RF miracles continue to happen

[Rick Dwight]

I have been a ham for 64 years and continue to be surprised.  For example about 3 years ago I decided to try QRP CW on 160 meters.  I live in Alaska and the nearest significant ham population is in Seattle, which is about 1500 miles away.  I have an inverted L and only a mediocre radial field.  QSO’s over about 1500 miles have usually been quite difficult if not impossible with my 100 watt rig.  For a transmitter, I quickly constructed a breadboard 5 watt battery powered transmitter, which probably did not meet FCC specs, but my reasoning was that the nearest active hams were over 40 miles away, and probably no one would hear my flea powered rig anyway.  I did not have a battery powered receiver, so I tacked on temporary 1500 pF capacitors across each of the 80 meter antenna coils in my trusty modified KX-1.  Previously the KX-1 was rather deaf on 160 meters, but with the mod it received about the same as my regular station receiver.  In only a few hours of operation in 2 or 3 contests I worked about 6 west coast states, Texas, and Japan.  Most of the QSOs were over 2000 miles.  I was very surprised that this would even be possible.  So please continue to try things which seem to be logically impossible.  If you have a KX-3, go out in the woods during the next contest and try 160 meters, perhaps with a low dipole in the trees.  Good regional contacts should be very possible, and with none of the noise present in urban areas should be a very relaxing experience.  Rick  KL7CW

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[Dave Sublette-2]

Two years ago I entered the CQWW160CW contest with 5 watts and my KX3.  I
placed 5th in North America and worked all over the world.  I went
fearlessly up and down the band answering CQ's, most of which answered my
first call.  I guess I should mention that my antenna is a full sized
quarter wave elevated ground plane made from Rohn 45 with insulated
broadcast section at the feed point, which is 27 feet above ground.  There
are 7, full sized radial suspended at 27 feet, drooping to 15 feet at the
ends.  My QTH is on a high ridge, more than 300 feet above average terrain
for 30 miles in each direction.  Electrical noise level is low and I don't
use receive antennas.  I guess the old saying from real estate is
applicable... location, location, location.  The antenna is the key factor,
but the radio is incredible.

73,

Dave, K4TO

On Sat, Sep 15, 2018 at 2:00 AM Frederick Dwight <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> I have been a ham for 64 years and continue to be surprised.  For example
> about 3 years ago I decided to try QRP CW on 160 meters.  I live in Alaska
> and the nearest significant ham population is in Seattle, which is about
> 1500 miles away.  I have an inverted L and only a mediocre radial field.
> QSO’s over about 1500 miles have usually been quite difficult if not
> impossible with my 100 watt rig.  For a transmitter, I quickly constructed
> a breadboard 5 watt battery powered transmitter, which probably did not
> meet FCC specs, but my reasoning was that the nearest active hams were over
> 40 miles away, and probably no one would hear my flea powered rig anyway.
> I did not have a battery powered receiver, so I tacked on temporary 1500 pF
> capacitors across each of the 80 meter antenna coils in my trusty modified
> KX-1.  Previously the KX-1 was rather deaf on 160 meters, but with the mod
> it received about the same as my regular station receiver.  In only a few
> hours of operation in 2 or 3 contests I worked about 6 west coast states,
> Texas, and Japan.  Most of the QSOs were over 2000 miles.  I was very
> surprised that this would even be possible.  So please continue to try
> things which seem to be logically impossible.  If you have a KX-3, go out
> in the woods during the next contest and try 160 meters, perhaps with a low
> dipole in the trees.  Good regional contacts should be very possible, and
> with none of the noise present in urban areas should be a very relaxing
> experience.  Rick  KL7CW
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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