[ADXA] Congratulations and HB9Q

[Dennis Schaefer]

You guys are accomplishing things faster than I can get around to sending my congratulations!  To Earl, Steve, and Glenn and others - my hearty congratulations on achievements both radio related and otherwise!

I’ve worked HB9Q a number of times of 432 Mhz EME but the first was the most memorable.  Dan asked if I could get on 432 EME because he needed Arkansas for WAS.  All I had was an FT-897D that put out about 20 watts.   I had no antenna.  Then I remembered the old Quagi that we had used for some amateur TV activities with one of the schools.  It was made out of wood and welding wire but worked OK for an ATV hop across town.  I put it on a tripod and could decode Dan but he couldn’t print me.  I got a piece of 1 X 2 and drilled some holes and added some more welding rod elements, up to a total of about 15, I think.  Still no preamp and only 15 watts at the antenna, but I was able to work HB9Q with JT65!   This got me started on 432 Mhz EME.  I still haven’t worked more than a dozen stations, but with a small brick amp that has a preamp and a slightly bigger antenna, there are a few big stations I can work, including DL9KR and DL7APV on CW.

73,
Dennis