At 03:55 PM 12/11/2009 -0700, you wrote: >Is it really necessary to continue this thread? My inbox is seeing entirely >too much drivel like this thread and others on this reflector. > >Bob W6TR
Hi I think this is one of the more interesting threads .... it is certainly on a par with (with due respect) "K3 Diversity use with QRN" or "ethernet to serial converter" hi hi Besides I delete 90% of the postings and keep those of particular interest to me for future reference.... goes fast hi. I believe it goes to the heart of some basic Amateur Radio philosophies ... the philosophies of power, competition, and achievement. Certainly not drivel. Personally I am a rag chewer and radio experimenter... I guess I don't have that competitive gene hi hi I have an academic interest in getting the most out of the least ... so I enjoy the thread as far as technical suggestions on how to eek out additional power ... but no interest in breaking into the pileup .... that for me is an academic interest ...(I usually don't operate on week-ends as there might be a contest hi hi) although I do receive satisfaction in completing a weak signal contact. I notice that the boots were for 160m .... and I think I know why. Most operators use some sort of vertical antenna which by definition will have a high level of background noise. the problem with weak signal operation on 160m is this background noise. Even if the signal could be raised 3 db over the noise .... you will have such a headache you won't last too long hi hi. The answer is to use a separate receive antenna ....not to raise the received signal strength ... but to increase the ratio of signal to noise. Completing a QSO is a 2 way street. I believe the radio should have provision for a receive only antenna as well as noise reduction circuits. I believe I have improved my 160m weak signal operations more through improving my station receiving capabilities than increasing power. Certainly the efforts bring greater rewards. Just as a sidelight ... I always enjoyed 160m from way back when I used to call in to an early morning net ... shortly after milking time .... almost all the participants were farmers. Everyone operated AM back then hi hi ... and i used a Heathkit DX-100 AM transmitter and a military BC348 ? receiver. The equipment has changed but the fun remains. Jim, VE3CI ______________________________________________________________ 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
