[WIham] Now "what happened with 2m skip last night?"
Todd Sprinkmann
sprinkies at excel.net
Thu Jun 3 13:20:29 EDT 2010
Honestly Joe, I've nearly forgotten about that. I have lists
to tell me where my lists are, know what I'm saying? :)
But you're right. If anyone can stand seeing me for an
hour, I do have a video online. For those who prefer to
do their learning by listening, this may be the ticket.
Thanks much Joe for reminding folks.
Thanks N9TRY for doing the videotaping and N9UDO
for getting the video up on the yellowthunder website. If
anyone passes the video around, I know N9UDO has asked
that the http://yellowthunder.org link be used.
73,
Todd KC9BQA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe" <nss at mwt.net>
To: <wiham at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 11:49 AM
Subject: [WIham] Now "what happened with 2m skip last night?"
> And Todd I'm surprised you did not mention your presentation.
>
> The Yellow Thunder ARC has a Presentation Todd gave at one of their
> recent club meetings all about weak signal work. it's at
>
> http://yellowthunder.org/
>
> Scroll towards the bottom for the link to the video file.
>
> Joe WB9SBD
> Near Space Sciences KB9KHO
>
> On 6/3/2010 10:40 AM, Todd Sprinkmann wrote:
>> Hello List, (Hi Jimmy)
>>
>> To the list -- I realize I'm replying to everyone. If you're
>> not
>> interested in this discussion, then kindly delete it.
>>
>> If you're interested in how guys in WI worked FL and TX
>> yesterday on 144.200 SSB (give or take a few KC), then
>> read on.
>>
>> Jimmy -- and others who are interested --
>> The 144.290 MHz CW beacon out of La Crosse operates
>> 24/7/365. It cycles 30 seconds on with its CW message, and
>> then 30 seconds off. It sends slowly, so a guy could copy the
>> dits and dahs to paper and translate the message later.
>>
>> If I were you, I'd also plug 144.200 SSB into your rig. That's
>> the call freq. on 2m SSB. 50.125 SSB is the call freq. on 6m.
>> 52.525 is the call freq. on 6m FM. 146.520 and 146.550 get
>> used sometimes. The reason our FM nets are on 146.460 and
>> 146.430 is to avoid QRM'ing .52 and .55
>>
>> 144 SSB is dead most of the time, but in any true opening, you
>> could hear some activity. You will also hear activity during a
>> contest -- ARRL June VHF QSO Party is June 12-13. Details
>> are up on my website -- www.kc9bqa.com Don't forget my
>> articles called VHF Contesting School, either. I'm proud of
>> those and if you take an hour or so to read thru them, you will
>> be ready to try a V/UHF contest. We could use more activity,
>> so consider yourself welcome. If you've heard an HF contest
>> and thought, "That's too hectic for me", you might enjoy the pace
>> of a V/UHF contest. At least listen in and try something new.
>> The VHF Contesting School articles are at:
>> http://kc9bqa.com/?p=2641 There's plenty of good all-purpose
>> information in those articles.
>>
>> Guys use horizontally polarized antennas on the SSB portions
>> of 2 and 6m, which is different from the vertical antennas on FM.
>> We also hear lots of white noise because setting your squelch too
>> high means you'll miss a lot of signals.
>> When I worked WD4AB in Miami, FL on 144.200 yesterday
>> about 4pm, he was super light. If I hadn't had the squelch open
>> all the way and been using headphones, I doubt I'd have ever
>> known he was there.
>> Most guys who get enjoyment out of the SSB side of V/UHF
>> also end up doing longer yagi antennas, as high as they safely can.
>> On "weak-signal" V/UHF gain is everything -- this isn't like HF,
>> where a random wire can work the world.
>>
>> If the band does open, resist the temptation to camp out and
>> do all your activity right on 144.200. The idea is make a little
>> noise on the SSB call freqs and then take ragchews to another
>> freq. and leave the call open so others can use it.
>> Last night, with the sporadic E skip opening on 144, guys
>> were heard from 144.170 to 144.230 MHz. A lot more
>> contacts can be made when guys are considerate and don't
>> hog call frequencies. Not hogging the call freq. is especially
>> important when the band is open or busy.
>>
>> V/UHF freqs. typically get better toward and after sunset,
>> overnight and into early/mid-morning. It has to do with
>> temperature inversions (warmer air aloft over cooler air near
>> the surface). Google is everyone's friend. I'm sure using
>> search terms like VHF/UHF Tropospheric Ducting would
>> keep a guy learning for some time.
>> What happened last night on 144 was not weather-related.
>> It was an ionospheric deal, where the E layer became ionized
>> for a short time. While this is common on HF, it's extremely
>> unusual on 2m -- may only happen 2-6 times per year.
>> "E skip" on 6m is common; it happens lots in the summer. In
>> fact, I'm sure many of you have seen E skip on TV or heard it
>> on the FM broadcast band.
>> But to have the MUF (Maximum Usable Frequency) go up
>> to 2 meters is pretty special. When it happens, you want to
>> be quick, get the Q in the log and keep looking for new ones.
>>
>> Sorry for the length, but I imagine a few guys heard what
>> happened yesterday evening on 2m, so I hope this helps
>> explain it. I would be curious to hear from anyone who was
>> hearing long skip on repeaters or FM simplex. I was totally
>> immersed in 144 SSB and didn't think to listen on 146/147 FM.
>>
>> 73,
>> Todd KC9BQA EN63ao 40 N of Milwaukee
>> www.kc9bqa.com For Frequent VHF/UHF Updates
>> www.wivuch.com WI V/UHF County Hunters Award
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Jimmy c"<kc9pxz at centurytel.net>
>> To: "WI_HAM ham"<wiham at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 8:10 AM
>> Subject: [WIham] [La Crosse Hams] [MVARA] La Crosse Area FM Simplex
>> Net146.46
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi Todd,
>>>> thank you for the link. Ni im not on the magic band right now but
>>>> that is
>>>> one of my radio goals. Si if any know of a 6 meter rig that I can
>>>> pick up
>>>> at a fair price for somone on disibility let me know. I relize 6 is
>>>> not
>>>> open all the time but when it is Im told it smokes. I tune in
>>>> 144.290. I
>>>> have been trying to work simplex on 146.460. I can hit both
>>>> Lacroose
>>>> repeaters I just dont know how well. I just wired a pair of sound
>>>> pro
>>>> Pilot head phones to use with my Icom. Now all I need to DO is
>>>> order
>>>> a 8
>>>> pin conector to wire the mic. I am going to make to set ups for
>>>> this
>>>> head
>>>> set one for the shack and my Icom 2 meter rig and the other for my
>>>> HTs for
>>>> when I work the birds. I be listen to the beacon and 146.460 most
>>>> of
>>>> the
>>>> day and scanning 2 meters I try the net tonight and later tonight
>>>> as
>>>> well
>>>> as greyline ant sunset and again in th AM.
>>>>
>>>> how often does the 144.290 beacon transmit? I did a search there
>>>> are
>>>> programs out there that I guess tell ya what beacons turn it is and
>>>> if it
>>>> transmitting or not, can you suggest one? I have missed 2 couple
>>>> other
>>>> opening on 2 so in trying to make it so I dont mis the next one. or
>>>> at
>>>> least try not to.
>>>>
>>>> 73
>>>> KC9PXZ
>>>> Jimmy C
>>>> Norwalk WI
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Todd Sprinkmann"<sprinkies at excel.net>
>>>> To: "Jimmy c"<kc9pxz at centurytel.net>; "Wisconsin Ham Radio"
>>>> <wiham at mailman.qth.net>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 7:38 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [La Crosse Hams] [MVARA] La Crosse Area FM Simplex Net
>>>> 146.46
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> 144.290 Jimmy, CW beacon out of La Crosse. That's the
>>>>> only one you'd regularly hear with your setup. There used to
>>>>> be a stronger one out of the Blue Mounds area, on 144.297 but
>>>>> that has been QRT since at least February. Hopefully it will
>>>>> come back on.
>>>>> Guys in the central or northern parts of the state may hear
>>>>> the N8PUM beacon on 144.278 from Ishpeming, in the U.P.
>>>>> of MI. I hear that one fairly often, but I have stacked yagis
>>>>> up high.
>>>>>
>>>>> Actually, I will send a link to a far larger listing of beacons
>>>>> all across the USA. While nights like last night are very
>>>>> unusual,
>>>>> you may have some times where you hear DX beacons, if you
>>>>> have good antennas up high and are persistent.
>>>>>
>>>>> The main website is www.newsvhf.com.
>>>>> The 144 beacon list is http://www.newsvhf.com/beacons2.html
>>>>> Don't think you're doing 6 meters, but if anyone on the list
>>>>> is,
>>>>> they might want this 50 MHz beacon list:
>>>>> http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm
>>>>>
>>>>> 73,
>>>>> Todd KC9BQA EN63ao 40 N of Milwaukee
>>>>> www.kc9bqa.com For Frequent VHF/UHF Updates
>>>>> www.wivuch.com WI V/UHF County Hunters Award
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Jimmy c"<kc9pxz at centurytel.net>
>>>>> To: "Dave, WV9E"<dave at wv9e.net>
>>>>> Cc: "lacrosse_hams_list"<lacrossehams at qth.com>
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 7:21 AM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [La Crosse Hams] [MVARA] La Crosse Area FM Simplex
>>>>> Net
>>>>> 146.46
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> KB9KTD - HUBER-LAN - EQ-REPAIRIM be on at 8:30 or a few min
>>>>> before.
>>>>> yep
>>>>> I guess 2 was pretty hot laye night. I found out it was open on a
>>>>> handiham net that I check into allot. I fig. Im going to reporgram
>>>>> my 2
>>>>> meter rig a bit so i cam listen for the beacons on 2 then when i
>>>>> hear it
>>>>> the games are a foot. What beacons or beacon you you suggest I
>>>>> program
>>>>> in? there is lots of memery left on this Icom. suggestoins
>>>>> welcome.
>>>>> just
>>>>> woundring wicth ones you all listen for?
>>>>>
>>>>> 73
>>>>> Jimmy C
>>>>> KC9PXZ
>>>>> Norwalk WI
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: Dave, WV9E
>>>>> To: LaCrosseHams at qth.com ; Wisconsin Ham Radio ; Mailing list
>>>>> for
>>>>> the
>>>>> MVARA ; Winona Amateur Radio Club general discussion ; W9ET_list
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 12:28 AM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [La Crosse Hams] [MVARA] La Crosse Area FM Simplex
>>>>> Net
>>>>> 146.46
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Reminder, Thursday 8:30 PM turn the 2 meter radio on , set to
>>>>> FM
>>>>> and
>>>>> join in the chattter. Key the mic and say hi atleast.
>>>>> The net is open to all amateurs whether newly lisenced or used
>>>>> spark
>>>>> as a first rig..
>>>>>
>>>>> FYI.
>>>>> 2 meters was open to FL and TX on Wed late afternoon and 6
>>>>> meters
>>>>> was
>>>>> full of calls till midnite. A good opening and we could see
>>>>> hams
>>>>> from
>>>>> very long distances check in because they hear us on 146.46.
>>>>>
>>>>> The big contest is little over a week away now.... June VHF.
>>>>>
>>>>> Hope to hear you on the air.
>>>>>
>>>>> 73,
>>>>>
>>>>> Dave, WV9E.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>>
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