Is the midband enough

I am just dipping my toe back into SSB and have a President Mckinley currently.

I am wondering from people's experience, is there enough activity on the midband to keep one happy. I know it is great for short skip / sporadic E and then later in the year hopefully we will hear the US once again. 

Is not having the freeband going to be an issue?

I am not worried about using the freeband frequencies necessarily however I enjoy QRP and would prefer to be legal really - guilt free conscience

Thanks

Tony
26CT4488

The problem with midband is that everybody in the world is using it, and usually on FM and AM, if there is any SSB then you're less likely to hear it for the whistling from the other modes. You really need the 555's on the high band, that's mostly SSB so less interference and a lot more DX stations.

While it's not strictly 'legal', there doesn't seem to be any enforcement as long as you're not making a nuisance of yourself, so I wouldn't worry too much tbh. And QRP is fine but you'll be up against high power and beam aerials from some DX'ers so a little bit of fire up the wire won't hurt and will help a lot.

As for guilt free, well, everybody else does it don't they. If the radio looks legal then just deny it, if you want to DX then every little helps as they say. Not that I'd want to encourage illegal activity of course but if it's not hurting anyone then no real harm is done.

Hi Mitch,

Thanks for your post - you make some very valid points and noise for SSB is a good reason to expand ones horizons. My most recent experience of the midband was mainly FM dx which was great fun however when I have reverted to SSB I have struggled with QRM from FM/AM as you have mentioned making it very difficult to hold QSO. I might just have to get the wire snips out!

Many thanks,

Tony
26CT4488

Midland is ok with me.
I’ve stayed legal and because I like to go static mobile it’s all I’ve needed for my enjoyment.
I’ve had my MacKinley for years now.
No problems. !

Hi Tristar,
Thanks for your reply. I actually ended up selling my Mckinley. It was a nice radio and absolutely nothing wrong with it. I personally just preferred the look and controls on the new super star 3900. I bought second hand and have converted back from expanded to just the multi-norms and midband for SSB work. I have a terrible noise floor at home and the '555' was useless for me anyway. The midband is quieter noise wise and has been full of plenty of activity for me on FM and SSB so that's where I plan to spend my time. Hopefully not long now until the US are booming back into the UK. 73. Tony 26CT4488

No problem Tony.
I’m glad you found what works for you.
Enjoy your radio !