[UK-CONTEST] 2nd 1.8 - Keep your ears open!

[Dave Sergeant]

On 17 Nov 2009 at 22:17, John MacLean MM0CCC wrote:

> Your average UK station is doing well to even get QRV on 160m, given how
> many will have limited space for LF antennas.  Important as it may well
> be, the RX antenna will be even harder to implement.  I'll wager the
> average VE has much more real estate.  Their dilemma will be which
> directionS to run their beveridges ;-)
> 
> John MM0CCC

Hear hear.... We see loads of stories on here from the big boys of what 
DX they work on Top Band, but it is a minority of G stations. Those of 
us in urban locations with small gardens struggle - in my case I 
probably do better than many with my 10m 'butternut' vertical and 5W 
and 39 DXCC this year. Most of our local amateurs don't even look on 
the band, hence couldn't raise a glimmer of interest in last Saturday's 
contest (and running a Foundation course during the day meant we were 
all shattered anyway...).

You don't mention the callsign of the VE but you also have to remember 
that hearing stations on Top Band does not mean they are going to hear 
you.... He is anyway probably only hearing the better equipped 
stations. And it is worth mentioning that there is very little 
incentive in working DX in the 2nd 1.8, it is mainly about bulk UK so 
those taking part are not going to waste time looking for weak stations 
(which is why I don't bother coming on - but have far more success in 
CQ 160 and Stew Perry).

73 Dave G3YMC

http://www.davesergeant.com