Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

On 1/6/2024 6:49 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:

>
> Bill  KU8H
> 
>   
> 
> OK, I'll be very honest and say that I don't really understand posts like
> this.
> 
> For nearly 30 yrs I've run 160m mobile on again/off again (more off than on)
> and have I think 67 countries on Top Band.
> 

KH6DX/W6 famously worked 100 countries for his DXCC ... from his pickup 
truck in SoCal.  He had a big fat screwdriver antenna, and an 800 watt 
amplifier.  He was at liberty to get away from noise sources, and get up 
on hills, drive on beaches, drive on dry salt lakes, etc and not have to 
run QRP to keep the neighbors happy.  One winter he drove to the N. 
Dakota/S. Dakota border and worked the ARRL 160 and had a blast.  He was 
plenty readable on this coast from 2,000 miles away.  He even had 
special QSLs printed.

You mentioned the helically loaded PVC pipe that was published in QST.
That may have worked after a fashion, but an old fashioned loading
coil always works better than helically wound.  Your suggestion about
top loading wires is right on, though.

73
Rick N6RK