Hello Colin, John and Patrick, Colin does indeed have a big challenge in chasing TP's with portables, and in a high-RF urban environment. It's not surprising that John, Walt or Patrick can easily hear more DX at higher quality signal levels that Colin or me, another portable user. Every DXer faces his own level of challenge, however, and that's what makes the hobby fascinating. What might be a great catch on a stock E1 (or a hot-rodded E100) would be considered routine on a large Conti Loop, or EWE. Every DXer has his own concept of what is considered exciting, or boring. Portable loopsticks are never going to compete with effective external antennas, but they can certainly make thrilling DX receptions for those users willing to learn the tricks of propagation, and keep trying until they are successful (the general theory behind the booming Ultralight movement). Demographically, however, Colin's DXing environment is probably more typical of the living environment that most AM-DX enthusiasts have, or will have, in the near future. Effective external antennas are great, but many DXers have no choice but to use portables. A large part of the 101-member Ultralightdx Yahoo group is comprised of apartment and townhouse residents, who have been thrilled to discover that they can still enjoy exciting DX, without external antennas. Their hobby enthusiasm level is tremendous, and they don't feel like they are missing anything. I guess it all depends on your DXing perspective, and your willingness to accept the environmental limitations you face as part of a thrilling DX challenge. 73, Gary (a.k.a. an "apostle" :>) **************Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics – check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
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