My Most Recent QSO's

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Germany and the Czech Republic on 40 Meters

I'm still not sure what "specific" contest brought everyone out of the woodwork, but Friday night, 40 meters was the BEST I've ever heard it. And it seemed everyone was using SSB. So I did something extremely rare for me. I got out the microphone.

There were many European stations working the United States and I was fortunate to quickly work 4O3A in Montenegro. (I was unsure he copied my call sign correctly so I sent him a follow up e-mail). A few minutes later, I worked DR1A in Germany and received his signal report along with my log number. I then worked several Canadian stations, and then several US stations, and before turning in, I was able to work OL4A in the Czech Republic. (I was also hearing OK4U but couldn't work him)

I'm still shaking my head and wondering if these were real stations or my imagination. I've worked these three countries before on 20 meters, but never on 40 meters. This was a RARE opening on this band.

Other stations heard on 40 meters (but unable to work) were CQ8A in Portugal, GM3WOJ in Scotland, EA5BY in Spain, ON4UN in Belgium and TM77M in France.

Just when you think you've heard it all....something like this happens. I could understand all this on 20 meters (or higher), but 40 meters?? .........I'm still having trouble believing all these guys were on 40 meters.

The three new contacts I made on 40 meters had no idea I was running 10 watts power and using a simple wire antenna. They were knocking out so many contacts, so quickly, I didn't have time to tell them.

4 comments:

Paul Stam PAØK said...

Hi John, well done. With these contests it's possible to work a lot of stations. 40 meter is often underestimated. I worked the most DXCC on 40 meter. At day time a lot of short skip from Europe and with dawn or sunrise nice DX openings. And at night... it's always a surprise what happens. In fact 40 meter is the only 24 hour band. Good luck, 73 Paul

PE4BAS, Bas said...

Hello John, I also worked a number of nice stations on 40m. Signals were very high especially sunday evening. Worked USA and Japan on 40m, both stations in 1 call. Signals from over 9+30dB. Incredible...never managed to do that with only 10W output. But you proved it can be done. 73, Bas

Jspiker said...

Hello Paul and Bas,

Solar flux still in the 80's today and wonder if there's still hope for more contacts on 40 meters. It's always been my favorite band regardless of the DX.
But this was a real treat for me with 10 watts.

Glad you had similar results over there. Hope to work you both some day on 15 meters. Next week is supposed to warm up and clear off with lots of sunshine. Who knows....

72's always.

G4NKX said...

Hi John:
40m is my best band - now hearing W's here though not working yet with my ten watts - Have worked into East Coast USA a few years ago using FT817 to dipole on a fishing pole - also used one of the base loaded ATX antennas you plug right in the back, with a short counterpoise wire works most of europe up to 1500km - bands now opening up - hope 10m improves soon, should work states easy using qrp
Have good Easter... 73 Peter