HF bands been sort of quiet

[KD4LEI]

Did any of you all notice this? I looked on spaceweather and it didn't seem as if we had anything major to cause the HF bands to react.

40 & 20 acted typically like something was going on.

80 was just fine however.

Did anyone else notice the up & down (quiet) effect going on the last couple of days?

[KI4PRK]

I've noticed the same thing. Past few days, haven't heard any good DX except for YS3/I2JIN a few times.

[n0jxi]

wait untill the weekend 20 will come to life!

[N8GAV]

Yes I notice the same thing I don't even hear the 3905 Cent.Club 40 meter callup and that is strange for me

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (N8GAV @ Jan. 24 2008,12:18)]Yes I notice the same thing I don't even hear the 3905 Cent.Club 40 meter callup and that is strange for me
Earlier in the week it seemed stations I heard were coming in 10 - 40 over 9. #Yesterday it seemed 40 was about dead with some stations in the distance you could sorta hear. #Today it improved, but stations were maybe 5x5 - 5x7 at the max.

Maybe there was some solar aspect that affected 20 & 40. #It mirrored what you would see during a solar storm.

[N8GAV]

Just checked NOAA and Space Weather and nothing posted.Have a lot of staic crashes on 80 and 160 here for this time of year that is kinda strange

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (N8GAV @ Jan. 24 2008,12:33)]Just checked NOAA and Space Weather and nothing posted.Have a lot of staic crashes on 80 and 160 here for this time of year that is kinda strange
I heard some static crashes on 40 too. Yes, I heard them too on 80. Only place you might hear something like that is coming out of the southern US.

I am not used to hearing something like that at this time of year. Maybe close to late Feb or March as things warm back up down that way.

[KA4DPO]

This has been the quietest period I can remember in 40 years. There have been no sunspots at all and the sun is heating up causing global warming. This just don't look good.

I expect the FCC knew in advance that the sun was going through some weird phase that only happens every 25,000 years. They knew propagation was going down the tubes for the next 100 years so they yanked the Morse requirement and made the test stump stupid easy.

They knew all the CBers would flock to the ham bands only to find they don't work. Now their stuck on 75 calling each other duck pluckers and chicken whollopers with their power mics and over driven amplifiers.

I urge all of you NC's not to fall for this government conspiracy. Sell your gear and get back on CB. Show em who's boss.....
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N8GAV]

Just Checked 7070 and not seeing much there. PSK is dead, some CW signals around 7050 just a dead band tonight

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (N8GAV @ Jan. 24 2008,12:53)]Just Checked 7070 and not seeing much there. PSK is dead, some CW signals around 7050 just a dead band tonight
Well that's just depressing... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[N8GAV]

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Jan. 24 2008,18:52)]This has been the quietest period I can remember in 40 years. #There have been no sunspots at all and the sun is heating up causing global warming. #This just don't look good.

I expect the FCC knew in advance that the sun was going through some weird phase that only happens every 25,000 years. #They knew propagation was going down the tubes for the next 100 years so they yanked the Morse requirement and made the test stump stupid easy.

They knew all the CBers would flock to the ham bands only to find they don't work. #Now their stuck on 75 calling each other duck pluckers and chicken whollopers with their power mics and over driven amplifiers.

I urge all of you NC's not to fall for this government conspiracy. #Sell your gear and get back on CB. #Show em who's boss.....
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
John, you been hanging around Charlie way tooooo much http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif And by the way I know CW ...... Just can't hear it anymore. Nice thing about hearing aids I take them out and I don't hear the wife anymore too http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kj3n]

Haven't been down to the shack yet, but I chatted briefly with PA0GMW on 75m phone from the car (100 watts) on the way home from work.

That was about 22:45 to 23:00 tonight.

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (kj3n @ Jan. 24 2008,13:05)]Haven't been down to the shack yet, but I chatted briefly with PA0GMW on 75m phone from the car (100 watts) on the way home from work.

That was about 22:45 to 23:00 tonight.
This wasn't affecting 80/75 as much as the bands further up the frequency.

[ab9lz]

The CW side of things seem just fine, in light of the upcoming no code anniversary maybe it's just a pox cast upon those who truly don't understand.

73.

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 24 2008,13:30)]The CW side of things seem just fine, in light of the upcoming no code anniversary maybe it's just a pox cast upon those who truly don't understand.

73.
I was hoping this thread was not going to go this route. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[kj3n]

<----

[kj3n]

Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:37)]Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 24 2008,13:30)]The CW side of things seem just fine, in light of the upcoming no code anniversary maybe it's just a pox cast upon those who truly don't understand.

73.
I was hoping this thread was not going to go this route. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Some folks aren't happy until they crap on every thread.

[ab9lz]

Quote[/b] (kj3n @ Jan. 24 2008,19:39)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:37)]Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 24 2008,13:30)]The CW side of things seem just fine, in light of the upcoming no code anniversary maybe it's just a pox cast upon those who truly don't understand.

73.
I was hoping this thread was not going to go this route. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Some folks aren't happy until they crap on every thread.
yep.

[KA4DPO]

Truthfully, the bands are as dead as I have seen them in a very long time. I'm looking forward to summer so at least we can get some sporadic E oppenings on the higher bands.

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (kj3n @ Jan. 24 2008,13:39)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:37)]Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 24 2008,13:30)]The CW side of things seem just fine, in light of the upcoming no code anniversary maybe it's just a pox cast upon those who truly don't understand.

73.
I was hoping this thread was not going to go this route. # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Some folks aren't happy until they crap on every thread.
It's not just CW, or phone, PSK, etc... #I am talking about some of the bands being down. #This isn't one particular mode that is being affected. #

I prefer not to get into a senseless argument over something outside what this topic is. #If that is the case, I will request the mod's lock down or remove the thread.

[n0iu]

Just wait until the weekend after a major contest (especially a phone contest) and the topic will be something like, "The bands are so crowded with contest activity!"

You just can't please some people!

Scott NØIU

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Jan. 24 2008,13:56)]Truthfully, the bands are as dead as I have seen them in a very long time. #I'm looking forward to summer so at least we can get some sporadic E oppenings on the higher bands.
It will be nice when it does. 20 will be open most of the night and 40 will be interesting.

10 will be exciting again once the activity picks up more as we progress into the new cycle.

[wz9o]

We are in the longest bottom ever recorded. Which will lead to the shortest lasting peak ever recorded.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[kj3n]

Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:59)]Quote[/b] (kj3n @ Jan. 24 2008,13:39)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:37)]Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 24 2008,13:30)]The CW side of things seem just fine, in light of the upcoming no code anniversary maybe it's just a pox cast upon those who truly don't understand.

73.
I was hoping this thread was not going to go this route. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Some folks aren't happy until they crap on every thread.
It's not just CW, or phone, PSK, etc... I am talking about some of the bands being down. This isn't one particular mode that is being affected.
Well, having taken about 4 passes through 40m, I can see what you mean. 20m shuts down not long after sunset here, so I didn't bother checking there.

Quote[/b] ] I prefer not to get into a senseless argument over something outside what this topic is.

Good luck. As I pointed out in another thread, some bitter people can't help but crap on every thread, any chance they get.

Quote[/b] ] If that is the case, I will request the mod's lock down or remove the thread.

If you do that, you let them win. Probably best to ignore them as much as possible.

[KB1OJU]

same here...i noticed it....IT SUCKS!!!!


but hey, ####'ll buff out guys, the bands will be back up in no time!

[kj3n]

Quote[/b] (n0iu @ Jan. 24 2008,21:59)]Just wait until the weekend after a major contest (especially a phone contest) and the topic will be something like, "The bands are so crowded with contest activity!"

You just can't please some people!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Very true!

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (kj3n @ Jan. 24 2008,14:05)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:59)]Quote[/b] (kj3n @ Jan. 24 2008,13:39)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:37)]Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 24 2008,13:30)]The CW side of things seem just fine, in light of the upcoming no code anniversary maybe it's just a pox cast upon those who truly don't understand.

73.
I was hoping this thread was not going to go this route. # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Some folks aren't happy until they crap on every thread.
It's not just CW, or phone, PSK, etc... #I am talking about some of the bands being down. #This isn't one particular mode that is being affected.
Well, having taken about 4 passes through 40m, I can see what you mean. 20m shuts down not long after sunset here, so I didn't bother checking there.

Quote[/b] ] I prefer not to get into a senseless argument over something outside what this topic is.

Good luck. As I pointed out in another thread, some bitter people can't help but crap on every thread, any chance they get.

Quote[/b] ] If that is the case, I will request the mod's lock down or remove the thread.

If you do that, you let them win. Probably best to ignore them as much as possible.
As far as letting those who want to throw in detrimental comments and maybe go the route of getting the thread removed.

You have a point. But, you won't give them the joy of seeing what they posted either. I like ignoring people trying to garner for more attention, it just hacks them off that much more.

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (kj3n @ Jan. 24 2008,14:06)]Quote[/b] (n0iu @ Jan. 24 2008,21:59)]Just wait until the weekend after a major contest (especially a phone contest) and the topic will be something like, "The bands are so crowded with contest activity!"

You just can't please some people!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Very true!
Those threads come along too. Funny how that works...

[ab9lz]

Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,19:59)]Quote[/b] (kj3n @ Jan. 24 2008,13:39)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:37)]Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 24 2008,13:30)]The CW side of things seem just fine, in light of the upcoming no code anniversary maybe it's just a pox cast upon those who truly don't understand.

73.
I was hoping this thread was not going to go this route. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Some folks aren't happy until they crap on every thread.
It's not just CW, or phone, PSK, etc... I am talking about some of the bands being down. This isn't one particular mode that is being affected.

I prefer not to get into a senseless argument over something outside what this topic is. If that is the case, I will request the mod's lock down or remove the thread.
Then request it... seriously, the paths into Europe on 30 meters were quite reasonable today, 17m opened up for a bit as well... have no clue as to what you are talking about. Though not great, which is to be expected for this time of year at the bottom of a cycle, it's nothing like what you'd experience during a solar flare.

The fact that you are having a tough time making phone contacts with your compromise dipole and shiny new rig under less than ideal conditions isn't that surprising.

[k2gsp]

Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 23 2008,21:14)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,19:59)]Quote[/b] (kj3n @ Jan. 24 2008,13:39)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:37)]Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 24 2008,13:30)]The CW side of things seem just fine, in light of the upcoming no code anniversary maybe it's just a pox cast upon those who truly don't understand.

73.
I was hoping this thread was not going to go this route. # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Some folks aren't happy until they crap on every thread.
It's not just CW, or phone, PSK, etc... #I am talking about some of the bands being down. #This isn't one particular mode that is being affected. #

I prefer not to get into a senseless argument over something outside what this topic is. #If that is the case, I will request the mod's lock down or remove the thread.
Then request it... seriously, the paths into Europe on 30 meters were quite reasonable today, 17m opened up for a bit as well... have no clue as to what you are talking about. Though not great, which is to be expected for this time of year at the bottom of a cycle, it's nothing like what you'd experience during a solar flare.

The fact that you are having a tough time making phone contacts with your compromise dipole and shiny new rig under less than ideal conditions isn't that surprising.
You are one ridiculous dude.

[KD4LEI]

Oh I haven't transmitted yet and FWIW, I don't have all the materials yet to do what I want to do. It's obvious you have been reading some of my previous posts from other threads.

Just listening for now and have yet to transmit off my compromise antenna... #Let me guess, you have a beam antenna and I really don't have the funds nor space to have something like that. #

So flame away... #You're trying to pull me down to your level and it's obvious.

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (k2gsp @ Jan. 24 2008,14:35)]Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 23 2008,21:14)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,19:59)]Quote[/b] (kj3n @ Jan. 24 2008,13:39)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:37)]Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 24 2008,13:30)]The CW side of things seem just fine, in light of the upcoming no code anniversary maybe it's just a pox cast upon those who truly don't understand.

73.
I was hoping this thread was not going to go this route. # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Some folks aren't happy until they crap on every thread.
It's not just CW, or phone, PSK, etc... #I am talking about some of the bands being down. #This isn't one particular mode that is being affected. #

I prefer not to get into a senseless argument over something outside what this topic is. #If that is the case, I will request the mod's lock down or remove the thread.
Then request it... seriously, the paths into Europe on 30 meters were quite reasonable today, 17m opened up for a bit as well... have no clue as to what you are talking about. Though not great, which is to be expected for this time of year at the bottom of a cycle, it's nothing like what you'd experience during a solar flare.

The fact that you are having a tough time making phone contacts with your compromise dipole and shiny new rig under less than ideal conditions isn't that surprising.
You are one ridiculous dude.
That's putting it kindly but professionally.

[kj3n]

Well, at least the DX window on 75m phone is doing well. ZS6CCY and EA8TL are working some good USA pile-ups.

[k7mh]

Quote[/b] ]Just wait until the weekend after a major contest (especially a phone contest) and the topic will be something like, "The bands are so crowded with contest activity!"
These guys haven't a CLUE of what a crowded band is!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (k7mh @ Jan. 24 2008,14:51)]Quote[/b] ]Just wait until the weekend after a major contest (especially a phone contest) and the topic will be something like, "The bands are so crowded with contest activity!"
These guys haven't a CLUE of what a crowded band is!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Hence those who complain about how crowded they get on those weekends. # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kr2d]

CT3/OM3RM was booming on 40m earlier, worked him in 2 calls. Everyone else was pretty quiet.

Before that, I saw ZD7X spotted on 30m. I couldn't hear him, but I did hear a VK6 calling him in the pile. That was very unusual, I haven't heard any VKs since becoming active again 2 years ago. VK6 is as far away as you can get from my QTH and still be on land. Didn't work either ZD7X or the VK6 :-( Someday, I'll have a real antenna....

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (k2gsp @ Jan. 24 2008,14:35)]Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 23 2008,21:14)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,19:59)]Quote[/b] (kj3n @ Jan. 24 2008,13:39)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:37)]Quote[/b] (ab9lz @ Jan. 24 2008,13:30)]The CW side of things seem just fine, in light of the upcoming no code anniversary maybe it's just a pox cast upon those who truly don't understand.

73.
I was hoping this thread was not going to go this route. # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Some folks aren't happy until they crap on every thread.
It's not just CW, or phone, PSK, etc... #I am talking about some of the bands being down. #This isn't one particular mode that is being affected. #

I prefer not to get into a senseless argument over something outside what this topic is. #If that is the case, I will request the mod's lock down or remove the thread.
Then request it... seriously, the paths into Europe on 30 meters were quite reasonable today, 17m opened up for a bit as well... have no clue as to what you are talking about. Though not great, which is to be expected for this time of year at the bottom of a cycle, it's nothing like what you'd experience during a solar flare.

The fact that you are having a tough time making phone contacts with your compromise dipole and shiny new rig under less than ideal conditions isn't that surprising.
You are one ridiculous dude.
He reminds me of the guy who drives the Mercedes E550 sedan and expects you to bow to his prowess and taste.

Looks down on you with a sense of pretentiousness and contempt because you drive a Mazda 3.

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (n2jso @ Jan. 24 2008,15:04)]Someday, I'll have a real antenna....
Careful, you might get looked down upon if it's a compromise antenna.

[KD4LEI]

I can't wait to get back to operational mode it's going to be blast.

[KB3LIX]

I have about the crummiest antenna system that anyone could have, plus just 100 watts from a ricebox, and I haven't had any trouble scaring up Q's in the last several days.

Tuesday Germany on 20m RTTY
Today Czech Republic on 20m RTTY
Today Italy on 30m RTTY (new licensee, 17 years old)

The DX is there, you just have to look for it.
As this stage of the cycle, it is NOT going to jump into your lap (unless you are extremely lucky)

Thats not counting the 180 Q's in last weekends NAQP, or the 71 Q's in the UK DX RTTY contest.

[wz0o]

Ten was open Monday and Tuesday to the north east from Florida. It attempted to open thursday afternoon but not much. 15 opened to Maine Thursday. 12 and 17 nothing all week, and your right 20 has been in the dumper. In Florida 80 and 40 both have has 20 over noise and the same for 60.
Better days are comming I hope.

[N8MME]

I noticed the same thing all week. 15, 17, 20 and 40....almost nothing. I even did a check on the antenna to make sure my feed line was still there. Even though the SWR was OK, I had to see for myself that the line was still attached. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[ab9lz]

Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 24 2008,21:06)]He reminds me of the guy who drives the Mercedes E550 sedan and expects you to bow to his prowess and taste.

Looks down on you with a sense of pretentiousness and contempt because you drive a Mazda 3.
I ride a bike to work and use a dipole antenna.

Me thinks you need to have thicker skin son...

[KC2ESD]

The bands have been quiet lately except for 80M at night. It stinks, there is not much to do in January it is depressing. I hope this weekend is good with Winter Field Day.

73 de Rick KC2ESD

[N2RJ]

Kind of quiet?

Gawd, what bands are you guys using? I'm having a hard time finding a clear spot on 20!

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Jan. 25 2008,00:08)]Quote[/b] (n2jso @ Jan. 24 2008,15:04)]Someday, I'll have a real antenna....
Careful, you might get looked down upon if it's a compromise antenna.
I'm pretty proud of what I do with my compromise antenna--a continuously tunable 2~30MHz vertical.

It was utterly deaf to 20M yesterday. I heard a guy in MI happily pounding away, but the band acted like 10M did during the contest. While his signal could be heard, there was continuous flutter. Then he'd get buried under a tsunami of atmospheric noise. Then he'd slowly bob back up, and after a few characters plunge again. Weird.

And I sometimes wonder, if the band might sound different on a dipole, beam, or some other horizontal aerial. Maybe the lack of propagation, itself, is polarized.

[K8YZK]

I use a compromise antenna(inverted vee with center up only 20'), and the bands have been really noisy here. I have heard some dx, but usually in and out. I run only a 100watts, but still make some contacts.

Oh I drive a 2001 Ram PU with 101000 miles on it which is my everyday ride, on weekends when it is warm and nice here, I bring out my 96 Vette.

I am looking forward to when the cycle really starts kicking in, love working stations on 17meters.

Oh I know the problem up here, it is so cold the electrons have slowed down so it just takes awhile to receive anything.

Happy Hunting DX to all

[kn4ds]

Last night, I saw an RN station (Russia), Croatia, Spain and the Canary Islands on 40m PSK-31.

I tried a couple of times for the Russian, but didn't get him. There was a fair pileup for the EA8 station in the Canary Islands, as well.

I saw Germany once yesterday on 20m SSTV.

All this on my 40m dipole 30 feet up.

While the bands may be down, there's still DX out there, and even without DX, plenty of stations to work.

[kq9j]

Worked JE1LET in Japan using 300 watts about 2359Z yesterday. Bands aren't exactly jumping here but there is DX to be had.

[k0dxc]

The bands haven't been up to their normal activity, but France was coming in loud today, some sort of contest

[KD4LEI]

I ride a bike to work and use a dipole antenna.

Me thinks you need to have thicker skin son...

I guess you didn't understand the premise of what I was trying to say. Use a dipole but chime in on the fact I use a compromise antenna.

Interesting... :rolleyes:

Thicker skin huh? Yup... What any decent individual would do in a situation like this and should have done 2 pages ago... Ignore you from here on out... ;)

[G0GQK]

Quite honestly I'm surprised at how much activity there is on HF when you consider that years ago when we went through the solar minimum the bands were completely dead, like DED. Perhaps there are many new operators they haven't experienced a situation where the bands were dead for months, not days ! There are no sunspots, so how do we get ionisation in the upper regions if there aren't any. Short answer is, we don't. But on some days we are still making long distance contacts, how are we doing it ?

G0GQK

[w5alt]

Quite honestly I'm surprised at how much activity there is on HF when you consider that years ago when we went through the solar minimum the bands were completely dead, like DED. Perhaps there are many new operators they haven't experienced a situation where the bands were dead for months, not days ! There are no sunspots, so how do we get ionisation in the upper regions if there aren't any. Short answer is, we don't. But on some days we are still making long distance contacts, how are we doing it ?

Solar flux is still in the 70's. Solar radiation is at a minimum, not at ZERO.

73,
Walt, W5ALT

[N2RJ]

I agree with GQK - how can you guys say the bands are dead?

Look at some of the DX I've worked over the past few days:

1/27/2008 18:29 18:29 OX3MC 20m USB 59 57
1/27/2008 18:29 18:29 5Z4JC 20m USB 57 57
1/27/2008 15:02 15:02 SV2ASP 20m USB 59 59 Mount Athos
1/27/2008 14:01 14:01 HV4NAC 20m USB 59 59
1/27/2008 13:59 13:59 9K2FM 20m USB 59 59
1/27/2008 13:52 13:52 4S7DXG 20m CW 599 599
1/26/2008 18:50 18:50 ZD7X 20m CW 599 599
1/26/2008 18:20 18:20 VP6PR 20m CW 599 599
1/26/2008 18:03 18:03 J79SJ 20m USB 59 59
1/26/2008 17:56 17:56 3DA0TM 20m USB 57 54
1/26/2008 0:30 0:30 I2VRN 40m LSB 59 59
1/25/2008 16:52 16:52 7X5VRK 20m USB 59 57

This is just a small sampling of my log book. It is growing by the day!

I've also ran out of stamps mailing QSL cards.

My XYL also worked 3Y0E (http://3y0e.com/) one call first shot!

Either your antenna needs improvement or you need to pay attention to the DX cluster or use propagation modeling software such as VOAProp. I did all of the above!

So many tools to snag that "rare one," there's no excuse!

The RTTY portion of the band was also full with some European contest, and the SSB portion was full with the UBE DX contest. I couldn't find a clear spot. I had to go to the WARC bands where many were just waiting to work DX.

Not to mention SPAR Winter Field day, if you're into stateside contacts, and the various nets.

I have to wonder if some of you have a dummy load attached to your radio and not an antenna... certainly seems that way!

[N2RJ]

I use a compromise antenna(inverted vee with center up only 20'), and the bands have been really noisy here. I have heard some dx, but usually in and out. I run only a 100watts, but still make some contacts.

Well there is your problem. Do you have trees on your property? You need to get that dipole up higher, at least the apex of it.

When we first moved here, I had a dipole up 20', then put it up 60' in some trees. The difference was night and day.

[NN3W]

Actually the band has been hopping - on 160. Lots of activity in the CQWW.

Got 350 Qs with 100 watts to a low inverted L in about 7 hours.

[N2RJ]

The bands have been quiet lately except for 80M at night. It stinks, there is not much to do in January it is depressing. I hope this weekend is good with Winter Field Day.

73 de Rick KC2ESD

I must be living in a different New Jersey than you, Rick.

From over here in Sussex county I can barely find a quiet spot on the band to call CQ. Even on the 6BTV vertical there's lots of DX to be had on all bands.

I think maybe the noise close to Atlantic City is raising your noise floor and killing the band for you.

[k8jd]

It's a conspiracy among code savvy old timer ops to drive the no-coders nuts. We all got down on the CW band and are haviing a great time with QSOs all over the world and left the no-coders no one to QRM with thier tuning up and power mics ! ! !

[VE3EN]

www.solarcycle24.com

could not help put put my link up , since spaceweather came up :o

Cheers, Kevin
VE3EN

[wy6k]

It's not that the bands are dead. It's that all the hams are dead, except those of us here on this forum. ;)

[ab9lz]

I guess you didn't understand the premise of what I was trying to say. Use a dipole but chime in on the fact I use a compromise antenna.

Interesting... :rolleyes:

Thicker skin huh? Yup... What any decent individual would do in a situation like this and should have done 2 pages ago... Ignore you from here on out... ;)

So, your telling us that (as I suspected) you are in no position to comment on the general conditions, from both a lack of equipment, and experice perspective. The new folks out there would do well to ignore you. The old timers can form thier own opinions.

[K8YZK]

"Quote:
Originally Posted by K8YZK
I use a compromise antenna(inverted vee with center up only 20'), and the bands have been really noisy here. I have heard some dx, but usually in and out. I run only a 100watts, but still make some contacts.

Well there is your problem. Do you have trees on your property? You need to get that dipole up higher, at least the apex of it.

When we first moved here, I had a dipole up 20', then put it up 60' in some trees. The difference was night and day.
__________________

I don't have a problem other then a compromise antenna on a 35x125 city lot with 2 power lines going across my back yard. Yes I have a tree, and it is used as one of the supports at the end of the vee, the tree is right under the mains/cable/phone lines, so for my safety I pay very close attention on where the antenna goes. I don't want to be one of those that you see in the Silent Key section of QST for doing something dumb.
I get on with what I have now, I make contacts. I worked some of the RTTY contest last weekend, and worked Sweden yesterday on MSK16.
When the weather gets nicer, I am going to see if I can get it up higher or work out another arrangement.

[k4kyv]

I expect the FCC knew in advance that the sun was going through some weird phase that only happens every 25,000 years. They knew propagation was going down the tubes for the next 100 years so they yanked the Morse requirement and made the test stump stupid easy.

They knew all the CBers would flock to the ham bands only to find they don't work. Now their (sic) stuck on 75 calling each other duck pluckers and chicken whollopers with their power mics and over driven amplifiers.

You forgot to include the OT's who operate 75 with the latest and most expensive riceboxes with multiple memories, two or more VFO's and all the other bells and whistles, yet the rigs seem to be pre-programmed to work one and only one frequency per band.

[wy6k]

I remember when a couple of hams from the Northern California DX Club, who were also from the Northern California Contest Club, went to Saipan. One of these guys was Tom Schiller N6BT, who then went on to found the Force 12 antenna company - something he did, I believe, in part because of his experience on Saipan.

They brought along a good beam and set up (with permission) in an old military "shack" next to a huge curtain antenna array that was part of a military listening post. The bands were essentially dead, they could near almost nothing on the major dx bands. While exploring and chatting with whoever had control of the military facility (which I think was no longer in use, but I'm not sure), they were given permission to connect to the curtain antenna. Once they did this the band was immediately alive with signals packed shoulder to shoulder. The experience was so overwhelming that it had a permanent impact on the guys.

The moral of the story: there are signals there - you just can't hear them with your antenna.

[WB2WIK]

I remember when a couple of hams from the Northern California DX Club, who were also from the Northern California Contest Club, went to Saipan. One of these guys was Tom Schiller N6BT, who then went on to found the Force 12 antenna company - something he did, I believe, in part because of his experience on Saipan.

They brought along a good beam and set up (with permission) in an old military "shack" next to a huge curtain antenna array that was part of a military listening post. The bands were essentially dead, they could near almost nothing on the major dx bands. While exploring and chatting with whoever had control of the military facility (which I think was no longer in use, but I'm not sure), they were given permission to connect to the curtain antenna. Once they did this the band was immediately alive with signals packed shoulder to shoulder. The experience was so overwhelming that it had a permanent impact on the guys.

The moral of the story: there are signals there - you just can't hear them with your antenna.

::Tom wrote that up in his "Anything Works!" article about using a light bulb for an antenna. Surely huge antenna installations will open the band earlier, let it remain open later, and often open a band that sounds entirely dead. Hard to believe until you've tried this. But the "scale" of those systems is beyond the reach of about 99.9% of all hams as they can involve multiple 300' towers and dozens of acres.

I have a local SW BC station very close to me (KVOH in Chatsworth-Simi) who has a 14.5 dBd gain log periodic that covers 9.7 and 17.9 MHz. If I used that on 30m or 17m I could be the strongest signal on the band from this part of the country. If they wouldn't mind me taking their transmitter off the air, I actually could use it since I can drive right up the the antenna matching unit enclosure. The antenna is made of very large conductor wires (I'd guess about #000 copper or copperclad) supported at the top ends by a pair of 200' towers spaced about a hundred feet apart, and the entire antenna probably occupies five acres and is installed at the summit of a 2500' peak, with an optical horizon of 30 miles or more in most directions.

One of these days...:D

WB2WIK/6

[K7JBQ]

Hey Steve,

Field Day?

73,
Bill

[KA4DPO]

You forgot to include the OT's who operate 75 with the latest and most expensive riceboxes with multiple memories, two or more VFO's and all the other bells and whistles, yet the rigs seem to be pre-programmed to work one and only one frequency per band.


I think you may be pushing the stereotype just a bit. I'm an OT and my radios certainly don't operate any single frequency. There may be one or even two that you perceive that way but that's just your perception. OT's who have all that expensive gear got into radio a long time ago and have been there and done it. When you log that many miles write back an let us know.

[WB2WIK]

Hey Steve,

Field Day?

73,
Bill

::Actually the site sucks for FD unless they take the SW BC transmitter off the air (it's 50kW output power, ~1.5 megawatts e.r.p. aimed southeast). When they're off the air (very infrequently) it's a great site. It's also a few minutes from me, I can look out the window and see the towers down to nearly ground level.

A better FD site is Saddle Peak in Malibu: Lots of transmitters up there but mostly in the hundred Watt range and VHF-UHF, not HF.

WB2WIK/6

[KD4LEI]

A lot of the bands sounded better today. Not just the phone portion, but CW as well and it seems the propogation improved.

Since some of you brought up Field Day, how many will be participating this year?