I'm on the same boat. I've done Slovenia, Italy, Argentina and Brazil the last 2 weeks on early spring. Now it's fairly dead. The equatorial theory really resonated with me (pun intended). It makes so much sense! Thanks Walt! 73 KD9ZMK!
Aloha Walt, here in Hawaii, 10 meters doesn’t open up until 10am or later. That’s why we can’t check into the 10-10 net from here. Lately, my average contact distance on one watt is 5,026 miles on my G90. Funny, I just can’t do the same on my 991A, the tuner on G90 is far more superior. I use a ground spike with a 2.5M telescopic with four 15’ ground radials. Great video, Walt. 🤙🏻
Valid and important points, Walt. Also, remember that "the activity of a band is directly proportional to the number of amateurs willing to switch on their transmitters", to quote G2KQ (SK).
100% agree. I ask why is it dead. They say they don't hear anything. If everyone else is doing the same it will always be dead. I call CQ occasionally on 10 meters and listen. I here nothing except for one station. So I made the contact 12,620 miles away to Australia. 10 is dead because no one uses it.
My dad got me into 10 meter when I was going to college in Denver in the 90's. I used it like a cell phone (before I actually had one) and would relay message back to my dad that I was on my way home and by relaying messages from people all over, we could stay in contact while I was driving. We lived about 350 miles apart so we were too close to talk to one another by relaying messages. Really fond memories.
10 meters is very popular in SÁ, for some reasons : down there wire antennas are not even part of the conversation. It’s always yagis and above, so the size of the antennas is important. Second is the price of radios, which push a lot of hams to use modified cb radios. Check the qrz page of SA hams, you’ll find the cobra 148 gtl very often in the station. That’s a radio hams like to modify. I, myself, as py2kgb, worked all dxcc entities that were on air (except 2) during my time as ham in 28mhz. Also got 225 11 meters divisions confirmed with qsl cards 😊😊 I like the 10 meters a lot, you can get tons of DX there. It has this issue you mentioned plus extra qrm from all sources, but it’s a great band populated with great DXers. 73!
10 meters is booming! Sunday I worked Russia, Latvia, Switzerland. A special event station in Germany, DL100Radio. Belgium, Austria, France, Italy. I have worked 20 countries JUST ON 10m! Im only a tech, so 10 is my band right now. All with 100 watts and a Sirio 2016 5/8 wave CB antenna.
I’m from New Zealand and I’ve just recently subscribed to your channel I love the way you explain things and I’ve been out of radio for about 30 years just starting to get back into it. I grew up with it. My father was a ham since 1952 and I was into CB don’t hold that against me. But you’re right it was about June of this year that I got a lot of skip coming through on 11 meters actually in New Zealand we’re on 26 MHz so more like 11 1/2 meters But I was getting stations from USA South America Canada Japan and Australia and it was fantastic. It’s reinspired my enthusiasm to get back into radio Thanks 73s.👍 P.S we are allowed 27 MHz now also, but I still prefer 26 MHz
Thanks for the detailed explanation, Walt! I got my tech+ license back in '94 and oh boy, was ten meters ever hot back then. I worked the world from my '92 Ranger pickup and a 102' whip with my trusty Uniden President and a whopping 25 watts! As you mentioned, a big advantage with ten meters is that you don't need a huge antenna. I had a stealthy ten meter dipole on the roof of my house and never had one neighbor complaint. Had a couple of Q5 NZ contacts on ten over the last week. In my humble opinion, 10 meters should be labeled the magic band. 73's from Idaho.
Great explanation of 10M (11M?) propogation! Thank you, and well done! I'm a Tech (KF6PSL) but I handed off my old 10M rig (RCI-2950) to my oldest son (who is a US Army SOCOM comms sergeant) a few years ago...but I may have to ask for it back just to see how 10M would work for me. In the mean time, my vintage CPI-2000 CB base and console, Palomar 90a, and Sirio GPS27 1/2 wave antenna are working great for me on 11M! My recently refurbished/tuned Palomar 90a has made a dramatic improvement in my ability for my CPI to 'reach out and touch someone'. So. Much. Fun! Keep up the great work!
I worked LU1AAX in Buenos Aires from upstate South Carolina back in August, using JS8Call.. both of us were QRP, he was using a dipole, and i was using a ground mounted 5/8 vertical. 10 minute QSO over 5040 miles distance.
Built my first antenna a few weeks ago. A 10M vertical made out of speaker wire. I'm in PA and I have made contacts in The Czech Republic and the Yukon. According to PSK, I"m being seen in South America, Japan, and Australia. As a Tech, I want to get my General license but, I'm having a lot of fun on 10M.
I have to agree with you. I just made my first contacts on 10m as a tech using just a mag mount cb antennae on top of my truck. My first contact once the band opened up was from North Iowa to Mexico City Mexico during the early afternoon hours. I couldn't get over how far I was reaching. I'm hooked. Thanks for the great information.
Loved this video Walt. 10 meters is why i upgraded to general....working 10m openings did it for me! I worked Buenos Aires Argentina this afternoon on 10. Such a cool band. Cant wait to see your videos on different 10 meter antennas, and thanks for all you do for the hobby!
Yep, 10m is why I went straight to general in a single testing session when I was first licensed. I had operated 11m, so I already knew the propagation patterns... and I wasn't going to settle for the allocation and power limits for tech plus.
Thanks Walt. I got my tech license in September 2023 and made some long distance DX contacts. Then summer came and nothing. This video explains why perfectly. Keep them coming.
Thanks for your video …. I have been a Tech for a few decades ….. and am now working on my general to get into 20 and 40 meters . I have worked some 6 and 10 meters on a 10 watt unit and love the challenges . I now have a much better knowledge than I did before …. But you just taught me something that I did not know …. Very interesting video …. Now live in an HOA which has given more challenges to deal with …. The 10 meter band gets me on the air with some portable 10 watt equipment that the antenna is hidden in the garage and cable running to my basement . In the Spring and Summer …. I like taking it with me on camping trails with a Buddy stick …. But have always had trouble in the Summer …. Now I understand a lot better …. I couldn’t figure out why until now . Anyway thanks again ….. KB2UDD
Thank you for the video! I always learn something with the new drops. I was confused with the difficult propagation at times this summer despite the weather reports. Finally cooling down here in AZ from 115F and some POTA weather. Your enthusiasm always gets me excited to get out there w the gear! 73
Great explanation, been trying to wrap my head around 10m over the last few weeks and this helped tremendously. I have my foundation test booked here in Northern Ireland for 6 days from now, very excited to see what i can do with 10w on 10m!
Walt, I really like your approach with your videos. Clear and concise info with enthusiasm, just makes me want to go out and simply do it. What you are doing in all these videos really appeals to me in the low power and simple diy antennas. 10-11 meters is going off here DOWNUNDER . Have fun
10, 11 and 12 are fantastic in the winter. I've worked 64 countries while truck mobile just since March when I got my call. I managed to snag the Falkland islands on 10m from Elizabethtown Kentucky while going down the road. It's gonna be interesting! 73 de KE8WLW
Thanks Walt, that makes a lot of sense! Having only been on HF since July, I was wondering what all the fuss about 10M was since I had never heard a single call there - until the last couple of weeks, when it suddenly came alive! It went from nothing, to routinely making 6,000 mile contacts across oceans - impressive! One thing I have noticed is on those distant DX contacts, I can hear then talking to other USA stations much closer to me - but I often don't hear the closer station at all! The skip propagation models you were discussing help make sense of that; I appreciate being able to match some theory up with what I see/hear happening. 73!
Thanks for watching! I'm actually putting together a video on "skip" so your comment is right on time. What you experienced was the DX stations were in your "skip zone" but the closer stations were not. Their signals were literally skipping right over you and not reaching you via groundwave. Thanks for the excellent comment! 73, Walt K4OGO
Great info Walt, we all memerize answers to pass tests, but you just gave a great visual of how propagation works, especially on 10, looking g forward to jumping on, 73!
Hello, Walt, nice video. I was given 3 fiberglass whips. Two were identical. After getting tired of my 10 meter wire dipole ends oriented north and south all the time. I decided to make a rotatable dipole antenna. I trimmed them for 10 meters. I live in northern CA and have since worked a lot of DX to the far east and south Pacific. I employ the arm strong method of turning the antenna. 10 meters has been January through March this year. Gary KF6EWO
Extremely valuable information, I have “heard” the majority of this information but you put it into terms I could “learn” thanks for helping me understand what makes this amazing band tick…function? Well. Thank you sir!
I bought a FT-710 Built a 5/8 wave Ground mounted vertical out of speaker wire and a 4-1 balun from a broken mfj antenna right next to the base of Pikes peak in Colorado I talk with the East cost a lot Brazil, New Zealand and got Alaska and Hawaii on club calls a couple times . All my HF Antennas are home brew as a Tech I ncan even get the FT-710 to tune the 5/8 wave to 6m for weekly check-ins local. Walt is RIGHT Tech's have options for HF you do not have to wait for general! 😀
Thanks for the great comment! Building antennas is probably my favorite part of the hobby. So cool to see you are crushing it with home brew antennas. 73, Walt K4OGO
Very good video, so refreshing to see someone getting excited about radio and explaining the possibilities of a particular band. This in turn gets others excited about amateur radio. It was nice to meet you at the Dayton/Xenia Hamvention this year. I was one of the folks at the Ten-Ten International table. Keep up the good work.
I started my HF journey on 20M hunting Pota around the US. Decided to try 10 Meters last week and got contacts from Southern Brazil and New Zealand. I was wondering how 10 Meters got me so much farther and I think you just answered that for me. Thanks!
Good points Walt. 10 Meters has been hot. Want to see the 10m band loaded with signals? Mark your calendar for Oct. 28-29th. for the CQWW SSB contest. I had never seen the band lit up like last year. This year will be even better. I go camping that weekend on my friends property where I put up a 10 thru 40 delta loop antenna. We have a great time and make most of our contacts on 10M. Keep the channel rockin my friend. Steve - Ad4xt in GA
This is an easy to build antenna for 10 Meters. This is what we used last year on 10M for the CQWW. Worked great for us. Steve - Ad4xt th-cam.com/video/IJw6zvEFhhU/w-d-xo.html
While watching this video I remembered I had a NZ contact recently and checked in my log for it. Sure enough, it was on 10 meters at 23:36 UTC, 7:23 PM local. His station is at 40.2 degrees south latitude and mine in at 32.3 degrees north. The bearing to his station from mine is 238 degrees. Maybe not transequtorial, but it all felt like magic anyway! Thanks for all you do.
Great video. 10m is a favorite of mine. 12m has been open as well. Italy was coming in yesterday into N.Y. And I thought I head either Australia or New Zealand coming in but he was weak.
Thank you so much Walt! Fantastic explanation.. Our part 3 vid on how we pota is the activation. Excited to hear 10 is blowing up and I’m gonna have Katie do it as a tech (KQ4JUI). This will be her first solo activation, fingers crossed! ~airheadzradioadventures
Not licensed. But I did set up an antenna and radio for 10m and I was amazedddddd. First day I had contacts from Long Island to LA California. Hit the Bahamas. Australia. New Zealand. And then Spain ! Such an amazing band. Would recommend to anyone new.
Thanks Walt. I learned quite a few things watching this video. Once again from you. As I'm reading this in June, it's probably not the best period for 10m ahead as you say. but never mind. 73, Alain
Great video! This video got me excited about 10m coming up this fall. We just got into CW seriously this year. In the spring, I trimmed a magmount CB antenna after watching one of your videos and made my first contact on 10m. During that time period, I made a handful of contacts that were further than I was used to. Then, I started having no "luck" with 10m. How I understand why! My wife and I also started doing POTA and have gotten regular contacts with Argentina. I haven't looked up the distances from the equator, but this video probably explains those too! 73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY
Last year this time I was a freshly minted ham and all I had to work with was the AT-6666 clone in the truck. 10m was roaring and it continued all the way through until about April. Nice that it's coming back again. Makes the commute, short as it is, much more interesting :) Europe is starting to make more of an appearance. I caught a Russian station this morning for the first time in a long time. Haven't heard VK/ZL in the late afternoon yet, but I'm sure it won't be too long!
Thanks for the video, Walt. I have had 3 great 10 meter contacts recently. My first was California in the evening from GA. Another was Bosnia this past Saturday around 2 PM. There were plenty of other stations fading in and out, but the pileups were huge and I just couldn't get thru. I'm not giving up though. Can't wait to see the moxon, I really need ANOTHER antenna. LOL
Another great video, when 10m is open it’s a lot of fun. I remember in the old days there was a 10m event that would take place on Oct 10th 10/10. I’m sure it still takes place, I need to check into it.
Thanks Walt, interesting video, remember my first sporadic e and tep experiences. Mainly concentrate on 10 fm these days, best dx being Qth Derbyshire mid uk to Reunion into long wire with 10 watts. I look forward to May June each year to play in this mode. Also rememember an 11 metre qso my daysbefore amateur radio 4 watts fm can contact from Outer Hebrides to a mobile contact on the motorway in central uk, don’t think the guy could quite believe it. Radio provides quite a few surprises certainly. Activating a mini expedition QRP from Welney lighthouse Hf/50/70 mhz in a couple of weeks, have managed to convince my XYL I need a couple of days operating fun. 73’s gd luck/dx Dave G0RGF
I just listened to a guy in Moscow calling stations in N.A. on 28.535. He controlled the freq. but what was cool was I could hear both sides of the conversation. He kept asking for info to go into his log. Or was this some kind of contest? IDK I’m learning. Maybe Walt you could do a video explaining what ham DXing is all about & also the ham lingo. Your explanation video of cb lingo was awesome. 73’s. Greg in NC.
Walt that Moxon is brilliant, I built one with some direction from Joe R and had a fabulous day with it yesterday up on the 12m Spider beam sitting on the 5th from the top segment. My Longest QSO 80W 14,500 Kilometers (9,150 miles) My area is fairly flat so no altitude assistance at all. I still cant get my head around UK to Australia on 80w SSB. It is very directional and extremely deaf behind the Reflector (Yes and its a reflector not a director (bloody obvious; my mistake!) I built mine for about £45 and £20 of that was the Jubilee clips - Next, I'm going to build a much lighter one and try to dual band it, 10 and 17M off Fiberglass telescopic masts But really cant wait to hear of your experience at the coast. 73
As always Walt superb vid as always, I made my first contact last night into Brazil from Scotland using 10w with the g90 I digress thanks 73 Ray MM7RWC
Way to go Walt....great lesson. I mostly play digital and notice lower numbers during the summer. However, I did reach down into SA and some into EU along with good numbers to NE USA. I usually start the day checking on 10M then to other bands. I have a hexbeam antenna which helps with DX. Thanks a bunch. This is a lot of great information.
NOT dead. I nailed a DX contact on 10m last week. 5100+ miles between Indianapolis, IN and Santiago, Chile. My only complaint is it the noise floor is ridiculous. wifi radios and wall warts LOVE to spit out interference in that range. I cant use it at home. I have to go "mobile" and run 10m from a park shelter to actually use it.
I got my tech a year ago about now. 10m was awesome until about April, then it was deeeeeead for SSB, pretty much just FT8. Was excited to see SSB open a week or so ago.
Ha ha you trying to steal my ideas now. Hopefully will have my 10m Moxon finished this weekend. PVC and speaker wire lol. Will try it down in our harbour. USA comes in strong around the middle of our day in New Zealand. 73s Steve ZL1YX
The wife got me a 10M radio I've been eyeing for my birthday. Of course, we're going into the summer, so not the best time to get into 10M,but gosh is it exciting to be dipping my toe into hf voice (I've previously dabbled in 40M cw, it, uh, didn't go well)
This is happening to me currently in Knotts Island. New to the hobby I thought something was wrong with my EFHW to be hitting South America (only) so hard. Thanks for the explanation. 73. N4STS
Excellent! Ten meters is getting really good now. Having had some great 10 meter antennas, the best being a full size 6 element Yagi at 70 feet, I am pretty impressed with my three 10 meter dipoles during 10 meter contests and two dipoles at other times. When the band is open at all having a 10 meter dipole fairly broadside to the desired direction is not that far down from my best antenna! I figure I am giving up less than 2 S-units plus can instantly switch directions with a switch ( rotators are slow!). It only takes 32 feet of height to be one full wavelength high! Of course that makes any antenna pattern nulls very deep which is why I have the second dipole nearly at right angles to the first one. Ten meter propagation is not simple and your video is good info! 73, de N4DJ
I waited well over a year to get my general. I am lucky with a large number of repeaters that have really good distance. It will not be that long before I go for the extra. I enjoy backpacking as far away as possible. The g90 isn't the best for that but it's working as first radio
Thanks, Walt, for interesting information on 10m band. Given that I live downtown with a lot of noise from different sources, would be ok to experiment with 10 m band in a noisy area? A dipole antenna length is only about 16,7 ft long so it's a bit easier to handle.
Why isn't there more talk going on in the 12 & 15 meters bands? Just curious. A lot goes on the lower HF bands and enjoy listening there, but... Thank you for the videos and as always 73's from Big D Dallas Texas. 👍
Thanks for watching my friend! I think the reason you don't hear more on those bands is that they are not open at times and people just don't go there and check like they should. I love both 12 and 15 and have made some great contacts on those bands. 73, Walt
Ok I’m sold. Amazon had a sale on Radioddity QT60. I grabbed some hardware while I was there to fab up some different antennas for it. Let’s go! 73 KI4OTK Magnus in Raleigh
Mornin’ Walt.. I know it’s not the best timing (summer approaching).. but my CW friends here locally just started a 10m challenge (starts April Fools Day). We are going to see who can work the most states by the end of the year!! It’s going to be tough.. but how fun is that?! I’m counting on some summer sporadic E to assist! lol Mike - KK7MMN
Thanks! Get the Xiegu G90, it’s my favorite and it’s a perfect radio for a new ham. Great on 10 meters and it will be there with the other bands in the future. It also has a built in antenna tuner which is great. There’s an Amazon Prime Day coming up next week and they’re usually a deal on those days. 73, Walt K4OGO
What do you think about 10 meter monoband radios like President, Stryker, Radioddity, etc? They're a heck of a lot cheaper than multiband radios, but I don't see a lot of videos of hams using the Stryker and President radios. Are they decent? They seem like they have all the necessary features.
They are great radios and I like them, especially with the 40 to 60 watt power output. If you’re looking for just 10 meters with maybe 11 they are a great choice.
I am just getting into HF radio and bought a Radioddity QT80 do you have a recommendation for a good mobile antenna for my truck that will work with this radio...any advice or answer from anybody would be appreciated at this point because of the dozens of video reviews I have watched of this amazing radio being used in vehicles, none of the radio snobs will share any info with a newbie and im starting to regret wasting my time and money , not directing my frustrations on you but it seems that newbies are not exactly welcome into this " snobby"...very disappointing
It seems hf is more like ducting on vhf .the ionosphere is so close to earth how cud a signal only have two hops ? And make it from America to Europe ,thanks for video
This guys is criminally under rated. One of the few guys that doesn’t over complicate everything
Thank you so much for the kind words!
73, Walt
Walt, with your enthusiasm, it's hard not to get excited to play radio..! thanks for posting..
Thanks for the kind words. I sometimes look at myself in these videos and think “what a goofball” lol
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES no you are not.
I’ve been crushing 10m past few days. Southern UK, France, Spain. All with 20w and a vertical wire. Now I know why! Thank you Sir.
Thank you for watching and commenting!
What vertical line are you using?
I'm on the same boat. I've done Slovenia, Italy, Argentina and Brazil the last 2 weeks on early spring. Now it's fairly dead. The equatorial theory really resonated with me (pun intended). It makes so much sense! Thanks Walt! 73 KD9ZMK!
Thanks for sharing great information. Just got my technician license 2 months ago, just found out I could do 10 meters.
Aloha Walt, here in Hawaii, 10 meters doesn’t open up until 10am or later. That’s why we can’t check into the 10-10 net from here.
Lately, my average contact distance on one watt is 5,026 miles on my G90. Funny, I just can’t do the same on my 991A, the tuner on G90 is far more superior. I use a ground spike with a 2.5M telescopic with four 15’ ground radials.
Great video, Walt. 🤙🏻
Valid and important points, Walt. Also, remember that "the activity of a band is directly proportional to the number of amateurs willing to switch on their transmitters", to quote G2KQ (SK).
Absolutely! I’m trying to rally those amateurs to switch on their transmitters! 73 de K4OGO
100% agree. I ask why is it dead. They say they don't hear anything. If everyone else is doing the same it will always be dead. I call CQ occasionally on 10 meters and listen. I here nothing except for one station. So I made the contact 12,620 miles away to Australia. 10 is dead because no one uses it.
My dad got me into 10 meter when I was going to college in Denver in the 90's. I used it like a cell phone (before I actually had one) and would relay message back to my dad that I was on my way home and by relaying messages from people all over, we could stay in contact while I was driving. We lived about 350 miles apart so we were too close to talk to one another by relaying messages. Really fond memories.
That’s a great memory, thanks for sharing
10 meters is very popular in SÁ, for some reasons : down there wire antennas are not even part of the conversation. It’s always yagis and above, so the size of the antennas is important. Second is the price of radios, which push a lot of hams to use modified cb radios. Check the qrz page of SA hams, you’ll find the cobra 148 gtl very often in the station. That’s a radio hams like to modify.
I, myself, as py2kgb, worked all dxcc entities that were on air (except 2) during my time as ham in 28mhz. Also got 225 11 meters divisions confirmed with qsl cards 😊😊
I like the 10 meters a lot, you can get tons of DX there. It has this issue you mentioned plus extra qrm from all sources, but it’s a great band populated with great DXers.
73!
Great comment, thanks for sharing!
10 meters is booming! Sunday I worked Russia, Latvia, Switzerland. A special event station in Germany, DL100Radio. Belgium, Austria, France, Italy. I have worked 20 countries JUST ON 10m! Im only a tech, so 10 is my band right now. All with 100 watts and a Sirio 2016 5/8 wave CB antenna.
That's awesome! thanks for sharing.
I’m from New Zealand and I’ve just recently subscribed to your channel I love the way you explain things and I’ve been out of radio for about 30 years just starting to get back into it. I grew up with it. My father was a ham since 1952 and I was into CB don’t hold that against me. But you’re right it was about June of this year that I got a lot of skip coming through on 11 meters actually in New Zealand we’re on 26 MHz so more like 11 1/2 meters But I was getting stations from USA South America Canada Japan and Australia and it was fantastic. It’s reinspired my enthusiasm to get back into radio Thanks 73s.👍
P.S we are allowed 27 MHz now also, but I still prefer 26 MHz
Thank you for the kind words my friend!!! 73, Walt
Thanks for the detailed explanation, Walt! I got my tech+ license back in '94 and oh boy, was ten meters ever hot back then. I worked the world from my '92 Ranger pickup and a 102' whip with my trusty Uniden President and a whopping 25 watts! As you mentioned, a big advantage with ten meters is that you don't need a huge antenna. I had a stealthy ten meter dipole on the roof of my house and never had one neighbor complaint. Had a couple of Q5 NZ contacts on ten over the last week. In my humble opinion, 10 meters should be labeled the magic band. 73's from Idaho.
Wow I almost said the 10 meter band should be the magic band in the video hahaha. All the best and 73 from the Virginia / North Carolina border
Great explanation of 10M (11M?) propogation! Thank you, and well done!
I'm a Tech (KF6PSL) but I handed off my old 10M rig (RCI-2950) to my oldest son (who is a US Army SOCOM comms sergeant) a few years ago...but I may have to ask for it back just to see how 10M would work for me. In the mean time, my vintage CPI-2000 CB base and console, Palomar 90a, and Sirio GPS27 1/2 wave antenna are working great for me on 11M! My recently refurbished/tuned Palomar 90a has made a dramatic improvement in my ability for my CPI to 'reach out and touch someone'. So. Much. Fun!
Keep up the great work!
Ten meters is my favorite band by far.
It's becoming one of mine.
I worked LU1AAX in Buenos Aires from upstate South Carolina back in August, using JS8Call.. both of us were QRP, he was using a dipole, and i was using a ground mounted 5/8 vertical. 10 minute QSO over 5040 miles distance.
That's a great contact for August
Built my first antenna a few weeks ago. A 10M vertical made out of speaker wire. I'm in PA and I have made contacts in The Czech Republic and the Yukon. According to PSK, I"m being seen in South America, Japan, and Australia. As a Tech, I want to get my General license but, I'm having a lot of fun on 10M.
As a new.ham, I heard all the chatter about 10m. Decided to give it a shot. Got my first contact in Germany on 10m using my G90 at 20w.
Awesome! Congrats on that great contact. I love my G90
I have to agree with you. I just made my first contacts on 10m as a tech using just a mag mount cb antennae on top of my truck. My first contact once the band opened up was from North Iowa to Mexico City Mexico during the early afternoon hours. I couldn't get over how far I was reaching. I'm hooked. Thanks for the great information.
Thanks so much for watching!
Great video! 6 Meters is not the only band that is magic!
Thanks! I absolutely agree
Loved this video Walt. 10 meters is why i upgraded to general....working 10m openings did it for me! I worked Buenos Aires Argentina this afternoon on 10. Such a cool band. Cant wait to see your videos on different 10 meter antennas, and thanks for all you do for the hobby!
Thanks so much for the kind words my friend!
Yep, 10m is why I went straight to general in a single testing session when I was first licensed. I had operated 11m, so I already knew the propagation patterns... and I wasn't going to settle for the allocation and power limits for tech plus.
Thanks Walt. I got my tech license in September 2023 and made some long distance DX contacts. Then summer came and nothing. This video explains why perfectly. Keep them coming.
Great explanation of how this works and as usual appreciate your enthusiasm!
Thank you so much! 73
Thanks for your video …. I have been a Tech for a few decades ….. and am now working on my general to get into 20 and 40 meters .
I have worked some 6 and 10 meters on a 10 watt unit and love the challenges .
I now have a much better knowledge than I did before …. But you just taught me something that I did not know …. Very interesting video ….
Now live in an HOA which has given more challenges to deal with …. The 10 meter band gets me on the air with some portable 10 watt equipment that the antenna is hidden in the garage and cable running to my basement .
In the Spring and Summer …. I like taking it with me on camping trails with a Buddy stick …. But have always had trouble in the Summer …. Now I understand a lot better …. I couldn’t figure out why until now .
Anyway thanks again ….. KB2UDD
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 73, Walt
Walt excellent explanation of the ups and downs of 10 meters. Great point about October and HF.
Thanks! This is my favorite time for HF
Thank you for the video! I always learn something with the new drops. I was confused with the difficult propagation at times this summer despite the weather reports. Finally cooling down here in AZ from 115F and some POTA weather. Your enthusiasm always gets me excited to get out there w the gear! 73
Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Great explanation, been trying to wrap my head around 10m over the last few weeks and this helped tremendously. I have my foundation test booked here in Northern Ireland for 6 days from now, very excited to see what i can do with 10w on 10m!
Thanks! Good luck on the foundation, hope to catch you in 10 meters!
Walt, I really like your approach with your videos.
Clear and concise info with enthusiasm, just makes me want to go out and simply do it.
What you are doing in all these videos really appeals to me in the low power and simple diy antennas.
10-11 meters is going off here DOWNUNDER .
Have fun
Thank you for the kind words! I’m hoping to work some VK on 10 real soon! 73 my friend
10, 11 and 12 are fantastic in the winter. I've worked 64 countries while truck mobile just since March when I got my call. I managed to snag the Falkland islands on 10m from Elizabethtown Kentucky while going down the road. It's gonna be interesting! 73 de KE8WLW
Wow that's a great contact. 73 deK4OGO
Thanks Walt, that makes a lot of sense! Having only been on HF since July, I was wondering what all the fuss about 10M was since I had never heard a single call there - until the last couple of weeks, when it suddenly came alive! It went from nothing, to routinely making 6,000 mile contacts across oceans - impressive! One thing I have noticed is on those distant DX contacts, I can hear then talking to other USA stations much closer to me - but I often don't hear the closer station at all! The skip propagation models you were discussing help make sense of that; I appreciate being able to match some theory up with what I see/hear happening. 73!
Thanks for watching! I'm actually putting together a video on "skip" so your comment is right on time. What you experienced was the DX stations were in your "skip zone" but the closer stations were not. Their signals were literally skipping right over you and not reaching you via groundwave.
Thanks for the excellent comment! 73, Walt K4OGO
Great info Walt, we all memerize answers to pass tests, but you just gave a great visual of how propagation works, especially on 10, looking g forward to jumping on, 73!
Thanks Cameron! 73 my friend
Hello, Walt, nice video. I was given 3 fiberglass whips. Two were identical.
After getting tired of my 10 meter wire dipole ends oriented north and south
all the time. I decided to make a rotatable dipole antenna. I trimmed them for
10 meters. I live in northern CA and have since worked a lot of DX to the far
east and south Pacific. I employ the arm strong method of turning the antenna.
10 meters has been January through March this year. Gary KF6EWO
Extremely valuable information, I have “heard” the majority of this information but you put it into terms I could “learn” thanks for helping me understand what makes this amazing band tick…function? Well. Thank you sir!
I bought a FT-710 Built a 5/8 wave Ground mounted vertical out of speaker wire and a 4-1 balun from a broken mfj antenna right next to the base of Pikes peak in Colorado I talk with the East cost a lot Brazil, New Zealand and got Alaska and Hawaii on club calls a couple times . All my HF Antennas are home brew as a Tech I ncan even get the FT-710 to tune the 5/8 wave to 6m for weekly check-ins local. Walt is RIGHT Tech's have options for HF you do not have to wait for general! 😀
Thanks for the great comment! Building antennas is probably my favorite part of the hobby. So cool to see you are crushing it with home brew antennas. 73, Walt K4OGO
Excellent points…..I worked Croatia today (from CT) on 10m with only 50 watts. I haven’t done that since the early 90s.
Great contact! 10 is awesome right now
Very good video, so refreshing to see someone getting excited about radio and explaining the possibilities of a particular band. This in turn gets others excited about amateur radio. It was nice to meet you at the Dayton/Xenia Hamvention this year. I was one of the folks at the Ten-Ten International table. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the great tips and explanation of 10m being open more this time of year.
Thanks so much for watching!
Thanks for the info Walt. I will try 10 meters more often.
Thanks for watching and 73!
I started my HF journey on 20M hunting Pota around the US. Decided to try 10 Meters last week and got contacts from Southern Brazil and New Zealand. I was wondering how 10 Meters got me so much farther and I think you just answered that for me. Thanks!
Thanks so much for watching!
Good points Walt. 10 Meters has been hot. Want to see the 10m band loaded with signals? Mark your calendar for Oct. 28-29th. for the CQWW SSB contest.
I had never seen the band lit up like last year. This year will be even better. I go camping that weekend on my friends property where I put up a 10 thru 40 delta loop antenna. We have a great time and make most of our contacts on 10M. Keep the channel rockin my friend.
Steve - Ad4xt in GA
Thanks Steve! Yes I’m looking forward to that weekend. All the best and 73 my friend!
This is an easy to build antenna for 10 Meters. This is what we used last year on 10M for the CQWW. Worked great for us.
Steve - Ad4xt th-cam.com/video/IJw6zvEFhhU/w-d-xo.html
While watching this video I remembered I had a NZ contact recently and checked in my log for it. Sure enough, it was on 10 meters at 23:36 UTC, 7:23 PM local. His station is at 40.2 degrees south latitude and mine in at 32.3 degrees north. The bearing to his station from mine is 238 degrees. Maybe not transequtorial, but it all felt like magic anyway! Thanks for all you do.
Great contact! It always feels magical. Thanks for the kind words my friend!
Great video. 10m is a favorite of mine. 12m has been open as well. Italy was coming in yesterday into N.Y. And I thought I head either Australia or New Zealand coming in but he was weak.
Thanks Tommy! I've been experiencing great openings on 12 as well.
Thnaks for impot info because last some days my 955 stryker silent I thinking something wrong in my radio but now i now thkns sir
Great explanation on a propagation feature of 10M. Keep them coming Walt! 73
Thanks so much my friend!
Thank you so much Walt! Fantastic explanation.. Our part 3 vid on how we pota is the activation. Excited to hear 10 is blowing up and I’m gonna have Katie do it as a tech (KQ4JUI). This will be her first solo activation, fingers crossed!
~airheadzradioadventures
Thanks! she's got this. looking forward to the video!
Not licensed. But I did set up an antenna and radio for 10m and I was amazedddddd. First day I had contacts from Long Island to LA California. Hit the Bahamas. Australia. New Zealand. And then Spain ! Such an amazing band. Would recommend to anyone new.
Thanks Walt. I learned quite a few things watching this video. Once again from you. As I'm reading this in June, it's probably not the best period for 10m ahead as you say. but never mind. 73, Alain
Great video! This video got me excited about 10m coming up this fall.
We just got into CW seriously this year. In the spring, I trimmed a magmount CB antenna after watching one of your videos and made my first contact on 10m. During that time period, I made a handful of contacts that were further than I was used to. Then, I started having no "luck" with 10m. How I understand why!
My wife and I also started doing POTA and have gotten regular contacts with Argentina. I haven't looked up the distances from the equator, but this video probably explains those too!
73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY
Hey guys! Thanks! 73, Walt
Last year this time I was a freshly minted ham and all I had to work with was the AT-6666 clone in the truck. 10m was roaring and it continued all the way through until about April. Nice that it's coming back again. Makes the commute, short as it is, much more interesting :) Europe is starting to make more of an appearance. I caught a Russian station this morning for the first time in a long time. Haven't heard VK/ZL in the late afternoon yet, but I'm sure it won't be too long!
I've actually wanted an AT-6666, they are great radios from what I've seen.
Nicely shared… Great one
Thank you very much!
Thanks for the video, Walt. I have had 3 great 10 meter contacts recently. My first was California in the evening from GA. Another was Bosnia this past Saturday around 2 PM. There were plenty of other stations fading in and out, but the pileups were huge and I just couldn't get thru. I'm not giving up though. Can't wait to see the moxon, I really need ANOTHER antenna. LOL
Hahaha yes we all need more antennas my friend!
Another great video, when 10m is open it’s a lot of fun. I remember in the old days there was a 10m event that would take place on Oct 10th 10/10. I’m sure it still takes place, I need to check into it.
Thanks Corey! Definitely will looking for that on 10/10.
Thanks for highlighting this nice band!
I have also a shortet CB Antenna on the roof.
Next video: the 15 m band.❤
I will try to do that in the future
Thanks Walt! I love listening to and learning from you!
73 de N9RAN
Thank you so very much for the kind words. 73 my friend!
Thanks Walt, interesting video, remember my first sporadic e and tep experiences. Mainly concentrate on 10 fm these days, best dx being Qth Derbyshire mid uk to Reunion into long wire with 10 watts. I look forward to May June each year to play in this mode. Also rememember an 11 metre qso my daysbefore amateur radio 4 watts fm can contact from Outer Hebrides to a mobile contact on the motorway in central uk, don’t think the guy could quite believe it. Radio provides quite a few surprises certainly.
Activating a mini expedition QRP from Welney lighthouse Hf/50/70 mhz in a couple of weeks, have managed to convince my XYL I need a couple of days operating fun.
73’s gd luck/dx Dave G0RGF
Thank you!! 73, Walt
This is encouraging. Thanks for your experience explanation. I've got a homebrew dipole I will try. Cheers!
Thanks for watching and commenting! 73
Another fascinating, informative and helpful video, Walt. Much appreciate your efforts. 73 N4LWT
Thank you so much for the kind words my friend! 73 K4OGO
I just listened to a guy in Moscow calling stations in N.A. on 28.535. He controlled the freq. but what was cool was I could hear both sides of the conversation.
He kept asking for info to go into his log. Or was this some kind of contest? IDK I’m learning. Maybe Walt you could do a video explaining what ham DXing is all about & also the ham lingo. Your explanation video of cb lingo was awesome. 73’s. Greg in NC.
Walt that Moxon is brilliant, I built one with some direction from Joe R and had a fabulous day with it yesterday up on the 12m Spider beam sitting on the 5th from the top segment. My Longest QSO 80W 14,500 Kilometers (9,150 miles) My area is fairly flat so no altitude assistance at all. I still cant get my head around UK to Australia on 80w SSB. It is very directional and extremely deaf behind the Reflector (Yes and its a reflector not a director (bloody obvious; my mistake!)
I built mine for about £45 and £20 of that was the Jubilee clips - Next, I'm going to build a much lighter one and try to dual band it, 10 and 17M off Fiberglass telescopic masts
But really cant wait to hear of your experience at the coast. 73
Wow that's awesome. I'm hoping to build one soon!
As always Walt superb vid as always, I made my first contact last night into Brazil from Scotland using 10w with the g90 I digress thanks 73 Ray MM7RWC
That’s awesome Ray!!! Congrats. 73 my friend!
Another great video, thanks Walt! Always fun listening to you
Mike WB6MSA
Thank you so much Mike!
Way to go Walt....great lesson. I mostly play digital and notice lower numbers during the summer. However, I did reach down into SA and some into EU along with good numbers to NE USA. I usually start the day checking on 10M then to other bands. I have a hexbeam antenna which helps with DX. Thanks a bunch. This is a lot of great information.
Thanks so much my friend! 73, Walt K4OGO
NOT dead. I nailed a DX contact on 10m last week. 5100+ miles between Indianapolis, IN and Santiago, Chile.
My only complaint is it the noise floor is ridiculous. wifi radios and wall warts LOVE to spit out interference in that range. I cant use it at home. I have to go "mobile" and run 10m from a park shelter to actually use it.
That’s one of your best videos. Love a bit of Walt elmering… 👍😉
What a great complement, thanks so much my friend!
I got my tech a year ago about now. 10m was awesome until about April, then it was deeeeeead for SSB, pretty much just FT8. Was excited to see SSB open a week or so ago.
Yes it’s back!!!! 73
Ha ha you trying to steal my ideas now. Hopefully will have my 10m Moxon finished this weekend. PVC and speaker wire lol. Will try it down in our harbour. USA comes in strong around the middle of our day in New Zealand. 73s Steve ZL1YX
Good luck! Let me know how it goes! 73, Walt K4OGO
Do you have a video that not only explains MUF but shows how to read that map? I can't find instructions.
The wife got me a 10M radio I've been eyeing for my birthday.
Of course, we're going into the summer, so not the best time to get into 10M,but gosh is it exciting to be dipping my toe into hf voice (I've previously dabbled in 40M cw, it, uh, didn't go well)
i got Argentina on 10m on 08/18 from Wyoming, also hit Chile that day. Band was wide open.
Awesome!
I like to he way you said that.
Early 90’s it was New Zealand all night on 10
This is happening to me currently in Knotts Island. New to the hobby I thought something was wrong with my EFHW to be hitting South America (only) so hard. Thanks for the explanation. 73. N4STS
Thanks for watching and commenting. 73 from Portsmouth
Excellent! Ten meters is getting really good now. Having had some great 10 meter antennas, the best being a full size 6 element Yagi at 70 feet, I am pretty impressed with my three 10 meter dipoles during 10 meter contests and two dipoles at other times. When the band is open at all having a 10 meter dipole fairly broadside to the desired direction is not that far down from my best antenna! I figure I am giving up less than 2 S-units plus can instantly switch directions with a switch ( rotators are slow!). It only takes 32 feet of height to be one full wavelength high! Of course that makes any antenna pattern nulls very deep which is why I have the second dipole nearly at right angles to the first one.
Ten meter propagation is not simple and your video is good info!
73, de N4DJ
Thanks so much! Oh I have so many antennas I want to try on 10 meters lol. 73 de K4OGO
I waited well over a year to get my general. I am lucky with a large number of repeaters that have really good distance. It will not be that long before I go for the extra. I enjoy backpacking as far away as possible. The g90 isn't the best for that but it's working as first radio
Yes I think it’s the perfect entry radio.
And I would love to learn more about a 10/10 event...if there is one!
I actually need to join 10/10 and get my number.
Nice video. Sent it to my friends.
Thanks so much!
Thank you for explaining the 10 meter band! I've always wanted to use it but was trying at the wrong time of year. Thanks again...73...Hugh...KN6KNB
Thanks for watching and commenting. I'll see you on 10 meters!
Great content as usual! 73
Thank you Walt! 73 my friend
Nice and informative video, thank you 😊
Thank you very much!!!!
Great job, Walt. 10m is certainly fun.
Thanks so much Mike!!!!
Ever build directional antennas for portable use?
Amazing DX rolling into Illinois right now! Thanks for the video Walt. Kd9van
Thanks for watching Jim!
Love 10m fm and especially AM.
I need to do more FM!
Thanks, Walt, for interesting information on 10m band. Given that I live downtown with a lot of noise from different sources, would be ok to experiment with 10 m band in a noisy area? A dipole antenna length is only about 16,7 ft long so it's a bit easier to handle.
It should work, give it a try!
I am studying for the Technician license. Hopefully I will see you on 10M
Looking forward to it. See you on 10!
34/35 tonight. Will see you on 10M!!
nah.... I just started work with 10meterband & 15meterband....thanks for posting this video, hope to meet you on the air.... 73 de YD8CSJ
Why isn't there more talk going on in the 12 & 15 meters bands? Just curious. A lot goes on the lower HF bands and enjoy listening there, but...
Thank you for the videos and as always 73's from Big D Dallas Texas. 👍
Thanks for watching my friend! I think the reason you don't hear more on those bands is that they are not open at times and people just don't go there and check like they should. I love both 12 and 15 and have made some great contacts on those bands. 73, Walt
Great talk on 10m
Thank you!!
Ok I’m sold. Amazon had a sale on Radioddity QT60. I grabbed some hardware while I was there to fab up some different antennas for it. Let’s go! 73 KI4OTK Magnus in Raleigh
I know when the band's open, I hear the beacon on 28.425 here in Scotland.
10m repeater in swiss alps open to Florida last week.
That's awesome!
In the early 1980's the 10 Meter band was open all year round Summer and Winter.
Hoping to build the hi band version of my trusdx to get on ten. I do have online remote stations for free luckily though.
That’s awesome, I’ve been thinking about that version of the tr(uSDX) myself.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I've had a lot of fun with mine. I'm younger so I needed a cheaper option for hf and it works great.
Great video, Walt! 10m has always been my favorite! So mysterious. Great explanation. 73 es cul de N4AAJ
Thanks so much! 73 de K4OGO
Mornin’ Walt.. I know it’s not the best timing (summer approaching).. but my CW friends here locally just started a 10m challenge (starts April Fools Day). We are going to see who can work the most states by the end of the year!! It’s going to be tough.. but how fun is that?!
I’m counting on some summer sporadic E to assist! lol
Mike - KK7MMN
Hello ! Did you do the MARS mod to your Xiegu g90? And thank you for the video I’m excited to try out 10 meters
Thanks for watching! Yes I’ve done the mod.
The TEP contact was awesome! I've just got a G90 and have been playing around with 10m. Am I right in saying that the G90 can't work 10m repeaters?
Thanks! You can do it using “Split” on some repeaters. Great question, I need to do some research and see what we can do on repeaters with a G90.
As a brand new ham looking for a inexpensive 10m radio what do you recommend. Also love all the videos 73’s KQ4LDC
Thanks! Get the Xiegu G90, it’s my favorite and it’s a perfect radio for a new ham. Great on 10 meters and it will be there with the other bands in the future. It also has a built in antenna tuner which is great. There’s an Amazon Prime Day coming up next week and they’re usually a deal on those days. 73, Walt K4OGO
"They assert that the 10-meter band is inactive because they are unfamiliar with 'The Duck DX Club.'" 🦆🦆🦆 thanks for yours vid Walt, 73
That’s exactly right hi hi hi!
All the best and 73 my friend!🐥🐥🐤
What do you think about 10 meter monoband radios like President, Stryker, Radioddity, etc? They're a heck of a lot cheaper than multiband radios, but I don't see a lot of videos of hams using the Stryker and President radios. Are they decent? They seem like they have all the necessary features.
They are great radios and I like them, especially with the 40 to 60 watt power output. If you’re looking for just 10 meters with maybe 11 they are a great choice.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thanks so much for the advice! Love your channel. Very helpful and informative.
@@ShadowbladeBook thank you so much!
As long as we have Es, 10 will never be dead in summer
Roger that
I am just getting into HF radio and bought a Radioddity QT80 do you have a recommendation for a good mobile antenna for my truck that will work with this radio...any advice or answer from anybody would be appreciated at this point because of the dozens of video reviews I have watched of this amazing radio being used in vehicles, none of the radio snobs will share any info with a newbie and im starting to regret wasting my time and money , not directing my frustrations on you but it seems that newbies are not exactly welcome into this " snobby"...very disappointing
It seems hf is more like ducting on vhf .the ionosphere is so close to earth how cud a signal only have two hops ? And make it from America to Europe ,thanks for video