I have memory buttons programmed for all the W1AW frequencies on each band
they transmit CW practice. I use them to determine current band conditions
but I also have programmed into memory the beacons on the various bands. I
always check their signal, that is, W1AW, on 160 meters both summer and
winter. Tonight was the best W1AW signal I have heard for a long time. I
sat and copied it for several minutes at 1830 local Denver time; Mountain
Standard. Skip was long because their signal wasn't much better on 80 and
even weaker on 40. As I tuned the phone band on 75 meters about 2200 local
time, I copied several SSB Europeans on 3792 and I have a continuous S9 line
noise on 80 meters. I copied Austria, Ireland, Finland, and Germany and
some were Q5 copy, too. I'm only using a simple G5RV at 38 feet and it is
the 105 foot version. When I lived in western Colorado in a small town of
800 people, we lived up above the town in a new housing area. Out my front
window, you could see for 20 miles before any of the mountains peaks were
visible. My inverted vees for 40 and 80 were only 30 and 35 feet high
broadside to the east and west and since it was a new housing subdivision,
all cables were underground. I had zero line noise on all bands and I
copied, and worked, stuff on 80 meters I rarely hear in Denver due to all
the band noise. By the way, W1AW at 6:30 PM local never moved the S meter
but was clear above the background band noise and was probably the strongest
I've heard them in several years on the top band. I have all but the state
of Main on 160 with my 100 watts. It sure is fun on 80 and 160 when the
conditions get like this. By the way, Alan, KD7GC, I heard you on 40
sideband the other night talking to friends briefly and you were 30 over
running that 600 watts you mentioned. I have also been copying, sometimes
Q5, that 9K2 you guys talk with on 40 around 7 PM Denver time. Not bad for
a little G5RV hardly off the ground. I sure miss my 40 meter beam.
K0NX
Phil.
Living His Name
WWW.SafePlaceFellowship.COM
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