Poor Propagation - What do you do?

Hiya All,


The Sun hasn't been playing too well for us all recently has it?

Especially when we see reports like this :-



Or the bands are totally dead.


What do you get up to when conditions are so poor?

I know I'll have a scoot around the FT8 frequencies seeing if there's still any action going on. 
(Yep, the M.O.G.'s will bemoan that one announcing to the world like a fr*ggin vegetarian declaring their cause in their dedication to avoiding it......Oh, MOG - Miserable Old Git. )

Sometimes I'll get on with a radio project I've been meaning to do, a repair that needs doing or a general tidy up of the shack (Ha! Yeah, don't ask my missus about that one as she swears blind it's a sh*thole even when I think it's tidy! )

Sometimes, just maybe sometimes.....I'll get on with something else that isn't even radio related at all. (Heaven forbid!)


So what do you get up to?

Get down on your knees and pray to the radio Gods? (Please, no sacrificial offerings on the radio Altar! Remember those vegetarians mentioned earlier.)

Get a bit miserable about it all and have a bitch on social media or some such?

Swap to VHF/UHF or dig out the old MMDVM internet thingy? (MOG's again on that latter - It's not proper radio! )

Maybe you even avoid radio altogether during such spells and enjoy other pursuits/interests.....or even go sit with the missus.



Over to you.....let us know how you handle such dire radio conditions.


73,
Victor

Too many hobbies to pursue to get free time here.

So much to do here, that's the downside of owning a large property with land.

We have a small theatre (converted barn) in which locals put on plays and pantomimes. Being a writer, I produce the scripts, and being a techie, I manage the sound, lighting, projection, and cameras etc.

I write novels, but that's a winter activity.

Then there's the campervan...

It's amazing that I find time for radio anyway. 

Deb

Nice to hear that people often have other interests to pursue too.


Deb, you take me by surprise more and more....a theatre, how wonderful!


I used to be able to get up to allsorts but nowadays my capabilities for other pursuits have been severely diminished.


Anyone else out there have other rewarding interests they follow?

(I think having your own small theatre will take some beating!)


73,
Victor

Good afternoon all,

It's interesting to read about people's non radio pursuits even though we're a radio forum.

I've not had access to the HF bands since moving in December last year to my new QTH in North Yorkshire.

When I read about the current less than exciting propagation conditions I find myself with the choice of setting up my HF antenna's or doing something else instead.

It's fair to say that something else is the current winner. I've bored you all more than I should have with regard to my new QTH which is located just a few minutes from the beach here in Redcar. I love nothing more than walking with Mandy and the dogs on the beach or up on the North York Moor's.

Despite the house being recently refurbished there's always something to do or get on with it's like painting the Forth road bridge!!

Life is all a little bit sedate really and that suits me just fine!

Best 73 Gary.

Victor wrote:

(I think having your own small theatre will take some beating!)

It's a community thing really. We have an association called Cavron Players with French and Brit members. Not just shows, but bands, quiz nights, BBQs etc. Our members can also use the theatre for family events for free.

Deb

Hi Victor,

I know what you mean about the prop. I went up to the old perch yesterday evening and I thought the radio was broken. lol.

I switched over to the CRT U and enjoyed a bit of rag chewing on pmr.

I was hoping the prop gods would smile this week as I have a week's holiday. I could always put an old echo chamber complete with roger beep on an alter and drop a heavy brick on it, to try and appease the gods?!

Failing that, it will be a bit of detailing for me. Something very relaxing about popping a coat of wax on the motor. Although yesterday was a double whammy as it was rubbish solar weather and it was raining (no garage). 

Instead, I repaired the horn and remote central locking on my Citroen C1.

73s John.

Hi Gary,

My apologies for putting up a posting that I knew full well could veer from our radio path but it's been interesting.

I feel I haven't heard enough about your new QTH or even seen it especially with a lifetimes achievement behind it all and so pleased for you and Amanda. Yorkshire walks both moors & coast sound flipping idyllic.

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Deb,

That's fantastic stuff there and thanks for posting pictures too.

I used to take the girls to local live events as often as I could when they were younger but unfortunately they haven't repeated history with the grandchildren. I still think you can't beat a real sense of community, witness real people playing real instruments or admire a local am-dram production. Awesome stuff!

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Hi John mate,

Ha! Love the 'sacrifice to the radio gods' there!

So pleased that you're enjoying your PMR pursuits and doing so well with it. I'm now set up here but Sunday failed to bring any contacts for me so obviously not popular in my area. Similar to you I used to love polishing up my rides but those days are behind me now. (Shhh, I did put some carnauba on my mobility scooter and she's well shiny now! )

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Thanks everyone with your replies. As ever it's been a great pleasure to hear from you.

73 to all,
Victor

About me in a single sentence about.me/TTblood
Recently had very little time for any of it

There's always a path open to someone somewhere whatever band conditions show, no need to get the grumps

Nothing wrong with giving the old scooter a coat, Victor

Paint protection film and ceramic coatings are all the rage these days in terms of paint protection..... But, I still enjoy the process of applying and buffing off a coat of carnauba paste wax.

The offer still stands on the echo chamber.

Use an antenna that has prop

The bottom line has 'prop' but the top one is the better antenna.




(Couldn't help myself. )

Victor wrote:

The bottom line has 'prop' but the top one is the better antenna.




(Couldn't help myself. )

Hope that linen line isn't wire. If it is it'll act as a reflector and your signal will go straight up. You could end up contacting aliens.   

Deb

Already mentioned at the end of another posting Deb :-

https://charlietangodxgroup.forumotion.com/t6812-causing-interference#53570

Despite my 'M7', 'Foundation' or what some have misguidedly called me such as 'Novice' or even 'Beginner' I was a degree educated electronics engineer long before I ever became a 'Ham'. (R&D Biomedical Diagnostics Devices, Photolithography Process Engineer in the semiconductor industry as well as a plethora of other roles.)

I'd be a bit amiss if I didn't recognise RF reflective properties unless intentionally designed as such.

Besides, it was just a joking quip at the mention of an antenna with 'prop'......my humour may be lacking somewhat.



(No harm no foul there Deb and I haven't taken it personally, you may well have added the information for 'others'. Just that I'm surprised how often I face the 'M7' derogation, why haven't I 'moved' up or that I'm not a 'proper' Ham yet. I'm enjoying my QRP activities and find problem solving my limitations quite rewarding. Just putting a smile on an old cripples face whenever I can. )

73,
Victor

Victor wrote:

The bottom line has 'prop' but the top one is the better antenna.




(Couldn't help myself. )

I like it, Victor.

Cheers John.  

I thought for a moment my 'funny bones' had gone a little awry.

i haven't had anytime for radio as mum has had stroke and is still in hospital so been racing from to hospital it would be nice to get radio up and running again, but cant at moment life just passes you by when you don't have time to stop and think.
regards
dave

Sorry to hear about your Mum there Dave and make sure you don't make yourself ill what with all the running around.

Take good care,
Victor

Victor wrote:

Already mentioned at the end of another posting Deb :-

https://charlietangodxgroup.forumotion.com/t6812-causing-interference#53570

Despite my 'M7', 'Foundation' or what some have misguidedly called me such as 'Novice' or even 'Beginner' I was a degree educated electronics engineer long before I ever became a 'Ham'. (R&D Biomedical Diagnostics Devices, Photolithography Process Engineer in the semiconductor industry as well as a plethora of other roles.)

I'd be a bit amiss if I didn't recognise RF reflective properties unless intentionally designed as such.

Besides, it was just a joking quip at the mention of an antenna with 'prop'......my humour may be lacking somewhat.



(No harm no foul there Deb and I haven't taken it personally, you may well have added the information for 'others'. Just that I'm surprised how often I face the 'M7' derogation, why haven't I 'moved' up or that I'm not a 'proper' Ham yet. I'm enjoying my QRP activities and find problem solving my limitations quite rewarding. Just putting a smile on an old cripples face whenever I can. )

73,
Victor

Hi Victor.

I respect your extensive technical knowledge of propagation and radio in general. Your joke was in 'prop' with an image. I simply reacted to that humour with the alien quip. I certainly didn't intend, or even thought, to reference your amateur radio status in my post. In fact you are technically more qualified, certainly on HF, than me.

If you read something other than the continuation of your own humour into my post then I apologise.

I would never attempt demean or humiliate anyone who has worked hard to achieve any level in our hobby.

Deb

Hi Deb,

No worries there and honestly no offence was taken.

I shouldn't have blurted out so my apologies to you too. Usually I don't make mention of my technical past as similarly to you I loathe the idea of making anyone else feel less capable than they really are or the atypical one-upmanship sometimes faced in this or any other hobby interest.

I'm probably a bit sensitive as recently I have taken ownership of a very capable brand new radio but the reactions from the few I have told has taken me by surprise. Most have been pleased for me but there has been quips about why I haven't progressed up my licence when I now have such a fabulous radio.....go figure eh?

I enjoy what I do at the level I do and especially my QRP interests. (You don't hear lorry drivers complaining that others don't have a HGV licence so therefore aren't a "proper" road user do you?! )

So once again my apologies there Deb if I caused any concern or upset. 
My grandchildren are here now but I wanted to make sure I responded to you first. 

You have a great weekend and take care,
Victor

This would be just the job for T.

Hello Dave,

Sad to hear about your mother. Take it easy, Bud and my best to you both.

73s John.

Victor wrote:

Cheers John.  

I thought for a moment my 'funny bones' had gone a little awry.

Hello Victor,

No worries. To keep up the washing line analogies...... I suppose you could say we have been well rinsed of decent prop.

I will get my coat on the way out.

73s John.

Victor wrote:

Hi Deb,

No worries there and honestly no offence was taken.

I shouldn't have blurted out so my apologies to you too. Usually I don't make mention of my technical past as similarly to you I loathe the idea of making anyone else feel less capable than they really are or the atypical one-upmanship sometimes faced in this or any other hobby interest.

I'm probably a bit sensitive as recently I have taken ownership of a very capable brand new radio but the reactions from the few I have told has taken me by surprise. Most have been pleased for me but there has been quips about why I haven't progressed up my licence when I now have such a fabulous radio.....go figure eh?

I enjoy what I do at the level I do and especially my QRP interests. (You don't hear lorry drivers complaining that others don't have a HGV licence so therefore aren't a "proper" road user do you?! )

So once again my apologies there Deb if I caused any concern or upset. 
My grandchildren are here now but I wanted to make sure I responded to you first. 

You have a great weekend and take care,
Victor

Hello Victor,

Sad to hear other ops are giving you grief on air. They are probably jealous of your skills, which will be superior to theirs, irrespective of their license status.

Other than being a member of this forum, I generally don't get involved with clubs, because of the inevitable politics. I still enjoy working the alternative frequencies on hf.

Too funny Alan mate.  

I shall be placing the antenna higher once I get hold of a suitable pole.

(She might take up 'pole vaulting' if I leave it laying around too long though before putting it up! )