Post date: Aug 15, 2011 2:50:15 PM
I've recently returned from holiday in Spain and attempted operating as EA7/GW6ITJ using the HB-1A and half wave dipole on 20m.
Before I left I made the AD5X modifications to the MFJ-902 tuner to provide an absorbative SWR meter.
Operations were severely limited by holiday activities but I did get a couple of one hour sessions to setup and test the operation of the system. The reception was strange - no noise! - but owing to the times of operating and our ground floor apartment I was also lacking in stations to work. Plenty of data and SSB received but not a great deal of CW at my speed.
A few calls (I never realised how tiring it is to send the extended call sign) got one response from a French station who called QRZ? but was looking for DX and left me without a QSO.
The next session was easier to setup and tune around, I really like the SWR meter. A few CQ calls were made with no luck but I had some good fun.
Hopefully we will be returning next year. I will definietely program the HB-1A with the EA7/ call and possibly take a small vertical aerial setup I can put up a palm tree!
At least I'm ready for some 20m portable work in the UK now, whole kit weighed 2kg including batteries etc. so quite good.