It hasn't been long since I put up my 135ft Windom. I can enjoy 80m for the first time. If only I had tried it earlier! Regional contacts are incredibly reliable. It gives me access to England and all around the North of France. It's almost like picking up the phone!
My 1-Watter kit is in the mail, the 80m version of course. Right now I use my KX2 both in CW and LSB, though I am told my built-in microphone cuts off intermittently.. My RT-320 has USB only but I found the VMARS net on 3615 Wednesdays at 20:00 British time. Listen for me, just in case!
With the solar cycle heading to a minimum, 80m is becoming a most important band for the next few years. I can see why Ray likes it a lot for wilderness radio now. Sure it's a 135ft antenna, but you want it horizontal anyway so it isn't such a big deal. I will get a 80m end-fed tuner from Sotabeams..
While I still consider 40m to be the best HF band for prepping, 80m is a close second, for NVIS regional use. A small CW 80m radio would be excellent for a long range patrol.
Gil
Speaking of VMARS, they have several enjoyable videos on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/EUE2Qh3McyM (https://youtu.be/EUE2Qh3McyM)
and from the now famous Bletchley Park -
https://youtu.be/wFUhehnkn6k (https://youtu.be/wFUhehnkn6k)
You know , Gil - You NEED a WW II Paraset or other suitcase radio so that you can parachute into France and tap back to the VMARS stations to keep their "French Section" up to date. ;-)
Thanks Ray!
Gil
QuoteYou NEED a WW II Paraset
Funny that you mention the Paraset... I saw a guy on Ebay selling stamped metal Paraset chassis... Still wondering if I should start a build as a background project...
Gil.