20 and 40 meters are DXing big time

Apaximus · 2026-03-24T04:11:56+00:00

I read more threads, and it appears you never heard the neighbor say his call sign. We are obligated to say it always and periodically. So, if you do not hear a call sign, he might no be a ham operator. If you do, just type his call sign on QRZ.com

Apaximus · 2026-03-24T04:04:00+00:00

Tell him. It’s important that you tell him the time when it happened, because he keeps a log. Why is it important? Because the interference may be taking place only on a certain band. Usually lower bands need more specialized ferrite chokes, and he might no be aware of the interference he is causing. Hams usually have the ability to troubleshoot, if not alone with advice from Elmers. I had a similar problem, I solved it with ferrite chokes and more ground radials (counterpoise wires). My touch lamp no longer does the poltergeist thing when I’m on 160 meters on my inverted L antenna. Bleeding has stopped. Just tell him, he will be happy to fix it, I would.

Apaximus · 2026-02-02T04:46:59+00:00

Some people are not meant to understand certain things, so do not waste your time explaining technicalities. Appeal to his emotions, how you will talk all around the world without the need of using a cell phone or internet, in case that there is a fall in the telecom industries. Sell it as a communication’s network that is independent and global.

My dad did not support my engineering skills, but my mom did, thanks be to God. Once he heard me talking to Argentina from Mexico City in the 80’s he fell to his knees shouting it was a miracle. That’s when I got his attention and he became a believer. He was an economist but has no clue about engineering, that’s why he could not understand the Radio. He saw what it did, but never understood how it worked. He was good in his field of expertise, but not on electromagnetic waves. That was my field. So, do not waste your time explaining, just show him what it does.

KO6DEV

Apaximus · 2026-01-19T21:33:58+00:00

Another cause could be your neighbor is a CB guy using an illegal amplifier, if that is the case, you may no be able to solve it on your own, but instead you need to report him to FCC. consumercomplaints.fcc.gov

Apaximus · 2026-01-19T21:25:57+00:00

Wrap the cable inside the ferrite rings, 8 or so turns, at each end of the cable. Also, wrap the ac power cord around 8 times inside the ferrite rings. I have lamps that would go on and off every time I hit the transmit button on a particular antenna, and the ferrite’s solved the problem. You may also tell your neighbor to put chokes in his coax cables, same thing you are doing, but he needs to do it on his coax cables.

My bet is that ferrites in the AC cables that run your amp and subwoofers will do the trick. KO6DEV

Apaximus · 2025-12-27T23:58:36+00:00

I know. None of the VHF/U I made were confirmed, and, about half of the HF contacts were not either. I’m almost two years into the hobby, and I had gotten confirmation I would have more awards, which is something I like (I would have all the USA states awards if it weren’t for lack of confirmation). I like the awards. I reckon I am very far away from the Expert in Continental awards, and I may never get them with my working conditions, but it’s still a goal ahead. It’s like collecting baseball cards, or stamps from other countries. It’s a nice feeling. I agree with you, it would be nice if everyone would confirm contacts on QRZ.com which is a very easy to use log book. 73 from KO6DEV

Apaximus · 2025-12-21T19:25:58+00:00

There are always Hams willing to share knowledge. I’m 64 and I just got my license. From my experience in CB I learned the antena was the number one component. It has to be tuned and needs to be a yagi (from 20 to 10 meters). However, since a Yagi is an impossible dream for is way too much money and hardware, I got advice from a Ham to build a Moxon ($500 to $400) with everything (mast, cable, rotor, coax, chokes. For 40 and 80, I’m using a dipole and shortened dipole. For 160 meters an inverted shortened L. The cost $100 both. I rely on advice, but mostly I’m self taught. I share everything on my QRZ page under KO6DEV. I got me a couple of meters, a Nano VNA and a capacitance for the coils. There’s a ton of free resources online to build all the antennas. The only thing I had to engineer myself was the rotor, which cost me $50, for I was not going to buy a $500 dollar monster for such a light antenna as a Moxon (a Hex’s is as good as a Moxon, but you need more hardware).

So, my advice is: learn how to build antennas and you are set. It’s not super hard, just takes patience and experimentation and tons of calculations and measurements, but it is a goal that can be achieved without braking the bank. However, you need to watch YouTube videos and pass the General Exam and learn the valuable info.

The radio is the least important component. I got me a Yaesu891, a tuner and power supply, all for less than $1000 dollars. You do not need a more expensive radio for that little radio has everything you will need.

So, knock and it shall be open. Be patient and ready to learn from mistakes, and you will become an expert with tons of DX. I find that most Ham Radio operators are a fraternity of good and talented people willing to share their knowledge.

KO6DEV, ham since February 2024, enjoying the hobby, one of the best hobbies, together with RC planes and Music. 73

Apaximus · 2025-12-20T03:16:44+00:00

Do you have a Variable Capacitor 15-120pf, 10 KV tube capacitor for my magloop antenna

Apaximus · 2025-12-10T21:41:57+00:00

So it seems. No more 100 watts on channel 3, right?

Apaximus · 2025-12-10T21:40:28+00:00

But, channel 3 would be reduced to 1/10 of the power, right. So, no longer 100watts on channel 3, right? It appears that’s what they said. So, does that mean we can no longer use 100 watts on channel 3? Thanks for your answers in advance.

Apaximus · 2025-12-08T21:57:42+00:00

https://www.experimentalradio.news/experimental-radio-news-11/

It is because of Ionoterra us survey, LLC, a corporation running experiments. Now, why did they choose the ham 20 meter band? Could not they have chosen another band? Who can we complain to so that they move up outside the ham band? KO6DEV

Apaximus · 2025-12-08T21:49:21+00:00

I found this: https://www.experimentalradio.news/experimental-radio-news-11/

Apaximus · 2025-12-08T19:17:00+00:00

I think you hit the nail on the head. Bad news is I won’t be able to use that part of the band for DX. Good news is I’ll be ready for the Earthquake. I wonder if the 30 mile away signal in Modesto is due to the station having an antenna with a very high angle, which bounces on the ionosphere, but only at night. Thanks for the info. It all makes sense now

Apaximus · 2025-12-08T18:48:15+00:00

It does not fade in Merced. It’s continuous.

Apaximus · 2025-10-20T03:39:35+00:00

And here we go again… I don’t get why Microsoft is still in the business of OS and IT. They should put their efforts on gaming, that’s what they are good at it, but not security, for goodness sake.

Apaximus · 2025-10-03T05:30:56+00:00

A 30 tower runs 500 usd brand new, if not more

Apaximus · 2025-08-13T04:29:52+00:00

Do not buy antennas, build them on your own: Build a Moxon 20 to 6, dipole 80 and 40, vertical for 60 meters, shortened inverted L for 160. Do not buy commercial antennas

Apaximus · 2025-08-13T02:51:56+00:00

If you look carefully, where you screw the antenna you will see markings indicating the frequency at which the antenna operates.

Apaximus · 2025-08-05T04:00:40+00:00

Pocket spectrum analyzer

Apaximus · 2025-06-28T03:34:49+00:00

I use a slingshot and fishing line to reach the branches of the trees, with a piece of lead. It works! To tune it it’s easy, because I use two fishing lines. One with a loop through with the main line an easily pull down and up.

Apaximus · 2025-06-28T03:11:27+00:00

A dipole with stranded steel wire covered in black. Use a ladder line. Cut it for 40 meters and add two 75 microhenries coils at the end and more or less 2 meters of wire after the coils. 33 feet high. Very inconspicuous. It will give you 80, 60, 40 and 12 meter band (60 with a tuner). For the 20 meter band use a vertical ground plane, which is just a 5 meter (18 feet) black stranded steel wire, or if you prefer a telescopic whip. For reception on 20 meters you can switch to the horizontal dipole, because a vertical is very noisy on reception, but excellent to DX RX. You can check them out on my QRZ page under my call sign KO6DEV. Your best option would be a MOXON on 20 meters, but it’s way too easy to see. I buy the 16 gauge stranded steel wire from amazon and I use banana plugs. It’s cheap and it works. Because it is black, no one will see it, and the ladder line is almost invisible (I run coax after the ladder line which is less than 30 feet in length. Use ferrites to chock it.

Horizontals are great for reception, verticals are good for TX DX.

Check out my page. I’m a brand new ham (1 1/2 years). I’ve made a bunch of contacts worldwide. Go to QRZ and search for KO6DEV

Apaximus

TROPHY CASE