DX on my mind
A few months ago I decided to reduce making comments on the lawless approach of the Government in relation to our amateur radio problem of RF interference caused by a business entity owned by the Government. I believe that twelve [12] comments a year is enough to remind ourselves that we are fighting injustice and lawlesness in our amateur radio hobby. Some people would feel that a weekly reminder might be more helpful. Nevertheles, the plight of amateur radio operators in our country have attracted the attention of amateur radio operators around the world. Our country Saint Kitts and Nevis [V4], is still a much needed country contact for many amateur radio operators around the world.
The amateur radio operators resident in our country [V4] are not active enough at any time, and amateur radio operators from various foreign countries visit Saint Kitts an Nevis in order to provide the much needed contact that is needed. There are some amateur radio operators who visit Saint Kitts and Nevis annually, and some have even invested in our CBI program which provide them with citizenship status. I expect that these amateur radio operators visiting could help to develop this sector of our Sports Tourism Program.
In October 2019 the NTRC which is responsible for ensuring that the RF specrtum is not unlawfully violated by anyone inside or outside the country borders, issued a "Cease and Desist" order to an entity downtown to stop causing RF interference on the HF freqiencies, which was affecting the service and operations of other duly assigned, registered and licensed entities. It was discovered that the local business entity used equipment which generated RF signals in the HF spectrum that were of a level high enough to interference with other services. The entity was ordered to stop the transmitting of the interfering signals.
To date I am not aware, officially or unofficially, that the entity owned by the Government has stopped transmitting the interfering signals. The HF frequencies affected by the RF interference and noise are unuseable for radio communications. Unfortunately this frequency range is also used internationally by everyone, all amateur radio operators everywhere, because these frequencies provide the reliability guaranteed and needed in disaster, weather and emergency communications. This seriously impacts the efficient operation of amateur radio in Saint Kitts and Nevis during these times of disaster and emergency.
I am of the view that
[a] the Government does know what is amateur radio. I also conclude that
[b] the Government does not care about the National service offered by the amateur radio fraternity, when it is required. I conclude that when necessary
[c] the Government can utilise the amateur radio equpment at NEMA to establish their own overseas emergency contacts. This can be done legally because
[d] the Amateur Radio Society has an agreement with NEMA, to provide them a licensed amateur radio operator, to be stationed at NEMA for the duration of any actvity, disaster, weather, emergency, etc.
I undrstand that NEMA does not experience the RF interference like all the other amateur radio stations in Saint Kitts and Nevis. I understand that there was supposed to be a plan or project to FIX the RF interference at every amateur radio station. I do not know if that was just talk or wishful thinking, because nothing and no-one has reached my amateur radio station located up on the hillside. In the past couple years there was a fraud attempt by persons from the "interfering entity" seeking to install a gizmo of sorts in a couple of RF interference noise embattled amateur radio stations. The gizmo[s] did not work, and I do know if any other "gizmo fraud" was attempted since. The enginers were told by amateur radio operators that this was RF interference, but they seemed not to hear.
So we are still stuck with frequencies that cannot be used for communications, including disaster or emergency communications, because of RF interference caused by a Government owned utility company. Nobody can do anything about the utility company owned by the Government NOT complying with the LAW. The NTRC cannot do anything. ECTEL cannot do anything. The ITU cannot do anything. Nobody can do anything excet the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is so unfortunate that all those International organisation are powerless to help the brothers and sisters in Saint Kitts and Nevis who are struggling with a lawless situation perpetrated by the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
This RF interference is trying to kill my amateur radio operations, but it will not work, because there are other frequencies, not my favorite, but DX contacts can still be made. The HF propagation is getting better, and the sunspot cycle should peak in 2025-2026. I am working on a DX plan for these new bands, these are daytime bands so a different strategy is required. Many hams seem to feel that working all bands are cool, but I have found that it is only cool, when you have a strategy, wheter you are looking for local contacts or DX contacts. They both require different treatment. It is very unlikely that the antenna that will easily get you into South America will also get you into China or Japan, on the far side of the world
I find that multiband antennas do not work how we want. Actually, multiband antennas are only good for the band and frequency they are designed for. Baluns and tuners help the compromise to get a match. I am not into baluns and tuners, and do not use them on my personal antennas. When you set up a 5-element beam and point it anywhere, it works, all the time, everytime. My antenna systems are all single banders. One optimised antenna per amateur radio band. If you are serious about making DX contacts and building simple antennas which work, read or get the book written by N6BT, "Array of Light". There are many things that you will need to know and use. Inside information.
Some amateur radio operators believe that the antenna is the most important item in the amateur radio station. I agree. I see amater radio operators invest a grand or two in a decent brand name radio transceiver, then sling up a dooping dipole or inverted vee on a 20-foot mast or a g5rv antenna. I have never used a g5rv antenna so I do not know how they work, but it can never outperform an aluminum half wave dipole antenna mounted at the same height. I guess the g5rv is popular, because it can hang between two trees, which is not a luxury for us down here in the Caribbean. More beach than trees. The half wave vertical antenna, top and bottom loaded or not, is always a better antenna for DX.
It is now past the mid point of the Atlantic hurricane season, and we expect that the Antennas that were taken down during the season may be reinstalled. With the continued improvement in band conditions I suspect that some operator may be tempted to install antennas for making DX contacts. Now is the time to get ready for the winter season in this hemisphere. I am told that DX is quieter in the winter months, but I am yet to prove that. Saint Kitts and Nevis is still needed by many people around the world, not because we are only at 185 on the DXCC most wanted list. We ALL need to boost our DX operations on ALL bands, at our earliest convenience.
[to be continued]
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