Topband: 8Q7WM Z-22 in VE6

Tue Mar 1 13:39:42 EST 2022

Dave-
just as I was starting to get it together, I had my 160 antennas come 
down a few years ago due to trees dying, then after beginning to put 
things back then snow takes things down...(ok falling branches brought 
things down, did not even get a chance to use them)...now this pot grow 
light stuff is wreaking havoc here in rural CA...I almost ready to go to 
war....i know I will loose....so you are not the only one having ( in my 
opinion- illicit) drug growing RFI related issues . RFI from the 
unintended consequences from making sure the population is drugged and 
unable to function....I will stop here.....
I too am at a crossroad where I just retired (66) and now have the 5 
acre property/place for topband. kinda disheartened due things beyond my 
control.
Renée, K6FSB

On 3/1/22 9:47 AM, David Olean wrote:
> Wow! That is quite an impressive contact and you managed to copy it 
> all in some audio files. How often does that happen?  Those audio 
> files are great!
>
> Congratulations, Steve.  I am always amazed at how well you do in the 
> over-the -pole mode.  I just do not seem to be able to do that from my 
> spot here in Maine. Maybe 8Q7 wasn't over the pole, but it is a huge 
> event in any case.
>
> I have become enamored with 160 meters and had all sorts of plans to 
> keep improving my station, but many things beyond my control have 
> recently surfaced. I have laid out the area for an 8 circle array to 
> go along with my array of beverages, and I have re furbished 120 ft of 
> Rohn 25 tower sections for a second phased TX antenna. Those plans 
> have now been put on hold as the area around my house has become an RF 
> battleground and I am being overcome by marijuana grow lights.  Maine 
> is a rural state that is largely conservative with the exception of 
> the City of Portland and Bangor. In 2018, the legislature legalized 
> personal use of marijuana. That change has turned things upside down 
> here. I live in a border town, and now many people are coming here to 
> buy drugs from retail pot stores. The state highway that runs thru 
> Lebanon, now is bristling with marijuana stores.  There are many grow 
> houses now being used to supply these stores. In addition, individuals 
> are allowed to grow the plants, and many of them are growing huge 
> illegal amounts of the drug with no prospect of any repercussions.  I 
> have been fighting to get one "home" grower to cease using his grow 
> lights that wipe out my 160 meter reception. He lives 3/4 mile away 
> but has 6000 watts worth of the lights and the RFI is tremendous. I 
> have had some success with an NCC-1 phasing unit to cancel much of the 
> noise, but this past weekend, two new sources came on line in 
> different directions, and there is nothing that I can do to cancel the 
> noise.  I did locate the new sources, but my past history with asking 
> for FCC help tells me that I am in for a long duration event and much 
> of my time will be spent playing Whack-a Mole as new sources come on 
> line. In the meantime, my 160 meter activity has been ruined. If the 
> grow lights are running, I am off the air!  I have decided to stop 
> using 160 meters in any serious fashion as I just turned 77 yrs old 
> and my life is too short to be fighting with pot growers for many 
> years. I wish it were not so. I am initiating a complaint, but am not 
> expecting any neat solution.
>
> 73
>
> Dave K1WHS
>
> On 2/28/2022 3:14 PM, VE6WZ_Steve wrote:
>> Well, today a miracle happened.
>> I worked 8Q7WM on 160m CW for a new DXCC and Z-22.
>> His signal peaked at about 1415 z or so.  My SR at 1430z.
>>
>> First of all, I owe thanks to Bob W7RH for spotting 8Q7WM this 
>> morning on 160m.
>> For the last few months, I have been lazy and sleeping in.  This 
>> morning I got up about 25 min before my sunrise and checked the band.
>> I saw Bob's spot for the 8Q7 on 1821, and thought, “well, I will 
>> never hear him, but I my as well check”
>>
>> I was so shocked when I heard his CQ that I almost fell out of my chair.
>> His signal was arriving at the usual skew path that most of SE Asia 
>> arrives, somewhere between Japan path at 320 deg. and direct west at 
>> 270 deg.
>> The direct path to 8Q7 from VE6 is virtually straight north polar at 
>> 352 deg.
>>
>> Here are a few recordings I made of his signal.
>> If you decide to listen to these, don't even bother without 
>> headphones, he is weak. Really weak.
>> These recordings are in stereo diversity, in the Left ear is the 
>> phased Beverage pair, in the Right ear is the 9 circle .
>> Both RX are set direct west, although he was also copyable on the JA 
>> rx too.
>>
>> While the amp was warming up I recorded this CQ:
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHNBaTs-JDKPTLHDuhRtRAxWrEpMYvzj/view?usp=sharing 
>> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHNBaTs-JDKPTLHDuhRtRAxWrEpMYvzj/view?usp=sharing> 
>>
>>
>> Next Kevin VK6LW called, and I recorded his 2-way QSO:
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EaHEhGU3UQk9YwGpmawdFBjC1b23aPKn/view?usp=sharing 
>> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EaHEhGU3UQk9YwGpmawdFBjC1b23aPKn/view?usp=sharing> 
>>
>>
>> After Kevin finished, the amp was warm so I called.
>> I am actually embarrassed about my calling.  I was so stunned that I 
>> could copy him, I was messing up my reports, and sending my call way 
>> too many times.
>> I think it's clear that I was doubling with him, and I almost ruined 
>> my own QSO.
>> He went into a QSB fade right when I called, so I wasn't sure he had 
>> my call correct, so I think he was unsure I had confirmed.
>> AT 2:05 he sends VE6WZ?
>> I resend my call and report,
>> At 2:40 he sends VE6WZ 5NN,
>> I CFM and at 3:05 8Q7 sends CFM.
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eibREmwj9BzNH2I-gPa14rTdOqMLlorV/view?usp=sharing 
>> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eibREmwj9BzNH2I-gPa14rTdOqMLlorV/view?usp=sharing> 
>>
>>
>> Here he is QRZ? with Dennis, ZL1AZ and JI1DCW calling:
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nz6GX62Ba1gw22R__jpcjbHHnb8QGoNt/view?usp=sharing 
>> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nz6GX62Ba1gw22R__jpcjbHHnb8QGoNt/view?usp=sharing> 
>>
>>
>> The band has remained very poor and the EU trans-polar path has not 
>> opened for a few weeks.
>> Working Z 22, which is a direct polar path I never would have 
>> imagined, but of course the opening was a skew path, completely 
>> avoiding the AU !
>>
>> Thanks to Karel OK2WM for pulling me out, and for setting up an 
>> excellent TX on the beautiful beach in the Maldives.
>>
>> Good luck to the other WC guys.  It seems Karel and Vlad will be 
>> there till March 8.
>>
>> 73, de steve ve6wz
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