Topband: lack of 160 activity
For many of us in NA we cannot put out any receive antennas until after the corn and beans have all been harvested which sometimes can be as late as mid November. Without those RX antennas DXing on 160 is useless. I'm still waiting for the farmer to take the corn down here. 73, gary --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: more BOG wire
Guys, if the wire is to be used for a RBOG antenna make sure you are getting WD1-A and not WD-1 which is loosely twisted and will NOT work laying on the ground. 73, de gary, kd9sv -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tree Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2018 5:06 PM To: N7DF Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: more BOG wire Seems that the only item shown on the web is 1000 feet at $29.99 + $8.99 shipping. Tree N6TR On Thu, May 31, 2018 at 1:58 PM, N7DF via Topband wrote: > just got latest Sportsman's Guide catalog 1640 foot roll of military > communications wire for 20 dollars plus shipping order number is > 2068-635526 at sportsmansguide.com > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: More on radials
About 20 years ago I did the DOG (dipole on ground) experiment) at my northern Indiana location. Many others have likely done their own DOG tests but my results were that the dipole needed to be shortened by nearly 50% to still be resonant when lying on the grassy soil at this location. Based on this data and wanting something that worked well I installed 1/4 wave radials for 80 meters AND also 1/4 wave for 160 meters. I figured if the short ones don't get you then the long ones will. FWIW, YMMV, de gary, kd9sv -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Michael Walker Sent: Friday, October 27, 2017 9:04 AM To: topband Subject: Topband: More on radials Here is my problem I am trying to solve. This is why I was asking about radials earlier. - I have a full length 1/4 - ish wire that runs over top a tall tree and the last 25 ft or so are horizontal - I can do elevated radials or lay radials on the ground - I'm not worried about SWR as I can dial that out later. - I have an 80m common feed point for a similar wire for 80M cw The antenna does work, but I can tell by the SWR 2:1 bandwidth I have significant ground losses now with 4 ground radials ~ 1/4 wave for each band (80/160) Thoughts and suggestions? Mike va3mw _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. http://www.avg.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Strange propagation
FYI...I have dxcc 304 and 40 zones on 160 meters and all were worked from my home in NE Indiana. 73, de gary, kd9sv -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jorge Diez CX6VM Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2016 6:38 PM To: Mike Waters Cc: TopBand List; Herbert Schoenbohm; Dave Blaschke,w5un Subject: Re: Topband: Strange propagation Hello I have one doubt about that Can you confirm me that before RHR nobody worked DXCC and WAS from different locations? For example someone that move from east coast to Texas and them to west coast and compute all his/her qsos from this 3 QTH,s? 73, Jorge CX6VM/CW5W Enviado desde mi iPhone > El 14 ene. 2016, a las 19:42, Mike Waters <mikew...@gmail.com> escribió: > > Dave, Herb, et al: > > Respectfully, RHR is likely here to stay, like it or not. If you want to > try and change that, fine. But I am not going to let that --or how others > use RHR to their advantage-- bother me. :-) > > I get a warm fuzzy feeling of deep contentment operating the 160 meter > station that I built --and largely designed-- at minimal cost with my own > two hands and with what's left of my brain. (Well, my XYL, KD0LAJ helped > with those antennas. ;-) The inverted-L and the tuner. Both 2-wire Beverage > antennas and the control systems for them. The preamps. > The only things I paid money for were parts, such as ferrite cores, > connectors, wire/coax, and other components. I also built a unique > legal-limit amplifier for 160 from junk and hamfest parts. > > Others might disagree (and I have no problem whatsoever with that), but > that's why I enjoy amateur radio: build something, and then get on the > radio and see how well it works. And when it does (like breaking a DX > pileup with only 100 watts), I run upstairs all exited so that I can share > my excitement with my wife. > > And I'm not alone.* So, why should we let what others do upset us? > Gentlemen, let's just have fun doing our own thing on 160 (at least most of > the time. :-)* > > Having said that, I can appreciate that you might want to win a contest, > and feel that RHR is unfair. I don't disagree with that. But is it > realistic to think that anyone can change that? From what I've read, that's > not likely. (End of psychology dissertation. ;-) > > > On another note ... > > I'm now at the point where I'm actually getting somewhat bored with 160m. > It has nothing to do with what anyone else is doing. > The "new" has worn off; after operating for over 5 years with the same > setup, I now pretty much know what to expect from my existing antennas now. > (Spectacular band openings are nice; however, they just don't 'pop my > clutch'. It's what we can accomplish during "normal" band conditions that > excites me.) > > The only thing that will change that and restore my enthusiasm is modifying > what I have here. And I have several things on the list: > > - Modifying our Beverage antennas so that I can remotely switch the > lengths from 580' to over 800', and perhaps adding a third E-W Beverage. > > - Adding the ability to phase them against the inverted-L during receive > to null out unwanted signals and noise, using the MFJ-1025 that I've hardly > ever used > > - And adding a few more elevated radials to the inverted-L > > > When some of that is done, it'll be SO EXCITING again! I won't even care > about getting involved in discussions like this! ;-) > > > I'm not at all against anyone trying to change the RHR (or any other) > rules. *But let's keep in mind that at least part of the time, we can shut > that out of our minds and enjoy 160 meters like we used to.* > > 73, Mike > www.w0btu.com > > On Thu, Jan 14, 2016 at 12:33 PM, Herbert Schoenbohm <he...@vitelcom.net> > wrote: > >> ... a former 160 meter DX pioneer ... used a 1/4 wave bent Marconi and 25 >> watts to work a G station. This is what we are or what we used to be. RHR >> I am afraid is the end of an era were perseverance and not vast amounts of >> QRO muscle and money decided who was on top. ... >> >>> On 1/14/2016 12:43 AM, Dave Blaschke, w5un wrote: >>> >>> ... operating a remote station (for money) owned and managed by someone >>> else will never be as satisfying as operating your own station, built by >>> your hands. But than again, if you have no station, and are unable to build >>> one up, what's your choice? [snip] > _ > 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: 2016.0.7294 / Virus Database: 4492/11394 - Release Date: 01/13/16 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: K1N 5000q's on 160
The 5A7A expedition had an amazing 160 meter QSO total of 7653 for a world record which I believe still stands...73, de gary -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Herbert Schoenbohm Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2015 4:17 PM To: Milt -- N5IA; TopBand List Subject: Re: Topband: K1N 5000q's on 160 You guys make me feel bad since in 1969 (K4IA/KC4) I was the only 160 meter op from Navassa and didn't crack 200but that was with a 170 foot wire strung rock to rock across Lulu Bay with a pair of Drake Twins and a series capacitor against the railroad track that was there as a sort of ground. The good news is that I worked the all of the faithful TB stalwarts of that era including W1BB Stew Perry who was chasing TB DXCC as others were. Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ On 2/14/2015 4:34 PM, Milt -- N5IA wrote: 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 Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Missing K1N 160m QSO records just uploaded to Clublog
My Q on 4 Feb at 0200Z has not yet appeared so perhaps I should try again...gary -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Kenneth Grimm Sent: Friday, February 06, 2015 1:59 PM To: Art Snapper Cc: topband Subject: Re: Topband: Missing K1N 160m QSO records just uploaded to Clublog OK, fellas, it's time to check Club Log again. A bunch of you are going to be very happy...including IT9TJH, ZL3IX, N6TR, NZ3M...Time to have a cool beverage and relax. *8) 73, Ken - K4XL On Fri, Feb 6, 2015 at 1:55 PM, Art Snapper a...@nk8x.net wrote: Mine showed up too. Art On Fri, Feb 6, 2015 at 1:49 PM, Bill Stewart cw...@embarqmail.com wrote: Just cked few mins ago and my 2/4 0115z 160m QSO is now showing. Only recent QSOs are not yet up...jolly good...73 de Bill K4JYS _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband -- Ken - K4XL BoatAnchor Manual Archive BAMA - http://bama.edebris.com Show me a politician who is poor, and I'll show you a poor politician. - Carlos Hank González _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Antenna question
Herb and Bruce and whoever else may be interested. I am presently using both WD-1A and twisted pair (see attached picture) and both perform the same with transformer set designed for 120 ohms. The most recent DX worked on the twisted pair was HS0ZKX from the SW direction (reverse direction) and these transformer sets are available from DXE 73, de gary -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Herbert Schonbohm Sent: Friday, March 28, 2014 7:29 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Antenna question If Cat 5 cable will work why won't two wire twisted air audio cable? Is it because of the tightness of the twist that is of concern. I see no reason it won't work except for the cancellation property of twisted pair but with a Beverage we are dealing with a different wire signal propagation mediumunless of course it has a shield like most broadcast audio wire used today does, then all bets are off. Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ On 3/27/2014 7:43 PM, Bruce wrote: Intriguing question ? Has anyone on the reflector ACTUALLY tried two wire audio twisted pair for a 2 wire, two direction Beverage antenna. If yes, how did it work ? Notice any added directional properties? 73 Bruce www.qsl.net/k1fz/beveragenotes.html _ 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
Re: Topband: In search of resonance
Herb, you can feed any number of bands through one gamma arm or wire as long as the highest frequency to be used is less than 1/4 wave length on the gamma arm or wire. The appropriate matching is still required for each band. I fed my 70ft grounded tower for 160, 80 and 40 meters with a gamma of 27ft length...de gary -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Herbert Schonbohm Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 11:52 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: In search of resonance On 1/30/2014 11:03 PM, Carl Braun wrote: If I can't get the antenna to resonate using the L I'd say that I'd consider shunt feeding the tower and work out an (omega) matching scheme to match the tower to my target freq. If that's the case, do I mount my upper shunt arm on the tower at 67' or at 90'? Can I run a single drop wire into my panel and then switch the feed between two matching networks? One for 160 and one for 80? Please advise Thanks Carl AG6X Carl, Why not just run a slant wire to your shack and feed the bottom against a ground system through an ATU. Don't expect any real drama on 80 meters as the tower is probably to long electrically. ut a slant on any frequency could be modeled to see what you choices are. The only way this could change if you made a decoupling sleeve on the tower so the radiator appear to be between 1/4 and 3/8 wave length. It can work as a duo bander but it will require some extra work and a good vacuum switch since the voltages may be high at the in/out switch point. Some directive in the direction of the slant may occur but it should be be slight. As far as a drop wire shunt is concerned: There should not be any advantage of having the drop wire shunt arm much higher than the approximated sweet point for you tower. Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ _ 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: FW: KD9SV Products
The first time it didn't post so trying the other email address.de gary, kd9sv _ From: kd9sv [mailto:kd...@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2014 3:11 PM To: Topband-Bounces (topband-boun...@contesting.com) Subject: KD9SV Products Just a quick note to let all the Top Band enthusiasts know that DX Engineering now has exclusive rights to all of KD9SV Low Band Products. Thanks and best 73 and DX in the upcoming contest. Gary, kd9sv --- 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
Re: Topband: WD1A
Mike, the measurements I took here on a short (300ft) WD-1A with average height of 5ft using the method W8JI recommends with a termination resistor (pot) and MFJ-259 showed an impedance of 140 ohms on both 160 and 80 meters. I did not attempt to measure at higher freq's...de gary, kd9sv -Original Message- From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike Waters Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 10:13 AM To: topband Subject: Re: Topband: WD1A I think the characteristics of so-called WD-1 surplus phone line varies. FWIW, the two short samples of WD-1 that I have here are as follows: 115 ohms impedance, calculated from the following: .033 diameter (averaged), .0685 spacing. The dielectric constant of the insulation (polyethylene) is 2.2. I just made three transformers for someone using that line as a bi-directional Beverage, but I think more tests need to be run to see how it really works in actual practice. But so far, so good. :-) 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Mon, Jul 23, 2012 at 8:43 AM, Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com wrote: Has anyone ever made any attempt to characterize the line at HF? ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
