Dave Sergeant wrote:

>From Dave G3YMC

A few comments on recent mails.

Although I agree that by and large the stations with high good antennas
stand the best chance for transmitting across the atlantic, small antennas
do offer some advantages for reception.  In particular, small antennas pick
up far lower local QRN levels, which is particularly important on lf.

It is worth noting that G3KEV apparantly does not hear my signals with the
large antennas he uses - several far less well equiped stations at
comparable distance copy me consistently.

I consistantly work I5MXX and IK5ZPV, exchange 579 each way. To the north OH1TN
and OH3LYG, we exchage 5 7/8 9 each way.
All others around the UK and EU I consider locals. You seem to have the problem.
Let us all know what reports you get from the same stations. I expect you do not
even hear them !!!!

Of course for the transatlantic work low angle radiation is a must - a high
vertical coupled with an excellent ground system does seem ideal for this.
But that is not to preclude the better equipped stations with Marconis and
similar, and there are several UK stations not on Mal's list who must have a
sporting chance.

As G3XDV says, the first thing to do is to establish if DCF39 can be copied
in the USA - I suspect if it is not received there as strongly as we hear
CFH the chances are slim.

73s Dave G3YMC
[email protected]
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/sergeantd