NVIS on 80m rocks!

Started by gil, September 22, 2016, 05:15:35 PM

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gil

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

RadioRay

#1
Speaking of VMARS, they have several enjoyable videos on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/EUE2Qh3McyM

and from the now famous Bletchley Park -

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.   ;-)
"When we cannot do the good we would, we must be ready to do the good we can."  ~ Matthew Henry

gil


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.