[ADXA] Band prop, antennas and 6m - sorry long email today

[Sandy Hutson]

Gave a few talks years ago on propagation, including 160-6m, E and F layer variations, night-time vs daytime prop, seasonal variations and the antenna situations with high or low angle of radiations and how to hit the F layers and bypass getting eaten up by E layer ionization etc. Difficult subject and always updated info via QST etc on propagation enhancements articles. 👍

Fortunately got my 6m DXCC about 12 years ago and 118 or so countries confirmed. I decided I did not have the time to constantly, on a daily basis, taking time from my family to chase VHF/UHF DX, so got off those bands. Chasing grid squares on VHF was a daily chore and you had to watch out for sudden, short openings and monitor DX Summit spots, etc.  Scheduling on EME and sudden prolonged E skips and meteor showers was FUN FUN also. Gosh, chased the 3-4 main yearly showers for many decades. 😄.  Many new grids and a few countries worked by surprise when you might least expect it. IIWII.

Using two and part of another SS cycle over the years, I worked many JAs, multiple countries in Europe and AF and throughout Central and South America and some in the Pacific on VHF. FUN FUN… yes sir.. Going from 100’/60’ and 40’ towers on my 4 acres was fun, and I did a lot of tower climbing which I can not do now. Moving into town many years ago and using a 38 foot tower cooled things off for me, but still tried chasing DX on HF and VHF but spent 3-4 times longer in doing so, etc. Calling for 5 minutes in the 1970s thru the early 90s was easier than an hour or two these past few years, especially if a real rare DXpedition was on. Hey, as Joel alludes to, it’s part of chasing DX and each of us has changing situations from time to time. Go get ‘em as best you can with the antenna(s) you have, but propagation knowledge and following the cycle changes every 11-12 year is difficult at times and then BANG, there they are, go get ‘em!! 😊   Rick, Joel and Earl do well in chasing and have for years. Great!

San K5YY    Sorry to say I have not made a contact for months now due to personal things going on and a likely move from NWAR to central Arkansas by early 2024. Life goes on and you accept things that are presented in later life. God bless our great ADXA members and our continued great leadership.  73 always.



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