[UK-CONTEST] 160m

[Ken Eastty]

> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:06:38 +0100
> From: Chris G3SJJ <g3sjj at btinternet.com>
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Antenna advice!
>
>
> 160m is surprisingly not the easiest band to choose. There is limited
> SSB activity these days but there are numerous CW contests and in the
> autumn/winter months a lot of inter-continental DX available.

I was going to agree with this comment as whenever I listened on 160
recently all I heard was people calling CQ DX, however this evening there
are several SSB QSO's taking place so there might be life in the old band
yet. In the 'Good Ole Days' way back in the last century when most new hams
started on 160m we used to work all over the country when the power limit
was 10W DC I/P (7w RF if you were lucky). I worked as far as Cyprus using a
120ft end fed wire tuned against ground others did much better (but some
were known to be using 813's, 10w? pull the other one!). For those with
limited space loaded verticals can work quite well.

>80m will give you a wider choice of activity, with intra-UK, European and
some
> inter-continental activity. Sunset and sunrise in the UK gives longer
distance propagation.

But to avoid disappointment don't try calling into any of the 80m 'old boys'
nets otherwise you are likely to receive a very frosty reception that's if
they'll talk to you at all.


Ken

G3LVP



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