Re: [IRCA] More Ultralighting / Alignment Question...Reply to Paul Logan........

[Robert Ross <va3sw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

At 08:52 AM 3/23/2008, you wrote:

> Hi Robert / Gary,
>
> thanks for the replies and the encouragement - posts about Ultralighting 
> on the MWC list over here have been few, but for me its like going back to 
> the seed of my love for radio.

Well......there's a good nucleus of dedicated ULR DX'ers over here 
Paul.....but we still have a lot of people to convert!! Anyone who has 
tried and at least given the ULR's a chance has found some measure of 
Success I'm sure. The more you post your catches in the Local 
Bulletins..the more curiosity you will stir....and the ball will start to 
Roll. It's not the fact that you can hear Stations "Better" on a URL than a 
Big $$$ Rig....it's just the fact that you can hear them on a radio the 
size of a Pack of Smokes!!! And....even though some will argue the 
fact.....I "Have" received Many stations Better on the URL than my Big Rigs 
and Antennas.......due partly to the superior NULLING Capabilities of the 
ULR's!!


> Somewhere in the late 70s as an 8 year old kid I discovered the thrill of 
> tuning to distant stations on AM on a tiny transistor radio and here I am 
> nearly 30 years later doing the same!.


Yes Paul....Many of us did the same!! I started out as a Youngster tuning a 
Tiny Transistor Radio as well.......except that I was trying to find Hockey 
Games featuring my Favourite Team....the Montreal Canadiens. Many times I 
listened to their games on Stations from Cities like Boston, Chicago, New 
York etc.....and wasn't really even aware what I was listening to!! 
Somewhere along the Line I must have heard a few ID's and mentions of where 
the stations were located.....and the rest is History as they say!!


> Ultralighting appeals to me on many levels - the simplicity and cost of 
> the gear - the thrill of hearing something new or far away on a tiny 
> ferrite rod. The decreased interference level in an rf noisy environment, 
> oh and no more rolling up a BOG at 9 am under the gaze of neighbours who 
> (perhaps rightly) think I am insane!


We've all been thru the "Neighbours think we are Insane" bit Paul.....but 
it's a Happy Insanity that brings us Joy!! HAHHHAHA..... At least with the 
ULR's....we look a little more less out of place.!! Many think we're just 
listening to our IPODS!!


> Yes Its been fun!, and the 300 in 30 is really turning out to be a great 
> challenge - I thought it would have been easy originally, considering that 
> Europe is awash with high powered transmitters but not so. Each new 
> station logged really does feel like an achievement.Its going to really be 
> a push to match your 300 Rob all my "regulars" are now in the bag.

Don't give up Paul.....all it takes is a couple of evenings with Good 
Conditions...and you'll be there. There were several times when it looked 
like I wasn't going to make it....and then the Band opened up and I logged 
10 or 12 New ones in a single sitting!!


> As for catches from the Americas - just three so far - WWZN 1510, WQEW 
> 1560 and CKEC 1320 (the night i received the little Sony SRF 59 and before 
> i started logging for the 300). Incidentally I managed Cuba on 670 back in 
> September on a horrible Sony ICF S10 mk2.


That's GREAT Paul....3 TA's is amazing. I think you may be the first to 
accomplish TA's from the European Side of the Water??? John and Gary may be 
able to confirm this???? I wish I was a little closer to the Coast....as 
being landlocked over here in Ontario makes it tough to log TA's....but I 
KNOW I will eventually bag a few!!! Just a matter of time and good 
conditions!! Cuba on 670 is good as well from Europe!!


> TA conditions until the last night or two really have not been that good 
> so Im going to make an effort to check at dawn and  see if I can add a few 
> more. I can hear many hets  but the little monster just isnt good enough 
> selectively to  hear whats causing them.
>
> And what a little monster the SRF59 is! With a 4 foot loop added it turns 
> into a veritable DX machine- mine tunes as high as about 1650 and Ive 
> managed with the loop to hear 1630 WRDW,1640 WTNI and 1650 CJRS / WHKT.
>
> About that coverage- mine tunes from WAY below 530 khz to about 1650 - can 
> i realign L3 inside with ease to give me 520 - 1700?.


That's Gary's department...I'll let him answer that one......He's the 
Techie Guru in the Group!!


> Ok im off now for Easter fun with family -secretly hoping I can get away 
> for a few new ones at dusk -I really am addicted - Gary what have you done!


OK Paul....enjoy your Easter Dinner...and I want to say just how pleased I 
am that you joined in the Fun of ULR DX'ing. It'g great to have someone 
from the other side of the Pond with the Group....and I truly hope you can 
get a few more Europeans on the Bandwagon....and help us to spread the ULR 
Word amongst BCB DX'ers the World over.

Myself and other ULR Dx'ers here in North America look forward to hearing 
from you and hope to read more about your ULR DXploits soon!!

Keep Chugging Paul..and good luck on the 300 in 30 escapade!! Like Gary 
says.....don't hesitate to ask questions .....we may be able to help...but 
it sounds like you are already on your way to a successful ULR DX Career!!

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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