I have operated a beacon on 186 kHz - - back in about 1999. I used a HyTower for the vertical element and then a loading coil to get it to match. Wait until you see what it takes to build a reasonable Q loading coil at 630 meters !!!
Start saving 5 gallon plastic pails now and read a bit about how the LOWFERS handle such things. I think I am going to be an SWL in the beginning, looking for the pioneers [you know who they are, they are the guys with the arrows in their backs]. 73, Tod, K0TO On 2/17/12 10:14 AM, "Tree" <t...@kkn.net> wrote: >Just thought I would share some random thoughts. I don't seem to post >here >as often - since this list has sort of become a job. > >- I am personally excited about the new "630 meter" band. I find myself >dreaming about what I would do for an antenna and find myself scanning the >web on ways to measure my EIRP. I have already planted a seed in the >minds >of Elecraft - asking them how fast I would need to turn the big knob on >the >radio to get it down to 472 kHz. BTW - you can get to 485 kHz by using >the >RIT - but it turns off there. Hopefully, they can at least make the K3 >receive down there - and perhaps with an outboard filter - do some >transmitting. I know the dusty TS850 will at least receive there. While >DXCC down there is probably something I would never have a shot at - WAS >would certainly be a significant goal for me down there. > >- LOTW does take a little bit of effort to sign up for. However, I have >uploaded all the logs that I have from all the DX locations I have >operated >from. It feels good seeing QSOs match up with other people who are doing >the same. It was a good tool for keeping track of my other band totals >(since I only really count countries on 160) and eventually resulted in me >getting the 5BDXCC plaque with 160 endorsement. Did you know you can't >get >that award with DXCC on 160-15? You have to have it on 80, 40, 20, 15 and >10... but if you also get it on 160 - you will get a nice little >endorsement to put on the award. Typically - after a contest - I will >upload my log - and about half of it matches up with other people who have >done the same. I have 216K QSOs records there - and have 36K "QSLs". Of >course - half of those are with RA4LW on 160 meters. :-) Yes - it costs >some $$$ if you want to get awards out of it - but I think you will find >that overall it is cheaper than chasing ALL of the QSLs. For DX stations >(outside W/VE) there is a bit of paperwork to do in order to prove you are >licensed - but that sure hasn't stopped a lot of well known big gun 160 >meter stations from showing up. > >- I still collect real QSLs for my 160 countries. Have them in a nice >book >that I show off to visitors. My only new one so far this year is HK0NA. >W7LR is still a few ahead of me. Still need 3 zones. > >- Speaking of zones - I recently changed jobs and will likely be traveling >to zone 22 on a somewhat regular basis. I am in touch with Kumar, VU2BGS >- >and am hoping to help him improve his situation on 160 meters. No >promises >yet - but it sure would be nice to make this zone easier for everyone to >work. I may also make it to BV again and see if I can spend a night or >two >at BU2AQ's fine QTH again. > >- Perhaps this list will prove the experts wrong and continue without >moderation. Please be thoughtful of the intent of this list when posting. >This subject of LOTW is okay for a bit - but if it continues with too much >volume - it would start being too much. That is when I start seeing >complaints and unsubscribe messages. > >- The difference between a normal CW QSO and one with computers involved >using some special technique that allows QSOs to be made below the noise >level is something I struggle with. Thus far - I have not really been >very >excited about using a computer to copy my signals. For me (big words >there >- this is just "for me" - not necessarily for you or anyone else) - the >magic of radio happens between the headphones. I have worked six meter >EME >- but on CW before EME turned into a digital mode. I did hook things up >and tried to work the ZL8 DX pedition just so I could say I have done it - >but wasn't successful. I guess I am like Jodie Foster in Contact - I just >like listening. Connecting your brain to the ionosphere to hear things is >a wonderful experience. It can almost be trippy. Take a listen to this >recording with headphones on: >http://www.kkn.net/~tree/160/Diversity1590.wav. That's a recording in >diversity on 1590 AM with different antennas on each receiver. The >ionosphere lives and breaths. If you want to hear what six meter CW EME >signals sounded like - you can listen in here - >http://web.jzap.com/k7rat/sixeme.html. My operation was done with a single >yagi up 45 feet. > >- The results for the Stew Perry contest are basically final. You can see >them on the web at http://web.jzap.com/k7rat/stew.html. At some point, I >will figure out who won which awards and do a writeup. That is - unless >someone is inspired to do a guest writeup like Paul, K8PO did last year. >It was nice seeing the writeup done from a less "Boring" perspective for a >change. > >See you on the band. > >Tree N6TR >_______________________________________________ >UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK _______________________________________________ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK