Ham Radio: 160 m DX from Arizona.
Ғылым және технология
#topband #gentlemansband #shortwave
I was once very active in Ham (amateur) radio. I liked searching for distant stations or DX. My favorite frequencies to operate was the "tropical" bands and 160m. 160m also known as topband or the gentleman's band lies just above the AM radio frequency range. Perhaps some of you used to listen to far off AM stations at night. With 160m, every once in a while, the skip would really happen, and we could contact Europe from the western USA!
Here I present some audio I recorded of distant stations, both Europe and Asia, from 2006. You'll hear lots of static and signal fading which is common to 160m and the reason why working far off stations is very difficult. Yes, I'd listen to bare static while hoping for a signal. It was my white noise while catching up on work at night or in the morning.
My station was pretty good with two phased 3/8 wave inverted "L" with about 90ft vertical, and extensive ground radial system, some beverage antennas in winter, and running about 400 watts. I have about 130 entities confirmed on 160. I have also 8 band DXCC, and 320 total confirmed. I ran mostly CW and enjoyed club events like Field Day. Unfortunately, as life turns, I had to give up my great station location and other priorities came to focus my time. My call sign was KJ7WY. GL & GD DX 73's Pete
Пікірлер: 13
Looks great !
I really like your rig. I hate that you had to step away from your hobby. I do understand that life will affect those hobbies. Mine has always been cars, but like you, I had to ease out of it. I am now in the beginning stages of the Amateur radio hobby. I am looking at a few rigs now, but haven't decided to buy them yet. Not knowing a lot about these transceivers I just have to watch folks like you for a while. I still have to get the antenna situation figured out also. Location for me is a problem, I live in a pine thicket. LoL. Take care and have a Happy New Year.
@CaptainAction
5 ай бұрын
Get any rig you can afford to get started off. Really, no rig is much better than another for general operation. A pine thicket is a good thing as you can use trees to string a dipole or random wire up. an antenna tuner could really help out too. You can do some listening and jump in. once on the air, you'll find other hams are a helpful bunch as we have all been down that path.
You give me hope, Captain! Putting up a 1/4 wave Inv-L here in the Philippines later this year -- with plenty of radials in the rice paddy.
@CaptainAction
2 ай бұрын
I am sure you'll be the envy of a lot of pile-ups!!!
Awesome QSOs. I’ve not used that band yet. What kind of antenna were you using? Tu, de kn4eqg
@CaptainAction
5 ай бұрын
For receive it was a beverage or small delta loop. My transmit was a phased pair of verticals. The band is challenging but a lot of fun. It added a whole new thrill for DXing.
Nice radio...what brand & price ???
@CaptainAction
5 ай бұрын
Yaesu FT 101ZD...old 1980's radio.
@kippnovak9833
5 ай бұрын
@@CaptainAction thanx 4 the reply...nice comms bro
What is the rig?
@CaptainAction
5 ай бұрын
Yaesu FT 101 ZD
@kippnovak9833
5 ай бұрын
Thanx 4 the reply...nice radio@@CaptainAction