Re: [IRCA] Ultralight DXpeditions...Freedom and Fun

[Robert Ross <va3sw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

At 11:45 AM 3/15/2008 -0400, Saul Chernos wrote:

> I'm in on the same DXpedition Rob is attending.

Oh no......we're gonna need EXTRA BEER!!!! Glad to hear you're going too 
Saul...if you can just get our other Buddy, Niel Wolfish to go as 
well.........we'll have the entire Southern Ontario Ultralight Olympic team 
there!! HAHHAHHA


>  I am really curious to test the ULR next to, say, a Drake or AOR and 
> longwire,

If I get enough gumption Saul....I'll bring along the DRAKE R8B....so we 
can put it too shame!!! If I was really energetic...I would take the 
Collins HF-2050 out of the racks and bring it......but that's a lot of 
work. The HF-2050 is an amazing radio for capturing Audio....that "almost 
isn't there". it can really dig stuff outta the mud. You know....I really 
should fire it up some time....instead of just sitting here looking at it!! 
I'm just having way too much fun with the little Sony's!! Even if I can get 
a better signal with the Drake or the Collins....or the 
NRD535....whatever....It's still more of a Blast to hear it on a handful of 
Plastic!!....even at a reduced signal level.



> but I can tell you the very very thin slice of Angola on 945 that Jim 
> Renfrew and I had (logged as presumed because we didn't get an actual ID) 
> in Cappahayden Nfld. this past fall would not have made it to a ULR.
>
> No doubt the ULRs are wonderful things, and that's what I'll be taking 
> when I go to Vancouver for a week's holidays this June (no room or time 
> for a bigger set-up), and I'd take one or two wherever and whenever I DX, 
> but if you're looking for that elusive weak station, you need some pretty 
> powerful gear.


You're right Saul...but you know........unless we test the ULR's to their 
limits...and actually use them........who knows just what "Is Possible" 
with them. Alan Willie out in St. John's has pretty much opened up all of 
Europe and the Middle East on his Ultralight. Like I said....sure he may 
have been able to get some of the stations a few Db stronger on his 
Longwire and Drake......but who cares.......we "Expect to hear them on the 
BIG RIGS.......we don't necessarily expect to hear them on the Pocket 
Weasels. So...when we do....it's pretty cool. Some of my most memorable 
receptions of Radio Stations...are the ones I had to DIG outta the noise 
and fight to even ID. The ones that were blasting in were fun too....but 
you know what I mean.



> ULRs can (1) be used for quick and easy random checks, when one might 
> otherwise not be able to or want to check a higher-end rig, thus 
> potentially getting you to that big rig when cx are hot; (2) be used when 
> you ae mobile; (3) while on a DXpedition, going to places like right to 
> the shoreline; (4) getting an easy null on a station when your wires can't 
> null what you want to null - this makes a ULR particularly valuable as a 
> DX tool; (5) the sheer kick of getting Benin on a $30 ($15USD) handheld 
> radio; (6) can't beat the price....


Yes....stick them in your pocket and away you go. I think laying in a deck 
chair on the Cruise Ship.......late at night 50 Miles off the coast of 
Venezuela, with a Cool Corona and the SRF-T615 is gonna be a cool DX 
Experience......Til the wife beats me on the head....and makes me go 
Dancing or something equally as fun!! HAHAHHHA........


> But I can tell you that my three ULRs, modified and not modified, will not 
> work a weak station that is riding solo on an otherwise vacant channel an 
> better than a longwire set-up. Take 1710 KHz. I have heard both MA and NY 
> pirates there VERY weak at best, mosl no sign whatsoever. But on a rig 
> with the right wire, have had them simultaneously quite strong.


Well....I'll  let you know about that Saul......after the cruise. I think 
being out on the open water.....with no Interference may prove you wrong on 
that. Have you tried an SRF-T615 yet???? Believe me Saul....with the 
Digital readout.....so you know where you are...and the Extra sensitivity 
that radio has...you may be surprised.  I know these things aren't the be 
all and end all of BCB DX'ing....but heck.....they sure are a lot of 
Fun......and you sure won't hear anything good on them....unless you have 
one...and actually put some hours on it....and give it a chance!! We'll 
have to see what we can do up at the ODXA DX Camp Saul........There'll be a 
lot of Big Rigs there to compare the ULR's to.


> I think of my gear collectively as a toolbox. I use a wrench when a wrench 
> is called for. Sometimes a screwdriver works, othertimes a hammer is needed.

Actually all 6 of my ULR's will fit into a Lunchbox!!! And.....my wife was 
gonna make me some Padded cases for them....but I went to the Dollar Store 
and found some nice Padded SUNGLASS CASES....with zippers that close the 
case....and the SRF59's and my SRF-T615 fit into them Perfectly.....they 
even come in different Colours!! I also found some nice Car SEATBELT Pads 
with Velcro ..that fir over the Prison Radios just fine. (They are a little 
thicker....and won't fit into the Sunglass Cases). They even have a little 
pouch on them to carry spare batteries. I don't think my wife could have 
made the cases for a Dollar each...so the trip to the Dollar store paid 
off...and saved her some work!!


> I don't dispute the fun. But if anyone who goes to a lace like Greyland 
> and culd have but doesn't take a longwire-based rig, during a decent point 
> in the DX season well, you're missing an aspect of the hobby. If you're 
> happy getting the easiest 95 percent of stations, fine. if you want the 
> absolute toughest stuff, I recommend taking a 'big rig' (as well as the 
> ULR ... it will enhance your ability to get what you want).


Right On Saul...I agree..if I was going there...I'd take my Drake too!! As 
far as Gary's trips to Grayland go........I think he's "Already Heard" that 
Cool stuff on the Big Radios...now he wants to stretch the limit of his new 
found hobby....ULR DX'ing...and I'm right there with him!! I don't plan on 
selling any of the Dream Machines here......but they just ain't getting the 
airtime the Sony's are lately. The whole idea of all this DX'ing Business 
is "Having Fun".......and right now...Myself, Gary, John, Gil, Yourself and 
a pile of others are having just that!!! FUN!!! And...that's something that 
IBOC.......can't take away from us.....'cause with the ULR's...we can NULL 
out the IBOC!!!
Other people's mileage may vary..........

73.ROB.


Robert S. Ross VA3SW
Box 1003, Stn. B.
London, Ontario
CANADA N6A5K1

Antique/Vintage Radio Enthusiast
Amateur Radio Stations VA3SW/VE3JFC

Defy Physics.....Play Table Tennis!! (Ping Pong with an Attitude)
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