[Towertalk] C3/4 17 & 12 PatternsS

[Jim Reid]

Hi,

Have been attempting to QSO on either 17 or 12 m
with the TN3W yl in the Congo.  So far no luck.
Am using a Force 12 C4 (C3 with the 40 meter dipole
on the boom between the mast mount and the 15 and
20 meter reflector elements).  

I recall that the C3 is supposed to have a bit of gain in
the "reverse" direction on 17 m;  but have no recollection
of directivity other than that "it works" on 12 m.  Of course,
I must use a tuner to match on either of these bands,
unlike the others (20, 15, 10) where the tuner is mostly not 
needed.

Anyone have any info about the pattern/gain,  if any,  on these
two bands with the 40 meter element on the boom (if that
makes any difference).

Unfortunately,  the optimum times for a KH6/TN QSO is early
morning (like 6AM) in the Congo.  So far they have slept
through from about 3 AM their time,  not operating again
until about 9:30 or 10AM in Brazzaville!  I have been
encouraging the pilot station to ask them to not operate
so late one of the two or three remaining days.  Go to
bed earlier than 3 AM,  and get up for a couple hours
of operating from,  say 5:30 to 7:30 AM;  so far they have
shown no interest in such operating hours,  hi.  Both operators
are still on right now,  about 1:30 AM their time,  so guess
Saturday morning their time will not be a 6AM operating
day either.  The 12 meter signal is Q5 here now though
very light;  but the fellow on 21295 is not even copyable,  
no signal heard at all.

73,  Jim  KH7M