It can be any weekend we like but if we want to add some spice then we should hold it when there is a chance of enhanced propagation. That implies Sporadic E season which means sometime between the last week in May to the start of the 3rd week in July.
ISW is the 1st weekend in May and that is too early for Sporadic E (based on the last how many years data.) So the weekend before the longest day of the year maybe worth considering as that is in the zone for SpE and gives just about the most light you’ll get. It also is a reasonable break from ISW to give people who want to do something big a chance to sort themselves out between ISW and a potential lowband VHF fun day.
I’m really just thinking aloud here whilst my simulation compiles away, there may be severe flaws in the above logic!
It can be any weekend we like but if we want to add some spice then we
should hold it when there is a chance of enhanced propagation. That
implies Sporadic E season which means sometime between the last week
in May to the start of the 3rd week in July.
I agree Andy! It needs to be when we have a decent chance of Sporadic E! Whilst reading on the subject, generally it is considered that the best times are noon or early evening for some Es! So we may as well stick with the norm and do 1200GMT!
In terms of the date we may as well split the above period and go for Mid June some time! Presumably more people have to work on a Saturday so a Sunday would be ideal! However I am also thinking aloud at the mo!
In terms of antennas Chris! A dipole centre and a very small link dipole antenna will give you both 4m and 6m! Plus due to its smallish size inverting it for vertical will work a treat when hanging from a 9m or 7m pole!
Sunday 19th June at 12:00 is fine by me. If others are ok with this date then I will post an alert for my chosen summit. Should be interesting though and I think S2S contacts will be difficult as European stations could be 59+.
In reply to 2E0XTL:
Hi Matt. For 6 metres I use a Delta loop. I got the sizes from the following websight this could be re calculated for 4 metres and fit inside the 6 metre one I made a fitting for the top of the sota pole to take 2 pieces of garden cane to form the cross piece. http://www.hamuniverse.com/kk5iddelta.html 73 Geoff G6MZX
In reply to G0LGS:
Looks like the 26th and 27th are going to be a good couple if days,
Hopefully some good dx on the WPX ssb contest and some UHF fun on the Sunday. Looking forward to it already.
First week of July is the best for Sporadic E. I have fixed it with the Propogation Gods for my birthday. My log has plenty of entries for around that time.
So,can we have a set date for the 50MHz event. Sunday 5th, 12th or 19 June?
From the point of view of propagation I would go for the 5th, but for personal convenience I would go for the 19th - the climbing club that I am a member of has a camping meet that weekend!
Would be nice to hear you both. I remember my Son and I on Easington Fell with you both a couple of years ago. The weather was good and as well as playing radio we did some kite flying and found the geocache.
In reply to 2E0FSR:
Another reminder just so we can get this to the top of the reflector! Will be good to hear lots of people on! Start putting your alerts up!
If any one wants to arrange a QSO on 23cm then let me know on this thread, I can then work out the bearings that I will need! However I find aiming at Cheltenham to be a superb idea! 4 SOTA chasers on this band, the brilliance of the Cheltenham Mafia!!!
Looking Forward to the event but not the hours sleep I will lose as a result of BST!
Remember to get those Lowband VHF Antennas ready for 6m and 4m on Sunday the 5th of June!!