Today was the first day I had the opportunity to try out the Xiegu X6200 QRP transceiver in Oceanside, Oregon, where I have significantly better radio reception conditions than my home in Portland, Oregon.
The first attempt was with the Vibroplex Par EndFedz EFT-10/20/40 Trail Friendly antenna mounted on my balcony and extended out to a fence about 40 feet away. My first SSB voice contact was with KH6CB in Waimānalo, Hawaiʻi. My first FT8 data contact was with N7JCE in Boulder City, NV. Success! Hawaiʻi is impressive considering it’s thousands of files away with 5 watts of transmission. KH6CB had no problem hearing me. Nevada is impressive considering that there’s a 1,500 – 2,000 foot elevation increase immediately next to my house to the east. Nevada is on the other side.
My plan next weekend is to test with the Goozeezoo JPC-12 center-loaded vertical antenna.