TopBand: XZ1N on 160m to NA

[Walter Miller]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 20 Nov 1996 09:33:50 -0800 (PST)
From: Walter Miller <aj6t@slip.net>
To: Dave Hollander - N7RK <davidh@getnet.com>
Subject: Re: TopBand: XZ1N News Release

On Wed, 20 Nov 1996, Dave Hollander - N7RK wrote:

> More XZ1N News ....please post immediately....tnx and 73, Dave N7RK
> 
> ***********************************************************************
> 
> Update from Warren, K7WX: November 20, 1996 Yangon, MYANMAR
> 
> Yesterday was the first day of operation with all antennas in place.
> Propagation to North America has had a few pleasant surprises.
> 
> 160 Meters: Most of Europe, although signals have been very weak. This
> problem is compounded by the fact that there is a local S9 carrier that
> intermittently covers the whole band. We have been using 1.8255 as our
> transmit frequency. Nothing to North America as of yet, but we will
> continue to try for the sunset terminator path every day. will shift our
> emphasis from Europe to JA this evening. Unusual stations worked so far
> have been: OY2H, 9K2MU, ZS4TX and VQ9SS.

> enthusiasts will be happy to know that at this end of the pileup we will be
> using a rotatable dipole at 120 feet for 80 meters and both a sloper at 110
> feet and a 53 foot linear loaded vertical with full length radials for 160
> meters. There will also be receiving loop antennas. Success will now be
> determined mainly by propagation.
> 

Today (Wednesday 20 Nov) XZ1N was Q5 on 160m for about 20 minutes,
starting just after my local sunrise at about 1455.  No copy prior to
sunrise, although other west coast stations were already calling.  Signals
built quickly and stayed solid with little or no QSB until fading out
about 1515.  There was a big pileup of W6/W7 stations calling, but
absolutlely no one got through.  XZ1N called CQ into the pileup for most
of that time, apparently hearing nothing of the din.  Finally XZ1N called
QRZ a few times (once even "QRZ 6T" I thought....probably heard Garry,
NI6T, who was also in the pile), but never picked out any callsigns.  Very
frustrating.

Clearly the XZ transmitting antenna is working well, but the receiving
capability needs work.  Is it possible for them to string out a Beverage
toward North America?  The RX loops dont seem up to the task.  We finally
have the propagation, but success will be determined by a better RX setup
in Yangon.

73, Walt 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter Miller, AJ6T    Saratoga, CA    USA   CM87
Reply to aj6t@slip.net



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