Good Evening,
I am not sure if it is age related or not but the weeks sure seem to be
flying by at warp speed lately. It may be due to the number of projects
which are all heating up at once though. At the rate I am changing hats I
will be losing hair due to friction soon :) The weather was nice enough
to allow me the opportunity to raise one of my reclaimed antennas. It is
in an inverted V configuration but the high point is much higher than I've
been previously been able to go. This is because of all the branches
which were shaven from the large tree in front of the house when the one
fell upon the roof. There is now a nice open gap for my wrist rocket to
deploy its sinker. I made sure I chose a windy day with a bit of rain so
the antenna would be more effective. If all was pleasant and perfect the
antenna would not radiate nearly as well!
I've tested it on 80, 40, 30, and 20 and it tunes nicely and hears
quite well. It is oriented with its legs E-W but I don't think it will
have strong lobes North and South. I think it will work
quasi-omnidirectionally since its wires are at about 45 degrees from one
another. The apex is about 75 feet above the ground with its ends about
30 feet high. When I get more time I will raise them so it is
horizontal. Unless, however, it works nicely the way it is. More testing
is in order.
Pat's daffodils are just about to burst open. Spring comes very slowly
on the mountain. In the lowlands flowers are six to eight weeks ahead of
up here. As I drop to about 1000 feet in elevation my neighbor's
daffodils are now open. In Buxton they are nearing their end. Here they
will open first in the front yard and then in two weeks or so in the back
yard. Depends on whether it warms rapidly or not. I did go for half a
day without a fire as I was raising the antenna but it is going again
now. It won't be out for good for another two months.
As I was listening around with my new (resurrected) antenna I heard
quite a few signals. I did not pay too much attention as to their sources
though. Thus I do not know much about this week's propagation. I did
read we are due for another blast from the sun because of coronal
opening. Depending on when it hits we'll either have bad or good
conditions. We won't know which unless we try; much like Heisenberg's
poor cat! Good thing Sam is not in here to read this ;)
Please join us:
Sunday 2300z (Sunday 4 PM PDT) 14050 kHz
Monday 0200z (Sunday 7 PM PDT) 7045 kHz
Kevin. KD5ONS
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