DF5RF Contest

VHF

My FM station consists of an UHF mobile Kenwood TM-451E which has an VHF receiver built-in and a duo-band handy Rexon RL-501. Antenna is a Diamond NR-77S duo-band
mobile antenna, and a dipole for 70cm. The TM-451E and the dipole are used for Packet radio, connected to a TNC2multi packet radio controller.

My first VHF station uses a borrowed Ten-Tec 1210 10m/2m transverter, driven by my Elecraft K2 HF transceiver. The connection is very simple because the T1210 can
handle 4..20W of power input and the power output of the K2 can be regulated from 0.2W to 12 W on 10meters. The K2 also has a transverter feature which makes it possible
to read the original not the IF frequency on the display!

My first antenna for 2 meters is a home-made 5 element Yagi designed by DK7ZB. I've choosen this antenna because it gives the best performance with a boom-length of only 2 meters.
This is very important to me because as you can see on the pictures my QTH is not very antenna friendly, hence portability is a must. It folds into two 1 meter pieces.The elements can
be removed by loosing one nut per element, only the driven element is held by 2 screws.
The complete construction details can be read at the DK7ZB site here . I have exactly followed the description, used the suggested material and had no problem building it.


5 element yagi quick-mounted on the balcony	Construction detail of an element

I've tested it during IARU Region 1 VHF Field day 2003 and found it easy to handle, light to carry with and sharp enough to make contacts. ODX was 552km, average distance/QSO ~200km, all made
with the Elecraft K2 plus TenTec T1210 transverter.


The 5ele yagi proudly showing off... hi.	Mast mounting using two plastic tubes which makes up a good human driven rotator.