My FT-101Z seems to have developed a fault on TX. Low Power output up to 35 watts and then the power takes off to about 150 or more. I put this down to the power output tubes going into oscillation. I note there is a comment on the Fox Tango site about replacing a coupling cap in the PA stage. I will look into this further and update my progress. If anyone as suggestions please feel free to leave comments below.
I have had several Olviia contacts with Danny - ON4VT on 30m. I had a brief CW chat with him last night on 40m and this morning he emailed a QSL card he designed for my eQSL.cc. It was a very kind and generous gift... so thank you Danny.
I don't often get the chance to run my old FT-101Z radio. Yesterday I hooked it up to a soundcard interface and ran APRS packet on 40m for a few hours. I was pleased that it was able to hold frequency and didn't drift once it warmed up. Here's a picture.
This weekend is the ARRL 10m CW/SSB contest. The noise on the band is making it difficult. Here on the scope is it about S5 - S6 level. This is fairly typical noise at this time of the day and it makes me suspect a rooftop solar power system in the street may be the cause. So far I am hearing VR2's, JA, VK7, and ZL stations.
I have been good friends with Aaron - VK2ON for quite some time, at least 17 years or so. He called me one day to tell me he has been asked to play in a Dire Straits Tribute band with a bunch of famous guys that I have never heard of. My response was, 'You play the drums?' Well... Alethea, friends, Brett and Jodie Ryan attend the Lizottes concert and I was completely dumbfounded. I didn't know Aaron played the drums... and this is how I find this out.
NEWS: The possibility of VK amateurs having access to the 5 MHz (60m) band has receded with the ACMA, our communications regulator, refusing an amateur allocation.
The main reason given was interference to other users, including defence, who also use 5 MHz frequencies.
Meanwhile, across the Tasman, New Zealand amateurs did have 60m access but their trial was not renewed.
