View Full Version : Need first HF contact
n6osb
10-15-2007, 04:40 AM
I just upgrade to general on saturday. I've had a 10 meter radio for years in the closet. I traded it for an old CB base station. I built the simple loop antenna from the ARRL handbook. Its a big antenna. Looking for first HF QSO. New to HF and 10 Meters. Not sure how far I could go. I hear its bad for 10 meters.
Let me know I'm in Fresno.
Thanks.
Gabriel
Gabriel,
Sad to say that the ten meter band is going to be quiet for a couple of years or so. This is the very last place that you should start out as a new General.
I know that ten meter equipment is readily available and inexpensive right now. That actually reflects the lack of activity on ten. If the band was more active equipment might be scarcer.
What you will find on ten at this point in the solar cycle is mostly the locals in your immediate area. In the summer, we usually see some sporadic E propagation which gets us up and down the coast. In the winter... well there might still be an opening or two, but you can't blink or you'll miss them.
A better choice would be to beg or borrow some real HF equipment and put up a dipole somewhere. Believe it or not good used HF radios are not all that expensive, most going for less than those fancy "11 Meter" base stations the CB'ers are all so fond of.
I hope that you can do that and not get too discouraged...
Here's hoping to see you on 40 meters!
73 Gary
kl7aj
10-15-2007, 03:21 PM
Quote[/b] (wg7x @ Oct. 15 2007,07:39)]Gabriel,
Sad to say that the ten meter band is going to be quiet for a couple of years or so. This is the very last place that you should start out as a new General.
I know that ten meter equipment is readily available and inexpensive right now. That actually reflects the lack of activity on ten. If the band was more active equipment might be scarcer.
What you will find on ten at this point in the solar cycle is mostly the locals in your immediate area. In the summer, we usually see some sporadic E propagation which gets us up and down the coast. In the winter... well there might still be an opening or two, but you can't blink or you'll miss them.
A better choice would be to beg or borrow some real HF equipment and put up a dipole somewhere. Believe it or not good used HF radios are not all that expensive, most going for less than those fancy "11 Meter" base stations the CB'ers are all so fond of.
I hope that you can do that and not get too discouraged...
Here's hoping to see you on 40 meters!
73 Gary
True....but sometimes it's a self-fulfilling prophesy...nobody hears anything because nobody's talkin'. Get on and see...that's all we can say. 10 is full of surprise openings.
eric
also..read W4RNL's stuff about ten meters.
eric
n6osb
10-15-2007, 04:02 PM
Man I hope I didn't build a HUGE antenna for nothing. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif This thing is monstrous. Its a rectangle. 6ft wide by 12 feet long.
When I had pluged in my old 11 meter band antenna I actually heard some people talking on it.
This is all I have. I dont have any money to spend on a new radio. I'm tempted in selling some of my mutual funds or my Chipotle stock to buy a NICE radio. What kind of all bander antenna would I need for a FT-817ND?
BTW for now I'll deffenetly will be roaming 10 meter band and calling cq and doing some listening. I wish I could just set my radio to scan and bypass all the annoying beacons or rtty stations.
kl7aj
10-15-2007, 04:10 PM
Quote[/b] (n6osb @ Oct. 15 2007,09:02)]Man I hope I didn't build a HUGE antenna for nothing. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif # This thing is monstrous. #Its a rectangle. #6ft wide by 12 feet long. #
When I had pluged in my old 11 meter band antenna I actually heard some people talking on it.
This is all I have. #I dont have any money to spend on a new radio. #I'm tempted in selling some of my mutual funds or my Chipotle stock to buy a NICE radio. #What kind of all bander antenna would I need for a FT-817ND?
BTW for now I'll deffenetly will be roaming 10 meter band and calling cq and doing some listening. #I wish I could just set my radio to scan and bypass all the annoying beacons or rtty stations.
NO antenna is for nothing. Relax!
eric
NN4RH
10-19-2007, 12:48 PM
Quote[/b] ]I'm tempted in selling some of my mutual funds or my Chipotle stock to buy a NICE radio.
Bad idea! If you sell off mutual funds or stocks to buy a radio, then about the time you're ready to retire twenty or so years from now, you'll seriously regret it. You'll have a twenty year old radio, instead of twenty years worth of compounded investment!
n6osb
10-19-2007, 06:13 PM
Quote[/b] (NN4RH @ Oct. 19 2007,05:48)]Bad idea! If you sell off mutual funds or stocks to buy a radio, then about the time you're ready to retire twenty or so years from now, you'll seriously regret it. You'll have a twenty year old radio, instead of twenty years worth of compounded investment!
Well I have $1.1k in putnum investments. I invested the money about 10 years ago. After scandals and all sorts of deals. I've lost a couple hundred. What I really should do is invest the money elsewhere. I have stocks that are doing really well.
NN4RH
10-19-2007, 06:25 PM
OK. I should have qualified what I said. If it's been losing money consistently for ten years it's probably not a very good investment and you may be better off spending it!
NN4RH
10-19-2007, 06:33 PM
And coincidentally, $1100 would be just enough to buy an Astron or Alinco 25 Amp power supply, an MFJ 949E tuner, a new FT857, FT450, FT817 or IC703, or a used rig, and wire and coax or ladder line etc for antennas.
And a straight key, of course. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
W4INF
10-19-2007, 06:37 PM
From QTH advertisements:
http://swap.qth.com/search-....eOrDesc (http://swap.qth.com/search-results.php?keywords=ts+120&fieldtosearch=TitleOrDesc)
Check this one, A Kenwood TS-120S, I had one as my first rig, and it was a GREAT rig! I wish I still had it in many ways.
*ONLY $200*, you can work 80-40-20-10 for sure!
RADIOHF - Kenwood TS120S w/accessories
I have a KenWood TS 120S that comes with hand mic and manual and service manual. It has its normal wear on the rig, but the rig does work fine.Iam asking 200.00 plus shipping for it obo.
Listing #621252 - Submitted on 10/01/07 by Callsign WD8PSG
HTH & gud luck
W4INF
10-19-2007, 06:38 PM
Quote[/b] (NN4RH @ Oct. 18 2007,12:33)]And a straight key, of course. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Oh noes! At least a BY-1 and an MFJ deluxe keyer! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
W4GPL
10-20-2007, 01:40 PM
I hope you were around last night, the band was wide open.. some guys in town (Orlando, FL) were talking to the Falken Islands. Patience will prevail. It's not a great band right now, but there are some momentary bright spots. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
KI4YTV
10-20-2007, 09:56 PM
a tip for u,,try listening on cb band, 38 lsb or even ch 6,if u start to hear skip the band is opening up on 10 meters http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
kc9mii
10-21-2007, 06:00 PM
Quote[/b] (n6osb @ Oct. 15 2007,09:02)]Man I hope I didn't build a HUGE antenna for nothing. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif # This thing is monstrous. #Its a rectangle. #6ft wide by 12 feet long. #
When I had pluged in my old 11 meter band antenna I actually heard some people talking on it.
This is all I have. #I dont have any money to spend on a new radio. #I'm tempted in selling some of my mutual funds or my Chipotle stock to buy a NICE radio. #What kind of all bander antenna would I need for a FT-817ND?
BTW for now I'll deffenetly will be roaming 10 meter band and calling cq and doing some listening. #I wish I could just set my radio to scan and bypass all the annoying beacons or rtty stations.
hello N6OSB i am new to this and all i have is a 10 meter setup for now but im in northern indiana i do have a three element flat beam 11 meter type havent heard anything lately from your direction but will be happy to try i made my first contacts in odessa tx yesterday.perhaps we could try in a couple of days i know the time zones are different.you can e mail me :
cross0eye0deacon4@yahoo.com 73, KC9MII
KC8OZJ
10-27-2007, 02:04 AM
Quote[/b] (n6osb @ Oct. 14 2007,21:40)]I just upgrade to general on saturday. #I've had a 10 meter radio for years in the closet. #I traded it for an old CB base station. I built the simple loop antenna from the ARRL handbook. #Its a big antenna. #Looking for first HF QSO. #New to HF and 10 Meters. #Not sure how far I could go. #I hear its bad for 10 meters.
Let me know I'm in Fresno.
Thanks.
Gabriel
10 meters was open today. Made several contacts to Argentina.10 meters might be open again for the weekend.
John.
ks4du
10-27-2007, 03:48 PM
What "Falken" islands are you talkin' about? (Andrew Dice Clay). Sorry, I couldn't resist, too funny. They are the Faulkland Islands.
K0RGR
10-31-2007, 09:14 PM
Let's look at some ways to put your shiny new General ticket to use.
Do you know any local hams that would let you operate from their place? I just Googled the Fresno radio club, and they have informal breakfast meetings 3 times a week, and a lunch meeting weekly. They have some 2 meter nets, where you might find people who will talk to you on 10.
Sadly, there was a day when most major clubs had club stations that members could use. For some reason, those seem to have dissolved. Fresno State used to have a club station. I don't find it in Google, but San Jose State's is alive and well - looks like they still have the S-Line I abused as a freshman. I had a hard time finding their web site for some reason.
As far as spending your savings - my advice would be to keep at least a couple $K on hand for emergencies at all times. That's not going to pay for your retirement unless you lock it up in an IRA for many, many years. I just cashed in an "abandoned" IRA that I had not even looked at for many, many years. It had $40K in it. And, younger folks are going to be extremely dependent on their investments for retirement. Beyond that, I would invest in an IRA or 401K plan until it hurts. Then, what's left is for toys, unless you have a family, in which case, you already have many toys and will have to negotiate with the XYL for more.
The TS-120 previously mentioned is a popular starter rig, and I think it's got a great receiver in it. I have one loaned out to a new general in town right now. You will need a power supply, but those are available reasonably priced.
If you're planning to do SSB, 80-40 and 20 meters are the place to be at this point in the solar cycle. Look to 15 and 10 once in a while. A dipole for 40 meters is about 66 feet long and it will also work OK on 15. If you tie a 33 foot dipole to the same feedline, you will have an antenna that works on 20 meters, too.
VE1IDX
11-03-2007, 12:17 AM
Quote[/b] (ks4du @ Oct. 27 2007,05:48)]What "Falken" islands are you talkin' about? (Andrew Dice Clay). Sorry, I couldn't resist, too funny. #They are the Faulkland Islands.
Actually they are the FALKLAND ISLANDS,no "U". Sorry but I just could not resist. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
VE1IDX
11-03-2007, 12:22 AM
Quote[/b] (n6osb @ Oct. 15 2007,06:02)]Man I hope I didn't build a HUGE antenna for nothing. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif # This thing is monstrous. #Its a rectangle. #6ft wide by 12 feet long. #
Uh-oh. Someone is in for a BIG surprise. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif My wife only wishes that I had a "huge" antenna that was a monstrous 6 by 12 rectangle. All I have is a tiny three element tribander with 27 foot long elements and a measley 14 foot long boom. The 6m antenna is even smaller at 6 elements, each almost 10 feet long, on a 19 foot boom. I'm too ashamed to even mention the size of the 11 element 2m yagi. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
KI6LTD
11-29-2007, 04:05 AM
I know how you feel i used 10m when I was a tech(on tech freq.).I never could heard or talk to anyone except my clubes 10m net(only 10 Miles away with 100 watts.) For $10 in supplies you could build a dipol.(need only roof top,understaning XYL,about 16 feet of wire (any type),and 1 piece of 1/2" pvc pipefor insulators)
I know of a Hf all bander (Kenwood simi old but exelent condition)that if you want i could look in to it. I believe it is only $150.
Let me Know 73's
KI6LTD
kc4ylv
11-29-2007, 04:20 AM
I'd ebay the 10 meter radio and use the proceeds to buy a Softrock radio or similar psk31 rig. I'd pick 20 meters if you operate days, 40 if you operate nights.
You'll not only learn about modern software radio and its advantages, but you'll get to build a really sweet kit, and you'll have a very useful and fun PSK31 transciever. I regularly talk all across the continent on 2-3 watts PSK so don't get scared off by the power - 2 watts on 20 meters when it's open will do you way, way more than 25 watts on dead-as-a-doornail 10 meters right now.
KI4CER
12-09-2007, 09:15 AM
Quote[/b] (n6osb @ Oct. 14 2007,21:40)]I just upgrade to general on saturday. I've had a 10 meter radio for years in the closet. I traded it for an old CB base station. I built the simple loop antenna from the ARRL handbook. Its a big antenna. Looking for first HF QSO. New to HF and 10 Meters. Not sure how far I could go. I hear its bad for 10 meters.
Let me know I'm in Fresno.
Thanks.
Gabriel
well if you traded it for an old cb there goes your hopes of making contact on 10m. sorry http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Gabriel,
Hang in there....... Ten meters even at this age of cycle 23 still has openings...... How can a person identify a band opening?.... The best "real time" indicator of band openings are propagation beacons..... almost 200 of them in North America...... another 100 or so in the rest of the DX World.... When a person can hear a QRP power beacon....it's almost a sure thing that a 100 Watt QSO is possible in the direction of the beacon..... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Quote[/b] (n6osb @ Oct. 15 2007,16:02)]Man I hope I didn't build a HUGE antenna for nothing. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif # This thing is monstrous. #Its a rectangle. #6ft wide by 12 feet long. #
.
HaHaHaHa !
What you have is the smallest HF antenna not on a mobile installation.
Some tri-band Yagis have several 33 ft long elements on a 27 ft boom.
My 160 M dipole is 250 ft long.
Your antenna will be great for working worldwide DX In the years of high sunspot count and now it may get you south of the equator in summer openings.
Most days you will be able to work locals 20 0r 30 miles away if it is up high enough.
Keep trying.
KC9GUZ
12-24-2007, 03:07 AM
Or a full size 1/2 wave 160 meter dipole fit onto a 95' by 130' lot! Yes it is bent around here and there but it WORKS!
There have been a few openings on 10 lately but i havent been around to hear them...
As for a decent used Hf rig you can get an older rig like my Kenwood Ts 830s for about 350 to 500.00 and have a REAL rig to play with, or if you are not used to tubes and tuning a radio a decent used Icom 735 or 718 can be had for about 350.00. Alos a NEW Icom 718 can be had for around 550 to $600.00. A good used(or new) tuner can be had for about 100 to $250.00 and a starter antenna is the venerable homebrew 135' 80 meter doublet fed with ladder line. Good luck on whatever you decide to do and CONGRATS on the upgrade! IMHO thats a nice Christmas gift in itself!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif