[50mhz] Grid DXpedition - Questions

[Bill W5WVO]

Hi Russell,

Your post was copied to the FFMA Yahoo group. We are the group who
produced the ARRL grid survey and created the FFMA award that the
League is now sponsoring.

Because you are thinking about doing a Grid DXpedition, the FFMA
group would be very happy to have you subscribe. You would be a
welcome addition to the group. Please go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FFMA to request membership.

DM87 was activated during the recent ARRL VHF QSO Party by W0ETT,
and he made a lot of Qs! But certainly there are many people who
didn't get to work this rare grid. (I was lucky enough to be one
of those who did -- on backscatter, because it is too close to
work from here on direct sporadic-E.)

While DM88 isn't in the "top 24", it is also a pretty rare grid,
and I personally need that one! :-)

While most of the top 6m operators are quite capable of running CW
and often do, the bulk of activity on 6m is on SSB -- probably 85%
of it, at least. And 15 watts SSB is a pretty small signal,
especially going into a dipole. I'd recommend that you take along
a push-up mast and a simple collapsible 3-element yagi or a moxon.
And if you can run more power than 15 watts, you should plan on
doing so. The idea is to allow as many people as possible to work
the rare grid, and so you want to make that as easy as possible.
While strong sporadic-E conditions on 6 meters can definitely
support the propagation of 15 watts to a dipole, you don't always
get those conditions when you want them.

You should also be aware that this year's sporadic-E season is due
to end in about a month, so any DXpeditioning should be done ASAP.
:-)  Once the sporadic-E is gone for the summer, there's not much
point in doing a grid DXpedition, because very few people will be
able to work you. Next year's season will start somewhere around
May 15th, plus or minus depending on your QTH. There is also a
minor sporadic-E season in the winter, but the openings are weaker
and are much less numerous than in the summer. You can't really
count on more than three or four openings during the winter months
of December and January, though there have been years when there
were many more than that.

Hope to see you on the FFMA group --
Bill W5WVO


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Russell WN4VCH" <wn4vch at satx.rr.com>
To: <50mhz at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 8:00 PM
Subject: [50mhz] Grid DXpedition - Questions


>
> Hello:
>
> After ten years of operating CW on HF, followed by 22 years QRT,
I am
> recently back in the hobby with a Kenwood TS-680S.  This is my
first rig
> with 6 meters so I am still learning about the band.
>
> My work takes me at least quarterly to Grid Square DM87:
>
> http://www.vhfdx.net/callbook/gmap.php?Lan=E&Call=&Loc=DM87
>
>
> I read in this article that DM87 is one of the 'Most Wanted'
squares:
>
> http://www.arrl.org/awards/ffma/Most_Wanted_Grid_Survey.pdf
>
>
> I also work in DM88, between Lamar and Eads.
>
>
> I am considering taking the rig on this trip and setting up a
portable
> station while there but have a few questions.  I will likely
operate CW from
> my truck.
>
> 1. What antenna do you recommend?  A dipole?  I am using a
square loop at
> home with very good results but it is bulky to carry.
>
> 2. Any suggestions for connecting the battery to the rig?  There
is no power
> where I work (in the field on a gas pipeline).
>
> 3. I have never operated portable - do I have to keep the
vehicle running to
> prevent the battery from draining?  The rig only transmits about
15 watts.
>
> 4. Assuming the band is open, do you think there are enough ops
who need
> DM87 to make it worth the effort?  I don't collect grid squares
but it seems
> like it would be fun to operate from a rare one.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Russell WN4VCH
>
>
> Moderator: Ray Brown, KB0STN
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