>> Perfectly flat matches at 3705 and 1858.
 >> Couldn't ask for better as 1855 is where I am on 160m
 JE> I need to get back on CW - been off for a couple of weeks.
 I need to refersh myself on my letters and numbers again.
 I've gone from 7 1/2 wpm to less than 5 in one summer.
 That -sucks-.
 JE> Oh, it can't be -that- bad, Rob 
 It is when I'm out of practice on the `ear'ing side of code.
 JE> There's supposedly a 'late-night' group that gets on down around this 
area
 JE> of the Country at about midnight or so, local time.  May wanna give that 
a
 JE> shot.  I might even try to get on, myself.
 Any idea on a freq they use?
 Most 160m activity seems to be from 1850 thru to 1890.
 With the exception of K1MAN intruding on the band 160m can be very quiet 
unless you know where to look.
 >> How about a hole cutter kit?
 >> Try a local hardware store or shop that supplies metal-shops.
 JE> yeah, but I've decided to go a different way, now.
 JE> Since the "solid state audio driver" circuit (reference
 JE> http://www.qsl.net/wa5bxo/driver1.html) is contained in an aluminum
 JE> chassis, I've decided to go ahead and mount the tube sockets on top of
 JE> -it-, and I've got another chassis that can hold the modulation 
transformer
 JE> as well as the filament transformers.
 Didn't some old 1920-1930 vintage recievers do that with their audio tubes 
o
enhance the cosmetic looks of the product?
 The have an old AM radio from the 20's on display at the local scienice 
museum that has all of its tudes mounted on top fro cooling and display.
 Should look nice if done real careful to blend in with the existing cabinet 
metal work.
 >> Will have to wait and see what the new cycle brings for 6m.
 JE> 6m will act closer to 10/11m as far as conditions are concerned, 
ssuming
 JE> the MUF gets that high.  But, it's been known to! 
 Yep. I leave a radio on 28.420 usb and (GASP!!) 27.1850 AM.
 When I hear the bumble-bee noises of 200 million truckers starting on 
channel 19 at the same time as voices on 28.420 I check 50.125 and it is 
usually wide open or just starting.
 Cheap,crude and poor method for 6m propagation prediction,but it does work.
--- GoldED 2.42.G1219
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