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W3LPL

12/1/2016

2 Comments

 

Episode 122 - Frank Donovan - W3LPL

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Contest Super Station owner, Frank Donovan, W3LPL, will tell you that his ham radio story began in 1923 when his grandfather collected parts and built single tube receivers for friends and family. These parts and grandpa’s expertise were young Frank's introduction to electronics and radio many years later. With the support of his radio clubs and Elmers, Frank, focuses on the technology and engineering to create a super contest station that wins contests throughout the year. W3LPL is my QSO Today.

Show Notes
Listen to Podcast
W3LPL Links: 
Contest University biography
W3LPL Station Tour

W3LPL antenna farm from W8WWV’s quadcopter
​

First SWL receiver: Hallicrafters S-38D receiver

First License: 1959, KN1LPL, Novice,
Upgrade: 1960, Boston, General, K1LPL

W1OP Providence Radio Association

Popular Electronics,  Herb Bryer,  W9EGQ

First Elmer: Frank Heiss,  W1WJY

First Rig:
  • Hallicrafters S-38D
  • Ameco AC1 Transmitter Kit
  • 35 foot wire from the house to a tree
  • 80 meters
  • Receiver upgrade: Hallicrafters S108

First DX contact: Mike KZ5MQN first DX contact, Panama Canal Zone

Providence Radio Association

Education: BSEE, University of Rhode Island

Potomac Valley Radio Club

CQ magazine cover description, May 1999 Edition, that said, “Through a combination of aggressive pursuit of surplus government tower materials and thoughtful, common sense station design, where he home-brewed the single-band amplifiers himself, Frank has consistently produced champagne-budget results with beer-budget input.”  

June 21st Tornado W3LPL

Confirmed Tornado in Maryland Downs Tower at W3LPL Contest Station

W3AO Field Day

AB105 tower

Columbia Amateur Radio Association

W3LPL Super Station:
  • Elecraft K3 , diversity operation
  • Yaesu FTDX 5000 good on SSB
  • 12 operating positions, each position dedicated to one of 6 bands.
  • WinTest Software
DX Clusters

PVDXSN Packet Cluster Network

ARRL DX Contest SSB

Phased vertical receive array

8 Circle Array

VE3NEA CW Skimmer automatic DX spotting

Reverse Beacon Network

Contest University - Frank’s 2016 talk  

Recommended first rigs for new or returning hams under $500.00:
  • Kenwood TS-830S
  • Kenwood TS-850
  • Kenwood TS-940S

Under $1000: Yaesu FT1000MP

Most excited by:
  • New technical innovation including:
  • Receiving Antenna  Arrays
  • CW Skimmer

Advice to new or returning hams:  Join a local radio club


The RSS Feed for all audio content from QSO today is available from here. 

Please join our QSO Today community by pressing the button below. It is the best way to suggest guests and topics, and provide feedback to Eric, 4Z1UG.
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Hallicrafters S-38D General Coverage Receiver
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Ameco AC-1 Transmitter Kit
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Hallicrafters S-108 Receiver
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for a rig under $500.00 US, try the
​Kenwood TS830S
2 Comments
Frank DePetrillo
12/31/2016 01:13:18 pm

W1GS forwarded your podcast. Thanks for putting it together.
Frank DePetrillo
W1EYH

Reply
Bob Beaudet
1/1/2017 03:50:25 pm

I enjoyed this podcast very much and appreciate John, W1GS forwarding the link to me. Thank you, John. I only noted one error. You mentioned visiting Evans Radio in Nashua, NH. I also purchased most of my first station from Carl Evans, but they were in Concord, NH. The ham store in Nashua is HRO which wasn't there when we were starting out. Best wishes and thanks.
Bob W1YRC

Reply



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