The fall weather is some of the best weather to be outside in. My only operating position is outside so this is helpful. This past weekend I was able to test my vertical fishing pole antenna. Saturday was sunny but the wind was cool and the temperature was only 6C. I've not gotten used to that just yet this fall so my hands were getting cold at times. I try to set up out of the wind but sometimes it's just not entirely possible. Anyway I was able to make a couple of contacts using the FT-817 and the MFJ-16010 L tuner. The instructions say that no radials or counterpoise is necessary. I tried it this way on Friday/Saturday and was able to make contacts with Arkansas and Georgia, USA and Winnipeg, Manitoba on 17m and 15m. All 3 stations are just over 1000 miles from here.
On Sunday it was almost 16C and less windy so that was great. I added four 17' radials laid out at 90 degrees to each other. I had contact with Eastern France which was 3700 miles on the 12m band. I'm not saying that the radials helped but they didn't seem to hinder so I will keep with them unless I find otherwise.
I hear a lot of traffic but most of the CW is too fast for me so I have fewer opportunities for contacts but that's okay. I can only sit for short periods of time so that works just fine for me. My receiving speed will improve as I get back into the swing of things.
Don't they say a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work? How can this not be enjoyable?
Cheese es 72/73
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