Brian Sparks

RSGB
gm4jyb
GQRP
WAB ND36 Highland region. Grid square IO88jm
sparky

Search my log:-
Callsign:
Be sure to check out the popular Propagation page at http://dx.qsl.net/propagation and the #CQDX chat room at http://dx.qsl.net/cqdx.




IC7000

paddle

paddle

paddle

At home QTH in far north of Scotland.

 

gm4jyb at playGM4JYB in shack.
Operating CW with the FT1000MP on 40m. Aerial was the 40/20m sloping fan dipole up at 12m at one end and 10m at the other. Also in picture is the IC-7300 which is used on 6m and 4m. The FT1000MP is used along with an SDRPlay RSP-1 as a pan-adaptor. Logging program is Logger32. My CW key is an Eddystone single paddle. Other rigs not shown are an IC-7000, an HB-1, an HW-8, an old TS-820 along with its matching R-820 receiver and a Shimizu Denshi SS-105S. Various other homebrew rigs abound!
The TS-820S transceiverKenwood TS-820S Transceiver
Brought out of storage to use on the Caithness Amateur Radio Society club nets which take place on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm local time on or around 3.740 MHz. Using a Kenwood MC-60 microphone. Rig still gives out a healthy 100 Watts.
shack July 2020The nerve centre!
Where all my radio construction and repair projects take place. Also my parts centre where years of saved components are stored for possible future use.
My operating position is on the left of the picture.
AR88AR88
Not very pretty front of the AR88. Was a rack-mounted version with two large handles on the front and no case. No output at all when first tried. IF chain working and audio output working but no connection between them. Two 6H6 double diodes, one for the detection/AVC and the other for noise limiter --- both dead. Replaced with silicon diodes and the set sprang into life.
Back view of 40m valve rig Rear of 40m Valve Rig
This is the rear view of the 40m VFO rig. On the left is the VFO, a 713A tube on 80m, Next to that is the buffer/doubler, a EF91 which drives the PA which is an EL822 which gives 4W out. All sourced from my junk box.
This rig is used with my above AR88 for an all valve TX/RX.
40m tx40m qrp valve TX
QRP transmitter for 40m using valves. VFO is a 713A followed by buffer EF91 and the PA is an EL822. Valves to hand from my collection. Gives 4W out around the QRP frequency of 7030KHz.
Needs a long warm-up time but still drifts a bit.
HW-8Heathkit HW-8.
This is my HW-8 which I took to Saudi Arabia as a kit and it was confiscated at Dhahran airport on the way in. I recovered it later. Built in Saudi in 1981.
Spey Woodsons Spey
Woodsons NS120S "Spey" marine transmitter. Sixties vintage. Two TT22 in finals puts out 100 Watts of carrier. Modulated by a pair of TT22s in push pull. 55% Mod depth.
HB-1A HB-1A
My 3 band QRP rig. Works well on 40m, 30m and 20m. Bought for some portable work which has not as yet transpired!
Sedella1701109 Operating near Sedella on the 17th of November 2009. Grid square IM76xu. Height about 890m.
Weather was overcast and the temperature was about 21ºC