Sunday night, when I tried working K6JSS/0 in Missouri, that bad neighborhood QRN reared its ugly head, as I had mentioned I'm not sure whether or not John N0EVH who was behind the key heard me or not, so I figured I'd have to try for another "insurance" QSO.
I saw K6JSS/0 spotted on 20 Meters on QRPSPOTS this evening and thought I would give it a go. The station was pretty loud here in NJ, 569/579 and building. I thought to myself, "OK, this is going to be a piece of cake!" Not so, my friend, not so! The EDZ and the Butternut made no difference. I even ran upstairs for the PFR-3A thinking a different rig might sway my luck. Nada, zip, zilch, nothing, donut hole, the big "0" - even though he was calling CQ and getting no takers! Maybe, just maybe he was experiencing some local noise himself and I was not able to break through the noise floor? I guess anything is possible.
So much for being loud back to a station who is loud to you. Most of the time, that rule of thumb holds up, but it sure didn't tonight. I hope K6JSS/0 gives 40 Meters a try tonight - maybe I'll have better luck there.
Such are the trials and tribulations of the QRP op.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Good morning Larry, have you been able to sort out the noise troubles yet?? Oh and good luck with K6JSS/0 this evening.
ReplyDeleteHi Larry,
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right about the propagation...really strange the last several days.
I was able to work him but I contacted several the last few days when the band has only been open for a few minutes and vanish.
I assumed he was QRP? It was a quick exchange and then he was gone. I was lucky....