11m Activity 2 Nov 2021

[ChrisSmolinski]

1034 Ch 39 Two OMs in a QSO with a lot of profanity. Strong signals. No DX noted on the band, locals? Maybe they're part time commercial fishermen? 
1328 Starting to hear DX now
1344 27600 USB - Poland

[RobRich]

European DX on 38l starting to be heard at 1345z, though the band us not yet open enough for me to work it.

Doubt I will be on the radio much, if any, working DX today.

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In the den with the Airspy HF+ Discovery and active miniwhip at 2036z. Lots of DX activity, especially above the 11m CB band up to 27975. 27425u in particular sounds about like a radio zoo with numerous ops talking over each other, plus ongoing QRM.

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California ops calling an Australian op on 38l at 2047z. At least one has been successful thus far.

[Elf36]

Just took a quick listen on 11M. Nothing impressive. Think I need to take a break from it anyway.

[RobRich]

I am thinking about improving my 11m operating situation with a small beam. Eventually I might mod a MFJ-1890 for 11m or spend a little more for a Maco V-Quad. Either would be light enough for an affordable television antenna rotor like the RCA VH226E.

[Elf36]

Yeah. I would love to have a directional antenna. Preferably a Tri-bander, but I don't have the funds for it or the rotator to turn it. Not until after Christmas anyway and then I'd have to save up. I would really like to buy a Yaesu G-450 rotator. It would cover any needs I may have and it would be cool to have matching Yaesu stuff on the desk. I think that's the route I'll go eventually. When I first got the FT-950, I was going to buy a 4 element Yagi for 6M, but the band has not been good for a while. A 10/11 meter yagi would be in my price range, but I don't know how often the band will be in good shape over the next several years. One of these days I'll get there. I can't complain though. At least I'm not stuck in an HOA with a Flagpole antenna in my front yard!

On another note about rotators. I have searched many times on Ebay for simple TV style rotators to mess around with small VHF stuff etc. They're hard to find and people want insane prices for them. Most of the time when I see a good deal, it's just the control box or some rusted out Archer or Radioshack model from 1983. I even check Craigslist here and there with no luck, although I'm certain there are thousands of them sitting in people's garages and sheds.