Yesterday (Thurs 22nd Aug) I went up Gun (SP/013) around 3-4pm. I operated with a 2m handheld with a slightly longer rubber duck antenna plus a G-106 with a 20m dipole up a 4m telescopic pole in an inverted v configuration on CW with 5 watts.
The activation was unsuccessful as I only had one QSO on 20m CW. Despite self spotting on SOTA and being spotted on the RBN multiple times all over the place, I just wasn’t getting anywhere.
I only operate QRP and find that midweek I really struggle to get to 4 QSOs so I just assumed it was because people were at work. However, this morning I’ve chased a couple SOTA activators who I listened to have pile-ups. So, if they’re doing okay, it must be me!
Does anyone else have similar experiences of midweek QRP operation? Is my answer a multiband antenna that allows me to band hop a little, or using more power, or getting my dipole higher, or all of the above?
Luke, I always use QRP SSB for my activations and only once came close to failing, and that was due to a solar flare. Phoned a friend and he called me on 2m FM to get the fourth QSO.
Do you ever look at solar data? It looks like the K index was high all day yesterday. 20m was poor when I was out on Tuesday evening, but 40m was fine. Have you explored other bands?
Was good to work you on both G/NP-017 and G/NP-010 on Sunday. Like you I typically use a handheld for 2m FM but with a slim jim antenna on a 5m pole (or sometimes just a dipole). That will make a huge difference. I was only running 5W when we spoke, the big difference in signal reports each way will be your rubber duck versus my dipole.
Hi Luke,
You are doing good work with your 5W. In tests I conducted a few years ago on 2m I measured a10dB advantage when using a flowerpot (i.e. an end fed dipole) at 5m AGL compared to the rubberduck. This is very significant in getting the best from your radio. I hope you are not hamstrung with a Boefang. These simple radios do not stand up to the barrage of RF present on a summit, particularly when used with anything other that a rubber duck. This can prevent you hearing incoming signals.
On HF you are on the right lines with the Inverted Vee dipole. However you may be more successful on 40 or 30m. The latter band is above the D layer absorption frequency and nicely drops your signal into Europe. A rule of thumb for best DX is to operate 10% below the MUF, so 15m and 17m can be productive at the moment. The simples approach to band hopping is the link dipole. I use 2. One covers 60/40/30. The other covers 20/17/15.
Choice of frequency may be an issue. I tend to use 5,3546, 7.0325 and 10.1185. Then 14,0625, 18.0775, 21.0625. The final 500 Hz being to avoid VSDL interference at the Chaser’s receiver. I can explain these choices if required.
As previously mentioned, make sure that your equipment is in good condition (antenna analyzer, SWR readings while operating, etc.). I’ve had issues with homemade gear (especially with my banana plugs) because I had screwed them directly onto the conductor braid. Over time, it became loose and faulty (resulting in broken wires and flickering connections).
That being said, I also get a bit confused at times. I have a full EFHW 20m long antenna, a good radio with 10W, and excellent PSK reports, but I rarely make more than 10–12 QSOs within 15–30 minutes of operation.
When I see other activators with similar or even more compromised antennas dealing with crazy pile-ups, I just don’t understand it. That has never happened to me. Sometimes when I tune into the frequencies of other simultaneous activators, for S2S attempts, I hear many chasers - 59 - who never respond to me when I’m calling CQ on the same band. Maybe they don’t hear me after all, but it’s strange; usually, there’s some kind of symmetry in HF communications.
I’ve never looked at data before heading out to do an activation. I think a quick glance at the data you’ve shared and a look at the maximum usable frequency may be a good shout.
I’m certainly planning on exploring more bands after reading everyone’s replies. I’m thinking a linked dipole for 20, 30, and 40m will be the way I’m headed. I imagine the 4m pole won’t get the dipole up high enough with it having those longer legs, though.
Good to hear from you and it was good to get you in the log the other day.
Yeah, I think I’m just going to ditch the rubber duck. I do have a Slim-G for 2m that has performed well for me in the past but I didn’t want to faff about and carry two antennas with me if I wanted to do VHF and HF. However, upon reflection and with the recent performance, I’m just going to roll it up and stick it in my backpack!
Yours and other’s replies and have been so helpful! My plan is to ditch the rubber duck and take my 2m Slim-G out whenever I want to do VFH. I’m planning on getting a linked dipole for 20, 30, and 40m when I use HF.
I’m very new to all this ham radio stuff but it appears the MUF will go up as we head into winter and, at least this summer, it’s never crept down to 10mhz and 7mhz so I should be good on those bands in future if 20 is not playing ball.
I do have a boafeng handheld and a moonraker handheld, both of which are cheap, maybe an upgrade at some point for them will be needed too.
At least the failed activation the other day has been a good learning experience!
Don’t be too disheartened by not qualifying; you still activated the summit with one QSO, you just don’t get a point this time. Be sure to try again
There is a noticeable difference in chaser interest between 1 point summits and 6/8/10 point summits. Even on fairly rare 1 pointers, we may only make a handful of contacts. Late afternoon you should find lots of EU SOTA stations active, so perhaps do some chasing S2S contacts to qualify and then find your own frequency to call CQ once you’ve made the necessary 4 intially?
Nic (2E0NYQ) and I only use QRP SSB/FM (usually 6w, sometimes 10w if we are really struggling). It can be done, you just have to be patient at times - look at Nic’s SOTA activator database entries to see what can be done with QRP SSB only.
Have fun & if I’m not stuck on Teams calls working, I’ll be glad to chase you on Gun during the week
Hi Luke,
I activated GW/NW-021, Rhobell Fawr, around midday on Tuesday.
I had a steady stream of contacts on 2m FM from a Kenwood TH-K20 with 2.5w to a flowerpot on a 4m pole. As John and Dave have said, a slim Jim or Flowerpot on a short pole makes a huge difference.
HF conditions were challenging due to the solar activity that Fraser highlighted but I managed 5 on 40m SSB, 10 on 20m SSB, and 11 on 40m CW. It’s definitely worth having an antenna for other bands. An End Fed Half Wave makes jumping between bands nice and easy. My set-up was an Icom IC-705 with 5w into an End Fed Half Wave setup as a low inverted V.
Sometimes it just the luck of the day. Your next activation may be a different story.
If you were spotted by RBN then you were transmitting and being heard.
I saw your spots but you were a little too early for me yesterday (still in work), I find 4-7pm pretty quiet on 2m FM probably because people are busy getting home and having their tea.
I found conditions were pretty poor on HF yesterday. I only got one contact on 10m FT8 and was using 40W. Pskreporter showed some spots but not as many as last week at a similar time
I suggest a pole length of 6-7-8m will produce better signals generally and better dx worked on 40 and 20m. 4m is very low, even on 20m band, one fifth of a wavelength where 1/2 a wavelength would be the goal. The result of using a low antenna is a much higher angle of radiation and more ground losses as the antenna is so close to ground. Sotabeams have suitable poles and multiband antennas.
Bad luck on struggling for QSOs on your recent activation. Sometimes it really can be a case of luck, at least in terms of coinciding with external factors completely out of your control.
It’s amazing how a particular setup can generate a huge pile-up one day, and a total struggle the next. I’m sure many of us have experienced this!
As others have suggested it can be a good idea to have the option of being able to transmit on more than one hf band. Just in case your chosen one isn’t playing ball.
Thursday is my usual activation day and I normally have no problem qualifying on HF CW. However I do find afternoons quieter although 20m is a good choice for that time. You may have just been unlucky with a solar flare or geomagnetic storm which are very common at the moment.
As already noted a longer pole and a choice of band will increase your chances.
I have activated Gun G/SP-013 hundreds of times, midweek, with QRP on 20m and 2m (handheld + rubber duck). Not an issue to make lots of contacts.
My instincts are to look at the following:
Check the band activity grid on DX Heat before leaving the car. Select antenna(s) for bands that are showing good activity levels.
What is the handheld? Is it one with a wide RX on it that might be getting overloaded? In which case try a different HT - maybe 2m only. Or a SOTAbeams filter.
Are the ends of your 20m dipole sufficiently elevated off the ground?
The “midweek” and the “QRP” are not your issues here, of that I am certain.
