Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Operating frequencies

Considering that there will be massive activity on the bands as a result of DXpeditions to PJ2, PJ4, PJ5, PJ6 and PJ7 beginning on October 10th, I thought I might announce my likely modes and frequencies. Hopefully I’ll be able to put on the DX cluster where I am in real time, however mobile phone reception for my internet access is not guaranteed to be reliable on the island.

Here are my likely operating areas depending on propagation and the PJ DXpeditions.

40m PSK31

7035 kHz segment from 0800-2100 UTC. The PJ6A 40m CW band plan will be 7031-7040 kHz, so I’ll avoid wasting my time with PSK31 to North America if they are on. I’ll do my best to be active on 40m PSK for North America in the 0800-1200 UTC period when PJ6A are not operating 40m CW. Another option is for me to operate in the 7070 kHz PSK segment at that time as it’s less likely to have RTTY interference from the PJ6 and/or PJ7 operations. Interference to Europe shouldn’t be a significant problem until around 2000 UTC.

40m SSB

As long as there is no interference from the PJ2 operations, I’ll be on the 7130 kHz DX Net that begins at 0930 UTC on Monday 18/10, Wednesday 20/10 and Friday 22/10. 7126-7135 kHz is the receive frequency split range for PJ2. PJ2T may be there on the Monday night, but this DX Net should be free of PJ activity on Wednesday and Friday.        

20m PSK31

The PSK31 segment could have problems from CW at PJ7 and RTTY at PJ2. I’ll be on 20m PSK31 anytime from 2000 – 1500 UTC. PJ2T finishes on Oct 18, so hopefully I can sit high on the 20m PSK31 window and avoid interference and make the trip particularly into Europe around 1200-1500 UTC.

20m SSB

During the weekdays, I will look to check into the ANZA DX net that starts at 0515 UTC on 14183 kHz. The PJ4B DXpedition could be a problem, but if you’re in VK/ZL, this is the best place to find me. I’ll start checking into the net Monday, if I’m in a little pile up somewhere else, I may check in late or not at all. I’ll do my best to be there at least a few days during the week.

I could be on 20m SSB anytime in the 2000-1500 UTC period. I’ll try for Europe each evening at 1200-1500 UTC period above 14255 kHz. Anything under 14255 kHz will be mayhem with the PJ operations, it’s highly likely that I’ll be above 14300 kHz. If I can’t get anywhere with SSB, I’ll go to PSK31 to be available for Europe in this period of time.

15m PSK31

The PSK31 segment could have problems from CW at PJ7 and RTTY at PJ2. I’ll be on 15m PSK31 anytime from 2200 – 1000 UTC. PJ2T finishes on Oct 18, so hopefully I can sit high on the 15m PSK31 window and avoid interference. I’ll look at being on 15m PSK31 for any openings to North America around 2200-0100 UTC and Europe at 0500-0900 UTC which have been quite good lately.

15m SSB

This is the least complicated situation as there are no PJ operations under 21275 kHz. So I’ll be anywhere from 21200-21270 kHz on SSB during the day from 2200 UTC until the band closes. This will be the best place for Asia to find me.

Overall

Fingers crossed that internet access is reliable from my operating position, so at least I can let you know where I am through the DX cluster. The feeding frenzy will hopefully have died down a little by the time I start operating on the 16th, which is 6 days after the new entities begin. I have a feeling I could be spending a lot of time on 15m as the QRM won’t be as bad. I have constructed an aluminium vertical dipole for this band which I’ll put out on the beach. For North America, the best bet will be to get me on 40m PSK31 and for Europe I’d say in the 1200-1500 UTC period on PSK31 and SSB.

Anyway, I’ll give it a go and try to get my signal out there!!

2 comments:

  1. I have VE7CC alarm setup.
    If spotted I should get the alarm and email.
    Thanks for IOTA
    73
    Kevin
    N0CWR

    ReplyDelete
  2. If you can trust prop programs midwest USA
    has only a narrow 14mhz opening 1430z.
    I have been listening since your first spot.
    Nothing. But hear west coast USA making it.
    40m may be our best shot. After 0830z to sunrise
    Hope to cu.
    73
    Kevin
    N0CWR

    ReplyDelete