DXCC 322 : Minami Torishima JG8NQJ/JD1

Not the most difficult one, but if you aren't in the shack at the good moment, it can take a very long time to work this DXCC.

While listening for N5J, the hamalert app beeped me up for JD1.  Worked JG8NQJ/JD1 easily on 15m CW.

DXCC 321 : Palmyra & Jarvis N5J

Good one !  The first big RIB-expedition started super FB.  Almost 10K QSO's the first day of N5J...

During the first hours of the expedition I made contacts on both 20m CW and 17m FT8.  I normally wait for a couple of days to start listening, but this time I took time to try to break the pile-ups and with success.

The new SuperFox FT8 method worked excellent !  What a nice evolution in data-transmission.
The coming days I will listen to 15/12/10 some extra QSO are possible.

Optibesteppir on the air

           

The basic idea of using the Optibeam OB5-10 in combination with another antenna has succeeded. The Steppir, which was repaired over the winter, is now working optimally again and utilizes the OB5-10 boom.

Electrically, everything is OK, but mechanically, the concept needs to be revised. I am currently using a U-profile for each element, fastened to the Optibeam boom with two screws. This system is very simple and quick to assemble, but it does not meet the mechanical demands in windy conditions. The risk is too great that lateral movements will cause the screws to bore a hole into the aluminum boom.
I need to switch to a design where the U-profile completely encircles the boom, which essentially corresponds to the mechanical model that Steppir uses. This will be a project for the coming weeks.

                                             

A second adjustment involves providing a suspension because the additional weight is putting pressure on the Optibeam boom. Due to the tilt plate, the suspension is mounted separately. This is working fine.

                                              

But it would be uncharacteristic if everything worked as it should. Two problems have arisen:

1. I was tired of constantly having to replace the ropes that operate the anti-fall plates of the mast. They deteriorate in quality due to UV light every couple of years. My idea was to replace them with steel cables. This works well, except that in a vertical position, the plates no longer fall down due to the weight of the cables. So, a bad idea.
   
   
   
   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. The old issue with the Karlock has resurfaced.
   When tilting the mast, the hook gets stuck in safety mode, preventing the antenna from becoming horizontal.
   I used to fix this by pulling on a Steppir element and manually tilting the boom a bit, but due to the weak mechanical attachment to the Optibeam boom and the weight of the combi-yagi, that’s no longer a solution.
   I’ll have to come up with something else, and I’m considering using a linear motor to push the hook aside with a rod. This is also on the to-do list for the coming weeks.

So, a lot of work ahead, but thanks to the Steppir, I’ve added two new countries while the 10m band has not delivered what I expected, despite the high solar flux.