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[K0IZ]

I almost exclusively operate 20 meter phone.  Have a good feel for the band.  However our club may be doing a special event in a couple of months, including one station on 40M phone.  I'm open to suggestions as to best portion of band and any other ideas for operating 100W with modest wire antenna.  Location will be Kansas City, for the NFL Draft.

[WA2EIO]

For the most phone contacts possible, your group should be in the General part of the band, which is accessible to all hams with HF privileges.

[K6AER]

Specific groups hang out from 7.150 Mhz to 7.200 MHz

Nets from 7.230 to 7.250 MHz

AM above 7.270 MHz.

DX and single rag chew QSO stations around 7.205 to 7.230 MHz.

I would pick a frequency  from 7.205 Mhz to 7.225 Mhz

Mike K6AER

[K0IZ]

Thanks, Mike.  That's helpful.

[KD7RDZI2]

In many countries, such as Europe, the ham band is limited up to 7200 khz.
If you wish to have a QSO with them I would stay from 7175 to 7190 khz.

[KA4WJA]

John,
I just love your "Covid" project (20m rig and amp)!  Just wonderful!   

I almost exclusively operate 20 meter phone.  Have a good feel for the band.  However our club may be doing a special event in a couple of months, including one station on 40M phone.  I'm open to suggestions as to best portion of band and any other ideas for operating 100W with modest wire antenna.  Location will be Kansas City, for the NFL Draft.

In addition to the 40m SSB tips, you've already gotten, here are a few more that might help.

Of course, your local noise level (local RFI) will probably be your limiting factor there....as it is everywhere these days, huh...but, assuming you don't have S-9 RFI, you should have fun! 


So, here are my tips on Propagation:
If you're operating 40m SSB during the daytime? 
100 watts SSB and a simple dipole. or inverted-v, at ~ 30' - 40' high (of course, even higher would be better), with our increasing sunspot numbers the D-layer absorption will be fairly high, so you'll have good signals throughout most of the central CONUS, but midday 40m signals from farther away will be weak or nonexistent.

  {Think of most of the US central time zone (and some of the mountain time zone) will be good during the daytime (actually day and night)....with eastern time zone coming in late afternoon.....and, the rest of the mountain time zone and western time zones, coming in early evening / near your sunset.}

That means fans from K.C., Minnesota, Green Bay, Chicago, Indy, Nashville, New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, Denver, etc. should be within your range on 40m SSB (w/ 100 watts and dipole) all day/night....along with some decent comms with Cinci, Atlanta, and then Detroit and Cleveland, especially in afternoon and later.

With Pittsburgh and Philly, Buffalo, Carolina, Jax, Miami, Tampa, Washington, Baltimore, NY, New England, etc. should be good in late afternoon and throughout the night.

Then Arizona, Las Vegas, Los Angles, San Fran, and Seattle coming in early evening and all night long into your early morning...


If you're looking for NFL "Dx", Mexico on 40m will be open similar times as western / mountain time zones....and, the UK might be possible from an hour (or so) after your sunset up until 1am CDT?

Other Dx might be possible, depending on your local noise level, your antenna, and propagation at the time.


I hope this helps.
Good luck and have fun! 

73,
John,  KA4WJA

[KA4WJA]

John,
I forgot something important.

(forgive me if you've already planned on this)
Successful "special events" operations (in addition to eliminating your local RFI) can hinge on your advertising it! 

So, as soon as you're sure that you'll be doing this, let everyone know!
And, that means selecting a freq and times that you'll be on-the-air, and staying with those choices.

On 40m, there are plenty of nets....but not many around 7220 - 7235khz.

So, maybe say:
 "Special Events Station, celebrating the 2023 NFL Draft.  Look for us on 7230khz LSB (+/- 5khz), from sunrise, until we just can't keep out eyes open!"....
Post that every where!  And have fun!

Good luck!

73,
John,  KA4WJA

[K0IZ]

John, great ideas and thanks for taking the time to share.  Special event call will the WW1USA, the National World War One Museum club.  NFL draft will be held on the grounds between the Museum and Union Station in KC, starting Thursday 4/27.  Planning on phone, digital, and CW but still working out details.  I agree about getting the word out.

John.