AA1K has worked 51 countries on 160 meters and 275 countries on all bands from his car using 100 watts and KJ7U screwdriver for 160-6 meters
73 Frank W3LPL ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard" <[email protected]> To: "Mike" <[email protected]>, "topband" <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 6, 2024 9:46:23 AM Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity On 1/6/2024 6:49 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote: > > Bill KU8H > > > > OK, I'll be very honest and say that I don't really understand posts like > this. > > For nearly 30 yrs I've run 160m mobile on again/off again (more off than on) > and have I think 67 countries on Top Band. > KH6DX/W6 famously worked 100 countries for his DXCC ... from his pickup truck in SoCal. He had a big fat screwdriver antenna, and an 800 watt amplifier. He was at liberty to get away from noise sources, and get up on hills, drive on beaches, drive on dry salt lakes, etc and not have to run QRP to keep the neighbors happy. One winter he drove to the N. Dakota/S. Dakota border and worked the ARRL 160 and had a blast. He was plenty readable on this coast from 2,000 miles away. He even had special QSLs printed. You mentioned the helically loaded PVC pipe that was published in QST. That may have worked after a fashion, but an old fashioned loading coil always works better than helically wound. Your suggestion about top loading wires is right on, though. 73 Rick N6RK _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
