I have a 40m dipole that I’m trying to get set up. I have tried laying it along my 3rd story roof line and roof deck arbor. It seems to get great reception; I can hear lots of activity on 40m, including at least Tennessee (from New England) based on my minimal ability to copy call signs in CW.

But I’m having trouble getting out. I’m using an Elecraft K1 at 5-7W with the internal tuner (which gets 1.1:1). I’ve only gotten one response to a CQ, and the RBN shows only stations in the next state over picking me up, at 7-19dB SNR. This around 8-9PM local time.

What would you expect, at 5W? Might I be getting good receive performance but bad transmit? What factors would be affecting the performance most — contact with wood, small hooks/screws? Bends (mostly straight for one leg, 90⁰ turn halfway in the other leg)?

I also have a gutter around the 3rd floor, with two downspouts. I’ve been reading about downspout antennas, but I’m operating from the 2nd floor, so I’d probably need to run a ground down.

Thanks for any suggestions! 73

  • Onno (VK6FLAB)@lemmy.radio
    5·
    11 days ago

    5 Watt is plenty to be heard. A more important question is, when are you trying to make contact?

    I don’t know your experience level, so make sure that you’re doing this when the band is noisy, not when it’s quiet, especially on 40m.

    Also make sure that you are aware of solar storms and geomagnetic disturbances, but if you can hear others, that’s a great start.

    Think of making contact as flyfishing, it takes patience and practice!

    Good luck.