Topband: Ray Gerrard. G3NOM HA0ZDZ, SK
It came to my attention today through Dietmar, DL3DXX and Robin, WA6CDR, that Ray Gerrard, who held both G3NOM and HS0ZDZ call signs, passed away near the end of May. Ray suffered a stroke in 2004 and had been largely incapacitated since that time. I came to know Ray as we were both members of the 2000 DXpedition to XZ0A. Ray was living in Bangkok and was the integral cog who made XZ0A happen in the way it did. Ray made the pre expedition trip to Thay Thay Kyun island where he made measurements of available space to deploy antenna systems. This information allowed us to design the Low Band TX and RX antenna systems to fit the small amount of open space on the island. Ray made arrangements for approximately 250 feet of Thai knock off of Rohn 25 tower to be manufactured in Bangkok and then shipped to the sea terminal at Ranong. Ray operated with us for 4 weeks and then supervised the disassembly of the towers (allowing us to operate until daybreak the last morning just 3 hours before leaving the island) and shipping them back to Bangkok. The towers, antennas and many other items were then donated to the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST), where Ray was an officer. I was my privilege to operate the CQ 160 CW contest during the DXpedition together with Ray, Robin, and George-V73GT. Ray would operate CW with a SSB RX filter and pick the call signs where ever they appeared in the RX bandpass. Absolutely amazing to me. For those who might want to read a bit more about Ray’s great help in establishing amateur radio in Thailand can read the article at... http://www.qsl.net/rast/ It was my great pleasure to know you and operate with you Ray. May you rest in peace. 73 de Milt, N5IA _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Use of Remote Receivers During 160 Meter Contests
-Original Message- From: Herbert Schoenbohm Sent: Monday, March 16, 2015 12:16 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Use of Remote Receivers During 160 Meter Contests CUT -- Remaining remarks in the original message are from Jim, K9YC I've seen two ideas floated to solve the multiplier issue. One is to make all members of the European Union a single multiplier. That would certainly give the east coast a taste of what it's like contesting from the western half of the US! A different idea is to provide multipliers for VK states and JA prefectures. Either of these ideas move in the direction of providing an equivalent number of multipliers. Another issue, especially with topband contesting, is the point value of a QSO. The path from W6/w7/VE7 to VE1/VE9/VY2/W1/W2,W3/W4 is not quite as long as from W1/W2/W3 to EU, but it is over land, not water, so there is greater loss at the point of earth reflection. Yet a transcontinental contact is worth only 40% of an EU contact in ARRL 160, and 20% in CQWW160, or a contact within the Carribbean, which is even closer than W6/W7 for east coast stations. And then there's the PJ4/P4 advantage in the CQ-sponsored contests, where nearly every Q is worth 10 points because they're SA islands, as compared to 5 points for NA islands a few hundred miles north! CUT 73, Jim K9YC === Since the thread has morphed a bit and the entangling web has enlarged, I thought I would pass along my suggestions made recently to the CQ 160 Contest Director. Just my Dos Centavos. 73 de Milt, N5IA OBTW, IMHO remote receivers for 160 Meter contesting should be allowed within a 75 mile radius circle (150 mile diameter) of the transmitting location. Better hearing makes for more Qs for everyone. Andy, I have been mulling over this question for perhaps 15 years. Why are US operators, and operators in other very large countries, permitted only 2 points for 'in country' contacts? Why has no one at CQ 160 ever considered a more equitable 'in country' points awarding for such geographically large countries as the USA, Canada, Russia, China and Australia? All you have to do to discern the discrepancy is look at and compare the Qs and mult totals of the current Top 4 claimed SOHP scores on 3830. ZF2DX(K5GO)1288585726900,910 VA2EW 1311595030845,077 VE3EJ 1230595028742,528 K3ZM 1410605930723,480 Where is there any common sense reasoning that says K3ZM should not be the leader and potential winner of the class? This station made nearly 100 more, or more, Qs and more mutipliers than the three stations ahead of him. I would venture to say that K3ZM has significantly more 10 point contacts than the other 3 stations to even be close in the race. Why should he NOT be the winner? More of all three requisites for the best score. And the same scoring discrepancy continues on down through the list. Let me provide an example using my claimed score for my N7GP operation from Arizona. My station location in AZ as well as my home in NM are a bit less than 100 miles from Mexico, XE land. The claimed score for my AZ operation is 336,016, and is currently listed at # 21 in the world. If the log, with same amount of contacts with the same entities, had been made as an XE2 station, less than 100 miles distant, the claimed score would be 490,485 and it would be sitting at # 11 in the world. That is a FORTY SIX % increase in score. What that means is any other North American station outside the USA could put in a significantly lesser effort than I did, and still score higher. That is what is shown in the K3ZM example above. What appears to be the superior operator, at a superior station, making a greater number of both Qs and mults, will be relegated to an also ran finish. I never address a perceived problem unless I can at the same time suggest a possible and logical solution to the problem. I truly hope that you and the balance of the CQ 160 contest committee will seriously consider making a change to the scoring formula along the following line of thinking. I propose -- NO CHANGE -- to any awards. I propose an east to west geographical separation for scoring in the 5 countries I listed above, and any others the committee might deem falling into the same category. Specifically for the USA I suggest three geographical divisions. I have long taken note of the scoring year after year and a logical division for the continental USA would be by using the Mississippi River and the Continental Divide as the two dividing lines. You might ask, there are already 3 CQ Zones; why not use them? Mainly it is because Zone 4 is so tremendously large
Topband: K1N 5,399 q's on 160 M
Good evening all. The K1N final numbers are in. I also received some further statistics from Bernd, DF3CB, which slightly change the order of the standings. I received come comments about propagation differences. The following are, IMHO, the relevant factors. DX is DX no matter what band, but in particular on 160 Meters the farther you are from the majority of the contacts, the more difficult the possibility of large amounts of QSOs. Proximity to major ham population areas is the top contributor to the leading Q counts. It does not matter, IMHO, if the DXpedition is 2-man, 25-man, or anywhere in between, there is typically only one station and one operator at a time on Topband. They do not do both modes simultaneously on Topband. In this aspsect all DXpeditions are equal. Timing with the sunspot cycle is the next limiting factor. The reduction of the size and intensity of the polar ovals with low sunspots greatly assists the long, opposite side of the planet paths. Those operations that take place at or near the equator are always affected by QRN. IMHO the operations at 5A7A, K5D, K1N, R1MVW, HK0NA, TS7C,and TX5K did an extremely good job and were able to take advantage of the proximity to major population areas. They had to have a good station and great operators, and had to be on the ground long enough to take make the large amount of Qs. But, and again IMHO, the operations at VP6DX, T32C, and ZL8X are OUTSTANDING because they had to overcome the big one; DISTANCE, for nearly 100% of their Qs. Now to separate those three just a bit. ZL8X did 4,206 Qs with a crew of 14 operators and 18 days of operation. T32C did 4,985 Qs with a crew of 41 operators and 32 days of operation. VP6DX did 6,671 Qs with a crew of 13 operators and 17 days of operation. In all cases subtract at a minimum two days from the operation total to apply to the 160 M operations. Enjoy, and look for the upcoming web site by Bernd, DF3CB, with all the details and breakdowns of all the DXpeditions. 73 de Milt, N5IA === #1 5A7A, Libya, near Tripoli, with the entire European continent less than 4,000 KM distant. CW SSB RTTYPSK Total 160 M 6344 928 283 987653 === #2 K5D, Desecheo, Caribbean, with the entire USA and most of Canada less than 5,600 KM distant. SSB CWRTTY Total 160 M 19835213 0 7196 === #3 VP6DX, Ducie Atoll, from the middle of the south Pacific in the southern hemisphere summer. There was strong QRN and somewhat shorter nights (operating periods on Topband). ZL = 5,400+ KM; VK = 8,000 to 11,700 KM; KH6 = 5,800+ KM; JA = 11,900+ KM; west coast of South America = 5,000+ KM; Rio de Janeiro = 8,100 KM; San Diego, USA = 6,400 KM; NYC, USA = 8,900 KM; and in EU -- Madrid = 14,200 KM; London = 14,400 KM; Berlin = 15,200 KM; Rome = 15,690 KM; Moscow = 16,100 KM; Athens = 16,600 KM. CWSSBRTTY Total 160 M 5097 1574 06671 === #4 K1N, Navassa, Carribean, with the entire USA and most of Canada less than 5,600 KM distant. CWSSB RTTYTotal 160 M5399005399 == #5 R1MVW/MVC, Malyj Vysotskij, from the north Baltic Sea, where the most distant part of Europe, Gibraltar, is only 3,600 KM distant. CWSSB RTTYTotal 160 M ???5082 = #6 T32C, Kiritimati Island, from near the center of the Pacific Ocean, 200 KM north of the Equator. ZL = 5,100+ KM; VK = 6,200 to 10,000 KM; KH6 = 1,900+ KM; JA = 7,400+ KM; west coast of South America = 8,500+ KM; Rio de Janeiro = 12,600 KM; San Diego, USA = 5,400 KM; NYC, USA = 9,300 KM; and in EU -- Madrid = 14,600 KM; London = 13,700 KM; Berlin = 13,900 KM; Rome = 15,050 KM; Moscow = 13,460 KM; Athens = 15,580 KM. SSBCWPSKRTTYPSK63FTotal 160 M 91735734 449 414984 == #7 HK0NA, Malpelo, off SW coast of Central America, with the entire USA and most of Canada less than 7,000 KM distant. SSBCWRTTY Total 160 M8024138 04940 == #8 TS7C, Kerkennah Island, off the west coast
Re: Topband: K1N 5000q's on 160
Eugene, I sympathize with you. But location is everything; as we all know. What you really need is a most rare DX entity in YOUR backyard. Hmmm! There is one P5. When North Korea comes on the air on 160 M you and your buds will be some of the first in the log. It will be the boys in New England, the southern half of South America and the southern half of Africa who will be lamenting the low percentage of Qs with their parts of the world. Thanks for the Qs. Always a good signal here from your fine station. 73 de Milt, N5IA, and also operator of N7GP = -Original Message- From: Eugene Popov /RA0FF/ Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2015 7:53 PM To: ga...@ni6t.com Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: K1N 5000q's on 160 Congratulations to everyone who now has a new country on 160m! Unfortunately for asian HAMs from CQ- zones nr 19, 23,24 and 25 K1N activity on 160m has become one of the most unfortunate. Zone 25 = only 22 QSOs Zone 19 = 1 QSO (there is another QSO, which is held at 04:00UTC, it's either operator error expedition, or is someone's bad joke) Zones 23 and 24 = 0 QSOs. Of the total number of contacts at 160m on 19,23,24,25 zones is less than 0.48%. My friend said that we now have to live another 22 years longer and wait for the next expedition to Navassa! Hi-hi-hi -:)) 73! de Eugene RA0FF http://www.qsl.net/ra0ff/ - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4284/9121 - Release Date: 02/15/15 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: K1N 5000q's on 160
Great show. To put it in perspective: Malpelo -- HK0NA, Similar to K1N, has the record for Topband Qs as far as I know. Anyone have the Topband numbers? The Baltic Sea island a few years ago, right in the heart of EU, is # 2. Anyone have the Topband numbers? VP6DX from the middle of the south Pacific, southern hemisphere summer. CWSSBRTTY Band 160 M 5097 1574 06671 Anyone with numbers, please post them. 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Herbert Schoenbohm Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2015 6:21 AM To: TopBand List Subject: Topband: K1N 5000q's on 160 I just had a short chat with Jerry on 40 meters and he reported they logged over 5,000 contacts on 160 meters. CUT Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4284/9112 - Release Date: 02/14/15 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: K1N 5000q's on 160
With a bit of time on my hands, and using some information and links sent to me by persons responding to my post earlier today, I have compiled the following list of All Time Topband DXpedition leaders for total 160 Meter Qs. The following list of 7 DXpeditions are head and shoulders above the rest of the pack, so far as I have been able to discover in the records. Most other major DXpedtions list total Topband Qs in the 2,500 to 3,500 range. Very interesting. Enjoy, and if anyone has further information, please forward it to me. Thanks, and have a great, leisurely weekend now that you don't have to pursue K1N. 73 de Milt, N5IA === #1 5A7A, Libya, near Tripoli, with the entire European continent less than 4,000 KM distant. CW SSB RTTYPSK Total 160 M 6344 928 283 987653 === #2 K5D, Desecheo, Caribbean, with the entire USA and most of Canada less than 5,600 KM distant. SSB CWRTTY Total 160 M 19835213 0 7196 === #3 VP6DX, Ducie Atoll, from the middle of the south Pacific in the southern hemisphere summer. There was strong QRN and somewhat shorter nights (operating periods on Topband). ZL = 5,400+ KM; VK = 8,000 to 11,700 KM; KH6 = 5,800+ KM; JA = 11,900+ KM; west coast of South America = 5,000+ KM; Rio de Janeiro = 8,100 KM; San Diego, USA = 6,400 KM; NYC, USA = 8,900 KM; and in EU -- Madrid = 14,200 KM; London = 14,400 KM; Berlin = 15,200 KM; Rome = 15,690 KM; Moscow = 16,100 KM; Athens = 16,600 KM. CWSSBRTTY Total 160 M 5097 1574 06671 === #4 K1N, Navassa, Carribean, with the entire USA and most of Canada less than 5,600 KM distant. CWSSB RTTYTotal 160 M5399005399plus what is worked the last night, 15 Feb 15. == #5 T32C, Kiritimati Island, from near the center of the Pacific Ocean, 200 KM north of the Equator. ZL = 5,100+ KM; VK = 6,200 to 10,000 KM; KH6 = 1,900+ KM; JA = 7,400+ KM; west coast of South America = 8,500+ KM; Rio de Janeiro = 12,600 KM; San Diego, USA = 5,400 KM; NYC, USA = 9,300 KM; and in EU -- Madrid = 14,600 KM; London = 13,700 KM; Berlin = 13,900 KM; Rome = 15,050 KM; Moscow = 13,460 KM; Athens = 15,580 KM. SSBCWPSKRTTYPSK63FTotal 160 M 91735734 449 414984 == #6 HK0NA, Malpelo, off SW coast of Central America, with the entire USA and most of Canada less than 7,000 KM distant. SSBCWRTTY Total 160 M8024138 04940 == #7 TX5K, Clipperton Island, off SW coast of Mexico, with the entire USA and most of Canada less than 6,000 KM distant. SSB CWRTTY Total 160 M4233662 0 4085 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4284/9114 - Release Date: 02/14/15 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Tensioning of RG58 coax for 2-way Beverage
I have installed and used messenger cabled RG-59, RG-6 and 1/2 hardline for years. The current installation at N5BG/NI5T has more that 6,000' of 1/2 hardline w/ messenger on poles (three separate runs of 2,000'+) from the Beverage collection, signal splitting and selection point to the shack. There has never been any indication of the messenger wire inducing any external noise onto the signals. In all cases with these three varieties of cable, the messenger is NOT common with the shield. The messenger wire is totally isolated and insulated from the coaxial shield. Mis dos centavos. 73 de Milt, N5IA = -Original Message- From: Mike Waters Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2015 7:14 AM To: Carl Cc: topband Subject: Re: Topband: Tensioning of RG58 coax for 2-way Beverage I can imagine some installation scenarios where the messenger cable might pick up noise that coax alone would not. But would that *always *occur? The messenger cable is, after all, in the same location as the coax shield. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4281/9076 - Release Date: 02/08/15 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Foreign stns using NA remotes for K1N
Paul, IMHO you and others have failed to hit upon the KEY word, or term, in the Part 97 rules. The KEY WORD is the COMMUNICATIONS. The rule is written so that an amateur station cannot be legally used to transmit COMMUNICATION, that is, the actual information contained in the transmissions, for material compensation. To my knowledge, all COMMUNICATION via the remote controlled stations is HAM COMMUNICATION only. No BUSINESS COMMUNICATION is taking place; just AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATION. IMHO, it is totally legal per written law, and does not require an exception, or a DR or other permission. Hypothetically, HRO and AES could lease, loan, rent, time share or whatever radio systems, to include setting them up, maintaining, paying operation costs, etc., to any person who presented a valid amateur radio license. That would be no different from the business those two entities are currently involved in; that is selling radios and related equipment to any person who presents a valid amateur radio license. They just did not think of the 'remote for rent' first and act upon the concept. Likewise, many, many amateurs hire, pay, bribe with beer, whatever, other people to install and maintain their radios and antenna systems. Is this against the law as written? What about all those crane operators and professional tower climbers that make significant bucks from hams to set up and rig the ham towers and antennas? It doesn't matter if it is a one time situation, or on a contract, ongoing basis. If it were illegal, ??? VHF and UHF Repeaters are not significantly different than HF remote bases. Group owned, pay your dues required to use repeaters have been in use for nearly 50 years. Absolutely no difference. The only requirement, per FCC regulations, for the owner of a 'station for rent', whether it is locally controlled (the KP2 and KH6 rentals) or remotely controlled (the RHR Network or others) is, that including proper identification, the rules and regs are followed for the COMMUNICATION and communication method that emits from that station. It is what it is. Evolution of technology. Mis dos centavos. 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Paul Christensen Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2015 8:27 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Foreign stns using NA remotes for K1N Quoting myself: 'Rather than embracing this commercial abuse of free spectrum, the League should be scrambling to draft a Petition for Rulemaking to prohibit this form of paid spectrum access - and that should include all for profit and not-for-profit entities. What other countries do is their prerogative' Taking a detailed look at Part 97, specifically, 97.113(a)(2): (a) No amateur station shall transmit: (2) Communications for hire or for material compensation, direct or indirect, paid or promised, except as otherwise provided in these rules; I see no exemption as otherwise provided for RHR's toll-based, income model. Note that the rule is specific to the amateur station as defined under 97.3(a)(5). 97.113(a)(3) (a) No amateur station shall transmit: (3) Communications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer, with the following exceptions: I still don't see an exemption here for RHR's toll-based business. Here, the entities affected by this subpart are the amateur station, station licensee, and/or control operator. - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5645 / Virus Database: 4281/9061 - Release Date: 02/05/15 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: [Bulk] Re: Out-of-Turn Callers
Herb, That is NOT the case. I sat here with the K1N transmissions in one ear and the requested JA call-in frequency playing in the other ear. There were at a minimum 20 JA stations calling. They were hearing K1N well enough that their transmissions were right in step with K1N. I personally heard 2 separate complete Qs between K1N and JA stations. I personally heard K1N get partials on two or three other JA stations but was unable to complete the contacts. It was during this period of time that the K1N operator specifically asked the aforementioned station, by call sign prefix, to PSE STDBY FOR JA. As for a significant JA opening; IMHO any opening is significant for the DX operator AND the folks at the other end of a difficult path. I am positive the K1N operators feel the same. That is what Topband is all about. I know, because I was in that position at XZ1N, XZ0A, and VP6DX. It doesn't matter if it is only one or two stations that make it. The effort is expended and the reward is highly prized. That is why the DXpedition is there. Instead of putting 5 or 6 call signs in the log, the rate drops to one every 3-4-5 minutes as necessary. That is what makes a Topband DXpedition successful. IMHO possibly 2-3 contacts, perhaps more, with JA were interrupted by the deliberate refusal to standby. Additionally, without the benefit of staying on Navassa for a full lunar cycle the odds of getting a true -- SIGNIFICANT -- opening to JA and the deep Pacific are only about 30%. Every single opportunity to put a few JA and other Asians in the log must be exploited to the max. That is what the K1N operator was attempting to do. Again, my experience at XZ0A shows how important this SOP should be for DX operators. We spent 4 weeks on the island and it was the VERY LAST NIGHT that finally produced the magnificent opening to North America. In this case with K1N, the NA stations are going to have a great opportunity EVERY NIGHT! There is not, and there was not, any need for the action that took place yesterday morning. 73 for now de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Herbert Schoenbohm Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2015 6:49 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: [Bulk] Re: Out-of-Turn Callers Also it was doubtful there was actually a significant JA opening to K1N. IMHO the buzz of JA activity could have occurred by a remote JA station heard in the Midwest at 599 plus 10db who apparently got in the log, but not from Japan. But other observers heard JA's calling but it was also obvious there was no opening to speak of. CUT Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5645 / Virus Database: 4281/9056 - Release Date: 02/04/15 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: K1N and JA
It was interesting to me this morning to listen to the K1N operation attempt to put into their log some JA contacts. For approximately one hour before their sunup the K1N operator was making calls for JA only. The first time he tried, he did not pick up any JA. But, I heard some JA calling. The 2nd time he tried, about 10 minutes later, there was a horde of JA callers on and around the QSX freq of 1818. The propagation to my QTH was very good; much superior to the conditions just one week ago in the CQ 160 CW. K1N did manage to put a few JA in his log. The operator did a good job. For the most part, NA stations stood by and allowed the process to go forward. However, one station in particular, even after being asked by K1N to standby as he was working JA only, persisted in calling. This is a request to KK6ZM to please listen to the instructions of the expedition operator. Your behavior most likely precluded a number of JA stations from being logged by K1N. This is NOT good. 73, and I hope everyone has good luck in making the grade with K1N on Topband. Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5645 / Virus Database: 4273/9049 - Release Date: 02/03/15 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: K1N and JA
Eddy, Mike, Doug, and Len, I have been contacted by KK6ZM and all is well. There is no need for further comments. RE your question , Len, that is correct. Only the DX operator can make the decisions which are necessary to mitigate what ever circumstance. It is up to the rest of us to honor whatever the request might be. 73 de Milt, N5IA From: Eddy Swynar Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2015 5:20 AM To: Milt -- N5IA Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: K1N and JA On 2015-02-03, at 7:10 AM, Milt -- N5IA wrote: This is a request to KK6ZM to please listen to the instructions of the expedition operator. Your behaviour most likely precluded a number of JA stations from being logged by K1N. This is NOT good. Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5645 / Virus Database: 4281/9050 - Release Date: 02/03/15 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: NE7D loaded tower
Well, Tree, in my VERY humble opinion, an honest man like you would have to quit the contest 24 hours early, ORYou have to wait 24 hours before resuming making contacts. Tee hee! 73 de Milt, N5IA == -Original Message- From: Tree Sent: Friday, January 30, 2015 9:26 AM To: 160 Subject: Re: Topband: NE7D loaded tower CUT I do have one question about remote operating... if I am on an airplane using this station during a contest - and travel over the international date line - what date do I put in the log? 73 Tree N6TR - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5645 / Virus Database: 4273/9025 - Release Date: 01/30/15 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: CQWW160 Remote receiver rule
Tom, Thank you for a very well thought out and expressed opinion that mirrors my thinking on the subject. As tom has expressed re his station, I also have constructed the NI5T/N5BG station for full duplex operation on 160 M. We are able to use the mult stations within approximately 15 kHz of the run station with full legal power in most RX azimuth selections. With LP the spread drops to about +- 7 kHz. At QRP it is down to just a bit more than a kHz; similar to a BIG GUN station within a couple of hundred miles. I have run full duplex many years when operating QRP in the SPDC. So, the concept is not new; it is just now readily available with a different set of tools. I am in agreement that remote listening sites for 160 M contests, ala SPDC, is the correct direction to go. It will enhance the capability of many stations who will put out the effort to do so. Result; more activity and more stations to work. And that is what it is all about. I suggest a 100 km radius as the limit for deployment of a RX site which would be legal in the 160 M contests. Grid Squares are rectangular, vary in size according to latitude, and limits the capability if your TX location is near the edge of a GS. The 200 km diameter circle drawn around the TX location IMHO would be a very good selection. Mis dos centavos. Milt, N5IA, and sometimes operator of fully remoted N7GP -Original Message- From: Tom W8JI Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2015 11:52 AM To: TopBand List Subject: Re: Topband: CQWW160 Remote receiver rule Organized RR sites are not an issue. Remote Radio does not allow new DX members, although a few are grandfathered in before that policy started. Those few who are members are watched, and any operating without signing W? / DXcall, or using a receiver in a contest (which costs $.49 per minute), are banned from future use of RR. You have to be in the 48, or you have to use portable, or you are banned. This is absolutely no different than anything that ever went on since the ARRL and others began allowing DX contacts to count no matter where you operate or where you move in the USA. Many people have operated here as a guest, for example, and worked new countries or worked contests under their calls, and counted the countries. The ONLY difference between them logging in via link and operating, or driving here and operating, is the physical transportation time. If we don't like that as a collective group, the thing that needs changed is taking DXCC and other credits with us when we move or when we operate at another site. As for duplex, I can pretty much duplex here on 160 in most directions and in any direction at any signal spacing on higher bands. For example, I can receive noise floor Europeans on 40 meters just 10 kHz below or 5 kHz above the SSB transmitter with virtually no interference. Allowing remote receivers within a small distance would not affect large stations at all. It would only let some limited resource stations have more fun. In my view, complaining about letting someone work around local noise with a remote local receiver is nothing but sour grapes. DXCC and other things (like ANY contest) will never be fair or level between stations. It always has been that way, it always will be that way. No matter what the rules, a few with a disadvantage will not like the way it is, and a few with an advantage will not want a change. One example is keeping DXCC when someone moves from one coast to another. I remember when W2EQS/W9NFC had to start his 160 DXCC over from zero from Indiana because he moved from NJ to Indiana. Today, he could move from California to Maine and keep his totals. The important thing is to not make imaginary problems where none exist, and to understand how things really work before suggesting changes. 73 Tom - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5645 / Virus Database: 4273/9020 - Release Date: 01/29/15 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: V55V in SP
That is Top Band 'spotlight' propagation for you. It is quite common; more than most of us realize. I never heard V55V here in SE AZ during the contest, although I was 80-90% running. The Gulf Coast T-Storm activity was directly east of me (direct path to V5) so I hardly selected that azimuth during the contest (the beauty of narrow lobe direction RX and TX antennas). The result of that decision is plainly shown in the lack of SE US stations in my log. I'll make a full 3830 report later today. Enough for now. 73 de Milt, N5IA, also opertor of N7GP = -Original Message- From: Larry via Topband Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2014 11:54 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: V55V in SP never heard the V55V during the contest but he was 599 plus this evening at 0408z. what a difference a day makes. 73, larry n7dd -Original Message- From: Richard (Rick) Karlquist rich...@karlquist.com To: k1fz k...@myfairpoint.net; Topband topband@contesting.com Sent: Mon, Dec 29, 2014 4:37 am Subject: Topband: V55V in SP On 12/28/2014 7:18 PM, K1FZ-Bruce wrote: Worked V55V 12-28-2014 at 0424 UTC. Good solid contact. Took a break from the rig, receiver still on his frequency.Noted His signal was coming up as his sunrise was approaching. Then a station started calling and calling, usually while the V55V was calling. Often starting to call while the CQ was in progress. This has to be blind calling. causing QRM preventing others from making the contact. Please do not call unless you are copying the DX station. 73 Bruce-K1FZ www.qsl.net/k1fz/beveragenotes.html I see many posters complaining about bad condx. I worked nearly every station I heard, including many east coast stations, using only 100W to a vertical. Big surprise was V55V with a very solid signal 10,000 miles from the left coast. That's a 48 point QSO. I have noticed on other bands that there seems to be a pipeline to V5, I guess I can add 160 meters to the list. No blind calling here. I was able to raise him with only a few calls. Condx seemed pretty good here. I put up a low dipole for the contest, but it didn't hear any better than the vertical this time. It was also interesting that the difference in S meter reading between antennas varied from 5 to 20 dB, the vertical being stronger. Rick N6RK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4257/8832 - Release Date: 12/29/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: The Stew will Commence within 24 hours!
Fellow Top Banders, A request is being made for after contest signal reports for the following call signs. Make a note to do so if you work either of the two following operations. N7GP will operate daylight only from DM52 in the following time slots; 1500Z - ~1600Z; 2100Z - 2359Z; and again from 1400Z - 1500Z Sunday morning. N5IA will operate the night time shift from DM52 for the entire Z – 1400Z time period. Both operations will be using HP into a newly completed direction selectable, multi-element TX array. If you are so fortunate to make it into either, or both logs, I would appreciate an after contest report directly to n...@zia-connection.com . Thanks in advance, 73, and GL in the contest. CU in the Stew. Milt, N5IA, and also operator of N7GP = -Original Message- From: Lew Sayre Sent: Friday, December 26, 2014 1:52 PM To: topband@contesting.com ; cq-cont...@contesting.com Subject: Topband: The Stew will Commence within 24 hours! Salutations to All 160 Meter Movers, Shakers and Oscillators, In a few short hours The Stew Perry Topband DX Extravaganza sponsored by The Boring Amateur Radio Club will start. Before you engage in this RF funfest please browse on over to our website and read it through a couple of times. It is short but powerful. http://www.kkn.net/stew/ Listed below are the plaques which may be won by being the best in whatever category is specified. Smart, forward thinking, good looking Hams are the listed donors who are sponsoring these plaques. Next time you see one of these donors please buy them a beverage or express your gratitude to them as they are doing good work. DonorCategory KL7RA Top # of QSOs North Pole Contest Plaque to be decided by Contest Performance TF4M Top Score 160M mobile (must actually be able to move) N0TT Top Score 21 years old 200 QSOs TF4M Longest Distance QSO- 2 plaques AA6VB Top Score,base loaded Vert 60' tall AA6VB Top Score big city 50K, little pistol 100W KH6LCVK-ZL Challenge: Top Score VK-ZL N5IA Most Grids worked N5IA Highest score daylight operation only K7FL Top Score 100% Search/Pounce NA0YTop Score USA K6NDK6SE Memorial-Top Score World K1EPTop Score by First time Entrant K2POTop Score,S/O,Low Power, Zone 3 TF3KX Aurora Borealis Award- Top Score N of 60 deg N geomagnetic latitude K7CATop Score China K7CATop Score Southern Hemisphere W2GD Team Top # NA+SA Qs by EU Station KR2QGolden Log- Top # of Qs with no busts W7RH Top Score Low Power Asia W5GN Closest Score to overall average of Entrants W0RI Top Score Canada AA0RS Top # of Prefixes worked AA0RS S. Hemisphere Station working most USA States N1LI Long Island Top Score from IOTA recognized Island DX Society NA6E Memorial Plaque to be decided by Contest performance ARC N9TF Top Score USA wid 100W, wire100' long, no higher than 50', using traps or tuner KS8M NorthernTop QRP Score Ohio QRP Club KS8M Northern Longest DX by a QRP station Ohio QRP Club VK6VZ VK6HD Memorial- Top Score by N hemisphere station working S hemisphere stations. Winner gets Flying Doctors of VK baseball cap. Dr. Beldar-L1AR Top score utilizing temporary antenna. (All parts of temporary antenna including radials must be installed after Dec. 14, 2014. This antenna must be the only antenna for TopBand at the station, and may be left up, because as we all know, temporary means until I die.) Please exercise your sense of hearing aggressively as there will many weak signals throughout the band. Some of these weak signals will be from far off DX lands which are active for the contest. Some of the weak signals will be from QRP or less stations and some will be emanating somehow from loaded rain gutters or abandoned vehicles or unterminated feed lines due to operator error. The efficiency of some of the 160M antennas in use may be somewhat sub par so exercise patience and work to capture the call and grid square. Occasionally these weak signals may be coming from an ancient local refrigerator or other malfunctioning electronic device in which case you may not be able to copy the grid square, or a valid call sign. Do not despair but simply put in the log what you copy. We do not, however, have a plaque sponsored for Top Score-worked
Re: Topband: RUSSIAN 160 METER CONTEST
Vlad, Your message finally received here. Thank you for responding. The situation you mention for the contest sponsors is a 'Catch 22' situation. They are never going to get more participation if they limit the contest time to such a short window. And they surely are never going to get participation from areas of the world where it is daylight during the contest hours. Plus the participation will not increase greatly until the contest becomes a known entity that everyone can play in. I believe the timing of the contest is great; 1/2 way between ARRL 160 and the SPDC. Having 3 great contests with different flavors on 160 during the month of December would be super. 73 and Merry Christmas to you and yours. Milt, N5IA, and also operator of N7GP -Original Message- From: R7LV Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 10:54 AM To: Milt -- N5IA Cc: topBand List Subject: Re: Topband: RUSSIAN 160 METER CONTEST HI guys, Of course, the sponsors understand that 4 hours contest is too short. Unfortunately, activity in the Contest is not that high (300 participants approx.), therefore the last hour is boring. Based on this year activity, the sponsors are ready to review the contest period in order to increase it for some 2-3 hours. 73! Vlad/R7LV P.S. : my 2nd ltr to Вы писали 18 декабря 2014 г., 18:10:46: Vlad, Although it is difficult to work Russian stations (UA0 excepted) from my location in southwest USA, I find it very strange that the hours of the contest operation do NOT include any night time hours at my location. The sun sets at 0010 UTC at my location this time of the year. Consequently there is absolutely no opportunity to effectively participate in this 'WORLDWIDE' CONTEST. My question is; If this is a contest inviting worldwide participation, why is there not at the minimum a full 24 hours of competition period? 73 de Milt, N5IA -- Also operator of N7GP == -Original Message- From: R7LV Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 2:23 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: RUSSIAN 160 METER CONTEST Dear friends, RUSSIAN 160 METER CONTEST will be held from 20.00 to 24.00 UTC, on the 19th December 2014. The Rules of the Contest are at http://www.radio.ru/cq/contest/rule-results/index2012.shtml Current Rules were approximated with RDXC Rules, and any RDXC software may be used in this contest. In previous years, various ideas were discussed, both negative and positive, but finally positive ideas predominated, - even from those who are against Rules changes. Operators from almost 50 Russian oblasts participated in the last Contest. Please note: THERE IS NO 10-minutes rule for club stations. Welcome to participate in RUSSIAN 160 METER CONTEST ! 73! -- С уважением, Vlad/ R7LV - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4253/8767 - Release Date: 12/19/14 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4253/8778 - Release Date: 12/21/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: RUSSIAN 160 METER CONTEST
Then pray tell why is Vlad advertising to the Top Band reflector on the WWW if it is not supposed to be a WW contest? And thus far I have not seen a reply from Vlad. And the Reply All, which sent a copy of my comments/question to Vlad at his personal address, came back as undeliverable. ??? Oh well, I will find something else to do on Top Band tonight. 73, and CU all in the SPDC next weekend. Milt, N5IA, and also operator of N7GP, both in DM52 === -Original Message- From: Tim Shoppa Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 7:43 AM To: topBand List Subject: Re: Topband: RUSSIAN 160 METER CONTEST Interesting viewpoint! I try to make a couple Q's every year in the RSGB 160M test. Generally in the last hour or so I can hear several of the UK participants but unless they have a good receive antenna they cannot hear me. I have actually been surprised that I get unsolicited paper QSL card confirmations for every QSO I've made in RSGB 160M, in fact bureau cards from the RSGB are so rare that I'm kinda scratching my head why most of them are for 160M! Tim N3QE On Fri, Dec 19, 2014 at 9:33 AM, n...@juno.com n...@juno.com wrote: This is not a Worldwide contest. If it were a worldwide contest, there would be a winner on every continent. The contest period would have to be 24 hours, if the playing field is to be level. I have been back-and-forth with RSGB over Rest of World meaning EI. I have to drive 4 hours to do my contesting, then 4 hours back. I have (arbitrarily) decided that the driving time must be less than the contest time. Russia has so many great ops, they won't even notice that I am not there. -- Original Message -- From: Tim Shoppa tsho...@gmail.com To: topBand List topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: RUSSIAN 160 METER CONTEST Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 06:43:58 -0500 Number of hours seems analogous to e.g. RSGB 160M test. Which runs from 2100Z to 0100Z, despite being much further west than Russia. Tim N3QE On Thu, Dec 18, 2014 at 10:10 AM, Milt -- N5IA n...@zia-connection.com wrote: Vlad, Although it is difficult to work Russian stations (UA0 excepted) from my location in southwest USA, I find it very strange that the hours of the contest operation do NOT include any night time hours at my location. The sun sets at 0010 UTC at my location this time of the year. Consequently there is absolutely no opportunity to effectively participate in this 'WORLDWIDE' CONTEST. My question is; If this is a contest inviting worldwide participation, why is there not at the minimum a full 24 hours of competition period? 73 de Milt, N5IA -- Also operator of N7GP == -Original Message- From: R7LV Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 2:23 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: RUSSIAN 160 METER CONTEST Dear friends, RUSSIAN 160 METER CONTEST will be held from 20.00 to 24.00 UTC, on the 19th December 2014. The Rules of the Contest are at http://www.radio.ru/cq/ contest/rule-results/index2012.shtml Current Rules were approximated with RDXC Rules, and any RDXC software may be used in this contest. In previous years, various ideas were discussed, both negative and positive, but finally positive ideas predominated, - even from those who are against Rules changes. Operators from almost 50 Russian oblasts participated in the last Contest. Please note: THERE IS NO 10-minutes rule for club stations. Welcome to participate in RUSSIAN 160 METER CONTEST ! 73! -- С уважением, Vlad / R7LV mailto: r...@dx.ru ua...@dx.ru ua...@mail.ru - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4253/8759 - Release Date: 12/18/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband *The #1 Worst Carb Ever?* Click to Learn #1 Carb that Kills Your Blood Sugar (Don't Eat This!) http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3132/549437791c69337780796st04duc FixYourBloodSugar.com http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3132/549437791c69337780796st04duc _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4253/8767 - Release Date: 12/19/14 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4253/8767 - Release Date: 12/19/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Non-resonant receive antennas
Jim, If the arrival angle of the signals is high, then definitely the low dipole will perform stupendously. At XZ0A in 2000 we were having trouble the first few evenings receiving signals at our sunset and for a couple of hours afterwards. The Beverage RX antennas were working very effectively after that time period, for the entire night time. Our conclusion was that the signals were arriving not only skewed (what signals we were hearing were best on the VK/ZL Beverage and not the direct path on the JA/NA Beverage) but also high arrival angle. I installed a full sized dipole at 20' AGL, suspended by bamboo poles at the center (centered on the helicopter landing zone as we suspected the Myanmar Generals were not going to come visit us) and terminated in the jungle on either side of the helo landing spot. The dipole was oriented east/west, broadside to the N/S. Immediately at the start of that day's Topband operation the NA signals came right up out of the noise floor shortly before sunset. Q5 copy signals on the dipole were barely discernable while listening on the VK/ZL Beverage. For 3 weeks we enjoyed this RX signal capability during the early evening time period. BUT, when it was time for the signal path to change it did so within a 5 minute period every night. It was like someone was disconnecting one antenna and connecting the other, so dramatic was the switch of RX path from skewed, high arrival angle to direct path, much lower arrival angle over a period of a few short minutes. It was like clock work each evening. The low dipole RX antenna allowed an XZ0A 160 M contact to be entered in hundreds of NA log books which most likely would have never happened without it. My personal experience with low (10' AGL), full sized (1/4 WL) horizontal loops at my home station is they work very well for high arrival angle signals but are nearly deaf to low angle signals. Good luck, and YMMV. The low dipole is a specialty RX antenna. And you can never have too many RX antennas. If anyone would like to see photos of the low dipole at XZ0A, send me a direct request. 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: James Rodenkirch Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 7:26 AM To: Top Band Contesting Subject: Topband: Non-resonant receive antennas I noticed JC's comment below about a low dipole as a receiving antenna. Did I interpret that correctly? I've read of a Dipole on the ground as a low noise receive antenna for 160 but.can a non resonant dipole installed at low heights be better, as a receive antenna, than a vertical or L antenna? How about a non-resonant dipole, say, two feet above ground, at a length of 100 feet? Would you feed it with coax or figure out the Zo at 160 and use a suitably wound xfmr to match to 50 ohms??? Just athinkin' of ways to use available low horizontal space, albeit the available space is insufficient for a beverage. Thoughts??? 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From: n...@comcast.net To: jkaufm...@alum.mit.edu; topband@contesting.com Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 23:11:10 -0500 Subject: Re: Topband: 8 circle: DXE vs Hi-Z Hi guys Polarization does play a lot on 160m for two reasons. I can say that because I am using my HWF (two horizontal flags end fire) since 2009. The first one is local man made noise that propagate only vertical due the attenuation on the horizontal component near the ground. And Second the DX signal always come in both polarization. The result form the two reasons is an optimized signal to noise ration using horizontal polarization. I have both WF with the same RDF, during SR or SS there is almost no sky noise coming from the back because of the darkness, however local man made noise comes from any direction, especially if you live in a city lot like I do. Most of the time the noise is coming at the same direction you want to hear the DX, and if you add power line noise the situation deteriorates a lot for the VWF due vertical polarization. Using my HWF I normally get 10 dB better SNR than my VWF that has the same RDF and same aperture of 74 degree measures, I can turn the antenna and measure it, they are not optimized for best F/B, I optimized them for maximum rejection of local man made noise. The HWF is not a dipole. The two phased loops take of angle us 40 degree and there is a huge attenuation for signals above 60 degree. Low dipole is a huge issue if the dipole is resonant, it will interact with all other receiver antennas and will destroy directivity of all of them, if you want to use a low dipole make it not resonant. Gain in not important so it can be short as a 30 m dipole and still will hear the same way. Another issue with low dipoles is the amount of energy absorbed from the TX antenna. If you connect a power meter and a 50 ohms load o the low dipole and transmit KW on the TX antenna, you can measure several WATTS at the low dipole . You can burn you front end
Topband: Iran Topband Emphasis
Preparations Under Way for January DXpedition to Iran Preparations continue on the part of the Rockall DX Group to make Iran -- #33 on ClubLog's DXCC Most Wanted List -- available through a DXpedition to Kish Island (IOTA AS-166). Look for EP6T beginning on January 16. While the emphasis will be on 160 meters, the DXpedition will operate on all bands, 160 through 10 meters. EP6T plans to remain active until January 26. Organizers say the theme of the expedition will be friendship and cultural tolerance. We hope to make a lot of people happy, team member Luc Kerkhofs, ON4IA, said. A dedicated 160 meter station will be on the air starting at local sunrise and sunset for the first two nights, in order to work as many Europeans as possible and to check when signals peak to North America. The planned transmitting antenna is a 26-meter (85.3 feet) vertical with 50 quarter-wave radials. Kerkhofs said the operators will attempt to be fair in giving all continents a crack at working Iran on 160. After that, the operators will concentrate on listening for North American stations, although they concede that paths to North America on Top Band will be dicey and of short duration. Since word first spread of the planned DXpedition, many groups and individuals have offered support, including the Northern California DX Foundation. The organizers say that preparations are progressing smoothly and according to plan. M0URX will be the QSL manager. The EP6T log will be uploaded to Logbook of The World (LoTW) once the DXpedition has concluded. - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4253/8762 - Release Date: 12/18/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: KP1
Well, Charlie, I would hope that they will have good RX antennas to all azimuths, and pay attention to gray line and directional calls for the non-NA, EU and JA paths. That is what we did at VP6DX, and it worked superbly. I have confidence George and whomever else is on his TB crew will pay careful attention to all corners of the globe. Congratulations to the KP1-5 consortium for pulling it off. 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Jorge Diez - CX6VM Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2014 10:59 AM To: Charlie Cc: topband@contesting.com ; j...@audiosystemsgroup.com Subject: Re: Topband: KP1 will be a USA Fest! if signal is like KV4FZ or PJ2T we have some posibility, but will be near impossible to break USA pile up with KP1 RX antennas pointing to the north :-( 73, Jorge CX6VM/CW5W - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4765 / Virus Database: 4040/8440 - Release Date: 10/23/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: KP1
Her, Thanks for the photo, and it sure does appear to be a superb location for the Top Band stations. Charlie, It took Robin and I approximately 2 full, long days to deploy the entire Beverage system at VP6DX. That is 3 x 2 wire/ 1 WL bi-directional Beverages, one phased set of bi-directional 2-wire/ 1 WL Beverages, appropriate band filters, signal splitters, preamps, and remote 8 position switches. Then we laid out 3 x 400 Meter feed lines and control line to the two camps; one set each for the 80 M CW, 75 M SSB, and the 160 M stations. Plus a bunch more that takes too much time to tell. Was it worth it? YES, YES and YES! All it takes is planning and commitment. A number of the unkowning/ not understanding operator members of the VP6DX team verbally questioned WHY are those two spending SO MUCH time on those RX antennas? But when it came their turn to operate those stations equipped with those RX antennas they became believers immediately. After one particular night the 160 M station op commented at daybreak while nursing 'bleeding' ears, No Beverages, no contacts. Yet that op put more than 200 more DX contacts in the 160 M log that night. Tropical QRN is a real killer. You have to go prepared to properly combat it. Even though the 75 M station was equipped with a full size 4-Square, the Beverage RX antennas were what made it NOT an alligator. A properly equipped and deployed RX antenna system for the low band stations will double or more the quantity of contacts on 160, 80 75 Meters over the nominal 2 week life of a DXpediton. If they don't have room for Beverages then the terminated loops are a great 2nd choice. If this DXpedition has permission to install at the lighthouse location, and if the DXpedition leaders are into the 2 camp install a la Ducie, Malpelo and Amsterdam, then the helicopter delivered equipment should make it a snap. Here's to a good one 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Charlie Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2014 2:50 PM To: 'Herbert Schoenbohm' ; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: KP1 I surely agree, Herb! Although, putting up a field of Beverages would be a lot of work for an expedition! I might opt for a few terminated loops or one that could be rotated! That's what they used on the FO0AAA expedition a few years back (a KAZ terminated loop designed by ON4UN) - and it worked very well!! I expect it will be lots of fun!! 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Herbert Schoenbohm Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2014 3:59 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: KP1 Since the landing is planned by chopper the light house would be a great place to set up the operation. Sure would be a super place for low band antennas with Beverages in many directions. Here is a great pix of the lighthouse. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/userfiles/file/IBAs/CaribCntryPDFs/navassa. pdf 4765 / Virus Database: 4040/8440 - Release Date: 10/23/14 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4765 / Virus Database: 4040/8440 - Release Date: 10/23/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: TX relays
What make and model of DPDT relays are you using in your TX arrays? What are your sources? I am looking for some 12 VDC units that are capable of handling full legal limit power to install in a controller for a multi-element directive array. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions. 73 de Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4765 / Virus Database: 4040/8351 - Release Date: 10/08/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Anyone using WSPR or WSPR-X?
Larry, Do you care to elaborate on the setup and procedure which you are using? Inquiring minds are interested, in particular for Topband. 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Larry Sent: Monday, September 01, 2014 8:36 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Anyone using WSPR or WSPR-X? SNIP I have used the WSPR system to watch propagation and evaluate both TX and RX antenna systems on several bands. On 160 meters, using a gold standard partner station to compare against and averaging data taken over a week long period, I have been able to resolve differences in station performance within a fraction of a dB. SNIP--- 73, Larry - W7IUV / WH2XGP DN07dg - central WA http://w7iuv.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4745 / Virus Database: 4015/8137 - Release Date: 09/01/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: 1000 feet 5/8 hardline or 600ohm True Ladder line.
Bigger is most times Better. Especially when Big is the correct value. For my 160 Meter, 1/4 WL vertical, which is more than 400 feet from my operating position, I use 1/2 CATV hardline X 2. Since the feed point impedance of the vertical measures ~ 39 Ohms, I parallel two of the 75 Ohm cables for a near perfect match to the antenna. The 420 foot long run of paralleled cables dampens the slight mismatch between the presented impedance of 37.5 Ohms and the desired 50 Ohms for the amplifier such that the Alpha does not light a single reflected power segment from 1.800 to 1.880. The calculated loss is a mere 0.2%. The proof is in the pudding. It works stupendously well. 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: k1fz Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 6:59 AM To: Carl ; Mike Waters ; topband Subject: Re: Topband: 1000 feet 5/8 hardline or 600ohm True Ladder line. Heating is not a good guide for long coax runs. One watt of heating, in one foot of length, would hardly be detectable. Multiply times 1000 feet and a kilowatt of power is lost. The same logic not to use small diameter house wiring applies, The amount of current through the wire needs to be considered. 73 Bruce-K1FZ www.qsl.net/k1fz/beveragenotes.html - Original Message - From: Mike Waters mikew...@gmail.com To: topband topband@contesting.com Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2014 9:17 PM Subject: Re: Topband: 1000 feet 5/8 hardline or 600ohm True Ladder line. Hardline for 160 meters? I've mostly used hardline where I really needed it, like back when I was doing weak signal work on the low end of 144 MHz. Is 75 ohm CATV-type RG-6 (F-6) coax available where you live? That's what I use on 160m to feed my inverted-L that is quite a distance from the operating position. I buy Commscope quad-shield flooded (buryable) F-6 with CCS conductor and a bonded inner shield in 1000' spools off eBay. I even use F connectors at 1500 watts (as do other hams). Neither the coax nor the F connectors get the least bit warm, even after several minutes of key-down at 1500 watts. The loss of RG-6 is about the same as RG-213. And it will handle over 3000 watts all day long in the hot sun. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4570 / Virus Database: 3931/7413 - Release Date: 04/29/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: 1000 feet 5/8 hardline or 600ohm True Ladder line.
You are correct, Rick. I meant 0.2 dB. Brain not too well in gear this AM. Thanks for the correction, so no one is mislead. 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Richard (Rick) Karlquist Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 10:08 AM To: Milt -- N5IA ; k1fz ; Carl ; Mike Waters ; topband Subject: Re: Topband: 1000 feet 5/8 hardline or 600ohm True Ladder line. On 4/29/2014 8:49 AM, Milt -- N5IA wrote: = The 420 foot long run of paralleled cables dampens the slight mismatch The calculated loss is a mere 0.2%. The proof is in the pudding. It 73 de Milt, N5IA 0.2% is only 0.01 dB, that can't be right. Maybe you meant 0.2 dB. The ARRL Antenna Handbook shows about 0.4 dB for 420 feet of 75 ohm 1/2 inch hardline. Paralleling two runs of line does not decrease the insertion loss. Rick N6RK _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4570 / Virus Database: 3931/7413 - Release Date: 04/29/14 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4570 / Virus Database: 3931/7413 - Release Date: 04/29/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: W1AW/7 in Arizona operating schedule
To better provide an opportunity for the interested masses who are intent on working the W1AW call sign in all 50 States, the operating schedule for all bands from Arizona locations can be found at the following URL. http://www.n7cw.com/Schedule.html The operation starts at Z Wednesday, 12 March, which is 5 PM local in Arizona. You will note that both time lines are listed in the schedule. Don’t be confused if you are NOT in AZ. Just use the Zulu time line. Good luck, and CU all in the pile ups starting this evening. 73 de Milt, N5IA, who will be operating from N7GP in AZ, exclusively on 160 Meters - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4335 / Virus Database: 3722/7177 - Release Date: 03/10/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Conditions
Just an FYI to all. It appears the band may evolve into something good tonight. I was able to contact NP4A in Puerto Rico from my station in Arizona with only one call at 0036 Z. The log time is when the sun is almost one whole hour before setting. Good luck to all. 73 de Milt, N5IA, operator at N7GP in AZ – DM52 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4335 / Virus Database: 3705/7132 - Release Date: 02/28/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Not so ood in the contest last night
On 2/23/2014 8:51 AM, Bruce Whitney wrote: Joe, I am afraid you are a victim of your own false assumptions. The W1AW/8 Operations on 160 are not at a single station. The SLAARC ops were only on during part of the CQWW160 SSB and were hearing pretty well. 939 Q's, 52 SP's, 19 Countries. Of course, I have never met a 160m op that wouldn't want to hear better. 73, Bruce W8RA === I easily worked W1AW/8 last night (whoever they were) but they were unable to copy numerous other W6's who were calling. //CUT// Rick N6RK === W1AW/8 called me during the 'test, and then called again for the dupe about 2 hours later. de Milt, N5IA, operator of N7GP in DM52 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4335 / Virus Database: 3705/7119 - Release Date: 02/23/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: FT5ZM
Good morning Garry, Well, all the tea leaves lined up here this AM. He was first discernable at 1348. Heard a good CQ call sign at :50. I started calling at :52. I made it into his log, on the hour, at 1400. He was wall to wall speaker quality for 10 minutes. He faded out at 1425, a full 10 minutes after my sunrise. His signal was audible here in SW NM, DM52lq for a total of 37 minutes. And this morning's op was NOT interleaving VK stations with NA. So the note to the pilot may have helped on that account. Good luck with your situation. 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Garry Shapiro Sent: Monday, February 03, 2014 9:56 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: FT5ZM The west coast depends upon the morning bump and the only window is between their sunset around 14Z and our sunrise around 1515 and shrinking; the actual sunrise bump is, of course, short. Some areas east of the Sierra in the Mountain time zone apparently have no mutual darkness and therefore no opening at all, similar to what happened at VK0IR in 1997. Many west coast stations made good topband Q's over the weekend. Alas, I was plagued with a powerline arc exactly in line with Amsterdam SP and a deer took out my NW/SE Beverage. Now we are about to be clobbered by a CME--the high SFI of the past week heralded its arrival and I join those who are SOL. The prop gods are chortling. Garry, NI6T On 2/3/2014 6:45 PM, Les Kalmus wrote: They were on top band tonight but really weak at best. I heard them better on the inverted L than the beverage which is really weird. They didn't start calling until around 2330Z. The ditter was a pita. 73, Les W2LK On 2/3/2014 6:33 PM, Gary Smith wrote: Well, it's academic for tonight because the only signals on frequency I've heard all night were the buzzards throwing out carriers the occasional dits so to let us know they're there, waiting. Band condx or local issues there keeping them off 160 it seems. Gary, KA1J Gary, I know I worked them on 40 SSB last night, and I do not appear in the log. So, I checked about a dozen other guys in the spots for 40 SSB last night who supposedly worked them after I did. None of them appear in the log either. Methinks there are some bands missing in today's upload! 73, Tony K4QE On Mon, Feb 3, 2014 at 5:18 PM, Gary Smith g...@ka1j.com wrote: Rats, back in the chase, must have been a slim. Just checked clublogs FT5ZM log and the 160M Q didn't show up but my 17M contact an hour a half later did. I know I heard them come back to me so it must have been a slim but geez with the signals like they were, it sure sounded like their signal. Ugh... Gary KA1J Fingers crossed it wasn't a slim I worked. The signals were in out but for 4-5 minutes I could hear them clearly. Time'll tell. If I did get him it was greatly because the kiddies weren't playing so hard today. 73, Gary KA1J --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3684/7058 - Release Date: 02/03/14 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3684/7058 - Release Date: 02/03/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: FT5ZM
Hi Dave, Glad you made it. All I can say is the person operating at 1400 Z 1 Feb was either not hearing well or he doesn't understand the minute gray line opportunities for those of us near the antipode. He can work VK stations all night long yet during the 7-8 minute window I have here in SW NM a high percentage of the Qs were with VK. This morning FT5ZM was copiable for those 7-8 minutes at Q5 with light QSB. There were many western US stations calling and yet the operator worked 3 VK stations among others during this very short window of opportunity. And there is 2 minutes less opportunity on this end each day. If you have the opportunity to pass that info along to Jerry in another SSB encounter, please do. Thanks, and 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: David Raymond Sent: Saturday, February 01, 2014 2:21 PM To: TopBand Subject: Topband: FT5ZM I chatted with Jerry, WB9Z, on 18130 just a few minutes ago (Saturday, 2030z). He said Nodir, EY8MM, was already on 160 for the Saturday evening shift. He said they have been working on their RX antennas, trying to improve their receive capability to the degree they can. He also said they are making a real effort on the lowbands, particularly 160m, trying to get as many into the log as possible and that they would continue that effort. Good luck to all that need them. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS _ 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: 3684/7052 - Release Date: 02/01/14 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3684/7052 - Release Date: 02/01/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: FT5ZM
Good morning all. It appears I was duped two days ago. The apparently real FT5ZM just showed up 48.5 hours later, but too late for me. The sun was already 10 minutes in the sky when the very weak signal was heard at this QTH. The NA west coast is calling right now but I have not heard any of them make a contact. I apologize for the misleading info of two days ago. The comment by LY5W on the FT5ZM web site re working Amsterdam on 160 M has now been removed. However, here is the copy and paste that I did of that comment. I sent this to Juhani Viitala, OH3SR,at his request. Saulius Zalnerauskas · Works at Laisvo Oro Direktorius TNX for 160m QSO - EASY! Great ears! LY5W - First Call Reply · 4 · Like · Follow Post · 5 hours ago Branislav Hačko · Centar za socijalnu medicinu at Zavod za javno zdravlje Kikinda Congrats! YU7U Reply · Like · 47 minutes ago This is from http://www.amsterdamdx.org/an-avalanche-of-emails/ Good luck to everyone. de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: K4SAV Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 7:50 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: FT5ZM Merv if you look at a gray line map you will see that the path from New Mexico to FT5ZM at 1350Z is in the gray line while at the same time its three hours after your sunrise. Also after sunrise for most of eastern US. Jerry, K4SAV On 1/27/2014 9:50 AM, Merv Schweigert wrote: Now thats a strange one Milt, I was up and ears peeled at 1330Z until now 1545Z and never heard a peep outta him, never heard anyone calling at all, what Freq was this happening on? Only stations on 160 were NH0Z and V63DX, couple JAs How in the world did we all miss him? Curious to freq you heard him on? I also dont see any reverse beacon hits for him.. Color me dumb, 73 Merv K9FD/KH6 He was first discernable here at 1350. In the log at 1400. It is now 1422 and he is fading with my sunrise. The signals peaked at S3 on the Beverages for about 20 minutes, but was good copy on ALL 16 Beverages. This indicates a VERY HIGH arrival angle here near the Amsterdam antipode. He was good copy (S1) on a full wavelength horizontal loop just 10 feet AGL. He is now working northern Scandinavian station as well as NA west coast as he fades away. Still 449 at 1427. 73, and good luck to all. de Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3681/7035 - Release Date: 01/26/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3681/7038 - Release Date: 01/27/14 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3681/7041 - Release Date: 01/28/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: FT5ZM
He was first discernable here at 1350. In the log at 1400. It is now 1422 and he is fading with my sunrise. The signals peaked at S3 on the Beverages for about 20 minutes, but was good copy on ALL 16 Beverages. This indicates a VERY HIGH arrival angle here near the Amsterdam antipode. He was good copy (S1) on a full wavelength horizontal loop just 10 feet AGL. He is now working northern Scandinavian station as well as NA west coast as he fades away. Still 449 at 1427. 73, and good luck to all. de Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3681/7035 - Release Date: 01/26/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: FT5ZM
Hi Merv. At this end he was on 1.825.9 and listening 1 up on his end. Prop was like clockwork. Just the same way I worked 3B9C at Rodriquez a few years ago, only that one was the small window at my sunset. Just turned on the radio and amp, waited a few minutes for the gray line, hears the signal come up slowly out of the noise, and then at good copy of the call sign give them a call. Works every time. I saw on the FT5 website where LY5W worked him on 160 about the same time I did. It was when the FT5 was working some northern Scandinavian stations who were just into their sunset/gray line. If it wasn't the DX Ped, then some pirate has to be in the same part of the world and understand the gray line propagation. A couple of responses have said the NH0Z was up a KHz or so, but I did not hear that station. I worked him in the contest this past weekend. GL and 73 de Milt, N5IA === -Original Message- From: Merv Schweigert Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 8:50 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: FT5ZM Now thats a strange one Milt, I was up and ears peeled at 1330Z until now 1545Z and never heard a peep outta him, never heard anyone calling at all, what Freq was this happening on? Only stations on 160 were NH0Z and V63DX, couple JAs How in the world did we all miss him? Curious to freq you heard him on? I also dont see any reverse beacon hits for him.. Color me dumb, 73 Merv K9FD/KH6 He was first discernable here at 1350. In the log at 1400. It is now 1422 and he is fading with my sunrise. The signals peaked at S3 on the Beverages for about 20 minutes, but was good copy on ALL 16 Beverages. This indicates a VERY HIGH arrival angle here near the Amsterdam antipode. He was good copy (S1) on a full wavelength horizontal loop just 10 feet AGL. He is now working northern Scandinavian station as well as NA west coast as he fades away. Still 449 at 1427. 73, and good luck to all. de Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3681/7035 - Release Date: 01/26/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3681/7035 - Release Date: 01/26/14 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3681/7037 - Release Date: 01/27/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: DX-100 adventure contiunued
-Original Message- From: Charlie Cunningham ( Maybe I spent too many years around electric utilities) I think that +/- 5% guideline is honored more in the breach than in the observance. In the meter business 480 high-line was 530 VAC! 73, Charlie.K4OTV = I can say that for the 40 years I worked for Duncan Valley Electric Coop the intent and goal was the 120 VAC +-5%, tending to the + side. Extensive use of Voltage regulators and capacitor banks on all lines, even the extremely rural, long, single phase taps, were utilized to keep the delivered voltage up to par. For many years the use of distribution transformers with +- taps were used to 'fine tune' service voltage in certain service areas which were outside the set range of the VRs. YMWV with your particular utility. 73, and HNY de Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3658/6986 - Release Date: 01/08/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Fwd: The Stew Perry TopBand DX Challenge #18
To all who are gearing up to operate in the Stew Perry Distance Challenge this coming weekend. You will note that I am the sponsor of one of the unique plaque offerings in the upcoming SPDC contest. The following is my reply to a previous inquiry regarding the 'RULES' to be considered for the Highest Score Daytime Operation Only plaque. “The sponsored plaque will be winnable only by those stations that conform to a ‘Sun in the Sky’ parameter. It is actual sunrise for a morning start and actual sunset for an afternoon ending, at the operator’s TX site. At my latitude the sun rises at ~7:15 AM and sets at ~4:50 PM, local MST at 119 degrees west. So I have historically, from the beginning in 1996, operated the Stew from 5 PM to 7 AM. For a number of years I have done the following because the SPDC is a single night, 14 hours only contest. The 14 hours wasn’t enough operating time and I wanted to have some more fun and get some more signals on the air. I have encouraged others to do the same but perhaps I am the only one really doing this extended operation. Since the Stew begins at 8 AM local, 1500 Z on Saturday morning, nearly an hour after sunrise, I operate HIGH POWER with a club call sign (N7GP) until the band fades away. I come back at mid-afternoon, 3 PM local, and again operate at HIGH POWER with the club call sign for nearly two hours. At 5 PM local, Z, a few minutes after sunset, I start operating at QRP level with my own call sign, N5IA. I continue for 14 hours and finish the QRP operation at 7 AM local, 1400 Z, a few minutes before sunrise. At sunrise I again operate HIGH POWER with the N7GP call sign for another 45 minutes or so until the end of the contest at 1500 Z. I then submit TWO entries, one as a High Power operation with the N7GP call sign and one as a QRP operation with the N5IA call sign.” For those that are interested in my 3830 report of my 2012 ‘Daylight Only’ operation, you can go to http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/3830/2012-12/msg02391.html I encourage everyone to operate with a 2nd call sign outside the normal 14 hours with a primary call sign. And I highly recommend the operation be a ‘Sun in the Sky’ operation. Let’s see who has the advantage in this one. Perhaps one of our more southern latitude ops with more daylight can take advantage and win this first time offered plaque. Who knows. Just do it. Give it a try. In some places you will be like fresh meat to the hordes. Enjoy a run fest. CU all in the STEW. de Milt, N5IA, who will also operate a daylight operation as N7GP but will not be eligible to win the plaque. -Original Message- From: Lew Sayre Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 12:56 PM To: topband@contesting.com ; cq-cont...@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Fwd: The Stew Perry TopBand DX Challenge #18 Hello to Everybody in 160M Land, In a few very short days, the Stew Perry TopBand DX Challenge will take place. People from around the globe will fling RF mostly into the air and try to catch the same stuff with a variety of wires and metal devices. The rules are different than most contests so please browse yourself over to: http://www.kkn.net/stew/ and read the major points and contemplate the subtleties. The plaque sponsorship program has blossomed as listed below. The sponsors are solid people of good upbringing who are quick on their feet and fast to come with good ideas to spur the competition during The Stew. You can join this august group by sending me the idea and $60. The final list of sponsors will be sent out just hours before the start of The Stew. When you meet any of these sponsors be sure to thank them for their support of radio contesting in general and The Stew Perry in particular. KL7RA Top # of QSOs KL7RA Top Score, S/O, North America W2GD Team Top # NA+SA QSOs by EU Station TF4MLongest Distance QSO- 2 plaques TF4MTop Score Mobile (has to be actually able to move) N0TT Top Score 21 years old, 200 QSOs N5IA Most Grids Worked N5IA Highest Score Daytime operation only KH6LC VK-ZL Challenge, Top Score VK-ZL K5WA Top Score, S/O, Low Power, Americas K5WA Top Score, S/O, Low Power, Europe NA0YTop Score USA TF3KX Aurora Borealis Award- Top Score N of 60 deg N geomagnetic latitude CE1/K7CA Top Score Southern Hemisphere CE1/K7CA Top Score Japan K1EP Top Score by First Time Entrant K2PO Top Score, S/O, Low Power, Zone 3 K6ND K6SE Memorial- Top Score World W7RHTop Score, Low Power, Asia K7FL Top Score 100% Search and Pounce W0RI Top Score, S/O, Zone 4 AA6VB Top Score, base loaded Vert 60' tall AA6VB Top Score Big City 50K,little pistol100W WA2DFI Top Score VE KR2Q Golden Log- Top # of Qs
Re: Topband: Fwd: The Stew Perry TopBand DX Challenge #18
Hello Sam, The plaque is available to every operator in the SPDC, ANYWHERE in the WORLD. The only requirement is that all valid QSOs have to be made during ‘sun above the horizon’ at the operator’s location. The Boring Amateur Radio Club, the sponsors of the SPDC, will do the log checking and will use their own method of determining the SUNRISE and SUNSET times at the operator’s location. All QSOs outside the SUNRISE and SUNSET times at the particular operator’s QTH will not count for the plaque I am sponsoring. Those QSOs will be valid for all other plaques for which the entry qualifies. I trust this will more clearly define the parameters. Everyone in the WORLD is eligible for this plaque, so long as the QSOs are made while the sun is above the horizon at the operator’s TX location. 73 de Milt, N5IA From: Saulius Zalnerauskas Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 1:46 PM To: Milt -- N5IA Subject: Re: Topband: Fwd: The Stew Perry TopBand DX Challenge #18 If I understand correct - we can apply for this nomination from EUROPE starting sunrise ending with sunset (first minutes?) Sam LY5W On Tue, Dec 24, 2013 at 10:34 PM, Milt -- N5IA n...@zia-connection.com wrote: To all who are gearing up to operate in the Stew Perry Distance Challenge this coming weekend. You will note that I am the sponsor of one of the unique plaque offerings in the upcoming SPDC contest. The following is my reply to a previous inquiry regarding the 'RULES' to be considered for the Highest Score Daytime Operation Only plaque. “The sponsored plaque will be winnable only by those stations that conform to a ‘Sun in the Sky’ parameter. It is actual sunrise for a morning start and actual sunset for an afternoon ending, at the operator’s TX site. At my latitude the sun rises at ~7:15 AM and sets at ~4:50 PM, local MST at 119 degrees west. So I have historically, from the beginning in 1996, operated the Stew from 5 PM to 7 AM. For a number of years I have done the following because the SPDC is a single night, 14 hours only contest. The 14 hours wasn’t enough operating time and I wanted to have some more fun and get some more signals on the air. I have encouraged others to do the same but perhaps I am the only one really doing this extended operation. Since the Stew begins at 8 AM local, 1500 Z on Saturday morning, nearly an hour after sunrise, I operate HIGH POWER with a club call sign (N7GP) until the band fades away. I come back at mid-afternoon, 3 PM local, and again operate at HIGH POWER with the club call sign for nearly two hours. At 5 PM local, Z, a few minutes after sunset, I start operating at QRP level with my own call sign, N5IA. I continue for 14 hours and finish the QRP operation at 7 AM local, 1400 Z, a few minutes before sunrise. At sunrise I again operate HIGH POWER with the N7GP call sign for another 45 minutes or so until the end of the contest at 1500 Z. I then submit TWO entries, one as a High Power operation with the N7GP call sign and one as a QRP operation with the N5IA call sign.” For those that are interested in my 3830 report of my 2012 ‘Daylight Only’ operation, you can go to http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/3830/2012-12/msg02391.html I encourage everyone to operate with a 2nd call sign outside the normal 14 hours with a primary call sign. And I highly recommend the operation be a ‘Sun in the Sky’ operation. Let’s see who has the advantage in this one. Perhaps one of our more southern latitude ops with more daylight can take advantage and win this first time offered plaque. Who knows. Just do it. Give it a try. In some places you will be like fresh meat to the hordes. Enjoy a run fest. CU all in the STEW. de Milt, N5IA, who will also operate a daylight operation as N7GP but will not be eligible to win the plaque. -Original Message- From: Lew Sayre Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 12:56 PM To: topband@contesting.com ; cq-cont...@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Fwd: The Stew Perry TopBand DX Challenge #18 Hello to Everybody in 160M Land, In a few very short days, the Stew Perry TopBand DX Challenge will take place. People from around the globe will fling RF mostly into the air and try to catch the same stuff with a variety of wires and metal devices. The rules are different than most contests so please browse yourself over to: http://www.kkn.net/stew/ and read the major points and contemplate the subtleties. The plaque sponsorship program has blossomed as listed below. The sponsors are solid people of good upbringing who are quick on their feet and fast to come with good ideas to spur the competition during The Stew. You can join this august group by sending me the idea and $60. The final list of sponsors will be sent out just hours before the start of The Stew. When you meet any of these sponsors be sure to thank them
Re: Topband: 160M Contest
Starting way out west in Arizona at the ring of the bell in a few minutes. It is 2 hours before sunset our here in the desert southwest, but I can hear real well to the east. Good luck to all. N5IA, operator at N7GP -Original Message- From: Gary Smith Sent: Friday, December 06, 2013 2:35 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: 160M Contest Good luck tonight most of all, have fun! 73, Gary KA1J --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ 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: 3658/6896 - Release Date: 12/06/13 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3658/6896 - Release Date: 12/06/13 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: RG8X
-Original Message- From: Mike Waters Sent: Friday, November 22, 2013 12:05 AM To: dnem...@aol.com ; topband Subject: Re: Topband: RG8X Mike Waters commented: RG8X can handle more than the legal limit on 160. == Milt Jensen, N5IA, replied: That comment is true. At XZ0A in January, 2000, we had more than 300 feet of RG8X feeding the 160 Meter elevated Ground Plane antenna. It ran without fail for nearly 4 weeks in the tropics. In fact, ALL antennas at XZ0A were fed with RG8X at full legal limit. 73 de Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4158 / Virus Database: 3629/6831 - Release Date: 11/12/13 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: DSL vs Wi-Max
We feed our wireless ISP system with 6 each, Gig E fiber connections at dispersed locations from three 3 different nationwide carriers. There is no need for a bottleneck. Diversity of feed is the name of the game. In town or beyond DSL and cable, there is a choice. Mis dos centavos, de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Richard (Rick) Karlquist Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 5:29 PM To: he...@vitelcom.net Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: DSL vs Wi-Max On 7/29/2013 12:47 PM, Herb Schoenbohm wrote: Dave, I also have Wi-Max to run most of the computers but I have found that even though I have 5 meg service the WI-Max is all over the ball park on latency as the sector I am on is over played. During a contest and for remote operation I have found this unacceptable. The DSL I have is 1.5 meg up and down every time and all the time and with Remote Rig allows perfect 35 WPM keying from the remote op on the mainland (in NYC) I tried two different wireless ISP's before DSL came to my area. I found out that the wireless ISP's only had a single T1 line to the internet, so it didn't matter what speed the wireless link was, there would be bottleneck at the head end. The DSL also has this issue to a certain extent, but it has worked much better for remote station control. Rick N6RK _ Topband Reflector - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6544 - Release Date: 08/01/13 _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Problem with compression F connectors on Quad RG-6
You've been watching over my shoulder, Rick. Mis dos centavos de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Richard (Rick) Karlquist Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2013 3:27 PM To: donov...@starpower.net Cc: PVRC ; topband Subject: Re: Topband: Problem with compression F connectors on Quad RG-6 On 5/7/2013 9:23 AM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: 3. Remove the foil tape between the two braid shields. Do not use a knife to assist in foil tape removal. This step is time consuming and often ignored. The connector will be very difficult to install if the foil tape is not removed. If somehow you manage to force the connector onto the cable with the foil tape in place, the connector will be intermittent and unreliable. This is the key issue with these things. I find that I simply cannot tear the foil with my bare hands, on account of the fact that it is not foil, but rather plastic (probably mylar) with an evaporated or sputtered metal coating. I have resorted to using a very small pair of diagonal cutters to cut the foil. Any other suggestions? Rick N6RK All good topband ops know how to put up a beverage at night. _ Topband Reflector - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3272 / Virus Database: 3162/6306 - Release Date: 05/07/13 All good topband ops know how to put up a beverage at night. _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: CABLE TV HARDLINE
Tom, Just purchase the splice connectors made for the cable. They are relatively inexpensive and are applicable in a few minutes time as long as you also purchase (one time purchase) a coring tool for preparing the ends of the cable. I have deployed approaching 30,000 feet on 1/2 CATV line in two extensive Beverage antenna 'farms'. Doing it correctly the way it was designed will save you time, grief, frustration and failures in the long run. The same goes for the female F connectors for terminating the cable at both ends. Inexpensive and very easy to install. YMMV. Mis dos centavos. de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: THOMAS M GREENWAY Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:05 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: CABLE TV HARDLINE Just wanting some input ... I have used cable TV hardline for years with most of the transitions being inside a plastic box with the center conductor soldered to a SO239 mounted on the box and the shield being jumpered by braid. Recently on some receive system fed with hardline I have used the brass 1/2 transistions to joint the coax and a PL259 using NoOx. It makes a nice neat transistion. The price is about the same to do either. I am planning some large changes and leaning toward the brass transitions. Any comments on experiences with both. 73 Mike K4PI All good topband ops know fine whiskey is a daylight beverage. _ Topband Reflector - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3267 / Virus Database: 3162/6224 - Release Date: 04/04/13 All good topband ops know fine whiskey is a daylight beverage. _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: [CQ-Contest] Wireless Remote Control Relays
Yep Gary that is the one I purchased. But it is no longer available. However, I have been sent information from another 'listener' by direct E-mail that the nearly identical item is now available in this package. It appears the relay board is the same with a repackaged control unit. http://www.goodluckbuy.com/12v-8-channel-wireless-rf-switch-relayremote-control-315mhz-for-light.html Good luck, and thanks for the assistance. de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Gerry Hull Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 2:47 PM To: Milt -- N5IA Cc: topband@contesting.com ; cq-cont...@contesting.com ; anten...@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: Topband: [CQ-Contest] Wireless Remote Control Relays They are probably the nearly the same as this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/130545242235?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 A mau On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 7:19 PM, Milt -- N5IA n...@zia-connection.comwrote: A question to the informed masses. A year or so ago I purchased some wireless remote control, 8 relay, modules from some source on E-Bay. Obviously at the time the units appealed to me, and apparently the price was right because I purchased 10 of them. Well, they have sit in the USPS shipping box for this length of time and I am now trying to figure out what project I had in mind for them; and how to use them. SOOO Does anyone have any experience with these units which have a sole identifying mark, silk screened on the RX and relay board, of CDKZQ-8L. The manufacture date is 2011.10.04. These units apparently work on 310 MHz. The only result I get in a web search is a Linear Delta Remotes company. But nothing they show for products resembles these units. The tiny remote control transmitter has larger, red colored keys numbered 1 2, and 3-8 on smaller black colored keys. It has a small telescoping antenna. These units are very well constructed, operate at 12 VDC, and look to be SPDT relays with 3 connections per relay on the terminal boards. Does anyone out there know anything about this unit; in particular how to program the channels for control of the eight relays? For anyone wanting to see them, respond directly to me and I will send you a couple of jpeg images. Thanks in advance for any assistance that can be offered. 73 de Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2639/6099 - Release Date: 02/12/13 ___ CQ-Contest mailing list cq-cont...@contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest _ Topband Reflector - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2639/6099 - Release Date: 02/12/13 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2639/6099 - Release Date: 02/12/13 _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: [CQ-Contest] Wireless Remote Control Relays
Thanks Gary for that information. It is the first of this kind I have seen. Pete, N4ZR has reverse engineered the board and has produced a similar instruction. From the info from the two sources, I can probably get something to work. The 8 relay board is not now available as you can see in the E-Bay notice. However, the 4 relay and 15 relay boards and remote controls made by the same company appear to be available for purchase. I can say that the boards and relays are high quality, and should be of use to lots of folks who might want to put a small amount of work into them. Pete has an article in the NCJ about one year ago that details what he has done to use his 8 relay board remotely, including inducing the 310 MHz RF signal onto his feed line to get more distance to his antenna selection location. Thanks again, and good luck to anyone who tackles the project. de Milt, n5Ia From: Gerry Hull Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 2:47 PM To: Milt -- N5IA Cc: topband@contesting.com ; cq-cont...@contesting.com ; anten...@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Wireless Remote Control Relays They are probably the nearly the same as this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/130545242235?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 A mau On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 7:19 PM, Milt -- N5IA n...@zia-connection.com wrote: A question to the informed masses. A year or so ago I purchased some wireless remote control, 8 relay, modules from some source on E-Bay. Obviously at the time the units appealed to me, and apparently the price was right because I purchased 10 of them. Well, they have sit in the USPS shipping box for this length of time and I am now trying to figure out what project I had in mind for them; and how to use them. SOOO Does anyone have any experience with these units which have a sole identifying mark, silk screened on the RX and relay board, of CDKZQ-8L. The manufacture date is 2011.10.04. These units apparently work on 310 MHz. The only result I get in a web search is a Linear Delta Remotes company. But nothing they show for products resembles these units. The tiny remote control transmitter has larger, red colored keys numbered 1 2, and 3-8 on smaller black colored keys. It has a small telescoping antenna. These units are very well constructed, operate at 12 VDC, and look to be SPDT relays with 3 connections per relay on the terminal boards. Does anyone out there know anything about this unit; in particular how to program the channels for control of the eight relays? For anyone wanting to see them, respond directly to me and I will send you a couple of jpeg images. Thanks in advance for any assistance that can be offered. 73 de Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2639/6099 - Release Date: 02/12/13 ___ CQ-Contest mailing list cq-cont...@contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2639/6099 - Release Date: 02/12/13 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2639/6099 - Release Date: 02/12/13 _ Topband Reflector
Topband: Wireless Remote Control Relays
A question to the informed masses. A year or so ago I purchased some wireless remote control, 8 relay, modules from some source on E-Bay. Obviously at the time the units appealed to me, and apparently the price was right because I purchased 10 of them. Well, they have sit in the USPS shipping box for this length of time and I am now trying to figure out what project I had in mind for them; and how to use them. SOOO Does anyone have any experience with these units which have a sole identifying mark, silk screened on the RX and relay board, of CDKZQ-8L. The manufacture date is 2011.10.04. These units apparently work on 310 MHz. The only result I get in a web search is a Linear Delta Remotes company. But nothing they show for products resembles these units. The tiny remote control transmitter has larger, red colored keys numbered 1 2, and 3-8 on smaller black colored keys. It has a small telescoping antenna. These units are very well constructed, operate at 12 VDC, and look to be SPDT relays with 3 connections per relay on the terminal boards. Does anyone out there know anything about this unit; in particular how to program the channels for control of the eight relays? For anyone wanting to see them, respond directly to me and I will send you a couple of jpeg images. Thanks in advance for any assistance that can be offered. 73 de Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2639/6099 - Release Date: 02/12/13 _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: The Idiot's Guide To Bi-Directional Two-Wire Beverage Construction...
Eddy, Here are the points I would make for and against zip cord for wire antennas in general and Beverages in particular. Your mileage (kilmeterage) may vary according to your needs, circumstances and applications. 1. Zip Cord is great and not so great for wire antennas on these counts. 2. It is very flexible and great conductivity due to being constructed of multiple tiny copper strands. 3. It is not so great as to strength and cannot be put into long spans with lots of tension. It is easy to split if you want to make single wire Beverages. 4. It is IMO not a good value cost wise, as it is one of the more expensive methods of buying antenna wire. 5. It is great in that it is normally available in 250' rolls at any hardware store. 6. Critters LIKE all varieties of zip cord insulation. It is most often soft, chewy, and apparently very much to their palate's desire. That said in generality, here is my experience with zip cord for 2-wire Beverages from the technical aspect. All other things aside, if you compute the impedance of the particular type of zip cord you are going to use taking into account the size of the conductor, the spacing between the conductors, and the dielectric(insulation) used, AND THEN construct your transformers for both ends to match that impedance to what ever feed line impedance you are going to use, you will have EXCELLENT results when properly grounded at each end. There is no 'optimum' distance between the wires. BUT the distance should remain constant so that the impedance remains constant through out the antenna's length. Lots of things to comment on, BUT the generalities are here. The one best axiom is any Beverage is MUCH better than no Beverage. And the construction of a Beverage is VERY forgiving. Go for it and learn as you experiment. Mis dos centavos, de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Eddy Swynar Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2012 2:08 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: The Idiot's Guide To Bi-Directional Two-Wire BeverageConstruction... Good Day All, I wonder if I might prevail upon any all with some first-hand real-world experience as to the criticalness (if any) between the two wires running the length span of a 2-wire bi-directional Beverage...? Just how important is a continuos pre-set distance between the wires, anyway...? And who was it that came up with the necessity of equally-spaced wire...? And how did they determine the optimum distance the wires...? Would a span of power line cord (a.k.a. zip cord) do in a pinch...? Zip cord sure would simplify things greatly for my location here... As I say, any all comments from first-hand experience are not only welcomed, they're solicited, before I plunk down any serious coin for a good run of lamp cord! Hi Hi ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2805 / Virus Database: 2634/5954 - Release Date: 12/12/12 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2805 / Virus Database: 2634/5954 - Release Date: 12/12/12 ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: SPDC Plaque
Thanks to K9JWV and WC7S for sponsoring the plaque which arrived today at my home. It is for the Top USA QRP Score west of the Mississippi. Thanks to the Boring ARC and to Lew for the super job they do. de Milt, N5IA - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2805 / Virus Database: 2634/5949 - Release Date: 12/10/12 ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX Window-Redux
Herb, The reason there is hardly anyone on TB during SS is that there is no incentive to be there. There are no band multipliers and you can work everyone on the other 5 bands. Keep up the good work. de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Herb Schoenbohm Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 2:55 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: DX Window-Redux On 12/6/2012 5:23 PM, Tom W8JI wrote: It is more like a sweepstakes contest keyed to sections It seems this was the ratinale Tom but that the ARRL SS allows 160 meters and a single band entry. However there are only a few station I have ever heard calling CQ SS on TB. maybe thats not such a bad thing? Herb, KV4FZ ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2793 / Virus Database: 2634/5940 - Release Date: 12/06/12 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2793 / Virus Database: 2634/5940 - Release Date: 12/06/12 ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX WINDOW
Bill, As Peter has responded, there are two JA windows; 1810-1825 and 1907.7-1912.5 . Until a few years ago the JA hams only had the upper 1907.7-1912.5 allocation. Because the band was segmented in much of the world most international contacts on 160 Meters were done split frequency. From here in the USA the common method was for US stations to transmit in the 1.820-1.830 area where their narrow band TX antennas were resonant and listen for the JA stations in the above 1.9 MHZ JA allocation. The JA stations would do the opposite, TXing above 1.9 and listening down low. The method of contacting each other was not random. When you CQed, you added at the end the couple of digits that indicated where you were listening in the other fellows band. For example, I would CQ CQ de N5IA N5IA r83. What this meant to the JA stations that I was listening on 1.908.3. We did this both for casual DXing and in the contests. Since the new, wider allocation to JA at the 1.810 to 1.825, to my knowledge all contest contacts are done simplex in that portion of the spectrum. If you want to work JA on 160 Meters you have to be within that window also. I don't know for a fact, but I suppose the above 1.9 MHZ allocation is probably used by JA for local, in country contacts. Anyone out there know how that portion of the spectrum is now used in JA? I hope this helps you and perhaps others, Bill. 73 and good evening de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Bill Cromwell Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2012 1:21 PM To: Milt -- N5IA Cc: Bill and Liz ; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: DX WINDOW On Wed, 2012-12-05 at 11:47 -0700, Milt -- N5IA wrote: All JA stations worked called me on my Run frequencies within the 'JA Window'. CU all in the SPDC. 73 de Milt, N5IA, op at N7GP The JA window? 73, Bill KU8H ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Fishing beacons redux
-Original Message- From: Robin Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 12:45 AM To: Mike Waters ; Merv Schweigert ; topband Subject: Re: Topband: Fishing beacons redux SNIP Pics on the VP6DX site of the two beacons we salvaged that had washed ashore there SNIP And the whole series of photos Robin and I took of the salvaged beacon can be seen at https://bmoran.onehub.com/fishing-beacon-pictures/pages/files de Milt, N5IA ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Fishing beacons redux
Hey Eddy, The irony is the beacons are floating in the environment we all would literally 'kill for' to have in our back yards underneath our BIG antennas. There is nothing like a salt water ground plane! de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Eddy Swynar Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 4:32 AM To: Robin Cc: Mike Waters ; topband ; Merv Schweigert Subject: Re: Topband: Fishing beacons redux On 2012-10-02, at 3:45 AM, Robin wrote: but they are a C H E A P crystal controlled MOPA with a 6-8 meter long whip. the ID runs on a cycle like Merv says. The beacons have something like 36 D cells for power - ballast and cheap batteries Hi Robin, I had to smile to myself when I read your note! Here we are with our full-sized inverted L antennas phased arrays coupled to legal limit amplifiers, yet we're receiving some stiff competition from rock-bound simple MOPAs with whip antennas...! Hi Hi There's some sort of irony at play here, to be sure...! ~73~ de Eddy VE3cui - VE3XZ ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2677 / Virus Database: 2591/5799 - Release Date: 09/29/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef
-Original Message- From: Robin Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 3:52 PM To: 160 Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef SNIP During the VP6DX expedition, we made many contacts before sunset and after sunrise, some quite notable distances. There is a recording of the SSB contact during the SSB contest with EA6 when it was almost 2 hours after sunrise at EA6. SNIP- I believe the contest contact Robin is referencing was the 2nd one with CN3A during the 2nd night of the contest. I had worked CN3A earlier in the evening and it was a bit difficult. It was now hard daylight in all of EU and AF, and the terminator was out in the Atlantic on the Cape Verde Islands, past the Canaries and the Azores. I was giving a few minutes of directional calls for the central Pacific and ZL/VK. CN3A calls in while I am listening on the Beverage in the opposite direction, directly to ZL/VK. He reports the VP6DX signal is unbelievable. I switch to the EU Beverage and the CN3A signal is 10-15 dB stronger. CN3A and I exchange signal reports with his report of that VP6DX was like local 20 Meters to CT (Portugal). It truly was an exciting minute of time inside the unreal two night of the CQ 160 SSB contest from the middle of nowhere in the South Pacific. Sum total was only two contacts out of more than 1,000 Qs that were less than 3,000 miles. Anyone interested in listening to the MP3 of the contact and viewing a jpeg graphic of the path taken from the GeoClock screen can request them in a direct E-mail. 73 de Milt, N5IA. Also VP6DX and XZ0A. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Vertical dipoles in the real world
Jim, VP6DX 4 years ago used VDAs (vertical dipole arrays) on all bands, 20 Meters and higher frequencies. They were vertical wire dipoles with a reflector. The results speak for themselves. 30 Meters, 40 Meters and 75 Meters SSB were 4-squares. 80 CW and 160 were single verticals. If you want, reply directly to me and I will send you a few photos of the VDAs installed at the ocean's edge. de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: wa3...@comcast.net Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 2:55 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Vertical dipoles in the real world I noticed that some of the DXpeditions are using vertical diipoles next to the sea on at least some of the higher bands ( I am guessing 20 and up). I stuffed the data into EZNEC 5.0 and came up with some suprising results, hope I did it correctly I am not an antenna guru . Now as Tom has just indicated modeling is great but its only modeling it doesnt really tell what happens in the real world/ground conditions etc. Does anyone have any real world experience with these dipoles? Do they work in non beach environments such as near the mountians? Comments welcome... and I am willing to take the comments off list if it suits you. If this is not a fools folley I will put together what I find suprising and put it on my web site for everyone to access but I dont to take the time to document it if its a waste of time. Jim http://www.qsl.net/wa3mej/index.htm - Original Message - ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2441/5281 - Release Date: 09/20/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Lyme Desease
I still prefer rattlesnakes and Gila Monsters!! You can see them, and you hear them rattle and hiss. Mis dos centavos. de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: John Harden, D.M.D. Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 2:37 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Lyme Desease It is named for the Connecticut town where in the mid-1970's there was an epidemic of arthritis associated with skin erythema (redness), caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. A spirochete causes syphillis. It is transmitted from rodents to people by tiny, hard deer ticks. */It is the major insect-borne disease in the USA./* Like syphillis it has 3 stages: 1) An expanded area of redness with a necrotic center at the site of the tick bite. 2) Early spread via the blood system... a) secondary skin lesions b) moving around joint muscle pain c) heart rhythm disturbances d) meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain)... 3) Two or three years later one sees a chronic arthritis and sometimes severe joint damage. There can be an encephalitis (brain inflammation) which can be mild to debilitating... THIS IS A BACTERIAL INFECTION.. The damage is thought to be due to antibodies to the bacterial proteins that attack host tissues... All in all... Not good!! 73, John, W4NU ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: WD-1A
I purchased from surplus, six each of the larger 3 foot diameter reels of WD-1A a few years ago. One of the reels was damaged by the freight company and all of them have not weathered well in my storage area. I am in the process of using from the broken reel and have set up in the following manner to single handedly unspool the wire without tangling. With the reel laying on end, the other end is removed so the reel of wire resembles a spool of thread on a sewing machine. I used a tripod with a 5' extension pipe placed along side the reel to hold a loop made of #6 solid copper wire over the center of the reel, about 3 feet above the center of the reel. The outer loose end of the reel of wire is fed upward, through the loop of wire held by the tripod, and then outward to where I set up a take up reel to roll off the amount of wire I require for the current project. In this manner the wire unspools readily without any complications. It does have the twist representing one twist per revolution of wire unspooled. For me that has not been a problem. I am currently using WD-1A for 2-wire Beverage experimentation AND for radial wire under antennas at a new 'vertical farm'. Another method of paying out the wire I may pursue for the other reels as I use them, or respool them, is to make a heavy duty lazy susan. A heavy duty, light friction bearing, such as using a wheel housing from a dismantled vehicle, would be required under the 'table' upon which the reel of wire would be placed. I am sure there are other methods. YMMV. de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Bill Wichers Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 7:47 AM To: Herb Schoenbohm ; TopBand List Subject: Re: Topband: WD-1A If you're lucky, you might be able to grab the innermost end of the wire and pull it out of the center of the coil (I'm assuming your rotted-away reel left a coil of cable). There are actually commercial pull-out type packages of wire made similarly to this. The wire will come out with extra twists in it though. If that doesn't work I think you're stuck with a lot of untangling work if you want to make use of the wire. -Bill I use several 900 foot reversible made from WD-1A and found this as a good solution and a good price for wire itself. I use the KD9SV boxes that Gary designed. My big problem is that I have huge 2500 foot roll where the cardboard core disintegrated leaving a mass of tangled WD-1. Maybe someone has an idea on the best way to unravel this without cutting it? Thanks, Herb, KV4FZ ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2197 / Virus Database: 2437/5147 - Release Date: 07/22/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Beverage antennas
And out here in the ARID areas of the US, Beverage antenna installation and maintenance brings on the risk of life changing encounters with rattle snakes and Gila Monsters http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gila_monster . I have seen a LOT of them in my life along the Gila River. There is no free lunch. No place is perfect, but many are close to it. To each his own. My WD-1A doesn’t rust through, but there is very little moisture to precipitate rusting of anything. Mis dos centavos. de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: donov...@starpower.net Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 11:17 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Beverage antennas Bruce is correct that Beverage antenna installation and maintenance brings on the risk of life changing Lyme disease. Lyme disease is present in many areas of the world, but particularly in the non-arid areas of the United States, Canada and Europe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Strange CW Coded Messages
For those that are interested in what one of these units looks like you can go to https://bmoran.onehub.com/fishing-beacon-pictures/pages/files There is a group of my photos, taken on Ducie Atoll, of the fishing beacon which Robin, WA6CDR and I found while installing the Beverage antennas at VP6DX. de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Mike Waters Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 1:02 PM To: gali...@comcast.net ; topband Subject: Re: Topband: Strange CW Coded Messages Those blasted illegal fishnet buoy transmitters are in use all over the world. I haven't spent much time on 160 in over a year, and I almost forgot about them till you mentioned them. I could usually only hear them on a Beverage. I thought someone once mentioned on the Topband list that if you call CQ or hold a QSO on top of one, they will move frequency, sometimes completely outside 160m. If my memory serves me, the frequency can be remotely controlled by the fishermen who use them. One ham (somewhere) was compiling a list of fishnet beacon callsigns and their locations. On another subject, you may be able to hear RI1ANF (South Shetland Islands) after dark. I've heard him to the SSE the past two nights on 1826.5 through the lightning QRN. K3JJG in PA was copying him better than I was. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 12:14 PM, joe gali...@comcast.net wrote: I could hear them fine on the L so they probably weren't too far away. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2180 / Virus Database: 2433/5062 - Release Date: 06/11/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: OT: QRP has new meaning -- WAS: QRP Politically Correctness Concern
QRP has a different meaning for many of us who might fit the mold. Read the following for more info. No Taxes in This Caribbean Paradise By Bob Bauman Offshore, kayakers paddle among sandy, palm-dotted islets. Snorkelers explore the second-largest coral reef in the world. A kaleidoscope of tropical fish, dolphins, turtles and manatees all share this Caribbean coast, which boasts some of the best deep-sea diving in the world. Hidden in pristine forests, jaguars, monkeys and 566 species of birds live among ancient Mayan cities. In Belize, more than 40% of the country is protected as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and marine reserves. But this lush ecological paradise is not just a haven for wildlife. Belize encourages offshore business and welcomes foreigners as local residents, too. In fact, if you're looking into your residency options, Belize should be high on your list. The only English-speaking nation in Central America, its offshore laws ensure maximum financial privacy. These laws allow asset-protection trusts, maritime registration and encourage international business and banking. There are no local income taxes, either personal or corporate, and no currency exchange controls. It's a place where you can arrange your affairs so you gain residency—but pay no taxes locally. I've been to Belize (formerly British Honduras) twice. The people are friendly, oceanfront real estate is still relatively cheap, and Belize's parliament, courts and government are pro-offshore. Designed to attract foreigners as residents, Belize's qualified retired persons (QRP) program resembles Panama's popular pensionado program. The QRP offers significant tax incentives to those who become permanent residents of Belize, but not full citizens. When you qualify, you're exempted from all taxes on income from sources outside Belize. QRPs pay no import duties on personal effects, household goods or on a motor vehicle or other transport, such as an airplane or boat. You must be 45 years of age or older to qualify and be able to prove personal financial ability to support yourself and any dependents. The minimum financial requirements include an annual income of at least $24,000 from a pension, annuity or other sources outside Belize. -Original Message- From: Jim F. Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 6:09 AM To: W0UCE ; top Band 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 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation
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
Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation
Mike, I beg to differ, but only with your definition of can do nearly as well. In terms of quiet reception, yes. But in terms of actual signal level and directivity, NO. Just do the best you can, as you suggest; but you can't present such statements without the qualifier. Mis dos centavos, de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Mike Waters Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 12:29 PM To: topband Subject: Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 1:23 PM, Milt -- N5IA n...@zia-connection.comwrote: 4. There is NO substitute for acreage. True. But I've heard that a 150' Slinky Beverage can do nearly as well as a 580' Beverage. If I didn't have 10 acres, I would either try a Slinky or a BOG. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2114/4880 - Release Date: 03/19/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation
Hey J Carlos, No one said the small, partial lot RX antennas didn't work, and work well for what they are. The point is, and in particular looking at your and Doug's cases, how many more would you have worked (and more easily) with REAL Beverages to listen with? To turn the coin around, you folks on the east coast work 2-3 or more times the stuff with a simple dipole, sloper or Inv L TX antenna than we out west can with large arrays. At the same time we hear LOTS of stations with the Beverages that we cannot work with LARGE TX antennas. The difference between the Beverages and the compromise, small space antennas, is IMHO (disclaimer), very large. There is NO substitute for BIG on Topband, so long as BIG is properly constructed. The laws of physics cannot be defied. And that includes acreage. Mis dos centavos, de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: N4IS Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 1:27 PM To: 'topband' Subject: Re: Topband: It is not so much propagation 4. There is NO substitute for acreage. Well, I need to disagree, I worked 257 new ones on 160m in the last 5 years from my city lot in Ft Lauderdale using a pair of Waller Flags, one vertical and another horizontal, however Doug NX4D worked #276 from 0.18 acre ( less than 1/5 of acre) using his Waller Flag since 2003. That's an incredible 1533 countries per acre !! Regards JCarlos N4IS ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2114/4880 - Release Date: 03/19/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Fw: Deterring Critters was:Re: How Good is Good Enough?
I echo Merv's comments. Here in the US Southwest the main chewing culprits are Javelina and Pack Rats. Any normal coaxial cable of the RG-59 and RG-6 type, zip cord, or house wiring type cable is regularly and consistently chewed and/or cut in two by these animals. I have found two replacements which have solved the problem in my installations. For coax, the PE covered and flooded 1/2 CATV hardline takes care of the coaxial cable requirement. For on ground or near ground Beverage wires the Rural C wire, as Merv and others have commented, is NOT bothered by the animals. Another distinct advantage to the C wire is its strength. I have a couple of long, phased, on the ground Bevs made of C wire. The wires are attached at each end with the regular wire holders designed for the wire, held in place by the ground rods. I place the ground rod acorn connector above the wire attachment to preclude the attachment slipping off. I put more than 100 lbs. of tension on the wire (yes, it is made to make LONG aerial spans on poles spaced as much as 600' feet apart) which keeps the wire tight on the ground. At contest time I walk the Bevs and place temporary risers under the C wire to make it a normal above ground Bev. This is all in an area which is frequented by grazing cows. When the C wire is on the ground the cows just walk on it. When installed on the temporary risers the cows (or strong winds) can push the wires over and it just returns to the ground due to the tension. There is no chance of the animals becoming entangled in the wire or the wire being destroyed. YMMV, de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Merv Schweigert Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 2:01 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Fw: Deterring Critters was:Re: How Good is Good Enough? I know for a fact that the telco drop wire does not appeal to chewers, I put down a BOG and in one days time it was in 4 pieces, due to mongoose activity, yes one of the fine imported species in Hawaii, Or it could have been rats, we have roof rats that will chew anything in sight also. The wire was teflon insulated, and they did not mind the teflon. but while clearing part of this 30 acres I ran across a long length of telco drop line that had been laying here since the 1980s, it was intact and in fine shape, no chew marks, dont know what the difference is but it the rodents did not take a liking to it. Above ground beverages have to be 10 to 12 foot up due to the hundreds of deer crossing the property daily. I used WD12 for those runs. Merv K9FD/KH6 That material that looks like superman's zip cord is known as Rural C drop wire. My book says that comes in 18.5 gauge (yes, half a gauge!) which is RUS standard #PE-7 spec #4295, 14 and 12 gauge (AWG) configurations which is Bell System Type spec #4283. It lists it as 30% copper CCS wire with a HDPE jacket. Tough stuff. I'm looking in my General Cable catalog and it shows the minimum length as 1,000 feet so it isn't unrealistic to order this stuff if you have a lot of runs to put in. This stuff used to be the standard telephone drop cable used in rural and suburban areas and it is *strong*. The newer cable is a few 24 AWG twisted pairs with a glass fiber support strand and overall PVC jacket. I know the telco guys replace the old cable periodically with the new stuff (like when someone orders a second line or fancy DSL service that needs the twisted pairs) so it might be worth calling the local telco service yard to see if you can get their old scraps if you want to keep it cheap. -Bill ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2114/4868 - Release Date: 03/13/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Propagation last evening
Hey Sam, It was the poorest first night that I can remember going back 20 years to the first part of the '90's. For a LNG timethe only station we heard and worked out here in southwest NM was one TX superstation. And that is with HP and lots of radiating metal. This is the NI5T multi-op. It too us nearly 5 hours to get to 100 Q's. Only 330 or so for the entire night when normally the count in around 600 for the first night. Best DX was Al, K7CA in Chile and RC0F on Sakalin (sp) peninsula in eastern Russia. I like others am looking for the band to flip-flop tonight and give us a reasonably good shot. 73, and get on for a while after the 10 PM news. Milt, N5IA, one of the ops at NI5T -Original Message- From: Sam Morgan Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2012 1:03 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation last evening I started about dark_30 here in West Texas all I could hear was 4 other TX stations calling CQ First I tried them with 5w, I wanted to work the contest QRP no responses so I went up to 100w, still nothing so I watched some TV until about 10pm lots of (stateside) stations all over the band by now again no responses to my attempts to answer their CQ's, again with 100w. all the stations I heard were in states I had worked b4 when running QRP in the previous CW contests conclusion reached I will not be wasting my time in any 160m SSB contests either you can't be heard unless you run a kw or ssb ops aren't listening for anything down in the weeds that isn't received on a beverage pointed away from the US or doesn't have an exotic call sign tisk tisk, their loss, but not to worry its the 1st weekend of the NASCAR season c all you cw ops again for the mid year Stew Perry -- GB 73 K5OAI Sam Morgan On 2/25/2012 1:07 PM, chacuff wrote: Anyone care to comment on last evenings propagation for the CQ SSB contest? From the deep south there just was no DX going on. Spots were very slim as well... I'd be curious what others experienced... Cecil K5DL ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2114/4831 - Release Date: 02/25/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Radials help
HM If that is the case, WHY do the pro broadcasters install all 120 radials at full length; even bare wire buried a couple of inches underground? Inquiring minds want to know where this conversation is going. I understand that when you are doing radials, with a few they are part of the resonance factor for the vertical. However, after a dozen or so radials are installed the length does NOT necessarily determine resonance as the FIELD of radials becomes a composite Ground Plane. Bigger Ground Planes are Better!! Think salt water. So, IMHO, the 1/4 WL radius from the vertical is most likely at the break point for return vs cost. And the more Ground Plane you can place in that 1/2 WL diameter circle, the more efficient your vertical will be. If I was installing insulated radials I would make them full 1/4 WL regardless of the VF. It just makes good engineering sense. I am still learning, so if I am incorrect in any of these items please enlighten me. Mis dos centavos. 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Eddy Swynar Sent: Friday, February 10, 2012 9:48 AM To: he...@vitelcom.net Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Radials help On 2012-02-10, at 11:34 AM, Herb Schoenbohm wrote: One advantage of using insulate wire is that the velocity factor of the wire on ground or (ROG) allows for shorter lengths. This is important if you have limited yard space. Hi Herb, Interesting point...! According to either the ARRL ANTENNA HANDBOOK, or ON4UN's LOW-BAND DX HANDBOOK, the velocity factor of insulated wire placed atop the ground is 50%... I take that to mean that a 1/8-wave PHYSICALLY long wire radial has the ELECTRICAL equivalency of a wire radial that is 1/4-wave long... Maybe THAT'S the reason why I employ a total of 24 insulated radial wires, 65' long (each) beneath my L elements...it may not be an exact science, but hope springs eternal...! (Besides, have you seen the price of copper wire lately...?!). : ) ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2112/4801 - Release Date: 02/10/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: VP6T vs. VP6BR 160m conditions
They apparently were not operating Topband for the contest this past night. Worked T32, ZL and VK in that direction but no VP6T. Milt, N5IA at the NI5T operation. -Original Message- From: Luis Mansutti IV3PRK Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 3:44 AM To: Topband Reflector Cc: Carl K9LA Subject: Topband: VP6T vs. VP6BR 160m conditions Hi Topband Friends, if not seriously engaged in this weekend contest, you may give a look at my website http://www.iv3prk.it. I just uploaded two new pages to compare the ongoing VP6T 160m conditions with those of VP6BR in April 2000. Amazing to see what happened 12 years ago under high solar cycle, so never give up because everything can happen on Topband! Good DX and 73 Luis IV3PRK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1901 / Virus Database: 2109/4771 - Release Date: 01/27/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: RX antenna switch
Here I use a basic 8 port antenna selector designed to my specifications by a ham friend of mine. The circuit boards are professionally etched and are equipped with chassis mount F female connectors. The single, 8 port boards can be daisy chained for 16, 24, etc. antennas selections. At this QTH the Beverage antennas are remotely controlled via the Green Heron 2 GHz system at a distance of nearly 1/2 mile. Currently the system is comprised of 19 separate antennas, each RF split 3 ways, with each split antenna selection fed to one of three separate groups of three of the above described boards. Results are at three operating positions each op has independent, totally separate control and visual readout of the direction and labeling of any of the 19 antennas. The visual is provided by a programmable compass rose on the computer display screen. Selection is by either clicking with the mouse which provides instant, opposite direction selection for an example, or via a USB rotary switch for normal step by step selection of the antennas. I have no connection with Green Heron other than I am in love with the upgrade of control capability their system has provided for my remote Beverage farm. It is so nice to have retired the old DTMF and basic CPU type controllers and control lines. 73, and good luck de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: W0UCE Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 8:29 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: RX antenna switch A new computer controlled RX or TX Antenna switch will be on the market in about a month. It will control up to 10 antennas or any other contact closure selection device with the click of a mouse. Users will be able to assign GUI designators to each port. Example for beverage selection the user may want to designate: NE, North East, EU, 45 or any other designator of choice... I have a prototype at my QTH and am doing field trial now. Details will be announced on Top Band and other venues. 73, Jack ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1901 / Virus Database: 2109/4707 - Release Date: 12/27/11 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: PL 259 for RG6
Mike, I have had the same problem you describe with the chassis mount female F connectors. I am now using the PC board mounted female F connectors and installing them on a small PC board where I have need of a single connector. The PC board can then be glued to the inside of the chassis box. This method is a bit more work and cost, but surely does solve the loosening problems of the chassis mount type which depend on the single nut to hold them tight. For my remote switches (home brew) I have eight DIP relays on a single board and they are feeding eight of the PC board female F connectors on the same board. Input connector also. Properly drilled holes in a chassis box or panel allows the entire assembly to be mounted as a single unit. There is NO turning of the female F connectors. Mis dos centavos. Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Mike Waters Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 10:37 PM Having said that, I would like to find a really, REALLY good quality **chassis mount** F-connector. I am not happy with most of the ones I've bought. I don't care if it's expensive, I just want quality. I suppose it's too much to ask for a mil-spec F-connector. :-) I am speaking of the type of F-connector on the photos of my Beverage antenna control boxes at http://www.w0btu.com/Beverage_antennas.html#Beverage_Antenna_Transformers(scroll down). Any ideas? The best idea I've seen so far is to use an N or BNC connector on the enclosure, and then an adapter to receive the F connector on the RG-6. 73 Mike www.w0btu.com ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Effect of current max not at base of vertical.
-Original Message- From: Guy Olinger K2AV Sent: Friday, September 16, 2011 9:03 AM To: TopBand List Subject: Topband: Effect of current max not at base of vertical. This is an answer to an off reflector conversation, relating to a too long electrical length over radials reducing performance. I am writing to the list since the subject and it's objection occur in so many posted conversations. Reduction of gain by too high current max has been touted by some and called myth by others. -- OK Guy, Please explain in a comparative sense to the examples presented in your post, the 1/2 wavelength verticals (vertical dipoles) used at WWV where the maximum current is raised to near 3/8 WL AGL. Inquiring minds would like to know why WWV would utilize this configuration of vertically polarized antenna vs the Gold Standard 1/4 WL you describe. It would seem the illumination of the ground from the center fed 1/2 WL vertical dipole would present an extreme example of additional ground losses. Yet we all know from experience that the WWV radiation performance is excellent. Thanks for your time in making this requested comparison and presenting your view. Milt, N5IA ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
