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Am I wasting my time? Maybe...
I'm trying for WAS from the center of the US
(EM17) with a trap 75/160m dipole up 20' flat, pointed N/S and 100w SSB. In just 1 winter season, operating very casually, I've managed 45 states on 160 alone. I've operated maybe 20 hours total. My question is this: Should I even attempt 160 WAS and try to get HI and AK or am I not being realistic considering my setup? I never hear them! Just wondering.... I could easily get the rest of the WAS states on 40 or 80, probably in 1 weekend. -- 73's es gd dx de Ken KGØWX Grid EM17ip, Flying Pigs #1055, Digital On Six #350, List Owner, Yahoo! E-groups: VX-2R & FT-857 |
Ken Bessler wrote:
I'm trying for WAS from the center of the US (EM17) with a trap 75/160m dipole up 20' flat, pointed N/S and 100w SSB. In just 1 winter season, operating very casually, I've managed 45 states on 160 alone. I've operated maybe 20 hours total. My question is this: Should I even attempt 160 WAS and try to get HI and AK or am I not being realistic considering my setup? I never hear them! Another question would be "Why would you NOT try?". Don't think of your low antenna throwing off a blob of signal at only a high angle. It is throwing off signal at many angles. Your signal is just weaker at the lower angles. Just wondering.... I could easily get the rest of the WAS states on 40 or 80, probably in 1 weekend. Wellll, you might as well work them too! 8^) WAS on 160 will just be another feather in the cap. - Mike KB3EIA - - Mike - |
If you're using a 100watt rig you maybe QRP and they make WAS all the time
but usually CW. -- 73 Hank WD5JFR "Ken Bessler" wrote in message news:6KX8e.3022$mS1.234@okepread04... I'm trying for WAS from the center of the US (EM17) with a trap 75/160m dipole up 20' flat, pointed N/S and 100w SSB. In just 1 winter season, operating very casually, I've managed 45 states on 160 alone. I've operated maybe 20 hours total. My question is this: Should I even attempt 160 WAS and try to get HI and AK or am I not being realistic considering my setup? I never hear them! Just wondering.... I could easily get the rest of the WAS states on 40 or 80, probably in 1 weekend. -- 73's es gd dx de Ken KGØWX Grid EM17ip, Flying Pigs #1055, Digital On Six #350, List Owner, Yahoo! E-groups: VX-2R & FT-857 |
Ken,
Why not? HI and AK won't be easy on 160 meters but they are certainly possible. Same for the other bands. As long as you enjoy the 'chase', your time isn't wasted. 'Doc |
But a big help is if you can put up some sort of a receive only
antenna. It makes DX on the low band much more fun. ............ Also...Would probably have more luck on the transmit end, using some type of vertical. 20 ft high is pretty low for a 160 dipole...Makes long haul DX not for the faint of heart... But....It can be done with a low wire, if the band is *real* quiet... I remember back when I first started working 160 , I worked HI three times in one winter, using just a 80m dipole fed like a vertical from the shack, and about 120w. But it was quiet that year, and my antenna was more like 36 ft high instead of 20...Might try feeding that dipole like a vertical on 160m, just as a test...Might surprise you...I bet on long haul, it does better shorted, and fed like a vertical, than when running it normally... You can compare just on receive to tell which would be best.. The DX will be history soon on 160, except for those with super receive antennas...The noise is coming back up slowly... You may have to wait till next winter unless you get lucky and get some more quiet nights before summer...:/ MK |
that contact may be calling CQ right now - and there you are on that darn
computer again. |
"Hal Rosser" wrote in message
. .. that contact may be calling CQ right now - and there you are on that darn computer again. Based on the above plus the other thread comments Viagra, Molasses & a Feather, I herby consign you to killfile status. Goodbye! PLONK -- 73's es gd dx de Ken KGØWX Grid EM17ip, Flying Pigs #1055, Digital On Six #350, List Owner, Yahoo! E-groups: VX-2R & FT-857 |
Based on the above plus the other thread comments Viagra, Molasses & a Feather, I herby consign you to killfile status. Goodbye! PLONK Will I Dream ? |
On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 18:51:30 -0500, "Ken Bessler"
wrote: I'm trying for WAS from the center of the US (EM17) with a trap 75/160m dipole up 20' flat, pointed N/S and 100w SSB. In just 1 winter season, operating very casually, I've managed 45 states on 160 alone. I've operated maybe 20 hours total. My question is this: Should I even attempt 160 WAS and try to get HI and AK or am I not being realistic considering my setup? I never hear them! Just wondering.... I could easily get the rest of the WAS states on 40 or 80, probably in 1 weekend. Working AK7/KH6 will take time as you need to be on, have propagation and have those stations on at the same time. If you picked up 45 states in 20 hours on 160, you may want to continue looking for your remaining states on 160 while taking time to start your WAS on 75/80. As for the antenna, I don't know how much loss there is, but usually there is a noticeable difference between a regular loaded dipole and a dipole with a trap. A full sized dipole will be best, if you have the room. Additionally, look towards re-orienting the antenna for maximum lobe in the direction of the states you need. Just a few thoughts. Sometimes these things take time. Some people work all states in a weekend, usually during a contest, but sometimes it takes time. Good luck BUck -- 73 for now Buck N4PGW |
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