Jim,
I applaud your tireless ability to make your point about the terrible noise (especially in California?), but by that same rationale, I should give up on 160m CW and never dream of working a JA, KH6, VK, ZL or any of the dozens of rare Pacific Islands (which I strangely seem to be able to do (most) anytime there is a CW/SSB expedition out there) some 10-15k,kms from here). I also thank you for so many contest QSO's. In RAC just gone by, I was QRP, so your ability to actually hear me on at least 3 bands seems exceptional. CU (all of a sudden!) in the next one. Mike VE9AA On 1/5/2024 10:53 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote: My personal feeling is some people are lazy. Hi Mike, It has NOTHING to do with lazy. It has everything to do with NOISE. Those of us not living in the middle of nowhere have greatly increased noise levels over the last 20 years. When I moved to W6 in 2006, I could work EU on CW several nights a year (remember, we have to go through the auroral oval to get there). In the last seven years, I've heard six EU stations on CW, and two have heard me. And that's with the same TX and RX antennas. Using FT8, I made several dozen EU QSOs during solar minima years, adding about 25 countries. My computer did not build my station, did not put up my antennas, and I learned propagation through extensive study. Sitting in VE9, is like running home from third base and thinking you hit a home run. Thanks for the RAC QSOs. 73, Jim K9YC Mike - Keswick Ridge, NB, Canada _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
