[TransAtlantic] New participant - I think!

[k4mhz at aol.com]

(i.e. VHF Horizons, Television Horizons, Commun

Bob
Good to hear from you... looks like a good debate starting on the propagation most probable on this path. to include if the KH6 to W6 path is similar to CT or CU to W/K land.  i am also thinking that vertical may be significantly better in some cases. 

Sounds like you are a cable guy. Ever hear of the SCTE/Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers ? 

Mark
K4MHZ


-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Cooper <skyking at clear.net.nz>
To: transatlantic at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Tue, Nov 24, 2009 4:38 pm
Subject: [TransAtlantic] New participant - I think!



As an introduction to members of this group, I am licensed presently as ZL4AAA 
nd K6EDX, hold 6 meter WAS #21 (K6EDX) and #278 (W5KHT). Operated as VP5D (49 
tates less Alaska but WAC several times); 26 states on 2 meters from VP5 and 
old one end of 'East Coast' 432 distance record. From ZL4AAA 40 6M states and 
AC including VU2 long path across Africa, Atlantic, SA, Pacific (SSB and CW 
everal times). Wrote QST Microwave Column in 80-81, Radio Electronics TV and FM 
X column 1956-1961; publisher DXing Horizons and many more thereafter. Moved 
rom VP5 to ZL1 (despite the ZL4 call) 1990, operate only cable TV system in NZ 
nd a regional FM radio network of 3 stations. Founded American Ionospheric 
ropagation Association - AIPA (try saying that without taking a breath!) 1954 
nd created world's first TV-FM DX monthly printed bulletin. Have authored 44 
ooks, several thousand magazine articles, well past 30 million words in print 
i.e. VHF Horizons, Television Horizons, Commun
ications Horizons, CATJ - Community Antenna Television Journal, CSD - Coop's 
atellite Digest, SF - SatFACTS Monthly and this barely scratches the surface); 
nough, even for me! At almost 72 years of age pride is no longer an issue. Went 
o school with Mike (K6MYC) who remains a close friend, was doing 10 GHz in 1974 
hen it was still a Gunnplexer issue.
VHF-UHF wave propagation? Covering the world of TV (and FM) DX as I have from 
956 onward, have been exposed to untold thousands of reports including lengthy 
xchanges with those enthusiasts. And have several strong opinions based upon 
his data base concerning what it will take to claim the Irish trophy. Two quick 
xamples: KH6 to XE/W6/W7 is illustrative. As was seminal work done by a TV DXer 
n the mountains above Monterey (Mexico) a decade ago; leading to a brash 
tatement: Large/huge high pressure areas bearing the potential for exceptional 
istance ducting are more easily understood if you closely study the physical 
ocation of each end - whether it is transmitter west end - receiver east end or 
ice versa (the two are not always reversible). In well over 50% of all 
H6-mainland contacts or reports, the west end is elevation-high and the east 
nd is elevation-low (even down to sea level). A reminder: W6NLZ and KH6UK were 
ent on their quest because Honolulu-SFO planes d
uring the summer months frequently found the KH6 end 121 MHz signals 
verpowering the California signals as they dropped for the SFO runway and were 
etween 800 and 1,200 feet. Fernando in Monterey had almost identical 
xperiences logging several hundred UHF TV stations from essentially the entire 
ast coast but only as far north as North Carolina - distances pushing 1,700 
iles. Then there is the legendary observation by a W6 ham stationed on Terceira 
Azores; Lajes Field) in the late 50s (or so the story goes); two solid days of 
igh quality FM band reception from approximately Maryland to Maine using a very 
asic table-top FM radio connected to dipole in his near-sea- level quarters. 
nd these are the tip of this particular berg. Repeating the to-me most obvious 
imilarity in the reports: Within a large high pressure dome capable of layered 
ucting, the west end duct elevation tends to be 'high' while the east end gets 
ight down to the deck a high percentage of the time.
 No, not 100 but easily 50% and possibly as high as 70%. 
What this suggests, at least to me, is we begin our quest by searching out a 
uitable elevated western end launch site as well as a near-deck east end 
eceptor QTH. If that suggests being at or near the water at essentially 
ea-level along the US east coast might not be where you should be - well, 
hat's what I am saying. Also recall W6NLZ may have been properly located in the 
alos Verdes Hills (~600') but Tommy (UK) was elevation-restricted (I believe) 
ased upon how long it took for them to make it work (both ends were superbly 
quipped, capable of horizon-set EME by today's standards - whereas subsequently 
 5-watt handheld to a 5 element yagi at sea level has worked to KH6); had he 
een a couple of K feet higher - well, another story. Alternatives? Another day. 
3, Bob Cooper K6EDX et al
...
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