Seeing joyful reports of snagging DX under challenging conditions, such as
just posted by Bill, KA3IXF, adds so much pleasure for me to this great hobby.
Not only are they testaments to the fine Elecraft products, but they also
attest to the operating skills of so many in the Elecraft Forum group.
Comparisons of DX worked don't mean much, however, until they include
antennas used. In Bill's case, the key words are "with my homebrew, helically
wound dipole sitting on my window sill." Now, that's a challenge well met. Good
job, Bill!
To the phrase, "Anybody can do it with power," I'd like to add, "Anybody
can do it with low power and a good antenna." It's the hams in our happy group
who operate under extremely limited conditions that draw the most admiration
from me. I can't imagine how discouraging it must be at times for someone
living, for example, in a restrictive condo building having to run QRP with
wire tacked to an interior wall, a shortened vertical sticking out a window in
the darkness, or a stealth antenna tucked in a hidden location. I know those
antennas will work and have experimented successfully with them myself, but the
skills required to make long-distance contacts with such limitations expresses
to me the real heart of ham radio.
Hat's off to all of you operating in such a manner, and your enthusiastic
postings add a wonderful flavor to the daily forum. Keep the joyful shouts
coming!
73,
Dale - K6PJV, Sacramento
<snip>
Just worked Cyprus, 5B4AGC, 14.027, on my K2, from my third floor
apartment, with my homebrew helically wound dipole sitting on my window sill.
WOW !!!!!!!
73,
Bill
KA3IXF
<end snip>
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