I have operated a beacon on 186 kHz - - back in about 1999. I used a
HyTower for the vertical element and then a loading coil to get it to
match. Wait until you see what it takes to build a reasonable Q loading
coil at 630 meters !!!
Start saving 5 gallon plastic pails now and read a bit about how the
LOWFERS handle such things. I think I am going to be an SWL in the
beginning, looking for the pioneers [you know who they are, they are the
guys with the arrows in their backs].
73, Tod, K0TO
On 2/17/12 10:14 AM, "Tree" <tree@kkn.net> wrote:
>Just thought I would share some random thoughts. I don't seem to post
>here
>as often - since this list has sort of become a job.
>
>- I am personally excited about the new "630 meter" band. I find myself
>dreaming about what I would do for an antenna and find myself scanning the
>web on ways to measure my EIRP. I have already planted a seed in the
>minds
>of Elecraft - asking them how fast I would need to turn the big knob on
>the
>radio to get it down to 472 kHz. BTW - you can get to 485 kHz by using
>the
>RIT - but it turns off there. Hopefully, they can at least make the K3
>receive down there - and perhaps with an outboard filter - do some
>transmitting. I know the dusty TS850 will at least receive there. While
>DXCC down there is probably something I would never have a shot at - WAS
>would certainly be a significant goal for me down there.
>
>- LOTW does take a little bit of effort to sign up for. However, I have
>uploaded all the logs that I have from all the DX locations I have
>operated
>from. It feels good seeing QSOs match up with other people who are doing
>the same. It was a good tool for keeping track of my other band totals
>(since I only really count countries on 160) and eventually resulted in me
>getting the 5BDXCC plaque with 160 endorsement. Did you know you can't
>get
>that award with DXCC on 160-15? You have to have it on 80, 40, 20, 15 and
>10... but if you also get it on 160 - you will get a nice little
>endorsement to put on the award. Typically - after a contest - I will
>upload my log - and about half of it matches up with other people who have
>done the same. I have 216K QSOs records there - and have 36K "QSLs". Of
>course - half of those are with RA4LW on 160 meters. :-) Yes - it costs
>some $$$ if you want to get awards out of it - but I think you will find
>that overall it is cheaper than chasing ALL of the QSLs. For DX stations
>(outside W/VE) there is a bit of paperwork to do in order to prove you are
>licensed - but that sure hasn't stopped a lot of well known big gun 160
>meter stations from showing up.
>
>- I still collect real QSLs for my 160 countries. Have them in a nice
>book
>that I show off to visitors. My only new one so far this year is HK0NA.
>W7LR is still a few ahead of me. Still need 3 zones.
>
>- Speaking of zones - I recently changed jobs and will likely be traveling
>to zone 22 on a somewhat regular basis. I am in touch with Kumar, VU2BGS
>-
>and am hoping to help him improve his situation on 160 meters. No
>promises
>yet - but it sure would be nice to make this zone easier for everyone to
>work. I may also make it to BV again and see if I can spend a night or
>two
>at BU2AQ's fine QTH again.
>
>- Perhaps this list will prove the experts wrong and continue without
>moderation. Please be thoughtful of the intent of this list when posting.
>This subject of LOTW is okay for a bit - but if it continues with too much
>volume - it would start being too much. That is when I start seeing
>complaints and unsubscribe messages.
>
>- The difference between a normal CW QSO and one with computers involved
>using some special technique that allows QSOs to be made below the noise
>level is something I struggle with. Thus far - I have not really been
>very
>excited about using a computer to copy my signals. For me (big words
>there
>- this is just "for me" - not necessarily for you or anyone else) - the
>magic of radio happens between the headphones. I have worked six meter
>EME
>- but on CW before EME turned into a digital mode. I did hook things up
>and tried to work the ZL8 DX pedition just so I could say I have done it -
>but wasn't successful. I guess I am like Jodie Foster in Contact - I just
>like listening. Connecting your brain to the ionosphere to hear things is
>a wonderful experience. It can almost be trippy. Take a listen to this
>recording with headphones on:
>http://www.kkn.net/~tree/160/Diversity1590.wav. That's a recording in
>diversity on 1590 AM with different antennas on each receiver. The
>ionosphere lives and breaths. If you want to hear what six meter CW EME
>signals sounded like - you can listen in here -
>http://web.jzap.com/k7rat/sixeme.html. My operation was done with a single
>yagi up 45 feet.
>
>- The results for the Stew Perry contest are basically final. You can see
>them on the web at http://web.jzap.com/k7rat/stew.html. At some point, I
>will figure out who won which awards and do a writeup. That is - unless
>someone is inspired to do a guest writeup like Paul, K8PO did last year.
>It was nice seeing the writeup done from a less "Boring" perspective for a
>change.
>
>See you on the band.
>
>Tree N6TR
>_______________________________________________
>UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
_______________________________________________
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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