6m RBTV outing to The Birtsmorton Tump

Having seen 6m and 4m RBTV pictures over the 230km path from Malvern to Kent over Christmas it was time to try for a 2 way QSO on 6m. I went to the Birtsmorton Tump at IO82UA and Noel G8GTZ went to Sparsholt IO91FN, a path of 73km. I used the Portsdown driving a retuned Nacton 6m/437MHz with the same transverter driving the Minituner on receive.

Despite high winds, making getting the 5 ele yagi into the air a challenge, the day started  well with Noel seeing my 30W signals at a 14dB MER. I went to receive and saw Noels signals, but before the receiver had time to lock the signal went away. Investigations at Noels end revealed a short circuit in his transverter, meaning the end of 6m testing

The wind having dropped , I replaced the 6m Yagi with a  9 element 144MHz yagi.  Noel saw my 333kS video at a 26dB MER and I saw a similar level from him

I also had a two way 146MHz exchange with G0MJW at 83km

Elgin B Roberson State Park and 6m dx

The forecasted storms did not materialise Sunday morning so it was time to visit another state park and get some fresh air. Looking at the map I decided on the Elgin B Roberson (South) State Park which is on Interstate 30 SE of Dallas in EM12. Examining the lake I found a length of fishing line which I  used to suspend my longwire from a tree. The rig had been left on 6m, so I was surprised to hear beacons when I turned on:- W0DMK (DM49), WR7NV (DM25), W7RV (DM35) N7JW (DM37) and K7VLS (DN24) were all heard at good strength. Listening in the SSB area I found K0YW (DM67)  a station I had previously worked off the moon who came back first call, I also worked on SSB AC7FL (DM33, ex brit) N7AMA (DM33). K6LL (DM26) KS7S (DM41) N3AIU(DM45)  W7ZR(DM24) were also worked on CW. Not bad for a 60' end fed wire. It did prove the KX3 ATU works on 6m. Grid is EM12RU

I also worked HC2AO on 17m CW before heading home