[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement

[Kevin Rock]

Good Evening,
   It must be nearing summer because I just spent fifteen minutes shooing the first bat of the season out the front door.  For the next few weeks I will see them flying around inside at dusk.  I have a better idea of their point of entry but I need the time to block it.  Oh well, they enjoy this fine weather and eat a lot of bugs.  I have never seen one so small though.  Normally they are about twice as large as the one I saw.  However, the weather has gotten warm and dry.  Very unusual but folks in Oregon will take advantage of the few days respite from the rain.  Tomorrow it is supposed to get down right hot!  80 degrees have been forecast for my elevation.  I cannot imagine what it will be like in the flatlands or in the cities.  I was informed the weather in California will approach that seen on the surface of Venus.  Watch out for that sulfuric acid rain it can sting!
   Propagation has been odd.  I tried to check into the MARS net last night and had to get a double relay to do so.  NCS was extremely loud so I figured it would be easy.  But he must be using a large amplifier into a not so good antenna system.  He can make a lot of noise but cannot hear.  I have always wondered how to balance the situation.  For every dB of gain in my antenna how many more stations can I hear?  Conversely, for every dB of added radiated power how much further can I be heard?  I know propagation is not reciprocal so how does one equate output power and reception?  I'll stick with my hundred watts into a wire for now.  I am cheap!  But now that the weather is turning dry I will have a chance to work on my storm damaged antennas.  Plus I have three broken antennas which should allow me to scavenge enough for two antennas.  Now that the fir tree over the house is more accessible I will see how I can fit three antennas in it.

Please join us tomorrow evening.
 
1) Hail signs  (first letter or two of the suffix of your call)
2) NCS help  (as well as QSP/QNP <relay> help)

Sunday 2300z (Sunday 4 PM PDT) 14050 kHz
Monday 0100z (Sunday 6 PM PDT)  7045 kHz

   Stay healthy,
      Kevin.  KD5ONS

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