After a pause of about 20 years I decided to start again with this great hobby ham radio. First I changed my callsign from DG8SCQ to DL1AG. It was always a dream to have a DL callsign and now with my class A license I was able to change it.
My first action was to be QRV on the local repeaters. I bought some cheap mobile transceivers at eBay and made so called Sperrtopf antennas for 2m and 70cm. 20 years ago there was always traffic in the air and I hoped to hear again some old friends. But I was really disappointed to hear nearly ……. nothing.
The next action was to be QRV an shortwave. I also bought a second-hand transceiver at eBay (Yaesu FT-100) and a mobile antenna. The first steps for me on shortwave were very excited and I loved it. The first QSOs on the bands were great and I was able to get my first diploma: 65 years of DARC.
After that I decided to work with digital modes on shortwave. Using fldigi and the free version of HamRadio Deluxe I worked QSOs in the modes RTTY, PSK31 and PSK64.
I remembered my activities in the 90ties with packet radio. So I had a look at eBay to get a TNC 2 S. In order to have a PR station I also bought a 70cm Transceiver to be connected to the TNC and a 70cm yogi antenna. The first steps on DB0LEL were also a little bit disappointed, because the were nearly no PR links to other digipeaters. In comparison with the internet PR seams to be very outdated!
After about one year I decided to buy a vertical antenna for the shortwave bands. I ordered a Fritzel GPA-50 for the bands from 80m up to 10m. This was a great idea and I still love to work with this antenna.
In the DX cluster I saw also other bands that seems to be interested: the WARC bands. So I also bought a vertical antenna, a Fritzel GPA-303. Great antenna!
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