2 Meter SSB Part 2

On the last two Wednesday nights I tuned to the frequency of a long distance 2 meter SSB net.  It was surprising that I could hear the net control station in South Central Ohio, 367 miles from my QTH.  He was not very loud, but my little old 7 element beam is still on a pole on our back deck not very high above ground.  It is obvious that 2 meter activity is different that I recall from yesteryear and could prove to be very interesting.  I will remain on the outside looking in as it is highly unlikely that I will put together an antenna system capable of working such distances on 2 meters.

2 meter SSB

Having failed at my efforts to find local 6 meter AM activity in the Atlanta area I decided to try looking for some local 2 meter AM or SSB activity.  I operated 2 meter AM in the early 1960's and later in the mid 1980's I operated some 2 meter SSB from Central Jersey.  I have not heard any AM, but met two friendly local operators on SSB.  I am still on the hunt for more local RF.  However, it would have to be within 100 miles from 270 degrees West of my QTH through north to about 80 degrees East for me to have a chance.  In true form my 2 meter antenna is a very old 7 element yagi on a pole on our back deck and unless earthworms are on 2 meter SSB I am out of luck in the other directions.