Re: LF: NIL LF/MF

[Chris Osborn <g3xiz@yahoo.co.uk>]

LF,

 

I called CQ on CW for hours over the weekend.

 

There is an oasis of activity locally with M0JXM and G7NKS often transmitting.

I work both these gentlemen most weekends.

 

Unfortunately my local noise level has suddenly and inexplicably increased by 8 dB or so causing some of my old regular contacts e.g. GW3UEP to drop to the noise level.

I'm working on resolving the problem.

 

WSPR'ing overnight in no way detracts from CW activities as there's nobody on at that time.

 

Our PA friends are quite active on MF and most of my last 12 contacts have been with Dutch stations.They are all good signals.

 

I'll continue to call CQ on weekend mornings and welcome any replies, near of far.

Alas, still having to work for a living I find it difficult to be active during weekdays.

 

A correction ot my earlier reflector note: my WSPR transmit power is usually 60 mW

ERP (0.05W) but last Friday I increased power to 640 mW ERP (0.5W)

 

73 Chris G3XIZ

 

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From: Rik Strobbe <Rik.Strobbe@fys.kuleuven.be>
To: "rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org" <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
Sent: Mon, 24 May, 2010 8:26:31
Subject: RE: LF: NIL LF/MF

Pete,

 

the short darkness period and high QRN levels might be the reason of the low activity.

Things will change in autumn.

 

73, Rik  ON7YD - OR7T

 

 

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Van: owner-rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org [owner-rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org] namens M0FMT [m0fmt@yahoo.co.uk]
Verzonden: zondag 23 mei 2010 23:09
Aan: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
Onderwerp: Re: LF: NIL LF/MF

Yep nothing on 600m.

 

It's a dead band like the parrot it's an ex band. Since the Data curse has fallen upon 600m, CW is dead. I was hoping that 600m would be a nice band to develop what little skill I have as a CW op working stations like Mal, Chris and others but it is not to be. CW qso's are few and far between and a lot of (wasted) time is spent either calling or listening for these few treasured contacts on 600m. The ludicrous one way non communication using old Joe Taylor's PC software defeats my comprehension. I am very tempted to say it's a bad job and Jack 600m in but I will maintain my CW tx and I may even press ahead with my WSPR plans God help me. Now QSYing to 60m and 40m for further CW practise because 600m has not turned out to be the band I was hoping for. Ten Metres is opening up regularly now with Sporadic E openings to EU but very fast and powerful QSB so short overs are the order of the day. A lot of ex Eastern Europeans booming in with massive beams and probably power to match! (Ever wondered what happened to all those old QRO jammers?).

 

Well 73 600m CW R.I.P.

 

PS don't forget to reapply for your 60m NOV it doesn't appear to be an automatic renewal this time for 5 more years. OFCOM form www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/amateur/5mhz/ applies.

 

73 Petefmt

From: mal hamilton <g3kevmal@talktalk.net>
Subject: LF: NIL LF/MF
To: "rsgb" <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
Date: Sunday, 23 May, 2010, 19:49

Not a signal in QSO mode on 600 but some lovely signals on 6 metres, best dx worked a few minutes ago UZ5DZ on cw

mal/g3kev