[OKDXA] Fwd: 80 Meters this morning

[W5LE]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	80 Meters this morning
Date: 	Sat, 1 Feb 2014 15:19:05 -0600
From: 	Coy Day <n5ok at arrl.net>
Reply-To: 	n5ok at arrl.net
To: 	Gene Lewis <w5le at beggstelco.net>



Gene,

Please post this for me.  Still can't get thru.

In preparation for the FT5ZM operation, I struggled to get my 80 meter
sloper back up that had come down in the ice storm several weeks back.  I
got it up but strained my right knee.  Unfortunately something went wrong
as it was totally dead.  With my bad knee I couldn't go back up the tower
to check the connections, so I just said I won't get them on 80 meters
this time.  A couple of days ago, I thought about trying to use the
inverted vee that I use to check into the nets.  Not much hope since it is
only 50ft high at the top and is cut for 3900.  But.....  I got out the
old Dentron Super Tuner and gave it a try.  I was able to get the KPA-500
to load into it so I thought if I could hear them I would give it a try.
I had it all tuned up this morning waiting for the FT5Z but it was after
sunrise so I was about to give up.  That's when I saw the HS0 spotted and
sure enough I could hear him.  I called several times and finally he came
back to N4OK.  I sent my call several times and he came back to me with a
449 signal report.  I was really surprised.  So maybe tomorrow I will have
a chance with the FT5.  That's when someone spotted them on 3523 and sure
enough I could hear them and they were fairly loud.  I thought maybe it
was a pirate but everything fit so I give them several calls when they
called N5OK?.  R R R and my call a couple of times and they came back with
N5OK 599....   Wow!  They are in the log on 80 meters...   Just telling
this long tale as an encouragement to those with marginal antennas.  Never
give up.  Now for 160 meters and I'm done.  ;-)

Good luck all!

Coy
-- 
Coy Day, N5OK
20685 SW 29
Union City, OK 73090
405-483-5632