Many due to Scott (VO1DR) who shares the next visitor put up:
by Scott Schillereff, (VO1DR), St. John’s, NL, Canada
On a latest journey all through Portugal (Could 29 – June 12), I operated /P QRP CW at 5 areas, with various success. Listed below are some particulars and photos that you simply may discover fascinating.
Determine 1 reveals a map of Portugal and the 5 areas the place I operated. On this journey, we have been on the transfer lots, so radio was tucked in right here and there when I discovered some free time.
I used to be packing the next gear in a small compartmented zip bag:
- ATS-V5 CW transceiver for 15, 12, and 10 m (small-run equipment from Steve Weber, KD1JV; matches into lid-less Altoids tin). My max P(out) was 1.7 W on 15 m rising to 2.3 W on 10 m.
- Homebrew whip antenna system. 2.54 m telescoping whip on prime of a 2 m digital camera monopod; raised radial (coiled as much as preset lengths to resonate on every band); no ATU; immediately wired by way of 5 m of RG174 coax to choke at rig.
- Homebrew frequent mode choke – RG174 coax threaded by means of 5 FT37-43 toroids and coiled round a bigger unknown ferrite core (scavenged from TV).
- Homebrew resistive SWR bridge – frequent design to null out an LED at low SWR; max tuning SWR 2:1; switchable out and in of Tx circuit; direct BNC connector to rig
- 30,000 mA-hr Lithium-ion battery– automotive jump-starter; light-weight (284 g); 15V and 5V no-load outputs; 15V output by means of voltage controller to rig. One cost did complete journey.
- Homebrew Voltage Controller – easy design primarily based on LM317T regulator and small V-A show (see article in SPRAT #195, p.24). Vin max 40V; Vout 1.2-37V; Iout as much as 1.5A.
- Homebrew single paddle key, made with popsicle stick inside a plastic screw-top vial.
I selected a whip- versus a wire-based antenna system as a result of I anticipated setups on lodge balconies, seashores or in metropolis parks, not “off within the woods”. Wire antennas are actually extra moveable and could possibly be taken in carry-on with out fear, however is perhaps extra noticeable throughout setups in metropolis parks. Wire antennas are additionally not a lot good on seashores or balconies (with out distant anchor factors). I wished to be much less conspicuous, and didn’t want to fret about weight.
I put all my QRP gear and antenna in my checked bag and had no hassle anyplace. I added a notice in English and Portuguese stating that this was novice radio gear for pastime use, and included a duplicate of my Canadian licence. I most likely may have taken the works in carry-on, however I used to be a bit unsure in regards to the metallic monopod and whip (is perhaps perceived as a weapon) so I simply checked all of it.
1. Lisbon Outdated City
Attributable to a *two-day* journey disruption on the way in which to Portugal (due to Air Canada at Toronto Pearson airport; one other story), we solely had one evening in Lisbon. Our lodge was a four-storey concrete and metal constructing in a slender avenue. Our third storey room had two little balconies about 3 m aside, with metallic rails. To check the waters, I mounted the monopod and whip on one balcony and tied off the radial to the opposite balcony. The antenna impedance match was positive however, both as a consequence of band situations, evening time, or metallic within the buildings, all three bands (15-10 m) have been useless. Not a single sign; not even the ghoulish drone of digital indicators; a complete bust. Not an important begin, however issues improved later – learn on!
2. Faro (Algarve Area)
We travelled by fantastic inter-city Portuguese prepare to Faro within the Algarve. Faro is a hub metropolis on this sun-drenched and slow-moving southern area of Portugal; a area the place everybody appears to be in second gear, and fairly content material there. Being a coastal metropolis, I had hopes of excellent propagation. Our schedule meant I may solely play radio at our lodge late one afternoon. I arrange in a quiet nook of a concrete-walled, 2nd storey courtyard with an open roof. The highest of the whip prolonged ~1 m above the concrete wall, however the radial was deployed totally throughout the courtyard. An enchancment on the air – I may hear various stations, primarily on 15 m, and labored LY2NK (Lithuania, 3,119 km). I used to be amazed at what 1.7 W and a whip antenna with a single raised radial may do!
3. Porto and Foz do Duoro (“mouth of the Duoro”)
We travelled on a pleasant high-speed prepare (full with espresso and snacks trolley down the aisle!) as much as Porto within the north of Portugal. Porto has a a lot completely different vibe than the Algarve. A extra working-class, energetic, business really feel, and steeped within the wine- and port-making business alongside the picturesque Duoro River. The Duoro Valley is a big viticulture area and, sure, they nonetheless stomp grapes with naked toes on harvest day (don’t fear – within the making of port, fortification with 60% alcohol (aguardente) abruptly stops sugar fermentation and kills each residing microbe within the batch!).
One afternoon, we took a clattering electrical tram from downtown Porto west to Foz do Duoro, a seaport city 6 km away the place the Duoro R. empties into the Atlantic. After an espresso in an outside café, I arrange the radio in a metropolis park adjoining to the ocean – monopod lashed to a park bench and a radial tied off to a palm tree. Determine 5 reveals my park bench arrange with a sea wall and Atlantic within the distance. In QRP radio, as in actual property, “localização, localização, localização”! Situations have been nice right here and I labored these stations on 15 m: TM56JO (France; 1,087 km); HA0DD (Hungary; 2,476 km); OU5U (Denmark; 2,146 km); LY2PX (Lithuania, 2,903 km); and 9A2N (Croatia, 2,119 km). Very thrilling! And, once more, passers-by took no discover.
4. Madeira
Air journey is pretty low cost inside Portugal, so we detoured to Madeira, an autonomous Portuguese island within the Atlantic ocean ~1,000 km southwest of Lisbon. The principle metropolis (Funchal) is about even with Casablanca on the Moroccan coast. Madeira is a really rugged volcanic island with its highest level (Pico Ruivo) 1,862 m (6,109 ft) above sea degree. We have been primarily based in Funchal and toured round to see the sweeping vistas, mountain-scapes, and steep coastal cliffs.
For the radio, I arrange on a cobble seashore proper in downtown Funchal. Off of the primary walkways, I used to be away from different folks and nobody took any discover. This lack of scrutiny matches the robust “dwell and let dwell” angle in Portugal. Importantly, I had salt water throughout and beneath me, giving glorious RF propagation. Determine 7 reveals my setup, with the town and marina within the background.
This spot was a QRP DX gold mine. In 45 min of operation, I labored EA3X (Barcelona, 1,945 km), MM9I (Scotland, 2,751 km), and PT1K (Brazil, 6,274 km). My reported RSTs have been all “5NN” which I discovered implausible given such low energy. Genuine RSTs inform such a extra significant story however, nonetheless, we had full QSOs. The Brazil contact made my day!
5. Monte Estoril
Again on the mainland, we visited buddies in Monte Estoril, a coastal seashore city about ~25 km west of Lisbon. With a day to wander, I made plans to arrange my radio in a big metropolis park close to the ocean. Extra strolling and (in fact) extra espresso introduced us to a sprawling park, full with free-ranging peacocks and… chickens! Don’t ask me why. They have been charming and all regarded glad and well-fed.
I attempted radio in two completely different locations within the park. One on a picket picnic desk subsequent to a closed-down concession stand (stone and concrete development; plenty of rebar?). Unsure what was up, however very poor reception and no stations labored. I then moved to a grassy patch amongst bushes, nicely clear of artificial issues. I tied off the monopod to an angled tree trunk and the radial to a close-by tree. Determine 8 reveals me establishing. This was higher; I heard a couple of indicators (once more, primarily on 15 m) and labored SP6JOE (Poland, 3,370 km). As with all my public radio outings, plenty of folks strolled by however nobody batted an eye fixed; and on this case, no intrusions from peacocks…
Take-away messages
- Worldwide and within-country air journey with QRP radio gear was no trouble in any respect (in checked luggage).
- In Portugal, hardly anybody seen my subject set ups and definitely didn’t intervene. I had zero questions.
- In case you can’t get excessive and clear (mountain prime), then get subsequent to (or over) salt water. My greatest working areas have been close to or at salt water.
- If anybody doubts the potential effectiveness of straightforward, compromised antennas at QRP ranges, take notice that the PT1K contact corresponds to three,691 km/W (2,292 mi/W). QRP DX is such a rush and actually jacks up your enthusiasm for QRP operation.
These final figures present among the beautiful sights and views of this stunning nation.
In my thoughts, unorchestrated /P QRP operation is analogous to salmon fishing. A number of technical gear and preparation, the enjoyable of attending to your favorite spot and establishing within the outdoor, the reflective calm of listening and ready, the necessity for skillful persistent operation, and the child-like thrill of touchdown an enormous (far) one. For a lot of, the pleasure of fishing just isn’t about catching fish. Equally, for me, /P QRP just isn’t a numbers sport, however slightly all in regards to the delight of the general expertise, even when just for a handful of contacts; and even none.
Greatest 72,
Scott VO1DR
