TopBand: VK9WM

[Bernie, ZS4TX]

Hi,

I left the radio on 7085 while I was filling out QSLs and suddenly heard
VK9WM
calling CQ with no takers.  

Fumbling for the mic in the drawer and after smudging the ink still wet on
NI6T's 
QSL card, I managed to hook up with the operator Bill VK4FW who even took a

few minutes to chat with me.  

After pulling him down to 1813(!) he told me about their problems getting
on topband from the start.

Apparently they had a duobander (80/160) vertical that they were going to
use
but the strong wind was bending (or bent) the feedpoint attachment so that
it 
shorted out and made the antenna useless on both bands.

They took the 160m top section (loading wire) off and with pieces from 
from a 
wind damaged HF2V, a tribander and an extra section of mast  they
constructed
a (in his words "a spaghetti type") vertical  about 50 feet tall with an
extension
wire sloping to ground.  27 radials completed the setup.

According to him they made about 170 topband QSOs so far working 10
different countries.

It seems that the "enjoyable DX outing " they had in mind turned out to be
a real antenna
riggers nightmare!  Bill is still there on 7085 now working EU and the
tension of the week is 
showing clearly as he tries to disciplines the masses!  Now calling "Africa
ONLY"!!  You do
not hear that often!

They are leaving Monday morning at sunrise.  

Good luck

Bernie
ZS4TX










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