In the picture above is my tower with the OptiBeam OB10-3W for 20, 17 and 15 meters, a three element monoband Yagi for 10 meters and a Comet vertical for two meters and 70 centimeters.

Halfway up the tower is the anemometer and directionfinder for my weatherstation. When I hooked the OptiBeam up for the first time, it seemed like a whole new solarcycle had kicked in. Of course, the tower was new for me as well but was still at the same level as my previous trapped tri-band Yagi.
The electrical winch lacked the power to crank the tower up… Then, after listening for a week or so, it was on Saturday December 13 2008, I had about 10 minutes left before I had to leave.
I decided to call CQ just one time and did not expect anyone to come back. Imagine my surprise when ZL1BOS answered with a booming 5/9 signal! And the tower was still not cranked up…
Even after six months I am still amazed by this great antenna.
This is an impression of my shack. On the monitor runs Easylog.
How I got involved in HAM-radio:

My dad was always interested in radio but never became a HAM due to many reasons. Of course, I picked it up and built my first simple AM transmitter around age 6. The range was no more than ten meters....

I read all the books my father had about electronics and radio. Also built many circuits. Varying from a blinking flashlightbulb to tube transmitters. Just for fun and learning in the process. I also studied to become a HAM but the rules in those days prevented me to take an exam. I was too young and it was way too expensive for my parents anyway.

At age 14 CB became legal in The Netherlands (on March 3 1980) and my dad and me experimented a lot with this. Then "boys stuff" got in the way for a couple of years.  We settled down (my XYL and me) and I gave CB another try. Not really what I was looking for but I met someone who was a novice-HAM and he was studying for the "full" written exam. I joined the course and passed my exam on April 7 1993 and the callsign PE1OYX was issued to me. Just before that, I met Renze, currently VE6DC, and we studied morsecode toghether. A year later (May 19 1994) we passed our code exam (receive and send) and I became PA3GOS.
My father and me in the early 70's.
Some links:
Hi,
Thanks for looking me up. My name is Tjalling Talma and I live in Noardburgum
Fryslân, The Netherlands.
If you have to scroll from left to right to view this page, my apologies. Next time I build a page or site I'll be more careful.
73, Tjalling PA3GOS.
My main interests in HAM-radio are:
My weatherpages
VE6DC Homepage
© 2009 PA3GOS
PA3GOS Homepage v1.03
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