I am not sure if this has been discussed before but I am looking at a Map trying to figure out what would be the ultimate location for a QTH (I am Not planning to move just wondering)

I guess one would have to set some basic Criteria.

1) A location that is easy to work the Big three (Japan, USA and Europe)  IMO it makes no sense to be based on a remote location that cannot access a wide range of Hams on a daily basis year round. DXing is fun to a point but a good location also needs good Rag chewing capabilities.

2) The ability to access just about any location on the planet even with average solar numbers.

3) Factors like politics, wars, lack of water etc. don't matter it's just down to a location.
OK maybe some factors should be considered since without food and water whats the point  Maybe two answers are needed, the best for propagation and the best with minimum living standards factored in.

Obviously no place is perfect but whats your opinion of the best location on the planet for a ham operator.

Robert

I'm still waiting for my portfolio to recover from the summer of '87.

I'm considering building a "hidden" vertical antenna, using a store-bought "umbrella" clothesline (presumably constructed out of aluminum supports with some sort of insulated wire).  My thought is to connect the center of the coax to the clothesline at the base, then ground the shield.  I assume I would need to find a way to insulate the part I'm loading up from ground as well as ensure that the "clothesline" wires are electrically connected to the mast.  The clotheslines I've seen around here in the stores run about 6 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft

I'm assuming the more wires from the clothesline, the better, and I would need to have some ground radials as well.  I'm also considering a remote antenna tuner at the base, if the price is right.

Due to the metal construction, and need to have it blend in, I don't think trying to design it as a loop would work.

Any thoughts or suggestions on my idea?

Thanks!

N0UJT

So I built a 10m dipole with insulated speaker wire (first build), strung from eve (20') down to fence, sloping about 45 degrees, connected to HTX-100.  Middle of band SWR is 1.3.  Last few afternoons I've heard lots of ops mostly grouped in Great Lakes area, deep South, Alaska and South America.  I did hear two Australia ops, which is kewl considering that's a long way around.  I'm northern California.

Haven't been able to make a single QSO either responding to CQ's or calling.  Conditions haven't been great, so I'm I just hearing the high power beam stations and just too weak to get above the noise floor to be heard with 25W?  Have a Moxon on list of to-do's but anxious to make first HF contact.

I did recently purchase a IC-718, though haven't taken receipt yet. 

Thanks,
Jon - KJ6TJX

I remember when the MTARA repeaters, especially the one on Mt. Tom, in Holyoke MA, were active 24 hours a day. There was always someone on the machine. Today, you'd be lucky to find activity during the commuting hours.  Where the activity went is a mystery.  Many of the most active users retired, moved away, or passed away. Repeaters don't have the draw they did back in the 70s. For one thing, modern technology, such as cell phones has made many aspects of FM repeaters obsolete. How many machines still bother offering autopatches?

Pete

You need a senator, a congressman, and a miracle.