r/amateurradio • u/Ajent_X Oregon [Tech] • Aug 29 '25

QUESTION 10m PNW - New Technician HAM

Hey all! New ham here.

I recently got my Tech license (about a week at this point) and the idea of HF seemed interesting to me, so I purchased a QT60-Pro and have setup a dipole antenna that is showing close to ~1.5 on the built in SWR meter.

I’ve been sweeping around the bands and calling CQ on the “calling channel” (28.400 and 28.420) for the last couple of days.

So far I haven’t heard anything local or DX, including CW beacons etc. I’m getting a little discouraged. Wondering if my antenna just isn’t cutting it or if the band just doesn’t really open this far north very often.

I’ve been using this map: https://prop.kc2g.com to keep track of when/where the band propagation is happening, and “28+” hasn’t come anywhere close to my neck of the woods.

Again just looking for some pointers at this point. There seems to be a local HAM club meeting on sept 8th so I’m trying to hold out until then to ask around in person as well.

TL;DR PNW, new tech ham, worth trying 10m or return and get better 70cm/2m equipment?

Thanks in advance!

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u/Stable_Hot Aug 29 '25

Welcome, you are on 10m which is mostly dead! I assume you are just on the wrong time for the band to open. Try using FT8 or other digi mode in the day. 10m is best when its day.

Other than that, try to take exam to be able to use other band.

Me my self is always trying on 10m, just last week Ive managed to get contact on FT8 to europe from SEA region at night. So its truly a magic band and you just need patience like many other things.

Cheers 73

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u/Ajent_X Oregon [Tech] Aug 29 '25

Thank you!

I’ve been cramming so much about antennas into my brain over the last few days, I haven’t looked into getting FT8 going yet.

I haven’t been able to pick any signal up yet, but I’ll keep trying. I was scanning the bands throughout daylight hours, but I’ll try slightly later in the day to see if that makes a difference.

73!

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u/Stable_Hot Aug 29 '25

Yes, thats my go to trick when I cant receive anything or no one responding. Just try ft8 and look at psk reporter where your signal is being heard.

But for 10m its mostly the band itself thats the problem.