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Topband: 9N7AA update

To: 160 <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: 9N7AA update
From: TreeN6TR <treen6tr@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2025 20:58:09 -0800
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
The following update is from Robert’s QRZ page.

*** Update on the low band activity 10-Jan-2025 ***

For the 2nd time, an attempt at activating 80/160m outside of Kathmandu
didn’t really work. Got to the Turtle Hill (1,810m asl) early on Friday and
with the help of Nabin, 9N2NK, the 40-30 antenna was up and tuned about
half an hour before the sunset. 80 and 160 was to follow Saturday morning,
depending on the noise. Initial check, still during the daylight, had shown
the noise on 60/40/30 was surprisingly low, around S2-3 without attenuator
engaged on the radio. But the moment sun went behind the ridge, noise
started to raise sharply. At that point I blamed the large flood lights at
the resort which were all switched ON for a bachelor’s party. I run some CW
on 30 and 40m with mixed results, slightly better compared to my QTH in
Kathmandu, but still a struggle with most of the signals buried deep in the
hhhhrrrrrrrssssshhhhh. Very familiar sound - feels like pulling a coffee
grinder over my ears. Something I’m very much used to from operating my
station at home in the city.
The party ended around 1 AM and I went to switch off all LED lights in the
compound. To my big surprise, there was absolutely no improvement! I stayed
on 40 and 30 for most of the night, freezing my rear end off without
electrical heating if I wanted running the amp. The resort only has two
shabby 15A power lines.
The village on Turtle Hill is very small, with only 5-6 houses along with
the resort, hence I don’t believe the noise is generated locally. This made
me think of a different noise source – Kathmandu! It starts just a
kilometer away as the crow flies, although it sits at a 500m lower
altitude. From the hilltop all one can see is a huge sea of lights and a
deep hum from the big city. After two nearly equal experiences I am now
convinced, this is the case.
Looking at the noise levels on 160-30m, best on 30m at S8-9 and
progressively worse on lower bands, this makes any location on the
Kathmandu Valley Ring pretty much hopeless for serious DX-ing and
contesting. I faced exactly the same situation last year a bit further to
the East, beefed up with a nearby HV X-former sparking. Something any
future DX-pedition to Nepal should consider very seriously. If the low
bands and night operation are the target, then Kathmandu Valley is just NOT
an option. There is also no space for any beverages due to very steep and
complex terrain. Low lands in the Terai region would be better, but it is
heavily populated.
Last but not least, it’s the man-made interference that threatens our hobby
today more than anything else!
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