Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

[Robin]

I worked KH6DX in his mobile --  as I recall  he was /W6  --  from XZ1N.  1998
or 1999   Its on tape - somewhere.  I dug him out of the pile up and started
laughing!  I had worked him in his mobile several times from the US during
various contests, so I easily recognized him. Set H I, and the exchange.  His
signal was competitive in the pileup.

Once I had a chance, I played back the tape and found he had been calling
steadily until my ears picked him.

I was able to give him an audio CD of the recording when I met him at Visalia a
year or two later when he was giving a talk on what could be worked from 160
mobile

Memory says he was running KW class power

This was a time in the solar cycle when we had spotlight propagation

Robin Critchell
WA6CDR
XZ1N XZ0A
HS72B
VP6DX




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Smith VE9AA" <ve9aa at nbnet.nb.ca>
To: "'Frank W3LPL'" <donovanf at starpower.net>; "'topband'"
<topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2024 10:16
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity


> Years ago now, but I worked Jon a few times when he was mobile on his way to
> work and I seem to recall him being a pretty darn good signal at 1000kms away
> from here.  I think he may have even worked Japan from his Jetta and KJ7U
> antenna.
>
> Maybe he'll see these messages and comment.
>
> Mike - Keswick Ridge, NB, Canada
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Frank W3LPL [mailto:donovanf at starpower.net]
> Sent: January 6, 2024 2:02 PM
> To: topband
> Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity
>
> AA1K has worked 51 countries on 160 meters and 275 countries on all bands
> from his car using 100 watts and KJ7U screwdriver for 160-6 meters
>
> 73
> Frank
> W3LPL
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Richard" <richard at karlquist.com>
> To: "Mike" <ve9aa at nbnet.nb.ca>, "topband" <topband at contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, January 6, 2024 9:46:23 AM
> Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity
>
> 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