Finally up and running on the air!

[will85w4]

Well, I got back from vacation and my IMAX 2000 was waiting for me when I got back. I got everything set up two days ago and just made my first SSB contact this morning. I had done a couple radio checks on AM stations to make sure I was getting out and did get positive responses. This morning was my first DX contact with 247 Diesel Car in Northwest Colorado. I was losing hope for a while because I was hearing a lot of skip on the radio from Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Mexico, but it seemed like no one could hear me when I called CQ. Thank you 247 in NW Colorado for being my first DX contact!

I will be posting some pictures of my radio setup soon.

PS: I heard a little bit of 40-40 VideoGate skip I think...40mobile (Ithink it's you anyways) can you verify this? 38LSB? I don't have a frequency meter yet, need to get one so I can get specifics.

 

[Quiksilver]

Sweeeeet!

Nice job!

 

[Carl]

a small amp will make a world of difference on ssb over a barefoot radio. 150w would be plenty.

 

[HomerBB]

I know how it is to run a barefoot system, nevertheless, I get my share of contacts that way.

Good for you on getting on the air.

 

[Marconi]

Well, I got back from vacation and my IMAX 2000 was waiting for me when I got back. I got everything set up two days ago and just made my first SSB contact this morning. I had done a couple radio checks on AM stations to make sure I was getting out and did get positive responses. This morning was my first DX contact with 247 Diesel Car in Northwest Colorado. I was losing hope for a while because I was hearing a lot of skip on the radio from Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Mexico, but it seemed like no one could hear me when I called CQ. Thank you 247 in NW Colorado for being my first DX contact!

I will be posting some pictures of my radio setup soon.

PS: I heard a little bit of 40-40 VideoGate skip I think...40mobile (Ithink it's you anyways) can you verify this? 38LSB? I don't have a frequency meter yet, need to get one so I can get specifics.

Will, way to go. A modest amp will help you get out with DX a bit better at times, but if you are patient and just make a call to someone you can hear well, you will make your share of contacts even barefooted like Homer suggest. As a general rule on SB, you do not need to ask for a break, and on AM asking will probably get you a "newbie" reputation, and no breaks. So, don't ask for a break, just be polite and folks will come back to you.

On sideband, if your radio is in good alignment and on frequency, talks on the same frequency it receives, then again most of the time you will be fine, and you don't need a frequency counter just to get specifics. It is best of your radio's clarifier is opened up to allow you to move your TX/RX together, but if your's is not and if everyone in hear shot is on frequency you shouldn't have any problems with SB either.

Good luck,

 

[nat19]

I run channel 4 AM most of the time and when skip is in im either on 38lsb or about any channel on AM where the skip is rolling. Hope to make contact!