JA1NLX/VK4 from OC-187 updated

Propagation forecast in August by VOACAP online says that the window may open ........

For EU
05z - 07z on 14MHz, 08z - 10z on 21MHz, 10z - 12z on 18MHz, 14z - 16z on 14MHz and 21z - 23z on 14MHz

For NA
00z - 06z on 21MHz, 04z - 08z on 18MHz and 06z - 13z on 14MHz

This is my operating plan at present time. As you know KU2F/VK4 is now active from OC-187.
He says that best time/freq is 21z - 23z on 14MHz for EU and 11z - 13z on 14MHz for NA.

Anyway your suggestion and advice will be very much appreciated.
Lizard Island does not provide internet service in the room. It is only available in guest lounge.
Please do not send me direct e-mail or request message on DX spot during vacation because
I can not read anything online.   Stay tuned.....

JA1NLX/VK4 from OC-187 updated

This is primary antenna I expect. It consists of mini tripod, 4 antenna arms, LowBand coil and Long whip. All come from Buddipole. Max total length is about 5m. I have 1/4 wave length on 14,18,21,24 and 28MHz. 2.5m x 80 radials and various capacitors attached for better matching at feed point.
I used this antenna in FK/JA1NLX 2009 and JA1NLX/VK4 2010. It has worked very well with a little troublesome for band changing.

JA1NLX/VK4 from OC-187 updated

This room  is one of Sunset Point Villa which I booked. Maybe I have great sunset view !
I do not know whether I have good room for antenna setup. The antenna will be 5m long Buddistick 1/4 wave vertical for 3.5-28MHz or random wire with ATU.
Lizard Island Resort says HAM will be always welcomed if he/she set not big antenna up !
Stay tuned.....

Another QRV from OC-187

KU2F/VK4 will be active from Lizard Island OC-187 between July 18-21, 2011.
You have 2 chances to work OC-187 !

New Transceiver for DX Vacation

Elecraft announced new Transceiver KX3 at Dayton. It will be available by the end of this year.
KX3 pricing has been not announced yet but it will be $700 - $800. Following are announced specification for KX3 and options. (These are subject to change without notice)

KXPA100 amp will be essential for my DX Vacation. I am interested in details of KXPA100, dimension, weight etc.

KX3 STANDARD FEATURES
° 160-6 meter ham bands; generazl coverage from 1.6-30 MHz (optional
broadcast-band filter module covers 0.5-1.6 KHz)
°All modes: SSB, CW, Data (four sub-modes), AM FM
°Ultra-compact size: 3.4"H x 7.4"W x 1.7"D; 18 oz. (less options)
°Rear tilt feet fold up for transport
°Custom high-contrast LCD with alphanumeric text display
°Current drain as low as 150 mA in receive mode
°High-performance 32-bit floating-point DSP
°Built-in PSK/TTY decode/encode allows data mode operation without a PC;
transmit in data modes using CW keyer paddle
°Low-noise synthesizer with 1-Hz tuning resolution
°Firmware updateable via provided application software

RECEIVER
°Quadrature down-sampling mixer compatible with PC-based SDR
(software-defined-radio) applications
°Receiver I/Q outputs for use with PC soundcard
°Narrow roofing filter option with four bandwidths (500Hz, 1500Hz, 2700Hz,
3800Hz) for excellent dynamic range
°Switchable preamp (2 levels) and attenuator (2 levels)
°8-band receive audio equalizer
°Dual watch over ±10kHz range; uses applicable roofing filter
°Easy-to-use PassBand Tuning (PBT) for shift/width/hicut/locut; roofing
filters automatically track DSP filter settings
°Automatic and manual notch filtering; adjustable noise reduction and noise
blanking; binaural audio effects for enhanced receive
°Center-tuning indicator for CW and data modes
°Built-in speaker; stereo jack for headphones/external speakers

TRANSMITTER
°Adjustable output, 0.1 to 10W+ (100W+ with KXPA100 amp)
°Ruged, SWR and temperature-protected final amplifier stage
°Optional MH3 microphone with PT and UP/DOWN functions
°Optional attached keyer paddle with spacing adjustment
°Switchable PA output impedance for efficient 5-W or 10-W use
°Fast, silent, PIN-diode T-R switching - no relays
°DSP speech processing for excellent "punch"
°8 band equalizer tailors passband to your voice and microphone

OTHER FEATURES
°Built in digital voice recorder (DVR) with two message buffers
°Internal CW keyer with 8-50 WPM range
°Six CW/DATA message memories
°100 general-purpose memories store VFO A/B, modes, etc.
°Accessory/RS-232 port for computer control using supplied cable
°Full remote-control command set works with most amateur radio software
applications (emulates Elecraft K3)
°One-click firmware upgrades via the web (with free PC software)
Optional mobile bracket compatible with RAM-mounts
°Tutoriall-style manual ideal for new hams

OPTIONS and ACCESSORIES
KXFLE Roofing Filter Module (500/1500/2700/3800 Hz)
KXAT3 Internal, Wide-Range 20-W Automatic Antenna Tuner
KXAM3 Broadcast Band Filter Module (0.5-1.6 MHz)
KXBT3 Internal 8-AA Cell Battery Pack with NiMH Charger (Batteries not
supplied; nonrechanrgeable batteries can also be used)
KXPD3 Precision Keyer Paddle
KXMM3 Mobile Mount Bracket
MH3 Hand Microphone with UP/DN Controls
KUSB RS232 to USB Adapter
KXPA100 High-Performance 160-6 meter, 100-W Amplifier; usable with most 5 to
10 W transceivers
KXAT100 Wide-Range 100-W ATU with Dual Anenna Jacks (attaches to KXPA100
module)