Wahoooo!!! The three remaining modules for my K2 have been completed and I am (finally!) on-the-air.
After hearing what the audio filter module can do for a CW signal, I would now consider it a must for any rig that might be used for CW – which I am still working towards.
The automatic antenna tuner module is also a must. Not only does it allow me to tune up the 40m attic dipole (on all but 160m band), but it will also allow me to get some use while camping with a random long wire antenna or a temporary dipole setup.
The SSB module was the last module to be finished, and has allowed me to finally get on the air. Saturday I heard a lot of stations calling CQ contest and issuing very brief signal reports before moving on to the next station and was able to make contact with 5 of them on 20 meters. While it was evidence that I was actually putting out a signal, it wasn’t very satisfying.
My first “real” QSO was with Michael, KC2QYR who is from New York City, but who had set up a portable station in Kent, CT. Not terribly far from my QTH here in Franklin, MA (but over 100 miles), but an exciting contact non-the-less. Thank you Michael for answering my CQ!
My first International QSL came after lunch today. I heard Rudi, DJ3HJ working a number of other station from his QTH in Germany. I tuned-up on a nearby frequency and figured out that at the end of each contact he would lead out with QRZ? (Who is calling me?) When I heard it again, I piped up with “Alpha Bravo One Hotel Juliett” and lo-and-behold, he came right back to me. The conditions on the band where not great with QRN (static) and QSB (fading in and out), but we managed to chat for a few minutes – he was putting out 750W over what sounded like some sort of beam antenna and I gave him a 59 report. I was only putting out 15W (the max for the basic K2 rig) and was quite happy to have a report of 55 – my antenna’s hidden up in the attic after all :-)
Now that I have my station up and running, I’ll have to get some pictures of my station and antenna and post them.
73,
John, AB1HJ