Topband: Re: To those who fret 160m

[Peter Koehler]

> To those who fret 160m:
>
> Yes CQWW conditions not that great here. I only was able to work Sat. night and
> overall November conditions not good to Europe from Arizona. But, some
> conditions to Asia have been good to ok. My short tenure on 160m leaves me the
> impression that 160m is like fishing.  Sometime great, or good, or poor, even
> sometime with no bites at all. Three years ago, I never thought I would have
> worked into Europe other than a G or EA but surprising things can happen. In AZ
> it seems we get a good opening only once a month, yes, November was a bust but
> Dec-March promises better times.
>
> As for finding domestic QSO's on 160m. Yes it can be difficult, today not many
> hams have mastered CW skills (I am still learning!) but far fewer have 160m
> antennas. Many still try 160m with very marginal operations (eg. 80m dipoles
> with a tuner).When I first started 160m it was only during contests. Only 5
> watts, because my antenna tuner was pushed beyond its limits. Subsequently, I
> temporarily loaded my antennas for 160m for the contests. It was not until the
> bug bit me that I was able to construct some ok antennas.
>
> Does there need to be some elmering to recruit regulars to 160m?
>
> Pete KJ7WY
>
> P.S. Jim K9YC, I am sure if you hear Tom on in the mornings (1100z) and he can
> hear you, he will be happy to QSO and give you a signal report on your antenna
> :-)
> I'll do the same!