http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/Is-it-my-KX3-antenna-or-is-it-lousy-band-condx-tp7633243p7633262.html
Reminds me of CQ article. The author took a 1 w rig, buddipole and a
beach chair to the shore. After two days he made no contacts. He said
he had fun. So maybe fun isn't all about making a ton of contacts--
If contacts are what your after, Frank's points are all well taken. In
lug to the game. It's the opposite of the usual expression. They have
> Hi Mike,
>
>
> You're in a perfect storm of
> - high urban noise,
> - QRP power,
> - inefficient modulation if you're using only SSB voice
> - low sunspot activity,
> - a very inefficient antenna, and
> - an urban environment that makes any antenna much less efficient
>
>
> Spokane is surrounded by beautiful rural parks and public lands
> w here you can easily escape your high urban noise environment.
>
>
> You didn't mention what modulation you're using. If you're using
> only SSB voice, you've chosen the least efficient modulation method.
> CW or the highly efficient digital modes such as FT8 or JT65 are
> far better choices for QRP power.
>
>
>
> You'll enjoy much better success if you focus on the 40, 30 and 20
> meter bands which are much less affected by the current low sunspot
> conditions. 17 meters can also be a good choice for QRP power and
> simple antennas on days when when propagation is favorable.
>
>
> While y our vertical with a minimal ground system could be an adequate
> antenna on the ocean front hundreds of miles from your QTH, its a
> terribly inefficient antenna in your urban environment
>
>
> Any horizontally polarized antenna would be a much better choice.
> A half wave horizontally polarized dipole or a properly engineered
> half wave end fed antenna are much better choices. Horizontally
> polarized antennas at least 15 feet high are fairly efficient for
> domestic contacts. They perform much better for DX contacts if they're
> on a hilltop, mountaintop or steeply sloping terrain.
>
>
> If you're a member of a local radio club they can help you quickly
> gain some success.
>
>
> 73
> Frank
> W3LPL
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: "Mike Parkes" <
[hidden email]>
> To:
[hidden email]
> Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 4:33:41 PM
> Subject: [Elecraft] Is it my KX3/antenna or is it lousy band condx?
>
> Okay I am reaching our to the Elecraft enthusiasts here for some feedback
> if anyone cares to chime in.
> I am just getting back on the air after years away from the hobby, so I am
> not that familiar with band conditions in general. It looks like the
> sunspot cycle is heading for the cellar (if it isn't already there).
>
> Recently bought a KX3 and a Buddistick vertical (like, 2 weeks ago). Love
> the KX3 it is a great radio... however... so far my efforts to hear much of
> anything, much less make a contact with someone, has been frustrating to
> say the least. I live in an apartment and am surrounded by power lines for
> one thing. The background noise level on 40 is pretty bad varies but is
> s7-9 mostly. I took my setup to a nearby park and the bands were
> definitely quieter. So the local manmade noise level is an issue (and one
> reason I chose the KX3 was the hope that its rcvr and filtering could help
> with that.)
>
> Have yet to make a single contact, so I am just wondering if I just
> happened to choose a really lousy period of solar conditions for HF? Or is
> the base loaded vertical a joke?
>
> I would love to be able to find another ham even close by just to try and
> get some sort of an HF QSO even if it is with someone down the block.
> ...I can tune down to the AM broadcast band and was able to hear some local
> AM stations. :)
>
> Mike AB7RU
>
> (On a side note the tuner in the KX3 is great!. That thing was able to get
> a match for 80 meters on the Buddistick which was showing something like
> 25:1 swr. The KX3 tuner clicked and rattled for a while and found a match
> to <2:1. Not sure how much actual RF is going out, probably not much... but
> I was amazed it could tune to that high an SWR.)
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