A P E August PSK Expedition

PODXS 070 Club PODXS 070 is an International PSK Club It has ~ 2,000 members world wide To join you have to submit a log containing 50 PSK contacts. It sponsor Awards, Contests, and Events APE is on event sponsored by PODXS 070 club. They have awards, some easy to get others very difficult.

PODXS 070 Club cont’d PODXS 070 is a no dues club They sponsor 11 contests a year You get a nice certificate, and each activity you get a small item to put on your certificate. Some of the awards have their own certificate.

APE APE stands for August PSK Expedition, each year in August amateurs set up field operations and operate from the field. To be a successful APE you have to be greater than 20 miles away from your home station, and make 20 or more PSK contacts. Every weekend in August there is at least one APE and sometime several, some are overseas

APE cont’d These are fun events, and are similar to a contest/field day except they are more laid back. You will get some contacts that will be pretty long QSOs, while others are more contest like. The event is open to members and non- members.

W5WF APE Caddo Lake, TX It was a last minute deal - We had ~ 2 weeks to prepare We came prepared as we didn’t have any idea what we would encounter, so we prepared for operating at a park etc. We had a pickup full of equipment. (Didn’t need it all) We had a great time!!!

This is the antenna in the down position (except 1 section). It is made from 2 – Hamstick (mobile antennas) configured as a Dipole. It can be raised up to about 18’. We had 100’ of RG-8 as feed line.

W5WF Go-Box & Operating Position

PSK Screen – running DM780 (part of Ham Radio Deluxe – free version)

APE We had lots of time to work on APE 2013 We decided to go to Galveston We had to find a better antenna – that is how we found the End Fed Vertical This year we had 3 – PODXS members – Charles W5WF, Ken K5KRB, and Larry WB5CXC We arrived in Galveston in the Friday evening –after work.

APE – 2013 cont’d It was dark by the time we got unloaded etc. Started putting up antenna and had some hardware issues. Started again about 7:30 Saturday morning. Each Operator had to get 20 or more contacts.

APE – 2013 cont’d It took Ken about 1 ½ - 2 hours to get his 20 contacts. It took each of us about the same time to get our 20 contacts. We didn’t operate too late Overall we made 65 contacts – we operated on 20M only We had plans to operate on other frequencies, but just didn’t get around to do it

W5WF putting up the End Fed Antenna

Wind Blowing Hamstick DipoleWind Blowing End Fed Random Wire

APE 2013 QSL card – designed using HamQSLer software

APE – 2014 APE 2014 was at Grand Bayou. La We knew it was going to be a great APE when the first contact we (K5KRB) made was with Ireland. Each APE is different in the stations you are contacting etc. We operated on 15M, 20M, and 40M. During the day we had two stations going – one on 15M, and the other on 20M, 40M at night

End Fed Vertical

APE Contacts

APE – 2015 APE 2015 was at Huntsville State Park It was mainly WB5CXC, KG5DSR We operated on 15M, 20M, and 40M. Most all our contacts were made on 20M. We only made a few on 15M and 40M. The bands were poor during this weekend, it took most of the day to get our 20 contacts.

One of the two shelters we had for the weekend

APE 2015 Contacts

APE – Check List Go-Box Antenna(s) Coax Computer Hardware (connectors, fittings, rope, etc.) Personal Items (if staying over night) Water & Food

W5WF Go-Box WB5CXC Go-Box Transceiver Power Supply Antenna Tuner SignaLink Interface

K5KRB – Go-Box 2M/440 Transceiver PSK Interface Manual Antenna Tuner Icom 718 HF Transceiver Power Supply Made from an article in CQ – Using PVC pipe

Antenna You need an antenna that can be put up anywhere. (Most of the places, we haven’t seen – so we go prepared.) We have used a dipole made from Ham Sticks on a tripod. We are now using an end fed vertical with a fiberglass pole (MFJ-1914, 33’ – closed 4’) You may want to use a Antenna Launcher and put up a dipole.

Coax We bring 100’ RG-8 for each antenna and at least 1 spare roll. You should also bring extras connectors, barrels (to connect two pieces together). We usually use RG-8, but also have some RG-8X.

Hardware Kit You should carry a hardware kit (coax connectors, power poles, ohm meter, extra power cords, power strips, rope, etc.) This is used for repairs and also for the unknowns. We have had to install coax connectors, and power poles in the field. (we go by O’Tools law – it states that Murphy was an optimist)

Personal Items You should carry your personal items – extra clothes, medicines, first aid kit, etc. You will need a cooler, with water and drinks, snacks (especially if you are not in an air conditioned location – it is HOT in August). Need to think about meals. We usually go out for our meals (for fellowship etc.) Lodging if staying overnight.

Reference Presentation End Fed Antenna Antenna Launcher Go Box