[2m] Why isn't 2m open?

[N0PB]

Hi Jason,
 Good to see you are interested in 2 weak signal work.
First of all what antenna are you using and at what height? Horizontal 
polarization is a must.
You should very easily hear 144.298 in CW mode WD9BGA beacon EN53ba Blue 
Mound State Park, I think.. It is about 113 miles heading of 52 degrees from 
you or almost due north east.
144.290 WA9HCZ beacon EN43ju La Crosse, WI ... It is 129 miles with a 
heading of 11 degrees from you.
Those are the two closest to you that I am aware of. You can find the 
complete list here http://www.newsvhf.com/beacons2.html
Here is the best real time VHF propagation monitor available to date. 
http://www.mountainlake.k12.mn.us/ham/aprs/path.cgi?map=na
KB0GVI from Wellman. IA , W0FAY, N0RWR and others from Dubuque, IA check 
into my 2 meter net every Monday night. Would be happy to have you check in 
as well.
Monday 8 pm local time 144.250 usb. I start with beam south then go counter 
clockwise. South 8, East 8:15, North 8:30, West 8:45 and return South 9 pm.
Should be pointed your way around 8:30 pm or so.
Calling CQ in the evenings and early mornings usually will catch people in 
the shack too..
I hope some of this will help you. If I can be any other assistance please 
let me know.

73,
 Phil N0PB EM39wo Holliday, Missouri


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jason Hsu" <jhsu802701 at jasonhsu.com>
To: <2m at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 7:30 PM
Subject: [2m] Why isn't 2m open?


>I have the radio at 144.2 MHz, the calling frequency.  I don't hear a peep 
>from anyone.  I don't hear a single beacon in the beacon part of the band 
>(144.275-144.3 MHz).
>
> There should be an inversion forming right now because it's now dark, and 
> there is warmer air flowing above the remains of the snow cover. The 
> propagation forecast map doesn't show black for my area.
>
> Can anyone here tell me when I can expect the band to open up?  I don't 
> know how to tell what minute or even what hour to expect the band to open 
> up, and I don't have the discipline to listen to an empty band.
>
> Even if I were a propagation expert, what good would it be if the band 
> opened up but nobody took advantage of it?  It seems to me that bands with 
> only sporadic and unpredictable openings are at the mercy of the 
> competence of the operators out there.  Incompetent operators ruin 
> propagation for everyone - if you know when the band will open up, it's 
> all for nothing if the rest of the operators don't realize it and are busy 
> doing something else.  Unfortunately, I'm part of the problem.
>
> Jason Hsu, AA0II
>
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