Hello ,
In the past, there has been discussion about using hf radio from apartments.
I want to share my radio activities for this evening just to give those of
you who are feeling like you can't get on the air from your apartment a
little hope.
I use an Icom IC-703+, which is a qrp (10 watts maximum output) radio which
is very similar in form and function to the IC-706 line of radios. the
differences are that the IC-703+ covers only 160-6 meters, has a re-vamped
receiver and a built in antenna tuner, along with the 10 watt max output.
The control layout is identical to that of the IC-706.
My wife and I are staying at a hotel in Melbourne, Florida to celebrate our
19th anniversary. We requested a room on the highest available floor. the
hotel is literally right on the beach, so we do have a great view and (for
radio) a great shot at the horizon over the Atlantic ocean. I used a
Bluestar Antenna, which one might call a "knock-off" version of the
SuperAntenna MP1 topped by the MFJ 12 foot telescoping whip extended to
about 60 inches (the Bluestar comes with a 57 inch whip, but I forgot it at
home but did remember to bring the MFJ whip, doh). I clamped the antenna to
the balcony railing of our eighth floor room and sloppily draped two
ten-foot radials to either side on top of the metal railing (radials were
not straight and were kind of thrown onto and over the railings, and may not
really have made much of a difference since the railing itself is metal). In
the space of about 4 hours I worked the stations listed below. There aren't
an awesome number of stations worked, but you've got to admit that they're
good ones, using only 10 watts and a portable antenna. I probably would have
worked more if I didn't take the time to crack the pile-ups on the dx
stations I did work on hf. Also, notice that even my 6 meter contacts
included some dx and, again, I spent a lot of time making myself heard
amongst the big guns. Apartment dwellers, it is easier with 100 watts and a
fixed, outdoor antenna, but it is possible and fun using only a portable
antenna erected only as often as you can.
Times are listed in 24-hour format, z at the end of the time value is a
reminder to me in my log that I am using zulu (coordinated universal time).
this list is lifted directly from my notes tonight, so it's not pretty prose
and I haven't yet looked up the locations of the stations who didn't furnish
it during the qso.
50.11698MHz ve2tzt 0011z. rs57 mrs56. Gil 9 in grid square fn35.
50.16MHz ve3bz rs53-7 mrs53 with deep qsb. 0025z He's Near Toronto Canada
grid square fn04.
50.175MHz k2cz rs57 mrs54 0028z. Steve in Binghamton NY. Still very deep
qsb.
50.145MHz rs57 n2kej rs57 mrs53. 30 miles sse of Philadelphia. 0037z
18.152MHz kp4dke rs57 mrs57-8 Pedro in Utuado Puerto Rico. 0136z
18.15MHz sv3aqr rs56 mrs31 (tough copy for him, I was very weak for him)
0147z John in Patra, Greece.
14.26395MHz ut7uu rs57 mrs55 Bob 0229z.
14.20602MHz ux6iz rs59-9+10 mrs59 Vlad in the Ukraine, 0241z.
18.14MHz lz2qv rs57 mrs56. ,Miro in Bulgaria 0334z.
73
Ron Miller
N6MSA
Dunedin, Fl.
USA
SKYPE: arjay1
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