Hi Gang
While we are on the subject of JA 160M history as viewed from the NA side of
the pond, I will add a bit more about what is known.
In January of 1981 I worked JA2GQO from NP4A (and shortly thereafter JA1DDH)
in what I believe were the first-ever JA to KP4 qso's - which I am sure can be
confirmed by Herb KV4FZ who probably was the top Caribbean 160M champion at
the time. I do think Herb managed to do it not long after.
I mention Kinji JA2GQO because he went on in a spirited "horserace" with Aki
JA5DQH for the honor of the first 160M DXCC from JA. In the end, their two
filings reached the ARRL DXCC Desk within ONE DAY of each other - Aki wound up
being first ASIA - followed by Kinji one day later, and Riki Kline 4X4NJ
followed very very shortly on the heels of their filings. What competition -
eh?
In July of 1981 I visited Kinji whose station was in AICHI province - near
the water not far from Nagoya. During the visit Kinji showed me his 160M log
from about 1976 to our qso in 1981 and I was astounded to see recorded entries
of "heard only" for stations K1PBW, W1HGT and many times W1BB. W8JI appeared
many times also as did W4EX, Claude, who lived in Tenn as I recall.
Kinji told me these guys were all heard xmitting close to 1801 or 1803 or
1805 and in those days the JA's had to work split - which made it even harder
to
work much of ANYTHING. I do recall that there wasn't even an SWL entry for a
VO1 - which really does not surprise me - HI.
My memory of the exact Loran placements fails me but I would bet Tom W8JI
would be able to recite this chapter and verse - but I think one was on 1850
and
another at 1925 - which is why all the US stations hugged the band-edge at
1800 in order to work DX. Even Europe was not a slam-dunk in those times - and
most Eu stations answered W/K callers in the "window" which was 1825-1830.
Simplex
"on-frequency Dx'ing" that we enjoy today did not become de riguer until
about 1983 and, with the availability of 1810-1825 as a new band-segment for
JA's
(which is really still quite a new thing actually), the chances for
lesser-equipped stations to work their first JA qso's simplexd has been greatly
enhanced. Add to that the ability to maked specific scheduled attempts
coordinated
via ON4KST and we now see qso's that are greatly facilitated by means of modern
communications technology.
It was fascinating to visit Kinji and to review his logs - I made a complete
copy of them and used the data in prepration for my 160M book "Dx'ing on the
Edge...the Thrill of 160M!" His data was invaluable in referencing those
activities of our Far-East brethen on the band.
Aki JA5DQH is still around - as is Kuni JA7NI and JA7AO - who were the
original JA old-timers - along with JA2JW who I worked the other day from
VY2ZM.
Kuni, JA7AO and JA2JW are quite old men now - but still produce big signals on
the band as we all know.
Aki, JA5DQH, who is younger, now lives at his MOUNTAIN HOUSE in the JA5
district replete with a huge antenna farm largely geared toward all-band
contesting. However, when he comes to topband, he is loud on both the long and
the
short path - at least here into VY2.
So that's a bit more on the current topic from a historical perspective.
Congrats again to Frank Davis, VO1HP - if anyone comes forward with proof of an
earlier VO1-JA qso, I'd be thrilled (but quite surprised!)
Good Dx'ing on the band - enjoy the great condx we have been experiencing!
73 JEFF K1ZM/VY2ZM
K1ZM@aol.com
**************
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