Booster in HA DX 2024

Booster - Cylinder dipole

The HA DX contest is a contest with much activity. So I decided to work with my indoor Booster Cylinder Dipole. As a low power enthusiast I always work with QRP or QRPp (less than 1 W) when possible. The stonger the received signal, the lower the power can be. The Booster hangs in the Dormer Window.

The table shows the 17 QSO's that I made on 21 MHz.
21 MHz worked more easily than the other bands. Hi.
Further only one QSO on 14 MHz was made.

PA1B in HA DX 2024 with QRP on 21 MHz
Booster Cylinder Dipole - Wingspan 55 cm

Booster
The Booster is a cylinder dipole. The two cylinders, are each made from 6 Energy Booster cans from aluminium, that are cut open and bolted together.
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The Booster in the dormer window (dakkapel) PA1B

Taps on the coil. One turn apart. PA1B

HA-DX Contest 2023

I had great fun in the HA-DX Contest of 2023. I used my FT-817 QRP transceiver with CW on an End fed, that is fed via 300 ohm twin lead.

Strong signals
When I started just before 15 utc on 20 meter, I heard very strong signals. A signal of S9 can be answered with 1 W or 500 mW. But the signals were very strong: S9 + 10 dB. This gives the possibility to make QSO's with 80 mW or even 36 mW.
When I came on the band, I first looked for the stations that were received with S9 + 10 dB.

In the first two hours on the band I made 12 QSO's with 36 mW and 80 mW. All with search an pounce. (S&P) Only when I am sure the my signal is not heard, I will increase my power and try again.
The lowest power of my FT-817 with CW is 360 mW. This 360 mW is reduced to 36  mW with a 10 dB attenuator. My homebrew power attenuator of 10 dB

Later I made QSO's with 800 mW and 360 mW, when the signal strenght decreased.
When the band closed, I went to 7 MHz. After one QSO I decided to stop because it was too difficult.
My 2,7 W was not heard between all QRO-signals.

On sunday I started on 7 MHz with 2.7 Watt.
Later I went to 14 MHz to make QSO's with 360 mW, 800 mW and 3.6 Watt.
I use 3.6 W when my 800 mW is not heard.

My RIG: FT-817  (3,6W  -->  360 mW)

10 dB Attenuator to reduce below 360 mW.

Antenna: Storm or Wind proof End fed.

eQSL's from the HA-DX 2023

Here are some eQSL card from the HA-DX contest 2023.

The cards show QSO's that are made with low power or very low power.

The QSO's are made with more than 1000 Miles per Watt.

IK2UEX 36 mW 13446 MPW

IV3KKW 80 mW 6600 MPW

 

EA1WH 360 mW 1995 MPW

HG6O 360 mW 1930 MPW

OK7T 360 mW 1151 MPW

My RIG: FT-817  (3,6W  -->  360 mW)

I use a 10 dB Attenuator to reduce below 360 mW.

My antenna is a Storm or Wind proof End-fed.

HA-DX contest 2014

I had great fun with low power in the HA-DX contest.

I had to rediscover, what my Inverted vee would do.
In earlier contest I experienced, that I would need the full power
on 7 MHz and 3.5 MHz.

From the Cabrillo log:
SOAPBOX:       I fixed my Inverted Vee temporarily after a storm last year
SOAPBOX:       One wire is flat on the roof, but I still make QSO's
SOAPBOX:       Had great fun with QRPp and QRP from 100 mW to 5 watts
SOAPBOX:       Thanks for the activity in the contest

On 14 MHz my antenna is still working well.

In many QSO's on 40 m and 15 m, I had to use the full power of the FT-817.
But when the S-meters goes up, I can reduce the power.
I could also make QSO's with QRPp.
I had a remarkable QSO with HG8C.
When I gave my call with 500 mW, there were other stations also calling, but he came back for me.
This doesn't happen often. hi. Most of the time I must wait, till the frequency is clear.
I even had a QSO with 50 mW with RM22HD outside the contest.

HA-DX contest 2013

I enjoyed working with my new Inverted Vee in the HA-DX contest. At the end of 2012 Walle PE2WJW repaired my antenna which was damaged in a storm late November. The HA-DX contest was the first DX contest,  in which I could test the new antenna.
The new antenna works well.

When I started on Saturday afternoon on 20 m, I heard HA8MD with S8 +20 dB, so I immediately made a QSO with just 8 mW. This first QSO was also the QSO with the lowest power in this contest.
After that I made 4 more QSO's with very low and very low power: HA8IB - 36 mW, RA3RFA - 800 mW, UA2FL - 36 mW and HA1ZH - 360 mW.
A very good start. After that I got on the bike, because it was sunny whether.

On Sunday mornong I made QSO's on 40 m, 20 m and 15 m.
After the contest I went for a walk in the park. Not because it was sunny. It was snowing and there was wind. The very small snow flakes were moving almost vertically, so I could'nt resist. hi

In all QSO's I used the Lowest Possible Power with search and pounce in CW. So the used power in each QSO, is a very good indication of the propagation at that moment.
When I use the lowest possible power, it not always easy. Sometimes I have to give my call many times before my weak signal is heard. The frequency must be absolutely clear.

26 Out of 34 QSO's are made with more than 1000 Miles per Watt, considering the distance to the worked stations.  hi