The following update is from Robert’s QRZ page. *** Update on the low band activity 10-Jan-2025 ***
For the 2nd time, an attempt at activating 80/160m outside of Kathmandu didn’t really work. Got to the Turtle Hill (1,810m asl) early on Friday and with the help of Nabin, 9N2NK, the 40-30 antenna was up and tuned about half an hour before the sunset. 80 and 160 was to follow Saturday morning, depending on the noise. Initial check, still during the daylight, had shown the noise on 60/40/30 was surprisingly low, around S2-3 without attenuator engaged on the radio. But the moment sun went behind the ridge, noise started to raise sharply. At that point I blamed the large flood lights at the resort which were all switched ON for a bachelor’s party. I run some CW on 30 and 40m with mixed results, slightly better compared to my QTH in Kathmandu, but still a struggle with most of the signals buried deep in the hhhhrrrrrrrssssshhhhh. Very familiar sound - feels like pulling a coffee grinder over my ears. Something I’m very much used to from operating my station at home in the city. The party ended around 1 AM and I went to switch off all LED lights in the compound. To my big surprise, there was absolutely no improvement! I stayed on 40 and 30 for most of the night, freezing my rear end off without electrical heating if I wanted running the amp. The resort only has two shabby 15A power lines. The village on Turtle Hill is very small, with only 5-6 houses along with the resort, hence I don’t believe the noise is generated locally. This made me think of a different noise source – Kathmandu! It starts just a kilometer away as the crow flies, although it sits at a 500m lower altitude. From the hilltop all one can see is a huge sea of lights and a deep hum from the big city. After two nearly equal experiences I am now convinced, this is the case. Looking at the noise levels on 160-30m, best on 30m at S8-9 and progressively worse on lower bands, this makes any location on the Kathmandu Valley Ring pretty much hopeless for serious DX-ing and contesting. I faced exactly the same situation last year a bit further to the East, beefed up with a nearby HV X-former sparking. Something any future DX-pedition to Nepal should consider very seriously. If the low bands and night operation are the target, then Kathmandu Valley is just NOT an option. There is also no space for any beverages due to very steep and complex terrain. Low lands in the Terai region would be better, but it is heavily populated. Last but not least, it’s the man-made interference that threatens our hobby today more than anything else! _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
