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9N7AA - Nepal

Jan 102 min read

9N7AA Update (Jan 25)


After the unsuccessful attempt at the beginning of January, I have now focused on a different geographical area to bring the low bands on the air. Last Thursday I travelled down to the Terai region close to Chitwan National Park and set up 30 and 40m antenna in a less densely populated area, within the premises of a local lodge, staying only for a single night.


After setting up the antenna, 30 and 40m sounded nice and quiet. I tided up things and after a while, not really remembering everything I did in the meantime, I noticed a very sharp increase in the noise level, from S1 to S9+20, literally wiping out all the signals. It was clear there is culprit somewhere in a vicinity. Very quickly I managed to isolate a LED floor light in the toilet. There were at least 10 other LEDs in the bungalow but no problem with them!


See the picture below showing what happened to otherwise lively band (end of 14:49:00, whole 49:30 and beginning of 50:00 periods) when the light/LED was switched ON. This illustrates how unpredictable and difficult it is to identify man-made noise these days. That same LED could have been in a little village just down the road and I would have never been able to figure out where the interference comes from. A single dirty LED can make it or break it! 



Bottom line, the new location is not completely noise-free, but a huge improvement compared to what I face at my home or on any of the previously explored QTHs. I was able to see/hear several FT8 signal from EU on 160m listening on the 30/40m antenna. I will be back around 18-23 February with antennas covering 160-30m. This new QTH is 6-7 hour drive from home. Everything, up to the last nut & bolt must be carried along, and complete station installed from scratch. Electricity is there and is rather stable. Stay tuned!

 

Paper QSL direct only, via S56DX. LoTW is updated at least once a week. Please note that bureau, QRZ.COM log, eQSL, etc. are not supported. No Flags either - instead of counting the flags stick to operating your expensive equipment. That's the best way to keeping our precious frequencies busy and clear of AM/SSB pirates!



Low-band activity!! - 10/11/12 January 2025 


My 4x4 is loaded with some 200Kg of equipment, poles, wires, tools, backup power, etc.. A real Dx-pedtion to a hill above Kathmandu (aprox 1810m asl) to try for the 2nd time with much needed low band activity. Plan is to start on 30 and 40 tonight and if all OK, 80/160m vertical will be built tomorrow. Antennas will remain in place for a couple of months depending on the first night and the local QRM. Keep your fingers crossed, will keep you posted!




 
 

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