Turning it to the left

[HomerBB]

Nothing new. We all know about the fickleness of DX conditions.

Well today I just turned the volume knob to the left.

I had tried calling numerous times, and not one person coming back to me but one around 10:30 AM - Binrat in Ontario.

Then there was yesterday. I had only to key up and call for at least a half dozen folks shouting back like gangbusters with same reports back to me. I was using this little droopy wire on fiberglass 2 element portable Yagi I had made just for fun of chimney sweep rods that I'd had in the attic for 3 years.

A director/driven construction it was netting contacts every time I keyed up. Pointed northeast I heard JJ_WR399 from Colombia from the south. So I spin the little Yagi around and call. Nothing from JJ. What a deal. I am 36' in the air with it, but switch to the End Fed half wave at 21' above the ground and 4' above the roof line.

JJ comes right back to me with a good report on both ends.

DX is like a wife . . . headaches in direct proportion to its moods . . . fickle.

 

[binrat]

Hey Homer,
It was great talking to you even though it was short. Sure wish I was on a base compared to driving down the highway. You sounded good on my end.

 

[HomerBB]

I had a good copy on you, too. We'll get another chance soon.

 

[gamegetter]

awesome

sporadic e is sporadic!

 

[HomerBB]

sporadic e is sporadic!

Without a doubt.

Earlier today I pushed the EFHW up to 36', too.

Conditions are odd, and the shack in the garage is too hot to spend any time in there, however, I go out to the shack later this evening and turn up the volume on the 2950.

The antenna switch is on the little droopy Yagi which is pointed east-by-northeast. Immediately I have someone working a dipole in my NW Arkansas receive.

"How about that North Carolina dipole . . ."

"This is Unit 55, North Carolina"

Unit 55_Jack is working a slanted dipole from North Carolina about 20' off the ground. He says he has it up primarily for listening when in the house, but when someone comes in strong and clear he'll try it. He doubts there is much of a chance of being heard with the listening setup, but Mama Nature is in a good mood, and he gets lucky this evening.
I'm glad he calls as we had a great QSO for several minutes.

I hear only what is east of me, it seems, and I am surprised because the antenna has no reflector and ought to be pretty wide open from behind . . . TOA/lobes orientation?? polarization. . ?

So now I switch to the EFHW now at 36' feed point. What I am hearing on the droopy goes away, and I am in a different place, or so it seems. Completely different radios are tapping on the door of my receive. The 2950 is hearing from other places as it should being an Omni. What is interesting is the former stations did not go lower, but went away.
Then I am delighted to hear WR437_Joe, the Golden Voice of Louisiana.

"Hello Joe, the Golden Voice of Louisiana. This is WR183_Homer NW Arkansas."

"Hello Homer, my friend, it's been a while. It's good to hear you in there . . ."

and so the great QSO goes.

You gotta love radio, and you gotta love DX, Sporadic E and all . . .

Word Radio 183, Homer, and we'll be listening.