Playing in WPX

 Well,

This weekend is the grand-daddy of all CW contests - the WPX CW test. 

There are many words to describe the bands while this test is happening, my preference would be bonkers. There is CW everywhere - who says this mode isn't popular?

Here's a snapshot from 20M during the test:

I've been having nothing more than a play during some free time, 8.5 hours into the test I was already receiving serial numbers over 1100 - so thats an astonishing run rate from som stations - I wonder if this is really "amateur" radio?

Anyhow, after a few hours play, here is my log as a map:

This tells me that despite my (far from optimal) location, my HF station gets out OK. 

I've been specifically looking for VU7T on Lakshadweep Islands but so far haven't heard the station strong enough to try working him.

Fun, don't you think?

The Art of Rotator Control

 Well,

I watched a video the other day on the TechMinds YouTube channel all about a rotator control board sold by AF6SA.

This neat little board provides a controller for almost any rotator and then allow network control via web or other interfaces - neat!

I ordered one from accross the pond and it duly arrived.

I've put it in a box and set it up to interface to the 6-pin mini-din socket on the back of my Yaesu G-1000-something rotator.

I followed the calibration instructions in the manual and now the display aligns well with the rotator heading... so far so good.

Now to interface to my logging/control software.

More to follow!