The band sounded great this morning just before 6am, lots of signals, lots of
activity. Wind was howling outside. Unfortunately when I checked my TX, SWR is
about 3:1. I use trees for supports, and it had been gusting all night long.
One of the sides of the catenary had loosened, or a branch had broken -- too
much slack, antenna is too short.
So, no 160m activity for me this AM.
Just now, at 8:20 local, swept the antenna with the MFJ to see if anything else
was wrong (no, just too short, yes, 3:1 or so at 1820), heard someone calling
CQ, a couple of hours past daylight. RW0CR! A few calls later, barefoot with 97
watts and 3:1 SWR (don't dare try that with the amp), he was in the log.
Brian N9ADG
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160 meters is a serious band, it should be treated with respect. - TF4M
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