Beaming 240 degrees from UK to VK
Categories
CQ Long Path
Category: DX Commander
Callum’s Videos
In this video I dive into 20-metre band (and above) and why it behaves so differently to 40m. We recap the D-layer “sponge,” explore how the F-layer splits into F1 and F2 under sunlight, and talk about take-off angles, hop lengths and long-haul DX. With graphs, a few invented words like “jigglification,” and plenty of plain English, this is a look into how 20 m propagation really works — and why it can be both magical and maddening at the same time!
(Warning: contains maths, PDFs, and raw data files. Proceed only if heavily caffeinated.)
📚 ARRL Antenna Book – Supplemental Files (23rd Edition)
https://www.arrl.org/arrl-antenna-book-23rd-edition-supplemental-files
📄 Installation Summary (PDF) – explains where the HFTA statistical elevation-angle files live
https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Antenna%20Book%20Supplemental%20Files/23rd%20Edition/Antenna%20Book%20-%2023rd%20Edition%20-%20CD-ROM%20Installation%20Summary.pdf
📊 HFTA Documentation (PDF) – dense but explains how to interpret the elevation-angle distributions
https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Antenna%20Book%20Supplemental%20Files/23rd%20Edition/HFTA.pdf
🌐 VOACAP Online (Point-to-Point Propagation) – generate your own AoA tables and predictions
http://www.voacap.com/p2p/
📚 VOACAP Technical Docs – everything you never wanted to know
http://www.voacap.com/documents.html
📰 QEX (Siwiak, May–Jun 2011) – statistical elevation angles across HF; 50% below 6°, 90% below 16°
https://www.arrl.org/files/file/QEX_Next_Issue/May-Jun_2011/QEX_5_11_Siwiak.pdf
00:00 Intro
00:20 Recap on D Layer
00:40 The F Layer
02:06 Take-Off Angles
03:07 Long Haul DX
06:39 Take-Off Angle Chart
09:03 What happens at night?
10:26 WSPR
11:49 Why Oceans Assist
12:19 Long Path to VK / ZL
13:31 When F1 and F2 Combine
15:23 Wrap-Up Conclusion
Hopefully you can have some fun watching this as I try and interview as many folks as I could inside 20-minutes. Numbers: We counted about 175 people this year – roughly same as last year. Folks talked, watched, listened and learned – more importantly – everyone had a good time.
Categories
CQ DX
Friday Morning Play-Time on Ham Radio
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QRP = Low Power. That’s It?
Most folks consider QRP only means "cheap" or "inefficient". But it doesn’t have to be. Keen High Power stations and enthusiastic Low Power stations think in similar ways. Efficiency, signal loss and putting knowledge to good use. Food for thought. BTW, here’s Tom’s video: https://youtu.be/xJnN5nAIFG8
Some folks would like to spread the cost of their purchase over three months. Well, now you can. Let me explain.
There is no perfect antenna for 40m because dipoles and verticals are best at different times of the day. This is all to do with something called the D-Layer. But don’t be confused with techno-baloney… let’s take the hatches off for a few minutes and work it out… See what you think.
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Beaming Long Path – VK
Just having fun before work here in the UK…
We cut 96 radials at 7m (23 ft) long and started pinning them to the ground. This is for the DX Commander 40m 4-Square.