Topband: Hi-Z Antennas Two Element Array Systems 2-LV2-5
Do the two verticals require any type of radial system or can a simple array of 4 to 6 20' radials do the job?? 72, Jim R. K9JWV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Hi-Z Antennas Two Element Array Systems 2-LV2-5
Tnx, Jeff From: j...@ac0c.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 18:35:00 -0600 Subject: Re: Topband: Hi-Z Antennas Two Element Array Systems 2-LV2-5 The Hi-Z buffers have a feedpoint Z around 50K ohms. So a single 4' ground rod provides an adequate round system. No radials needed. 73/jeff/ac0c www.ac0c.com alpha-charlie-zero-charlie -Original Message- From: James Rodenkirch Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 3:20 PM To: Top Band Contesting Subject: Topband: Hi-Z Antennas Two Element Array Systems 2-LV2-5 Do the two verticals require any type of radial system or can a simple array of 4 to 6 20' radials do the job?? 72, Jim R. K9JWV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Hi-Z Antennas Two Element Array Systems 2-LV2-5
Tnx, Jeffr, for your observations..Jim R. K9JWV From: j...@ac0c.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 20:02:48 -0600 Subject: Re: Topband: Hi-Z Antennas Two Element Array Systems 2-LV2-5 It takes some mental gymnastics to wrap your head around a hi-z feedpoint where the radial system is almost negligible vs. a low-z feedpoint (like a typical 30 ohm range transmit vertical) which is strongly dependent on the radial system. I have the hi-z pro4-8 circle array and never thought at gut-level those short verticals and 4’ ground rods would work as advertised - but the performance is really fantastic. I guess that’s the march of technology moving the art forward. In addition to 80/160 (intended application) I have found the array very useful on 30 and 17m as well. I have a vertical dipole on 30 for transmit so the residual directivity of the circle is a benefit there. And on 17 it’s as good or better than my 3-element monobander. I suspect the 17m improvement comes from the relatively closer location of that beam (near the house) compared to the circle (800’ away from anything). 73/jeff/ac0c www.ac0c.com alpha-charlie-zero-charlie From: James Rodenkirch Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 7:55 PM To: Jeff Blaine ; Top Band Contesting Subject: RE: Topband: Hi-Z Antennas Two Element Array Systems 2-LV2-5 Tnx, Jeff From: j...@ac0c.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 18:35:00 -0600 Subject: Re: Topband: Hi-Z Antennas Two Element Array Systems 2-LV2-5 The Hi-Z buffers have a feedpoint Z around 50K ohms. So a single 4' ground rod provides an adequate round system. No radials needed. 73/jeff/ac0c www.ac0c.com alpha-charlie-zero-charlie -Original Message- From: James Rodenkirch Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 3:20 PM To: Top Band Contesting Subject: Topband: Hi-Z Antennas Two Element Array Systems 2-LV2-5 Do the two verticals require any type of radial system or can a simple array of 4 to 6 20' radials do the job?? 72, Jim R. K9JWV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Anyone purchased the ARRL book on Short Antennas for 160???
This is the title, Short Antennas for 160 Meter Radio - anyone read through it? I have ON4UN's book from a couple of years back so wonder if there is anything worthwhile in that ARRL version ... thank you, in advance, for thoughts..Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Anyone purchased the ARRL book on Short Antennas for 160???
Thanks to all that replied - enuff keep reading the ON4UN tome comments to keep me from reaching in to my wallet for a charge card...Hi Hi Hope to hear and work you in the upcoming CQ 160 'test' this weekend. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: To clamp or NOT...that IS the question
Thanks to all for the insightful replies/advice. It would appear the use of clamping FETs is worth a try... 72, Jim R. K9JWV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: To clamp or NOT...that IS the question
Oooops - sorta!! Checked the schematic for the KD9SV pre-amp I have and find it does have clamping diodes at the input...DUH.so, question/problem/concern resolved, in spite of myself!! Hi Hi Tnx to Don, WD8DSB, for querying me and suggesting I check my particular KD9V model!! 72/73, Jim Rpdenkirch K9JWV P.S. WOW! HL5ILV was rockin' in to s/w UT this morning around 1250Z at 569 to 579, at times...I did work him but needed 50 watts to do it..NO QRP QSO with HL land today! Also heard some STRONG JAs on 80 CW as well Hope condx continue for the CQ 160 next weekend and hope to hear and work y'all with my QRP peanut whistle! Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 13:53:01 -0500 Subject: Re: Topband: To clamp or NOT...that IS the question From: wd8...@gmail.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com Hi Jim, You might post that info to the topband reflector (about your preamp having clamp diodes already included as part of the original KD9SV preamp design), as some guys were questioning what I was saying. Even Gary KD9SV e-mailed me about my comment that the KD9SV preamp that you had might already have clamp diodes as part of the design and I reminded him that some of his preamp designs did indeed have diode clamps (1N914 diodes or equivalent) across the input to the electronics, and then he went and looked at some of his schematics and confirmed that I was indeed correct. There are several different vintages/designs of the KD9SV preamp which causes some confusion to even the designer (Gary, KD9SV). While I agree totally with what others have said about intermod as it relates to clamp diodes, I also believe in keeping systems as simple as possible. The folks having the most negative feelings about clamp diodes also are the ones using RX antennas that have gains many magnitudes greater than what your RX antenna provides. Just listen to what folks are saying and make the best decisions you can based on your own particular situation. 73, Don (wd8dsb) On Sat, Jan 18, 2014 at 12:53 PM, James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com wrote: Yup - Don../good observation and I checked thw schematic for the preamp and it has clamp diodes at the front end.. Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 12:02:03 -0500 From: wd8...@gmail.com To: w...@w8ji.com CC: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: To clamp or NOT...that IS the question Jim, Getting directly back to your original question, I built a KD9SV preamp, and it has clamp diodes included in the design (I did not add them, they were part of the original design by KD9SV). Does you KD9SV preamp already have clamp diodes protecting its input, and if so you have already answered your own question about adding clamp diodes to protect it (no reason to add them if you already have them). If you go one step more and follow the advice that others have provided here, you might consider removing the clamp diodes (if you have them) based on their comments, but please understand that the gain of you RX antenna is approximately -36.3 dbi (based on the dimensions you told me), and it's very possible that you will not encounter the same kind of problems (using clamp diodes) as those using beverage RX antennas on 160 meters just due to the greatly reduced signal strength that your RX antenna provides compared with a full size beverage. That's all I'm saying on this topic, over and out. Don (wd8dsb) _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Nostalgic openings
By the bye, the e-mail from Don, WD8DSB, reminded me of an old Globe Scout double side band rig I owned YEARS ago: Globe Sidebander DSB-100: transmitter. It's ad appeared in MAY 58 QST; price $119.95 kit, $139.95 wired; 40 watts AM, 50 watts CW, 100 watts DSB; bandswitching 80 thru 10 meters; 6CL6 crystal oscillator, 6CL6 buffer/doubler, pair 6DQ6A final amplifier; 12AX7 speech amplifier, 12AX7 driver, 6AQ5 modulator, 6AL5 speech clipper, 5U4GB rectifier; weight 30 lbs. Go here for a pic: https://www.google.com/search?q=globe+sidebander+dsb-100tbm=ischsource=iuimgil=sU-DHOHX30gNzM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcTD2FiUvvky-Ujm-wJiMEew4QzUvbI0CQgbZHBu3ikMSaLp2Otg%253B640%253B428%253BjgUGacNNUJMasM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.oldtuberadio.com%25252Fglobe-sidebanderdsb-100%25252Fsa=Xei=SuHaUsa_MqPuyAGt6IHYCQved=0CDoQ9QEwAgbiw=1511bih=714dpr=0.9#facrc=_imgdii=_imgrc=sU-DHOHX30gNzM%253A%3BjgUGacNNUJMasM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.oldtuberadio.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F04%252FGLOBE-SIDEBANDER-DSB-100.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.oldtuberadio.com%252Fglobe-sidebanderdsb-100%252F%3B640%3B428 Sigh.good memories of WRL and HeathkitJim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Nostalgic openings
I had a Viking I as well, Carlafter a couple of months with xtals, purchased a Heathkit VFO kit, put it togwether and was in HOG heaven. Decided to employ a relay so when I hit the VFO transmit switch I keyed the Viking Iinstalled the relay on the back of the Heathkit VFO cabinet - when I switched that VFO on, I believe my signal sounded like a drunk canary for a brief period of time 'cuz that AC relay sure shook the VFO cabinet up! Hi Hi DANGGreat memories of my time back in Central Wisconsin in the late 50s! From: k...@jeremy.mv.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com CC: charlie-cunning...@nc.rr.com Subject: Re: Topband: Nostalgic openings Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 17:42:29 -0500 I first tried 160 in 1957-58 with a DX-100 and Viking I, all AM from LINY. First SSB contact was in 58 with a CE-10A and homebrew coils, all of 8 watts or so. It wasnt until 1967 at my first home in NH that I tried 160 CW and worked some DX with a CE-100V that had the optional 160 kit and a 75A4; I still have both. I was already into 80/75 and 40 DX plus contests and with 8 acres a couple of Beverages. I met Stew Perry several times as he was a regular at National and hamfests and taught me a lot about the band and really listening. I owe him a lot. The antenna then was a dipole between a 100' and 120' tower with the ends bent down at an angle and it also held the 80M dipole as a full horizontal using the same coax. Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: Top Band Contesting topband@contesting.com Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2014 3:19 PM Subject: Topband: Nostalgic openings By the bye, the e-mail from Don, WD8DSB, reminded me of an old Globe Scout double side band rig I owned YEARS ago: Globe Sidebander DSB-100: transmitter. It's ad appeared in MAY 58 QST; price $119.95 kit, $139.95 wired; 40 watts AM, 50 watts CW, 100 watts DSB; bandswitching 80 thru 10 meters; 6CL6 crystal oscillator, 6CL6 buffer/doubler, pair 6DQ6A final amplifier; 12AX7 speech amplifier, 12AX7 driver, 6AQ5 modulator, 6AL5 speech clipper, 5U4GB rectifier; weight 30 lbs. Go here for a pic: https://www.google.com/search?q=globe+sidebander+dsb-100tbm=ischsource=iuimgil=sU-DHOHX30gNzM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcTD2FiUvvky-Ujm-wJiMEew4QzUvbI0CQgbZHBu3ikMSaLp2Otg%253B640%253B428%253BjgUGacNNUJMasM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.oldtuberadio.com%25252Fglobe-sidebanderdsb-100%25252Fsa=Xei=SuHaUsa_MqPuyAGt6IHYCQved=0CDoQ9QEwAgbiw=1511bih=714dpr=0.9#facrc=_imgdii=_imgrc=sU-DHOHX30gNzM%253A%3BjgUGacNNUJMasM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.oldtuberadio.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F04%252FGLOBE-SIDEBANDER-DSB-100.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.oldtuberadio.com%252Fglobe-sidebanderdsb-100%252F%3B640%3B428 Sigh.good memories of WRL and HeathkitJim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3681/7013 - Release Date: 01/18/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employ separate receive antenna
Have my vertical working great and have a small Delta-loop low band receive antenna BUT the Ten Tec Jupiter doesn't have a separate receive antenna like a K2, for instance (I borrowed a K2 to try out but the buttons/controls are to small for me to operate as I have a severe case of peripheral neuropathy, courtesy of Agent Orange).So, I am up and running and will be in the CQ 160 contest at the end of January but have no means, currently, of switching rapidly 'tween the top loaded vertical and loop. A T/R switch won't do it for meso looking at a DX Engineering RTR-1A but sure don't like the price!!http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rtr-1a Anyone have an RTR-1 or 1A that is excess to their needs and willing to sell OR have another idea of how I can employ a separate receive antenna when I have one antenna port? Thank you, in advance, for any repliesoff line replies work for me. 72/73, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employ separate receive antenna
Ahhh...luv it when K.I.S.S. idea passes by, TimI can do that!! So simple, how come I didn't think that solution up!! Much appreciated! Jim R. K9JWV From: tsho...@wmata.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 13:48:11 + Subject: Re: Topband: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employ separatereceive antenna Traditionally a T/R switch means a switch to be used the other way, to allow you to move a single antenna between your separate transmitter and receiver. Ironic that here we are in the 21st century and some of use an external box to do the reverse function! To switch between transmit and receive antennas on my rig, I use a small 12V relay keyed via my Ten-Tec Eagle's amp key output when I'm on 160. Every transceiver made in the past 50 years has an amp key line of some kind. On the Jupiter it's a phono jack labeled EXT T/R. Tim N3QE -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 8:36 AM To: Top Band Contesting Subject: Topband: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employ separate receive antenna Have my vertical working great and have a small Delta-loop low band receive antenna BUT the Ten Tec Jupiter doesn't have a separate receive antenna like a K2, for instance (I borrowed a K2 to try out but the buttons/controls are to small for me to operate as I have a severe case of peripheral neuropathy, courtesy of Agent Orange).So, I am up and running and will be in the CQ 160 contest at the end of January but have no means, currently, of switching rapidly 'tween the top loaded vertical and loop. A T/R switch won't do it for meso looking at a DX Engineering RTR-1A but sure don't like the price!!http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rtr-1a Anyone have an RTR-1 or 1A that is excess to their needs and willing to sell OR have another idea of how I can employ a separate receive antenna when I have one antenna port? Thank you, in advance, for any repliesoff line replies work for me. 72/73, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employ separatereceive antenna
I am nervous as well, Tom...hi Hi I'm really thinking of employing a separate relay that I control with a simple switch, vice depending on the rig to switch correctly using a simple switch is antiquated and slow butfor certain I can control the switch over mo betta AND prevent damage to the low noise amplifier... From: w...@w8ji.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:37:50 -0500 Subject: Re: Topband: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employ separatereceive antenna Anyone have an RTR-1 or 1A that is excess to their needs and willing to sell OR have another idea of how I can employ a separate receive antenna when I have one antenna port? Thank you, in advance, for any repliesoff line replies work for me. 72/73, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV Be REAL careful how you do this, Jim What works for one radio or system will not always work for another. This is highly radio (and even amplifier) dependent. I can say that based on some very good field experience in how things interface. (I'm actually looking at newer radios today to check their control systems.) Many radios only have a few milliseconds between the low signal and the RF output, some don't have any time between the TX signal and the RF output. You have to get any relay completely transferred and all of the bounce gone before RF appears. Normally the back to receive end of the sequence is not a worry. Many radios do not have the best timing for the external amplifier relay control ports. Some amplifiers do not like other stuff hanging on the TX control line. If you pull a relay low to go TX and you ever lose power to the relay, lose the relay, or lose the relay path, the system defaults with the transmitter running into the receiver antenna. You have to decide if that can damage RX antenna stuff. This requires a fast relay pull in time, and a slow release time.. The solution seems to be to release a relay to go from RX antenna to the TX antenna, but this system requires a very fast release time and sometimes a slower actuation time. This means we cannot use a backpulse diode because it will slow the relay too much, and it will go into TX mode after the RF appears. In all cases the relay has to be pretty fast compared to the radio's window between pulling the TX line low and outputting RF. If the relay is ever mid-way in transfer, still bouncing, or in the wrong position when RF appears, the least that happens is broadband transfer clicks. The most is usually damage to the RX antenna. If there is a reasonable way to do it, it is better to add a RX port in the radio and avoid all this. :) 73 Tom _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employ separate receive antenna
I've used the loop and a KD9SV preamp with the vertical before, JC, and no overload problems ...I run QRP power during Top Band contests. Your cautionary notes are noted and appreciated! Jim R. K9JWV From: n...@comcast.net To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:33:21 -0500 Subject: Re: Topband: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employ separatereceive antenna Hi James There are several solutions for a separated receive port. However let me comment on some details, 1- Small Delta loop. To be a receiver antenna the antenna gain need to be less than 20 db, why ? simple. Connect a power meter and a 50 ohms load on the Small Delta loop and measure how much power is captured from the TX antenna, I know several guy the burn the RX port on ICOM and YAESU radios using transmit antennas as receiver and injecting 100W into the RX port when transmitting with a legal limit amplifier. Port isolation and RF protection must be the first concern for any solution. If the antenna used for RX is resonant on the same TX band , you can really burn you RX front end. 2- Switch speed. The receive port need to switch fast than TX port. 20ms is not enough, most small frame relays switch around 20ms , To play safe it is necessary 10 ms. Another thing to consider. 3- The RX antenna only will add some SN if it adds some directivity, otherwise the attenuator at -20db will do the same job. 4- Isolation, on low bands if you have s9+10db noise and only 50 db isolation between the RX and TX port, the signal from the TX antenna will be add to you RX signal degrading the signal to noise and reducing side and back nulls form the RX antenna. I can list another several reason to the subject but the T/R switch is a very important part of the receiver system if you want to have some improvement on the signal noise. I sent one RTR-1 to T6LG to use with a good Preamp from KD9SV and a Delta Flag antenna using twisted pair. Without the RTR-1 the system would not perform well as it did. Just my two cents. Regards JC N4IS -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 8:36 AM To: Top Band Contesting Subject: Topband: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employ separate receive antenna Have my vertical working great and have a small Delta-loop low band receive antenna BUT the Ten Tec Jupiter doesn't have a separate receive antenna like a K2, for instance (I borrowed a K2 to try out but the buttons/controls are to small for me to operate as I have a severe case of peripheral neuropathy, courtesy of Agent Orange).So, I am up and running and will be in the CQ 160 contest at the end of January but have no means, currently, of switching rapidly 'tween the top loaded vertical and loop. A T/R switch won't do it for meso looking at a DX Engineering RTR-1A but sure don't like the price!!http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rtr-1a Anyone have an RTR-1 or 1A that is excess to their needs and willing to sell OR have another idea of how I can employ a separate receive antenna when I have one antenna port? Thank you, in advance, for any repliesoff line replies work for me. 72/73, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: QRP ARCI Top Band Sprint
G'day, Boys and Girls!! The QRP ARCI Club is sponsoring a Top Band Sprint this evening (see below for details on times and exchange). I know it isn't a big deal to y'all, Top Band wise - often, it seems, on Top Band if it's not DX or one of the Stew events OR a CQ or ARRL contest, it's not all that important enough to turn the rig on - but, for us true little pistols, this is one of a few contests where we get to compete against our own kind, so to speak and we'd appreciate hearing and working some of you who might not bother on a normal evening of listening, to answer our weak signaled CQ test. Note: you don't have to get your operating manual out to figure out how to crank your power down to 5 watts!! Just send your power out as part of the exchange. Thank you, in advance, to those of you who take the time to participate - us little pistols appreciate any involvement you can muster uwe will return the favor, if possible, by offering up 4 point Qs during the Stew Perry events. 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV Date/Time: Z to 0600Z on 28 November 2013(Note, this is the evening of 27 November 2013 in North America) B) Mode: SSB, CW or Mixed Modes. Work stations once per mode if entering the Mixed Mode category. C) Exchange: Members send: RS(T), State/Province/Country, ARCI member numberNon-Members send: RS(T), State/Province/Country, Power Out _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Don't give up AND log who worked the DX b4 and after!
Sheesh, Carl!! I doubt if the ARRL desk is gonna, or even should, weigh in on something they'd have no control over OR would have even an inkling of what went on to cause them to question it! First off, last time I looked, the QSL sent and received is between the sender, in this case me, and the receiver/replyee, the DX bubba AND, most importantly, is based on the notion that both are telling the truth How in the hell would/could the DXCC question that??? They gonna think we both are lying??? NOW, in the case of suspected cheating - me submitting a QSL card, as part of my DXCC 160 package submission for a QSO on 160 between K9JWV and PT0S at 1700Z on any day of the year - I could see them saying Prove it! Hi Hi I am FASCINATED by your mention of a Prove it, Dood via requesting an audio tape of a QSO for validation!! Wow!! 72, Jim R. K9JWV From: k...@jeremy.mv.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; ber...@dailydx.com CC: ve...@sasktel.net; topband@contesting.com; he...@vitelcom.net Subject: Re: Topband: Don't give up AND log who worked the DX b4 and after! Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 20:03:05 -0500 I would think that the ultimate decision is up to the ARRL DXCC desk. In the past if it wasnt in the log it didnt countperiod...no matter who was before or after. Expecting an operator to remember a mistake months later...or his QSL manageris a stretch. This brought about many decades ago of making a tape copy (that shows its age) whenever a new one was worked and a few times having to present it to the DXCC desk to obtain credit. Im not saying you both didnt do a full legitimate exchange, dont get me wrong there. Perhaps someone from the DXCC desk can weigh in. Carl KM1H Original Message - From: James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: Bernie McClenny, W3UR ber...@dailydx.com; KM1H Carl k...@jeremy.mv.com Cc: Doug Renwick ve...@sasktel.net; Top Band Contesting topband@contesting.com; KV4FZ Herb he...@vitelcom.net Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2013 6:25 PM Subject: Re: Topband: Don't give up AND log who worked the DX b4 and after! As Bernie says, Mistakes happen. Just to re-iterate --- they DID copy my call correctly!! I heard them come back to me with K9JWV 599! THAT's why I put in the log. I wouldn't have logged the QSO if he came back K9JJV 599!!! I'd still be there calling them!! Hi HiI'm ok with the notion it's not a valid QSO IF they got my call wrong in the exchange, which they didn't! Them mucking up my call entry in the log is a different matter. 72, Jim R. K9JWV From: ber...@dailydx.com Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 15:29:18 -0500 To: z...@jeremy.mv.com CC: he...@vitelcom.net; topband@contesting.com; ve...@sasktel.net Subject: Re: Topband: Don't give up AND log who worked the DX b4 and after! Like I said - mistakes happen. If the guy who made the mistake realizes he did so and is will to correct the error that is nothing wrong with that. Bernie Bernie McClenny, W3UR Editor of The Daily DX, The Weekly DX and How's DX? Two week trial - http://www.dailydx.com/trial.htm https://twitter.com/dailydx 410-489-6518 On Nov 16, 2013, at 8:46 AM, ZR z...@jeremy.mv.com wrote: Ive always been under the impression that both calls have to be sent, received, and verified to count for DXCC and other awards. QSO's on 160 are no different than EME when it comes to verification. Unless an audio recording (SSB/CW) is kept to verify a mistake was made in the log the result is still a busted call which also gets deleted during contest log checking. Am I wrong here? Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: Bernie McClenny, W3UR ber...@dailydx.com To: Doug Renwick ve...@sasktel.net Cc: Topband reflector topband@contesting.com; KV4FZ Herb he...@vitelcom.net Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2013 6:08 AM Subject: Re: Topband: Don't give up AND log who worked the DX b4 and after! Ugh - Let me go on the record as saying I don’t like this idea and I wish this can of worms was not opened! Thankfully US stations (and hopefully others) no longer have second (personal) calls. Yes we have club calls, but thankfully those QSOs will not count for ones personal DXCC records. I’ve been on DXpeditions and had guys download all their calls on me (on each band and band mode!), taking away the opportunity for other Deserving DXers to get into the log. Yes I realize sometimes the DXpedition or DX operator makes a mistake and I have been burned once or twice over the years, not at the fault of my own but by the other guy in the QSO. I much prefer K9JWV’s method by noting in my log the previous or next QSO. Flame retardant suit on! 73 Bernie Bernie McClenny, W3UR _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector - No virus found
Re: Topband: Don't give up AND log who worked the DX b4 and after!
As Bernie says, Mistakes happen. Just to re-iterate --- they DID copy my call correctly!! I heard them come back to me with K9JWV 599! THAT's why I put in the log. I wouldn't have logged the QSO if he came back K9JJV 599!!! I'd still be there calling them!! Hi HiI'm ok with the notion it's not a valid QSO IF they got my call wrong in the exchange, which they didn't! Them mucking up my call entry in the log is a different matter. 72, Jim R. K9JWV From: ber...@dailydx.com Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 15:29:18 -0500 To: z...@jeremy.mv.com CC: he...@vitelcom.net; topband@contesting.com; ve...@sasktel.net Subject: Re: Topband: Don't give up AND log who worked the DX b4 and after! Like I said - mistakes happen. If the guy who made the mistake realizes he did so and is will to correct the error that is nothing wrong with that. Bernie Bernie McClenny, W3UR Editor of The Daily DX, The Weekly DX and How's DX? Two week trial - http://www.dailydx.com/trial.htm https://twitter.com/dailydx 410-489-6518 On Nov 16, 2013, at 8:46 AM, ZR z...@jeremy.mv.com wrote: Ive always been under the impression that both calls have to be sent, received, and verified to count for DXCC and other awards. QSO's on 160 are no different than EME when it comes to verification. Unless an audio recording (SSB/CW) is kept to verify a mistake was made in the log the result is still a busted call which also gets deleted during contest log checking. Am I wrong here? Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: Bernie McClenny, W3UR ber...@dailydx.com To: Doug Renwick ve...@sasktel.net Cc: Topband reflector topband@contesting.com; KV4FZ Herb he...@vitelcom.net Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2013 6:08 AM Subject: Re: Topband: Don't give up AND log who worked the DX b4 and after! Ugh - Let me go on the record as saying I don’t like this idea and I wish this can of worms was not opened! Thankfully US stations (and hopefully others) no longer have second (personal) calls. Yes we have club calls, but thankfully those QSOs will not count for ones personal DXCC records. I’ve been on DXpeditions and had guys download all their calls on me (on each band and band mode!), taking away the opportunity for other Deserving DXers to get into the log. Yes I realize sometimes the DXpedition or DX operator makes a mistake and I have been burned once or twice over the years, not at the fault of my own but by the other guy in the QSO. I much prefer K9JWV’s method by noting in my log the previous or next QSO. Flame retardant suit on! 73 Bernie Bernie McClenny, W3UR _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Topband: Don't give up AND log who worked the DX b4 and after!
JUST received my PT0S QSL (St. Peter and St. Paul rocks) for QRP QSOs on 80 and 40 CW! There is a story behind the 80 meter QSO I want to share... The morning I worked them on 80 I had just had a quick QSO with KN7T about 10 minutes b4 PT0S came on the air. When PT0S came on I callrd them quite a bit. Then, KN7T worked them and I worked them right after him AND I wrote that info in my log...that KN7T worked them just before me. I then went to 40 meters and worked them as well. When I checked their online log I saw the 40 meter QSO but no 80 meter!! I was bummedI sent an e-mail later to one of the team pilots - he checked the log and replied, no K9JWV in the log. A month ago I was checking through my log and noticed that discrepancy and though I'd try again. I e-mailed the QSL manager (fella in Hungary) and one of the team leads (fella in AZ). I went through what happened and told them about KN7T working them just b4 me. They checked, confirmed the KN7T QSO AND found an entry right after with K9JJV They realized the op had made an error and sent me a card for both QSOs!!! So.for those rare ones where you may have only oneor two QSOs...try to keep track of who worked them just prior to OR right after...could make the difference between having the QSL card or not! By the bye: the Operator at the time, a PY fella, sent me an e-mail apologizing for the error...nice of him! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector
Topband: James Rodenkirch has shared a document with you
So with this little bad boy - a 160 meter single bander of KD1JV design, 4.8
watts out, 500 hz filter, .05 microvolt MDS - and my top loaded vertical I
ended up with 87 Qs (beat my previous high total by 7 Qs), including a KH6 and
two KL7s ('guess one could toss in the XE2 I worked as well) for DX during
the Pre-Stew this past weekend.
Never heard one JAdid hear an RT0 and that KV4FZ (VI) station but couldn't
get either to come back to me. Did work a couple of VE3s and east coast
stations during daylight hours early yesterday evening which IS a first for me
on Top Band at that time of the evening WITH sunlight!.
My antenna system - 43' vertical with three 25' top loading wirers at 45
degrees, in a Nord configuration, and seventy elevated radials is WORKING mo
betta than I expected!!
72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV
KD1JV 160 meter single bander.pptx
https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=cda74515702b545dpage=viewresid=CDA74515702B545D!666parid=CDA74515702B545D!662authkey=!AqLIHzWSVlnwJjYBpub=SDX.SkyDriveBsrc=Share
_
Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: The Stew Perry Warmup
Bill: I'll be in it as a QRP entry and just can't wait for later this afternoon to roll around. With a simplistic single band rig, designed by Steve Weber, KD1JV, I won't have the needed filtering to keep the big boys from overloading my rcvr front end so, occasionally, I'll need to QSY up the band to find a quiet spot to call CQwith QRP power, I may not hold the frequency but at least, as evidenced in previous Stew events, I do get some calls. Was experimenting with 3 watts out the other morning --- worked a K4 in AR what a hoot to reach that far with 3 watts on Top Band...may be an indicator of fair to middlin band conditions. Hope to hear and work lots of youz during this fun Pre-Stew event. 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 07:24:11 -0400 From: wrcromw...@gmail.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: The Stew Perry Warmup The station is setup on 160 meters and waiting for the Stew at 11 AM Eastern Daylight Time. My NVIS antenna is not going to be a world beater but I'll work a few..assuming we don't have an Emergency Room trip yet again today. Late last night a couple of the RBN machines heard me on 160 but none this morning. I don't know if, when, they listen nor what part of the band nor how much QRN they have from their neighbors. The real deal is QSOs with other ops. There should be a few in the Stew. Maybe will have to wait until sunset. See you in the Stew. And now it sounds like some other hams are waking up smile. 73, Bill KU8H _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: The Stew Perry Warmup
Gosh, Jim...you are doing well! Achieving WAS QRP 0n 160 would be an accomplishment, 'eh??? 72, Jim R. K9JWV Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 08:23:56 -0700 From: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: The Stew Perry Warmup On 10/19/2013 5:18 AM, James Rodenkirch wrote: Was experimenting with 3 watts out the other morning --- worked a K4 in AR what a hoot to reach that far with 3 watts on Top Band... I've been running 5W in recent 160M contests and have 44 states worked QRP on Topband. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: The Stew Perry Warmup
Equally difficult from the dark hole of low band ops, s/w Utah!! Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 08:41:37 -0700 From: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: The Stew Perry Warmup On 10/19/2013 8:32 AM, James Rodenkirch wrote: Achieving WAS QRP 0n 160 would be an accomplishment, 'eh??? Yep. I don't remember which I'm missing, but they include VT, WV, SC, and MS. Last I looked, I think I had 12 countries on Topband QRP, including KV4FZ, PJ2, and some islands in the South Pacific. It's a LOT harder to work DX entities from W6 than from W1. :) 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: The Stew Perry Warmup
Hey, Dongo to my qrz.com for a pic and a semi-write up' on it. I've attached a Powerpoint file with the wiring scheme. Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 11:39:56 -0400 From: gold...@charter.net To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com CC: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: The Stew Perry Warmup HI Jim What is your antenna system? Don ~73 Don KD8NNU FH#4107 -.- -.. ---.. –. –. ..- On Sat, Oct 19, 2013 at 11:32 AM, James Rodenkirch wrote: Gosh, Jim...you are doing well! Achieving WAS QRP 0n 160 would be an accomplishment, 'eh??? 72, Jim R. K9JWV Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 08:23:56 -0700 From: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: The Stew Perry Warmup On 10/19/2013 5:18 AM, James Rodenkirch wrote: Was experimenting with 3 watts out the other morning --- worked a K4 in AR what a hoot to reach that far with 3 watts on Top Band... I've been running 5W in recent 160M contests and have 44 states worked QRP on Topband. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Topband: More anecdotal stories to cause one to stop and....
...think that there's more to understanding horizontal and vertical antennas on Top Band. Listening to a fella on 80 SSB this morning about his experiences with a vertical 1/4 wave and a horizontal loop on Top Band. He said he had both up and used them over a 20+ year period and noticed that one would work better than the other for DX. For five years or so the loop would outperform, for a couple of years the two would be equal and then for about five years the vertical would do better. One can easily point to the 12 year period as aligned with the Solar Cyclef BUT -- when I look at the radiation patterns for both I see the loop as a hugely efficient NVIS antenna with little low angle radiation. So, I think there are some magnetic anomalies at play here but -- if the radiation angles don't change, how does one work mo betta than the other? I do have the ON4UN book and will start diving in to it more to see if John can shed some light on this topic AND I don't wanna start a cuss and discuss session here (I know many of you already understand what influences the above observations so I don't want to rekindle any previous debates) but.if someone can direct me to specific sections of John's book or lother papers/websites, I would appreciate it!! I consider myself a newbie re Top Band propagation and other 'influencers' on antenna performance (I do understand gray line, the various ionized layers and all of that) but anxious to learn more - thank you, in advance, for any direction you can point to so I can learn. Replies off line are probably mo betta - don't need to get any pissin' contests agoin'! Hi Hi 72, Jim Rodenkirch _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 5/8 wavelength vertical is mo betta than shorter versions??
My loop, Charlie, is doing well - it's not a Kaz thingy -- it's a take off on the FO0AAA delta loop. Seeing 2 to 3 S units of difference when switching from east to west and listening to a signal of S5 to S7 on 80 meters! On Top Band, when I can find a signal of average strength I'm seeing about the same. Finishing up the switching box in the shack - it's a glorified T/R switching arrangement with some added protection for the pre-amp and a foot switch to switch transmit and receive (my transceiver doesn't have separate RX and TX antenna connections) From: charlie-cunning...@nc.rr.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Sat, 7 Sep 2013 20:00:48 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: 5/8 wavelength vertical is mo betta than shorter versions?? Hi, Jim! Good to hear from you! I don't think there's any simple or definitive answer to your question. The reason is that the 5/8 wave vertical splits the radiation into 2 lobes and has a second higher angle lobe, compared to a 1/4 wave monopole. Sometimes, depending on distance (and skip distance), time of day, frequency, trans-equatorial propagation etc. the high angle lobe can add some advantage. A similar situation exists sometimes at VHF/UHF in mountainous areas with mountain top repeaters, Sometimes the high angle lobe can help out the mobiles at lower elevations. Similarly, the mountaintop repeater is better using a 1/4 wave or 1/2 wave vertical than 3 or 5 half-waves in phase that have gain toward the far horizon, but put less signal down into the valleys and hear less well at lower elevation angles. So no simple answers. But, after all, we can't reason people out of firmly beliefs that they didn't arrive at through reason! :-) BTW - how's your KAZ terminated loop doing?? Regards, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Saturday, September 07, 2013 7:25 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: 5/8 wavelength vertical is mo betta than shorter versions?? I saw someone post a my 5/8 wavelength vertical really outperformed my 1/4 wavelength vertical a day or two ago. I kinda wondered about that (I've heard a 5/8 wavelength is mo betta) so I did a little digging around. From a K3LC paper on tall verticals - http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QEX_Next_Issue/May-Jun_2011/QEX_5_11_Christman.pdf - I found the below: Performance comparison between vertical antenna systems of varying height, when operating on 80 meters at a frequency of 3650 kHz. The monopoles are made from no. 10 AWG wire, with a ground screen composed of 60 buried no. 14 AWG radials (radial length = monopole height). All conductors are aluminum, and the soil is “average” (conductivity = 0.005 siemens/meter and dielectric constant = 13). ¼ λ System 3⁄8 λ System ½ λ System 5⁄8 λ SystemMonopole Height and Radial Length (ft) 67.368 101.05 134.74168.42Input Impedance (Ω) 41.4 + j 24.4 229 + j 605 2324 – j 1425 86.1 – j 479SWR (50 Ω ref.) 1.75 36.8 64.0 55.5Peak Gain (dBi) and Take-off Angle (°)0.39 at 24.7 0.79 at 21.70.96 at 17.6 0.42 at 13.3Gain (dBi) at 5° Take-off Angle–5.21 –4.34 –3.42 –2.81Gain (dBi) at 10° Take-off Angle –1.70 –0.91 –0.14 0.06Gain (dBi) at 15° Take-off Angle –0.32 0.350.85 0.34Gain (dBi) at 20o Take-off Angle 0.25 0.76 0.89 –0.63Half Power Beamwidth (°) 43.7 38.0 29.0 20.3Efficiency (%) 33.834.3 29.6 29.8 Performance comparison between vertical antenna systems of varying height, when operating on 40 meters at a frequency of 7150 kHz. The monopoles are made from no. 10 AWG wire, with a ground screen composed of 60 buried no. 14 AWG radials (radial length =monopole height). All conductors are aluminum, and the soil is “average” (conductivity = 0.005 siemens/meter and dielectric constant = 13). ¼ λ System 3⁄8 λ System
Topband: Anyone have a boat load of J-310s?
The J-310s in my little preamp are kaput - I looked at Mouser but the shipping costs are way too high for a couple of little Jfets - any body have lots of extra J-310 (or equivalent) they could spare? What ever your costs would be, including mailing them off, would be far cheaper than what it would cost me to buy them outright! Thank you, in advance, for any help -- reply off line works good for me72, Jim Rodenkirch _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Anyone have a boat load of J-310s?
Oooops - forgot to mention quantity --- four would be nice (in case they go south again) Jim R. The J-310s in my little preamp are kaput - I looked at Mouser but the shipping costs are way too high for a couple of little Jfets - any body have lots of extra J-310 (or equivalent) they could spare? What ever your costs would be, including mailing them off, would be far cheaper than what it would cost me to buy them outright! Thank you, in advance, for any help -- reply off line works good for me72, Jim Rodenkirch _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Closed for the season or maybe just redecorating..
Bill - I was on this morning, listening for the YW5X station and calling CQ periodically - worked two west coast stns...W7IZ and K7CF (received a 599+ 10 from K7CF and 599 from W7IZ) but didn't hear a peep east of me. I could JUST make out VK3ZL on 1824 or so but Bob was just above ESP levels here in s/w Utah. I heard the YW5X station two nights ago (I believe that was their first full day of ops) on 80 but nada last night or this morning on 160 or 80! I agree there is far more activity up in the SSB portion -mostly, in my words, bunches of friends/good-'ol-boys gettin' together. I'll be on this evening and early tomorrow morning - see if your scanner hears me as I'd enjoy adding you to my log, given we've chatted here at the top band reflector! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: tsho...@wmata.com To: wrcromw...@gmail.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 13:15:27 + Subject: Re: Topband: Closed for the season or maybe just redecorating.. YW5X (IOTA activation in Venezuela) has been active on 160M CW past couple of nights with a fair number of callers. Tim N3QE From: Topband [topband-boun...@contesting.com] on behalf of Bill Cromwell [wrcromw...@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 9:02 AM To: 'topband' Subject: Topband: Closed for the season or maybe just redecorating.. Hi, I continue to find evidence that 160 meters is NOT closed for the season. Most of the evidence is to be found way up in the phone band. I wondered if those guys were running California kilowatts or something but in some of the QSOs they mentioned their power output in the 100 watt area. I have occasionally heard some CW calls for DX but those are scarce. Apparently the CW hams are just plain absent..doing soemthing else for the 'closed' season. This morning I set up a receiver to slowly scan (troll) from 1800 to 1830 kc...continuously. While I am working around here in and out of the shack I will hopefully hear anybody in range if there is activity. 73, Bill KU8H _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Anyone have a boat load of J-310s?
Okee Dokede - someone offered to send me four - he said he has thousands of those J-310sthanks to all that replied with info! Jim R. From: rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Anyone have a boat load of J-310s? Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 07:16:31 -0600 The J-310s in my little preamp are kaput - I looked at Mouser but the shipping costs are way too high for a couple of little Jfets - any body have lots of extra J-310 (or equivalent) they could spare? What ever your costs would be, including mailing them off, would be far cheaper than what it would cost me to buy them outright! Thank you, in advance, for any help -- reply off line works good for me72, Jim Rodenkirch _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Two 2:1 transformers to choose from!!
Got it, Mike and Charlie - will do something like that - reverse diodes across the input, if nuthin' else! From: charlie-cunning...@nc.rr.com To: mikew...@gmail.com; rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 16:21:05 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: Two 2:1 transformers to choose from!! That's always worked for me, Mike! The bit of resistance that I suggested that Jim add ahead of the FET gate and the diodes serves the same purpose as your incandescent lamp - but I expect that the lamp is more rugged and forgiving. 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike Waters Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 4:15 PM To: James Rodenkirch; topband Subject: Re: Topband: Two 2:1 transformers to choose from!! Ever since I added back-to-back 1N4148's between the preamp's input and ground many years ago, I have never lost a transistor in my preamp. Before that, it seemed that I was replacing it after nearly every thunderstorm. A couple of years ago I changed it a little: I added a small incandescent lamp in series with the preamp input. At the same I changed from just two to four of the same diodes in series/parallel. There are other ways as good or better than this, but this works for me. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Sun, Aug 25, 2013 at 10:13 AM, James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.comwrote: Any ideas on a front end protection circuit for a preampl? _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Anyone have a boat load of J-310s?
I've found what I'll need, Charlie, courtesy of Andy Ikin! Thanks to all for the assistance on this project! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: charlie-cunning...@nc.rr.com To: w...@arrl.net; rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 15:55:21 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: Anyone have a boat load of J-310s? Jim, If you really have trouble getting some J-310s, let me know. I'd really have to hunt -probably out in my garage. The J-310s that I have, if I could find them, are, I expect, at least 20 years old and pre-date the shenanigans that Paul is warning you about. The ones that I had, are, as I recall, either ON Semi or NSC. I probably should find mine, I guess. I bought the JFET version of the old AMECO preamp, from my friend, Bill, K4CIA, so I might need some spares someday. The vacuum tube version of the AMECO preamp didn't have those vulnerabilities, and worked great on all the low bands up through 30m, for the same purpose that you are using yours for. Paul's giving you some good advice. That's why I asked if you had tried Digi-Key. GL! 73. Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Paul Christensen Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 2:44 PM To: James Rodenkirch; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Anyone have a boat load of J-310s? Jim, The major semiconductor manufacturers (e.g., Fairchild) who once mass-produced JFETS in TO-92 style cases have now obsoleted most of them. This occurred approximately 2-3 years ago. When shockwaves of the news hit, many folks (and the on-line bottom feeders), started hoarding the remaining supply. Even the SMD versions are now in danger of going obsolete. Presently, only InterFET Corporation and Linear Systems appear to be manufacturing both through-hole and SMD versions of high-performance JFETs although their per-piece prices are very high. Before the wave hit, I purchased hundreds of various JFETs in TO-92 style cases -- J310s being one type. You're welcome a to a few. True, in many applications it may not make a big difference between say a J310 and MPF-102, but it unnerves me when I don't know exactly what I'm using in a circuit. Be careful when sourcing any semiconductor. As you noticed, JFETs are widely available on the Asian market but when making a purchase through small on-line retailers - and the big auction site, it's not possible to trace the supply chain of the component to its origin. For example, some Toshiba low-noise bipolar transistors are in fact re-labeled 2N3904 devices. Unless the purchaser has access to a curve tracer and a means to perform critical noise and frequency response testing, one is left to trust the seller for a clean chain of custody between the time of manufacture and point of sale. When China is the only source of many TO-92 JFETs, the red flags are up (no pun intended). Because of this, I have only purchased semiconductors direct from the OEM or through well-established distributors including Newark, Mouser, Digi-Key, Arrow, AvNet, and Allied. For an interesting perspective concerning the severity of the counterfeit semiconductor market, see the following report issued by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA): http://tinyurl.com/l9hqpw6 Let me know if you're address is currently good on QRZ. Paul, W9AC - Original Message - From: James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 9:16 AM Subject: Topband: Anyone have a boat load of J-310s? The J-310s in my little preamp are kaput - I looked at Mouser but the shipping costs are way too high for a couple of little Jfets - any body have lots of extra J-310 (or equivalent) they could spare? What ever your costs would be, including mailing them off, would be far cheaper than what it would cost me to buy them outright! Thank you, in advance, for any help -- reply off line works good for me72, Jim Rodenkirch _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Two 2:1 transformers to choose from!!
Thanks, Mike - will try the 2:3 ratio one first! Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 10:21:14 -0500 From: mikew...@gmail.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Two 2:1 transformers to choose from!! P. 7-69 of Low Band Dxing (5th ed.) by ON4UN says a maximum of 4 turns on the low-Z primary for binocular cores. It might work, but there are other turns ratios you might try. Here is a list of turns ratios for those cores I made: http://www.w0btu.com/Binocular_core_turns_ratios.pdf If you get a 500 Server Error message, contact me directly and I'll e-mail it to you. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Wed, Aug 21, 2013 at 3:49 PM, James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.comwrote: I received enuff info and thoughts to know I'll utilize the 5:7 winding version. _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Topband: Two 2:1 transformers to choose from!!
I have two impedance transformers wound on BN 73-202 cores that I can use for the 2:1 impedance transformer I need for my FO0AAA delta receiving antenna. One has a 2 turn and 3 turn winding- giving a 4:9 impedance ratio. The other has a 7 turn and 5 turn winding, giving a 25:49 impedance ratio. I don't know which would be better - I believe the one with more turns probably has better coupling, but more loss?!?! I am splitting fine hairs here butI am curious if one might say, 'Use x instead of y, JimThoughts??? 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Two 2:1 transformers to choose from!!
I received enuff info and thoughts to know I'll utilize the 5:7 winding version. Thanks to all that replied! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Two 2:1 transformers to choose from!! Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 13:23:37 -0600 I have two impedance transformers wound on BN 73-202 cores that I can use for the 2:1 impedance transformer I need for my FO0AAA delta receiving antenna. One has a 2 turn and 3 turn winding- giving a 4:9 impedance ratio. The other has a 7 turn and 5 turn winding, giving a 25:49 impedance ratio. I don't know which would be better - I believe the one with more turns probably has better coupling, but more loss?!?! I am splitting fine hairs here butI am curious if one might say, 'Use x instead of y, JimThoughts??? 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Lightning QRN season?
Heck, got on 160 yesterday morning and called CQ -- had a nice chat with W7CB near San Luis Obispo, CAwonderful copy on both ends, he with a KW and me with 30 watts. Go figure - two guys on Top Band at the same time IN the summer!! Albeit not DX, will wonders never cease?!?!?! Jim R. K9JWV From: charlie-cunning...@nc.rr.com To: mstang...@comcast.net; mikew...@gmail.com Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 14:07:10 -0400 CC: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Lightning QRN season? Sad, but true. Folks don't seem to listen much anymore. Seem to prefer being spoon-fed DX from Internet packet clusters. Charlie. K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of mstang...@comcast.net Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 1:42 PM To: Mike Waters Cc: topband Subject: Re: Topband: Lightning QRN season? Mike, I find the problem is that most operators today spend most of their time surfing the Web or chatting on varios social groups (like Yahoo Groups!). They gripe about lousy conditions or the lack of stations instead of just getting on the air and listening or giving a call. Like it or not, the Internet has changed our methods of communicating. Mike N2MS - Original Message - From: Mike Waters mikew...@gmail.com To: topband topband@contesting.com Sent: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 03:29:30 - (UTC) Subject: Re: Topband: Lightning QRN season? snip Frankly, I think many hams are just too lazy (maybe disinclined is a better word) to try and copy weak signals buried in the noise. To me, that's what's the most fun about this hobby. That's why I loved working 144.2 MHz, the challenge. And I managed to work 30 states there from a section of Toledo, Ohio that had prolific power line noise. All I can think of is, what a bunch of wimps. Sorry if that offended anyone, but what else can we say? :-) 73, Mike www.w0btu.com _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Zo of an individual CAT5 twisted pair
Well, Jim, here is what N4IS stated (bolded words my emphasis) - looks like he found the twisted pair to reduce the noise OR am I reading it incorrectly? Or are there two different noises being discussed??? www.t6lg.com The noise level was unbearable for low bands, Ilian was not able to hear even the strong European station but Ilian had a good signal on low bands. I worked him on 80m back in October and start chatting with him on skype. I proposed a flag antenna to improve his RX capabilities. The problem with most field station is lack of good ground, this issue makes a very complicated situation with common mode noise everywhere, from the coax cable feeding the inverted V to the AC wire system and power generators, and other antenna cables. There is not a simple way to ground the receiver, every wire connected to the radio became part of the antenna system. The solution was a system , not only a simple flag antenna. Ilian radio is a FT897 that does not have a separated RX port. I send him a DX Engineering RTR-1 Receive Antenna Interfaces RTR-1, that switch was necessary to keep high isolation between the RX antenna and the TX antenna. The flag antenna has low gain and I sent Ilian a preamp made by Gary KD9SV, a FET follower design with high IP3. The parts for the antenna was very simple, a 91 balun and a 910 ohms resistor, and a 100 to 75 ohms BALUN to feed the preamp. The key component here was the CAT 5 single twisted pair to feed the flag antenna without any common mode noise pickup (it is necessary to strip the CAT5 and separate each of the 4 pairs), a coax cable won't work in high noise environment, even with a killer choke the ground does not help to stop the common node noise. That was not the first time a twisted pair saved the day, two years ago I suggested Rolf PY1RO a similar antenna fed with twisted pair that worked very well, bringing the noise to zero in a s9+20 noise environment. From: 4cx2...@miamioh.edu To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 10:38:57 -0600 Subject: Re: Topband: Zo of an individual CAT5 twisted pair I believe that if you parallel two twisted pairs of a CAT5 cable, you'll have a 50 ohm transmission line.(Each twisted pair is 100 ohms). I've tried this with CAT5e cable and find it works well, even for transmitting, up to about 100W. The VSWR match was very close to 50 ohms. The problem is that there is very poor noise rejection. When I used it as transmission line for a receive antenna I picked up all the computer hash, fluorescent lights, etc. in the area. I quickly abandoned the experiment and went back to coax cable. 73, Jim W8ZR -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Monday, August 12, 2013 10:32 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Zo of an individual CAT5 twisted pair Importance: High In an earlier post to this reflector, Carlos, N4IS, mentions using one pair of twisted wires out of a CAT5 cable to feed the delta loop antenna used by T6LJ. I am assembling the pieces/components needed to put an FO0AAA style delta loop receive antenna up and want to use the twisted pair cable as well., My question is: Does it matter which twisted pair of wires I use? Thanks, in advance, for any thoughts72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: CAT5 twisted pair
OH...okee dokee on not needing the 2:1 xfmr From: charlie-cunning...@nc.rr.com To: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 17:12:59 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: CAT5 twisted pair Jim, I completely agree with Jim Brown! I noted those 2:1 transformers the other day and meant to send you a note to say that I wouldn't bother! That little bit of mismatch loss won't make any difference! 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Brown Sent: Monday, August 12, 2013 5:03 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: CAT5 twisted pair On 8/12/2013 1:50 PM, James Rodenkirch wrote: as well as a 2:1 transformer just prior to the input to the shack. While there's nothing wrong with attempting to match the termination Z, don't assume that it will do much. The input Z of the RX may not be 50 ohms (although the doc may say it is), a small mismatch won't contribute enough loss to matter, and it does not affect noise rejection. What matters is balance and twisting. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Zo of an individual CAT5 twisted pair
Well, I have the wiring scheme all written out and plan on labeling each connection and checking twice and three times b4 soldering up the connection boxes and then connecting to the loop itself.great dialogue, fellas. Thank you ALL so much!!! Great learning experience, trust me -- especially for being an 'ol fart! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: n...@comcast.net To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 17:10:18 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: Zo of an individual CAT5 twisted pair Well, Jim, here is what N4IS stated (bolded words my emphasis) - looks like he found the twisted pair to reduce the noise Yes, but there's a bit more to it. Twisted pair, by its nature, minimizes noise pickup. That rejection is maximized if the terminations at both ends of the line are balanced -- that is, each side of the line has equal impedance to ground -- and if there is minimal common mode coupling at each end Hi guys Jim is 100% right, balancing both ends is a MUST. But there is more. I would like to share what happened few month ago with a WF project. Peter N8PR built a beautiful WF with a polarization rotator. Peter can turn his WF horizontal or vertical. Very nice project. We decided to check the phase when the WF was about to go up. I measured the phase using a oscilloscope driving the feed line input with 5W to measure the phase at the loops. First at the 9:1 BALUN that feed the loops, the phase was correct and near 180 degree, but the amplitude was not the same between the two loops, let's say 10% different from each other. Then when I measured the phase at the resistors, the phase was very different between them, near 50 degree and the amplitude way off, like 50% difference. It was hard to understand why such difference between the two loops and even harder to understand the phase difference between the transformer and the resistor in the same loop. After removing all BALUNS and measuring them at the bench with a VNA we found one isolation BALUN inverted. Peter was feeding his WF with 75 ohm, and the BALUN had 4 turns on the 50ohms side and 5 turns on 75 ohms, and it was connected backward, 4 turns to the 75 ohms and 5 turns to the 50 ohm point, where the two 100 ohms line are connected 180 degree. After connecting the BALUN the way it should be, the phase measured at the transformer and the resistor become equal in both loops, and the amplitude also was equal as expected, the difference in phase or amplitude was not detectable anymore. It was the first time I faced this situation. The FLAG antenna, or EWE, K9AY , pennant and WF are actually a loaded loop. Adding one resistor inside the loop the gain drops but you get a cardioid pattern, good front back and good RDF. The signal when reach the first vertical wire is reflected to the second wire, and the signal when reach the second wire the signal is reflected to the first wire. When the signal reach the resistor it is dissipated, and when the second signal reach the transformer it goes to the feed line. The combination of these two currents give us the cardioid pattern. In the WF there is a combination of two cardioids to get side nulls and higher RDF. All this work fine IF there is no mismatch when the signal current reach the resistor and the BALUN, any mismatch impedance inside the loop will change the phase, and as a result, a deterioration in directivity. The value of the resistor should be very close to the impedance at the transformer, Example, for a FLAG feed with100 ohm line and 9:1 BALUM giving 900 ohms impedance, the resistor should be near 900 ohms to avoid SWR inside the loops. This is necessary to keep the right phase to form a cardioid pattern. The FLAG is no resonant an can be used from 1Mhz to 10 MHz, BUT it is very sensitive to impedance mismatch. Before correcting the 50/75 BALUN the SWR measured with a MFJ was near 1;1,8. After correcting the BALUN it was 1:1,5. Measuring only the SWR does not tell much about the antenna. The FLAG wants to work, like Luis once said. However if there is a mismatch anywhere the results won't be good. It is complicated to measure impedance on 160m, near AM signals around. The FLAG or dual FLAG like the WF require a perfect match to provide the expected performance, and any common mode current can compromise the RDF and the overall performance. Do It right at the first time, don't change anything in the project! Use what was recommended. Regards JCarlos N4IS _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Zo of an individual CAT5 twisted pair
When asked, these days, how my day is going, Charlie, I respond with, Going great 'cuz I am on the green side of the grass! From: charlie-cunning...@nc.rr.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; n...@comcast.net; j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 18:18:28 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: Zo of an individual CAT5 twisted pair Well, we're mostly all 'ol farts, Jim, but the alternative is GRIM! 73, Charlie. K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Monday, August 12, 2013 6:08 PM To: JC N4IS; j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Zo of an individual CAT5 twisted pair Well, I have the wiring scheme all written out and plan on labeling each connection and checking twice and three times b4 soldering up the connection boxes and then connecting to the loop itself.great dialogue, fellas. Thank you ALL so much!!! Great learning experience, trust me -- especially for being an 'ol fart! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: n...@comcast.net To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 17:10:18 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: Zo of an individual CAT5 twisted pair Well, Jim, here is what N4IS stated (bolded words my emphasis) - looks like he found the twisted pair to reduce the noise Yes, but there's a bit more to it. Twisted pair, by its nature, minimizes noise pickup. That rejection is maximized if the terminations at both ends of the line are balanced -- that is, each side of the line has equal impedance to ground -- and if there is minimal common mode coupling at each end Hi guys Jim is 100% right, balancing both ends is a MUST. But there is more. I would like to share what happened few month ago with a WF project. Peter N8PR built a beautiful WF with a polarization rotator. Peter can turn his WF horizontal or vertical. Very nice project. We decided to check the phase when the WF was about to go up. I measured the phase using a oscilloscope driving the feed line input with 5W to measure the phase at the loops. First at the 9:1 BALUN that feed the loops, the phase was correct and near 180 degree, but the amplitude was not the same between the two loops, let's say 10% different from each other. Then when I measured the phase at the resistors, the phase was very different between them, near 50 degree and the amplitude way off, like 50% difference. It was hard to understand why such difference between the two loops and even harder to understand the phase difference between the transformer and the resistor in the same loop. After removing all BALUNS and measuring them at the bench with a VNA we found one isolation BALUN inverted. Peter was feeding his WF with 75 ohm, and the BALUN had 4 turns on the 50ohms side and 5 turns on 75 ohms, and it was connected backward, 4 turns to the 75 ohms and 5 turns to the 50 ohm point, where the two 100 ohms line are connected 180 degree. After connecting the BALUN the way it should be, the phase measured at the transformer and the resistor become equal in both loops, and the amplitude also was equal as expected, the difference in phase or amplitude was not detectable anymore. It was the first time I faced this situation. The FLAG antenna, or EWE, K9AY , pennant and WF are actually a loaded loop. Adding one resistor inside the loop the gain drops but you get a cardioid pattern, good front back and good RDF. The signal when reach the first vertical wire is reflected to the second wire, and the signal when reach the second wire the signal is reflected to the first wire. When the signal reach the resistor it is dissipated, and when the second signal reach the transformer it goes to the feed line. The combination of these two currents give us the cardioid pattern. In the WF there is a combination of two cardioids to get side nulls and higher RDF. All this work fine IF there is no mismatch when the signal current reach the resistor and the BALUN, any mismatch impedance inside the loop will change the phase, and as a result, a deterioration in directivity. The value of the resistor should be very close to the impedance at the transformer, Example, for a FLAG feed with100 ohm line and 9:1 BALUM giving 900 ohms impedance, the resistor should be near 900 ohms to avoid SWR inside the loops. This is necessary to keep the right phase to form a cardioid pattern. The FLAG is no resonant an can be used from 1Mhz to 10 MHz, BUT it is very sensitive to impedance mismatch. Before correcting the 50/75 BALUN the SWR measured with a MFJ was near 1;1,8. After correcting the BALUN it was 1:1,5. Measuring only the SWR does not tell much about the antenna. The FLAG wants to work, like Luis once said. However
Topband: Radio shopping and slightly off topic but....
A friend of mine has been looking for a new or newer radio that he can operate complete with his Mac OS computer with out running some type of emulator. He says Ten-Tec Jupiter looks promising but he believes the radio is updated with window based software so I cannot update the thing. He's looked at Flex and likes if only if it has software written for OS Mac without running Boot Strap - Flex is Windows based. If he can run Boot Strap, then the Radio's program, he can settle for that but If he has to run windows as well forget it He was looking at the ELAD FDM-DUO thats still in prototype testing and it looks promising. http://ecom.eladit.com/WebRoot/ce_it/Shops/990298944/MediaGallery/FDM-DUO_Leaflet_1_ING_LO.pdf Any ideas on what radio to look at? Thank you, in advance, for any ideas - e-mail off line works for me! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector
Topband: best core material?
I have a schematic for a delta shaped loop that shows I'll need an 18:1 transformer to transform the 950 ohms of the antenna to 50 ohms (feeding it with 50 ohm coax). One transformer diagram shows an FT-140-43 core being used. BUT, looking over some of Tom's, W8JI, write-ups, I see where he uses 73 material instead. I see where 77 material replaced 73 material so -- is an FT-140-77 the mo betta way to go? Thanks, in advance, for any advice/info. Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: best core material?
Sorry - didn't make it crystal clear that this is a Delta shaped variant of a EWE antenna My bad for not utilizing all of the necessary verbiage to make that clearyou see it in ON4UN's latest book on page 7-104. From: ma...@isp.ca To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com Subject: Re: Topband: best core material? Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 14:00:48 -0400 A full-wave delta loop would have the transformation done with a 1/4 wave line of 75 ohm cable. This must be something other than a full-wave loop? Bill VE3NH - Original Message - From: James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 1:33 PM Subject: Topband: best core material? I have a schematic for a delta shaped loop that shows I'll need an 18:1 transformer to transform the 950 ohms of the antenna to 50 ohms (feeding it with 50 ohm coax). One transformer diagram shows an FT-140-43 core being used. BUT, looking over some of Tom's, W8JI, write-ups, I see where he uses 73 material instead. I see where 77 material replaced 73 material so -- is an FT-140-77 the mo betta way to go? Thanks, in advance, for any advice/info. Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6552 - Release Date: 08/05/13 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6552 - Release Date: 08/05/13 _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: best core material?
I wasn't going to use a binocular core, Tim - I was going to use the Amidon FT-140-43 OR the FT-140-77 IF it made any noticeable differenceis there some magical reason to use binocular vice standard round? From: tsho...@wmata.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; ma...@isp.ca; topband@contesting.com Subject: RE: Topband: best core material? Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 18:12:48 + If receive only, you will do just fine using the 2873000202 binocular 73 material core that Tom mentions. I think this corresponds to Amidon part number BN-202-73. Newark stocks the part under the original Fair-Rite 2873000202 number. Tom shows 2:5 ratio but I've done other ratios just fine. I am very very impressed with the 2873000202 core, in fact I also use it in some DC-DC converters and the core just barely gets warm at the 10 watt level. Whenever I've accidentally transmitted into my receive antenna, the transformer survives just fine, it's the terminating resistor that goes up in smoke. I try not to make a habit of it :-) Tim N3QE -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 2:04 PM To: BY THE LAKE; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: best core material? Sorry - didn't make it crystal clear that this is a Delta shaped variant of a EWE antenna My bad for not utilizing all of the necessary verbiage to make that clearyou see it in ON4UN's latest book on page 7-104. From: ma...@isp.ca To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com Subject: Re: Topband: best core material? Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 14:00:48 -0400 A full-wave delta loop would have the transformation done with a 1/4 wave line of 75 ohm cable. This must be something other than a full-wave loop? Bill VE3NH - Original Message - From: James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 1:33 PM Subject: Topband: best core material? I have a schematic for a delta shaped loop that shows I'll need an 18:1 transformer to transform the 950 ohms of the antenna to 50 ohms (feeding it with 50 ohm coax). One transformer diagram shows an FT-140-43 core being used. BUT, looking over some of Tom's, W8JI, write-ups, I see where he uses 73 material instead. I see where 77 material replaced 73 material so -- is an FT-140-77 the mo betta way to go? Thanks, in advance, for any advice/info. Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6552 - Release Date: 08/05/13 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6552 - Release Date: 08/05/13 _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: best core material?
Yes to both, Charlie - a friend of mine has a calculator to figure the exact turns ratio BUT, at a web site I found for this antenna (used during an FO0 dxpedition) the ratio was defined as 8 turns in the primary, 28 turns in the secondary (for 75 ohm cable so for 50 ohms it'll be something else but still fairly close to your mentioned 4:1 ratio) From: charlie-cunning...@nc.rr.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; ma...@isp.ca; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 14:24:05 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: best core material? BTW, Jim I assume that 18:1 is the impedance ratio, and the turns ratio is of the order of 4:1 or so Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 2:04 PM To: BY THE LAKE; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: best core material? Sorry - didn't make it crystal clear that this is a Delta shaped variant of a EWE antenna My bad for not utilizing all of the necessary verbiage to make that clearyou see it in ON4UN's latest book on page 7-104. From: ma...@isp.ca To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com Subject: Re: Topband: best core material? Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 14:00:48 -0400 A full-wave delta loop would have the transformation done with a 1/4 wave line of 75 ohm cable. This must be something other than a full-wave loop? Bill VE3NH - Original Message - From: James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 1:33 PM Subject: Topband: best core material? I have a schematic for a delta shaped loop that shows I'll need an 18:1 transformer to transform the 950 ohms of the antenna to 50 ohms (feeding it with 50 ohm coax). One transformer diagram shows an FT-140-43 core being used. BUT, looking over some of Tom's, W8JI, write-ups, I see where he uses 73 material instead. I see where 77 material replaced 73 material so -- is an FT-140-77 the mo betta way to go? Thanks, in advance, for any advice/info. Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6552 - Release Date: 08/05/13 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6552 - Release Date: 08/05/13 _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: best core material?
Thanks to all that replied - VERY informative information as well as anecdotal evidence the small delta loop receive antenna works well AND at a lower height, which I was thinking of doing but not sure if that mod would alter the antenna's efficacy all that much! Suggestion that I use a binocular core understood and I will go that route - a friend of mine will wind the binoc core for me (have severe neuropathy and can't handle small stuff like that at all!). Great group of participants here - thank you for the advice/suggestions! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV --- Original Message - From: James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 1:33 PM Subject: Topband: best core material? I have a schematic for a delta shaped loop that shows I'll need an 18:1 transformer to transform the 950 ohms of the antenna to 50 ohms (feeding it with 50 ohm coax). One transformer diagram shows an FT-140-43 core being used. BUT, looking over some of Tom's, W8JI, write-ups, I see where he uses 73 material instead. I see where 77 material replaced 73 material so -- is an FT-140-77 the mo betta way to go? Thanks, in advance, for any advice/info. Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6552 - Release Date: 08/05/13 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6552 - Release Date: 08/05/13 _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: best core material?
Yes, JC - ordering 73 material binocular cores today! From: n...@comcast.net To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; tsho...@wmata.com; ma...@isp.ca; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 15:49:37 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: best core material? If you plan to use the antenna on 160m you'll need 73 material. 43 works 3.8 up. Regards JC N4IS -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 2:20 PM To: Shoppa, Tim; BY THE LAKE; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: best core material? I wasn't going to use a binocular core, Tim - I was going to use the Amidon FT-140-43 OR the FT-140-77 IF it made any noticeable differenceis there some magical reason to use binocular vice standard round? From: tsho...@wmata.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; ma...@isp.ca; topband@contesting.com Subject: RE: Topband: best core material? Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 18:12:48 + If receive only, you will do just fine using the 2873000202 binocular 73 material core that Tom mentions. I think this corresponds to Amidon part number BN-202-73. Newark stocks the part under the original Fair-Rite 2873000202 number. Tom shows 2:5 ratio but I've done other ratios just fine. I am very very impressed with the 2873000202 core, in fact I also use it in some DC-DC converters and the core just barely gets warm at the 10 watt level. Whenever I've accidentally transmitted into my receive antenna, the transformer survives just fine, it's the terminating resistor that goes up in smoke. I try not to make a habit of it :-) Tim N3QE -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 2:04 PM To: BY THE LAKE; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: best core material? Sorry - didn't make it crystal clear that this is a Delta shaped variant of a EWE antenna My bad for not utilizing all of the necessary verbiage to make that clearyou see it in ON4UN's latest book on page 7-104. From: ma...@isp.ca To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com Subject: Re: Topband: best core material? Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 14:00:48 -0400 A full-wave delta loop would have the transformation done with a 1/4 wave line of 75 ohm cable. This must be something other than a full-wave loop? Bill VE3NH - Original Message - From: James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 1:33 PM Subject: Topband: best core material? I have a schematic for a delta shaped loop that shows I'll need an 18:1 transformer to transform the 950 ohms of the antenna to 50 ohms (feeding it with 50 ohm coax). One transformer diagram shows an FT-140-43 core being used. BUT, looking over some of Tom's, W8JI, write-ups, I see where he uses 73 material instead. I see where 77 material replaced 73 material so -- is an FT-140-77 the mo betta way to go? Thanks, in advance, for any advice/info. Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6552 - Release Date: 08/05/13 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6552 - Release Date: 08/05/13 _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Prince Edward and Marion Islands, ZS8
OK - found out they will be on the Island(s) for a work assignment...thanks to all that sent me the info! 72, Jim R. K9JWV From: rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Date: Fri, 2 Aug 2013 12:18:25 -0600 Subject: Topband: Prince Edward and Marion Islands, ZS8 This from the ARRL DX news e-mail: PRINCE EDWARD AND MARION ISLANDS, ZS8. Nadia, ZS8A plans to soon be QRV from Marion Island. In addition, Carson, ZS8C and David, ZS8Z are active as time permits. QSL via operators' instructions. BUT - I can't find a web page (looking for band plans, etc.) -- even NG3K's site doesn't list it and he is usually THE go to guy for dx info Anyone have more info or know of the url for this dxpedition??? 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Topband: Inexpensive low noise preamp
I can't build one (disabled to the point I can't operate tools or handle componenmts of any size) so wondering if anyone has an inexpensive and spare low noise preamp I could purchase? I need it for a small delta loop receive antenna I am going to put up next month. Inexpensive = something in the range of $20.00 Replying off-line works for me. Thank you, in advance, for looking around your shack! 72, Jim R. K9JWV _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: fine whiskey is a daylight beverage
How about, QRP is a challenge - be challenged From one of a few who LOVEs working QRP on 160 and 80 meters! 72, Jim Rodenkirch, K9JWV From: rstea...@hotmail.com To: topband@contesting.com Date: Tue, 7 May 2013 14:55:49 + Subject: Topband: fine whiskey is a daylight beverage fine whiskey is a daylight beverage is appended to the end of each posting. At first I thought it was the personal signature file of the individual poster but it is on everyone's posting. It was kind of cute the first time I saw it But ok, I get the point. How about replacing it with (could rotate messages periodically) - Big antennas work better DX is better after midnight More watts equals more S/N QRP is for 10 meters or my favorite ... Rick K2XT All good topband ops know fine whiskey is a daylight beverage. _ Topband Reflector All good topband ops know fine whiskey is a daylight beverage. _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Another source of 160 meter RFI
Heh - THIS part of the citation caught MY eye! If, after receipt of this Citation, Mr. Lopez violates the Communications Act or the Rules by operating an incidental radiator and causing harmful interference or otherwise engaging in the conduct of the type described herein, the Commission may impose monetary forfeitures of up to $16,000 for each such violation, or in the case of a continuing violation, up to a maximum forfeiture of $112,500 for any single act or failure to act.10 In addition, violation of the Communications Act or the Rules also can result in seizure of the equipment through in rem forfeiture actions,11 as well as criminal sanctions, including imprisonment.12 All that for a noisy pump?!?!?!?! GO figure! Thanks for sharing, Frank! Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:49:16 -0400 From: donov...@starpower.net To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Another source of 160 meter RFI Official Citation issued to Ruben D. Lopez, Jr. for operation of an incidental radiator, which caused harmful interference. Action by: District Director, Tampa Office, South Central Region, Enforcement Bureau. Adopted: 04/23/2013 by Citation Order. (DA No.13-805). http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-805A1.pdf 73 Frank W3LPL All good topband ops know fine whiskey is a daylight beverage. _ Topband Reflector All good topband ops know fine whiskey is a daylight beverage. _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: FO8AJ - TX5K
Mike: re TX5K I saw much of that behavior on 40 as well. In fact, 40 was the only HF band that I operate on that I did NOT work them on and felt like the number(s) of stations and the utterly rude behavior contributed to that non band happening! I put out a decent signal on 40 so was surprised. Totally disgusting is the only way to describe the behavior of some of those 40 meter operators! Oh well, it's a hobby so you get what you get, I guess - or sumpin' like that. The Top Band crowd was, as usual, totally on the other of the spectrum - congenial, allowing the operator to run the show...no keying down on top of themsigh..wish all bands were like that. 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV To: w7...@juno.com Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 09:47:57 -0800 From: w7...@juno.com CC: topband@contesting.com; tetr...@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: Topband: FO8AJ - TX5K not being any sort of DX hunter although i went down and turned on the worm warmer on 160 and gave TX5K one call and worked him, promptly turned off everything and went back to the house. but on 40 meters sitting in front of a super pro with a globe chief 90 and a dipole trying to work TX5K was a different story. i can hear quite a bit of the band without having to turn the dial and the number of W hams transmitting on or very close his frequency and the tendency of the guys that actually were up to slide down and crowd him was amazing,. and W hams still calling him when he is saying up EU was quite an eye opener for someone who does not do is sort of thing very often. mike w7dra Woman is 57 But Looks 27 2013#39;s No. 1 Facelift. Mom is Wrinkle Free Thanks to Doctor#39;s Secret! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/513a2489ae8824885f05st04vuc _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Webinar - The first Top Band DX Contest â? the 1921 Transatlantic Test
Some background on it all: http://radioclubofamerica.org/history.php?page=1921.html Ad - voila - pics and schematics and wiring schema for the antenna: http://www.google.com/#hl=ensclient=psy-abq=1bcg+antennaoq=1bcg+antennags_l=hp.12...2257.12512.0.13686.12.12.0.0.0.0.1349.4826.0j3j1j1j4j1j0j1.11.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.4.psy-ab.CIa0jMuklEkpbx=1bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.bvm=bv.42768644,d.aWcfp=ec0991bddc456b56biw=1120bih=481 72, Jim R. K9JWV From: w...@arrl.net To: topband@contesting.com Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2013 12:23:51 -0500 Subject: Re: Topband: Webinar - The first Top Band DX Contest â? the 1921 Transatlantic Test Tha's a great topic and I'm sure Frank will add a lot of interesting information. About twenty years ago, I became interested in the 1921 transatlantic tests and slowly began collecting information. The fall, 1921 issues of QST are a great source as is the Radio Club of America's (RCA) early 1950s publication on 1BCG. That publication gives a detailed explanation of the antenna and is copied from an article by George Burghard from the February, 1922 issue of QST. In 1951, the RCA dedicated a granite memorial to 1BCG. That marker can be clearly seen on Google maps. 41°4'15N 73°37'23W Look for it near at corner of Clapboard Ridge Road and North Street in Greenwich, CT. Just to the west of the marker is a large section of land, previously owned by the Minton Cronkhite family - and now the location of St. Michael's rectory. The antenna was a caged T-top with elevated counterpoise and from detailed photos, it's clear that the T ran E/W along Clapboard Road at the spot where the rectory now stands. That must have been one interesting and busy intersection back in 1921! If the 1BCG antenna was operational today with 1KW, it would have one helluva' smoking signal. Paul, W9AC _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Topband: Top Band woke up for me this morning!
FINALLY heard and worked two JAs this morning on Top Band! Was beginning to wonder if I'd work at least of couple of JAs this winter! I've been hearing JAs, occasionally, along with HL5IVL, but no joy this winter, till this morning! One was a solid 579 here on my best I can do antenna system - 43' vertical with three 25' top loading wires and 60 elevated radials. Anyhow, fun to work some JAs on Top Band - had a little HF Packer Amp connected to my new Ten Tec Argonaut VI QRP rig so was running about 30 watts. I should have tried QRP first but - was so excited to hear them I forgot to turn the little amp off! Hi Hi I know this doesn't mean much to all you big guns with the super Beverage antennas, but, trust me, a BIG deal for us little pistols! 73/72 Jim R. K9JWV _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: New 160M high performance receiving antenna at W3LPL
There is a wullenweber antenna down in the San Diego area - south end of the Coronado peninsulanot operational but the site is used by the Navy Seals. Jim R. K9JWV Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2013 23:27:42 -0800 From: charle...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: New 160M high performance receiving antenna at W3LPL Much much closer to home for us Pacific NW'ers: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=40+43+24+n,+141+19+44+ehl=enll=40.72308,141.328892spn=0.003313,0.006968sll=40.723876,141.329155sspn=0.026507,0.055747t=kz=18 It looks to be operational and is still gated and guarded and has cars parked at the building. Chuck On 2/4/2013 10:53 AM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: Hi Lee, You can save yourself lots of engineering effort if you simply make yourself a copy of this one: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=40+43+24+n,+141+19+44+ehl=enll=40.72308,141.328892spn=0.003313,0.006968sll=40.723876,141.329155sspn=0.026507,0.055747t=kz=18 My former employer (then Sylvania, now General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems) installed it in 1966 at Misawa Air Base, Japan. I believe its still exists, but its probably no longer in use due to technical obsolesence, high maintenance costs and unavailability of spare parts. An identical array installed at Elmendorf Air Base, Alaska is also still in existence as far as I know. Maybe you can purchase one of them! Many copies of the original 40 element German Wullenwever array were built all over USSR shortly after World War II, some may still exist. Among other things, they tracked the 10 and 20 MHz Sputnik beacons that some of us recall. 73 Frank W3LPL Original message Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2013 10:13:55 -0800 From: Lee K7TJR k7...@msn.com Subject: New 160M high performance receiving antenna at W3LPL To: Robert McGwier rwmcgw...@gmail.com, Frank Donovan donov...@starpower.net Cc: Topband topband@contesting.com Hello Bob and all, Yes I agree on the issue of needing the stable impedance from the elements to drive the passive systems. I still have some questions in my mind about the radials and here is why. I have made many field tests where I measured the actual phase and amplitude differences between two receiving elements where one is held constant and parameters around the other were changed such as ground rods, radials, and such. Both were receiving signal from an equidistant transmitted source. What I can tell you for sure about this is that with a Hi-Z system the phase and amplitude shifts become quite unstable when radials are used. I do not know this to be a fact with loaded elements but I have seen evidence of some received signal shift due to the presence of the radials to the element. This test really opened my eyes about received signals and what objects might affect them. I have plans to buy the NEC4 engine and do some more field tests using another technology that should give me more answers. It is these minute details that prevent us from making these RX antennas even smaller. There is no doubt that the state of the art is advancing in receiving antenas with all the work that is and has gone on. I am confident that what we are presently doing is not perfect and I expect the state of the art still has a ways to go. There have been many man years of work by many people. I hesitate to name calls but a few notables are K6SE, W7IUV, W8JI, K9AY, W3LPL, W5ZN, W1FV, NX4D, N4IS, AA7J, K1LT and many many others that I apologize for not having the space here or personal memory at the moment to mention. There are more man years of work to do. I still covet the 96 element Wullenwever antenna invented around 1940! Lee K7TJR The issue is getting sufficient ground radials so that changing soil conditions: dry season, wet season, etc have minimal impact on the impedance which is the easiest measurement of the changing conditions. Joel and I did measurements several times and when he was near drought he found he had to add radials to stabilize the performance. Once done, his system has been stable since. Great news on both of you successfully deploying. Bob N4HY _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: CQ 160 Contest
I thought it was just me, Mike, who's been grousin' about poor conditions! I don't have exotic receive antennas so, in the context of being located in s/w Utah with a top-loaded 43' vertical and a new Ten Tec 539 QRP transceiver which I was using for my QRP entry (which I dearly loved to use - first time with a receiver that truly could filter out near by alligators): - east coast signals were noticeably weaker than in the past two CQ WW events. Some states areas, e.g. New England, were continuosly weak. - southwest signals, particularly NM and AZ were BOOMING in here. - mid west states, e.g., WI, IL, IN and MI were not up to par, strength wise, from years past, but more easily copyable than MN, OH, MO and SD, for instance.- CA and OR were two states I heard consistently over the weekend but they would fade, occasionally. Never heard a WA until Saturday evening.- Heard a couple of JAs and an HL and did get a couple of ??? from one of the JAs but, with QRP power, wasn't expecting to work him. Note: I did work three JAs three or four years ago but not since then. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! m 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:45:24 -0600 From: w...@suddenlink.net To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: CQ 160 Contest The CQ 160 contest was a large disappointment this year here in EM21. At least at this location, Europe was weak or not heard. Please, I would like to know what others were hearing. I saw few, if any EU postings on VE7CC from others in this area. At least I am enjoying the winter. It was a frigid 78 degrees F here in EM21pi today. (No, that's not a typo) 73, Mike, W5UC _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Topband: Changing received signal levels
I saw an exchange here, earlier, where someone was mentioning calling a station with a weak signal, only having them come back with a stronger signal. I witnessed that more than just a couple of times during the recent CQ WW 160 contest and attributed it to, mainly, very dynamic conditions. I heard strong stations, who were calling CQ while tuning across their frequency that, when I tuned back, to be certain I'd copied their call correctly, I found their signal strength to have changed - up or down, in some instances, as much as 2 S units! That's some serious quick changing conditions! I believe several that I called and called and CALLED (I was a QRP entry) finally heard me 'cuz they had switched beverages or rotated their pennant/ewe antennas...so, I attribute much of that to band changing rapidly and or altering transmitting antennas! I heard HL5IVL this morning at one point where he was a solid S5 here in s/w Utah and that was just as he signed off with a W6...he sent his call moments later and his signal was just at the noise level. I gotta think that Top Band offers some unusual operating conditions that, amongst other witness states, shows us clearly how dynamic the band is! FWIW - I'm not a SUPER contest station like many are but...I sure do see lots of evidence of the above with my puny antenna system - hi Hi 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160 WAS Skeds
Joe: go here for an excellent QSO scheduler resource: http://www.obriensweb.com/sked/ 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV Good luck with WAS! I finished mine, QRP version, last February! From: gali...@comcast.net To: topband@contesting.com Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2013 21:44:37 -0500 Subject: Topband: 160 WAS Skeds Hi All, I'm Looking for skeds to complete my WAS on 160. I need NV,ID,ND,HI AK. Thanks -Joe KB3KJS _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest
Well, the problem with not sending SOMETHING after your last call, assuming you are calling CQ, is that one doesn't know whether you are calling someone or calling CQ! Exaample: I send, CQ...CQ K9JWV...K9JWV and nothing else - if someone arrives on frequency after the two CQs and my two sent calls he/she doesn't know if I'm calling someone or calling CQ. If I send CQ...CQ...K9JWV...K9JWV...K - and someone arrives on frequency, again, after the two CQs, still dicey. Signing after the last sent call with a test removes all ambiguity. My two cents worth and I'm sticking to it! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2012 15:16:27 -0800 From: rich...@karlquist.com To: j_fit...@yahoo.com CC: topband@contesting.com; rich...@karlquist.com Subject: Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest Jim F. wrote: Excellent advice Rick !!! I get tripped up when a CQing station leaves too long a gap between his last callsign and Test and I start sending too early. And your QRP tips are very well taken. 73, Jim / W1FMR Thanks. I stopped sending test after my call for exactly this reason. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest
Dave's observation regarding us QRPers being patient as the bigger stations will work hard to pull us through is spot on! PJ2T, for instance, tried VERY hard to work me this morning but no joy and it wasn't 'cuz he hadn't worked his burtt off to get my call in the log. I agree that the bigger stations do try hard (other stateside examples, similar to the PJ2T mention above abound) BUT...some of those fair to middlin' ops need a reminder to listen a little moreeither that or turn the RF gain down some to get the noise abated some...I've got 147 Qs in the log from about 5 hours of operating and could have a noticeable greater number, I suspect, if those middle-of-the-road ops would listen a tad more and not just expect HUGE signals to come bounding throug their front ends. Hi Hi Looking forward to working a LOT more of you guys this evening and in to tomorrow morning! Great post, Dave! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: daraym...@iowatelecom.net To: topband@contesting.com Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2012 15:11:32 -0600 Subject: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest Fellow Lowbanders and Contesters. . . I'm reminded of some not so new wisdom from operating the contest last night. Big stations, don't forget to listen for the weak signals. It may be well be DX calling you among the cacophony of stateside callers. It pays periodically to stop and ask for DX. That encourages our DX friends to participate in the contest. . .and you may well be rewarded. You smaller stations, particularly QRP, most of the bigger stations will really work hard to pull you through for a successful QSO. Please be patient and don't mind being repeatedly asked to give your call again. Many topbanders have multiple antennas in the arsenal, one of which might be the one to pull out your call coming from a 5w transmitter going to your 40m dipole. There were some incredibly weak stateside signals last night which took some time to get, but a little patience on both ends can bring mutual success. Contest conditions last night were surprisingly good. I purposely avoided using the TX array and dropped the power to about 700w and ran on the 1/4 vertical (an omni antenna is nice during the contest anyway). My thought was to be weak enough to avoid having EU call me and not being able to hear them through all the stateside callers. Well, thankfully, conditions were good and EU called anyway. It was a exciting to have F, G, LA, OK, ON, S51, and others call in (at which time I upped the power and went to the TX array). I did, periodically, try to stop the run and call for DX and several times and, on several occasions, found an EU station waiting patiently to work me. If one of us stateside is asking for DX, it would be great for NA callers to stand down for just a moment. Most did but some persisted in calling anyway, sometimes blocking an apparent EU caller. And lastly, a word about the DX window. The DX window is something that is mutually beneficial and give our DX friends a limited (darn limited with only a 5 KHz) window to be heard. It's simple. . .ignoring this only discourages DX participation. I slept in this morning and missed what must have been some terrific conditions to JA. Hope we have some more great conditions tonight and in the morning. 73 and see you on the air. . .Dave W0FLS ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: ZL9HR
I think I read at their site that they'll be off the island from 0600Z to 1100Z (or something like that - can't find the url where I read up on that but we can be certain that someone WILL correct any errors in what I stated...Hi Hi) Jim R. K9JWV From: wb6r...@mac.com Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2012 15:00:07 -0800 To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: ZL9HR Re: ZL9HR on 160 80. Anyone have any insights on this? No antennas are allowed in or near the water, and the team will have to shuttle back and forth from the island as no overnight stays are allowed (unless the weather prevents return to the boat). Steve WB6RSE ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: WX @ PT0S
Albeit video taped in March, still...not THE most hospitable location EVEN in full sun, one would expect! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4Sx5fBNtPA 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Vertical Array Over Uneven Ground
Gosh, Paul.why don't you simply keep measuring in our system and avoid the obvious mental wedgie you keep forming PLUS you won't be so weary?!?!?! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:58:48 -0500 From: p...@n1bug.com To: z...@jeremy.mv.com CC: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Vertical Array Over Uneven Ground I suspect most Americans are more comfortable with our own measuring system plus our ham bands where antenna formulas are still published in feet and inches. I suspect most (or at least many) Americans are resistant to change and unwilling to give anything different than what they are used to a fair try before dismissing it. When I don't have to deal too extensively with materials made to specific sizes for the U.S. market, I do much of my measuring and work using the metric system. Why? Because once I got used to it, I find it much easier to work with. My notes on projects going back over 20 years usually give dimensions in metric (eg. plate line dimensions for a VHF amplifier in millimeters). I have grown somewhat weary of converting to another system just so that other Americans won't grumble about my choice of units. I may stop that practice. If other Americans don't understand the measurements and can't be bothered to do the conversion, they probably don't really want/need the information. Paul ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: FCP
Guy: great review of all that you did, as far as opting to go the FCP route, and why. I opted to go with sixty elevated radials and, like you, have some proof that the decision worked for me as I just received my SO QRP #1 in the W7 section certificate for the 2012 CQ WW 160 contest. If I didn't have the option of positioning the base of my 43' vertical with 25' top loading wires at the top of a sloping ground (the base of the vertical is, in essence, 10' above the bottom of the wash below the sloped ground) and running those elevated radials I would have gone the FCP route as all indications are that approach is a winner. After working NH8S on 80 meters, SSB and CW with QRP power I feel like my antenna system is a good as it'll be for some time! I guess I feel like I'm in play, albeit I'll never win out over the likes of N7IR, WD5R and VE3MGY - Hi Hi 72, my friend - Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2012 19:59:10 -0500 From: olin...@bellsouth.net To: weeks...@hotmail.com; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: FCP Very kind, and flattering, but... I'm really NOT expecting to be the loudest guy. There is no reason for me to expect that. But I AM in play. My station, including the antenna wire + FCP, IS working and working well. I have a K3, with dual diversity RX, and an Alpha 8410. RX antennas are the limiting issue at my station. Working on that. I'm using an FCP at 7 feet with an 84 foot vertical wire plus 104' horizontal. It's strung in an open area in my narrow little private forest over the driveway almost to the US 64 service road. The driveway splits the property there, thus no possibility for radials. It's at 7 feet because I could do that and not have to clear some stuff, and it was an EXPERIMENT when we first put it up. I will be moving the FCP up to 15 feet, after clearing that stuff to make it possible, and raising the wire a bit at the same time, so it will be still be about the same wire above the FCP. I have 425 feet of WireMan #554 window line to the matching box plus about 80 feet of coax getting from the shack out to the tractor shed where the balanced line starts. I have a 4:1 isolation transformer to step down to the FCP-antenna feedpoint Z. It's a trifilar winding on a T400A-2 monster powdered iron core. Runs stone cold with 8410 in brick-on-key mode. Vacuum variable cap tunes out series inductive reactance in the nearly 3/8 wave length wire. I use a duplicate of the isolation transformer to go to coax at the tractor shed. That way I have a working duplicate ready if the antenna end gets melted by a direct lightning. There have been four close strikes to trees, and the isolation transformer construction at both ends of the balanced line has stood up to induced voltage without problems My big maintenance headaches are parts of the forest falling on the feedline and squirrels eating the window line material and exposing the wire underneath to moisture. I have support weights on pullies at the ends of the main run, The window line can slip through the supports, which will also release with excessive pressure, and a tree can take the window line to the ground and pull up the weights without snapping or otherwise damaging the window line. There are a couple sweet gums growing into the antenna clear space that are going to be taken down shortly. This antenna is now known for sure to be the best 160m antenna I can get up on the property, so it will be maintained, and I can justify the clearing activities. As to FCP stories... CQ160 CW certificates are now out there for Jan 2012 contest. #1 SOLP in NC (#2 in 4th call area) was over an FCP. #1 SOHP in NC (#3 in 4th call area) was over an FCP. One Scot station with a new FCP in a 21 x 75 foot back yard (!!!), and a 30 foot tower for supporting the bend in the L, was on 160 in the CQWW SSB and worked into the US and all over Africa with 400 watts. Was night and day for him versus his prior setup with necessarily pathetic radials. What radials could anyone put down that work in 21 x 75 feet? And that's *SSB* across the pond, which is at a 10 dB disadvantage to CW across the pond. Yeah, FCP really works, but it is certainly not a replacement or a fix for everything. Those without commercial radial fields, but who have stuff that works and compares favorably with others' RBN numbers may not get discernible performance boost by conversion. If you are getting cr*p RBN numbers on 160, then examination of your setup is in order, and you might get startling improvement with an FCP. Others already have. The FCP is best replacing miscellaneous attempts at radials that are a significant come down from commercial radials. These are usually because size restrictions prevent anything remotely resembling full size dense and uniform all around. On the other hand, some are making no-performance-change FCP substitutions because
Re: Topband: Antenna analysers in close proximity to BC station
So, I'm looking at setting a EWE antenna up - what happens if I simply make it a full loop? In other words, instead of driving 4' ground rods in at both ends I run a wire between the bottom of the terminating resistor and the matching balun.I'm going to try the shorter version first - 10 feet up and 21 feet across so the full loop will be 62' of wire in that rectangular shape. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback and 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: EWE antenna question
___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Antenna analysers in close proximity to BC station
Thanks, Tom - looks like running that bottom wire would be worth it 'cuz I have one 4' ground rod near where I want to install the EWE so that saves the cost of buying another rod...Hi Hi. Appreciate the quick response! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: w...@w8ji.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2012 08:19:12 -0500 Subject: Re: Topband: Antenna analysers in close proximity to BC station So, I'm looking at setting a EWE antenna up - what happens if I simply make it a full loop? In other words, instead of driving 4' ground rods in at both ends I run a wire between the bottom of the terminating resistor and the matching balun.I'm going to try the shorter version first - 10 feet up and 21 feet across so the full loop will be 62' of wire in that rectangular shape. All EWE's, Flags, Pennants, K9AY's, and everything else are just small terminated loops. They all act like a pair of short verticals that have the cross-fire feedline phasing integrated into the horizontal conductor distance, with the vertical drops actually being the desired antennas. You could run a wire across the bottom, except the antenna load and source are not symmetrically placed. This means you would have to ground the bottom wire to prevent the system from being negatively impacted by the asymmetrically of the load and source position. 73 Tom ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Antenna analysers in close proximity to BC station
Tom: is there data that nail down the horizontal wire to vertical wire ratio? I see in that write up by wa1on mention of 2.25:1 h to v but...is that some rule that can't be violated or.../ For instance, assuming a vertical section height of 10' I could run a longer horizontal section but don't know if that gains me anything. Thoughts?? Jim R. K9JWV From: tsho...@wmata.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com Subject: RE: Topband: Antenna analysers in close proximity to BC station Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2012 14:02:58 + Sounds to me, like something very close to a flag or rectangular pennant antenna which would be fed from an end. E.g. http://www.qsl.net/wa1ion/flag/flag_antenna.htm But I also note that I found webpages calling your proposal an elevated ewe, without a ground rod and feeding in a lower corner. I've always had better results with the antennas on the ground with ground rods (e.g. K9AY). Not sure what I've done wrong whenever I tried the elevated flag/pennants but they did not work well for me. Tim N3QE -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 8:08 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Antenna analysers in close proximity to BC station So, I'm looking at setting a EWE antenna up - what happens if I simply make it a full loop? In other words, instead of driving 4' ground rods in at both ends I run a wire between the bottom of the terminating resistor and the matching balun.I'm going to try the shorter version first - 10 feet up and 21 feet across so the full loop will be 62' of wire in that rectangular shape. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback and 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: Further discussions on EWEs
Tom, et al: is there data that nail down the horizontal wire to vertical wire ratio? I see in that write up by wa1on mention of 2.25:1 h to v but...is that some rule that can't be violated or.../ For instance, assuming a vertical section height of 10' I could run a longer horizontal section but don't know if that gains me anything. Thoughts?? Jim R. K9JWV From: tsho...@wmata.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com Subject: RE: Topband: Antenna analysers in close proximity to BC station Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2012 14:02:58 + Sounds to me, like something very close to a flag or rectangular pennant antenna which would be fed from an end. E.g. http://www.qsl.net/wa1ion/flag/flag_antenna.htm But I also note that I found webpages calling your proposal an elevated ewe, without a ground rod and feeding in a lower corner. I've always had better results with the antennas on the ground with ground rods (e.g. K9AY). Not sure what I've done wrong whenever I tried the elevated flag/pennants but they did not work well for me. Tim N3QE -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 8:08 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Antenna analysers in close proximity to BC station So, I'm looking at setting a EWE antenna up - what happens if I simply make it a full loop? In other words, instead of driving 4' ground rods in at both ends I run a wire between the bottom of the terminating resistor and the matching balun.I'm going to try the shorter version first - 10 feet up and 21 feet across so the full loop will be 62' of wire in that rectangular shape. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback and 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Further discussions on EWEs
thank you, Tom - great info! From: w...@w8ji.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; tsho...@wmata.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2012 12:37:34 -0500 Subject: Re: Topband: Further discussions on EWEs Tom, et al: is there data that nail down the horizontal wire to vertical wire ratio? I see in that write up by wa1on mention of 2.25:1 h to v but...is that some rule that can't be violated or.../ For instance, assuming a vertical section height of 10' I could run a longer horizontal section but don't know if that gains me anything. I can't imagine why there would be some set rule or guideline, except with many qualifications. I'm sure there is some general range of lengths vs. height for various configurations. The ideal shape would be rectangular with source and load centered in the shorter vertical wires, which is the equivalent of a base-fed EWE over perfect ground. The horizontal part or component of the antenna works best when it behaves most like a transmission line with a velocity factor of unity (ideally faster than light). The longer it is and the wider it is spaced, and the poorer the earth below the antenna, the more the system responds to unwanted signals in the horizontal mode. The vertical component of the antenna wires acts like two verticals, and is the desired signal response. You can see the obvious conflicts. If the vertical section is taller, horizontal spacing is wider and that response increases. If the length along earth is longer, the verticals are separated more and this increases sensitivity of the verticals (until they are 1/4 wave apart) but it also makes undesired horizontal sensitivity increase. There are a half dozen things that can make one thing better while making other things worse. Everything, including characteristics of the earth and things around the antenna, would interact. If you really wanted to optimize an antenna like this, you would have to make it two short verticals that are phased. After all, that is all the antenna actually is. 73 Tom ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Thrashing around in the Stew
Wish I woulda heard ya., Jim - would have been nice to have you in my log. Ended up with 80 Qs with one KL7 and three KH6s in the mix. Longest stateside Q was either a fella in PA or a fella in NC (can't remember which). Heard FM5CD Saturday evening but he wasn't hearing my peanut whistle as all I heard him replying to was east coast stations. Condx were the pits here as well - rolling noise, growling noise - made my ears hurt! Congrats on getting your stealth antenna put up and taken down with no LEOs all over ya! Hope to work ya someday! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2012 13:37:32 -0700 From: j_fit...@yahoo.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Thrashing around in the Stew Friday afternoon was spent putting 140' of wire in the trees but was not able to spend time operating until Saturday evening. Thought there was no one on the band until accidentally tuning up a ways and there they were. Couldn't get beyond 900 miles (needing many repeats) and about midnight decided to try an above ground radial hoping for a boost, but no luck but did not get arrested for crashing around in the woods at midnight either. Even tried hastilly winding a choke balun around 1 am, but it only hung up the keyer with RF feedback which forced me to quit N1MM and lose the dupe sheet. Still no luck, but 160m is sure a fun band. Had a few hours sleep then shortly after daybreak made a few more then reeled in the raised radial before someone in the condo complex walked into it. Thanks to all who dug my 5 watts out of the noise and especially those who tried and tried but couldn't. Maybe I will figure out how to get this FCP assembled and up before too long. My #1 goal is to work Herb, KV4FZ from this location as he always has a good signal. Nice to have worked K2AV and W0UCE - my FCP heroes last night ! 73, Jim / W1FMR couldn't ___ Remember the PreStew coming on October 20th. http://www.kkn.net/stew for more info. ___ Remember the PreStew coming on October 20th. http://www.kkn.net/stew for more info.
Re: Topband: Stew Perry Warmup this weekend
Hopefully lots of QRP entries, like myself - looking forward to a fun event and sure hope to work lots of ya! 72, Jim R. K9JWV From: t...@kkn.net Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:03:10 -0700 To: cq-cont...@contesting.com; topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Stew Perry Warmup this weekend The Stew Perry Topband Distance Challenge warm-up is coming tomorrow. Full rules and results are available at our new web page http://www.kkn.net/stew/ Hope to hear you on 160 meters tomorrow. 73 Tree N6TR ___ Remember the PreStew coming on October 20th. http://www.kkn.net/stew for more info. ___ Remember the PreStew coming on October 20th. http://www.kkn.net/stew for more info.
Re: Topband: XX9 Macao dxpedition
OK - found the info at this url: http://adxg.org/macau/plans.php 72, Jim R. K9JWV From: rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: XX9 Macao dxpedition Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:32:51 -0600 I see a mention, in the latest ARRL DX news, of an upcoming dxpetition to XX9 land - I googled it all and found a couple of write ups from other dx reporting blog sites but I can't find out anything about their plans by band. Anyone know anything more or can vector me to a the dxpedition's web site? Thank you, in advance, for sharing any info you have. 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV ___ Remember the PreStew coming on October 20th. http://www.kkn.net/stew for more info.
Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop
Hardy and others - thank you MUCHO Beaucoup! All replies were filled with sound suggestions or anecdotal evidence that have helped me put together a trade study that is leading me to.erect a horizontal loop (making it as long on the sides as possible) and look into running as long a BOG as I can. Between them I outta figure out if one is worth more than the other or, keep both and figure out a simple switching method between 'em. Certainly received more information and positive suggestions than I anticipated. Subject is closed, from my perspective, as I've got 'work to do Hi Hi 72, Jim R. K9JWV From: n...@cox.net To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2012 01:12:21 -0700 Subject: Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop Jim, When I first got on 160 I put one up at the urging of W6KUT (SK) back in the late '80s. It worked fair but had a lot of QRN from the cars parked underneath in the garage. The dimensions of the flat garage roof were exactly the dimensions needed for the K6STI loop so that's where the loop went but ignition noise with cars coming and going was not a satisfactory deal. The heigth of the loop was about 12 ft and heard well without the auto QRN. I soon put up some short Beverages (330 ft) and they were better (but more $$) so the K6STI went away. If that is the only rx antenna you can put up then go for it. W6KUT wrote an article in QST about the loop about that time so I am sure it's on the ARRL website or listed in the ON4UN biblography of his Low Band DXing book.Get it away from the house if at all possible and all noise sources. I think the K6STI loop along with the BOG will give a good receiving starting point. My 2 cents... 73 Hardy N7RT - Original Message - From: James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 9:10 AM Subject: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop Has anyone employed that K6STI receive antenna? It doesn't equal a Beverage, for sure, BUT - for a small footprint area it looks interesting. I'd think it wouldn't matter if one used 450 ohm ladder line or 300 ohm twinlead for the connection between the opposite ends but...not sure if that's a good assumption. I need an alternate receive antenna as my vertical is, simply, too noisy but space is at a premium here. I could put up a short BOG, maybe 200' long so think that K6STI loop might be a great idea. Thoughts? 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop
I will let all know, Bob - plan to erect it in about two weeks, in preparation for the Pre-Stew and the ARRL 160 contest (I'll be on travel the month of December so will miss out on the Big Stew) and I'll report out as soon as I have some observations to pass on! 72, Jim R. K9JWV From: k...@pacbell.net Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2012 18:41:28 -0700 To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop If you try the K6STI low noise loop please let us know your results. I have tried a number of low noise receiving loops, currently am playing with a Waller flag. The K6STI loop is very interesting, I may try it myself also. 73, Bob K6UJ On Oct 2, 2012, at 11:52 AM, Tom W8JI wrote: Well, there is no modeling associated with this effort, Tom - they just did it.built it, tuned it and used it! I've attached the article for perusal, if interestedJim R. I saw the original article. This one uses an isolated primary secondary coupling system. Try it and see if it works reliably in your installation. I think with a good layout and feedline routing you should be OK with this method. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop
And, with all of that said, Tom - your technical evaluation and cautionary statements are spot on and I, for one, enjoy reading and assimilating as much of it all as my feeble brain allows - your final statement there will always be mixed review of results, and why having it work at one place does not mean it will work some other place even when EXACTLY duplicated gives hope to those of us who, in this instance (the K6STI horizontal loop), don't have the space to assemble and install 83 Beverage antennas and 4-squares and Y'all get the picture --- it's the FUN associated with trying a new antenna out, AS LONG as we realize that what works in eastern east be-Jesus Timbultu may not do so well in s/w Utah or where ever we all live. I see this signature from another ham who posts at the QRP reflector --- I LOVE this radio stuff - and I am so IN to that attitude. Thanks to all for keeping the discussions alive from a technical as well as anecdotal perspective(s) 'cuz that IS the real world! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: w...@w8ji.com To: topband@contesting.com; charlesws...@gmail.com Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2012 10:03:59 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop I built one right after the article appeared in QST. I live in the country with no close neighbors and had practically no noise to begin with. So I didn't notice a difference in reception, and I didn't keep it long. At that time the only RX antenna I had was a 160M dipole a 50 feet. This antenna should be very subject to feed system errors, surroundings, and local noise sources. The reason this happens is this antenna fights the earth reflection and itself with the small remainder the useful signal. 1.) The horizontal sections do not respond well because earth is cancelling the primary response. There is very little horizontal component of electric field, because earth shorts the horizontal component. The dominant allowed horizontal response is straight up to the sky. 2.) The out of phase element coupling and close spacing cancels radiation at all angles, but has the least cancellation along the horizon. This forces a null in the highest response direction, straight up. 3.) What remains is an exceptionally low signal response between those two nulls, the null along earth caused by earth conductivity and the null straight up caused by out-of-phase elements. The result is that a model, where the earth is ideally perfectly homogeneous and the area is clear, shows an excellent local noise groundwave null. The antenna, however, is so insensitive that any small errors have a large effect on results. Many of these errors are beyond control of the builder, because they would involve soil characteristics and coupling to anything around the antenna. When an antenna has very low response, it does not want to respond to any signals, it becomes extremely sensitive to things that unbalance the system. Its function is also dependent on local dominant noise propagating from somewhat distant groundwave sources, because it nulls groundwave to get rid of noise. This is why there will always be a very mixed review of results, and why having it work at one place does not mean it will work some other place even when EXACTLY duplicated. 73 Tom ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ Remember the PreStew coming on October 20th. http://www.kkn.net/stew for more info.
Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop
Has anyone employed that K6STI receive antenna? It doesn't equal a Beverage, for sure, BUT - for a small footprint area it looks interesting. I'd think it wouldn't matter if one used 450 ohm ladder line or 300 ohm twinlead for the connection between the opposite ends but...not sure if that's a good assumption. I need an alternate receive antenna as my vertical is, simply, too noisy but space is at a premium here. I could put up a short BOG, maybe 200' long so think that K6STI loop might be a great idea. Thoughts? 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop
Well, there is no modeling associated with this effort, Tom - they just did it.built it, tuned it and used it! I've attached the article for perusal, if interestedJim R. From: w...@w8ji.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2012 13:59:11 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop Has anyone employed that K6STI receive antenna? It doesn't equal a Beverage, for sure, BUT - for a small footprint area it looks interesting. I think you will find that loop a good example of a system that models as a practical antenna with the infinite common mode isolation of current sources used in models, but is very difficult to make work properly with real-world feedline connection issues. This is why we should always include something representing feedlines in models. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop
Great - I appreciate you revisiting the articleI am going to try it in a week or so. Jim R. From: w...@w8ji.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2012 14:52:59 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop Well, there is no modeling associated with this effort, Tom - they just did it.built it, tuned it and used it! I've attached the article for perusal, if interestedJim R. I saw the original article. This one uses an isolated primary secondary coupling system. Try it and see if it works reliably in your installation. I think with a good layout and feedline routing you should be OK with this method. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop
And, in my case, Don, I simply need to put up an antenna that's: a) more efficient than my vertical and b) fits within the confines of my propertyhaving any noise cancelling or nulling is a plus but not as important as a and b (b being the huge limiter) To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; w...@w8ji.com; topband@contesting.com From: wd8...@aol.com Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2012 15:31:03 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: K6STI low noise receive loop there is no modeling associated with this effort. Jim, I took a look at the article today and also threw together a basic (simple) EZNEC model and my generated elevation pattern closely resembles the pattern that they published (fig 6) in QST back in 1995. On 160 meters the elevation pattern shows max gain at 44 deg and 43 deg on 80 meters. RDF is not spectacular, but depending on where the noise is coming from (as well as the signal of interest) it might do well. Looks like it does best when noise is arriving at a very low angle, or at a very high angle. After trying lots of things on a small lot, I personally am convinced that I need to go with phased flags or short phased verticals (like a Hi-Z system) in an attempt to maximize RDF along with a reasonably low angle of radiation (for DX). 73's Don (wd8dsb) ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: 9M2AX
With QRP power here and no BOG (do have a Dipole On the Ground, DOG, that I NEED to reconnect) I'd sure be challenged to hear or work that one, Dave, BUT...did put RW0CR in the log this A.M. so I'm sure a happy camper to hear SOME DX and the U.S. chasers out there! 72 to all, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: daraym...@iowatelecom.net To: topband@contesting.com Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:00:03 -0500 Subject: Topband: 9M2AX Ross, 9M2AX, has returned from his trip to KH6 and has been QRV back at home for several days. He was on topband this morning with a remarkably strong signal. As my SR neared here in Iowa he was peaking S7. Unfortunately, he was having trouble hearing so not too many made it into his log. However, he was being heard all across NA including many on the east coast. Ross's prop to NA is best near one of the equinoxes. For those still needing 9M2 you might want to be on the lookout for him. He is usually QRG on 1831.5, sometimes 1832. 73. . .Dave W0FLS ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: The use of digital modes on 160 metres
Tom: you said, A bit of bent wire can easily work 200+ countries on 160 on CW. Probably more so than on digital modes at the present time. I doubt that's gonna happen if you're using output power in the 10-40 watt range which I believe is what Terry was emphasizing. I found, at a JT65 web site, numerous cautionary notes regarding keeping the output power down so as to NOT interfere with other modes so my hat is off to that group for their awareness of that facet of this mode.The original post stated, But, on the flip side, how excited will the latter operator be when he finds he can work DX on a band which previously he had found impossible because he doesn't have room for that 4-square? You replied or doesn't have patience or CW skill. When a ham is constrained, in terms of land size, his/her Top Band antenna, in terms of efficiency and effectiveness is gonna suffer and DX QSOs are going to suffer - hell, expectations of LOTS of QSOs within the U.S. are goin g to fall off. Most importantly, one can pretty much bet that patience and CW skills won't be NEAR the driver(s) or influencers on an operator's success that little space and the resulting less than adequate antenna will! I am with you all on categorizing or differentiating certificates or awards based on the operating styles or techniques of the operator! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: w...@w8ji.com To: topband@contesting.com Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2012 08:33:28 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: The use of digital modes on 160 metres The simple fact is that digimodes, thanks especially to K1JT and his excellent software, are a game changer. DX is now workable on 6m via EME (I'm not suggesting topband via the moon, in case anyone was wondering!) but also via terrestrial paths when conditions are marginal - JT65 (and its HF variant) can integrate and pull out signals that are well below ambient noise levels. So can a good CW operator. I can see the same happening on 160. How would you feel if you have built and 4-square and got 200+ countries, only to find someone with a bit of bent wire doing the same thing? A bit of bent wire can easily work 200+ countries on 160 on CW. Probably more so than on digital modes at the present time. But, on the flip side, how excited will the latter operator be when he finds he can work DX on a band which previously he had found impossible because he doesn't have room for that 4-square? or doesn't have patience or CW skill. It's early days yet, but as the digimodes software improves further (and it's really down to the processing power of PCs at the end of the day) and other matters like bandplanning get resolved, these are the dilemmas we will increasingly be facing. Maybe we will need two versions of 160m DXCC - one of which specifically states SSB and CW only or somesuch! That's a good suggestion. It really should be one award for the case where a human operator copies the signal, a man and his radio, and another certificate where a machine actually copies the signal, a man reading the text decoded and printed on a machine. This fits with the trend to make rewards in life increasingly less dependent on human effort, patience, and skill, and those who prefer to do it with human involvement. There should be two clear classes. But that isn't the primary issue for me. The issue for me is technical, and surrounds how we plan growth when some groups simply go off on their own and ignore bandplans and the IARU. 73 Tom ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: The use of digital modes on 160 metres
I side with you, Mike, on the interloping attitude of SSB! I'm a CW afficianado as others are --- CC: w...@w8ji.com; topband@contesting.com From: armst...@aol.com Subject: Re: Topband: The use of digital modes on 160 metres Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2012 06:37:26 -0700 To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com Differentiating operating awards? If you are talking DXCC it has been differentiated for years. SSB award, CW award, DIGITAL/RTTY award and MIXED. I know this because I have them all hanging on my wall. Doing it again on 160 is going to be a hoot. If the 160 award isn't differentiated, then it should be because of all the modes to try to get DXCC, SSB (NOT CW) is going to be the hardest. So SSB should definitely be separate from any other 160 award. I say the above with tongue firmly in cheek. I have the SSB DXCC for single bands, as well as all bands together (not 160, though), and I detest the mode. I definitely prefer CW since that has been *my* mode for the 52 years I have been a ham, as well as needing to copy it while I was in the military (at high speeds). No doubt I love the mode. But I love the fact that there are multiple modes available with which to achieve DXCC, which keeps it fresh. Same with multiple bands. 160 being yet another challenge for ALL modes. Like I said before, and I really wasn't kidding, I don't think that space wasting modes, like SSB, should be allowed on bands that are 300 khz or less in total band spread. So why isn't there the cry over SSB's unbelievable space wasting on 160? The answer is simple, because some folks like it. It isn't relegated to band area that isn't available internationally, or any other hampering move. The real point is that these modes exist and they are already on every band they are allowed. The fact that the digi guys are taking, TOTAL, the space it takes for one SSB contact seems to make this whole discussion a bit silly.. Reminiscent of a tempest in a teapot. My opinion, but there it is. Mike AB7ZU Kuhi no ka lima, hele no ka maka On Sep 19, 2012, at 6:13, James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com wrote: Tom: you said, A bit of bent wire can easily work 200+ countries on 160 on CW. Probably more so than on digital modes at the present time. I doubt that's gonna happen if you're using output power in the 10-40 watt range which I believe is what Terry was emphasizing. I found, at a JT65 web site, numerous cautionary notes regarding keeping the output power down so as to NOT interfere with other modes so my hat is off to that group for their awareness of that facet of this mode.The original post stated, But, on the flip side, how excited will the latter operator be when he finds he can work DX on a band which previously he had found impossible because he doesn't have room for that 4-square? You replied or doesn't have patience or CW skill. When a ham is constrained, in terms of land size, his/her Top Band antenna, in terms of efficiency and effectiveness is gonna suffer and DX QSOs are going to suffer - hell, expectations of LOTS of QSOs within the U.S. are goin g to fall off. Most importantly, one can pretty much bet that patience and CW skills won't be NEAR the driver(s) or influencers on an operator's success that little space and the resulting less than adequate antenna will! I am with you all on categorizing or differentiating certificates or awards based on the operating styles or techniques of the operator! 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: w...@w8ji.com To: topband@contesting.com Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2012 08:33:28 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: The use of digital modes on 160 metres The simple fact is that digimodes, thanks especially to K1JT and his excellent software, are a game changer. DX is now workable on 6m via EME (I'm not suggesting topband via the moon, in case anyone was wondering!) but also via terrestrial paths when conditions are marginal - JT65 (and its HF variant) can integrate and pull out signals that are well below ambient noise levels. So can a good CW operator. I can see the same happening on 160. How would you feel if you have built and 4-square and got 200+ countries, only to find someone with a bit of bent wire doing the same thing? A bit of bent wire can easily work 200+ countries on 160 on CW. Probably more so than on digital modes at the present time. But, on the flip side, how excited will the latter operator be when he finds he can work DX on a band which previously he had found impossible because he doesn't have room for that 4-square? or doesn't have patience or CW skill. It's early days yet, but as the digimodes software improves further (and it's really down to the processing power of PCs at the end of the day) and other matters like bandplanning get resolved, these are the dilemmas we
Re: Topband: URL for the Stew Perry in October and December?
Will do, Steve! Jim R. K9JWV Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 22:45:59 -0400 From: sjr...@gmail.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: URL for the Stew Perry in October and December? I have looked on the site for a few weeks looking for final results, with no site found. Keep us posted if you find it working or @ anew URL -Steve Raas N2JDQ On Fri, Aug 31, 2012 at 10:30 PM, James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.comwrote: WA7BNM's contest calendar shows a Stew Perry Top Band challenge contest in October but the listed url doesn't work - any ideas on a good url for the Stew web page? 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: CW Ops yearly event tomorrow
Yes, Zulu time Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:42:14 +0100 To: topband@contesting.com From: g3nrw-ra...@ntlworld.com Subject: Re: Topband: CW Ops yearly event tomorrow ___Original Message_ From: James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 Time: 06:34:42 1200-1559 and 2000-2359 tomorrow, 1 Sept and 0400-0800 on 2 Sept. UTC -- 73 Ian, G3NRW ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: URL for the Stew Perry in October and December?
WA7BNM's contest calendar shows a Stew Perry Top Band challenge contest in October but the listed url doesn't work - any ideas on a good url for the Stew web page? 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Receiving loops
Tim: I laid down a Dipole On Ground (DOG antenna) - it ended up at just right at 150' (two 75' sections) as indicated by an MFJ-259 analyzer I used that says it's spot on at 1.2:1! Compared to my 43' vertical, noise levels are down at least 2 S units - something to consider, when space is limited. 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: tsho...@wmata.com To: topband@contesting.com Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 13:28:38 + Subject: Topband: Receiving loops I want to try a new receiving antenna for the summer Stew Perry. Last winter was my first foray onto 160M and I really felt like an alligator. I could work everyone I could hear, with just 100W. I think that means I need a better receive antenna. If you look at my score in the winter Stew Perry I think I did great QSO-number wise, but my average distance was very poor, I'm guessing typical alligator. I have tried pennants and K9AY's over the winter with little success. Compared to my transmitting antenna (A T with a poor radial system) most signals were still better, S/N wise, on my transmitting antenna. I feel like I must've been doing something wrong. Still the fact that a few signals came in on the loop with by ear much better S/N, maybe I was on the right track and just didn't try hard enough. I will be trying a small tuned magnetic loop tonight (e.g. the last one at http://www.w8ji.com/magnetic_receiving_loops.htm with the 9:1 transformer) . And maybe a terminated beverage but I'm limited to about 150'... well maybe I could run something longer down the driveway as long as I clean it up before the sun comes up and the neighbors see. I was fairly impressed with small tuned magnetic loops when I was doing some BCB DX'ing several years ago. I wasn't comparing with beverages or anything. Tim N3QE ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: Info on a parts kit for a KD9SV 160 meter preamp
Anyone know of a source for the parts to build a KD9SV 160 meter preamp? I picked up the board and info from FAR Circuits at the Dayton hamvention and just curious if someone is selling the parts in a kit form. I can order them individually but...just wanted to save time. Thanks, in advance, for any information you can proffer - a reply off line works fine for me. 72, Jim Rodenkirch, K9JWV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Fwd: radals fer 160m vertcal
Thank you, Richard, fore passing the paper onlooks like I won't suffer by having elevated radials in the least. Jim R. K9JWV From: r...@adams.net To: topband@contesting.com Date: Sat, 5 May 2012 07:07:11 -0500 Subject: Re: Topband: Fwd: radals fer 160m vertcal James Rodenkirch wrote: What about radials above the ground? This link http://www.commtechrf.com/documents/nab1995.pdf leads to a paper by Clarence Beverage with some real-world results for monopoles with elevated wires used as a counterpoise. Here is a quote from it: \ \The antenna system consisted of a lightweight, 15 inch face tower, 120 feet in height, with a base insulator at the 15 foot elevation and six elevated radials, a quarter wave in length, spaced evenly around the tower and elevated 15 feet above the ground. The radials were fully insulated from ground and supported at the ends by wooden tripods. Power was fed to the system through a 200 foot length of coaxial cable with the cable shield connected to the shunt element of the T network and to the elevated radials. A balun or RF choke on the feedline was not employed and the feedline was isolated from the lower section of the tower. The system operated on 1580 kHz at a power of 750 watts. The efficiency of the antenna was determined by radial field intensity measurements along 12 radials extending out to a distance of up to 85 kilometers. The measured RMS efficiency was 287 mV/m for 1 kW, at one kilometer, which is the same measured value as would be expected for a 0.17 wave tower above 120 buried radials. / / So while such elevated installations are rare for AM broadcast stations, their performance has been measured to be about the same as when using an r-f ground consisting of 120 buried wires, each 1/4-wave long (free space length). These elevated systems are readily modeled using NEC-2. However the radiation patterns shown by a typical NEC far-field analysis do not accurately show the fields actually launched by them, or by any vertical radiator with its base near the earth, because they do not include the surface wave. The fields radiated in and near the horizontal plane by any vertical monopole of 5/8 wavelength height and less are the greatest fields it radiates in the entire elevation plane, regardless of earth conductivity. Those fields from very low elevation angles (say, less then 5 degrees) can reach the ionosphere, and under the right conditions return to the earth as a useful skywave. The link below illustrates this concept. http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h85/rfry-100/Space_Surface_Wave_Compare.gif ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: Still NEED a RI QSO and QSL for QRP WAS on 80 meters!
OK - I've completed the VT QSO (thanks to K2LI) and have a sked with a MA fella this coming Sunday morning at 0945Z.but, no joy on a RI QSO. Anybody from the great Ocean State in the mood to unplug his/her 160 meter loading coil and get on 80 meters for a quick QSO with me. If I can find someone or more to help out by Sunday morning I'll be DONE with this 2012 goal! You do not have to be operating at QRP levels...just me. Appreciate, in advance, any assistance you RI'ers can proffer. 72, Jim Rodenkirch, K9JWV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: Need some help finishing QRP WAS on 80 meters
To all that worked me and QSL'd so I could complete QRP WAS on Top Band, your assistance is much appreciated. I need three states on 80 meters to complete QRP WAS on 80 - RI, MA and VT. You don't have to operate @ QRP levels, just me. I have a 43' vertical with three 25' top loading wires and lots of radials so I can get the signal out to the east coast...just need some hams in those three states to help. Anyone in the mood some early morning this week to jump on 80 meters to take a listen for and, if heard, work me? I can get up early in the morning my time to try a sked with you prior to your sunrise...just let me know what time would work for you. Thanks, in advance, for any assistance you hams out in those three states can provide. 72, Jim Rodenkirch, K9JWV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: E51M 160 and 6M
Well, I didn't hear them on 160 this A.M. out here in s/w Utah but I did hear and work 'em QRP on 80 meters this morning sosomething good to report from the black hole of low band communications, s/w Utah. 72, Jim R. K9JWV Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2012 21:32:13 -0700 From: wa9...@yahoo.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: E51M 160 and 6M I just received this message. Hope this helps. Jim, I just spoke to the team leader. He says that in the past few days conditions have fallen off. 80 and 30 in particular have been bothered with heavy static. The Amps are being used. The 6 meter beacon is running 24/ 7 on 50.104 CW and it can be heard in the radio shack if any one breaks in. They have been staying on 160 until the band is covered with static. 73, Leon, (K2EWB) Stay on course, fight a good fight, and keep the faith. Jim K9TF/WA9YSD ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: Wellbrook receive loop performance
Somebody mentioned getting on Top Band to see how his new Wellbrook loop was working - wonder if that person is lurking about and can comment on how it performed. That antenna sure seems to be getting rave review from many EU stations - 72, Jim R. K9JWV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: QRP Politically Correctness Concern
Yes, in retrospect, I'll assume that was a tongue in cheek 'view' of 72...,Hah, the laugh is on me! 71.5, Jim R. K9JWV Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 06:09:38 -0700 From: j_fit...@yahoo.com To: w0...@nc.rr.com; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: QRP Politically Correctness Concern Jack, I am a diehard QRPer and an originator of the New England QRP club plus other stints in QRP officialdom and I really enjoyed your email especially the very clever 72, 73, and 74. I try to lurk on the lists as a beginner on 160m but cannot help jumping in and posting sometimes. Keep up the humor and know you are understood and appreciated by the mostly silent, majority. 72 means Happy QRPing and was started by the ancient (and honorable) G-QRP club, one of the oldest QRP organizations around. 72/73 jim / W1FMR --- On Sun, 3/18/12, W0UCE w0...@nc.rr.com wrote: From: W0UCE w0...@nc.rr.com Subject: Re: Topband: QRP Politically Correctness Concern To: 'James Rodenkirch' rodenkirch_...@msn.com, j...@audiosystemsgroup.com, topband@contesting.com Date: Sunday, March 18, 2012, 7:20 PM To All: If I offended anyone with what was simply having fun, as a muse about 72, 73 and 74 I apologize. My post was not in any way intended to be negative toward anyone that cares to operate QRP or any other power level or if they have the desire or feel the need to let everyone know their power level by adding /QRP, /QLP, /QRO or sending 72, 73, 74, 88 or even 73s. Freedom of speech still prevails so if / Something or 72 is important just have at it. 73, Jack -Original Message- From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2012 6:03 PM To: w0...@nc.rr.com; j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: QRP Politically Correctness Concern Dangcan we GET away from an over-indulgence/concern over what's said or typed? 72 is a form of radio shorthand that roughly translates as meaning Best wishes QRP! Been that way for a loong time, I do believe! Sheesh! Does all of this PC ever END From: w0...@nc.rr.com To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com; j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; topband@contesting.com Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:56:29 -0400 Subject: Topband: QRP Politically Correctness Concern I notice people using 72 on the reflector which I assume to be a substitution for 73. By chance does 72 indicate not so best wishes? In observance of proper etiquette on Gentleman's Band and also be Properly Politically Correct in today's troubled times perhaps the numbers and meanings listed below should be considered appropriate: QRP - 72 Low Power - 73 QRO: 74 73 sometimes 74, Jack Great discussion on power and low power and QRP power and the affects Top Band have on 'em all - appreciate the various views and discussions. 72 to all, Jim R. K9JWV Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 14:14:26 -0700 From: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: July Stew Perry Please On 3/18/2012 2:01 PM, James Rodenkirch wrote: Sounds like you and others might not be so keen on burying your ears in noise just to work a QRP puke like me, 'eh? I'm not keen on listening for hours and hours with no activity. I have recently taken up a new challenge -- working JT65A on 160M. There's JT65 activity almost every night at a dial frequency of 1838 kHz, which puts signals between about 1838.5 and 1840.5. The bandwidth of a signal is about 200 Hz, and stations spread out in that 2kHz bandwidth. It's not uncommon for me to decode five or six signals in that bandwidth when the band is hopping. The last couple of nights ZR1ADI has been on, and I heard a W1 work him. I heard him one of those nights and called him several times. JT65 is pretty easy to use with W6CQZ's JT65-HF software. The interface is just like RTTY AFSK or PSK, and W6CQZ maintains a reverse beacon server that you can set his software to send spots for everything you hear. If I call CQ around 0500Z or later I'll usually see between three and six spots of my signal from the east coast on every transmission. 73, Jim K9YC CM87 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST
Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation
THAT's my point, Dave! Don't need to have looong winded QSOs but just calling CQ and meeting up with others to find out what antenna system they employ? That would make my day! Hope to hear you and work you - will be on later this week in the evenings and mornings, albeit QRP ...Jim R. K9JWV Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:18:38 -0600 From: telegraph...@gmail.com To: donov...@starpower.net CC: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation To me top band seems to be all about DXing. I can find plenty of if folks calling CQ DX but I don't hear many folks calling just plain CQ. Dave WX7G On Mar 19, 2012 9:47 AM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: We really don't need beacons on 160, the reverse beacon network provides good coverage. We just need stations on the air to be detected. http://www.reversebeacon.net The W3AO Field Day will have three transmitters on 160 meters this year, one each on CW, SSB and RTTY. 73 Frank W3LPL Original message Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:22:09 -0700 (PDT) From: N7DF n...@yahoo.com Subject: Topband: It is not so much propagation To: 160 reflector topband@contesting.com During the summer the storm static is the main obstacle to top band operation here 40 over nine crashes every 30 seconds kind of drown out everything, QRP or QRO In fact the fish beacons still come through around sunrise indicating that propagation paths are open but SWLing them is not that big a thrill Maybe we could get some low power 160 meter beacons operating through the summer to see what is really happening It would be interesting to get more Field Day stations on 160. Maybe our crowd can get 160 included in local club plans a 30 foot high mast with top loading is not to hard to put together and can get out pretty well with two or three readials it might even get some new people interested in top band ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation
Ah, we're back to that old saw --- don't muck with 'dem DX chasers!!!
OK, I've learned my lesson ZIPmouth is shut, figuratively speakkng!
Sheesh!
From: z...@jeremy.mv.com
To: rodenkirch_...@msn.com
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:05:22 -0400
CC: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation
Thats what SSB up the band is for.
Why cover up the very narrow DX window with chatter just because YOU cant
hear it?
Carl
KM1H
- Original Message -
From: James Rodenkirch rodenkirch_...@msn.com
To: telegraph...@gmail.com
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation
THAT's my point, Dave! Don't need to have looong winded QSOs but just
calling CQ and meeting up with others to find out what antenna system they
employ? That would make my day!
Hope to hear you and work you - will be on later this week in the evenings
and mornings, albeit QRP ...Jim R. K9JWV
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:18:38 -0600
From: telegraph...@gmail.com
To: donov...@starpower.net
CC: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation
To me top band seems to be all about DXing. I can find plenty of if folks
calling CQ DX but I don't hear many folks calling just plain CQ.
Dave WX7G
On Mar 19, 2012 9:47 AM, donov...@starpower.net wrote:
We really don't need beacons on 160, the reverse beacon network
provides
good coverage. We just need stations on the air to be detected.
http://www.reversebeacon.net
The W3AO Field Day will have three transmitters on 160 meters this
year,
one each on CW, SSB and RTTY.
73
Frank
W3LPL
Original message
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:22:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: N7DF n...@yahoo.com
Subject: Topband: It is not so much propagation
To: 160 reflector topband@contesting.com
During the summer the storm static is the main obstacle to top band
operation here 40 over nine crashes every 30 seconds kind of drown out
everything, QRP or QRO
In fact the fish beacons still come through around sunrise indicating
that propagation paths are open but SWLing them is not that big a
thrill
Maybe we could get some low power 160 meter beacons operating through
the
summer to see what is really happening
It would be interesting to get more Field Day stations on 160. Maybe
our
crowd can get 160 included in local club plans
a 30 foot high mast with top loading is not to hard to put together
and
can get out pretty well with two or three readials
it might even get some new people interested in top band
___
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
-
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2113/4880 - Release Date: 03/19/12
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation
Oh, I got that one, right away, Jim! Smiling... Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:55:11 -0700 From: j_fit...@yahoo.com To: n...@zia-connection.com CC: Topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation QRPers generally do not need Beverages as much as other stations do. Think about that one for awhile. jim / W1FMR --- On Mon, 3/19/12, Milt -- N5IA n...@zia-connection.com wrote: From: Milt -- N5IA n...@zia-connection.com Subject: Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation To: Cc: Topband@contesting.com Date: Monday, March 19, 2012, 2:23 PM Beverages do NOT make lightning caused static crashes go away. They can significantly reduce the received level of the crashes from the directions different from the listening direction. However, in the listening direction Beverages will actually clear up the crashes being heard from that direction. In other words, those crashes will become the predominant ones you hear with the exception of those caused by local storms. The crashes from the listening direction will not be as strong as they will be when listening on the TX antenna. The points I am trying to make are: 1. Beverages work VERY well. 2. Beverages will NOT eliminate all static crashes. 3. There is no silver bullet, but Beverages are about as close to the perfect solution as you can get. 4. There is NO substitute for acreage. I sincerely wish everyone had the capability of installing Beverages. But that wish is no different than my wish that we all had our TX antennas at the edge of a salty ocean beach. So, we live with what we have. Mis dos centavos, de Milt, N5IA --- From: Guy Olinger K2AV Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 8:19 AM Only if they have space for them. --- On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 10:59 AM, K4OWR k2...@comcast.net wrote: When I switch to my beverage antenna the noise pretty much goes to almost nothing. Don't most serious operators have oneor more??? BILL K4OWR -- On 3/19/2012 10:22 AM, N7DF wrote: During the summer the storm static is the main obstacle to top band operation here 40 over nine crashes every 30 seconds kind of drown out everything, QRP or QRO ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation
I don't think that's what Jim F. is/was alluding to From: robert.chor...@berliner.com To: z...@jeremy.mv.com Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:44:13 -0700 CC: j_fit...@yahoo.com; Topband@contesting.com; n...@zia-connection.com Subject: Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation I think the idea is that a qrp station might not be heard by a station so weak the qrp station needs a beverage to hear him. Of course, one could describe circumstances where that would be true and others where it would not be true. I thought it was clever 73 Bob/AA6VB Sent from my iPhone On Mar 19, 2012, at 3:38 PM, ZR z...@jeremy.mv.com wrote: That makes absolutely no sense when at the edge of reception. Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: Jim F. j_fit...@yahoo.com To: Milt -- N5IA n...@zia-connection.com Cc: Topband@contesting.com Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 4:55 PM Subject: Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation QRPers generally do not need Beverages as much as other stations do. Think about that one for awhile. jim / W1FMR --- On Mon, 3/19/12, Milt -- N5IA n...@zia-connection.com wrote: From: Milt -- N5IA n...@zia-connection.com Subject: Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation To: Cc: Topband@contesting.com Date: Monday, March 19, 2012, 2:23 PM Beverages do NOT make lightning caused static crashes go away. They can significantly reduce the received level of the crashes from the directions different from the listening direction. However, in the listening direction Beverages will actually clear up the crashes being heard from that direction. In other words, those crashes will become the predominant ones you hear with the exception of those caused by local storms. The crashes from the listening direction will not be as strong as they will be when listening on the TX antenna. The points I am trying to make are: 1. Beverages work VERY well. 2. Beverages will NOT eliminate all static crashes. 3. There is no silver bullet, but Beverages are about as close to the perfect solution as you can get. 4. There is NO substitute for acreage. I sincerely wish everyone had the capability of installing Beverages. But that wish is no different than my wish that we all had our TX antennas at the edge of a salty ocean beach. So, we live with what we have. Mis dos centavos, de Milt, N5IA --- From: Guy Olinger K2AV Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 8:19 AM Only if they have space for them. --- On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 10:59 AM, K4OWR k2...@comcast.net wrote: When I switch to my beverage antenna the noise pretty much goes to almost nothing. Don't most serious operators have oneor more??? BILL K4OWR -- On 3/19/2012 10:22 AM, N7DF wrote: During the summer the storm static is the main obstacle to top band operation here 40 over nine crashes every 30 seconds kind of drown out everything, QRP or QRO ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2113/4880 - Release Date: 03/19/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: July Stew Perry Please!!!!
You can count me in as a QRP entry, Sam - yep, LUV the Stew...we QRPers are worth more 'bout that time than others. Hi Hi Jim R. K9JWV Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:28:17 -0500 From: k5oai@gmail.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: July Stew Perry Please I know I tried very hard to participate last year, mother nature had it in for us here in WTX DM91sk if you check that list there were only two '5's listed one was in MS the other in KY but I'll for sure give it another try this year any Stew Perry test, any time, QRPers will be there if thunderstorms permit that is P.S. if you are a QRPer you know the Stew Perry is the ONLY contest 160m or anywhere, that we are treated with any respect by the rest of hamdom. You have it we will come! Nuff said -- GB 73 K5OAI Sam Morgan On 3/18/2012 12:01 PM, Tree wrote: Think of the June Stew as an activity night. No weekend is going to be without conflicts - but maybe the die hard 160 types will show up and hand out some QSOs. Here are the results from last year: http://web.jzap.com/k7rat/SummerStew2011.txt The top QSO total was 94 QSOs. Not a lot - but more than you would have worked on most other evenings.:-) This was the first running of the event - so hopefully, there will be a bit more activity the second time. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: July Stew Perry Please!!!!
Oh yeah...not that comment SURE must lead one to believe that dd is 'trollin'! Hah - what an absurd thought - disallow QRP operations in an event where a QRP station garners more points/weight than even the heaviest/most high powered station? Oh yeah - we want some of that, not! Hi Hi Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:06:54 -0600 From: telegraph...@gmail.com To: k5oai@gmail.com CC: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: July Stew Perry Please Perhaps during the summer months we should forgo QRP. Dave WX7G On Mar 18, 2012 11:29 AM, Sam Morgan k5oai@gmail.com wrote: I know I tried very hard to participate last year, mother nature had it in for us here in WTX DM91sk if you check that list there were only two '5's listed one was in MS the other in KY but I'll for sure give it another try this year any Stew Perry test, any time, QRPers will be there if thunderstorms permit that is P.S. if you are a QRPer you know the Stew Perry is the ONLY contest 160m or anywhere, that we are treated with any respect by the rest of hamdom. You have it we will come! Nuff said -- GB 73 K5OAI Sam Morgan On 3/18/2012 12:01 PM, Tree wrote: Think of the June Stew as an activity night. No weekend is going to be without conflicts - but maybe the die hard 160 types will show up and hand out some QSOs. Here are the results from last year: http://web.jzap.com/k7rat/SummerStew2011.txt The top QSO total was 94 QSOs. Not a lot - but more than you would have worked on most other evenings.:-) This was the first running of the event - so hopefully, there will be a bit more activity the second time. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: TB season
REAL QRP, Cecil - I just completed QRP WAS on Top Band! Love the excitement of workin' someone on 160 with QRP power! Jim R. K9JWV From: chac...@cableone.net To: j_fit...@yahoo.com; telegraph...@gmail.com; j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; aa...@atlanticbb.net Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:20:21 -0500 CC: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: TB season Is that QRP QRO (100 watts +-) or real QRP...as in 5 watts or less...:-) Cecil K5DL - Original Message - From: Jim F. j_fit...@yahoo.com To: DAVID CUTHBERT telegraph...@gmail.com; j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; GeorgeWallner aa...@atlanticbb.net Cc: topband@contesting.com Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 4:00 PM Subject: Re: Topband: TB season And QRPers will be carried around on peoples shoulders instead of being shunned and scorned :-)) Long live the Stew !!! We will all be in it. jim / W1FMR --- On Fri, 3/16/12, GeorgeWallner aa...@atlanticbb.net wrote: From: GeorgeWallner aa...@atlanticbb.net Subject: Re: Topband: TB season To: DAVID CUTHBERT telegraph...@gmail.com, j...@audiosystemsgroup.com Cc: topband@contesting.com Date: Friday, March 16, 2012, 4:07 PM On Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:09:21 -0600 DAVID CUTHBERT telegraph...@gmail.com wrote: I think we need a July contest. Yes! A July Stew Perry. Unlike the other DX oriented contests, the SP'S scoring is finely grained, so the scarecity of DX will not result in too much of an advantage to the few summer-DX-capable east/west-coasters. 73, George, AA7JV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: July Stew Perry Please!!!!
I understand your use of dissallow Jim --- this will be my first summer of operating Top Band, albeit at QRP levels ...I can crank it up to 20 watts max...after being shamed into operating after making a comment a couple of days ago about taking my top loading wires down for the summer and focusing on 40 and higher...much to my chagrin, heard from lots of reflector posts that we shouldn't do that..hang in there and all of that. Sounds like you and others might not be so keen on burying your ears in noise just to work a QRP puke like me, 'eh??!?!!?!? Jim R. K9JWV Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 13:14:21 -0700 From: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: July Stew Perry Please On 3/18/2012 12:06 PM, James Rodenkirch wrote: disallow QRP operations The point was not to disallow QRP, but to observe that when noise levels are high a QRP signal is not likely to be heard. Three important facts of life that every QRPer must firmly understand are that 1) when you're running QRP the other station's receiving system is doing 99% of the work, and 2) your success is limited by the other station's noise level, and 3) 5W gives away 13dB ( two S-units) of noise as compared to 100W and 25dB (four S-units) as compared to 1.5kW. When you give that much away, you're only going to work guys in quiet locations with Beverages. During a recent 160M contest a QRP VY2 called me when I was running. He has a big antenna farm and I've got a good Beverage pointed at him, and he was just barely readable. Another important consideration with QRP is that propagation between any two points often varies by 30-40dB over the course of an evening. When you're running QRO you can make Qs when propagation is well below peak, while with QRP you've got to make your Q when conditions are just right, and the other guy may have gone to bed by then. :) When I lived in Chicago I ran WAE CW QRP. I couldn't work anyone when they were S5 -- I had to wait until they were S9 or better. I've run some contests QRP, including some 160M events, but I'm not enough of a glutton for punishment to do QRP on 160M during my summer. :) 73, Jim K9YC ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
