[DX] Does anyone still run barefoot?

Wed, 26 Mar 2003 06:27:15 -0600

John:

Stick it out.  I used to have a decent station running a Kachina 505dsp,
Acom 2000A amplifier, stacked yagi's all via remote control (remote due to
my antenna restrictions here at the home qth).  I had so many problems with
the setup I sold it all.

I'm now using a 756pro, an inverted L with an AH-4 tuner at the base.  The L
is 10 feet high and 20 feet horizontal.  Its quite a bit more difficult to
work the dxpeditions but it sure has brought the fun back into the hobby for
me.

I went from point and shoot (like shooting a duck in a pond) to listening to
the dx's patterns ect.  When I work someone its very satisfying, it brings
back memories from my first days as a ham in the late 70's and early 80's.

I sure would like to try one of those mini-quads.  I think I may be able to
get away with it here in the neighborhood.  No one seems to mind the wire in
the backyard so maybe a miniquad and a crank up would work.

GL/73

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Geiger" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 11:42 PM
Subject: [DX] Does anyone still run barefoot?

> Been having a terrible time this week with the ST
> dxpeditions.  Sudan would make #305 for me, and the
> previous 304 have been worked with 100 watts, and
> simple antennas-first a dipole for around the first
> 255, then a cushcraft MA5B for awhile, and now a mini
> quad.  However, I am having no luck whatsoever with
> the ST guys.  I can hear ST2CF at S6 but can't get
> through, even when he works by call areas.  ST0RY is
> not very strong here most of the time, except on 15
> today when they were calling for Japan.  They did have
> a decent signal on 20 CW tonight, but still couldn't
> get through.
>
> Does anyone else still run 100 watts for dxing?  Seems
> like I am getting creamed by guys with linears.  A few
> DX spots have even commented that they got through
> with 100 watts, which makes it sound unusual.
>
> This setup used to work.  I worked both VP6D
> dxpeditions 4 times.  recently worked A7, 9M2, 3C, TY,
> KH9, and S0 for new ones, plus a few other good ones
> in the past year.  I have always had a thing about
> wanting to DX barefoot, plus don't want to risk the
> TVI and wrath of the neighbors and wife with a KW, but
> am wondering if I have finally hit the wall with my
> capabilities.  Believe me, the frustration has been
> enough the past couple of days that I have
> contemplated selling the miniquad, quitting DXing
> altogether, and sticking with VHF/UHF and satellites.
> Maybe I will have a more level playing field there.
>
> So I am a dying breed, or do others still chase DX
> barefoot with simpler antennas, and actually succeed?
>
> 73s John NE0P
>
> p.s. I am to the point where I want to work the ST
> just so life can get back to normal here.  Getting
> tired of sitting in front of the radio for several
> hours each day repeating my call over and over.
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
> http://platinum.yahoo.com
> _______________________________________________
> DX mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/dx
>