Nope - not crazy - good priorities! Wait until you
move up to the higher frequencies where you use
1.2GHz as the 2nd IF frequency then you spend
all your time wandering around Dayton or other
good hamfests with your Hughes or Millitech Waveguide
sizing template jamming it into odd little pieces
of square brass pipe and muttering about 'snowflaking
to get a bit more gain'.
But then when the conditions over the lake (or bay)
are good and you switch from sideband to FM for
a full quieting QSO on 10 and 24G, seems all worth
while.
BTW, message to Zack - looking forward to working
you on 24G!
73 de AA9IL
Mike
--- k4gun@comcast.net wrote:
> Yes, you're crazy... as are many of us. I'll see
> you in the asylum. LOL.
>
> Sounds like a great set-up. I'll aim South a few
> times and see if we can't get lucky with some e-skip
> on 6 meters.
>
> Steve K4GUN/R
>
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: "Les Rayburn" <les@highnoonfilm.com>
>
> > Little over a week to go before contest. I'm out
> of town this weekend, and then
> > leave for a shoot in Ft. Worth, TX on Tuesday.
> Return on Friday.
> > During those few days that I'm actually home, I'm
> trying to accomplish the
> > following:
> >
> > 1. Build and install three improved (longer)
> antennas for 144, 222, and 432mhz.
> > 2. Install loop yagis for 900mhz and 2.3 ghz.
> > 3. Install a Beko 300 watt 432mhz amplifier.
> (Loaned to me by a local VHF
> > operator)
> > 4. Learn to use WSJT software (which I just got
> running tonight)
> > 5. Configure N3FJP VHF Contest software including
> Digital Voice Keyer, and CW
> > keyer.
> > 6. Install and learn to use a new Icom 756ProIII
> > 7. Install a Mirage 120 watt amp for 222.
> > 8. Install a DEMI 2304Ghz transverter.
> > 9. Test my Kenwood TK-981 FM rig for 900mhz.
> >
> > This is completely crazy. I've finally and
> completely lost it. You guys should
> > really print warnings in QST or something. I mean,
> this is worse than Avian Flu.
> > All this for some new "grid squares"? Not
> countries, not even states, but grid
> > squares!????
> >
> > I was trying to find and purchase some topographic
> software at a local map
> > specialty shop today, and I told the clerk that I
> wanted to be able to view the
> > terrain in "raised relief" type 3-D views.
> Literally turn it, and move it to
> > visually look at the terrain. She asked what I
> needed it for. I explained that I
> > was a ham radio operator. She then wanted to know
> how much territory I wanted to
> > map. I told her just the Southeastern United
> States.
> >
> > She looked at me and said..."Hmm...my neighbor is
> a ham radio operator and HE
> > TALKS ALL OVER THE WORLD". She was so smug I
> wanted to choke her. How do you
> > explain to someone that you're just trying to work
> into Florida?
> >
> > To make matters worse, I spent some time at the
> shack of Jimmy Long, W4ZRZ
> > recently. He was rushing to get ready for the
> contest too. In his case, he was
> > trying to do a stack of eight 432mhz Yagis at
> about 100 feet! He was having some
> > trouble with his power divider...and oh yeah, the
> water cooling for his 1.2ghz
> > amp was acting up too. I tried to feel sorry for
> him, I really did.
> >
> > His place is at 1,400 foot elevation. You could
> work North Carolina with 5 watts
> > and a dipole. Despite his good nature, I thought
> about shooting myself on the
> > spot. He also imparted some real "VHF Wisdom" for
> me.
> >
> > "Move".
> >
> > I've figured out why there are two annual Sporadic
> E seasons per year. It's just
> > enough to give you hope and get you through the
> next six months, right? Hope to
> > work you in the contest. Please QSL. I need your
> grid.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Les Rayburn, N1LF
> >
> >
> >
> > Les Rayburn, director
> > High Noon Film
> > 100 Centerview Drive Suite 111
> > Birmingham, AL 35216-3748
> > 205.824.8930
> > 205.824.8960 fax
> > 205.253.4867 cell
> > _______________________________________________
> > VHFcontesting mailing list
> > VHFcontesting@contesting.com
> >
>
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>
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