Re: Topband: G3FPQ SK
Roger, Thank you forthe sad news. David will really be missed. His signal was always tops. Prrice W0RI From the Daily DX: G3FPQ, David Courtier-Dutton, passed away on Sunday February 3rd. He was 79. Roger VE3ZI _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Topband: G3FPQ SK
Aside from 160 meters, David was my first G and second European qso on 6 meters , back in 2006 Not too long ago I had a real nice long chat with him... His voice still rings within me ... Glenn VA3DX G3FPQ, David Courtier-Dutton, passed away on Sunday February 3rd. He was 79. Roger VE3ZI _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Soliciting suggestions on our receive antennas for 5X8C
So put you're receive antenna hat on. We suspect the ground is the problem. We are located on the shore of Victoria Lake at a resort. The soil appears to be sandy but with fresh water lake nearby. 200 feet. The beverage is in the clear away from large metal objects. Fresh water has poor conductivity. It is like bad dirt, unless salty. Even with salt water, the antennas would not make noise, and they would hear something. With a 510 ohm termination we measure about 235 ohms when looking across the termination resistor. Using resistor theory essentially we have two resistances in parallel. The wire , termination transformer, ground rods and ground are about 500 ohms. Having not measured this at home I'm not sure if this is too low or too high of resistance. It is difficult to measure anything that way, because any common ohmmeter will read the voltage bias of the earth and ground rods. This will throw off any reading. Plus even if the terminations were bad, it would not cause what you describe. I would look at feedlines and the radio, and the transformer at the feedpoint. I hope you are using an isolation style of transformer. We erected a Flag 29x14 feet mounted just above the ground. This is purported to be ground independent. Our tests last night indicate this antenna is not hearing very well either. No antenna near earth is ground independent, although some antenna types do not use the earth as a connection point. Any antenna we install near earth will always be earth dependent, even if we have no earth connection. I doubt that it is the earth, however. The Flag works increasingly better with higher conductivity earth, while the Beverage works worse. Even if you had a case where the earth conductivity was too good for a Beverage, a Flag antenna would actually be better than over poor earth! The fact an antenna that likes better earth does not work, and one that likes poorer earth also does not work, re-enforces the idea that it is the feedline or radio or something other than the antenna. We are soliciting suggestions. We only have a small amount of wire and other antenna stuff, no Home Depot or Radio Shack around. Perhaps we can build a ground independent antenna that does not care what it sits on. The only antenna that does not care what it sits on is one that is in space many wavelengths from earth. :-) You have a local problem with a local noise generator, or a problem in the radio or feedline. 73 Tom _ Topband Reflector
Topband: W3NQN BCB Filter
This topic has been covered before on this list. I believe that my recent experience is also worth reporting. After over a decade of operating on 160m, I'd never experienced any significant problems with BC carriers other than very weak carriers on 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840 kHz etc. The greater Los Angeles area is not at a loss for high power BC stations. Several weeks ago a very loud and wide signal appeared for the first time on 1840 kHz in addition to others every 10 kHz. These spurs were a bit weaker after sunset but still loud and wide. Any legitimate 160m signal within about 3 kHz of these spurs could not be copied. The spurs' modulation matched that of a broadcast station six miles from my location. With the assistance of a local broadcast signal compliance expert, signal strength measurements were made using professional grade equipment close to the BC station's transmitting towers as well as at my station. The spurious signals were just out of regulatory specifications and the modulation was mushy. The station's engineer was contacted. He advertised that he would perform some s tandard maintenance. To date, nothing has changed. All of the possible combinations of equipment at my station were tried in an attempt to isolate and diagnose the problem. The result was that the spurs appeared only with an external preamp in the path with a full size receiving flag. This was observed with not just a single preamp but with a second preamp of an entirely different design. I inserted a W3NQN Receive Only BCB filter between the flag and each of the two preamps, one at a time. The result in both cases was that the spurs were reduced to very weak carriers daytime and to a just perceptible level when the BC station switched to nighttime power (10 kW to 490 watts). Something has likely changed in the BC's station signal, causing the preamps to become overloaded resulting in IMD problems. http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/BCB%20RF%20Filters.htm This filter has an extremely sharp cut-off below 1700 kHz. I understand that precision tolerance components are hand selected for custom assembly of each filter to guarantee the specified response. W3NQN has started to label his products Design, Assembly and Testing by W3NQN. These filters have a well deserved reputation. The BCB is superb. 73 - Steve WB6RSE _ Topband Reflector
Topband: 160 Stub
Hello... B-4 the upcoming contest weekend. I need to make a 1/4 wave shorted stub for my 160 station. Other then RG8 or RG11 can you use RG6 ? Wayne, W3EA _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: G3FPQ SK
In a message dated 2/11/2013 11:04:05 A.M. Central Standard Time, topband-requ...@contesting.com writes: Re: Topband: G3FPQ SK Surely sorry to hear that. I like to test the sunSET opening here in the south tip of Texas. For a three year period I could count on David being on 1829 to exchange reports and verify conditions most days of the week. I've missed hearing him for some time now. I've always felt that we mourn for what WE have lost rather than celebrate a life that gave us so much. At my age, this happens with more frequency every day. Some of you may have known my old pal since grade school, Allan, W9YYG. I called him Moose. He passed away around Christmas time. We were best friends for 58 years. He was a kind soul and an avid operator. He read the TopBand reflector with irregularity. He would complain to me that They spend all their time arguing about such things as the size of wire to use for radials and how high you have to go to get field strength readings. Why don't they just get on and work 'em? That was Moose. He made me look at the other side of things. I miss him, too. Farewell David, farewell Moose. I hope there's no line noise at your new QTH. Barry, W9UCW _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: New 160M high performance receiving antenna at W3LPL
Frank - the Magic T's were one of the changes as well as using a switching circuit board that Mike, W9RE, made available. There was another feedpoint change that Robye, W1MK suggested would be good to try but I haven't had an opportunity to try it out and do some comparisons. We can discuss these in Dayton. I've had a number of people tell me they don't have the room for an 8 array circle and I have always told them the BSEF array allows you to only use four verticals for one direction (or two if reversed) so I'm very pleased to see you highlight that in your write up. 73 Joel W5ZN On Sun, Feb 3, 2013 at 9:20 AM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: Hi Joel, Other than the three Magic T's, what other specific mods have you made to your 8-circles? Adding a T50-2 toroidal inductor and a BNC connector at the 50 ohm tap makes a quick job of adjusting resonance to exactly 1840 kHz. Much more work is planned later this year, building switchable 8-circles for 160 and 80 meters. Using one inch rebar for the base makes that job a snap, especially in my case where I must completely remove the antenna from my borrowed field every year and reinstall it in October. The rebar can be easily removed with a sledge hammer. I discovered that I couldn't unzip my 16 AWG speaker wire when its cold, I was breaking wires! No problem at all unzipping it at room temperature. Tks for all of your help! 73 Frank W3LPL Original message Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2013 06:29:18 -0600 From: Joel Harrison w...@w5zn.org Subject: Re: Topband: New 160M high performance receiving antenna at W3LPL To: donov...@starpower.net Cc: topband@contesting.com Frank - Good stuff and very glad you made public your work on the array. It is good to see the array is working very well at W3LPL. I continue to have excellent performance from both of my BSEF arrays (160 80 meter versions). Robye (W1MK) and I had several conversations following publication of my work on BSEF's which resulted in use of Magic Tee's and a few other feed point mods. 73 Joel W5ZN On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 11:00 AM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: My new 160 meter Broad Side - End Fire (BSEF) receiving array is now in use and performing extremely well, significantly better than my 900 foot Beverages and full size 4-square transmitting antenna. Like most of us who live in developed areas, my RFI environment has significantly degraded with the lack of effective RFI regulation in recent years. Plasma TVs, ubiquitous poorly filtered switching power supplies and increasly popular high efficiency motors are steadily raising our noise floor. With this new antenna 160 meters is delightfully quiet again at W3LPL! Thanks to W8JI, W5ZN, N4HY and W1MK for their efforts in designing, optimizing and publishing the details of this wonderful high performance receiving antenna. The BSEF array is now connected to the 160 meter input to my CW Skimmer, it now has significantly better sensitivity than when it was connected to my 900 foot NE Beverage. The description and photos of my new BSEF array are here: http://pvrc.org/bsef/bsef.html 73 Frank W3LPL _ Topband Reflector -- 73 Joel W5ZN www.w5zn.org -- 73 Joel W5ZN www.w5zn.org _ Topband Reflector
Topband: Fifty low power sealed SPDT RF relays for five bucks!
The web site is a little confusing about the quantity, but the deal is for fifty (50) sealed SPDT low power RF relays http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G16510B gold contacts 24 volt 8 milliampere coil, ideal for remote powering through thin wires 10 watt RF rating 14 pin DIP package for printed circuit board mounting 70 DB isolation between contacts below 900 MHz 1.2:1 VSWR below 900 MHz I recently purchased these, and I did indeed receive fifty relays for five bucks. Thats three hundred dollars worth of sealed low power RF relays for $5.00 plus shipping The deal ends today, 12 February. 73 Frank W3LPL _ Topband Reflector
Topband: Interesting report
0730 UTC, insomnia and DX overstimulation to the brain, I was on TB and I worked ZL1BYZ (thanks for new DX, John, #93 on TB). My first ever ZL on 160 (heard or worked). John was solid, S8 on peaks on the HiZ (which helped cut down the t-storm static). And John was working EU (especially G stations) via gray line at their sunrise during his sunset. I could hear both sides of the QSO's, and it felt like I was on 20 meters rather than TB. VERY COOL. Never heard that before on TB. As Leonard Nimoy would say on Star Trek as Spock: Fascinating. Mark Lunday, WD4ELG Greensboro, NC FM06be wd4...@arrl.net http://wd4elg.blogspot.com _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: W3NQN BCB Filter
I have the same issues here. And the similar observation - filtering before the preamp of some kind is needed. Regarding Steve's solution below, an alternative is available from K8ZOA Jack Smith. 9th order elliptical with pricing is about half the Array offering. http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/z10023a_elliptic_high_pass_filter.htm It's about -40 db at 1700 with a roll off starting just below 1800. Order options include 50 or 75 ohm, SMA, F-type or UHF, and some case varieties. I have no horse in Jack's race. He's a first class RF enginner, builds great stuff - and I'm a very satisfied customer hence the mention. 73/jeff/ac0c www.ac0c.com alpha-charlie-zero-charlie -Original Message- From: wb6r...@mac.com Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 5:30 PM To: Top Band List List Subject: Topband: W3NQN BCB Filter This topic has been covered before on this list. I believe that my recent experience is also worth reporting. After over a decade of operating on 160m, I'd never experienced any significant problems with BC carriers other than very weak carriers on 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840 kHz etc. The greater Los Angeles area is not at a loss for high power BC stations. Several weeks ago a very loud and wide signal appeared for the first time on 1840 kHz in addition to others every 10 kHz. These spurs were a bit weaker after sunset but still loud and wide. Any legitimate 160m signal within about 3 kHz of these spurs could not be copied. The spurs' modulation matched that of a broadcast station six miles from my location. With the assistance of a local broadcast signal compliance expert, signal strength measurements were made using professional grade equipment close to the BC station's transmitting towers as well as at my station. The spurious signals were just out of regulatory specifications and the modulation was mushy. The station's engineer was contacted. He advertised that he would perform some s tandard maintenance. To date, nothing has changed. All of the possible combinations of equipment at my station were tried in an attempt to isolate and diagnose the problem. The result was that the spurs appeared only with an external preamp in the path with a full size receiving flag. This was observed with not just a single preamp but with a second preamp of an entirely different design. I inserted a W3NQN Receive Only BCB filter between the flag and each of the two preamps, one at a time. The result in both cases was that the spurs were reduced to very weak carriers daytime and to a just perceptible level when the BC station switched to nighttime power (10 kW to 490 watts). Something has likely changed in the BC's station signal, causing the preamps to become overloaded resulting in IMD problems. http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/BCB%20RF%20Filters.htm This filter has an extremely sharp cut-off below 1700 kHz. I understand that precision tolerance components are hand selected for custom assembly of each filter to guarantee the specified response. W3NQN has started to label his products Design, Assembly and Testing by W3NQN. These filters have a well deserved reputation. The BCB is superb. 73 - Steve WB6RSE _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Topband: VU on top band
If you need VU on 160 look for VU2BGS at his sunrise. He just installed a new FCP Inv L antenna. He told me that the FCP has made a big difference in being heard in Eu and over the pole to NA. I notice that N0FW spotted him at 0028Z yesterday morning. He apologizes for not being able to hear everyone as he has a high noise level even using a flag receive antenna. Markus VE7CA Markus Hansen North Vancouver, BC CANADA WEB: ve7ca.net _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Fifty low power sealed SPDT RF relays for five bucks!
I bought a similar deal from them about 3 years ago, great for Beverage and other switching and no failures or intermittents yet. Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: donov...@starpower.net To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 1:58 AM Subject: Topband: Fifty low power sealed SPDT RF relays for five bucks! The web site is a little confusing about the quantity, but the deal is for fifty (50) sealed SPDT low power RF relays http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G16510B gold contacts 24 volt 8 milliampere coil, ideal for remote powering through thin wires 10 watt RF rating 14 pin DIP package for printed circuit board mounting 70 DB isolation between contacts below 900 MHz 1.2:1 VSWR below 900 MHz I recently purchased these, and I did indeed receive fifty relays for five bucks. Thats three hundred dollars worth of sealed low power RF relays for $5.00 plus shipping The deal ends today, 12 February. 73 Frank W3LPL _ Topband Reflector - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1430 / Virus Database: 2639/5599 - Release Date: 02/12/13 _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: New 160M high performance receiving antenna at W3LPL
I have been wondering if the antenna element in phased arrays could be a loop rather than a vertical. My thinking is that the loop has some level of directivity so phasing two of them should result in better side lobe suppression compared to a vertical. Is there any merit to this thought? Specifically, will I see better RDF numbers if I were to use loop elements in any of the active 8 and 4 circle systems (e.g., DX Engineering, Hi-Z Antennas, etc.)? Rudy N2WQ _ Topband Reflector
Topband: Genius I tells ya, pure Genius
So here we go, The first VU2 I've ever heard on TopBand and I can hear him faintly but clearly. Turn amp on, check. Switch to 160 INV-L, Check. Switch in dummy to set amp, check. Flip bandswitch to 160, Check. Roll Tune cap to right area, check. Adjust load to right area, check. Adjust the HI-Z array to pick up his signal as clearly as possible, check. Fiddle with sub Rx in the K3 for best clarity with narrow filtering, check. wait for 3 minutes to pass the tubes are nicely heated amp engaged, check. Adjust for 1,300W on the LP100A, Check. Wait for the VU to listen for the next call and pounce when the timing seems right, check. Nada. Trying again, nada. Try 20 more times trying to improve my pounce timing, nada. His signal fading, amazing how well the Rx ant is picking him up, fidgeting in chair, moderately frustrated, check. Look at antenna switch see Dummy load is still engaged, check. Chastise self with a 5 letter word starting with I ending with T, check. Disengage Dummy and connect to the 160M INV-L, check. First shot he comes back to me now in the bag, check. Calling DX on your dummy load means there are two dummys in the shack... Looks down, shuffles feet... 73, Gary KA1J _ Topband Reflector
Topband: Receive antennas from 5X
Hi Dave Greetings from Western Australia! I had a number of contacts on 160m with Paul Wyse 5X4F during the later half of the 1990s. Paul had a great signal on 160m with only a 240’ dipole at 36’, fed with open wire, and 100W from a TS450S. He had no separate receiving antenna but could hear very well. Based on Paul’s success, my guess is that a dipole with as high central point as you can get it is going to be the best rx and tx antenna from where you are. Unfortunately vertically polarised antennas aren’t always the best on 160m, particularly when you are near the equator and the ground conductivity is marginal. Freshwater and mud can be quite disappointing in this regard. Vy 73 Steve, VK6VZ _ Topband Reflector
Topband: Wireless Remote Control Relays
A question to the informed masses. A year or so ago I purchased some wireless remote control, 8 relay, modules from some source on E-Bay. Obviously at the time the units appealed to me, and apparently the price was right because I purchased 10 of them. Well, they have sit in the USPS shipping box for this length of time and I am now trying to figure out what project I had in mind for them; and how to use them. SOOO Does anyone have any experience with these units which have a sole identifying mark, silk screened on the RX and relay board, of CDKZQ-8L. The manufacture date is 2011.10.04. These units apparently work on 310 MHz. The only result I get in a web search is a Linear Delta Remotes company. But nothing they show for products resembles these units. The tiny remote control transmitter has larger, red colored keys numbered 1 2, and 3-8 on smaller black colored keys. It has a small telescoping antenna. These units are very well constructed, operate at 12 VDC, and look to be SPDT relays with 3 connections per relay on the terminal boards. Does anyone out there know anything about this unit; in particular how to program the channels for control of the eight relays? For anyone wanting to see them, respond directly to me and I will send you a couple of jpeg images. Thanks in advance for any assistance that can be offered. 73 de Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2639/6099 - Release Date: 02/12/13 _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: New 160M high performance receiving antenna at W3LPL
Hello Rudy, I am using a pair of VE3DO loops in a phased array for 160 meters. The two loops are spaced 5/8 wavelength (at 1830 KHz) apart at K3LR - aimed at 45/225 degrees (a DPDT relay selects the direction for each loop). The VE3DO loops are simple to construct and work very well. The in phase feed for the two loops is simple with equal lengths of 50 ohm coax to a T connector and a 25 to 50 ohm UNUN to match to the 50 ohm RX. The VSWR of the system is excellent with the 9:1 K9AY transformers at each loop feed point up thru 7 MHz. I suggest using a DX Engineering RPA-1 preamp operating at 16 VDC to feed the receiver for best results. Details for the inexpensive VE3DO loop receive antenna is here: http://topbanddinner.com/page_presentations.html 73! Tim K3LR -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Rudy Bakalov Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 12:00 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: New 160M high performance receiving antenna at W3LPL I have been wondering if the antenna element in phased arrays could be a loop rather than a vertical. My thinking is that the loop has some level of directivity so phasing two of them should result in better side lobe suppression compared to a vertical. Is there any merit to this thought? Specifically, will I see better RDF numbers if I were to use loop elements in any of the active 8 and 4 circle systems (e.g., DX Engineering, Hi-Z Antennas, etc.)? Rudy N2WQ _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
