Willi's DXERSCORNER

The diagram shows the current directions of K9AY (red) and a planned new antenna (green). The new antenna will be integrated in K9AY with a circumference of approximately 27 meters. An RPA-2 amplifier will be used if the antenna is stand-alone. But I prefere a integration into K9AY system. The advantage of a stand-alone setup would be the ability to operate the antenna on a second SDR // for example, a recording on the first SDR connected to the K9AY. If all goes well, the antenna will be operational this summer in preparation for the upcoming solar minimum.

Planning:
GFK-Mast: DX-Wire GFK Mast
Wire: DX-Wire FL

The mast is attached to the side of the existing K9AY installation and should not require any additional guy wires. The individual components of the GFK mast are secured against slipping using suitably sturdy cable ties or adhesive tape. The 350°/170° antenna feedline is connected to the existing contacts on the K9AY box (e.g. NO/SW) using a disconnect switch. The manual switch can be replaced later by a Wi-Fi switch.

K9AY one direction: Ham parts

Graham Himmelhoch-Mutton, ABC Master Control Radio, wrote among others: Thank you for your reception report. I am happy to verify your reception of: 6PB 1152kHz Busselton @ 2130Z on 14th March, 2026.





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The 130 Wp panel increases the solar array's total output to 940 Wp. Both panels are mounted on the back of the shack and are intended to make winter operation more reliable. An expansion of the solar air collector is planned for March 2026. Both panels will then be taken offline for the spring and summer months, as they overload the charge controller. They are only truly usable now because the next dark doldrums phase is approaching.

Good conditions to Asia in the afternoon and evening.

Last winter's experiences showed how important it is to have a well-equipped emergency battery. My LiFePo4 battery is ready for this eventuality. With a total capacity of 50 Ah, it provides more than 10 hours of additional power. Weighing only 6 kg, the battery can be recharged at home in just 5-7 hours. The battery comes with a charge status indicator and a controllable app. A special charger with a fixed voltage of 14.6 V ensures proper charging.

However, the battery can be used for more than just emergencies. When the sunny days become shorter, it relieves the main power supply of the calcium batteries and thus creates additional reserves.

If the winter of 2025/26 is as cloudy as the last one, a second LiFePo4 battery is available. It is always charged and can be easily replaced in the station if necessary.

Bring on the season!

An ats-mini receiver has moved into the shack. This small but fine device is specifically used for shortwave reception without having to boot up the NUC. It is also suitable for quickly checking reception possibilities from Asia, for example, as can be seen here in the video, CNR1 1521 kHz can be heard very clearly. Once you've got used to the mirror frequencies, the ats-mini performs very well. It is connected to the K9AY with an antenna selector switch. This also makes local FM long-distance reception a great experience.

A nice, because rare, reception was recorded on the morning of 20 September 2025 from Texas. With only 500 watts of power, KLVL Radio Vida from Houston made it across the Atlantic. Vida 1480 AM is a Christian radio station.

1480_Radio_Vida.mp3

Madeira reception in good quality is a rarity on medium wave. On 28 May 2025, Radio Romania Actualitati 1530 kHz was barely audible from 0245 UT for about 15 minutes and instead PEF Canal 1 from Poiso-Chao dos Balcoes came into the foreground clearly audible.

Madeira_PEF_Canal_1.wav

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2 Diamond SP-100 lightning protection cartridges are now finally connected and waiting for a thunderstorm. The ground rods are 1 metre deep on the K9AY and 2 metres deep on the DDA.

An app can be used to analyse the charging behaviour of the batteries via bluetooth