DX from Moving Train with VIDEO

Today I operated from the caboose of the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad as it traveled from Meredith to Lakeport. I worked Germany, Sweden, Hungary, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Curacao, and San Marino. Who could ask for more?

train

I’ve been working on the railroad for 10 years, but have only operated from the caboose once before. There was one train today running at 1:00 pm. My friend Tim W3ATB was the conductor. So I decided to take the opportunity.

I set up an Outbacker antenna on a grab rail of the caboose and ran some coax through a back window to a table inside. I set the Outbacker to 15 meters and tuned up the KX3. Right away, I worked DL65DARC in Germany. A few minutes later I worked HA7ITU in Hungary. Signals were strong, and I received good reports, so I knew we’d have a successful trip.

rig

As the train headed out of the yard and along Lake Winnipesaukee, I answered more than a dozen DX calls on 15 meters. The train left early at about 12:30 pm. My first contact from the moving train was with Tony T77C in San Marino, Italy. Then I worked DL1BUG, Red in Germany. Red wanted to know my power and antenna when I told him I was operating from a moving train.

jim

There’s no missing the smile on my face as I worked Rune, SM5COP in Copenhagen, Sweden. Here’s my log for the trip:

28 Oct-15 1533 21.024 DL65DARC CW 599 599 Germany
28 Oct-15 1534 21.011 HA7ITU CW 599 599 Hungary
28 Oct-15 1610 21.015 DL2DX CW 569 599 Germany
28 Oct-15 1631 21.021 T77C CW 599 599 San Marino
28 Oct-15 1633 21.027 DL1BUG CW 579 599 Berlin
28 Oct-15 1638 21.028 SM5COP CW 569 599 Stockholm
28 Oct-15 1648 21.028 PJ2/W4VAB CW 599 599 Curacao
28 Oct-15 1650 21.032 K5WE CW 599 599 OK
28 Oct-15 1654 21.026 DF3VM CW 579 599 Germany
28 Oct-15 1701 21.033 OK1FPS CW 579 599 Czech Rep
28 Oct-15 1712 21.030 LZ1WR CW 599 599 Bulgaria

Mike DF3VM was also curious about my antenna and power when I told him I was operating from a train. “UR doing a great job,” Mike sent. “Enjoy the ride on the train.”

You can bet I did… what a thrill to work across the big Pond from the edge of the little pond! Thanks all for the QSOs.

Tim… W3ATB has made a beautiful video of the operation. Hope you enjoy it:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R9OiqxWRaQ&w=560&h=315]

Jim Cluett, W1PID, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Hampshire, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

One Response to “DX from Moving Train with VIDEO”

Leave a Comment

Subscribe FREE to AmateurRadio.com's
Amateur Radio Newsletter
News, Opinion, Giveaways & More!

E-mail 
Join over 7,000 subscribers!
We never share your e-mail address.



Also available via RSS feed, Twitter, and Facebook.


Subscribe FREE to AmateurRadio.com's
Amateur Radio Newsletter

 
We never share your e-mail address.


Do you like to write?
Interesting project to share?
Helpful tips and ideas for other hams?

Submit an article and we will review it for publication on AmateurRadio.com!

Have a ham radio product or service?
Consider advertising on our site.

Are you a reporter covering ham radio?
Find ham radio experts for your story.

How to Set Up a Ham Radio Blog
Get started in less than 15 minutes!


  • Matt W1MST, Managing Editor




Sign up for our free
Amateur Radio Newsletter

Enter your e-mail address: