[GreenKeys] Wednesday Activity on HoffNet

[Roy Norris]

Things are really picking up on the autostart net.  I had five or six
QSO's today and I am presently listening to AD0K in Houston working Bill
W7AAV in Idaho.  I QSOed with both Bill, W7AAZ and Don, AD0K earlier and
also Jerry, N6JP, and Larry W0OGH, and several other stations.

I transmitted netcalls for most of the day on the hour until I had to
shut down for a while due to thunderstorms.  The band stayed open until
at least 2300 CDT 0400Z

So things are moving along.  30 meters may just work out to be a fine
band for cross country as well for East Coast/West Coast local area
communication.

I had much improved performance with the vertical dipole mounted with
its base a few feet above the ground than I did with the base 25 feet
above the ground.  This is predicted from antenna analysis where the
higher mounting results in additional high angle radiation lobes at the
expense of low angle radiation.  For those of you contemplating antennas
for 30 meters, I would recommend a vertical dipole strung up to some
overhanging tree limb.  You need roughly 48 feet and no radial system.
Feed it with coax.  It's a snap!

For those without tall trees, you could hang it off of a tower or go
with one of the ground mounted Force 12 Sigma verticals which mounts on
a pipe stuck in the ground, and modified for 30 meters.

But even if all you can get up is a long wire, get on the air !!  We are
going to have a great deal of fun and keep those Greenkeys dancing.  I
will have my Model 28 operational tomorrow and the next step is to get
the tape equipment on so I can start doing all of this strictly with the
machines.

Best regards -- Roy Norris, K4EEG