[NLRS] Are we hooked on "CRACK"?

Mon Aug 4 11:10:16 EDT 2008

Or could this also be "Hooked on PHONICS"?

Propagation (for) Hams Observed Notably In Central States?

(At least the 'sound' of the silent f would fit.) GROAN?

And a SHOUT to Lenny, K0SHF...I've sent a couple of e-mails direct 
with no response...R U there?

73, JK
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Davis Jr" <cqbilld at msn.com>
To: "NLRS Reflector" <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 10:01
Subject: [NLRS] Are we hooked on "CRACK"?

  I hope I have not offended anyone with the title, I do not make 
light of a serious drug problem that exists in today's world. For 
this, I define CRACK to be "Crazy Radio & Atmospheric Conditions & 
Kinks".

  The intent here is to pose some questions to mostly the 10Ghz group 
I expect. While working Jim KB0CIM in his yard with the 10Ghz portable 
the last few days, we have been able to play with an unusual obscured 
path. Elementary Algebra tells us that  15deg elevation at 55ft even 
in my location does not put me into the tree leaves. It is indeed 
scattering from something in the atmosphere that we are using. The 
observation made was with no elevation I am looking straight into the 
trees and then the hill just NW of me about a 1/4 mile away. I see 
Jim's signal maybe 5db at best. As I raise elevation, it seems that 
there is a distinct point at which the signal jumps to close to 20db. 
I suspect that is when I clear the tree tops in the yard. After that 
the signal seems fairly consistent to the limit of my elevation. The 
15deg elevation we last used seemed to be a sweet spot, but its 
advantage is basically one that is measured with the Softrock signal 
amplitude display, more that heard. This 9mile path has only been used 
3 times so far and more observations will be made. Jim has a nice 
launch across his yard, but is into the trees at perhaps an 1/8 mile 
or so. The atmospheric conditions that do scattering is to moisture 
and airborne particulates, I assume. Our original feeling was that 
there would be NO WAY to work direct and we were searching for 
reflections that might be used. No mutual reflections were found that 
would support a QSO at this signal level.

  The QSO to EN26 is the same path but now close to 30miles in length. 
It was much weaker, but was a 5-1 CW signal. Again it seemed to be 
best with about 15deg elevation. I had thought perhaps a lower angle 
would have been optimum.

  My 10Ghz QSO with Jon W0ZQ/R in EN25 was another I did not expect to 
be possible, since that path too is quite challenged with terrain and 
trees. In that case nothing was heard of Jon's signal until 6deg of 
elevation. At that point a very weak usable signal was observed.

  I need to go back and re-read the article that the W7's published on 
10Ghz scattering in the Pacific NW.  We are NOT using  "leaf scatter", 
but is scatter of some kind. I have visited very briefly with Jon ZQ 
about these paths, and I am interested in other similar observations 
or any additional insite.

  I'm hooked on "Crazy Radio & Atmospheric Conditions & Kinks". Thank 
You Jim and Jon for the chance to make these observations and the 
QSO's!

73 Bill K0AWU

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