Ok, I feel a little foolish asking this question, but I wonder if anyone on the
Topband list can offer some suggestions as to why my transmitted signal on 160
might be so weak.
I can hear very, VERY well on 160. I am in a very quiet location, and I have
two 2-wire bi-direction Beverages which hear VERY well. I've been playing with
receiving antennas on 160 for a long time, and I decided it was finally time to
see what I could accomplish on 160. But after finally erecting a transmitting
antenna, my signal on 160 is very weak to every person I've ever tried to work.
DX and stateside, CW and SSB. I put up the best xmit antenna that was possible
at this time of year, just before the CQ 160 contest.
I can only run 100 watts at this time.
I tried the inverted-U antenna as described in the links below. It is very
similar to the one that K3LR used in the first link. The antenna is over the
top of a 60' oak tree, and the two elevated radials are about 10' high.
I'd put down a lot of radials and a top-loaded T antenna, but that's just not
possible with the weather this time of year.
Am I expecting too much with just 100 watts? I don't think so; I've heard of
many hams working DXCC without an amplifier. It was my intention to get a
transmitting antenna working well at the 100 watt level, and then building a
legal limit amplifier.
I've operated 3.5 through 144 MHz since 1976, but this is the worst experience
I have ever had since I've been licensed. I know this is almost a stupid
question, but I have to ask it before I go crazy.
Thanks in advance for your patience, gentlemen. :-)
73,
Mike Waters
W0BTU
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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