Hi TOPband lovers Yes, we do love it, it is noisy, crap .. and all the above. I recently watch Jeff presentation on YouTube about the history of 160m. Excellent work Jeff. I was fortunate to work W1BB, K1PBW, G0SZA, G3CWI, PA0HIP on the 70'. My first DXCC was hard work to achieve it. Living in a city lot raising family, homebrew equipment, 20 years! My first call sign was PY2FOS, first QSO 1974, and DXCC in 1994. I moved to USA 1999. The thing is! I still remember those few QSO, it was a privilege and pure joy. One QSO per year, open a champagne and celebrate for months. The joy of a journey does not end or stop because you don’t like the obstacles in the way. You faced it! The history of 160m was made by "us". Nobody else. The boy and the radio. The future is in the same way on our hands. What I, you , we can do about it? Everything! Starting with a good attitude, we can reinvent and do it all again. The emotion to work a QSO on 160m 50 years ago is the same emotion you can enjoy today. It is your choice, your attitude. We make the future. One example, I'm used to work CW 160 marathon for myself, average 150 countries, 32-36 zones, Jan - Dec. I enjoy every single QSO. We can promote a 160m CW one year test. That’s the secret, enjoy the journey. Do what you like. If you take the time and read the W1BB letter, you may understand why 160m, is called TOP Band, the gentleman band! Oh! There were very few radios with 160m band!, no problem, build your own gear, the LORAN, no problem , work split, sand a crystal to move few KHz and call " CQ listening" mean you need to be listening in the whole band for a QSO, and so , and s..
It was never easy, and we enjoyed every aspect of it. Change your attitude, it is your choice. Only you can do it. My two cents. 73's N4IS JC _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
