Has anyone been on HF today?

[xtatik]

Cuuuuuz, if you were, you'd have had a taste of what Cycle 24 may have in store. 20m was absolutely richtering. In what seemed like just a matter of hours the sunspots just came from nowhere.
http://www.solarcycle24.com

In the bag:
Svalbard
East Malaysia
Kazakhstan
Morocco
Central Africa
Cape Verde
Galapagos Isl.
Solomon Isl.

[cruiserlarry]

Were those all voice contacts, or are you working CW ?

Although I've been an extra for a long time (and actually had passed the 20wpm extra exam way back when ), I haven't had much opportunity to play with HF for years...never really had an HF Elmer, so I'll be hanging around you in Big Bear to learn some HF technique and etiquette...

[xtatik]

Were those all voice contacts, or are you working CW ?

Although I've been an extra for a long time (and actually had passed the 20wpm extra exam way back when ), I haven't had much opportunity to play with HF for years...never really had an HF Elmer, so I'll be hanging around you in Big Bear to learn some HF technique and etiquette...

Larry,
Honestly, I'd be lucky to to copy/send 5wpm. I had to do 5wpm back in 1973 to get my Novice. I hated every minute of it........it was my Dad's idea.....Yep, I had one o' those Dads. Now that I'm older and I'm doing this of my own volition, it's fun, and I'd have to give him credit for getting me involved in this and all kinds of other stuff. But, getting the license back then was no joy... So, I'm no fan of code. The one lasting thing I do appreciate about being "forced into it" is that I learned a great deal about electronics. I've got a couple of nice boatanchors I've restored, and a couple of vintage repro guitar amps that I've built over the years.
I'm planning on being up there on Friday b4 the madness. Hopefully the bands will be jumping in anticipation on the next days event. If you're up there early we'll see what's out there.

[Dennis David]

That's awesome. I'm planning on taking my General in a couple of weeks. Can't wait to join you on HF.

[xtatik]

That's awesome. I'm planning on taking my General in a couple of weeks. Can't wait to join you on HF.

Dennis, you seem like a sharp guy. I doubt you'd have to expend much effort to bump up a grade. Nuttin' to it, but to do it!

[Dennis David]

Thanks,

I should be fine.

[OLLIE]

I've been monitoring HF (mostly 20M) a lot lately during my commute. I've actually been hearing a lot of chatter during the day. I didn't think HF was so active during the daytime.

[xtatik]

I've been monitoring HF (mostly 20M) a lot lately during my commute. I've actually been hearing a lot of chatter during the day. I didn't think HF was so active during the daytime.

Ollie, it's usually active around the clock. But, the most interesting stuff (at least for me) happens during daylight hours, especially DX chasing. Many hams mistakenly believe that the lower the frequency (80 and 160m) the longer the reach......not so, in fact, not even close by comparison. The layers just don't work that way and each becomes ionized in a different way and will bend signals of differing frequencies...it isn't a linear or progressive thing as you move from one end of the spectra to the other as one might think. The three most used and active bands for phone DX are 15m and 20m and to a lesser extent 40m. 20m is far and away the most commonly used and most reliable around the clock band, and accordingly offers up the greatest number of DX contacts from around the globe. If you hadn't noticed, the most common HF beams/yagis are constructed for 10m, 15m, and 20m.....you're typical "triband beam" is what most people recognize over the homes of Hams. The mfr'rs usually offer add-on "dipole" elements for 40m making them appear to be 4 element yagis/beams, but they usually do not interact with the other elements and function as "rotatable dipoles" which give them a measure of directivity.
I'm not saying DX can't happen on the low bands, but it is much less common, and tends to be a specialized endeavor for guys that may have already achieved their DXCC's in every other way and are looking to continue the challenge.
As a general rule, 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20m are daylight bands and 30, 40, 80 and 160m are nightime bands.

[Dennis David]

xtatik,

What you are saying is exactly what I've been reading. What setup are you using?

Dennis

[xtatik]

xtatik,

What you are saying is exactly what I've been reading. What setup are you using?

Dennis

In the truck, I keep it simple and use a Yaesu Ft-857d and an ATAS 120 antenna mounted to a Diamond K400 lip mount. Occasionally for remote/field operating from inside the truck I'll pack a Transworld TW2010 vertical dipole and about 75' of RG8X that I hook up to the SO-239 on the lip mount once the ATAS is removed. The entire setup time for this configuration is about 5 minutes. For remote/field operating outside the truck I pack a kit that includes a FT-450at a couple of monoband wire antennas and the TW-2010. At home, I also use either of two Heathkit SB-200 amplifiers. I have a couple of different antennas at home. Primarily, I use a Hy-Gain AV-12AVQ (10-15-20m)vertical elevated at about 24 feet over tuned radials. I also have 40m and 80m monoband dipoles. All antennas are remote switched from the shack.