Message-ID: <1999103123340668199@zetnet.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 23:34:06 GMT
To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
From: "Peter Dodd" <g3ldo@zetnet.co.uk>
Subject: LF: Re:GB2CPM
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>From Peter Dodd, G3LDO.
Set up the station at GB2CPM this morning at 0830 using my old Shogun 
as the shack. The main problem was the earth/counterpoise and not the 
antenna loading coil as I originally thought. The 140m length of wire 
laying close to the ground allowed only about 500mA of antenna 
current. Worked GW4ALG 589/589 at 0905. Thought I heard DJ5DI. Worked 
G3YMC 589/589. Tried to improve the counterpoise by first raising it 
above the ground in small trees but antenna current now only 300mA. 
Nevertheless worked GW3XDV/P 589/589 (great signal from Mike in a 
portable location).
Tried earthing the end of the counterpoise - no good at all. Tried 
using earth stake - no good in chalk.
Fixed counterpoise close to ground using rocks - much better. 
Readjusted taps on PA output transformer and got nearly one amp 
antenna current.
Worked PA0CWP 449/459, PA0SE 589/589, SM6PXJ 549/549, G3KMP 569/599+, 
PA2NJN 439/519, G6NB 579/589, G3BDQ 599/599, G3GRO 599/599, DK9DX 
329/449 and G8RW 589/599 and finally G8IK449/569. 
I also heard DL3FDO calling CQ at 1400hrs but he didnt hear my call.

The QTH is an old chalk quarry, and the inverted L spans a horseshoe 
shaped chasm cut into a hill. The open end of the chasm faces north 
so I expected there to be a lot of attenuation of signals from the 
south. In fact the Loran signals from northern France come pounding 
in holding the S meter at S8 on 2.7kHz bandwidth and even S3 on the 
narrowest CW bandwidth. All the signals of the DX I worked had to go 
through the hill so a predominately chalk hill seems fairly 
transparent to LF signals.

The museum is now closed down for the Winter (this Sunday was the 
last day it was open and I had audio QRM from steam engines 
chuntering around the place!). However the closure will not prevent 
operations throughout the winter because I am a volunteer worker there.
I must do something about the counterpoise!
-- 
Regards, Peter, G3LDO

<g3ldo@zetnet.co.uk>