Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Probably the most durable two conductor is Military WD-1A telephone cable.
available on eBay for $50 for about a half-mile.  Special lower
impedance transformers are required to match the line's impedance.  It is
also a great source for very durable single wire Beverages with both ends
connected together.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Sun, Jan 12, 2020 at 11:26 AM John Kaufmann via Topband <
topband@contesting.com> wrote:

> I'm looking for a source for durable ladder line for making two-wire
> reversible Beverages for use at the KC1XX contest station.  In the past
> we've used the line sold by DX Engineering but over the years we've found
> that the plastic spacers between the wires become brittle and break off.
> It
> may be UV exposure that causes this.  We also get some pretty severe
> weather
> at KC1XX hilltop location, with ice in the winter and frequent strong
> winds.
> The spacer breakage sometimes exposes the wires, which then become twisted,
> and the ladder line generally becomes weakened and prone to wire breakage.
>
>
>
> What else is available commercially?
>
>
>
> 73, John W1FV
>
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Re: Topband: FT-8 Contest would be great for Topband

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I just joined Mike.  Thanks

Herb, KV4FZ

On Fri, Jan 10, 2020 at 8:21 PM Mike Waters  wrote:

> The brand new https://groups.io/g/160Digital group should be good for
> that, Herb. Have you joined yet?
>
> 73, Mike
> W0BTU
>
> On Fri, Jan 10, 2020, 6:04 PM Herbert Schoenbohm <
> herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I think the huge FT-8 community would come up with something quickly.
>> The potential for a very popular contest is big.   Maybe a website would
>> eventually be established to aid in the process such as FT-8 160 meter
>> contesting replete with a checklist of possible preferences,
>>
>> Let us just do it!
>>
>> Herb, KV4FZ
>>
>> On Fri, Jan 10, 2020 at 3:34 PM Mike Waters  wrote:
>>
>>> Why not? I think that an FT8 contest would be a good experiment, at
>>> least.
>>>
>>> It needs a sponsor(s) and some tentative rules. Any suggestions?
>>>
>>
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Re: Topband: FT-8 Contest would be great for Topband

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I think the huge FT-8 community would come up with something quickly.  The
potential for a very popular contest is big.   Maybe a website would
eventually be established to aid in the process such as FT-8 160 meter
contesting replete with a checklist of possible preferences,

Let us just do it!

Herb, KV4FZ

On Fri, Jan 10, 2020 at 3:34 PM Mike Waters  wrote:

> Why not? I think that an FT8 contest would be a good experiment, at least.
>
> It needs a sponsor(s) and some tentative rules. Any suggestions?
>
> 73, Mike
> W0BTU
>
> On Fri, Jan 10, 2020, 12:38 PM Herbert Schoenbohm <
> herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I know the purists will flame me for this but look at the frequency
>> conservation this would present and look at the activity statistics for
>> only the past couple of hours,
>>
>> AIf the contest was designed well sub-channels could be recommended for
>> the various continents as Stew Perry use to urge for intercontinental QSO's
>> from 1825-1830.
>>
>> Here are the amazing stats for only two hours.
>>
>> Modes over last 2 hours
>> Mode Count
>> FT8 1549146
>> FT4 41733
>> JS8 7895
>> CW 6894
>> [Snip]
>
>
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Topband: FT-8 Contest would be great for Topband

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I know the purists will flame me for this but look at the
frequency conservation this would present and look at the activity
statistics for only the past couple of hours,

AIf the contest was designed well sub-channels could be recommended for the
various continents as Stew Perry use to urge for intercontinental QSO's
from 1825-1830.

Here are the amazing stats for only two hours.

Modes over last 2 hours
Mode Count
FT8 1549146
FT4 41733
JS8 7895
CW 6894
PSK31 433
JT65 383
OPERA 132
JT9 65
MSK144 37
OLIVIA 22
OLIVIA 8 22
JT6M 18
ROS 14
DOMINO 13
PI4 12
OLIVIA-8 9
PSK63 9
FSK441 8
JT65B 7
WSPR 6
RTTY 5
MT63-500 1
SIM31 1
THOR 1
THOR22 1
PSK 1
CONTESTI 1

What do you think?


Herb, KV4FZ




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Re: Topband: 160m vertical saltwater grounding

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

A very effective device called *Dynaplate* works very well as a saltwater
grounding system for boats or limited areas to run full-sized radials.  You
can get one for $100 from the link below.
https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=13331

Herb, KV4FZ

On Wed, Jan 8, 2020 at 6:30 PM Robert Fanfant  wrote:

>
> Am looking to activate a location with very limited space surrounded by
> ocean. Think of a small rock surrounded by saltwater/ocean.  The vertical
> will be a tall 60’+ fiberglass pole and made to resonate on 160m. I would
> like a way to reduce the required space of the 160m antenna radial field
> due to the limited physical space available. The vertical will be located
> at the waters edge, or even possibly over the oceans surface. At the feed
> point, will be a choke designed for 160m. We should also assume maximum
> power of 1.5KW being fed into the vertical and the activation will be for a
> 2 week duration of time.
>
> One idea that came up is to use a floating piece of conductive material as
> the verticals counterpoise. Specifically,   a thin conductive plate
> designed to float on the oceans surface. From the antenna’s feed point,
> will be a short length of  ground wire say about 6’ long,  to this
> conductive plate.
>
> Question(s):
>
>   1.  Is it possible to just use the ocean as the ground plane /
> counterpoise ? That is, can this idea work?
>   2.  If so,
>  *   How do I determine the required square footage/size of the plate?
>  *   What material should be used as the conductive plate? (Nickel,
> copper, aluminum, etc..? )The thought here is to make this plate as light
> as possible, yet effective. It  will need to last the duration of the
> activation (~2 weeks) in/on saltwater, it needs to handle 1.5KW at the feed
> point, and likely exposed to air and saltwater as it floats on the ocean
> surface.
>
> -rob N7QT
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail for
> Windows 10
>
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Re: Topband: KV4FZ FT8

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Mike,  That's amazing!

Herb, KV4FZ

On Wed, Jan 1, 2020 at 6:27 PM W0MU Mike Fatchett  wrote:

> Decoded at 2216z  3:16pm Local time here in Colorado.  Crazy!
>
> W0MU
> _
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Re: Topband: Shunt feed question

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Best to use a 3 or 4 wire cage feed and you will find the match easier.
You should tap the tower at 50 feet and work down till you find the sweet
spot.  A 500 to 750 vac variable will take care of any measure inductive
component.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Tue, Oct 15, 2019 at 3:10 PM Marty Ray  wrote:

> I am shunt feeding a 70 ft Trylon tower with a Tennadyne T12.10-30HD LPDA
> at 70 ft and a full size 40m rotatable dipole at 79 ft, (the top of the
> mast is ~85 ft). Both antennas have relays that electrically bond them to
> the tower when the shunt feed is in use.
>
> I have tried two shunt tap points, one at 65 feet and another at 45 feet.
> Using a Rig Expert AA-55 Zoom, the Rs measured a little over 100 ohms on
> the 65 foot version and 49 ohms on the 45 foot version. In both cases,
> adding the shunt capacitor caused Rs to drop by approximately 50 percent,
> (to around 60 ohms and 23 ohms respectively).
>
> I expected Rs to not change much, if any. I tried a vacuum variable, an
> air variable and a silver mica. Same result.
>
> Has anyone seen this happen before?
>
> Regards,
> Marty N9SE
> _
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Re: Topband: 160 meter QSL card checking

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

This is frustrating indeed as there are no DXCC card checkers in the USVI
with 160-meter DXCC which the ARRL requires.  They refuse to explain why.
OK, so I will send the cards to them.  But wait, this requires an online
application. But when I fill it out and put in my zip code and location the
"State" box does not provide for the U.S. Virgin Islands for the card
return information.  So when I go to the foreign section there is no
selection for the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Does anyone have any idea oon what
I should do?  I am a an ARRL member for over 60 years but continue to be
given rough treatment by HQ.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Fri, Oct 11, 2019 at 11:50 AM  wrote:

>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
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>
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Re: Topband: Fwd: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters OK1YQ (OK1RD) Legitimacy???!!!

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I concur. I wonder if someone could adopt their logs post operation and
provide LOTW as a surrogate?  Also, the stations who require green stamps
could learn the OQRS procedure and probably net more income and quicker to
support their operation.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Mon, Jun 24, 2019 at 8:30 AM Tim Shoppa  wrote:

> Herb, in the past 5 years most major DXpedition sponsors have required
> (eventual) LOTW upload as a condition of the funding grant.
>
> This is not 100% of course. A recent notable DXpeditions by a guy who will
> never do LOTW, was 4B4B Revillagigedo. And several Kosovo operations (not
> espcially "hard" but "new") will never do LOTW either.
>
> Now, for rare DX home stations (not DXpeditions), this is much less
> effective. Several of these guys really do depend on green stamps for
> income it seems.
>
> Tim N3QE
>
> On Mon, Jun 24, 2019 at 3:18 AM Herbert Schoenbohm <
> herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Would not a 100% LOTW be the ultimate answer to card frauds?  There is, in
>> fact, is no card checker in the VI for 160 meter QSO's causing me
>> countless
>> mailings to the DXCC desk.  This all could be avoided in the future if the
>> ARRL went to 100% LOTW. Most rare DX stations would want their operations
>> to count and would easily sign up to ARRL's LOTW, I think.
>>
>> Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ.
>>
>> On Sun, Jun 23, 2019 at 6:19 PM Guy Olinger K2AV 
>> wrote:
>>
>> > It does seem, at the moment not being entirely wrapped up in ham
>> > radio, that there certainly is the analogue of OK1YQ in just about
>> > every realm of life. I can think of a few names that I personally
>> > found intensely irritating in the particular circumstances. So I DO
>> > understand the pique. When will the 

Re: Topband: Fwd: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters OK1YQ (OK1RD) Legitimacy???!!!

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Would not a 100% LOTW be the ultimate answer to card frauds?  There is, in
fact, is no card checker in the VI for 160 meter QSO's causing me countless
mailings to the DXCC desk.  This all could be avoided in the future if the
ARRL went to 100% LOTW. Most rare DX stations would want their operations
to count and would easily sign up to ARRL's LOTW, I think.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ.

On Sun, Jun 23, 2019 at 6:19 PM Guy Olinger K2AV  wrote:

> It does seem, at the moment not being entirely wrapped up in ham
> radio, that there certainly is the analogue of OK1YQ in just about
> every realm of life. I can think of a few names that I personally
> found intensely irritating in the particular circumstances. So I DO
> understand the pique. When will the 

Re: Topband: #1 W1BB

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Yes indeed about Stew Perry.  The  ARRL really fooled around with the
160-meter DXCC award. But even worse, when they issued me mine I realized I
had the first ever 6-band DXCC. I asked the powers that be if the would
issue me this.  The answer was "no way."  I said then "If a 5-band DXCC was
such an accomplishment then why would a 6-band DXCC be also?"  There was no
reply and to this day, nearly 50 years later they have never allowed such
an award. So I made one up on the computer and just hung it to the wall.
Case closed. as the ARRL is not very member-friendly but you already
knew that.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Wed, May 29, 2019 at 1:35 PM Greg Chartrand via Topband <
topband@contesting.com> wrote:

> The first time I met with Stew he had his 160 DXCC application in ARRL
> hands for quite a while and they would not issue the certificate or tell
> him whether they would or not.
> His position was in effect, I guess I have some enemies there. He was
> quite a gentleman about the whole thing again saying in effect I know I was
> the first if they acknowledge it or not.
> Quite a man!
> G.
>
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Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 197, Issue 25

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

The real question is not why W1BB is #1 or W8LRL is #2 but why there are
two #3's and no #4.  This goes right to the heart of how the ARRL has been
wrongfully playing favorites.
Herb, KV4FZ

On Tue, May 28, 2019 at 3:14 PM Bob allphin  wrote:

> Who is # 36?
> 
> Bob
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On May 28, 2019, at 12:00, topband-requ...@contesting.com wrote:
> >
> > 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: 160m DXCCs issued? (wb6r...@mac.com)
> >
> >
> > --
> >
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 16:15:45 -0700
> > From: wb6r...@mac.com
> > To: Top Band List List 
> > Subject: Re: Topband: 160m DXCCs issued?
> > Message-ID: <2120bdda-7a5b-4afc-b7bc-15f04c6e1...@mac.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> >
> > No more data needed! Thanks again everyone. Here's the summary of what I
> have.
> >
> > 73! Steve WB6RSE
> >
> >
> > 1977#1 W1BB
> >
> > 1983#25 W6RW first West of the Mississippi
> >#27 July
> >
> > 1984#42 March
> >#50 April
> >#55 K6SE second West of the Mississippi
> >
> > 1985#85 March
> >
> > 1987#229
> >
> > 1990#373 August
> >
> > 1994#448 March
> >#487 December
> >
> > 2002#965 September
> >
> > 2005#1159 July
> >
> > 2006#1273 September
> >
> > 2010#1808 February
> >
> > 2011#1953 February
> >
> > 2013#2323 February
> >
> > 2016#2818 March
> >#2885 October
> >
> > 2017#2952 March
> >
> > 2018#3122 January
> >#3151 May
> >#3190 November
> >#3210 December
> >
> > 2019#3229, 3243 January
> >#3260, 3265 February
> >#3280 March
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> >
> > Subject: Digest Footer
> >
> > ___
> > Topband mailing list
> > Topband@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband
> >
> >
> > --
> >
> > End of Topband Digest, Vol 197, Issue 25
> > 
>
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Re: Topband: AM interference on 1840

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

1844 would be a great solution for FT-8.  Now we have to convince the WSJTX
people to put 1844 in their dropdown menu we they do the next release.
They have 1838 for JT-65 which few ever use today and that could be another
option for FT-8.

On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 10:50 AM cqtestk4xs--- via Topband <
topband@contesting.com> wrote:

> I don't have a dog in the fight but why not move to 1843 or 1844.  Is 1840
> sacrosanct?
> Bill KH7XS
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Jorge Diez - CX6VM 
> To: Edward Sawyer 
> Cc: GEORGE WALLNER ; TopBand List <
> topband@contesting.com>
> Sent: Tue, May 21, 2019 12:51 pm
> Subject: Re: Topband: AM interference on 1840
>
> Ed
>
> FT8 can move, but 1840 still is useless to do CW, so is not a FT8 problem
>
> George said the two big problems, hope this not increase with harmonics
>
> 73,
> Jorge
> CX6VM/CW5W
>
> El mar., 21 may. 2019 a las 8:52, Edward Sawyer ()
> escribió:
>
> > I agree with the 2 messages.  But there is a 3rd.  The inability for the
> > FT8 crowd to QSY around some interference.  Interference is a fact of
> > life.  And we have QSY’s around it (even as it is being worked) for a
> > century.
> >
> >
> >
> > Ed  N1UR
> >
> >
> >
> > From: GEORGE WALLNER [mailto:aa...@atlanticbb.net]
> > Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 7:50 AM
> > To: Edward Sawyer; topband@contesting.com
> > Subject: Re: Topband: AM interference on 1840
> >
> >
> >
> > There are two messages in this topic: One is the interference from this
> > particular BC station. Not a crisis, not yet. Two is a warning: Newly
> > installed solid-state AM broadcast amplifiers in poorly regulated
> regions,
> > over time, will have the potential to fill the entire 160 meter band with
> > harmonics. The second part is not trivial and should be a heads-up. The
> > earlier we find ways to deal with it, the better.
> >
> >
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > George,
> >
> > AA7JV
> >
> >
> >
> > On Tue, 21 May 2019 05:32:24 -0400
> >
> > "Edward Sawyer"  wrote:
> >
> > While the harmonic interference is unacceptable and needs to be dealt
> with,
> >
> > isn't this only "a crisis" because of the simplistic FT8 solution of
> >
> > bunching everyone up on a small channel? It reminds me of the old CB days
> >
> > when something would happen on a certain channel but no one would move
> >
> > because they have always had the radio on channel 2 and that's where all
> >
> > their buddies are. Or the 75M pig farmers that refuse to move but
> complain
> >
> > and harass on QRM that was there before their daily time started.
> >
> >
> >
> > For those of us using CW on topband, this isn't a real problem except
> for a
> >
> > contest weekend. And honestly, it will just get moved around, like the
> >
> > Middle East jammer on 3807.
> >
> >
> >
> > 73
> >
> >
> >
> > Ed N1UR
> >
> >
> >
> > _
> >
> > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> > Reflector
> >
> >
> >
> > _
> > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> > Reflector
> >
>
>
> --
> 73,
> Jorge
> CX6VM/CW5W
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Re: Topband: AM interference on 1840

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

A notch filter on 930 won't help as the IX is transmitted on 1860.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Mon, May 20, 2019 at 1:26 PM Mark Schoonover  wrote:

> Mark,
>
> How about a notch filter centered on 930? Search on AM BCB Filter to get
> some ideas.
>
> 73! Mark KA6WKE
>
> Website: https://www.ka6wke.net
> Live Stream: https://www.ka6wke.net/live-stream
> YouTube Live!: https://bit.ly/bench-therapy-live
> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ka6wke
> Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ka6wke
> EMail Announcement: ka6wke-announce+subscr...@groups.io
> Author: 4NEC2 The Definitive Guide
> EMail List:: 4nec2defgu...@groups.io
>
>
> On Mon, May 20, 2019 at 9:24 AM Mpridesti via Topband <
> topband@contesting.com> wrote:
>
>> I have a local AM station here (about 3 km away) that operates on 930
>> kHz. Their second harmonic is 1860.  Seems they are operating within
>> specification and abide by FCC regulations. But still the second harmonic
>> wipes out any DX on or near that frequency. Signal strength is around S7.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Mark, K1RX
>>
>>
>> > On May 20, 2019, at 11:54 AM, Jorge Diez - CX6VM 
>> wrote:
>> >
>> > I think HK authorities must do something with this.  Local radio Clubs
>> must
>> > act
>> >
>> > https://www.lavozdelpueblo920am.com/programacion
>> >
>> https://www.facebook.com/mauriciovargaslavozdelpueblo/photos/a.1922152811350449/2377754772456915/?type=1
>> > https://twitter.com/mauriciov920
>> > https://raddio.net/134431-colmundo-radio-ibague/
>> >
>> > 73,
>> > Jorge
>> > CX6VM/CW5W
>> >
>> > <
>> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
>> >
>> > Libre
>> > de virus. www.avast.com
>> > <
>> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
>> >
>> > <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>> >
>> > El lun., 20 may. 2019 a las 12:47, Herbert Schoenbohm (<
>> > herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com>) escribió:
>> >
>> >> Interference from them makes 1840 useless for me.  Since they don't
>> >> respond to my emails maybe WSJT-X could assign 1844 or 1848 to 160 in
>> their
>> >> next release.
>> >>
>> >> Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
>> >>
>> >> On Mon, May 20, 2019 at 11:21 AM Jorge Diez - CX6VM <
>> cx6vm.jo...@gmail.com>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> Hello
>> >>>
>> >>> do you notice a second harmonic on 1840?  It´s very strong
>> >>>
>> >>> I determined that is from LA VOZ DEL PUEBLO 920 AM, in Colombia
>> >>>
>> >>> https://www.lavozdelpueblo920am.com/
>> >>>
>> >>> I sent them an email with no answer yet.
>> >>>
>> >>> Maybe if they receive many emails will take care about that and ask
>> the
>> >>> technic to solve it, what do you think?
>> >>>
>> >>> --
>> >>> 73,
>> >>> Jorge
>> >>> CX6VM/CW5W
>> >>>
>> >>> <
>> >>>
>> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
>> >>>>
>> >>> Libre
>> >>> de virus. www.avast.com
>> >>> <
>> >>>
>> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
>> >>>>
>> >>> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>> >>> _
>> >>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
>> >>> Reflector
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >
>> > --
>> > 73,
>> > Jorge
>> > CX6VM/CW5W
>> > _
>> > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
>> Reflector
>>
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>
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Re: Topband: AM interference on 1840

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

The 1840 interference from the HK BC station propagates 1000's of miles.  I
bet they are using a solid state PA without a bandpass filter.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Mon, May 20, 2019 at 1:24 PM Mpridesti  wrote:

> I have a local AM station here (about 3 km away) that operates on 930 kHz.
> Their second harmonic is 1860.  Seems they are operating within
> specification and abide by FCC regulations. But still the second harmonic
> wipes out any DX on or near that frequency. Signal strength is around S7.
>
> Regards,
>
> Mark, K1RX
>
>
> > On May 20, 2019, at 11:54 AM, Jorge Diez - CX6VM 
> wrote:
> >
> > I think HK authorities must do something with this.  Local radio Clubs
> must
> > act
> >
> > https://www.lavozdelpueblo920am.com/programacion
> >
> https://www.facebook.com/mauriciovargaslavozdelpueblo/photos/a.1922152811350449/2377754772456915/?type=1
> > https://twitter.com/mauriciov920
> > https://raddio.net/134431-colmundo-radio-ibague/
> >
> > 73,
> > Jorge
> > CX6VM/CW5W
> >
> > <
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
> >
> > Libre
> > de virus. www.avast.com
> > <
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
> >
> > <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
> >
> > El lun., 20 may. 2019 a las 12:47, Herbert Schoenbohm (<
> > herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com>) escribió:
> >
> >> Interference from them makes 1840 useless for me.  Since they don't
> >> respond to my emails maybe WSJT-X could assign 1844 or 1848 to 160 in
> their
> >> next release.
> >>
> >> Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
> >>
> >> On Mon, May 20, 2019 at 11:21 AM Jorge Diez - CX6VM <
> cx6vm.jo...@gmail.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hello
> >>>
> >>> do you notice a second harmonic on 1840?  It´s very strong
> >>>
> >>> I determined that is from LA VOZ DEL PUEBLO 920 AM, in Colombia
> >>>
> >>> https://www.lavozdelpueblo920am.com/
> >>>
> >>> I sent them an email with no answer yet.
> >>>
> >>> Maybe if they receive many emails will take care about that and ask the
> >>> technic to solve it, what do you think?
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> 73,
> >>> Jorge
> >>> CX6VM/CW5W
> >>>
> >>> <
> >>>
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
> >>>>
> >>> Libre
> >>> de virus. www.avast.com
> >>> <
> >>>
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
> >>>>
> >>> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
> >>> _
> >>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> >>> Reflector
> >>>
> >>
> >
> > --
> > 73,
> > Jorge
> > CX6VM/CW5W
> > _
> > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
>
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Re: Topband: AM interference on 1840

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Do you know of any HK stations active on FT-8 that can QSX and report to
the telecom agency in Columbia?

On Mon, May 20, 2019 at 12:54 PM Jorge Diez - CX6VM 
wrote:

> I think HK authorities must do something with this.  Local radio Clubs
> must act
>
> https://www.lavozdelpueblo920am.com/programacion
>
> https://www.facebook.com/mauriciovargaslavozdelpueblo/photos/a.1922152811350449/2377754772456915/?type=1
> https://twitter.com/mauriciov920
> https://raddio.net/134431-colmundo-radio-ibague/
>
> 73,
> Jorge
> CX6VM/CW5W
>
>
> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail>
>  Libre
> de virus. www.avast.com
> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail>
> <#m_7495151846424393916_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>
> El lun., 20 may. 2019 a las 12:47, Herbert Schoenbohm (<
> herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com>) escribió:
>
>> Interference from them makes 1840 useless for me.  Since they don't
>> respond to my emails maybe WSJT-X could assign 1844 or 1848 to 160 in their
>> next release.
>>
>> Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
>>
>> On Mon, May 20, 2019 at 11:21 AM Jorge Diez - CX6VM <
>> cx6vm.jo...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello
>>>
>>> do you notice a second harmonic on 1840?  It´s very strong
>>>
>>> I determined that is from LA VOZ DEL PUEBLO 920 AM, in Colombia
>>>
>>> https://www.lavozdelpueblo920am.com/
>>>
>>> I sent them an email with no answer yet.
>>>
>>> Maybe if they receive many emails will take care about that and ask the
>>> technic to solve it, what do you think?
>>>
>>> --
>>> 73,
>>> Jorge
>>> CX6VM/CW5W
>>>
>>> <
>>> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
>>> >
>>> Libre
>>> de virus. www.avast.com
>>> <
>>> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
>>> >
>>> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>>> _
>>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
>>> Reflector
>>>
>>
>
> --
> 73,
> Jorge
> CX6VM/CW5W
>
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Re: Topband: AM interference on 1840

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Interference from them makes 1840 useless for me.  Since they don't respond
to my emails maybe WSJT-X could assign 1844 or 1848 to 160 in their next
release.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On Mon, May 20, 2019 at 11:21 AM Jorge Diez - CX6VM 
wrote:

> Hello
>
> do you notice a second harmonic on 1840?  It´s very strong
>
> I determined that is from LA VOZ DEL PUEBLO 920 AM, in Colombia
>
> https://www.lavozdelpueblo920am.com/
>
> I sent them an email with no answer yet.
>
> Maybe if they receive many emails will take care about that and ask the
> technic to solve it, what do you think?
>
> --
> 73,
> Jorge
> CX6VM/CW5W
>
> <
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
> >
> Libre
> de virus. www.avast.com
> <
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
> >
> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: V84SAA QSL

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I got mine via LOTW since I made a contribution. The 160  CW and the FT-8
confirmation were really appreciated.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Wed, Apr 17, 2019 at 1:34 PM  wrote:

> I received my QSL via LoTW weeks or months ago.73. . . Dave, W0FLS
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Peter Bacon
> Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2019 11:06 AM
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: V84SAA QSL
>
> Anyone received their QSL card for the V84SAA operation yet?
> 73
> Peter
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
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>
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Re: Topband: XR0ZRC?

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Ken, I will gladly attest to that as XR0ZR was work here from 160-6 all
modes including RTTY with pipeline condition.  I even work them on 6 meters
6 different times when we had time to chit chat and the mainland wasn't
heard yet.  ig difference.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Tue, Mar 26, 2019 at 12:37 PM Kenneth Grimm  wrote:

> The big difference, as I recall, between XR0ZR and XR0ZRC is the timing.
> ZR was in November, a month that was better for all concerned with regard
> to QRN as their 160 total demonstrates.
> 73,
> Ken - K4XL
>
> On Tue, Mar 26, 2019 at 10:27 AM ok1tn  wrote:
>
> > XR0ZRC the signal in Eu is strong but listening is reduced by strong
> > interference from the lights of the port.
> > ok1tn
> > --
> > 73 Slavek Zeler
> > https://www.okdxf.eu/
> > "Telegraph Key Collector".
> >
> > -- Původní e-mail --
> > Od: Tim Shoppa 
> > Komu: David Olean 
> > Datum: 26. 3. 2019 15:21:48
> > Předmět: Re: Topband: XR0ZRC?
> > "David, some stats from Clublog below:
> >
> > In 2013, XR0ZR made a major 160M effort, in South American summer:
> > 160: 1050 Q's
> > 80: 2374 Q's
> > 40: 4579 Q's
> >
> > I think it's unreasonable to expect that every single DXpedition will be
> > fruitful on 160M.
> >
> > 2018: XR0ZRC stats from Clublog:
> > 160: 75 Q's
> > 80: 1983 Q's
> > 40: 3562 Q's
> >
> > Tim N3QE
> >
> > On Tue, Mar 26, 2019 at 10:00 AM David Olean 
> wrote:
> >
> > > I am a bit puzzled by XR0ZRC. I thought they were going to have a major
> > > effort on 80 and 160, but so far I have heard from little to none from
> > > them on 160. (I am not on 80 M) Last night, 26th UTC, I did hear them
> > > but their signal was quite weak and the heavy QRN was making copy
> almost
> > > impossible. I think this was the first time I heard them. It was hard
> > > for me to copy much of anything between static crashes. On other days,
> > > I saw many spots from hams showing that they are on 160M but I hear nil
> > > and a check on the Reverse Beacon Network shows no spots for them. (?)
> > > (Pirates?) Last night, a few stations mentioned that XR0ZRC was loud in
> > > the SE. VA2WA, who is a couple hundred miles north of me, said
> something
> > > like "booming " to describe their signal last night. Not sure of the
> > > strength required for "booming", but it must be similar to "wall to
> > > wall, and treetop tall". At my shack I could not tell who they were
> > > working between the static crashes! I copied fragments between crashes.
> > > I know my receiving setup is working. Just a few hours later near my
> > > sunrise I worked VK6 and JA from here in Maine.
> > >
> > > I have read a few notes on DX sites (many days old) explaining that
> they
> > > are plagued by high noise levels and have poor internet accessibility.
> I
> > > understand that, but I am still concerned that I almost never hear them
> > > QRV on 160. Maybe it is just my turn to be in the barrel? I just wonder
> > > what is going on. I am curious. I hope no one takes this as a complaint
> > > about a DXpedition. It is not.
> > >
> > > My task for the day is to lay out another RX wire for 140 degrees and
> > > Bouvet! Unfortunately, all of my wooden stakes with insulators attached
> > > to them are stored in a shed and the ice around it is so thick, deep,
> > > and hard, that I cannot get to them!
> > >
> > >
> > > Dave K1WHS
> > >
> > > _
> > > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> > > Reflector
> > >
> > _
> > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> > Reflector
> > "
> > _
> > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> > Reflector
> >
>
>
> --
> Ken - K4XL
> BoatAnchor Manual Archive
> BAMA - http://bama.edebris.com
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: XR0ZRC?

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

David,  You would need a Beverage for XR0WRC favoring the south to SSW from
your location.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Tue, Mar 26, 2019 at 11:00 AM David Olean  wrote:

> I am a bit puzzled by XR0ZRC.  I thought they were going to have a major
> effort on 80 and 160, but so far I have heard from little to none from
> them on 160. (I am not on 80 M) Last night, 26th UTC, I did hear them
> but their signal was quite weak and the heavy QRN was making copy almost
> impossible. I think this was the first time I heard them.  It was hard
> for me to copy much of anything between static crashes.  On other days,
> I saw many spots from hams showing that they are on 160M but I hear nil
> and a check on the Reverse Beacon Network shows no spots for them. (?)
> (Pirates?) Last night, a few stations mentioned that XR0ZRC was loud in
> the SE. VA2WA, who is a couple hundred miles north of me, said something
> like "booming " to describe their signal last night. Not sure of the
> strength required for "booming", but it must be similar to "wall to
> wall, and treetop tall".  At my shack I could not tell who they were
> working between  the static crashes! I copied fragments between crashes.
> I know my receiving setup is working. Just a few hours later near my
> sunrise I worked VK6 and JA from here in Maine.
>
> I have read a few notes on DX sites (many days old) explaining that they
> are plagued by high noise levels and have poor internet accessibility. I
> understand that, but I am still concerned that I almost never hear them
> QRV on 160. Maybe it is just my turn to be in the barrel? I just wonder
> what is going on. I am curious. I hope no one takes this as a complaint
> about a DXpedition. It is not.
>
> My task for the day is to lay out another RX wire for 140 degrees and
> Bouvet! Unfortunately, all of my wooden stakes with insulators attached
> to them are stored in a shed and the ice around it is so thick, deep,
> and hard, that I cannot get to them!
>
>
> Dave K1WHS
>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: Transmit antenna de-tuning relay.

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

My tower is a Rohn 45 90 footer and there must be some way of detuning it
via the skirt adjustment means to make it non-resonant at 1825 kHz  This is
similar to electrical towers being detuned near a direction AM station so
their pattern is FCC compliant.   In some cases, the power companies used
some drop wires to get the electrical pole to resonate outside the AM
frequencies range. But we are talking about a pattern shift here and not
reradiated noise.  There must be a way other than moving the RX antennas
250 feet away from the tower.

Herb, KV4FZ.'


On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 2:35 PM Greg Chartrand via Topband <
topband@contesting.com> wrote:

>  The best way to isolate the TX antenna for receiving is to have it float
> above ground. The worst means is grounding the antenna. The grounded
> antenna will re-radiate any noise it captures rendering your RX antenna
> useless. It only takes a few PF to ground to make a TX antenna your
> principal noise source so keeping that in mind, deploy the relay(s) such
> that the antenna sees no ground.
> In my case, I have a center loaded vertical, it connects to a L network
> matching circuit; the isolation relay opens the wire going to the vertical
> so it floats well above ground. It can get tricky is you have a grounded
> shunt fed tower, however, I found floating the shunt wire works as well as
> anything.
> The best test for finding the best isolation strategy is to take an AM
> radio tuned as high as it can go and put it in as close as you can to the
> vertical. You should hear the re-radiated noise make the radio blast noise.
> Now you can test grounding (if you don't believe me), floating,and even
> de-tuning. BTW I could never get de-tuning to work as well as floating.
> Good luck!Greg W7MY
> _
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> Reflector
>
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Topband: Direction heading to Bouvet

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

>From my QTH I think the SP is about 160 degrees but I want to make sure.
N1MM tells me it is 180 degrees but that is generally Antartica and Bouvet
lies considerably East of that.  Is there any way I can get a polyconic
projection online?  I want to lay out a 900-foot single wire Beverage that
way. But I want to make sure i have the right course heaading from my QTH
in the Virgin Islands.

Herb, KV4FZ
_
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Re: Topband: Transmit antenna de-tuning relay.

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

A nice Jennings 24V vacuum relay arrived in the mail today but I am not
sure the best way to detune my cage fed tower on 160. Would shorting the
cage to ground be the way?

Herb, KV4FZ

On Fri, Mar 22, 2019 at 3:59 PM FZ Bruce  wrote:

> RF parts was out of the VHC1 12V vacuum relays.. Tried the VHC3- 12V
> vacuum relay and found it to be an excellent replacement.. When first
> received tested pulling with a 9 volt battery and it was fast. Very
> dependable with 12 volts DC.
> 73Bruce
> https://www.qsl.net/k1fz/beverage_antenna.html
> _
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>
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Topband: 10 to 1 Ferrite Balun

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I am working on an RX antenna that requires about balanced 800 match to 75
ohm RG-6.  I have some type 43 and 73 ferrite binocular cores but since
this is just an experimental RX antenna I wanted to use an easier approach.
I have two commercial baluns that are unmarked but bridge out to a 75-ohm
to 200- ohm match.  What would be the problem if I connected them with the
first balun output feeding the 75-ohm input of the second one with the
200-ohm output of the first one? Anyone ever tried this. Would this also
give me excellent ground loop decoupling between the RG-6 and the antenna?
_
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Re: Topband: Inverted L loading wire dialmma

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

The "witches hat" as you call it makes an excellent top loading medium for
Marconi antennas.  I use them here on an AM tower with great success in
improving the base impedance of a less than 1/4 tower. Care must be taken
that these angled down wires are not to long. (I think 30% of the antena
height is about maximum.  Use 4 or more wires if possible. Addionally good
insulators able to handle the very high RF voltage should be used.  Never
use rope or any medium that can accumulate moisture. In the DX Engineering
catalog is a version of the witches hat antenna for 160 using sloping guys
for the top hat. The price is USD$1000 but this model has been used on TB
for  several DX- peditions.  There are several other add ons you can try as
you may require.  Rather th.  Accrodingly, if you connect the top slop down
wires an using a single vertical drop wire or insulated pole, I would use a
4 wire cage made from 4-6 inchsquare sheets of plastic. Additinally, if you
connect all the slope down wires together from one to the other you will
make even a better capacity hat and improlve things.  If you measure your
base impedence against ground as you make these improvements, you should
see how things are progressing. But take care and make sure your ground
system is adequate or else you readings may be confusing.  For example you
might see 50 ohms and not realize that this value is the result of a poor
ground and a good po9rtion of your RF is thus dissapated rather than being
radiated.

Good luck,
Herb, KV4FZ

On Thu, Mar 14, 2019 at 5:11 PM Dave G4GED via Topband <
topband@contesting.com> wrote:

> For many years my 160m antenna has been a very successful classic 21m
> tall Inv L mast with a horizontal loading wire.
> The only problem, a big one, has been the loading wire getting tangled
> up in the surrounding trees in very windy weather.
> Chopping the trees down is not an option and I've had enough of the agro
> of untangling, to be honest.
> I know I could provide loading at the feed point but it's not as efficient.
> So, I wondered if anyone have had success with providing the loading
> wire(s) at say 45deg from the mast top down to ground level? (Witches
> Hat style).
> Thanks in advance for any advice.
> Dave G4GED
>
>
>
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>
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>
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Re: Topband: LACK OF ACTIVITY

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

KH7XS have you tried FT-8 on 160.  Plenty of activity at your sunset and
beyond.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Wed, Feb 13, 2019 at 6:02 PM cqtestk4xs--- via Topband <
topband@contesting.com> wrote:

> I also have found the lack of activity frustrating.  I'll call CQ and RBN
> says I'm hitting the mainland with a good sig.  I call CQ for maybe ten
> minutes and either one reply or none.
> Look for KH7XS tonight after my sunset..around 0500Z.
> KH7XS
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: Topband Phenomenon

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

This could be explained by a power increase when the station's amp came on
after warm up.  However, a sudden 20 DB is a lot of increase to explain by
any means. Maybe contacting the G station could help.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Sun, Feb 3, 2019 at 1:38 PM Dan Atchison via Topband <
topband@contesting.com> wrote:

> During the CQ WW 160 CW contest a week ago while operating at the N1LN
> M/S station, I happened to be in a fantastic run of EU.
>
> On one and only one QSO, I worked a "G" station whose callsign's last
> suffix letter was at least 20dB stronger than the rest of his call.  I
> mentioned this to NR4M while discussing the contest with Steve at the
> Richmond Frostfest and he said he experienced the same on one occasion;
> he thought meteor and I was thinking airplane.
>
> Anyone else experience this on topband and if so, have a "scientific"
> explanation?
>
> 73,
> Dan -- N3ND
> _
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> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: JA's came in droves today on 160

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Please also give credit for FT-8 occupying only a few Khz'a around 1840 and
compare this to a Top Band CW contest where it is at times difficult to
find a clear spot from 1800 to 1950 and even higher.  Could you imagine an
AM Topband contest as 10 stations each 6 to 10 Hhz wide would pretty much
do it? My Globe Scout would not have stood a change.
Herb. KV4FZ

On Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 3:40 PM Edward Sawyer 
wrote:

> Hi Jay.  The IP address is actually tied to your device and is picked up
> and identified on the internet.  My point was that the machine deserves the
> credit for the DXCC.  That’s all.
>
>
>
> I would totally agree with you that if all this was about was RTTY
> morphing to FT8 then its not very different.  However, FT8 is pulling on
> other modes clearly based on this dialog.
>
>
>
> At the end of the day, some people care whether they are part of the
> action, and some people don’t.  Those of us that do seem to have a pretty
> universal distaste for FT-8.
>
>
>
> 73
>
>
>
> Ed  N1UR
>
>
>
> *From:* jayb1...@optonline.net [mailto:jayb1...@optonline.net]
> *Sent:* Thursday, January 31, 2019 2:35 PM
> *To:* Edward Sawyer; 'Herbert Schoenbohm'
> *Cc:* 'TopBand List'
> *Subject:* Re: Topband: JA's came in droves today on 160
>
>
>
> *Ed – the “IP address” and the internet have nothing to do with the FT8
> mode other than that’s how you initially download the WSJT-X program...so
> why is the transition from RTTY to FT8 any different than the transition
> from AM to SSB again ?*
>
> *  jay ny2ny*
>
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Re: Topband: JA's came in droves today on 160

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

What was interesting to follow was when Central Electronic came out with
the first SSB unit and Hallicrafters followed.  Art Collins was right
behind as his SAC contract needed more efficient and reliable airborne
voice communications globally,  As a ham, he didn't forget us and market
the KWM-1 series.  Heathkit really could not do much on SSB and Leo
Meyerson resisted so did E.F Johnson with signs at the hamfest "AM
Forever," and the businesses folded eventually. Ironically all of these
companies that made AM ham equipment were all in the midwest within a few
hundred miles of each other. And then came then the Japanese invasion of
Icom, Yaesu, and Kenwood transceivers and it was all over for AM.now I sit
in front of an exotic Flex 6600M wondering if I will ever learn how to
operate it.

Herb Schoenbohmm KV4FZ

On Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 3:06 PM Edward Sawyer 
wrote:

> To each his own Herb.  Nothing against you.  But last I checked – AM
> morphing to SSB never eliminated the person with the voice and the ears.
> It just made what was happening more efficient.  If the only affect here
> was RTTY going down the toilet because of FT-8, I agree with you.  But when
> ultimately – its computer to computer, the IP address should get the DXCC
> award no?
>
>
>
> Ed  N1UR
>
>
>
> *From:* Herbert Schoenbohm [mailto:herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Thursday, January 31, 2019 2:02 PM
> *To:* Edward Sawyer
> *Cc:* TopBand List
> *Subject:* Re: Topband: JA's came in droves today on 160
>
>
>
> Exactly Ed, Just as SSB did to AM and digital modes are doing to RTTY.
> Soon it may be computers working computers with minimal operator
> supervision.  Right now on FT-8 when statins call my CQ they are answered
> and sent a signal report automatically and the logging is done with a
> single point and click. CW Maybe Kim will allow a fully automated FT-8
> application running 24/7 on the 800-foot high rise building on downtown
> Pyongyang.  Still, CW, depending on the operator, seems to have the
> advantage.  Except during a contest, most of the 160-meter DX has moved to
> 1840 and more will follow assuredly.
>
>
>
> Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 2:28 PM Edward Sawyer 
> wrote:
>
> Such is the new trend.  No offense to KV4FZ whatsoever but if you provide
> the easy path.most will take it.  The only way to affect the "easy way out"
> is to not provide it.
>
>
>
> I remember year's ago doing CQ WW CW ABLP as C6ARS in 2001.  I ended the
> contest on 15M running a couple of hundred JAs. I thought, this is amazing
> because I am just as loud from W1 and I couldn't imagine having so many JA
> stations call.  Clearly they are much more DXers than full contesters -
> most
> of them.  Still feel that way today.  I have heard piles of JAs calling
> right before a contest only to dry up in the contest.
>
>
>
> Its fascinating that the above has now shifted to FT8 vs the more
> traditional modes in just DXing.  Herb, it would be a very interesting
> experiment to shift to CW mid pile-up and see if the group stays with you
> to
> catch the DX opening or does it dwindle to nothing.  I am guessing it goes
> to nothing despite the opening.  But would love to hear.
>
>
>
> FT8 is changing the "easiness factor" in DXing.  And like technology
> assisted driving, once that genie is out of the bottle it ain't never goin
> back.  Just try and find an actual stick shift in a new car - almost
> impossible.  Why?  It doesn't mesh with the computer driving the car.
>
>
>
> 73
>
>
>
> Ed  N1UR
>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
>
_
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Re: Topband: JA's came in droves today on 160

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Exactly Ed, Just as SSB did to AM and digital modes are doing to RTTY.
Soon it may be computers working computers with minimal operator
supervision.  Right now on FT-8 when statins call my CQ they are answered
and sent a signal report automatically and the logging is done with a
single point and click. CW Maybe Kim will allow a fully automated FT-8
application running 24/7 on the 800-foot high rise building on downtown
Pyongyang.  Still, CW, depending on the operator, seems to have the
advantage.  Except during a contest, most of the 160-meter DX has moved to
1840 and more will follow assuredly.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ



On Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 2:28 PM Edward Sawyer 
wrote:

> Such is the new trend.  No offense to KV4FZ whatsoever but if you provide
> the easy path.most will take it.  The only way to affect the "easy way out"
> is to not provide it.
>
>
>
> I remember year's ago doing CQ WW CW ABLP as C6ARS in 2001.  I ended the
> contest on 15M running a couple of hundred JAs. I thought, this is amazing
> because I am just as loud from W1 and I couldn't imagine having so many JA
> stations call.  Clearly they are much more DXers than full contesters -
> most
> of them.  Still feel that way today.  I have heard piles of JAs calling
> right before a contest only to dry up in the contest.
>
>
>
> Its fascinating that the above has now shifted to FT8 vs the more
> traditional modes in just DXing.  Herb, it would be a very interesting
> experiment to shift to CW mid pile-up and see if the group stays with you
> to
> catch the DX opening or does it dwindle to nothing.  I am guessing it goes
> to nothing despite the opening.  But would love to hear.
>
>
>
> FT8 is changing the "easiness factor" in DXing.  And like technology
> assisted driving, once that genie is out of the bottle it ain't never goin
> back.  Just try and find an actual stick shift in a new car - almost
> impossible.  Why?  It doesn't mesh with the computer driving the car.
>
>
>
> 73
>
>
>
> Ed  N1UR
>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
_
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Topband: JA's came in droves today on 160

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

This morning starting an hour before dawn 34 JA's were worked on FT-8 with
a 1840/1908 split.  The best path was straight west for me. I don't know
how this path existed or what caused this to happen. The regular NW path
was nothing but the W and SW paths were great.  Maybe the massive Arctic
air mass was causing the signals to take a warmer route and avoid the
extreme cold. Just kidding of course. But some interesting phenomenon
causes this path to exist from time to time. I hope to hear from some of
the JA's worked as to which direction was best for my signal.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
_
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Re: Topband: FT-8 gentleman's agreement for 160?

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Peter, Not all countries allow FT-8 ops on 1840.  JA's work split on
11908.  Last night attempts to work a VU2 he was only able to legally TX
around 1816 with my FT-8 being on 1844.  The agreement came way before FT-8
or other digital modes.  They also don't take in consideration for some
DX-peditions where split operating is required.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Fri, Jan 25, 2019 at 12:49 PM Peter Bertini 
wrote:

> I recall hearing FT8 activity on 1830 kHz last evening ... isn't a bit low
> in the band for digital modes?  I hope FT-8 activity doesn't squeeze all of
> the CW activity down into the DX portion before the dust settles.
>
> Pete k1zjh
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Topband: 30 Ja's worked today on 160

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Using FT-8 with a split 1840/1908 I was able to work over 30 JA's via a
skewed SW path today.

Amazing conditions and less polar absorption this direction.

Herb, KV4FZ
_
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Topband: Amazing Conditions

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

On FT-8 (1840) there has been some amazing propagation with several ZS
stations worked one hour before sunset and JA's worked 45 minutes after
local sunrise.  Working JA's by calling " CQ JA KV4FZ FK77" and listening
on 1908 for them requires that the rig control WSJT-X V2.0 has the rig
control set to none.  This morning the JA's were coming on a direct path
NW.  But other times they come in from a skewed path either West or
Southwest.

Herb, KV4FZ
_
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Topband: Beverage feedline loop breaker

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I am using a DXE RG6U coax interrupter about 35 feet from the Beverage feed
point and it is working well.  I have another Beverage without one.  I
would ask if I can fashion one out of two single wire K1FZ transformers
back to back with a two-inch wire connection, terminal to terminal. I
would, of course, put a ground connection of the long RG6U cable going to
the shack. This would be located about 35 feet from the Beverage feed
point. Any reason this would not work?

Herb, KV4FZ
_
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Re: Topband: ARRL 160 Contest

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Stan, at least I will be able to work you.  Not being able for you to work
DX when many are calling (some for a new one) and the band is wide open to
EU, is not only embarrassing but a real let down for the EU stations
hearing you well. I have thought in personal protest to enter the contest
and work only EU using a CQ TEST EU.  But that will only make W/VE mad at
me.

73,

Herb, KV4FZ

On Thu, Nov 29, 2018 at 5:06 AM Stan Stockton  wrote:

> Herb,
>
> I have never understood why anyone would want to be DX in the ARRL 160
> Meter Contest!  You have been saying for many, many years that you don't
> like it, the CAC has looked at it and no one is able to understand.
>
> I am not looking forward to being limited to ONLY working USA (extremely
> boring) when I could be running both Europe and USA, working JA, VK, etc.
> as you are able to do.
>
> I even explored the possibility of a remote operation from Cayman Brac
> into a USA station to operate the contest this weekend from the USA instead
> of operating as DX from ZF!  Won't work out because of Internet setup.
>
> Of course I would rather have it be a worldwide contest like CQ.
>
> If it were possible I would gladly trade places with you this weekend.
>
> Stan, ZF9CW
>
>
>
> > On Nov 28, 2018, at 2:41 PM, Herbert Schoenbohm <
> herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >  I will try it out in the ARRL 160 contest although the
> > ARRL has the VI as non-DX which is always has been a real bummer.
>
_
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Re: Topband: Polarization on 160m

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

That's correct but under these rules, the VI is not DX and counts the same
as a W/VE two-pointer.  Navassa which is certainly rare, especially on 160,
is counted as KP2.  Desecheo KP5 is counted the same as KP4.  Sort of weird
wouldn't you agree?  This is unfair when VP2V on 5 miles from KP2 is
counted as DX.  Also, all the rare DXCC US entities in the Pacific like
NMI, Wake, American Samoa, and Guam all count for Hawaii. The ARRL is set
in their ways and claims the 160-meter contest is supposed to be like SS
for 160.  They only add DX contacts when ARRL President W0DX and VP2VI
demanded he should not be excluded from operating in a contest he
envisioned in the first place. The bottom line is that the statins in the
U.S. Territories cannot be competitive and are seriously discriminated
against by the Contest Committee who refuses to visit this issue.  I
challenge you to look up the results over the past two decades.  Stations
in the U.S Territories are never even mentioned no matter how well they
have done in the ARRL 160 contest.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On Wed, Nov 28, 2018 at 3:57 PM Mark KØKX  wrote:

> Herb,
>
> Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought I read the rules for the ARRL 160
> and saw where US possessions can work US VE and DX?
>
> 73, Mark  K0KX
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "Herbert Schoenbohm" 
> To: k...@optimum.net
> Cc: "TopBand List" 
> Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2018 1:41:08 PM
> Subject: Re: Topband: Polarization on 160m
>
> So is the 70-year-old Collins 74A4 with its mechanic filters and single
> conversion method.  Many times you could just roll the IX into a deep hole
> with the bandpass control and the signal would pop out of nowhere. Wish I
> still had mine to run comparisons.  I have now a modern (expensive) Flex
> 6600M that allows true dual diversity with 2 RX antennas with separate RX
> audio in each ear.  I will try it out in the ARRL 160 contest although the
> ARRL has the VI as non-DX which is always has been a real bummer.
>
> Herb Schoneobhm, KV4FZ
>
> On Wed, Nov 28, 2018 at 1:13 PM Yuri Blanarovich  wrote:
>
> >
> >  Speaking of "two ears"
> > Going back to using two Drake R4B receivers, two antennas, one on each
> > ear, there would be times when "two ears" heard the signal, while
> > switching to each other there would be nil. I think that was some DSP
> > going on in the head.
> > BTW Drake R4B is still one of the best receivers for weak signals
> > reception, no crystal filters in the path to fuzzy the signals. LC in IF
> > chain. DSRs are now very close.
> >
> > Yuri, K3BU
> >
> >  On Wed, Nov 28, 2018 at 12:04 PM, Tree wrote:
> >
> >  > WIll add my two cents to this discussion.
> > >
> > > One thing I have experience with is diversity reception both on 160
> > > and 80
> > > meters.  Often - I would be using my TX antenna in one ear and a
> > > beverage
> > > in another.  On 80 meters, the TX antenna was a 4 square.  On 160,
> > > either a
> > > vertical or two element phased array.
> > >
> > > I found on 80 meters - when running JAs in a contest - if I only used
> > > one
> > > antenna - I would almost always miss one letter of the JA's callsign
> > > and
> > > have to ask for a repeat...  but with diversity - the signal would
> > > float
> > > around in my head and I could almost always get the whole call the
> > > first
> > > time.
> > >
> > > I can hear this effect on 160 as well as signals float around.  I
> > > can't
> > > prove this is just polarization - as it could be different angles of
> > > signal
> > > arrival - but it sure re-enforces the point that having different
> > > kinds of
> > > RX antennas for different situations is never a bad thing.
> > >
> > > I have experienced some sunrise openings where a low dipole has worked
> > > well.  There are times when my directive receive antennas seem to be
> > > broken
> > > - which is another indication of high angles.
> > >
> > > Tree N6TR
> > >
> > > On Wed, Nov 28, 2018 at 8:51 AM Yuri Blanarovich  wrote:
> > >
> > >> Not knowing about "gyros", but when operating and having vertical and
> > >> horizontal antennas available, I remember times when QSB was
> > >> happening
> > >> on one antenna, switching to the "other" polarization antenna would
> > >> bring the signals up.
> > >> My conclusion was that at the times the signal's polarization was
> > >> rolling ar

Re: Topband: Polarization on 160m

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

So is the 70-year-old Collins 74A4 with its mechanic filters and single
conversion method.  Many times you could just roll the IX into a deep hole
with the bandpass control and the signal would pop out of nowhere. Wish I
still had mine to run comparisons.  I have now a modern (expensive) Flex
6600M that allows true dual diversity with 2 RX antennas with separate RX
audio in each ear.  I will try it out in the ARRL 160 contest although the
ARRL has the VI as non-DX which is always has been a real bummer.

Herb Schoneobhm, KV4FZ

On Wed, Nov 28, 2018 at 1:13 PM Yuri Blanarovich  wrote:

>
>  Speaking of "two ears"
> Going back to using two Drake R4B receivers, two antennas, one on each
> ear, there would be times when "two ears" heard the signal, while
> switching to each other there would be nil. I think that was some DSP
> going on in the head.
> BTW Drake R4B is still one of the best receivers for weak signals
> reception, no crystal filters in the path to fuzzy the signals. LC in IF
> chain. DSRs are now very close.
>
> Yuri, K3BU
>
>  On Wed, Nov 28, 2018 at 12:04 PM, Tree wrote:
>
>  > WIll add my two cents to this discussion.
> >
> > One thing I have experience with is diversity reception both on 160
> > and 80
> > meters.  Often - I would be using my TX antenna in one ear and a
> > beverage
> > in another.  On 80 meters, the TX antenna was a 4 square.  On 160,
> > either a
> > vertical or two element phased array.
> >
> > I found on 80 meters - when running JAs in a contest - if I only used
> > one
> > antenna - I would almost always miss one letter of the JA's callsign
> > and
> > have to ask for a repeat...  but with diversity - the signal would
> > float
> > around in my head and I could almost always get the whole call the
> > first
> > time.
> >
> > I can hear this effect on 160 as well as signals float around.  I
> > can't
> > prove this is just polarization - as it could be different angles of
> > signal
> > arrival - but it sure re-enforces the point that having different
> > kinds of
> > RX antennas for different situations is never a bad thing.
> >
> > I have experienced some sunrise openings where a low dipole has worked
> > well.  There are times when my directive receive antennas seem to be
> > broken
> > - which is another indication of high angles.
> >
> > Tree N6TR
> >
> > On Wed, Nov 28, 2018 at 8:51 AM Yuri Blanarovich  wrote:
> >
> >> Not knowing about "gyros", but when operating and having vertical and
> >> horizontal antennas available, I remember times when QSB was
> >> happening
> >> on one antenna, switching to the "other" polarization antenna would
> >> bring the signals up.
> >> My conclusion was that at the times the signal's polarization was
> >> rolling around, especially when far DX.
> >>
> >> Yuri, K3BU, VE3BMV, VE1BY
> >>
> >>
> >>  On Wed, Nov 28, 2018 at 09:22 AM, Robert Parkes via Topband wrote:
> >>
> >>>
> >>> Polarization on 160m
> >>>
> >>> Interesting discussion and one I suspect we wish could fully
> >>> comprehend !
> >>>
> >>> When the wave front meets the ionosphere and the wave splits the
> >>> critical frequency is different for the two waves, commonly known as
> >>> foc and fxc.
> >>> This difference (from memory) is half the gyrofrequency and can
> >>> often
> >>> be seen on Ionosonde plots with two sets of reflections. The gyro
> >>> frequency depends on the strength of the magnetic field at that
> >>> point
> >>> of the ionosphere so can vary from 700kHz to 1.4MHz where the
> >>> radiated
> >>> wave interacts with the Ionosphere Layer be it, E layer or F layer.
> >>>
> >>> Being radio amateurs and pushing the envelope we are trying to make
> >>> that illusive QSO so we need to excite a propagation path which is
> >>> normally at the limit in order to chase the DX.
> >>> Assuming conditions are favourable, and if the angle of arrival and
> >>> critical frequency is such that it favours both wave fronts then for
> >>> a
> >>> single and multi-hop transmission both the O-wave and the X-wave
> >>> will
> >>> be propagated.
> >>>
> >>> The higher frequency of the two wave fronts, the X-wave may
> >>> propagate
> >>> which could result in a QSO whilst those around us may not have
> >>> quite
> >>> the same favourable conditions and only the O-wave is propagated  on
> >>> a
> >>> differeing path while the X-Wavecould fall by the wayside and not be
> >>> propagated.
> >>> One result of all this variability could result in what has been
> >>> called spotlight or torchlight propagation.  I recall Eric K3NA
> >>> giving
> >>> a talk along these lines when referring to 3B7C 160m operations and
> >>> how that spotlight moved across North America during the course of
> >>> his
> >>> opening to the US.
> >>> There is a possibility that Circular Polarisation would assist
> >>> with both the O and X wave modes of propagation and it could be
> >>> argued
> >>> that a "compromise" Inv-L antenna provides this with its Vertical
> >>> and
> >>> Horizontal elements making 

Re: Topband: Detuning TX ant + QSK

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I have an Ameritron QSK-1 never used and sitting on the shelf that has
external outputs for relays. Works QSK with most any AMP   $200 or best
offer takes it.

Herb Schoenbohm

On Wed, Nov 28, 2018 at 6:27 AM Jim Thomson  wrote:

> For you folks that have to de-tune your  TX ant,  so your dedicated  RX
> ant works correctly,
> if you also operate qsk, how do you do it ?   Are you using a sped up vac
> relay to de-tune
> the TX ant ?   I don’t see any other way to accomplish that task.  Or do
> you use vox cw ?
>
> Jim   VE7RF
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: use of WD-1 Military field phone wire for bog and/or beverage

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Terry, I have learned the hard way that WD-1A, in reverse Beverage two wire
mode, is down many db's compared to the forward direction. The only way to
make them work equally in both directions is to use double runs of WD-1
with 4 to 6-inch spreaders.   For single wire Beverages, the WD-1A is very
durable and also very inexpensive for long runs.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Fri, Nov 23, 2018 at 3:09 PM terry burge  wrote:

> Hi folks,
>
>
> I know it's been discussed but I don't recall the specific questions I
> wish to know. Does the WD-1 need to be separated (2 wire) to work as a
> beverage or bog beverages. Can it just be used as is for both reverseable
> or just one direction. Also, don't know if there would be any advantage or
> disadvantage to having a dual wire beverage? The bog's won't be real long
> due to my property limitations but I'd like to have something to see if I
> can improve my S to N on 160. Especially for 160CQWWPHN contest which I
> always enjoy operating in. Worked ZL2OK Dave last year! Still a great
> moment for me.
>
>
> Could also deploy my WX0B K9AY which I probably will. Actually burned up
> the switching resistors and WX0B replaced them with higher wattage ones.
> Too many projects getting in my way but I'll get there. Sooner or later
> I'll get that Waller-Flag up which of course should be 'the cat's meow'.
>
>
> Terry
>
> KI7M
>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: Gamma match success

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Unless you use LMR 600 or Andrew heliax a cap made from standard RG-8 or
213 has its limitations. eBay has a ton of high current fixed caps very
close to the value you need.  Some are from Ukraine (Russian military
surplus) and are very inexpensive.  You might also consider a home-brewed
sandwich cap made from aluminum plates and Teflon insulation between them.
This method of heavy duty fixed caps seems to be the vogue of many present
amplifiers and tuners.  Another alternative is to get a handful of 5KV
doorknob caps at 100pf and add them in parallel or series until you come up
with the value you need.

Good luck

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On Mon, Oct 15, 2018 at 5:18 PM Richard (Rick) Karlquist <
rich...@karlquist.com> wrote:

>
>
> On 10/15/2018 10:43 AM, Tree wrote:
>
> > I replaced the variable cap with a home made cap using RG8.  I had one
>
> Sometimes, capacitors made from coax are lossy.  I modeled your
> coaxial capacitor using Simsmith (very easy to do) and the Q turns out
> to be 340, if I did it correctly.  So the coaxial capacitor gets a clean
> bill of health and probably doesn't have anything to do with
> your broad bandwidth.
>
> Rick N6RK
> _
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>
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Re: Topband: Toploaded vertical - SWR

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

An L network with a coil in series and a 500pf variable to ground might do
the trick. You impedance of the antenna is to low and you need to bring it
up.  You can also try extending the top hat wires by 20' each and see what
difference that makes.

Herb, KV4FZ



On Tue, Sep 18, 2018 at 5:44 PM Ashraf Chaabane 
wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I just finished setting up my vertical antenna for 160 in 3V8SF
> location. It is 17m (55 ft) long with 2 top loading wires 12m each
> (40ft), angle to vertical about 40 deg. I added 8 radials, 20m each
> (65ft).
> With no shunt matching, the SWR at antenna base is 3.2 and at radio side
> is 2.8. Is there any way I can improve the SWR further?
>
> Photos of the antenna along with SWR curve can be found here:
>
> https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_3FsWZI3zdi56zz0LOiKNOmfgiWeN6yG?usp=sharing
>
> 73 Ash 3V8SS/KF5EYY
> www.kf5eyy.info
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Re: Topband: Call for antenna ideas

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Mike, you suggested a delta loop.  It is important that if Simon decides to
hang a delta loop between towers that you feed it a the corner rather than
at the bottom.  This should give you some vertical component at a much
lower take-off angle rather than being a clod warmer on 80 meters.
Unfortunately, the towers supporting the delta loop will modify the pattern
a bit but if the broadside is in a favored direction it could actually help
you.  Maybe someone could model this for you even though if would be a
complex assignment.
Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On Sat, Sep 15, 2018 at 1:11 AM Mike Furrey  wrote:

> Hi Simon,I would like to suggest hanging a 1 wavelength delta loop off of
> the 50 meter tower. Easy to build, easy to match, about 1.5 db gain and you
> don't need to do all that work laying down radials, etc and trying to match
> an odd length tower. The loop will be almost omni directional and it will
> be bit more broad banded than a vertical, dipole, etc.
>
> GL es 73, Mike WA5POK
>
>
> On Friday, September 14, 2018 1:34 PM, Simon Ravnič via Topband <
> topband@contesting.com> wrote:
>
>
>  Hi!
>
>
>
> With a head full of browsing and researching I decided to ask for help
> this Topband think tank.
>
>
>
> At S53M contest station we are well organized for 40m & up but are lacking
> lower band TX antennas.
>
>
>
> There are three towers in direction north - south:
> The southern one is 50m high with 40m and 20m monobanders on top
> Middle one is located 25m north of previous one and is 25m high with 15m
> monobander and 6/4m duobander.
> The northern one is 28m north of middle one and is 20m high with Optibeam
> OB17-4.
>
>
> There is a possibility to hang anything between them so I think we would
> prefer some wire antennas. Already present on the site is 160m INV-V and
> 80m vertical dipole from the 50m tower. What we are looking for is 160m and
> 80m TX antenna with two main directions 310 and 45 with low angle radiation.
>
>
>
> RX antennas are OK as there are three 280m long terminated beverages,
> direction 270 (Caribbean), 310 (NA) and 45 (AS).
>
>
>
> To understand better see a photo of the location at
>
> https://www.dropbox.com/s/bk44cg2zfyzpw3w/S53M.JPG?dl=0
>
> or
>
> https://ibb.co/gRPGVU
>
>
>
> Thanks you for your idea & 73
>
> Simon, S53ZO
>
> S53M team
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>
>
>
> _
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>
_
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Re: Topband: [TowerTalk] Advise needed on phased beverages

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

You might also look at W8JI.com where he has a pair of phased Beverages in
a box-like configuration spaced apart by 1/4 wave with the termination
halfway across on one end and fed halfway across the other end.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Wed, Sep 12, 2018 at 7:10 AM Tonno Vahk  wrote:

> Thank you Herb! I will look into it!
>
> 73
> Tonnoi
>
> On 11 Sep 2018, at 17:06, Herbert Schoenbohm 
> wrote:
>
> Tonno,  I would suggest getting a DX-Engineering NCC-1 or NCC-2 to do the
> phasing for you in your ham shack.  That way you will have phasing control
> right at your fingertips.
>
> Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
>
> On Tue, Sep 11, 2018 at 9:01 AM Tonno Vahk  wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Last weekend I finally got into experimenting with phased beverages,
>> something I was planning for some time.
>>
>> I installed 3 broadside 219m (718ft) long beverages into the forest
>> looking at 90 degrees and separated 60m (200ft) from each other (120m
>> between the outer ones).
>>
>> I took great care to make sure the wires are straight and fully parallel
>> to each other as well as starting from the the same line.
>>
>> I use DXE 9:1 beverage transformers and DXE 470 ohm termination resistors.
>>
>> I brought 150m (500ft) 50 ohm cable from each beverage feedpoint to the
>> shack and connected to Microham Stack Switch (like Stackmatch). All the
>> cables were of identical length to ensure same phasing.
>>
>> So I presume this system gives me full ability to test any combination of
>> those 3 beverages alone or phased with each other?
>>
>> Well, all the 3 beverages alone are quite identical indeed which is good.
>>
>> But now when switched in pairs or all 3 together I am not seeing much
>> effect. I do know what the patterns should look like and I presumed the
>> effect would be strong especially with signals coming from side but most of
>> the time I notice no difference with any signals when comparing any single
>> beverages to combinations.
>>
>> This is puzzling. Modelling suggests I should for example have very big
>> improvements in suppressing signals 45 degrees off on 160m when using 2
>> phased beverages 120m apart as well as when using all 3 beverages on 80m
>> but I did not notice such drops of 10-20db almost in any signals from any
>> off directions.
>>
>> I could hardly notice sometimes the expected 3-5db increase in the
>> signals from the right direction but not always as well.
>>
>> Can some of you having experiences with phased beverages tell me if I
>> have done something wrong in my setup?? Should I test them differently? Are
>> the phased beverages overrated and in real life there is seldom a
>> significant improvement over 1 single wire beverage that is already long
>> enough like 220m in my case?
>>
>> Look forward to any input. I can send the modelled patterns and maps of
>> my beverages in picture files to anyone interested.
>>
>> 73
>> Tonno
>> ES5TV
>> ___
>>
>>
>>
>> ___
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> towert...@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>
>
_
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Re: Topband: [TowerTalk] Advise needed on phased beverages

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

 Jim, yes, I suspected they might interact of course. But can I avoid it?
> ungrounding both ends of the unused beverage would also not eliminate
> coupling I am afraid?

If the feedlines are a half wave or multiples of a half wave you should try
terminating the unused shack end.  This electrically places the termination
right at the feed point.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On Tue, Sep 11, 2018 at 11:10 AM jimlux  wrote:

> On 9/11/18 6:19 AM, Tonno Vahk wrote:
> > Jim, yes, I suspected they might interact of course. But can I avoid it?
> > ungrounding both ends of the unused beverage would also not eliminate
> > coupling I am afraid?
>
> Exactly... no convenient way to change it in the field.
>
> A model can tell - run the model with the wire in and wire not in and
> see what the difference is.
>
>
> >
> > Height is ca 2m +/- 0.5m.
> >
> > I did not model switching in any other way than simply creating
> > feedpoint for both beverages. No feedlines in the model. Could such long
> > feedlines even if the same length, create a trouble?
>
> Sure - the feedline is an impedance transformer, so it changes the
> impedance at the feed end of the antenna. For instance, if it were a
> quarter wavelength (or an odd multiple), if you short the shack end,
> it's an open at the antenna end, and vice versa.
>
> I'm not sure how sensitive a beverage is to end termination impedance.
>
> If you're using NEC or a derivative, you can put a TL card or NT card in
> to do the transmission line and the model will show the effect.
>
>
> >
> > On 11 Sep 2018, at 15:19, jimlux  > > wrote:
> >
> > On 9/11/18 5:00 AM, Tonno Vahk wrote:
> >> Hi,
> >> Last weekend I finally got into experimenting with phased beverages,
> >> something I was planning for some time.
> >> I installed 3 broadside 219m (718ft) long beverages into the forest
> >> looking at 90 degrees and separated 60m (200ft) from each other (120m
> >> between the outer ones).
> >> I took great care to make sure the wires are straight and fully
> >> parallel to each other as well as starting from the the same line.
> >> I use DXE 9:1 beverage transformers and DXE 470 ohm termination
> resistors.
> >> I brought 150m (500ft) 50 ohm cable from each beverage feedpoint to
> >> the shack and connected to Microham Stack Switch (like Stackmatch).
> >> All the cables were of identical length to ensure same phasing.
> >> So I presume this system gives me full ability to test any combination
> >> of those 3 beverages alone or phased with each other?
> >> Well, all the 3 beverages alone are quite identical indeed which is
> good.
> >> But now when switched in pairs or all 3 together I am not seeing much
> >> effect. I do know what the patterns should look like and I presumed
> >> the effect would be strong especially with signals coming from side
> >> but most of the time I notice no difference with any signals when
> >> comparing any single beverages to combinations.
> >> This is puzzling. Modelling suggests I should for example have very
> >> big improvements in suppressing signals 45 degrees off on 160m when
> >> using 2 phased beverages 120m apart as well as when using all 3
> >> beverages on 80m but I did not notice such drops of 10-20db almost in
> >> any signals from any off directions.
> >> I could hardly notice sometimes the expected 3-5db increase in the
> >> signals from the right direction but not always as well.
> >> Can some of you having experiences with phased beverages tell me if I
> >> have done something wrong in my setup?? Should I test them
> >> differently? Are the phased beverages overrated and in real life there
> >> is seldom a significant improvement over 1 single wire beverage that
> >> is already long enough like 220m in my case?
> >> Look forward to any input. I can send the modelled patterns and maps
> >> of my beverages in picture files to anyone interested.
> >
> >
> >
> > 60m (your separation) is about 3/8 wavelength on 160, and the elements
> > are long (1 1/8th wavelength) so they'll interact signficantly, even if
> > disconnected from the feed (just like parasitic elements on a Yagi).
> >
> > How high off the ground are the wires?
> >
> > How did you model the switching?
> >
> > ___
> >
> >
> >
> > ___
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > towert...@contesting.com 
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >
>
> ___
>
>
>
> ___
> TowerTalk mailing list
> towert...@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
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Re: Topband: Radial Wire

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Roger posted.":but I would emphasize that WD1A is horrible for
bi-directional Beverages as the loss is excessive in the transmission line
mode."  Roger that is clearly the case as I have found here the hard way.
I now use the WD1A for single wire Beverage antennas due to its low cost
and strength.  I just terminate the far end with a 450 Ohm non-inductive
resistor. it would be great for radials as well.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On Fri, Sep 7, 2018 at 6:30 PM Roger Parsons via Topband <
topband@contesting.com> wrote:

> Joel W5ZN wrote:
>
> ... low cost radial wire options got me thinking about WD1A. Anyone have
> any experience with it as radial wire?? There are two wires that should
> pull apart easily ...
>
> I use WD1A wire mostly for (single direction) Beverages, but also as
> radials at the ends of those antennas. In my experience it is excellent for
> both applications BUT only if the two wires remain joined. If they are
> pulled apart they seem to be self tangling! I think that the wire is
> actually a very clever design - the two wires appear to have opposite
> twists - so it lays very flat and straight.
>
> (I know this is not the subject of the posts, but I would emphasise that
> WD1A is horrible for bi-directional Beverages as the loss is excessive in
> the transmission line mode.)
>
> 73 Roger
>  VE3ZI
> _
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>
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Re: Topband: Radial wire

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Rob, Not barbed wire, but electric fence wire.  This wire stays good for
decades. Look at the horse and cattle farms around you. It has the same
conductivity as your galvanized steel tower.  Nor does anyone consider
making a tower out of copper or copper clad steel.☺ A radial system of 60
1/4 wave of #10 copper cost 50 times what the electric fence wire costs.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Thu, Sep 6, 2018 at 1:21 PM Rob Atkinson  wrote:

> Oh man, any time this topic comes up anywhere the guys come out with
> all kinds of suggestions for wire that won't last like galvanized
> steel and electric fence wire.  Nix nix nix...if you want a permanent
> ground system go with copper, insulated or not.  Stranded doesn't lie
> down as well; you want soft drawn copper sold.  Stranded wants to
> spring up and stay coiled, especially if it is hard drawn antenna
> wire.  Use that for antennas.   Copper clad steel can be hard to work
> with too unless you have a spool on a radial plow and are laying it
> into a slit a few inches deep with a tractor.
>
> But if the installation only has to last a few months then use the
> barb wire, etc.
>
> 73
> Rob
> K5UJ
> _
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>
_
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Re: Topband: Radial wire

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

1/4 mile for $30 is reasonable and would work well for radials.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Acorn-International-EFW1714-1-4-Mile-17-Gauge-Galvanized-Fence-Wire/152465194663?epid=4017419194=item237fa23ea7:g:xOMAAOSw4A5YwFca

Herb, KV4FZ

On Wed, Sep 5, 2018 at 2:00 PM Herbert Schoenbohm <
herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com> wrote:

> For a cheap solution for radials is to use buried galvanized barbed wire.
> It is available for pennies a foot.  A preferred way of putting it in is to
> use a is a  Ditch Witch with a vibrating plow attachment that allows the
> wire to buried with limited handling.  Depending on the soil consistency it
> will be long-lasting.   My sons with metal detectors have unearthed barbed
> wire that was of a style used 50 years ago by local farmers. In Puerto Rico
> AM stations have lost entire copper fields by poachers who sent it off to
> Rep Dom by containers to be sent by the pound. They have used the
> galvanized fence wire successfully.
>
> Herb, KV4FZ
>
> On Wed, Sep 5, 2018 at 1:13 PM JC  wrote:
>
>> Hi Guys
>>
>> Stay away from aluminum, the aluminum oxide dielectric is a terrible
>> complication around 2 MHz, it become a capacitor and a diode and will
>> generate a lot of noise in presence RF currents.
>>
>> There is no way to avoid the diodes at the connection with different
>> materials, like at the ground plate. When these electrical junctions are
>> very well they will work well for few months, than the noise will start
>> around Sunset when the RF field from AM BC are more intense, the RF will be
>> there, even if you are far from BC station, the propagation peak is near
>> Sunset.
>>
>> Galvanic corrosion and diode formation is inevitable. Same problem is
>> very common on rotor, mast and tower contacts originating birds on 1810,
>> 1820 and every 10 KHz, most of this signals are originate on your own
>> tower. Just grounding the with a solid contact with the tower can kill a
>> lot of noise.
>>
>> I've seen several situation of aluminum joints becoming a strong noise
>> source. The same joints are not a problem on 80 or 40m, the issue is just
>> around 2 MHz
>>
>> Save yourself a lot of problems, aluminum an 160m antennas are not a good
>> combination.
>>
>> 73's
>> JC
>> N4IS
>>
>>
>> _
>> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>>
>
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Re: Topband: Radial wire

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

For a cheap solution for radials is to use buried galvanized barbed wire.
It is available for pennies a foot.  A preferred way of putting it in is to
use a is a  Ditch Witch with a vibrating plow attachment that allows the
wire to buried with limited handling.  Depending on the soil consistency it
will be long-lasting.   My sons with metal detectors have unearthed barbed
wire that was of a style used 50 years ago by local farmers. In Puerto Rico
AM stations have lost entire copper fields by poachers who sent it off to
Rep Dom by containers to be sent by the pound. They have used the
galvanized fence wire successfully.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Wed, Sep 5, 2018 at 1:13 PM JC  wrote:

> Hi Guys
>
> Stay away from aluminum, the aluminum oxide dielectric is a terrible
> complication around 2 MHz, it become a capacitor and a diode and will
> generate a lot of noise in presence RF currents.
>
> There is no way to avoid the diodes at the connection with different
> materials, like at the ground plate. When these electrical junctions are
> very well they will work well for few months, than the noise will start
> around Sunset when the RF field from AM BC are more intense, the RF will be
> there, even if you are far from BC station, the propagation peak is near
> Sunset.
>
> Galvanic corrosion and diode formation is inevitable. Same problem is very
> common on rotor, mast and tower contacts originating birds on 1810, 1820
> and every 10 KHz, most of this signals are originate on your own tower.
> Just grounding the with a solid contact with the tower can kill a lot of
> noise.
>
> I've seen several situation of aluminum joints becoming a strong noise
> source. The same joints are not a problem on 80 or 40m, the issue is just
> around 2 MHz
>
> Save yourself a lot of problems, aluminum an 160m antennas are not a good
> combination.
>
> 73's
> JC
> N4IS
>
>
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>
_
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Re: Topband: Shunt Fed Tower Question

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Herbert Schoenbohm 
Thu, Aug 2, 10:04 AM (5 days ago)
to TopBand
I recently installed a 2 element 40-meter beam and a 4 element 20-meter
beam on top of a 90-foot tower which I use for TX on Topband.  The tower is
cage fed with a 3-wire cage spaced24 inches around the tower,  I am able to
get 1.2 to 1 on 1845 by putting about 1200 pf and a 500 pf fixed HV cap to
ground.  The coax feed goes to the wires with about 40 mh in series.  My
taps to the tower are at 60' which may be too high up on the tower
considering all the toploading I have now.  My question is:  How far down
should I move the tower taps to make the feed appear inductive rather than
the capacitive value currently what I believe I have?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On Thu, Aug 2, 2018 at 10:04 AM Herbert Schoenbohm <
herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I recently installed a 2 element 40-meter beam and a 4 element 20-meter
> beam on top of a 90-foot tower which I use for TX on Topband.  The tower is
> cage fed with a 3-wire cage spaced24 inches around the tower,  I am able to
> get 1.2 to 1 on 1845 by putting about 1200 pf and a 500 pf fixed HV cap to
> ground.  The coax feed goes to the wires with about 40 mh in series.  My
> taps to the tower are at 60' which may be too high up on the tower
> considering all the toploading I have now.  My question is:  How far down
> should I move the tower taps to make the feed appear inductive rather than
> the capacitive value currently what I believe I have?
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
>
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: Shunt Fed Tower Question

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I recently installed a 2 element 40-meter beam and a 4 element 20-meter
beam on top of a 90-foot tower which I use for TX on Topband.  The tower is
cage fed with a 3-wire cage spaced24 inches around the tower,  I am able to
get 1.2 to 1 on 1845 by putting about 1200 pf and a 500 pf fixed HV cap to
ground.  The coax feed goes to the wires with about 40 mh in series.  My
taps to the tower are at 60' which may be too high up on the tower
considering all the toploading I have now.  My question is:  How far down
should I move the tower taps to make the feed appear inductive rather than
the capacitive value currently what I believe I have?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: KH1 in texas on 160m

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

This is how KH1/KH7Z sounded on 160 in the Virgin Islands.  They were
much stronger than the W6's calling them.  Antenna here is 600 foot
Beverage at 270 degrees and IC-7300.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On Mon, Jul 23, 2018 at 4:49 PM, Dan Edward Dba East edwards <
dan.n.edwa...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> i made a short video with my cellphone a few minutes after i worked the
> boys, the first night..
> this, from Longview, Tx, suburbs, with my HiZ 4sq, looking southwest..
> they were actually MUCH better copy than this sounds..
> 73, w5xz, dan
> Baker is. In North east texas
>
>
>
> |
> |
> |
> |   ||
>
>|
>
>   |
> |
> ||
> Baker is. In North east texas
>  Great sig, hearing well..  |   |
>
>   |
>
>   |
>
>
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>
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Topband: Beverage selector switch via IP

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Looked all over for one of these so my Beverages could be selected remotely
via an IP address.  Is there such a device marketed anywhere?

Herb, KV4FZ
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: PY1RO

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Devasting news about Rolf Rasp PY1RO.  I went to his home in Niteroi across
the harbor from Rio de Janeiro in 1965 with a steamer trunk loaded with
some Drake Twins to get on the air on top band.  Before he was licensed.
Rolf was an ardent SWL who had logged Stew Perry, W1BB many times.  We used
his friend PY1NFC to get on the air and was able to contact Stew and a few
others for a new one.  (I think also Wal, W8LRL and Ernie, K1PBW) Rolf Rasp
was a true Topband champion and he will be truly missed by all of us.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ, PY1ZAI, W0VXO etc.

On Wed, May 2, 2018 at 8:01 PM, Roger Parsons via Topband <
topband@contesting.com> wrote:

> From the Daily DX today:
>
> "PY1RO, Rolf Rasp, passed away yesterday after suffering from a heart
> attack. He had heart problems for several years. PY1RO was very active
> on Topband and the Magic Band (160 and 6 Meters). Rolf put on
> DXpeditions to PY0DVG, ZX0VG, PY1RO/0, PY0FN, PY1RO/5N2, PY0RO, ZX0FOC
> and PY0TM as well being a DXpedition team member at PW0T and PW2M. He
> was a member of FOC (# 1237). Our condolences to his wife Sonia and
> the rest of the Rasp family."
>
> I was saddened to read of Rolf's death. He was an important part of 160m
> history for many years.
>
> Roger
> VE3ZI
>
> _
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>
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Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX Activity Night

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Roger, I heard you well on 1827 tonight but called for about 30 minutes and
just gave up. Your signal in the QRN was 369 most of the time,  High
tropical QRN here.

On Wed, Mar 28, 2018 at 5:27 PM, Roger Kennedy <
ro...@wessexproductions.co.uk> wrote:

>
> Well, I'm not sure if it has been poor conditions, or a just a lack of
> activity . . .
>
> But I've not heard many North American stations on the band lately.
>
> Hopefully we'll have some activity tonight !
>
> I'll be on as usual (about 1.828) from around Z . . . there's usually
> other Europeans on too.
>
> Hope to see you on the band !
>
> 73 Roger G3YRO
>
> _
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>
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Re: Topband: low inv-vee

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Roger, near your dawn your signal is very good here over the years on 160.
That is the time when low dipoles seem to really work well.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Wed, Mar 28, 2018 at 5:23 PM, Roger Kennedy <
ro...@wessexproductions.co.uk> wrote:

>
> Well I've said it before and I'll doubtless say it again . . .
>
> In my experience, most DX propagation on 160m ISN'T low angle  (unlike 80m
> when it nearly always IS.)
>
> For the past 45 years, at several different QTHs I've always used a
> horizontal co-ax fed halfwave dipole, only 50ft high . . . I'm sure most
> people would agree I put a respectable DX signal.  I've regularly worked
> all
> over the world on Top band, and I've never had trouble getting through
> pile-ups to work Dx-peditions.
>
> Plus a dipole at 40 feet will never really be an inverted vee ! (just a
> horizontal antenna with drooping ends) - You'd have to have the centre at
> least 100ft high for it to be an inverted vee.
>
> Roger G3YRO
> _
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>
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Topband: 3C0W signal on Topband

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I have no explanation for this but it is clearly the best signal every
heard from this part of the world on 160 from 3C0W was so strong i had to
record it.  Jon, AA1K has put it up on his website  http://www.aa1k.us/dx
for you to hear it. RX antenna here was a 600 foot S/E Beverage although
the path is supposed to be East or 90 degrees.  Just amazing DX signal from
a DX-pedition.


Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
_
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Re: Topband: Excessive noise on beverages

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Wes, Only a guess.. If the feed line going to the inverted Vee was
shorted at the shack end and the feedline was a halfwave long, that RF
short would appear at or near the top of inverted Vee.  Through mutual
coupling from the tower to the inverted Vee could provide some
additional top loading thus giving you different results.


Herb  KV4FZ

On Wed, Mar 7, 2018 at 2:07 AM, Wes Stewart  wrote:

> Dave,
>
> First I see by my log that we've had two QSOs---35 years apart--- one on
> 2-meter EME and one on TB.
>
> I'm no Beverage expert---antenna Beverage that is--- but it seems to me
> that shortening the west antenna just decreased its sensitivity.  If you're
> pointing at one or more noise sources, there isn't much antenna
> improvements can do.
>
> I can't recommend a tower detuning mode, however, you might at least
> consider terminating the feedpoint on receive rather than leaving it open.
> My system is quite modest on TB, a 55' vertical with an ~85' loading wire.
> The separation between the vertical and a tower is 90'.  The 85' loading
> wire is attached (via an insulating rope) to the tower.  The tower supports
> a triband Yagi and a dual-band inverted-vee for 40-80. In doing some
> feedpoint measurements on the vertical v. number of radials with a vector
> network analyzer I saw a little anomaly on the Smith Chart.  To make a long
> investigation short, I discovered that either lowering the inverted-vee or
> terminating the coax at the shack end, rather than having it open,
> corrected the anomaly.  I have no clue as to what this might have been
> doing to the pattern.
>
> Wes  N7WS
>
>
>
> On 3/6/2018 10:30 AM, David Olean wrote:
>
>> I have been putzing around trying to improve my 160 meter setup, and have
>> run into a real problem. Most of the USA is covered by two directions from
>> here in Maine.  SW and W.  My problem is that I have an excessively high
>> noise level on both of the beverages that run in these directions.  In the
>> last six months it has gotten worse, and so bad that I cannot use either
>> beverage.  The wires terminate at the side of my barn where I have ground
>> rods and the RG-6 goes through PVC conduit up to the shack on the second
>> floor of the barn.  During the day I see noise levels at -133 or -132 on
>> the two wires, but at night the noise had climbed to levels around -100  or
>> to -110 on a good night.  I suspected that I was getting noise coupled in
>> from my vertical which is rather close and on the other side of my barn all
>> of 55 ft away.
>>
>> Yesterday, I modified the west beverage and shortened it so that it
>> terminated about 150 feet away from the barn and I ran new coax back across
>> the field.  I kept the SW beverage as is to compare noise levels at night.
>> Lo and behold, but the noise went to -110 on the SW beverage, but only
>> about -120 dBm on the modified beverage.  This is a 10 dB improvement.
>> Other directions at night run at about -130, so I am now seeing a 10 dB
>> extra hit in noise to the west.
>>
>> The vertical is a shunt fed Rohn 25 with a total height just over 90 ft
>> with top loading from a 5 element long boom 10 Meter yagi. I am not sure if
>> it is possible to simply un resonate this tower. Does anyone have
>> experience with simple ways to decouple a shunt fed tower from the rx
>> antennas?
>>
>> The extra 10 dB of noise that I get to the west and SW  is mostly due to
>> the location of a town about 7 or 8 miles away in NH. It is ripe with all
>> sorts of power line noise.  I still can't rule out re radiation from the
>> vertical though! I spent many years fighting with the electric utility to
>> quell the noise. I involved Riley Hollingsworth and later on, Laura Smith,
>> his replacement.  The effort was futile and I lost heart as the problem was
>> just too big for one person to fight.  I was hoping that the noise would
>> not affect 160 meters as it had messed up my VHF exploits, and so far I
>> only have this ten dB swath of noise that bothers me in two directions.
>>
>> Any help with un resonating a shunt fed tower would be appreciated.
>>
>> Dave K1WHS
>>
>>
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>>
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>
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Re: Topband: FW: Excessive noise on beverages

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Great work Gary!  This is probably a way that is much less expensive than
the commercial version of doing this.

https://www.lbagroup.com/products/detunipole-detuning-skirt-kit

Herb, KV4FZ

On Tue, Mar 6, 2018 at 2:28 PM, kd9sv  wrote:

> Herb, FYI...gary, kd9sv
>
> -Original Message-
> From: kd9sv [mailto:kd...@comcast.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2018 12:59 PM
> To: 'David Olean'
> Subject: RE: Topband: Excessive noise on beverages
>
> Dave, I have recently developed a simple "tower de-tuning system" that is
> in
> the "Beta Testing" phase.  It will soon be available thru DXE as a system
> to
> de-tune a tower but I have no plans to use it on towers being used for
> transmitting, however; I did design a system for doing that which only
> requires adding one RJ1A or Kilovac HC1 type vacuum relay.  I built one of
> those for K3UL which he has not yet installed.  I will send you the drawing
> if I can find it on my computer.  How are you feeding your tower?  Gamma or
> what?
>
> 73, de gary, kd9sv
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of David
> Olean
> Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2018 12:30 PM
> To: Topband Reflector
> Subject: Topband: Excessive noise on beverages
>
> I have been putzing around trying to improve my 160 meter setup, and
> have run into a real problem. Most of the USA is covered by two
> directions from here in Maine.  SW and W.  My problem is that I have an
> excessively high noise level on both of the beverages that run in these
> directions.  In the last six months it has gotten worse, and so bad that
> I cannot use either beverage.  The wires terminate at the side of my
> barn where I have ground rods and the RG-6 goes through PVC conduit up
> to the shack on the second floor of the barn.  During the day I see
> noise levels at -133 or -132 on the two wires, but at night the noise
> had climbed to levels around -100  or to -110 on a good night.  I
> suspected that I was getting noise coupled in from my vertical which is
> rather close and on the other side of my barn all of 55 ft away.
>
> Yesterday, I modified the west beverage and shortened it so that it
> terminated about 150 feet away from the barn and I ran new coax back
> across the field.  I kept the SW beverage as is to compare noise levels
> at night. Lo and behold, but the noise went to -110 on the SW beverage,
> but only about -120 dBm on the modified beverage.  This is a 10 dB
> improvement.  Other directions at night run at about -130, so I am now
> seeing a 10 dB extra hit in noise to the west.
>
> The vertical is a shunt fed Rohn 25 with a total height just over 90 ft
> with top loading from a 5 element long boom 10 Meter yagi. I am not sure
> if it is possible to simply un resonate this tower. Does anyone have
> experience with simple ways to decouple a shunt fed tower from the rx
> antennas?
>
> The extra 10 dB of noise that I get to the west and SW  is mostly due to
> the location of a town about 7 or 8 miles away in NH. It is ripe with
> all sorts of power line noise.  I still can't rule out re radiation from
> the vertical though! I spent many years fighting with the electric
> utility to quell the noise. I involved Riley Hollingsworth and later on,
> Laura Smith, his replacement.  The effort was futile and I lost heart as
> the problem was just too big for one person to fight.  I was hoping that
> the noise would not affect 160 meters as it had messed up my VHF
> exploits, and so far I only have this ten dB swath of noise that bothers
> me in two directions.
>
> Any help with un resonating a shunt fed tower would be appreciated.
>
> Dave K1WHS
>
>
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>
>
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Re: Topband: Excessive noise on beverages

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Dave,  You might be able to take the TX tower shunt wire to ground with a
relay and change its resonant frequency.  Another solution might be a cage
wire feed which when taking directly to the ground might act as a
decoupling sleeve.  Broadcast engineer have experience in this since
electrical power towers can drastically change
their multi-tower directional patterns. I would Google this since
consulting engineers have written papers on how to do this.I would strongly
advise you to put a 1:1 balun and only ground the shack side coax.  DX
Engineering makes one of these and the cost is under $50.  Long coax runs
seem to carry the noise back to the antenna feed point and these will
provide good isolation and may reduce the noise pickup significantly.
Before you do anything it is important to identify the noise source and
type.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On Tue, Mar 6, 2018 at 1:30 PM, David Olean  wrote:

> I have been putzing around trying to improve my 160 meter setup, and have
> run into a real problem. Most of the USA is covered by two directions from
> here in Maine.  SW and W.  My problem is that I have an excessively high
> noise level on both of the beverages that run in these directions.  In the
> last six months it has gotten worse, and so bad that I cannot use either
> beverage.  The wires terminate at the side of my barn where I have ground
> rods and the RG-6 goes through PVC conduit up to the shack on the second
> floor of the barn.  During the day I see noise levels at -133 or -132 on
> the two wires, but at night the noise had climbed to levels around -100  or
> to -110 on a good night.  I suspected that I was getting noise coupled in
> from my vertical which is rather close and on the other side of my barn all
> of 55 ft away.
>
> Yesterday, I modified the west beverage and shortened it so that it
> terminated about 150 feet away from the barn and I ran new coax back across
> the field.  I kept the SW beverage as is to compare noise levels at night.
> Lo and behold, but the noise went to -110 on the SW beverage, but only
> about -120 dBm on the modified beverage.  This is a 10 dB improvement.
> Other directions at night run at about -130, so I am now seeing a 10 dB
> extra hit in noise to the west.
>
> The vertical is a shunt fed Rohn 25 with a total height just over 90 ft
> with top loading from a 5 element long boom 10 Meter yagi. I am not sure if
> it is possible to simply un resonate this tower. Does anyone have
> experience with simple ways to decouple a shunt fed tower from the rx
> antennas?
>
> The extra 10 dB of noise that I get to the west and SW  is mostly due to
> the location of a town about 7 or 8 miles away in NH. It is ripe with all
> sorts of power line noise.  I still can't rule out re radiation from the
> vertical though! I spent many years fighting with the electric utility to
> quell the noise. I involved Riley Hollingsworth and later on, Laura Smith,
> his replacement.  The effort was futile and I lost heart as the problem was
> just too big for one person to fight.  I was hoping that the noise would
> not affect 160 meters as it had messed up my VHF exploits, and so far I
> only have this ten dB swath of noise that bothers me in two directions.
>
> Any help with un resonating a shunt fed tower would be appreciated.
>
> Dave K1WHS
>
>
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Re: Topband: Does flooding radial field help

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

The was certainly short skip within 300-400 miles and I work several
Carribean station within that range.  However, the unusual part of that was
an Italian who kept calling CQ where is was calling CQ and was S9 on the EU
Beverage. I never even got a QRZ from him. I had to null him out with the
NCC-1 just to work any states.  I worked a few in the southeast but nobody
even spotted me for the entire night except for one NY station with good
ears. I have come to the realization that 100 watts under conditions like
this are futile.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Sat, Feb 24, 2018 at 2:26 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett  wrote:

> It was conditions and it was SSB!  I could not hear PJ4G last night.  The
> only DX that was "loud" was ZF2.
>
> W0MU
>
>
>
> On 2/24/2018 10:07 AM, Jack Henry via Topband wrote:
>
>> I was struggling to be heard in the contest last night.  Only 4 stations
>> were worked and they needed repeats.  All readings in the shack were normal
>> and I was hearing many stations with moderate signals.  The only thing that
>> was different was that we were irrigating the grass.   The grass is
>> irrigated by flooding from a small canal that is on the edge of the
>> property.  The canal is fresh water fed from an Andean river.  There was
>> about a quarter of an inch of water visible over the mowed grass.  I am
>> wondering if the water is effecting the antenna performance.
>>
>> I do not have a super station and only run 800W.  The antenna is a 45
>> foot vertical T loaded at the top.  There are 32 radials 60 to 80 feet in
>> length of different type wires.  All are insulated with various materials
>> and are buried about an inch below the soil level.
>>
>> Anyone have any experience or knowledge on this.  The soil is drying now
>> in the blistering sun so maybe we will see if there is any improvement
>> tonite.
>>
>> Thanks. Jack OA4TT
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
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Re: Topband: Does flooding radial field help

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Jack, Last night in the CQ 160 SSB contest I called CQ for hours and only
worked a few stations mostly within a few hundred miles.  Eu's were coming
in but none heard me.  Also, I could not hold a frequency anywhere.  I did
work LU2DKT  and a few PY's.  It was brutal trying to work anyone with 100
watts.  On my IC-7300 spectrum display, the band was loaded with signals
and some very strong.  I was pointless to call them as they just CQ'ed back
in my face. These were stations I never had a problem working before.  As
far as you fresh water is concerned just consider it a good insulator and a
reasonable way to absorb your power like a resistor connected to the feed
point.  In Minnesota, (W0VXO) I put a vertical about 100 feet out in the
shallow portion of a big lake and had to struggle to work anyone.  However
when I was an engineer for WIRA in Fort Pierce, FL we had the AM tower out
in the Indian River at the end of a pier.  The water was very very brackish
as an inlet to the Atlantic.  There are about 16 radial at the base an
weighted with concrete blocks to the river bottom.  It worked very well
according to an FSM at a mile and was well above what was expected.  The
only problem we had was that the base current would change as the tide
would rise and fall.

It will be interesting to see when your field dries out

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On Sat, Feb 24, 2018 at 1:07 PM, Jack Henry via Topband <
topband@contesting.com> wrote:

> I was struggling to be heard in the contest last night.  Only 4 stations
> were worked and they needed repeats.  All readings in the shack were normal
> and I was hearing many stations with moderate signals.  The only thing that
> was different was that we were irrigating the grass.   The grass is
> irrigated by flooding from a small canal that is on the edge of the
> property.  The canal is fresh water fed from an Andean river.  There was
> about a quarter of an inch of water visible over the mowed grass.  I am
> wondering if the water is effecting the antenna performance.
>
> I do not have a super station and only run 800W.  The antenna is a 45 foot
> vertical T loaded at the top.  There are 32 radials 60 to 80 feet in length
> of different type wires.  All are insulated with various materials and are
> buried about an inch below the soil level.
>
> Anyone have any experience or knowledge on this.  The soil is drying now
> in the blistering sun so maybe we will see if there is any improvement
> tonite.
>
> Thanks. Jack OA4TT
>
> Sent from my iPad
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Re: Topband: [TowerTalk] 160 vertical question (Top Hat)

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Paul, By doing this you are actually tuning out the inductance caused by
the longer than resonant wire by adding a series capacitance near the same
value.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Sun, Feb 4, 2018 at 8:35 AM, Paul Christensen  wrote:

> >"Another technique that is often used for matching is to make the wires
> much longer than resonant (that is, resonant around the top of the BC
> band), so that the feedpoint Z is 50 +jX ohms (that is, inductive) on 160M,
> and tune the capacitance out by adding a capacitor of equal value in
> series.NEC can easily model this."
>
> When over-resonating with a long T-top, the maximum current point moves
> away from the ground and up toward the center of the vertical radiator --
> another benefit.   Unless there's a deliberate need to resonate on the
> operating frequency (e.g., with some phased arrays), then over-resonating a
> single T-top vertical radiator should be the objective, subject to the
> availability of long, tall supports on either side of the vertical section.
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
>
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Topband: No power line noise in any direction.

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

After two Cat 5 Hurricanes, Irma and Maria, devastated the Vi I have been
able to get back to listening on topband with a few new reversible
DX-Engineering Beverage packages. The linemen from all over the country run
by an operation out of Plainville, NY have been rebuilding the entire
island's grid to different standards.  No more cross bars nor top pin
insulators. Hardware to continuously arc. No more tree branches to snap
crackle and pop.  160 meters is alive with signals especially on 1840 using
FT-8 mode. What is totally absent is electrical powerline noise.I'm
certain that with the salt spray and volcanic dust from VP2M the noise will
return.  But for now, it is simply wonderful on topband.


Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
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Re: Topband: use the wasteland

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Joe I agree.  Most 160 antennas would require retuning as even the best
shunt fed towers only gives a usable 50kHz,  Running out to the tuning box
everytime I want to use FT8 is not an option.  However, retuning for an SSB
contest or ragchewing is more plausible.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Wed, Nov 29, 2017 at 6:46 PM, N7DF via Topband 
wrote:

> since most of the band between 1900 and 2000 KHz is seldom used it seems
> that the best solution to the FT8 isue is to move contacts using this mode
> up to a frequency in this segment like 1980 or so.
> _
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Re: Topband: Best Receive Antenna over Sloping Terrain?

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Not really if it is a gentle slope since IMHO the arrival angle of the 
incoming signal will most likely not be bothered.  The slope may 
actually attenuate some ground wave noise in those directions a bit thus 
improving the S/N ratio.




Herb, KV4FZOn 9/1/2017 6:37 AM, Ed wrote:
Yes, Herb. I have considered this, too. But I think I may run into the 
same problem with sloping terrain. Thoughts?


On Sep 1, 2017, at 13:13, Herbert Schoenbohm 
<herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com <mailto:herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com>> 
wrote:


Since your space is limited to preclude a bunch of Beverages I would 
highly recommend the SAL-30 which is a shared loop array from Array 
Solutions. This is really a high performance antenna and should give 
you every thing you need.


https://www.arraysolutions.com/as-sal-30

Herb, KV4FZ

On Fri, Sep 1, 2017 at 4:57 AM, Ed via Topband 
<topband@contesting.com <mailto:topband@contesting.com>> wrote:


Greetings from Saudi Arabia!  I think a lot about my home QTH in
California and how I want to make the most of my antenna potential.

I have an area that I would like to devote to receiving antennas,
that's about 150' square feet. Thought about the DXE Active 4 Sq
array but they say installing this on Sloping terrain will
degrade its performance. In my case, the slope is about 30-35
degrees, so I'm sure that limits me.

The transmitting antenna area is about 300-400 feet away, which
provides adequate isolation from where I want to install a
receiving antenna. Trying to figure out what is most suitable. 
In addition to 160m, I am also interested in BCB DXing and some
the demonstrations viewed on YouTube are quite impressive!

Would really appreciate some input. I can always provide my home
address, where the two antenna areas can be seen on Google Maps.

73,
Ed NI6S/7Z1ES
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Re: Topband: 160 meter 1/4 vertical

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Many have tried balloon or kite supported  5/8 wave verticals on 160 with
disappointing results.  I used to have a 308 self supporting tower which i
could use at night on 160 but it never ever beat a corner fed delta loop
supported by the same tower.

On Mon, Jul 3, 2017 at 6:38 PM, Peter Voelpel <dj...@t-online.de> wrote:

> Please check the pattern on 60 and 40m where the 37m high vertical is going
> to be used.
> You certainly will see the high angle lobes.
>
> 73
> Peter
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Charles
> Moizeau
> Sent: Dienstag, 4. Juli 2017 00:10
> To: Herbert Schoenbohm; TopBand List
> Subject: Re: Topband: 160 meter 1/4 vertical
>
> The free-space pattern of current in a vertical (and also  horizontal)
> antenna is crescent shaped with its maximum at the midpoint, and a minimum
> at each end.  It shows nothing that could be termed an extraneous lobe.
> Any
> such lobes would seem to be the result of improper matching, or more
> likely,
> the fact that in the real world such an antenna is in an environment that
> is
> certainly not free space.
> higher angles.
>
>
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Re: Topband: 160 meter 1/4 vertical

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Forget about the high impedance issues on 40 and also 80.  IMHO the best
and easiest solution for you is to make some simple wire decoupling sleeves
or wire cage for the higher bands and they could be current fed like 160
meters and much less complicated to feed without extensive matching.  Also
1/.2 wave vertical are notorious for not working well with some obnoxious
lobes.  The only full wave verticals that I know to work are of the
Franklyn antenna design and require a decoupling at the 1/2 part with the
other 1/2 wave above it.  This is said to produce some low angle gain and
essentially double the radiated signal without the wasteful lobes at much
higher angles.

On Mon, Jul 3, 2017 at 3:53 PM, Jos Mols  wrote:

> Hi guys, currently working on getting a radial net worked into my garden &
> pavement. Appr 40 radials ranging from 10 to 40+ meters.
> I can raise vertical to appr 37 meters. main interest is 160 meters.
> I would liketo use this vertical for 80, 60 and 40 meters. Considering
> end-fed configuration for 80/40 so making hi impedance match. Wondering if
>  anyone has expereince with different options to achieve the same?
> Thanks in advance for your response.
> Jos PA0LSB
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Re: Topband: RX antenna switching - unused ports

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Brad, I have a 12x1 commercial Panasonic video switcher which is passive 
and terminates in 75 ohms all unused ports.  I used 1/2 wave feed lines 
which conceivable repeats the 75 ohm termination at the Beverage 
matching transformer.  I also use several 1:1 (DXE) isolation boxes 
about 30 feet from several Beverages to reduces feedline pickup coupling 
back into the Beverage matching transformer.



On 6/8/2017 8:06 AM, Maciej Wieczorek wrote:

Hi Brad,

what I can say from my perspective - in the last 10 years I have tried 
both grounding and terminating through 75ohm resistor. With the 
terminating I see absolutely no pattern distortion on my Beverage's, 
which was not so obvious when direct grounding was used.


My Bev's often are crossed 45 deg, height is 1,8-2,0m.  I use only 
isolated transformers / separate windings.


73's
Mac SP2XF / SN2M

- Original Message - From: "Brad Denison" 


To: 
Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2017 1:54 PM
Subject: Topband: RX antenna switching - unused ports



All,

 I am working a homebrew RX antenna switch box for my beverages, 
flags and

shared apex loop array and am looking for design advice.  Can someone
educate me on the proper way to handle unused ports:

1)  Leave all unused ports open
2)  Ground all unused ports
3)  Terminate unused ports to 75 ohm


I have seen various commercially available switch boxes with all of 
these

configurations but it is not clear to me if any of these variations are
best, i.e does it matter?

Thanks,

Brad, W1NT
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Topband: Feeding a two wire Beverage at the center

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

have heard that a 450 ohm ladder Beverage can be fed in the center or even
off center.  This is something I would like to do but have never seen any
write up on the way it is done.  I presume it would require a reflection
transformer and ground on each end.  But the means of feed the wires at the
center or off center has be puzzling for me..  Anyone who has done this
with a two wire reversibleplease let me know how and if the principle
even works.

Herb, KV4FZ
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Re: Topband: Bev-Flex 4 Beverage system

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I have heard that a 450 ohm ladder Beverage can be fed in the center or
even off center.  This is something I would like to do but have never seen
any write up on the way it is done.  I presume ti would require a
reflection transformer and ground on each end.  But the means of feed the
wires at the center or off center has be puzzled.  Anyone who has done this
with a two wire reversibleplease lewt me know.

On 4/14/2017 9:58 AM, Alan Swinger wrote:

I checked out the JK Antenna web site and the system looks good and
sounds like it performs well. Have there been any side-by-side
comparisons w/ a standard 2 wire 450 ohm Beverage?
Tks - Alan K9MBQ

-Original Message-

From: Ned Mountain  
Sent: Apr 13, 2017 7:35 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Bev-Flex 4 Beverage system

I have already received several e mails since my posting.  The data sheets
and specs are on the JK antenna website.  (jkantennas..com)



Here is a link to a video presentation I did some time back to one of the
local clubs regarding the system.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZiQXihUvIo

=youtu.be



Ned

WC4X


Can you explain how do hook up a two wire ladder line Beverage with a
center feed?

Thanks, Herb, KV4FZ

Ned Mountain
ned.mount...@mindspring.com
770 823 4205 <(770)%20823-4205> (M)



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Re: Topband: Ladder line Beverage Installation

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

wood screws via the small slots in the posts 


Sent from my iPhone

> On May 12, 2017, at 9:36 PM, FritzOAQ  wrote:
> 
> Mike,
> 
> What do you connect to the PVC pipe to hold the wires?
> 
> 
> 
> Herb,
> 
> How do you connect the paint sticks to the posts?
> 
> 
> 
> Fritz K4OAQ
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I drive the metals posts into the ground and slide a 10 foot section of gray
> 
> 
> PVC pipe over the post for my supports.
> 
> 
> 
> Mike N2MS
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> DXE sells some nifty ladder insulators designed for wooden posts. They are
> listed at $13.95 for a bag of 25. (DXE P/N DXE-LL-LNS) In my case I wanted
> to use metal fence supports with wood on the top for an easier installation
> with a 3 lb maul rather than digging holes for the post supports. While
> pushing my cart through Home Depot one day I stumbling upon paint stir
> sticks in the paint section for .99 cents for a package of three. They are
> made of pine and are 33 inches long and appear very durable being almost 1/4
> inch thick. They can flex a bit but hard to break even over your knee. Much
> to my surprise the DXE Beverage insulator snaps right on to the top portion
> where the paint mixer would normally put his hand. Although not really
> necessary a small wood screw would prevent any insulator from unsnapping in
> high winds. A coat ofThompson's Water Seal on the paint stick is also an
> option. Mounting these insulators in this fashion would bring the ladder
> line in a vertical position with respect to ground. With a half twist ever
> 70 feet I think this would enhance the performance and not degrade it in
> anyway. If I am wrong with that the Beverage gurus might possiblycorrect me.
> 
> 
> 
> I know this is sort of a trivia post but I was amazed at how easily the DXE
> insulator snapped on the paint stick. Also if wooden 2X2's are an option for
> support they can be placed in line of the Beverage field first. Then a screw
> gun can zip these paint sticks in place as required.
> 
> 
> 
> Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
> 
> 
> 
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Topband: ZK3 Tokelau Islands

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Back in 2010 I worked ZK3Y on 160 meters but failed to request a QSL 
card.  I do not find any reference to this station on QRZ.com but still 
would like to pursue getting close to 300 TB confirmed. Please send me 
an e mail if you have any information on ZK3YThanks, KV4FZ


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Re: Topband: BOG on sand

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Probably it will work very good if you establish a ground on both ends 
with some spiders like radials.  3 or 4 about 60 feet long or longer 
should do it.



Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ


On 4/26/2017 1:44 PM, Art Heft wrote:

Guys, speaking of 160 meter BOGs, would one work for me?  In this part of
NE lower Michigan we have sand depth beyond measurement​.
Art K8CIT
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Re: Topband: Bev-Flex 4 Beverage system

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I have heard that a 450 ohm ladder line reversible Beverage can be fed 
in the center or even off center without any negative effect.  This is 
something I would like to do but have never seen any write up on the way 
it is done.  I presume it would require a reflection transformer and 
ground on each end.  But the means of feed the wires at the center or 
off center has be puzzled.  Is the matching transformer fed across the 
wires or is between and open space on one of the two wires? Is ta ground 
required at the feed point?


Anyone who has done this with a two wire reversibleplease let me know.

Thanks,

Her Schoewnbohm, KV4FZ



On 4/14/2017 9:58 AM, Alan Swinger wrote:

I checked out the JK Antenna web site and the system looks good and sounds like 
it performs well. Have there been any side-by-side comparisons w/ a standard 2 
wire 450 ohm Beverage?
Tks - Alan K9MBQ

-Original Message-

From: Ned Mountain 
Sent: Apr 13, 2017 7:35 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Bev-Flex 4 Beverage system

I have already received several e mails since my posting.  The data sheets
and specs are on the JK antenna website.  (jkantennas..com)



Here is a link to a video presentation I did some time back to one of the
local clubs regarding the system.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZiQXihUvIo

=youtu.be



Ned

WC4X



Ned Mountain

ned.mount...@mindspring.com

770 823 4205 (M)



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Re: Topband: Ladder line Beverage Installation

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Maybe since my Beverages have to be at least 8 feet high to avoid the 
deer horn (yes we have them in the field were my beverages run). Driving 
a 10 ' 2X2 into the ground requires me to carry along a step ladder.  
The way I described allow me to driving in the and 8 foot  metal post, 
which has stabilizer blade, about I.5 feet into the soil. My wooden 
paint stick gives me another 30 inches which yields me a total of 8 feet 
allowing the deer to pass underneath.  These deer are voracilus when 
they get their horns tangled and the Beverages are usually toast when 
they are done wit them. The metal fence posts are very sturdy and stable.



On 4/13/2017 9:58 AM, Rob Atkinson wrote:

Why don't you nail or screw a cross piece of needed length to the top
of each post, and screw a threaded porcelain standoff insulator so it
sticks up on each end.  You can find them at hamfests.  They are
usually white porcelain cylinders with tapped holes on each end.
Since it is only for receiving there might be an even easier hardware
fix.   You could probably transmit with my construction.

Rob
K5UJ
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Topband: Ladder line Beverage Installation

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

DXE sells some nifty ladder insulators designed for wooden posts.  They 
are listed at $13.95 for a bag of 25. (DXE P/N DXE-LL-LNS) In my case I 
wanted to use metal fence supports with wood on the top for an easier 
installation with a 3 lb maul rather than digging holes for the post 
supports. While pushing my cart through Home Depot one day I stumbling 
upon paint stir sticks in the paint section for .99 cents for a package 
of three.  They are made of pine and are 33 inches long and appear very 
durable being almost 1/4 inch thick. They can flex a bit but hard to 
break even over your knee.  Much to my surprise the DXE Beverage 
insulator snaps right on to the top portion where the paint mixer would 
normally put his hand.  Although not really necessary a small wood screw 
would prevent any insulator from unsnapping in high winds. A coat of 
Thompson's Water Seal on the paint stick is also an option.  Mounting 
these insulators in this fashion would bring the ladder line in a 
vertical position with respect to ground.  With a half twist ever 70 
feet I think this would enhance the performance and not degrade it in 
anyway.  If I am wrong with that the Beverage gurus might possibly 
correct me.


I know this is sort of a trivia post but I was amazed at how easily the 
DXE insulator snapped on the paint stick.  Also if wooden 2X2's are an 
option for support they can be placed in line of the Beverage field 
first.  Then a screw gun can zip these paint sticks in place as required.




Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ


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Re: Topband: Beverage in a slope

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

GabrielYou will be presently surprise how well that works. You might 
even get some enhance FB out of it.



I had such a sloping Beverage almost exactly like described on EU 
running downhill and with a 100 foot drop


from previous location here on St. Croix and it was superb.

Herb, KV4FZ



On 4/11/2017 2:11 PM, Gabriel - EA6VQ wrote:

I am planning to install a second 180m (590 feet) long reversible Beverage
in the next months to cover the NW-SE directions, but due to terrain
restrictions of my property it will have to be installed in a slope.  The
feed would be near the top of hill and the Beverage would slope down, being
the far end about 50m (160 feet) lower than the feed point.

  


Anyone has experience with a similar setup and how much it could affect the
performance of the antenna?  I assume that the vertical lobe will be
affected somehow, but...

  


73. Gabriel - EA6VQ

  


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Topband: Fwd: Re: Echo on 160m yesterday morning

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Meant to say "all that improbable""But the idea of a multiple 
moderate angle skip with so many hops around the world and twice is IMHO 
really all that/*improbable*/."



On 2/5/2017 3:33 PM, Herbert Schoenbohm wrote:
Having worked LU and CX on 2 meters SSB (100 watts 7 element beam) 
without any ionospheric skip in the strange ducting FAI mode that is 
at time formed by the magnetic field at the equator, i say that 
anything is possible. But the idea of a multiple moderate angle skip 
with so many hops around the world and twice is IMHO really all that 
probable.


On 2/5/2017 3:13 PM, Art Snapper wrote:
I am wondering if there is a backscatter type condition that can also 
slow

down the Vp.

Art NK8X
ᐧ

On Sun, Feb 5, 2017 at 12:18 PM, Tree <t...@kkn.net> wrote:


I once had a very strong echo on 160.

The delay was about 225 milliseconds - which equates to a distance 
of about

42K miles.

You can listen to it here.  It is so strong that you won't believe 
that is

really the echo.  I send two dits and hear two dits come back.

http://www.kkn.net/n6tr/sounds/echo.wav

It appears this was from 1997 - I posted about it here:

http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/Topband/1997-02/msg00136.html 



I remember hearing similar echos on my 75 meter signal during a 
California

QSO Party when I was operating at K6NA's QTH back in 1987 or 1988.

Tree N6TR

On Sun, Feb 5, 2017 at 6:45 AM, Arthur Delibert <radio7...@msn.com> 
wrote:


Approximately how much delay was there between your transmission 
and the

echo?


--Art Delibert, KB3FJO



From: Topband <topband-boun...@contesting.com> on behalf of on7eh <
on...@skynet.be>
Sent: Sunday, February 5, 2017 4:32 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Echo on 160m yesterday morning

For the first time,
I heard my echoes on topband, yesterday morning starting around 05 
UTC.

They lasted for at least 1 hour, with some OFF-periods in between.
I had to quit at 06 UTC. (still 1 hour before surise)

The echoes were loudest on the short Beverages (<60m long) heading N/S

and

NE/SW and several dB lower on the NW/SE Beverage. (about 130m long).
The Tx setup is modest with Elecraft K3/100 and inv L at 15m height,
sloping down to 11m.

Only DX heard that morning was USA (typical condictions) so I 
wonder what

else does hearing echoes indicate?


73,
Michel, ON7EH



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Re: Topband: Echo on 160m yesterday morning

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Having worked LU and CX on 2 meters SSB (100 watts 7 element beam) 
without any ionospheric skip in the strange ducting FAI mode that is at 
time formed by the magnetic field at the equator, i say that anything is 
possible. But the idea of a  multiple moderate angle skip with so many 
hops around the world and twice is IMHO really all that probable.


On 2/5/2017 3:13 PM, Art Snapper wrote:

I am wondering if there is a backscatter type condition that can also slow
down the Vp.

Art NK8X
ᐧ

On Sun, Feb 5, 2017 at 12:18 PM, Tree  wrote:


I once had a very strong echo on 160.

The delay was about 225 milliseconds - which equates to a distance of about
42K miles.

You can listen to it here.  It is so strong that you won't believe that is
really the echo.  I send two dits and hear two dits come back.

http://www.kkn.net/n6tr/sounds/echo.wav

It appears this was from 1997 - I posted about it here:

http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/Topband/1997-02/msg00136.html

I remember hearing similar echos on my 75 meter signal during a California
QSO Party when I was operating at K6NA's QTH back in 1987 or 1988.

Tree N6TR

On Sun, Feb 5, 2017 at 6:45 AM, Arthur Delibert  wrote:


Approximately how much delay was there between your transmission and the
echo?


--Art Delibert, KB3FJO



From: Topband  on behalf of on7eh <
on...@skynet.be>
Sent: Sunday, February 5, 2017 4:32 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Echo on 160m yesterday morning

For the first time,
I heard my echoes on topband, yesterday morning starting around 05 UTC.
They lasted for at least 1 hour, with some OFF-periods in between.
I had to quit at 06 UTC. (still 1 hour before surise)

The echoes were loudest on the short Beverages (<60m long) heading N/S

and

NE/SW and several dB lower on the NW/SE Beverage. (about 130m long).
The Tx setup is modest with Elecraft K3/100 and inv L at 15m height,
sloping down to 11m.

Only DX heard that morning was USA (typical condictions) so I wonder what
else does hearing echoes indicate?


73,
Michel, ON7EH



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Re: Topband: Terminating resistor

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

let me check I may have some 600 ohm 100 watts in the storage shed. 12 were 
used in a AM station in parallel for a high power dummy load.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 25, 2017, at 7:31 PM, "jcjacob...@q.com"  wrote:
> 
> How do, 
> 
> 
> Where can you obtain, at a reasonable price, a high wattage, non-inductive, 
> resistor for a terminated antenna??? as in a T2FD, or a terminated Vee, or 
> sloping Vee. Years ago it seems you could find thembut now not so 
> much now. Would a thick film resistor work??? I'm not talking military or VOA 
> power levels. For experimenting at the 100-200 watt level. Tnx in advance. 
> 
> 
> 73 
> K9WN Jake 
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Topband: Beverage Feed-line Noise Pickup

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

On my Beverage feed-line RG6 runs (some 200 feet) I use multi-turns a 
large toroid on each feed-line and the attach each coax to a grounding 
block and good ground rods (typical Hume Depot RG-6 variety)  then on 
the other side of the grounding block before the coax runs about 20 feet 
to the Beverage Switch I have another large wound 13 turn toroid.  I 
have since learned that I probably have all my feed-line noise 
suppression stuff in the wrong place and that the equipment side toroids 
are probably useless anyway.  Now I am told that this noise pickup 
suppression stuff needs to be out by the actual Beverage feed and about 
20-30 feet away.  The reasoning is that the noise pickup by the 
feed-line needs to be blocked from coupling into the antenna itself.  Is 
this true?



I am starting to move the toroid-ground-toriod RG-6 "T" combos out 
closer to the antennas.  I noticed that DX-Engineering sells an RFCC-1 
box designed for Beverage coax runs but suggests it be place about 20 to 
30' from the Beverage feed which has it's own separate ground rod.  I 
bought one and before I put it out near the Beverage feed I thought I 
would it in place of the toroid system near the shack on one of the 
Beverage feedlines.  However when I grounded the unit to the Beverage 
ground system near the shack I immediately noticed the noise floor jump 
up by about 10 db.  I now know it is in the wrong place but this test 
with the DXE RFCC-1 may prove something of interest.  Please correct my 
assumption if it is wrong:  Noise pickup from long Beverage feed-lines 
flows back toward the Beverage feed point and then it is  coupled via 
the feed point transformer back down the center conductor to the 
receiver.   If this is true I will remove all toroids at the house and 
put them out near  Beverage feed points (about 30 feet away with  
separate grounds based on the advice I receive back from this post.



Please let me know what you think about this.

Herb Schoenbohm. KV4FZ

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Re: Topband: [TowerTalk] radial lengths ...

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

One nice trick I have used in the past to locate buried radials and 
check them for continuity is to walk around the radial field with a good 
professional FSM (field strength meter) tuned to station's transmitted 
signal (at reduced key down power preferably to protect the transmitter) 
and with the loop close to the ground. Every time you walk across a 
buried radial you will see a slight blip or peak in the signal strength 
reading.   This may sound weird but it works. Broken radials may also 
show a blip but not as pronounced as a good radial.



Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ



On 12/1/2016 7:35 AM, Rob Atkinson wrote:

You don't put down a lot of radials only for more return current; you
put down a lot also because over time you'll probably lose some of
them to damage or decreased conductivity or some form of disturbance.
If your radial field is uncontrolled, and you can't watch it
constantly, you may wind up with a doggie digging up and chewing on
one, or who knows what else.   The assumption is that you want to do
this once and have a ground system that will last for decades.  You
also put down a lot of radials so that the return current on each one
is less.  When you have enough, you will no longer need to fool around
with "ununs" and other ferrite contrivances because 98% of the RF will
be on the radials instead of your feedline exterior.

If you have an inverted L that's the classic vertical length, around
60 feet high and 60 or more feet horizontal, (you can put bends in the
horizontal part provided they are over 90 degrees) your feedpoint
impedance should be low--10 to 20 ohms.  If it is higher than that,
you need more radials.

Are there out buildings in your ground system or on its periphery?  If
they have metal--aluminum siding and/or a steel roof, you should strap
them into your ground system using brass clamps and copper strap below
grade back to your radial junction.

What if such a structure is RF transparent but smack inside where you
want radials to go?You need to put copper strap along the
foundation all the way around the structure and bond the interrupted
radials to the strap, continuing in lines out the other side.

73

Rob
K5UJ
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Topband: Solved: Strange resistance between Beverage ground rods

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

After more ground rods and buckets of water along with several spider 
wires I learned the hard way to *never8 try to make measurement with a 
DVM.  A cheap VOM gave me the results I was looking for.  Now I measure 
45 ohms from the detached reversible Beverage wires out to the end and 
though the reflection transformer and back thorough the ground for 900' 
feet!  Now I am worried that the resistance is to low and the ground 
conductivity over which the Beverage runs is to low.  Measuring several 
Beverages in the shack on this run on BC stations show excellent FB and 
VSWR of 1.5 to 1.


My problem here was a false reading of resistance using DVM's and having 
some residual induced DC voltage making the readings completely invalid.


Thanks to all with there good suggestions.

Herb, KV4FZ



On 11/16/2016 6:55 PM, Mike Waters wrote:

Good answer, Greg. DC is certainly not the best way to measure an RF ground.

I wonder what the difference would be if we used 1.8 MHz instead of 100 Hz?

I thoroughly soak the earth around the rods here with Epsom salt (magnesium
sulfate). It *really* decreases the ground resistance! The difference
between a newly-driven-in rod, and after applying that treatment, is
immediately obvious by listening to the receiver.

Of course, as N3OX once quipped, "I'm fond of adding elemental copper in
thin filaments stretching radially away from the ground rod for some
distance". ;-)

73 Mike
www.w0btu.com

On Nov 15, 2016 10:16 AM, "Greg - ZL3IX"  wrote:

I came across this problem when I first started using Beverages in 2008.

I have come to the conclusion that the DC resistance measurement is
corrupted by electrochemical effects between the grounds, ie potential
differences. I then changed to an AC measurement. I made a simple 100-or-so
Hz oscillator using an op amp and  I put this between the two wires in
parallel at the feed and the ground. There is a 100 ohm resistor in series.
I measure the AC voltage across the Bev and the voltage across the resistor
and thus deduce a loop resistance through the ground.
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Re: Topband: Strange resistance between Beverage ground rods

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Thanks to all that have given tips on this. I was using a Fluke 77  in 
the low resistance automatic range and as Lee K7TJR pointed out even a 
small induced voltage was enough to drive the resistance reading up to 
20K Ohms.   I made additional measurements with my Sperry DM-4100 and an 
analog VOM and they were all different.  On the DC scale I measured .6 
volts om respect to ground.  this would be enough to sent the Fluke 
nuts. When using the Sperry's diode settings I got -.243 in one 
direction and no reading in the other.  Maybe I was going nut or Tesla's 
theories of extra scalar potential are really valid. Tomorrow I will run 
out a line cord and take along a 12VAC transformer and feed the two 
wires of the Beverage against ground while measuring the actual return 
voltage.
Then I will calculate the voltage drop of the sire to ground loop and 
calculate the resistance.  I know this may sound crude but I should get 
a more usable value. what had me worries about the far end 3 ground rod 
termination is that between wires the resistance measurably 40 ohms for 
a 900 foot Beverage which should be fine. I guess since the WD-1A is a 
balance medium any induced voltage would be cancelled out. There is a 3 
phase 14KVA system that passed parallel to the road near where the 
Beverages are terminated maybe there is enough DC rectified currents 
somewhere to give me the false reading on my Fluke.


My initial test results suggested that the far end ground connection was 
gone but that was not the case.  Wading my way through waist high saw 
grass for 900 feet trips is not fun.  My son came up with a excellent 
suggestion of buying a quad copter with video on e Bay and making my 
Beverage wire inspection will siting in the shack.  As anyone every 
tried that?  Sounds like fun.   Plodding thorough waist deep snow in the 
winter, not a problem here, is a not a very easy chore.



Herb, KV4FZ




On 11/15/2016 12:55 PM, Lee STRAHAN wrote:

Hello Herb and fellow Top Banders,
When I had Beverage antennas here I was never able to read the ground 
resistance here as well. The reason it did not work here is there was actually 
a small DC voltage difference between grounds apparently developed by galvanic 
means or currents in the earth. This voltage does not allow a DC resistance 
meter to read correctly.
As a side note there is a 1,000,000 volt DC power generation line running 
from Celilo Oregon to Sylmar California that uses the Earth as one conductor. 
Its no wonder here there is DC across portions of the ground. Just look up 
Celilo converter station if you are curious. 3200 megawatts transported from 
Oregon to California through the ground! This line is within 20 miles of my 
farm. This may or may not be partly responsible for the DC difference on mine 
or others Beverage antennas.
Lee  K7TJR   OR


I have reflection transformers at the end of every two wire Beverages which I 
try to test by measuring the wires on the feed end. I remove the transformer 
from the two wire WD1-A and check the resistance between the two wires which 
tells me that through the reflection transformer I have continuity. It measures 
about 40 ohms wire to wire, this is done when I notice any performance change 
of the antenna. Now come the next test that baffles me completely.  When I 
measure from either wire to my ground rods alone, to see what the return 
resistance is, I get reading
in the vicinity of 20K  across the 900 foot run.I understand that if
the reading was very low it would defeat the whole Beverage principle.
But is 20K Ohms reasonable, very good, or marginal?  I use three foot foot rods 
at either end and when I pull one out yesterday before moving it the bottom 1/4 
was moist and muddy. That Southern end of several reversible Beverages  is 
located about 100 feet or less from a salt marsh or salt pond.  I also have to 
such antennas made up of ladder line a DX Engineering components.  They all 
appear to be working well even though large grass has reach and covered portion 
of some of them.

But my question is what is a reasonable or good return ground resistance for a 
600' or 900' Beverage.  I haven't found any sources of information expect the 
saying that the higher Resistance the better. Is this correct?

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

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Topband: Strange resistance between Beverage ground rods

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I have reflection transformers at the end of every two wire Beverages 
which I try to test by measuring the wires on the feed end. I remove the 
transformer from the two wire WD1-A and check the resistance between the 
two wires which tells me that through the reflection transformer I have 
continuity. It measures about 40 ohms wire to wire, this is done when I 
notice any performance change of the antenna. Now come the next test 
that baffles me completely.  When I measure from either wire to my 
ground rods alone, to see what the return resistance is, I get reading 
in the vicinity of 20K  across the 900 foot run.I understand that if 
the reading was very low it would defeat the whole Beverage principle.  
But is 20K Ohms reasonable, very good, or marginal?  I use three foot 
foot rods at either end and when I pull one out yesterday before moving 
it the bottom 1/4 was moist and muddy. That Southern end of several 
reversible Beverages  is located about 100 feet or less from a salt 
marsh or salt pond.  I also have to such antennas made up of ladder line 
a DX Engineering components.  They all appear to be working well even 
though large grass has reach and covered portion of some of them.


But my question is what is a reasonable or good return ground resistance 
for a 600' or 900' Beverage.  I haven't found any sources of information 
expect the saying that the higher Resistance the better. Is this correct?


Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

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Re: Topband: 160 m inverted L

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Bread slicers have their issues and are not really the best solution.  
Using a fixed high current mica G2 broadcast capacitor of a higher value 
than you need, and making it variable with a series inductor is the way 
to go.  This is what broadcast stations do in their ATU's.  I haven't 
ever seen a bread slicer in a radio station ATU.  A good high current 
mica cap and a flat wound taped coil IMHO is the way to make everything 
work well with no breakdowns.  For a wide range of matching consider a 
bridge T with fixed components and taped coils.  Go to W8JI's wonderful 
site for the values you need based on the impedance presented to your 
feed-line.




Herb, KV4FZ


On 11/8/2016 6:55 PM, Rob Atkinson wrote:

A vacuum variable for L impedance matching is unnecessary.  Vacuum
variable capacitors leak eventually.  It take a long time for them to
go through their ranges and you have to have the mechanics outside if
you perform remote tuning, to sense or count turns to track when the
v.v. is nearing its maximum or minimum.  It is far far easier and
faster to use an air variable that rotates freely.  You only need to
keep it sheltered.

Elevated radials are fine provided they are high enough to be
decoupled from earth, which for most hams is difficult to accomplish
on 160 m.

73

Rob
K5UJ
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Re: Topband: Traditional or off-center fed 160m vertical design?

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Not having a balanced "T" top section defeats the whole purpose of 
reducing the radiation from the top horizontal wire.  IMHO the more you 
can reduce wasted radiation of the cloud warmer effect the better your 
antenna will perform for DX.




Herb, KV4FZ


On 11/6/2016 3:16 PM, Robert Fanfant wrote:

Based on the modeling I’m leaning towards the off center fed design primarily 
because It has a lower SWR at resonance (1.83Mhz) than the traditional 
vertical, and removes the need for building/adding a matching network  if I 
only want to cover the lower portion of the band (CW). Thoughts?


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Re: Topband: RF interference from 160m to GE Electric stove

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Try several clamp on toroids first.  Four spaced on the cord to the plug 
and run a separate ground wire from the stove chassis to a close by 
ground rod.  Also you could try to put some .01 at 600 volts from the 
stove power input to ground.


Herb Schoenbohn, KV4FZ



On 11/6/2016 11:33 AM, jayb1...@optonline.net wrote:

Hi guys – I have recently added a 160m amp to my station and have created an
RFI problem I can’t solve.
When I transmit on 160 with any more than 150 watts, the GE electric stove
in the kitchen ALARMS and must be reset. I guess the 160 signal from the
vertical is getting into the AC power lines (just a few feet away from the
AC feed off the pole) and then into the electronics into the stove. Reducing
the output power to 125 watts or so does not cause the problem. Not a
permanent condition; hitting the stop button on the stove controls stops the
stove alarm but starts again when I transmit. My XYL HATES alarms—she is a
retired ICU RN and I think she got conditioned to panic when ANY alarm goes
off !
Anyhow I wondered if anybody has any similar experience with problems like
this on 160 and how to solve them. I am tempted to just have an electrician
come in and install a BIG RF filter on the AC line – either just on the
Stove line or to the main feed but I fear this is a lot of $$$. I am
hesitant to do this one on my own for insurance reasons if nothing else.
Any ideas ?
   Thanx – Jay NY2NY


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Re: Topband: Where is everyone?

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

On six meters  here at FK77 it was hot to SA with over 200 PY, LU, CX, 
ZP, and CE contacts a few days ago.  Many stations were well over S-9



On 10/22/2016 9:21 AM, Art Snapper wrote:

Conditions here in Michigan on 80/160 were poor last night. The signals
were weak and band noise was high. I managed to work Mali on 40, and
Hungary on 80, but it was a battle. South America was extremely poor on 80
for some reason.
Art NK8X
On Oct 22, 2016 2:03 AM, "Donald Chester"  wrote:


Here it is Friday  night, with relatively little QRN, but only a couple of
signals are audible across the entire 160m band.  80/75m has a few more
signals than that, but it's sparsely occupied as well.  Usually by this
late in the season one will hear plenty of activity in the evening,
especially on weekends.  I have noticed this dearth of activity for several
weeks now; it's as if this year's radio season hasn't got off the ground
yet, despite the fact that we are almost midway through autumn and the
summer QRN has substantially subsided.

Is this a trend, and is this becoming the new normal?  They keep telling
us we now have a record number of hams in the FCC data base, over 700,000.
Those hams certainly aren't on the air, at least not on 160, 80 or 40m.  I
can  remember not that many years ago when at this stage in the season on a
quiet weekend night one had to scout around to find a clear spot to call
CQ.  So far this year, the bands have all had vast swathes of unused
frequencies, but the signals that are heard appear to be at normal
strength, so the  bands apparently aren't dead.

Don k4kyv
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Re: Topband: BOG

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

If the far end is left un-terminated the BOG will not work well as I 
have found here. Try a small ground rod of 4 feet and a 250 ohm resistor 
and sweep again.  I predict your results will be much better.



On 10/16/2016 7:15 PM, Lloyd - N9LB wrote:
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Hello Tony!

Ground conditions and wire height above ground make a huge difference in
best length.

I found the optimum for my BOG, using WD-1A wire and operating at 1825 KHz,
at my QTH is 290 feet.

73

Lloyd - N9LB

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of N2TK,
Tony
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2016 5:15 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: BOG

Stretched out 200' of WD-1A along a stone wall. Kept it about 2" above the
ground and right up against the stones. Fed it with a 300 ohm secondary
transformer and left the far end unterminated.

Used the MFJ-259 to sweep the bands starting at 1.67 MHZ.  Saw on K1FZ notes
that to find the best single wire length for 160M is to sweep the bands and
check where the SWR goes to a low value and stays there.

I couldn't find that frequency. I get dips at

2.58 MHZ 4.3:1
3.36 MHZ 1.5:1
4.39 MHZ 1.4:1
6.033 MHZ 1.3:1
9.807 MHZ 1.2:1
  
I didn't check any higher in freq. I only care about listening on 160M with

it.
I twisted both wires together at the feedpoint.
Want to check it out first as a single ended BOG to see how it works before
I go to the trouble of making it a two direction BOG.
At one point the BOG is only 35' from my tower.
Is it too high and does it need to be against the ground?

Any feedback appreciated.

N2TK, Tony
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Re: Topband: New Noise - 160 Meters

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I found a defective LED lamp that sounded.  Getting the neighbors to 
turn off lamps one by one while you listen in the shack over the phone 
might help if they will do that.   In my case it had peaks staring in 
the AM band and noticeable up to 4 Mhz.  Also a bad cell phone charge 
adapter power source could be the cause.




On 10/13/2016 1:41 PM, Joe Galicic wrote:
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Link to files 
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3ftcsm50mvr9jmy/AABcDfHjYn-GKvelQhmyJTBia?dl=0

- Original Message -

From: "Joe Galicic" 
To: "PVRC List" , "TopBand List" 
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2016 1:35:15 PM
Subject: Topband: New Noise - 160 Meters

Just put up my 160 antenna and have a new noise source to find. Very loud wide 
band buzzing that starts in the middle of the AM broadcast band and then 
abruptly drops to zero at 1870 KHZ. I have attached sound file and panadapter 
screen shots. It is not coming from my QTH. One night it went off at 11PM sharp 
but has returned and doesn't seem to quit. I will continue to monitor for a 
cycle. I walked the neighborhood with portable AM radio and the noise seems to 
be contained within a four house area. Tough to tell which house though. All 
utilities are buried in my neighborhood. Could this be a grow lamp ? Thanks 
-Joe N3HEE
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Re: Topband: Fw: WD-1 Wire impedance

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

But believe the WD1A really works well at this QTH in both forward and 
reverse modes.  I have made many direct comparisons on extreme DX on 160 
and the WD1A was the difference it too to hear the weak signal.  My 
tests on the VK0 and VP8 Dx-peditions with a 600 foot single wire 
Beverage and the WD1A reversible configuration of the same length made 
me a firm believe in the WD1A Beverage ability.  Furthermore the WD1A is 
cheap, strong, easy to construct just passing over limbs of small 
trees.  In fact it is so strong that when a deer (yes we have them here) 
gets caught up in them the far end boxes, until I put in break away 
jumpers, was the victim.



On 10/10/2016 4:41 PM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
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Hi Herb and all,
When I was in the Army, 1958 to 1960,, I was a "Field Communications 
Crewman". It meant, I helped string telephone wire.
We used what was called WD-1TT. It was two separate conductors. They 
were twisted, not molded together. Each conductor was made of 3 steel 
wires and 4 copper wires making a 7 strand conductor. It might have 
been 4 steel and 3 copper.
I have never found listings for WD-1TT on eBay. We spliced it by 
stripping about 10 inches from each conductor and tying a square knot 
and twisting the loose end on the conductor and covering with 
friction tape and then Scotch electrical tape. We could run 3 
telephone circuits on 2 wires and ground with isolation transformers.

Regards...Price  W0RI


With steel being very lossy AND magnetic AND frequency
dependent, the characteristic impedance of this
stuff is likely to be complex and frequency varying.
I don't see how it would ever work well for a
reversible beverage.

Rick N6RK
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Re: Topband: WD-1 Wire impedance

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Some discussion of WD-1A on Google claims the impedance is 170 ohms and 
other claim 70 ohms.  I have 1/2 mile on a spool that I will measure 
with a bridge and several resistors to see what is the nearest.



On 10/10/2016 12:38 PM, Herbert Schoenbohm wrote:
The impedance of WD-1A is supposed to be around 70 ohms  as most 
telephone wire is.  The DXE boxes are designed for 450 ohms so these 
boxes are probably not the best choice for


WD1A.  DXE does now have the boxes for WD-1 at a reasonable price but 
without the switching which will require two RG-6 feed-lines. I prefer 
this anyway because in my case with the DXE 450 boxes the switching DC 
voltage seems to attract a zillion ants which somehow got into the box 
and their excrement destroyed the PC board inside. I still use both 
the WD-1A boxes and the DXE boxes for their respective antenna cable 
which are easily modified (even though DXE will not share the 
schematic...a bummer).  I found the design on line anyway before it 
was made proprietary. It is simple to make your own schematic because 
it is not that complicated.  In short taking the relay feature out on 
the DXE boxes and using equal length of 1/2 wave RG-6U the needed 
terminations is provided at my shack with a passive 12 channel 
Panasonic TV video feature that terminates all the Beverage feed-lines 
that aren't in use. These passive video switchers are very inexpensive 
on eBay and normally require only F connector to PL-259 adapters or in 
my case the one I am using has BNC connectors which makes it easier to 
remove the Beveridge feed lines as is needed.


Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ


On 10/10/2016 11:48 AM, Jim Cary wrote:
I use a DXE reversible beverage system using 450 ohm ladder line 
which runs along a fence line between a few friendly neighbors.  
However, a couple have commented that “that big wire really sticks 
out, especially in the winter,” so I am looking to replace the ladder 
line with something less conspicuous but still strong, and WD-1 
strikes me as a great candidate.


Does anyone know what the impedance of WD-1 is, and has anyone used 
it in this fashion?


Any comments would be greatly appreciated to jimlc...@gmail.com 
<mailto:jimlc...@gmail.com>


Thanks,

Jim
W2SM
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Re: Topband: phased inverted V dipoles

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Probably not worth the effort as any dipoles less than 250 feet high are 
serious cloud warmers.



On 10/10/2016 9:21 AM, Filipe Lopes wrote:

Hi guys

We are rebuilding our station and I was thinking about putting up 2 dipoles
1/8 wavelength apart.

Has anyone ever tried to phase them for example with Christman method?

Thanks
Filipe Lopes CT1ILT aka CR6K

Sent from my Huawei Mate 8
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Re: Topband: VE3OSZ QRT on 160

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I agree.  Even a simple helix or slinky on a 30 foot fiberglass pole 
with a 3/4 in 10 foot aluminum extension and some 3 foot whiskers on top 
of that against a ground of a few radials would keep you in the 
ballgame. It could be all self supporting and withstand a 60 mph wind.




Herb, KV4FZ


On 10/9/2016 6:48 PM, Jim F. via Topband wrote:
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Bob,Don't give up !

Having no tree doesn't mean you have to give up 160m
but may mean you have to give up something else likea great signal and be in 
the same boat as a lotof us who still manage to have fun on 160m.

Many 160m operators have great receiving systems and can pull almost any level 
signal out of the noise.
  Tie a rope to your chimney as one support and seewhat happens.
Best 73 to you Bob,

Jim / W1FMR/QRP  Operating out of an antenna restricted NH condo.


   From: Robert Kavanagh <73rjk...@sympatico.ca>
  To: topband@contesting.com
  Sent: Sunday, October 9, 2016 4:59 PM
  Subject: Topband: VE3OSZ QRT on 160

The up-coming Pre-Stew contest prompts me to inform my top band friends

that you will not hear me in that contest. In fact you will never hear
me on any top band event in the future.

Unfortunately, the large and old tree which has supported my 160
inverted L for years was blown down in a storm a few weeks ago. My
inverted L crashed to the ground. There is no other suitable tree or
support available and so VE3OSZ is QRT on top band.

I am sorry to miss the Pre-Stew because I have participated in every
Stew contest since Tree and Lew started them.

My first QSO on 160 took place from New Brunswick in 1951 when I had the
call VE1YW. My first DX QSOs on 160 were on January 11, 1953 with G5RI,
EI9J and G3PU using 20 watts from a home made rig and an end-fed long wire.

Over the years since then I have been fortunate to have worked lots of
DX and others from QTHs in New Brunswick and Ottawa. For example, I
recall with pleasure working W1BB, VK3ZL, 4X4NJ, UA0KAG, N6TR, G3PQA,
IV3PRK, ZE7JX, KH6CC, PY1RO, K6SE, VK6HD, KZ5AA and K7CA among many others.

Needless to say, I shall miss the pleasures and challenges of top band.

73 and good DX to all of you.

Bob(VE3OSZ ex VE1YW, VE1AXT, VE3AQO)

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Re: Topband: WebSDR for Top Band

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Thanks Simon I will give it a try.  I installed the V1.5 console but 
lost all audio although it shows on VU meter.  I had this problem with 
several other SDR consoles of other vendors and developers.  The problem 
is not there when I use V3 which works flawlessly.  Unfortunately V3 
does not have a server program yet. So I looks like I will have to wait 
a bit.  I will try SDRanywhere tonight an see how this will work.



Herb, KV4FZ


On 9/27/2016 8:11 PM, Kriss A Kliegle wrote:

I have a SDR Console V1.5 and a SDRanywhere server on a 160M antenna in SE NH,
both with SDR-iq’s.

SDR Console V1.5 is hard to find, but here it is:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/h3mlhww3ywezmnh/SDR-RADIO_v1.5b1425.exe?dl=0

SDRanywhere is here:

http://sdranywhere.com/SDRanywhere/SDRanywhere.html

Can  even use on a Droid Phone/tablet!

73 Kriss KA1GJU


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Topband: WebSDR for Top Band

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

I have just purchased a SDRPlay unit and the RX is awesome.  I plan to 
install it at a very quiet remote location on St. Croix where I have 
internet capability.  However I need a server to expose it to other 
users and the only thing I can find is a Linux software. I plan to have 
it operational from 1800 to 1850 with a narrow CW filter but 
unfortunately I can't find any server software for WebSDR that will work 
on a Windows.  I could set it up for Teamviewer but that would only 
allow one connection at a time.  If anyone has information on a internet 
multiple connection WebSDR server that works from any version of Windows 
please let me know.


Thanks,


Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

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Re: Topband: DXE NCC-1 phasing box

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

Martin, its all about reputation and DX-Engineering has the best.  Back 
in the 80's some periodicals were marketing the MaxCom baluns which 
claimed that they would yield a 1.5 to 1 SWR from 1.8 to 30 Mhz but 
refused to provide the details in schematic form. Many hams bought into 
this scam and QST refused to run their ads. What HQ did was take an 
X-ray of the unit and found inside some toaster heater wires sealed with 
epoxy resin. All it turn out to be was a dummy load with wires attached 
to the balun.  Anyone with knowledge would have known that the MaxCom 
balun was junk even though the SWR response was, as they advertised, 
relatively flat across the spectrum.  So your point is well taken except 
that the reputation of DX-Engineering should remove all doubt that you 
are buying a good product from  them.



Herb, KV4FZ
On 9/23/2016 12:09 PM, mar...@centrum.cz wrote:

Oh, a time ago I considered to buy the NCC-1. My final "NO" decision was caused by the "no schematic" policy 
or "Proprietary information" balast (also know as a Trade Secret). I will never buy such product although there are 
many. I believe that such "Trade Secret" can put both the seller and the designer (ie. the "secret" owner) 
into disreputation.

The argument with blackboxes in a car (or dishwasher, shaver etc.) is 
definitely wrong, we are hams and speaking about ham radio equipment...

73,
Martin, OK1RR
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Re: Topband: RX / TX antenna switching

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

The RF Sense MFJ type of switch box are cheap but do have limitations.  
The DX-Engineering  RTR-1 is a bit more money but is considerably more 
user friendly with some added features like being able to check the RX 
antenna vs the TX antenna either with a momentary toggle switch or with 
the same switch in the up position which immediately reverts back to the 
TX antenna for RX.  I have two RTR-1's in the shack and they are well 
Engineered for the discerning low band DX-er with status lights and 
front panel control in a box in front of you. It also has the PTT safety 
lock out feature.




Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ


On 9/22/2016 4:33 PM, Charles Moizeau wrote:
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ea6vq...@dxmaps.com

Gabriel,

View two products from MFJ enterprises, MFJ-1707 and MFJ-1708.

73,

Charles, W2SH
***

From: Topband  on behalf of Gabriel - EA6VQ 

Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 1:27 PM
To: 'Topband'
Subject: Topband: RX / TX antenna switching

I will appreciate your advice in the best (but simple) way to switch between RX 
and TX antennas for a transceiver that does not have a separate RX antenna 
input.

The system should be able to switch from RX antenna to TX antenna when PTT is 
applied (and vice versa) but also allow to switch between the two antennas 
during reception in order to compare.

I have thought about using a coax relay as I do switch the VHF preamps, but I 
think it's switching will possibly too slow and some RF could flow to the RX 
antenna, causing damage.

Any ideas will be welcome!

73. Gabriel - EA6VQ



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