10m Es operation

As we approach the late spring and summer in the northern hemisphere we are entering the Es season. This usually means propagation out to about 1500km is possible on all modes, often with very strong signals. Es is good at any point of the solar cycle at this time of year.

Most days at this time of year 10m and the low VHF bands will open to somewhere. Not every day is good. Some days will be disappointing. Often antennas like CB whips work perfectly well. Usually a few watts is quite enough whatever the mode. 

The simplest antenna is just a low wire dipole, but my Homebase-10 may be useful. It is described on my website. It is essentially a wire halo. It could be scaled for other bands. It is low cost and makes a useful antenna for 10m.