[Elecraft] RE: PSK on 30M and 17M

[RBrigham1 at cs.com]

In a message dated 6/17/2007 1:27:41 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
brian-wb6rqn at lloyd.com writes: 
> I am not sure where to ask this question so I will ask it here. 
> Please redirect me to a better place to ask it.
> 
> I am not finding PSK31 activity on 30M or 17M even though I know the 
> bands are open. I always check WWV on 10MHz, 15MHz, and 20MHz to give 
> myself an idea of propagation. WWV on 20MHz was booming in here 
> yesterday but there was no activity on 17M. Go figure.
> 
> And 30M seems to me to be a great band for PSK31 but I will be darned 
> if I can find one iota of activity.
> 
> 73 de Brian, WB6RQN
> Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com
> 
Brian,
I think it is because 17m and some of the other bands have not reached 
"critical mass" like 20m and 40m have. 
Case in point. On Friday, June 7th I was out in the California desert, 
mobile, and turned on the radio. Lots of signals on 20m at 14.070 and I worked Italy 
right off the bat. Then I thought, what the heck, I switched over to 18.110. 
Couldn't hear a thing but I called CQ anyway. Got answered right back by 
ZP4KFX -- my first ZP4, and we had a nice chat. Througout we were the only action 
on the waterfall.
After winding up we went our separate ways -- calling CQ on different 
frequencies. Moments later the flood gates opened and we were both very busy, and 
other QSO's started around us.

I think these bands will pick up as the expectation increases that people are 
there and can be contacted.
Rob
KC6ROC