Hi again:

Well, for long range work you need to know how far is "long". Over the years of mobiling, I have pretty well discovered that inside 500 miles to the target you wish to communicate with during daylight, use 40 meters phone. At 500 miles out to the limits of north america, 20 meters is great.

During evenings 75 meters out to 500 miles, and 40 probably works inside the CONUS area. 40 sometimes goes very long for dx in the eveings. Judy and I have worked Australian and New Zealand contacts 40 meter mobile on 10 watts at times! What a hoot!

Keep in mind that the solar index is improving rapidly, so long range dx to Europe is getting back in shape on 20 and 17 meters.

17 meter band is interesting. It has characteristics of both 40 and 20 usually at the same time. I have had contacts inside 500 miles at the same time I am working stations at 2000 miles and into Europe at 6000 mile ranges.

Doug.