Another interesting tid-bit of reading; about ground as quoted from: http://athensarc.org/nvis.asp


"Another consideration is ground quality, consisting of conductivity and dielectric constant. The power lobes and nulls of an antenna's radiation pattern are created by the distant mixing of the direct and ground-reflected rays, which may be in phase for a lobe, out of phase for a null, and everywhere between for the intermediate levels of power. The ground's conductivity in the immediate vicinity of the antenna affects the feedpoint resistance and degree of power absorption. The ground quality out to several miles will affect the radiation pattern. Excellent quality ground, such as sea water, will provide the best results, while poor quality ground will absorb more power and substantially shift the phase of the reflected ray, greatly reducing power at low angles. Variations in ground quality from one location to the other explains why one station with a relatively poor antenna may enjoy much better signals, over very good ground, while another station with a highly-optimized antenna may have a relatively poor signal, over poor ground. Since ground quality is what it is, the operator with very good ground need not go to extra trouble to optimize his installation, while the operator with poor ground should optimize his antenna to the greatest practical extent. Average ground is considered to be 5 milliSiemens per meter (mS/m) and a dielectric constant of 13."

I knew I should have asked my Realtor - before I bought this place if this was "Higher than average Ground?" 8-)

God Bless, and let's all check our grounds "On The Air"
Hope to chat with you... out there.

Jerry

Phil,
I don't believe that anyone was suggesting or thinking of using just a chain link fence "alone" for their ground system. And at the same time - I've never heard of anyone complaining... about a problem of having "too much ground!"

In fact I've heard MORE about folks going to great lengths to bury and connect to steel, wire mesh, Deep well pipes, Bronze bathtubs - in different areas to make certain - that they have a great ground system.

73 8-)



   

Huuummmm...."I know it's totally off the wall" BUT my Tower system and Station grounds are also connected (via buried cables) to the 1.5 Acre chain link fencing and fence rails which outline my property. What the heck I thought I would try it.  

I was taught (or was told by my Mentor) as a Novice, that a DX contact was considered to be "Out of the States" so for years, that is what I have accepted as it's definition. 8-)

God Bless all, and 73
Jerry

I tend to agree also...10 meters has been as dead as a "BRICK" and last weekend I made some great contacts with quite a few fellow operators.

It was quite nice to work 10 meters again, a band that I haven't called CQ on for some time believing it has had no propagation.

I'd say "give it a break" I am happy to see activity on 10 Meters and look forward to more great Qso's.
If a fellow asks...Is this frequency in use? and The frequency is NOT in use?

Go for it...and that - is that.
God Bless and 73

Jerry N5JFJ

You know what seems interesting or shall I say "curiously strange?" maybe even somewhat funny?

Maybe it's like telling a Child "Dont you touch that" or "no matter what, don't you... do that!"

But it almost seems like ever since the requirement has been dropped, there are even MORE Ham Operators that have somehow taken an interest in learning and working CW.

Could it be "Rebellion?"
Now -- that they dont have to learn CW, in order to get a license, it's become more than ever something that they are finding to be "FUN!"

I've used #12 Gauge (AWG) THHN/Stranded - (Black Coated plastic)- Copper wire, for everything here at home -With an 80 Meter full wave loop, and all my Dipoles, it never has failed, very hard to see it by sight - and I am completely happy with it...works like a Hose!
73 and God Bless
Jerry

I look at the "DX CLUSTER" as just another useful tool that we didn't have in years gone by. It does seem very silly during Contests to find it so JAMMED FULL of contesters just using it as a source of a state side "Self-Spotting network!"

I agree with the suggestions to experiment with what sounds good, and is pleasent listening "for youself."

Personally, I ended up enjoying a small "Peavey brand Musicians stage Monitor" which is also used in conjunction with an older JPS NIR12 DSP unit.
I believe I paid something like $130.00 for it. But in my case I would not be without the NIR-12 or that speaker - as that sound quality is pleasing..."To Me!"

God Bless you and hope to speak to you on the air.

Jerry N5JFJ

Yes...it would be "cool!"

In fact you'll learn much more and hone more  of your communication skills, learning how to communicate with another person that you've never met before, INSTEAD of just CQ CONTEST - Ure 59 - Whats my number, and your gone!

Go for it...besides a Net is a meeting that is held in an "Orderly Fasion" and I belive that is just great.

There is so much MORE to Ham Radio than just, CONTESTS.

GO FOR IT...73 - God Bless and Good Luck.

PS: I would also agree that you may decide to hold it in the General portions of the Band, so more can participate.

Again, Best Wishes.

I've been listening to different stations working or DX answering up to many stations calling him, and yet there is most always another operator that at least honestly and kindly asks, "is this frequency in use?"

I suppose it's very hard to believe that every operator can not hear, or must be hearing, the same things we may be hearing, but then "Propagation can be such an interesting and strange event that is NOT always equally rewarding to all of us!"

I suppose that most all any of us can do is remember to continue to politely "ASK" is this frequency in use several times, before heading into our CQ routine.

Sometimes there have been days when I have witnessed several stations using the same Frequency, with neither QSO truly bothering the other. This I find to be extremely incredible, but that just goes to remind me that Propagation is what it is, and that we never know on a given day if "The Force is with us, or against us!"

I would say we never go wrong if we remember to always politely ask first, "is this frequency in use?"
And if it is..."Okay" I'll ease on over a bit, and try using another.

God Bless and 73, hope to hear ya, on the bands.
Jerry

Oh come on Guys...Dont you just long... to hear a good old MULE FART or TARZAN YELL, on Amateur Radio!
Breaker Breaker Good Buddy!-Buddy-Buddy-Buddy...whoops too much Echo!

Steve,
I "agree" with what Gary said, and I second the motion he makes, that you might somehow "reconsider" before leaving Amateur Radio.

Your story is one that "truly touches" the human Heart!
Maybe it is time for "ALL OF US" to do some thinking about what is happening to Amateur Radio!

Before many, many more decide to leave this wonderful Hobby that allows us all an opportunity to get to know one another, as Friends, and Neighbors!
 
God Bless Steve, and 73.

"God Bless YOU also, Gary"

Jerry

"To quote YOU Roy"

My first love in amateur radio is dx'ing. I don't use dx spotting, dx lists or dx nets because I believe these undermine the accomplishment and reduce dx'ing
to "fishing in a barrel" DX spotting has now allowed a class of hams without discipline and ethics to show up in every pileup and reduce it to chaos. I'm ashamed of how dx'ing is devolving. Read 9V1YC's article entitled
"Have We Lost The Magic?" in the DXCC Yearbook 2005.

Just say no to those forces that see traditional amateur radio as an impediment to the logical heir apparent Amateur Multimedia Radio and
Email Service

I like that line Roy..."a class of hams without discipline and ethics" to show up in every pileup and reduce it to chaos!" And I appreciate the line to just "SAY NO" to those forces that see traditional amateur radio as an impediment to the logical heir apparent Amateur Multimedia Radio and
Email Service


That is what many Hams are SAYING Roy...Agreeing with your very own QUOTE...Many Contesters FORGET that there are also many other Traditional Ham operators (not in contests) who desire to enjoy their stations, also. And whom should have every RIGHT, to also do just that!

Contesting is fine, BUT how about standing up to the Rude, class of hams without discipline and ethics?

The FCC guarantees it, for proper Amateur practice is a part of FCC Rules of Law, given to all of us to follow - which means that while a Contest takes place, those laws DO NOT become, NULL & VOID!

As far as the Crime in the neighborhood thing and how folks can't go freely where they would like to go?

Here in Texas we have a Concealed Handgun Carry Permit, so that little Granny Hawkins can pump a few Nine Millimeter slugs through anyone, that would attempt to hurt her, Rob her, or take away her rights of, FREEDOM!

I like that, Roy. That is where WE STAND UP AGAINST - a class of "THUGS" and LAW BREAKERS, without discipline, and ethics?
That is how we here in Texas TAKE CARE of "CRAP" like that!

As was quoted to you earlier, Gary???

"If you desire to get out here and Act like a spoiled Child?"

"Then you should prepare yourself, to be TREATED, as such!"