20250831 1338UTC V85NPV(Brunei)on 15m CW
V85NPV  BruneiPaper QSL cards via LZ3HI - Direct, Bureau, OQRS (Clublog) QSL: Paper QSL cards via LZ3HI - Direct, Bureau, OQRS (Clublog) Page managed by F5NPV Lookups: 222077 | |  |
20250831 1338UTC 21005kHz CW V85NPV
Freq : 21005Hz CW
Rig : ICOM IC-7200
ANT : LongWire (abt 20m)
PC recording
Logo from Vincent F4CVQ : https://www.facebook.com/HamradiologoF4CVQ
2025 Shack
Portable tube TRX (homebrew)
QSO Long path with DF3KT
POW Canteen TRX
This Transceiver has a story behind the scene since this device was initially a RX only from Prisonners of war POW during the WW2 .
I am sure building and using this device was such a relief for POW bringing a bit of confort and joy .
This project is to celebrate human ingenuity and to honor all POW have died and cannot make it to come back home.
This project was a bit a challenge since i will go for a TRX instead of a RX only.
The initial build was using a 6SK7 from the POW which was very popular during the Tube Era post WW2. I have already a 6SK7 RX but i the RX performances are just acceptable . In addtion the 6SK7 is not providing any audio amplification . Instead i will use a 12SN7 which is a double triode . One triode is the RX and the other part if this unique triode is able to provide audio amplification .
The TX is using a 12V6GT since i am now very familiar with this tube .
I am able to use this TRX from 80 up to 20m bands CW mode and for RX only from 1.5mHz up to 16mHz. This TRX is providing about about 4 up to 10w output power .
In my Shack
My Vintage (homebrew) corner
Spider quad antenna 2 elements 5 bands
Paper QSL cards via LZ3HI - Direct, Bureau, OQRS (Clublog)
I will be located in Brunei Darussalam for the next few years before to be retired in Malaysia.
Former callsign : F5NPV, FR4FP and FM5GG
I am active using mostly CW but also in SSB mode I will start to be active using VARAC and SSTV in 2023 .
FT8 but thanks no thanks and definitely prefer the man-made modes of operation and ''Pinging'' other stations is not the mode i fancy the most. Basically i use this mode RX only to check the propagation. i am mostly use it as a tool.
I had received a lot of emails asking me to activate FOX/HOUND FT8 . Well !!! I am not an expedition and what i can say you can also use your microphone or CW straight key or paddle to contact me since I am very active using Human modes CW and SSB.
My main FT8 activity is only regarding grand DX above 10000km and expedition hunting since for some stations or expeditions we have no choice , I never call CQ and will never do it.
DXing means pushing the limits. DXing requires skills, knowledge, determination, patience, endurance, investment - it's a constant pursuit of excellence and achievement. It is that spirit that makes a DXer, and not the results he or she has achieved.
I am still eager to operate myself my homebrew equipment and not relying on machine to achieve a QSO for me, experiment and learn new things in Radiocommunications.
I operate my station and equipment manually , not using any automatic features like decoders in particular for CW.
This mode must remain a human mode only . Using decoder not able to decode all kind of keying and fist is making the things really worst.
Morse code is more than just dots and dashes; it is the soul of radio. It teaches you to listen, to be precise, and to communicate when all else fails. I implore today's hams: learn this beautiful language. It connects you not just to others, but to the very essence of wireless communication itself.
My Working Condition is with 100% homemade equipements: TRX, Power amplifiers,Antennas, ATU, Power supply, SWR/PWR meter, CW Keyer, DSP Filter and few interfaces.
On the top of homebrew equipment i have 2 Hermes SDR Transceiver:
-One Hermes Lite 2.
-One Hermes V3 using FPGA evaluation kit from Altera,an ethernetboard from Waveshare.
My realtime Log : http://f5npv.free.fr/V85NPV.htm and my Live Stream : V85NPV Live Stream
In the following website you will find all my build , schematic , source code , gerber files and many more.
My Website : https://f5npv.wordpress.com/
A happy amateur radio
The Spider Quad 2 elements 5 bands (about 14 meters above the ground)
My favorite CW keyers: Vibroplex Bug Racer and GHD GN207BK (I love BUG keyer)
J36 BUGS (Vintage from last century)
Homebrew K3NG Keyer
For CW , I am using a homebrew K3NG CW keyer
I AM EQSL.CC & LOTW !
Paper QSL cards via LZ3HI - Direct, Bureau, OQRS (Clublog)
TRX
-Homebrew LMR SDR TRX QSD/QSE (YE3CIF/Arif) using a Xonar U7 Sound card for SSB and Digital --> https://f5npv.wordpress.com/homebrew-sdr-trx/ & https://www.ye3cif.com/lmr-sdr/
My latest release from 2024 - I guess it will be my last : this SDR TRX is about 5w output with enhanced RX preamp compare to the previous release.
The prototype on the left with all the mods implemented and fine tuning and the final release on the right:
Final check on the prototype:
SI5351 LO signal shape --> Perfect
For this release the TRX sequencer is form an additional circuit
From year 2020 This TRX is about 20w Output.
Another homebrew from year 2017 SDR TRX QSD/QSE for about 5w output (casing is from https://amateurradiokits.in/). This TRX is the clone of the LMR SDR.
-Homebrew Analog TRX (Blue casing is from https://amateurradiokits.in/) and SDR TRX at the bottom
-Fully Modified UBITX V4 with a lot of goodies (AGC, FFT/DSP Filter, SWR, S-meter, 70cm/2m transverter etc ....) output power up th 15w on 40m (10w on 10m). This TRX has an embedded and integrated Rasperry PI inside the casing.
https://f5npv.wordpress.com/ubitx-v4/
https://f5npv.wordpress.com/ubitx/
-Homebrew FT8Qrp --> For FT8 and RTTY mode --> https://f5npv.wordpress.com/homebrew-ft8qrp-afp-fsk-trx/
-Homebuild Hermes SDR for SSB and CW (FPGA evaluation kit from Altera,an ethernetboard from Waveshare)
-USDx SDR Home made Design for Digital modes and CW --> https://f5npv.wordpress.com/usdx-sdr-1-02-custom-design/
CW retro TRX
This TRX is almost the Paraset replica .
It is using tube 6SK7 tube for the regen Receiver and a 12V6 tube for the TX. Output power is about 10w but tonight i am using a tiny tube smplifier providing about 110w For the TX , It is crystal controlled , no VFO and currently for the 40m I have 12 (twelve) FT-243 crystal . No chirp , the TX is pretty much clean thanks to PI tank at the output
The RX is a regen receiver , very sensitive , too sensitive in fact and be be easily saturare with strong signals . Thanks to the regen control , you can attenuate a lot the strong signal avoiding saturation and keeping a cristal clear RX .
The speaker is using an audio amplifier with an 2000 to 8 ohms transformer since the RX output is high impedance
This TRX can operate from 80 to 20m band CW mode only
The power supply is 12vdc and i am using a lipo 3s battery which is sufficient since the TXR need 3 amp max during transmit
I have a lot of fun with this tiny TRX
s
Twinplex 6SN7 Regen Receiver
More detail This receiver is using a 6SN7 or 6SL7 double Triode. The AF is using a 6AU7 amplifier
More details regarding Retro Transceivers : https://f5npv.wordpress.com/retro-tube-transceiver/
Other TRX decommissioned
HF analog TXR in ammunition box
HF Analog TRX 15W multimode
Antennas :
Homebrew Spider Quad : 2 elements 5 Bands
More details here : https://f5npv.wordpress.com/cubical-quad-antenna-2-elements-5-bands/
Spider Quad antenna at about 14 meters above the ground using a telescopic mast equipped with a manual crank. The antenna is homebrew .
The Spider Quad Antenna is boomless and about 15Kg only.
Using telescopic fishing Pole about 4.20m length
The antenna is using Aluminium Wire 5356
Random Wire
Random wire 41.2m long with 9:1 unun + choke (This Antenna is a bit better compare to EFHW). This antenna is performing decently.
https://f5npv.wordpress.com/endfed-random-wire-efrw-antenna/
Amp :
Both amplifier are cathode driven with grounded grid.
Tube Amp 1 : One 6P45C 150w (with 5w input i have 100w output). This my main amplifier and provide me a perfect matching with my SDR TRX. Most of the time i am driving this amplifier with about 7 to 8w for an output power of 110w / 120w
Tube Amp 2 : Two 6P45C 300w (with 15w to 20w input i have 300w output)
https://f5npv.wordpress.com/el51m9-hf-amplifier/
Amp 3 : Mosfet IRF530 25w dedicated to FT8 and digital modes (1w input i have about 25w output)
https://f5npv.wordpress.com/irf530-mosfet-amplifier/
CW keyers and Bug:
Recording from USA :
http://hamgallery.com/dx2022/f5npv.mp3
In the pile-up:
i am a very casual operator , not using split a lot since i am not in Expedition mode and always ready for ragchewing. My average CW speed is from 23 up to 25WPM never above.
Do not expect a simple 599TU and always providing the real signal report and be polite , providing my name , working condition , WX and many more is the way to go.
For the past few months i have realized a lot of young operators have contacted me . Do not worry , i am in Brunei for few years and during CW activity i am never QRQ using decent speed to ensure even beginners will be able to contact and read me .
BEACH ON THE AIR ACTIVITY
Brunei Darussalam is really friendly for outdoor activities. i like to operate by the sea and the vertical antenna is really performing well close by the seaside. i am planning to build a VDA antenna.
Basically the configuration is :
-Candy crush red SDR TRX homemade with about 5 w output
-Candy crush blue USDX homebuild from a kit with a out 5w output
-micro Pa 50w . I use it with only 35 to 40w
-N7DDC ATU homebuild from a kit can tune with ease my vertical antenna.
-Vertical antenna 8.7m with 1:9 transformer homebrew. Great performance by the sea from 40 up to 10m. The radial is soaking in the sea water.
-VDA Triband antenna for 15-12 and 10m
-one 30000mah 12v battery (up to 4 hours roughly)
-one 30000mah power bank with a solar panel
-telescopic fiberglass pole 9m from Aliexpress.
Triband VDA antenna (15,12 and 10m)
House shack
My location is not really Ham radio friendly since I am surrounded by hills and currently i am using omni directionnal antennas likely a vertical and long wire.
Some pics of the Shack (I need to finalize the wire routing , btw it is a Ham Radio Shack and i will not going for a beauty contest)
Antenna mast
The height is about 15m
PA0FRI Balanced Universal ATU
The Current meter probe:
15630188 Last modified: 2025-08-31 01:56:41, 26579 bytes
