[Elecraft] SSB Distances...

[John Clifford]

Hmmm... I've used 5w and SSB (and PSK31) to talk from Seattle to Tasmania,
and from Seattle to Antarctica.  That's about 11,000 miles on 5w (2,200
miles/watt).

My best 'miles per watt' was talking from Seattle to the Yukon Territory on
100mW (the K2 was turned down as far as it would go) and CW... about 600
miles according to my HamCall CD, or 6,000 miles/watt.

My antenna sucks... but I have talked to Tanzania, Comoros, and
Australia/New Zealand numerous times on 5w of CW.  I find that using SSB and
the digital modes it's hard to work DX without at least 25 watts of power.

What I'd like to see in the way of software... a Hellschreiber program that
uses the keyer line for transmit instead of an audio signal/soundcard.  Then
the K1 could be used for Hell, and that would be a neat portable HF digital
rig.  Only question is, could the K1 or K2 key that quickly even in slow QSK
mode?

 - jgc

John Clifford KD7KGX

Heathkit HW-9 WARC/HFT-9/HM-9
Elecraft K2 #1678 /KSB2/KIO2/KBT2/KAT2/KNB2/KAF2/KPA100
Ten-Tec Omni VI/Opt1

email: kd7kgx@arrl.net