Re: Topband: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters

[Mike Cizek W0VTT]

Hello Jean-Paul,

 

>From the current DXCC Rules:

 

9.  Station Location and Boundary:

 
a) All stations used to make contacts for a specific DXCC award must be
located within the same DXCC entity.
b) All transmitters and receivers comprising a station used for a specific
contact must be located within a 500-meter diameter circle.
c) QSOs made with legally licensed, remotely controlled stations are allowed
to be used for DXCC credit.

 

This means it is legal to use a remote station to work DX, but it is NOT
legal to transmit from home and use a remote receive site.  I know we all
have our own opinions on this, but this is what the rules say.

 

Card checkers really have no way of knowing what the applicant was doing,
but we are told to note the time of the QSO on the application for all 160m
QSOs.  If a W0 or W9 presents me with a card for a 160m QSO with JA at
1400z, which is long after our sunrise, I will certainly make note of it on
the application.

 

-- 

73,

Mike Cizek WØVTT

 

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jean-Paul
Albert via Topband
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2018 07:16
To: n...@n4is.com
Cc: Greg; topband; w...@w5zn.org
Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters

 

Hi guys,

 

What about remote stations (to transmit, to receive or both) for any awards
?

 

Is any recommandations for checkers ?

 

Best 73

 

Jean-Paul F6FYA / TM4Q

 

Envoyé de mon iPad

 

> Le 20 nov. 2018 à 18:55,   a écrit :

> 

> Hi Guys

> 

> Here what I think is the problem. DXCC records and link accounts. This is
a

> problem with CQ WAZ as well. Here some examples, Back in late 80's a PY1

> send 40 cards to claim CQ WAZ 40 zones on 160m, just after HB9AMO  Plaque
#

> 1  -  13 June 1987 . K1MEM sent a letter to PY1RO to check the cards, and

> several cards was just impossible QSO's, like China during daytime and the

> Chinese station never worked on 160m.  The certificate was canceled,
however

> 10 to 20 years later the same guy apply again and get his WAZ original

> certificate number validate using old credits. The certificate was
canceled

> but the filed credits not.

> 

> Same thing on DXCC, after 10 years you can apply again, using link
accounts,

> and using old credits on file. I've seen this with others PY, LZ and why
not

> this OK. This is fixable.

> 

> I understand the ARRL wants to be very discreate when someone is caught

> doing creative things, no moral or ethical help on publicity. 

> 

> So I believe it is just an internal broken process that allow linked

> accounts and old records to be used again without verification.

> 

> The issue I see on LOTW is a lack of card check at the same level we have

> with paper QSL cards.

> 

> Here some examples. PY3CEJ posted on his website a QSL card with a SSB QSO

> 11:30 am local noon time, and with only 100w.  I call PY3CEJ and
challenged

> him about this impossible QSO, few days latter the 4W guy uploaded on Club

> Log this fantastic QSO. If you look on the statistics there is only one

> single QSO on 160, 2 QSO's on 80m and 100's of QSO on 40m SSB, most with

> JA's. I cannot say that this QSO was uploaded to LOTW, but there is
nothing

> to prevent it.

> 

> In the last six years we've seen a large number of QSO during day time on

> 160m from several " groups club" , like the ongoing strong between PY, LZ

> and YB. QSO's on 160m on broad day sun light. Ongoing means last week with

> new impossible QSO's on Club Log and credits on the DXCC list latter for

> sure.

> 

> The explanation from ARRL was that there is no way to stop "them". I don't

> agree with it, a simple code on LOTW DXCC validation can flag those
daytime

> 160m QSO's for late "card check".

> 

> The real thing here is the most dangerous behavior for our hobby.

> 

> if you don't care I don' t mind, and I don't mind if you don't care.

> 

> Please!  we do care,   and we do mint!   Do something too!...

> 

> 73's

> JC

> N4IS

> 

> 

> 

> _

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

 

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Re: Topband: : Re: 1 center point to ground all 8 beverages??

[Mike Cizek W0VTT]

If using this method for a pair of two- wire beverages, all FOUR ground
wires would need to be switched individually, not 2 and 2?  Will simple SPST
relays work or do they need to be RF rated?   Thank you.

-- 
73,
Mike Cizek WØVTT

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
K1FZ-Bruce
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 08:09
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: : Re: 1 center point to ground all 8 beverages??


- Forwarded message from K1FZ-Bruce  -

Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2016 09:04:06 -0400
From: K1FZ-Bruce 
Reply-To: k...@myfairpoint.net
Subject: Topband: Fwd: Re: 1 center point to ground all 8 beverages??
To: Topband 

I agree. We have been thinking of switching  at the coax cable location. 
Will need to correct my Beverage notes page. 
 
The W4ZV and W3LPL method will work. 
 
73
Bruce-K1FZ
 
www.qsl.net/k1fzbeverage_antenna.html

http://www,qsl.net/k1fz/beverage_antenna.html
 
 
- Forwarded message from Bill Tippett -

Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2016 05:19:48 -0400
From: Bill Tippett 
Reply-To: Bill Tippett 
Subject: Re: Topband: 1 center point to ground all 8 beverages??
To: topband 

W3LPL:

>Another solution is to use
relays to connect only the selected Beverage to the ground rod
and disconnect the other seven. 

I've done this for 31 years from 3 different locations with no problems. 
>From a 2011 post on this subject:


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Re: Topband: Summer in the Northern Hemisphere - LIghtning Maps

[Mike Cizek W0VTT]

This one is good, too:
http://www.blitzortung.org/en/page_0/index.php

(It's better than the others because it has a map of MinneSOHta!)

-- 
73,
Mike Cizek WØVTT

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike
Waters
Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 13:32
To: Don Kirk
Cc: g...@ka1j.com; topband
Subject: Re: Topband: Summer in the Northern Hemisphere

Don, I used to use that site; but there are others that I think are a
little better:

http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime
http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Severe/Lightning.aspx
http://wwlln.net/TOGA_network_global_maps.htm

The last one is the best site (IMO) for DXing. That is, whether we see
lightning or not near --for example-- Japan or Australia, is a big help
deciding if we want to try working those areas or not.

On another note, W8JI recently mentioned that he does not use narrow CW
filters when trying to copy weak DX through strong lightning QRN. That was
a real eye-opener for me! I'm not sure whether I can do that, but I plan to
try sometime.

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com


On Tue, Feb 9, 2016 at 1:21 PM, Don Kirk  wrote:

> Hi Gary,
>
> As far as I can tell, it's all lightning related (regardless time of
> year).  I suggest you look at one of the world wide real time lightning
> maps on the Internet (if you don't already) and that might help answer
your
> question.  When I hear static crashes I know there must be a thunder storm
> somewhere in or near the US (I often hear static crashes from as far away
> as 1500 miles or more).  Everyday evening I look at the real time
lightning
> map of the US (http://thunderstorm.vaisala.com/explorer.html) to see how
> bad the QRN will be on 160 meters and from what direction (regardless of
> Summer or Winter).
>
> Just my take on the situation.
>
> Don (wd8dsb)
>
> On Tue, Feb 9, 2016 at 1:31 PM, Gary Smith  wrote:
>
> > Something that has always puzzled me is summer operation on 160 in
> > the northern hemisphere.
> >
> > Here in Connecticut 160 in the summer is so full of crashes that
> > picking out any DX is next to impossible. But, during the winter the
> > crashes are sometimes totally absent and the band is almost dead
> > silent except for ham operation. However, summer here is winter in
> > the southern hemisphere. I'll just use Argentina as the southern
> > example.
> >
> > Quoting from Wikipedia on Argentina:
> > "Argentina has four seasons: winter (June-August), spring
> > (September-November), summer (December-February) and autumn
> > (March-May), all featuring different weather conditions. The hottest
> > and coldest temperature extremes recorded in South America have
> > occurred in Argentina."
> >
> > So what is amazing to me is how difficult it is for me to hear
> > southern hemisphere DX in Connecticut, in July, yet they are hearing
> > our winter 160 contest signals, wonderfully in the middle of what is
> > their summer. The two recent VP8 DXpedetions were in their local
> > summer yet they were knocking NA & EU off one after another on top
> > band.
> >
> > My HI-Z Rx is so very helpful on 160 (& other bands as well) but it
> > sure doesn't let me hear SA DX in July. I'd like to have a clear
> > picture of how it is that Southern Hemisphere 160M DX can hear so
> > well in their summer when I'm deaf as a doorknob in mine.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Gary
> > KA1J
> >
> > _
> > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> >
> _
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Topband: Field Checking strange cards

[Mike Cizek W0VTT]

Lou, Larry, and the gang,

Newington's instructions to Field Checkers state that our job is to 
verify that the information on the QSL cards is the same as is claimed 
on the application.  If we note anything "unusual", like a 160m QSO 
taking place in broad daylight, we note it on the application.  It is 
NOT our job to decide if the QSO is "good" or not.  This also applies to 
unauthorized operations like P5RS7, and the like.


If I saw a claimed 160m QSO with S2 at 4pm local time, I would flag it 
on the application.  Then, I would go home, look up sunrise and sunset 
times for that date in both CT and the guy's town in S2, write it all 
up, and email it to the DXCC desk.  I have done exactly this before, and 
I know some of my colleagues have, as well.


--
73,
Mike Cizek WØVTT



On 15-Jan-16 01:01, Louis Parascondola wrote:
Tom please comment on the 4pm QSL card from ct. Claiming S2 at 4pm 
local time.


Sent from AOL Mobile Mail


-Original Message-
From: Tom W8JI <w...@w8ji.com>
To: topband <topband@contesting.com>; Mike Cizek W0VTT <mgci...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 14, 2016 09:42 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Strange propagation


I am a 160 card checker, and I damn well DO check the times! I'm sorry
to report that I have found cases where "impossible" QSOs were claimed,
and reported them to the mother ship in Newington. I would sincerely
hope that my colleagues would do the same.>>>

But isn't it legal to operate anywhere in the lower continental USA to 
make

a DXCC contact in the lower continental USA?

As far as I know, they made that legal many years ago, and the contact
simply has to be made from the USA lower 48 no matter where.

Where were all the complainers when they did that? As far as I'm 
concerned,
that was the end of DXCC meaning very much. I wrote and complained. 
Now it

is what it is.

73 Tom

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Re: Topband: Strange propagation

[Mike Cizek W0VTT]

Larry, et al,

I am a 160 card checker, and I damn well DO check the times!  I'm sorry 
to report that I have found cases where "impossible" QSOs were claimed, 
and reported them to the mother ship in Newington.  I would sincerely 
hope that my colleagues would do the same.


--
73,
Mike Cizek WØVTT



On 14-Jan-16 19:35, Larry Burke wrote:

I was specifically told by one checker that he doesn't even check the time
of a Topband QSO. Go figure.


Larry K5RK

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Kris Mraz
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2016 7:19 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Strange propagation

Which brings to mind another issue: 160m card checkers will disallow a card
if the DX QSO occurred in the middle of the day since the path would be
impossible.
Can't make that assumption, anymore.

Kris N5KM


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Re: Topband: Stew Beef - RST

[Mike Cizek W0VTT]

During slow times, like noon on 160m, you can always ask for a "real 
RST" and will likely receive one.  DXpedition ops will often do this to 
check band conditions.


Some of my favorite 160 QSOs were at lunch time when I was in college in 
IL.  I would work W9QS ("W9 Quer Signal, the voice of the sand 
dunes.") in northern IN on 1817 kc AM.


--
73,
Mike Cizek WØVTT




On 06-Jan-16 11:35, Donald Chester wrote:

I love contests, especially those with QRP categories AND, as a QRP 
afficionado, I do wish more hams would get on the air on Top Band just for the 
sake of making QSOs > I thoroughly enjoy working any ham on 160 CW, find 
out what my RST is, the other fella's power and antenna - that sort of general 
info - AND experience more about the
Propagation Princess' vagaries.
de Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV

I have never been a contest lover, but I did work the CQ 160m CW contest a 
couple of times, back in the LORAN days, and once won top score for my state.  
Only thing, there were but three other logs submitted from my state that year, 
total.  I still sometimes make it a point to get on 160m CW around high noon 
local time during a Topband CW contest just see how far I can work and what 
kind of signal reports I get.

But that brings up a problem with most contesters these days, the fact that your RST is 
likely to be "599" regardless, even when the other op can just barely dig you 
out of the noise.  Same with contests on other bands, both phone and CW.  That 
nonsensical practice has eliminated what was erstwhile perhaps the most useful function 
of contesting, and IMHO, diminishes the worthiness of contests altogether.  Back when the 
signal report was a real part of the exchange and contesters tended to exchange honest 
reports, a major contest could be an opportunity to determine how well your station got 
out, and into what localities you put the best and worst signal strength, providing some 
insight to improvements you might wish make to your transmitter and antenna system.

I would find it extremely boring to spend hours exchanging meaningless numbers 
in order to compile a long list of callsigns and states; I could find more 
productive use for my time, but to each his own.

One thing I can guarantee, however, if you do happen to work my during a 
contest you will receive an honest signal report.

Don k4kyv


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Re: Topband: Remote Radio operation

[Mike Cizek W0VTT]

Years ago there was an article in NCJ about the CQWWW Contest. The 
premise of the article was that all of the wired and wireless 
technologies had switched and that ham radio was now all on line and 
CQWW had transitioned into an internet based contest.   At the time, it 
appeared the article was intended as a joke. Does anyone remember 
who wrote that?


73,
Mike W0VTT
(who only has 140 on top band, but dreams of running with the big boys 
some day)


On 30-Jan-15 15:10, Herbert Schoenbohm wrote:
Oddly enough I was working with the North Korean UN ambassador to get 
an internet TX/RX package on the top floor off that 1500 foot hotel in 
downtown Pyongyang with a radio sport rental for radio clubs all 
over the world to participate in providing operators from their own 
country who would never have to leave home.  It was going to be a 
small self contained 20 meter 100 watt CW only package using Remote 
Rig and a Icom 7100 with a short feedline to a 20 meter GP. It would 
have been setup to be operated by clubs on a shared basis with 
whatever rental funds accrued going to a radio club  in the PRNK. I 
thought it was a god idea until the ambassador disappeared. Would 
there be any objection to an operation like this even though the ops 
could be anywhere as long as the complete station was in North Korea? 
In fact why is there such a big deal on where physically the operator 
is situated?  The biggest obstacle would have been getting a permit 
for the equipment and a call sign from the government.



Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
On 1/30/2015 4:41 PM, K1FZ-Bruce wrote:


Could someone in the future, set up a internet controlled remote in 
an extremely rare country? Then make a contact with himself for a new 
one?
How far will  all this stretch to ?  (((:)) As the Lone 
Ranger said  whoa  silver, steady  big fellow  !


73
Bruce-k1fz

On Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:44:26 -0500, JC n...@comcast.net wrote:


It will be soon enough that we will be having the conversation about 
not
only remote operation but robotic QSO making software. Is is really 
and truly a RADIO CONTEST if you cannot possibly make a radio

QSO without using the Internet? I know some people who I actually think
believe what we are doing in these reflectors is radio... (I already 
know
all the justifications comparing the WWW communications system to a 
six foot

headphone cable located at your own station.). What do you think?

Enjoy it while you can.
Stan


You are right!. The sadness is causing the emotion Tom mentioned, 
however
the real issue is the trade we are facing with RHR, the trade 
between value

and cost!

Work hard to setup a remote station and work a rare DX has a lot of 
value,
You can be proud of it and the technology is always welcome and part 
of our

DNA.
What is not acceptable is to transform HAM Radio into a business and 
charge

by the minute like ATT. Verizon or any other carrier that provide
communication per dollar amount.
That is not Ham Radio, it is a trade from VALUE to COST. For all 
the guys using RHR the pride is measured in dollar per minute, it

means the cost of a QSO matters. Next step would be to set up a call
center in India to provide you with all services at once. Select the 
DX you

what you and pay at the end.
All about money and commercial interest to transform what is 
bounding un
together . the value and proud to make it. Why bother is it is 
getting to QSL / QSL cost for minute? Share what ? you

r wallet?

Nobody is helping Ham with restriction to get into de air. It just 
about

money!

When you look at your wall you can see the value of your work. Does not
matter what it cost. Don't let it change!

My two cents

JC
N4IS





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