Not Recommended for Field Day Use

[VK2CSW]

https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/worl...5064u.html

I am not sure if it is against the rules but not sporting, eh what?

[VK4ADC]

It does seem a little extreme just to gain more contest points..

[VK3RX]

If you're gonna do it, get serious about it ...

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg2...atellites/

[VK2CSW]

If you're gonna do it, get serious about it ...

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg2...atellites/

What could possibly go wrong with that?

[VK3RX]

While looking over some old AR mags I came across an article in 1963 titled:

"High Altitude Nuclear Explosion at Johnson Island and Associated Effects on HF Signals at Hobart"

Page 7 here:

Amateur Radio magazine April 1963

According to Wikipedia it was project "Starfish Prime" on 9 July 1962:

The explosion took place at an altitude of 250 miles (400 km), above a point 19 miles (31 km) southwest of Johnston Island.

Wikipedia: Project Starfish Prime

Sigh ...... the things we used to do.

[VK2CSW]

While looking at the linked AR Mag, I noticed this gem.  It appears not too much has changed regarding new modes in the intervening five and a half decades since it was published:

   

[VK3RX]

Missed that

There is a lot of good reading in the old ARs.

Full marks and many thanks  to Will VK6UU for all his work scanning them, and our own Terry VK5TM for the indexing  

[VK4ADC]

Why not run your 100KW PA plus 30dB gain antenna and create your own ionisation path with your 10MW ?  It would probably be marginally cheaper than launching cubesats or detonating exploding devices. 

A bit more useful and controlled in that your competition might not be able to use the same path to gain points !!

[VK2CSW]

I can see the scene now.

Perched upon a hilltop, alongside one the ubiquitous hilltop comms sites.  The fringe of the gazebo is swaying in the gentle breeze, the reassuring hum of the generator the only distraction.

The Armstrong Rotator makes the final adjustment to the direction of the 30 dB array.

The operator gets comfortable in the chair and casually keys the transmitter, sending 10 MW on its way.

Almost immediately alarm bells start to ring out in communications control rooms Australia wide, the vital link in the communications chain on that hilltop has dropped out.  "What on earth could be the problem?" is the common refrain.