[Fists] CW Activity

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

Hello Stan,

One problem with activity and FISTS frequencies is that there is an 
extremely narrow slot to fill when operating in the "058" area.

Two kHz higher and you're on the QRP calling frequency of 14,060 (at least 
on 20 M), and at 14,056.5  you have the National County Hunters frequency 
which is "watched" by stations all over the world.  This basically gives a 
"band" of 14057 to 14059 to operate in.

If you are "watching" 14,058 and some station comes up and calls CQ but 
doesn't shift off frequency when they have a QSO - this eliminates the 
benefit (for a while) of having a calling frequency.  It is much better to 
shift down to 14,057.5 or 14,057.0 - but that's it.  Any lower and your on 
top of the County Hunters.

For interest, from New England there is a seasonal opening to Japan and 
Eastern Asia on 28 MHz  - but it is Long Path - (beams should be headed 
about 170-180 degrees (south).  This opens up at 1200-1330 UTC and then 
again at 2100-2200 UTC.  The second opening is good not only for 28 MHz but 
also for 24, 21, and 18 MHz as well.  Right about 2115 UTC conditions start 
to "flip" with the Short Path signals being slightly stronger on 18 and 21 
MHz - but the band isn't open SP on 24 or 28 MHz.

Yesterday, I worked a string of JAs on 18 MHz SSB and I announced that I 
would be shifting in a few minutes to 18,070 kHz and working CW.  I worked 
four of five of the fellows that I worked on SSB on CW.  What well rounded 
operators the JAs are.

The reason for these openings is that the time of East Coast USA sunset and 
JA sunrise are at the same time.  This allows radio signals to propagate in 
either long or short path and also gives a boost to the signal strength 
because of the "sunset" and "sunrise" advantage.

Of course, seasoned operators know that long haul DX is "only" able to be 
worked around sunset and sunrise.

Of course if no one is there on 10 meters, you don't work anyone!

But I have to admit that even though I listen (sometimes for hours) on '058, 
if there is a QSO on the frequency and I'm doing work or reading, I turn 
down the volume.  If I hear someone interesting, I go call them and move 
them off frequency.

But mainly when the narrow band of frequencies around '058 fills up, I go 
down to 14040 range.  The frequencies above 14060 are more and more occupied 
by RTTY modes.

73

David Ring, N1EA


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stan Reas" <stank4uk at rev.net>
To: <fists at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 08, 2005 11:51 AM
Subject: [Fists] CW Activity


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FISTS Members:

You have been rightly urged to "Join in the noble crusade to Retain The
Requirement!"

And as stated in the latest Keynote "Losing the requirement is a stepping
stone to losing our frequencies"

I contend that lack of activity on the CW portions of our bands will more
probably be the reason we may lose our frequencies.

Present CW activity is truly sparce on most all the bands.  I will admit
that the sun spot cycle is part of the reason for there not being many
signals on the higher frequencies.  But there is very little CW activity on
the lower frequencies which are not as adversely affected by the sun spot
cycle.

Most of the FISTS activity has been centered on 40, 20 and 15 Meters.  I
feel to insure the future of CW we must populate ALL the bands with signals
using the Morse Code.

I think a good way to do this is to provide recognition of those members
who DO populate the CW portions of the bands.  This could be done by way of
publishing the calls of those who, for example, work 100 points worth of
FISTS contacts on specific bands.

Or, even providing a certificate of recognition for those members who
accomplish a "Century Award" on the less used bands.

I think it is imperative that we increase CW activity on all bands.

73, Stan - K4UK






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