[Hallicrafters] Ham radio operation.

[Dave Hollander]

Hi Skip - one of the reasons that you are not hearing much CW now is bad
band conditions. I have been a ham for 40 years and this is the worst
sunspot cycle for me as far as band conditions. Their are times I turn
on the radio and only hear a few signals on 20 meters due to solar
conditions. I operated portable as XE2/N7RK from Mazatlan, Mexico a few
weeks ago with my antenna on the balcony of the 11th floor, 200 feet
from the ocean and when I first turned on the radio, I heard nothing for
hours. Thought I had a problem but it was a solar flare. Two days later
I was working lots of stations. If you listen on a CW contest weekend,
the bands will be packed with stations, CW is far from dead. It is a
great mode and still my preferred although I do work phone.

Good luck and welcome to ham radio.

73,
Dave N7RK

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Dave  N7RK                    http://members.cox.net/n7rk
Phoenix, Arizona         *DXCC Honor Roll*    *WAZ#23 - 75 Meter SSB*

            ex-XE2/N7RK, N7RK/ZB2, VK2ERK, ZM0AJN, WB6NRK, WN6IWX

Boatanchor and Antique Radio Collector Extraordinaire preferring
Hallicrafters, National and what ever else looks interesting!