Topband: 160 meter report

[Mark Lunday]

Heard but could not get through to OK1CF @ 0010 UTC.  Long QSB from 559 down to 
the noise level.

Worked OH0Z at 0005 UTC.

Checked back in at 0430 UTC and signals were barely audible amid QSB.





Mark Lunday, WD4ELG
Greensboro, NC  FM06be
wd4...@arrl.net
http://wd4elg.blogspot.com
SKCC #16439  FISTS #17972  QRP ARCI #16497

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Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

Years ago now, but I worked Jon a few times when he was mobile on his way to 
work and I seem to recall him being a pretty darn good signal at 1000kms away 
from here.  I think he may have even worked Japan from his Jetta and KJ7U 
antenna.

Maybe he'll see these messages and comment.

Mike - Keswick Ridge, NB, Canada 

-Original Message-
From: Frank W3LPL [mailto:donov...@starpower.net] 
Sent: January 6, 2024 2:02 PM
To: topband
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

AA1K has worked 51 countries on 160 meters and 275 countries on all bands
from his car using 100 watts and KJ7U screwdriver for 160-6 meters

73
Frank
W3LPL



- Original Message -
From: "Richard" 
To: "Mike" , "topband" 
Sent: Saturday, January 6, 2024 9:46:23 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

On 1/6/2024 6:49 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:

>
> Bill  KU8H
> 
>   
> 
> OK, I'll be very honest and say that I don't really understand posts like
> this.
> 
> For nearly 30 yrs I've run 160m mobile on again/off again (more off than on)
> and have I think 67 countries on Top Band.
> 

KH6DX/W6 famously worked 100 countries for his DXCC ... from his pickup 
truck in SoCal.  He had a big fat screwdriver antenna, and an 800 watt 
amplifier.  He was at liberty to get away from noise sources, and get up 
on hills, drive on beaches, drive on dry salt lakes, etc and not have to 
run QRP to keep the neighbors happy.  One winter he drove to the N. 
Dakota/S. Dakota border and worked the ARRL 160 and had a blast.  He was 
plenty readable on this coast from 2,000 miles away.  He even had 
special QSLs printed.

You mentioned the helically loaded PVC pipe that was published in QST.
That may have worked after a fashion, but an old fashioned loading
coil always works better than helically wound.  Your suggestion about
top loading wires is right on, though.

73
Rick N6RK

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Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

Hey Rick, 

 

Thanks for reminding me of his KH6 call.  Yes, I have used a number of
mobile antennas on top band.  Each with their own quirks.

The last time I was QRV on Top Band from the car (I think) was the SPTDC (or
was it ARRL160?) a few years back and I ran my big SA-680S mobile antenna on
my mini with 4 really long top loading wires coming down off the regular top
hat on this wonderful antenna to all corners of the car.(normal pic on
qrz.com)  I think I might have worked 1 EU (A G-stn iirc) but heard even
more EU.  I think I had to retune the screwdriver about every 10kc or
something like that.  I also had an MFJ 100w tuner in line for one contest
where I was just not getting a good enough match to make my FT857D happy.

 

NA7TB and K7RAT were the big catches.  REAL DX for a mobile station here in
grid FN66.

 

My whole point of talking about topband mobile was, if it can be done
mobile, then certainly, with some effort & ingenuity , you can get a
somewhat decent signal out from a home station on a postage stamp sized lot.

 

Thanks !

 

Mike VE9AA.and occasionally VE9AA/m & other calls.

 

KH6DX/W6 famously worked 100 countries for his DXCC ... from his pickup
truck in SoCal. He had a big fat screwdriver antenna, and an 800 watt
amplifier. He was at liberty to get away from noise sources, and get up on
hills, drive on beaches, drive on dry salt lakes, etc and not have to run
QRP to keep the neighbors happy. One winter he drove to the N. Dakota/S.
Dakota border and worked the ARRL 160 and had a blast. He was plenty
readable on this coast from 2,000 miles away. He even had special QSLs
printed.

 

You mentioned the helically loaded PVC pipe that was published in QST.

That may have worked after a fashion, but an old fashioned loading

coil always works better than helically wound.  Your suggestion about

top loading wires is right on, though.

 

73

Rick N6RK

 

Mike - Keswick Ridge, NB, Canada 

 

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Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

[Frank W3LPL]

AA1K has worked 51 countries on 160 meters and 275 countries on all bands
from his car using 100 watts and KJ7U screwdriver for 160-6 meters

73
Frank
W3LPL



- Original Message -
From: "Richard" 
To: "Mike" , "topband" 
Sent: Saturday, January 6, 2024 9:46:23 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

On 1/6/2024 6:49 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:

>
> Bill  KU8H
> 
>   
> 
> OK, I'll be very honest and say that I don't really understand posts like
> this.
> 
> For nearly 30 yrs I've run 160m mobile on again/off again (more off than on)
> and have I think 67 countries on Top Band.
> 

KH6DX/W6 famously worked 100 countries for his DXCC ... from his pickup 
truck in SoCal.  He had a big fat screwdriver antenna, and an 800 watt 
amplifier.  He was at liberty to get away from noise sources, and get up 
on hills, drive on beaches, drive on dry salt lakes, etc and not have to 
run QRP to keep the neighbors happy.  One winter he drove to the N. 
Dakota/S. Dakota border and worked the ARRL 160 and had a blast.  He was 
plenty readable on this coast from 2,000 miles away.  He even had 
special QSLs printed.

You mentioned the helically loaded PVC pipe that was published in QST.
That may have worked after a fashion, but an old fashioned loading
coil always works better than helically wound.  Your suggestion about
top loading wires is right on, though.

73
Rick N6RK

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Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

On 1/6/2024 6:49 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:



Bill  KU8H

  


OK, I'll be very honest and say that I don't really understand posts like
this.

For nearly 30 yrs I've run 160m mobile on again/off again (more off than on)
and have I think 67 countries on Top Band.



KH6DX/W6 famously worked 100 countries for his DXCC ... from his pickup 
truck in SoCal.  He had a big fat screwdriver antenna, and an 800 watt 
amplifier.  He was at liberty to get away from noise sources, and get up 
on hills, drive on beaches, drive on dry salt lakes, etc and not have to 
run QRP to keep the neighbors happy.  One winter he drove to the N. 
Dakota/S. Dakota border and worked the ARRL 160 and had a blast.  He was 
plenty readable on this coast from 2,000 miles away.  He even had 
special QSLs printed.


You mentioned the helically loaded PVC pipe that was published in QST.
That may have worked after a fashion, but an old fashioned loading
coil always works better than helically wound.  Your suggestion about
top loading wires is right on, though.

73
Rick N6RK

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Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

[Roger Kennedy]

Yes, Topband IS a really difficult band to work long distances on . . . 

For a start, putting out a decent signal if you live in a normal house on a
normal street in the city  (like I always have) is really challenging, in
terms of Antennas.

And of course, it's the hardest band in terms of Propagation . . . working
round the world even on 80m is SO much easier !

But for me, these are the very reasons why EVERY long-distance QSO on Top
Band gives me a buzz (regardless of how many times I have worked that
station before) . . . because I believe each one is a real achievement.
That's why I am still passionate about 160m after 54 years working DX on the
band (since my first QSO with W1BB).

In terms of encouraging CW activity, one thing that DOES help is if people
could SPOT any stations calling CQ on the DX Cluster. (I always see dozens
of FT8 spots, even when it's not DX)

As I posted earlier, conditions were pretty good last night . . . so hope we
will see even more stations making the effort to come on tonight.

73 Roger G3YRO


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Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

[mstangelo]

I've been following this thread. Do you know why FT-8 is so popular. I remember 
what a salesman told me years ago "You bought the radio. Now what are you going 
to do with it?" Let me explain.

As a teenager in Queens, New York I bought my equipment from Lafayette Radio. I 
saved up enough money to buy a serious radio, a Lafayette HA-350 that I got on 
a sale price. After getting it he asked me  "You bought the radio. Now what are 
you going to do with it?" and explained Hams rarely consider the environment 
that they intend to use the radio. Since many Hams in the city lived in 
apartments or has postage stamp lots he sold them am antenna that at least 
would get them started. I popular one was Hustler whips, I forgot the others. 
We were moving to the suburbs and told him I would select an antenna once there.

Years later I got married and in we bought a house in Queens on a postage size 
lot. It was in a quiet residential area and the utilities were underground. 
Looking back the noise level was low. I could not get up a 160 antenna so I 
concentrated on Low Frequency and NDB DX'ing.

I followed my job to New Jersey and and able to buy an acre lot in horse 
country a couple of miles from the ocean. I bought an Elecraft K3 and started 
with an Inverted L against radials which I figured was the minimum needed for 
160. I noticed the noise level was getting higher than in Queens and it was 
harder and harder to work the weak signals. FT-8 came out. I tried out, did not 
like it. I consider it an ersatz mode and as a rule don't operate with a 
computer. I still do paper logging. I am retired so what to do?

I found out I don't like sitting around for extended lengths of time. We spend 
lots of time at the beach and parks so I started to do lots of portable 
operation; I find a quiet place at the beach or park and operate there. I am 
amazed at the low noise levels. I haven't operated 160 portable but are 
thinking of ideas.

Getting outdoors also makes the hobby more palatable with my wife. She says Ham 
radio could provide good mental exercise but is a sedentary hobby, bad for 
physical health.

Enjoy what gives you satisfaction but keep it legal.

Mike N2MS





> On 01/06/2024 1:35 AM EST David Raymond  wrote:
> 
>  
> I don't know if I would call it lazy but it certainly is a matter of 
> ease and convenience.  Just look at all the new expeditions that focus 
> primarily, if not exclusively, on FT-8.  No need to for seasoned, highly 
> skilled, ace operators to dig out weak calls signs from huge CW piles 
> which sound like a swarm of buzzing mosquitos. . . or SSB piles for that 
> matter.  My 11 year old great nephew could run the piles once things got 
> set up.
> 
> 73. . . Dave, W0FLS
>

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Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

A note from the peanut gallery.

 

This is topb...@contest.com

 

I am on a postage stamp lot and the house & garage occupy approximately the 

middle one third. The frontage is not usable for antenna systems due to the 

underground utilities and overhead power lines. I am limited to compromise 

antennas for this band and those must be further compromised from published 

designs to fit into the space. I can be heard in Canada and the eastern
United 

States. Most of the daily signals are for dx only. In some contests I can
work 

a few stations on the north American continent. I can hear a lot of them but


they don't hear me. I don't have an antenna for 160 at the moment and not a
lot 

of motivation to put one up. Other bands seem more productive given these 

conditions. I would be satisfied with QSOs in the continental range but most


are DX hounds and can't waste their time on more local rag chews. I am ready
to 

just sign off from this list and get out of your way. Am I missing
something?

 

Happy New Year to all and...

 

73,

 

Bill  KU8H

 

OK, I'll be very honest and say that I don't really understand posts like
this.

Is Bill just generally complaining, looking for sympathy or maybe wants
antenna ideas?

(it's really not clear to me)

 

Bill - 160m is a tough band...tougher when you don't have real estate, but
it's certainly not impossible.

 

For nearly 30 yrs I've run 160m mobile on again/off again (more off than on)
and have I think 67 countries on Top Band.

I have also placed pretty well in the Stew Perry TopBand distance contest 2
or 3 times with a 160m rig in my mini. (see qrz.com)

I'm not trying to brag, but only tell you what's possible with very little
for an antenna.

 

I've read stories about W6's with postage stamp lots wrap 200' of wire
around ~30' of PVC, read about the W9 Minooka special and have personally
used a plethora of mobile antennas with ice-cream bucket loading coils and
top loading capacity hat wires to get on the band.  Sure, I was pretty weak
but have worked K7RAT, NA7TB and Hawaii while mobile(parked) and all over
the USA, extreme western EU and into the Carib. some of the time in motion.
AA1K has worked way more than I have mobile.  There was a KH6 who's call
escapes me now who's done better still.  Then there was W1BB (who can forget
him and his mobile pix in "73" magazine?)

 

It *IS* possible.

 

Maybe you could clarify exactly what your point was.  I feel like it wasn't
widely interpreted unambiguously.

 

73 Mike VE9AA

 

Mike - Keswick Ridge, NB, Canada 

 

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Re: Topband: Conditions Last Night

[uy0zg via Topband]

Hi

I worked from 0 utc to 1 utc - in my log K2MQJ, NN2L, VE3FAS, W2LL


Then in the morning from 4:30 to 5:50 = K3UL, P49X. Sorry, I didn’t 
reach


W0FLS - many people called him from 14-15 zones plus long QSB...



---
Nick, UY0ZG
http://www.topband.in.ua

Roger Kennedy писал(а) 2024-01-06 14:07:

Well 160m conditions were fairly good last night . . .

Good to work a few NA stations !

Maybe there will be even more activity tonight?  (best propagation for 
me

was around 0400Z)

73 Roger G3YRO


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Topband: Conditions Last Night

[Roger Kennedy]

Well 160m conditions were fairly good last night . . . 

Good to work a few NA stations !

Maybe there will be even more activity tonight?  (best propagation for me
was around 0400Z)

73 Roger G3YRO


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Re: Topband: Using 4 - 6 elevated radials in lieu of 120 buried wires

[Stan Stockton]

In 1980 based on advice from a friend who had done a lot of government antenna 
work for WWV, VOA (I think), I put up 192 feet of Rohn 25G (!) solely dedicated 
to 160 Meters and had 9 radials (3 from each tower leg) attached at 60 feet.  
The tower, with 6 levels of guy wires all broken up with insulators into non 
resonant lengths for all 6 bands, was located in the middle of a 5 acre plot of 
land. Although the radials sloped down, the ends were quite high.  The top 132 
feet of the tower was shunt fed.  

It’s hard to say just how good it was because 44 years ago the competition was 
not so great on 160.  However, I’ve never come anywhere near as close, before 
or since, to thinking I had the best transmit antenna of anyone on any band.  

Unfortunately due to a job situation I had to move about a year after putting 
it up. But it was fun for a year or so.

73…Stan, K5GO/ZF9CW

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 5, 2024, at 9:59 AM, Jeff Blaine  wrote:
> 
> There is another practical issue here.  I would agree that elevated radials 
> can work great.  But in practice, MAINTENANCE of the elevated radials is a 
> non-ending headache.  Around here we have deer and ice and wind and on and 
> on.  I ran various 40m 4SQ elevated radial schemes for years and eventually 
> went to an in-ground installation because I was tired of the hassle.
> 
> You are probably a far better mechanical and electrical hand than I am.  But 
> this maintenance aspect of elevated radials is something I don't think gets 
> enough mention.
> 
> 73/jeff/ac0c
> alpha-charlie-zero-charlie
> www.ac0c.com
> 
>> On 1/5/2024 8:42 AM, Wes Stewart via Topband wrote:
>> I was about to recommend Rudy's work.  He is a prolific experimenter and 
>> writer; reading his stuff will answer almost anything you ever what to know 
>> about vertical antennas, ground systems and receiving antennas.
>> I have a folder on my hard drive with 30-40 of his papers.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>   On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 01:03:55 AM MST, Jim Brown 
>>  wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> Some thoughts about that particular installation and why it worked well,
>> based on my study of Rudy Severns' excellent work on the topic.
>>   _
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