Saturday, December 30, 2017

Happy New Year around the World

Myself and my wife Teresa would like to take this time to wish our family, friends and all a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2018.
I wish to thank all my amateur radio friends, YouTube followers and more also a very Happy New Year....
https://www.youtube.com/user/VE3FAL1

Health, Peace, Prosperity and Friendship to all for 2018

Fred and Teresa
VE3FAL and VE3TLL
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Canada


Friday, December 15, 2017

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

It has been a while since I posted to my blog but have been keeping up with posted videos on my YouTube Channel as well as Google+.
Work is still taking me up North quite a bit and the store has been keeping us busy along with regular  maintenance and of course with winter here, cleaning and more cleaning.
https://www.youtube.com/user/VE3FAL1

I just want to take this time to wish all a very special Holiday Season and that Peace on earth and Respect can once again become the norm.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New year to all and all the best in 2018

Cheers
Regards
Fred VE3FAL
Teresa VE3TLL
and the rest of our Family

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Cold Water Boot Camp

Pre-production X5105 SSB Test at 5 watts


Worked David W5WAZ on 14.300 today just after 1600z. Took a bit for him to hear me in his noise, but he got me and we had a qso after that. Used the MFJ whip and counterpoise facing south direction.

This is a pre-production model and we are awaiting new firmware to be able to update some of the many issues with it. The radio charges the internal battery from any external 12v power source so no special adapter is required. I will continue to review and post as this unit progresses further.
 

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

VE3FAL WFD 2017 1O ONN



Winter Field Day Jan 28-29 2017

Fred Lesnick

Exchange: VE3FAL -10(1 station, outdoors), ONN (Ontario North)

Saturday morning packed the truck with gear and sleigh to pull into my shelter location South of Thunder Bay. This location serves as not only the area I like to hunt, hike and bike, but also my training grounds for Winter Survival as well as a training grounds for the 1st Thunder Scout Explorer Group that I am proud to be part of.

I parked the truck and pulled the sleigh in 2 kms to the location. Opened up the tent and got the fire going straight away inside as well as outside.  Morning temperature was nice and the hike was peaceful as well. Scouter James and part of the troop showed up just after 10am where we practiced building and setting primitive traps up as well as relax and enjoy the day. I prepped a spot for my KX2 in the tent and later put the Packtenna EF up in the tree’s with the help of Scouter James. We were ready to roll for the 1900z start of WFD. I opted to operate 40 meters QRP CW only as it was the only band that showed any real activity; the higher bands were very spotty. 

Scouter James and I spent the entire night out at the tent while I played off and on in the test. I was able to make 10 completed qso’s (exchanges) and actually beat my score from last year. For me it’s not hardcore, I am just out to play and hone skills both with radio and survival. 

I made a short video of the day dedicated to WFD and it can be seen on my YouTube Channel:



73 Fred VE3FAL

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Xiegu X5105 debut shortly

Probably just after the Chinese New Year, you will see the introduction into the QRP radio world the latest from Xiegu being the X5105 radio.
www.cqxiegu.com

I do not have a price as of yet for the radio but I have some information that was sent along with some pictures of the radio, the radio will have built in tuner option among other items.
Here is some of the information that I do have:

Transceiver frequency: the HAM band within 0.5~54MHz
Working mode: SSB, CW, AM, FM, PSK, RTTY
Transmit power: 5W @ Max
Frequency stability: + 0.5ppm@ boot 5 minutes
Frequency step: 1Hz
Receiving sensitivity: better than 0.25uV
Selectivity: CW:500Hz (-6dB) / SSB:2400Hz (-6dB)
Dynamic range: better than 98dB
Spurious transmission suppression: more than 50dBc
Initial tuning time of antenna tuning: less than 10S
Antenna impedance: 50
Working voltage: DC 8.5~15V
Standby current: 400mA @ Max
Machine size: 158*91*50 (mm)
Weight: [contain battery, 0.77Kg]
The built-in battery, with automatic antenna tuning function, can continuous coverage of HF+6 meters band, full mode operation, with intermediate frequency output, it can connect XDT1 data terminal equipment to become the standard of SDR, the standard 500Hz narrow-band CW filters, ADSP digital signal processing, 5 inch LCD display, small in size, is very convenient to carry, and equipped with bracket.





So just wanted to share some of the latest from China before they settle in for their Chinese New Year festivities.
More information will follow as it comes in, and we will make any updates as we get it.

https://youtu.be/ouJKSglEoME