Log of key activities and significant contacts from my residence in Watsonia, Victoria Australia under the call VK3YSF.

Radio Activity 31 March, 2007, 15:42EDT

144.30 MHz SSB
Contact was achieved with Tony VK3JED Preston, Victoria Aust. using WinDRM. The digital voice mode called FRMDV experienced early difficulties however a perfect high audio quality link was finally established.

Signal report: 55

Equipment: FT736R multi-mode vhf/uhf radio running 30W

Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: Dual-band J pole antenna 

Software: FRMDV

Radio Activity 11 September, 2005, 9:10EST - Satellite contact

435.845 MHz (Down Link) - 145.950 MHz (Up Link) 

Two way contact was achieved with Allan, VK4KAZ North of Brisbane, Queensland Australia via FO-29 satellite. I have a good feel for steering the down link 435MHz Patch Array and adjusting the receive VFO to account for the Doppler effect on SSB downlink now after eight contacts on FO-29

Signal report: 5/3 

Equipment: FT736R multi-mode vhf/uhf radio running 30W 

Mode: Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: Dual-band J pole antenna (Uplink) 435MHz Patch Array (Down Link)

Radio Activity 14 August, 2005, 10:14EST - Satellite contact

435.845 MHz (Down Link) - 145.950 MHz (Up Link) 

Two way contact was achieved with John, VK6AKI Perth, Western Australia via FO-29 satellite. Fourth FO-29 satellite contact. Satellite was 50deg above the South Western Horizon at a range of 3200km.

Signal report: 4/1 (Signal was very weak barely moving the S meter most of the contact)

Equipment: FT736R multi-mode vhf/uhf radio running 30W  

Mode: Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: Dual-band J pole antenna (Uplink) 435MHz Patch Array (Down Link)

Radio Activity 10 August, 2005, 21:38EST - Satellite contact

435.85 MHz (Down Link) - 145.955 MHz (Up Link) 

Two way contact was achieved with John, VK4JWT Bribie Island, Queensland Aust via FO-29 satellite. First contact on this satellite.

Signal report: 4/3

Equipment: FT736R multi-mode vhf/uhf radio running 30W 

Mode: Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: Dual-band J pole antenna (Uplink) 435MHz Patch Array (Down Link)

Radio Activity 21 May, 2005, 15:15EST

50.140 MHz
Contact was achieved with Ray VK4BLK, Yeppoon, Queensland Aust. The signal strong an stable.

Typical sporadic E propagation for this path

Signal report = 5/5

Equipment: FT736R multi-mode vhf/uhf radio running 10W

Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: Dual-band J pole antenna 

Radio Activity 19 December, 2004, 9:35EDT

52.525 MHz
Contact was achieved with Bruce VK4BOO, Delaneys Creek, Queensland Aust. The signal featured long deep QSB with signals peaking over 5/9+ there was a number of other station within the state of Queensland attempting make contact however their signals were unworkably low.

Typical sporadic E propagation for this path

Signal report = 5/9

Equipment: FT736R multi-mode vhf/uhf radio running 10W

Mode: FM (F3E)

Antenna: Dual-band J pole antenna 

Radio Activity 7 NOVEMBER, 2004, 00:05EDT

3,585 MHz

Contact was achieved with VK7HCX  Tasmania, Australia. Trialling me new Z-Match ATU with 450ohm ladder line feed.

Ham CAP path predictor indicated that the path was as observer between Tasmania and Melbourne, Australia.

SSN (Sun Spot Number): 38

Signal report: 5/5 my signal was reported as 5/5

Radio: Kenwood TS-430 running 100W SSB

Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: Multi-band dipole Mk1 with Z-Match tuner 

Radio Activity 11 September, 2004, 12:08EST

21,295 MHz

Contact was achieved with Ed, KE6M, Banning, California, USA. Ed was running 1500Watts

Ham CAP path predictor indicated that the path was as observer between Banning, California, USA and Melbourne, Australia.

SSN (Sun Spot Number): 42

Signal report: 5/5 my signal was reported as 5/5

Radio: Kenwood TS-430 running 100W SSB

Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: 40/15m Dipole

Radio Activity 5 May, 2004, 8:39EST

21,285 MHz

Contact was achieved with Andy, JH1QYT, Chiba, Japan. 

Ham CAP path predictor indicated that the path was as observer between Chiba, Japan and Melbourne, Australia.

SSN (Sun Spot Number): 29

Signal report: 5/5 my signal was reported as 5/5

Radio: Kenwood TS-430 running 100W SSB

Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: 40/15m Dipole 

Radio Activity 26 March, 2004, 23:50EDT

7.075 MHz

Contact was achieved with Chris, VK6EWI, portable Woody Island (off the coast from Esperance), Western Australia 

Ham CAP path predictor indicated that the path was as observer between Woody Island, Western Australia and Melbourne, Australia.

SSN (Sun Spot Number): 84

Signal report: 5/7 my signal was reported as 5/9

Radio: Kenwood TS-430 running 100W SSB

Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: 40/15m Dipole 

Radio Activity 26 March, 2004, 20:28EDT

21.2175MHz

Contact was achieved with Mario, DX1MK portable Philippines. Operator DV1LWF Mario Gerlou Gabay Brgy Paciano Rizal Calamba City, Philippines

Ham CAP path predictor indicated that the path was as observer between Philippines and Melbourne, Australia.

SSN (Sun Spot Number): 84

Signal report: 4/2 my signal was reported as 5/5

Radio: Kenwood TS-430 running 100W SSB

Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: 40/15m Dipole

Radio Activity 20 March, 2004, 21:05EDT

7.084 MHz

Contact was achieved with Nedo, VA7AO, Vancouver, Canada. 

Ham CAP path predictor indicated that the path was as observer between Vancouver, Canada and Melbourne, Australia.

SSN (Sun Spot Number): 50

Signal report: 5/6

Radio: Kenwood TS-430 running 100W SSB

Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: 40/15m Dipole 

Radio Activity 6 February, 2003, 21:00EDT - SSTV

145.625 MHz FM SSTV
Contact was achieved with the station shown in the below table using SSTV (Slow Scan TeleVision). A regular net operated for many years in and around Melbourne Australia on this frequency with voice liaison on 70cm

Equipment: FT736R multi-mode vhf/uhf radio running 30W

Antenna: Dual-band J pole antenna for 2m and a Super J pole antenna for 70cm

Software: MMSSTV

Radio Activity 24 January, 2003, 22:02EDT - Satellite contact

435.07 MHz (Down Link) - 145.975 MHz (Up Link) 

Two way contact was achieved with George, VK3HV Morwell, Victoria Aust via UO-14 satellite. Satellite elevation was 85deg .

Signal report: 5/3

Equipment: FT736R multi-mode vhf/uhf radio running 30W  

Mode: Mode: FM (F3E)

Antenna: Dual-band J pole antenna (Uplink) 435MHz Patch Array (Down Link)

Radio Activity 23 January, 2003, 21:00EDT - Satellite contact

435.07 MHz (Down Link) - 145.975 MHz (Up Link) 

Two way contact was achieved with Errol, VK4KR Cooroy, Queensland Aust via UO-14 satellite. Satellite elevation only was 17deg maximum for this pass.

Signal report: 5/1

Equipment: FT736R multi-mode vhf/uhf radio running 30W  

Mode: Mode: FM (F3E)

Antenna: Dual-band J pole antenna (Uplink) 435MHz Patch Array (Down Link)

Radio Activity 14 December, 2002, 13:30EDT

50.135 MHz
Contact was achieved with Ian VK4PF, Gold coast, Queensland Aust. Ian was operating 50watts into 1/2 wave vertical attached to the house gutter. 

Typical sporadic E propagation for this path

Signal report = 5/6

Equipment: FT736R multi-mode vhf/uhf radio running 10W

Mode: SSB (J3E)

Antenna: Dual-band J pole antenna 

Radio Activity 7 September, 2002, 21:32EDT - Satellite contact

435.07 MHz (Down Link) - 145.975 MHz (Up Link) 

Two way contact was achieved with VK3AJK Lakes Entrance, Victoria Aust via UO-14 satellite. Satellite elevation was 50deg.

Signal report: 5/3

Equipment: FT736R multi-mode vhf/uhf radio running 30W 

Mode: Mode: FM (F3E)

Antenna: Dual-band J pole antenna (Uplink) 435MHz Patch Array (Down Link)

Radio Activity 15 September, 1980, 17:00EST

579.250 MHz A3F - 147.630MHz FM
Cross band contact was achieved with Frank VK3ZO East Preston, Victoria Australia.

Frank transmitted a black and white television transmission with intercarrier sound via the VK3RTV repeater.

The VK3RTV repeater had an out put frequency of 579.250MHz (This frequency has since been withdrawn from the amateur service) and an input in the 70cm band. My transmission frequency was 147.630MHz (The fast scan TV liaison frequency)

Signal report = 59

Equipment:  TS-700SP multi-mode 2 metre band radio running 10W

Antenna: Slim Jim for 147.630MHz and 14 element yagi for 579.250MHz

Radio Activity 18 November, 1979, 14:15EDT

53.80 MHz
My first 6m band contact was achieved with Richard VK3YLZ Lower Plenty, Victoria Aust.

Signal report = 59

Equipment:  Army surplus C42 low band VHF radio.

Antenna: 6m ground plan antenna.

Radio Activity 14 September, 1979, 21:50EDT - Satellite contact

29.452 MHz (Down Link) - 145.906 MHz (Up Link) 
Two way contact was achieved with VK2RX Sydney Aust via OSCAR-7 This represents for me the first satellite contact.
Signal report = 55

The up-link was easily established with only 10 Watts SSB (Single Side Band) on the 2 metre band with a Kenwood TS-700SP transceiver and a good signals were recovered on the 10 metre band down-link with a Yaesu FRG-7 general coverage communications receiver.

Radio Activity 17 June, 1979, 21:40EDT

147.0 MHz FM
My first radio contact was achieved with Alistair VK3YHF via the VK3RGL Geelong repeater.

Signal report = 59

Equipment:  TS-700SP multi-mode 2 metre band radio running 10W

Antenna: Slim Jim

See log of key activities and significant contacts from my residence in Northam, Western Australia under the call VK6YSF from 2007 - present. ACTIVITIES LOG-VK6YSF

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Page last revised 17 September, 2024