[Lowfer] LF QSOs

[Dexter McIntyre W4DEX]

Eric Smith wrote:
> On Wed, 10 Sep 2003, Bill Ashlock wrote:
> 
> > [disappointing news]
> 
>  :(
> 
> Eric, KD5UWL

Eric,

I had many Lowfer QSOs before the days of computer signal processing and
the internet.  There was a fellow in Ohio who ran beacon LXJ during the
mid 90s.  I had a nightly sked with him for several months during one
winter.  We had Q5 copy at least 50% of the time.  He was the only
Lowfer I ever suspected of running high power because his signal
strength.  However I was convinced he was running 1 watt because when I
could barley copy him he had about the same signal from me.  Later I
found that the several comments I heard about some Lowfers running high
power could be traced back to one source so I discounted them.   JDH and
I had several QSOs during that time.  Both of these stations were in the
300 to 400 mile range.  Very often I had good Q5 copy on TH in New
Jersey.  Carl and I could have easily made two way contact at these
times but his location was very noisy and it was seldom that he could
copy my beacon.  So we had a few cross band contacts, LF to 160 meters. 
There are several other stations that I copied Q5 frequently, like BOB
and KRY.  I'll have to find my old Lowfer log book to remember the
others.

The main problem making a DX lowfer QSO is timing.  I have heard Lyle's
LEK Q5 a time or two and he has heard NC.  Look at Lyle's page for .wav
files of the many beacons he has copied Q5 by ear:

http://www.cpinternet.com/~lyle/listen2/listn2.htm#Recordings%20of%20LowFER

The problem is that when the signal is heard it is usually early morning
hours when the other fellow isn't available.  If he were available
during this time he probably would be in receive mode so you would have
never heard his beacon to start with.

I, like most other Lowfers, have spent the last several years
concentrating on QRSS receptions.  This has been both fun and
productive. Now my old LF receiving station serves only as a beacon
transmitting location.  I now sit in a nice heated shack watching the
computer do the work.  Maybe we should have a weekly CW only night. 
Sure would be nice to actually hear those signals again.

Dex