Topband: Hi-Z 160M only 8 circle

2019-01-28 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs and Yls
I would like to say that the Hi-Z 200' or 60M diameter 8 circle was fabulous
to use in the CQWW 160 CW test.The directivity is a joy.   I think the
claim that this directivity is equivalent to that of a 5 element Yagi is a
bit much but I can certainly see where this claim comes from.   Switching 45
degrees in direction can produce 25 dB attenuation.

The 8 circle exclusively for 160M should not be confused with the 8 circle
for 160, 80 and 40.   The 160M 8 circle is a true 8 circle using all 8
elements while the multiband 8 circle is in reality two interlaced 4 squares
which operate independently of each other.

It is a great joy when trying to work NA in a contest to put the EU off the
back of the antenna and knock the noise down to the point that it can be
ignored.

Thank you Hi-Z.

73 Doug EI2CN

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Topband: 160M conditions CQWW

2019-01-28 Thread Doug Turnbull 


Dear OMs and YLs,
 Just because you make many Qs within NA on your own continent does not
make conditions good.For the vast majority of people reporting to 3830
Friday night's conditions following a solar storm were "Stinko" with poor
propagation between EU and NA.   Saturday night was considerably improved
but not wonderful.   You can hear plenty of good AM stations in the daytime
but not much DX - the absorption is too high.   My understanding is though
that at least electrical storm noise was minimum in NA for the weekend.


   73 Doug EI2CN

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Topband: XT2BR

2018-08-24 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs and YLs,
 Sorry to say XT2BR can not go on TB as he is missing parts for the TB
antenna.   Alain, F8FUA / EI2KM is plagued with power cuts and seems unable
to be on the air much longer than a couple of hours at a time.   Often the
power is not even available for an hour.Be thankful to live in a
prosperous developed country.We easily forget how difficult it is for
others.

   73 Doug EI2CN

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topband-requ...@contesting.com
Sent: 24 August 2018 16:00
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 188, Issue 16

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: OT - US Hams, WWV closure (Paul Christensen)
   2. XT2BR (Doug Turnbull)
   3. Inverted L antenna with mfj 926 antenna tuner at base of
  antenna (james soto)
   4. Re: OT - US Hams, WWV closure (Dale Putnam)
   5. Re: OT - US Hams, WWV closure (k...@radioprism.com)
   6. Re: Copying IV3PRK in WA-State CN98 (Bryon Paul Veal N?AH)
   7. Re: OT - US Hams, WWV closure (Brian Pease)
   8. Outside antenna tuner for 160 inverted L antenna (james soto)
   9. Re: OT - US Hams, WWV closure (w8hw)


--

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2018 12:02:54 -0400
From: "Paul Christensen" 
To: 
Subject: Re: Topband: OT - US Hams, WWV closure
Message-ID: <009401d43afa$c0fba7e0$42f2f7a0$@arrl.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset="UTF-8"

>"The cost savings they are talking about amounts to very little.  It  would
cost a helluva lot more to  dismantle them completely.  Besides  TIME and
freq standards,  WWV  provides  for a myriad of other  features."

Seems like a great opportunity to spin-off WWV/WWVB to one of Colorado's
state universities; WWVH to a Hawaii university.  Let a university run it as
a STEM project under the auspices of their dept. of physics or engineering.
Assign an advisor to help lead the students into worthwhile projects and
responsibilities.  Here's an opportunity for academic professors to lead by
example, not just teach.   It's not like it takes expensive, and largely
unmotivated federal workers with their long-term FERS/CSRS expenses to keep
the stations running.  Moreover, it should be easier for a school to secure
private, external corporate funding and grants as needed, rather than
through a U.S. federal agency.  In time, upgrade/expand the existing
buildings for other university STEM projects.  Let the universities work
with high schools - and get high school students motivated to pursue STEM
degrees.  Give them operating shifts, special construction projects, write
code for remote station moni
 toring, etc.  

My university had two student-run radio stations, run under the direction of
an academic advisor.  Never in my life have I met a more motivated group of
people who worked for free.  We couldn?t get enough if it.  The experience
we received was priceless. 

Paul, W9AC 





--

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2018 17:04:45 -
From: "Doug Turnbull" 
To: 
Cc: "Alain Esquirol F8FUA" ,"Bernie McClenny
W3UR" 
Subject: Topband: XT2BR
Message-ID: <9E564AA4FC8C445B95DC5AD93B9D55A5@DougTPC>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset="us-ascii"

Keep an ear out for XT2BR aka F8FUA / EI2KM.Alain is a single man
expedition till about Wednesday running a barefoot K3 and I think he has
some type of vertical on TB.He has both CW and FT8 for this band.  No
doubt most of his effort will be on higher bands but Alain might make an
appearance.As his license is good for a year it is possible that he will
return again later in the year.

  73 Doug EI2CN

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From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
topband-requ...@contesting.com
Sent: 23 August 2018 16:00
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 188, Issue 15

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Topband: XT2BR

2018-08-23 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Keep an ear out for XT2BR aka F8FUA / EI2KM.Alain is a single man
expedition till about Wednesday running a barefoot K3 and I think he has
some type of vertical on TB.He has both CW and FT8 for this band.  No
doubt most of his effort will be on higher bands but Alain might make an
appearance.As his license is good for a year it is possible that he will
return again later in the year.

  73 Doug EI2CN

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
topband-requ...@contesting.com
Sent: 23 August 2018 16:00
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 188, Issue 15

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Today's Topics:

   1. IV3PRK AND ALL Those Links ! (Dick Bingham)
   2. Re: R: Copying IV3PRK in WA-State CN98 (Wes Stewart)
   3. Re: R: Copying IV3PRK in WA-State CN98 (W0MU Mike Fatchett)
   4. Re: OT - US Hams, WWV closure (donov...@starpower.net)
   5. Re: OT - US Hams, WWV closure (Rob Atkinson)
   6. Re: OT - US Hams, WWV closure (K9FD)
   7. 160 inverted L with antenna tuner outside (james soto)
   8. Re: R: Copying IV3PRK in WA-State CN98 (Wes Stewart)
   9. Re: Copying IV3PRK in WA-State CN98 (Dick Grolleman)
  10. Re: OT - US Hams, WWV closure (Dan Edward Dba East edwards)
  11. Was IV3PRK (W0MU Mike Fatchett)


--

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2018 09:46:45 -0700
From: Dick Bingham 
To: Topband 
Subject: Topband: IV3PRK AND ALL Those Links !
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

I had no idea those LINKS were included in my email posting
about copying IV3PRK using FT8 on 160 last night. My apology
to all.

I ran WSPR thru the night and discovered DP0GVN copied
W7WKR and W8AC way down in Antarctic-land.

Appears conditions were pretty good on 160 last night.

73 Dick/w7wkr at CN98pi


--

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2018 13:19:24 -0700
From: Wes Stewart 
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: R: Copying IV3PRK in WA-State CN98
Message-ID: <24211f7e-f138-d1e5-2b56-4f2abd415...@triconet.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed

Not quite true.? I was a very early users of FT8, my first experience with
any 
of the JT modes. Someone said that JTAlert was a must have so I installed
it, 
not really knowing why.

I was attempting a QSO with a west African station and could tell that I was

being QRMed after the first exchange and while I was sending reports.? I
figured 
to just keep sending and wait it out. I use two computer monitors and it
turned 
out that when JTAlert popped up once, it was split over the two screens, so
the 
message didn't register with me.? The second time it appeared, I got enough
to 
know that he was sending me a text message indicating that he had my report
and 
just needed my RRR.? I did not send him anything further and uninstalled the

program.

Wes? N7WS


On 8/22/2018 8:23 AM, Pierluigi Mansutti wrote:
> Yes, it is for REAL! nothing remote on this side.
> I really enjoy FT8 because all QSO's are real.If your antennas and your
radio hears the DX then the computer decodes it. No way to call a spot or to
make an internet QSO through a chat line.



--

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2018 14:52:41 -0600
From: W0MU Mike Fatchett 
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: R: Copying IV3PRK in WA-State CN98
Message-ID: <10b7bb68-53f6-23ce-b035-6610a9408...@w0mu.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed

Do you turn off your phone, email and every other communication method 
when playing radio?? JTAlert texting is just one of many ways people can 
contact you.? He didn't need your RRR either.? RR or rr73 or 73 does not 
make a contact.? The exchange of some data is all that is needed.? DXCC 
does not require that you confirm reports.? You could have just ignored 
the message and continued on.

To each their own but I sure see more people trying not to play radio 
these days.

W0MU


On 8/22/2018 2:19 PM, Wes Stewart wrote:
> Not quite true.? I was a very early users of FT8, my first experience 
> with any of the JT modes. Someone said that JTAlert was a must have so 
> I installed it, not really knowing why.
>
> I was attempting a QSO with a west African station and could tell that 
> I was being QRMed after the first exchange and while I was sending 
> reports.? I figured to just keep sending and wait it out. I use two 
> computer monitors and it turned out

Topband: ARRL 160M being heard

2017-12-08 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Gentlemen,
 If you are not very close to zero beat, I will not hear you.   A bit of
offset may be okay and even helpful but a good few stations are only
recognized by their key clicks.I use a 300 Hz note so imagine that I
only need you to be 20 Hz off the zero beat.   I find the CWT feature of the
K3 a considerable help in a contest for getting close to the zero beat
frequency.   You go a few hundred HZ off and forget being copied.   The band
is going to be very crowded come the CQ 160M CW test at the end of January.
I find the selectivity a big help.   We are all different.

 Another reason why we are not heard is that receive antennas if good
may be very directional.   If I beam to Europe or Asia then NA is not heard.
If I beam to the USA then quite possibly an EU station will not be heard.
For contesting I find the directivity of the Hi-Z full size 160M 8 Circle a
God send but I need to be conscious of this at all times.It may be a
help come the Stew Perry when my main interest is working W land.

 Some of the EU complaints about not being heard by Ws during the ARRL
160M contest may be due to NA QRM but also due to the W using a RX antenna
pointed away from the EU.

  73 Doug EI2CN

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
topband-requ...@contesting.com
Sent: 08 December 2017 17:00
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 180, Issue 6

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: ARRL 160 (ma...@ka5m.net)
   2. Re: ARRL 160 (Wes Stewart)
   3. Re: ARRL 160 (Jose Ramon)
   4. Re: ARRL 160 (Wes Stewart)
   5. Re: ARRL 160 (Mark K3MSB)
   6. Re: ARRL 160 (MR TREVOR DUNNE)
   7. Re: ARRL 160 (donov...@starpower.net)
   8. Re: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes (George Taft)
   9. Re: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes (John Kaufmann)
  10. Re: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes (Tim Shoppa)


--

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2017 11:07:48 -0600
From: 
To: "'Don Kirk'" ,
Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL 160
Message-ID: <000301d36f7d$e927ef60$bb77ce20$@ka5m.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset="us-ascii"

I respectfully disagree with Don Kirk. My experience has been different. I
don't how many pileups I've broken quickly - where the station I'm trying to
work is operating simplex - by going split and transmitting a few Hz above
or below "zero beat". The operator at the other end is trying to copy a
callsign, and if everybody is "zero beat" it makes it very difficult to copy
anybody. Anything you can do to make your signal "stand out" or
differentiate it from the crowd makes it easier for the station you're
trying to work. (Also speeding up or slowing down a few WPM sometimes
helps.)

Someone taught me this a long time ago, and it works. He's worked a lot of
good DX in the last sixty (60) years or so.

73,
Marsh, KA5M




-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Don Kirk
Sent: Thursday, December 7, 2017 10:17 AM
To: MR TREVOR DUNNE 
Cc: g...@ka1j.com; topband List 
Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL 160

Hi Trevor,

Besides your TX antenna, another issue I have observed over the years is the
importance of being as close to zero beat as possible.  The modern HF radios
offer very narrow RX filtering options, and during very crowded band
conditions most of the stations are running very tight filters and I find
that if I'm off zero beat by much more than 100 hertz I'm often not heard.
I use a very old HF rig and run a 500 hertz filter, and found myself having
to continuously adjust my TX frequency until I popped into the passband of
the station I was trying to work (very difficult to zero beat my radio in
any kind of timely fashion).  I finally installed an audio filter (Hi-Per
Mite) with 200 Hz bandwidth and this has basically fixed my problem (99.9
percent improvement).

Previously it was very frustrating hearing a station 20 dB over S9 that
could not hear me.  I originally thought they were using an RX antenna not
pointed my direction, but most often I was just not in their RX passband.

Just another possibility.
73,
Don (wd8dsb)




--

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2017 10:33:36 -0700
From: Wes Stewart 
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL 160

Topband: Test Conditions & Hi-Z 8 Circle

2017-12-06 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Total:  QSOs = 211  Sections = 53  Countries = 3  Total Score = 22,366

This started as a fun type dip in and dip out effort using search and pounce
only from data supplied by RBN and reflectors.   Just click, listen and try
tobe heard.   The Stew Perry will be different with no assistance. I managed
tostay up on Friday night till 04:15 UTC and started again going in and out
on Sunday Morning from 04:30 till about 08:00.   The total operating time is
about 10 hours so the Q rate is very low at around 20 but even so I was
never bored or falling to sleep.

The receive antenna is a Hi-Z 8 circle for 160M only.   It is very directive
with a frontal lobe of about 52 degrees and F/B of up to 30/35 db but this
varies depending on the incoming angle and exact location of the station off
the back.Still from Ireland, Europe is to my back and greatly
attenuated.  I am no alligator as I hear much better than I am heard.   Most
spots had a signal associated with them but many of these stations could not
hear me.

I run 1500W allowed for this contest in Ireland and the TX antenna is an
inverted L 100 foot (30M) vertical.   The ground radial system is over kill
with over 125 radials of about 0.25 wavelength.

With the Hi-Z antenna the band has little noise but there are readable
signals everywhere in a contest.   Note I am talking of the 160M only eight
circlewhich uses all eight verticals at anyone time.   Some of the eight
circles are interlaced four square antennas with a broader front lobe

Like others, I did not find the morning grey line to provide that much of a
boost.My greatest DX was Arizona.It made me happy to work WD5COV in
New Mexico a state for which I have a special affection. This NM QSO was a
real battle and I needed to return to the frequency many times before a QSO
was made.  South Dakota closer in was also worked.Pretty much everything
else to the east of the Mississippi is in the log including most of the
mid-west to the west but not the likes of NE or ND.No west coast
stations were heard.  Nothing west of VE3 was worked in the northern
neighbour.

I tried and tried to work K7NJ in Utah; his signal was a consistent Q5
through at least two hours but no way could I bust through all the people
calling him.Oh well maybe next time.   K7NJ was really working NA and
also JA but I did not hear any EU make the jump.   Not doubt his log is full
of EU stations this is just what I heard.

About five years ago the west coast, KH6 and KL7 would be worked in the
early morning hours with a poorer antenna system for both RX and TX.So
things are not as good as once upon a time but maybe we will yet see a
general improvement.  All we can do on TB is to record our results - it is
very hard to make predictions.  

  CU in the Stew 73 Doug EI2CN  

-Original Message-



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Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 179, Issue 32

2017-11-29 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Jeff, Well put.  In EI the band for CW HP extends from 1810 to 1850 only.
>From our point of view it would make more sense if digimodes were in the
phone band limited to lower power.  The phone band has much more spectrum
and is mostly vacant in Europe except of course for an SSB contest.So
with a CW band limited to only 40 kHz in a CQWW 160M contest which is really
active flex operating is important and a fact of life.It use to be that
1835 to 1840 was a DX window for CW!

  One of our good friends even suggested that FT8 stations might go to
1500 watts well this is illegal in EI unless participating in certain
contests and I know of none so far for FT8.   Also such an operator is going
to be unpopular with his fellows just as he would be if using PSK.

  I too get annoyed with contesters when not contesting but there are
the WARC bands sensibly kept clear of all contesting.   FT8 users migrate
during a big contest just as CW operators must make room during a big SSB
contest on TB.

  The USA is not the entire world.   Regulations and conditions are
different.Contesting is not going to be unnecessarily confined and it
appears that flexibility is expected for a major contest.   We do have the
WARC bands and thankfully not many contests occur during the weekdays.

  My good friend EI2KM aka F8FUA whose EI license is based at my QTH was
on FT8 here pre and post the CQWW 160M test.   He was helped in getting some
issues sorted by EI6FR a FOC who is known by his friends as the "Choo Choo"
for his ability to go all night and if needs be the next day using the
paddle.   Declan carries out a conversation whilst operating.   A good CW
man might well also enjoy FT8.   We have a technological hobby and any mode
which can delve into the noise floor is of interest.   This is not a CW vs
FT8 issue.

 Take care my good friends and keep pounding the brass.

 73 Doug EI2CN ex KN4WQZ

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
topband-requ...@contesting.com
Sent: 29 November 2017 20:44
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 179, Issue 32

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: FT8 qrm (Brian D G3VGZ)
   2. Re: FT8 qrm (Mark K3MSB)
   3. Re: FT8 qrm (Greg)
   4. FT8 discussion (Tree)
   5. Re: FT8 qrm (Dave AA6YQ)
   6. Re: FT8 qrm (Peter Sundberg)
   7. Re: FT8 qrm (Gary Smith)
   8. Re: FT8 qrm (Ed Sawyer)
   9. Re: FT8 qrm (Greg)
  10. Re: FT8 qrm (Bill Cromwell)
  11. Re: FT8 discussion (Mike Waters)
  12. Re: FT8 qrm (cqtestk...@aol.com)
  13. FT8 and digital QRM (Ralph Parker)
  14. Re: FT8 qrm -  3khz wideband digital (HP)
  15. Re: FT8 qrm & Bandplanning History on 160m (k...@aol.com)


--

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2017 17:04:03 +
From: Brian D G3VGZ 
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: FT8 qrm
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I shall be operating this weekend full legal limit *below* 1837.5 CW, and
also FT*/JT65/JT9 at up to the legal limit above 1838. There's no reason
both can't co-exist. It should be a rule in contests that all stations
deliberately operatimg out of the established band usage to be disqualified.
I refuse to work those stations which flaunt the band plans.


"Ed Sawyer"  wrote:

> I'm sorry but I don't buy the argument that the way to be a "gentleman" is
> to accept everyone else's interests above your own.  A "gentleman" is
> respectful of others and treats others as he/she wants to be treated.
> 
>  
> 
> No one owns a frequency channel at least in the US - read your license.
> 
>  
> 
> If I come on a frequency, hear nothing, ask QRL using a legal and accepted
> mode for the frequency and hear nothing, I am using the frequency.  By the
> way - even the ARRL admits there is no longer a "DX Window" on 160M.
> 
>  
> 
> If FT8 is such a fragile mode to QRM that it needs a 2khz undisturbed
> window, then it is a flawed mode that will not stand the test of time in
> my opinion.  I am already starting to hear DX side people saying it's a
> complete waste of time and abandoning it.  I hear 3Y is going to try it -
> that should be hilarious.
> 
>  
> 
> I think that most of the FT8 crowd is horribly misinformed with dribble
> they read on the internet and think that some "net authority" has granted
>

Topband: FT-8 vs CW

2017-10-25 Thread Doug Turnbull 

Dear OMs and YLs,
 I am an engineer thus one who has no right to complain about the
advance in technology.This hobby must bring in new approaches if it is
to survive.Many would say it is already doomed and they may sadly be
right.

 Now this is not entirely to my liking but tough.Just completed
building a Hi-Z eight circle for 160M only but there is not much activity
these days on CW.   Last year it was JT-65 but this year this previous mode
is passé and it is FT9 that is predominating.   I worked JT65 for a short
time and found it interesting but am a CW man.If there is no CW then I
may be one who just leaves.

 I well understand people wanting to get on TB and finding that for them
at least the only way they will work Chile from EI is on FT-8.Let us all
be realistic; DXCC is not nearly as hard to achieve now as it was in 1960
when KN4WQZ first got his license.We have better radios, the clusters,
advance warning of DX stations via newsletters and such.   There is no
comparison to past difficulties.   Then to top all of this off travel is
relatively inexpensive and DXpeditions are common place.

I would have been quicker to go digi-modes a few months ago but now it
is becoming an issue for me.I am not sure that I want this change.   So
perhaps like Carnage's father who was a Damask Weaver I am doomed for the
scrap heap to be supported by my son's paper route in my declining years
after having emigrated from Scotland to the USA.   Technology will not stop
and things will evolve often faster than we goats like.   I am really
disgusted by lack of 160M activity the past month. However whatever is
happening seems to be on FT-8.


 Not so many years in the future I may be confined to a nursing home
(groan - better dead) then remote operation on two meters into a remote
station may be my main enjoyment in life other than reading and hopefully my
spouse.   WSPR fascinates me still but not for DXCC purposes.DXCC is not
of any real merit these days anyway.Still imagine you were limited to a
city lot in Dublin; I might sing a different song.

Peace to all and thank you almighty for having given me a fine hobby for
all these many years.

73 Doug EI2CN

PS Written under the duress of two glasses of Chianti.



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

Topband: 9N2EI on TB

2017-03-13 Thread Doug Turnbull 

Dear YLs and OMs,

9N2EI will be on TB tonight.   The frequency is not yet known but if
received it will be passed on.   If the activity is good enough they may be
on more nights.

   73 Doug EI2CN

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

Topband: Refund DXing on the Edge 2nd ed

2017-01-24 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs and YLs,
 I just went into Amazon.UK opened my account and went to defective
product.In one minute they gave me a full refund to my credit card.   I
am now going to try and contact ARRL to warn them.

73 Doug EI2CN

-Original Message-
From: Doug Turnbull [mailto:turnb...@net1.ie] 
Sent: 24 January 2017 10:47
To: 'Doug Turnbull'; topband@contesting.com
Subject: DXing on teh Edge 2nd ed

Dear OMs and YLs,
 I received an e-mail from Jeff, K1ZM this morning questioning my
comments about missing materials in "DXing on the Edge" - all of the first
edition which is now out of print should be in the second edition.   Well
the publisher has failed and my edition stops in Chapter 10 page 10-24.
Jeff did not short us but the publisher has made an error.

 How one gets satisfaction now with Amazon without having kept a receipt
I do not know.   What will happen next we will see?   Meanwhile I am sorry
to have questioned Jeff's efforts on our behalf.

  73 Doug EI2CN

-Original Message-----
From: Doug Turnbull [mailto:turnb...@net1.ie] 
Sent: 23 January 2017 20:42
To: 'topband@contesting.com'
Subject: DXing on teh Edge 2nd ed

Dear OMs and YLs,
 My copy of the second edition has arrived.   I am pleased to have kept
the first edition as it has more technical content covering both RX and TX
antennas.   There is none of this in the second edition and this is a pity.
The second edition is the history contained in the first edition which is
interesting but if you have the first edition there is no reason to purchase
the second except for an improved binding.

  I do not mean to cause Jeff any grief as he is both a pioneer and a
beacon for the rest of us.

  I found his receive and transmit antenna sections often most helpful
to recommend to others.   In some ways his first edition of "DXing on the
Edge" is more readable and useful than ON4UNs more comprehensive work.

  73 Doug EI2CN



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Topband: UK delivery DXing on Edge from Amazon

2017-01-14 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs,
 I just received notification that the second edition of DXing on the
Edge is being dispatched for delivery to EI from Amazon UK.   The cost was
£15.85.

 73 Doug EI2CN

-Original Message-


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Topband: Stew Before Christmas

2016-12-21 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs and YLs,
 I also would like to cast myself with those favouring the Stew in the
week before Christmas.   December 26 is a holiday in much of Europe meant to
be shared with family and friends.   If this could always be avoided and if
the last two days of the month were also verboten then post Christmas would
be fine.   However the calendar does not cooperate in this.   No matter what
you do there is conflict but I think avoiding these critical days post
Christmas helps.Of course many working stiffs are getting ready for
Christmas in the days immediately prior and may also have parties so you
will never satisfy all of us.

  It is a good event and for me the limited time period is a big plus.
Thank you.

  73 Doug EI2CN



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Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 158, Issue 26

2016-02-29 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Re Am I the only one

Dear OMs,
 Maybe part of the trouble is that for much of the EU one can not
operate higher power above 1850 KHz.To be legal and operate more that
ten watts one must be below 1850 kHz.Now one should also note that in CW
contests that the phone high power phone band is made unusable for SSB and
in fact the CW signals are found much further up the band perhaps so that
the power being run is above the legal 10 Watts.   These rules no doubt vary
across the EU.

 Contests which one is not participating in are often a pain but then
when you take part things have a different hue.   We should be thankful for
the WARC bands and that contests have been kept off these bands.   Meanwhile
any CW contester should be tolerant and I will be six foot under before I
try the madness of a 160M SSB contest.   Of course the likes of Stew Perry
were mad to put up with LORAN and the then 10 Watt power level.   One sixty
is a band for gentle mad men.

 Peace to all.

73 Doug EI2CN

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Topband: K5P in Zone 14

2016-01-16 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs,
 Please do not think I am criticizing the team.   So far at 17:27 GMT on
Jan16 there has only been one 160M QSO with zone 14 which includes EI, G, DL
etc.The propagation gods are not favouring us at all.   K5P is a hard
reach on most bands and once you go away from 17 through 40 meters there are
literally only about five QSOs total on the other bands.

  Some are losing their reason and making poor comments which reflect
badly on both them and their nations.   We as a hobby need to do better in
recognizing the troubles of the DXpedition.

  73 Doug EI2CN

PS The comments about reception in the States are most interesting.

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
topband-requ...@contesting.com
Sent: 16 January 2016 17:00
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 157, Issue 35

Send Topband mailing list submissions to
topband@contesting.com

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
topband-requ...@contesting.com

You can reach the person managing the list at
topband-ow...@contesting.com

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Topband digest..."


Today's Topics:

   1. Re: strange propagation (Roger D Johnson)
   2. K5P 160m run (kd8...@aol.com)
   3. Re: K5P 160m run (Art Snapper)
   4. 160m monoband amp (was strange propagation) (Louis Parascondola)
   5. Re: K5P 160m run (Tim Shoppa)
   6. Asia lowband contest right now? (Tim Shoppa)
   7. Re: FCC regulations circa 1960's (John Frazier)
   8. Re: strange propagation (kol...@rcn.com)


--

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 09:08:29 -0500
From: Roger D Johnson 
To: Top Band Reflector 
Subject: Re: Topband: strange propagation
Message-ID: <569a4edd.8000...@roadrunner.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Sounds like someone retreating to his Homogenous Cluster where everyone
agrees with him.

Bye, Tom


On 1/16/2016 8:37 AM, Tom W8JI wrote:
> This reflector has gone down the toilet with personal BS that serves no
> purpose except to pick fights.
>
> After 20 years, I'm leaving it.It sure went down the tubes.
>
>
> - Original Message - From: "Louis Parascondola via Topband"
> 
> To: ; 
> Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2016 7:24 AM
> Subject: Re: Topband: strange propagation
>
>
>> That was not nice.
>>
>>
>> Lou W1QJ
>>
>>
>>
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Roger D Johnson 
>> To: topband 
>> Sent: Sat, Jan 16, 2016 7:09 am
>> Subject: Re: Topband: strange propagation
>>
>>
>> Sounds a lot like the RHR folks!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> A friend of mine at the Georgia State Public Service Training Center
(right
>>> down my street) says this social trend, made pandemic through Internet,
has
>>> even been assigned a name now. It is called Homogeneous Clustering. This
is
>>> where groups of people cluster together and invent their own reality,
feed off
>>> each other's emotions, and dismiss anyone outside their group as a
problem and
>>> dishonest.
>>>
>>>
>>> 73 Tom
>>> _
>>> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>>>
>> _
>> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>>
>> _
>> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>>
>>
>> -
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 2016.0.7294 / Virus Database: 4489/11412 - Release Date:
01/16/16
>>
>
>


--

Message: 2
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 10:09:55 -0500
From: kd8...@aol.com
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: K5P 160m run
Message-ID: <4a02bd.30560bab.43cbb...@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

What a run K5P has had on 160 the last 2 nights!  I run an inverted L  with 
the vertical portion up 65" and 90 radials of which 60 are 120'.  It's  not 
a bad Tx ant, but not so hot on Rx, and I need a bit better Wx to put up 
the  Hi-Z array I bought.  I usually hear stations in the pacific for 30- 60

min  before my sunrise here in the black hole of DX in southern Michigan and

they are  only workable for 15-30 min.  These guys were workable for hours 
prior to  my sunrise (worked them @ 0530 EST, 1030Z, 2.5h before sunrise,
550 
W) and  I heard them for an hour after when most stations fade within 
minutes after  sunrise.  Impressive.
 
Mike KD8RQE

--

Message: 3
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 10:25:29 -0500
From: Art Snapper 
To: kd8...@aol.com
Cc: 160 
Subject: Re: Topband: K5P 160m run

Topband: Palmyra cursed paradise (K5P)

2016-01-16 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs and Yls,
 The following link was posted me by Don EI6IL and tells a very
interesting story of woe and murder on Palmyra Island going back to the very
discovery of the atoll.Slightly off topic but many of us have illusions
of working K5P so this may be of interest and also add a bit of spice.   The
cursed paradise is a good read:

http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2014/07/the-cursed-paradise-of-palmyra-atoll/


  Yes EU feels the W6 pain this time and the poor cousins of EI in DL
and I lands are even worse off than in EI for K5P.   At least the EI path is
over ocean and tundra rather than thousands of fellow hams.

   Good hunting.
 73 Doug EI2CN


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Topband: EP6T from Western Europe

2015-01-22 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Hi Neil,

 I will follow your guidelines tonight and get up at 02:00 for a couple
of hours.This may do the trick.   As the CQWW starts tomorrow night,
this will probably be the last shot.   I doubt they will be around on Monday
night and my body will be shot after CQWW even if I do not pull two all
nighters.   Well life is good and they are giving us all a chance.These
guys all made a big sacrifice and all they get is abuse from all continents.


 

  Yes the VP8G operator will be sought but I think he is only on 17 and
20.   Next year there will be a larger scale expedition to South Georgia and
South Sandwich if they can get the funds.   Those poor people will be
concerned with keeping their fingers warm enough to operate the paddle.   

 

   Thank you once more for your guidance - it is appreciated.

 

73 Doug EI2CN

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Topband: EP6T from western Europe EI

2015-01-21 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs and Yls,

  The truth is that very few have worked EP6T from EI or G land.   There
have been all of three TB QSOs from G land, and no QSOs from EI.   There
have been all of 58 TB QSOs from all of zone 14 and this includes all of
Germany which comes much closer to EP that either EI or G. There have
been no QSOs on 80M from EI; 10 from G land and 188 for all of zone 14.
Forty meters does not look very good either.

  They do not seem to be hearing very well and for that matter on 160M
the signal is weaker than might be expected.  So please do not feel
persecuted.The low bands are pretty much a bust for this DXpedition
unless you are closer say in parts of UA land.

 

  Last night on 80M CW several breaks were taken with calls for NA but
no replies or maybe one and then no more.   I was on till 02:30. Even in
working EU stations the process was generally pretty slow.   I was certainly
never heard and it was not for lack of trying.

 

  They have a four square for TX and RX on 40 meters and this antenna
works well - it is very directional as is witnessed when they change its
direction.   The signals on 40M have been very good but so far no luck for
EI2CN on either CW or SSB despite trying for hours. 

 

   The demand is just too great.   They do not have enough operators to
keep the stations plugging away constantly.At times the operators are
really good working one after another then they are slow taking a minute per
QSO or longer.   It is disheartening.   Still these guys have noise, a wall
of QRM and a power outage the first night.

 

   Sadly for us in Europe there are amongst us plenty of people causing
deliberate QRM.   Since in EI one beams across Europe there is no avoiding
this mess.   Thanks be for Navassa the EU is to my back and the Hi-Z four
square can reduce the garbage.   We have a problem in Europe - that I know.
I am not so sure about the USA but I suspect there are a few nutters
amongst your midst as well.

 

   People in the EU, NA and JA all complain when EP6T decides to target
a given area other than their own.   For EI it is often only when the
signals finally build that EP6T starts calling for NA.   It is what must be
accepted with grace.   Come  Navassa, I suspect the Greek stations will
suffer this problem and we in EI will have an easier time.

 

  Well this is the perspective from here.   I despair of working EP6T on
TB and doubt I will log them on 80M.All of EI has but three QSOs on 30M.
This is a tough one.

 

 73 Doug EI2CN

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Topband: The Russian 160M contest

2014-12-20 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs and Yls,

 

   Last night I came back from dinner at our local with the XYL.   I sat
down at the radio and heard F5IN at about 21:06 UTC working a contest.   Ah
it is the Russian 160M contest -hmm.   Oh it seems that one does not just
work UA land.   This is good as there would not be enough activity to keep
going.   It would just be a bore.Okay another good thing is that the
contest is over at 24:00 so I could stay up for it.   An hour and six
minutes of the four hours is lost but I am still pretty sober not having
consumed too much - thank God.   Lets give it a try.

 Well this contest was an absolute toot - I enjoyed it from start to
finish.   I like short contests!I worked 130 QSOs, in 32 DXCC and 27
Russian regions for a score of 43,011.At the start I was not hearing any
of the Russians who were spotted so worked some EU stations, then I started
a run and gradually Russian stations started calling in.During this
time I worked Greece and the UAE.   Later things started to flag and the USA
was coming in so about ten North American QSOs were added of course
including VE1ZZ, Jack as a starter.   This activity from W/VE was good as
for the last hour the contests really flagged.   There were not that many
Russian or EU entrants but it was a most agreeable evening and all the more
so as it was not expected.

 

 Post Contest by a couple of minutes V5/DL3DXX in Namibia was worked for
a new 160M entity. 

 

 It seems that the inverted L on the original SteppIR radial field is
not doing too poorly.I hope to improve this before the Stew Perry.
Thanks to all.

 

 73 Doug EI2CN

 

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Re: Topband: Confusion in ON4UN's Low Band DXing radial length calculations.

2014-12-19 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Brian,
I understand that the VF varies with soil type.   One could just
compensate by being conservative but who wants to use 30/40% more wire than
needed.   Why does the ON4UN book ignore VF when doing the example problems?
Should I shorten to take into account VF?

73 Doug EI2CN

-Original Message-
From: k8...@hughes.net [mailto:k8...@hughes.net] 
Sent: 19 December 2014 00:08
To: Doug Turnbull; Topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Confusion in ON4UN's Low Band DXing radial
lengthcalculations.

Hello Doug,

The 50-60% figure depends on your soil conditions, so may vary quite a bit. 
With my poor, sandy soil, the Vf is 67.7% with the radials laying on the 
ground. When I buried them 6, the Vf was 39.8%. Using these shortened 
radials, there wasn't much improvement going beyond 16 radials.

To find out your soil conditions, simply lay a temporary dipole on the 
ground and use an analyzer to find it's resonance. Then trim to length. Now 
you have your first two radials!

Good luck

Brian  K8BHZ

-Original Message- 
From: Doug Turnbull
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 4:18 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Confusion in ON4UN's Low Band DXing radial 
lengthcalculations.

Dear OMs and Yls,

  I am replacing raised radials for 160M inverted L with ground mounted
radials mostly because I could not readily get the raised radials up high
enough in my wood and also because of maintenance problems.



   This inverted L goes up 100 feet at its top before levelling out for
the final 32' or so.   It should I believe have a strong vertical element.



   ON4UN's book Low-Band DXing 56th edition is generally excellent but I
do find the coverage of ground radials both confusing and somewhat
contradictory.This surprises me for what is pretty much considered the
bible.



 On page 9-14 the text states that the velocity factor falls for
ground mounted radials to the the order of 50-60%, which means that a
radial that is physically 20 meters long is actually a half-wave long
electrically!  This example is for 80M not 160M.However in the examples
found on page 9-15 the velocity factor change is ignored.I understand
the velocity factor change and have always accepted this.   It generally did
not pay to try and cut radials precisely to a given wavelength.I accept
the radial length vs. radial number charts but is this an electrical length
in free space or a length considerably reduced due to velocity factory
change?Example 3 ignores velocity factor correction and from what I can
see this correction is ignore in most of the text concerning ground radials.
What does one do?   Who does one believe.



 While I am talking about a 160M inverted L; I did reference the
SteppIR BigIR vertical manual, page 18.Lengths should be scalable.I
find no mention of velocity factor and the shortening effect which is
experienced.   The recommendations are not very different from those in
ON4UNs book.   So does this mean one ignores the change in velocity factor?



 I appreciate some guidance with this matter.   I would like a
radial field which would take me to within 0.5/1 dB of the maximum
achievable for reducing near field losses.



73 Doug EI2CN







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Topband: radial system confusion - thanks all

2014-12-19 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs and Yls,
 You have been super in your replies and I thank you all.   I am laying
radials on the top of the ground and stapling them.  What you have sent me
more or less confirms me in adding approximately fifty (50) length 33 meter
radials to the existing radial field of Qty 120 length fifty-five foot
radials with the remnants of my raised radials of Qty 10 length 132 foot
radials.   This radial field overlaps with the new radial field for the
moved SteppIR BigIR which consists of another Qty 125, length of 55 foot
radials.I needed to move the SteppIR further away and have now done so.
There is mucho wire on the ground and a good bit more being added.

   I was and am unhappy about the radial section of Low Band DXing not
being consistent but everyone makes mistakes; even the best of engineering
texts have problems.

   To all a Happy Christmas and I hope to be heard in the Stew Perry and
more importantly I hope to hear you.   Yes it is fun to work W6 and W7 from
EI.Cheers to all of you.

  73 Doug EI2CN

PS This is one of the most informative and technical forums in the hobby.

*

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Topband: Confusion in ON4UN's Low Band DXing radial length calculations.

2014-12-18 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs and Yls,

  I am replacing raised radials for 160M inverted L with ground mounted
radials mostly because I could not readily get the raised radials up high
enough in my wood and also because of maintenance problems.

 

   This inverted L goes up 100 feet at its top before levelling out for
the final 32' or so.   It should I believe have a strong vertical element.

 

   ON4UN's book Low-Band DXing 56th edition is generally excellent but I
do find the coverage of ground radials both confusing and somewhat
contradictory.This surprises me for what is pretty much considered the
bible.

 

 On page 9-14 the text states that the velocity factor falls for
ground mounted radials to the the order of 50-60%, which means that a
radial that is physically 20 meters long is actually a half-wave long
electrically!  This example is for 80M not 160M.However in the examples
found on page 9-15 the velocity factor change is ignored.I understand
the velocity factor change and have always accepted this.   It generally did
not pay to try and cut radials precisely to a given wavelength.I accept
the radial length vs. radial number charts but is this an electrical length
in free space or a length considerably reduced due to velocity factory
change?Example 3 ignores velocity factor correction and from what I can
see this correction is ignore in most of the text concerning ground radials.
What does one do?   Who does one believe.

 

 While I am talking about a 160M inverted L; I did reference the
SteppIR BigIR vertical manual, page 18.Lengths should be scalable.I
find no mention of velocity factor and the shortening effect which is
experienced.   The recommendations are not very different from those in
ON4UNs book.   So does this mean one ignores the change in velocity factor?

 

 I appreciate some guidance with this matter.   I would like a
radial field which would take me to within 0.5/1 dB of the maximum
achievable for reducing near field losses.

 

73 Doug EI2CN

  

 

  

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Topband: July Stew Perry Please!!!!

2012-03-17 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs and Yls

 A July Stew Perry is an excellent idea!!!We need something to temp
more onto the band during the noisy season.   One tunes the band a number of
times and hears nothing and so resorts to HF.A good effort in high
summer for the northern latitudes might clear our ears.   Even if our
receive antennas were largely down, a contest might bring some of us out.
A summer contest could also make the K9AY and magnetic loop antennas have
more justification for their existence.A July Stew Perry would be a fair
handshake to the southern hemisphere and their efforts during the warm
months.   Please bring it on

 

73 Doug EI2CN

 

PS Yes a summer contest, well Top Band Operators like pain.

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 109, Issue 36

2012-01-21 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Jack is a gentleman and good operator.   Certainly in EI there are no clicks
but perhaps some have such a strong signal that the problem is in their own
equipment - it can happen.And yes maybe on occasion one has the delay
set too short or the rise time too long.   This can happen to a saint.   I
can tell you that Jack is a very welcome signal to many of us in EU land.
Malicious interference and making false use of a call is never welcome
anywhere and no one should play the policeman combined executioner.

73 Doug EI2CN

-Original Message-
From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of topband-requ...@contesting.com
Sent: 21 January 2012 14:50
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 109, Issue 36

Send Topband mailing list submissions to
topband@contesting.com

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
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or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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You can reach the person managing the list at
topband-ow...@contesting.com

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than Re: Contents of Topband digest...


Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band (Eddy Swynar)
   2. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
  (Mike  Coreen Smith)
   3. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
  (Joel Harrison)
   4. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
  (GeorgeWallner)
   5. Interference on 160 (John Harden)
   6. Re: metal enclosure (Roy)
   7. Re: Interference on 160 (Doug Renwick)
   8. Re: My First DX (Chet)


--

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:07:39 -0500
From: Eddy Swynar deswy...@xplornet.ca
Subject: Re: Topband: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
To: Roger D Johnson n...@roadrunner.com
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: fd60cabd-08e8-46e7-b978-c1907b5de...@xplornet.ca
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii


On 2012-01-21, at 6:32 AM, Roger D Johnson wrote:

 Unfortunately, VE1ZZ has a terrible signal with key clicks out to over1kHz
 from his carrier frequency. Perhaps the other chap had a signal he was
 trying to copy wiped out by ZZ and decided to get even.


Hi Roger,

Sez who...?

Jack's keying may well be a tad on the hard side, but his signal HARDLY
emits ...key clicks out to over 1 KHz from his carrier frequency,
IMHO...and I've copied him at some 30 db.+ over S-9 here, too, so if he was,
indeed, clicky, I think I'd know...

There seems to be a clique of anal Kilocycle Klix Kops on 160-meters that
is obsessed with key clicks,  is quick to condemn---much too quick to
condemn, IMHO---guys like Jack. Far be it for me to suggest that you're a
part of that elite group, Roger, but I know from personal experience that
...perception is reality, and if so-called tribal knowledge on the band
has it that Jack is guilty, then he's been effectively branded as such for
life. 

It's not fair,  it's not becoming of anyone who aspires to be one in a
league of gentlemen to criticize one's fellows in a medium to which said
fellow may not be a party of, and thus unable to defend himself...I know:
I've been there myself personally, and I did NOT like it.

~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ

--

Message: 2
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:18:03 -0400
From: Mike  Coreen Smith ve...@nbnet.nb.ca
Subject: Re: Topband: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: 00d801ccd83f$1b5c8810$6501a8c0@II
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=iso-8859-1

There is hardly a station closer to Jack on 160m than me. ( a couple 
VE1's/VY2's maybe) and yes, I'll be one of the first to admit his keying is 
indeed a bit hard, but I wouldn't say he's especially wide.  He's about 
60/9 here, but I have never thought he was QRMing me by his keying.  (if 
anything, just brute signal strength probably more than anything)

I've heard much worse coming out of other parts of Eastern NA with stations 
that are much weaker and take out segments of the band with horrendous key

clicks or problems with their amplifiers.

VE9AA

Mike, Coreen  Corey Smith
699 Rte 616 Keswick Ridge
NB
Canada
E6L 1T1
  - Original Message - 
  From: Eddy Swynar
  To: Roger D Johnson
  Cc: topband@contesting.com
  Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 9:07 AM
  Subject: Re: Topband: Ticked over intentional interference on top band



  On 2012-01-21, at 6:32 AM, Roger D Johnson wrote:

   Unfortunately, VE1ZZ has a terrible signal with key clicks out to 
over1kHz
   from his carrier frequency. Perhaps the other chap had a signal he was
   trying to copy wiped out by ZZ and decided to get even.


  Hi Roger,

  Sez who...?

  Jack's keying may well be a tad on the hard side, but his signal

Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 109, Issue 36

2012-01-21 Thread Doug Turnbull 
George,
Well written and true.
 73 Doug EI2CN

-Original Message-
From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of topband-requ...@contesting.com
Sent: 21 January 2012 14:50
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 109, Issue 36

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band (Eddy Swynar)
   2. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
  (Mike  Coreen Smith)
   3. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
  (Joel Harrison)
   4. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
  (GeorgeWallner)
   5. Interference on 160 (John Harden)
   6. Re: metal enclosure (Roy)
   7. Re: Interference on 160 (Doug Renwick)
   8. Re: My First DX (Chet)


--

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:07:39 -0500
From: Eddy Swynar deswy...@xplornet.ca
Subject: Re: Topband: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
To: Roger D Johnson n...@roadrunner.com
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: fd60cabd-08e8-46e7-b978-c1907b5de...@xplornet.ca
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii


On 2012-01-21, at 6:32 AM, Roger D Johnson wrote:

 Unfortunately, VE1ZZ has a terrible signal with key clicks out to over1kHz
 from his carrier frequency. Perhaps the other chap had a signal he was
 trying to copy wiped out by ZZ and decided to get even.


Hi Roger,

Sez who...?

Jack's keying may well be a tad on the hard side, but his signal HARDLY
emits ...key clicks out to over 1 KHz from his carrier frequency,
IMHO...and I've copied him at some 30 db.+ over S-9 here, too, so if he was,
indeed, clicky, I think I'd know...

There seems to be a clique of anal Kilocycle Klix Kops on 160-meters that
is obsessed with key clicks,  is quick to condemn---much too quick to
condemn, IMHO---guys like Jack. Far be it for me to suggest that you're a
part of that elite group, Roger, but I know from personal experience that
...perception is reality, and if so-called tribal knowledge on the band
has it that Jack is guilty, then he's been effectively branded as such for
life. 

It's not fair,  it's not becoming of anyone who aspires to be one in a
league of gentlemen to criticize one's fellows in a medium to which said
fellow may not be a party of, and thus unable to defend himself...I know:
I've been there myself personally, and I did NOT like it.

~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ

--

Message: 2
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:18:03 -0400
From: Mike  Coreen Smith ve...@nbnet.nb.ca
Subject: Re: Topband: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: 00d801ccd83f$1b5c8810$6501a8c0@II
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=iso-8859-1

There is hardly a station closer to Jack on 160m than me. ( a couple 
VE1's/VY2's maybe) and yes, I'll be one of the first to admit his keying is 
indeed a bit hard, but I wouldn't say he's especially wide.  He's about 
60/9 here, but I have never thought he was QRMing me by his keying.  (if 
anything, just brute signal strength probably more than anything)

I've heard much worse coming out of other parts of Eastern NA with stations 
that are much weaker and take out segments of the band with horrendous key

clicks or problems with their amplifiers.

VE9AA

Mike, Coreen  Corey Smith
699 Rte 616 Keswick Ridge
NB
Canada
E6L 1T1
  - Original Message - 
  From: Eddy Swynar
  To: Roger D Johnson
  Cc: topband@contesting.com
  Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 9:07 AM
  Subject: Re: Topband: Ticked over intentional interference on top band



  On 2012-01-21, at 6:32 AM, Roger D Johnson wrote:

   Unfortunately, VE1ZZ has a terrible signal with key clicks out to 
over1kHz
   from his carrier frequency. Perhaps the other chap had a signal he was
   trying to copy wiped out by ZZ and decided to get even.


  Hi Roger,

  Sez who...?

  Jack's keying may well be a tad on the hard side, but his signal HARDLY 
emits ...key clicks out to over 1 KHz from his carrier frequency, 
IMHO...and I've copied him at some 30 db.+ over S-9 here, too, so if he was,

indeed, clicky, I think I'd know...

  There seems to be a clique of anal Kilocycle Klix Kops on 160-meters 
that is obsessed with key clicks,  is quick to condemn---much too quick to 
condemn, IMHO---guys like Jack. Far be it for me to suggest that you're a 
part of that elite group, Roger, but I know from personal experience

Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 109, Issue 37

2012-01-21 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Rise time set short Red face

-Original Message-
From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of topband-requ...@contesting.com
Sent: 21 January 2012 15:12
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 109, Issue 37

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When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Topband Digest, Vol 109, Issue 36 (Doug Turnbull)
   2. Re: Topband Digest, Vol 109, Issue 36 (Doug Turnbull)


--

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:06:56 -
From: Doug Turnbull turnb...@net1.ie
Subject: Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 109, Issue 36
To: topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: B6A039A8FDE5460CA5FBDA41A3F59743@DOUG1
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

Jack is a gentleman and good operator.   Certainly in EI there are no clicks
but perhaps some have such a strong signal that the problem is in their own
equipment - it can happen.And yes maybe on occasion one has the delay
set too short or the rise time too long.   This can happen to a saint.   I
can tell you that Jack is a very welcome signal to many of us in EU land.
Malicious interference and making false use of a call is never welcome
anywhere and no one should play the policeman combined executioner.

73 Doug EI2CN

-Original Message-
From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of topband-requ...@contesting.com
Sent: 21 January 2012 14:50
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 109, Issue 36

Send Topband mailing list submissions to
topband@contesting.com

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
topband-requ...@contesting.com

You can reach the person managing the list at
topband-ow...@contesting.com

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than Re: Contents of Topband digest...


Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band (Eddy Swynar)
   2. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
  (Mike  Coreen Smith)
   3. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
  (Joel Harrison)
   4. Re: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
  (GeorgeWallner)
   5. Interference on 160 (John Harden)
   6. Re: metal enclosure (Roy)
   7. Re: Interference on 160 (Doug Renwick)
   8. Re: My First DX (Chet)


--

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:07:39 -0500
From: Eddy Swynar deswy...@xplornet.ca
Subject: Re: Topband: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
To: Roger D Johnson n...@roadrunner.com
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: fd60cabd-08e8-46e7-b978-c1907b5de...@xplornet.ca
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii


On 2012-01-21, at 6:32 AM, Roger D Johnson wrote:

 Unfortunately, VE1ZZ has a terrible signal with key clicks out to over1kHz
 from his carrier frequency. Perhaps the other chap had a signal he was
 trying to copy wiped out by ZZ and decided to get even.


Hi Roger,

Sez who...?

Jack's keying may well be a tad on the hard side, but his signal HARDLY
emits ...key clicks out to over 1 KHz from his carrier frequency,
IMHO...and I've copied him at some 30 db.+ over S-9 here, too, so if he was,
indeed, clicky, I think I'd know...

There seems to be a clique of anal Kilocycle Klix Kops on 160-meters that
is obsessed with key clicks,  is quick to condemn---much too quick to
condemn, IMHO---guys like Jack. Far be it for me to suggest that you're a
part of that elite group, Roger, but I know from personal experience that
...perception is reality, and if so-called tribal knowledge on the band
has it that Jack is guilty, then he's been effectively branded as such for
life. 

It's not fair,  it's not becoming of anyone who aspires to be one in a
league of gentlemen to criticize one's fellows in a medium to which said
fellow may not be a party of, and thus unable to defend himself...I know:
I've been there myself personally, and I did NOT like it.

~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ

--

Message: 2
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:18:03 -0400
From: Mike  Coreen Smith ve...@nbnet.nb.ca
Subject: Re: Topband: Ticked over intentional interference on top band
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: 00d801ccd83f$1b5c8810$6501a8c0@II
Content-Type: text/plain

Topband: Inverted L Lengths

2011-11-12 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Dear OMs,

I note that some use inverted L antennas of 160 feet plus in length and
others like myself have them closer to a quarter wave length at 132 feet or
so.   My antenna runs nearly 100 feet in the vertical and then goes
horizontal for about 32 feet.   I do not need to use a variable capacitor to
tune it the SWR with eight raised radials is around 1.4 to 1 and it performs
very well indeed.   What is the advantage of the longer wire?   In my
ignorance it would seem to detract from the vertical element and raise the
angle of radiation.   Am I missing something?   I believe both designs are
shown in DXing on the Edge but there is no comparison between them in this
book.   I prefer not to use a variable capacitor outside though one was
purchased in case needed.   

 My radials come from about six inches above ground and slope up to
about eight feet above ground supported a few feet from the antenna by four
foot high fence posts before going into my wood and being supported by
electric fence insulators screwed into trees.   Yes I know four radials
should do but I am able to put up more and it seemed to broadband the
antenna a bit better and the antenna works over the whole of the 160M band
though it seldom is used on phone.

 

 The band seems very lonely this year but most of my receiving antennas
are not yet up due to cattle in adjacent fields.   I hope they are soon
moved.   A Hi-Z 4 square receiving system is on order and this may augment
my K9AY and improve the situation.   Top band operators are made of sterner
stuff than I am as it is so hard to stay up through the night.

 73 Doug EI2CN

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 106, Issue 32

2011-10-25 Thread Doug Turnbull 
Gary and group,
 I too would be most interested in hearing from those using the DXE
active antennas.   I am able to deploy Beverages sometime in November after
life stock are removed from adjacent fields but would much prefer to have
the antennas on my own land year round.   Other wise I am limited to a K9AY
which I certainly find a help but not normally equal to the Beverages.   I
see the DXE adverts but then think of the Gotham antennas of the sixties and
wonder - no slur is meant by this but I would sure like to know more about
these active antenna systems.   I must Google Hi-Z which is new to me.   Top
band remains a challenge.

  73 Doug EI2CN 

-Original Message-
From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of topband-requ...@contesting.com
Sent: 25 October 2011 20:01
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 106, Issue 32

Send Topband mailing list submissions to
topband@contesting.com

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
topband-requ...@contesting.com

You can reach the person managing the list at
topband-ow...@contesting.com

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than Re: Contents of Topband digest...


Today's Topics:

   1. Hi-Z or DXE Active Rx antennae (Gary Smith)
   2. Vertical for 160/80? (Jerry Keller (K3BZ))
   3. bottom fed antenna causing broad band signal?
  (BRYON PAUL n0ah VEAL)
   4. Receive ant question (Its from Onion)
   5. Re: Vertical for 160/80? (paulk...@aol.com)
   6. JD1BME Minami Torishima QSL card for 160m (Steve Ireland)
   7. Jacek (Ryszard Tymkiewicz)
   8. Need help feeding tower on 160 AND 80 (Brian Machesney)


--

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:14:28 -0400
From: Gary Smith g...@ka1j.com
Subject: Topband: Hi-Z or DXE Active Rx antennae
To: topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: 4ea5c724.20838.4ae9...@gary.ka1j.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

My Beverages are lousy to the point of being useless over the salt 
marsh and I'm going out there  taking them down as soon as the deer 
ticks go dormant for the fall.

Looking at the replies I've gotten for Rx antennae for this QTH, it 
seems like one of my better options is to get an active Rx antenna 
system like the DXE or Hi-Z 4 element series. 

Does anyone know of a ham who has any of these active directional 
units that is no longer using them  wants to move them along? If so, 
please have them contact me directly.

Thanks,

Gary
KA1J


--

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:59:57 -0400
From: Jerry Keller \(K3BZ\) k...@verizon.net
Subject: Topband: Vertical for 160/80?
To: \(REFLECTOR\) Topband topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: 5489F6FF60754456BE630F625DFB1D41@JKPC
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=Windows-1252

I have an aluminum tubing vertical that I no longer need to use on 40M.
Bottom 18? is 3? OD; rest is 1? OD, length is adjustable to max 35?. I?m
looking for details of a good way to use this  as part of a vertical for
160M (and/or 80M) that might be better than an inverted el.  Ideas?

73,   Jerry K3BZ

--

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:10:41 -0600
From: BRYON PAUL n0ah VEAL bryonv...@msn.com
Subject: Topband: bottom fed antenna causing broad band signal?
To: topband@contesting.com topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: snt143-w386b27b839a84716cf77e5b3...@phx.gbl
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1


I have a good friend who has a 1/4 wave 80 foot vertical (63 feet) who
decided to put a 100 foot coil to bottom feed the antenna for 160M.  Using a
tuner, (no UnUN) he is resonant at 1.830 but the signal is very broad banded
at 4 miles away. Originally, he started with a coil made of 50 feet of
copper and was resonant at 1.890Mhz.  Any red flags with this design to
warrant this problem of hearing him 30KHz wide, (10 up, 20 down) ?? On the
scope, the signal looks very clean, and I only see it 3-5 Khz wide, as I
would expect. Hut he is transmitting CW on LSB using CW software.  The coil
is only around 2 1/2 inches wide- I am thinking larger turns would be less
of a coil-  Any suggestions appreciated- this is not an antenna I understand
very well but would like to get some input- The station is very clean for
issues but is the coil suspect-  I think I would just gone with an Inv
L... hihi
Please feel free to respond to n...@arrl.net. 

Paul  N0AH

  

--

Message: 4
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:40:19 +
From: Its from Onion aredandg...@msn.com
Subject: Topband: Receive ant question
To: topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: snt107-w589af19274eba90f40ad43bc...@phx.gbl
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1