Elecraft CW Net Report for April 23rd & 24th, 2006

[Kevin Rock]

Good Evening,
    Twenty meters was tougher than normal.  I was told in another email
that this solar minimum may be the weakest in some time.  I would not know
any better because this is my first as a transmitting op.  I was an SWL
during a few previous cycles but working two way is much more fun.  In my
opinion this evening's twenty meter net was like listening through a layer
of marshmallows.  I know there were some 4 land folks trying but all I got
was the four and a letter or two.  I did get an NN station and am sure I
heard K4JPN but did not get a reply when I called either of them back.  
K2HYD on 20 had to be the toughest successful contact.  It took him
sending his call over and over until I got all the parts.  I thought I
heard HYD right off the bat but QSB must have been so bad my 100 watts did
not make it to VA.  However, we got it done and in the books.
    Wayne should be proud of what his KX1 design can do on the air.  Look
at how many check ins were from that little rig.  They make me work but I
got them in the log ;)  On 20 meters Rick had a good signal but Ray was
weak.  On 40 meters Rick was weak and Ray was strong.  But neither of them
could match what Chuck did with his KX1 on 40 meters.  I thought he was
running his K2/100!  Great signal from a tough place on the map for my
wire in Oregon.  Chuck sent me a note a few minutes ago.  He has a number
of Elecraft rigs: each of the KX1, K1, and K2 and a few repeats.  
Customers like this keep Elecraft in business :)  But you cannot beat a
good product and World Class customer support.  Thanks!

On 14050 kHz at 2258z:
VE3XL - Ric - ON - K1 - 968
KL7CW - Rick - AK - KX1 - 798
AB9V - Mike - IN - K2 - 3993
W3MC - Mike - MD - K2 - 2125
K6DGW - Fred - CA - K2 - 4398
AB8KJ - Chuck - MI - K2 - 2596
K2HYD - Ray - VA - KX1 - 608

On 7045 kHz at 0200z:
VE3XL - Ric - ON - K1 - 968      Rapidly approaching the century mark!! :)
K6PJV - Dale - CA - K2 - 5345
AB8KJ - Chuck - MI - KX1 - 58
K6DBG - Chris - CA - K2 - 3641   Welcome to ECN!!
K2HYD - Ray - VA - KX1 - 608
W1TF - Ty - GA - K1 - 1423
KL7CW - Rick - AK - KX1 - 798    A bit weaker than on 20 m but still OK.
VE6ITA - John - AB - K2 - 5384   You're on my list now John ;)
W0CZ - Ken - ND - K2 - 1031
KL7V/5 - Sam - OK - K2 - 3158     Howdy Sam!!

    The weather reports I was getting from folks this evening were much
better than the RSTs.  Ken mentioned 77 but Sam must have had it hotter
because he said it was like summer in OK.  Even Rick had 50 degree
temperatures and he lives in Alaska.  Here, it was a very nice day but it
did not break 70.  Close but the wind off the Pacific kept it cool.  Now
that each side of our twenty acres has been clear cut the wind is getting
through to ground level at the house.  Sam, the cat, did not mind though,
he and I sat outside while the hummingbirds zoomed past.  I worked on my
computer as he watched the birds remembering his youth and their
tastiness.  He is in retirement now; even the mice are not afraid of him.  
His eighteenth year may be his last but I'll see he is comfortable and
able to live pleasantly.
    If there are any errors in the above two lists please send me an
email.  As ever I am thankful for all of the nice reports and contacts
 from across the continent.  I have many friends here on ECN.  I've only
met a small number of you but I am sure I'd be welcome in a number of
places.  Hopefully I will get to Ozarkcon next year (I know two of you are
planning on it! )  There are a few other hamfests I would like to attend
also.  I would rather have taken Pat to each of them since there is
singing and dancing but that is just not possible.  You would have not
even have noticed I was there with her in attendance.  Her voice and her
dancing ability would have gotten your attention as well as her wit and
pleasant personality while not otherwise occupied with performing.  I am
one to sit back and listen and watch.  She jumped in with both feet and
experienced life.  It was a pleasure to have known her.
    Until next week please stay well and stay happy,
       73,
          Kevin.  KD5ONS  (Net Control Operator 5th Class)

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[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy-2]

Kevin,

On 40m you were RST 549 at the begining coming from the direction of
northern South America, moving northwards and getting weaker as time went
by, disappearing into the noise at 02:25Z approx coming over Greenland. A
heck of a shift over such a short time. Sorry to report that no other 40m
ECN signals were heard here.

73,
Geoff
GM4ESD



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[Ron D'Eau Claire-2]

Geoff GM4ESD wrote:
On 40m you were RST 549 at the begining coming from the direction of
northern South America, moving northwards and getting weaker as time went
by, disappearing into the noise at 02:25Z approx coming over Greenland. A
heck of a shift over such a short time. Sorry to report that no other 40m
ECN signals were heard here.

----------------------------------

Very interesting report Geoff.

That's a powerful reminder that the simple propagation models upon which
most "band opening" predictions are based are just that: they often have
little correspondence to what is really happening!

Ron AC7AC

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[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy-2]

Ron AC7AC wrote:

> That's a powerful reminder that the simple propagation models upon which
> most "band opening" predictions are based are just that: they often have
> little correspondence to what is really happening!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I could not agree more!! On this occasion I think that Kevin's signal
followed two paths to Scotland, initially down to South America and then
single hop chordal F layer from S.America to here. As that path closed the
second became dominant, another single hop path but skewed north of the
great circle path.  IF I am awake (03:00 local time <g>) I usually hear
Kevin via the northern skewed route at this point in the solar cycle, and
not hearing other ECN signals does suggest a single hop chordal path, F
layer possibly E layer or a mix.

73,
Geoff
GM4ESD









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