I keep reading about all the WSPR and other low power modes where one person
was heard all around the world. Well, maybe on a given night that can happen.
-23 on JT65 is 10 dB below the threshold where a CW signal can be copied by
ear... and I see many signals on JT65/JT9 at that level into my excellent
receive antennas – EVERY night...
HOWEVER, when a DXpedition goes to a rare location, they do not get to pick
their location that has S-0 or S-1 noise level, and they do not get to complain
to the local Power company to get the power line noise within 5 miles
eliminated before they operate.
They rarely if ever have 1000 foot beverages in 8 directions, or K9AY loops in
4 directions or a Waller Flag at 120 feet up in the air. Therefore, they limit
themselves as to what they can hear.
THEREFORE, we must use more than 20 watts to be heard, if no one else is
calling, and more than 100 watts if there is a pile up, to stand out from the
crowd.
We cannot pick the one night in 30 that has the best propagation to that
location, and hope that the DXpedition will be on at OUR sunrise/sunset to get
the gray line boost.
Why is this debate continuing? We must go with the conditions dealt to us on a
given night/morning, when the DX does happen to appear.
We must hope that we can hear them, and hope that they can hear us no matter
what power we are running... and they are running.
The propagation gods are fickle at best.
All of you who are low power proponents, PLEASE keep running 20 watts... that
way I can work them with my 1.5 KW and won’t have you QRMing me. And I will be
quickly out of your way !
And for those of you who suggest the FCC says don’t use that much power, let me
run 1.5 KW and make the contact and then while others wait, I will ask the DX
if I should decrease power to say 73 to him.
Happy DXing what ever your flavor...
73, PeteR N8PR
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