[Lowfer] Hell 137.58 Khz

[John Andrews]

Tom,

Thanks for the reports. The screen shots up there now show pretty good 
copy on both signals. It's tough to make signal strength comparisons 
with fading. A short difference in path length (on the order of 70 miles 
in this case), can make big variations. We see this all the time in the 
path from Jay and I to EU. In using the transmit loop, I do have one 
disadvantage, as it has a lot of high angle radiation, which with an 
extra hop can interfere with the main signal.

Regarding power, the real measurement is ERP, and Jay and I are both at 
our "legal" 1 watt. More efficient antennas would allow us to run lower 
transmitter output powers. Since the FCC had originally proposed at 1 
watt ERP limit for the 2200 meter band, we stuck with that for our 
experimental applications, as we wanted to demonstrate what could be 
accomplished from residential settings with these limitations.  Warren 
took another approach, asking for 10 watts ERP as a maximum. This allows 
a better test of our ability to operate without causing interference.

The idea of doing these regular QSO's was to attract listeners and drum 
up some interest in the band. That is best done by running our full 
licensed radiated power, as we have been doing. We have conducted 
numerous tests of these various modes at lower power levels over this 
path, and I have done much additional low power work over a 130 mile 
path to Maine.

I've been at this for three years (today is the 3rd anniversary!), and 
have much more to do. Thanks for listening and reporting.

John Andrews