GW4VXE's Station Diary

Noticed last night as I was playing around that the DX Commander had an SWR of around 1.5:1 on 40m. Not the end of the world, but it's normally better than that and in case of QRO operation, it's better to keep the amplifier happy by reducing return power! When I went out on my rounds (chickens, Polytunnels, birds etc) I pulled the aerial down and had a quick look and the problem was what I hoped it was - the very top section had collapsed down a couple of inches. I extended the section, put the aerial up and the SWR is now as it usually is at just over 1:1.

I suppose I could super glue that top section. I've got clips on all the joints below, but this bit of pole is too small for one of the clips.

2m still seems decent although no DX here (on the vertical at least). When I got to the shack TX9W were on 20m FT8, but it seems they went QRT just as I came on!

Actually - got back late afternoon from a trip out and noticed the top of the DX Commander had slipped again! I've put some tape on it for now and that should hopefully keep the top of the pole extended. More drama when the Alpha amp seemed to trip the shack electric supply - probably a bit of dust or fur (Pippi the cat...) in the EHT. Firing it up again seemed to clear the problem after a second.

Not much of interest on HF today; Z66SP - you don't hear many of those. And UN8JNZ on 20m - a nice QSO.