If I recall correctly the FCC is going to have a bunch of
spectrum available down in the lower part when the NDB
stations are mandated to cease operation, what 200-500 KCy.
All those airport approaches are supposed to switch to GPS
approaches in the near future, 2012 sticks in my mind as the
terminal year for NDB operation, but it may be a bit sooner.
In the meantime there is quite an active SWL group who
monitor the NDB stations. They have a website for logging
the reception of the stations and anyone can view the
reception reports and log theirs.
http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/rna/index.php?poll=show
In years past I maintained a couple of NDBs in the 200 range
and they used short vertical antennas not over 25 ft. tall
without radials. You should have seen the loading coils on
those. Some stations had horizontal center fed antennas
that were about the same height and under right conditions
they could be heard many miles. The long range NDB covered
out to about 300 miles reliably.
I wonder if anyone is pressing for some of that spectrum or
are they going to save it for something stupid like BPL?
Jim/W5JO
Our power limit so far on 600 meters is 20w ERP which can
take a kilowatt to get as antenna efficiency is ha ha down
there. But the little antennas do radiate and the signals
go far with easy. Still plenty of room for big tube's. In
the winter it only takes 25-35w output power to cover the
whole lower 48 states with regular CW. Way further using
QRSS of course. Rudy N7LF was seen in the South Pacific &
Alaska. Summertime takes more power. EU CW may be possible
this coming winter with the guys running larger tube amps
as they get experience with the equipment and antennas. A
250TH was on my mind lately...
Mike
WE0H
John Coleman wrote:
Cool deal but only 100 watts? And low antennas. What's
with that? I guess
just to experiment with but if they open it up to all,
then 100 watts is
hardly worth the trouble for big glass and iron.
John
WA5BXO
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