VK3FDT > 12-07-2018, 11:28 PM
VK4ADC > 13-07-2018, 07:57 AM
VK3FDT > 13-07-2018, 12:29 PM
VK4WDM > 13-07-2018, 01:17 PM
(13-07-2018, 07:57 AM)VK4ADC Wrote: ...Hi Dave
VK2CSW > 13-07-2018, 01:37 PM
VK5PJ > 13-07-2018, 03:58 PM
VK3FDT > 13-07-2018, 11:05 PM
(13-07-2018, 03:58 PM)VK5PJ Wrote: Hello Dave, yes winter on VHF can be a challenge, there was a strong community going inthe S.E on 144.100 SSB and 144.200 SSB, some times people like Gavin, vk3hy would break out the CW key. While summer sees more activity from the shack due to me not freezing in my shack, I also keep a look out for the calm slow moving Hi pressure systems that can be a real treat.
I must admit I have not been all that active in the mornings of late but hope as the days get longer to be there more often.. I have a good take off to VK3 so hope to hear you on, feel free to call if you hear me.
Regards,
Peter vk5pj
(13-07-2018, 01:37 PM)VK2CSW Wrote: Hey Dave,
Welcome to our little sewing circle.
A nice bunch of smart folk here, they must be nice 'coz they help out numpties like me!
Cheers,
VK4WDM > 14-07-2018, 09:24 AM
VK2KRR > 15-07-2018, 09:49 AM
(13-07-2018, 12:29 PM)VK3FDT Wrote: I have had a brief look at the newer digital modes like WSPR, JT65 etc, and for me I just find them like contest modes, which is for me boring, some of the best contacts I have enjoyed were very weak CW and also SSB where you need to work harder for the QSO,
it's much more satisfying, but then that's only my opinion
VK3FDT > 15-07-2018, 10:21 PM
(15-07-2018, 09:49 AM)VK2KRR Wrote:(13-07-2018, 12:29 PM)VK3FDT Wrote: I have had a brief look at the newer digital modes like WSPR, JT65 etc, and for me I just find them like contest modes, which is for me boring, some of the best contacts I have enjoyed were very weak CW and also SSB where you need to work harder for the QSO,
it's much more satisfying, but then that's only my opinion
Hi Dave,
I think your in the Geelong area so your QTH would be OK to my direction as long as there are no close by hills to your NE.
Regarding WSPR, its not a QSO mode, but a beaconing mode. A number of operators use it to keep track of the tropospheric and ionospheric propagation conditions and keep the shack alive and monitoring even if we are not available in the shack, we can then monitor the WSPR database from the shed, back paddock or at work, others can do so from all around the world if their interested in observing whats happening in our area. They do say use it or loose it which is where many of the upper ham bands are heading due to the complacency of many operators (or non-operating licence holders maybe we could call them).
WSPR is the most sensitive mode and has many other logging and mapping advantages etc, and is great to discover paths that would otherwise not have been thought possible by using more conventional methods. Radio's do have to be rather frequency accurate and stable though to get the most out of it.
I personally also use 2m WSPR to look out for potential paths which may become workable on SSB voice, as are most of the guys. When the WSPR signal levels reach a certain strength we know that we can switch over and catch a voice QSO if we so desire. I dont bother with JT65 or other QSO modes unless its completely necessary and cant be done via voice modes.
Like the others, hope to hear you on air sometime. And yes, a lot of licence holders go into hibernation in winter as they think propagation only exists in the summer, but this is not the case. You will find more activity from about November to March for sure.
I use the KST Chat pages when available in the shack (and sometime out of the shack), the Region 3, 144 MHz page mostly http://www.on4kst.com/chat/start.php
(15-07-2018, 10:21 PM)VK3FDT Wrote:(15-07-2018, 09:49 AM)VK2KRR Wrote:(13-07-2018, 12:29 PM)VK3FDT Wrote: I have had a brief look at the newer digital modes like WSPR, JT65 etc, and for me I just find them like contest modes, which is for me boring, some of the best contacts I have enjoyed were very weak CW and also SSB where you need to work harder for the QSO,
it's much more satisfying, but then that's only my opinion
Hi Dave,
I think your in the Geelong area so your QTH would be OK to my direction as long as there are no close by hills to your NE.
Regarding WSPR, its not a QSO mode, but a beaconing mode. A number of operators use it to keep track of the tropospheric and ionospheric propagation conditions and keep the shack alive and monitoring even if we are not available in the shack, we can then monitor the WSPR database from the shed, back paddock or at work, others can do so from all around the world if their interested in observing whats happening in our area. They do say use it or loose it which is where many of the upper ham bands are heading due to the complacency of many operators (or non-operating licence holders maybe we could call them).
WSPR is the most sensitive mode and has many other logging and mapping advantages etc, and is great to discover paths that would otherwise not have been thought possible by using more conventional methods. Radio's do have to be rather frequency accurate and stable though to get the most out of it.
I personally also use 2m WSPR to look out for potential paths which may become workable on SSB voice, as are most of the guys. When the WSPR signal levels reach a certain strength we know that we can switch over and catch a voice QSO if we so desire. I dont bother with JT65 or other QSO modes unless its completely necessary and cant be done via voice modes.
Like the others, hope to hear you on air sometime. And yes, a lot of licence holders go into hibernation in winter as they think propagation only exists in the summer, but this is not the case. You will find more activity from about November to March for sure.
I use the KST Chat pages when available in the shack (and sometime out of the shack), the Region 3, 144 MHz page mostly http://www.on4kst.com/chat/start.php
VK3FDT > 15-07-2018, 11:39 PM
(14-07-2018, 09:24 AM)VK4WDM Wrote: Hello Again Dave
FT8 is the "flavor of the year" for digital modes, last year it was JT65, who knows what it will be next year? There is still some PSK and quite a lot of RTTY. The rest of the modes tend to be used by smaller dedicated groups. As you have picked up on, FT8 is easy to use and effective but like JT65, a bit robot-like and soulless, but it is keeping the bands active during this time poor conditions and identifying some surprising propagation paths and band openings on both on HF and VHF. I find it useful to look at the FT8 signal reports and when they are reasonably high, try CW or SSB.
You don't have to have the PC directly connected to the transceiver to run digital unless you are using modes like Echolink (lot of fun) where the net is part of the signal path, but a direct connection does allow easy setting of accurate PC time that is essential for digital operations. Having said that, I find that an accurate mobile phone works well enough to set the time. You are going to need an interface between the transceiver and the PC. Probably the most common one in use, and the easiest one to use IMO is the "Signalink USB."
Having said all that about digital stuff, I agree that the VHF scene could do with a big stir-up so see what you can stir up down there. Hams are still wanting to learn CW. Maybe you could get some together for a tutorial net on 2m (but not on 144.1 ).
How to work you on 2m during the summer E season, yep will do CW but a bit slow these days.
VK4WDM > 16-07-2018, 08:14 PM
(15-07-2018, 11:39 PM)VK3FDT Wrote:Sorry about the confusion. 144.1 and 144.2 are still the calling frequencies for both SSB and CW, but after making contact there the best practice is to QSY to another frequency. What I meant was, if you do establish a CW net don't continue the net on 144.1(14-07-2018, 09:24 AM)VK4WDM Wrote: Hello Again Dave
FT8 is the "flavor of the year" for digital modes, last year it was JT65, who knows what it will be next year? There is still some PSK and quite a lot of RTTY. The rest of the modes tend to be used by smaller dedicated groups. As you have picked up on, FT8 is easy to use and effective but like JT65, a bit robot-like and soulless, but it is keeping the bands active during this time poor conditions and identifying some surprising propagation paths and band openings on both on HF and VHF. I find it useful to look at the FT8 signal reports and when they are reasonably high, try CW or SSB.
You don't have to have the PC directly connected to the transceiver to run digital unless you are using modes like Echolink (lot of fun) where the net is part of the signal path, but a direct connection does allow easy setting of accurate PC time that is essential for digital operations. Having said that, I find that an accurate mobile phone works well enough to set the time. You are going to need an interface between the transceiver and the PC. Probably the most common one in use, and the easiest one to use IMO is the "Signalink USB."
Having said all that about digital stuff, I agree that the VHF scene could do with a big stir-up so see what you can stir up down there. Hams are still wanting to learn CW. Maybe you could get some together for a tutorial net on 2m (but not on 144.1 ).
How to work you on 2m during the summer E season, yep will do CW but a bit slow these days.
Hello Wayne,
I have enough trouble trying to identify modes like msk, olivia, etc, etc, rtty is easy and psk also. No CW on 144.100,?? that's where it gets confusing, according to the WIA 144.100 to 144.400 is CW / SSB, 144.100 is a national primary calling frequency, and 144.200 is secondary, so I'm guessing 2 mtr users have adjusted their own rules, but it make it hard when you try to follow WIA designated frequencies, is it possible WIA have never updated their Frequency lists ????. 144.220 to 144.240 digital DX modes.
Any way I do hope to catch up with you and the others on 2 mts
Dave VK3FDT
VK3FDT > 16-07-2018, 10:36 PM
VK4ADC > 17-07-2018, 07:32 AM
VK3FDT > 17-07-2018, 06:08 PM
(17-07-2018, 07:32 AM)VK4ADC Wrote: Dave
Don't hit Quote, just use the New Reply button underneath. That avoids all of the nested quotes that I have been editing out...
These posts are all in the same thread ('Hello all') so re-quoting isn't necessary - or desirable.
Doug, admin