The Setup

As radio amateurs, we often pride ourselves on our ability to operate from anywhere—mountaintops, parks, or makeshift portable setups. But every now and then, you have to appreciate the sheer joy of a warm room, a comfortable chair, and a rig that pulls no punches. For my 5th (and last) HSC qualifying QSO, my operation was a study in comfort. I had the pleasure of activating DL0OV, the club station of the DARC OV Bonn (District Cologne/Aachen DOK G03). The setting itself sets the mood immediately. The station is located at Burg Limperich, a place that feels steeped in history before you even touch the dial. But the real magic happened when I sat down at the operating position. Unlike my usual portable excursions where I’m watching every volt on the battery meter, this was pure luxury. My “packing list” for the day was incredibly short: I just had to bring my key. Waiting for me was a fantastic setup:

• A Kenwood TS-590
• A solid-state amplifier that allowed me to reach out with authority (300W) — no QRP struggles here ;-)
• A 40m dipole strung between the trees in the castle garden.

The QSL from DJ6PC.

Close-up of the station setup.

The QSO with DJ6PC

There is something deeply satisfying about operating with mains power in a temperature-controlled shack. Liberated from the worry of fading batteries or the elements, I was free to focus entirely on DJ6PC at the other end. The combination of the TS-590, the amplifier, and that dipole worked perfectly on 40m, leading to a standout QSO with OM Alfred. It was one of those truly informative contacts; I found him to be an OM with a wealth of knowledge on a variety of fascinating topics. Between the comfortable chair and the engaging conversation, the time simply flew by.
It was a reminder that while field days are fun, there is nothing quite like the “armchair” experience of a club station.