VK3ALE

First licenced  1992 as VK3LWC (novice)

1993-1995 VK3JKV (combined licence)

1995- present VK3ALE (unrestricted)

2010- present  F8WAY

Other past callsigns ZL2NCW

Currently living in France using the call F8WAY

The majority of my ham radio activity since 1997 has been QRP and/or portable.  Currently I'm only able to be on air portable as its impossible to operate from home (small appartment, no garden)  so my activity is somewhat sporadic depending upon the weather and work commitments.

Current Equipment

Radios-  Yaesu FT817;  handhelds:- Yaesu VX3R , Puxing PX-UV973

Antennas-  Mostly end fed half wave wires for 40, 20 and 17m in conjunction with a SOTA Beams mountain tuner. I also have  a full size "yoyo" dipole (40-6m) and a BuddiStick (HF 40-6m) vertical which I can use depending on the space available where I'll be operating from.

Operating-  Everything goes into an AMP-3 Tactical Transceiver Radio Bag. I can be on air within a couple of minutes after arriving and packing up afterwards is also quick and easy. A small sealed lead acid battery can be used  in the compartement in the bottom of the pack which can be quickly removed and recharged overnight so that everything is ready for the next day out. I recently replaced the internal battery pack in the FT817 with a drycell pack using Ladda  2450 mAh rechargeable batteries; this setup works fine for about 2-3h of portable operating and has since become my preferred option to using a sealed lead acid battery unless I'm planning a longer outing.

SWL

I have been an avid SWL since  the mid 1970's. Sony ICF-SW7600GR, Tecsun PL-660, Digitech AR1780, SDRPlay RSP1A.  I use a PK's Loop "HamLoop" antenna (3.5 to 14.5MHz)  for amateur and  SWL at home.  High noise levels  can make reception difficult at times but with the loop up in the window sill I can listen to amateur traffic on 80m and 40m quite well and it also does a good job as a general SWL antenna.

Inspirations and good guys

Peter Parker VK3YE https://www.youtube.com/user/vk3ye

VK3ASE http://crossbandradio.com/