LD1XG - dstar access node

I have activated a experimental simplex DSTAR node in JO59EK. Callsign is LD1XG-B, radio is an IC7000 putting out around 20 watts to a HL6111 vertical antenna (95 masl) on 433.675 MHz. The system covers the whole central eastern norway area.

The software is (Windows) DV-RPTR Repeater and irdDDB Gateway from G4KLX, and the hardware is DVRPTR_V1.

Open DV website


The node being experimental, uptime can vary according to my experiments.

See the ircDDB status page for current status, and check out DCS13 on xreflector  to see activity.

Begali Magnetic Traveler Light

Today I received my long awaited Begali Magnetic Traveler Light.

From before I have the  Bencher BY-2 Chrome, and the Kent TPKA. I started out my "paddling" career with the Bencher, as everywhere I turned I was told that it was the best of the best. As my sending speed increased however, I became very aware of the serious limitations of that paddle. A fellow ham had a Kent paddle he didn't use, I tried it, liked it and bought it. The difference was like night and day, compared to the sloppy Bencher (I do know how to adjust it). I could manage fairly high speeds (30-35wpm) for longer periods of time without messing up. I still use the Kent, and will never part with it.

The Begali keys are a entirely different beast. They are as close to perfection as possible, I believe. Precision ball-bearings, and opposing magnetic fields instead of springs, removes most variables that can cause a paddle to deteriorate over time. All adjustments are super tight, and stay that way. It can be adjusted with so close spacings that sneezing towards it can make it trigger. With this thing the only limitation is the operator.

The Traveller is designed as a fold up device to make it survive being thrown in a suitcase, or in my case a huge duffel-bag. I have brought this paddle along on a lot of trips, both to sea and around the world, and there is not a single scratch on it. It's a bit on the light side, so it sometimes moves under my too heavy hand. This is by design however. Compared to the Bencher and Kent I'd say it's about the same weight. Mind you, this is not a small paddle, like ex. the Palm Radio paddle (wich I also own by the way), it's more like one-third of a brick.

I highly recommend it for anyone travelling. If I was to use it only at home, I would probably have bought the Magnetic Classic or the Sculpture instead. For for mountain hiking where weight is an important issue, I still use my featherweight Palm Radio mini paddle.

Six-meter opening in the Barents Sea

In July 2012 I was out in the Barents Sea on the research vessel HU Sverdrup II, and did quite a few QSO´s as LA5EKA/MM. The culmination of that operation was a six-meter opening from KQ80 to central Europe during the NAC VHF six-meter contest ! I had 19 qso´s during the opening, and I think I can safely say that it was probably the first operation ever on six from KQ80 (being in the middle of nowhere).

The equipment was as it always is at the time, my Elecraft KX3, fully equipped, and a 2x12.5 trapped dipole - up about 10 meters.

If you look closely, you can see the antenna (tip: look for the traps).

Elecraft KX3

Received my Elecraft KX3 S/N 196 today.


Initial impressions, a bit bigger than I had imagined, the accompanying paddle had connection-issues and there some BC intermod present. Also there is a high frequency whining present in the audio at all times (noticeable only on high quality speakers/phones).  Other than that a excellent radio, at least as good as my IC7700 (bar the TX power). Compared to my IC7700 it seems equally sensitive, the audio is silky smooth. The IC7700 has a bullet-proof front end, but other than that the KX3 is quite en par. There are a few fimware issues, but they will probably be ironed out shortly.




It will not replace my Elecraft KX1 for extreme portable use, but probably for everything else. See the images for a size comparison between the KX3, KX1, Elecraft T1 and a old android phone.

I have also tested running PSK31 and RTTY using the built in encoder/decoder and a paddle. It works surprisingly well. I am a CW guy, to sending via the paddle is second nature to me, it might be a bit more fiddly for those not accustomed to sending via a paddle.