Andy- My recommendation would be 6M. We have a local net thatcovers a radius of over 50 miles, at night. Sometimes MUCH more. The antenna I find most effective is a Yagi with a low F/B (Normally considered to be a lousy antenna) I point toward the center of the net area, and only move if someone wants a relay. Of course, with a single station sked, more focus will help. Actally, 10M seems to be better here than your experience. When I scan the beacon frequencies, I frequently see low power stations at 50 miles or more. I DO have a low noise area, though, at the highest point in several miles. Good luck-Bill-W4BSG
At 02:41 PM 12/26/2006, you 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 >Skype Me : callto://andyobrien73 >www.obriensweb.com > > >DX Cluster telnet://cluster.dynalias.org > >Suggested Calling/Beaconing Frequencies: > >All frequencies are USB and assume a centre audio frequency of 1000Hz >(e.g radio dial at 14.077.4 and 1000Hz on your waterfall = 14078.4) > >20M: Primary : 14.078.4 Secondary: 14.076.4 > >30M Primary: 10.142 Secondary 10.144 > >80M Primary : 3583 Secondary: 3584.5 > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > >
