For the newer hams, here's an interesting resource that will demonstrate to you what a DX signal sounds like at 100 watts, 10 watts, 1 watt and 0.1 watt. All you have to do it tune into the beacon frequency of 14.100, 18.110, 21.150, 24.930, 28.200 using CW mode and listen. The beacon stations in 18 countries take turns sending call signs and 4 dashes, each dash in descending power level. You might be amazed at how often you can hear 10 watts or less clearly from half way around the world when the band is open.
When the band is not open, a kilowatt doesn't get through. A complete list of the stations, locations and the transmission sequence is at: http://www.ncdxf.org/beacon/beaconSchedule.html IIRC, all of the stations use a simple 1/4 wave vertical antenna. I'm not saying that an amplifier isn't useful, but this helps put the advantage of having one in perspective. 73, Ron AC7AC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
