Re: Topband: cheap radial wire?
Dog electronic fence wire via ebay. Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Greg Davis Sent: Monday, November 08, 2021 5:20 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: cheap radial wire? Hello Topbanders, I recently reached out directly to a few people who had posted recently(ish) to this email reflector who had described purchasing large amounts of wire for radials at a (relative) bargain price. However, after a couple of weeks of waiting, none of those emails have been responded to. I've got a new-and-improved plan for my 160m vertical in my back yard, but, at this moment in time, the biggest thing holding me back is the wire for a sufficient radial field. Do any of you have spools of wire you're willing to sell to me if the price is right? Or suggestions for me where I can purchase it for a reasonable price? Thank you. 73 de Greg N3ZL _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: CQ WW DX SSB
Some good conditions during the CQ WW DX contest. Intercontinental DX contacts on 160M SSB should definitely be worth more points. Lots of work for each contact. Sam(N3XZ) _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Congratulations - VE6WZ
Congratulations Steve! Well-deserved and I enjoy your videos. Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ken Claerbout Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2021 5:53 AM To: Topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Congratulations - VE6WZ Congratulations to Steve Babcock, VE6WZ, who received the Yasme Excellence Award for his contribution to the art of lowband antennas and remote operating. Steve has made available to the amateur community countless hours of instructional videos on lowband topics, available for free on YouTube. Thanks for all you've done Steve! 73 Ken K4ZW _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: CQ 160
I got NE and KS from PA. Also ID and MT. No Dakota's. Spotty propagation to Europe a few SA's, no Pacific/Asia. Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Wes Sent: Monday, February 01, 2021 3:23 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: CQ 160 I noticed that too. NE, KS, SD, ND all missing. No one on or do we have a skip zone? Wes N7WS On 2/1/2021 5:15 AM, Artek Manuals wrote: > Odd hole in the N. America prop� no ND, SD or VE5 all right together > geographically...h??? _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 217, Issue 5
Hi Bob, I'm currently running 4 Bogs with a switching system. The lengths are 220-250 feet, and I believe the optimal length really depends on your ground. With 700 feet of good quality coax RG6/RG11 and good transformers, the preamp in my rig is enough, but a preamp in field would not hurt. They are quiet and directional. I use them because my land is shaped like a long rectangle and in some directions I don't have enough room for a full length beverage. They are almost invisible, which makes the XYL happy. I take them down in the summer so I can mow the fields. They do not work as well as a normal full sized beverage, but they do work. Do some searching on youtube and you will see some A/B comparisons that are helpful. Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of w3...@roadrunner.com Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2021 3:01 PM To: 'topband@contesting.com' Subject: Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 217, Issue 5 anyone with experience using a 300' BOG? Suggestions based on your experience? ie are they worth it? I tried one before but without a preamp and found it worthless. ( almost no signals heard) suggestions on best preamps? With all in good working order, what benefits do they provide? Comparable to a longer Beverage? Tnx Bob -From: topband-requ...@contesting.com To: topband@contesting.com Cc: Sent: Sunday January 3 2021 11:59:27AM Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 217, Issue 5 Send Topband mailing list submissions to topband@contesting.com To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband /> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to topband-requ...@contesting.com You can reach the person managing the list at topband-ow...@contesting.com When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Topband digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Influence of ground water level on vertical performance. (Henk Remijn PA5KT) 2. Need Ideas For "Fusing" Beverages From Falling Trees (Randy) 3. Re: (2wire) Beverage transformers (HA3LN) 4. Re: (2wire) Beverage transformers (HA3LN) 5. Re: (2wire) Beverage transformers (HA3LN) 6. Re: (2wire) Beverage transformers (HA3LN) 7. Re: Need Ideas For "Fusing" Beverages From Falling Trees (Glenn kd0q) 8. Re: Need Ideas For "Fusing" Beverages From Falling Trees (MU 4CX250B) 9. Re: Need Ideas For "Fusing" Beverages From Falling Trees (VE6WZ_Steve) 10. Need Ideas For "Fusing" Beverages From Falling Trees (Roger Parsons) 11. Re: Need Ideas For "Fusing" Beverages From Falling Trees (Mark Robinson) 12. Re: Need Ideas For "Fusing" Beverages From Falling Trees (Mark - N5OT) 13. Re: Need Ideas For "Fusing" Beverages From Falling Trees (CUTTER DAVID) -- Message: 1 Date: Sun, 3 Jan 2021 11:03:14 +0100 From: Henk Remijn PA5KT To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Influence of ground water level on vertical performance. Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Hi, I am searching for info about influence of ground water level on vertical performance. Any info or references to articles is welcome. 73 Henk PA5KT -- Message: 2 Date: Sun, 3 Jan 2021 11:54:30 + (UTC) From: Randy To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Need Ideas For "Fusing" Beverages From Falling Trees Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 I have several 600 foot beverages made of WD-1A mil wire that run through heavy woods.? They can handle the random falling branch but when a large tree falls over them they break.? The wire is held in place with electric fence plastic insulators that are nailed to trees every 100 feet.?I would like to add a smaller diameter wire to each insulator to act as a "fuse" when a tree falls across them.? I am looking for ideas as to the best way to do this.? Maybe a number 26 wire?? The wire size has to be heavy enough to support the wire in normal use but weak enough to break when hit by a tree.?Suggestions??73?Randy W9ZR -- Message: 3 Date: Sun, 3 Jan 2021 14:52:11 +0100 From: HA3LN To: Don Kirk , Lee STRAHAN Cc: Mike Waters , topband Subject: Re: Topband: (2wire) Beverage transformers Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Hi All, Yes, I refer to this 2-wire design: http://ha3ln.hu/2wire.jpg /> 73! Csaba On 2021-01-02 22:53, Don Kirk wrote: > Hi Lee, > > Csaba also refers to this transformer as T2 and based on what he has said > so far I suspect he is constructing something similar to the two direction > beverage shown in figure 7-115 in the 5th edition of Low-Band DXing. And > T2 is indeed a two winding transformer with center tap. This transformer > transforms
Re: Topband: end-fire array
Nice comparison! Is your end fire array using active elements? Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Andree DL8LAS via Topband Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2020 1:45 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: end-fire array Saturday I built my new end-fire array to NA.Today I compared my 68m long BOG, the 353m beverageand the 2x125m end-fire array , all antennas beaming 300° NA.I am listening to W1AW beacon for this comparison. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3jGPzy63Ls 73 Andy DL8LAS www.dl8las.com www.swing-company-bigband.de/ www.uni-big-band-kiel.de/ _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: John ON4UN silent key
I'm sorry I never got to meet him in person. His books taught me so much and sparked my interest in Topband and Low Band Dxing. RIP John Sam(N3XZ) Subject: Topband: John ON4UN silent key My great friend and ham radio mentor John ON4UN has passed away. Please find below a mail from his daughter Marleen, addressed to the ham community. Kindly forward this mail to friends of John who might not be subscribed to reflectors nor news bulletins, thank you. Mark - on4ww. ps: as reflectors cannot receive attachments nor photos. a link is available for Marleen's mail with extra photo at http://www.on4ww.be/ON4UN_SK.pdf Dear amateur radio friends It is with sadness, but also gratitude and pride, I have to let you know my father John ON4UN, has become silent key. John's health has steadily deteriorated throughout the year, but in the last few weeks he was home with us where he peacefully passed away yesterday November 9. Ham Radio, and especially Low Band DX-ing, were my father's lifelong passion and always had a strong presence in our house. Sometimes literally, when many of you paid us a visit or a group of DX'ers came over for a weekend of contesting. At other times in the background, when my dad was working on a project or experimenting with new equipment or antennas. Though I don't have a call-sign, I very much feel part of the big radio family and always will. I am very proud of everything my father has accomplished together with you, and I am grateful to the many of you who have given him so much joy over the years. We will miss him dearly, but we take comfort looking back on the beautiful life he lived as a member of the wonderful Ham Radio community. We are planning a digital farewell ceremony on Saturday Nov 21st and will keep you updated on practicalities. If you would like to send us a message please mail to on4un...@gmail.com - John's old e-mail account is not in use anymore. In the meantime, you can pay him a visit at QRZ.com where he always kept his resume up to date. Marleen Devoldere _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: RX Power over Coax
Does anyone have an audio recording of what micro-arcing sounds like they could post somewhere? Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of GEORGE WALLNER Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2020 10:05 AM To: Dennis W0JX; Dennis W0JX via Topband Subject: Re: Topband: RX Power over Coax I use a 600 foot long run of CATV coax to power a remote pre-amp at the DHDL-s, delivering +12V/100 mA via the central conductor (return via the shield). Prior to installing the F plugs I spray the cleaned and prepped ends of the coax with DeOxIt. I also spray the inside of the female F connectors. I add a small amount of SS-30 grease to the thread of the each F connector, tighten the connector using a small wrench (!) and tape the outside of each mated F connector. So far, no no noise, micro-arching or other. Further, I believe that the DC current keeps the contacts vetted, which makes them more reliable. 73, George, C6AGU/AA7JV On Tue, 6 Oct 2020 04:44:51 + (UTC) Dennis W0JX via Topband wrote: > Regarding the issue of voltage over coax to power the preamps used at the > base of short verticals, Lee, K7TJR, developed an alternative power feed > system for his new SMD preamps using a separate RG6 coax. Apparently, K3LR is > using such an approach to avoid sending voltage down the coax in his 8 > element HiZ array at his contest station. > DXE has begun selling the new version 2 preamps but the description in their > catalog does not mention this separate power feed system. The older HiZ > preamps, and the YCCC preamps, can probably be modified to the voltage with a > separate wire from the combiner box to each vertical antenna preamp. > One question I have with this approach is whether an external power wire > would also need a common mode choke on it. Perhaps Lee could offer some > opinions on this alternative power approach. > 73, Dennis W0JXMilan, OH > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: RFI
Make sure you check thru your own house. Run off a battery if possible and shut off your electrical breakers one at a time and check for noise each time. Had one just like this and it turned out to be a bad wallwart transformer. Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of fmoeves Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 4:45 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: RFI Hoping someone can help me identify this noise.It's on 160 80 40...most times stronger on 40.I called the power company..they found nothing.The video is just after some rain. When it rains it goes away. https://www.riverbendphotos.com/UnlistedGalleries/Web-Photos/n-mMvp3/i-7fKDp6sThanks Fred KB4QZH _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Sloping Ground
Thanks Steve, I ran a very similar analysis using the data from Low Band Dxing and HFTA plots. It’s good to hear your real world experience. I think some trenching is in my future. Sam(N3XZ) From: VE6WZ_Steve [mailto:ve...@shaw.ca] Sent: Sunday, June 21, 2020 11:26 AM To: Sam Josuweit Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Sloping Ground Sam, Yes…I think it would be worth it! My purpose built low-band remote QTH is on a prominent hill surrounded by farmland in all directions. My QTH at the crest of the hill is about 300’ above the surrounding land and it slopes gentle in all directions. Also my Beverage arrays mostly all slope down the hill in each direction. Anecdotally the QTH seems to perform very well fro DX. Here is a somewhat qualitative analysis of my hilltop QTH using some data from the ON4UN low-band DXing book where he talks about verticals on sloping terrain. I make some comparisons to my QTH. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UP45c5MWaWvA0T9no4DHW060FSgC-3Pk/view?usp=sharing I think its reasonable that some exceptional low-angle take-off angles can be achieved when located on a hill. It may be even possible to approach the low-angles seen from sea-side verticals…but NOT the gain seen by a saltwater location. The “vertical over sloping terrain” data from Johns book would suggest low-angle gain that would be almost impossible to achieve on flat land. (up to +11 dB at 3 deg angle) The caveat to this is whether the long-haul DX wave angles really do arrive as low as predicted. 73, de steve ve6wz Looking for some advice from some of you who have been there and done that before. I'm looking at moving my 160M inverted L to a new location that would be approximately 100 feet ASL higher and be on top of a hill with nearly perfect sloping ground in all directions. This would change my coax run length from 130 feet to 620 feet. I'm looking at LMR400 to meet my loss and budget needs. Is the move to sloping ground worth the extra work and coax loss?? _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Sloping Ground
Looking for some advice from some of you who have been there and done that before. I'm looking at moving my 160M inverted L to a new location that would be approximately 100 feet ASL higher and be on top of a hill with nearly perfect sloping ground in all directions. This would change my coax run length from 130 feet to 620 feet. I'm looking at LMR400 to meet my loss and budget needs. Is the move to sloping ground worth the extra work and coax loss?? Thanks Sam(N3XZ) _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: ARRL CW Contest
I totally agree. With some of the abbreviations used for this contest it can be even more confusing. Sam(N3XZ) Hi guy’s, Right, we must adapt the cw speed to the Band conditions. Personnaly, I was at a speed of 26, and sometimes activing my bencher key... Faster, around 36, is a non sense on top band. 73 Jean-Paul F6FYA en direct depuis son iPad. > Le 17 févr. 2020 à 19:10, Artek Manuals a écrit : > > NR1DX: > > Equipment: 1400W + 60' (20M) high "T" with 3 elevated radials + Bevs & BOGs > Location: Near Tampa Florida > > > Here in Florida, except for Africa and the Carib, we typically do not enjoy > the same good condx to EU that you fellows up north get the price we pay for > not having to use our amplifiers to heat the basement > Friday Night: Very poor all EU just above the noise, very slow QSB > Saturday AM: Hand full of Caribbean, NO ZL/VK/JA > Saturday PM: Much better, band opened 45 minutes before our sunset,,tapered > off a bit after sunset then built up as the Evening wore on > Sunday AM. one KH6 but otherwise still no Pacific stations heard here > Sunday PM: poor condx again like Friday, no pre-sunset opening, only a few > weak EU's heard after sunset > > General: We were strictly search and pounce for a total of 98-Q's in 51 > countries. Lots of good ops on both sides. > Why a few stations feel compelled to send at 50wpm on topband with the noise > levels as they are is a mystery. 35wpm is plenty fast enough for the > conditions. I guess they get to send a few more unanswered CQ's per hour > while we try and figure out is that an S or H? Did he bust my call ?...better > ask for fill. > > > Sorry I missed you Roger > > > Dave > NR1DX > > > >>> 73 Roger G3YRO >>> >>> >>> >>> _ >>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector >> _ >> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector > > -- > Dave > manu...@artekmanuals.com > www.ArtekManuals.com > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101
A review that was originally published in the Caribbean Contesting Consortium Newsletter by W8WTS in September 2014. Comparison: DEO RG-2000M and DXE RG-5000 Receiver Protectors is worth a read. Lots of good info. http://www.k8nd.com/Radio/CW_Skimmer/W8WTS_Comparison_RG-2000_RG-5000.pdf -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike Waters Sent: Friday, January 17, 2020 3:45 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101 Good answer, Lloyd. One thing I did is put a small incandescent pilot lamp in series with my Beverages and my IC-765 transceiver's RX antenna input. The lamp functions as a current limiter and a fuse. After the lamp, there are back-to-back diodes to ground, which limit the maximum voltage in either polarity. I learned this from W8JI. I used a 6.3 volt #47 lamp, but what Tom used drew less current at its rated voltage than my #47. He could even see it glow faintly from all the RF that his wideband Beverages were picking up. That lamp has never blown, but it gives me peace of mind knowing that it is helping to protect the front end from excessive RF or voltage pulses. 73, Mike W0BTU On Fri, Jan 17, 2020, 9:49 AM Lloyd - N9LB wrote: > That is too much RF power for a receiver input. > "Front End Protectors" are available for this exact problem: > > Array Solutions: > https://www.arraysolutions.com/as-rxfep > > DX Engineering: > https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rg5000hd > > Miroslaw Paczocha wrote: > > I intend to connect a K9AY antenna to socket 3 of an FTDX101D, this socket > being menu configured as Rx input. The problem is I measured about 1,5 V on > the K9AY coax loaded with 50 ohms with 100W forwarded to the Tx antenna ... > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101
I have a FTDX-3000D and the best general info I could find was not to exceed 30db on the RX port. How did you measure the voltage? I built a small square law detector to measure the voltage on my RX antennas during transmit and took some reading with full power just to be sure. Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Miroslaw Paczocha Sent: Friday, January 17, 2020 9:47 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101 Hi, I intend to connect a K9AY antenna to socket 3 of an FTDX101D, this socket being menu configured as Rx input. The problem is I measured about 1,5 V on the K9AY coax loaded with 50 ohms with 100W forwarded to the Tx antenna and I wonder if it is safe for the Rx part of the radio. With full power it would be several times more! I did not find requested information in the manual nor any of known Yaesu dealers has been able to answer my question. Going T/R in this configuration I can hear relay noise in the rig so may I assume all will be correct however a mistake would be very expensive. Can someone give me a reliable information about the safety of the radio? 73, Mirek SP5ENA PS. I realize perfectly that is not a good sign having so much power induced in the Rx antenna. _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX CW Activity Night
Lots of static crashes from a storm front moving into the NE US. Very noisy last night. Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Roger Kennedy Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2020 11:01 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX CW Activity Night Well sadly conditions seemed very poor last night . . . My own signals were 20 to 30dB down on what I would normally see on NA RBN sites I managed just 4 NA QSOs . . . but heard several other people calling me that were way down in the noise. Not sure how many stations were on across the pond, but heard lots of other EU stations calling CQ, but getting few replies. Thanks to all those that made the effort to come on the band . . . let's hope conditions are better next Wednesday ! 73 Roger G3YRO _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 7X7X ClubLog
Thanks for being there. Are you doing LOTW too? Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ashraf Chaabane Sent: Sunday, January 05, 2020 7:12 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: 7X7X ClubLog Hi All, Thanks for the QSOs on Low Bands. It's been a great activity and we're probably going back again next year insh'Allah. I just fixed bugs in the log and re-upload it to ClubLog. Please check your QSOs and let me know should there be any others to fix. 73 Ash KF5EYY @ 7X7X 3V8SF 3V8SS www.kf5eyy.info _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Ameritron ATR-30
I have an Ameritron ATR-30 tuner for sale if anyone is interested please contact me off list. Sam (N3XZ) _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 7X7X - Low Bands Focused DXP
Will you be taking part in the Stew Perry contest on Dec 28? Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ashraf Chaabane Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2019 9:46 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: 7X7X - Low Bands Focused DXP Hi All - Three members of the "Association des Radio Amateurs Tunisiens - ARAT" are traveling to Algeria to conduct a joint Low Bands DXpedition with five members of the "Amateurs Radio Algeriens - ARA" from December 28th 2019 to January 2nd 2020 during which the operators will be focusing on working as many stations as possible on 160 and 80m as well as the other HF bands. Decent antennas for TX and RX (BOGs to NA and JA) are prepared for the event. The team led by Afif, 7X2RO, and Ash, 3V8SS/KF5EYY, also includes Ahmed, 3V1B/KG5OUE (22 years); Marwa, 3V8CB (24 years, YL); Mohamed, 7X3TL (27 years); Mohamed, 7X5FG; Redha, 7X5QB; and Abdelghani, 7X2TT/M0NPT. QSL will be via 7X2RO and LoTW. For more details on how to help and/or LF skeds please email me at ash.kf5...@gmail.com . Your financial support will be used to cover youngsters costs. 73 -- Ash ~ 3V8SS/KF5EYY http://www.kf5eyy.info/ Phone/SMS/Whatsapp/Telegram: (+216) 22670026 Skype: kf5eyy _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: AIM-4300 Discontinued
I was just looking at Array Solutions web site to check on the price of an AIM 4300 and discovered the entire line of AIM analyzers has been discontinued. This is unfortunate as they are an awesome tool. Can anyone recommend a similar analyzer? Sam (N3XZ) _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Ticks
They are really hard to kill. Chickens will eat them as do Opossums. Sam (N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of FZ Bruce Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2019 9:14 AM To: 'topband@contesting.com' Subject: Topband: Ticks Have a Beverage antenna that goes through a dense wooded area. Two species of Ticks are everywherelately. Anyone have information of a drone that could disperse tick poison 73Bruce - K1FZ _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Stew Perry Contest
Worked Hawaii from NE Pennsylvania with 100 watts. Still smiling from that one. Thanks KH6LC good ears and great patience. Too many people give up after one or two calls. Hope everyone has a Happy and Healthy New Year. Sam(N3XZ) _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: JAs on TopBand
I was going to get up early today. Kicking myself... Sam (N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mark K3MSB Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2018 11:57 AM To: topBand List Subject: Topband: JAs on TopBand This morning was surreal. I couldn't sleep so I got up around 0900Z, had a cup of coffee, read for a while, then went down to the shack. I worked 3D2AG on 80M CW and was listening to him put in a very nice signal to the east coast while I did some email correspondence. I QSY'd to 160M around 1145Z. I worked JH1HDT, JA7BXS, and JA0MVW between 1202Z and 1216Z. 3 JA's!!! Wow!!! My SR is around 0723Z. I figured what the heck, parked on 1823 and called CQ DX. This is where it gets surreal. I worked JH7PFD, JO1WXO, JH2FXK, and JA2ZL between 1222 and 1234Z -- They called me! I had to dig to get some of them, but we made it. I was going to shut down and noticed BG2AUE was spotted on 80M. I went to 80M and oh my God I'm hearing him. Coffee flying, I quickly changed feedlines and turned the linear so the knobs would match my red electrical tape marks. Squirted some RF He was 20 KHz down from where I had worked 3D2AG and the SWR was higher than I'd like. but 3500Z are forgiving so more RF was squirted.He came back to me! Well, I'm pretty sure he did as he was weak as water, when I worked him at 1259Z, which is my SR + 35 minutes or so. I have an email out to him and I am checking LoTW periodically well, more than periodically.. I'm waiting for Rod Serling to walk around the corner.. "Here we have one Mark K3MSB, an unknowing visitor to the Twilight Zone..." Days like this are what make all the days upon days of crappy propagation worth it! As my TopBand Elmer Glenn K3SWZ always tells me -- "you have to put in the seat time and be there when "it" happens. " 73 Mark K3MSB _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Inverted L improvement question
Hi Todd, I'm somewhat new to serious TopBand as well, but the 2 things that have helped me the most are a good receiving antenna(s) and changing my inverted L to be as vertical as possible. When I installed my first Beverage antenna it opened up a whole world or signals I didn't even know were there. After changing my Inverted L to 1/4 wave with as much vertical as possible, I've been able to work a lot more countries with just 100W. Sam (N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Todd Goins Sent: Monday, December 17, 2018 3:55 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Inverted L improvement question Hello, Yes, I'm a 160m newbie but have been licensed and active since 1990. I have CW/Phone experience on HF but I'm just getting my feet wet on 160m. I participated in the ARRL 160 CW contest and had a great time. I will also be particiapating in the Stew and the CQ contests in January. I'd like some opinions or thoughs on making my modest antenna a little better. I have worked and confirmed 40 states in a couple of weeks on CW and FT-8 but the DX (both hearing and transmitting to by PSK Reporter stats) has been elusive. So, here's my setup. I made an inverted L using a DX Engineering 43' vertical and I attached a 90' horizontal wire (that slopes up a little) to the top. I have a radial field of 60-70 radials with varying lengths from 125' to around 40' with the overall average being about 60' in length. I have a remote tuner at the base of the vertical. Also, I'm only running 100 watts, so that may be an issue. Furthest I've completed and confirmed a QSO is South Africa but nothing to Europe. I am in the Seattle, WA area. Overall, I guess I'm happy it works at all but I'm ready for some ideas on improvement. My situation/question is this: I could, with minimal effort, attach a vertical wire to a tree limb at about 100' height right over the existing radial field. That would then replace the DX Engineering vertical and I would run a horizontal capacitance hat wire from the top of the 100' tall wire. My plan would be to use the existing radial field, disconnect the current vertical and connect the new wire to the tuner/radial field instead. Would you wise and experienced Topbanders expect any performance increase from the increased vertical length or should I just stick with what I have now? Also, if I do this, what length of wire would be recommended for the top horizontal section? Any ideas or thoughts would be great. Be gentle... 73, Todd - NR7RR _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Recomended Relays
Thanks everyone for some great suggestions on the relays. I've been having a great time with the challenge of Topband over the last few months. Picked up a bunch of countries, but the lack of sleep is killing me. Sam Josuweit (N3XZ) _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Recomended Relays
No From: Mike Waters [mailto:mikew...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2018 12:02 PM To: Sam Josuweit Cc: topband Subject: Re: Topband: Recomended Relays You're not planning on hot-switching it, are you? That's hard on amplifiers. :-) 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Thu, Dec 6, 2018, 10:48 AM Sam Josuweit wrote: Can anyone recommend a good general use relay for antenna switching in the 800-1000w power range? I know using power relays can be a roll of the dice. According to modeling peak voltages should be less than 450V. Thanks Sam(N3XZ) _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Recomended Relays
Can anyone recommend a good general use relay for antenna switching in the 800-1000w power range? I know using power relays can be a roll of the dice. According to modeling peak voltages should be less than 450V. Thanks Sam(N3XZ) _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Bizzare EMI Story
So after taking a few years off from radio, over the summer I decided to rebuild my station and antennas and get back on the air. Was doing fine until a few weeks ago, my noise level was S9 on 80 meters. Using a beverage it was ok but on my TX antenna it was 120hz hash. I tried everything to locate the source, unplugged computers, Directv, DSL modem, freezer you name it, checked my entire ground system, it still was there. To make matters worse after listening to it on AM I noticed I could hear the local NOAA Weather radio station, which is on 162.55 MHZ FM! Now the local transmitter for NOAA is on the next mountain over and line of site with my remote QTH, but 162MHZ to 3.7MHZ?? This really had me stumped, and I was just about to give up. I have an old farm house and don't have too many power outlets, but I realized I missed checking the one in our bedroom, and there sits my NOAA weather alert radio. Unplugged it and the hash was gone. Since these radios monitor constantly for alerts, they must just mute the audio when not in use. Apparently something in the radio power supply failed causing the power noise, which was then getting modulated by the muted audio. This was propagating thru my whole electrical system. I'm just glad I found it. Debating if I should take a look at the weather radio or smash it with a sledge hammer. Sam (N3XZ) _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
