Posted: 4/21/2016 4:04:15 PM EDT
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Sorry everyone but my first HF contact is in the log I am very excited about it, Using Yaesu FT-450D with 80-6m end feed wire antenna went WI to MS today and checked in with the YL System net that was going on. So just wanted to share that I have now been bitten by the HF Bug and working 2nd shift sucks because there is so far not much I have found during the daytime hours as I currently am only running phone. Thanks for the read now to work on that Extra part.........
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Okay, you're hooked!
We're on the downhill side of Cycle 24, but 20 usually has good daylight DX openings that can last well beyond sunset. The higher frequency bands (17, 15, 12, 10 Meters) can occasionally produce some good ones, too. You can can get a rough idea of what propagation will be like here: http://dx.qsl.net/propagation/propagation.html. Generally, the higher the SFI the better, but it's the opposite for the A and K indices. For them, low is good. |
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Great the joys of being a 2nd Shifter maybe my off days I can play radio in the evening or I will have to try after I get home from work at midnight for a little bit.
Next thing I know the wife will want my radio desk......our dinning room table back guess I need to start cleaning the basement to give me my shack. |
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Sorry everyone but my first HF contact is in the log I am very excited about it, Using Yaesu FT-450D with 80-6m end feed wire antenna went WI to MS today and checked in with the YL System net that was going on. So just wanted to share that I have now been bitten by the HF Bug and working 2nd shift sucks because there is so far not much I have found during the daytime hours as I currently am only running phone. Thanks for the read now to work on that Extra part......... I got bit bad by the HF bug in Nov. 
I'm using a home made EARCHI antenna with 71' of wire, 29' vertical starting from just off the ground and the rest horizontal in an inverted L, and an Icom 718 with it's mighty 100 watts. I only do SSB and since Nov 24 I've got 86 counties from all around the world, with 53 or 54 verified by LOTW so far, I lost most of 2 months of this time due to a severe power line noise problem and I don't stay on the radio all the time (I do put a good amount of time in it, though). A modest system and not very good antenna can do good work. I've done a lot better that I ever thought I would with the equipment that I have. Suffer through the Extra exam, it's well worth it for the extra frequencies. For the General, daytime is the best. You can pick up a decent amount of countries on 15m, 18m and especially 20m. Most of the night time DX you can't use as a General because of the freq it's on, almost all is under 3.800 Mhz on 80m and under 7.200Mhz on 40m. That's what got my Extra, when I first pulled up the DX cluster and saw where all the action was. At night probably at least 95 out of a 100 were on freq I couldn't use as a General. If you haven't already, get started with a logging program (I use Log4OM) and get signed up with LOTW. It's a pain in the ass to get started, but well worth the trouble. Club Log, too. It's free and quick to sign up to. Be waiting for the next SSB contest, it's like shooting over a baited field. Watch for state QSO parties. The NPOTA (National Parks On The Air) is fun and gets states. Whatever logging program you use, learn to use the cluster. Get on Century 3905 club, http://www.3905ccn.com/ and OMISS for states. Get Netlogger and play with it. |
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I got bit bad by the HF bug in Nov.
I'm using a home made EARCHI antenna with 71' of wire, 29' vertical starting from just off the ground and the rest horizontal in an inverted L, and an Icom 718 with it's mighty 100 watts. I only do SSB and since Nov 24 I've got 86 counties from all around the world, with 53 or 54 verified by LOTW so far, I lost most of 2 months of this time due to a severe power line noise problem and I don't stay on the radio all the time (I do put a good amount of time in it, though). A modest system and not very good antenna can do good work. I've done a lot better that I ever thought I would with the equipment that I have. Suffer through the Extra exam, it's well worth it for the extra frequencies. For the General, daytime is the best. You can pick up a decent amount of countries on 15m, 18m and especially 20m. Most of the night time DX you can't use as a General because of the freq it's on, almost all is under 3.800 Mhz on 80m and under 7.200Mhz on 40m. That's what got my Extra, when I first pulled up the DX cluster and saw where all the action was. At night probably at least 95 out of a 100 were on freq I couldn't use as a General. If you haven't already, get started with a logging program (I use Log4OM) and get signed up with LOTW. It's a pain in the ass to get started, but well worth the trouble. Club Log, too. It's free and quick to sign up to. Be waiting for the next SSB contest, it's like shooting over a baited field. Watch for state QSO parties. The NPOTA (National Parks On The Air) is fun and gets states. Whatever logging program you use, learn to use the cluster. Get on Century 3905 club, http://www.3905ccn.com/ and OMISS for states. Get Netlogger and play with it. Quoted:
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Sorry everyone but my first HF contact is in the log I am very excited about it, Using Yaesu FT-450D with 80-6m end feed wire antenna went WI to MS today and checked in with the YL System net that was going on. So just wanted to share that I have now been bitten by the HF Bug and working 2nd shift sucks because there is so far not much I have found during the daytime hours as I currently am only running phone. Thanks for the read now to work on that Extra part......... I got bit bad by the HF bug in Nov.
I'm using a home made EARCHI antenna with 71' of wire, 29' vertical starting from just off the ground and the rest horizontal in an inverted L, and an Icom 718 with it's mighty 100 watts. I only do SSB and since Nov 24 I've got 86 counties from all around the world, with 53 or 54 verified by LOTW so far, I lost most of 2 months of this time due to a severe power line noise problem and I don't stay on the radio all the time (I do put a good amount of time in it, though). A modest system and not very good antenna can do good work. I've done a lot better that I ever thought I would with the equipment that I have. Suffer through the Extra exam, it's well worth it for the extra frequencies. For the General, daytime is the best. You can pick up a decent amount of countries on 15m, 18m and especially 20m. Most of the night time DX you can't use as a General because of the freq it's on, almost all is under 3.800 Mhz on 80m and under 7.200Mhz on 40m. That's what got my Extra, when I first pulled up the DX cluster and saw where all the action was. At night probably at least 95 out of a 100 were on freq I couldn't use as a General. If you haven't already, get started with a logging program (I use Log4OM) and get signed up with LOTW. It's a pain in the ass to get started, but well worth the trouble. Club Log, too. It's free and quick to sign up to. Be waiting for the next SSB contest, it's like shooting over a baited field. Watch for state QSO parties. The NPOTA (National Parks On The Air) is fun and gets states. Whatever logging program you use, learn to use the cluster. Get on Century 3905 club, http://www.3905ccn.com/ and OMISS for states. Get Netlogger and play with it. Well said. Good info and totally agree. Picked up extra for the same reason. Was hard listening down in the extra portion to some good DX. Prosise |
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Thanks David0858 for the info I was looking into logging stuff, do I have need to have cable for my radio to computer or can I hand jam it in myself while making contacts? I am sure easiest best answer is use a cable but thought I would ask!
Thanks again all, hope to work some of you in the future! Have a 9 hour road trip coming up next month to TN with the wife and a week on vacation may take some time to study while in the car. |
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Thanks David0858 for the info I was looking into logging stuff, do I have need to have cable for my radio to computer or can I hand jam it in myself while making contacts? I am sure easiest best answer is use a cable but thought I would ask! Thanks again all, hope to work some of you in the future! Have a 9 hour road trip coming up next month to TN with the wife and a week on vacation may take some time to study while in the car. The cable makes things much, much, much easier. With the cable all you have to enter is the call sign (not even that if using a cluster, just click on the cluster entry) and on most radios you can control the radio from the computer. I wish I had got the cable as soon as I got the radio. If setup right the logging program will upload your entries to various online logs like LOTW, QRZ, Club Log and another one I can't think of right now, but LOTW is the most important. |
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Fantastic thank you very much, I reached California VA Hospital in Loma Linda CA today on 20m got 57 report from them, I have now down loaded LOTW just waiting on approval card I guess to show up so I can actually use it, think this day in age they would do all email but apparently not. So right now I am logging on QRZ even if people don't use it just so I can keep record and update it later on in LOTW. Guess I will be looking for cable for my FT-450. 2 states down many more to go, excited that I hit CA, now I want to work East.
Newbie question how do I respond with my signal report I.E. the 57 they gave me what is it I am looking at on the radio screen that gives me that.....Still learning this radio sorry...I have the SWR meter showing on the radio but currently I am still caught up in the "I am actually talking to someone" |
HF is really fun, but sadly as the solar cycle continues on its downward slide DX is going to be harder to find and work. The higher bands like 10m and 15m are not going to net you much DX at the bottom of the cycle, but the low bands will still be good after sunset. You can see from my Clubog time line the impact the recent solar cycle had on my contacts. The sun was still sleepy in 2010 and slowly woke up and peaked around 2013. 
Have fun and good DX with your new Yaesu FT-450D!! Also if you don't have an LoTW account set up do so now. It will save you a ton of money if you get the DX bug.
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Fantastic thank you very much, I reached California VA Hospital in Loma Linda CA today on 20m got 57 report from them, I have now down loaded LOTW just waiting on approval card I guess to show up so I can actually use it, think this day in age they would do all email but apparently not. So right now I am logging on QRZ even if people don't use it just so I can keep record and update it later on in LOTW. Guess I will be looking for cable for my FT-450. 2 states down many more to go, excited that I hit CA, now I want to work East. Newbie question how do I respond with my signal report I.E. the 57 they gave me what is it I am looking at on the radio screen that gives me that.....Still learning this radio sorry...I have the SWR meter showing on the radio but currently I am still caught up in the "I am actually talking to someone" About the second or third week I had the radio and I hit the Falkland Islands was a rush. A little before that on Pearl Harbor weekend I was talking to Point Loma Radio Club and they had the Battleship Missouri radio club from Pearl Harbor on so I got to talk to them too at the same time. That was a lot fun, especially for a newbie. I'll let someone else explain the intricacies of signal reports, but the one you'll use far more than anything else will be 59 on DX even if you can't hardly hear them and they can't hardly here you.  It makes things much easier. Listen for a while and you'll see what I mean. I've heard "real 59" a few times and used it at least once myself.
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Newbie question how do I respond with my signal report I.E. the 57 they gave me what is it I am looking at on the radio screen that gives me that.....Still learning this radio sorry...I have the SWR meter showing on the radio but currently I am still caught up in the "I am actually talking to someone" Signal reports explained |
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Newbie question how do I respond with my signal report I.E. the 57 they gave me what is it I am looking at on the radio screen that gives me that.....Still learning this radio sorry...I have the SWR meter showing on the radio but currently I am still caught up in the "I am actually talking to someone" Signal reports explained Regarding the signal strength (S) report: The article is somewhat dated. The S Meters in most modern transceivers are closely calibrated to the 50 microvolt = S9 standard, so for practical purposes you can use what the meter reads. If you have the pre-amp on, it will cause the meter to read high, but it's no big deal. The Readability is far more important than the strength, and is subjective. If you have a high noise level that is approaching the signal strength, the readability will be low. IOW you may be receiving a signal at S7, but with a noise level of S6, the readability could be 2 or 3. The S meter on the 450D is the top scale on the horizontal bar graph in the upper left hand corner of the display. It will probably bounce around a bit as the other station transmits. 
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| Awesome info all thank you, the website even if dated gave me the info I needed to understand what the actual signal report is made up of so I can now include that or try to remember it when giving info with other stations. The Veteran me today when I found out that the net being ran and station call sign was the VA hospital was great and made me call to get it. I now want to get on in time to try and reach a Ham in Magnolia Tx on the 14.300 net during the day but I always tune in at the last 5 mins or so of his net. |
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Regarding the signal strength (S) report: The article is somewhat dated. The S Meters in most modern transceivers are closely calibrated to the 50 microvolt = S9 standard, so for practical purposes you can use what the meter reads. If you have the pre-amp on, it will cause the meter to read high, but it's no big deal. The Readability is far more important than the strength, and is subjective. If you have a high noise level that is approaching the signal strength, the readability will be low. IOW you may be receiving a signal at S7, but with a noise level of S6, the readability could be 2 or 3. The S meter on the 450D is the top scale on the horizontal bar graph in the upper left hand corner of the display. It will probably bounce around a bit as the other station transmits. http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/0452lrg.jpg Quoted:
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Newbie question how do I respond with my signal report I.E. the 57 they gave me what is it I am looking at on the radio screen that gives me that.....Still learning this radio sorry...I have the SWR meter showing on the radio but currently I am still caught up in the "I am actually talking to someone" Signal reports explained Regarding the signal strength (S) report: The article is somewhat dated. The S Meters in most modern transceivers are closely calibrated to the 50 microvolt = S9 standard, so for practical purposes you can use what the meter reads. If you have the pre-amp on, it will cause the meter to read high, but it's no big deal. The Readability is far more important than the strength, and is subjective. If you have a high noise level that is approaching the signal strength, the readability will be low. IOW you may be receiving a signal at S7, but with a noise level of S6, the readability could be 2 or 3. The S meter on the 450D is the top scale on the horizontal bar graph in the upper left hand corner of the display. It will probably bounce around a bit as the other station transmits. http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/0452lrg.jpg Since you posted a nice picture. It's been worrying me since November, what is tha value of the marks between S9 and S20??? 
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Since you posted a nice picture. It's been worrying me since November, what is tha value of the marks between S9 and S20???
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/0452lrg.jpg Quoted:
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Newbie question how do I respond with my signal report I.E. the 57 they gave me what is it I am looking at on the radio screen that gives me that.....Still learning this radio sorry...I have the SWR meter showing on the radio but currently I am still caught up in the "I am actually talking to someone" Signal reports explained Regarding the signal strength (S) report: The article is somewhat dated. The S Meters in most modern transceivers are closely calibrated to the 50 microvolt = S9 standard, so for practical purposes you can use what the meter reads. If you have the pre-amp on, it will cause the meter to read high, but it's no big deal. The Readability is far more important than the strength, and is subjective. If you have a high noise level that is approaching the signal strength, the readability will be low. IOW you may be receiving a signal at S7, but with a noise level of S6, the readability could be 2 or 3. The S meter on the 450D is the top scale on the horizontal bar graph in the upper left hand corner of the display. It will probably bounce around a bit as the other station transmits. http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/0452lrg.jpg Since you posted a nice picture. It's been worrying me since November, what is tha value of the marks between S9 and S20???
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/0452lrg.jpg You estimate anything over S-9 Between S-9 and 20 is 10 over, between 20 and 40 is 30 over and between 40 and 60 is 50 over. It's not really an exact science. It's a ball park thing. Don't sweat the small stuff. On the PRC 320 there is no S-meter. The highest I will give is a 5x5 unless it's a real ear buster. Then I say 'no meter. you're breaking my eardrums'. |
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You estimate anything over S-9 Between S-9 and 20 is 10 over, between 20 and 40 is 30 over and between 40 and 60 is 50 over. It's not really an exact science. It's a ball park thing. Don't sweat the small stuff. On the PRC 320 there is no S-meter. The highest I will give is a 5x5 unless it's a real ear buster. Then I say 'no meter. you're breaking my eardrums'. Quoted:
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Newbie question how do I respond with my signal report I.E. the 57 they gave me what is it I am looking at on the radio screen that gives me that.....Still learning this radio sorry...I have the SWR meter showing on the radio but currently I am still caught up in the "I am actually talking to someone" Signal reports explained Regarding the signal strength (S) report: The article is somewhat dated. The S Meters in most modern transceivers are closely calibrated to the 50 microvolt = S9 standard, so for practical purposes you can use what the meter reads. If you have the pre-amp on, it will cause the meter to read high, but it's no big deal. The Readability is far more important than the strength, and is subjective. If you have a high noise level that is approaching the signal strength, the readability will be low. IOW you may be receiving a signal at S7, but with a noise level of S6, the readability could be 2 or 3. The S meter on the 450D is the top scale on the horizontal bar graph in the upper left hand corner of the display. It will probably bounce around a bit as the other station transmits. http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/0452lrg.jpg Since you posted a nice picture. It's been worrying me since November, what is tha value of the marks between S9 and S20???
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/0452lrg.jpg You estimate anything over S-9 Between S-9 and 20 is 10 over, between 20 and 40 is 30 over and between 40 and 60 is 50 over. It's not really an exact science. It's a ball park thing. Don't sweat the small stuff. On the PRC 320 there is no S-meter. The highest I will give is a 5x5 unless it's a real ear buster. Then I say 'no meter. you're breaking my eardrums'. If you can hear them....everybody is 59. 
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I like when a guy ask to repeat his callsign 4 times and then gives him a 59 signal report. I heard one that took 7 0r 8 tries to get the call sign, then 59.
I tried to give real signal reports when I started but then I had a couple DX stations act pissed so if one gives me a 59 I give them one. It is easier as my logging program defaults to 59 both ways so with a 59 you don't have to change anything. |
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On the PRC 320 there is no S-meter. The highest I will give is a 5x5 unless it's a real ear buster. Then I say 'no meter. you're breaking my eardrums'. When I am calling CQ if someone comes in crazy hot I always say "XXXXX you are the voice of God...5 everything...thank you for the call!" |
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I like when a guy ask to repeat his callsign 4 times and then gives him a 59 signal report. I get that all the time but i don't mind a long a I am in the log. I would like to get a left coast station in a ragchew some time to adjust my mic level and compression settings. |
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[Since you posted a nice picture. It's been worrying me since November, what is tha value of the marks between S9 and S20???
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/0452lrg.jpg Those are decibels (dB) over S9. Each tic mark is 5 dB. They are usually not given in the report, but can be. For instance, "you are five nine plus 25 dB". Incidentally, I was copying the West coast on 20 well after 10 PM Eastern. |
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I heard one that took 7 0r 8 tries to get the call sign, then 59.
That was probably me. Guy was hearing my I-India as Japan and everything else except "I." I'm thinking I'll go with Italy for the I. And if that don't work: Iroquois. Took forever to slide in through the pileup (probably thought I was QRP) I was expecting a 43 or 33 report as he said I was right above his noise, but then I managed a 59 from him. 
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I get that all the time but i don't mind a long a I am in the log. I would like to get a left coast station in a ragchew some time to adjust my mic level and compression settings. Quoted:
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I like when a guy ask to repeat his callsign 4 times and then gives him a 59 signal report. I get that all the time but i don't mind a long a I am in the log. I would like to get a left coast station in a ragchew some time to adjust my mic level and compression settings. Nevada close enough? Wouldn't mind doing the same. |
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Nevada close enough? Wouldn't mind doing the same. Quoted:
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I like when a guy ask to repeat his callsign 4 times and then gives him a 59 signal report. I get that all the time but i don't mind a long a I am in the log. I would like to get a left coast station in a ragchew some time to adjust my mic level and compression settings. Nevada close enough? Wouldn't mind doing the same. Worth a try but I tend to hit the left coast,skip over AZ and NV and straight on in to TX and then FL/GA. |
| So I have been sticking to the Military phonetics as I like them better than my work ones in L.E. but now being on HF I see that People do use I-Italy more often and R-Radio so it is easier to use something that may make call sign jump out there more? And no one has fit that you are not using a certain style phonetic over another? |
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Yeah...unless you get me. I look at the meter and try and give actual readings 90% of the time. I would imagine it damages the frail egos of the Big Guns but that's OK. Quoted:
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. If you can hear them....everybody is 59.
Yeah...unless you get me. I look at the meter and try and give actual readings 90% of the time. I would imagine it damages the frail egos of the Big Guns but that's OK. That's what I really like about the JT65 mode, you are getting an actual numeric value signal report. ETA: And with automatic reporting programs like PSK reporter, you can see how far your signal is going even if you don't have a qso with that person. 
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| After seeing how much digital action there is I am going to have to look into one of the digital modes to have some more fun. Did work a mobile HF unit in FL today was fun hard to hear at times but still fun. Still only contacts are on 20m but I will take them. |