[Elecraft] Why QRPers should HATE clicky rigs.

[Jim Brown]

On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 20:16:13 -0500, Guy Olinger, K2AV wrote:

>They built a monster 40 meter antenna so they could HEAR really WEAK
>European stations. 

This is a wonderful email, for many reasons. Background: The coax to my
40/80 dipole is shorted at the top, and since it's winter in Chicago, I
can't get at it to fix it. So I worked this DX contest on 40 by loading
the feedline (up to the balun at the top) as a long wire. I get out a
bit, but not well at all. My antenna on the higher bands is a trap
dipole. I ran in the contest with my K2/100. 

The thing that I found VERY interesting is that some guys running a KW
who weren't all that loud here were able to pull me though just fine,
while others who were POUNDING in couldn't hear me and kept on calling
CQ (they obviously couldn't hear anyone else either)!  Your email
brings the point home loud and clear -- it takes a good antenna to HEAR
the other guy just as much as it does to be heard by him.  And, of
course, it brings home the importance of a good receiver. I've always
used great receivers, but I've never had any better than modest
antennas. 

Yours is one of the wisest observations I've heard about the art of
contesting in some time. Many thanks for sharing it!  

Jim Brown  K9YC