[Boatanchors] Ranger question

[Dale Parfitt]

I don't believe sunspots effect 80M and 160M propagation. The MUF is always well above these frequencies.

Dale W4OP

-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of W2HX
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 12:59 PM
To: Gary Peterson; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Ranger question

I enjoyed your comments. I think one of the reasons this probably doesn't happen today also due, in part, by lack of sunspots. Even the last cycle wasn't that big. I think we're in a real lull right now (or should I say, null)? 


73 Eugene W2HX


-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary Peterson
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 12:43 PM
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Boatanchors] Ranger question

Rob,

Back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, there was a lot more AM activity on 160.  Most of the AMers were old-timers, many of whom are now silent keys.  Ragchews, rather than slam-bam QSOs were the order of the day.  I had some lengthy ragchews using the Ranger, which I doubt would have occurred if these OTs were having trouble copying me.  I recall one OM, upon being informed that I was running a barefoot Ranger, exclaimed “My God man, you’re ten over S9!”  The 215 foot, series-fed vertical with 120, 225 foot radials, interspersed with 90, 100 foot radials and a low-loss transmission line was doing its job.  

I suspect that there were a lot fewer switching power supplies back then, as personal computers weren’t anywhere near as ubiquitous.  There weren’t many CFLs, LED light bulbs or switching wall warts, back then.  The noise floor was significantly lower, 30 years ago.  I have worked in broadcasting for a bit over 50 years and used to spend time with an old-timer in the business.  He wasn’t a technical guy, but knew and remembered a lot.  I was told that, back in the 1930s, a local 100 W station, around 1300 kHz, would go on air periodically, after midnight, to have its frequency measured by a  commercial service.  This broadcast, old timer told me that the 100 W station often received QSL cards from Europe and as far away as New Zealand and Australia.  I doubt this happens very often, today.

Gary
KzeroCX         

The salient question is not if you thought the QSO was good but if the
op at the other end had the same opinion based on ur signal.
Rob
K5UJ
>
> I have had many nice AM QSOs, out to 1500 miles, with a barefoot Johnson Ranger.
> Of course, a good antenna helps.


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