Amateur Radio Station W5ESE

W5ESE at Austin QRP Club Outing
McKinney Falls State Park, Texas
Photo by K5JHF

QRP

I enjoy operating at QRP power levels (less than 5 Watts), using the CW mode. I have several QRP rigs, and they seem to reproduce like rabbits!

KD1JV AT Sprint 3 (80m-20m)
Ten-Tec TKIT 1380 for 80m
Pixie 2 for 80m
Small Wonder Labs Rockmite for 80m
Small Wonder Labs SW+ for 40m
Small Wonder Labs Rockmite for 40m
Ten-Tec TKIT 1056 Direct Conversion Receiver for 40m
Ten-Tec TKIT 1330 for 30m
Ten-Tec TKIT 1320 for 20m
Small Wonder Labs Rockmite for 20m
MFJ Cub (9315K) for 15m

I also use a Tick3 electronic keyer from Embedded Research, a VE3DNL marker generator from the Fort Smith QRP Group, and an Emtech ZM-2 antenna tuner. These are all relatively inexpensive units I assembled from kits. If you haven't experienced the joy of making QSOs using simple equipment that you have assembled yourself, then perhaps you owe it to yourself to try one of the most unique experiences in Amateur Radio.

Visit my Wilderness Qrp Web Page to learn about operating QRP while on backpacking trips to wilderness areas.

dit dididit dit

The Amateur Radio callsigns with the '-ESE' suffixes have become popular among QRP enthusiasts, so I applied for the available call 'W5ESE', which was granted in November 2004. I've found this call "rolls" pretty easily off my Vibroplex Lightning Bug, unlike my prior call, 'NJ0E'.

A fun, periodic operating event is the QRP Barbershop Contest, organized by Lloyd, K3ESE, and Monty, N5ESE. I've joined with the other '-ESE' barbers in making "shaves and haircuts" available to participants in this QRP event.

Ten-Tec Omni VI

Ten-Tec Omni VI model 563 Transceiver

My primary HF transceiver is Ten-Tec Omni VI model 563. I've really enjoyed using this transceiver, and am still learning about it's various features.

Texas Slow Net

I'm currently serving as the net manager for the Texas Slow Net.

Antennas

In 2003, I installed an 80M horizontally polarized loop, fed with 50' of open wire ladder line, procured from W7FG. I use it on each of 80 through 10 meters, connected to the balanced output of my MFJ-949E impedance matching unit. I also use it on 160 meters, end fed as a Marconi.

For backcountry portable operation with a Trail Friendly Radio, I have a 40 meter doublet fed with low loss 300 ohm twin lead, which is used in conjunction with the Emtech ZM-2 impedance matching unit. I also have an end fed half wave antenna for 40 meters, which I feed against some radials. I also use the end fed antenna as a quarter wave Marconi on 80 meters.

MFJ-949E Tuner

Many hams have complained on eHam.net about quality problems with this MFJ Tuner. Although I agree with some of the postings, the tuner is working out pretty well for me. For an amateur with a transceiver with an adjustable PI output circuit, it's very convenient to have a tuner with an integral 50 ohm dummy load. I offer a few tips to using this versatile and inexpensive unit:

If your MFJ-949E is an older one, consider printing out a new copy of the user manual from the MFJ web site. The newer user manual had some tips about preventing arcing, grounding, and getting a good match that weren't in the older copy of the manual that came with my tuner.
Take the lid off and inspect the interior. Check for any loose connections. Check the spacing in the variable capacitors *throughout* the tuning range of each capacitor. My tuner had a severe arcing problem, and it turned out that there was a bent plate in one spot on one of the moving plates. After gingerly bending the plate back, I haven't had an arcing problem since.
Read the article 'Getting the Most Out of Your T-Network Antenna Tuner' by Andrew S. Griffith, W4ULD (QST, January 1995, pp44-47). This article is accessible to ARRL Members via the Technical Information Service on the ARRL web site. In a nutshell, with this (and other T-Network Tuners), your tuner losses will be minimized if a match is achieved with maximum COUT. This generally requires using the lowest inductance setting on which a good match can be obtained.
If you are trying to use this tuner on a band for which your antenna and feedline present a very low impedance, you may find it helpful to purchase a 1:1 Balun and connect it to your balanced transmission line, then connect the unbalanced input of the balun to one of the coaxial outputs on the tuner. This way, the low impedance presented at the feedline terminals won't be further reduced through the tuner's 4:1 built-in balun. (I haven't had to do this, by the way; but your mileage may vary).

Short Biography

U.S.S. Alaska CB-1

My father was a naval telegrapher aboard the U.S.S. Alaska CB-1 during the second world war. He helped me to learn the Radiotelegraph Code for my novice license.

My first call, WN5RMQ, was issued 6/25/1976. My first rig was a homebrew 6146 power oscillator. It ran about 18W input to the plate, and ate crystals like popcorn. I used it in conjunction with a used Heathkit 'Mohawk' receiver. I later upgraded to Amateur Extra, issued 9/5/1978.

CW remains my favorite mode.

My current station setup consists of a Ten-Tec Omni VI and several QRP CW kits. For CW sending, I use a pair of Bencher paddles, a Vibroplex Lightning Bug, a J-37, J-38, or an old Radio Shack straight key. I also have a Kenwood TS520 for a backup HF rig.

Join the ARRL

If you are a U.S. Amateur Radio Operator, you should consider joining the American Radio Relay League. The League represents the interests of the Amateur Radio Service before the U.S. Government, and in the International Amateur Radio Union. The League also sponsors the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the National Traffic System, has an extensive Awards program, and a useful Technical Information Service.

I am proud to be a life member of the American Radio Relay League.

Memberships

Awards

Rag Chewer's Club
Worked All States
Worked All Continents
DX Century Club - Mixed
ARRL Certificate of Code Proficiency - 25 wpm

Field Day Contacts By Mode

Field Day Contacts By Mode

TNX FER FB QSO = HPE CUL = 73 = DE W5ESE SK

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