MTR Field Trials

I took my MTR out on a SOTA activation to give it a proper workout in the environment it was designed for.
I elected on my local SOTA Summit, Cleeve Hill.
The rig performed flawlessly and I was happy to notch up 43 contacts with 13 DXCC entities worked.
Yet another winner from the stable of KD1JV.
 

 

MTR by Steve Webber KD1JV

Steve Webber has produced a new transceiver, this time a dual band TRX covering anywhere from 80 metres through to 20.
He has named it the Mountain Topper Radio (MTR) and it is primarily designed for low weight hiking, back packing and SOTA type activities.

MTR Kit of parts.

It's very similar architecture to the ATS4, but uses a different processor and lower speed DDS.
I managed to get my hands on one before they all sold out (on day of release) and it arrived on April 21st.

I had to put the build on hold for a while until I had some free time to set aside for the construction.

Altoids tin bashing.

 I started metal bashing the Altoids tin on the 7th May, making sure all the hardware fitted before starting construction of the electronics.




Over the next 2 nights I mounted all the componets. I opted to hand solder, like I had done with my ATS4. I built for 40/20 metres.
I completed one side of the board in one sitting, and the next evening completed the opposite side.


So on the evening of 9th May, a quick test and basic alignment ensued followed by a quick lash up on the bench to an antenna to see if it works.

First QSO.

A call on 40 Metres netted an Italian station who gave me a resounding 599 Report. Moving to 20 Metres, my call was once again answered by an Italian Station, this time with a 559 report . All that is required now is to box it up properly, complete proper alignment  and then take it out on field trials to give it a good workout.

Side by side. ATS4 and MTR

International SOTA Weekend - 5th/6th May 2012

Well it's my first year as a SOTAer so thought I'd better get out and do something rather than just chasing. Yesterday evening 20 metres was open late on into the States, so I decided that I'd make an assault on my local hill and maybe find some Stateside S2S. (G/CE-001)

I was QRV by 16:15z and started the batting on 15m. Third call in the log was Rich, N4EX, followed by N1EU, so at least we were making the trip. This was good news for me as only yesterday I realised that my ATS4 was completely deaf on 15m. I had the top off to do some drastic realignment last night so I was pleased to make 5 debut 15M contacts.

After that it was 23 QSOs on 20m, 14 on 30m and 11 on 40m.

Back on 20metres again after 2100L netted VE2 but no sign of any Stateside S2S.

By 2200 it was cold,dark and my fingers frozen so I called it quits and packed up.
Only when I got home and checked SOTAWATCH did I realise that W7CNL had been calling me. The QRM was pretty horrendous, but had I known I would have made more of an effort to pull him out.
Still a nice evening out.

60 contacts (cw)
22 DXCC

SOTA - Slemish - GI/AH-007

Slemish - 437m, 2 points

Association: Northern Ireland  Region: Antrim Hills  
Latitude: 54 52 53 N, Longitude: 6 5 54 W
Grid Reference: D 221053, QTH Locator: IO64WV

A lovely sunny day could not be missed, so my sister took me out to Co. Antrim's most distinctive summit, Slemish. We couldn't have asked for a better day, wall to wall sunshine which brought some pleasnt warmth to the otherwise cold wind. Slemish is an imposing sight when stood at the base, and requires a bit of hands on scrambling to make the ascent. It was fairly quiet with only a handful of other walkers out on the hill.

The contacts came quick and fast and in the end I ended up with 41 QSOs and 18 DXCC.
40 metres was not very productive, but when I got home I found I'd not been spotted there!

Definitely one to do again.

SOTA - Divis Mountain - GI/AH-004

Divis - 478m, 2 points

Association: Northern Ireland  Region: Antrim Hills  
Latitude: 54 36 38 N, Longitude: 6 1 10 W
Grid Reference: J 280754, QTH Locator: IO64XO

A visit to Northern Ireland to visit my family meant the possibility of a couple of GI SOTA activations.
On the 26th April after a wild wet morning the sun played tricks with me and popped it's head out enticing a quick afternoon activation of Divis.
My sister drove me to the car park and we togged up and started off for the summit.
Needless to say the sun decided to disappear and was replaced by cold blustery winds laden with moisture.

It was a wild barren walk to the summit, and once there seemed to have problems with 20 metres. I was convinced this was because of interference from the radio towers a few feet away.

I gave up with 20 and launched myself on 40 metres.
This brought a handful of contacts, but they quickly dried up, unlike us who were now huddling under waterproofs to keep dry.
I called it quits with only 10 QSOs and 5 DXCC, but overall a successful activation and there's always the next time!

 

Belfast Hill's Partnership newsletter article.

The above article featured in the Belfast Hill's Partnership Newsletter some weeks later. The fact that my sister works there may have had some bearing on this!

SOTA - May Hill - G/WB-019

May Hill - 296m, 1 point

Association: England  Region: Welsh Borders  
Latitude: 51 53 18 N, Longitude: 2 26 40 W
Grid Reference: SO 695212, QTH Locator: IO81SV

The 1st of April turned into what can only be described as a fine summer day!
With superb weather I made the trip to May Hill.
There's plenty of parking on the western side of the hill at SO690211.
It's only a short walk to the summit, a round trip of about 2 miles.

Armed with the new key, I certainly put it to use, 103 QSOs and 26 DXCC.
A great day out in the spring sunshine.

New Key.

The current key I take up the hill is just too big and heavy.

I looked at various portable keys, but  decided on The American Morse Equipment, Porta Paddle.

The kit was ordered and arrived quickly from California.

Kit of parts.

It didn't take long to put together and the result is a tiny, light, beautifully finished masterpiece.
I'm looking forward to giving it some serious use soon.

The finished key.

I've now got myself a plastic sandwich box, to which I've added foam, to hold all the components I take with me to the field.

Equipment box