Going /AM: An Interview With PH9HB

[KC2YXI]

Hi folks,

just wanted to let you know about my last piece for DXCoffee.com, which I hope will reveal as interesting as it's been writing it!

It's about Jerry van der Goot, an airline captain who operates /AM during some of his flights. You probably have noticed PH9HB/AM on the cluster.

Here is the interview with him in English:
http://www.dxcoffee.com/eng/2012/07/...r-radio-cloud/

And here in Italian:
http://www.dxcoffee.com/ita/2012/07/...ano-dal-cielo/

Thanks a lot for your attention and vy 73,
Chris

[OE1HTB]

I have had a QSO with Jerry in September 2011 on 20m. When I accidentally heard a CQ.../AM I had too listen twice, as I absolutely did not expect it. Also had my licence and shack just for a few weeks too and not so much practice at all.
Jerry was on the way back to Amsterdam, and I could watch the plane passing directly over my qth in Vienna.
The propagation was more like VHF, the signal was gone immediately when out of sight.
Definitely one of the special qso´s to make.
73, Thomas

[K9COX]

First, please do not construe this as criticism against the author, second, it never ceases to amaze me how many hams think that altitude has anything to do with HF propagation via reflections from the ionosphere. It is all about the particular antenna's interaction with the ground only when it is in proximity with the ground and it is part of the antenna system. Otherwise you are only say 36,000 feet closer to the point of reflection so to speak. I am not impressed when someone tells me they are operating 7,000 feet above sea level.

[M0BGR]

Shouldn't he be concentrating on flying his 'plane?

Dave

[KA5LQJ]

First, please do not construe this as criticism against the author, second, it never ceases to amaze me how many hams think that altitude has anything to do with HF propagation via reflections from the ionosphere. It is all about the particular antenna's interaction with the ground only when it is in proximity with the ground and it is part of the antenna system. Otherwise you are only say 36,000 feet closer to the point of reflection so to speak. I am not impressed when someone tells me they are operating 7,000 feet above sea level.

First of all, I think it's neat that he made contact on AM with an Aeronautical
moble. I had a friend in the Air Force that called me once on 2 meters. He was areonautical as well in an AWACS aircraft, He said he couldn't tell me
his altitude or where he was, but later, I called him on the 'twisted pair' and
he told me he was a 35,000 feet and climbing over the airbase in Tinker,
OK, LOL! He said when he keyed up, it sounded like a cw contest on 146.79.
LOL!

I've also worked a maritime mobile with my Uniden HR-2510 (17 watts out).
He was near Tahiti (sp?) and headed in to port. Pretty amazing, huh?

So guys, don't pee in the OP's oatmeal, please?

Respectfully submitted,
73,
Don/KA5LQJ

[KF6BEJ]

Hey, We have Auto pilot,s AND co-pilot,s now. Not to whine.

[W1MNK]

Hey, We have Auto pilot,s AND co-pilot,s now. Not to whine.

Actually it's Otto Pilot (from movie Airplane) :-)

[WA3VJB]

Yeah most aeronautical radio is on AM, so what was the big deal ?

Thought maybe he was running a tube set from a WW2 aeroplane, now THAT would be noteworthy.

[WA3VJB]

THERE IS such a flight !

NE4AM kindly posted this to amfone.net:

The last flying B29 bomber, 'FIFI', is currently airborne from Dallas TX to Cedar Rapids IA. They are on the air RIGHT NOW using a restored ART-13 transmitter, using the call N0A/B29. I do not know the frequency, but it will be either in 40M or 20M. The ETA in Cedar Rapids is 12:30 CDT, so LISTEN NOW!

http://b29radio.com/LATEST%20NEWS.html

73 Dave.