[50mhz] 6m EME using JT44

[Lance Collister]

ZS6WB and I decided to test out how possible it might be to complete on 6m EME with
JT44 now that cndx have degraded since our contact 6 days ago.  Not only did we
complete again, but W7ALW also tail ended to work Hal for his first 6m JT44 contact.
It was quite interesting to note that I first copied callsigns from Hal on his THIRD
ground gain lobe - when his moon was up at 18 degrees!  I have always been a strong
proponent of using a single yagi's SECOND lobe, but copying him so early really
surprised me.  I think maybe I might have had extra ground gain on my moonrise that
made that possible ;-)

And of course, I copied him well on his second lobe, too (which is where we
completed).  That left the lower "main" lobe free for Barrie to work him.  Nice
utilization of a single yagi on moonset!  I will be very interested in experimenting
further with single yagi DX stations during the prime cndx periods in the coming
months to get a better feeling for what the lower limit is for such a JT44 contact. 
One thing is certain - it is smaller than a 9 element yagi and 400w, since Hal and I
are now 2 for 2.

Hope to see more DX activity on 6m EME now that JT44 is available to use as a tool! 
VY 73, Lance  






-- 
Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT  59834  USA
QTH: DN27UB
TEL: (406) 626-5728   FAX:(406) 728-6320
URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj