• [ZS6BNE] RaDAR - The QSO Today virtual expo 2021

    From ZS6BNE via rec.radio.amateur.modera@21:1/5 to All on Tue Mar 16 03:47:56 2021
    XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated

    ZS6BNE's Blog

    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    RaDAR - The QSO Today virtual expo 2021

    Posted: 15 Mar 2021 06:37 AM PDT https://zs6bne.wordpress.com/2021/03/15/radar-the-qso-today-virtual-expo-2021/







    In South Africa we are experiencing a lot of load shedding, two and a half hours at a time sometimes twice a day! It so happened too when I was
    supposed to join in via Airmeet on my pre submitted RaDAR presentation
    hosted by QSO Todays virtual expo.




    In between these power failures I really battled to navigate the website
    and once I got reasonably familiar with the layout I was unable to get my
    video and microphone to work so it wouldnt have helped to even implement emergency power and get online.




    Ed DD5LP was the host for the session and he sent me a mail later that he
    was able to successfully broadcast the presentation. In effect, Ed saved
    the day. Thank you Ed! Ed sent me some Q&As which I will try to reply to
    here on my blog and can be distributed easily.








    Ralph KR6AI from what Ive seen it depends on the environment and the target area. Ive seen hamss using Alex loops, verticals near salt water and end
    feds. I prefer end feds as it is easy to deploy and here in South Africa we
    are many hops away from DX so I usually concentrate on NVIS communications.




    Theodore KD2TGO the official RaDAR website is one I maintain and can be accessed at http://www.radarops.co.za however RaDAR is an experience and
    many use social media platforms to share experiences and many videos are available on You Tube. The more we become RaDAR active internationally the
    more we can see the experience of others and also share our own experiences
    in the same way.








    Usually low power equipment like a KX2 / KX3 / FT-817 and even the new QRP
    Labs QCX Mini. Antennas are usually made of wire. For satellite
    communications I use a TH-D7A(g) which has a duplex facility. Antennas for satellite communications can be home brewed very easily or you can use the popular makes like those from Arrow antennas.








    Jim N7RCS I would love to write an article. I would need some contact information and guidelines.




    Dennis KD9KMK I did one challenge in a canoe. It was quite challenging but
    one can row to a point, climb out and deploy your station after moving a kilometer. Unfortunately our river dried up for reasons beyond our control
    so my canoe is no longer used. It was a fun exercise though!








    Bruce W1EJC the band of choice would be the one giving the best propagation
    at the time. I usually spend my four hours on 40m and occasionally do
    satellite deployments too.




    If I had my way Id do all my contacts on CW. Here in South Africa we have
    only a few CW operators and around ten regulars. Much of the action is on
    SSB which limits the usability of the radios like the QCX mini which is CW only. Our CW group is growing much through the driving force from Mike
    ZS6MSW so hopefully in the future we may see a CW only four hour challenge. That would be awesome!




    Much work went into the QSO Today virtual expo, the many presenters and the organisers must have had a heavy weight on their shoulders this past
    weekend. The technology I think was really awesome but complicated. I think there were many teething problems but lets continue to support Eric 4Z1UG
    in ironing out the problems that the next expo be more familiar. I felt
    lost at times and I come from an IT background!




    Have fun and spread the word of RaDAR.




    Kind regards and 73 de




    Eddie ZS6BNE

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)