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20140119 1340UTC 14002.3kHz TF3JB
Date : 19/Jan/2014 1340UTC
Freq : 14002.3kHz CW
Rig : SDR(PI4THT)
ANT : Mini-Whip(PAORDT)
PC recording
Nice keying and signal.. See you soon on The Air 73's : )
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I was issued the call sign TF3JB on January 14, 1974; license No. 80 in Iceland. From January 2007 to July 2012 I was QRV as TF2JB, but as of August 2012, I became TF3JB again. Privileges include all bands, all emission types and full RF power.
I have been a member of our national association, Icelandic Radio Amateurs (Í.R.A.), more or less since 1973. For 40 years I have had the opportunity to participate in various activities of this great hobby and recently finished serving as the association's president (2009-2013).
I was granted a reciprocal license by the FCC when we lived in the United States (1990-1995). During that time I completed my postgraduate studies in NYC and CT. Helga María (my XYL) also earned her academic degrees during that time. We both loved the time in the States.
A QSL card is sure via bureau or direct for TF2JB and TF3JB. If you QSL direct, kindly include a self-addressed envelope with an IRC or 2 USD. I do not use E-QSL’s or LoTW. My grid square is HP94bc. When QRV as TF3JB/1 (at the summer house in Grímsnes) the grid square is HP94ma.
73 de TF3JB.
PHOTO 1 The TF3JB operating position.
Equipment for HF.
PHOTO 7 In 2010 we commemorated that 30 years had passed since a TF record was set in the 1980 CQ WW DX PHONE CONTEST from TF3IRA in theMulti Operator Single Transmitter category. That score was finally broken by TF3W in 2012.
The photo was taken in the TF3IRA operating room and replicates the photo taken of the group during the actual contest (by TF3AC) 30 years earlier. TF3CW holds the photograph from 1980. In the frame there is also a photocopy of CQ Magazine's cover page of the contest article (with the same photograph) published in the September 1981 issue.
From left: Yngvi Harðarson TF3Y (ex. TF3YH); Jónas Bjarnason TF3JB; Sigurður R. Jakobsson TF3CW; and Óskar Sverrisson TF3DC.
PHOTO 8 In 2008 it was commemorated that 30 years had passed since the TF6M DXpedition to "Klaustur" (East Iceland). TF6M was QRV in July 1978 and almost 11.000 QSO's were made on CW and Phone on HF and via the AMSAT Oscar 6 and 7 satellites; a total of 149 DXCC entities were worked.
From left: Kristinn Andersen TF3KX; Baldvin Þórarinsson TF3-033; Sæmundur E. Þorsteinsson TF3UA; Sigurður R. Jakobsson TF3CW; Jónas Bjarnason TF3JB; Gísli G. Ófeigsson TF3G (ex. TF3US); Mathías Hagvaag TF3MHN; and Yngvi Harðarson TF3Y (ex. TF3YH).
PHOTO 9 The TF4F DXpedition to Flatey Island (West Iceland) took place in July 1977. Despite almost "black-out" conditions we managed to make over one thousand QSO's on CW and Phone on HF, including via the AMSAT Oscar 6 and 7 satellites. Photographs of the participants can be seen below as printed on the special QSL card made for the expedition.
From left: Brynjólfur Jónsson TF5B (ex. TF5BW), Jónas Bjarnason TF3JB, Baldvin Þórarinsson TF3-033, Sæmundur E. Þorsteinsson TF3UA and Kristinn Andersen TF3KX.
Amateur Radio in Iceland in Brief
THE COUNTRY. Iceland is a republic. We became independent on June 17, 1944. Prior to that we had been subjects of the King of Denmark (and earlier, the King of Norway). Population is 335.000 (2014). Total land area is 103.000 square kilometers. Much of the country is uninhabitable because of glaciers, volcanoes and sand deserts. The native language, Icelandic, is most closely related to old Norse.
View from the TF3JB/1 summer house at Swan lake QTH in Grímsnes in July 2013.
1. BANDS. In addition to the "usual" bands, we also have the following band privileges:
3. NUMBER OF LICENSEES. Just over 450 TF call signs have been issued to date (2014) by the Icelandic PTA since the first regulation for amateur radio took effect on February 7, 1947. The corresponding number of licensees is approx. 350.
4. Í.R.A. Our national association is Íslenskir radíóamatörar (Í.R.A.), founded on August 14, 1946. We have currently over 200 members; YL's are 3% of the membership. The association's headquarters is located in Reykjavík (the capital) and we have an open house for members and guests every Thursday evening from 20:00 hours.
5. IOTA, CQ AND ITU ZONES. There are 3 different IOTA numbers are allocated to Iceland. For the country itself the IOTA number is EU-021. EU-168 is used for the islands around Iceland, except for Vestmannaeyjar (and surrounding islands), that are allocated IOTA EU-071. Iceland is located in CQ Zone 40 and ITU Zone 17.
6. CALL AREAS. Further down this page, the 10 call areas are explained. Information is enclosed about activity to be the expected from each one.
7. DX ACTIVITY FROM TF. Further down this page (below the information about call areas) there is a brief discussion about DX activity from Iceland, based on information extracted from QRZ.COM.
The call areas
Iceland is divided into 10 call areas. Prior to 1981, the prefixes TF1, TF8, TF9 and TF0 were not in use. At that time, some of those call areas were differently allocated, geographically. For example, the current TF8 call area used to be TF2 call area, etc. Most activity is to be expected from the TF3 call area which is Reykjavík (and the surrounding capital region); approximately 70% of the population lives in that geographical area.
The enclosed map depicts the TF call areas (courtesy of TF2MSN).
In January 2014 these hams were potentially QRV from each call area:
The most active TF stations in DX
INTRODUCTION
In October 2013, there were 120 TF call signs registered on QRZ.COM. Of that number, 34 had more than 10.000 lookups. Supposedly, these are the stations most active in DX from Iceland. Taking a closer look, I was able to extract the data displayed below.(1)Although the conclusions drawn are accurate, the outcome of this exercise should be regarded as an indicator, since it is not a scientific study.
The following variables were examined: (1) Type of primary transceiver; (2) Type of primary linear amplifier; (3) Type of primary antenna; (4) Primary activity by emission mode; (5) Age of licensee; and (6) QTH by TF call area.
The TF3IRA SteppIR 3E Yagi antenna photographed in winter sun in December 2012.
Linear amplifier. It turns out that 78% use/own a linear amplifier. The most popular brands: Acom, Yaesu and Other (surplus, homebrew, etc.); each with a 12% stake. Ameritron, AMP Supply and SPE have each a 6% stake. Other brands: Alpha, Dentron, Drake, Emtron, Heathkit, Icom, Kenwood and OM Power.
Antennas. 52% use directional antennas, 27% wire antennas and 21% verticals. The most popular directional antennas are from SteppIR, OptiBeam and HexBeam. Other directional antennas (in primary use) are from Fritzel, Hy-gain, UltraBeam, XY antennas or homebrew. The most popular wire antennas are Cobwebbs, Deltas/loops and Long wires. Verticals: Butternut, Cushcraft, New-tronics Hustler, SteppIR, Zerofive and homebrew.
Mode of emission. SSB is the favored mode with a 41% stake. Digital modes (RTTY, PSK, etc.) have a 33% share, and CW has a 26% share.
Operator age. Average age is 58 years. Broken down, most operators are between 50-59 years of age, or 47%. About 20% are between 60-69 years; 17% are between 70-84 years; and 16% are between 24-49 years of age.
Call areas. Most operators reside in the TF3 call area (70%). DX activity is though also to be expected from TF2, TF4, TF5 and TF8 call areas.
A further point of interest is, that 24% of active DX-ers in TF have acquired a DXCC Award.
In brief:
73 de Jónas, TF3JB.
(1) Additional data needed was acquired from sources outside the QRZ.COM website.
MY QSL CARD
When I passed the Novice license examination in December 1973, I discussed with my father that I would need a QSL card once I got on the air. He suggested that I should pay a visit to an artist friend of his, Mr. Halldór Pétursson (1916-1977) who happened to have a studio close to our home. He then called Mr. Pétursson, and it was arranged that I was to visit him the next day.
I was received warmly by Mr. Pétursson. He asked me what kind of a drawing I would like for my QSL card; but I had no idea at the time. Then he asked me to tell him all about amateur radio and DX'ing. So I told him about the hobby and ended by saying that QSL cards were exchanged to confirm contacts made over the airwaves.
I guess it took me 3-4 minutes to explain things to the artist and while I was talking, he finished the drawing you can see on my QSL card above. I have always been pleased with this drawing. I still have the original artwork and nowadays I could probably sell it since his work is much appreciated. Although this is a simple drawing, he did put his initials on it, "HP.73". This artwork will however never be up for sale.
I still have a few hundred of these cards left but have, in the years gone by, had a more basic card made for TF3JB operations; almost identical to the one I had made for my TF2JB call sign when I was living at the Hvanneyri QTH (2007-2012). Feel free to request the original card if you send your QSL via direct.
73 de Jónas, TF3JB.
PHOTO CREDITS
Photo of TF3JB on top of the page - Mrs. Guðrún Jónsdóttir (Borgarnesi).
Photos 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8 - Mr. Jón Svavarsson, TF3JON.
Photos 3 and 5 and 6 - Mr. Erling Guðnason, TF3EE.
Photo 9 - TF3JB.
Photographs in the text about amateur radio in Iceland are by TF3JB.
The map of TF call areas was designed by TF2MSN.
I have been a member of our national association, Icelandic Radio Amateurs (Í.R.A.), more or less since 1973. For 40 years I have had the opportunity to participate in various activities of this great hobby and recently finished serving as the association's president (2009-2013).
I was granted a reciprocal license by the FCC when we lived in the United States (1990-1995). During that time I completed my postgraduate studies in NYC and CT. Helga María (my XYL) also earned her academic degrees during that time. We both loved the time in the States.
A QSL card is sure via bureau or direct for TF2JB and TF3JB. If you QSL direct, kindly include a self-addressed envelope with an IRC or 2 USD. I do not use E-QSL’s or LoTW. My grid square is HP94bc. When QRV as TF3JB/1 (at the summer house in Grímsnes) the grid square is HP94ma.
73 de TF3JB.
Member of Rotarians of Amateur Radio
PHOTO 1 The TF3JB operating position.
Equipment for HF.
- ICOM IC-7600 100W HF/50 MHz transceiver.
- LDG M-7600 External Meter for the Icom IC-7600.
- HEIL PR-40 Dynamic Microphone with original Heil accessories: PL2T Mic Boom; SM2B Shock Mount; SM3 Mic Clip; SB2 Arm Mic Stand and HS2 Magnum Hand Switch.
- ICOM HM-36 original hand microphone (brilliantly modified by AB5N).
- W2IHY 8 Band Audio Equalizer and Noise Gate and W2IHY EQplus Adjustable Compressor.
- ASTRON RS-35M Linear Power Supply.
- SOUNDS SWEET Communications base station speaker.
- DAIWA CN-801P 1.8-200 MHz Cross-Needle SWR/Power Meter.
- DIAMOND CX-310 DC-800 MHz Coax Switch.
- ETM-4C C-MOS-Memory Keyer by Hermann Samson (DJ2BW).
- M.P. PEDERSEN original hand key (not to be confused with the near identical Amplidan Model 50713)
- ICOM IC-2820H 50W VHF/UHF FM transceiver.
- ICOM PS-300 Linear Power Supply.
- ASTRON SL-11A Linear Power Supply.
- ICOM HM-133 and HM-154 hand Microphones.
- PALSTAR SP-30 base station communications speakers (for the simultaneous reception on VHF and UHF).
- DAIWA CN-801V 140-525 MHz Cross-Needle SWR/Power Meter.
- ICOM IC-7410 100W HF/50 MHz Transceiver (for back-up and for use at TF3JB/1).
- COLLINS 75S-3C Receiver (round emblem).
- YAESU FRG-100 Receiver.
- YAESU FP-1030 Linear Power Supply.
- HOXIN TD-14SS30 Switching Power Supply.
- JETSTREAM JTW-270 140-525 MHz Compact Cross-Needle SWR/Power Meter.
- ALPHA DELTA ATT-3G50/U Lightning Surge Protector.
- DELL Latitude E-5520 Computer.
- BHI Model 1042 Audio Switch Box.
- SENNHEISER PXC-250 headphones.
PHOTO 2 With John Devoldere, ON4UN,
renowned radio amateur, contester and author in Reykjavík Iceland on August 4, 2011. What a great guy!
PHOTO 3 With David G. Sumner, K1ZZ,
ARRL CEO, in Friedrichshafen Germany on June 22, 2012.
PHOTO 4 With Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T,
President of IARU Region 1 in Í.R.A. headquarters in Reykjavík Iceland on May 5, 2013.
PHOTO 5 With Timothy St. John Ellam, VE6SH,
President of IARU in Friedrichshafen Germany on June 29, 2013.
PHOTO 6 TF3JB is the authorized Check Point for CQ Magazine Awards in TF.
TF8GX was the first to hand in an award application on May 19, 2009; an application for the CQ WAZ Award.
PHOTO 7 In 2010 we commemorated that 30 years had passed since a TF record was set in the 1980 CQ WW DX PHONE CONTEST from TF3IRA in theMulti Operator Single Transmitter category. That score was finally broken by TF3W in 2012.
The photo was taken in the TF3IRA operating room and replicates the photo taken of the group during the actual contest (by TF3AC) 30 years earlier. TF3CW holds the photograph from 1980. In the frame there is also a photocopy of CQ Magazine's cover page of the contest article (with the same photograph) published in the September 1981 issue.
From left: Yngvi Harðarson TF3Y (ex. TF3YH); Jónas Bjarnason TF3JB; Sigurður R. Jakobsson TF3CW; and Óskar Sverrisson TF3DC.
PHOTO 8 In 2008 it was commemorated that 30 years had passed since the TF6M DXpedition to "Klaustur" (East Iceland). TF6M was QRV in July 1978 and almost 11.000 QSO's were made on CW and Phone on HF and via the AMSAT Oscar 6 and 7 satellites; a total of 149 DXCC entities were worked.
From left: Kristinn Andersen TF3KX; Baldvin Þórarinsson TF3-033; Sæmundur E. Þorsteinsson TF3UA; Sigurður R. Jakobsson TF3CW; Jónas Bjarnason TF3JB; Gísli G. Ófeigsson TF3G (ex. TF3US); Mathías Hagvaag TF3MHN; and Yngvi Harðarson TF3Y (ex. TF3YH).
PHOTO 9 The TF4F DXpedition to Flatey Island (West Iceland) took place in July 1977. Despite almost "black-out" conditions we managed to make over one thousand QSO's on CW and Phone on HF, including via the AMSAT Oscar 6 and 7 satellites. Photographs of the participants can be seen below as printed on the special QSL card made for the expedition.
From left: Brynjólfur Jónsson TF5B (ex. TF5BW), Jónas Bjarnason TF3JB, Baldvin Þórarinsson TF3-033, Sæmundur E. Þorsteinsson TF3UA and Kristinn Andersen TF3KX.
Amateur Radio in Iceland in Brief
THE COUNTRY. Iceland is a republic. We became independent on June 17, 1944. Prior to that we had been subjects of the King of Denmark (and earlier, the King of Norway). Population is 335.000 (2014). Total land area is 103.000 square kilometers. Much of the country is uninhabitable because of glaciers, volcanoes and sand deserts. The native language, Icelandic, is most closely related to old Norse.
View from the TF3JB/1 summer house at Swan lake QTH in Grímsnes in July 2013.1. BANDS. In addition to the "usual" bands, we also have the following band privileges:
- 630 meter band (472-479 kHz); as of January 16, 2013 (on primary basis).
- 160 meter band (1850-2000 kHz) in addition to 1810-1850 kHz; as of January 6, 2011, with full power (1kW) during contests.
- 60 meter band (5260-5410 kHz) on CW and USB; as of January 2, 2008. And, PSK-31, as of June 12, 2012.
- 4 meter band (70.000-70.200 MHz); as of February 19, 2010.
3. NUMBER OF LICENSEES. Just over 450 TF call signs have been issued to date (2014) by the Icelandic PTA since the first regulation for amateur radio took effect on February 7, 1947. The corresponding number of licensees is approx. 350.
4. Í.R.A. Our national association is Íslenskir radíóamatörar (Í.R.A.), founded on August 14, 1946. We have currently over 200 members; YL's are 3% of the membership. The association's headquarters is located in Reykjavík (the capital) and we have an open house for members and guests every Thursday evening from 20:00 hours.
5. IOTA, CQ AND ITU ZONES. There are 3 different IOTA numbers are allocated to Iceland. For the country itself the IOTA number is EU-021. EU-168 is used for the islands around Iceland, except for Vestmannaeyjar (and surrounding islands), that are allocated IOTA EU-071. Iceland is located in CQ Zone 40 and ITU Zone 17.
6. CALL AREAS. Further down this page, the 10 call areas are explained. Information is enclosed about activity to be the expected from each one.
7. DX ACTIVITY FROM TF. Further down this page (below the information about call areas) there is a brief discussion about DX activity from Iceland, based on information extracted from QRZ.COM.
The call areas
Iceland is divided into 10 call areas. Prior to 1981, the prefixes TF1, TF8, TF9 and TF0 were not in use. At that time, some of those call areas were differently allocated, geographically. For example, the current TF8 call area used to be TF2 call area, etc. Most activity is to be expected from the TF3 call area which is Reykjavík (and the surrounding capital region); approximately 70% of the population lives in that geographical area.
The enclosed map depicts the TF call areas (courtesy of TF2MSN).
In January 2014 these hams were potentially QRV from each call area:
- TF1 TF1BT, TF1EIN, TF1FR, TF1GC, TF1JI, TF1KIN, TF1KK, TF1MMN, TF1OG, TF1VG and TF1XT.
- TF2 TF2CL, TF2CT, TF2LL, TF2OS, TF2MSN, TF2SUT, TF2SX and TF2WIN.
- TF3 Too many to list (approximately. 200).
- TF4 TF4M.
- TF5 TF5AD, TF5B, TF5BY, TF5DZ, TF5PX, TF5SLN, TF5TA and TF5VJN.
- TF6 TF6GE, TF6JZ, TF6KZ, TF6PZ and TF6RXN.
- TF7 TF7GGE, TF7THT and TF7VM.
- TF8 TF8BAG, TF8FP, TF8GX, TF8IIN, TF8KD, TF8PB, TF8RON, TF8SM, TF8TL and TF8VET.
- TF9 Currently, none.
- TF0 The uninhabited highlands (mostly "/M" activity).
The most active TF stations in DX
INTRODUCTION
In October 2013, there were 120 TF call signs registered on QRZ.COM. Of that number, 34 had more than 10.000 lookups. Supposedly, these are the stations most active in DX from Iceland. Taking a closer look, I was able to extract the data displayed below.(1)Although the conclusions drawn are accurate, the outcome of this exercise should be regarded as an indicator, since it is not a scientific study.
The following variables were examined: (1) Type of primary transceiver; (2) Type of primary linear amplifier; (3) Type of primary antenna; (4) Primary activity by emission mode; (5) Age of licensee; and (6) QTH by TF call area.
The TF3IRA SteppIR 3E Yagi antenna photographed in winter sun in December 2012.
RESULTS
Type of transceiver. The transceivers favored are from Icom and Yaesu; each brand has a 33% stake. Other brands: Kenwood (18%), Elecraft (15%), FlexRadio (3%) and Other (3%).Linear amplifier. It turns out that 78% use/own a linear amplifier. The most popular brands: Acom, Yaesu and Other (surplus, homebrew, etc.); each with a 12% stake. Ameritron, AMP Supply and SPE have each a 6% stake. Other brands: Alpha, Dentron, Drake, Emtron, Heathkit, Icom, Kenwood and OM Power.
Antennas. 52% use directional antennas, 27% wire antennas and 21% verticals. The most popular directional antennas are from SteppIR, OptiBeam and HexBeam. Other directional antennas (in primary use) are from Fritzel, Hy-gain, UltraBeam, XY antennas or homebrew. The most popular wire antennas are Cobwebbs, Deltas/loops and Long wires. Verticals: Butternut, Cushcraft, New-tronics Hustler, SteppIR, Zerofive and homebrew.
Mode of emission. SSB is the favored mode with a 41% stake. Digital modes (RTTY, PSK, etc.) have a 33% share, and CW has a 26% share.
Operator age. Average age is 58 years. Broken down, most operators are between 50-59 years of age, or 47%. About 20% are between 60-69 years; 17% are between 70-84 years; and 16% are between 24-49 years of age.
Call areas. Most operators reside in the TF3 call area (70%). DX activity is though also to be expected from TF2, TF4, TF5 and TF8 call areas.
A further point of interest is, that 24% of active DX-ers in TF have acquired a DXCC Award.
In brief:
- A DX station is most likely to encounter a TF station operating on SSB.
- That station will either use an Icom or a Yaesu transceiver;
- use/own a linear amplifier;
- use a directional antenna;
- live in the TF3 call area; and
- the age will be between 50-59 years. (Currently, there are no TF YL's that have over 10.000 lookups on QRZ.COM).
73 de Jónas, TF3JB.
(1) Additional data needed was acquired from sources outside the QRZ.COM website.
MY QSL CARD
When I passed the Novice license examination in December 1973, I discussed with my father that I would need a QSL card once I got on the air. He suggested that I should pay a visit to an artist friend of his, Mr. Halldór Pétursson (1916-1977) who happened to have a studio close to our home. He then called Mr. Pétursson, and it was arranged that I was to visit him the next day.
I was received warmly by Mr. Pétursson. He asked me what kind of a drawing I would like for my QSL card; but I had no idea at the time. Then he asked me to tell him all about amateur radio and DX'ing. So I told him about the hobby and ended by saying that QSL cards were exchanged to confirm contacts made over the airwaves.
I guess it took me 3-4 minutes to explain things to the artist and while I was talking, he finished the drawing you can see on my QSL card above. I have always been pleased with this drawing. I still have the original artwork and nowadays I could probably sell it since his work is much appreciated. Although this is a simple drawing, he did put his initials on it, "HP.73". This artwork will however never be up for sale.
I still have a few hundred of these cards left but have, in the years gone by, had a more basic card made for TF3JB operations; almost identical to the one I had made for my TF2JB call sign when I was living at the Hvanneyri QTH (2007-2012). Feel free to request the original card if you send your QSL via direct.
73 de Jónas, TF3JB.
PHOTO CREDITS
Photo of TF3JB on top of the page - Mrs. Guðrún Jónsdóttir (Borgarnesi).
Photos 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8 - Mr. Jón Svavarsson, TF3JON.
Photos 3 and 5 and 6 - Mr. Erling Guðnason, TF3EE.
Photo 9 - TF3JB.
Photographs in the text about amateur radio in Iceland are by TF3JB.
The map of TF call areas was designed by TF2MSN.
Last modified: 2014-01-01 14:00:12, 34533 bytes cached
