| January 15, 2026 01:44 UTC | 3 | Success! | After failing to fall asleep I spend some time on the current #hamchallenge. I have a 27.5m long ZS6BKW antenna. Based on that the antenna should resonate at 5.45 MHz. Since the feedline isn't matched it acts as an impedance transformer. If the I include that in the calculation I get the second plot. Which looks quite close the the plot of the NanoVNA. The plot suggest that the often quoted length of 12.2m is not optimal and a longer feedline should be used. I will keep that in mind when I need to work on my antenna again. HC03S @hamchallenge |
| February 24, 2026 09:21 UTC | 9 | Success! | A few days @dj4ram suggested on the #draussenfunker Discord to try out JT9. This quickly turned into a who can go lower challenge. The attached image shows my transmission with just 8dBm received by DJ4RAM. HC09S #hamchallenge @hamchallenge |
| March 10, 2026 21:46 UTC | 10 | Success! | @hamchallenge
I accidentally found a source of interference. I was scrolling over the bands when I noticed that that 80m was full of QRM that wasn't there a gew days ago. I was looking up 80m foxhunt equipment when I heard the tv turning of and suddenly the QRM was gone.
So I grabbed an AC filter and plugged the TV into it. It seems to help a bit (but not much). Still I count that as a success. HC10S
#hamchallenge |
| March 12, 2026 18:18 UTC | 11 | Success! | I build a small patch panel out of single sided PCB material. There are just three connectors for now since I only have one antenna but two radios. The backside already has all the markings needed for future expansion. Currently I just need to print some labels at the club station (I don't have a label maker) and I am done with this weeks #hamchallenge. HC11S @hamchallenge |
| March 20, 2026 20:46 UTC | 12 | Success! | I did a small activation of my home park yesterday. At least that was the plan. Getting the 10 QSOs required for an activation took 2 hours. Well that was partly my fault because I hadn't had enough wire for an 40m Endfed. I tried everything SSB, FT8 and CW. What worked in the end was just doing CW on 40m. SWR was infinity. But the transceiver said, that it outputs one watt. That was enough for the three QSOs so that I could finally leave the park. Thanks for all the hunters that had the patience to deal with my terrible CW.
@hamchallenge HC12S
#amateueradio #pota |