The Low bands 40, 80 and 160-meter

I just call these bands the Wire-antenna-bands because these low-bands are not as easy to explore as 10 to 30 meters, just because the size of the desired antennas. For 10 to 30 meters, I’m using a Fritzel FB23 (FB33 within a few months) tribander Yagi and for the three WARC bands a Fritzel UFB13 triband rotary dipole. I’m using a crank-up type tower of abt 25 meters height, which can be layed down in our garden.

Working (QSO’s to DX) on 40 to 160 meters is done with my homebrew wire dipole, 2 x 34 meters with 300 Ohm open line and an S-match tuner. This dipole almost in a straight and horizontal line, up 17 meters

My interest and presence on the low bands grew slowly, since in 2004 it was possible to work on 80 Meters with my homebrew OCF-dipole. In August 2008 I started working on the Aktio40 award, what could explain my special interest in this band. After changing to my 2 x 25 meter dipole, end of 2009, I have worked 50 countries in the first year 2010 on 160M with just 100 Watts and no special receiving antennas.

Why does a ham want’s to operate on the low-bands?

• It’s not easy, so not everybody can do it. So if you like solving difficulties?
• Nostalgic reasons, the old secret of Radio.
• The challenge on the low bands reminds of the early ham days, as a new ham.
• Ham-life begins after sundown.
• These bands are addictive.
• These bands are real (CW) Gentlemans’ bands.
• Here’s were you can test equipment and antennas.The lower the frequency, the higher the challenge.
• Working a new one on 160 is something different.
• The challenge and mystery of propagation.
• These low-band antennas are something special, to develop, make, see….use.
• The lower the frequency, the better the QSL?