"Bang on zero beat" IS a problem. I am noticing more and more of that as (I
guess) more and more guys rely on SPOTTING SOFTWARE! Arrrrgh! It doesn't
make any sense to call exactly zero beat.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, using directional receive only antennas
seems to be a problem. Maybe I can't hear a station at all without my rx
antenna, but maybe I can't hear others in the wrong direction. I haven't
figured out the best way to use directional rx antennas. Maybe the someone
needs to develop antenna scanning software ;-)
Wayne, N7NG
Jackson Hole
-----Original Message-----
From: topband-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:topband-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Brian_ve7jkz
Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2011 10:02 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: ARRL 160 conditions
Very disappointing indeed, although always nice to work the east coast,
ME, WNY, VA, MAR (PEI) etc from the wet coast. And CE3 was a nice one.
For the propagation experts out there did the poor conditions reflect
the increasing solar flux as the new cycle gets going? Or is it just one
of those things?
I was also surprised at some strong signals I called several times and
they never came back. I put out about 400W or so to a shunt fed tower
(56 feet with 8 element beam on top), with lots of radials, and like to
think I get out reasonably well for what I have. So if some of these
very strong signal stations don't hear me and continue CQ'ing what does
it mean? Maybe they have very high noise levels in which case putting
out a mega signal doesn't buy much if they can't hear those
calling......? I would add that my home brew radio has a very neat way
of ensuring I'm bang on zero beat so that's not the problem.
Tnx to all 205 who worked me.
Brian VE7JKZ
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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