When I was testing my KPA-100 to see how hot the heat sink would get during contest level CQ'ing and didn't yet have my 300W dummy load I set up the K2 with an automated CQ on the low end of 10M around 28.013. I figured it was a safe time of day on a dead band that wouldn't bother too many people (and not bother me with having to stop my tests to have an actual QSO).
It was about 8AM ET and I had been testing for about an hour when a VP8 (who also happened to be using a K2/100) answered one of my calls. So the "dead" band came alive long enough to get me a new country on 10M at the bottom of the solar cycle. I hear people say that you need to listen more than CQ when you are QRP. But believe me...there are a bunch of us people who's ear's perk up when we hear a faint CQ in the noise. The weak signal is the one that attracts my attention although I have to admit to a slight letdown when a K1 with a K1 is not the VU7 I'd been hoping for. Good luck and keep CQing! Don't be afraid to get on at 3AM on 15M and call CQ. You just might find a kindred spirit who is not able to sleep either and have a great QSO. Tom K2TA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandy W5TVW" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Darwin, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Elecraft Discussion List" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 3:07 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1, calling CQ, 2x QRP QSO. > A lot of people nowadays don't understand HF propagation. One MUST > remember that the propagation programs are not necessarily correct! > > Many times bands are really open, but there isn't any activity. A lot of > folks make a quick check, listen a minute or two and assume the band > is dead. ALWAYS listen and ALWAYS call a few "CQ's". You never know! > > A classic example of this is assuming 10,12,15 meters are beyond help. > this part of the sunspot cycle. Many times it will be dead for East-West paths > but open for North South paths, especially to South America from the USA. > > This is the great advantage of "beacons" in various places on 20-10 meters. > Also weird anomalies will exist in propagation no computer program > will predict. > > 73, > Sandy W5TVW > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Darwin, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Elecraft Discussion List" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 9:31 AM > Subject: [Elecraft] K1, calling CQ, 2x QRP QSO. > > > | I rarely call CQ - especially when running QRP. But sometimes, a fella > | has to do what a fella has to do. > | > | Fired up the K1 on 20 meters, dialed up 14040 (or was it 14060 - can't > | recall) and called CQ. Got an answer from a station in NM which sure > | made me smile (I love NM). He was running an Argo 509 and we exchanged > | 449 sig reports. > | > | Hmm, 5 watts to a vertical, call CQ and work a guy a couple thousand > | miles away. Sunspots, who needs sunspots when you have mojo :-) > | > | - Keith KD1E - > | _______________________________________________ > | Elecraft mailing list > | Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > | You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > | Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > | http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > | > | Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > | Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > | > | > | > | -- > | No virus found in this incoming message. > | Checked by AVG Free Edition. > | Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.24/244 - Release Date: 1/30/2006 > | > | > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
