On Thu, 3 May 2007 14:07:06 -0500, "J. Mc Laughlin"
wrote:

Hi Mac,

Only reasonable signals in Michigan on 20 meters from about 1130Z to 1400Z.
Can hear them on 10 MHz and even on 18 MHz, but much too weak to compete
with JA or EU.

I have no antennas for those bands, so it was pointless to listen.


Can hear them on 20 Meters most of the daylight hours, but they are too weak
to work. It may be that the big guns have worked BS7H and time will remain
for others. The first day, when things were not fully set up, the JAs were
thinned out somewhat, to the exclusion of others.

The first day they were on 20, I could hear them at ESP level almost
all day. Sometimes LP & SP were about the same.


Circuit discipline has been poor. People were calling when they should not
do so. I did so a few times when QRM got things confused.

Some of this is the fault of the DX op. It would be helpful for them
to announce listening freqs and what area they are listening for more
often. Also, calling for W's and answering a DS station causes real
problems.

The SSB op that I worked was excellent. He said he was looking for
W's from 14,204 to 14,210 and I worked him on 210. No need to clutter
50 KHz of the band.

I should add that if I get this card and VU7RG and any of the several
YU6's I worked ever QSL, I will qualify for DXCC Honor Roll. Only
took 49 years of casual DXing. [grin]

Wes

Dear Wes:

I avoided mentioning the role of the DX operator in keeping things
orderly and productive. It is my observation that it takes a certain signal
to noise+QRM ratio to start to be effective. I also note that many CW
stations do not use break-in with the inevitable result of loosing track and
transmitting when they should wait.

It took me more than 50 years to arrive at HR. Longevity is a
significant asset in the DX game.

My noise level is so low today that I continue to be able to hear BS7H
even without a hint of moving the S meter. They are working hard to thin
out the pack.

73, Mac N8TT

P.S. I encourage you to work on an antenna for 10.1 MHz.

--
J. Mc Laughlin; Michigan U.S.A.
Home:
"Wes Stewart" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 3 May 2007 14:07:06 -0500, "J. Mc Laughlin"
wrote:

Hi Mac,

Only reasonable signals in Michigan on 20 meters from about 1130Z to
1400Z.
Can hear them on 10 MHz and even on 18 MHz, but much too weak to compete
with JA or EU.

I have no antennas for those bands, so it was pointless to listen.


Can hear them on 20 Meters most of the daylight hours, but they are too
weak
to work. It may be that the big guns have worked BS7H and time will
remain
for others. The first day, when things were not fully set up, the JAs
were
thinned out somewhat, to the exclusion of others.

The first day they were on 20, I could hear them at ESP level almost
all day. Sometimes LP & SP were about the same.


Circuit discipline has been poor. People were calling when they should
not
do so. I did so a few times when QRM got things confused.

Some of this is the fault of the DX op. It would be helpful for them
to announce listening freqs and what area they are listening for more
often. Also, calling for W's and answering a DS station causes real
problems.

The SSB op that I worked was excellent. He said he was looking for
W's from 14,204 to 14,210 and I worked him on 210. No need to clutter
50 KHz of the band.

I should add that if I get this card and VU7RG and any of the several
YU6's I worked ever QSL, I will qualify for DXCC Honor Roll. Only
took 49 years of casual DXing. [grin]

Wes

On Thu, 3 May 2007 16:36:03 -0500, "J. Mc Laughlin"
wrote:


Hi again Mac,

I avoided mentioning the role of the DX operator in keeping things
orderly and productive. It is my observation that it takes a certain signal
to noise+QRM ratio to start to be effective. I also note that many CW
stations do not use break-in with the inevitable result of loosing track and
transmitting when they should wait.

My comments DX ops where meant to be more generic than specific to
this operation. Considering that they are teetering on top of a rock
they are doing a fine job. I'm sure it is easy to forget that you've
been transmitting for an hour without giving any info when your feet
are wet.

Also, I think that DX ops these days (not specific to these guys)
think that everyone is connected to some damn cluster and is getting
all of their info from spots. Some of us aren't (don't).


It took me more than 50 years to arrive at HR. Longevity is a
significant asset in the DX game.

Yep, especially if your station is modest as is mine. My HB
three-element 20m Yagi at 45' is the biggest antenna I've ever had. I
have wires for 40/80.

If ARRL would ever process my field-checked DXCC app from two months
ago I could submit another one with old QSLs and qualifiy for 5-band.


My noise level is so low today that I continue to be able to hear BS7H
even without a hint of moving the S meter. They are working hard to thin
out the pack.

73, Mac N8TT

P.S. I encourage you to work on an antenna for 10.1 MHz.

I'm thinking that my next antenna project will be a 2-meter EME
antenna. Maybe I can get DXCC there before I croak. The problem is,
everyone has gone digital mode and I'm not yet convinced that those
are "real" QSOs [g].

Regards,

Wes

Wes Stewart wrote:
On Thu, 3 May 2007 16:36:03 -0500, "J. Mc Laughlin"
wrote:


Hi again Mac,

I avoided mentioning the role of the DX operator in keeping things
orderly and productive. It is my observation that it takes a certain signal
to noise+QRM ratio to start to be effective. I also note that many CW
stations do not use break-in with the inevitable result of loosing track and
transmitting when they should wait.

My comments DX ops where meant to be more generic than specific to
this operation. Considering that they are teetering on top of a rock
they are doing a fine job. I'm sure it is easy to forget that you've
been transmitting for an hour without giving any info when your feet
are wet.

Also, I think that DX ops these days (not specific to these guys)
think that everyone is connected to some damn cluster and is getting
all of their info from spots. Some of us aren't (don't).

It took me more than 50 years to arrive at HR. Longevity is a
significant asset in the DX game.

Yep, especially if your station is modest as is mine. My HB
three-element 20m Yagi at 45' is the biggest antenna I've ever had. I
have wires for 40/80.

If ARRL would ever process my field-checked DXCC app from two months
ago I could submit another one with old QSLs and qualifiy for 5-band.

My noise level is so low today that I continue to be able to hear BS7H
even without a hint of moving the S meter. They are working hard to thin
out the pack.

73, Mac N8TT

P.S. I encourage you to work on an antenna for 10.1 MHz.

I'm thinking that my next antenna project will be a 2-meter EME
antenna. Maybe I can get DXCC there before I croak. The problem is,
everyone has gone digital mode and I'm not yet convinced that those
are "real" QSOs [g].

Regards,

Wes



Didn't you have an EME antenna 20 years (or more) ago?

73,
Bob, N7XY

On Thu, 03 May 2007 17:52:50 -0700, Bob Nielsen
asked:


Didn't you have an EME antenna 20 years (or more) ago?

Yes. A modest one...four Cushcraft "Boomers". (3.2 lambda boom)

A domestic upheaval in 1983 put me QRT and I've never rebuilt. The
antenna pieces are still around and the 8877 amp is still taking up
space in my tiny hamshack. All I need is ambition.

I did some single antenna tropo and MS from this QTH, enough for VUCC,
but my heart was never into chasing that award and I never even
applied since when it was initiated, they said all my prior QSOs were
no good.

Two-meter stats:

DX:18 States:39 WAC:Yes VUCC:100 sumpthin'

Regards,

Wes

I avoided mentioning the role of the DX operator in keeping things
orderly and productive. It is my observation that it takes a certain
signal

Agree a lot of it is the Op. I haven't been DX for 20 years But I still
remember being called a lot
of names because I ruled the pileups with an iron fist because if you didn't
it would get out of hand
quick. But if the rules were followed I could run them at a Fairly good
clip. My DX ops were 2 minor and
1 what I would consider major ... /EA7 80-82 in Rota .. would generate
small piles, KG4RS in Gitmo (1979) was my warm up for the biggie .. VQ9RS
(Sept-Dec 1980)... Man those piles were tremendous.


Scotty W7PSK.