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A8OK Liberia and A52P Bhutan


As a casual DXer, I enjoy exploring new entities on shortwave radio whenever I find time for the hobby. Recently, I had the thrill of working two new countries: Liberia A8OK and Bhutan A52P.

The excitement of making contact with Liberia, a nation rich in history and culture, was truly exhilarating. It felt like bridging the gap across continents through the magic of radio waves.

Bhutan, with its majestic landscapes and unique cultural heritage, presented a rare opportunity for me to connect with a remote and fascinating corner of the world.

Despite my limited time for the hobby, these DX achievements reminded me of the boundless possibilities that amateur radio offers. Each new contact brings a sense of accomplishment and opens windows to different cultures and experiences. It’s moments like these that make DXing on shortwave such a rewarding pursuit, even for casual enthusiasts like me.

Uitgelicht bericht

CQ WW DX Contest 2024

Participation in the CQ WW DX Contest took a different approach this year, with activity limited to a single day, Sunday, October 27. Despite the shorter timeframe, it was a rewarding experience, allowing for a concentrated focus on making as many high-quality contacts as possible within the day.

Throughout Sunday, a total of 276 contacts were successfully made, predominantly on the 10-meter band, which offered favorable conditions for long-distance communication. The 10-meter band was especially active, with clear signals and a variety of DX stations available, providing an excellent opportunity to log contacts with distant locations. A few additional contacts were made on the 20-meter band as well, although activity there was notably quieter than on 10 meters. Nevertheless, these few 20-meter contacts added a nice mix to the log, covering a range of geographical regions and bringing more variety to the contact list.

Operating solely on one day required a more strategic approach, focusing on efficient contact logging, quick responses, and maximizing time. The contest atmosphere was lively, with strong signals and quick exchanges as participants worldwide competed to make their connections. Although it was a different experience compared to a full weekend of contesting, the condensed one-day activity proved effective in staying engaged and focused.

With 276 contacts made, the event turned out to be productive and satisfying, capturing the essence of the CQ WW DX Contest and the enjoyment of connecting with stations from around the world. This single-day effort highlighted the importance of adaptability and efficiency in contesting, and it was a reminder of the global camaraderie that the CQ WW DX Contest fosters among amateur radio operators each year.

LOCATION: DX
CALLSIGN: PD5L
CLUB:
CONTEST: CQ-WW-SSB
CATEGORY-OPERATOR: SINGLE-OP
CATEGORY-ASSISTED: NON-ASSISTED
CATEGORY-BAND: ALL
CATEGORY-MODE: SSB
CATEGORY-POWER: LOW
CATEGORY-STATION: FIXED
CATEGORY-TRANSMITTER: ONE
CLAIMED-SCORE: 63002

Jörg OE6VIE

Uit het logboek van PD5L
I introduce Jörg to you, I spoke to him years ago at 20 meters. I met Jörg in person for the first time at a radio meeting in Belgium, which was in 1993. Years later, in 2016, I met Jörg again in Friedrichshafen. Most know him as president of the FT4 and FT8 Digital Mode Club.

Who are you and what is your callsign?
I am Jörg Engelbrecht, I am known as “Jo” on the bands and my callsign is OE6VIE

How did you become interested in amateur radio?
My first touch with HF was 1977 in Germany, when I was a 11 years old boy, first I used legal CB radios but got more interested in DX so soon bought an SSB Transceiver, Linear and a beam…. I got in trouble with the radio police a few times, so it was time to learn for the amateur radio license.

Since when did you get your license?
I got my first license in 1995

What is your favorite mode and band?
Well my favorite band is 6m and my favorite mode is CW.

What equipment do you use?
Hmm, I own a few transceivers old and new but my main transceiver is an ICOM IC-756PROIII. For HF I am using a Hustler 4-BTV with homemade 12/17m add-ons and 60/80m radiators. On 6m I only use a HB9CV but with great results from my QTH 900m asl. My linear amplifier is an ACOM 700S. On 2m I use an ICOM IC-7400 and a Big Wheel, for portable operations I use the YAESU FT-710.

Do you use a computer in your shack and what do you use it for?
I need a PC for Logging and to work digital modes.

Do you attend events related to the radio hobby?
Yes, I have been a few times at the HAM RADIO in Friedrichshafen, BURABU in Budapest, INTERRADIO in Hannover and of course local events within Austria.

Do you do self-build and what do you build?
I built a few LFA Yagies for 2,4 and 6m and many verticals for the lowbands.

What was your most memorable contact?
My most memorable contact was with IRØISS, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano from the ISS.

Do you have any goals or challenges with amateur radio?
The main goal was the 10 Band DXCC which I received long time ago, 6m is still always a challenge to work new DXCC, and since we are allowed to use the 60m band you can find me very often there to hunt for new DXCC.

Do you have hobbies and interests outside of amateur radio?
Difficult to say because most other hobbies are related with HAM radio like designing QSLs, Logos and awards but I like cooking 🙂

VERON kennisdagen en VERON Pinkster kamp


On Saturday, May 18, 2024, I had the pleasure of attending the kennisdagen organized by VERON, followed by the VERON Pinkster kamp. The event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the main board and various committees for introductions and knowledge sharing. It was particularly exciting to see so many familiar faces and to catch up on our shared hobby of amateur radio.

The kennisdagen  (knowledge day) was well-organized, with informative sessions and engaging discussions. The main board members and committee representatives were approachable and eager to share their expertise. We discussed a wide range of topics, from the latest advancements in radio technology to the future direction of VERON. The atmosphere was one of collaboration and mutual learning, with everyone contributing their insights and experiences.

After the kennisdag (knowledge day), we transitioned to the VERON Pinkster kamp , which was held at a picturesque campsite. The camp was bustling with activity, with dozens of radio amateurs setting up antennas on their campers and caravans. The sight of so many antennas in one place was truly impressive, and it was clear that everyone was excited to participate in the event.

The camp provided a relaxed and friendly environment for us to socialize and share our love of amateur radio. I reconnected with old friends(Peter PA2PME and Willem PD5WVE) and made new ones, all while discussing our latest projects and experiences. It was inspiring to hear about the innovative ways others were using their radios and to share my own successes and challenges.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the camp was the opportunity to participate in group activities (fox hunting) and workshops. These sessions were hands-on and interactive, allowing us to learn new skills and techniques directly from our peers. Whether it was building a new type of antenna or troubleshooting common issues, the collaborative spirit of the camp made it a rewarding experience.

PA2PME Peter

Overall, the knowledge day and Pinkster kamp were incredibly enriching experiences. They provided a perfect blend of education, socialization, and hands-on practice, all in a supportive and welcoming environment. I left the event feeling inspired and motivated, with new ideas to explore and new connections to nurture.

Attending this event reaffirmed my commitment to amateur radio and my appreciation for the VERON community. It was a reminder of the importance of coming together to share our knowledge and support each other in our pursuits. I look forward to future events and the opportunity to continue growing as an amateur radio enthusiast.

Romeo 3W3RR

Today a contact with UA6M a club station with operator Romeo, nothing special you would say. He told me that after 20 years he had become active again. He then told me that his personal call sign is 3W2RR. Search his callsign on Google to find out who he is. It was a nice conversation of about 15 minutes. 73′ Edwin PD5L

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