Hello Topband Friends
I want to pass along my perspective and observations from today both at my
sunset LP into the West Coast and later at sunset from this side.
I understand today that along with N7UA, N6FF and AJ6T (and maybe others)
were in there calling in the period 1430-1500z or thereabouts.
Basically, from my side, there really wasn't a question of SPLIT frequency
working of a "pileup" as such as N7UA was the only station I could hear. My
normal practice is to call CQ until a USA station or stations is/are heard -
and then go split. Bob was the only thing close to a presence of a signal I
could hear at 449 - so I did not announce a QSX freq - plain and simple.
There wasn't any pileup per-se to be worked on this side.
Here's the LP/West Coast situation over here:
I have been using a beverage at 600 feet long aimed at 125 degrees - and we do
have a noise source from out of the SE at this location.
But, having worked Bob today - and knowing that now that **others** in W6/W7
are obviously hearing me, I am now going outside to add another beverage at
600 feet aimed to exactly 155 degrees - and I will shift it's position (using
a long feedline) to get it as far away from where I think the the noise
source may be coming from.
I will come up (in spite of the contest today) on exactly 1805Khz at my sunset
time of 1330z and will call CQ listening on 1807/08/09. I think those freq's
are clear at sunset - if not, I will announce the spot where I am listening.
You guys can help urselves by SPOTTING me immediately when you hear me! We
have full time packet going now and I will see the spots immediately.
Plse use the spots to add if 1805 is not clear for you - and how you are
hearing me - loud? PFW? etc would be a plus.
I will be delighted to try until 1530 again for the next 3 days for the West
coast to give as many a chance as I can. The sunset opening here on my Monday
afternoon will likely be it as I leave at 0245 local time on TUES AM -that's
the best I can do.
Again, so the matter is clear - I heard no pileup today - as I could not copy
a "DIT" except for N7UA - As soon as I know I am being heard (and I know a
pile is there) I will go QSX to avoid "issues" like you guys killing each
other on my xmit freq -( I know the drill guys!)
Please remember, this is a **tough** path - & I've got local noise over the LP
- but I will do my best to improve my RX situation.
Please call as soon as you hear on 1807/08/09 and I will tune for you folks.
And, remember to SPOT me - so I can know I am being heard. I can see the
packet screen clearly from my operating position. Tks!
So congrats to Bob, N7UA, on making the grade at 449. I heard Bob for about 5
minutes and logged him at 1459z. That big 4sq array really seems to have made
the difference today. At the time I remember thinking that if I was only
hearing Bob at 449, then I was in real trouble for the rest of the W6/W7
crowd!
On now to some better news for the folks out East:
Today we had an early opening at 2206z - I had just finished a JA run and AA1K
called immediately on 1824 at 559.
I asked him to spot me at 1824 QSX 1809.5 which he did and in quick
succession, I logged:
WW2Y/N2NU/W1WEF/K2WI/W2YC/W2GE/W2FCR/W3NF/W3LPL/K4ZW/WR3Z/N4MM & ND3A.
The opening was short and the band folded up through the start of the contest
at 0001z to the USA.
No NA stations were heard at all here until W8LRL blew me out of the chair
shortly after the contest started - on 1823/24 - with a very LOUD signal.
No other stations were worked during the contest from 0001z - 0250z - although
K3LR called me on 1811 around 0045z - and I replied - but he never
acknowledged his report.
Later on I heard W3LPL water weak and exactly at sunrise W4MYA at 449 - but no
qso's resulted.
So, I am off now to string a 155 degree beverage for the W6/W7 gang and I will
do my best to hear some more of you over the next three days - from
1330z-1530z xmitting on 1805 QSX 07/08/09.
I have selected these freqs in order to keep myself (I hope) out of your
contest QRM - and to give YOU a better chance of being heard by me - due to
the Russian QRMM that will otherwise be present this afternoon up higher at
1832-34. It will be bedlam there tonight guys! So let's try LF this time.
Briefly, in other news - I worked KH6CC today and he almost worked HZ1AB -
Jack heard HZ1AB, but Tom did not hear Jack.
Also, much to my surprise, Bernie, ZS4TX called me on 1811 at 0200z or so -
for a nice mult in the test.
I have been looking for ZS5K at his sunset time on 1824.3 - but so far no
luck. Hope to catch Greg before I leave.
Worked VK6VZ for a new one for Steve yesterday - good 569/579 sigs around
2040z.
I guess that's it to report. What the W6/W7 crowd was hearing me on today BTW
was the phased vertical array of the back of its broadside pattern. It roughly
covers the 155 degree heading - not quite - but almost - so xmit at least out
that way seems okay.
On a final note, pse DO NOT respond to this email address - at the request of
Bernie - W3UR. Tks!
Trust that I will be there trying on 1805 - and let's hope for some luck with
the new bev. It is really noisey out that way - and I was not hearing the
noisefloor of the band yesterday - and I knew it - but wanted to give it a go
nonetheless.
It has been really hectic around here - remember, this is a multi-multi
contest entry. I consider it fortunate to have been given as much time as I
have been given to push on 160m - I am sure Garry, NI6T, can tell you his
previous experiences in the Pacific where he was not as fortunate.
Keep the faith.
Keep me posted with spots as to what is going on - I will look out for them
and adjust my operating parameters accordingly.
Good luck!
73 Jeff
K1ZM - 160M Op at A61AJ
--
Bernie McClenny, W3UR
Editor of The Daily DX & How's DX?
3025 Hobbs Road
Glenwood, MD 21738
Fax 301-854-5105
http://www.dailydx.com
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