First ever transatlantic QSO with W0YR 231010

Edmund is a radio amateur intermediate licensee in the UK - callsign is 2E0MDO. On Saturday 23 September 2010, at just before midday UK time, he managed to contact America for the first time. The working conditions are a second-hand Kenwood TS-130S, an MFJ Antenna Tuning Unit, and a short (15m) random wire antenna (and an earth connection which is not the best.)

Despite running only 20 Watts or thereabouts, Mike W0YR could hear my Upper SideBand (USB) signal in America (North Virginia). In the circumstances, and given the limited nature of my amateur radio setup, I think this is absolutely exceptional - not least because there was interference from nearby European stations. My best DX before this was Malta on the 17m band.

I am extremely pleased with this effort, and would like to thank Mike W0YR for coming back to my call, despite the presence of much higher-power stations calling him. Serious respect to you Mike. This video shows what can be done, even if you are running relatively low power and your antenna setup is not the best.

73 to radio amateurs everywhere - keep on keepin' on, particularly on HF, but don't forget 2m and 70cms for the more local contacts!

Edmund 2E0MDO

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• 2E0MDO
• 20m
• 20 meters
• amateur radio
• ham radio
• Kenwood TS-130S
• TS-130S
• TS 130S
• Kenwood TS 130S
• transatlantic QSO
• W0YR
• transatlantic DX
• USB

[MrEdTraveller]

@zs1vk - Turn the microphone gain down to practically nothing! It was approximately 20W, based on the readings on the MFJ Deluxe Versa Tuner that you can see to the right. The peaks were probably nearer 30W. 73 from 2EMDO

[107es]

W0YR is a moron with no manners such a LID

[MrEdTraveller]

@107es - Blimey that sounds a bit harsh! I had not worked W0YR before, or since. Would you care to elaborate on why you say this about him?

[Stevopedia]

Couldn't help but notice your ALC is reading too high. You want to keep it in the range marked on the meter so you don't overmodulate and cause splatter on the bands. The output transistors may not be too happy with that level of drive either. The solution is simply to reduce your mic gain. You'll lose a little power, yes, but you'll have a cleaner and better-sounding signal and your radio will be happier.

73 de AK4MQ

[ryanelger07]

Excellent example of amateur radio. Someone I used to know whose call sign i forget once had a conversation with a chap from Italy. Really considering making the investment and getting into it.

Thanks again :)

[philipkeeler]

Good work Edmund, I live in Burgess Hill, but currently on holiday in Arizona, heard you on the Brighton repeater via echolink yesterday 25th Dec 2011.

I'm just getting back into Ham Radio, currently on 15m/10m/20m FT-857 and ATAS-120 on 2m and 70cm, but struggle to get into the Brighton repeater.

Hope to speak to you down the log, Phil M1CNG

[yo8rrt]

pay attention with your ALC - is not in range.Make 50 ohms at the antenna end of radio and you can achieve about 50-60 watts in 15 m band and about 30 watts in ten meters for the transistors protection.You can reduce or increase power from filter VR1 pcb...but measure with dummy load.

[yo8rrt]

yesterday I worked with w0yr with my ts130s radio in 21.230 khz.It,s ok for me since I,ve been heard on the coast with my equipment.Antenna is long wire 30 meters long with a simple toroid balun to the cable end.The wire is positioned between my floor and one block about 30meters high, so it is a kind of sloper and worked from 30m to about 12m band.So I can worked about everything is on the position SE -NW.The equipment is good I dont bother with the power since I ve been heard in YB hi.best 73!

[spymsn]

W0YR is worst Amateur an embarrassment to the USA!!! look my video

[spymsn]

@107es yes is a son of the bitch a have a video look my profile

[zs1vk]

I also have a TS-130s. How did you reduce the power to 20 watts?

[2E0VCU]

Good Effort Edmond. 73's De 2E0VCU