F4JTU Haute-Garonne (France)
Welcome to the radio logbook and technical workshop of Arnaud Sgard. RF experimentation, transcontinental HF contacts, VHF/UHF monitoring, and a passion for radio. Based in Haute-Garonne (France).
Transceiver Lineup & Gear
Active rigs at the shack for HF DXing, local contacts, and repeater traffic.
Icom IC-7300
100 Watts • Real-Time Waterfall • DSP
The core powerhouse of the decametric station. An RF direct-sampling transceiver providing exceptional receiver selectivity, a real-time cascading spectrum scope, and built-in voice recorder. Primary rig for voice DX (SSB) and attentive band monitoring.
Xiegu G90
20 Watts • Built-in Auto ATU • Color Waterfall
Ultra-compact 24-bit direct-sampling SDR portable HF transceiver. Highly acclaimed for its wide-range integrated automatic antenna tuner, 1.8-inch color screen with real-time spectrum and waterfall scope, and detachable front head unit. Ideal for field operating (SOTA/POTA) as well as compact shack use.
Alinco DR-638
Dual-Band 50W/40W • Full Duplex • Cross-Band
A rugged and compact dual-band transceiver dedicated to monitoring regional Occitanie repeaters, direct local simplex contacts (2m / 70cm), and cross-band transponder operations.
CRT SuperStar 3900 EFT
Enhanced Edition • Blue Frequency Display • SSB
A legendary rig equipped with an illuminated blue frequency counter and refined audio filtering. Renowned for its warm audio modulation in single sideband (USB/LSB), ideal for monitoring sporadic-E openings.
EuroCB Euro 3900
Shortwave Classic • Operation & Testing
An iconic collector piece tracing the heritage of open radio communications and hands-on experimentation. Maintained in pristine operational alignment for the authentic joy of traditional radio operating.
Aerial Systems & Antenna Tuners
Vertical antennas, wire systems, and impedance matching tuners deployed at the QTH.
Sigma 2011
Tuned for 10m & 12m • Ultra-Low Takeoff Angle
A full-size aluminum vertical antenna engineered for an exceptionally low radiation angle toward the horizon. A formidable tool for long-haul intercontinental DX contacts when the higher HF bands open up.
BB7V (Nagoya)
Broadband without radials • Decametric Versatility
Nagoya's compact and stealthy BB7V broadband vertical, offering agile operating and instant multi-band listening across the entire HF spectrum without requiring an extensive ground radial system.
M0CVO Wire Aerial
Renowned Wire Aerial • Integrated Balun • Low Noise
Decametric wire antenna from renowned British designer M0CVO. Praised for its excellent signal-to-noise ratio upon reception, unobtrusive visual profile, and high operational efficiency for daily HF traffic.
Home-made OM Wire
Custom Built & Tuned • Tailored to QTH
Wire antenna engineered and pruned directly in the shack workshop. Sized specifically to fit local garden geography, with precise resonant length tuning and vector analyzer verification for optimal impedance match.
Antenna Tuners (ATU)
Manual & Automatic • Final Stage Protection
A complement of precision manual antenna couplers and automatic tuners ensuring flawless complex impedance matching, minimal SWR, and complete protection for final RF amplification stages.
Audio Bench & Modulation
Desk microphones selected for voice clarity and punch through surrounding QRM.
Icom SM-50
Gooseneck • Low-Cut Filter Switch
Top-tier dynamic desk microphone paired with the Icom IC-7300. Features an integrated low-cut filter switch to eliminate unwanted low-end rumble and maximize vocal intelligibility through HF band noise in SSB.
Sadelta Echo Master Plus
Dual Analog VU-Meters • Audio Echo Chamber
The timeless flagship of radio station desk mics: backlit dual analog meters for real-time modulation monitoring, adjustable preamplification, and an exquisitely fine-tunable analog echo circuit.
Delta M2 Black Chrome
Black Chrome Edition • VU Meter • Cardioid Head
The modern successor to vintage classics (D104, Turner). Heavy-duty die-cast dynamic cardioid head, dual base rotary controls for Tone (bass/treble shaping) and Modulation gain, built-in analog VU meter, and PTT slide lock. Engineered for crystal-clear, punchy audio through band QRM.
Astatic 1104C
Ceramic Element • Tone & Volume Sliders
A celebrated American classic for HF stations. Features an incisive ceramic cartridge, dual-stage low-noise FET preamplifier, and two front slide controls for precise voice tone shaping and modulation level adjustment.
Zetagi MB+5
Backlit VU Meter • Adjustable Tone & Gain
An iconic desk microphone from the golden age of radio communications. Equipped with an illuminated modulation meter, adjustable preamplification up to +25 dB, and voice tone equalization to tailor audio response to band conditions.
Technical Laboratory & RF Measurements
Beyond voice contacts, station F4JTU is a permanent testing workshop where radio engineering, physical measurements, and applied computing converge.
RF Measurements & Vector Analysis
Precise monitoring of antenna resonance, SWR curves, complex impedance measurements (R+jX), and coaxial transmission line characterization.
Digital Bridge & Computer CAT Control
Transceiver computer interfacing: comprehensive CAT control, real-time ionospheric solar/propagation tracking, and computerized logkeeping.
Resilience & Emergency Communications
Promoting autonomous, off-grid emergency radio communications that remain dependable during civil crises or cellular/internet blackouts.
QSO Confirmations & Contact
Every two-way radio contact made from station F4JTU is meticulously logged. Reception reports from Short Wave Listeners (SWL) are equally appreciated and confirmed with pleasure.
- QRZ.com Logbook: Direct and regular synchronization.
- eQSL.cc: Fast electronic confirmations accepted.
- Paper QSL Cards (Direct / Bureau): 100% replied for all received cards.