[RTTY] Greater than 600 watts for RTTY

[Ron WT7AA]

> Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2017 14:56:49 -0400
> 
> Propagation
> Place
> Power and Antenna
> Proficiency
> 
> The sequence is debatable except for #1.
> 
> Dave, K2YG

Well, maybe not.

I just finished a study on activating CQ Zone 2 for 160, using a
reachable and populated site near the Arctic Circle.  The propagation
results on higher bands surprised me, as they were weaker than
expected.

So 'propagation' and 'place' go about as hand-in-hand as power &
antennas.  For the study, I was running multiple copies of HamCap
(from VE3NEA) so that each could be setup with an antenna/power
choice, and then the month or SSNe could be varied across the
different station setups.  It was quickly seen that a change in 3dB
for either antenna or power had identical results (but it's also clear
that improving the antenna as much as possible first pays off the
most). So Antenna/Power do rank behind QTH/Propagation.

I think the real choice is back in what Ed W0YK said, have a QTH that
has propagation to the big populations with sweet multipliers during
their prime time for operating.  For me, I hunt the weak categories
were I can look at prior years participation and feel I have a chance.

r