Category: Station Diary

During this year’s Fieldday, the August night turned surprisingly cold – time for a new outdoor jacket. Inspired by Gunnar (DA6GUN) and his custom callsign patch, I created my own featuring my Defender, callsign, and DARC logo. Find the patch links and my Photoshop template here.

For some time now, I have wanted to use my Xiegu G90 portably—whether for POTA, emergency radio, or simply for casual operation on the go. Now the project is complete: my own Go-Box in a B&W Outdoor Case Type 3000.

Recently I received a very special surprise: my dear friend OM Peter, DA6PS, gave me his Xiegu G90!

Over the past few weeks, I’ve finally completed a long-awaited project: a comprehensive renovation and technical upgrade of my main shack in the attic. As many of you know, I operate two shacks – one in the conservatory, which I use mostly during the summer months for quick and easy access to local VHF/UHF nets, and my primary shack in the attic, which is ideal for focused operation during the colder half of the year. This attic shack has now received a much-needed overhaul – both technically and ergonomically.

In May 2025, the moment finally arrived: After dedicated preparation, I successfully passed the German Class A license exam at the Federal Network Agency in Dortmund. With that, I was able to change my callsign from DO8YDP to DL8YDP – a long-awaited goal achieved.

I use Javascript to retrieve the totals of my QSOs logged in Wavelog, write them to an io.Broker data point and display them on an Awtrix pixel clock.

To install my 2m/70cm FTM-500 in the Defender, I opted for an installation variant from PowerfulUK. I had the corresponding panel for the Yaesu made by HEIKO Metallbau.

I had set up a search request for the Yaesu FT-736R on kleinanzeigen.de. In July 2024, the alarm went off: In Soltau, a device in unknown condition was offered from an estate for €200. I could see from the pictures that it even had the 23cm module installed. I went for it. But would the device work?

My DL8DF common mode chocke and my cable distribution setup got a new housing. From now on I can switch between my large Endfed-antenna or my 6m dipole and can send the signal either in my office during the summer months or in the attic for operation during winter.

I didn’t need my old 10m dipole any longer, although it has really been a great first HF antenna to me.I connected my NanoVNA, shortened the ends to match the …