What Ham Radio Stuff did you buy today?

[Buick Mackane]

Linear Amp UK Gemini DX1200 1.2Kw All solid state Amplifier. Replaces the Acom that had a jet turbine as a fan. This one is silent

I missed this one, I like how he squeezes in a pic of the big yaesu just to mock us, Bloody G-calls

[Agent 48]

I bought a coax lead already made up, I didn't want to be faffing about making my own leads I just wanted to get my UHF station on air as quick as possible but the lead didn't work when connected to the radio, no receive or transmit so so disconnected the lead a tried a junky RG58 one I had and that worked so I got my multi meter out and tested for continuity on the new lead I bought and there was nothing measured at the center pins. I found where the problem was, & the BNC plug wasn't connected very well to the center part of the coax then I saw why, its one of those plugs that has a tiny screw that clamps down the coax but the screw was not camping down or tightening, not much I could do.

I ordered some BNC plugs so that I can fix the lead I bought... Messaged the seller no reply.... it be easier just to repair the lead rather than returning it.

I thought I may as well just make my own leads up at this point so I ordered a load of RG8 mini coax for my UHF station & plugs.

[Agent 48]

My slim jim is performing better than my halfwave dipole on receive, SWR nice and super low. I can't get into any repeaters tho... I can just about break the squelch on GB3DA, even if range is poor, I should be able to make a contact or two this evening on simplex when two meters comes alive. I've never tested this Icom before, so it be good to get a radio report. I got a new mic for it because I never had one for this radio.

[Agent 48]

Yep 2 meters is alive... some spacial event stations about as well. Some good stuff will be happening on 2 meters in the next coming months. I made some contacts with my radio and new mic sounds great. I never actually tried this radio out, first time today and its bang on, perfect RX 20 watts out nice audio. I may just use this as my main 2 meter rig.

[ch25]

Going to pick brand new IC-9700 tomorrow.
Time to work some DX on UHF/VHF.
Dualband Yagi assembled and put on tower that weekend. 12 ele on 144 and 25 ele on 432.

[Strawberry]

I've just ordered a USB2RIG from ali express.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008093045852.html
They are supposed to be like a cheap version of a Digirig, It should be a fun thing to have a play about with when it arrives.
Has anyone else got one?
Neil

[MrWeetabix]

Going to pick brand new IC-9700 tomorrow.
Time to work some DX on UHF/VHF.
Dualband Yagi assembled and put on tower that weekend. 12 ele on 144 and 25 ele on 432.

been waiting for a decent-priced one to come up. I am jealous haha

[Strawberry]

I've Just bought a QRP Z match, I think it is a copy of the ZM-4.
I built a ZM-2 a couple of years ago which is a great tuner, if the ZM-4 is as good then it will be great value for money.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008398075304.html

Neil

[DX-Digger]

Just ordered a Rooster for 40m but going to fit the 60m conversion to play on that band with qrp.
https://www.kanga-products.co.uk/oursho ... eiver.html
Its only 2Watts but I plan to go portable with a 60m mobile whip.

[Strawberry]

Just ordered a Rooster for 40m but going to fit the 60m conversion to play on that band with qrp.
https://www.kanga-products.co.uk/oursho ... eiver.html
Its only 2Watts but I plan to go portable with a 60m mobile whip.

I've just been over to their site and had a gander at the PDF.
It looks like an excellent bit of kit, good price too considering you get the metal case with it.

I built a Rockmite a while ago but my code still isn't good enough to get on the air, I fell off the wagon for a whole year last year, didn't practice at all.
I've been practising every day since January this year but seem to have plateaued now.
I've been concentrating on numbers and punctuation for the last week or so as I think they are my weakest.
Neil

[DX-Digger]

I've just been over to their site and had a gander at the PDF.
It looks like an excellent bit of kit, good price too considering you get the metal case with it.

I built a Rockmite a while ago but my code still isn't good enough to get on the air, I fell off the wagon for a whole year last year, didn't practice at all.
I've been practising every day since January this year but seem to have plateaued now.
I've been concentrating on numbers and punctuation for the last week or so as I think they are my weakest.
Neil

Yes its easy to let your practice lapse, but you will get there, and yeah the dreaded brick wall, most hams who studied the Morse hit a wall, it happens, then all of a sudden you go past it, just stick at it.

[Strawberry]

Hi
Thanks for the encouragement and sorry for the late reply.
How are you getting on with the Rooster, would you recommend it?

[DX-Digger]

Hi
Thanks for the encouragement and sorry for the late reply.
How are you getting on with the Rooster, would you recommend it?

Yes I would recommend it.
I built it last Saturday didnt take long, their build instructions are very good, but slightly confusing when trying to make the 60m version.
But I got there eventually.
getting 1.8W on my qrp watt meter. so its very ballpark.
One tricky thing I found they use stereo sockets for headphones and key. so the key wiring is tip and ground
Just need to set up the mobile antenna, will try this weekend if the rain stays away

[Strawberry]

I've Just ordered a portable HF antenna from Ali Express after watching this on you tube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNoFkf_juU4
Looks like it's a good bit of kit, cheap too

[Strawberry]

I've found another video on the cheap Ali Express portable antenna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI-VLHjhIe4
Also now had notification that it has been dispatched so should be here in a week or so, maybe less.
I reckon I'll crimp some rings onto the counterpoise radials and pin them out with tent pegs.
I have three radios I could use, a little four band Xiegu G1M, an FT-817 or the MChf, I'm pretty excited about this one.