--- Andrew O'Brien <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > My entry in to amateur radio was via 10 meters and > the quest for DX, I > had no real interest in "local" communication. Over > the years I have > had hams ask me to help them set-up their stations > for digital mode > operation and have occasionally resorted to the > lower bands in attempt > to help them. Often my attempts to communicate with > hams in a 10-50 > mile radius has failed. During darkness, I "skip" > over them, and > during the day-light we can't hear each other. > > I know 10 and 20 meter daylight propagation > characteristics like the > back of my hand, but have no clue about what is > "normal" for 80 and > 40M . It seems odd to me that I would have to rely > on 2M repeaters to > talk to regional hams. What do others on this list > do for regional > communications on HF? It would seem to me that the > digital modes > would be ideal for regional use but whenever I get a > chance to get > someone brave enough to leave 2M chatting alone and > try a digital mode > on HF, I can't work 'em to help them get set-up. > > I am familiar with NVIS antennae but do not have a > particular NVIS > installation, I do not have real estate for 160M > either. So what > bands and "regular" antennas do you use for this ? > > > -- > Andy K3UK > For short ranges try 80 meters and a dipole up about 20 feet. The low antenna will tend to shoot the signal up so it will bounce back down. Also it will tend to be more omindirectional at this low heigth. I use one at this height to talk to some friends about 75 miles away. It is beter for this than an off center fed dipole I have at 50 feet for the near stations.
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