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Showing posts from October 6, 2024

Operating the W2LI MagLoop Antenna on 20M and 17M Sideswiper Net (5W)

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I checked into the Intercontinental Sideswiper Net (SSN) today using the FX4-CR transceiver by BG2FX, and the W2LI MapLoop QRP antenna made by the folks at Tri-County Radio Association.   I ran 5W Power for both the 20M and 17M nets.  Signals were helped with Solar Flux (SFI) 277, and 162 Sunspot Number (SN) but offset a bit by Kp 3.33 (Unsettled) and A 7. Gotta love Solar Cycle 25 which is expected to peak in 2025. WX clear skies and cool, cool at 83F / 28C by end of 17M Net. Reports: 20M 14.055 AA7FV 599+ N8LAG 579 KN6BAZ 559 W0BET 589 17M 18.088 AA7FV 599 No other stations heard loud enough for good copy on 17M. I did work some POTA stations before and after the net with the magloop with generally good reports on both 20M and 17M bands. I was operating from bed of the truck with the mag loop mounted on a camera tripod I picked up cheap at the Hamfest in Belton TX yesterday. I had plain of the loop broadside to EU, which may explain why i didn’t have any luck w...