I have been a ham for 9 years and counting, tried a little bit of everything, love to experiment with new bands and modes. I first became aware of my interest in radio back in 8th grade when late one night I was listening to the noise on my AM walkman trying to find the weak stations. That lead to some CB stuff in high school and then my freshman year in college I received my ticket. Upgraded from Tech to Extra in a year and changed to my current call N0YK. Probably a year into being licensed, I discovered 2 meter ssb thanks to N0KQX and N0KQY. This mode right away grabbed my full attention; I just couldn't believe the distance you could talk on ssb versus fm under normal conditions, 300-400 miles easy with a modest setup. Still to this day it amazes me and is my primary focus in amateur radio. Recently I had a contact with KM5PO @ 450 miles on 144.225 under no enhancement, S9 signal reports, amazing!

My primary antenna setup for 2 meter is my M2 4x9 array @ 45', ssb 2000 preamp is at the power divider coupled with a N-barrel connector, then into LMR-600 flex around the rotor and then Andrews 7/8'' hardline into the shack. This had proved to be a very good arrangement for 2 meter ssb, future dream setup would be a M2 4x18xxx array.

4x9 Array @ 45'

I also installed a 2 meter beacon about two years ago; it is still currently transmitting on 144.288 (VVV de N0YK/B DM98mg). Consists of a pair of M2 stacked Ho Loops @ 100', feed with Andrews 1/2 hardline and runs 30 watts into the coax in the shack. I'm very interested in propagation reports that stations receive from it, so if you have time please email them to me.

Looking to the east @ 100'

Looking up at the Ho Loops.

Well it’s spring 2009 and 2 meter season is just starting to gear up, hope to catch you on ssb this season!

73,

Chad-N0YK