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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

@m0wut.bsky.social I'll have the KX3 back plate with me tomorrow.

peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

First graph is with the VNA directly connected at the feed point. Second graph is with the transformer in circuit and with the driven element made slightly longer to drop the resonant frequency. note how the transformer has raised the feed point from ~22Ω to ~50Ω as it was supposed to do :-)

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Here it is installed at the feed point of the Inverted L. The two horizontal wires are raised radials. The radiator goes up to ~9m then the rest is horizontal.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

And it worked ! Graphs and pictures to follow :-)

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Not the neatest but it is only a "proof of concept" experiment. It's a 2:1 UnUn transformer for an 80m λ/4 inverted-L which I measured as ~22Ω at the feed point the first time I put it up. I could just put an ATU at the feed point but I thought it would be interesting to try something different.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It only had to do about 320m yesterday. I had taken a trip to the park on Friday to see how far it was from the car park to the top of the ridge, and it's not as far as it looks on the overhead photography. Nice view from the top looking North towards Bedford.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

A very pleasant afternoon today playing radio in Apmthill Park (POTA ref: GB-4693). Several interested passers-by and 50 contacts in the log. Now I'm ready for my tea.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Oh dear, the winner's certificate is getting panned for using AI slop with bad images and incorrect information about the G-15. CCS should do better than that !

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Congratulations to "Usagi Electric" for winning the 2026 Tony Sale award for his work on the restoration of a Bendix G-15 computer.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Waiting for some of today's hunting to get logged by the activators....

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I've worked a few "Railways On The Air" stations today, and I surprised Rob (M0VFC) by calling in to GB2NHF on SSB. I got some cheeky remark about having found the microphone :-)

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

LOts of bees are having a feast on the Ivy flowers in my hedge.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Are you going to see them somewhere ?

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Found exactly what I need to match the 22Ω feed point impedance of my 80m Inverted-L in www.introni.it/pdf/Amidon%2...

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I think one of my neighbours EV charger is the source of my S9 noise below 10Mhz. I need to check correlation between low noise and car not being parked behind their house.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I spent all evening hunting. I look on it as a way to push my CW rx speed up a bit as I'm useless above ~18 wpm. Still managed 40 in the log. However there is a tangled mess of radial wires,string,radial supports and 10m fishing poles in the back of my car that will have to be sorted out tomorrow.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

A fun evening of /P for the RSGB 80m Autumn Series CW contest. I don't enter, I use it to practice receiving faster than I would normally attempt, and I'm not very good at it :-( Antenna was an Inverted L fed against two raised radials. Red = radial (other one is behind the car). Green = radiator.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

My key now smells of BRASSO and furniture polish 👍

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I thought it was time I made sure I can still use this correctly, so I just had a couple of contacts with it, but it does need polishing 😉

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

POTA activation got cut a bit short today.....

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I just took a ride up to GB-2323 Harrold Odell Country Park to check it out. Lots of picnic tables to work from :-)

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

@m1geo.com @g7soz.bsky.social Yesterday's POTA activation was at my 10th park so I've received my Bronze Activator award :-)

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Today's fun : re-trimming the three sections of the driven element now that I've added a 20m trap. I had already re-trimmed the four raised radials (also now with 20m traps) at home. Once done it seemed to work well netting 52 POTA contacts in 90m across 20m, 30m and 40m.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Tip for tuning Sotabeams antenna traps: If you are worried the tuning may change when you tighten the securing nut/bolt/washer, thread a piece of very fine wire through the hole so you can still check the tuning with the nut/bolt/washer in place. Just pull it out when done.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Can you tell what I've been doing this afternoon ?

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Looks like HF is a bit depressed this morning after a bit of a "solar sneeze".

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Ah you are on here 👋.... Yes, those are agreeable terms 😋 I'll try to remember to bring it to next months P&P if you are going to be there.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

@m1geo.com Tell Dan I have the piece he is looking for....

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

CU this afternoon. I'm stopping of at GB-1656 on the way :-)

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

@m1geo.com @g7soz.bsky.social My simple logger for POTA activations is starting to take shape.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

It's a different seat. It's not as sturdy as the other one, and is a bit difficult to get out of, but it does fold up. I've had it a while but it was hiding behind some stuff in my garage.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I was operating from the "Trolly Shack" :-)

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I had a couple of hours in Fenlake Meadowns Local Nature Reserve Bedford playing radio this afternoon.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I've had to make up new cables to go between my KX3 and PX3 as the original ones are falling apart. While they are not as neat as the originals, they aren't falling apart !

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

If I see another post about latest "best thing since sliced bread" radio 🤯

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Sorry I didn't hear you. I did work a few very weak signals, but only when they were the only ones calling. I did work G4WDZ on 20m ( and 30m) but they are only 8km away.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

43 in the log today, 11 on 20m, 21 on 30m, 11 on 40m. I tried 80m but it was probably a bit too early, though I did get some RBN hits.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

I'm going out POTA-ing in an hour or so, otherwise I might have visited, but it's a bit further than it was from Colchester.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

On the contrary, a sensible speed, smooth keying and easy to read.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

That was more rain than we've had since..... I can't remember :-)

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I heard a few rumbles while still in bed, but no sign of any rain here yet :-( Looking at the rain radar I just missed Kempston.

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peteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

KX3 was lauched in 2012 but I didn't get mine immediately, so mine is at least 10 years old.

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