Hi All,
It sure has been fun on 136 kHz over the past three and a half years, but I
now know that it's time for me to QSY.
For me, the recent introduction of repeaters on 136 has completely changed
the band. I refer, of course, to the 136 kHz to 144 MHz repeater that has
been installed in the south of England, relaying the 136 kHz band to 2
metres.
As well as wondering whether the recent pirate activity on 136 was in some
way precipitated by the presence of the repeater; I have learned today that
at least two operators who 'worked' MB2HFC over the past weekend were
unaware that their 136 kHz signals had, in fact, been relayed to MB2HFC via
a repeater, located several miles away from the demonstration station.
(The operators concerned had, not unreasonably, believed that their signals
were received via a conventional signal path - without the assistance of
relay equipment.)
Being a simple fellow; the attraction of 136 kHz for me was always the
simplicity of the station equipment, and the reliance on one's own efforts
to communicate by radio. For this reason, 136 often felt like an amateur
band 'frozen' in time - a sort of refuge: where one might get a taste of
what it was like to be a pioneer in the 1940s.
But, as operation on 136 now takes on a new dimension: adopting all the
trappings of the black-box era, I have decided to dismantle my LF station.
For now, I'll go back to constructing and operating HF QRP equipment. I
very much hope to see you there!
Naturally, I will be unsubscribing from the LF Reflector - just as soon as
I can figure out how to do it!
Regards to all,
Steve GW4ALG
[email protected]
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