[160m] Introduction Post

[Andy - KU4XR]

Greetings all:

I won't say that I have a specific interest on 160 meters. But there
is a thrill in pushing a weak signal to great distances. I am an LF
hobbiest, and spend lots of time on 1750 meters, running a beacon,
as well as monitoring for them. I have been playing around on 160
recently with WSPR trying to get across the pond on a low Windom,
and 25 watts. No sucess.... I have done daytime groundwave tests
at low power using different digital modes between 5 to 25 watts,
with some of my lowFER friends across the country looking for the
signal. I suppose by this description, I'm not QRO, and enjoying
the newfound thrill of what digital modes can do in extreme band
conditions, with very modest equipment.

Information/discussions on short low band antennas, and how to 
optimize them turns me into a sponge. I soak up everything I can
grasp, and study that which I don't.
A ham for 22 years, and just now getting into actual homebrewing
of equipment. But on 1750 meters, you have to build it, cause yuh
cain't but it.....

I have a slight interest in the 600 meter Experimental band;
490 - 510 KHz, but not interested in paying for the license, and 
I have no transmitting gear for that band either, that's one 
reason for the luring to 160 meters. It's as close to 600 meters
as I'll get until ( ?? IF ?? ) the FCC opens it up for Amateur use.
Propagation characteristics are very similar, and quite different
at the same time.

Well, I do have a tendency to ramble on ( Old Buzzard of the 
keyboard ), so before I bore every one to death; 

73 to all, and have a Blessed day :::




Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. USA
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 185.29875 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Coordinates:  N:  35º 43' 54" - W:  84º 3' 16"
http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr
http://webpages.charter.net/ku4xr/