[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report for August 29th & 30th, 2010

[Kevin Rock]

Good Evening,
   Conditions on twenty meters were fair but on forty meters they have been poor for the last few weeks.  Only one station east of the Sierras checked in with us.  Maybe that net should be moved to another time.  As the season changes hopefully forty meters will too.  There was light QSB on twenty with noise from the ongoing solar stream.  Forty also had noise but if I heard you there was little fading.  The problem is to hear those stations who are trying to check.  It would be nice to have a relay station in the middle of the country.  
   I finally broke down and built a fire.  I had been cold all weekend but was going out to split wood to stay warm.  Due to the nets and dinner I missed my late window for wood splitting.  So, while I started dinner, I also built a fire.  Sixty degrees is too cold for sitting and typing.  However, the forecast is for 70 degrees with sunny skies on Thursday.  I need to bring in some of that wood I have been splitting!
 
   On to the lists =>

  On 14050.5 kHz at 2200z:
NO8V - John - MI - K3 - 820
AB9V - Mike - IN - K3 - 398
K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686
N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866
W0RSR - Mike - CO - K2 - 5767
N0TA - John - CO - K3 - 994
W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457
W6BK - Dave - CA - K2 - 4910
W8OV - Dave - TX - K3 - 3139
K6DGW - Fred - CA - K3 - 642
K0DTJ - Brian - CA - K3 - 4113

  On 7045 kHz at 0000z:
K6PJV - Dale - CA - K3 - 1183
K0DTJ - Brian - CA - K3 - 4113
K6DGW - Fred - CA - K3 - 642
N0TA - John - CO - K3 - 994

   If anyone has a suggestion for how to gain more range on forty meters please write.  Maybe a new time would help.  Yesterday's balloon beacon showed me how far a 1.5 watt signal can travel when the vertical antenna is above ground level.  My best propagation was when it was between 12,000 feet and 30,000 feet.  When the balloon got higher the signal disappeared until it broke and dropped below 25,000 feet.  At that time the signal was fair but the payload was dropping rapidly.  The propagation report from that test will be interesting to read.
   Until next week stay well,
      73,
         Kevin.  KD5ONS   (Net Control Operator 5th Class)

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