DXCC #110: China / DXCC #111: Mongolia

10 meters propagation was exceptional this morning (despite solar/terrestrial data predictions being “poor”) so I put my 7600 to the test, punching through a couple of pile-ups with relative ease. I used my converted HyGain P-500 vertical (1980 new old stock, € 50 on a ham fair) the entire morning and worked with Changchun PG9HKP from China, Perenley JT1PB from Mongolia as well as Fuji JA8DCR from Japan, the latter responding to my own CQ DX call. I heard several European stations echoing over both short and long path , thanks Ionosphere.

Spoiled Rotten

Got myself a brand new Icom IC-7600 today. Including SP-23 speaker and SM-50 Desk Mic. Although I am really sort of a Kenwood Guy, I could not find a suitable upgrade to my shack in their catalogue. There is a large gap between very good but compact TS-590 and the outrageously big / heavy / expensive TS-990 . So I went for this nice transceiver from Icom. I dedicate this new radio to the loving memory of my dad whom has passed away last week. My faithful old TS-870S will not be sold, however, and will get a new home at the club station where we can keep enjoying this wonderful transceiver, starting with the upcoming PACC contest  next weekend..