Apr 01 2012
Today, when logging in to the LoTW application, I saw that I’ve reached 50 DXCC’s confirmed. Thanks to YL2QV for confirming our RTTY QSO on 20 meters. Half way there to obtain my first DXCC certificate. Still missing some ‘easy’ countries like Belgium, etc. My goal is to obtain 100 confirmed DXCC entities in LoTW before the end of 2012.
Mar 27 2012
Today I’ve bought a second hand Icom IC-92D handheld tranceiver to discover the D-Star protocol. The local hamshop, RYS, had a trade. This set is very complete, with Icom software, bag, GPS speakermike, interface cable with the original boxes supplied. Good to see the previous owner was carefully and neatly with his equipment!
The Amsterdam D-Star repeter, PI1RYS, had good coverage for portable use in my house in Alkmaar, which is about 20 miles above Amsterdam. I work in the centre in Amsterdam ans in the office on the channel in the centre of Amsterdam – behind the Dam Square – there is good coverage too.
Now find some time to find our more about D-Star.
Mar 04 2012
When I’ve just logged in to my eqsl.cc account I saw a certificate was waiting for me, to confirm 2-way QSO’s with 25 country’s. Well, thanks for that. I hope the next one will be the DXCC-100 certificate to confirm I’ve worked 100+ country’s. Currently the counter is on 75 countries with 36 confirmed. Hereby on top of the todo-list of 2012…
Hope the next certificate is less ugly 🙂
Feb 24 2012
I’ve worked some new DXCC’s this week, when active with PSK31. One of them is Israel, which was still missing. Good to see the 10 meter band is somewhat open now. This is the only HF band I can work, without having noise. On the 20 meter band the noise level is about S5 and on the 40 meter band this level reaches S9.
Feb 15 2012
Although I’ve listened and looked at received signals with the JT65 mode, this afternoon I had my first ever JT65 QSO (using QRP of course) with F6DKQ on 14.076MHz. I used the JT65-HF package with the simplified interface for HF QSOs. It worked a treat.
It took a time for me to figure out the right settings in combination with my Microham Microkey MK2-interface and setting the TX audio level (The ALC meter should not give any kick!) but it worked. Thanks Guy!
Feb 12 2012
Last weekend the Dutch PACC contest was held. I’ve worked for several hours. Saturday from 15.45 till 19.45 (CET) and Sunday from 9.00 till 12.00 CET. Too bad the 10-meter band was closed. I’ve worked 67 stations on the 20 and 40-meter band. All QSO’s where quite local in Europe ans Asiatic Russia. The only station outside of Europe was one in Marocco.
The QSO’s are good for an estimated total of 2046 points. Not bad for my first PACC-contest, especially when you consider that I always have a S9 noise on all bands below 25 Mhz.
Callsign: PD1AKL Category: SINGLE-OP, LIMITED, LOW, MIXED, NOVICE-TECH Band Qso Cancelled Dup Point Penalty Mult Score 160M 0 0 0 0 0 0 80M 0 0 0 0 0 0 40M 33 0 0 32 0 12 20M 34 0 0 34 0 19 15M 0 0 0 0 0 0 10M 0 0 0 0 0 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 67 0 0 66 0 31 2046
The logs are uploaded to LoTW and HRDlog. Verify our QSO here.
Update: Finally, PD0ME confirmed our QSO on LoTW. I was missing the Netherlands over there. Thanks. 🙂
Feb 09 2012
Logbook of The World – LoTW – is an exciting way for Radio Amateurs to confirm two-way contacts they have made and use the confirmations as credit toward various awards.
Because Logbook of The World uses double blind comparison, users cannot see what other users have uploaded unless there is a matched QSO. All files uploaded to LoTW are electronically signed by verified users. Logbook of The World maintains the integrity of the QSO verification process that has long been the hallmark of ARRL awards.
Logbook of The World is a very powerful system capable of collecting and matching QSO data from users all over the world. When properly configured, LoTW can accommodate a variety of operating situations, such as DXpeditions, previously held call signs and QSL managers.
By using digitally signed certificates with QSO date ranges and station locations for geographic information, Logbook of The World is able to accommodate clubs, QSL managers, Dxpeditions, mobile and rover operators just as easily as it handles the individual user with one call sign and one location.
No, LoTW does not replace paper QSL cards. But it’s an easy way to confirm QSO’s fast. Besides that, LoTW can also be used to request DXCC or WAS-certificates. Many software applications like Ham Radio Deluxe have LoTW support. Besides that: It’s fast. You don’t have to wait months (up to 1,5 year!) for a QSL card via the bureau but new DXCC’s are visible within hours after both OM’s uploaded their logs.
Is it really free?Yes, LoTW itself is free. It will only cost you 2 copies (license and passport) and a stamp to send a letter to the ARRL headquarters in the United States. Requests to subscribe to LoTW can only done by postal mail to verify yourself. The time between sending my letter and receiving the login credentials was only one week.
Sep 01 1997
I’m Randy, a 40-year old ham living in Amersfoort, which is located about 25 miles east from Amsterdam. Licensed since aged 17 (1997) and active on all bands from 160 meters up till 3cm tough VHF, UHF and SHF are prefered in (SSB) voice, ATV, CW and weak-signal/DIGI modes.
On the day to day job I work as Independent technical consultant specified in Linux Infrastructure solutions. Also doing some hands-on support stuff for repeater group Hobbyscoop, the annual Ballon Fox Hunt and trying to promote HAMNET-activities with a group of ham’s throughout the country.
Achievements:
The 1th station from the Netherlands on 144, 432 and 1296 MHz in the QRP section and the 2nd station on 144 and 432 MHz in de low-power section based on DAC and NAC results during 2018.
