Major repair work on the 2m/70cm tower

ENGLISH version below …

In den vergangenen Wettbewerben fiel uns auf, dass auf dem 70cm Band immer wieder schlechtes SWR gemessen wurde. Dieser Effekt trat immer nur kurzzeitig auf. Also legten wir den Mast um, tauschten das Sende-Empfangs-Relais und erneuerten das Sendekabel für 70cm. So weit so gut. Dachten wir. Leider ist dann beim Versuch den Versatower wieder aufzustellen das Stahlseil der Winde gerissen mit dem wir den Mast ausgefahren haben. Daraufhin krachte mit einem lauten Knall der Turm in sich zusammen. Zum Glück ist nur ein Segment abgestürzt und die Sperrklappe verhinderte die komplette Zerstörung. Eine erste Bestandsaufnahme bestätigte, dass die Antennen – Gott sei Dank – nicht beschädigt wurden. Leider hatten sich aber einige Streben im Turm total verbogen oder waren herausgebrochen. Also legten wir 2 Tage später den Mast erneut um, zogen eine neues Stahlseil für die Seilwinde ein, bogen mithilfe von Wagenhebern, Stangen, Hämmern die verbliebenen Elemente zurecht. Einige Maststreben mussten auch neu eingebschweißt werden und anschließend mit Zink-Spray gegen Korrosion geschützt werden. Hervorheben möchte ich hierbei ganz besonders den Einsatz unseres OMs Franz DC3NI, der furchtlos die Schweißarbeiten übernommen hat. Auch beim ersten Versuch des Wiederaufstellen mussten wir erneut nochmal umbauen, da die Einführung des neuen Stahlseils sich als falsch erwies und der Mast nicht weit genug ausfuhr. Die Sende- und Empfangskabel wurden trotz Quetschungen mit gutem SWR am Analyzer gemessen, das Rotorkabel repariert und das Stromversorgungs-Kabel wurde verlängert. Nun steht zum Glück alles wieder. Dies wäre jedoch nicht ohne die tatkräftige Hilfe und das Planen, Durchdenken und Materialbeschaffen von Michael DB6NT, Matthias DG2NES, Alex DH1NAX, Harald DH1NAI, Udo DH3NAG, Franz DC3NI und Matthias DK5NJ möglich gewesen. Die Arbeiten wurden an 2 Tagen mit jeweils ca. 8h erledigt. Das ist echter Hamspirit. Vielen Dank an alle Beteiligten. Dieser kurze Bericht soll zeigen, dass die Komplexität unserer Station immer wieder viel Arbeit zwischen den einzelnen Wettbewerben bedeutet. Auch die Stromgeneratoren verursachen immer wieder Probleme und viel Arbeit. Manche Leute meinen zwar, dass wir ja nur einfach auf den Berg fahren müssen, einschalten und schon kann gefunkt werden, aber dem ist nicht so. Es steckt sehr viel Arbeit, Leidenschaft und Opferbereitschaft vieler OMs in dem Standort. Nun wollen wir in der kommenden Woche noch restliche Arbeiten verrichten und freuen uns auf den nächsten Contest.

Hier einige Bilder der umfangreichen Arbeiten:

In past competitions, we noticed that poor SWR measurements were repeatedly being measured on the 70cm band. This effect only occurred briefly. So we repositioned the mast, replaced the transmit/receive relay, and renewed the transmission cable for the 70cm. So far, so good, or so we thought. Unfortunately, while attempting to set up again the Versatower, the steel cable of the winch we used to extend the mast broke. The tower then collapsed with a loud bang. Fortunately, only one segment collapsed, and the locking flap on the mast prevented complete destruction. An initial assessment confirmed that the antennas—thankfully—were not damaged. Unfortunately, however, several struts in the tower had become completely bent or broken out. So, two days later, we repositioned the mast again, pulled in a new steel cable for the winch, and used jacks, rods, and hammers to bend the remaining elements into shape. Some mast struts also had to be re-welded and then protected against corrosion with zinc spray. I would like to particularly emphasize the dedication of our OM Franz DC3NI, who fearlessly took on the welding work. Even during the first attempt of setting up again, we had to make further modifications because the new steel cable was inserted incorrectly and the mast did not extend far enough. Despite being pinched, the transmit and receive cables measured with good SWR on the analyzer, the rotor cable was repaired, and the power supply cable was extended. Thankfully, everything is now back in place. However, this would not have been possible without the active help and the planning, thoughtfulness, and material procurement of Michael DB6NT, Matthias DG2NES, Alex DH1NAX, Harald DH1NAI, Udo DH3NAG, Franz DC3NI, and Matthias DK5NJ. The work was completed in two days, each lasting approximately 8 hours. That’s true Ham Spirit. Many thanks to everyone involved. This short report is intended to demonstrate that the complexity of our station always means a lot of work between individual competitions. The power generators also repeatedly cause problems and a lot of work. Some people think we just have to drive up the mountain, switch on, and we can start transmitting, but that’s not the case. A great deal of work, passion, and sacrifice from many OMs goes into this site. We plan to complete the remaining work in the coming week and look forward to the next contest!

VHF/UHF/SHF Contest July 2025 and again 1st place Multi OP overall IARU R1 2024

This time the weather was hot so the set up of our eqipment was a little bit sweaty. Many thanks to Harald DH1NAI who supported us.

DG2NES, DL2ALF

We set up two extra antenna systems for 2m and 70cm but unfortunately one of our two additional energy generators broke down. Luckily Matthias DG2NES brought his new electric car with a 88 kw hours battery and the possibility to provide energy as a source (V2L). Another challenge were temporarily breaks of 432 MHz TX due to high SWR, probably caused by a broken cable. Also we had a lack of operators this time, one or two ops more should be better to run all bands at the same time. 144 MHz up to 300 GHz (laser light) is big playground for only 3 1/2 full time hams. Over the years the whole „technical system and environment“ of DK0NA has become more powerful but also more complex. So it is also a lot of work and preparation before and after the contests – special thanks to all the helping hands. Nevertheless we are proud to claim the following results:

Claimed scores without 122 – 300 GHz (extra portable log)
DL2AKT, DB6NT, DH1NAX, DL2ALF, DK5NJ, DG2NES (DH1NAI is missing on the photo)

IARU R1 trophy 2024:

Another great news is that the DK0NA team won the IARU R1 multi operator overall trophy 2024 again. Therefore Michael DB6NT went to the HAM RADIO in Friedrichshafen to receive all all the certificates for our team. Here’s a picture:

OM2BH, IV2KKW, DB6NT

Many thanks to our families, supporters and all the hams we had QSOs with and hope to cuagn nxt test!

73 de the DK0NA crew

Microwave Contest June 2025

The weather in June 2025 was rainy and windy but we had not built up extra antenna systems. So it was an easy start and everyone enjoyed this „calmer“ contest. We also could make some QSOs on the very high bands from 122 GHz to Laser during time spaces with better wx condxs. This time no technical problems!

Mni tnx fer all the QSOS and CUAGN nxt test! 73

claimed scores without 122, 134, 241 GHz and Laser

Crew: DL2AKT, DK5NJ, DL2ALF, DB6NT, DH1NAX, DG2NES and Jonas

normal „small“ setup of antennas, 4m dish for 23 – 9cm, 1,2m dish for bands from 6cm to 76 GHz
2 OMs calling and 1 OM just making skeds, calculating airplane paths and scatterpoints

VHF/UHF/SHF Contest March 2025

The DK0NA team took part in the IARU VHF/UHF/SHF Contest in March 2025. The weather was very cold but tnx to Udo DH3NAG and Harald DH1NAI we managed to set up our extern rig for the 2m-band. Michael DB6NT and Matthias DK5NJ built a new antenna system for 144 MHz: 2x14ele yagi according to DG7YBN design. You can see the pictures of our legendary antenna transport by car. Some might say it’s brave 😉 The new antennas worked very well and we are highly satisfied, tnx and 73s to http://dg7ybn.de/.

During the contest we had to fight with several challenges: gas filter problems of the big energy generator (changed with running engine :-), local QRM on 432 MHz by other stations around us, LAN network problems but at the end every problem was solved. Despite the bad wx conditions we were able to make QSOs on all the bands from 144 MHz up to 122, 134, 245 GHz and laser on Sunday. So we were active on 14 amateur radio bands! Additional operators are always wanted and therefore we were lucky to get our friend Frank DL1WA for the Saturday shift. It was a lot of fun and we are looking forward to the results! Thanks to all our QSO partners! Find the results at DARC contest hub.

DG2NES, DK5NJ, DB6NT, DH1NAX, DK2RO, DN4MAX, DL2ALF

See some impressions from the hill:

DK0NA wins 2024 DARC VHF/UHF/SHF-Contest-Pokal – VHF/UHF/SHF Contest Trophy

On February 17th 2025 some members of DK0NA crew joined the annual GHz-Meeting in Dorsten to receive the trophy of the „DARC UKW-Contest-Pokal 2024“. The meeting is always a nice opportunity to meet and talk to all the big contest ops in Germany and also some guests from all over the IARU R1 Region. The dinners at the Hotel Jägerhof Einhaus are legendary. Our team DK0NA won the VHF/UHF/SHF championship of contests in Germany 2024 and we had to take part in the 7 major contests to reach this goal. So we are very proud and want to thank all the helping hands we had during the past year. Also mni tnx to all the OMs we had QSO with and we are looking forward to the contest year 2025!

Here are some impressions of the GHz-meeting in Dorsten:

IARU Region 1 VHF CW-Contest 2024 Marconi Memorial Contest MMC

Due to the excellent CW work of our new team member Robert, DK2RO we were able to take part in the IARU Region 1 VHF CW-Contest 2024 (Marconi Memorial MMC) on November 2nd/3rd. The condx were not bad and I guess in CW-mode we achieved a new local 2m (144 MHz) CW record at the Mount Schwedenwache, JO50TI.

Many tnx to Robert, DK2RO and Frank, DJ5NQ as first CW ops and Alex DH1NAX and DK5NJ as second ops. But everything would not work without the help of Harald DH1NAI and Matthias DG2NES who helped with technical support and setting up the 2nd antenna system.

November is not the best weather in our area so this time we had to assemble our antenna systems during foggy rain. Fortunately at the end of the contest the weather was cold but dry and sunny. Our new 3rd electricity generator (also a diesel) ran well and supplied the 2nd antenna system. Although we had little problems with the network software and a rotor cable died (and was replaced!! :-)), we had no bigger issues and can now claim the following result:

Claimed score:

DK5NJ, DG2NES, DJ5NQ, DH1NAX, DK2RO
QSO map DK0NA in VHF Marconi Contest, November 2024

Here are some more impressions of the MMC weekend:

Mni tnx fer all the QSOs and CUAGN nxt test! 73, the DK0NA crew.

IARU R1 UHF SHF Contest October 2024

The DK0NA team attended the IARU R1 UHF SHF Contest in October 2024. The weather forecast for the weekend wasn’t that good but the set up of the antennas was easy and fast due to the fact that we had a lot of helping hands. Our technical equipment caused no problems and everything worked fine. The condx were not better than normal but we could achieve a new local QSO record on the 70cm band at our station site. The claimed scores (see photo, 122, 134, 241 GHz and Laser is missing on the picture) are quite ok.

We are also happy to welcome a new guest operator, DK2RO, Robert. Tnx to everybody we had QSO with and all the helpers around our team!

DK5NJ, DB6NT, DL2ALF, DH1NAX, DL2AKT, DG2NES, DK2RO

Claimed scores without 122, 134, 241 GHz and Laser:

Here are some more impressions of the weekend on the mountain:

IARU R1 VHF Contest September 2024

The DK0NA team took part in the IARU R1 VHF Contest in the first weekend of September 2024. The weather was ok and the conditions quite normal. Many thanks to all the helpers and friends who made this contest possible, maintaining the station and technical equipment, setting up the antennas, BBQ, and supporting our team with good coffee and breakfast and getting the QSOs into the log. Of course, we also say thanks to all the stations we had QSOs with!

Team photo:

DH3NAG, DK5NJ, DL2ALF, Melanie, DB6NT, DH1NAI, DH1NAX, DG2NES

some impressions of the weekend …

July Contest 2024 @ DK0NA

With good weather conditions and a small team we took part in the VHF/UHF/SHF contest at the first weekend in July 2024. Fortunately the set up of our new antenna for 432 MHz worked very well. DB6NT and DK5NJ bulit the antennas themselves according to DG7YBN antenna design with DG7YBN dipoles. Thanks for all the helping hands and the QSOs during the contest!

Here are some impressions from the Schwedenwache

Here are the DARC contest results

Here are the contest trophy standings