W9SUN Amateur Radio: Hoping For Good Propagation

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Hoping For Good Propagation

After less than stellar results in the ARRL International DX Contest, I'm hoping for better propagation after the last few weeks of solar storms, wacky weather, and all the other radio fun issues that we deal with as Hams. Love this hobby and I don't see ever leaving it although work considerations and family considerations always take priority. Love being able to work various DX and looking for DX Stations around the world. The last couple of weeks especially from March 4th to the 17th were less than spectacular on the HF bands with S9 noise levels from solar activity. Usually at this QTH I'm fortunate to usually have S3 noise levels or below on 20/17/15/12/10 Meters. Here's hoping it will be a great weekend to work stations around the world with the WPX Contest. Can't wait.

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W9SUN QRZ Posting

Greetings from W9SUN. It's good to hear from so many of you that are fellow hams and personal friends. This is a wonderful hobby and enjoy it very much. I have been branching out in the hobby including using some RTTY/PSK and other digital modes using my Yaesu FT-450 as well as an IC-718. Mobile rig is an Alinco DX-70TH remotely mounted in the car. I also have two of the 1970s model Kenwood TS-520 rigs that I enjoy for single band operation on 10, 15, and 20 meters where I primarily operate. Lately in addition to work on the various contests such as CQWW, Sweepstakes, and the 10 meter contest, I've been spending a lot of time in digital modes both copying stations and working others when i can.

Its good to hear from many of you that I work on contests and other times that I operate. Enjoy getting the feedback regarding signals, audio, etc. In the future, I am hoping to involve my station into higher fidelity audio with some improvements in mics and some new equipment better suited to the operation of broadcast quality audio. I've also been taking time getting QSLs out and using both EQSL as well as mail so if you are wanting a QSL feel free to send me one and I will reply with a QSL. Non US Stations with a QSL request are encouraged to either send directly with adequate return postage or send cards via the 9th area Incoming QSL Bureau.

If you have a outstanding QSL request please email me at w9sun@hotmail.com to pursue that request. I accept QSLs directly to this QRZ address. Foreign QSLs may be sent directly or via the Bureau. I also accept QSL cards via http://www.eqsl.cc

The W9SUN Blog is at www.w9sun.blogspot.com as well as links to other sites and information regarding my station and operating background. I put some QSLs I receive on that page but its not all inclusive as well.

Some of the frequencies you may hear me in DX work are 7.180-7.225, 14.225-14.285, 18.115-18.160, and 21.280-21.320, 24.940, and 28.400-28.500. Of course, that may be an approximate area due to other users on the bands and making sure to promote good amateur practice. I am very interested in the DX and contesting side of our hobby although I like a good ragchew as well.

Some of my other interests in the communication field and general outdoor activities include camping, hiking, and setting up field day stations using emergency power such as solar or battery power including windpower when necessary. I enjoy spending time in the back yard or camping other places and operating stations using emergency power and small antennas.

Have always enjoyed experimenting with antennas whether that be loops, Inverted V antennas, Bazookas, NVIS, wire beams, etc. Mostly enjoy building something with my hands and be able to make it work and make contacts. Enjoy working on fixing things and equipment related issues and troubleshooting.

I also sometimes operate on different repeaters in the Southern Indiana/Louisville KY area during the times when I am out driving around and mostly on 2 meters as well as using a handheld or base station when possible.

Generally, you can find me mobile on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters although I can cover pretty much anything from 75 meters to 10 meters and then 6 meters and 2 meters. Mobile installation is a Alinco DX-70 using Hamsticks along with Hustler resonators for 40, 20, 15 and 10 as well as a Radio Shack 2 meter rig at 25 watts for repeater use or general mobile fun.

It is a great feeling when you can use around 50 watts from a mobile station that ends up getting contacts from Eastern Europe, Western Europe, South America, Pacific Rim and also Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

I might also add that I post my logs about 4 different places and they are as follows.......

http://www.qrz.com/db/W9SUN

http://www.qrz.com

http://www.hrdlog.net

http://www.hamlog.eu

http://www.w9sun.blogspot.com

On any of these pages if you type in W9SUN you should find me and you should also be able to find logs on any of those sites as well. I don't have all of my logs from the 2007 to 2012 period as they must have been put away somewhere but I'm sure eventually I will get the entire log caught up. I also have links on my main page to streaming audio from my station and receivers (when available). I enjoy experimenting with different modes of communications whether it be learning about digital modes or just antennas, SWL, fixing and repairing equipment, troubleshooting ( Do that a lot!), camping, Field Day, contesting, and working the various QSO parties across the nation.

Drop me a line sometime at w9sun@hotmail.com

73s de W9SUN

More About W9SUN

This is my main radio page at this time as I am also working albeit very slowly on another page.
However, I am very slowly learning the ropes of HTML so it is not finished as of this time. I am proud of the fact that I have been involved in various forms of radio monitoring since 1987 starting with AM Radio DX when I received a Magnavox AM/FM set in late 1986 or so. I also began to be involved in CB Radio at that time when SSB was still habitable. My first experiences with shortwave radio came around 1991 or so at the end of the Iron Curtain and interestingly heard many broadcasts from the former Soviet Bloc, Korea, and other nations. I always have enjoyed shortwave listening and have been involved for now 20 years in that hobby while doing a lot of DX chasing of far off stations all around the world. I was able to confirm contacts from around 120 some countries many of which no longer have shortwave services due to finding FM to be more suitable for their national radio services especially in Africa and Asia or even using high powered MW transmitters.

My interest in amateur radio came about as I received my first true SSB receiver in 1992 and started turning the knobs and adding antenna wire a little bit at a time and spending most of the 90s listening to the airwaves. I finally received my first license in February 2000 and upgraded in 2007 and currently working on getting my Extra Class license as soon as I master the subject material. I take great pride in trying to increase my technical skills and knowledge of various subjects and by no means consider myself an expert but really enjoy learning new things and this webpage is a part of that.

I've been an amateur radio operator and licensee since February 2000 with 12 years now in the hobby and enjoy it very much. I first started off using 50 Mhz/6 meters as well as 2 meters and a limited amount of 440 Mhz. Antenna construction is a major interest of mine and enjoy putting up loops and various antennas for local, national, and international communications.

Other interests of mine that tie into amateur radio include solar power, Field Day operations, setting up a campsite or tent and listening and talking to various people all over the world just from a tent with either a battery or AC if available. My main interests are still with shortwave listening, HF DX Work, learning about digital modes such as CW, RTTY, PSK31, JT65, etc. and an increased interest in contesting. I've been active somewhat over the past few years in various contests. If you're looking to contact me regarding a QSL from those contests or any other contact I would be pleased to trade QSLs with you. I also use www.eqsl.cc for QSLs and logging as well. I am definitely looking forward to improving my contesting skills which have been lacking a little bit the last couple of years as I've finally got a good grasp on logging software and other things that make the process a bit easier than just making out a paper log although that can be fun too. Especially when you find a log from 2007 or 2008 and remember the contacts you made during that time period. Its quite interesting to look back and see progress that you made in the hobby and the contacts and people that you've had the opportunity to talk to.

Operating conditions include a variety of wire antennas especially dipoles, inverted Vs, loops, and for mobile usage either Hamsticks or Hustler verticals which when mounted correctly on a trunk lip or bumper bring in great results with around 50 to 100 watts of power. Rarely need to use an amp unless its contesting and working against big gun stations.

Anyway, thats a little more about me and hopefully we can work down the log sometime and if we have worked before, feel free to drop me a line or just say hi. 73s and best of DX to you, W9SUN.

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Hoping For Good Propagation

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