During each solar cycle, there is plenty of
time to work DX with a little RF
radiating
from a wet noodle ; ) With a highly refractive ionosphere and little
path absorption, it doesn't take much antenna to work the world.
Some may say - what's difference between an S9
signal with a low-dipole or an S-9 +20db signal with a tall tower and
directional antenna? The main thing is that you can hear and work the DX!
For the most part, when conditions are good, that's absolutely correct.
It explains why there are many hams all over
the world, who have received their WAC QRP awards ( that's Worked all
Continents with less than 1 watt! ). These fellows are a rare breed that
understand propagation and know how to use it to their advantage. Another
advantage they have is that 99% of them work CW : )
For the better part of most solar cycles, a
low dipole will get you DXCC and beyond in a hurry so please don't sweat
your antenna. I'm sure your log reflects what I'm saying.
On the opposite side of the coin, things do
change for the worst with any solar cycle. When we only have a couple of
years before the bottom of the cycle, where the upper HF bands that gave us
an intrinsic DX advantage aren't opening much at all, and 14Mhz acts much
like 28Mhz, closing shortly after sundown, every decibel you can muster can
mean the difference between making the contact or not.
It doesn't have to be the bottom of the cycle
either - solar flares, coronal mass ejections and other detrimental solar
activity that can diminish the ionospheres ability to refract HF signals can
put a big frown on any Dx'ers face! A lot of this kind of activity actually
happens at the height of most solar cycles.
As for antennas and height, imagine that for
every 3db advantage in antenna
performance, the power requirements at each
end of a Dx circuit are cut by one half. So, yes, there isn't much
difference between hearing signals at S9 and 20db over, but that same 20db
advantage makes a big difference when it's needed - when signals are
marginal at best.
The bottom line is that it's all relative -
just about any RF radiator will work with Dx, but with varying degrees of
success. It's true that higher and higher antenna heights with directional
antennas, increase ones ability to copy long-haul Dx with greater signal
strength, which is especially dramatic when conditions are marginal. Those
that run the bigger arrays will allow those with minimal antennas, like
mobiles and portables to work the world! I know, I've worked 50 countries CW
mobile, but none of it was mobile-to-mobile. : )
In contrast, low antennas do work well enough
to work mucho Dx. So, even though the main-lobe of a low antenna is
radiating at high angles, there is still enough low angle radiation to
capture enough signal arriving at those low angles to work more than your
fair share of DX. Signals may not be great all the time, as with a more
elaborate antenna system, but if the Dx is above the noise, and he hears
you, you have at it! Breaking Dx pile-ups may take a few more calls, but
that's relative too. As long as the contact gets in the log, run what you
hung and enjoy.
Here's an assignment for you OM - when was the
last time you worked S.Korea
or Japan? This weekend, run "W6EL
Propagation Prediction Software" for openings to Japan and tune the
band when the signals are supposed to peek. Remember, the software predicts
openings and signal strengths based on ionospheric model statistics. If it
says Japan will open on 15 meters 25 percent of the time in the month of
December with a SF of 150 at 23:00Z, then chances are, the band will open 7
days out of the month. If it opens more often due to a burst of solar
energy, so be it!
One more thing - how about running the NCDXF
Software and listen for the beacon network. You don't have to know CW at
22wpm with the software. When
you think the band is dead due to the lack of
signals, use the network and assess conditions for yourself.
