[Lf] Advice to beginners

[Andre Kesteloot]

Dave Sergeant wrote:
> 
> >From Dave G3YMC
> 
> Comments on remarks by Mike G3XDV and others:
> 
> >Be realistic: If you have a 40m dipole, 8m above ground and strapped as a
> >Marconi, over poor soil, you are wasting your time with 5W. Good results will
> >can be had with several hundred watts - easily and cheaply obtainable with a
> >BK Electronics amp.
> 
> It is simply not true that several hundred watts are needed to have useful results on
> the band.  With my 35W and a loop in an impossible QTH I enjoy plenty of enjoyable
> contacts, and four countries and a best DX of 470km scarcely indicates I have been
> wasting my time.  OK it is not easy - I shall shortly be experimenting with an
> antenna not dissimilar to what Mike describes and hope it furthers my possiblilities.
> 
> >Also (those who have been on this reflector for years will remember my old
> >sermon) it is vital to optimise the receiver as you won't work anyone you can't
> >hear.
> 
> I totally agree.  Time and time again I am listening to a QSO and copy both sides
> perfectly Q5, but the two participiants seem to have great difficulty copying each
> others.  OK differences in location and selective propogation may be the reason, but
> it happens too often, and usually it is obvious they have an inadequate receiver.
> There are still some of the active operators who have yet to get this message.
> 
> >This appears to be a similar effect to that seen on HB9ASB's signals when he
> >was regularly active on Sunday mornings a year or two ago.
> 
> Toni remains one of the most active stations on Sunday mornings - perhaps he has gone
> by the time most people surface.  But I often experience this selective propogation
> and QSB at different times from others.
> 
> 73s Dave G3YMC
> dsergeant at btinternet.com
> dsergeant at iee.org
> http://www.dsergeant.btinternet.co.uk