Ron:
I can relate well to your inaugural experience on 160 meters. I had been a
ham for almost 20 years, and then, in 2010, upon moving back to Michigan,
decided to try the band. I had a few rough starts, including a Windom
antenna that many on the list will remember gave me real fits, but
eventually, I got up and running on the band at least in a rudimentary
manner.
The band is great during the winter-time, when the thunderstorm QRN is at a
mimimum in the northern hemosphere, and is sure a blast on contests like the
one this past week-end.
I'm glad you are getting that loop working. ... The weather in Michigan is
not conducive to antenna work at this time, so it will be a few months until
I can get some maintenance done on the wire antennas I have up here at the
home QTH.
I hope the covenants police continue to be nice to you. ... This is why the
Parity act and other similar legislation is so very important to us all!
Regarding the week-end nets, I really hope to get back into them at some
point. ... It just still seems that my week-ends are full of other stuff I
need to do, with much less time than I'd like for ham radio fun. ... But,
hopefully, that will change when I retire from full-time teaching this
coming May.
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Dr. Ronald E. Milliman
Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2016 6:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: KB8TYJ CQ 160-meter CW Contest Update
Well, I worked a few stations last night on 160 myself, which is certainly
no big deal to most of you, except believe it or not, those few QSOs on 160
last night were the first contacts I have ever made on 160 in my entire ham
career, and I've been a ham since 1957, 59 years! So, to me, it really was a
big deal! I was shocked when my 80 meter loop worked on 160. I have no idea
how badly the feedline is mismatched at the feedpoint, but I was able to get
my SWR down to 1 to 1 using my TS-590's internal tuner.
I finally got my loop up yesterday. I still have some work to do with it,
but it is sure working tons better than the attic antenna I was trying to
use. Now, if the covenants police of our community will mind their own
business and overlook my outside antenna, I'll be in good shape. I had one
neighbor behind me that was standing outside watching everything we did
yesterday when we were putting up the loop. I don't know if he is going to
be a problem or not; hopefully not!
As for the net this afternoon, most of the signals were pretty weak, but a
few were well above the noise. Paul had a really good signal. Paul, what are
you running?
73,
Ron, K8HSY
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