Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6T

Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6T episodes:

• 04.13.2024

  Kevin VK6LW with results and comparisons between various low noise receive antennas for 160m to 10m

  Results of my recent experiences with various receive antennas for the LF and HF bands. Low noise with good SNR characteristics. Preamps and switching options. Bandpass filters and SO2R. Details of my latest delta loop designs can be found on...

  
• 03.17.2024

  VK6LW latest antenna project and results with 2 ele stacked X beams for the HF bands

  2ele over 2ele stacked X beams for 20, 15 and 10m. EZNEC modelling, design, switching, results and conclusions.

  
• 03.13.2024

  Kevin VK6LW (VK6T) with a wrap up of the recent BERU contest from a Western Australia perspective.

  BERU Commonwealth Contest 2024, wrap up, band conditions and observations from my operation as VK6T

  
• 01.19.2024

  Kevin VK6LW is joined by Steve VE6WZ for a chat about Steves’ latest RX antenna developments.

  Steve VE6WZ shares his thoughts on beverage antennas and explains the interesting development, improvement and detailed evaluation of his new BOG/BOL for 160m. For more information check out his YouTube channel @VE6WZ

  
• 01.14.2024

  Morse, CW, keyers, paddles and my new Begali Signature key

  This first episode for 2024 is mainly about CW and some history of the various Morse keys and paddles I’ve acquired and used over last 50 years

  
• 12.08.2023

  VK6T with CQWWCW wrap up, new X beam for HF bands, HF condx and 160m comments

  After some tower problems I designed and built a new X Beam with stacked elements 2 over 2 on my second tower. Intended to use this for CQWWCW…however some problems with 80/160 prevented an all band effort this year. So...

  
• 08.25.2023

  VK6LW/VK6T. LF bands DX propagation Antenna improvements, Tower work, Contests, CW, QRP on HF Bands

  New antenna for 160m, also working on the 80m antenna with a second element to be added for some gain, with switching direction from the shack. Propagation on 160m, upgrade to HF tower crank up system. RX antennas, QRP CW...

  
• 03.09.2023

  BERU Commonwealth CW Contest 2023. Low band DX antennas, Bandpass filters. EDZ antenna

  BERU Commonwealth CW contest, 11th/12th March. Good condx forecast for HF Bands. Great contest for both serious and casual participants. Low band antennas with 80m switched 2ele/ omnidirectional array. Homebrew Bandpass filters for SO2R with automatic band switching. EDZ antenna...

  
• 12.08.2022

  CQWW CW 2022, wrap up, conditions, antennas, 2BSIQ and SO2R operation from Kevin VK6T

  Perspective from VK6 of the CQWW CW 2022 contest. Comments on high scores, conditions, TX and RX antennas I used along with observations on how to maximise 2BSIQ/SO2R operation from VK6. Any questions or comments please email to me [email protected]

  
• 07.04.2022

  What are the best Headphones for Contests, DX and CW? Kev VK6LW & Steve VK6VZ discuss and compare.

  Headphones, everyone has a favourite pair. There is so much choice now in comparison to when Steve and I first got started back in the early 70’s. In this episode we discuss our shared experiences and compare some models that...

  
• 06.01.2022

  WPX CW 2022 wrap up, UK and EU field day preview

  WPX CW 2022, wrap up, band conditions, activity and top scores. With comments from a VK6 perspective. Preview of UK and EU field day CW contest this coming weekend. Any questions or comments please email to [email protected] and if you...

  
• 05.24.2022

  WPX CW contest preview, band conditions, receive antennas with diversity reception for contests.

  In this episode I preview the upcoming WPX CW contest, this is a great contest especially with current improved HF band conditions. Use diversity reception with separate RX antennas, this works well in stereo mode if you have a sub...

  
• 04.20.2022

  Kevin VK6LW is joined by Steve VE6WZ for a chat about Steves’ remote station project near Calgary.

  Steve VE6WZ has built a great remote station, 10 acres of land on a hilltop about 100 km from Calgary. He describes the setup and operation of the station along with details of the development of his transmit and receive...

  
• 03.29.2022

  ‘Travellers Tales’ from BERU, Commonwealth CW Contest 2022

  Mike G3VYI visits Gozo and operates as 9H6YI, Don G3XTT goes to The Gambia as C56DF and Colin travels to Cayman as ZF2CA. Listen to their travel adventures and fun they had in the BERU contest. Any questions or comments...

  
• 03.21.2022

  BERU , Commonwealth CW Contest 2022, post contest wrap up with Kevin VK6LW and Steve VK6VZ

  Review and discussion of the recent BERU Commonwealth CW Contest. Conditions on LF and HF, report on various antennas we used and tested both for TX and RX. Merits of SO2R in this contest, activity, HQ stations and travellers.

  
• 03.07.2022

  Commonwealth CW Contest (BERU) preview and discussion by Kev VK6LW/VK6T and Steve VK6VZ/VL6T

  I’m joined by Steve, VK6VZ for a preview and discussion of the upcoming Commonwealth CW Contest (BERU) this weekend, 12th/13th March. Join us for some insights and to find out more about this long running DX contest with a difference....

  
• 12.24.2021

  Amateur Radio Topics, Xmas 2021, CQWW CW report, Antenna performance, Band Condx.

  CQWW CW report, TX and RX Antenna review. Band Condx from VK6 during and after contest. SO2R with VK6T contest call. Any comments or questions please email to [email protected]

  
• 11.25.2021

  CQWW CW, Antenna projects, SO2R, New VK contest call signs

  CQWW CW preview, Antenna modelling and rebuild, HF Rx antennas for SO2R contesting. 40m 2 ele, switched wire beam. I will be using VK6T in CQWW. Any questions or comments please email to [email protected]

  
• 07.22.2021

  Amateur Radio Topics. Kevin VK6LW and Steve VK6VZ discuss the merits of various wire antennas

  In this episode I’m joined by Steve VK6VZ and we discuss the Extended Double Zepp, 2 Half Waves in Phase and simple Parasitic Wire Arrays, all of which provide gain over a dipole or a vertical. With some theory combined...

  
• 07.13.2021

  Amateur Radio Topics, July 2021

  Wire Beams for receive and transmit. SO2R with RX bandpass filters. Single mast beam for 40m with relay switched elements. Commonwealth contest. WPX CW contest. IC 7610 Screen problem. Tower and new shack project.

  
• 12.04.2020

  CQWW CW contest, SO2R, HF condx

  CQWW CW contest, SO2R operation, improved HF band conditions. Improvements to LF and HF antennas, new directional 160 and 80 m antenna. RX antenna options

  
• 06.02.2020

  WPX CW contest, RX Ant, SO2R, 160m

  Summary of recent WPX CW, Rx antennas for HF bands, SO2R training and contest setup. 160m season and antenna evaluation. IC7610 and TS590.

  
• 01.27.2020

  CQ 160m CW contest report

  Summary of the recent 160m CW contest. Band conditions from VK6.

  
• 01.23.2020

  CQ 160m CW contest

  Preview of CQ 160m CW contest this weekend. A perspective from VK6, this is a great opportunity to work some DX on Topband as activity levels should be very good.

  
• 01.19.2020

  CQWW CW, Low Band News, SO2R, Commonwealth Contest

  CQWW CW condx and report. Low Band condx and antenna experiments and performance. SO2R setup, upcoming Commonwealth Contest.

  
• 11.17.2019

  LF Antenna Tests, CQ CW Contest, Band Conditions from VK6

  LF Antenna Design with results of on air Tests on 160 and 80m. Upcoming CQ WW CW contest, HF Band conditions.

  
• 08.09.2019

  Friedrichshafen Ham Radio Show 2019. WAE CW contest this weekend, VK6 band conditions

  I visit the Ham Radio Show, Friedrichshafen, located in beautiful Lake Constance region. Fantastic 3 Day event for anyone interested in any aspect of Ham Radio. A great opportunity to try out the latest gear and find bargains in the...

  
• 05.29.2019

  Amateur Radio Topics, WPX CW contest

  Review of the recent WPX CW contest, band conditions with antenna transmit and receive performance.

  
• 04.23.2019

  Amateur Radio Topics, HF wire beams and directional switching systems

  Construction and practical ideas for HF fixed wire beams with reversible switching coax feed system.

  
• 04.10.2019

  Amateur Radio Topics, SWR facts and figures for the HF bands

  SWR, how important is a low SWR on the HF bands? Loss figures for SWR discussed.

  
• 04.03.2019

  Amateur Radio Topics. Receive antennas for the LF bands.

  Beverage receive antennas for low band DX. Latest band conditions in Perth WA

  
• 03.19.2019

  Amateur Radio Topics Episode 7, Spiderbeam tests and results, recent contests

  Spiderbeam on air tests, antenna feed systems, fixed wire beams on 40m, contests reviewed

  
• 03.08.2019

  Amateur Radio Topics Episode 6, Wire Beams and Contests

  Wire Beams, Spiderbeam HF, switched direction beam for 40m, receiving antennas. BERU Commonwealth Contest

  
• 02.09.2019

  Amateur Radio Topics Episode 5

  Overview of Quad type antennas for the HF bands. Configuration, feeding and matching the antenna. Comparison with a dipole antenna. Advantages on receive.

  
• 01.15.2019

  Amateur Radio Topics Episode 4

  Antenna design and modelling tools. Antenna analyser equipment for testing, optimisation and adjustment

  
• 01.08.2019

  Amateur Radio Topics Episode 3

  Characteristics of popular multiband antennas such as the G5RV and ZS6BKW with ideas for installation, feedlines and matching.

  
• 01.01.2019

  Amateur Radio Topics Episode 2

  Intro • Feedlines and matching the antenna

  
• 12.28.2018

  Amateur Radio Topics Episode 1

  Wire antennas design and construction overview

  
• 12.23.2018

  Amateur Radio Topics

  Amateur Radio Topics Introduction