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ZS4TX

2/24/2018

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Episode 186 -  Bernie van der Walt - ZS4TX

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Bernie van der Walt, ZS4TX, from Bloemfontein, South Africa is an active ham radio operator. Bernie loves to contest on HF, and operates two remote control EME or Moon bounce stations on two and six meters away from the noise pollution of his residential neighborhood. We discuss these subjects and more on this episode of QSO Today.
Show Notes
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Episode 186 Sponsors
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South African Radio League Hall of Fame

QSL.net Website

DXnews 

Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Sporadic E Propagation

Backscatter

First License: 1984, ZS4TX

First Rig: Kenwood  TR-9130 Transceiver

Current Rigs:
Icom IC-7800
12 Meter Tower, Optibeam Antenna

Remote stations:  ZS4TX/6, EME 6m and 2m etc
Icom IC-7800
Icom IC-756PRO3
Icom IC-7100
6M EME, 2M EME

Favorite mode: HF CW

Started off on 2M with a Kenwood TR9130 and an external 100W amplifier

Built 2 x 14 element yagis stacked

First HF amateur Rig: Yaesu FT101B – bought the external VFO later – added Heathkit SB220 Amplifier

First big antenna: KLM 4 element on 40m

Awards:
160m DXCC WAS WAZ
10 band DXCC
9 Band WAS

Contests:
  • CQWW Zone 38 SOAB CW record
  • 10m CW World Record, Several top 3 places on 10m and 15m.
  • Attended WRTC 2000/2002/2006 as competitor and referee in 2014.


Hardware developed for DX and Contesting:
Super Combo Keyer - a Dual mode Voice/CW keyer with SO2R switching

Biggest challenge to ham radio is
  • ​to occupy the allocated Spectrum – especially in remote areas - digital modes all concentrated in one spot only use a small portion of the band.
  • Promoting amateur Radio in countries with few or no Radio hams is needed.


Most excited by: Amateur radio was a gateway to me for my profession and even for someone who has had a licence for 30 years there are still so many new facets to explore. There are new things to learn and explore every day with (mostly) free knowledge available in abundance shortening the learning curve.

Advice:  Do things yourself otherwise it will not happen.  Start small if you have limited resources. Tip: - Having the newest radio is overrated – spend your time and money on amplifiers and antennas J

DF3CB Remote Audio Software

PST Rotator to track the moon.

Education:
Technikon, Pretoria,
Central University of Technology, Mtech

ISM Band

Shunting lighting protection

Lightning protection: Spark gap arresters

CQ Worldwide CW - contest.

Begali Paddle

HK1 pounding CW key

Bencher Paddle

DXpedition, Penguin Island, ZS0Z

Amateur radio is: Gateway to profession and new facets to explore every day
Starting new projects and optimizing new projects

Advice to new or returning hams:  Pick a band, optimize your antenna, and start doing it.

The RSS Feed for all audio content from QSO today is available from here. 
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​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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Kenwood TR-9130 2 Meter All Mode Transceiver
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Icom IC-7800 HF Transceiver
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Icom IC-756ProIII Transceiver
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ZS4TX Remove 2 Meter EME Station
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