CQ 160M SSB Contest - Page 1

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Posted: 2/27/2015 11:07:54 PM EDT

The band seems to be in great shape, come join the fun!

I need to re-tune the antenna tuner when I move very far across the band and have forgotten several times. Worked a few guys across the country now on about 25 Watts when the amp tripped off because I forgot to re-tune first.

I may just get up in the middle of the night and see if I can finally get Alaska...

Posted: 2/27/2015 11:12:17 PM EDT

[#1]

I miss my 160M dipole, but I'm so happy with the 80M OCF that replaced it I don't miss it that much

I've been thinking about rebuilding the 80M OCF into a 160M OCF in the Spring.

Posted: 2/27/2015 11:30:59 PM EDT

[#2]

Crap, I keep forgetting that I made a nice 1/2 wave 160m dipole, but never got off my lazy ass to hang it. Still in the garage.

Is it me or was 160m better last winter? Maybe I just spent more time in front of the rig last year.

I've been banging away on RTYY for past 15 min. for Robinson Crusoe Is. I worked them earlier on 17m. They haven't been very strong here in WV for me & my dipoles.

Posted: 2/27/2015 11:44:18 PM EDT

[#3]

Daym..... No antenna for 160m...

I've been thinking about installing a full size horizontal loop at 50+ ft above ground. 50 feet above ground is way too low for 160m but I have no way to put it any higher.

25 years ago, I had a full size 160m, horizontal Delta Loop at 150 ft. It worked very well and was a lot quieter than a dipole at the same height.
Does anyone have experience with OCFD for 160 meters? Do you think it will work ok at a lower height (50-60ft)?

Posted: 2/28/2015 12:02:28 AM EDT

[#4]

I think Elijah1 uses a horizontal wire on 160 and other bands. Might ask him about it since I know he does a lot of DX with it.

Just tripped the amp again working KS and he said I was S9 +5 when I was running 25W. He's 20 over here on my short Inverted-L transmit antenna and my Hi-Z receive array.

Posted: 2/28/2015 12:06:48 AM EDT

[#5]

I think all you would need is a good 4:1 current balun to make an OCF dipole for 160m. You know that would be easier for me as well. You could just tune it for 160m. I would have to look up the leg measurements. I have no idea how well it would work though.

Posted: 2/28/2015 12:23:26 AM EDT

[#6]

I've got a relatively new ham exactly 2 miles North of me hitting me 40 over that I've never heard before.

Haven't talked to him but I see and hear him working stations up and down the band,. Called for him and he responded, couldn't help not hearing me this close on 160.

Posted: 2/28/2015 1:31:41 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
I think Elijah1 uses a horizontal wire on 160 and other bands. Might ask him about it since I know he does a lot of DX with it.

Just tripped the amp again working KS and he said I was S9 +5 when I was running 25W. He's 20 over here on my short Inverted-L transmit antenna and my Hi-Z receive array.

View Quote

Yea, an OCF dipole. 90' by 180' with a 4:1 balun.

Posted: 2/28/2015 2:36:33 PM EDT

[#8]

Ran across the contest last night while working on something else, gave it about an hour before I had to go upstairs & made 30 some odd contacts that included Cayman Islands and Bahamas. Was using the ladder fed horizontal 160m FWL (551' @ about 75' average height). It transitions from 4" ladder to the TS-590 via a homebrew 3 core 9:1 current balun. It often sees use on all bands from 160m - 10m. No external tuner required.

Nick

Posted: 2/28/2015 8:37:02 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yea, an OCF dipole. 90' by 180' with a 4:1 balun.

View Quote

For 160?

How high up?

I was eyeballing trees today but best I got is right at 100ft tall. So add stretch to another tree top or go with OCF?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - CQ 160M SSB Contest

Outdoors » Ham Radios

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