Topband: frustration

[ku8e at bellsouth.net]

I agree 100% with what  K8ND, W4ZV and K4RO have said about operating in the Caribbean.

I have been to PJ2T twice and I was shocked how weak most of the USA stations were the first time I operated there. It was nothing like the northernmost islands like VP5 where many of the USA stations were as loud on 160 as they were at home. You really can tell who has the good antennas 
(i.e W8JI, W8LRL, VY2ZM, W4ZV etc...) because their signals are way above the crowd. 

   When I was in Bonaire (PJ4/KU8E) for the ARRL DX CW contest earlier this year I did signal band 160.  I lucked out because the condx were good and the band was quiet that weekend. We also found a great place to run a beverage to the NW (USA). There is a road that runs down into a valley with a view to the ocean behind the QTH .  It has solid rock cliffs on either side of it that effectively blocked signals from all directions except to the NW. This was the best beverage antenna I had ever used.  I had no problems working even the QRP guys.

   K8ND reported the first night I was on 160 from the island - when I didn't have the beverage up yet that I had tons of USA stations calling that I couldn't hear. The next night when I had the beverage up it made all the difference in the world.

Many of the Caribbean islands are mountainous as well. At the PJ2T QTH they have a big hill in the direction of EU and have had to resort to putting their RCV antennas up on that ridge to just hear EU.
At the PJ4G QTH we are on top of a hill with almost a 360 degree ocean view which makes for a much better location for 160 meters.  PJ2T has a direct ocean shot to the USA and has a much better signal in that direction.

I fear I too am brain damaged like K8ND and will also be plugging away on the top band in a couple weeks. CU then...

Jeff  PJ4/KU8E