Some may remember some pics I've posted here in the past of the big antenna arrays I have built and installed for a guy up in Maine.
Yesterday this guy realized a life dream...to be able to talk to Japan on 50mhz. He did so not once, not twice, but 23 times he exchanged reports with Japanese hams. The guy was so excited he could barely move the morse code paddle.
Last year I rebuilt one pole for him and put 3 antennas up all tied together in a big array. Recabled everything as it all had to be cut to precise dimensions. The bottom antenna was at 43' and the top antenna is at 98. This was all to do what he did yesterday. 50 mhz is very close to the old Boston Channel 2 TV station to give you an idea of frequency.
This page has a bunch of recordings of hams. Of interest is the second one down.. w1 mu, compare that to w3lpl which is a HUGE station with upwards of 12 towers in Pennsylvania. Some Japanese ham actually recorded him. Most of you guys can't understand morse code but the last signal you hear on the tape is the Maine station sending his call letters. 2000 watts out and it was that weak in Japan.
DX Diary
This is such a rare thing and so few people have done it. He got this by email today from one of the guys he talked to:
Hello Dear MIKE
How do you do
My name is Yutaka Katoh & call is JH WHS
I am a 6m station 95% since 1969
Thank you for the 1st time 6m CW QSO today JUN 25 at
about 2157z on 50.084 mhz
Your signal was very strong 599 indeed .near tokyo
(PM96) in SAITAMA pref about 45 km north of tokyo
I got 559 report from you .
I wishes this contact to be true.
It is not possible to belive from the east coast at all.
Is my call logged in ?
You are my new onestate on 6m QSO
I hope to see you again & waitting good news from you
My QSL will be send sase to you
Thanks regards
**************************************
de JH WHS YUTAKA PM96
This guy has been on these frequencies 95% of the time since 1969 and it's the first time he's ever done it.
Kinda like catching a 60lb bass
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