On 3/31/2014 1:38 PM, Jim Bennett wrote:
I've found that I get moderate success when running 30-40 watts on those two "low power" modes.
Correction - JT65 and JT9 are "weak signal" modes - not necessarily "low power" modes. Their primary genesis is from the EME (moon- bounce) world where extremely weak signals even from legal limit transmitter are the rule. > Anyway, to answer your question - no, I most certainly have NOT seen > any distance gain (on HF) by using the JT-modes as compared to CW. I've had good luck with both JT65 and JT9. Compared to CW I can often see solid "QSOs" in paths/with stations that would be impossible given my power level and antennas on a given band and specific conditions. I can't say that better antennas or higher power would not even out the discrepancies and I certainly am no fan of "watching paint dry" in taking 5 minutes per QSO just to exchange signal reports. Still, I think JT65 and JT9 have their value and in view of their narrow band characteristics deserve a place "in the action" 73, ... Joe, W4TV _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
