[WVDXA] Congrats to Top Ops on Top Band

[Dave Heil]

W8OI at aol.com wrote:
> I can't believe all the fine ops we have in the WVDXA who have been 
> working all this difficult stuff on 160 meters.  Congratulations to all 
> you guys.  Almost wish I was back in WV trying it myself (almost but not 
> quite).  By the time I return in March, 160 will be heading into summer 
> doldrums. 
>  
> What a group of talented DXers.  Proud to know you guys!

I'm with you on all except those 160m summer doldrums.  The equinoxes 
are great periods for 160m work since the noise levels are about equal 
in both hemispheres.  Our summer is quiet winter for all the topband ops 
in  the Southern Hemisphere.  It is possible make quite a number of QSOs 
with those fellows despite our higher QRN.  Either preamplified shielded 
loops or low noise receiving antennas likes beverages, flags, EWE's and 
pennants help immensely.

Those who have property abutting fields or woods have a great 
opportunity to do something with such antennas.  RG-6 cable is still 
pretty cheap and a 500 foot run doesn't result in much loss at 1.8 MHz.
Aluminum fence wire is relatively cheap in these days of high copper 
prices.  W8JI's web page has lots of good information on ferrite 
binocular core matching transformers and on compromise beverage lengths 
good for both 80 and 160m.

73,

Dave K8MN