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G1KQH has found some very low cost TDA2003 ICs.  I use one of these in my VLF beacon shown in my RSGB RadCom article and on my website. Best range is just short of 6km by “utilities assisted” earth-mode.  When fitter again (currently I am not allowed to drive and I am still too clumsy when on my feet and moving because of my brain bleed last year) I intend to continue my VLF experiments. I have used these ICs at 8.97kHz, twice, and sub-multiples of that frequency.  Beyond 20kHz would be outside their spec limits, but they may still work?

G3XBM 5W VLFearth-mode CW/QRSS beacon

Evening Roger,

Used in your LF PA 10p each nuts!

http://www.banggood.com/100pcs-TDA2003-10W-IC-Car-Radio-Audio-Amplifier-Integrated-Circuit-p-944202.html

Or you can buy in 10s @ 16p each inc delivery!

http://www.banggood.com/10pcs-TDA2003-10W-IC-Car-Radio-Audio-Amplifier-Integrated-Circuit-p-922620.html

Banggood sounds Chinese. I have no idea if these are genuine parts or not. They are advertised as 10W car radio audio parts.

Judy and I rode our bikes along the Pemigewasset River in Old Hill. I stopped on a knoll overlooking the river for 15 minutes and worked Belgium, Moldova, W1AW/4 in NC and Germany.

The day was fine, but a bit cool and breezy. It definitely feels like fall is approaching. Every now and then the scent of wild apples would fill our nostrils as we peddled along. Yellow leaves lay on the path. Wild asters dotted the lane way.

On the knoll I tossed my line over a pine branch and hooked up the KX3. I started out on 17 meters. Right away I worked Pat ON7PQ in Belgium. He was 599 and gave me a 569. Then… another quick contact with
Moldova… ER3MM, Victor. He gave me a 449.

Then I switched to 20 meters and heard W1AW/4 in North Carolina booming in. I made the contact easily.

I switched to 15 meters for one more QSO. Hans DL8MCG was calling CQ and I answered him. I wasn’t strong… barely 539, but we had a nice chat. “UR FB with 5W,” he sent when I told him I was QRP. Hans was running 500 watts to a vertical.

I packed up and joined Judy who was knitting in the sun farther down the lane.

The crickets are singing a new song now. It’s the song of cooler days and the coming of winter.

And the winner of 500 free full-color QSL cards is…

Peter VK6IS
Australia

Congratulations to Peter and thank you to everyone who entered. Keep a lookout for more great giveaways! As always, thank you to KB3IFH QSL Cards for generously sponsoring this contest. Don’t forget to check out Randy’s website the next time you need new QSL cards!

73 Matt W1MST

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLOJXvkBbkg

FEMA Director Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, debunks the argument that Amateur Radio is no longer relevant in our hyper-connected smartphone, tablet, satellite phone, networked radio system world:

“If you really want to short-circuit your local or state emergency manager who says that Amateur Radio isn’t really viable anymore… ask them this,” said Fugate. “Can you communicate across your jurisdiction or across your state without touching the public switched network?”

AmateurRadio.com is offering a free prize drawing!

With the help of our generous sponsor, KB3IFH QSL Cards,
we’re holding a giveaway for 500 free full-color photo QSL cards.
This is a US$75 value and open to all licensed hams worldwide!

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