I'm trying for WAS from the center of the US
(EM17) with a trap 75/160m dipole up 20'
flat, pointed N/S and 100w SSB.

In just 1 winter season, operating very casually,
I've managed 45 states on 160 alone. I've operated
maybe 20 hours total.

My question is this: Should I even attempt 160 WAS
and try to get HI and AK or am I not being realistic
considering my setup? I never hear them!

Just wondering.... I could easily get the rest of
the WAS states on 40 or 80, probably in 1
weekend.

--
73's es gd dx de Ken KGØWX
Grid EM17ip, Flying Pigs #1055,
Digital On Six #350,
List Owner, Yahoo! E-groups:
VX-2R & FT-857

Ken Bessler wrote:

I'm trying for WAS from the center of the US
(EM17) with a trap 75/160m dipole up 20'
flat, pointed N/S and 100w SSB.

In just 1 winter season, operating very casually,
I've managed 45 states on 160 alone. I've operated
maybe 20 hours total.

My question is this: Should I even attempt 160 WAS
and try to get HI and AK or am I not being realistic
considering my setup? I never hear them!

Another question would be "Why would you NOT try?".

Don't think of your low antenna throwing off a blob of signal at only a
high angle. It is throwing off signal at many angles. Your signal is
just weaker at the lower angles.

Just wondering.... I could easily get the rest of
the WAS states on 40 or 80, probably in 1
weekend.

Wellll, you might as well work them too! 8^) WAS on 160 will just be
another feather in the cap.

- Mike KB3EIA -
- Mike -

If you're using a 100watt rig you maybe QRP and they make WAS all the time
but usually CW.

--

73
Hank WD5JFR
"Ken Bessler" wrote in message
news:6KX8e.3022$mS1.234@okepread04...
I'm trying for WAS from the center of the US
(EM17) with a trap 75/160m dipole up 20'
flat, pointed N/S and 100w SSB.

In just 1 winter season, operating very casually,
I've managed 45 states on 160 alone. I've operated
maybe 20 hours total.

My question is this: Should I even attempt 160 WAS
and try to get HI and AK or am I not being realistic
considering my setup? I never hear them!

Just wondering.... I could easily get the rest of
the WAS states on 40 or 80, probably in 1
weekend.

--
73's es gd dx de Ken KGØWX
Grid EM17ip, Flying Pigs #1055,
Digital On Six #350,
List Owner, Yahoo! E-groups:
VX-2R & FT-857

"Ken Bessler" wrote in message
news:6KX8e.3022$mS1.234@okepread04...
I'm trying for WAS from the center of the US
(EM17) with a trap 75/160m dipole up 20'
flat, pointed N/S and 100w SSB.

In just 1 winter season, operating very casually,
I've managed 45 states on 160 alone. I've operated
maybe 20 hours total.

My question is this: Should I even attempt 160 WAS
and try to get HI and AK or am I not being realistic
considering my setup? I never hear them!

Just wondering.... I could easily get the rest of
the WAS states on 40 or 80, probably in 1
weekend.

--
73's es gd dx de Ken KGØWX
Grid EM17ip, Flying Pigs #1055,
Digital On Six #350,
List Owner, Yahoo! E-groups:
VX-2R & FT-857


Hi
I have HI and AK on 160m too, from Pennsylvania with a 200' loaded dipole
thats 35' at the center and 15' at the ends and a 100w. I don't hear them
often but contests are the best times to look for the rarer states as the
big contest stations are on and you can take advantage of there superior
antennas and operating skill to hear you.
But a big help is if you can put up some sort of a receive only antenna. It
makes DX on the low band much more fun.


--
John Passaneau, W3JXP
Penn State University

Ken,
Why not? HI and AK won't be easy on 160 meters but
they are certainly possible. Same for the other bands.
As long as you enjoy the 'chase', your time isn't wasted.
'Doc

But a big help is if you can put up some sort of a receive only
antenna. It
makes DX on the low band much more fun. ............

Also...Would probably have more luck on the transmit end,
using some type of vertical. 20 ft high is pretty low for a 160
dipole...Makes long haul DX not for the faint of heart...
But....It can be done with a low wire, if the band is *real* quiet...
I remember back when I first started working 160 , I worked
HI three times in one winter, using just a 80m dipole fed like
a vertical from the shack, and about 120w. But it was quiet
that year, and my antenna was more like 36 ft high instead
of 20...Might try feeding that dipole like a vertical on 160m, just
as a test...Might surprise you...I bet on long haul, it does better
shorted, and fed like a vertical, than when running it normally...
You can compare just on receive to tell which would be best..
The DX will be history soon on 160, except for those with super
receive antennas...The noise is coming back up slowly...
You may have to wait till next winter unless you get lucky and
get some more quiet nights before summer...:/ MK

that contact may be calling CQ right now - and there you are on that darn
computer again.

"Hal Rosser" wrote in message
. ..


that contact may be calling CQ right now - and there you are on that darn
computer again.


Based on the above plus the other thread comments
Viagra, Molasses & a Feather, I herby consign you to
killfile status. Goodbye!

PLONK

--
73's es gd dx de Ken KGØWX
Grid EM17ip, Flying Pigs #1055,
Digital On Six #350,
List Owner, Yahoo! E-groups:
VX-2R & FT-857

Based on the above plus the other thread comments
Viagra, Molasses & a Feather, I herby consign you to
killfile status. Goodbye!

PLONK

Will I Dream ?

On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 18:51:30 -0500, "Ken Bessler"
wrote:

I'm trying for WAS from the center of the US
(EM17) with a trap 75/160m dipole up 20'
flat, pointed N/S and 100w SSB.

In just 1 winter season, operating very casually,
I've managed 45 states on 160 alone. I've operated
maybe 20 hours total.

My question is this: Should I even attempt 160 WAS
and try to get HI and AK or am I not being realistic
considering my setup? I never hear them!

Just wondering.... I could easily get the rest of
the WAS states on 40 or 80, probably in 1
weekend.

Working AK7/KH6 will take time as you need to be on, have propagation
and have those stations on at the same time. If you picked up 45
states in 20 hours on 160, you may want to continue looking for your
remaining states on 160 while taking time to start your WAS on 75/80.

As for the antenna, I don't know how much loss there is, but usually
there is a noticeable difference between a regular loaded dipole and a
dipole with a trap. A full sized dipole will be best, if you have the
room. Additionally, look towards re-orienting the antenna for maximum
lobe in the direction of the states you need.

Just a few thoughts.

Sometimes these things take time. Some people work all states in a
weekend, usually during a contest, but sometimes it takes time.

Good luck
BUck

--
73 for now
Buck
N4PGW