low band skips

[Jonesym20]

Why is it when ducting opens up, I can only pick up skips on the CB channels?

I use CB freq's as a measuring stick to how well the ducting is. If i'm picking up a lot on those freq's I assume the bands have opened up, but the minute I go to scan 30-49 mhz and 150-160 mhz, I'm not getting any hits.

am I doing something wrong?

(I'm searching on my bcd-996t with stock antenna)

 

[KF0SKV]

Why is it when ducting opens up, I can only pick up skips on the CB channels?

I use CB freq's as a measuring stick to how well the ducting is. If i'm picking up a lot on those freq's I assume the bands have opened up, but the minute I go to scan 30-49 mhz and 150-160 mhz, I'm not getting any hits.

am I doing something wrong?

(I'm searching on my bcd-996t with stock antenna)

You may want to try a better antenna than the stock antenna, for starters, however......

Depending on the solar activity, Sporatic "E" events or the intensity of the tropospheric ducting, and even your location will play a role in what you will hear.

Frequencies in the low band will reach a "plateau" or what is called MUF (Maximum Useable Frequency) You may hear skip over CB, but 30-49 may be dormant because the MUF has reached, say 29.000 mhz, on the upper edge of the 10 meter ham band. In other words, you won't hear skip beyond the 29.000mhz area.

FM Broadcast bands, 88-108mhz, up to 174.00mhz, and even up to 800mhz, although rare, largely depends on position of weather systems, and the location between you and the what you are attempting to hear, Sporatic E's do occur in the lower part of the above mentioned bands except 800mhz.

 

[217]

Jonesym20, to make this a simple explanation, and with my limited knowledge of sporadic-E, and I mean limited, you have to be on the other end of the skip (path distance).

Although your antenna should receive skip okay, its best to have a specific frequency antenna outside if possible. I have wire dipole made for 33 MHz outside and yet the stock rubber duck in the house will receive about the same when its a decent opening.

This is a good site to determine what skip is coming your way. If 50 MHz is open, 30-50 will be open too.

Real time QSO by band overview - NA

New England skip has been going good for me almost everyday for the last 2 weeks. Just wish I could monitor more of it.