PA100KLM

The call PA100KLM was acquired by HAM Operators that participate in the station PI9KLM.

These are (but not limited to) PA0PCV, PA0WBZ, PA0SNY, PA3GDF, PH0PPL, PA2AAP and PA2MCE.
PI9KLM (see www.pi9klm.nl) was founded in 1947 to give radio operating practice to new navigators/radio operators on board KLM aircraft.

After navigators became obsolete (around 1962) the station remained active, and was operated by HAM's that worked and have worked for KLM, the national airline of the Netherlands, founded on October 7, 1919.

In coming period (October, November 2019) KLM has many activities to celebrate the 100th birthday. Being the oldest existing airline in the world, KLM is the first to reach this age.

Therefore the call PA100KLM will be used by the HAM operators of PI9KLM. The transmissions take place from Hangar 12, of KLM's Maintenance facilities at airport Schiphol. The call will be terminated on November 30.

OPERATIONS START ON OCTOBER 7, AT THE CENTURY BIRTHDAY.
Aiming frequencies are 14,250 USB +/- 25 kHz and 7.150 LSB +/- 15 kHz for the time being
LAT/LON@Hangar12 are N 52deg 17min 49sec and E 4deg 47min 32sec - QTH locator is JO22JH(51).

See https://www.qrz.com/lookup for detailed information.

Fokker F2



Boeing 787-10

Nice FM Broadcast receiver

Nice small FM receiver (broadcast, 87.5 - 108 MHz) connected to speakers this morning and discovered it has a good sensitivity. 
Antenna: single wire of appr. 80 cm.

Allthough the receiver is designed to interface through a serial link to the outer world, it works fine as stand-alone unit. Power supply voltage 3.3V-5.5V.

Fun for a couple of euro's (You have to deliver your own speakers).

https://www.banggood.com/DSP-PLL-Digital-Stereo-FM-Radio-Receiver-Module-87-108MHz-With-Serial-Control-p-1004778.html?rmmds=mywishlist&cur_warehouse=CN

Update 3 Jan 2021:

Housed

Butterfly capacitor

Yesterday I had the opportunity to see the making of a butterfly variable capacitor by Gerard, PA2G. This capacitor will be used in concert with a 1.7 meter diameter aluminium magnetic loop antenna. The great distances between the individual capacitor plates allow the use of high voltages (kV range) when the future antenna comes in resonance. I think, this is a nice example of good workmanship.

Speaking about nice mechanics; I added a locomotive to my train collection this weekend: A vintage Marklin DB electric loc Br E 41 (the blue version):

PI3DFT

Good signals from SSTV repeater PI3DFT on 144.8875 MHz today.