Jimbo's Website

About my amateur radio background

I hold the call sign M0BOV, I am QRV from 80M to 70cms. I mostly use 80M SSB and 10 meters when conditions are up. I also like 2M SSB for UK DX contacts and also FM for local QSOs. I passed my 12WPM Morse exam in Feb 98, I RXed with 3 errors but sent 100% with no corrections!

I started out on CB which I came off of in Xmas '97. I do portable ops and mobile working. The spot I go most to is High Clandon which is near Shere. There I tend to mostly do 2M FM and 80M or sometimes 40M when there is inter UK activity. I like working special events stations.

My station includes the following:-

HF - Icom IC-756Pro, W3DZZ dipole for all bands, 10M dipole, 15M dipole, Signalink data interface and ICOM desk mic.

VHF/UHF - Yaesu FT-736R with desk mic, 6M 50W linear, 2M 160W linear. 7 ele beam for 2M, 12ele for 70cms and 3 ele for 6M. Tri band collinear on the chimney.

Misc - Yaesu SP767 and SP-6 speakers, homebase scanner, matching desk mics and CDR rotator.

My VHF/UHF station I use my Yeasu FT-736R on 2 and 70cms, it runs into a tri band co linear on the chimney. It runs with a TE Systems 160W amp for 2M and a 50w 6M amp. I only use it for 6M FM. For SSB on 2 and 70 that's done with a 11ele Tonna and a 16ele Tonna for 70cms. They are mounted on a TennaMast (40feet). We use RG213 and N plugs. The audio is done with a matching Yeasu desk mic and speaker. We also have an MFJ voice keyer for those lonly CQ calls on 70cms and 6M.

My HF station Taken care of by my 756Pro, matching mic and speaker and the main antenna is a W3DZZ. We have dipoles for 15M (north south) and a 10M antenna (east west). We use the 756 Pro on 6M SSB with a 3 ele Tonna. I have full PC control using HRD and a homebrew interface. I also have a Signa Link interface for PSK31, SSTV etc..

Operating trends Currently not doing all that much, I am on 2M FM normally and waiting for GB3NS to come back on 70cms. I also use the HT (TH-D7E) when out fishing, I use GB3GF which gives a very strong signal in the Woking/Ripley area. I mail a few chums to get some activity going. Its a great repeater and a shame its not used all that much, but I do my bit.

My Blog details my mobile activities, that's updated more than this page.

Local activity I've been chatting to Paul M0TZO on my HT on 70cms, no GB3NS and there is one M3 station on near by. Went to Reigate Hill with the gang over Easter, bands in poor shape but still had fun. The next day went with Paul M0TZO to Warlingham and made a few contacts using my new 4Ele Beam on FM.

Future Plans Would like to look into the possibility of a vertical for HF. We would like to upgrade the 736 to an IC-910H, not sure if to go for the 23cms module. Anyway the rig, deskmic and amp are on Ebay now!(April07). I'd also like to changed the 70cms beam to vertical beam. Have just been testing my new 4 ele Tonna for 2M, works a real treat, can't wait to try it later in the year. UPDATE used it at Warlingham, check out the HF Mobile blog for info.

The GB3NS Yahoo! Repeater Group & HamradioForum Point your browser at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gb3ns/

The group has a few members at present and is used by Denis the sysop, to make annoucements and tech info.

Also, our new forum www.hamradioforum.net is now live, please drop by and have a look!

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About my amateur radio background