Monday, March 28, 2011

Stealth operation

One of the problems with operating in the evening is that on most HF bands even a few watts of RF is enough to turn on the neighbours' security lights. So there is an extra incentive to work QRP. This evening I tried JT65A at 2W on 30m, then moved to 20m with 5W. This map shows where my QRP signals were received.


The antenna on 20m was the multiband attic dipole. Stations worked included K3AXR (FM28), KF4NX (EM83), AB0DI (EN41), VA3WLD (FN03) and KD2A (FN13). By the way, whoever said JT65A is not a chat mode!

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6 comments:

  1. K9CHPTuesday, March 29, 2011 1:57:00 am

    Hi Julian:
    I was babysitting our grandchildren today and set up my FT-817 with an ATX antenna on the coffee table of our daughter/son-in-law's house (single counterpoise wire, not even stretched out, behind the armchair). Can't be more stealthy than that! Totally indoors. 5 watts at best, but my battery was a wee bit low...

    I was not really trying hard, as my attention was mostly elsewhere but I had two QSOs, one to Tatarstan (Russia) and one to Hungary. I heard many other stations, even an Israeli one on 15m.

    Conditions are getting better, slowly, but QRP is also better now. Minimal time setup and still have some fun while babysitting. And who knows, maybe the grandchildren will get the bug too...

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  2. PE4BAS, BasTuesday, March 29, 2011 8:59:00 am

    Hi Julian, the VOAPROP chat is a nice one. You have to be infinitive with messages in JT65A. I still think this is the best mode for difficult propagation and QRP. 73, Bas

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  3. UnknownTuesday, March 29, 2011 9:43:00 am

    I agree, Bas. Considering the minimal information that is exchanged in most ham radio QSOs I don't think there is too much of a tradeoff. I can send the usual rig details e.g.: K3 5W DPL. Obviously you can't ragchew, but how often does that happen?

    I saw VK3AMA on my screen last night. So hopefully I'll have VK in the log soon!

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  4. Paul Stam PAØKTuesday, March 29, 2011 11:14:00 am

    Hi Julian, well done with your stealth antenna. Yes, JT65 it's great for qrp, but I have the impression that the big guns are also discovering the possibilities of JT65. 73 Paul

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  5. Steve SilverwoodWednesday, March 30, 2011 8:43:00 pm

    I just read your article on AmateurRadio.com. Great job on peanut power! I just need to know the details about the antenna you're using. My home QTH is in a mobile home park, where the park owners are adamant about antenna restrictions. Since it's a privately-owned park, and we just rent, we don't have any real say in making the rules, so I have to work around them. My space is limited, and I already only work QRP (my sole HF rig is an FT-817), so I just need a stealthy antenna. The details on your installation might be helpful. Thanks in advance.
    73 DE KB6OJS
    //Steve//
    steve.silverwood@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownWednesday, March 30, 2011 8:59:00 pm

    Steve,

    You should check out my web site. My station is described there and
    there is an article on stealth operation with several ideas for
    antennas.

    ReplyDelete