Today I’ve spent another couple of hours with my portable station, playing just my ft-857d and the portable multiband dipole.
Some interesting contacts: TB0DX, 9M6/LA9DL,9V1DE,SV9GPV,GM0DHZ,BG7MVZ,UR0IM,HS0/IK4MRH,YB4IR.
We have had good openings to south america on twenty meters too in late afternoon but no contacts.

Finally after almost 20 years from my first radio experience, I’ve been able to get on the air with my ham radio call sign, IW5EDI.
I got this callsing in 1997, but I’ve never been really active on air, due to the low interest on VHF bands.
Since August last year I could operate HF bands, tanks to recent changes to italian amateur radio licencing policies, but during all winter have been very busy with work, family and I’ve suffered of lack of a real portable radio.

This week, after a so long period, finally I’ve been active, with my new Yaesu FT-857D, and my triband dipole. The renewed enthusiasm has been supported by the homebrew of a multiband fishing pole vertical antenna, that I will probably post into this blog as soon as I will have some more technical reports.

Unfortunately recent changes to my home QTH location (sencond floor apartment of a 5 floor building), will prohibit me with an effective base antenna setup, so that I will have to satisfy my dx needs being mobile / portable. That will look poor to you, but, believe me it represent a great step forward.