Its all fitted and working now, had some really good sessions on 2M from Clandon, best DX was into Longleat and Luton. Also been using my double 5/8th wave 2M whip. Linear works very well and the whole systems seems to run reasonable cool. No further plans at the moment, however a 5ele beam for portable use would be nice!

Got my 2M amp, works very well. Its been on test and I've also done some testing in the car. Currently all my equipment is out of the car whilst we make up a mounting bracket for the amp.