You can get a quick look at band conditions at http://bandconditions.com <http://bandconditions.com/>
Using Buddistick on 40 m is a real challenge. I would not be surprised if that was an S-unit or more below a full-size dipole. Try the simplest field antenna for the KX3, two wires connected directly to the rig. Get a BNC to double binding post adaptor. Get a wire 26 to 29 feet long, throw it in a tree and hook one end to the red post. Get a 16 foot wire, lay it on the ground and connect it to the black post. Let the ATU tune it and see you can hear. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Aug 11, 2017, at 9:54 AM, Tommy <tomm...@hvc.rr.com> wrote: > > The band has been really crappy lately. Keep tuning around and listening. > > 73! > > Tom - KB2SMS > > > > On 08/11/2017 12:33 PM, Mike Parkes wrote: >> Okay I am reaching our to the Elecraft enthusiasts here for some feedback >> if anyone cares to chime in. >> I am just getting back on the air after years away from the hobby, so I am >> not that familiar with band conditions in general. It looks like the >> sunspot cycle is heading for the cellar (if it isn't already there). >> >> Recently bought a KX3 and a Buddistick vertical (like, 2 weeks ago). Love >> the KX3 it is a great radio... however... so far my efforts to hear much of >> anything, much less make a contact with someone, has been frustrating to >> say the least. I live in an apartment and am surrounded by power lines for >> one thing. The background noise level on 40 is pretty bad varies but is >> s7-9 mostly. I took my setup to a nearby park and the bands were >> definitely quieter. So the local manmade noise level is an issue (and one >> reason I chose the KX3 was the hope that its rcvr and filtering could help >> with that.) >> >> Have yet to make a single contact, so I am just wondering if I just >> happened to choose a really lousy period of solar conditions for HF? Or is >> the base loaded vertical a joke? >> >> I would love to be able to find another ham even close by just to try and >> get some sort of an HF QSO even if it is with someone down the block. >> ...I can tune down to the AM broadcast band and was able to hear some local >> AM stations. :) >> >> Mike AB7RU >> >> (On a side note the tuner in the KX3 is great!. That thing was able to get >> a match for 80 meters on the Buddistick which was showing something like >> 25:1 swr. The KX3 tuner clicked and rattled for a while and found a match >> to <2:1. Not sure how much actual RF is going out, probably not much... but >> I was amazed it could tune to that high an SWR.) >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 >> Message delivered to tomm...@hvc.rr.com >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
