Newcomers problems on LF?

[Andre' Kesteloot]

Rik Strobbe wrote:

> To be honest I don't understand most of the 'newcomers' problem.
> Regarding the receiver :
> 136kHz is CW only (apart from a rare PSK / BPSK signal), so the ability to
> copy CW is the first need. I assume that most of the HF CW operators have a
> narrow filter (500Hz or better) in their receiver and that all more or less
> recent tranceivers start at 100kHz or below. So listening on 136kHz
> shouldn't be a problem.

> Regarding the antenna :
> I have been able to copy the stronger UK, PA and DL stations (eg. G3LDO,
> G3YXM, M0MBU, G3AQC, PA0SE, DK8KW etc...) using an untuned 10m long wire.
> Signals were weak, but so was QRM/QRN. With a tuned 10m long wire I can
> hear almost as well as with the 'big' TX antenna. All signals are just a
> few S-points down, but that doesn't matter as QRM/QRN is also down and the
> SNR is almost the same. Maybe on a very quiet day and with very weak signal
> the big antenna is a bit better.
> Making a tuned antenna is a 1 hour job, provided you have a ferrite rod, a
> 500pF variable capacitor and a few meter of CuL wire (0.5mm or so). If you
> can lay your hands on an old MW radio you can 'recuperate' all the stuff
> you need.
>
> BTW : if you want to make someone with an SSB filter hear any ham signal on
> 136kHz you need 1 strong station to transmit. If you have 5 to 10 strong
> stations transmitting within 2kHz only experienced CW operators will be
> able to copy any signal out of the QRM (and these experienced CW operators
> most likely have a decent CW filter).
>
> I like the 'activity periods' (saturday / sunday morning) much more that
> the idea to have a contest.
>
> 73, Rik