Shows
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TVK6LW ( VK6T) Commonwealth Contest 2025, results and reviewCommonwealth Contest (CW) 2025. Results, activity, propagation and comments on new rule changes. This podcast is the audio content of a video you can find on my VK6LW YouTube and Instagram channels. https://youtu.be/_S1xtdoBswE2025-04-1630 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TKevin VK6T ( VK6LW) comments on condx, new rules and activity in the Commonwealth ContestCommonwealth CW Contest, a review from a VK6 perspective by Kevin VK6T ( VK6LW) 2025-03-1120 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TVK6LW preview of the Commonwealth ContestCommonwealth CW Contest March 8th -9th. New rules, DXpeditions to rare countries various categories. Great contest for newcomers and regular participants. 2025-03-0711 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TVK6LW talks about effective wire antennasKevin, VK6LW talks about the most important aspect of your station….The antenna system. With some practical ideas about design and construction, this podcast features the Tri OCF. A simple multiband wire antenna with some gain at low angles on the HF bands. 2024-12-1727 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TCQWW CW wrap up and raw scoresKevin with a wrap up of CQWW CW contest from a VK perspective, raw scores now available on the CQWW website. 2024-12-0114 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TEmir D4DX (E77DX) talks to Kevin about the CQ CW contest from Cape Verde Is.Emir D4DX (E77DX) joins Kevin VK6LW to talk about his recent visit to Cape Verde Islands for the CQWW CW contest. A fantastic result with nearly 10000 QSO’s and 21M points in the single operator category. 2024-11-2947 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TFlex 6600M vs Icom 7610Kevin, VK6LW discusses his recent change in equipment from the 2 x Icom 7610 to a Flex 6600M SDR.2024-10-1824 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TWPX CW contest, wrap up from Kevin VK6TWPX CW contest, band conditions, scores and comments from a VK6 perspective.2024-05-2923 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TKevin VK6LW with results and comparisons between various low noise receive antennas for 160m to 10mResults of my recent experiences with various receive antennas for the LF and HF bands. Low noise with good SNR characteristics. Preamps and switching options. Bandpass filters and SO2R. Details of my latest delta loop designs can be found on instagram @vk6lw2024-04-1326 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TVK6LW latest antenna project and results with 2 ele stacked X beams for the HF bands2ele over 2ele stacked X beams for 20, 15 and 10m. EZNEC modelling, design, switching, results and conclusions.2024-03-1720 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TKevin VK6LW (VK6T) with a wrap up of the recent BERU contest from a Western Australia perspective.BERU Commonwealth Contest 2024, wrap up, band conditions and observations from my operation as VK6T2024-03-1315 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TKevin VK6LW is joined by Steve VE6WZ for a chat about Steves’ latest RX antenna developments.Steve VE6WZ shares his thoughts on beverage antennas and explains the interesting development, improvement and detailed evaluation of his new BOG/BOL for 160m. For more information check out his YouTube channel @VE6WZ2024-01-1958 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TMorse, CW, keyers, paddles and my new Begali Signature keyThis first episode for 2024 is mainly about CW and some history of the various Morse keys and paddles I’ve acquired and used over last 50 years2024-01-1430 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TVK6T with CQWWCW wrap up, new X beam for HF bands, HF condx and 160m commentsAfter some tower problems I designed and built a new X Beam with stacked elements 2 over 2 on my second tower. Intended to use this for CQWWCW…however some problems with 80/160 prevented an all band effort this year. So it was just 40m single band for me. See more on instagram @vk6lw2023-12-0825 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TVK6LW/VK6T. LF bands DX propagation Antenna improvements, Tower work, Contests, CW, QRP on HF BandsNew antenna for 160m, also working on the 80m antenna with a second element to be added for some gain, with switching direction from the shack. Propagation on 160m, upgrade to HF tower crank up system. RX antennas, QRP CW on HF bands using simple antennas. New Shack and upcoming Contests. Any questions or comments to vk6lw.kev@gmail.com also check out my instagram www.instagram.com/vk6lw2023-08-2518 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TBERU Commonwealth CW Contest 2023. Low band DX antennas, Bandpass filters. EDZ antennaBERU Commonwealth CW contest, 11th/12th March. Good condx forecast for HF Bands. Great contest for both serious and casual participants. Low band antennas with 80m switched 2ele/ omnidirectional array. Homebrew Bandpass filters for SO2R with automatic band switching. EDZ antenna for 20m, with good performance on 15m and 10m also. Any questions or suggestions please contact me via vk6lw.kev@gmail.com www.instagram.com/vk6lw2023-03-0927 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TCQWW CW 2022, wrap up, conditions, antennas, 2BSIQ and SO2R operation from Kevin VK6TPerspective from VK6 of the CQWW CW 2022 contest. Comments on high scores, conditions, TX and RX antennas I used along with observations on how to maximise 2BSIQ/SO2R operation from VK6. Any questions or comments please email to me vk6lw.kev@gmail.com2022-12-0824 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TWhat are the best Headphones for Contests, DX and CW? Kev VK6LW & Steve VK6VZ discuss and compare.Headphones, everyone has a favourite pair. There is so much choice now in comparison to when Steve and I first got started back in the early 70’s. In this episode we discuss our shared experiences and compare some models that we have found to be the best performers for HF DX, Contests and CW. Let us know about your choice of headphones and what features work for you. Send to vk6lw.kev@gmail.com and we can include your comments or questions in a future Headphone podcast episode.2022-07-0457 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TWPX CW 2022 wrap up, UK and EU field day previewWPX CW 2022, wrap up, band conditions, activity and top scores. With comments from a VK6 perspective. Preview of UK and EU field day CW contest this coming weekend. Any questions or comments please email to vk6lw.kev@gmail.com and if you enjoy these podcasts please share with your friends or local club2022-06-0116 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TWPX CW contest preview, band conditions, receive antennas with diversity reception for contests.In this episode I preview the upcoming WPX CW contest, this is a great contest especially with current improved HF band conditions. Use diversity reception with separate RX antennas, this works well in stereo mode if you have a sub receiver. X beam tri band HF antenna developments building and testing with only a single mast support, 4 directions with gain and F/B and just one feedline . I’ll be using VK6T this weekend during the contest. If you enjoy these podcasts then please share with your friends or local club. Any questions or comments you can contact me vi...2022-05-2420 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TKevin VK6LW is joined by Steve VE6WZ for a chat about Steves’ remote station project near Calgary.Steve VE6WZ has built a great remote station, 10 acres of land on a hilltop about 100 km from Calgary. He describes the setup and operation of the station along with details of the development of his transmit and receive antennas and the outstanding results achieved on the low bands from this fabulous radio location. A tremendous amount of thought and work has gone into this station. Steve also has a You Tube channel and this is definitively worth exploring, just search for VE6WZ. If you enjoy these podcasts maybe share with your friends or the local Radio Club. It...2022-04-201h 05Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6T‘Travellers Tales’ from BERU, Commonwealth CW Contest 2022Mike G3VYI visits Gozo and operates as 9H6YI, Don G3XTT goes to The Gambia as C56DF and Colin travels to Cayman as ZF2CA. Listen to their travel adventures and fun they had in the BERU contest. Any questions or comments about Amateur Radio Topics podcast please contact me: vk6lw.kev@gmail.com2022-03-2925 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TBERU , Commonwealth CW Contest 2022, post contest wrap up with Kevin VK6LW and Steve VK6VZReview and discussion of the recent BERU Commonwealth CW Contest. Conditions on LF and HF, report on various antennas we used and tested both for TX and RX. Merits of SO2R in this contest, activity, HQ stations and travellers.2022-03-2142 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TCommonwealth CW Contest (BERU) preview and discussion by Kev VK6LW/VK6T and Steve VK6VZ/VL6TI’m joined by Steve, VK6VZ for a preview and discussion of the upcoming Commonwealth CW Contest (BERU) this weekend, 12th/13th March. Join us for some insights and to find out more about this long running DX contest with a difference. One of my favourite contests. Any comments or questions please contact me vk6lw.kev@gmail.com2022-03-0741 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics, Xmas 2021, CQWW CW report, Antenna performance, Band Condx.CQWW CW report, TX and RX Antenna review. Band Condx from VK6 during and after contest. SO2R with VK6T contest call. Any comments or questions please email to vk6lw.kev@gmail.com2021-12-2426 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TCQWW CW, Antenna projects, SO2R, New VK contest call signsCQWW CW preview, Antenna modelling and rebuild, HF Rx antennas for SO2R contesting. 40m 2 ele, switched wire beam. I will be using VK6T in CQWW. Any questions or comments please email to vk6lw.kev@gmail.com2021-11-2522 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics. Kevin VK6LW and Steve VK6VZ discuss the merits of various wire antennasIn this episode I’m joined by Steve VK6VZ and we discuss the Extended Double Zepp, 2 Half Waves in Phase and simple Parasitic Wire Arrays, all of which provide gain over a dipole or a vertical. With some theory combined with our on air experiences using these antennas on the HF bands. If you have any questions about today’s podcast please email to vk6lw.kev@gmail.com2021-07-2245 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics, July 2021Wire Beams for receive and transmit. SO2R with RX bandpass filters. Single mast beam for 40m with relay switched elements. Commonwealth contest. WPX CW contest. IC 7610 Screen problem. Tower and new shack project.2021-07-1325 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TCQWW CW contest, SO2R, HF condxCQWW CW contest, SO2R operation, improved HF band conditions. Improvements to LF and HF antennas, new directional 160 and 80 m antenna. RX antenna options2020-12-0431 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TWPX CW contest, RX Ant, SO2R, 160mSummary of recent WPX CW, Rx antennas for HF bands, SO2R training and contest setup. 160m season and antenna evaluation. IC7610 and TS590.2020-06-0237 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TCQ 160m CW contest reportSummary of the recent 160m CW contest. Band conditions from VK6.2020-01-2715 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TCQ 160m CW contestPreview of CQ 160m CW contest this weekend. A perspective from VK6, this is a great opportunity to work some DX on Topband as activity levels should be very good.2020-01-2314 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TCQWW CW, Low Band News, SO2R, Commonwealth ContestCQWW CW condx and report. Low Band condx and antenna experiments and performance. SO2R setup, upcoming Commonwealth Contest.2020-01-1935 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TLF Antenna Tests, CQ CW Contest, Band Conditions from VK6LF Antenna Design with results of on air Tests on 160 and 80m. Upcoming CQ WW CW contest, HF Band conditions.2019-11-1730 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TFriedrichshafen Ham Radio Show 2019. WAE CW contest this weekend, VK6 band conditionsI visit the Ham Radio Show, Friedrichshafen, located in beautiful Lake Constance region. Fantastic 3 Day event for anyone interested in any aspect of Ham Radio. A great opportunity to try out the latest gear and find bargains in the massive flea market. WAE CW contest this weekend and general comment on band conditions from VK62019-08-0928 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics, WPX CW contestReview of the recent WPX CW contest, band conditions with antenna transmit and receive performance.2019-05-2918 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics, HF wire beams and directional switching systemsConstruction and practical ideas for HF fixed wire beams with reversible switching coax feed system.2019-04-2330 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics, SWR facts and figures for the HF bandsSWR, how important is a low SWR on the HF bands? Loss figures for SWR discussed.2019-04-1026 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics. Receive antennas for the LF bands.Beverage receive antennas for low band DX. Latest band conditions in Perth WA2019-04-0323 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics Episode 7, Spiderbeam tests and results, recent contestsSpiderbeam on air tests, antenna feed systems, fixed wire beams on 40m, contests reviewed2019-03-1925 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics Episode 6, Wire Beams and ContestsWire Beams, Spiderbeam HF, switched direction beam for 40m, receiving antennas. BERU Commonwealth Contest2019-03-0820 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics Episode 5Overview of Quad type antennas for the HF bands. Configuration, feeding and matching the antenna. Comparison with a dipole antenna. Advantages on receive.2019-02-0918 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics Episode 4Antenna design and modelling tools. Antenna analyser equipment for testing, optimisation and adjustment2019-01-1520 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics Episode 3Characteristics of popular multiband antennas such as the G5RV and ZS6BKW with ideas for installation, feedlines and matching.2019-01-0816 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics Episode 2Intro • Feedlines and matching the antenna2019-01-0116 min
Amateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio Topics Episode 1Wire antennas design and construction overview2018-12-2812 minAmateur Radio Topics by VK6LW/VK6TAmateur Radio TopicsAmateur Radio Topics Introduction2018-12-2300 min