Last week I had a heap of fun playing 2m sideband. I saw a bit of activity on http://www.vklogger.com in the vhf/uhf section and thought I would put up the field portable mast that VK2FSJE and I built with the 2m 6 element yagi on top (setup for ssb comms). I monitored vklogger.com for a while and noticed that there had been a bit of vk3/4 action so decided to point the yagi to the north. After adjusting the “rotator” (a pegged ocky strap that is quite tight is great for securing the mast in a particular direction) I was able to hear a couple of stations working, once there was a break I jumped in. Using ALL of my 10 watts on SSB I was not overly hopeful of a QSO, especially knowing some of the setups people had that were chatting.

To my amazement VK4KAY from Mackay came back to me. Admittedly a report of 5/0 was given, but we were chatting J. We had a great chat – my very first 2m ssb dx, the smile on my face was just huge. I jumped on the computer to tell everyone I could. Then worked out how far it was – just short of 1400km!! I continued to chase the dx for a while quite unsuccessfully. Then, as quickly as the opening had appeared it seemed to go, activity on vklogger.com had all but stopped. I was beaten… For now anyway.

About 2 hours after my QSO with VK4KAY vklogger.com stopped beeping and chiming through my computer speakers. This summoned me from another room in the house to come and have a look. Another opening on 2m!!!! Yippee, time to chase some more DX. I had taken the yagi down earlier in disgust so thought I would see what I could find using the vertical. To my surprise VK4FNQ answered me. This was serious DX off a vertical using 10 watts!!! VK4FNQ located in Charters Towers some 1500km away. Another huge smile on my face. I just could not believe my luck. The best part about it – the signal report… It was even better that last time with a 5/5. I was just wishing I had the yagi still up.

A little more time spent chasing DX and monitoring vklogger.com saw me and VK2KOL tee up a QSO. Only 200km roughly, but knowing my path to Sydney is not the best I thought why not. Most of you are probably thinking 200km is not really DX – but with the range at Yetholme / Mt Ovens, and then the Blue Mountains in the way, and my bad aspect to the East I was not confident. Besides, I was still using the vertical. Well… we were able to make the contact, but only just. Loads of noise and really a pretty poor signal it was hard work. But still, it was a QSO where we could both understand each other.

I had a great time chasing the 2m ssb dx and am looking forward to many many opportunities. A thanks to VK4KAY, VK4FNQ, VK2KOL and for those I just had to tell at the time (hihi). As I type this up I am chasing 10m DX on the side – but that is another log.

73 for now

Bob

VK2FBOB