Guy's Amateur Radio Page

VK2KU

Radio interests

• Long distance communication at VHF (144 MHz) and UHF (432 and 1296 MHz)
• EME on 144MHz, using both CW and digital modes

EME scores on 144MHz

• DXCC Entities - 112/115  (new since 1 February 2012:  4U, XV,ZP )  
• US States - 48/48 (new since 1 February 2012: none) - still looking for NE, SD
• Gridsquares (EME only) - 434/470

Rigs

• HF: FT1000MP Mk5
• 50MHz: Alinco DX70TH
• 144MHz: FT1000MP Mk5,  Elecraft XV144 transverter, RFham preamp, homebrew linear amplifier (2xGU74B)
• 432MHz: Icom IC821H
• 1296MHz: Icom IC1271

144MHz Linear Amplifier

This homebrew linear amplifier uses 2 GU74B tubes and is loosely based on the LZ2US design.
I sincerely thank Marko LZ2US for his generous advice at every stage of this project.
The amplifier is at present loafing along very comfortably at 1kW output, and is obviously capable of much more.
My only reservation is that the power gain is only x50 (17dB) rather than the expected 19.5dB or so - suggestions about this are welcome.
Click here for some pictures of the amplifier: LinAmp Pictures

Antennas

• 50 MHz - 5 element yagi at 10m (5.3m boom) - not up at present
  
• 144 MHz - 4x12 elements at 12.0m (6.0m booms)
  
• 432 MHz - 2x20 elements at 12.9m (3.7m booms) - not up at present
  
• 1296 MHz - 4x30 elements at 14.6m (2.5m booms)

Click here for a general view (west) of the shack and antennas.

Click here for a closer view of the 144, and 1296MHz arrays.

The 144 array tilts up to 50 degrees elevation,
the 1296MHz array is fixed to the top of the mast and does not tilt.

Current projects

VHF Stuff

The VK-VHF Reflector

VK League Table of Gridsquare Standings

The VK VHF Dx Site

VK2KU and VK2TK Portable

Sound Clips of Various Propagation Modes

VK2KU  16th May 2012